Wolf (A Little Red Riding Hood Retelling) (Brother's best friend romance) Page 4

  I walk into the house and catch the familiar musty fragrance of old carpets and tired beams. I step further past the tiny foyer and toward the kitchen to deliver ‘leftovers’ again.

  I started bringing food over after knowing Hunter for just three months. He was the only friend that never came over to my house—not ever—and I was upset thinking he was a shit friend. So, at the end of a game one day after school I tackled him to the ground and called him names. He didn’t respond, he just got up and walked away. I shoved him again and his eyes flickered to the stands. It was the first time I noticed anyone sitting there. A skinny little thing just like her brother. She chewed on a pencil and had a notepad open across her lap, her face scrunched up.

  “Who’s is that”

  “My sister.” He said quietly.

  “Is she slow or something?” I leered at him and saw the flame as it sparked behind his eyes, like my words set his insides on fire. He was on me in a second, leaping on my back with his skinny hands wrapped around my neck, and his legs locked around my waist like a steel belt. He was scrawny but he was strong, and darkness crept along the edges of my vision as my throat closed up. I fell to my knees fighting for air, and he increased the pressure. I must have tapped him a hundred times before he finally released me.

  I rolled onto my back and sucked in air. That was the only other time I ever let him touch me like that.

  He stood above me, “Don’t talk about my sister like that. Ever.” His eyes narrowed, his voice menacing.

  “I’m sorry, I’m just upset that you never come over for a play. Even my mum said it was weird, and you know, she barely says anything at all.”

  He chewed on his lower lip, and I could see him mulling over my words. His head fell back, and he looked up to the heavens when he spoke, and even now I don’t know if it was because he was talking to me or praying.

  “When my mum left my grandmother moved in with us. She did her best for a very long time, till she got sick. Sometimes she forgets to make dinner and that Red needs help with her homework, so…”

  “So, you help.” I took the words out of his mouth as we locked eyes, and I noticed how his glistened with tears.

  “Why haven’t you said anything till now?”

  He just shrugged and stood there clenching his teeth, staying strong.

  That day, I learned a few vital things about my best friend.

  He’s intelligent, resourceful, and kind.

  He was what one would call underprivileged.

  And he would put his sister first and protect her fiercely no matter the cost.

  Hunter offered me his hand, when I accepted, he pulled me up. I stood up and shook the grass form my clothes.

  I never asked Hunter to come over again.

  In truth, despite his financial situation, I envied Hunter. He had something that I craved dearly—a family that loved him, a grandmother who cared, a sister to comfort; while I had nannies and cooks and parents that forgot about my existence while they holidayed in their summer villas. I guess it’s why I cherished my friendship with Hunter so much, and why I would never jeopardise it. He made me part of his family, and when I was at his house, I felt seen and wanted, almost enough to patch up the gaping holes my parents’ constant absence left inside me.

  After that day, I had the cook make extra dinner portions and I told Hunter it was leftovers. He didn’t want charity, he was too proud.

  The first time I showed up with food, Hunter frowned for about three seconds before Red grabbed the containers, shovelled them onto three plates and started eating. It was soundless as Hunter and I stared at his tiny little sister do something so mundane, but it also felt powerful. There was no pride, no envy, or anger, just a hungry kid accepting a hearty meal.

  When she was done, she grabbed the extra plate and snuck it upstairs. I bet her grandmother was grateful. That was three years ago.

  When I walk into the tiny foyer and catch Red sitting on the couch, I'm totally unprepared for what I see. She’s clearly not wearing a bra under the white T-shirt that rides up her tummy, revealing a sliver of skin above her black underwear. Her long legs are stretched in front of her and her lips are curled around a pencil, as always.

  I take two steps back. Fuck no.

  In the last year, she has become more than just Hunter’s little sister. The skinny girl we use to wrestle in the mud in the back yard and kick a ball around with. She's become a woman, or at least a very attractive teenager. Her perky little tits poke from beneath her shirt and she's gotten a bunch of curves that weren't there before.

  The way she rolls the pencil in her mouth makes my blood heat and my cock jerk in my pants.

  Shit, I can't look at her like that way.

  “What are you staring at?” Hunter’s voice slices through my stare and I wrench my eyes away from Red.

  “Thought I saw a cockroach,” I sling at him.

  Red shrieks and scampers onto the couch with a leap, giving me a glimpse of her tight ass. I swallow the rock in my throat and remind myself she’s fifteen and I’m seventeen, and she’s just as much my sister as Hunter’s, and not a delectable pastry on a dessert platter for me to lick up and devour.

  “He’s talking shit, there’s no cockroach. Go get some fucking clothes on, fuck.”

  She mumbles something, climbs off the couch, and runs upstairs.

  “What the fuck man?” Hunter punches my arm.

  “What? I think what you mean to say is ‘thank you for dinner, yes I’m ready to get laid at Angela’s party tonight’, and ‘thank you for inviting me’.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he waves, and I follow him into the kitchen. I place the bag of food on the worn-out counter that sags in the middle as if it too has given up.

  “You ready for tonight?” I shove a container of food into his hands, suddenly eager to get out of here as quickly as possible.

  “Yup,” he smiles at me with a mouthful of food.

  “You’re going out again?” Red stands at the kitchen door, her voice quivers a little as she asks. She’s put on super short jean shorts, which cover nothing and show the underside of her ass.

  “I won’t be late.” His face twists with guilt. I know he wants to do the right thing, but I also know he wants to get laid.

  “I’ll have him home early.”

  She crosses her arms around her chest, and I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment as they cover her hard nipples beneath. “As if.”

  “Scouts honour.” I smile and give her a two-finger salute as I drag Hunter out of the kitchen and toward the front door.

  “You have no honour,” she calls after us.

  Of course, she’s right.

  9

  Present Day

  Red

  I wake up to an eerie silence, sit up in the unfamiliar bed and take a second to let my eyes focus on the room. Light drips in from the street below and colours the walls a tarnished gold. I suck in a series of quick breaths as my heart settles then scour the room. I find my suitcase laying by the door, right where he left it.

  I must have climbed on the bed and fallen asleep.

  Big mistake.

  My old friend jet lag is about to creep in and bite me in arse.

  I check the time. 2.37 a.m. I’ve been asleep for fourteen hours, and now I’m wide awake and wired. I sigh and smell myself. That was my second mistake. I cringe, slide off the bed, and reach for my bag.

  It bursts open the minute I release the zip. All my worldly possessions fly out in a flurry of fabric. A lacy, black number lands by my knees, I grab it fingering the delicate lace. Dave bought that for me, that and a string of other sexy lingerie I displayed for him. Looking back, I really should have seen all the signs, but maybe for just a little bit—and just for once—I wanted to feel like someone might have really wanted me. Like my luck had really changed, like I hit the jackpot. Like in that hooker movie with the rich guy and the necklace. I wanted it all to be real. My mouth twitches and I remember that I
haven’t dealt with any of these feelings yet and that now was probably not the time. I push them back down where they continue to simmer on a low to medium heat, grab my toiletries, and open the door.

  The house is silent—and not in the kind of way when the occupants are asleep, but in the way that it’s deserted.

  I flick on a few extra lights to make the monsters in the shadows disappear, then tiptoe down the hall. I don’t know why I do this when I know I’m alone; maybe because it feels a little like being in a museum, all white tiles and white walls. I’m afraid to taint this place with my shit.

  All the doors are closed. I take a stab and open the first door to my left and intuitively know it’s not where I need to be.

  The smell of pheromones and earthy masculinity floods my senses. His bed is made without an edge out of place, like it belongs in a military school. I take a step forward knowing I’m going in the wrong direction. Everything inside me screams to get out—red flashing lights and blaring sirens—and yet I’m acting like the girl who runs upstairs while being chased by the killer when the front door stands perfectly open a foot away.

  All his drawers are shut, and closet doors closed. Wolf hides himself even in his own space. There’s a bedside lamp and a book on a bedside table. It’s too dark to see the title and I find myself taking another irritating step forward.

  “Like what you see?” The light flicks on.

  I swivel unsteadily to find Wolf leaning against the door frame filling it with his enormous build.

  “I was just heading for the shower.” I take a step towards the blocked door.

  “Well it’s not here.” His voice drips with distain as if my very existence offends him.

  “Obviously.”

  He doesn’t move, instead his gaze rakes up my body.

  I study his face and notice the messy hair, the swollen lips tinted with lipstick that’s a shade too dark. Something inside me twists.

  “Move.”

  His face hardens with annoyance and he turns just enough for me to slide past him. I feel every single hard, rigid ab muscle on the way out and smell someone else’s perfume clinging to his skin.

  “Which door?” I ask without turning back.

  “The one opposite mine,” he growls at me and I turn to it, grab the knob, and slam the door behind me as heat flushes around my body. I lean against the door catching my breath. I’ve been around Wolf for less than a minute and already I feel strained.

  I wash the unease away in the shower, dress and make my way to the main room where gruff male voices drift through the corridor and smash against the cold walls.

  They’re talking in hushed voices, “Get your shit together man, we’ve talked about this.” Hunter’s voice sounds so much more formidable when he’s down the hall and not on the other end of a phone.

  “Fuck you, you know I’m trying. I didn’t ask for this, it could have just as easily been you.”

  “Fuck you Wolf, no one needs that shit.”

  “I’ve already blocked her number and the other’s she used.”

  “Yeah, lets—” Hunter stands up as he spots me walking into the kitchen.

  Wolf spins, his gaze lands on me, his eyes narrow and he turns back to Hunter. “Fuck this day, I’m going to bed.”

  “About that other thing,” Hunter catches his arm and they lock eyes in a tense moment, “what I’ve said before stands—nothing has changed.”

  Wolf yanks his arm out of Hunter’s grip and stands to his full height, looming over my brother, “Fuck you Hunter.”

  “Just remember that it hasn’t changed, and it won’t, not ever.”

  “I don’t need reminders,” he snarls like a rabid dog, turns, and give me a harsh look before storming out of the kitchen and disappearing.

  “What’s his problem?”

  “Don’t ask questions none of us can really answer.” His stern face breaks into a wide smile, “Red.” He steps towards me and wraps me in his big strong arms.

  “I’ve missed you,” I whisper into his hard chest and wonder if it’s possible that my big brother got even bigger.

  “And I’ve been worried about you.” His arms and humour fall away at the same time, and I push away from him.

  “Can we not?”

  He looks at me as if he’s about to drop the lecture of the century, and I hold a hand up.

  “Can we just sit and have a coffee and pretend like we’re a normal brother and sister for once? And tomorrow you can berate me all day and dissect all my life choices, but not tonight, okay?”

  He sighs and eyes me for a second before he turns to the kettle, “How do you take your coffee?”

  “Same as always.”

  He looks at me like I’ve asked him for the night’s winning lottery numbers, “Really?” I shake my head and roll my eyes. Then again, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.

  He shrugs, throws the sugar and milk on the table, and puts a mug of black coffee in front of me, “You’re a big girl.”

  “Finally, you’ve worked it out,” I say sarcastically as I add a half a teaspoon of sugar and some milk to my mug.

  “I didn’t say you act like one.”

  “Didn’t say you act like one,” I mimic, and he glares at me as if I’ve proven his point.

  Somewhere in the house pipes come alive.

  We drink in silence. The coffee is too weak and too watery, but I don’t complain.

  “So, now that I’m here can you take a few days off and spend some time with me?”

  “Sure, I’d love that. I’ll just have to clear it with the boss,” he scoffs and tilts his head towards the corridor where Wolf is having a very naked shower.

  “Boss? What happened to partners?”

  “We are, which is why I have to run it by him. We’ve picked up some new clients last week, and we’ve just lost a few of the boys to injury and paternity leave. It will take a few weeks for the new recruits to be trained up.”

  “Yeah, okay, don’t stress your pretty little head over it.”

  “It’s not like that,”

  I huff, “I know.”

  The pipes die down and heavy footsteps are followed by a slamming door.

  “That’s my cue.” Hunter grabs his half-drunk coffee and puts the cup in the sink, he looks tired.

  “Oh, I thought we would hang out. I have the worst case of jet lag …”

  “I would. I’m happy that you’re here, but my life doesn’t just come to a standstill because you’re here. I still have clients and a job to do, and somewhere in and amongst that, I have to sleep.”

  I nod.

  He shifts and sighs, “Look, I’ll speak to Wolf in the morning, see if we can shift some things around, and I’ll be all yours for a whole day. But after that, we’re going to sit down and you’re going to work out what you plan on doing with your life.”

  “Ugh, you were so close.”

  “Good night Red, I really am glad you’re here.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  I watch my brother walk out of the room then force the rest of my coffee down and head for the lounge. Wolf ignores me as he walks in. He’s dressed in jeans that mould perfectly to his body and a jacket. His hair is a wet, frenzied mess, and he runs a hand through it before he grabs his keys.

  “Where are you going?” I ask when I should be minding my own business.

  “Out,” he snaps at me, and without a backwards glance, slams the door as he leaves.

  As soon as he’s gone my body relaxes and I realise that nothing’s changed. He still makes me feel like I can’t catch my breath.

  I snuggle onto the couch and settle for the rest of the morning. All I have to do now, is stay awake till 5 p.m. tonight. With Wolf out of the house —probably with one of his girls— how hard can it be?

  10

  Red

  The house comes to life at some point. Faint noises, closing doors, and heavy footsteps. I blink open weary eyes. Laughter pours out of the TV as some si
tcom plays in the background and it takes me a minute to realise I must have fallen asleep.

  Again.

  So much for my plan.

  The sunrise splashes oranges and yellows across the ceiling, and I stretch my aching limbs. My body is weary—too tired for a twenty-five-year-old to feel—but I know this heavy tiredness that grips me is jet lag. It will pass in a few days. I just have to stay awake long enough to fight it.

  I rub the sleep from my eyes as Wolf steps into the room. He’s wearing a tight windproof jacket and shorts that show off his tree trunk legs, he’s got his air pods in, and he shoots me a sideways glance before stepping out the front door and disappearing.

  I check the clock, 6.a.m. and wonder when he got back, and if he ever sleeps.

  I shake my head.

  Hunter walks into the lounge, still looking half asleep. He gives me a small smile, “Coffee?”

  “How about I make it?”

  “Sure.” He’s excited, and honestly, so am I. I don’t think I could drink another one of his ‘coffees.’

  I follow him into the kitchen where he falls into a chair, his head hanging loosely into his palm.

  “Why are you up so early?”

  “Perks of the job.”

  “Sleeping four hours is a perk?”

  “Sometimes,” he scoffs.

  I give him a questioning look while I wait for the water to boil.

  He falls back into his seat and scrubs his face. My brother looks old and tired. “With the new clients and the boys away, Wolf and I have had to step back into a more active role. I guess it’s just been a while since I’ve done night shifts and day shifts back to back.”

  “So, business is going well?”

  “Really well. You’ll be amazed how many people think they need security, when really they’re a no one, and they should be saving their money for when everyone realises they have no talent.”

  “But, you won’t tell them that.”

  “Hey, a man’s gotta eat, and anyway, it’s been fun doing clubs again.”