Sloth

by L-J Baker

  The doorbell rang and Ethan jogged over to answer it. Talia let him, grateful for having him as a buffer between them. Luc stood, smiling, with beer in one hand, and pizza in the other. He struggled to grab the beer with his pizza hand, so he could extend a hand out to Ethan. When he almost dropped the beer, Ethan took them, and shook his hand.

  "Hi. I'm Luc," he said, not the least bit uncomfortable faced by a scowling Ethan.

  "Ethan. Talia's brother."

  "Great to meet you." Luc continued smiling, despite the death-glare that her brother focused on him. It was almost uncomfortable to watch, but Luc took it in stride.

  Ethan blocked him for a solid minute, before stepping aside and letting Luc pass. He following behind Luc and placed the beer down on the table. Then, surprising Talia, he sat down in the middle of the couch, making it impossible for her and Luc to sit next to each other.

  When she was younger, she would have insisted he leave. She likely wouldn't even have cared about bringing a guy she hardly knew into her room, so it wouldn't have been an issue. But now, she was almost grateful that Ethan was being a dick.

  Talia sat down on one side of Ethan and motioned for Luc to sit on the other. She grabbed one of the beers and popped off the top. Luc and Ethan both did the same and they settled on the couch for the most awkward afternoon ever.

  "I'm guessing you've never played Vex before?" She handed a controller to Luc, signed into her account, and set up a tutorial game.

  "Is that the one with the little yellow guy who eats the pellets and runs from ghosts?"

  Ethan snorted and sucked down half his beer.

  "Um, no, so we'll start with the basics then." Talia laughed and went over the rules with Luc.

  She explained how the characters worked, how to control their moves, and what the goal of the game was. He seemed to follow along, but he definitely looked out of his league. Ethan briefly left them, to run to the kitchen for plates, then returned to his seat between them. Talia was actually comforted by the fact that Luc didn't try to move over when Ethan got up.

  They played a quick tutorial game, then ate a slice of pizza, before starting a real game. Ethan didn't say anything, but he didn't refrain from snickers, or outright laughs, when Luc screwed up. Even Talia was getting tired of it. She knew he had good intentions, but he was kind of a pain in the ass.

  "Maybe I could just watch you play one first, before you set me loose on poor unsuspecting gamers." Luc held the controller on his lap and peered over Ethan at her.

  "You can, but this is a beginners level, so most of the players are newbies, too."

  "Why don't you put on your level and let me see how a real game goes?"

  It wouldn't help him learn to play by watching her. She was good— like professional good, and he wasn't going to pick much up watching one game of that. But Talia was itching to show off what she could do.

  "Okay." She went back to the options and set up an advanced game.

  Luc leaned forward to study what she did. He watched the screen, glancing at her hands every so often. Ethan crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. He was clearly bored of the whole situation, but unless she told him to get lost, he was going to stay right there.

  When the game was over, she nudged Ethan in the ribs. "Okay, I think we're good here."

  He turned to look at her for a long moment, giving her the chance to change her mind. "You sure?"

  "Yeah, I'm sure you've got shit to do."

  "Just a brief to write."

  "That last one took you three days."

  "This one's not so bad."

  "You're a lawyer?" Luc put the controller down on the table and turned toward Ethan.

  "Almost. Interning right now while I study for the bar.

  "Good profession. Tough test."

  Ethan stood up, probably so he could tower over Luc, and scoffed. "Because a club owner knows all about the bar exam."

  "I'm actually a licensed attorney. I just don't practice much right now."

  Talia and Ethan both stared at Luc. That hadn't come up over dinner and they'd actually talked quite a bit.

  "You are?" They both said at the same time.

  "I didn't mention that?" Luc looked at Talia and shrugged.

  "What school did you go to?" Ethan asked, probably figuring he could show Luc up with having attended Columbia.

  Luc shifted in his seat, as if he didn't want to answer. He swallowed hard, then said, "Yale."

  Ethan tensed.

  "Talia tells me that you both attended Columbia. Wonderful school." Luc stood and started picking up the pizza mess. "My brother went there for undergrad."

  "Is your brother a lawyer, too?" Ethan asked with a smirk.

  Talia was about to say no, because who had two non-practicing lawyers in one family, and Luc already told her he mostly just helped with the business, when he wasn't off being a bum, but Luc surprised her again.

  "Yes, actually. I think he just wanted to be like his older brother, so his heart's not in it." Luc glanced around, then pointed toward the kitchen. "Kitchen this way?"

  Talia nodded and he disappeared with the lunch mess.

  "Is that guy for real?" Ethan pulled Talia toward her bedroom and whispered. "He's not really a lawyer, is he? And his brother? Come on."

  "Why would he lie? You could just ask him some law-related questions and see if he can answer." She shrugged. There was no reason for Luc to lie about something so easy to check. Law licenses were public record, and knowing Ethan, he would check up on it.

  "Who goes through law school and decides to run a club instead?"

  "I guess he does." Talia motioned toward the living room.

  "And his brother." Ethan glanced back to see if Luc was nearby. "I don't like this guy."

  "Don't be stupid. You don't even know him."

  "I know enough."

  "So, you don't like him because he's a lawyer and decided to run a club instead of practice law?" Talia slipped her hand up her hip and her whispers grew louder.

  "No. It's just a feeling I get."

  "Well I don't get that feeling. I don't work in the field I went to college for. If running a club is what he wants to do, then that's his business."

  "Are you sure you can trust your impression of him?" Ethan closed his mouth hard and took a step back.

  "Did you seriously just say that? What are you trying to imply? That I've judged people wrong before, so I shouldn't be trusted?"

  "That's not what I said. I only meant that—"

  "Everything okay in here?" Luc was standing a few feet from them, looking from Talia, to Ethan, and back again. "Should I go?"

  Ethan said "Yes," at the same time Talia said "No."

  Luc took a few steps back, clearly not wanting to get in the middle of their argument. "I should go."

  He started walking toward the front door and Talia pushed past Ethan to catch up with him.

  "Hold on. I don't want you to go."

  And she didn't, oddly enough.

  "How about we go get some ice cream, then?"

  "It's like forty degrees outside." Talia scrunched her nose up.

  "So?" He tilted his head and shot her the most adorable half-smile. It was near impossible to say no to that. At least for ice cream.

  "Okay, fine. Let me grab a coat." She hurried to her room to grab some boots and a jacket, while Ethan stood, glaring at Luc, in the hall outside her door.

  She would deal with Ethan later. If she even tried now, she would definitely say things she would regret. For now, she would go get ice cream, in the freezing cold. This was looking more and more like a date.

  ***

  No matter how hard he tried to ignore it, Luc felt a heat rise up in him as he watched her lick chocolate chip mint off her cone. There was definitely a spark with Talia, as there had been with the first couple girls, but he wasn't getting much back from her. It didn't take an expert in females to know that Talia had been through a lot and moving her past that was goi
ng to take time.

  Time wasn't something they had an abundance of.

  Luc was a patient man and he wasn't going to push her. They could spend the month eating spaghetti, playing video games, and pissing off her brother, if that was what she needed. It wasn't likely that in another few weeks, either would be certain if there was a love connection, but Luc would enjoy getting to know her.

  "So, your brother, did I do something specific to piss him off?" Luc leaned over and stole a taste of her ice cream.

  "Hey!" She slapped his arm and scooted a few inches over in the booth. "No, sorry about Ethan. I'm not sure what his problem is. He's never done that before."

  "Clearly, he doesn't like me."

  "He doesn't know you."

  "True, but he didn't seem interested in that anyway." Luc bit into the sugar cone and licked the melting ice cream that dripped down his hand.

  "Who cares what he thinks. It only matters if I like you." She stuck her tongue out at him and he used her distraction to steal another taste of her ice cream.

  "And do you?"

  She looked down at her lap, then peered up through her lashes. "Maybe."

  It was as good as he was going to get and he would take it.

  "Good, because I like you." He reached for her ice cream again and she blocked him.

  "Then stop stealing my food. You have your own." She put her hand on his chest to hold him back, then grew quiet.

  Her hand was warm and Luc liked it there. He wanted to pull her against him and kiss her, but she probably would have punched him. For now, he would enjoy the small contact until she pulled away, which ended up taking her a good thirty seconds.

  "Sorry." She put the rest of her ice cream into a cup and held her hand in her lap.

  "Don't be." Luc took a chance, leaned over, and lifted her chin with his finger. "I know you don't know me that well, but you can trust me. I'm going to prove that to you."

  She searched his eyes and her lips parted. He could tell she wanted to say something, but her mouth wasn't finding the words. He wanted to help, to make everything easier for her, but all he could do was be patient, and hope she came around.

  After a long moment, Luc released her chin and finished the last of his melting dessert. He'd gotten them a couple hot chocolates to go with the ice cream and they were finally cooled enough to drink. Talia pulled the lid off hers and took a test sip, to make sure it wouldn't burn her tongue, then followed it with a few normal sips.

  "Good?"

  She nodded. "I've never been to this place. It's not bad."

  Luc tried his and agreed. It was decent. Not the best he'd ever had, but pretty good.

  "I'm curious about something?"

  "Yeah?" She looked at him over the top of her cup.

  "You're amazing at that game."

  "That's not really a question."

  "No, it's not. It's a fact. So why don't you do it professionally? Like, tournaments, sponsorships, teams, the whole thing?"

  "That was the plan originally." She put the cup down and twisted to face him. "I guess I just haven't gotten around to doing all that. It's a lot of work. You have to play all the time, connect with others and get on a team, which requires practice sessions. Then you have to advertise yourself, ya know, get noticed. I guess I'm just lazy."

  "Is that the only reason you haven't?" It was a risky question and Luc wasn't sure which way it would go.

  She was quiet for a few moments, then answered. "Probably not, if I'm being honest. Ethan and Sasha are always giving me crap about it. They're right. I mean, I know I need to get my ass moving and do something with my life. It's just hard to start, I guess."

  "Do you have social anxiety?"

  "What do you know about anxiety?" Talia laughed. "Are you going to tell me you have a degree in psychology, too?"

  "I might have taken some classes." Luc smirked. If only she knew how many things he'd formally studied. There had been a time when soaking up human knowledge was a hobby for him. He'd gotten degrees in a number of areas, but that wasn't something he could explain to her without adding in the several thousand year old angel part.

  "So, lawyer, huh?"

  "I dabble."

  "Why didn't you mention that last night?"

  "It didn't come up. I don't practice much, usually only when a friend needs a hand. So, I didn't think to mention it. Plus, just listing off credentials makes me sound like a douche, or that's what Harley says."

  "Harley?" She narrowed her eyes, like she expected him to say it was his girlfriend, or something.

  "The bartender. She's my best friend. Family, really."

  "Oh." She thought about it for a moment, then shook it off. "Why doesn't your brother practice law?"

  "His heart isn't in it. It's just something he did to bond with me, I think. He travels a lot, too. You'd like him. He's into gaming, when he's not napping, or drinking."

  "So, he's a bum, like me."

  "I wouldn't call you a bum." Luc shook his head. "I think you just need to find your focus."

  "Funny. Ethan calls me a bum all the time."

  "Well, Ethan is a bad judge of character. He doesn't like me, so clearly he isn't seeing things as they are." Luc nudged her with his elbow and got a small smile from her. He would take it.

  "I guess next time we'll have to hang out at your place." She pressed her lips together after she spoke, almost as if she wanted to take it back.

  "So I get a next time?" Luc smiled. He couldn't have held it back if he tried.

  "Maybe." She shrugged. "I'll have to think about it."

  "Oh, no. You just said next time. You can't take that back now."

  "Of course I can." She slipped out of the booth and Luc followed her to the door.

  The cold rush of crisp air covered them as they pushed through the door into the afternoon wind. It was cold early in the season and even Luc felt a chill through his wool coat. Angels had a stronger constitution than humans, but that didn't mean they enjoyed the cold any more.

  Luc had wanted to drive them, but Talia insisted on walking. As she wrapped her arms around her body, it was easy to tell she was rethinking her decision.

  "I can go get the car and you can wait inside."

  "It's like twelve blocks."

  "We can get a cab then." Luc went to raise his arm, but she pulled him back.

  "Let's walk. It's not that bad."

  It was, but Luc would tolerate it if that was what she wanted to do. He looped his arm through hers and hoped she wouldn't object. She didn't and they walked in silence for the first six blocks. Her warmth up against his side was enough to keep Luc from complaining.

  "So… next time?" Luc asked, as they waited on a corner for the light to change.

  Talia rolled her eyes and yanked on his arm to cross when the walk symbol appeared.

  "I'm working with Toby at your club on Monday. You know, in case you wanted to know where to find me." She picked up her pace as they neared her block.

  Luc didn't want to end their time together, but he knew he needed to. Talia needed to go slow. Even for them to forge a friendship, Luc would need to gain her trust, and she didn't give it easily.

  "Monday is so far away."

  "It's two days." She elbowed him and pulled him across another street, narrowly missing a turning cab.

  "Two days is a long time."

  "Somehow I think you'll survive." She smiled, but didn't look over at him. It was adorable. Luc wanted to kiss the tip of her nose and tell her so, but he just smiled instead.

  When they reached the steps of her apartment building, she paused and took a deep breath. Before Luc grasped what was going on, she popped up on her toes and kissed him. It was just a brush of her lips on his, but it was a kiss, and it felt monumental.

  He opened his mouth to speak, but she rushed inside, leaving him on the cold sidewalk alone. Luc had no idea what the kiss meant, or if it had felt as enormous of a step to her, as it did to him, but talking about it would
have to wait. He would have to endure the two long days until Monday.

  ***

  "How long is your creepy sister going to hang around?" Harley swiped some water droplets off the bar around Luc's drink and nodded her head in Uriel's direction.

  Luc twisted around and looked at his sister. She was sitting on a velvet sofa in the VIP section, with three men fawning all over her, and laughing about something that likely wasn't that funny. Uriel liked attention. She also liked to be the smartest one in the room and she often was. Especially in a bar, full of drunken human men.

  "I guess until we deal with Michael." He turned back around and tried to go back to his paperwork. Harley had other plans.

  "It doesn't look like she's doing anything in that department. Shouldn't she be off hunting him down, or something more productive than gathering a harem?"

  "She just got back, to be fair. I'm not out there physically hunting him down and you're not accusing me of doing nothing." Luc wasn't trying to defend his sister, but it was true.

  "I don't like her."

  "She saved your life."

  "Oh, whatever." Harley waved the bar towel in the air, then slapped it down over her shoulder. "I still don't have to trust her."

  "No, you don't. But it would be great if we could go five minutes without you complaining about her. She's going to stick around for a bit, so you'll need to get used to it. We went through the same thing with Az when he started hanging around all the time."

  "Az is just annoying. Uriel is something else altogether."

  "I get it," Luc said. "You two aren't going to be best friends, or have sleepovers, braid each other's hair, or talk about crushes. You don't have to like her, or trust her, but you do have to tolerate her. She's my sister."

  "Michael is your brother. Does that mean we should welcome him in with open arms? She hasn't bothered with you for the entire time I've known you. What's her big interest now?"

  Luc pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. "To be honest, I think maybe our father suggested she offer her assistance."

  "Did she tell you that?"

  "No, but if it were true, I don't think she would." Luc glanced back at his sister again and she waved. "I need all the help I can get with Michael, especially if you're going to insist we continue on with this game while everything is a mess. I refuse to put innocent women in unnecessary risk because my focus is on this game, instead of my responsibilities."