Page 10 of The Secret Clause
“Maybe you’re just not that exciting to hang out with,” she says, raising a brow playfully. Her hands move to rest on my hips, the heat from her fingers penetrating the cotton of my jumper and searing my skin as she tightens them.
“We both know that’s not true. I seem to recall you finding me very exciting the last time we hung out alone.”
“Chase—”
A door slams in the distance, bursting the bubble that seems to have surrounded us. Her hold on me loosens, and she heaves in a deep breath, smiling sheepishly as she pushes me away.
“Saved by the Bailey,” she says, hopping down from the counter.
“What are you two up to?” Bailey asks, sidling up beside me and stealing a glance at the counter. She hums in approval and snaps an arm off one of the chilling cookies before turning to Ryan.
Her eyes narrow, darting between the two of us. “Isn’t that your jumper, Chase? I thought you lost that?” Ryan flushes, spinning quickly as she chokes, and I chuckle under my breath.
“Yeah, I thought so too. Guess it must have been here the whole time.” I shrug. “Chucked it in the wash last night, and Ry got a bit clumsy with the eggs this morning, so she stole it.”
Bailey snorts. “Not surprising. You two end up in a right state when you bake. I mean, look at your jumper,” she says, gesturing at the floury mess left behind. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, big brother, I want tea and biscuits with my bestie.”
I nod, taking the hint, and grab my now cold mug of coffee before heading to the lounge. I can’t help but wonder what on earth it will take for Ryan to consider that maybe us being an option isn’t somehow betraying my sister. Just a hint that Bailey might learn the truth, and she freezes up.
I’ve thought about going to Bailey myself and laying all my cards on the table, but Ryan would never forgive me.
I may be all in, but she isn’t.Yet.
Though I’m hoping I can change that.
I have four weeks to convince Ryan that throwing caution to the wind and risking it all for me will be worth it.
When Bailey asked for more lights to be fitted around the cottage in time for her birthday, I happily volunteered. After all, what are big brothers for? What I didn’t realise was that I’d be expected to climb up Mr. Dorsett’s rickety old ladder and hold on for dear life, trailing electrical leads as rain sprinkles around me.
To make matters worse, my business partner and best mate—who was supposed to be on hand to secure said shitty ladder—is too busy flirting to be of any help. Worse still, he’s flirting with the one person he knows to stay away from.
Ryan’s tinkling laugh reaches me, and my fingers tighten around the fairy lights. I glance around and spot her leaning against the hood of her baby-blue Mini Cooper. Wearing a fluffy black coat paired with black leggings and a knitted red and white bobble hat, she looks like she’s stepped right out of a Christmas flick.
Strands of chocolate brown peek out from beneath the wool, falling into two braids that end at her collarbone, and her face is bare of makeup, showing off the bright flush to her cheeks as she tips her head back.
Kai places his hand on her shoulder, and I run through all the ways I can remove it from his body. But the problem is, I’m stuck up this fucking ladder.
“Oi, dickhead,” I yell. Kai startles, looking around before he finds me staring at him, a scowl on my face. “Fancy helping me down? Or do you just want to keep flirting over there?”
He saunters over, tugging Ryan with him with an arm wrapped around her shoulder. “I’m quite enjoying the flirting, actually. What about you, RyRy?”
“Stop antagonising him,” she says, tapping his shoulder with the back of her hand before pushing away. “I need him to be in a good mood.”
I eye her suspiciously, searching her gaze. “You never admit to needing anything, least of all me. What are you up to, Ryan Parker?”
“Always so suspicious, Chase Brooks.”
“With valid reason,” I tease, before turning back to Kai. “Now, come hold this pissing ladder so I can get down before I decide I don’t want to play nice today.”
“Do you ever play nice?” Kai asks, moving to hold the ladder so I can step down.
“Only with Ry.” Ryan coughs, stealing my attention, and I smirk, sending her a wink. “What do you need?”
“My car won’t start, and I’m on supermarket duty for tonight.”
“Want me to look at it?” I ask, furrowing my brow. I’m not much of a car dude, truth be told. I doubt I know more than Ryan herself.
“Nah. I’ve already called, and someone is coming out later. I think I left the lights on when I got here yesterday, so I probably killed the battery.” She grimaces, and I chuckle. It wouldn’t be the first time. “Eli’s already gone off ahead to pick up the order from the party place for Saturday, so I’m stuck without a ride, and since you’re the only other one with a car here, I was hoping you’d let me borrow it.”