“He is a total introvert,” Jane adds.
“I just dislike people. It’s different.”
“Dislike is a nice word. No, he hates them,” Eliza says. “But he likes you, Luke. He smiled once when he talked about you.”
“I haven’t seen you since the last time we were all together,” I grumble, feeling entirely too exposed.
“Whatever. I heard the smile in your voice. Same thing,” Eliza replies.
Luke eyes me and then grabs a handful of crackers and pops them into his mouth.
Eliza loud whispers, “Luke, El pushes everyone away. But if you cling on for dear life, maybe you can stick around. I’d love for you to be my brother-in-law. You’re much better than Andrew.”
Luke stops chewing. “Who’s Andrew?”
“Oh gosh. His ex. He was trash. Pure garbage. I got into witchcraft just to rid ourselves of him.”
I press my fingers into my eye sockets and then make my way into the kitchen to find the Advil. “That was not witchcraft. That was a scam. You ordered a box from a shady website and lit some herbs,” I say over my shoulder.
“What the fuck ever. It worked, didn’t it? Andrew is gone, and this man was conjured up,” Eliza says.
“He’s not a believer,” Jane hisses to Luke.
“I believe in myself,” I say.
“He doesn’t even believe in love,” Kate spews.
“No love, Eli?” Luke asks with an arched eyebrow. Some goop slides down his face and plops onto his shirt, and I snap.
“Will you please wash that shit off your face? It feels like I’m talking to a swamp monster.”
“Nah, Eli. You have to keep this on for twenty minutes to ensure the antioxidants sink in.”
I huff, “That’s not a thing. I’m a doctor. I know.”
“He’s always such a showoff. Doctor this and doctor that,” Eliza chimes in.
“I went to college for ten years. I can say whatever the fuck I want.”
“See what we put up with?” she asks Luke.
“But we know he loves us, deep down,” Jane says.
“Of course I do,” I reply more softly. “I love you all very much. Even when I don’t want to.”
Jane leans toward Luke and adds, “But he thinks we’re overbearing.”
“Because you are.”
“But he secretly loves it,” she says. “He loves having us around. Once you get past the thorns and daggers, he’s really just a big teddy bear.”
“I can see that. He’s sneaky that way. Did you know he’s a bit of a cuddler?” Luke asks, and I stare holes into him. I’m definitely going to spank that ass when they leave––pull out my paddle and swat his ass red. There is no doubt about it now. He’s been asking for it since that video.
I envision the entire scenario and feel myself grow warm with desire. I shift in my seat as I grow hotter for it. I’m almost on fire. I’m ready for them to leave.
But the night drags on. For. Fucking. Ever. They wash their faces, slowly. They finish off the food like sloths, and then finally,fucking finally, I manage to push them out the door. When the lock engages, I turn toward him.
He’s standing so close. Much too close. And he smells like cucumbers and green tea.