Page 11 of The Other Side of Green

She curved one side of her mouth into a smirk. “You’ll be back, throwing stones at my window. And it won’t be me initiating kisses.” She turned to walk away, her curls flicking over her shoulder.

I grabbed her back, placing my lips under her ear, feeling a little shiver run through her body. I pulled her back against my chest, tight enough I knew she could feel every one of my abs. “And you’ll open for me, you always do.”

She pulled away just as Luca stepped close and laid a hand on my shoulder. “What you two bitching about? I swear you nag her worse than I do.”

I lit up my most enigmatic smile. “Part of being an honorary big brother,” I said, louder than necessary.

Luca had his back to Lyra, so didn’t see the bird she turned and flipped me.

We were doomed. I definitely was anyway.

I had nothing to offer the girl with the curls and violin, even if it was a conversation we could have. Which it wasn’t. Not now and not ever.

She was right though; I had kissed her. It had pulled me to shreds ever since: that taste, the delicate flick of her warm tongue exploring in my mouth.

I had to make sure that never happened again.

Lyra kept her gaze settled on me as she peeled off her shorts and tank revealing a bright red two-piece underneath.

Oh. Holy. Fuck.

I cleared my throat and Luca turned to see where I was looking. His face morphed into a dark shade of purple.

“What the actual fuck are you wearing?” he shouted at Lyra. “Get dressed. Now.”

“Can’t swim in my clothes, big brother.” She turned and dove into the water and Luca cussed under his breath.

Yeah, we were all doomed. Me especially.

Jack ~ Present

My hands shook as I cruised through the teeming streets of New Orleans. I’d almost forgotten how busy October could be. Festivals and art exhibitions brought tourists in flocks all willing to spend money in the French Quarter and take photos on Bourbon Street. The colorful buildings made my stomach twist, and I clenched the steering wheel tighter as I turned into the less populated areas.

New Orleans held secrets, but most people could keep safe if they were clever, had their brains switched on, and didn’t wave cash. You’d more likely be robbed by a Voodoo charlatan then a gang in most of the main areas.

A few turns here and there and it became different. As I turned onto Mazzant Street, I slowed the car. I didn’t need to worry about holding up the traffic, things moved at their own pace here.

At least they always had.

I waited for it to be different.

Waited for prosperity and fresh paint, flowers on roundabouts, anything that told me this place could thrive.

Mazzant looked the same as it had four years ago. Houses crowded, railings on windows. Kids bouncing balls down gangways. I stepped on the brake as a streak of gold dashed in front of the car. Damn street dogs. With my heart thumping, I watched it careen down a small opening between houses.

My forehead prickled and I wiped the back of my hand against my skin, swiping across the sticky sweat.

Damn it was hot here. Reaching down to turn up the air con, I frowned when I realized I’d already cranked it to the max. It should have been artic cool, but somehow the sweat still kept appearing. So, not the weather then.

Two more side turns and I idled the car at the end of a street I never thought I’d see again. Part of me wanted to drive down there and park outside the house to the left with the white wooden boarding and honk my horn until one of them came out.

Didn’t really care which one right now.

Lyra, so I could see her choice in her eyes and know that she’d chosen Luca over me.

Or Luca, just so I could punch him in the face.

I didn’t.