Sidequest for Love by L.H. Cosway

When I returned to the bedroom, clad in thick fleece pyjamas, Neil was quietly working, his back to me. I picked up my tablet and began checking through my emails and various social media accounts. I was scrolling through my brother Billy’s latest pictures. With eight kids, my family was big, but I was closest to Billy since he was the youngest and I was the second youngest.

Billy was a bit of a wild card. You never knew what new job he was working at or what he might be up to, which was one of the reasons why I loved him. He was unpredictable, his mop of curly brown hair as chaotic as the person it sat atop. Missing him, I sent a quick message.

Afric: Like the new pics. Where were they taken? Also, you better be coming to visit me soon!

It didn’t take long for him to reply.

Billy: Me and some of the lads went to Lough Derg last weekend. Beautiful spot. As regards coming to visit you … Go and check outside your front door.

My heart skipped a beat. I wouldn’t put it past Billy to surprise me with a completely random visit. Neil cast me a quick glance as I rose from the bed and went to the front door of the flat. I threw it open, letting out a disappointed sigh when I found the doorway empty.

Afric: You bastard! You got my hopes up!

Billy: Muah ha! Just know I could appear at any moment. You better be ready for me.

Afric: I was born ready.

“Everything okay?” Neil asked, pulling my attention away from my tablet.

“Yeah, just my brother Billy being an arsehole and tricking me that he’d come to visit. He lives in Dublin, so we don’t get to see each other often.”

“Are you close?”

I nodded. “There were less than two years between us, so growing up, we always did everything together.”

“It must’ve been nice to have a sibling near your age. My sister, Rosie, is six years younger than me. I’ve always felt more like a parental figure than a brother.”

“That’s probably because of your parents passing away,” I said in a soft voice, noticing a hint of sadness behind his eyes. “You became the dad. My oldest brother, Ryan, was like that. Our parents were always working, so he was the one who took care of us younger ones.”

“How many siblings do you have?”

“Seven.”

Neil’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s a lot of kids.”

“Yep. My parents are a pair of absolute horndogs, obviously,” I joked, and Neil’s lips gave the barest hint of a twitch.

“Was it hard living in such a big family?”

“Not really. At least, if it was, I didn’t know any better. But it gave me a thick skin. My brothers and sisters were endlessly slagging each other off.”

“That would certainly give you a thick skin,” Neil agreed, falling silent a moment. He looked like he was building up the courage to say something as he bounced his knee. “Speaking of siblings. My sister is actually a big fan of yours. She was wondering if I could get her an autograph?”

My grin spread wide across my face. I could tell it bothered Neil to make such a request, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease him. “Your sister is a fan of moi?” I asked, preening as I placed a hand to my chest.

Neil’s lips formed a straight, disgruntled line. “I just found out. Apparently, she watches your stream.”

“Well, in that case, I’d be more than happy to give her an autograph, but if you want, I can do you one better. How about a video call?”

He shook his head. “Rosie’s very shy. She might have a heart attack if you video called her.”

I found it cute that he was protective of his sister’s shyness. “Okay, an autograph it is then.” I went to grab a pen and paper. Neil returned his attention to his laptop, but I sensed him surreptitiously watching me out the corner of his eye. I was tempted to write something cheeky to his sister, like, sorry your brother has such a big stick up his arse, but I tried to summon some maturity. After all, we were being nice and cordial with one another today. Instead, I asked him, “Does she spell her name with a ‘y’ or an ‘ie’?”

Neil cast me a quick glance. “With an ‘ie’.” There was a pause before he continued, “Don’t write anything ridiculous.”

I shot him a fake offended look. “Well, I wasn’t going to, but now that you’ve warned me—”

“Forget it. Don’t bother. I’ll tell Rosie you said no.”

“Hey, don’t be so prickly. I was only going to write, Dear Rosie, thanks for being a fan. P.S. Your brother has a lovely bottom. Yours sincerely, Afric.”

At this, Neil’s cheeks flamed bright red, and it was silly how much I enjoyed embarrassing him. In fact, he seemed a little tongue-tied, and it was absolutely adorable.

“What?” I asked. “I know you caught me looking earlier. You’ve got a nice arse, and being that I spend most of my days cooped up in this room live streaming, I noticed. No need to be all weird about it.”

“I’m not being weird.”

“Yes, you are. Your shoulders are all hunched, and your cheeks are like two big raspberries.”

“My cheeks are not like raspberries,” he objected. “I’d just appreciate it if you didn’t sexually objectify me like that.” I sensed he was trying to cover up his embarrassment. “This might not be a place of work, but I am doing you a professional sort of favour, so please, keep your ogling to a minimum.”