by Aja Cole
“Call me and let me know you’ve made it, yeah?” He asks roughly, jaw set.
“Yeah.” I whisper, stroking it with the back of my fingers until he softens, lashes resting against his cheeks for a second before he spears me with intense green hued eyes. “Thank you for making me feel a little less lonely.”
“I know that you need some time after your ex…but if you’re ever ready, I’m not as far away as you think.”
With those cryptic parting words, he brushes one more kiss across my lips and then he’s gone.
11
I’m so damn tired, it takes everything in me to drag myself through the concourse.
I almost fall asleep standing on the big escalators that take you to baggage claim and it takes a few hard blinks to recognize Corie separating herself from stragglers waiting on people this late.
“I told you I could’ve ordered a ride.” I say as I get closer, watching her yawn.
She shrugs, grabbing my carry on tote from me and walking head. “Would’ve been getting up in an hour anyway.”
“At least you look comfortable.” I bump her with my hip, and she slings an arm around my waist. “I appreciate it.”
“A pilot told me he liked my Betty Boop bottoms.”
“He probably liked the bottom in them more.”
It’s so late/early that both of us dissolve into giggles like we would when we were younger. I yawn and wait for my oversized suitcase to come around on the carousel, then drag it off and pull up the handle.
“Can’t wait to crash on your couch.”
“Don’t be crazy, my bed’s big enough for both of us.”
We leave the terminal and make our way to her truck. I heft my bag into the backseat and then hop in front, buckling my seatbelt as she slides into the driver’s side, tossing hot pink hair away from her face. “Aw, you’d share it with me?”
“Only if you tell me what really happened with Vaughn, and not the watered down version.”
“I thought we agreed not to talk about it.”
“That was before I offered to share my bed.” She cranks up, heading towards the parking garage exit. “Spill the beans, sis, and I do mean all of them.”
“So when are you gonna tell the Mom and Dad?”
“In like…a week?” I hedge, turning on my side to face Corie in the dark. Thank god, her room doesn’t face the sun, so it won’t be rudely waking me up when it rises. “Actually, maybe I can wait until the divorce is final. You think they’ll be mad?”
“Are you twenty-four or fourteen, Nomi?”
My mouth flops open and closed like a fish.
“I’m just not ready. It’s just…I’m just not.”
“You think a week will give you the time you need?”
“I’m damn sure hoping it will.” I huddle under the comforter more. “Thanks for letting me hide out. Chris doesn’t know I’m back yet either, but Jackson will probably tell him since I didn’t tell him not to.”
“Jackson?”
“Just a friend.”
“Wait, a friend who knows Chris too? You’re not talking about that Jackson? Hunky, sexy voice? Looks like he should be a colossal douche-canoe?”
I wake up a little, peering at her in the dark.
“You know him?”
Corie makes a snorting sound, “Do I know him? Of course I fucking know him. And obviously, my dear, sweet little sister, you missed a few details.”
“Well, it’s not like I spent a lot of time with him.” I lie, “Anyways, don’t wake me up in the morning please.”
“I’ll think about it.” She leans over, pressing a sloppy kiss to my cheek. “Night, baby sis.”
I roll my eyes, but don’t fight my smile. “Night, Corie.”
It feels like I’ve been sleep for five minutes when I’m very rudely awakened.
“I should snitch on both of you.”
I squint at Chris standing at the bottom of the bed, the comforter that he snatched from us clutched in his hands. The turd is in his suit already, which is probably another reason that he’s so damned loud. He’s been with his gym bros for the past hour or two, I’m guessing, screaming about going hard and grunting over loud music. They always workout at ungodly hours before work.
“Chris, I will end you.” Corinne growls with a pillow over her head. “Get out.”
Instead, he jumps in the middle of the bed on his back, throwing his arms out so he can put them around both of us.
“Look at my two favorite sisters, in cahoots without me.”
“We’re your only sisters, jackass.” She grumbles, arm flying up to whack Chris in the face with a pillow. He grunts, but his grin stays in place. Since he’s so hellbent on being too damn close, I use his arm as part of my pillow and let my eyes sink closed again. “How the hell did you know she was here?”
“Called Jackson. Imagine my surprise when he told me that my sister left last night.”
Ugh, I knew that would happen.
“And you didn’t call me, so I knew that meant you’d probably called Corinne. Came to grab breakfast with y’all before I head into the office.”
“No breakfast, more sleep.” I plead.
“Nope, should’ve thought of that before you tried to keep me in the dark.” He says, snatching Corie’s pillow away from her head. “Get up sunshine, breakfast’s on me.”
“I hate you.” She groans, swatting his hands away.
“I’m not letting y’all go back to sleep, so you might as well get dressed.” Chris bounds off the bed and straightens his suit jacket before he leaves the bedroom, calling out behind him. “You got half an hour or I’m telling Mom!”
Bastard.
I dig my fork into Chris’ biscuits and gravy across the table, ignoring his protests.
“You dragged us out, you’re sharing.” I pop the savory bite into my mouth, chewing happily.
“I’m sure the waitress will bring you more, she’s just waiting on you to ask for her number.” Corinne points out, a forkful of eggs in the air. “Who do you think it’ll be Nomi, Lisette the waitress or chignon behind us?”
“Ooh, chignon might beat her to it, actually. Lisette might try to be professional for as long as she can.” I muse, picking up my iced coffee and casually glancing at the blonde a few tables away who’s trying to seem like her eyes haven’t been glued to our table.
“I’m putting money on Lisette.”
“Mine is on blonde. Twenty?”
“Twenty.” Corie nods her head decisively.
“I’m sitting right here.” Chris drolls, unfolding a napkin into his lap.
Teasing Christian is way too easy, because he gets interest wherever we go.
Six-feet-two, the best smile, kind brown eyes and easy charm.
Add that to being very intelligent, humble and the way he just oozes success?
Tall, dark and handsome to a tee.
If he weren’t my brother, I’d probably go for him too.
“Who is this girl with the purple hair anyway?” I question.
“It’s purple now, but it was pink a few weeks ago.” Corie chimes in, “I preferred the pink obviously.”
“I not so subtly told her I didn’t want to be reminded of my sister all the time.”
“I think I’m gonna cut it again, pixie length maybe.”
Chris makes a sound in the back of his throat. “Will your girlfriend like that?”
“Do I look like I care?” Corie scowls, biting a piece of maple sausage off with a little more force than is probably necessary. A barely there flush rises on her lightly tanned skin that lets me know that even thinking about her girlfriend’s reaction is bothering her. “Short. Back to my roots.”
I look between the two of them, “That doesn’t sound good. I thought you and Lira were super into each other?”
“She has too many opinions lately, namely about shit she has no say on.” Corie’s frown pulls even tighter across her bow-shaped lips and her grey eyes slit dangerously, �
��I’m getting real sick of it.”
“So grouchy this morning.” Chris teases, “She’s been sniping about her for weeks, no breakup yet.”
Corie sticks her tongue out. “Unlike you, I like to think carefully before I hurt women’s feelings.”
Chris makes a few mocking noises, but I know the words don’t get to him. The two of them love to rib each other, well, all of us do. But we wouldn’t trade each other for the world, and even when I want to keep things to myself, they’re the first ones I go to when that changes.
“So how long until you’re a divorced woman?”
“No less than six months, so that’s gonna be fun.” I scoop grits onto my spoon, “I don’t care, as long as he doesn’t make it difficult and he stays on that side of the country.”
“You really think he won’t contest it?” Corie asks, dark eyebrows high.
“The only way I’m going back to Vaughn is if he kidnaps me, so he can drag it out if he wants; it’s not going to get him anywhere.”
“It’s about pride, ego. I wouldn’t be surprised.” Chris adds, sobering. “I’m glad you’re getting rid of him. You deserve better.”
“You didn’t tell me that before I married him.”
“Yeah well, that was when you seemed happy and stupid in love. You didn’t want to hear it.”
“And now I’m just unhappy and stupid single.”
“You’re not single on paper,” Corie points out.
“Thank you for the clarification.” I deadpan.
“Maybe you can set her up with Jackson, Chris,” Corie suggests, pushing long, pink hair over her shoulder. “Since they met in California and he’s quite the eligible bachelor.”
I fill my mouth with food, using chewing as my excuse for not saying anything. If I protest too much, it’ll look like I’m trying too hard. If I don’t say anything without a good excuse, it’ll seem like I’m interested in the idea.
Full mouth it is.
I’m interested to see what Chris will say…not that I would need his blessing or that I’m interested in things going further with Jackson than they already have.
Just, you know…run of the mill curiosity.
“Nah.” Jackson shakes his head, dabbing at his mouth with a napkin. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy, but he’s got a few hangups of his own.”
“Like what?” Corie prods, and I give her a look.
“Don’t spill the man’s business, Chris.”
He ignores me.
“Well the biggest one is that he doesn’t want kids, and you know how much this one wants to give us nieces and nephews.”
“Well that’s not the reason I want kids.” I laugh, “And not for awhile.”
“He’s got trust issues because of his ex, too. Never gives women a real shot. His last girlfriend, he was just going through the motions. We could all see it should’ve ended before it started, but I think he got a little lonely and she knew it. The guy has some stuff to work out before I’d be okay with him being near my sister,” He amends himself, “Well, for more than just helping out. And even if he was better, he still doesn’t want kids so there’s no point.”
“Can my divorce be finalized before we even talk about this?” I throw out, needing the topic to change. It’s making me uneasy and pulling at my chest in a way that I don’t appreciate. “I don’t even want to think about dating for awhile, thank you very much.”
Movement behind Chris’ head gives the perfect opening for moving the conversation away from the man that I’ve been trying not to think too much about.
“Blonde is making her approach,” I say quietly, raising my glass to my lips to hide it. Right on cue, the pretty woman in a sharp blue sheath dress, subtle makeup and a neat chignon steps hesitantly up to our table.
“Excuse me, I hope I’m not interrupting.” She says softly, smiling hesitantly at the table. “I’ve never done this before, but I would’ve kicked myself had I not taken the opportunity.” She reaches into her handbag and pulls out a crisp business card, holding it aloft.
I meet Corie’s eyes smugly. She totally owes me twenty dollars.
“Call me, I’d like to go out for dinner.” We all watch her as she holds out the card…to Corie, a soft pink blooming across her cheeks and nose. “If you’re available?”
My sister stares at her with widened eyes, seemingly rendered speechless.
Chris huffs out a soft laugh, shaking his head.
So I take the card from the woman, because I don’t want her to be embarrassed since Corie hasn’t made any moves towards it yet.
“I think you’ve shocked her, but that’s a good thing.”
The other woman swallows, pulling in a breath. “Right, well, you have my number. Have a good day,” She says to the table, but her eyes linger on Corie’s before she rushes away, her heels clicking softly on the floor with her retreat.
“Does that mean both of us lose?” I wave a hand in front of my sister’s face, and she seems to blink back into reality.
“Did she really just come over here for my number and not Chris’?”
“She did.” Chris confirms, “Didn’t see that coming at all, but if I had to lose out to anyone, I’m glad it’s you, sis.”
“Give it to me.” Corie holds out her hand, curling her fingers.
I hold the card between two fingers, grinning. “What? I know you don’t want this. You have a girlfriend.”
“I’m not going to call her while I’m not single…just…look her up.”
“Stalk her, you mean.”
“Potato, potahto. Gimme.” She reaches over and snatches the card, tucking it safely into the pocket of her button down. “Lira’s gonna break up with me when I cut my hair, I’m sure.”
“That’s pretty trivial.”
“She’s trivial.” She mutters, “I just…we have a lot of history and I’m trying to work through all these new problems, but it’s getting annoying.”
I put my hands up playfully, “Well don’t look at me for advice, I’m about to be divorced.”
“And I’m supposedly a player.” Chris winks.
“I suggested we go to counseling but she thinks that’s for people with real problems.” Corie scrubs her hands over her face. “Damn, the more I say out loud, the more it’s clear that ending things might be best for both of us.” Her phone starts vibrating on the table and she glances at it, swiping across the screen to silence it. “And we have to wrap this up, I’ve got a meeting about a new build.”
Chris motions for our waitress, who perks up like an excited puppy. “Yeah, I need to get into the office.”
“Can you drop Mims back at my place? I need to head straight to the site or traffic is gonna kill my time.”
“Yep, and breakfast is on me.” Chris pulls out his wallet, and Corie grabs her things, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek before she stands and does the same to me.
“Love y’all, catch you later.”
“Bye.” I return her kiss on the cheek, and turn to watch the waitress do her best to flirt with Chris. Poor girl, she doesn’t realize that while my brother loves the ladies, he also does his best to not disrespect his partner, even if they wouldn’t know it. The girl’s face falls when he kindly tells her that he can’t accept her number but she’s a beautiful girl and she’ll forget about him soon enough.
“That wasn’t predictable at all,” I snort after they’ve wrapped up the check and we’re headed towards the exit. “Maybe add a few more compliments into the rejection next time, really make them sad for what they’re missing.”
“Don’t hate me cause you ain’t me,” He grins quickly, pearly whites flashing as he slides on Ray-Bans and uses the clicker for his silver BMW. “Hop in little sis, we gotta jet.”
12
“Actually, you can drop me at mom and dad’s. I should pick up my car so I don’t have to Uber to interviews.”
Chris looks at me quickly before turning his eyes back to the highway. “You know they’r
e gonna have questions.”
“Yep, and I’ll answer them. I don’t want to hide out for another week. Might as well get it over with.”
“Look at you, facing shit.”
“More like it’ll be worse if they know I’ve been here and none of us said anything.”
“Good, because I was going to cover my ass at the first opportunity.” He pulls into my parent’s driveway after a few minutes and squeezes my shoulder, unlocking the doors. “You’re worrying for nothing. Mom and Dad never liked him either, but it was up to you. They won’t say they told you so, because that’s not what matters.”
I smile softly, pushing open the door, “Alright, I think that’s enough pep talk. I’m ready. See you later.”
“Later, Nomi.”
Walking up to the familiar front door, I hesitate for just a second before I pull out my key.
I’m nervous.
My parents have been together so long that I just feel like my marriage not working is a disappointment. Logically, I know that the only person I can really blame is Vaughn, but that doesn’t stop the irrational thoughts from freezing my feet and hands.
I don’t even know why I care so much. I guess it’s just…I’m the youngest one. Corinne and Christian have careers and they’re intelligent and well-loved and even if they have problems in relationships too, they still usually make the right choices.
I, on the other hand, was always a little bit of a wild card.
I was a surprise pregnancy, when my mom didn’t believe she could conceive.
Just barely made it through high school.
Didn’t like college all that much.
Got married on what seemed like a whim to my family.
Like Chris said…I always seemed to do things the hard way.
Now I’m back with my tail between my legs and trying to figure out how to start over.
It sucks.
It really sucks and I don’t want to go in here and tell them how much it sucks.
“The door’s unlocked when you decide to come in.”