Something True (3 page)

“S'good,” I mumble around a mouthful of cold pizza. I could go into it more, but I don't think she's actually that interested.

“I should come see it sometime. I've always liked Cinderella.”

So sure, maybe she isn't the most attentive of listeners when it comes to anything that doesn't involve her job, and maybe she doesn't actually have much of a clue about my life even though we live together, but I forgive her since she's so busy ridding the city of criminals and all. She's like Daredevil, except she's not blind and she doesn't dress up as a ninja at night and kick bad guy butt. I think. I mean, who knows? The girl's hardcore.

“Yup.” I don't bother to tell her that it's Pride and Prejudice, mostly because I already have like, a squillion times. Besides, we both know she's not really coming. I still appreciate the pretense though.

My pocket buzzes with a text, and Sabrina laughs at me as I immediately drop the gross pizza to phone grope myself. I expect it to be Aleix, because he's texted me after each of my shows this week which is just all kinds of sweet.

Yo, loser. Going out with my brother again?

Ugh, definitely not Aleix. I really shouldn't text Walt back because it just encourages his bad behavior, but I always find myself doing it anyway. He brings out the inner bitch in me.

And that's your business because?

“How're things going with your new guy?” Sabrina kicks off her killer heels and sits down on the metal swivel stool in her stylish kitchen.

Because I think you should leave my brother alone. He's too nice – you'll corrupt him.

I roll my eyes. This guy makes me roll my eyes so much I swear one day they're going to drop right out of my head. “It's going good,” I tell Sabrina. “We're having a lot of fun.”

Aleix and I have been out a couple of times since that night we met at the bar. He's cool about my schedule, because he has a pretty busy one himself. We've grabbed lunch once or twice and he's taken me out for drinks and dancing after one of my shows. I like him. I like him a lot.

Mind your own business, butt head! And stop texting me!

Aleix is nothing like his irritating younger brother. I don't even get how the two of them can be related, to be honest. He's the perfect gentleman, for one thing. He holds open doors for me and pulls out my chairs – whereas Walt would probably slam the door in my face. He's sweet and nice and he treats me like a lady.
And
he'd been to my show twice. Twice! Walt has never been to my show, not once. Every other one our friends have been except him. Even Fábia has seen it. EVEN FÁBIA!

You'd miss me if I didn't text you anymore. Go on, it's okay to admit it.

Like a hole to the head, you big spazoid.

Stop flirting with me, you're embarrassing yourself.

Vom.

It's obvious that you want me. No point denying it. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Except everyone we know.

God, even when he's not here he still drives me crazier than anyone I've ever met.

I want you like I want a flesh eating venereal disease. STOP TEXTING ME!!

+++

“HEY!” I GREET in surprise when Aleix meets me at the dressing room doors the next day. I don't think he's supposed to be back here, but he could probably charm his way into a nun's panties as long as he flashed that gorgeous smile. Do nuns even wear panties? Would Aleix think I was weird if I Googled that right now?

Saturdays are usually a two show day, but our evening show was canceled tonight which means I have a rare free evening.

He leans down and kisses me sweetly on the lips, then hands me a bouquet of red roses. They're beautiful, though roses have never been my favorite – I've always thought they were a little boring and very predictable. But it's a sweet gesture, and there's a hot guy giving me flowers so I'm sure as hell not complaining. “Hey yourself.”

“I didn't know you were coming to the show today.”

“Oh, I didn't. Missed it, unfortunately. But I finished my client lunch earlier than I expected so I thought I'd surprise you.”

“Consider me happily surprised.” Reaching up on my tippy toes, I kiss him again. His lips are warm and soft and delicious.

Hannah and Ellie, who play Elizabeth and Jane respectively, walk by us on their way out and giggle. They wink at me when I catch their eye. “Bye, Ibbs. Have fu-
un
!”

I grin back, because I know exactly what kind of fun they're talking about.

“So are you still free tonight?” Aleix wants to know.

“Actually no. Jemma's hosting a dinner party at Reid's place and she's gone completely nutso about it-”

“Their first dinner party together?” he guesses.

“Yuh huh. Appearance is mandatory. She made Reid buy a big dining table and everything. You could come though?”

I'm nervous for a moment, because this is the kind of date you invite your
boyfriend
to and not just the guy you've been casually hanging out with, until he smiles down at me. “That sounds great.”

+++

You look like crap tonight.

I glare at Walt across the dining table, but he only smirks at me in response. That guy is just
shifty
, that's what he is. I bet he pours the milk before he pours his cereal. People who pour the milk first can never be trusted.

Jemma's gone ever so slightly cray cray about this dinner party tonight since it's her first
grownup shindig
, so unfortunately we're on our best behavior which means I can't reach across the table and throttle Walt like I so desperately crave. Not unless I want to be maimed by my best friend's sister. And Jemma would do it, she is
that
psycho. Walt, however, is making things very difficult, as usual.

Well you look like the devil. So no change there then.

It's sad how much you want me.

Aleix eyes me and the phone suspiciously, so I shove it in my pocket and do my best to ignore his aggravating brother, because side-texting at the dinner table ain't cool.

“Thanks for letting me come last minute, Jemma,” Aleix says politely.

She waves her hand airily. “Oh, it's no problem.” It actually was a problem. When I showed up with Aleix in tow she dragged me into the kitchen and whisper yelled at me for ten minutes straight because I'd messed up the seating arrangement. Seriously, ten minutes straight. About the
seating arrangement.
I mean, for frigging frick's sake! After a while I'd started to become genuinely concerned that she was going to damage her throat.

“This is delicious – you're a great cook.”

That makes her swoon like a southern belle – Aleix is really good at the whole charming thing. I get a feeling I'm already forgiven. “I love to cook. My mom taught me.”

“She taught you well.”

“She offered to teach Blair too, but Blair thinks emptying soup out of a can counts a gourmet meal so clearly there's no hope for her.”

“Hey!” Blair protests, but she's grinning. “I can cook.”

“Yesterday you had to call me to ask how to boil an egg.”

“Eggs are hard!”

“Naw, baby. I love your cooking.” Silver kisses her cheek sweetly.

She pats his curly hair. “And I love it when you lie to make me feel better.”

“I'm the best fiance ever,” he agrees. It's only been a couple of weeks since they got engaged, but so far he's been slipping the word
fiance
in whenever he can. It's seriously adorable.

Blair turns back to Jemma, payback in her eyes. “So does this fancy dinner party mean you guys are thinking of moving in together?”

Jemma's cheeks go a bright red. “Blair! No-”

“Sort of,” Reid interrupts with a little grin. One of his large hands comes up to rest on the back of Jemma's neck.

She glances at him in surprise. “Sort of? What's that supposed to mean?”

“It means I've been moving you in slowly, getting you used to the idea before I make it official.”

A shocked laugh escapes her. “What are you even talking about?”

“You haven't noticed yet, but every time you stay over I've been getting you to leave more and more of your things behind. I figured by the time you realized, it would already be too late to stop it.” That's the thing about Reid – he can be sneaky, but he isn't afraid to own up to it. “At least half of your stuff has got to be here by now.”

“That's true,” Dahlia agrees. “Do you know how annoying it is trying to steal clothes from you when your wardrobe is mostly empty? I knew I was gonna end up losing my roomie before the year was out.”

Jemma's head shakes back and forth slowly. I think she's in shock. “But I'm not-”

“Please, when was the last time you slept at our apartment?”

Blinking, Jemma turns back to Reid. There's a cautiously hopeful look on her face. “So. . .you want me to move in with you?”

For the first time, Reid seems worried, as if he's afraid she's going to turn him down. The only time I ever see Reid lose that wall of confidence is when it comes to Jemma. “I do.”

“Then why didn't you just ask me?”

He rolls his eyes. “You kidding? You remember how hard it was getting you to just date me? I wasn't prepared to let you run away from me again.”

Her smile is bashful now, yet elated. Scooting her chair closer, she wraps her arms around his waist and lays her head on his shoulder. All of her craziness from hosting has melted away like ice under the sun. “Okay then.”

Reid tries to fight a smile. “Okay then what?”

“I'll move in with you.”

He grins and kisses her. “Like you had a choice.”

“You guys are so frigging sweet,” I say, holding out my glass. All of my friends are growing up. “Toast!”

Everyone clinks glasses – even Walt, though he doesn't seem happy about it.

Another one bites the dust.

Don't be so mean. That was cute.

“Who're you texting?” Aleix wants to know. I think it's irritating him that my attention is elsewhere. It's irritating me too.

“Just an annoying pest.”

“Ha fucking ha,” Walt replies grumpily. He does everything grumpily.

Comprehension dawns on Aleix's face and his brows furrow together. “You're texting each other? Right now?”

“He started it,” I say childishly.

“Don't you think that's a little weird?”

“I think she's a little weird,” Walt adds unhelpfully.

“Nu uh!” Jemma warns the pair of us. She points her finger at both of our faces, waggling it back and forth. “No bickering tonight, not when I'm so happy right now.”

“Sorry,” I reply contritely.

She raises a menacing eyebrow at Walt. Back when she first met him, I know Jemma was intimidated by him – it's hard not to be – but now he sinks into his seat and actually looks sheepish. “Sorry, Jem.”

“That's better.”

Changing the subject, Reid starts telling us about a new client of his who's determined to get the faces of the Harry Potter movies tattooed across her back, and I almost manage to ignore Walt for a whole five minutes. It's a glorious five minutes.

So, given it up to my brother yet?

If I wasn't so scared of being bitch slapped by Jemma, my drink would be all up in his face.

None of your business. Jerk.

I haven't had sex with Aleix yet, but Walt sure as hell doesn't need to know that. I mean, we've fooled around a little. Okay, a lot. He came back to my place after dinner one night and there was some definite rolling around going on beneath my sheets, but we didn't go all the way. There were one or two pretty nice neargasms though.

Fine, I'll just ask him.

He wouldn't tell you anything. I know him better than that.

Walt scoffs, and a couple of people around the table turn to him questioningly.

“Got something stuck in my throat,” he lies, and I have to stifle a laugh.

You haven't even known him two weeks.

Why do you even care?

His eyes meet mine across the table then, and for the briefest moment there's a flicker of something in those impossibly dark depths. Something vulnerable, something raw. Something I've never seen before, not in him. But then it's gone so quick I decide I must have imagined it, because Walt. . .he would never look at me that way. Like I was the very air he needed to breathe.

I don't. I don't care about you at all.

WHEN ALEIX STOPS calling and texting and starts ignoring my messages, I'm not super pissed. I mean, it's only been a day and I'm not a clingy freak of nature. He's probably just busy at work.

On the third day, I'm ever so slightly miffed. Because rude much?

By the time the fifth day rolls around, I'm just hurt. We may have only known each other a few weeks but we'd been having a good time and I'd thought he liked me as much as I liked him.

I start getting worried on day number six. What if he had an accident and hurt himself, or what if he got so sick he isn't even able to pick up the phone to call? Okay, that's a stretch, I know, but still the thought keeps running through my head on a revolving loop.

On the seventh day I gather up all of my resolve and I do the unthinkable – I swallow every last bit of my pride and I go see the one person who might be able to give me some answers.

Walt looks understandably surprised when he opens the door to see me standing on the other side. I had to use every last bit of charm in my arsenal on the stuffy old doorman downstairs to get him to let me up without buzzing first, because I knew if we'd buzzed then Walt probably wouldn't have let me in. The only reason I even know where he lives is because I was with Jemma one time when she picked him up on our way to meet Reid.

He's so shocked to see me that he doesn't even manage to come up with a snide comment like he usually would. It's a refreshing change.