Page 23 of Little Do You Know

After she ignored me for a week since the beach, I have a good sense that it’s the first. I knock again, persistently this time until Thalia yells something back in French. My guess is it’s something along the lines of go away.

It doesn’t have her favorite word, so maybe she thinks I’m Owen.

“Thalia, open the door,” I say, waiting a few moments to give her a chance to open the door. I hear the lock flip, but I don’t feel better after seeing her.

If I thought she looked rough last night, it’s nothing compared to how Thalia looks right now. Her normally bright green eyes and nose are red, and she has a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Thalia’s blonde hair is in a rat’s nest on top of her head, and she looks…defeated.

I hate seeing her like this. I should have stepped in last night, but how would I explain that to Owen? He drew a line in the sand when he asked me to leave the room. I was torn between helping the girl I shouldn’t want and her brother, my best friend of sixteen years.

I hold the bag of grease up. “I brought food.” I’m toeing that line right now, but I selfishly want to make sure Lia’s okay.

She looks at it blankly before turning around to pull the blanket over her head, curling up in a ball. “I’m not hungry. Shut the door behind you.”

I take a dangerous step through the door frame into the room that used to belong to Chris. I took for granted how simple everything was when he lived here. “You puked your guts out last night, and I’d bet you threw up again after we left for the game today. Have you eaten anything?”

“Go away. I’m giving you the reprieve you so desperately wanted, especially with how hard it is being around me.”

Fuck, I hoped she wouldn’t remember that. Yeah, I’d like to stop getting turned on by the thought of my best friend’s little sister. I’d like her to stop wearing outfits that make me unable to look away. I want to do a lot of things to her that I shouldn’t want to do. But this? Thalia hiding in her room, refusing to eat, isn’t what I want.

Owen and Lia don’t fight often, but it’s catastrophic when they do. They’re both so stubborn, and it could be weeks before they make up.

I make another risky move, sitting on the edge of her bed. “If you’re not going to eat, then I will. I just played an entire game, and you wouldn’t believe how hungry I am.”

Thalia remains covered by the blankets, seemingly unbothered by me, which I know isn’t true. I take it a step further, stretching out on her bed. I want a typical reaction from her. I’ll leave her alone after, but I need to see that she’ll be okay.

I know how to push her buttons, just like she knows how to push mine. Lia rolls to face me. “What will it take to get you to go away and leave me alone? Do I need to take my shirt off to show you my skin, because that always seems to send you running in the opposite direction?”

I put the bag of food on the ground next to the bed and rest my head on her pillows. “You’re never going to be able to get rid of me.” Especially if you start stripping next to me.

Thalia frowns, huffing. “Because you’re Owen’s best friend. I’m aware and so thrilled. Now get out of my room.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“Fine. Stay. I don’t care.” Thalia turns back over, and I’m stunned.

I had no idea that Owen’s words could do this. “Lia, he was wrong—”

“He wasn’t wrong in anything he said, so don’t defend him. You think the same fucking things he does, so I don’t know why you’re in here trying to make me feel better. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a headache, and I’d like to be alone.” Her voice cracks, and a piece of me does too.

I don’t think the same thing. But my pride and my loyalty to Owen prevent me from saying otherwise. I get off the bed, picking the food up to set it on her desk. “You still need to eat something. It won’t be as good if it’s cold.” I say before shutting the door behind me.

The minute I hit my bed, I’m out like a light.

~

“See, aren’t you glad you came?” Chris nudges me as a girl smiles from the other end of the bar after sending me a drink. It’s busy, but not so loud you can’t hear yourself think. It’s why we come here instead of the more popular bars around Durham.

“There’s something wrong with you if you don’t go talk to her,” Owen says, laughing, and I roll my eyes at him.

“I bet if you shaved your face, you might get free drinks sent to you too. I’m just going to go say thank you,” I say, sliding off the bar stool easily. I agree with Thalia. The beard is terrible, so I’m not sure why he insists on keeping it.

He didn’t mention me not celebrating with the team earlier, but there was no way I was getting out of going with him and Chris to the bars. These plans were made a few days ago, and backing out wasn’t an option.

I didn’t want to come out tonight and leave Thalia in the apartment by herself again, but she made it clear she didn’t want any company, especially mine. Why shouldn’t I go out with my friends?

The closer I get, the more familiar the girl is. Her friend whispers in her ear, getting up to walk away. “Hey, I’m Bash. Thanks for the drink.” I smile at her as I lean against the bar.

She laughs easily. “I know who you are. We’re in abnormal psych together, I’m Lucy.” I knew I recognized her from somewhere.

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