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  “Thanks, Sylvie,” I said as I walked over and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Or you could stay with me!” Jared offered, giving me a hopeful look. “I still have the spare room too, and we have some catching up to do.”

  “Wow!” I replied with a laugh as I glanced at Savannah once more. “It’s good to feel so wanted.”

  “Why don’t you sleep on it,” Sylvie said, kissing me on the cheek. “There is no hurry on you deciding.”

  “Thanks, Sylvie,” I replied, giving her a smile. Then I kissed Jolie. “I will give you your gifts when I wake up and feel a little more normal, Kiddo.”

  I shook Jared hand.

  “Thanks for coming to get me, man,” I said as I slapped him on the back. Then I turn to Savannah.

  “It was lovely to meet you Savannah,” I said as I took her hand again, allowing myself to look into her eyes. I could feel a jolt of electricity race through my body, just from her touch.

  “You too, Seth,” she said holding my eyes with hers. She smiled at me, and I swear, I stopped breathing.

  I pulled my hand free from hers, maybe a little too forcibly, before I smiled once more then excused myself. Grabbing my bags, I headed upstairs, straight for Danny’s old room.

  Once I was in the safety of the bedroom, I flopped down on the bed, letting out a deep sigh. I closed my eyes and Savannah immediately popped into my head. As I thought about the touch of her soft hand in mine, my cock twitched.

  I groaned as I rolled onto my side.

  I couldn’t feel like this. She was my best friend’s girl. Jared was like my brother; I could never cross that line. I needed to shut this down.

  But then I thought of her again. Her eyes, her smile, and my cock twitched once more.

  You are in real trouble here, Asshole, was my last thought before I passed out from sheer exhaustion.

  Chapter 2

  Seth

  I woke with a start, springing up in the bed. For a moment I forgot where I was. Then I remembered that I was finally back home as I flopped back onto the bed. I felt better after the sleep, but still I felt like I could have slept for several hours more. Looking at my watch, I was surprised that it was already after five.

  I was tempted to roll over and go back to sleep, but I knew that if I was to ever swap over time zones, I needed to get my ass out of bed.

  I sat up in bed, then swung my feet to the floor. That’s when I remembered Savannah. I had no idea what had gotten into me. I was going to put it down to jetlag, pure and simple. She was Jared’s girl and he clearly loved her. It was somewhere I could never go, I would never break the brother code, so I needed to shut down whatever the hell was going on in my brain.

  I pushed up from the bed and walked to the window, looking out at the street below; a street I had spent most of my childhood on. I lived about a block away, but we rarely spent time there.

  I was nine when my dad left. He just packed his bags and walked out one day; we never heard from him again. Jolie had just turned two, so she has no real memory of him, but I did. He was a quiet, unassuming man who, I realised as I got older, was completely out of his league with my mother. She bullied him to the point where he could take no more. I understood him leaving. I just couldn’t understand him leaving us too. We were his kids as well.

  Still I missed him. I missed the closeness we once shared. He had been my hero, so him leaving had broken my heart. I had thought about looking for him many times over the years. There were so many questions I needed him to answer but I decided if he wanted to find us, he would have done, so I let it go.

  Jolie was the only one who knew how much him leaving hurt me. When she was little, I would tell her that one day he would come back for us and take us to live with him and far away from mom, but he never did.

  I was ten, the first time my mother didn’t come home, Jolie was only three. I remembered her getting dressed up, then coming to kiss us both goodnight, saying she would be back later. I remembered that I thought she looked more beautiful than I had ever remembered seeing her before. She didn’t look quite so pretty when she turned up two days later. She was still drunk from what was the first of many drinking binges. I wished that day my dad would come save us, but he never did.

  When Sylvie found out what was going on, she called social services, but I loved my mom, so I covered for her. I knew why Sylvie had called them, but I couldn’t let my mom down. Besides, I had been afraid they would send me and Jolie away, that I wouldn’t see Jared again, or worst still, I would be separated from Jolie.

  I promised Sylvie, I would come to her if we needed anything, or if my mom disappeared again, I would tell her. So, when mom vanished, I would call Sylvie. She would come take Jolie and me to her house. My mom never knew about my arrangement with Jared’s mom.

  I looked down into the driveway and I saw Jared’s Jeep was gone. I figured he and Savannah had gone out, so the coast was clear to go back down to Jolie and Sylvie.

  First, I pulled some clean clothes from my bag and quickly showered before I changed. Then, I searched my bags for the gifts I bought for Jolie and Sylvie, before I made my way down to the kitchen. I was surprised to find it empty. I spotted a coffee pot, still bubbling on the counter. I opened the overhead cupboard, pulling out a mug to pour myself a coffee, then walked out on the back porch where I sat down on the swing chair.

  The early evening sun was low in the sky, as the smell of rain hung in the air, but it felt good to be home. Australia and Thailand were both beautiful, but nothing could compare to the place where I grew up. It was familiar and comfortable.

  I brought the cup to my mouth and took a long, welcomed sip.

  “Hi there,” a voice said from the doorway. I turned to find Savannah leaning against the door frame.

  “Hi there yourself,” I replied as I stood, completely thrown to see her standing there. I tried not to notice how the summer dress she was wearing, clung perfectly to her body, or how her soft blonde curls fell effortlessly over her shoulders. “I’m sorry, I thought everyone was out.”

  “Jared and Jolie went with Sylvie to the bakery,” she explained as she stepped further out of the house on the back porch. “I had some paperwork to finish, so Sylvie let me use her office.”

  “I see,” I said as I shifted nervously from one foot to another. Pointing to the wooden swing, I gave her a nervous smile. “Would you like to sit?”

  “Sure,” she replied, giving me another one of those perfect smiles. I watched as she sat down on the far end of the swing, before I too sat back down, keeping as much space between me and her as possible.

  “Are you feeling better?” She asked, glancing at me sideways. “After your sleep, I mean.”

  “Eh…yeah,” I replied as I realised, she seemed as nervous as I was, but I had no idea why. “My head barely hit the pillow and I was gone. I’m not one of those people who can sleep on planes, so I was pretty beat.”

  She smiled but didn’t say anything. She just sat there, staring out over the backyard. I took another sip of my coffee, trying to decide what I should say to her next. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye and my eyes met her gaze. She was watching me. I quickly looked back out over the garden.

  “You know,” she finally spoke, releasing a long breath. “I was really nervous about meeting you.”

  “Meeting me! Why? “I asked as I looked at her once more, surprised by her remark.

  “Because Jared loves you more than anything,” she said turning to completely face me. She looked me directly in the eye, as the smell of her perfume invaded my senses. My eyes dropped to her perfect, pink lips and my mind raced with thoughts of how it would feel to kiss her, as my cock twitched once more. She was beautiful.

  I shut those thoughts down immediately as I stood up and walked down into the grass. I needed to keep some distance between us. I bent down and pretended to be checking on one of Sylvie’s potted plants, though what I knew about plants and gardening was exactly nothing.


  “I was afraid you wouldn’t like me,” she continued honestly. “Jared cares about what you think, and I thought…”

  “Why wouldn’t I like you?” I cut her off as I turned back to look at her, once more surprised by what she said.

  “I don’t know,” she replied nervously as her eyes dropped to the ground. “It’s just earlier, you seemed… I don’t know…like maybe you didn’t.”

  “I was just tired, honestly,” I said as I walked back to the chair and sat back down next to her. I looked at her and gave her a smile. “I think you seem, perfect…for Jared I mean. I think he is a lucky man.”

  She stared at me for a moment, then gave me a big smile. Her skin turned a very light shade of pink, as she blushed from my words and again instantly my cock twitched.

  It took every ounce of my strength inside me, not to grab Savannah and kiss her hard right then and there. I knew I needed to get out of there as soon as possible.

  “You are very sweet,” she said looking me straight in the eye, holding them for a little longer than she really should have. My eyes dropped to her lips once again and I could feel the want in me grow. I could feel it in my groin, as my cock became harder.

  STOP THIS NOW! I screamed in my mind. I looked at her for what seemed like forever and I could feel my breathing alter. I quickly stood up. I needed to stop this, because this could never happen.

  “I need to go…check something,” I said as I quickly hurried towards the door.

  “Oh, okay,” she replied, trying to sound unfazed, but her face said she was confused. I hurried back into the house. Heading up to Danny’s room. I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me. Firstly, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. Maybe lust, but definitely not love.

  Still, she affected me in ways I had never felt before. This was beyond insane, not to mention, wrong. I had not even had a proper conversation with her. I barely knew the girl. No, I was not falling in love, I was simply attracted to her. She was hot and I was horny, that’s all.

  I decided I needed a distraction, and by distraction, I meant I needed sex. Maybe that was the problem. It was almost a week since I had been laid. All I needed was a good fuck, to sort my head out. I grabbed my wallet from the nightstand next to the bed and my hoody from the chair, then hurried out of the bedroom.

  As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Sylvie, Jolie and Jared walked in the front door.

  “You’re going out?” Jolie asked, looking a little surprised.

  “I’m just heading out for a couple of hours,” I said, feeling guilty the moment I saw the disappointment in her eyes. I knew I was being irrational and over-reacting over the whole Savannah thing. Just as I was about to back down, I spotted Savannah standing at the kitchen door. Instantly I could feel my cock twitch again.

  Yeah, I need to get the hell out of here! I thought immediately.

  I looked at Jolie and gave her a smile, before I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

  “I won’t be long,” I promised her, feeling like the biggest asshole ever. I turned and hurried down the front steps.

  “Seth,” Jared called after me as he followed me down the steps. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” I said turning back to him. “I just need to go see someone.”

  “Well hang on,” he said, looking back at the house. “Sav and I will come with you.”

  FUCK!

  “I won’t be long,” I said, hoping he would reconsider.

  “Dude,” he said with a laugh. “I haven’t seen you in six months. I really don’t mind tagging along with you.”

  He turned and hurried back into the house. I stood in the front yard and considered making a run for it, but I remembered I wasn’t twelve anymore, so too old for running away. I resigned myself to the fact I wasn’t going to get out of this at all.

  Two minutes later, Jared and Savannah emerged. I tried my hardest not to look at her, instead played the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan in my head over and over. Anything to keep my dick under control.

  “So, where are we heading?” Jared asked as we all jumped into his car and he reversed it out of the driveway.

  Good fucking question. I thought to myself.

  “Joe’s,” I said quickly as Jared looked at me expectantly. Joe’s was the bar I pulled a few shifts in from time to time, so seemed like as good as place as any.

  “You want to go for a beer?” Jared asked, sounding surprised.

  “No, dumbass,” I replied, as my mind worked overtime. I hated lying to Jared, but I had little choice. “I want to talk to Joe about picking up some shifts. I need the money if Jolie and I are going to get our own place.”

  “And this couldn’t keep until tomorrow?” Jared said, glancing over at me.

  “Strike will the iron is hot,” I shrugged, realised I sounded like such an ass. “Besides, we can’t freeload off you or your Mom forever.”

  “You’re not, Seth, you know that,” Jared replied, this time keeping his eyes on the road ahead. “You’re family. Besides, Mom loved having Jolie there.”

  “I know,” I replied. “But I think we need to find our own place. We need a fresh start.”

  Jared didn’t reply. I glanced up into the rear-view mirror as my eyes met Savannah’s and she gave me a smile.

  Yeah, I thought to myself as I returned her smile. This was going to be a long fucking evening.

  When we reached the bar, I didn’t wait for Jared and Savannah to climb out of the car.

  “Grab a booth,” I called over my shoulder as I walked towards the door as fast as I could. “I’m going to look for Joe.”

  As I pushed open the door, a million memories came flooding back to me. It was here, the first time I met Ashley. Here when I got down on one knee in front of a packed bar and asked her to be my wife. Here is where I came and got lost in the bottom of a glass, having just walked out of my apartment after finding Ashley fucking some dude on our kitchen table.

  “Well look who the cat dragged in,” Joe said the minute he saw me walking through the door. He came around the bar, quickly pulling me into one of his famous bear hugs. Joe was six foot seven, built like a grizzly bear, but had a heart of gold. “How the hell are you?”

  “I’m good thanks,” I say genuinely happy to see my old friend. “Glad to be home.”

  “How is your kid sister doing,” he asked, and his tone said he knew what had happened to her while I was away.

  “She is doing better,” I replied with a nod, just as Jared and Savannah join us.

  “Hey Jared,” Joe said as he reached out his hand for Jared to shake. “I see you got your wingman back.”

  “Yeah, finally got him to get his useless ass back home,” Jared laughed as he glanced at me. “We are going to take that booth over there.”

  I watch them as they made their way through the bar, wondering how the hell I was going to get through this evening.

  “You doing okay, Seth?” Joe asked snapping me back out of my misery. “You look like you found a penny but lost a dollar.”

  “Yeah,” I sighed and turned my attention back to Joe. “Listen, can I have a word?”

  “Sure,” Joe said as we slipped onto two stools at the bar. I asked about maybe picking up some shifts. Joe said he would be thrilled to have me back. We shook on it before he returned behind the bar, and I took a deep breath before I walk to the booth.

  “Looks like I’ve got a job,” I said happily as I slipped into the booth across from Jared and Savannah. “And I have an interview with a newspaper next week, things are looking up.”

  “That’s great news,” Jared said as he stood up from his seat and kissed Savannah. “Order some beers, I gotta hit the head.”

  Before I could say anything, he was gone and once again, I was alone with Savannah.

  “Congratulations on the job,” she said giving me a smile. Instantly my whole body reacted.

  Keep it together, Reynolds, I chanted in my head.

  “
Thanks,” I said without making eye contact with her.

  “Seth, did I do something to offend you?” Savannah asked, looking at me expectantly.

  “No,” I replied quickly, letting my eyes meet hers. “Not at all.”

  “Then what is the problem?” she asked. Before I could answer the waitress appeared next to our booth.

  “OH MY GOD!” The waitress squealed excitedly. “Seth Reynolds, when did you get home?”

  “Meggie,” I replied as I looked up and recognised the waitress who had been working at the bar for over a year now. “I got back today.”

  “Oh wow,” she replied with a giggle as she rubbed my arm; what she found amusing, I had no fucking idea. I glanced over at Savannah, who looked less than impressed with our waitress. Meggie followed my eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry, are you on a date?”

  “No, no,” I replied quickly, this time it was my turn to get a look of annoyance from Savannah. “This is Savannah, she is Jared’s girl.”

  “Oh yeah,” she grinned, but she gave Savannah a look that said she really didn’t like her, and from the look on Savannah’s face, there was no love lost. “Silly me. I forgot about you and Jared.”

  I tried my best not to laugh when Savannah rolled her eyes at Meggie.

  As if on cue, Jared returned from the toilet. He slipped back into the booth and casually draped his arm around Savannah’s shoulder.

  The feeling in the pit of my stomach, could only be described as pure jealousy, and it completely unsettled me.

  “Hey, Jared,” Meggie said as Jared glanced up at her, giving her a cautious smile.

  “Hey, Meggie,” Jared replied, looking a little uncomfortable. Knowing Jared as I did, I knew that look meant he had fucked Meggie’s brains out at some stage and he was afraid she would say something wrong in front of Savannah, but she didn’t. Instead, she turned her attention back to me. “So, Seth, I’m off in about an hour if you’d like to buy me a drink?”

  I was about to say no, but I glanced at Savannah sitting there with Jared’s arm around her, and my stomach knotted with frustration. I returned my focus back to Meggie. I knew she was exactly what I needed to get Savannah out of my system.