The Marx Brothers

Chapter Fifteen - 'Dinner'

"His friends, they've told you things about me, haven't they?"

I was through playing games
"Yes, they did, so what? Is any of what they say untrue?"

Again, he moved his eyes from my grip

"That depends on what they've said" His voice was low, defeated

"You know what, I don't care, do what you want with whoever you want, just don't come knocking on my door at an ungodly hour because one of the dozen girls you sleep with has a boyfriend that tracks you down and beats the shit out of you, okay?"
My words were full of poison, and my tone shocked even my own brain.

I spun around and pulled at the door to leave, only to have it collide with something, someone standing outside of it.
Great

"Eden, is this Oscar?" Grace asked, holding an umbrella over the opened door

"No, he's just some guy that lives across the street, he gave me a lift, that's all" I brushed her off, pulling myself out of the car under her protection

"Oh" She smiled, staring at the man and his disguised clever good looks.

"Hi, you must be Eden's sister, I'm Phoenix" I glared as heavily as I could, knowing he was being sly and crafty.

"Hi I'm Grace" She replied, leaning in for a brief handshake

"We should get inside, Oscar will be here soon" I rushed out, pulling on Grace's umbrella, rain hitting her dark navy coat

"Eden Skye, don't be so rude" Grace smiled, her total mien changing

"You live across the street?"

Phoenix nodded "I do, with my older brother"

"I'm surprised we've not met before" Her eyes were narrow as I tugged on her again "Say, what are you doing at 7?"

I closed my eyes and grit my teeth "Grace, don't" I voiced lowly

Phoenix was eating out of the palm of her hand, a perfect smile in place, his eyes warm and kind - full of lies "No plans"

"Would you and your brother like to join us for dinner?"
I cursed under my breath as Phoenix nodded "Sure"

I pulled back, confused, less than a week ago, he had been blasting me for turning up - unintentionally - to one of his underground matches, and now he was seducing my sister for a dinner invitation.

"Great, we'll see you then" Grace smiled, stepping back, pushing the door closed

"You shouldn't have done that" I mumbled as Phoenix pulled out of the driveway, making the short trip back up to his own garage.

"Care to explain?" Gracelin urged as she moved us inside, blocking us from the rain above

"He's bad news" I began, shrugging as I emerged from the shower, pushing my hair up into a messy top bun

"How do you know him, how long have you known him?"

"Not long, we... we just, we were checking our mail at the same time and got talking" I lied, hoping to inform Phoenix of this lie too before he blew our cover.

There was no way I was going to involve Grace in this mess

"Why is he bad news?" Her eyes were on me as she stood in the kitchen chopping up capsicum

I plucked a piece off of her chopping board and shoved it into my mouth. Like a mother would, she slapped my hand away

"Set the table would you?"I rolled my eyes and did as I was told, also pulling my phone from the pocket of my loose fitted jeans, multitasking.