An Epiphany

I walked in the door and dumped my bag next to it so I could run up the steps. Only my mother’s voice from near the stairs stopped me.

“Where you going in such a hurry, Honey?”

“Yes,” Eric blinked up at me innocently. “Where to so fast?”

A nice way of saying not so fast.

“You don’t order me around Eric!” I shouted down at him. “I’m not one of your minions.”

A dark smile twisted his lips, and I knew he wanted to argue with me but with my mom there he only frowned. “Is something wrong, Allie Kat?”

“Ugh!” I groaned loudly. “Don’t call me that!”

“You didn’t used to mind when he called you that.” My mother kindly objected.

“We were kids, mom.” I gave her a withering look.

“You’re still kids, Honey.”

I wanted to slap myself in the face. “Mom!”

“What, Honey? Why are you being so mean to Eric tonight?”

“He’s awful to me, mom!” I gestured down at him. Feeling like one look at him should be proof in the pudding of what I was saying. “He’s a terrible human!”

“Well,” My mom huffed. “I truly don’t know what’s gotten into you Allison, but I hope you’re over it by the time we get back.”

She turned and began walking toward the Living Room.

“Back?” I blinked down at her.

***

She paused and looked back at me, jaw agape. “Have you forgotten?”

I must have.

“Forgotten what?” I tried to clarify. I glanced at Eric and his brows jumped meaningfully. He was giving me a steady grin like he knew something I didn’t.

“We leave next week for Paris! I told you almost a year ago. We’ll be gone for a week. I’ll expect you and Eric to get along and you to be far nicer than you’ve been to him.”

The hell I will.

I watched her walk away in horror. She couldn’t really be planning to leave me with him.

I had visions of the house empty save for his taunting voice and the scent of him after a shower wafting through the hall and him tormenting me everywhere I went. Being unable to find solace even at home because no one was there as a buffer.

He’ll be a nightmare!

“Far nicer.” He mouthed.

My gut sunk as understanding began to dawn. My hand fell dully to the rail, and I turned fully to stare back down at Eric.

Oh, no...

***

I pointed at him. Giving him the blackest look I could gather. I crooked a finger.

With an intrigued tilt of his head, he set his bag down next to mine and skipped up the steps.

I gave him my back. Doing my damnedest to control my fury. I walked to his room because I didn’t want him anywhere near mine. I stepped in and he followed. I rounded and shut the door. Turning a furious glare on him. “I know what you’ve done.”

“Do you?” He hadn’t stopped grinning.

“I knew you were conniving...But this...”

“What exactly are you accusing me of, Allie Kat?” He gave me a wink as he used the dreaded nickname.

My palm itched to slap his smug face. I was staring at him shaking.

He strolled over to his bed.

I was on his heels. So mad I could barely muster the words to articulate every move he’d made just today.

He absentmindedly picked up his acoustic guitar and his nimble fingers strummed the wires while he looked at me patiently.

What I have to say matters so little, he’s only willing to give me half his attention.

I reached down and swatted his hand off the strings.

“Ooh.” His lips pursed and his eyes flew to mine. “Feisty.”

But there was a light in his eyes that indicated he was very interested in the fact that I’d just slapped his hand.

Why?

***

“You-you...”

He yawned balefully. “I what?”

“You dragged me to that race because you knew I had to go.”

His head dropped and he watched his fingers go back to lightly plucking the strings. “I knew Tomboy had to be there.”

He paused and lifted his head to level that blue gaze on me. “If she wanted to have a chance at beating me...Unfortunately...She didn’t anyway.”

“Grrrrr!” I growled.

His lips quirked and his brows lifted flirtatiously. “Now that’s a fun sound.”

“Eric! Can you be serious for once?”

“I am being serious.” He set the guitar aside and stood. Towering over me as he dropped his face to mine. “Deadly serious.”

“You took me there because you knew I was her.”

“Yes.”

“Then made a bet with me that she’d lose because you were so sure you’d beat me.”

“Yes.”

“Then you challenged me, knowing you’d win.”

“Yes.” He tilted his head in a grudging nod.

“And you refused to cash in on your wins of the bet to have me be your slave this week.”

“Yes.”

“Because you want it to be next week.”

He blinked slowly but didn’t deny it.

“When we’re alone in this house...”

“Yes.”