Pitbabe S2, Chapter 8 pg7

 Pitbabe S2, Chapter 8 pg7

   

   BABE:

   “Want some water?”

   “No thanks, I drink it all the time.”

   I could only stare at this weird kid, unsure of what to say. Not only does Charlie have a face that screams “stay away,” but he’s been saying annoying stuff like this since last night. Shouldn’t I be the one who’s pissed? He left me to deal with myself cold-bloodedly, forced me to sleep and wake up feeling unsatisfied—physically and emotionally—and now I have to grovel to this sulky kid with a face like a vacuum cleaner.

   What a fantastic weekend.

   “Still sulking?” Phii Alan walked over and stood beside me, casually sipping a can of soda.

   “Like a kindergartener,” I whined, begging for some sympathy. “I told him to stay home together, but no, he insisted on coming to see his ‘little brother.’ And now he’s like this. Won’t even talk to me.”

   “To be fair, you’re the one in the wrong this time.”

   “Why do you have to be neutral? Aren’t I your little brother?”

   “Charlie’s my little brother too.”

   “More like your brother-in-law,” I muttered, feeling utterly betrayed that even Phii Alan wouldn’t take my side. Does he think I don’t know I’m the one who messed up? But would it kill him to give me a little support?

   “This guy… your kid won’t talk to you, and you’re still being a smartass.”

   “I don’t know how to make him stop sulking,” I said, slumping onto the couch like a shapeless blob, completely defeated by the task of getting Charlie to forgive me. Today was supposed to be a day for us to spend quality time together like a proper couple, but it turned into this. We don’t even get that much time together as it is. Why can’t that kid try to understand me for once? “Why’s he so angry about it?”

   “Maybe he wants to switch roles for once,” Phii Alan said, sitting down on the couch next to me, looking so relaxed that I couldn’t help but wonder if he and Jeff never fight. Is it just me and Charlie who find something to bicker about every single day? “Usually, you’re the one sulking. He’s probably tired of always being the one to make up.”

   “This is too much, though. Sulking for days?”

   “You should try harder too. Normally, when he tries to make up with you, I see you storming off all day,” I said.

   “So, are we still gonna be brothers or what?” 

   The eldest brother shrugged, as if to say, That’s your problem, which basically meant he didn’t care one bit. No matter how I tried to make my case, he’d never take my side.

   This world is too cruel. Everyone’s on Charlie’s side.

   “Try doing something he likes. It’ll work out,” the captain said, attempting to give advice, though it didn’t seem all that helpful. “Think about what Charlie likes.”

   “Normally, I’d say he likes me, but judging by his face earlier, probably not so much anymore, right?”

   “Hmm, I’d say not really.”

   “Sigh.” The more I thought about it, the more discouraged I felt. I only just now understood how Charlie felt when he tried to make up with me. That kid is tough, I’ll give him that. “Nothing I can do but keep trying to win him over.”

   “Exactly.”

   “Where’d he go, anyway?”

   “Helping Jeff move some plants by the house.”

   “And you’re not helping, Uncle?”

   “I am helping,” the house’s uncle said, casually sipping his canned soda, though no matter how you looked at it, it didn’t remotely resemble “helping.” “Jeff said my job is ‘don’t get in the way,’ so here I am, sitting.”

   “Impressive,” I said, grabbing the uncle’s hand and shaking it firmly with respect. If I thought my love life was pitiful, this guy was on another level. Outside, he might be a legendary racer or the formidable Team X captain, but at home, he’s just an uncle who can’t even complain about his younger boyfriend. I think he deserves a monument or some kind of shrine for this.

   By the time the tree-planting mission by the house and the cooking mission were done, the sun had already dipped below the horizon. After we stuffed ourselves with dinner, early evening became private time for Phii Alan and Jeff to cuddle up and watch a movie in the home theater. They invited me and Charlie to join them today, but since Charlie felt he’d already intruded enough on his Phii and his boyfriend’s time, he opted to hang out by the pool instead. Naturally, I tagged along, because sitting with the lovey-dovey couple inside would’ve been a bit awkward.

   “Don’t wanna go home?” I asked Charlie, who’d been sitting there, staring at his feet swinging in the water for a while.

   “I’ll head back soon. Not sleeping here.”

   “Thought you didn’t wanna be alone with me anymore.”

   “It’s not that,” Charlie said with a soft chuckle, which was pretty impressive since I couldn’t recall if he’d laughed with me at all today. “Honestly, Jeff’s been a bit upset today. So I’m here for him.”

   “Huh?” I was surprised by that, because all day I’d assumed Charlie was sticking to Jeff because he was mad at me. “Upset about what?”

   “It’s his personal matter. I can’t really say much, but it’s not a big deal, so you don’t have to worry.”

   “Is Jeff doing better now?”

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