Page 14 of Conflicted (Change 3)

“So, you have the hots for my brother, huh?” I look at Karen with wide eyes, and Connie laughs.

“I think you two should hook up. It would make you both a hell of a lot happier.” I shake my head and finish off my beer.

“Alright, fine. I’m attracted to him. He makes me feel things I haven’t felt in a long time, and I hardly fucking know him. I had an erotic dream about him, for fuck sake.”

“Fuck, Mel, that’s my brother. I don’t want to hear about your erotic dreams.” This time I just laugh. Especially when I think I’d rather it be real than just a dream.

“Yea, well, you asked. Anyway, I’m sure nothing will happen. He has a whole other life.” This actually makes me upset because I want him to want me, but it’s probably true. I sigh and lean against the counter. Connie wraps her arm around me, and I look over at her.

“Mel, if Keith is interested, which I can tell he is, believe me, he will make it happen. My brother goes for what he wants; he makes things happen. If there is something standing in his way, he’ll try his damndest to fix it.” I smile at Connie and give her a hug.

“That’s sweet. I won’t get my hopes up though.” I start to walk out of the kitchen and turn back. “I’m going to bed. I have work early. Please don’t stay up drinking, you have work, and Karen has school.” I walk away and laugh when I hear them yell ‘yes, Mom.’

I climb into bed and close my eyes. I once again see brilliant blue eyes, a sexy smirk, and strong arms. It’s going to be another long night.

When I left Connie’s last night, I left because the urge to pull Mel into her room was overwhelming, and I needed to get out of there. I need to talk with Connie before I make a move and make sure it is all right with her. I would never want to do anything that would hurt my sister. I also need to figure out if a fling is something both Mel and I are game for. I’ll only be here for a few more weeks, and I don’t want to hurt her. It figures that when I meet someone that I feel a connection to, she lives thousands of miles away from home.

I’ve been lying in bed trying to figure out what I should do. I know what I want to do, but I need to think with my head, not my cock. My cell phone chirps, and I grab it off the nightstand. I smile when I see it is a text from Young. I open it and start laughing. It’s a picture of Campbell down on one knee practicing proposing, w

hich would not be funny, except he is doing it to a blow up doll that Young has. In the text, it says, “I hope Red doesn’t get jealous.” It makes me laugh harder, and I decide to call him.

“Hello, Dickhead. Do you like my picture?” I chuckle and sit up.

“Hey, man. Yes, thanks for that blackmail photo. How’s it going there?”

“Things are great, couldn’t be better. Nothing new happening at all, same as always, yep it’s all good.” It makes me sit up straighter wondering what the hell is happening.

“Young, don’t fuck around. What’s going on there?” I hear him knock something over and curse.

“Dick, it’s nothing, man. I mean, maybe you should call Becca.” Now, I don’t like that at all. What the hell is he talking about?

“You have five seconds to tell me what the fuck is wrong.” Just what I need is to worry about what’s happening at home while I’m here. I can’t be in both places. I need my head here right now.

“Fine. Fuck. Becca went out to dinner with that guy, Jeff.” I roll my eyes and sigh.

“Are you fucking serious? Why the fuck would that be a big deal? We aren’t together anymore. You just got me all worked up for nothing.”

“Dickhead, I know you guys aren’t together anymore. I’m not a fucking idiot. I just didn’t want you to be hurt. I look out for my friends, and I know you have enough on your plate right now. So don’t be an asswipe.” He is the best friend in the worst way.

“I know, Young, thanks for looking out for me. Hey listen, can I ask you a question?” I may regret this, but maybe he can help me with my dilemma. I explain it all to him, from the second I saw her, to last night.

“So what you want to know is if you should fuck her?” Yep, I regret it. I should have talked to Campbell.

“No, asshole. I don’t just want to sleep with her. I like her a lot. I just don’t know if we start something if my leaving would hurt her. Should I even talk to her about it, or do I just ignore the attraction?” He’s quiet for a second, and I think he might actually be thinking it over.

“Oh shit, are you done talking? I fucking fell asleep listening to what a pussy you are. Dickhead, listen to me. Stop worrying so much about what is going to happen and enjoy today. You are always so damn high strung. Let loose, have fun. Don’t over-think things. When it’s time to come home, you’ll know what to do.” I grin and shake my head. This idiot really does surprise me sometimes. It was exactly what I needed to hear.

“You know what? You’re right. I’m just going to have fun and see what happens. Thanks, man.”

“Never doubt me, Dickhead. Now, when you finally get it in, make sure—” That’s when I hang up and laugh. There is only so much of Young’s shit I can handle. I climb out of bed and take a quick shower. Once I’m dressed, I head to the kitchen and make a pot of coffee. After I pour myself a cup, I sit at the table and open up the paper. We don’t get the paper at home, everything is online, but here, everyone still gets the paper. I actually find myself enjoying reading through it. I come to an article about a guy that just got twenty years added to his sentence because he was linked to another crime. I continue to read, and son of a bitch, if it wasn’t one of Mel’s sketches that made that possible. I smile with pride knowing she was able to keep this asshole in jail. I throw the paper down and pull out my cell phone. Fuck it, I’m taking Young’s advice.

“Hello?” I can tell Connie is nervous to hear from me, so I quickly get to my point.

“Hey. Listen, nothing is wrong. I wanted to ask you something. Would you be pissed if I told you that I’m attracted to Mel?” She laughs, and I hear a door close.

“No, big brother, I’m not pissed. It is pretty obvious you are. Sweet as hell of you to think of my feelings, but if you’re looking for me to say it’s fine . . . it’s fine.” I immediately smile.

“Thanks, Connie. One more thing.”

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