"Just the house. I'll do all the legal work in a few days by myself. If Alex is needed, I'll call him and pull him in. I'll probably bring a handful of papers with me back up to New York to get his signature on. I'll just work through you. I'd hate to take up anymore of his time." He sighed and glanced toward the front door. "Dad wants us to work on this, but I honestly don't know how."
"Yeah. I wish I could help. I can't stand my own family, so giving advice for you and yours would be ridiculous." Jamie took another drink of her wine. "I think you should just keep trying and push the best parts of your personality toward him. Tell him how much you care, how much you notice him and how your proud of him. It's all the things he's been missing in his life."
"That's good. I like it." Mark glanced back toward her. "Here they come. Ready for round two?"
"Nope. Order more liquor."
Mark chuckled. "I like you."
Alex sat down and glanced between the two of them. "My brother now hitting on my girl?"
"I thought she was just a friend," Mark said and chuckled as Jamie gave him a look. "Alright... no I'm not hitting on her, though you should watch yourself. I don't know many men who wouldn't try, especially with you playing her up as nothing more than a friend."
Jamie pressed her fingers to her forehead, wanting to disappear. Where she was thrilled that Mark was willing to take up for her, but it only seemed to start up the tension once again. There was nothing to do but focus on the liquor. Somehow it seemed to numb her senses. It was the only way she was going to get through the visit.
They slept turned away from each other that night, Alex having been in a particularly horrid mood by the time they made it back to the hotel. Jamie wasn't willing to put up with anything from him due to the liquor giving her more attitude than she was used to having. After a small argument, she laid her head on the pillow and was out.
The next morning, Alex was already up and dressed by the time she got up.
"Morning," he grumbled and sipped a cup of coffee as he stood by the window gazing out.
"Morning." She pressed her fingers to her head a groaned. "Remind me next time you ask me to come with you back here to tell you to fuck off. I can't stand the tension between you and Mark. The wine helped, but today is going to be rough."
He moved toward her and touched the side of her face. "I'm sorry. I was a royal ass last night to you and him. I just feel the need to protect myself when he's around. I'm waiting for the first punch to land."
"I know, but I hate it." She got up, kissing him once and walked to the bathroom. "Are we leaving after the estate sale today?"
"Yes. There will be people all over the property today. Let's grab a bagel on the way over and then we will just do as we're asked and then leave. I'm not interested in hanging out with Mark or the witch he married any longer than necessary."
Jamie couldn't agree more, though she didn't respond. A quick fix with her hair in a ponytail and a little bit of makeup on and she was ready to go. Her slacks and white cotton sweater was business casual and looked good enough against Alex's slacks and button down.
He held her hand on the way over and she ordered a couple of extra bagels at the store for Mark and anyone else who might be there. Alex saw no point in being overly nice, but she ignored the comment.
"Ready for this?" He looked out the window as the car stopped.
"Yes. Are you ready is the question." She squeezed his hand.
"Not really, but if it means that I never have to come back, then yes. I can't fucking wait." He got out and held the door for her.
Mark was the first one to approach them, his suit looking good on him, but the dark circles under his eyes having grown larger. "Alright. We're to mingle with people, answer questions about any of the trinkets in the house and kiss ass. Just lie if you don't know the answer to anything and smile a lot." He turned from Alex to Jamie. "It’ll be over soon and we can all go home."
"Sounds great." Jamie nodded toward Alex. "Let's go hang out in the back bedroom and make ghost sounds."
Mark laughed and turned, walking back to the house. "Hey, if things don't work out with you guys..."
He was totally teasing, but it was stupid nonetheless.
"Don't," Alex barked and gripped her hand even tighter.
"Hey. Part of working on a relationship is letting some things just slide off your back. Your brother’s just kidding." She snuggled into his side and moved toward the kitchen. "Let me get something to drink and then we'll take up our post."
He ignored her first comment and simply nodded. "Sounds good." He huffed. “I don’t know why we couldn’t just give all this shit to charity. It’s not like I need the money or need to be here. I should be working, not dealing with this shit.”