Whiskey Sharp_Unraveled

by Lauren Dane

  “She deserves a good life. A safe life free of all this bull.”

  “She does. I completely agree,” Cora said. “And she has one. You helped her build that next step and have been doing so since she came home from the hospital. I’m here for whatever you need. You know that.”

  Maybe blew out a breath. Alexsei left earlier that afternoon to get back to the shop. She was still working on a mega-cold and was a disgusting mass of tissues, juice and NyQuil.

  “I do, yeah. Thanks for being my friend.”

  Cora laughed. “You’re too fun not to be friends with. Also, you sort of made it impossible not to be your friend. Okay, I’m going to heat up this soup before I go to work. But before I do, why now do you think? Have they been this bad over the last two years and you’re only telling us now? Or is there some reason for them to ramp their behavior up right now?”

  She’d been thinking about that a lot. “I had pretty much no regular contact with them from sixteen to twenty-one. But after Rachel was taken I got sucked back in. It’s been a minor thing for the last two years, yes. We’d go over there or meet them out for dinner or lunch. They’d coo over her and try to baby her. It seemed to be enough, even when they kept on her to visit them and sleep over or what have you. But the more confrontational stuff has been on the increase for the last year or so. Especially since Thanksgiving.”

  In short, she didn’t know why now. Not really.

  “Like since she’s been recovering and getting stronger? Which is sort of interesting, no? After they claim they want her to get better and they’re really just standing in the way of that exact thing?”

  Maybe blew out a breath. It was a relief to hear someone else say the things she thought and then felt small for thinking.

  “Yeah, that had occurred to me too.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  RACHEL WANDERED INTO her bedroom that evening before Alexsei came home.

  “How you feeling?” Rachel asked as she put a mug of tea down. “Figured this might help.”

  “Thanks.” Maybe propped her pillows up and sipped the tea. It wasn’t as if she’d gotten much rest. Cora had come over, and then Alexsei had checked in on her too, though she’d assured everyone she was just fine on her own, but they wanted to be sure she was okay. Which was nice and all, but exhausting in its own way. “I slept on and off. Had some visitors.”

  Which was a decent enough segue into the next topic of their dad and his visit.

  “I have to tell you something.”

  Rachel snorted. “Uh-oh.”

  “Dad was here when I came home early from work.”

  “He what? I told him the last time we spoke that he wasn’t to come over here. This is your safe place. Our safe place. I didn’t want him here to change that for you.” Her sister visibly calmed herself and squared her shoulders. “I know enough to guess it’s bad. Tell me what happened.”

  “He says he’s getting an attorney. He wants you with them. Thinks I’m harming your recovery.”

  “You’re trying to spare me the details. I can tell. He was mean to you?”

  Maybe blew out a breath. “Yes. But that’s not unusual and it was pretty much more of the same. I’m bad and wrong. I use you. I’m low class and trying to stop you from succeeding.”

  “Jesus. Are you all right?” Rachel leaned closer, looking Maybe over.

  “Other than this cold I’m fine. It’s not like I’m new to him yelling at me like that. I’m worried about this attorney threat though. Worried they’re all worked up and stirring trouble.”

  “Stop worrying about them. I’ve got it. He called me twice today and left a message. No surprise he didn’t mention his visit here. Probably wanting to do some damage control.” Rachel sighed, leaning back against the dresser as she did. “This is so ridiculous.”

  Maybe waved a hand. “I just wanted you to know before you heard it from anyone else.”

  Rachel pushed to her feet. “I’ll call them back, believe me. I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”

  “Mainly I don’t.” She continued to underline this fact because it was important to remember. For years she’d been fairly free of this sort of behavior. And it had felt...normal. Nice even.

  “Drink your tea. You want me to make you some tomato soup and a grilled cheese?” Rachel asked her.

  “Oooh! Yes please.”

  Rachel risked a hug. “I love you. You’ve been... Well I don’t think I could have gotten this far without you. I hate that they’re this way to you.”

  “Me too. But you’re not. We’re good and you’re going to make me soup.” Maybe didn’t have to work that hard to look pitiful.

  Rachel grinned as she headed to the kitchen and when she returned a few minutes later, she had a tray with dinner for both of them on it.

  “Since we’re usually together, I’ll probably get your cold anyway. May as well hang out with you while it’s quiet,” Rachel told her as she settled in the nearby chair.

  “Does it bug you that Alexsei is here as often as he is?” Maybe asked as she stirred her soup to cool it down a little.

  “No. He’s a good guest. He cleans up after himself. He cooks, which is a very cool thing, and now we don’t have to nearly as much. When he’s here, Vic comes around more.”

  Maybe giggled. “Yeah, I figured that might be a plus.”

  “He’s a friend. Don’t get yourself worked up planning my wedding or anything.” Rachel tried for a censuring look, but it didn’t really work. “He makes you happy, which I really like. Are you going to ask him to move in?”

  “Oh. Well. I mean. I guess I was thinking about it.” He could quite easily find a place to live, even a short-term house-sitting dealiebob. But he hadn’t and she hadn’t really wanted him to.

  “Are you ready for that?” Rachel asked.

  “He’s already here every single night. His clothes are in my closet. His shampoo is in my shower. He buys groceries! It’s not like the transition is such a big deal. Right?”

  “Well, speaking as someone who did this a while back. It’s still a transition. He goes from boyfriend who sleeps over to boyfriend who lives with you. That’s a new level of commitment. Though, to be completely honest, I’m not worried about that from him. He seems utterly committed to you and we know he cleans up after himself and is pretty handy with stuff. Are you ready to share your life with someone? He’s not the kind of guy who’s going to let you wave a hand and not give details. He’s going to want to hear all your troubles.”

  “I’m not sure why everyone wants to hear my damned troubles all the time anyway. They’re pretty no-big-deal troubles when you compare them to other people’s.”

  “Do you think we don’t notice that you constantly try to get in the line of fire to protect those of us you love?” Rachel rolled her eyes. “He sees it. He even tolerates it because that’s what you do when you love someone. But he’s a big bad alpha dude. Sure he’s laid-back and all, but he’s not going to take any bullshit aimed at you. You’ll have to find a way to process that. Does it weird you out, or make you think about Dad at all?”

  “I’ve thought about that. Because he is so bossy and wants his way all the time. But he’s not...he doesn’t try to break me down to get his way. He doesn’t have the attitude that he knows so much better than I do and so I should let him make the choices. He just likes to be in charge. But, Rach, he listens to me. Like really listens. Plus, I can push him back when he gets too close to my business for too long.”

  “I think he sort of likes it when you do that.” Rachel waggled her brows. “He doesn’t always seem to know what to do with you. Which amuses me a lot because I know the feeling. But he likes you. Not just your boobies, but you.”

  Maybe thought of the way he seemed so laid-back even when she was totally strange. “He tolerates so much of my weirdness.”


  “Fuck tolerating! No one should be tolerated by someone they’re in love with. He digs you. All of you.”

  He did.

  “You think I should ask him to move in.” Not a question. Rachel would know she’d already made up her mind and was just seeking some reassurance. Testing out how it felt to say it.

  “I think I’ve seen you date a lot and never once have I thought any of those guys would last longer than they did. Alexsei? He’s the real deal. So yes, I think you should ask him to move in.”

  “He’s been wanting to pay rent, now he can,” Maybe said with a laugh.

  “He’s the kind of person who never wants to take advantage. Another plus to having him around.” Rachel shrugged. “He’s not hard to look at. He thinks you’re the best flavor in all the land. You love him and you want him to be around every day. And that is all good stuff. Let it be good stuff. You and he have something real. Something you deserve. Don’t talk yourself out of it.”

  * * *

  “DID YOU TELL RACHEL?” Alexsei asked her when she got to work after a few days off getting over her cold. He’d come home, made sure she’d taken her medicine and had enough to eat and drink, and then he’d made her rest. The day after he’d done the same and told her they could talk about all the upsetting stuff after she got better.

  Apparently her rest period was over and it was time to interrogate her once more.

  “I told her he came over, made a scene and left. I mentioned the attorney thing, so don’t get that face.”

  “Okay, okay.” He held his hands up. “Are you feeling better?” He looked her over carefully, feeling her forehead. “You’re certainly feisty today.”

  “Yes, I’m fine, thanks. As you well know because you were beside me every single night.” She pointed at her chair. “I have some time before my next appointment. Let me give you a trim.”

  It kept him busy and it allowed her to get her hands on him. Which, despite the fact that he was hers to touch all she wanted, she still couldn’t seem to get enough of his grumpy butt.

  “I talked to her about something else too.” She put the drape on him and turned the chair to face the mirror.

  “Is it a secret or will you tell me?”

  “You’re such an asshole sometimes.” But she said it laughing as she got a better look at his hair before selecting her scissors.

  “You sleep over a lot,” she started.

  He frowned at her in the mirror and she wasn’t sure if she should panic or not. Frowning was sort of his base setting. So it could be that. Or he could be mad. Or unhappy. Or dreading her asking him to move in officially. Probably he was just judging whatever tool she was planning to use on his hair.

  “Are you okay?” he asked and she realized she’d been quiet awhile.

  “Yes. Yes. Well. You see I wanted to talk to you about some stuff. I mean, I’ve been thinking.”

  “You’re having an episode,” he said, a tiny bit wary but mainly amused.

  It was pretty damned nice that he got her the way he did. Every time he showed her that it was a little easier to let herself love him.

  “I talked to Rachel to see how she’d feel if I asked you to move in with me.” She said it pretty fast, but she was fairly sure all her words were intelligible.

  He grinned. It was fast. But he let her see it.

  “I was just talking to Vic about this very thing. He was appalled I wasn’t paying rent. What about you? You’re good with me moving in?”

  “I’m asking you to, aren’t I?” She began to fall into the movements as she eyeballed and then trimmed, following up with a comb. Adjusting here and there.

  Once she was sure no one could hear, she continued. “You’re worth it for the sex alone. And you cook a lot. She and I think you’d be a good roommate. You don’t have to say yes,” she amended quickly. “I just thought that since you sleep over every night and your stuff is in the closet and you scold us about putting ice cubes in our white wine, you should have more than just an emergency set of keys. You’ve been couch surfing and staying in guest rooms for nearly a year. Perhaps you want some roots.”

  “I’m not entirely sure how you could have said all that without taking a single breath,” he said. “You’re a marvel.” That was softer.

  It was a tease, yes. But he snagged her gaze in the mirror and she saw, for just a moment, how he viewed her. Knew he meant it in a deeper way. To him, her difference was something he thought was beautiful.

  If they hadn’t been at work, she’d have climbed into his lap and kissed him right then and there.

  “Thanks,” she said instead.

  “I have been sort of floating on the breeze since I left the house I shared with Rada. It was good. I enjoyed the different places I stayed. Getting to know various neighborhoods was fun. But every day when I’m done here, I want to come to you. I sleep with you each night as the house settles and the furnace kicks on and off. You’re home for me.”

  “Damn,” she breathed out, “you’re so good at this love words stuff.”

  “Don’t lose too much focus when you’re supposed to be doing my hair,” he suggested. Sort of. More like nagged and it wasn’t even like the hand her scissors had been in was anywhere near his precious head.

  She pulled out the jar and put it back on the counter so he could see it and know the penalty for complaining.

  “Thanks for managing my expectations, there, sport.”

  He eyed the jar a moment before going back to their earlier topic. “I have no idea what that means. Sport? No, never mind.” He shook his head. “I’d like to move in. I’ll pay a third of the mortgage to you in the form of rent. Is that fair? That way my name isn’t on the house or anything, but I’m paying my way.”

  He’d clearly done some thinking about this whole thing, she realized. She wanted to be schmoopy about it and tell him how cute she thought it was. But he’d get grumpy and embarrassed. So she’d thank him extra hard later on that night when they were alone.

  * * *

  TWO WEEKS LATER, he lounged on the couch with Cora, watching television as Vic and Maybe argued over the last piece of pizza in the kitchen.

  “Should we tell her there’s another box over here?” he asked.

  Cora snorted. “No. Let them figure it out.”

  He liked this life he had with his hummingbird—so aptly named by Rachel—in the house he’d come more and more to think of as home. Vic ended up there at least a few nights a week, slowly building his friendship with Rachel.

  Maybe wandered through the room, eating what appeared to be a sandwich. “I let him have it because he’s a total baby.”

  Alexsei smiled at her and pointed at the box on the low table in front of the couch.

  Her eyes lit and she dove on the box. “I think I’ll keep you. Hey, Vicktor you villain, there’s more pizza in here,” she yelled as she dropped a slice on her plate. “Saving the sandwich for breakfast.” She smiled his way.

  “Irishka told me to remind you to call her first thing. She’s expecting it so don’t forget or she’ll pester me.”

  “Why? What’d I do? Am I in trouble?”

  “Doubtful. Most likely she wants you to help with something.” His aunt had a soft spot for Maybe and her sister. “If she was mad, you’d know it already.”

  Vic scoffed. “Yes. You might have noticed she doesn’t really have a problem telling people what she thinks. We’re thinking of doing a few booths over the next year or so. She wants you to volunteer to work a few shifts.”

  Maybe snickered. “I really do adore that woman. You’re so lucky to have her. Count me in, of course. I’ll let her feel like she talked me into it though.”

  Vic’s smile brought an answering one from Alexsei. Vic had seen some special facet in Maybe. When she’d complimented Irena the way she had, it had touched his cousin. And now Vi
c would understand her a little more. Maybe needed people to see beyond all the color and attitude, to see the compassion and empathy she put into her friends and loved ones. Needed—no, craved—to be understood and known and accepted.

  Sometimes Maybe felt like a foreign language. He had to not only learn the basics, but also all the unspoken things, what the emphasis on this or that meant to her. Her bluntness was refreshing. But she also had dark places inside her she tended to protect by pretending away or walling others out.

  It made the way she just burst into life every single day with a single-minded joy and ferocity all the more incredible to him.

  “I noticed you moved in the last of your clothes,” Maybe said as she tucked herself next to him on the couch. “Did you have enough room?”

  “Not the last, actually. I have some more at Vic’s place.”

  “Dude, you have a lot of clothes,” she said, her head cocked as she looked him over.

  “I prefer to think I’m a well-dressed man.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You are, of course. But you still have a lot of clothes. Do you need more closet space or more drawer space or both? I can move another dresser from one of the spare rooms into the closet and you can have that. If you need hanging space, you can use the closet in the bedroom next to ours because you can’t have any more of mine.”

  No complaining. No panic on her face that he was pretty much moved in. Just a little bit of shifting—to take care of him naturally—to accommodate his needs.

  “You have a lot of clothes too.” Not that he was complaining. She wore the same basic things to work, but outside that, she had enough outfits to change three times a day every day for the rest of her life and not repeat.

  “I do. And there’s every chance I’ll have more.” She said it cheerfully.

  Rachel blew in with a hello to all and hugs for Cora and Maybe. After she hung up her things she paused, walking past him, to pat his arm.

  A first for her to show such casual affection to him.

  Maybe would have noticed, he figured. She had such an eye on the house and the emotional well-being of everyone in it. Mostly he thought that was amazing and beautiful. She was so strong and smart.