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Lindsey approaches me and opens her arms in a hug. Guess now that I’m living with a girl again, I should get used to hugs. I remember being a boy, growing up in London with my mum and sister. They were huggers too. My mum still is. My sister, though, she doesn’t do anything anymore. Not since that night so many years ago.
Returning her embrace, I’m immediately enveloped in her scent. God, but she smells good. Like lavender and some other sort of sweet flower. I’m not sure which one, but my mum could tell me. That woman always did like her flowers. Lindsey’s in a little tank and those tight shorts women wear at the gym. She feels warm and soft. It’s been a while since I’ve had a woman in my arms, and I’m possibly noticing all the things I definitely shouldn’t be about my new roommate. Clearing my throat, I force myself to take a step back.Get your mind right, Clarke.
“Where should I put my things?” I ask Lindsey.
“They’re moving everything out of Kasey’s room right now, so why don’t you just set them over by the couch.” She points to the big, comfortable looking couch to the side of the living room. It looks like the perfect size for me to lounge and watch movies. I’ve never been a fan of having a TV in the bedroom. I have to be dead tired before I can fall asleep, and a TV would only keep me up. Plus, I never had one in my room growing up, so it’s not something I was used to anyway.
“Aye, thanks.” I hope that came out more casual sounding than I’m feeling at the moment.
“Would you like a mimosa?” Abigail offers while she’s reaching for another plastic cup.
I shake my head. “Thanks, but no. I’m not a big fan of champagne.”
Jackson scoffs and rolls his eyes.
“Don’t expect him to be a fun roomie, Linds. I think he’s allergic to the idea,” he comments with a bland tone.
Again, this guy is a complete twat.
Donovan and Kasey walk in from the street, where they were putting a few things in her car when I got here. Personal items they didn’t want the movers handling. From the blush and giggle that escaped Kasey as she placed a box in her car, I don’t think I want to know what exactly.
“Jackson, stop being an asshole. Aiden doesn’t need to drink to have fun,” Donovan tells his brother as he walks by, smacking him in the back of the head. I bark out a laugh at the look of indignation that crosses Jackson’s face.
“I was just giving him a hard time, brother. No need to become violent.” He gives me an irritated glance and walks over to Lindsey to give her a hug. The embrace lasts a little longer than needed, in my opinion. He’d better not be trying to put the moves on her. Not that it’s any of my business, but he’s the last thing she needs happening in her life.
“I’m gonna go. You good?” he asks her.
She smiles up at him, and I see a familiarity in her smile that doesn’t sit right with me. Again, not my business.
“I’m good. We’ll talk later.” She steps away as Jackson walks to the door.
“Later, brother. Kasey, it was a pleasure as always. Screaming banshee, I hope we don’t do this again soon.” That last comment is directed at Abigail, who throws up her middle finger with a sarcastic little smile on her face. Yeah, I’m liking this girl more and more.
“I should probably get going too,” Abigail tells us.
She turns around and the three of them go in for a slightly teary group hug. “Girls, I’m going to miss coming over after work and sharing a bottle anytime with my two besties.”
Good God, all the hugging. Kasey and Donovan only live fifteen or so minutes away. It’s not like anyone is leaving the state. I stand with my hands shoved uncomfortably in my pockets while I take in the spectacle. When they pull apart, the three of them are holding hands.
“I’ll still be close, and I can come over anytime for some wine, okay, Lindsey?” Kasey says.
“Of course, we’ll still have wine nights. I’m sure Aiden will appreciate a night off from babysitting me here and there.” Lindsey gives me a self-deprecating smile. I don’t like it. She shouldn’t feel bad about what she needs from people right now. She’s still healing.
“Nah, I’m a homebody, but if you ladies feel the need to kick me out of the apartment every once in a while, I won’t put up too much of a fight.” I smile back at Lindsey to convey I don’t feel like she’s any sort of burden to me. I doubt we’re at the stage where we can read each other’s facial expressions, but the way her eyes soften tells me she appreciates me not thinking of her as a job.
“Okay, beautiful, it’s time to head out. The movers are about to leave, and I know you want to tell them where everything goes,” Donovan tells Kasey.
He leans in to give Abigail and Lindsey a quick hug, and they go back to a quiet conversation with Kasey. If I know anything about Kasey, they’re probably planning their next ladies-night-in already.
Donovan turns to me and motions me to follow him outside.
“I’m really glad this worked out, Aiden. You have no idea how much stress this took off Kasey. She’s still working on letting go of the idea that she has to mother her sister.”
I know all about taking on a parental role for a younger sibling when only one parent is left holding the bag.
“I suppose you two have that in common,” I tell him. Even though the Hayes brothers were brought up in a rich family, with both parents very present in their lives, Donovan always took on the role of protector. Although it was mostly him protecting his family from his brother’s sordid life and goings-on, not the other way around.
“It’s a little different.” He chuckles. “But Jackson has kept a lid on his activities, shall we say, so I haven’t had much cleaning up to do.”
