(18) FifthWheel


“Kyle.” Alex walked into Kyle’s room and made himself comfortable on his bed.

“What’s up man?” Kyle asked as he walked out of his bathroom.

“Well I have something to tell you and I don’t want you getting mad.” Alex started. “So just here me out because I’m only saying this once.”

“Man, this sounds serious.” Kyle sat backwards on a chair next to his bed. “Spill.”

“Okay here goes.” Alex stood up and began to pace the room. “I think your sister is a Goddess and I’m in love with her. So, I’m asking her out on Friday night after the play whether you like it or not.”

Kyle started laughing. Alex looked at him with in confusion and part anger. “Do you think I’m joking?”

Kyle continued to laugh. “Dude you’re so late. I already know you like Tess. She likes you back. Her, Isabel, and Maria are plotting your downfall.”

“What?” Alex asked incredulously. “Are you serious?”

“Yep. They’ve decided that you’ve been to slow to take action on your feelings. So they decided to take matters into their own hands. They’ve even roped Max and me into the deal.”

“What was the plan?” Asked a curios Alex.

“The group goes to the movies tonight to see some scary movie. Naturally Izzy and I sit together and Max and Maria. So that leaves Tess with you. Of course Tess will act all scared and jump in your arms occasionally.”

Alex nodded. “Of course.”

“Get those thoughts out of your head. She’s still my little sis and if I catch you kissing her I’ll kick your ass into next Sunday.”

Alex rolled his eyes and ignored that comment. “Don’t be a hypocrite Kyle.”

Kyle looked at his hands guiltily. “Yeah… well… shut up… Anyway, We split up into couples to drive home. Max and Maria will say that they’re going to spend some time alone at Maria’s house. Izzy and I will say that we’re going for a walk on the beach. Leaving you to take Tess home. And hopefully a certain idiot would take it from there.”

Alex stood thinking about what Kyle just said. Finally he looked up. “So you’re cool with this?”

Kyle nodded. “Yeah I’m okay. I mean it took some very disturbing threats from three very determined blondes but I can live with you dating my sister. At least I know that she’s safe when she’s with you. And if you ever hurt her I’d just have to kill you.”

Alex shuddered because he knew that even though Kyle said it in a joking tone he was deadly serious. “I would never hurt her Kyle not intentionally. I really do love her. She’s a wonderful person.”

“I know you won’t Alex. Anyway, act like you don’t know what’s going on tonight. Okay? I won’t the girls to think that they really are as clever as they pretend to be.”

Alex laughed. “Yeah sure whatever. See ya later. I’ve suddenly realized that I don’t have a thing to wear.”


Later that night – The Park

“Tess?” The two teens lounged on top of a picnic table staring at the darkening sky.

“Yes Alex?” She turned towards him with a small smile on her face.

He gazed at her with a somber look on his face. “Am I yours?”

She let loose an audible gasp. “What?”

He sat up and turned completely towards her. “You once said that if you had not have been dating someone at the time that I would be so yours. Well you’re not dating anyone and I sure as heck am not dating anyone. So does that mean that I’m yours?”

Tess’ smile seemed to grow. “Do you want to be mine? Because being my guy comes with a lot of responsibility. Do you think you’re up to it?”

He nodded. “I think I am.”

“You haven’t heard what it all entails yet. Don’t say yay until I give you the guidelines.”

“Believe me Tess I’ll agree to anything you say.” He stated in a serious voice.

“You know that you’re agreeing to telling me your deepest secrets, sharing your good and bad experiences with me, watching girlie movies whenever I want, obeying my every order, respecting my wishes…. You’re agreeing to… to…” She stopped her words unwilling to go any further.

He reached out and linked his hands with hers. “I agree to respect you, cherish you, and love you for as long as you let me. I agree to be yours in every way that you want me, for as long as you want me. Do you agree to my guidelines?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him into a fierce hug. “Yes, I do. Oh, Alex, you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you to ask me out.”

He smiled. “I have a pretty good idea. I was just trying to give you time. I didn’t want you to feel rushed. I respect you too much to rush you.”

“Thank you for waiting.” She grinned. “Even though you waited a little to long for my taste. Now no more talking.”

“If no talking then what?” He grinned archly.

She rolled her eyes. “Do I have to spell it out …” Before she could complete her sentence he shut her up with a kiss.

A few minutes later she spoke again. “I guess not”