He had always been the quiet boy, who never really looked like a boy at all, that came over every summer with his father. I was always trying to get him to play with me. Sometimes I could get him to come out of his shell and sometimes I couldn't. I think his dad might have told him to be nice with me. Why else would he sit on the floor with me and pretend to be interested in what I was doing?
I don’t think playing Barbies was really his cup of tea. Yet, each time he sat with me as I played. The only issue with us knowing each other for so long is that I believe he still views me as that little girl. I just want him to stop seeing me as a little sister. I want him to open his eyes and recognize that I’ve grown into a woman. One that desires him. One that thinks naughty thoughts about him. It isn’t only the physical part that I want him to notice but the fact that I love him.
“Hey.” I sit up straighter, turning my phone over so no one can see any of Carly’s texts. I give him a smile that only earns me a nod. I try not to let it bother me. Reed doesn't hug anyone. Sometimes I’ll steal one but he always stands there stiff as a board. You’d think he has no idea what a hug is or something. I wonder if it’s because he never had a mom to give him one. “Come here.” I motion for him to come over to me. He hesitates for a moment before he draws closer. You’d swear I was the giant scary one out of the two of us by the way he approaches me.
I love this time of day. His normally shaved face is starting to turn a little gruff. He’s got his sleeves rolled up now. I reach up, undoing the rest of his tie. He closes his eyes and I can tell his breathing changes. I’m not sure why he always acts this way around me. Maybe I’m overstepping my boundaries. He doesn’t tell me to stop, so I keep doing what I’m doing.
“Work is over. You can relax with me,” I try to order him. I pull the tie free, dropping it down onto the counter. His eyes spring open as soon as I’m done.
“You still have a few finals,” he reminds me. So he is listening when I talk. Sometimes I’m not so sure because he can be a man of few words.
“So I can’t have a break?”
“You can have anything you like.”
I smile, knowing he walked directly into my little trap. I’m not trying to trick him into anything but maybe spending some time with me.
“Then sit with me and have some ice cream before Rita tries to steal it from us.” I pat the chair next to mine. He comes around, sitting down.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” Rita asks him as she slides something into the oven.
“I’m good.” He gives her the same nod he gave me. I grab the ice cream, spooning us both out some, then topping his with extra sprinkles. He needs them. Sprinkles make everyone's day better.
“Were you busy today?” I try to make small talk. It's hard to get him to open up. He’s not one for small talk, so I have to practically pull the words out of him. I often try for a while then give up. Then I get mad that he won’t budge and don’t talk to him for days. My anger usually subsides and I’ll be back at it again. If I’m anything, it’s persistent. Especially when it’s something I want. I may not be aggressive or in his face about it, but I’ll continue to chip away and be patient until he’s ready. He probably thinks I’m crazy. He might be right.
“Normal.” He takes a bite of his ice cream.
“Any plans tonight?” I take a bite of mine and keep on pushing. He gives me a look that says When do I ever have plans? “You could have a date or something.” I shrug, trying to pretend that wouldn't bother me. When really it might shatter me.
“I don’t date.” He says the same thing he always does. I’m not going to lie; him saying it always makes me feel better.
“Not true. You dated Shelly,” I remind him. I’d never met her.
“Who?” He puts his spoon down.
“Shelly,” I repeat. I hate saying her name. Sometimes I wish I could have met her to know what she looked like. If Reed has a type or something.
“The woman you dated when Tinsley first came to live here,” Rita supplies for him. She doesn't even look our way. She keeps on chopping vegetables for the salad, I’m guessing.