In case it wasn't obvious, the Lahey genes in Max come out on two occasions. He's either drunk, or aroused. Lol.

"Fuck, it's cold here," Lucas wrapped his coat tighter around himself as we stepped out of the Uber in front of a restaurant that we frequent when he visits.

We walked through the door that sat between two enormous glass panels. One way windows that were tinted. I appreciated that. It meant we could sit beside the window and eat without people on the street watching.

The lighting was dim, polished wood floors and an open kitchen in the middle of the room.

It smelled like sizzling meat and herbs. But there was a subtle scent of beer and spirits in the air too.

The maître D recognised us and led us straight through to our table. Lucas did most of the talking and I caught her looking at our arms for a clue as to which name she should use when she thanked us for her tip.

In short sleeves, there was no mistaking who was who anymore. Both of Lucas's arms were sleeved with ink.

But tonight we had long sleeves on, even under our coats. I wore torn jeans with a fitted crew neck sweater and beanie. While Lucas had product in his hair, a hoodie and jeans on.

We sat across from each other and started out with a garlic bread and a soda while we waited.

Abby wasn't here. So there would be no illegal drinking in a dinge bar because she knew how to sweet talk herself into whatever she wanted.

"How's the season going so far?" I asked, leaning my forearms on the table.

"Not bad. There's this dumb fuck on our team. Total asshole. Swear he thinks he's the fucking god tier of football," Lucas ran a hand through his hair. "He's not the captain so I wish he'd shut his fucking mouth."

I raised a brow. "Sounds positive."

"Yeah, well, apart from that, it's going good. Just keeping up with studies and all of that. Milly's a great help. Ya know, especially when it comes to tension."

I picked up the menu and browsed it. "That's great, Luc."

"I really fucking love her, man."

I looked up at my brother who was staring off, zoned out with a dopey grin on his face.

Honestly, I'd been concerned for a long time that he wouldn't sort himself out. But he'd come a long way.

He was still himself. Rough around the edges. But he had a good heart and no one could accuse him of lacking passion.

"I'm happy for you, Luc."

He sighed with content and nodded. "She let me put it in her back door last weekend."

The table's on either side of us clattered. Dropped forks or a knife. One woman sounded as if she was attempting not to choke on her Pinot.

"Gees, Luc," I pinched the bridge of my nose and felt sorry for not only the diners but myself as well. "Does the entire restaurant need to know that?"

He leaned back in his seat and shrugged with indifference. "That couple looks married and so does that one. It's nothing they haven't heard or done."

"Okay but you kn— alright never mind. Forget it. Let's not talk about Mills when we're out in public."

"Whatever," he thanked the waiter who set our food and drinks down in front of us. "We're not ready to order yet. Give us another five minutes please."

The waiter nodded. "Of course."

"Thank you," I said.

Lucas looked at me again after the waiter was gone. "How's Amalia?"

"Great." I said, wondering if I needed to feel as cagey about the topic as I did.

"How's her little sister?" He laughed and leaned forward with his arms folded on the table top. "She cracked me up. She must be like thirteen or something now."

"I haven't actually met her. She goes to school in Philadelphia at the moment. Amalia said she's getting into fashion design. So, I suppose creative runs in their blood."

He nodded. "She given you any tatts? She's real good at it."

I felt a bit envious for a moment. Just for the simple fact that he had her artwork on his chest and I didn't. "No. She was about to give me one during the week just been. But um—" I swallowed, images of her straddling me in the chair made me sweat — "we got distracted."

Lucas's gaze widened. "Fuck yeah," he hollered. "I hope you cleaned the seat afterwards. Or did you just leave dick juice all over the place?"

The table occupants to our right, stood up and left.

"I'm not getting into it," I took a long drink of the chilled soda and tried to quell the heat creeping up my neck.

But it was hard when images of her humping me in the middle of her parlour wouldn't vacate.

I kept my expression neutral while Lucas seemed thrilled at the fact that he thought I'd done the dirty with her. It was none of his business, so I changed the subject.

"Seen our little sister lately?"

That caused his features to fall. He let out a loud exhale and nodded. "Man, I'm worried about her."

"What's wrong with Abby?"

He picked at the garlic bread. "She's too thin. I'm serious man. Something is wrong. Even Flynn is worried and they aren't doing too good at the moment."

That made me more alert. "They seemed fine a couple of weeks ago? When you were all here."

"He said everything is going downhill, fast."

The waiter returned and we did a quick skim of the menu after realising that we'd been too occupied talking to read it. Luc ordered the steak. I chose the loaded chicken wrap.

"So what, fighting?" I asked once the waiter was gone with the menus. "I can't even picture it."

"He's worried about the same thing that I am and she's getting fucked off at him for it. She tells him that she's eaten but he never sees it and when he tries to monitor it, she flips her lid. The whole thing is just fucking with their relationship."

I shook my head. "I don't think she'd starve herself, Luc. She's thin but she always has been. I don't th—"

"Max," Lucas slammed his hand on the table top, the linen cloth wrinkled under his palm and the soda in our glasses, rippled. "She's a fucking model. She's in that industry. She's competing for fucking ads and she's surrounded by stick thin girls that are winning. I know that she's strong but she's still a fucking human being. She's not immune to pressure. Don't be fucking blind."

I swallowed at his outburst. My sister was one of the most strong willed people I knew. She was confident and outspoken. She had self assurance in her own abilities.

She joined AP calc even though we all knew she was terrible at Math. She was so sure that she could do it. And she did.

She was short but she'd worked her way into modelling, sure we could thank our parents for that too, but she'd still done the hours.

She knew her moves and she made them without faltering.

But if Lucas was this worked up over it, then I had to listen. Which made me feel ill. Because I couldn't stand the thought of her being sick.

"Do Mom and Dad know?"

Lucas nodded. "Dad's been to California twice this week to see her. But she won't even talk to him. She just pretends she's not home. Out at a gig or whatever."

"Should I go?" I offered. "I could surprise her. Give her no choice but to talk to me."

Lucas nodded again. "You might be the best bet bro. Fuck knows the rest of us have tried."

I decided I would go next weekend. I had to work during the week but the jet would be available. In the meantime, I sent her a text message.

Any shoots in New York soon? We're due another sleepover. Love you.

After our meal, Lucas and I headed outside. Because of an Instagram update that he'd posted while we were eating, there were a flock of girls on the footpath that started squealing when we appeared.

Lucas - born and bred for the attention of the female population, began smiling and posing for photos.

I did as well. Both of us were requested for most of them and I did my best to be friendly but the whole thing was so unnatural.

I never got approached like this when it was just me. Of course, I didn't hand out my location to the public either.

One girl, she must have been fifteen maybe sixteen, asked if her friend could snap a photo of just Lucas and her.

She leaned into his side, snuggling in close and he rested a hand on her waist, pulling the peace sign with his other.

A few photos were taken and Lucas laughed with amusement when she planted a kiss on his cheek.

He didn't complain but I could tell he was mildly uncomfortable. I could feel it.

All of a sudden, a guy, about the same age as us, who wasn't tall but he was well built, pulled the girl out Lucas' arm and started going off the deep end.

"What the fuck? What the fuck is this?"

"Relax, Vinny," she mumbled, tugging her arm out of his grip. "It's just a photo."

"Is there a fucking problem?" Lucas snapped, his shoulders squared.

Great.

"What the fuck are you kissing some dude for?" Vinny waved his hand, ignoring my brother but the frightened look on the girls face made me uncomfortable.

The rest of the crowd had taken a step back but were still watching.

"It was just a fan photo," I said, gesturing at Lucas. "We're public figures. It's no big deal."

"Well I've never fucking heard of you," he snapped with accusation aimed at both me and his girlfriend.

Lucas scoffed. "Yeah, all these girls are just hanging around for no fucking reason. Well done. Genius."

Vinny glared, still unbelieving. He just seemed stupid at this point.

"And cool your balls because I'm very committed to my British babe," Lucas pointed at him. "Alright? I don't want your big apple pips. So chill the fuck out."

"Are you saying my girlfriend has small tits?" Vinny sneered and balled his fists. Just the height of intelligence, this one.

Lucas shook his head with amusement. "No dumbass. I'm saying that she's too fucking young," he paused and swept Vinny over with an accusatory glare. "Probably too young for you too. Sick fuck."

"Excuse me," Vinny stepped forward, offended as he puffed his chest. "Watch the accusations bro. Or we can go right here."

Lucas toed up without hesitation, towering over Vinny as his jaw clenched. "Fucking give it a go, bitch."

I took one look at the amount of phones up and aimed at the stand off and I saw the repercussions that a public brawl would have on his college career.

So I stepped in and pushed them apart. I looked at Lucas.

Don't man. It's not worth it.

His breathing was shallow and he peered past me. But I could feel him backing off.

If this had involved Mills, he wouldn't have hesitated for a moment to start swinging. So I was relieved when he raised his chin and began to turn around.

The problem in his lack of filter wasn't just embarrassment. It was in the fact that he said what he wanted, how he wanted and if it landed him in a brawl - which it did a lot - he didn't care. He knew he held his own and could come out better off most of the time.

He'd calmed down once we got back to the apartment. He kicked his shoes off, threw his coat on the hook and went straight to the fridge.

"Still hungry?" I laughed as he pushed containers and bottles of water around. I stood beside the record player and wondered what to put on after I'd dropped my own coat.

"Dude, I'm always hungry."

I settled on a Bon Jovi record.

"So are we calling it a night or should we go and do something else?" Lucas leaned on the breakfast bar with a leftover burrito in his hand.

I tried to think of what we could do that would not possibly end in a fist fight.

"We could see a movie?" I suggested. But even that had its risks.

Lucas shouting inappropriate commentary at the screen and pissing someone off to the point of a throw down? Could happen.

"We could I guess," he shrugged a shoulder. "I have to piss. I'll be back in a sec."

I really couldn't take him anywhere.

While I was setting the needle on the vinyl, I heard a knock on the front door. I furrowed my brows and wandered across the living room.

I swear, if Lucas tweeted out my address to throw a surprise rave again, I would kill him. That was the reason I had to leave the last apartment.

I carefully opened the door and gawked with surprise when I saw Amalia on the other side. She bit down on her lip and grinned, sauntering straight past me.

She walked and talked and I followed, helpless and surprised.

"Look, I know we're meant to be waiting," she spoke fast and spun around beside the sofa. "But I need something. I'm going insane. I spent the whole ten minutes I was at that wine night, thinking about that phone call this afternoon. I am literally a mess."

She ripped off the knee length suede coat she was wearing and dropped it to the floor. Underneath was a work of art.

My jaw dropped. The temperature raised and I felt breathless. The three piece lingerie set was pale pink lace. Her thong, garterbelt and bra. I could see her nipples, hard, through the fabric. Her skin. Wow. So tan and smooth. Her definition was mesmerising.

But I stammered and stepped forward. "Put-put it back- put it back on!"

"Woah, fuck."

Too late.

Amalia jumped in surprise and turned around to find Lucas standing at the corridor threshold with his hand across his face.

"I'm not looking. Swear," he shouted, using his other hand to fan out in front of him as he walked toward the kitchen and Amalia quickly put her coat back on, her cheeks and neck a shade darker. "I am a committed man. Nothing to see. It's algood. Max, nice bro. I'll get the fuck out of here and let you get on with it."

"No," Amalia laughed nervously. "I'll go. I didn't realise you were here. I'm going."

"Nonsense. Oomph," Lucas walked into the kitchen wall. "Fuck."

"Lucas," I sighed. "You can uncover. She's dressed."

He slowly peeped through his fingers, assessing if it was safe before he dropped his hand and leaned on the bench top. "Nice to see you again, Amalia."

"Yep. You too," she nodded with pursed lips and walked forward, settling into my side so I could wrap an arm around her shoulder.

I whispered in her ear. "I can kick him out. It's no problem."

She giggled but shook her head. "No. Spend some with him. I can come back tomorrow."

It was hard to let her go. But Lucas was here to spend time together. And we didn't do a lot of that now that we lived apart.

So I kissed her temple and we went to the front door together.

"That was," I bit my fist as I leaned on the door frame out in the building corridor. Amalia raised a brow and grinned. "The sexiest outfit I have ever seen. I'm genuinely disappointed that I wasn't alone."

Her hand cupped my jaw and her thumb stroked the barely there stubble. "I'll make sure I bring it with me next time."

I groaned. I didn't even mean to. But when her coat opened around the collar, exposing her soft smooth chest, I thought about her in that outfit and it hurt.

"Have a good night, okay," she tiptoed and gave me a brief but beautiful kiss before she left.

I watched her until she was on the elevator and then I frowned because I could hear Lucas singing 'Runaway'. And it sounded terrible.

"Do not think about alternative version of this night," I mumbled, closing the door. "Don't think. Don't think. Don't think."