Chapter 20: Chapter 20

AVERY

Reed is already grumbling as we approach the theater, trying to negotiate a switch in movie choice.

“Come on, Avery. Let’s watch the one about the fast cars and the bank heist. I’ll clean your house for you,” he pleads, giving me his best puppy dog eyes as we line up for tickets and snacks.

His pout is cute, but I’m not giving in.

“My house is clean,” I reply, shaking my head.

“It won’t be forever,” he counters.

“When it’s not, I’ll crank up my music and clean it myself,” I assure him.

He groans in response. “Don’t make me watch this movie.”

“What’s so terrible about it?” I ask.

“It’s a chick flick. I can’t stand chick flicks,” he complains. “They’re cheesy and predictable.”

He’s not entirely wrong, but he’s not getting out of this one.

“Two tickets for ~Love Me Till Tuesday~,” I tell the cashier, ignoring Reed’s head shake.

“Anything else?” the cashier asks.

“Get whatever you want. It’s on me,” Reed offers.

“Okay, but we’re still watching my movie,” I remind him.

“I know, I know,” he sighs. “Just get your snacks so we can get this over with.”

The theater is mostly empty when we walk in, so we’re able to snag the best seats, right in the middle and far enough back to comfortably view the screen.

Reed plops down with a disgruntled sigh.

“At least I’ll be comfortable while I suffer,” he mutters, adjusting his seat and placing his soda and candy in the cupholders.

“For someone who claims to hate drama, you’re being pretty dramatic,” I tease, sitting next to him and stashing my cinnamon candy and popcorn beside me.

Reed glances around at the empty seats. “Looks like romantic dramas aren’t as popular as you thought, Avery. It’s just us in here,” he taunts, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Just wait,” I reply, unfazed. “They’ll come.”

And they do. Soon, the theater is filled to capacity with eager moviegoers.

“You were saying?” I ask, popping some popcorn into my mouth and smirking at him.

He doesn’t play along. He just reaches over me for some popcorn, glaring at me before shoving it into his mouth.

“Movies like this can earn you major points with your girlfriend,” I suggest, winking at him.

“But those points won’t do me any good if I’m dead,” he retorts.

“Dead? How exactly are you going to die?”

“From boredom,” he groans, rolling his eyes theatrically.

I can’t help but laugh as the lights dim and the previews start. After twenty minutes of trailers, the theater falls silent and a warning for R-rated content appears on the screen.

“Now we’re talking,” Reed murmurs.

“Shh. The movie’s starting,” I whisper.

“Good. I could use a nap,” he whispers back, chuckling to himself.

“You better not, Reed,” I hiss at him.

He just laughs again as the first scene comes up, casting a glow on Reed’s handsome face.

“I listened to that playlist, by the way. Nice mix,” he says, his low voice making my toes curl. “Which one’s your favorite?”

“I like the one about the dress on the floor. It’s got a good beat and lots of sensual vibes. It makes me want to dance,” I explain.

“You mean it makes you want to fuck,” he corrects.

“Reed!” I exclaim, earning a few annoyed shushes from the people around us.

I sink down in my seat as Reed laughs again.

“That’s not what I said,” I protest.

“But it’s what you meant,” he insists.

I glare at him, but he’s already turned his attention back to the screen, smirking as he takes a sip of his drink.

~Smug bastard.~

***

About an hour into the movie, the first sex scene starts. And of course, Reed has a comment.

“Ugh. Girls actually like this slow, boring stuff?”

“What’s boring about it?” I ask quietly, reaching for my drink. “It’s sweet.”

“Sure, it’s sweet, but imagine how much hotter it would be if he was fucking her from behind. Hard. So fucking hard. It wouldn’t be romantic, but it would be so much better.”

Reed’s audacious words send me into a coughing fit as my water goes down the wrong pipe. People are glaring at us as I sputter through the scene. He gives them an apologetic look before turning back to me, a smug grin plastered all over his face.

“What’s wrong, Avery? Swallow an ice cube?” he says, his voice a teasing whisper as he pats my back.

I wave him off. “It’s a chick flick, Reed. Not a porno,” I whisper when I catch my breath.

He leans in closer, his proximity making me forget about the movie and the crowded theater. “It could be both. Just think, he’d be pounding on his chest. ‘~Bang. Bang. Gorilla~.’”

A surge of heat floods my lower belly, spreading between my thighs as the scene he’s painting plays out in my mind. Except it doesn’t feature the characters from the movie. It’s me and Reed.

My tongue darts out over my lower lip. I see Reed’s jaw tighten, his throat moving as his eyes follow the action.

~Is he picturing that right now? I wonder if it’s me he’s imagining or his mystery girl? ~

“Is that your favorite song from the playlist?” I ask, shifting my legs subtly to quell the sensation.

Reed seems to notice my discomfort and watches me squirm. “Nah. But I do appreciate the part about fucking like gorillas.”

“So, what’s your favorite song then?”

“The one about fucking so loud it pisses off the neighbors. Making enemies and allies in bed,” he murmurs, lifting his drink for another sip.

His tongue curls around the straw before he slips it into his mouth as if he’s trying to provoke me. To make me imagine his tongue on my lips before they slip down along my body and disappear between my thighs.

It works. A wave of desire crashes through me. I turn away and stare hard at the movie screen.

~Oh my god. I can’t keep this up.~

***

Reed and I are in the middle of a conversation about the book the movie was based on when we get back to my apartment. I open the door to find Josh sitting on the couch. He looks up from his phone as we enter, his eyes suspicious.

“What are you two doing together?”

Reed glances at me. “I saw Avery walking down the street, so I joined her.”

“Yeah. I went to see that new chick flick. You know the one based on that book?”

Josh nods like he knows exactly what movie I’m talking about, but I’m guessing he doesn’t have a clue. I know for a fact Madison made him go see it last week.

“You up for some hoops at the gym?” Reed asks, diverting Josh’s attention.

Luckily, Josh agrees and they leave. I get a message from Reed a few minutes later.

Reed

Oh, and I almost forgot. You’re coming with me to a hockey game tomorrow. Consider it payback for making me sit through that terrible movie today. Be ready around noon.

REED

I flick the lights on at the gym, illuminating the basketball court. Josh wastes no time before he takes a ball from the rack and begins shooting free throws.

“So, you gonna tell me what you’re doing with Avery yet?” he asks, jumping up to take another shot.

“What do you mean?” I ask, playing innocent as I walk over to pick up another ball.

“It just seems like you two are together whenever I turn around,” he claims. “Is there something going on there?”

“No, man. That’s your sister.” I shake my head and act like I would never.

~I would. And I want to. Really fucking want to, but I need Josh to see I’ve changed first. Otherwise, he’ll do everything he can to keep us apart.~

“But for the record,” I add. “Avery could do a lot worse than me, like the asshole who cheated on her.”

“You’re no knight in shining armor either, Reed,” he says.

I bite back a rush of anger as his words hit me like a slap in the face.

“What are you getting at, Josh?”

“You know what I’m getting at. Avery deserves someone who’s crazy about her. Head over heels for her. Not someone just looking to have a good time,” he says, dribbling a bit before running up and dunking.

~I am fucking crazy about her. There is no other woman alive who compares to Avery.~

I hesitate, wanting to come clean and confess how I’ve felt about his sister all these years. How I’d do anything for her. But I know he won’t believe me if I tell him that right now.

~Maybe one day he’ll see I’ve changed, but today is not that day.~

I stop dribbling and walk the ball back to the rack.

“What? Are we done? We haven’t even played yet.” Josh comes closer, the ball held loosely in his hands. “Don’t tell me that I hit a nerve, Everett. I’m just looking out for my little sister.”

“No, man,” I say with a shrug. “Forgot I’ve got a big day tomorrow. I need to go get ready for it. Rematch later? I’ve got to get going.”

I turn and leave the gym.

~I do have a big day tomorrow. With Avery.~