I Never Expected You

by Stefanie Jenkins

  Cami: What’s going on? Trouble in paradise for you and Hottie McHotterson?

  Ugh. I wish she would stop calling him that. All these years later, I had hoped that she would start calling him Zach, but nope!

  Me: No, things are great. I’ll explain it all later. You’re the best.

  Cami: Let’s meet up before we leave, and I’ll give you the key.

  Me: Sounds great.

  Cami: Kisses! Talk to you soon. Xo

  “Well, looks like you came through again, big bro. I have to go and tell Zach about my plan. I promise to look after her.” I push off the ground and stand, brushing off the grass that stuck to me. I lean down and kiss the headstone. “Love you, big bro. I’ll see you soon.”

  The drive from Philly to Annapolis was not a pleasant one. It was spent in silence as I relived the last twelve hours over and over in my head. My mind has been a mess ever since Dani called last night. Add the little sleep and my fight with Haylee, and I’d say I’m a recipe for disaster today. I hate seeing Haylee upset; it kills me inside. Especially to know I am the reason behind it. She asked for space, and I knew I had to give it to her, no matter how much it killed me. I did this, so I needed to give her what she wanted.

  I should have never said what I said; I didn’t mean it. My head was reeling from the newfound information that my sister wanted to come home. I mean, of course, I have spent the last few years begging to hear my sister’s voice, but I didn’t mean for it to come out the way it did. I know Haylee has been asking for the same thing. I could never forget our situations.

  As I park in the driveway of my childhood home, I contemplate waiting here in the Jeep for Haylee to arrive so we can walk in together, but what if she doesn’t show up? She said she would be here, but I don’t even know where she’s gone. I put on my best brave face as I approach the front steps, wishing and praying that the expression on my face won’t give everything away.

  I enter the colonial-style home and am greeted by my mother coming down the stairs.

  “Hi, honey.”

  “Hi, Mom.”

  I lean in and kiss her cheek.

  “Where’s Haylee?”

  I clear my throat. “She had some things to take care of. She should be here shortly.” I hope.

  “Oh, okay. I’m sure she’ll be here soon. That girl is always on the move.” She continues down the hall.

  Good, she bought it; now I just have to hope that Haylee does keep her word and show up.

  I pull my phone out of my pocket and check it for what seems to be the millionth time since she stormed out this morning. Why hasn’t she responded to any of my texts? An unnerving feeling settles in my chest as I think of all the unanswered texts from my sister over the years.

  No, stop thinking like that, Zach. She is nothing like Dani in that regard. Get your head out of your ass.

  As I go to pull up her contact and call her, my dad and Brian come around the corner from the kitchen.

  “Zach! Come join us. Your mother and Natalie are bringing in some appetizers and lemonades. Sit.”

  My dad motions to the couch, so I join them in the living room and take a seat. I stare out the front window in hopes of seeing her blue Honda Civic pull into the driveway. My leg won’t stop bouncing on the ground.

  “Son, you okay?” I jump at the sound of my father’s voice. “You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

  “Is it finally the moment? Are you going to pop the question? That ring must be burning a hole in your pocket. I can’t believe you haven’t asked her yet. You need to get down on one knee and do it.” Brian light-heartedly jokes, but I know that he is as anxious as I am for me to ask her.

  I scoff. “Trust me, it’s not for lack of trying. Something always seems to come up. But no, that’s not it.”

  If only it were as simple as asking my girl to spend the rest of our lives together—that is a cakewalk compared to this. How am I going to explain to my parents that after three and a half years, my sister has finally called out of the blue? How do I explain that she’s coming to stay with us? I have no clue whether she would or had called them yet.

  Just then, Mom and Natalie walk in with a tray of lemonade and a plate of assorted finger foods. They are always going above and beyond for these get-togethers. I think they like to keep busy.

  My mom hands me a glass of lemonade before taking a seat next to me. I take a rather large swig to calm my nerves. As I go to place it down on the table in front of me, I almost knock it over. I quickly recover and wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. Damn, did they crank the heat up in here or something?

  “Sweetheart, are you okay?” My mom places a hand on my jittery leg.

  Okay, it’s now or never, before I completely ruin our day with anxiety. Just as I go to open my mouth, the front door flies open.

  “I’m sorry I’m late, everyone.”

  I look back out the front window and see Haylee’s car parked next to mine. How did I miss the sound of the car in the driveway or the driver’s-side door shutting? I am quick on my feet, rushing to her as the front door closes. I reach for her, and she comes willingly into my embrace. I hold her tight as she buries her head in my chest.

  “Oh, thank God you’re okay. I’m so sorry, baby. I wasn’t thinking. I was a fucking idiot.”

  I pull back and take that time to run my hands over her face, brushing her hair out of her face. My girl is perfect, though when her eyes meet mine, I see that they are puffy and red-rimmed. It breaks my heart a little more knowing that I upset her so much.

  “Are you okay?”

  She smiles softly at me and, just barely above a whisper, says, “Yes. I’m okay now. I just had to step away from the situation for a little bit.”

  “Where did you go? You had me so worried.”

  “You had a chance to talk to your sibling; I needed time to talk to mine. It’s okay though. I came up with a plan. I’ll explain it all later, but I think first thing’s first: we need to tell everyone she’s coming home.”

  I run my hands over my face, expelling a loud breath, knowing everyone is just in the other room. Haylee steps close, pressing her body against mine. She rises on her toes, her mouth now inches away from my mine.

  “It’ll be okay. I’m here. We’re going to do this together. You and me against the world, okay?” She presses her lips against mine.

  We pour so much emotion into that kiss, as if I’m apologizing for my words earlier and she’s giving me strength to do this. When we break apart, I grab her hand and lace our fingers together. I bring our joined hands to my lips. Pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles, I tilt my head toward the living room.

  “Come on. Everyone is waiting for us.”

  We walk hand in hand to the living room, and I expect to see everyone deep in conversation except everyone is staring at us with mouths open. The silence and tension in the room is ready to explode.

  My father is the first to speak. “I’m sorry. Could you repeat what you said, Haylee?”

  I swallow hard, and my grip on Haylee’s hand tightens.

  Oh, fuck.

  Well, I’m not sure how Zach planned to tell them that Dani called, but I don’t think it was them overhearing it from my big mouth. At least the secret is out now. Silence fills the room as our parents try to process what Zach just told them. Zach and I are currently sitting on the couch across from our parents.

  My hand hasn’t left Zach’s since we walked into the room. I run my thumb over his skin, trying to reassure him. Nerves and anxiety surround him.

  “My baby girl is coming home?” Kelly asks. Her voice is shaking, and Adam tries to comfort her with his arm around her.

  Zach’s leg bounces nervously, and I place my hand on his thigh.

  He briefly looks up to me and smiles weakly before turning back to his parents. “Yeah, Mom.”

  All at once, questions come flying out of nowhere.

  “Is she safe?”

  “Is she okay?”

 
“Where is she?”

  “Why didn’t she call us?”

  “Does she need anything?”

  “How long will she be staying?”

  My head is spinning from everyone speaking at once. My grip tightens on Zach.

  I interrupt the slew of questions. “Okay, slow down. One question at a time.”

  I rub Zach’s back in a circular motion. I’m not used to being the one put together. He is usually the strong one. But that’s just how we work; if he needs my strength, I will be there for him, and vice versa.

  “Go ahead, babe.”

  Zach clears his throat. “She called last night. She said she is living in some New Hampshire town and is tying up some loose ends there before heading this way. I offered her the guest room for as long as she likes.”

  The tears are falling steadily down both my mom and Kelly’s faces. This is a conversation we all have only dreamed of the past four years. I would never have thought this would become a reality; I am sure that is how they feel too. Adam squeezes Kelly’s shoulder, bringing her closer to his chest.

  “When is she supposed to arrive?” my dad asks as he rubs his hand up and down my mother’s arm.

  “Monday.”

  Kelly jumps to her feet. “Well, we should be there when she arrives, right? We have to be.”

  Oh, no.

  Side conversations begin, and I can hear my mom and Kelly making plans to come to the house. No, this just won’t do. This is not the right way to go about this. Smothering her is only going to make her run again. Like Emmett reminded me, Dani and I were a team. This isn’t what she would have wanted.

  My voice is stern and direct. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”

  Everyone turns their attention to me, confusion all over their faces. Kelly sits back down.

  “I just think there’s a reason she reached out to only Zach.” I hate it just as much as everyone else that I haven’t heard from her either, but now is not the time to hash out those feelings. “But I know my best friend, and there’s a reason she chose now to come home finally.”

  “Did she indicate any reason?” Adam runs his hands over his face in distress.

  At that moment, it’s as if I see a glimpse of Zach in the future. Not only do they look alike, but Zach and his dad’s mannerisms are so similar.

  Zach, who has grown quiet yet again, responds, his voice just above a whisper. “No.”

  I chime back in. “All I’m saying is that we have no clue where her mind is now. If she’s still in the same mindset as when she left, we don’t know. I think if we bombard her or smother her by us all showing up, she may just leave again. And I, for one, am going to do everything in my power to keep her here. I think it should just be Zach.”

  “Well, how will that work? She’s going to see that you live there too obviously. How did Dani react to the news of you two?” My mother’s words sting a bit as I flash back to our fight this morning.

  My gaze turns to Zach. He exhales loudly. “I was so shocked that she called, it didn’t actually come up.”

  “What didn’t come up?”

  “Me.”

  Their expressions go from sadness to shock.

  “I know. I know. But I couldn’t believe I was actually talking to my sister—I didn’t mean to overlook that.”

  He turns his body to face mine on the couch and reaches up to cup my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “I’m so sorry, baby. I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry.”

  The tears I’ve been holding back this entire conversation begin to fall.

  “You are the most important person in my life, and I’m not going to keep us a secret. We’re going to tell her.”

  Okay, Haylee, time to tell him the plan. Just rip the Band-Aid off. He might not like this, but it’s for the best.

  “No, we’re not.”

  This time it’s Zach who flies off the couch. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Zachary Jacobs, you watch your tone, young man,” his mother scolds.

  He holds up his hands in defeat, but he doesn’t sit back down.

  “We’re not going to tell her. At least not yet.”

  “Are you insane?” I can see the tension rippling through his body.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I catch our parents rising from their seat and exiting the room. Assholes. But I’m glad they did leave. This wasn’t exactly how I had planned to tell him.

  I pat the couch next to me for him to sit down. He continues to stand, holding my gaze.

  Deep breaths, Haylee. He will understand.

  “Do you trust me?”

  His head snaps in my direction. His brows furrow and his forehead scrunches.

  “What? Of course I do. Why would you ask me that?”

  “Sit.”

  I adjust myself on the couch so I am now facing him. “So, remember how Cami was going out of town?”

  “Yeah, for a few weeks, right?”

  I nod. “Well, she asked if I would just check in on things while she was gone and said it was cool that I just stay there instead.”

  Zach goes to protest, and I hold up my finger at him before continuing.

  “It’s not for forever, just at first. Cami’s apartment isn’t that far from the house, and we can pretend that it’s back in our early dating days when I still lived in the dorms. It’ll be okay, I promise.” I plead with my eyes to accept this.

  Zach reclines back on the couch, stretching his legs out, and runs his hands over his face. I pull his hands down from his face.

  “Let’s just let her adjust.”

  He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “I don’t like this.”

  “I know, baby. I know.” I rub circles on his back to soothe the tension.

  I push to my feet and hold out my hand for him. He takes it, wrapping his long fingers around mine, and rises before pulling me into his arms. I melt into him. It’s hard to believe it was just this morning we were fighting. I look up at him and rise on my toes to brush my lips gently against his.

  “Are you sure about this? I think my sister will understand.”

  “I’m sure. And I’m sorry that my big mouth is the reason they found out.”

  A devilish smirk erupts on Zach’s face. “Hey, I love that big mouth of yours.”

  I whack him in the chest and groan. “Perv!”

  I turn in the direction of the kitchen, but am quickly pulled back into Zach’s arms with my back to his front. I feel his stubble against my cheek.

  “And it’s fine. Honestly, I still hadn’t figured out how I was going to tell them, so thanks for saving me.”

  Zach and I enter the kitchen to find everyone around the island quietly talking. Kelly is holding a photo. Once I’m closer, I see that it’s a photo of all of us at graduation, the last picture we have of Dani. She looks up from the picture with tears in her eyes.

  “So now what do we do?”

  Zach goes to open his mouth, but Adam speaks first. “Now we wait.”

  Now we wait.

  This has been the longest day ever. As I pull into the driveway, I just want to curl up in bed with Zach and sleep for days, but I know that is not an option. I somehow beat him home, but I know he is just minutes behind me. Once inside, I throw my purse and keys on the coffee table and begin taking down the photos of Zach and me over the years, leaving the empty nails in their place.

  “So you’re really doing this? You’re just going to pretend that, what, this isn’t our life? That we aren’t together?”

  I turn to face Zach, and distress is written all over his face.

  “Zach, it’s not like that.”

  “Please, Hails, tell me what it’s like, because I’m having a tough time understanding this.”

  I step up to him and brush my knuckles along his cheek. I thought we had settled this back at his parents’ house. I love him so much more though, knowing that he doesn’t want to hide us.

  “This isn’t something I want, but�
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  “Then let’s not do it. Let’s just put these back on the wall.” He reaches for the photos in my hand. “And when she arrives in a few days, we are both here, ready to face the world.”

  “Baby, I just need you to trust me, okay? Can you please do that? This isn’t easy for me; trust me. I’ve spent the past few years without my best friend, and as much as I love you, sometimes I just needed her. For all the moments we missed, I need to give her time and not give her a reason to run.” My voice begins to break.

  Zach sets the photos down on the end table, and his arms encompass me. “All right, Hails, we’ll do this.”

  He dips his head, claiming my lips eagerly. When we part, I am breathless. He scoops me into his arms and carries me to the bedroom.

  “What are you doing? I need to pack up my stuff.”

  “Nope. If you’re going to make me spend my nights alone in bed, then I better make this night count.” He kicks the door shut.

  I’m greedy for his touch, and who am I to deny him what he wants? I’ve spent almost three years sleeping next to this man. I know it’ll be an adjustment for both of us, but I need to remember this is for the best and it’s not for forever. I’ll be back in our bed before we know it.

  I roll over and reach out in hopes of pulling Haylee closer to me only to find her gone already. She was serious, wasn’t she, about this. I can’t believe she just woke up and left. Why didn’t she wake me? I push up on my forearms, and something on her pillow catches my attention—a note.

  Hey,

  See what this is? A note! You should learn about those sometime, so when people wake up and you’re gone, they won’t freak out. :-P

  Years later and we are still not past this one mistake I made? True, it almost cost me everything, so yeah, I guess we are still bringing it up. I cringe at the memory of that asshole Chad’s arm around her and start to crumple up the note. Oh, shit. I read on.

  I left early before you could try to convince me more to stay. Just kidding. I met Cami to get her key and get her to show me a few things.