the eagle has landed #fiction

Written for Genre Scribes #46 — Eagle & #47 — Title a biweekly challenge hosted by Susan T. Braithwaite – please check out her site!

I haven’t had much time to write, so I started the first one, saw that the next prompt had been posted and decided to combine them.

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“The eagle has landed.”

I look up and see that my idiot ex-boyfriend has arrived, a fact that seems to intrigue my older brother.

“The eagle landing is supposed to be someone or something that was wanted. He’s not wanted.”

My brother, James, eyes me warily. “So, you didn’t decide to throw his party and spend a ridiculous amount on a new dress just to impress him.”

“No, dummy, the whole point is to show him what he’s missing.”

James grimaces. “Listen, little sis, that only flies in movies. In real life, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. If he misses you, he’ll let you know.”

The thing is that my brother isn’t trying to be nice – he’s just a well seasoned player. He’s probably right about my ex, but I’ve put a lot into this evening. I can’t back down now.

“What if he sees me with another guy?”

“Eh. Some guys are territorial. They see women as their property. Do you really want a guy who’s only interested when he thinks you’re with someone else?”

Dammit. When did James become this wise, philosophical person who’s no longer interested in watching me mess up for his own amusement?

“He’s not like that,” I say, even though it’s a lie.

He’s worse.

James eyes me carefully before he shrugs. “Whatever. It’s your party. Good luck.”

He turns to leave, but something makes me grab his arm.

“Wait. Don’t go.”

“Oh, so now you want me to stick around?”

“For the first time in your life, you’re making sense,” I tell him. “Of course I want you to stick around.”

He seems mildly irritated, but he doesn’t attempt to leave again.

“So, this guy was your boyfriend, huh?”

I begin to fidget, unable to continue the façade.

Boyfriend might be a stretch.

“We chose not to use titles.”

James’s eyebrow all but skyrockets. “Liz, I’m not going to lie to you. You’ve seen my girls. You know how I am. That guy over there? He’s not worth the effort. Trust me.”

James is right, but… the heart wants what the heart wants.

“What if I see a side of him that no one else does?”

“It’s probably not real,” James says. “When a guy wants your attention, he’ll be whoever you need him to be. I bet he told you that no one gets him the way you do.”

I look away sheepishly, because my idiot ex-boyfriend has told me that and more.

“Where were you before I decided to throw this party?”

James eyes me carefully, looking away before he answers. “I guess it’s been a long time since you and I have had one of these conversations.”

Considering that James only stopped by to pick up something he left a few weeks ago, he’s right.

We don’t talk anymore.

In that moment, I realise that I’ve missed him.

We’re not the closest, but he’s always there when I need him and he’s never once let me down.

“I love you, James.”

He looks mildly embarrassed initially, but after he a few seconds he leans over and nudges my shoulder gently.

“Love you too, little sis.”