AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My birthday was two months ago.
Me:
Exactly, which means it’s coming up again.
Shar:
You’re insane.
Me:
But you love me anyway.
Shar:
I do.
Me:
Right back at ya. I’m at Xavier’s. I’m crashing in his guest room for a bit. Feel free to drop by. We can drink his expensive liquor.
It takes a while for Shar to respond to that last one. I know she has a thing for my brother. Much like he does for her. But neither of them will admit it and they avoid each other at all costs.
Shar:
I can’t. Doing laundry. Another time.
I wasn’t expecting her to actually turn up here. I send her some love heart emojis before throwing my phone on the bedside table and sinking under the blankets. I let my eyes close. It’s easier to sleep knowing that my brother is just down the hall. I don’t feel like I have eyes on me, so I let myself drift off.
* * *
I wake with a start.The room is dark. There’s noise coming from the apartment. I get up and pad out to the living room. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I find Xavier with his mates, Nathan and Alistair. They’re also his business partners. All three of them are arguing over something in the living room. Each nursing a glass of amber liquid. I walk around and snatch Xavier’s before I down it. The burn’s a welcomed comfort as it glides along my throat and warms my chest.
“Pour me another,” Xavier grunts. “I was enjoying that.”
“I can see why. It’s good.” I walk over to his bar and pour him another glass of whiskey.
“When did you even become old enough to drink, Lucy?” Nathan asks me.
“Right around the time you three weren’t cool anymore,” I tell him, handing Xavier his glass.
“Huh, so you’re still not old enough then, because I’m still plenty cool,” Alistair says with a smirk.
“Did you sleep?” My brother is quick to interrupt our banter.
“I did. And now I’m going to get out of your hair.” I tell him.
“Where are you going?” he asks me.
“Probably Shar’s. Or home.”
“Want a lift?” Xavier looks me up and down like he’s going to suddenly find a reason he needs to be my chauffeur.
“I have a car, Xav. I’m fine. Thanks for letting me sleep. That bed is the best.”
“Why aren’t you sleeping, Lucy?” Alistair presses.
“Because I’m a uni student entering exam weeks. I know it was a really long time ago, but try to remember what those days were like. That’sifthe dementia isn’t kicking in,” I reply.
