The Marx Brothers

Chapter Twenty Three 'City'

His fingers were holding onto the back of my neck firmly, keeping me in place in case I decided to make a run for it. His other hand still remained on my right wrist, pinned against my side. I could feel his breathing against my cheek as he tilted his head down close to mine.

"Look at me.." His tone had softened

I refused

"Look at me Eden" He spoke more firmly, pulling me even closer with his hold on me

My teeth were grit together, and then in a split second, I decided that I wasn't going to let him win, not this time

I gave in, turning my head toward him "What?"

"Why does it bother you so much?" He repeated his question

"Because I can't stand liars.." My eyes were planted firmly on his, fighting every inch of me that felt his magnetic pull

"I didn't lie to you"

I scoffed "You are really sticking with it aren't you?"

He shook his head, opening his mouth to speak when the door behind him opened, the blond sticking her head out

"Everything okay?" She called

Instead of pulling away from me, Phoenix held his composure, unbothered by the closeness of our bodies in front of his friend

"This conversation isn't over.." He whispered to me, ignoring his companion

"I best get back to being babysat, you continue to enjoy your night.." I whispered back, pulling one final time, this time being released

He continued to stare at me as I picked my cheese and his keys up. I gave him one final glare and then sped off in the direction of my home, fuming

"Eden, are you okay?" Jett asked once he had heard me slam the front door shut a little too excessively

"I'm great" I snapped, dumping the cheese and his keys down

The smell of freshly cut lettuce and tomato drifted through the air. It made my stomach growl.

"What happened?"

I was pulling the plastic off the cheese roughly "Your brother.. he's.. he's a pieces of work.. "

"What did he do now?" He sighed

"A pretty blonde.." I mumbled back

"What?" Jett stared at me, confused

"What you said about him having some kind of feelings for me was a load of shit. I don't want to talk about it anymore, I don't want to waste my time. You were right about one thing, I am better off with someone else, anyone else.."

Thankfully, he let the topic go and as we made our burgers together, I slowly began to calm down.

By about 10pm, we were slumped out, full in the belly and ready for sleep. Jett had made himself comfortable on the recliner, a light grey blanket draped over his bottom half.
I was sprawled out on the three seater, my feet hanging over the end, a pillow propped up beneath my head.

Jett had control of the remote, and I had finally found a flaw in him. Consistent, repetitive channel changing. It was driving me crazy, but it soon made me drowsy and about half an hour later, I was out cold.

I had no dreams throughout the night thankfully. I slept well, and I had a feeling it was because I felt safe with Jett sleeping a few meters away from me. Dee slept on my lap, keeping me warm. The television was left on, and when I woke, it was now open to the news.