Jeff called her a few days later.
"Hey, Amy, how are things going?"
"Not too bad," she answered and stared at her messy house and at her computer that was filled with sexual fantasies about Nick. She hadn't been able to do anything besides writing lately and she felt like a complete mess.
"So is Nick around or are you two still busy wearing out the bed springing?"
"Uh, no, he's not here."
"He's not? Well, where is he? I was thinking about inviting you two out to dinner this evening if you can bear to get dressed," Jeff laughed loudly.
Amy just sighed. Brothers. Can't stand them, can't kill them. Sometimes it was hell to have a brother like Jeff. Well, she had better just jump into it and be done with the entire ordeal.
"I haven't seen Nick in days," she retorted, trying hard to be heard through Jeff's laughter. Still, he must have heard her as he stopped immediately.
"What? You haven't seen him in days? But, I thought you and he was an item now? You seemed to get on so well."
"In the bedroom, yes. But Nick wasn't content with that and walked out. I haven't seen him since."
"What? But...were you arguing or something?"
"I wasn't," Amy said haughtily. "I was just trying to explain why we shouldn't move in together at this stage, and I think I was being quite rationally about it as well. I don't know why he had to make such a great fuss about it. Talk about women having sensitive egos, you men are actually much worse."
"What fuss? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Nick having a temper tantrum over the fact, claiming I only want him as a sex slave."
"Well, do you?"
"Of course I do, but that's not the point, is there?" She heard Jeff laughing at the other end. "Will you just stop that?" she snarled at him.
"Poor Nick," Jeff said humorously. "It seems his taste in women runs with the Neanderthal kind."
"What is so funny about that?"
"Nothing," Jeff said teasingly. "Only, I can not believe we're actually sharing the same blood. You seem to be particularly dense these days."
"Thanks, Jeff, just what I wanted to hear. Now, are you finished berating me so I can get back to doing something else than trying to placate sensitive male egos?"
"Just one more thing," Jeff intervened. "Have you ever considered the fact that he loves you?"
"Loves me?" Amy was spellbound. After a lengthy pause, she finally managed to croak out. "You're joking, right?" It had to be a joke, she thought. There was no way she would have missed something like that.
"Nope. It's no joke. He told me himself, actually, although it has been obvious for years."
"What?" Amy screamed into the receiver. "Years? How is that possible?"
"Don't ask me," Jeff said humorously. "I would never pick such a silly girl to love if I had the choice."
"Okay, fun's over, Jeff. Now, tell me the truth."
"It is the truth," Jeff assured her. "Just ask Rob if you don't trust me in this and need another source. Nick hasn't had a date in years just because of you, little sister. Instead he's been pining away for someone he couldn't have. Guess, he's learned his lesson now and has started looking for something better." She snorted as his humour blurted through the rest of his statement. Brothers were a real pain in the ass, she concluded. "Maybe I'll just give him a call and ask him out to meet some more accommodating women," Jeff mumbled to himself.
"Don't you dare, Jeff!" Amy shouted to him.
"Why do you care?" Jeff replied humorously. "It's not as if you wanted him, was it?"
"Well...I...don't know for sure," Amy finally sputtered out.
"Well, let me know when you have reached a decision. But, make it quick. Someone like Nick will never stay single for long, you know."
Amy just stared at the receiver as she heard her brother hang up the phone. And what was that last statement supposed to mean? Her head was swirling. She needed to think and think quickly.
Jeff thought Nick was in love with her. With her? Of all people. When he could have every woman he wanted, what would make him choose her? She didn't believe this. It had to be one of Jeff's many jokes. What a stupid thing to make jokes about. She had to figure out if this was the truth. And then, what did she feel about him?
Her head was already aching. If it was true, then everything that had occurred in the last few weeks made a lot more sense. The fire in her kitchen and the worried look on Nick's face as he came barging through her front door. His endless erotic teasing and the half-clad invitations to indulge in sexual activities with him. And of course, hours after hours of fucking and teasing as he slammed his body inside her own, making her scream as he made her climax before he followed close behind.
She shuddered. Not to forget her going down on him, taking as much as him inside of her warm mouth and swallowing every drop of his come that she could. And before that, her laying spread out on his bed, waiting for him to come home and give her what she ached for. Instead, he had placed himself in the same position, allowing her to dominate him, even though she knew he never submitted to anyone.
Damn it. How could she have been so blind? If that wasn't a good foundation for love, then what was? She had acted like a complete sissy all the time, never daring to face the truth that was staring her right in the eyes.
And here she was feeling miserable when she could have lain in bed with the most fascinating man she had ever come across. He had frightened her before, but now she knew why. She had been so worried he wouldn't like her, would think her the stupid younger sister of his best friend. And he had loved her all this time. How could she have been so blind?
If they had only dared say something sooner, then this whole thing could have been resolved years ago. And now what? What could she do about it? Could there still be a chance for them? For her? Or had he already gone out and found some other female to occupy his bed.
She needed to make a plan. A good plan this time. But first she needed some more information. She didn't want to ask Jeff. Hearing him berating her once was more than enough for one evening. That left only one option.
She picked up the phone and called Rob.
"Yes," he answered after a few rings.
"Hey, Rob. It's Amy."
"Amy? What a pleasant surprise. Have you decided to come and lay naked in my bed instead? If so, it's quite vacant at the time being."
