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“Of course,” are the words coming out of my mouth, while on the inside, I’m really trying to think of what excuse I can use this time to get out of the dinner my brother has planned for Saturday night.
Jordan is playing tonight and then is coming home to see us and his family for the weekend. Once again, without his wife.
I mean, at least that makes it a little easier for me, but I’m afraid I really have run out of reasons to give Xavier for why I’m avoiding Jordan.
“Nat?” My head snaps up from where I was looking down at the gear we’re still putting away. “Want to tell me where your head is at? You’ve been a little quiet this morning or ready to snap my head off. You weren’t out on some hot date last night and keeping it from me, were you?”
Groaning, I pick up two of the kettlebell weights.
“Wow, Xavier. No, I wasn’t, and even if I was, it wouldn’t be any of your business, would it?” The smirk on his face tells me I’m about to get the same old speech about him being my older brother and still having to look after me. Like I’m not twenty-eight years old, for fuck’s sake.
“Nat, Nat, Nat.” He shakes his head at me.
“Don’t even start, otherwise I’m leaving you to pack all this up on your own. One day I will just turn up with some guy on my arm and introduce you to my new husband, so then I won’t have to go through all the macho bullshit beforehand.”
His mouth drops open and his hand comes up over his heart, faking how hurt he is.
“You would never do that to your twin brother who you love more than any other person in this world.” He fakes the big puppy-dog eyes at me.
“Lordy, if Alesha could see you now, she would be wondering what the hell she has gotten herself into. And yes, that is exactly what I will be doing if you don’t stop being a pain in the ass.”
“Wow, you’re touchy today. Maybe you should have a session with the punching bag over there to get all that sass out of you. Or is it one of those hormone days?” He’s already ducking because he knows he just crossed the line.
There’s someone I want to punch, and that is the dopey guy right in front of me.
“Less talking and more packing up. I’m meeting up with Zara for dinner tonight and I want to go home and shower, then try to look a little like a woman who doesn’t spend all her time in Lycra and runners.”
“Arrrgghh, now I get it!Tonight’sthe hot date, not last night, and Zara is the cover-up. Or is she going to hold your hand? I know, I know, she’ll sit and watch to check him out and then be the excuse if you need to ditch him early. Do you need me to come and be the muscle?”
“Ugh, seriously. That’s it, I’m out!” I drop the plastic step I had just picked up. “All yours, see you later.” There is one thing about a brother, especially when you’re a twin. There are times where you love them and couldn’t imagine life without them by your side, then the rest of the time it’s like you just want to tape their mouth shut and hurt them for being so annoying.
Today is one of those days!
Xavier is doing my head in, and he knows it.
Coming out of the locker room with my bag over my shoulder, I cross the gym floor. Xavier is talking to Tom, one of the other trainers, but still doesn’t miss his chance to get the last word in.
“Bye, Nat, have fun on your hot date,” he screams at me from across the room, causing half the men to turn and glare at me. “Don’t stay out past curfew tonight and be late for work in the morning, otherwise it’ll be twenty burpees for you.”
Dead! Yep, I’m going to kill him.
I can’t even be bothered to reply; just giving him the death stare is enough, I figure.
I almost make it to the door, and then he sticks the knife in. “Oh, and don’t forget Saturday night’s dinner with Jordan. He told me he’s excited to see you.”
And there it is. The real reason for my pissy mood.
Sitting across the table from Jordan all night is bound to be hours of fun, I’m sure.
Or perhaps torture is a better word. Panty-melting, heart-thumping, body-hot-and-sweating torture.
I need to find a solution and fast.
I know. Alcohol! And lots of it.
Okay, maybe not, but I need to come up with another solution. Hopefully Zara will have something up her sleeve.
That woman is good at dodging men. She was doing it for weeks with Grant Stevenson. But that’s a whole different story.
