7. Watch It, Little Brother

"Ugh, no, I don't like going to the mall," I object automatically. 

He arches his brow. "Why?"

"It's full of people."

"And?"

I groan and smack my forehead. "Nothing. Never mind."

"Okay, let's go," he says, sticking the lollipop between his lips and turning to leave. 

I hesitate for a second more, then sigh in defeat. I survived detention. I can certainly survive the mall. 

Here goes. 

Minutes later, we are seated in his posh car, having rushed through the rain. I touch my hair, hoping it doesn't get frizzy. I fasten my seatbelt and lean back into the passenger seat. The seats are fine leather, and in here it smells nice.

"Loaded, are we?" I tease, running my hand along the smooth leather. I don't know much about cars, and I won't pretend to, but I know this is not a cheap one, and it's clearly brand new. Getting in, I caught the Subaru insignia on it. 

Jude looks at me, an eyebrow raised. "Or maybe it's hard work."

"Mh?" I mutter, tilt my head side to side in consideration. "Okay."

He starts the car and eases out of the parking lot, then speeds down the street. 

"What are you going to do at the mall?" I ask, my eyes moving with the wipers on the windscreen. 

"To get a new sim card," he replies. 

I look sideways at him. "Do you have to go to the mall for that? Can't you go to any ordinary shop out here?" 

"I've always bought all my phone accessories at that particular shop," he replies. 

I scoff. "Alright, Mr. loyal customer."

The rain is still falling, so I lean back in my seat. Me accompanying him to the mall is kind of outrageous, since the mall is the opposite direction from school from the direction my house is. I can't say I'm losing time though, since I would have waited the rain out at school, and if I had gotten lucky maybe mum could have picked me up on her way from work. 

Out of the corner of my eye I notice that Jude still has the tootsie between his lips. "Isn't that supposed to give you a cold at times like this?"

His eyes flicker to me for a short second. "Not to me, no." His voice is muffled, and he takes the stick from between his lips. He then proceeds to lick his red lips, leaving them glistening. I look away before he can catch me looking. 

"You're lucky," I tell him. "If I so much as had a sweet late in the evening, I'd be stuck with a cold and most unpleasantly a sore throat the next morning."

"We'll have to change that," he says and I give him a confused look. Before I can ask what he means, he reaches into the glove compartment and fishes out a sweet in red wrapping. Okay, this dude seriously has cherry issues. "Take this," he offers. 

I take it and go to push it in my pocket. 

"No, have it now," he instructs. 

I scoff. "In this cold? Hell no." I definitely do not wish for a running nose. 

"I promise nothing will happen, I'll get you a hot chocolate at the mall."

Okay, that sounds tempting but... 

"I don't want to spend more time than I have to in that place."

"You'll have your chocolate in a quiet little cafe while I go do my business, that alright?"

The novel in my bag immediately comes to mind, and I picture myself tucked away in a cafe's corner, hot beverage steaming into my face while I read it. Perfect. I'll even shove my earphones on. What better way to avoid people. 

I nod. "Fine." I unwrap the sweet and place it in my mouth, the sweetness dissolving on my tongue that's slowly getting better. 

"Hurry up," I instruct after Jude has seen to it that I'm seated with my hot chocolate. 

"Be patient," he says, then heads out of the cafe. 

What's that supposed to mean? That he'll be gone for long? He better not. 

I quickly dig out my novel, Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, and open to the page I was last at. I almost forget my drink as I am too excited to reconnect with my Adrian. One hand wraps around the hot mug, keeping me warm. I lift my head to take a sip but I don't, because some guy is standing in front of my table, watching me. 

I almost do a double take because he looks so like Jude, with his blond hair and electric blue eyes. His lips are curved in a smirk, which is familiar too because I have seen an identical one on Jude over the years, especially when dealing with his female admirers. They could pass for twins, but this one looks a bit older. 

"Yes?" I ask, because he's just staring at me, and maybe if he wasn't so hot it could have been creepy. We have to admit there are lots of stuff attractive people get away with that the rest of us can never hope for. 

He takes a step forward, stuffing his hands into his black leather jacket pockets. "Are you with Jude?" he asks, his eyes checking me out as far as they can go.

"Yes," I answer, deciding I didn't see that.

"You don't seem like his usual type," he says. 

"Type of?" I enquire. 

He lifts an eyebrow. "Girl," he explains. 

"Yeah I'm not," I reply. "Are you his brother?"

He nods. "Jared," he says, sticking his hand out for me to shake. 

I reach forward, but I don't exactly get there because Jude appears from nowhere and shoves his brother back. My hand falls back to the table in surprise, barely missing my drink. 

"What are you doing here?" Jude grits out, glaring at his brother. 

Jared's eyes flicker to me, his smirk slipping back into place. He takes a step back and looks at his brother. "Easy there, J. No harm."

"Fúck off," Jude orders, and I watch in shock as he pushes his brother towards the door. 

Jared's expression morphs, the smirk wiped out by a glare even worse than Jude's, blue eyes narrowing to slits. "Watch it, little brother."

By this time the rest of the customers are watching their little tiff. Luckily though, Jared turns on his heels and leaves. Jude stands there, watching him until he disappears outside. He turns back to me, a stormy expression on his face. 

"What did he tell you?" he asks, his hand going through his hair in agitation. 

I'm a little taken aback by his argument with his brother, and different theories are already making their way through my mind. He and Jared looked as if they hate each other, and I know that's a strong word. 

"Nothing," I say. "What was that about?"

He shakes his head. "Nothing. Come on, let's go."

I haven't even started on my chocolate but oh well. "Got your card?" I ask, at the same time doubting it. He came back so fast, almost as if he caught sight of Jared on his way there and rushed back. 

"Yes," he lies as I pack my book. 

I give him a quizzical look but let it go. I shoulder my backpack and stand up. "Let's go."

My visit to the cursed place was much shorter than expected, thank heavens. 

The ride to my home is silent, which means I'm doing all I can to hold back my questions. I can see his mood has darkened and it doesn't look like he's going to entertain my insatiable curiosity. Why would brothers treat each other like that? I try to imagine Trey and Sam having such a fall out, but I can't. It doesn't make sense. 

The rain has reduced to a drizzle. I sigh and lean against the window, it's coolness searing through my cheek. 

That day when Angeline slipped and fell, it rained. It was actually the rain that cut our adventure short, driving us out of the forest in a hurry. By the time we got back to the car, we were drenched. Angeline was sitting up front and wrapped in a dry towel while Jax drove. I was in the back seat with Nicki and Simon, teeth chattering.

Everything slips away as I recall how she turned in her seat to face me, a grin on her face, wet strands of hair matted to her face. Then she told me how one of the guys kept staring at me back at the river. The others joined in teasing me, mercilessly adding to my embarrassment. 

I'm jolted out of my reverie when I feel prodding on my arm. I turn to find Jude giving me a look. The car isn't moving, and when I look out of the window I see we are not at mine yet. We are not anywhere specific either.

"Why have you stopped?" I ask.

"I don't know where your house is, and you fell asleep and wouldn't wake up after I yelled your name like ten times," he says, his dark mood slightly softened by the amused tone in his voice. 

I sit up straighter. I was not asleep, was I? 

"I was not asleep, just thinking. With my eyes closed."

"Well then, you didn't respond when I called," he claims. "So, how do I get to yours? I only know it's this direction past the school."

"Drive on," I instruct. "I'll show you where to turn."

Minutes later, Jude drops me off and leaves. I trudge into my one story house, taking off my shoes just inside the hall. I go into the living room and there's Maria, kneeling on the couch that's near the window providing a view to the street. Wait for it... 

"Who's that who dropped you?" she asks, turning away from the window.

I shrug as I head off to the kitchen. "Nobody."

"That was Jude's car right?"

Of course she would know the hot guys' at school cars.

"Maybe," I reply as I get into the kitchen. Mum is leaning against the counter. Something is sizzling behind her on the stoves. "Hey Mum."

She looks up and immediately straightens up. "Jo. Have you talked to Lilian?"

I stop short on my trip to the refrigerator. "Uh, no, why?"

She rubs her hands on her elbows. "When she left she was...upset. She hasn't picked any of my calls."

My mood deflates. "So I guess dad didn't change his mind?"

She nods. "I want to make sure she got back safely, can you try and call her?"

I nod and take another door that leads to the backyard. I dial Lilian's number and the call goes through. I stand on the pavement, watching the drizzle as I wait for her to pick up. When I'm finally convinced she isn't going to receive, the ringing stops and I hear her voice. 

"Hey Jo."

"Lilly. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry for not replying earlier, I was in a meeting. I signed with the agent, Jo."

My brow shoots up. "Oh, Okay. I'm happy for you, because that's what you want. I'm sorry dad is so difficult. He'll come around."

She sighs on the other side. "I hope so."

"Mum wanted to know that you got back safely," I tell her. 

"Yeah I'm fine, tell her I'll talk to her later," she says. 

"Okay, I will."

"I'm moving out of my dorm tomorrow to an apartment that I'm getting. Then, I'm flying out to Seychelles on Monday for my first gig."

I gape. "WHAT!?"

She laughs. "Yeah, wish me luck."

"All the best, sis. Jeez, I'm jealous."

I'm happy for her, but I know she's sad to be at odds with dad. Hopefully, with time he'll get to see she made a good decision and have a change of heart.