Page 29 of Imperfections Forbidden
“Living the college life like a rock star.”
She smiles and shakes her head.“You’ve always reminded me of a surfer boy slash rock star.”
“You know that’s a winning combination: love, sex, drugs, rock and roll.”
“Minus the drugs of course,” she says, arching a brow.
“It wouldn’t be rock and roll without a little something.”
He better not be into anything crazy.I don’t condone everything he does, but he’s young, and if he’s going to make mistakes, now’s the time to do it.I stand behind Cat and put my hands on her shoulders.
I clear my throat.“It better not be more than a little alcohol and medicinal herbs you’re talking about.”
“I’m not into anything crazy.I told you I was cutting back.I have to live up to that Alexander name.”
“You don’t have to live up to anything.All you need to do is take care of yourself and be you.”
“I know.”
Cat looks up at me and puts a hand over one of mine.“Oh, I missed you guys.Brotherly love.”
I look down at her and roll my eyes.
“Cat, are you the reason why my brother’s house looks like this?”
“Like what?”
“Like Christmas gone wild.”He waves his hand around my kitchen and walks to the living room.
Cat walks into the living room and stands by the Christmas tree.I forgot how big it was; it has to be eight feet tall.She was very happy decorating this thing, singing Christmas carols.She decided to make it blue, gold, and silver, with about a million white lights and decorations.My house has never seen half this much Christmas cheer.
“Christmas has gone more than wild in here, and I love it.So does your brother, he brought Christmas to me a few weeks early.He’s going to get an extra special gift from me.”
I sit on the armrest of the couch.Gage stands next to her in front of the tree.“I think you were already giving it to him when I walked in here.If he gets more, it might kill him.Hell, it might kill you.”
I see the blush creeping up Cat’s cheeks and I’m ticked.I told this guy to watch his mouth.“Hey, hey, it’s time for you to go!”I say, standing up beside him.“You’ve overstayed your welcome, next time call before you come.”
Cat gives me a dirty look for making him leave, but it’s time for him to go.
“Is it time for me to leave already?”
“Yes.”
“Cat, do you want me to leave?”
“No, you don’t have to.”
“Yes, he does.”I slap my hand down on his shoulder hard.We both have a tight smile and nod to each other.Cat pinches me on the shoulder hard.“Ow!What was that for?”Ignoring me, she holds on to Gage’s arm.
“Gage, you don’t have to leave, we didn’t get to finish talking.”
She’s rubbing his arm likehe’sthe injured party, and she’s going to be upset with me for what he said.I’d like to wipe that smirk off his face.
“We have plenty of time to do that.I’ll be around a lot more if you’re going to be here.”
“Good.”
He swoops down, lifts her off her feet in a death grip hug he knows I’m not going to like and a kiss way too close to her lips.He puts her down with a cheesy grin meant for me.
