by M. Piper
“As much as I’d love nothing more than to continue this,” she says then smirks as Carter runs into the room, followed by yellow. “It’s a pretty busy house tonight. And I’m kind of dying to hear your life plan for me.” She quirks an eyebrow and takes a step back, laughing as Yellow lets Carter lie on top of him.
“The historic committee’s been looking for someone to commission for a mural,” I say and she gasps.
“A mural like in public, mural?”
I laugh and nod. “Yes. But huge, Wren. Like, the side of a building huge.” Her eyes light up and I bite back a grin, seeing her this happy is so fulfilling. “For five buildings.”
“Commissioned for five building murals!” She shrieks, her eyes glowing with excitement. “Are you shitting me?”
“I shit nothing. Other than in a toilet…but we won’t go there.” I laugh. “All you have to do is present your portfolio to the board in a week and the gig’s yours pending you don’t screw anything up. They have a new committee they’re forming and there’s been talk of having you head that, too. Arts and human…something or other.”
“Holy shit that’s amazing!” She wraps her arms around me and the happiness in my heart is overwhelming. Helping her find herself and helping her do something she loves is an amazing feeling.
Fuck, I love this girl.
“Are you sure you don’t mind helping today? I can have Michael help out.” I’m sitting in Lincoln’s truck with Carter in the back seat, suddenly regretting asking him to help. What if my sister doesn’t like him? I can’t take that right now. Hell, I’ve made it months without my parents even finding out his name and I’d love to keep it that way, but I know the time is coming that they’re going to find out and I’m not looking forward to it.
“I told you, I’m stoked. I really sincerely hope she loves me, however. I may kick her out if she’s a bitch,” he says, laughing at my worried expression. “Wren, it’s going to be perfect. I can’t wait to meet your family.”
“You’re never meeting my parents,” I scoff. “If we ever get married, it’ll be an event they’re not even invited to.” I blurt the words and immediately regret not thinking my phrasing through.
The truck goes silent and I glance over at Lincoln whose focus on the road is waning and the grin on his face growing. Wide.
“Married, huh?” He finally says, a smile so wide there are creases next to his eyes and his dimple is in full swing.
“I mean… You know… Any—”
“Hey, chill,” he cuts me off and laughs, reaching over and taking my hand in his. “I think about it too.”
He smiles at me and melts the stress of the day away. Those five words make everything feel…okay.
By the time we make it through traffic and to the airport we barely have time to find my sister’s baggage claim area before her plane is landing. Carter in an airport, especially one this small, is hilarious and sweet and everything a child should be.
“Wee!” He screams, pointing wildly at a plane taking off through the massive windows and I watch from a few steps away as Lincoln holds a full on conversation with this child. I smile softly, unable to stop my mind from wandering to what my own child would do if in the same situation. I’d hope I would be a good mom…I feel like I do really well with Carter. Something with him and I clicked almost immediately. It’s so weird to explain but he’s such a great kid…a lucky kid. He’s lucky to have such a loving and caring family.
“Is that her flight?” I hear Lincoln ask and glance up from where I was watching Carter and letting my mind wander.
“2248…yep.” I grin. “Oh my God this is so exciting!” I squeal, hopping up and down and praying she made her flight on time. She never texted beforehand and I’m sure it’s because she’s pissed that she has to come back here, but that’s what she gets for never getting a new license in Washington. She’s still registered in Springfield…so here we are.
“What does she look like?” Lincoln asks, scanning the crowd of people.
“Pitch black hair, tattoos all over, a pierced septum and tattooed bright red lips.”
I glance over at him and smirk. His eyebrows are high and he’s nodding silently.
“She sounds pretty scary.”
“She’s awesome,” I laugh.
“Terrifying,” he mutters, chuckling, and I nudge him.
“You’re a dork. She looks a lot like me. Bigger boobs and an ass that I even want to grab sometimes.” I laugh when he twists his face.
“That’s weird, Wren.”
“Wren!” I hear her screeching before I see her and I scan the crowd until I see her. “Ahhh my little sister!” She belts out, full speed for me and I brace myself for impact.
When her arms come around me I feel so light…like nothing matters. I have the man that I love and my best friend, my first friend…my sister.
I don’t need anything else.
“Oh my God I’m so happy you’re here,” I whisper, holding her tight. She squeezes me then backs away.
“Your hair’s shorter,” she says, smiling and fingering my hair. “Lord, little sis. You’re more beautiful than the day you left me.” She smiles and sighs. “It’s been too long, but I really fucking hate being back here.”
“I know.” I nod then remember it’s not just us standing here. “Oh!” I spin and smile at Lincoln who’s smiling behind us. “Lark, this is Lincoln. Lincoln, Lark.”
Lincoln stares at Lark for a moment then extends his hand to her.
“Lark…nice to meet you.” His eyes lock on hers and there’s something strange happening between them. I glance at my sister and her grin is plastered on her face but her eyes tell it all.
“Nice to meet you Linc…oln…” she stammers and I step between them.
“Right,” I drawl out. “That’s awkward, guys. Lark, he’s taken. Sorry.” I laugh and grab his hand and furrow my brows at him but he presses his lips to my forehead and my worry melts away.
It’s all just jealousy, I think. I hope. My sister’s striking and I don’t hold a candle to her. I’m not used to seeing Lincoln around other girls. It’s jealousy, but I have nothing to be jealous about. She’d never do that to me.
And I’d pray he wouldn’t either.
The truck ride is enough small talk and playing with Carter in the back seat to be able to easily ignore the tension that’s probably rolling off of me. Lincoln and my sister small talk the entire way and I sit and listen and attempt not to stew in my own green monster thoughts.
When we make it to my house Lincoln helps carry her things inside while Lucy hangs out with Carter and when my sister heads to the bathroom to freshen up before going to my parents’ house tonight, he pulls me into my room and closes the door behind me.
Immediately his lips press to mine and I feel some stress melt away but not all.
“Kiss me, Wren,” he whispers, his thumb brushing over my lips.
“I’m sorry.” I shake my head and take a step away, grabbing the elephant my grandma got me and laughing. “This was supposed to bring me love and luck and happiness and money. This fucker is obviously broken.” I toss is to the floor and look up at Lincoln and shrug.
“What the hell are you talking about? What happened today?” His hands rest on my arms and his eyes are begging me to talk…so I do what I do best. I verbal vomit.
“You kept looking at my sister in ways you’ve never looked at me. I don’t want to hate her being here, but I want her gone.” I huff then pause and notice him biting his lips together, nodding and trying not to laugh at me. “What?” I grumble.
“You’re jealous of her?” He whispers, letting out a chuckle. “You…Wren Potts…are jealous of your older sister?”
“I’m not,” I whisper, sitting on my bed. “I’d be a bitch if I were.”
He kneels in front of me and takes my hand in his.
“You’re not a bitch. I was only looking at her weird because I swear she looks familiar. I can tell you, one hundred
percent, I only have eyes for you. My Wren,” he whispers then kisses my hand. “You’re the only beauty I see.”
I lean down and press my lips to his, finally allowing the drama and stress to melt away. His lips are so soft and taste like chapstick and honey, somehow, and he wraps his fingers behind my head and sits up, laying me back on the bed and feathering my skin with kisses.
“Lincoln,” I whisper, my hands taking on a mind of their own as they roam his arms and my body reacts to his in ways it’s never reacted to anyone else when his lips find that spot on my collarbone. I gasp and arch up to him.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” he whispers, nuzzling his face in my cleavage, forcing a laugh to erupt from me. “But it’s so nice in here,” he says, looking up at me from his resting spot on my chest.
I laugh and push him off me and stand up. “I’m sorry for my freak out. I have no self- confidence when put up against my sister.” I shrug and roll my eyes. “God, I swear I’m not this depressing all the time.”
“I wish you’d think higher of yourself. You’re beautiful, Wren. The girl I love is standing right in front of me and she’s too stuck on comparing herself to everyone around her to realize how awesome she really is.” He gives me a small grin and the door to my room cracks open.
“Knock, knock,” Lark says. “Throw clothes on, I’m coming in!”
I laugh and throw a pillow at her. “We’re dressed, you fool. I’m just going to walk Lincoln and Carter out and I’ll be in to finish getting ready.”
After grabbing Carter from Lucy I carry him out to the truck and help get him buckled in.
“You’re really good for us, you know that?” Lincoln says as I close the back door of the truck cab. He braces his arms on the truck, trapping me in, and locks eyes with me. “I mean it. You’re too good to us,” he whispers. He dips his head and presses his lips to mine and I kiss him back like we’re not standing out in public. Who the hell cares? When his lips are on me I can’t find it in me to care about anything else.
“I should get him home,” he finally whispers, pulling away and resting his forehead on mine. “Text me after dinner. Don’t let your parents get to you, Wren. You’re smart, beautiful, brilliant, and I swear to God you’re the best artist I’ve ever seen. And, you rocked that interview last week, by the way.” He grins and I smile.
“I know,” I shrug nonchalantly. “They called today and offered me the job.”
“They did!” he exclaims and wraps his arms around me. “Holy hell that’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell me? When you do get to start on it?”
“It’s been a busy day. I didn’t want to take away from my sister arriving but they called right before you picked me up. I start in just a couple weeks.” I smile so wide when he kisses me; it’s pure excitement that has me wrapping my arms around him and him swinging me around in a circle.
“God, baby, I’m so proud of you. This…this is going to be great,” he whispers. “I love you, Wren.”
“I love you, Lincoln. Thank you for that opportunity. And thank you for helping out with my sister today. It was a much better experience than having my parents being there would have been, even with my little freak out.”
“I’ll always be here for you. Remember what I said about tonight.” He raises his eyebrows and hops in and starts his truck. “Later, babe.” He winks and something tugs at my memory but I blame it on the anxiety and as he pulls away I smile when he turns up the country music Carter loves so much.
Time to face the family and attempt to act like a normal, civilized union tonight.
“I have a job lined up for you, Wren,” my father states so nonchalantly over the oyster appetizer he ordered for all of us.
I hate oysters.
“I have a job. But thank you, father.” I don’t even look at him. I can’t. Not if I want to make it out of here tonight unscathed.
He laughs and my mother snickers next to him.
“Babysitting children isn’t a career, Wren. You’ll be working in the state offices next-aside your mother and I. The office is already cleared out for you.”
My sister’s eyes go wide as she picks at the oyster on her plate.
“Isn’t it so nice to have the entire family together again?” I ask, pasting on a fake smile.
“Don’t chastise your father, Wren,” my mother blurts.
“I’d do no such thing, mother. I’m simply stating how much I’ve missed this.”
“And now you’re being rude. How did we raise such a hellion?” my mother whispers, her eyes searing through mine.
“Takes one to know one,” I blurt, grinning.
“Enough,” my father states. “We’re out in public. You two will act like it.”
I clear my throat and fold my hands in my lap, attempting to keep my anger under control.
“Mom, Dad…thank you for the opportunity but I’ve been assigned the chair of the Arts and Human Services committee the historical society of Springfield has created and I’ve been commissioned to start on one of five historical building murals at the end of the month.” I beam, proud of how far I’ve come. And all thanks to Lincoln.
My parents look like they’ve seen a ghost, however.
“You what?” My father snaps. “That’s…that’s wow.” He laughs. “Well, I always knew you were stubborn headed. I’ll leave your spot open for you for when you finally get your head out of your ass and start living a grown up life.” He growls so low only we at the table can hear and I try to not let him get to me, but he does.
I glance over at my sister who’s in her own little world at the other end of the table.
“Ans, Ame, Andes… Ames!” she screams, her eyes going wide when she locks on mine and her face pales.
Ames is Lincoln’s middle name.
My face scrunches and I want to ask her how she knows his middle name but I’d rather not give away to my parents anything about him.
“Ames?” My mother says, pinning Lark with her gaze. Something in my mother’s look throws me off. “Lark, please…eat your food.” She grinds out the last three words and her eyes lock on mine briefly before returning to Lark’s.
“I mean…games. Games. We should play board games tonight,” Lark rambles.
“Unfortunately your mother and I have other plans tonight,” my father says, nodding at the waitress as she sets our food in front of us. “Eat up girls. We have to leave here in ten minutes.
I shake my head, happy tonight’s almost over.
By the time we make it home I’m drained from being on my best behavior. I shoot Lincoln a quick text.
Me: I wanted to come over but I need sleep asap. That was rough, but I made it.
He replies almost immediately.
Linc: So happy you’re home. Get good sleep. I love you.
Me: I love you so hard <3
I plug my phone in and head to the guest room where my sister’s staying. She’s on her laptop, deep in thought and concentration and when I peek my head in she slams it shut.
“I’m hitting the hay,” I say, curious what she was looking at.
“Yea. Okay, I’m meeting a few friends from school at Shelby’s,” she says. Shelby’s is a bar we always hung out at in High School. She never cards and would serve us no questions asked. Honestly, I’m not sure how she’s still open.
“Want me to come along?” I ask.
“Oh um…nah. Nope. It’s good. You get sleep. And, congrats on your big girl job. You’re a punk for not telling me.” She grins.
“Thanks. It just happened today.” I grin. “Night, Lark.”
“Night, Wren.” She says.
It’s weird having my sister here. It’s even weirder not staying the night at Lincoln’s place. Hell, half of my clothes are there and I had to buy another toothbrush to keep here because I kept leaving my things there too often.
Maybe one of these days I won’t be hopping between two houses.
When you’re a parent, your mind tends to fail you ninet
y percent of the time. Mine, lately, has been pretty bad. Sleep deprivation can do that to you. But something’s been bothering me since I dropped Wren off today.
Her sister.
She looks way too familiar and it’s eating at me like a son of a bitch.
I put Carter in bed an hour ago and I’ve been staring at my computer screen ever since, scrolling an old Facebook page trying to find her face.
It’s an old page because I don’t go by Linc anymore. I thought I was a badass, moving across the country and starting fresh. I told everyone there to call me Linc and I had all their asses convinced my last name was Ames. Linc Ames.
Jesus, I was a douchebag.
There were too many girls that would melt at the bad boy name that it stuck, and I guess my reputation did, too. Jesus, it’s been over a year since I’ve been active on this profile and I still have friend requests coming in from all over the place. Granted, I used to use this as a way of finding chicks so my profile pic is back when my abs were having better days, but still.
“Lark…Lark…” I mutter. “Why are you so familiar?”
I search her name but nothing comes up worthwhile and I’d think with a name like that, there wouldn’t be too many to weed through.
I have no one to ask about her, either. I didn’t stay in touch with anyone from school after I graduated; mainly because once the baby showed up on my doorstep I wasn’t one of the cool kids anymore. I was the one that everyone talked about but no one wanted to invite anywhere, but that was okay with me. I fell in love with that small blue bundle and was ready to get out of there as soon as the diploma hit my hand.
No one here knows anyone I went to school with either. My siblings were both finishing up High School when I went off to College. They didn’t ever visit, not that I blame them. That’s ass expensive to travel that far just to see your brother.
So, I’m left with the internet, and let me tell you- it’s a pain.