Page 29 of King of Clubs

Sister. She was hissister.

I watched as she shot a cheeky grin his way, unspoken words passing between them. Subtle similarities that I hadn’t seen before were now suddenly obvious and I wondered if that was why she’d seemed so familiar. Despite the darker colour of her eyes, they were the same round shape, her smile held a slight lilt mirroring his and they shared a similar deep brown to their hair although hers was curly.

Recovering and ignoring the spark of happiness at hearing she was his sibling, I responded. “The pleasure is mine. Did you see the start of the–”

The crowd cheering again snatched my attention and I turned towards the ground to see the Hearts hugging in celebration. Another goal.

“I’m sorry. I’m probably going to be terrible company because I’m tragically in love with this team.” Pointing to the jersey I wore, I turned back to the glass to watch the teams reset and recommence their plays in an attempt to score again.

Graciously, Evangeline laughed, “This is my first match actually. I’m not sure what is happening other than we want the Hearts to win. Right, Seb?” She looked towards her brother and I noticed his face soften. Apparently the villain had a softer side.

“Yes, Eva, we want the Hearts to win,” he patted her on the top of her head mockingly which only made her laugh more.

“Hell yes we want the Hearts to win or my man is going to be grumpy. Eva, come sit with me and I will tell you the three things I actually understand about this sport and then all the gossip about the team – which is far more exciting.” Arna patted the seat next to her and I glared at her knowing her intentions in engrossing Evangeline in conversation. Sebastian stepped aside, allowing his sister to pass and suddenly it was just him and I. His frame much larger than my own, blocking Arna and Evangeline from my vision entirely.

“It’s lucky they scored a few more goals, hey? Unless choking is something you are into?” He teased softly, punctuating his statement with a wink.

“Wai–” I paused, my mouth hung open in utter dismay and his lips twitched. Was he making a sexual joke? “I’m not sure I follow, TBH,” I lied. I was well aware of the double entendre in his words but not even close to knowing how to match his banter when the part of my brain responsible for conversing had suddenly shattered.

“Did you just say TBH?” He asked, openly grinning now and the change in his usual steel-like features, obliterated any small fragment of command I had over my words.

Shit. Go back to scowling. Because the only thing I found more attractive than Scowly McScowlerson was when he smiled. The sparkling teeth ran in the family. I need the name and number of their dentist – stat.

“I did. It’s a terrible habit really. I blame the nerves when watching them play. Are you a fan or just here for Andy?” I laughed but kept my eyes on the field, not risking the befuddlement that looking at him would bring.

“I definitely don’t enjoy it as much as you appear to, but a few of the boys on the team are my mates. Obligatory supporter. I actually followed The Magpies as a kid but Andy threatened me when he was drafted,” he took a sip of his water and I snuck a glance at the way his throat moved as he swallowed.

“That’s a tragedy.”

“Which part?” He asked and even without looking at him I could hear the grin in his voice.

“Both that Andy threatened you and that you followed The Magpies to begin with.” He laughed and the deep chuckle reverberated in my chest.

I wanted to concentrate on the match in front, yet I struggled to even locate the ball now I’d heard the magic which was his happiness. Evangeline and Arna chuckling at something interrupted our conversation and I looked around Seb to see them both happily chatting, the game long forgotten amongst chatter about Jack and someone Arna suspected he was in love with. Although whether she was in fact a real person was still a topic for debate.

“Your sister is beautiful,” my eyes were firmly planted ahead but I didn’t want the conversation to stop. This was different to when we were at his place. Being in neutral territory offered comfortability plus I was wearing fresh clothing. Always a win. “Is she younger than you?”

“Eva is trouble,” he answered wryly. I briefly smiled at him, before following his gaze back to the field.

“She is two years younger than me. She lives just outside of Sydney actually and we don’t get to see each other too much but she's hoping to move to the city next year so she came up to look around during her break.”

“You want her to move here?”

“I do,” he answered matter of factly.

“If you haven’t told her, you should. It’s nice to be wanted,” I shrugged, “But I’m an only child so I can’t say I’m too credible when it comes to sibling relationships.”

When he didn’t reply I turned to him and found he was staring right at me. Urgh, did I say something wrong? The confidence I felt evaporated as I mistakenly glanced down towards his lips again, feeling exposed under his gaze. I wondered where I overstepped and my instinctual need to apologise and fix the situation before it erupted was quick to take effect.

“Sorry. Ignore me. Sometimes I speak before thinking. I shouldn’t have told you what to do. What would I know anyway?”

He leaned closer and all of the air left my lungs. “You don’t need to apologise for speaking honestly. You’re right. I do want her to move here. I just never thought of it like that, I assumed she knew.”

I let his words sink over me before he spoke again.

“People don’t often take me by surprise, but I’m finding you are an anomaly.” His voice held a hint of surprise as if he couldn’t quite put his finger on whatever it was drawing us together like magnets.

You and me both, Thunderman.

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