Sweet Little Lies

Chapter 4

Harper Morgan

By the time the rest of the party leaves, I have no choice but to follow Ajax to the big house. Mr. and Mrs. West left an hour ago. I

hoped Ajax would leave with his parents, but no such luck. He patiently waited for the remainder of the guests to leave and

helped clean up some of the mess.

Now, we're headed to the Wests' colossal mansion. Lucky for me, Dan is with us too, carrying one of my bags and Ajax the other.

When we get to the house, I open the back sliding glass door for them and follow in after them. I look around where I know as well as my own.

I used to do chores here, cleaning, organizing and even paint some of the bedrooms.

My parents always insisted we earn our own money for the things we wanted growing up. Besides birthdays and Christmas we never

received gifts.

Climbing the large staircase, I looked at the pictures of the West family hanging on the wall. All the photos are of the three of

them smiling happily into the camera. I know Mr. and Mrs. West wanted more children. Sadly, after complications with their second child who was still born, Adelaide, she was unable to get pregnant again. I guess that's why they spoil Ajax so much, he will always be their baby.

Both boys stopped in front of the bedroom and I immediately found out it was right across from Ajax's. I keep my face completely composed yet I'm dying inside. Get over it, Harper! I remind myself that we're old family friends. My brother is his best friend. Let's just look at it as what it is, a simple temporary living situation.

"Night, Harp." Dan said, kissing my head, then turning to Ajax.

"Later, Ajax."

Ajax gives a small wave and lays my suitcase on my bed. When he starts to open it, I stop him.

"I can unpack myself." I stated, not waiting for him to stay.

"It's late. I'll help."

I clenched my jaw tightly to stop myself from ordering him to go. I walked to the closet and took out the hangers.

We work in silence, making two piles; slacks and jeans in one and shirts and sweaters in another. When we're almost done, I start taking them to the closet and organizing them into two sections; work-wear and everyday-wear.

I leave the closet to get more clothes when I see Ajax looking at me, his eyes narrowed. He's holding a pair of my lacy underwear

in his hands. "I can put my underwear away." I said, completely mortified.

"What are you doing? Wearing this kind of thing?" He asks, harshly.

"I always wear underwear." I replied defensively, confused by his anger.

"Women only wear this type of thing when they want to impress someone." He states, coldly.

My jaw drops. "Are you calling me a w***e?"

"No, I'm asking if you are." He corrected, harshly.

I can't believe he just said that! I thought maybe after four years he'd drop the Big Brother act. I guess something never changes. I don't know why, but it finally clicks in my head, at this moment, that he sincerely thinks of us as related, nothing more than his little sister.

I sigh.

" I'm not a whore." I stated, totally honest and a bit hurt.

"Now, please go. I'm tired." He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. I don't see why he needs to calm down. I believe I'm the

one he's accusing of being loose.

"I'm sorry." He says, looking ashamed. This is how he would've acted four years ago with Dan. Big Brother isn't happy his little underwear are sexy undergarments.

I can't help but smile thinking about our past. We were close once. I can't let my pettiness over his rejection ruin our future.

"Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have expected four years to change things." I replied, walking closer and shutting my suitcase.

"Meaning?"

I smiled. "You and Dan weren't exactly known for minding your own business." I teased.

"We weren't that bad." He replies, defensively.

I scoff. "I didn't have a single date until I moved to Flagstaff! You were that bad."

"Dating was all you did?" He seriously questioned his face seriously.

"Ajax, I'm not eighteen anymore." I whispered like I was telling him a big secret.

I saw his jaw clench and release repeatedly. He is clearly unhappy with my jokes, but he needs to realize I'm old enough to make

my own decisions. If both he and Dan think I'll let them interfere in my love life, they're sadly mistaken.

"I know how old you are." He mutters.

"Oh, good. Now, try treating me like an adult." I responded, smirking.

He looked at the ceiling. "You know one day that mouth is going to get you into a lot of trouble."

I huffed. "Well, until then I think we should call a truce."

"What kind of truce?

"You can't be mad that I'm growing up and I can't be mad that you still see me as your little sister." I explained, holding out my

hand.

He looks at my hand distastefully, which only serves to irritate me. I dropped my hand and looked at him in question. "I don't think of you as my little sister. I think of you as someone I care about." He clarifies.

"Oh, well you get the gist," I said, holding my hand out to him.

Finally, he takes my much smaller hand in his and shakes it.

"Now, I think you should go to bed. You're being particularly grumpy tonight," I pointed out.

"I'm not grumpy." He grumbles and I laugh.

"Oh, no, not at all. You're all rainbows and butterflies."

"Goodnight." He says, stonily.

"Goodnight and thanks for the help."

"You're welcome." He responds, walking to the door.

It's only when the door closes closed that I realize he still had my underwear.