Sycamore, Stars and the Air Between

PART IV

The sun dips teasingly below the horizon when I make it to my apartment. The space is simple and utilitarian. A large room fulfills the needs of kitchen, living and dining room and three doors behind it lead to the bathroom, bedroom and small patio.

I haven't had much time in it yet. Other than unpacking the essentials, it's mostly bare. After a quick search through my overflowing closet, I groan. Where is it? I stalk from the bedroom to the hall closet and rummage through it too. Bingo.

A year old, it still stuns me. Form fitting with thin hair thick straps, the dress is flawless. I hang it on the door, a useless attempt to get the wrinkles out. This should attract some looks tonight. I prep myself with a dabbing of makeup, an extra layer of mascara and a brush through endlessly tangled hair. Slipping into the dress, I decide on plain tan sandals. A mix of formal and casual making me black tie on top, beach casual on bottom.

Yanking my phone from its charger I slip it, my keys, wallet, and lipstick into my clutch. I let out a loose breath, psyching myself for the night to come. What I'm going to do, what I'm going to say - I haven't thought about it yet.

Smoothing my hair out in the mirror, I practice a few smiles, cheeky, grin, smeyes, all look forced.

Though, for the first time in years, I see the resemblance to my brother. Our freckle dotted cheeks, soft green eyes. I twirl a golden hair around my finger. His is darker now, nearing brown. Another anomaly - our heights. Nate shot up faster than bamboo and I was still the same height I was as a high school freshman.

My eyes drop down, tracing over how the dress held me tightly in all the right places. Another difference between us, Nate was broad and muscled, my body held more curves, boasted softness.

The walk to the party is brisker than I predicted, nipping at my skin with clawing hands. In an effort to stay warm, I bind my arms around my stomach and make quick, speedy steps. I can hear Delta Rho before I see it. I can smell it even. The vulgar stench of vodka swirled with vomit. Music resonates around the block, just as thumping as it had been last night.

A shiver works its way down my spine. I know it's not from the cold. It's the memory, the way last night tugs at my heart. The cold feeling of rejection. It hits me harder than a slap.

I freeze when I get to the Delta Rho lawn, lining the path to the door are the pledges. Topless, with blue paint saying 'Pledge" across their chests. I catch Kellan out of the corner of my eye and face the other way, saying hello to the boy across from him - Daniel.

"Looking hot Ashley."

I nearly roll my eyes but as I keep my eyes on him, giving him an up and down. His broad chest is rippled and I say, "I get it now. Highlander suits you." He did have a barbaric, sexy, hero look about him. I wink.

"Sexy as f**k suits you." I giggle and shake my head at him. The ultimate womanizer.

"Goodnight highlander." I wiggle my fingers at him and continue walking, drinking in the other fine ass young men.

I stop gawking when I see Nate. His cheeks flush red and his eyes lock on something far in the distance. "You are never going to hear the end of this." I tell him with a grin. He closes his eyes as if surprised at my threat.

Strolling through the doors, Caleb immediately intercepts me, his eyes wide. I catch an odd glint I haven't seen before and pull him into a hug. Slowly, he wraps his arms around me and says, "You look incredible."

I brush off the compliment with a wave of my hand. "Come on, I need a drink. I just saw my little brother half naked."

"Your brothers pledging here?" Wild mischief fills his soft honey brown eyes. His hand slides from my back to my hand and he pulls me back out through the doors. In the doorway, he runs his eyes up and down the line up of boys.

I smile and shrug. "Despite my protests."

Caleb laughs and gives me a light pinch causing a squeal to escape me. He leaves my side to grab Nate, patting him on the back. He sets Nate by my side, "If it weren't for the eyes I would never guess you two were siblings.

Caleb leans into me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, "That shade of green is intoxicating."

"Thanks." Nate says rudely, "Now if you could get your hands off my sister that'd be f*****g great." The words slur slightly and I wonder if he realizes what he's saying. I give him the benefit of the doubt, he's drunk, he doesn't know what he's saying.

Caleb doesn't expel the same courtesy. His eyebrows raise at the boldness. "You'll learn-" He begins through tight teeth "that here we let women speak for themselves at Delta Rho. 50 pushups pledge."

Nate rolls his eyes and drops to the ground anyways.

"All of you." Christian's voice is even and loud, raised just the right amount for all the pledges to hear. The tone authoritative and unbending, they all drop into pushups.

Christian slaps a hand on each of our shoulders. The touch warm and heavy on my bare skin. "You guys good?"

Caleb's jaw tenses, a flicker of annoyance and then it's gone. "Yeah man. Just teaching the boys some manners." Christian looks between the two of us at our closeness and seems to piece a version of the truth together in his head.

Letting go of Caleb, his free hand wraps around my waist and he rests his chin on my shoulder. "You're killing me in this dress, how about I get you a drink?"

Caleb turns away hearing every word, taking off down the front steps and begins correcting the pledges form. So easily dismissed by Christian. No fight in his heart. Another boy that doesn't live up to the talk. I tilt my head to rest against Christians. "Something fruity," I reply.

We spin together back into the house, not into the kitchen but down the stairs. The basement is transformed, turf rests on the wide-open space and beach balls are kicked around playfully. A bar, made of stolen road signs and three mini fridges sits off centered at the far wall. Christian grins and pulls me to it, "Something fruity." He repeats, lips tugging up in a flirty smile.

In his element, he slips quick greetings to the bartenders and pulls me into his side. I willingly collapse into him relishing our closeness. The music is louder down here, and when his lips move in my direction I shake my head and point to my ears, mouthing "I can't hear you."

Tighter, he pulls me tighter into his hip and into my hair he says, "The best we got is a vodka orange juice."

I laugh, eyeing up the fridges packed with the cheapest beer around. I should've known. Words useless, I nod to Christian and he waves a signal to the men behind the bar. Soon enough, both saddled with drinks, we turn, backs resting on the makeshift bar top while we survey the crowd in front of us.

The music thuds and booms and yet - all I feel is silence. The air thin between us. I fumble for words, to say something charming, maybe flirty.

"Go easy on my brother." I blurt.

Christian takes a long gulp of his beer and raises a brow in question. "Nate, the pledge. He's a good guy." I haven't felt protective of him in years and can't believe that I'm choosing the tiny amount of time I get with Christian to talk about my baby brother.

I sip my drink and roll into his chest. "I know being president has its perks, I'm hoping this is one of them." He smiles and lets his eyes drift from my mouth to my breasts.

"For you it is." I beam up at him, not that he sees it, eyes still glued to my body.

Delving into silence again, I say, "His friends too, Daniel and Kellan."

A lazy, slow smile fills his pink lips and as I watch them part - I'm pulled away. Anger eddies from Caleb as he drags me from the bar, digging us deep into the crowd. "What are you doing? He's taken." He shouts, it's barely audible.

"Doesn't seem taken to me! Where's his girlfriend?" I point out, jabbing a finger into his chest.

He shakes his head, disappointed. "How would you like it if someone said that about your man?" He snaps back.

It's a fair point, and further arguments dry up in my head. I throw Christian a longing look and then push Caleb away from me. Over the night before it even starts.