Finding Ourselves Together (READ REVAMP VERSION - IN WAVES)

18 | Impulse

NATE

Okay, so...maybe messing with Lia was mean, but the look on her face was priceless. When the perfect opportunity comes knocking, you don't turn it away. Seeing that little angry crease growing between her eyebrows as I spoke to her and Matt was adorable. I knew she was pissed, but I don't think she'd even talk to me alone. She wanted to keep what happened between us on the low anyway.

I thumped on my locker and flung it open, digging around for the books I needed for my next class. I wondered how long she'd continue fooling around with him, I still didn't get how he could be her type. The guy was a tool.

I suddenly sensed a figure standing next to me, watching. Rob.

"Oh hey, dude." I turned to face him, but he didn't respond. He just stood there staring at me, arms folded and a slight smile across his lips. "Heard you had a pretty good weekend with Blake and the others. Would've been there but I only drove back to town last night."

He blinked at me.

"Um...Alex said you were pretty sick. Bad luck." I lightly chucked, but he still said nothing. What the fuck was up with him? He continued staring, making me feel more and more awkward by the second – and then it clicked. "Lia told you."

He grinned and nodded.

"Look, man...I know sisters are, like, off limits." I said, trying not to become rattled. I had seen Rob lose his shit before and I didn't intend on causing that now. "But it kinda just happened, you know? I mean, not much really happened. But whatever it was, it's not going any further. You have nothing to worry about." I felt like I was just talking really fast.

Rob carried on watching me. He hadn't said a word yet; it was like he was trying to make me squirm. And it was working.

"Uh, so I guess we're even now, huh?" I joked, hoping it would ease the pressure. "You beat up my brother, I got with your sister..."

I laughed a little too loudly, waiting for him to react in some way. Any way.

"Shit, dude, say something!"

Rob suddenly belted out a laugh, and I heaved out a deep breath. "Relax, man. I mean...I don't like thinking about my sister with any guys, but if it's gotta be someone, then I'm glad it's you."

"Really?" I asked, not believing he could act so rationally. "I thought you'd kick my ass."

We shared a laugh, my relief sinking in. But he abruptly cut off his laughter and hardened his face.

"I'll still kick your ass if you hurt her." His eyes were so stern I think I backed up a step. "Just because you're my friend, doesn't mean you get a free pass, bud."

"Yes, right." I quickly agreed. "I respect that. I would do the same for my sister...but like I said, nothing else will happen between us anyway."

"Especially now that she's taken." Rob relaxed and leaned his back against the locker next to mine.

"So, her and Golden Boy are for real now?" Just when I thought she might not get into something serious with him.

"Yeah. You haven't told anyone that you guys hooked up, right?" Rob asked with a cocked eyebrow. "She's determined to keep it quiet."

"Uh, yeah, about that..." I nervously rubbed my neck, deciding it was better to just tell him before he spoke to anyone. "Blake, Oli and Alex know I was with a girl on Friday, but they don't know it was Lia."

"Keep it like that, yeah?" He said, importance being clear in his tone. "Lia likes to make as if I'm the hothead, but push her far enough and she becomes lethal."