Page 110 of Now and Forever

“This is Chloe, my sister I was talking about,” he introduced me to Chris, Benson, and Spencer who all seemed more preppy than his usual crowd. Nevertheless, they were nice, good-looking guys who happened to be quite pleasant to be around.

Their afternoon consisted of playing video games, watching sports, munching on junk food, smoking, and whatever else guys were into these days.

With little sleep, it was odd how much energy I had. As a result, while they were in the living room, I busied myself with finishing up my room. Every once in a while, I paused and wondered where in the world Drew was, but I was too cowardly to ask Jackson. Besides, it was none of my business what he chose to do with his time, whatever that might be.

Glancing at the clock, I noticed it was almost six at night. The late lunch had helped stave off my hunger, but I craved a good cup of java. With that in mind, I sprinted out of the room and into the kitchen, passing the guys as they fought each other in a popular Xbox game. A smile crept up my face while I fixed myself a cup of coffee. I was surprised to find Spencer hovering around the kitchen counter, intently looking at me with his boyish good looks and a shy, playful smile across his face.

“How does it feel to live with two guys? I kind of feel sorry for you,” he stated in a friendly yet neutral manner.

I paused a moment, considering him for a second. “I’m coping. I guess it hasn’t really hit me yet, but then again, I grew up with them so … you know,” I responded as I scrutinized him further. I came to realize he sort of reminded me of one of the guys from One Direction sans the British accent. Boy bands weren’t my thing, though they weren’t that bad to look at.

“It has its ups and downs. I’m sure having guys over is going to be a big problem.”

“Pfft. I don’t think Jacks will mind. I mean, I’m almost twenty; I can date whomever I want.”

He beamed at me, flashing those straight, pearly whites, making me rather conscious of my own periodontal state. Mind you, I’m meticulous when it came to my hygiene, but I was two months past-due for my six-month cleaning, so I was rather hesitant to smile in case he was one of those guys who nitpicked everything about a woman. Normally, I wouldn’t be this self-conscious around a guy, not even Drew, but I had this odd intuition that Spencer was the type who expected such things. Maybe it was the fact that he was too stylishly put together. Of course, this was New York, so I should get used to it. Gone were the days where I was surrounded with laid back surfer dudes with their flip-flops, board shorts, and Hawaiian shirts.

“So, what do you do, Chloe Armstrong, apart from attracting men wherever you go? Because, come on. You’re, like, fucking flawless.”

This guy was majorly flirting with me, unbothered by my brother being in clear view. If Spencer thought boosting my ego would get him somewhere, he could think again. Shitty lines like that shouldn’t be allowed when trying to get women. It was all around cheesy and unappealing.

“I’m the ultimate box of fun. You know, like the crazy psycho kind.” Although I smiled while stating it, I made that odd expression that I was half-joking and half-meaning it.

His brown eyes sparked with mischief as he pressed his lips together. “Ooo, I do love the crazy, psycho kind.”

Well, hell. What the fuck was this? I wasn’t sure if he meant it or if he was goading me more just to see if I would fold. Whatever it was, he and I made banter like that for a bit.

“Why don’t you come with us tonight? We’re going to this rooftop party on the Upper Eastside. You might just like it.” He casually threw out the invitation just as I finished with my coffee. “It’ll be fun… unless, of course, you have other grand plans for tonight your Saturday.”

Yeah, grand my holy patronizing ass. He knew I didn’t have any friends around here.

“All right, count me in,” I relented, smiling while giving him the evil eye.

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