Page 47 of Boundaries

My forehead scrunched and I took another step forward, shaking my head, “No, thank you—well, I mean, yes thank you for my clothes but… thank you—for looking after me last night. When I was sick.” My God, I sounded like a stuttering imbecile. Why was it so fricking hard?

His expression softened fleetingly before that stern mask was pulled back in place.

He revved the car twice before stating, “See, that wasn’t that hard was it, Brat?” His narrowed gaze gave me shivers, his reply was like a kick in the teeth and I saw a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Before I could speak, he jammed the car in gear again and it shot forward as he drove off, showering me with a cloud of grit.

I could see him watching me through his rear-view mirror and I stepped into the middle of the road, feeling sad.

Why did I suddenly feel such an overwhelming urge to cry? Why was this situation any different? We had been at daggers drawn for years. We brought out the worse in each other. It was what we did.

So why did I not like myself just then?

As Mason’s truck disappeared out onto the main road, I pulled the carrier tighter against my chest. Mason had known that this pair of Converse were my favourites. When had he started taking so much interest?

I pushed away that strange storm of thoughts that was threatening to break, maybe I still had heatstroke. I certainly didn’t feel like myself.

Last night there had been a truce between us and now we were back where we started.

So why did the thought of that now make me feel like shit?

*****

After taking my stuff back up to the house, I set off down the road again. I ignored Alex’s message, I felt that I needed to deal with my brother first.

I still felt slightly ropey after the heatstroke and so I kept to the shade where possible. The sun wasn’t as blazing as it had been the day before.

Mattie was already in town and had texted to say he was in Crawley’s Butchers replenishing the meat that he had cooked at the BBQ the night before. Although not back for another few weeks, my dad always knew exactly how much meat there was in the freezer.

I agreed to meet him for coffee, not something I did often as I wasn’t into hot drinks but I opted for a Pepsi and Mattie went for a latte.

We sat at the back of the café and it was quiet, Sundays usually were in the village. Mattie was sheepish when I joined him at the table. I could tell he was embarrassed, well so was I!

“So, spill. How long have you been shagging my boyfriend?” I questioned. I got straight to the point, I’d seen my brother’s hard dick at the end of the day, there was no beating about the bush.

“It isn’t like you think?” Mattie began in his defence. His words shocked me, he surely wasn’t going to try and deny it.

“So, you’re not fucking my boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend now I suppose.”

“No, I mean yes. What I mean is, it isn’t like that. We’ve liked each other for ages but I thought he was straight.”

“So, who made the first move,”

“You probably won’t believe me but neither of us really. It just happened.”

“Really, you just woke up one day and thought, I’ll stick my dick in Alex. Assuming you’re the giver,” I snapped.

“Don’t be vulgar Amy, it doesn’t suit you.”

A long awkward silence dragged between us and I knew from his expression that he was hurting. I didn’t like it and I certainly didn’t want to be the one to cause it.

“I just wished you’d come to me first Mattie. You’re my brother. You could have told me how you felt. To be honest I’m not that shocked Alex turned out to be gay. He wasn’t exactly the most touchy-feely boyfriend.”

“I should have told you, I fucked up. Please forgive me, forgive both of us.”

“Just don’t ever hide shit from me again or that’s it. You’re lucky I’m not calling Mum and ratting you out.”

There was a heavy pause as Mattie sipped his drink, “So, what about Alex?”

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