Chapter 10

I pretty much just paced around in the house until finally I heard the soft purr of a car out the front. I ran out, a Peugeot hatchback turned the lights off and the door flew open. Out of it launched a beautiful blonde who I had to do a double take on before she bowled me over.

Keira had gotten even more stunning in the last months since I had seen her. She would soon even rival Pepper, but that was something I would think about later, because at this point in time we had fallen into the bushes.

Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright. 'Hey, Hunter.' She kissed me on the nose.

Uncaring of the fact that there was a large branch digging into my back I held her close and breathed in deeply. 'You are an intolerable pain, but I'm so happy you're here.'

'I'm glad you think so, but I'm so tired I'm about to pass out. Show me to your room!'

Hand in hand, we walked upstairs, and she flopped onto the bed. In less than twenty seconds she was naked and under the covers, beckoning me to join her.

'I thought you were tired.' I raised an eyebrow.

'I am, but I want to fall asleep with you, and you can tell me all about this craziness with Stella. Now get those pants off, big boy, or I'm telling Mum.'

She could be very convincing when she wanted to be.

When I got under the sheet with her she smiled in contentment and lay on top of me, looking up from my chest. 'So what's going on.' She said tenderly.

I shrugged, 'We can talk tomorrow. It's five thirty in the morning.'

'Mmm, okay, but I want you to just talk to me. I've missed your voice.'

I just talked about football and diving and weather and some of my more PG rated times over the last while until my sister's eyes slowly closed. I could hear her breathing deepen when she was finally asleep. I wasn't far behind.

It was she who woke up first, because all I could hear was, 'Are you awake? Psst, Hunter!'

Of course, she knew I wasn't, but that changed on short notice. I stretched out and she rolled to the side, still with her arms around my waist. 'How about we go out for breakfast, ' I suggested.

'Sounds like a plan.'

We walked together down to one of the local cafes and had a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and spinach. I ordered a coffee and waited to see if Keira would get an orange juice. She surprised me by getting a short black and sipping it with relish. [I haven?t spent much time in southern California lately, but mushrooms and spinach, especially the latter, are pretty rare in breakfast cafes in the States.]

She had always been more mature than me, but it seemed like Keira was really growing up. She had kicked off her shoes, and I felt her bare foot rubbing idly up my calf. I shook my head and smiled, 'You didn't get enough trouble out of this last time?'

I was referring to Pepper seeing us out one night and giving me hell about it. But at this point I really didn't care. I reached across the table and took her hand. 'So tell me about Brian.'

She shrugged, 'There wasn't much more than what I told you over the phone. It just wasn't the right time. He'll get over it eventually, although he didn't take it so well when it happened. But who cares about that, so Stella just dumped you out of the blue?'

I nodded, 'Yep, she disappeared right after she got the call, over to this girl's house. A girl she was sort of sleeping with, I might add. When I finally got through to her she said it was over. I hate her for it, but at the same time I miss her desperately. I dunno, it's just one of those shitty situations I think.'

'And then some, ' she agreed. 'I wish I had some wise words. Has she tried to talk to you? How long ago was it?'

I pushed the last of my spinach around the plate, 'I think a few months. I dunno. Feels like just yesterday. She tried to call me, but of course I didn't want to talk to her. I've just been running around acting like a fool trying to keep my mind clear. It's worked a bit, but you know, I just haven't felt like me.

?However, I do love to party now, a little more than before. I'll have to take you out one night.'

'As your sister?' she asked coyly.

'Well, that depends on who we're with. You can at least come to my work one night. How long are you going to stay?'

'As long as I have to. I'm sure I can come up with some great reason. This last year is just becoming a formality. I already spoke to Stanford about getting in early with consideration. Told them my parents were moving away. But it's all in the works. I want to be out here. My home is with you.'

'And mine is with you, ' I sighed. 'Why is it that you're so together, and every other girl I know seems to be coming apart at the seams?'

'Yeah, I have NO issues at all, ' she said sarcastically. 'Forget the fact that I've fucked my own brother, because that's completely normal right?'

She had another good point. 'Minor details.'

Keira laughed. 'Yeah, minor details. So it's just you and Pepper. Isn't that weird, since you guys weren't exactly friends?'

'Actually we hardly see each other so it's not so bad.'

'Hunter, ' Keira said softly, 'you're not you. I'm not saying at all that I think you should get back together, but I think you first need to call Stella and patch things up. I know she was wrong for what she did to you, but this is Stella, not just some girl who you were messing around with. She ate dinner at our house every night and loved you when everyone else was giving you trouble at school. She even jumped the fence for you.'

She was right of course, but then Keira was always right. I touched her cheek and kissed her softly on the lips. 'You're one in a million, you know that?'

'Yeah, yeah.' She bit my lip a little, 'Now, when was the last time you were in the water.'

That was a valid point, aside from the pool I hadn't been under water in a while. 'Um, too long.'

'Correct, so go home and get your gear. You and I are taking a trip down to the bay.'

My sister had brought her diving gear with her from home. In the few minutes on the phone she already had it worked out. I felt that familiar rush as I smelt the neoprene of my wetsuit.

'Alright, Mr Hunter. You are going to catch me a seafood dinner. Lobster would be nice, but in the absence of that I suppose I could settle for a fish.'