TAILSPIN

  “So, how’s Devon treating you?”

  Quickly, I turn my head toward Charlie. “Great,” I lie. I always tell him “fine” or “great.” I think I even used “spiffing” once.

  “How do you feel about seeing him after work?”

  I shrug, trying to feign nonchalance. “It doesn’t bother me. You two have been friends for years.” That’s one of the reasons I put up with it. My brother and Devon are thick as thieves, but as I got older, Devon started seeing his friend’s annoying baby sister as an even more annoying older sister.

  I watch as his lips twitch into a smile. “It’ll be nice to catch up. So many things to do—so little time.” Looking down, he grabs my hand and threads his fingers through mine.

  I frown. “What do you mean? Don’t tell me you’re shipping off to Germany again so soon? We’ve only just gotten you back.”

  He doesn’t look up, clasping his other hand over our joined ones. “No. It’s nothing like that.” He looks up, plastering a smile on his face as he stares at me. “You’re stuck with me for a little while.”

  I furrow my brows at him. The mere fact that he’s acting strangely makes my hairs stand on end. “What are you not telling me?”

  Patting my hand, he releases a breath. “Nothing. Let’s not spoil this evening. I’ve just gotten back and don’t want to talk about work. Not until I have to anyway. Let’s just concentrate on the here and now. Can you do that for me?”

  I’m not happy, but when I see the look on his face, I nod. I have a feeling he’s hiding something, and I have a feeling it has to do with him having to go back to Germany sooner than I had hoped. It’s always hard on me and my dad each time we have to say goodbye to Charlie, but it’s been ten times worse since my mother died. When someone is as young as my mother was, no one expects him or her to be whisked away in the blink of an eye. None of us have ever gotten over my mum’s death. How can we when there’s no closure? When Charlie leaves, I always find myself pleading with God to keep him safe.

  “We’re here,” Charlie says, interrupting my thoughts. As quickly as he can, he pays the driver and then we head into the restaurant where we’re promptly seated.

  “Have you gotten in touch with Mandy yet?” I ask after the waiter takes our drink order.

  Charlie shuffles a little in his seat before leaning back leisurely. “I’ve only just gotten back, and you’re already playing matchmaker?”

  I shrug. “I just know Mandy likes you.”

  Charlie’s eyes gaze around the restaurant until they land on a pair of long legs walking toward our table. As she passes, I notice the smile she gives him. I also notice him watch her as she walks away, blatantly looking at her arse.

  “Don’t you ever stop?” I ask, exasperated.

  “What?” His eyes widen. “I can’t help it if all the ladies dig me.”

  “A girl in every port, huh?”

  He plucks at his t-shirt. “That’s me. In my line of work, you have to be able to love ‘em and leave ‘em.”

  As the waiter comes with our drinks, I ask, “Don’t you ever get lonely, though?”

  “I have no time to be. Besides, why tie myself to one girl when I can have so much fun with so many?”

  I roll my eyes. “Did you just make that line up?

  He lifts his glass of beer and winks. “I believe I did.”

  I shake my head as we clink glasses. “I can see my older brother hasn’t quite grown up just yet.”

  He shrugs. “I think it’s the army mentality. We work hard and we play hard. Never a dull fucking moment.”

  “Hey, watch your language.”

  “Yes, Mum,” he mumbles with a playful smile.

  When I see his smile disappear, I say, “It’ll be three years soon.”

  Charlie looks away, but not before I notice his Adam’s apple bob as he tries to swallow his emotions. “If I ever catch the fucker who did this, my fist coming at him will be the last thing he ever sees.”

  I look down at the napkin in my lap, trying to keep my own emotions in check. “I still phone the police every week …”

  Charlie huffs. “And what fucking good does that do? It’s been almost three years, Andi. There’s no way they’re investigating it anymore.”

  “I spoke with the inspector last week, and he said—”

  “Anything he could just to get you off his back.”

  I sigh. Leaning forward, he offers me a sympathetic look. “You know that as the case gets older, the clues get colder. What more could they possibly know now that they didn’t know then?” I hang my head. I know he’s right, but there’s one word I have clung to since that fateful night. One word that rolls around in my head day in/day out…

  Hope.

  Where would one be without it? Life goes on, and the things around you change. You change. But what good would any of it be without the knowledge that things can get better? Without the knowledge that—one day … hopefully sooner than later—my mother’s killer will be caught?

  “Are you ready to order?”

  The waiter’s voice snaps us out of our sombre conversation. After we order, I lean toward Charlie. “When did we get so serious?” I say, trying to inject a little playfulness back into the conversation. It works. Charlie offers me the smile I had missed for so many months.

  “I think it’s an age thing. We’re both getting old.”

  I huff. “Speak for yourself.”

  He looks at my outfit before speaking. “Well, tonight is definitely a change from how I saw you at work. You looked positively boring there.”

  My mouth parts in shock. “Thank you!” I jibe, causing Charlie to snigger. “It’s not my fault you’ve handed your possessiveness over to your best friend.”

  Charlie nods with a smile. “It’s good to see you’re being looked after in my absence.”

  “More like smothered,” I say under my breath.

  “Hey. Don’t knock it. You’re a good girl, Andi, and that’s only because we all raised you right.”

  I shake my head with a frustrated smile, but I know part of what he says is right. I could have gone off the rails after Mum died. In fact, I very nearly did. I stopped eating much, and anything I did eat, I threw back up. I became so thin because I thought I looked ugly—both on the outside and on the inside. Nothing mattered to me after Mum was gone … until Charlie made me see just how much my self-destruction was affecting my dad. He made me see that I had become selfish, even though I hadn’t meant to. It was only when I saw the pain in my father’s eyes that I knew I had to change. I knew I had to better myself because we were the only family my dad had left.

  “You certainly did,” I answer, taking a sip of my drink. How can I say otherwise?

  Our food comes soon after that, and we start talking about Dad, work, and life. It’s these moments I cherish with Charlie.

  He seems to be in a hurry, constantly checking his watch. True to being a soldier, he has to be on time. If it’s on the hour, it has to be on … the … hour. Not a minute after. Within twenty minutes, our plates are empty and Charlie’s asked for the bill.

  “Are you ready to meet my other family?” Charlie asks after we’ve paid.

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  “Hey,” he complains, “don’t look too enthusiastic. I may just change my mind about taking you.”

  As we walk out of the restaurant, I nudge him. “Every girl loves a man in uniform.”

  “That’s it! I’m taking you home.”

  I laugh. “Oh, come on, Charlie. I’m only winding you up.” Part of me is, but another part of me isn’t.

  We get into the waiting Uber, and Charlie tells the driver which bar we’re going to. As we pull away, Charlie receives a text message.

  “It’s Devon. He’s already waiting and just wants to know how long we’ll be.”

  As he starts typing something back, my stomach forms a knot. I hate the fact that my heart reacts every time I know I’m going to see him. My head and heart a
lways wage a war.

  I hate him.

  I love him.

  He’s an arsehole.

  He’s so dreamy.

  He’s a womaniser.

  He’s so sexy.

  No wonder men think women are so fickle.

  I swallow. “How long is it until we get there?”

  Charlie looks up and out the window. “Should only be another five minutes.”

  Immediately, my nerves pick up. Without meaning to, I bite my lip. When I rub my hands together, I find that they’re clammy. Is it hot in here all of a sudden?

  I close my eyes, berating myself. He’s just a man. I can deal with him without secretly wishing he would lick me all over.

  “We’re here,” my brother chimes, making my head snap up. I see Devon standing outside and when I do, my breath catches. He’s wearing a pair of low-cut jeans and a dark v-neck top. It looks black, but it’s hard to tell. Maybe it’s the navy one he likes. I know that’s his favourite.

  Jeez, what the fuck is wrong with me?

  When the car comes to a stop, Charlie climbs out and offers me a hand. As he pays the driver, I watch Devon approach, his eyes on mine. My heart skips a beat at his intense stare. His hair has been cut recently, making his eyes stand out that much more. The streetlights dance in them, making them sparkle.

  “Devon, my man,” Charlie says, shaking his hand. “How are ya?”

  Devon pats him on the back. “Good. It’s great to see you. I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier, but I hope you’re staying a little longer this time.”

  I watch as something passes over my brother’s face, but it’s quickly gone. “You’ll be practically begging to get rid of me by time I have to head back.”

  Devon laughs. “I highly doubt that.” He looks at me, and his smile disappears. “Andi, you look lovely this evening.”

  I swear he said that with clenched teeth. He really can’t stand paying me a compliment.

  “Thank you,” I simply say.

  “Shall we head in?” Charlie asks, thankfully stopping Devon’s glare.

  We both nod, heading in the direction of the bar. As my brother and Devon walk in front of me, I grab the opportunity to take a few deep breaths. I have a feeling this is going to be a long night.

  The bar is rowdy, but I expected it to be. As we approach, I hear them cheer, noticing a big smile on Charlie’s face.

  “So, where’s this famous sister of yours you’re always hiding?” a young guy with spiked ginger hair enquires.

  “Yeah. Where is she?” another young guy asks. He looks to be about my age with blond hair and freckles. Very cute.

  “Okay, you muppets. Remember what I fucking said. Behave yourselves.” Charlie turns to move out of my way. I smile brightly, feeling my cheeks flush as he introduces me.

  One of them whistles. “Wow. No wonder you’ve been hiding her.”

  Another one of them shouts, “Come sit over here, darling. We won’t bite … much.” They all go into a fit of laughter.

  My brother scowls. “Say one more fucking word, Ben, and I’ll cut your throat.”

  “Ooh,” they all say before laughing again. It looks like most of them are already drunk.

  Charlie stands in front of me for a moment, gritting his teeth. “What would you like to drink?”

  Trying to hide my smile, I look at him. “A dry white wine, please.”

  He asks Devon the same and then says to him, “Look after her for me.”

  I exhale an exasperated breath. As Charlie moves away, Ben pats the seat next to him. “I was only joking about the biting. Come, sit next to us. We’re all friends here.”

  When I start to move, I feel a hand clutch my arm. I turn my head and see Devon staring down at me. “Charlie told me to look out for you.”

  I smile at him as sweetly as I can. “If Charlie didn’t trust these guys, he wouldn’t have invited me.” I start to move again, but Devon doesn’t release his grip. When I look at his hand, then back up at him, he finally relents.

  Releasing a breath, I walk over to Ben and sit down. Immediately, I feel like I’m on display with at least a half-dozen pairs of eyes staring at me.

  “We’re really not all that bad,” Ben says, smiling cheekily. “We just like winding up your brother. We know his weaknesses and use them against him at every turn.” They all laugh as do I. I have a feeling that is definitely the case.

  “So, what do you do … Andi, is it?”

  I turn my head to the ginger-haired guy, but not before noticing Devon staring at me intently. “I’m the PA for Charlie’s best mate, Devon.” I nod at him, making them all look. When they do, his eyes bore into mine.

  I feel Ben leaning close to my ear. “What can I say to make you laugh, so it looks like we’re talking about him?”

  I start laughing, making Ben grin, but when we both look at Devon, his face is like thunder. “You’re going to get me in big trouble on Monday.”

  “Oh, darlin,’ I would like to get you into a whole heap of trouble by Monday, but I’m sure your brother would have something to say about that.”

  I laugh again. “Yes, I’m sure he would.”

  “Tell me,” he says, trying to talk over the throng of voices. “Have you ever managed to date? I mean, ever? Charlie’s like the Hound of the Baskervilles when it comes to his baby sister.”

  I laugh again. “Yeah, you could say that. I have dated, but it’s come with some difficulty, I must admit.”

  He offers me his hand. “My name’s Ben by the way.”

  I shake it, noticing his crooked smile. It’s absolutely adorable. “Andi.”

  He looks up at my brother, who is still standing at the bar, before meeting my eyes again. “I bet you miss him, huh?”

  I close my eyes, nodding. “Every minute of every day. I’m so glad he’s home.”

  His crooked smile vanishes. “Yeah. Being away from home is always difficult.”

  I tilt my head, wondering who this Ben is. “What about your family?”

  He takes a swig of his beer. “I have a twin brother and four sisters. They drive me bloody crazy.”

  “Wow,” I say, surprised. “Are you and your twin brother identical?”

  He closes one eye, scrutinising me with the other. “Why do all women want to know that? It must be a fetish of yours.”

  I gasp, shaking my head. “I’m only asking because I’m intrigued.”

  He places his beer down. “Sure. It has nothing to do with the thought of double the trouble.” He raises his eyebrow at me, making me giggle. “Well, to answer your question … no, we’re not identical. And, just in case you’re wondering, I’m three minutes older.”

  “Is he in the army, too?”

  Ben shakes his head. “No. He’s a welder.” He notices my eyes widening. “Quite the opposite of a soldier, huh? That’s our family all over.”

  I open my mouth to ask him about his sisters when I hear someone across the table. “Hey, Ben, stop hogging Charlie’s sister. Some of us want to piss him off, too.”

  I smirk, shaking my head. “Are you lot always like this?”

  One guy goes into a fit of hysterics. “If you only knew what your brother puts us through on a day-to-day basis, you’d understand.”

  I look around at their smiling faces. “Well, tell me then,” I urge as Charlie approaches with the drinks.

  “Are you guys talking shit about me?”

  The guy sitting next to where Charlie’s standing suddenly gets up. “Only because we love you so much.” He kisses him on the cheek, making my brother scowl as he frantically rubs his face. I’ve never seen him look so disgusted.

  “Fuck off, Edward. Go kiss your mum with that mouth.”

  Edward looks at me. “I would rather kiss your sister.” He waggles his eyebrows, making me giggle.

  Charlie lets out a frustrated breath, shaking his head. “I knew bringing you here was a bad idea.”

  I smile at him. “I’m having fun.”

&nb
sp; “Fun, huh? Spend an hour with this lot, and you won’t think of them as fun.”

  Edward grabs Charlie’s cheeks and squeezes, puckering his mouth. “With a face that sweet, your mouth must choose to be salty.” Everyone laughs.

  Charlie shrugs him off. “Fuck off.” He sits, looking at me and Ben sitting together. “Is he hassling you?”

  “I don’t believe you, Charlie. Take a chill pill. I’m fine. Ben has been nothing but sweet and respectful.”

  “That’s because he wants to keep his man parts,” someone jibes.

  Charlie ignores whoever it is and turns back to me. “So, what were they saying about me?”

  I lean forward. “Well, I was about to hear some stories, but you rudely interrupted.”

  “They have nothing on me.”

  I hear laughter next to me. “Seriously?” Ben asks. “What about the time you found out the vending machine’s door was open, and you and Todd sat there waiting for everyone to leave just so you could steal all the money?”

  I gasp and someone else says, “And the worst part was that you and Todd didn’t even know the other one knew about it being open. You both sat there for hours until closing time before you finally turned to Todd and said, ‘Why the fuck haven’t you left yet?’ When he didn’t answer, you went on to say, ‘You know about the vending machine, don’t you?’”

  I turn to Charlie. “You didn’t?” I ask, not believing he would do something like that.

  Charlie shakes his head with a smirk. “You little shits.”

  I stare at my brother in disbelief, but he doesn’t look at me. That very fact tells me it’s true.

  “And,” Ben says, “he once filled all the showerheads with gravy granules—”

  “That was never proven,” Charlie protested.

  “Yes, but we all know it was you,” Ben answers, pointing at Charlie.

  Shaking my head, I smirk. “So what did everyone come out smelling like? Chicken or beef?”

  “Trust you to ask that,” Charlie smirks.

  Shrugging one shoulder, I look at him innocently. “I’m just interested. That’s all.”