Atancia

by Figueiro, Wren

  I smiled shyly. “Maybe not right now, I’m going to have to try to forget you ever told me that.”

  “OK, next time I won’t say anything. I’ll pretend I think my brother forgot his keys or something and that’s why he’s walking away.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Considering I was already pretty embarrassed, I decided to ask what I’d meant to earlier when he was distracting me. “Ben, if Matt hadn’t interrupted, how far were you thinking we were going just now?”

  “Honestly? As far as you let me,” he said with a contrite smile.

  “Oh. Um … you know I haven’t done that, right?” I needed to stop babbling but couldn’t. “I mean I figured you can guess. You’re the most serious relationship I’ve ever been in. You know, right?”

  “Yes, I kind of guessed that, though I didn’t want to assume. I’m really sorry, Atty, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I was just so overcome by the energy exuding from you, I got carried away,” he said and ran his fingers down my temple, passing his thumb over my ear to push back my hair.

  “OK. So you get that I’m not sure I’m ready to go that far yet, right?”

  “Don’t worry, Atty. I’ll never push you further than you want to go,” he said softly and brushed his lips with mine before pulling back up.

  “OK. It’s not that I don’t want you, Ben. I just need to figure everything out. The last few months have brought a lot of changes in my life, and I don’t want to run too far ahead of myself.”

  “Don’t worry. I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready. No rush. That is, as long as I still get to taste you whenever I want.” He kissed me more intensely, and I couldn’t help responding. We stayed like that, just calmly enjoying each other’s lips and the energy that flowed through them. I forgot that anyone might be around and got lost in the moment.

  About eight o’clock, we got in the car to go see Matt’s band play. We’d spent the rest of the day hanging out on the porch, Ben telling me about all the places we could visit and the things we could do. I’d gone to Australia thinking I just wanted to hide and rest, but I felt so energetic that I couldn’t imagine just sitting around. Plus, it occurred to me that maybe being busy was better, it kept me from thinking too much about what had happened to Nana.

  The pub where Matt was playing was not far, and soon I found myself following Ben through the dim room as he led me to a table where I could see three guys who looked very much like him. If these were his brothers, genetics had been good to his family. They all appeared tall and lean, with hair in various shades of blonde. Unless Ben’s sister was a brunette, it looked like Matt was the only dark-haired sibling. He was also the only one with brown eyes. One of the brothers had blue eyes and the other two had green, though they were both closer to their father’s yellow-tinted green than to Ben’s wintergreen.

  Ben waved at them as we approached, and they all stood to greet us. “Where have you all been hiding? I thought you were going to be at the house today.”

  “The two of them were working,” said the one closest to Ben as he motioned to the others. “I was on my way into the house when I ran into Matt looking like he was fleeing a fire. He said you were indisposed and that I should come back later.” He raised his eyebrows at Ben, then slapped him on the back and gave him a hug. I blushed more deeply than I thought possible and was ecstatic that it was so dark in the pub.

  The other two leaned over the table to hug Ben as well. “How you been, little brother?” The one farthest from us smiled at me and scolded Ben, “You going to introduce us now?”

  “Of course. This is Atancia Clark,” Ben said.

  “Atty,” I interrupted, giving them a little wave.

  “Atty, these are my older brothers, Julian, Javed and Aldric,” Ben said, pointing in order from the brother closest him to the one farthest away. Apparently it was Aldric who had the blue eyes; I wondered if he was the brother who shared Ben’s mother rather than his father.

  “Has Matt been on yet?” Ben asked.

  “No, they’re starting in a few minutes. Sit down and have a drink.”

  “What would you like, Atty?” asked Ben.

  “Just water, thanks.”

  Javed laughed, “Don’t worry if you want something harder, limit’s lower here than in the States. Not that anyone would question you while you’re with us.”

  “No, it’s not that. I’m just a bit of a lightweight.”

  At that they all went into a chorus of “Oooh!”

  I just laughed and asked, “So you guys don’t eat, but you have no problem drinking?”

  “Well, it’s just to keep up the show. Would look odd to be in a bar and not drink,” whispered Julian. “Though tonight’s special, we want to get Matt rotten. He’s the only one of us who still can, but he never wants to drink. And with you here there’s an extra challenge!”

  “No one’s getting my girl drunk, back off, boys,” Ben defended me.

  “Just messing with you, mate!” said Javed, and they all laughed again.

  While they were distracted laughing, I asked Ben what they meant by saying that Matt was the only one who could get drunk.

  “Once we’re fully mature, alcohol doesn’t affect us.”

  “So will it affect me?”

  “I’m going to guess, yes.”

  Then something else distracted me, “Ben, why are you speaking with an Australian accent?”

  “Just blending in,” he said, amused by my confusion.

  Before his brothers could make any more jokes about getting me drunk, we saw the band start to climb on stage. Ben leaned toward me and said, “That’s Josh on drums and Andrew on the keyboard.”

  “They’re human?” I whispered, surprised that someone other than me had regular friends.

  “Yes. Matt’s young still, and he grew up with mostly humans for friends. His mother kept him a bit isolated.”

  I nodded, curious, but this wasn’t the best place to ask questions so I turned my attention back to the stage. Matt was at the microphone but turned toward his band mates talking. His guitar was hanging a bit behind his hip and the look of him made me wonder what it was about musicians that made them look so sexy? Not that Matt needed any help. Though it was near impossible, his features were even more perfect than his brothers’—perfect straight nose, perfect square jaw, and his eyes were set deeply under well-defined brows. Considering how good-looking all his brothers were, it was quite a feat to be as beautiful as he was. Maybe the dark hair helped my opinion; I had grown up around mostly dark-haired boys after all. Ben squeezed my hand, making me turn to look at him as he smiled in my direction. I immediately forgot about Matt and was mesmerized by the way Ben’s eyes gleamed in the low light.

  Once the music started, though, Matt was difficult to ignore. Considering how pretty he was, I expected his voice to be that of a smooth crooner, instead it was high and raspy in a very appealing way. Luckily, the song was mellow, and I managed to refocus and get comfortable leaning on Ben, enjoying the way his fingers felt brushing the top of my thigh. Though I was wearing jeans, my skin started to tingle a bit, mostly from flashing to what it would feel like to have his skin on mine. I couldn’t understand how in just a few months I had gone from ignoring the details that made a guy attractive to being ultra-sensitive to them. Maybe it was just that these weren’t regular human guys; they were like me.

  I noticed Julian and Javed exchanging looks as they eyed me cozying up to Ben. I suddenly felt like making Ben look good. I wanted them to know he had a girlfriend who wanted to immerse herself in him, not one who might start drooling over his younger brother. The next song was a little faster, and I saw some of the pub patrons get up and start dancing in front of the stage. That would help me to completely concentrate on Ben. I stood up and pulled him with me. “Dance with me,” I instructed and led him to an empty spot on the floor. Since the space wasn’t really designated as a dance floor, there wasn’t much room to move. I pressed myself to Ben and
started swaying to the music. I didn’t know the song, but I didn’t let that stop me; I was enjoying the way he felt against me. About halfway through the song I couldn’t help myself, and I kissed Ben forcefully, running my hands in his hair as my hips shifted against his. He responded enthusiastically at first but then pulled away and whispered in my ear, “If you’re over being shy, maybe this isn’t the best place for us to be.”

  “But I like it here, I’m having fun. Just keep dancing.”

  “I think you’re going to mess with Matt’s playing; he can’t stop looking in this direction. I doubt he’s ever seen anyone who can move like you. I don’t think even I’ve ever seen someone move like you. It’s so … enticing. You’ve got him flustered, don’t you feel it?”

  “He’s probably just nervous about the performance,” I said, but Ben was right about Matt being flustered. I could feel his shield fluttering spasmodically. I doubted that it had anything to do with me, though. I glanced around and nodded toward a pretty girl dancing near us. “He’s not looking at me. I’m sure he’s looking at that girl there.”

  “Nope, it’s definitely you he’s looking at.”

  Well, if I couldn’t help it, I figured I’d use it. “That make you jealous?”

  “Not at all, I’m the one you’re rubbing up against.”

  I gave him what I supposed to be a sexy smile and said, “Yes, you are. Hope you’re enjoying it.”

  We danced for the next couple of songs until the band announced they were taking a break. Ben and I walked back to the table and I enjoyed the looks we were currently getting from its occupants.

  Matt followed behind us with his friends. “Hey guys, how’d we sound?” Matt asked his brothers, very subtly avoiding asking me directly, so I wouldn’t have to answer I assumed. I noted that he wasn’t faking an Australian accent like his brothers; it was obvious to everyone he was American.

  “Aces! Have a drink, Matt, you look tense.” Matt nodded at Ben but didn’t look toward me at all.

  Ben apparently found that amusing because he winked at me as he handed his brother a shot of something dark. Matt slung the shot back and put the glass on the table. He shifted his eyes in my direction, then to his friends. “Guys, you remember my brother Ben?”

  His friends nodded as Andrew asked, “You been out of town, Ben?”

  “Yes, I was in Miami with Atty. Atty, this is Andrew and Josh.” Ben introduced us since it seemed Matt wasn’t going to.

  “Nice to meet you, Atty. Glad you could make it. Matt had said you weren’t feeling up to it.” I found it interesting that they already seemed to know who I was and that Matt had talked to them about me.

  “Yeah, I was really tired after the trip, but I’m feeling better now.”

  “I bet,” said Javed to Julian and they both chuckled. I wasn’t sure because it was dark, but I thought Matt flushed when he heard them. I just smiled and raised my eyebrows at them.

  “Hey, Javed, pass me another shot,” Matt directed. Javed was apparently prepared because he had several glasses in front of him. Matt drank the second one and returned the glass to the table with a bit more force this time. It looked like his brothers were going to get their wish and get him trashed.

  “Careful, mate, don’t need you off your face before we’re done playing,” cautioned Andrew.

  “I’m good.”

  We sat for a few minutes, then Matt and his friends went up to play again. I was feeling confident by then, so I just sat and listened, leaning on Ben and taking small sips of a beer he had handed me. I had asked for it, curious whether I was still young enough to get drunk like he had said, though I wasn’t about to have more than one just in case—confidence hadn’t made me completely lose my mind, who knew what stupid things I would do if I got drunk right then. When the set was over, the band came back to sit down, and Matt had a beer while his brothers congratulated him on a great show.

  I’m not sure how it happened, but somehow I ended up sitting alone with Matt. He’d left Josh and Andrew talking to some girls at the other side of the pub, and I think that Aldric got a phone call while Ben and the others walked over to talk to the bartender. I got the feeling they’d known him for a while. Either that or they were plotting how to get Matt wasted, not that he needed much more help.

  The beer I had drank had me feeling a bit woozy—guess Ben was right—and I was leaning my elbow on the table, my chin resting on my hand, staring at Matt who was sitting across the way looking toward his brothers. I was analyzing the warm color of his eyes and how they combined with his thick, curled lashes to make him look pure—like a child. I flashed on an image of crepes filled with dulce de leche—rich brown caramel oozing out of the delicate cake wrapping and swirling with vanilla ice cream. It was a sweet memory from childhood. Nana used to make them for brunch on holidays and sometimes just as dessert for me.

  Matt caught me looking and said, “Sorry if I’m being rude, I normally don’t ask questions, but I’m a bit buzzed so I don’t mind asking why you’re staring at me. What are you thinking about?”

  His sentence was a bit muddled, but I couldn’t help answering. “Crepes.”

  “I think there’s a dessert menu. Did you want to order something?”

  “No.”

  He laughed and said, “Then there must be some other reason why you’re staring at me and thinking about crepes. Sorry to ask, but could you please share it?”

  “Because your eyes remind me of the caramel that I like to eat with crepes.”

  At that, he smiled and I realized what I had just said. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just said that to you,” I responded before starting to giggle. If it weren’t for the beer buzz, I would have been mortified.

  “Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. I get weird comments like that all the time, especially when I ask questions I shouldn’t.”

  “And contrary to your opening statement, I’m sure you love asking the questions. I guess you’re always hearing how hot you are,” I said, only half teasing.

  He smirked and asked, “You think I’m hot?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hotter than Ben?”

  “Yes.” I immediately blushed dark red and yelled a frustrated “ahh” as I covered my face with my hands. “I can’t believe I just said that!”

  “Again, not your fault. I wouldn’t have asked, but I’m drunk, and you have me curious. So do I have a shot?”

  “Not in hell.” And I liked that it was the truth, and I meant it. Sure Matt was good looking and had a voice that any girl would respond to, but I loved Ben, and I wasn’t the type to honestly consider someone else while in love.

  “Ouch! You could have just said no,” he said playfully.

  “Sorry,” I replied with a shrug.

  “Are you really?”

  “Nope,” I said and now it was my turn to smirk.

  “Geez!” he said, feigning a hurt expression.

  “You shouldn’t ask questions if you know the answers will upset you.” I was enjoying myself.

  “I was hoping they wouldn’t,” he said in the most serious tone I’d heard him use yet.

  I lowered my eyes, embarrassed by his implication. Then, deciding I shouldn’t show it affected me, I looked directly at him. This was my boyfriend’s brother after all, and I wanted to be able to talk to him. “Well, I’m glad that at least you’re talking to me again. I was worried you didn’t like me or something. You wouldn’t even look in my direction when you were sober.”

  “Sorry. I was worried I’d upset you. Even before hearing Javed and Julian, I figured you knew I walked into the house earlier.” Ben hadn’t been kidding about Matt being frank.

  “You’re right, I didn’t need them to tell me; I had felt you walk in. Don’t worry about it. No big deal.” I was glad I was answering of my own will and that he hadn’t added a question to his explanation. I didn’t want to let him know how much his presence then had affected me. I didn’t want him to think I had been embarrassed
about what Ben and I had been doing.

  “OK,” he said, a small smile touching his lips.

  I smiled back and returned to my original comment. “So I guess your mom’s genetics were pretty strong for you to get brown eyes. Your brothers all have green ones.”

  “Yup, maybe it’s because she was partially human and those traits are dominant, but either way, I guess my father’s influence just wasn’t as strong when it came to me.”

  “Interesting.”

  Ben and his brothers slammed several pints of beer on the table between me and Matt and I jumped in my seat. They laughed and sat down. “There you go, Matt, now you don’t even have to ask for another beer.”

  “Thanks, I think I need that,” he said as he grabbed one of the pints. “But if I start asking Atty any more questions, someone please smack me.”

  Ben stopped laughing and looked at me, “Everything OK?”

  “Yes, don’t worry. He didn’t ask anything serious,” I said with a smile, glad I was in control of how to answer this brother.

  He smiled and asked, “How you doing, Atty? You want to head back?”

  “Yeah, I think that would be a good idea. If I drink any more of this beer, you’ll have to carry me back.”

  Julian laughed, “I didn’t see you drink more than one!”

  “That’s all I can handle. I’m sure you’ll be fine with the rest of these.”

  “All right. One of these days we’ll take you out when Ben isn’t around to protect you. Then we’ll see how much fun you have.” Julian and Javed laughed.

  Ben walked me back to the car and opened the passenger door so I could get in. It had gotten really chilly out by my tropical standards, and I was glad when he turned on the heater. He saw me shivering and said, “We’re going to have to take you shopping before winter sets in. When you’re older the cold won’t affect you so much. You’ll be able to regulate your temperature if you have enough energy. In the meantime though, Miami clothes aren’t going to cut it for winter in the mountains.”

  “Does it get a lot colder?”

  “Yup, even snows on occasion.”