Chapter 5
Lexi
After checking out a few apartments and hating them all, Tee and I hit the grocery store to stock up Ryder’s house. We bought enough food to feed an army. I get some steaks, potatoes and salad to make a nice dinner tonight. Tee doesn’t cook, much to her mother’s dismay, but I’m not too bad in the kitchen.
I’m used to looking after myself. My mother was a nurse, and whenever she’d work the graveyard shift, I’d make my own dinner. We had a trusty neighbour that would check in on me, but still, I spent a lot of time alone.
Tee and I rented out a car as soon as we landed in Perth, it’s just easier that way. I suppose I should buy a car since the plan is to settle down for a while. I make a mental note to go look at some cars for sale.
We carry all the bags into Ryder’s apartment, and it takes us three trips to get them all in. We put everything away, and Tee pulls out two popsicles for each of us as we sit down on Ryder’s comfy couch.
What a tiring day.
“I’m pretty sure that last place had rats,” Tee says for the third time. I’m pretty sure it did, too. I shudder, thinking about the sound of them scattering around.
“Doesn’t matter, there are lots more places for us to check out,” I assure her with false enthusiasm. She just huffs in response.
I hate apartment hunting as much as she does, it sucks almost as much as moving. Tee and I don’t have any belongings other than what’s in our suitcase, so we're pretty much starting from scratch. Tee could always go home and pick up her stuff, but she’s avoiding going back to her parents' house which is a few hours south from here.
As for me, I pretty much gave away everything to charity before I started travelling. I still own my mother’s house, but it's currently being leased and the lease isn’t up for another year. I’d feel bad making the tenants move out last minute. So, I figured we can get an apartment for a year and then I can move into my house, and if Tee wants to, as well, she is most welcome to.
Later that evening I get dressed up and we head to Layla’s house. I wear my favourite pair of skinny jeans and a snug red V-neck top. I put on my black wedges, and pick up my black skull handbag.
“Ready, Lexi?” Tee calls out. She's dressed up in jeans as well, faded and worn, boots and a black off the shoulder top. Her long blonde hair is loose and flowing down her back.
“Yep. Let’s go.”
The car ride is typical, Tee and I singing along to awesome songs like ‘Blister in the Sun,’ by Violent Femmes and ‘Shoop’ by Salt n Pepper. We pull up to a classy looking apartment building. Tee hums her approval. We go up the elevator and knock on the door.
“Coming!” I hear a woman call out, assuming it must be Layla.
A beautiful woman with olive skin and big brown eyes opens the door. “Oh my god!” she screams out, jumping into Tee’s arms. Layla is absolutely stunning. I can see a few similarities between her and Tee, but there are lots of differences, too. Layla is wearing a long flowy red dress and no shoes. Her long hair cascades behind her, giving her an ethereal appearance.
“I can’t believe you’re here! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“And miss this reception? I think not. I wanted to surprise you, baby sis,” Tee tells her with a grin. “Look at you; I can’t believe you’re a mummy! You don’t even look like you’ve had a kid!”
Layla rolls her eyes. “My ass is bigger, trust me.”
“Layla, this is my bestie, Lexi. Lexi, my baby sister, Layla.” Surprisingly, Layla gives me a warm hug.
“Lexi, of course. I’ve heard so much about you. Come in, both of you, I’m so rude making you stand in the door,” Layla says.
For some reason I don’t think she could ever be rude. She has a wholesome appearance about her.
“So? Where’s your man? You know, the father of my nephew,” Tee says as she sees the adorable baby boy in the bassinette. She instantly runs over to pick him up, kissing him on his soft cheek. “He’s so perfect, Layla!” she says in awe.
“I know,” Layla says proudly, before adding, with a scheming grin, “And I’m going to love him so much, no other woman is ever going to be good enough for him.”
“You are so beautiful! Yes you are! I’m going to spoil you like crazy,” Tee coos to the infant. He has a thick head of inky jet black hair and Layla’s deep brown eyes framed by the longest lashes I have ever seen. His tanned, olive complexion gives him an exotic look. He’s the cutest kid I’ve ever seen in my life, hands down.
“He'll be back from work soon. Can I get you something to drink, Lexi?” she offers kindly.
“No, thank you,” I decline, taking a seat on a soft blue couch. Tee puts the baby back down in his bassinette.
“Seriously, Layla, he’s incredible, and so lucky to have you as a mother,” Tee tells her sister softly.
“Tee,” Layla says fondly.
“Just don’t turn into a nag like mum,” Tee jokes, lightening the mood.
Layla bursts out laughing, and I can’t help it when my own lips curve into a smile.
“I’m gonna give Chase the old ‘what are your intentions with my sister’ lecture,” Tee says gleefully, taking a seat next to me and propping up her boots on the coffee table, making herself completely at home.
“Bit late for that,” Layla giggles. Ain’t that the truth.
“Oh, come on, Layla. Don’t ruin my fun, you’re my only sibling, after all,” Tee huffs.
Layla rolls her eyes, obviously used to her sister's drama.
“Why aren’t you staying with me?” she asks Tee with a scowl.
“I didn’t want to intrude. You have your man and a baby and you need your privacy. I thought we could crash with Ryder. His new place is awesome, and I like to annoy him. So really, it’s a win-win situation.”
“Poor Ryder,” Layla says, shaking her head in mock pity.
“Hey! I’m not that bad!” Tee replies indignantly. Layla and I both roll our eyes before she stands up.
“Well you're both always welcome here. I’m going to bring you some cupcakes and snacks. Hold on,” she says, walking into the kitchen.
“Looks like I’m living with the wrong sister,” I tease.
Tee nods in agreement. “This is true, Layla is like the perfect housewife.”
Layla walks back in with a tray full of delicious treats.
“This was for Kade, but I’ll make him another batch,” she says, placing the tray down.
“Who’s Kade?” Tee asks.
“Chase’s brother, you'll love him, Tee,” Layla beams.
“Is he hot?” Tee asks, waggling her eyebrows.
“Yeah, and taken. By Nikki,” Layla says with a smile.
“Nikki? Holy shit. You’re all being taken down one by one,” Tee complains.
Layla ignored her and looks at me. “Lexi, has anyone ever told you that you should be a model?” I choke on my chocolate frosted cupcake.
“Umm,” I blush.
“She gets it all the time,” Tee says, reaching for a cookie.
“You should,” Layla encourages.
“Let her be, you’re making her blush,” Tee adds with a chuckle. I shoot her an evil look.
Layla glances between the two of us and smirks. “Opposites attract, I guess.”
“Yeah, nothing makes Tee blush,” I say. It’s true, the woman never gets embarrassed.
“That’s not true! I remember this one time at band camp when...” Tee yelps when Layla throws a cookie at her.
“That’s a waste of a perfectly good baked treat, Layla!” Tee scolds. I burst out laughing when Tee picks it up from the ground and eats it.
“Did you bring me souvenirs?” Layla asks Tee excitedly.
“Yep. All kinds of shit. Shot glasses, magnets, post cards, and key rings. All the stuff you wanted,” Tee tells her, shoving the rest of the cookie in her mouth.
“Yay! Where are they?”
“At Ryder’s, I sort of forgot to bring them,” Tee says apologetically.
The front door opens and a deep voice says, “Layla?”
“In here, Chase!” Layla calls out. My mouth parts slightly as I take in the man who walks in. Tall, broad shouldered, with jet black hair, bright blue eyes, long thick black lashes, and sensual lips. Layla has hit the lottery. The man is delectable. I glance over at Tee and see her staring at me with a smirk. I blush. Well, hell, I am only a woman.
“Chase, this is my sister, Tee,” Layla introduces. I see Tee eye Chase, and grin. Chase walks over and kisses her on the cheek.
“My little sister did well,” she says, earning her a throaty laugh from Chase.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Chase says.
“Don’t believe anything Layla says. It’s usually her getting me into trouble,” Tee says with an evil grin. Layla pinches Tee on the arm.
“Ouch! See what I have to deal with?” Tee says, rolling her eyes.
“And Chase, this is Lexi, Tee’s best friend and partner in crime,” Layla says with a smile. Chase gives me a grin, and a dimple pops up. I gulp. The man is sex on a stick.
“Nice to meet you, Lexi,” he says.
“You, too,” I say in a daze.
“Layla didn’t tell me you were back in Perth,” Chase says, frowning.
“Yeah, we just rocked up yesterday, we didn’t tell anyone,” Tee says nonchalantly.
“Are you telling me mum and dad don’t know?” Layla asks in shock. Tee grins.
“Nope, they have no idea. Unless Ryder told them.”
“I doubt it,” Layla muses.
“Nah, he wouldn’t, or they would probably be at his house now. So, you named my nephew Cole, which I love, but if the next one is a girl, you need to call her Tenielle,” Tee tells Layla. Layla bursts out laughing.
“What are you laughing at, Layla? We had a deal! You said if you ever had a daughter she would be named after me!” Tee says, affronted. Layla says nothing but keeps on laughing.
“What are your intentions with my sister?” Tee suddenly asks Chase. Chase’s lip twitches. “I intend to marry her, and spend the rest of my life with her.”
“Yeah? Well, why haven’t you married her yet, then?”
“Tenielle!” I scold.
Instead of being insulted, Chase bursts out laughing. “You can ask your sister that,” he says, mussing Tee’s hair.
We all look at Layla.
“I didn’t want to be a pregnant bride!” Layla whines.
“I see,” Tee says, strumming her fingers against her chin as if deep in thought.
“Do I meet your approval?” Chase asks, amused.
“You’ll do,” Tee says with a shrug. I look at the floor in embarrassment when Tee slaps Chase’s ass.
“Hey!” Chase grunts in surprise.
“Leave him alone, Tee,” Layla mock growls.
“What? It’s not my fault my brother in law is eye-candy,” Tee says innocently.
“I don’t think she and Kade should ever meet,” Chase adds dryly.
“I know, right! It would be a disaster,” Layla responds, shaking her head.
“I must meet this Kade fellow,” Tee muses to herself, lifting up her hands to tie her blonde locks into a ponytail.
“Okay, lovelies, it’s been great but we're gonna head off. I’ll be back to see my favourite nephew,” Tee announces.
“He’s your only nephew,” Layla says, pointing out the obvious.
“For now. You’ll probably be knocked up again soon, and who could blame you?” Tee tells Layla as she eyes Chase once more. My body shakes with silent laughter. I grab Tee and push her towards the door. We say our goodbyes and head back to Ryder’s.
*****
I set the food out on the dining table. Thick juicy steaks, a greek salad, corn, garlic bread, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Ryder walks in and groans in appreciation as I’m putting the dessert in the oven.
“Smells so good,” he says.
“Everything is ready if you’re hungry.”
“Are you going to eat with me?” he asks as he pulls out three plates.
“Yeah, just waiting on Tee,” I say.
“I can’t believe you cooked,” he says, grinning.
“Why?” I ask, confused.
“I dunno. You’re best friends with Tee…” he trails off.
“Hey, Tee can cook, she just chooses not to. Probably rebelling against her mother,” I tease.
Ryder bursts out laughing. “Yeah, that’s probably what it is.”
“What’s so funny?” Tee asks as she walks out wearing shorts and a cami.
“Nothing, let’s eat. I’m starving,” Ryder says as he hands us each a plate.
“I’ll cook tomorrow,” Ryder offers.
“You can cook?” I ask, impressed.
“Of course I can cook. My mother taught me,” he says, looking slightly offended that I would think otherwise.
We enjoy the meal together, making small talk and joking around.
“So, what are you doing tomorrow night?” Ryder asks me. Tee is washing the dishes while Ryder wipes down the table. I love the ‘cook never cleans’ rule.
“No plans. More house hunting tomorrow. And I need to go hand in some résumés."
“What kind of work are you looking for?” he asks, his brows furrowed.
“Tee and I usually just do bar work, but since we're considering staying for a while I guess I’ll look for a receptionist job or something,” I tell him. I do have a few different qualifications. Nothing fancy, but I can work as a dental assistant, and I have a diploma in business. I can also usually find work giving private guitar lessons.
“Well, you can always get a job at Steele. Layla will see to that,” Ryder says with a low chuckle.
The sound gives me goose bumps.
He continues, unaware of my reaction. “Anyway, about tomorrow night, I was wondering if I could take you out. On a date,” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
“Oh, umm… well… Umm...” I'm usually pretty articulate, I swear. “Don’t you have a girlfriend?” I blurt out.
Ryder frowns and shakes his head. “No, I don’t. Why would you think that?”
“That girl, remember?” I say, blushing profusely.
“Oh. Right. No, I am definitely single,” he says awkwardly.
“I’ll need to check with Tee if it’s okay,” I think out loud.
“What? Why?”
“You’re her cousin, if she has an issue with it I'd have to say no,” I tell him frankly.
“I’ll talk to Tee, okay. How about that?”
“Well, then if she is okay with it, I would love to go on a date with you, Ryder,” I say with a smile.
“Good. You had me sweating there for a moment,” he says with a wry smile. “So, around seven? And look, how convenient, I don’t even have to pick you up,” he teases.
I giggle. “No, I guess you don’t.”
“Lexi!” Tee says, calling me to go into our room. She wants to watch some show about Vikings on her laptop with me. I roll my eyes at Ryder.
“So, tomorrow then,” I whisper.
“I can’t wait,” Ryder says, his eyes zooming in on my lips.
“Me neither.”
“Queen of f*cking hearts,” he says under his breath. I'm dying to know why he calls me that. Wasn’t the queen of hearts evil? I’m about to ask him when Tee says my name again, this time louder.
“ LEXI!”
“I better go before she wakes up the neighbours,” I say in between giggles.
“I guess you better. Goodnight, Lexi.”
“Night, Ryder.”
*****