Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 34

"Do I know him?" he asks, walking further into my room and poking around my desk.

"Megan has the batteries," I say, flatly. "And I'm going somewhere with a friend."

He looks over his shoulder, scratching the back of his neck. "I was just..."

"Mhmm," I pull the article of clothing out of a heap of stuff triumphantly. This'll be [note: imagine the shirt has the star wars logo].

He rushes towards the door, now that he knows he won't find what he's looking for here, but then he stops right before he's really gone. "Wait, what kind of friend?"

"Just a friend." I get up and shoo him out.

"Oh no," he stands firmly. "I want specifics. I want times. I want locations. I need the names and contacts of accomplices. Snapchats."

"I'm going to a party with Suzie." I tap my fingers against the door I'm trying to close.

"The Suzie you just cursed from here to kingdom come on the ride home?" he asks.

"Yes, her," I say.

He looks at me quizzically. I say nothing.

He opens his mouth, closes it, then stares looking even more confused. "I will never understand women."

"Oh so because I'm a woman-"

"Okay, I never said that."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't."

"Yes, yes you did," I say exasperatedly.

"No," he drags it out. "I'm just saying there's a correlation with the way you guys deal with your butt hurt feelings. Us guys will either handle it right then and there or--"

"Complain about it with your guy friends for hours?" I raise my eyebrow.

"...Hmm." He rubs his chin. "Touche, but you're still doing it right now. You should just tell her to buzz off the next time you see her. Not hangout with her like everything's fine."

"That's what this party'll be if she tries anything again. I'm going to go in swinging." I cross my arms.

He busts out laughing. "With what, your spaghetti arms?"

"You better watch your words. I know where you live," I narrow my eyes.

He scoffs. "I know where you live."

I smirk. "I'll send Charlie after you is what I'm saying."

I want to smack myself. I told him I'd play Morph with him today. I forgot. "Wait, Michael."

"It's fine," he keeps walking.

"No, I'll cancel, really. I'll go get my batteries."

He opens his door and says sarcastically, "It's ok. I get it. Fuck off, Michael. you don't want your big brother cramping your style." He smirks.

"You know I didn't mean it like that." I stare at him, trying to make eye contact.

He looks at me. He's quiet for a while. Then he looks back towards his room. "It's fine, really. I wanted to get to the next level anyway. It'll be a lot easier without you slowing me down." He steps into his room, hesitating just before closing the door. "Be safe. If you need a ride, call me."

The worst part about fighting with Michael is that once he's decided what you meant for himself that's all he'll ever believe you said. He won't talk. He won't compromise. He won't do the whole healthy sibling communication thing. He'll either A, pretend like nothing ever happened, or B, drown you out with his video game soundtrack which may or may not include a large amount of cursing and sword action that's probably directed towards you.

That's why I don't sit outside his room asking to talk. I give him the space he clearly needs to calm down. Especially if he's in mood B, and I do mean mood B.

I wish he would just listen to me sometimes. I really forgot. I'm human. It's been a crazy week. Cut me some slack, jeez. I wouldn't've gone to the party if he asked, but instead he had to do his big dramatic foolishness. I glare towards the direction of his room while I haphazardly pull on my skinny jeans. I aggressively tug on my mismatched socks which I know he hates. Take that Michael. Michael.

I throw myself on the bed and glare at my clock. There's still an hour before the party starts... Maybe if I go now, we could at least get a bit of time to play together? Forgive me!

I shake the thought from my head.

He wants me to stay out of his lane, to not slow him down, fine. Have fun. Knock yourself out. Have a grand time! I throw another shirt in his direction and it pitifully collapses onto the floor... again.