Page 13 of Petals of Blue, Part One (Wilted Duet #1)

Eight

DECLAN

Felix came home late last night. It's noon, and he's still sleeping. I'm starting to get annoyed not only with myself for my feelings but with him. What the hell was he doing last night? Or who?

My jealousy spirals the longer he doesn't show.

"You good?" Jared nudges me, looking concerned.

I shrug. This past year has been hell trying to understand how I feel about Felix. He's always been my older brother's best friend and became a really good friend of mine too.

Yet, he's become more than that in the past few years. I find myself watching him, hoping he catches me looking so he can give me more attention. Craving Felix is uncomfortably inconvenient.

Why? Because he fucks anything that looks nice, and my balls have been blue for about eight months. The sultry looks I get from women are nice, but when Felix's eyes are on me, I'm on fucking fire.

Jared sighs, tipping his head back against the couch. His brown skin stretches over his Adam’s apple when he swallows, but it doesn't do anything for me. The only man I have the hots for is someone who views me as a kid brother.

Fuck my life.

"You're destined to be celibate for the rest of your life."

"Fuck," I grumble, rubbing my hand over my scruff. "I know. The last time I tried the woman was too soft and sweet."

Jared snorts. "I didn't realize there was such a thing."

"Such a thing as what?" Roman asks, wandering into the living room with a protein shake.

I scowl at Jared for his loud mouth, but he pays me no mind, still reclined back on the couch. "Nothing," I answer my brother.

Roman levels me with a flat look but brushes it off and leaves the room again. I wonder if he's going to scout out another gym. Guilt builds in my chest. Did I upset him?

Three years older than me, Roman is the role model he worked hard to become. Strong, smart, calm, and kind. He's the whole package for anyone willing to endure his tortured soul.

What do I have to offer Felix? Sass, snark, and impulsivity.

"You have to tell him." Jared sounds bored and slightly annoyed. I don't blame him. We've had this argument many times.

"No," I mumble, "I really don't."

Jared sits up and looks me in the eye. "Listen, D, he's going to find out sooner or later." My heart sinks, but my friend continues. "He will. Then he's going to feel like shit that he didn't notice."

"Well, that's fucking embarrassing as it is. I think we'll just keep this to ourselves. Want to get dinner?" Divert. Avoid. Ignore. It will pass.

Jared rolls his eyes and stands. "Asshole, you know I can't pass up a good burger. Let's go see my sister first, please. She's at work."

I'm already nodding as I grab the keys. Another great part of moving here is finally seeing Jared's sister again. She's ten years older and moved to Chicago when she was twenty-six, so we haven't seen her much in the past thirteen years.

Excitement urges me out of the house while muting my anxiety about Felix. For now. My dilemma and nauseating jealousy will come roaring back later, but for now, I'm thrilled to be seeing Nichole again.

"You drive," I demand and toss Jared the keys to my Toyota Camry. "I'm feeling distracted."

Jared agrees, and we're off to visit his sister.

The drive isn't far, but the traffic through downtown Chicago is ridiculous. "Jesus Christ, why does your sister like working in this mess?" I ask as we dodge people along the sidewalk.

We drove less than three miles, and still have to walk a third of one because of the shit parking. Thank fuck my café has its own parking lot.

"She said the location brings great business. People can come before work, during lunch breaks, or after work. Add in the nice locker rooms she updated last year, and her customers can freshen up. It's one of the hottest studios in the city."

"Makes sense." It does, especially once I see the gorgeous glass storefront with a striking purple and blue logo. "Damn, I hadn't seen the updates. Did you get pictures?"

Jared nods, and I glare as I follow him inside. "Sorry, it was around the time Dad got into the accident."

"Shit," I cringe, feeling like an insensitive ass. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about the timing. It looks fucking awesome in here."

It feels glorious too. The air is crisp, and the entry room is super inviting. There's complimentary fruit and water near the waiting area, and the receptionist is beaming.

"Hi, welcome in! How can I help you?" She's cute, in a bubbly kind of way. All I feel though is the usual guilt and heartache when I encounter someone so outwardly happy. Erica was like that.

"Hey," Jared greets. "I'm visiting my sister, Nichole. Is she around?"

"Oh!" She smiles. "You're Jared. Nikki told me to keep an eye out for you this week! She's just finishing up her evening class, but she'll be out in a few minutes, I bet. Nikki always walks out with them to keep chatting."

The obvious respect this girl has for Nichole makes me smile. Nikki has done well for herself it seems, and I couldn't be happier for her.

"Great, thank you," Jared acknowledges and takes a seat on the couch.

I follow suit, grabbing an orange on my way toward him. "When's the last time we saw Nichole do you think? I can't remember."

"It's been a long while. Maybe like eight months, but we didn't see her much. We were busy house hunting, remember?"

"Oh shit, yeah." I cross my right leg over my knee and dig my nail into the skin of my orange. Just as I'm about to ask how she's been doing, the double doors burst open in a flurry of laughter, thumping music, and sweaty women.

"JARED!" Nichole screams and runs right for her brother. He jumps up and swoops her into a tight embrace. "I'm so happy you're here," she cries.

I smile and approach them slowly. With a piece of peel in my hand, I reach to drop it in the garbage. Instead of releasing the skin, I drop the whole damn orange when my eyes catch on my living fucking nightmare.

She may have blue hair and angry eyes now, but I would recognize her anywhere anytime.

"Erica..."