" Hey birthday girl ! Look at you ! " Kyle's voice snapped me out of Aiden's spell as he practically jumped on me for a bear hug . I smelt aftershave and the faintest hint of alcohol as Kyle's arms engulfed me and pulled me close . My view of Aiden was obscured for a moment but when I finally saw him from the corner of my eye , almost glaring at Kyle and me as Kyle practically lifted me up and spun me . " You look amazing . " Kyle grinned when he finally let me go . " Nice shirt ! " " Uh , thanks . I looked down at the pilfered garment before looking at Kyle again as he showed off his perfect white teeth in a grin . It's not mine . " ' Yeah I figured but it looks good on you . You should keep it . " Kyle smirked . " Let's get you a drink ! " I was already doing that . Tammy spoke up as she handed me a short tumbler with what appeared to be cola . " Don't down it or you'll be feeling it tomorrow . " I gave the drink a sniff catching the scent of alcohol hidden under the sweet tones of cola . " It's bourbon . Tammy clarified . " Why don't you kids go have some fun and we will catch you up in a bit . " My eyes naturally found Aiden who hadn't said a word since he came to stand in front of me . His dark gaze was back , sending heat licking across my skin and I'm certain my heart skipped a beat when his eyes closed a circuit with mine , drawing me in like a moth to a flame . " Come on El , let's go see if the pool table is free . " Kyle grabbed my free hand and gently tugged me towards a raised area that was partially hidden behind fake walls of wooden boards and picture frames . " Ever played ? " Kyle asked as he began setting up the table . " Never . " I replied as I set my drink down and shrugged off my jacket . " But I think I have an idea on how to play . " " Okay let's see how you do then . " I sucked . We spent half an hour playing , Kyle letting me drown in my inability to play . By the end we were laughing to the point of tears . The drink was not helping and I felt warm even though my arms were exposed . The air was hot and clammy , the music was loud and the scent of cigarette smoke and alcohol hung heavy like a weird perfume . I was beginning to feel dizzy . It wasn't in the way people feel when they've drank too much . This felt more like an overload of the senses . Every part of me was being assaulted by different things . The noise , the lights , the smells , the air … they all caressed me and pressed into me making me feel warm and a little light headed . " Okay , how about I show you how to stand ? " Kyle suggested , guiding me to the table with ease . " Fest hip width apart . Okay now let's get that hold on the cue right . " " I thought I did that okay . " I laughed as Kyle leaned over me to adjust my fingers . My heart was bouncing in my chest like it was trying to escape and I felt giddy . ' I might have been lying . " Kyle chuckled . " Okay now you have it . " It was an awkward position to be in . Kyle was behind me so that his chest pressed into my back , large hands crowding my much smaller ones . I could feel his breath hitting my arm as he talked , eyes animated and bright as he explained the science behind how to hold the cue stick . He seemed to know random facts about everything and was endlessly enthusiastic about it . For a moment I wondered why I couldn't just be attracted to him rather than his cousin . Things would be easier in a way . I wouldn't feel this undertone of guilt in the thrill that swarmed me every time I thought about Aiden or just looked at him . It confused me that I was looking at a near feplica of the man I had a crush on and yet whenever I looked at Kyle all I felt was the comfort of a platonic bond . He was becoming more like a brother than anything and judging by how he looked at me , we recognised that too .