“Do you realize how childish you’re being? You aren’t the only one who considers Zach a friend. Do you feel the need to approve of everyone he wants to date? Does my opinion count for anything?”
“You’re my sister. If he says something awful to you or breaks your heart, I’m required to be mad, but he’s my best friend.”
“You mean something awful like accusing me of chasing him?”
“I was mad.”
“I know.” I rubbed my temples. “I’m not sure talking about it is helping.”
“I don’t want you to be mad at me.” He held open his arms. “Please.”
If was just like him to sound sweet and act as if he was apologizing, but he wasn’t. Nothing had changed.
But I would look like the meanie if I walked away angry. I hugged him. “You’re my brother. Nothing will change that.” Non-apologies ran in the family.
“I’m glad we sorted that out.” He picked up his keys. “I’ll be home later.”
After stewing for a little while, I headed to Zach’s. It wasn’t fair that I’d made him wait so long for an answer.
Chapter 22
When I was almost to Zach’s front door, the sound of his guitar stopped me. He was out on the back porch.
I took the path around the house, ready to surprise him on the patio. That serene space had become our spot.
Voices were drowned out by the music, but then he stopped playing.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Haley, but it looks like you’ve gotten over it.” Why was Hank here? Where was his truck?
“What are you talking about?” Zach didn’t bother to hide the irritation in his voice.
“Your cat, Zach. He busted you.” Hank laughed.
My stomach fell.
“Crap! Waldo, get back here.” Zach’s voice drew closer.
Positioned like a catcher, I was ready, and when Waldo bolted around the corner, I caught that cat and took back what was mine. “I’ve been looking for these.”
Zach ran into view and stopped. “Hey.” He glanced back toward the porch. “Does this mean you’re ready to talk?” Pointing to Waldo, he shook his head. “I had no idea he’d stolen those.”
I put Waldo down. “I know. You said you’d put my things in my bag, but of my lacy things, only my bra made it home. And yes, I’m ready, but you have company. I can—”
“He can wait.” Zach touched my cheek. “I want to hear what you have to say.”
For all the time I’d taken to think about things, the answer I’d planned wouldn’t come out of my mouth. My head and my heart didn’t agree. And my heart was right.
I’d come prepared to be the dutiful sister, putting family above all else. But I was no longer the little kid who believed all the rules her older brother laid out. If I walked away from Zach now, I’d regret it forever.
Inching forward, I put a hand on his chest and looked up at him. “I can’t think of the right words to say. Maybe if you kiss me, it’ll help me think.”
My feet left the ground as he pulled me against him. “With pleasure.”
Kissing Zach, I forgot that my brother was around the corner. Until he wasn’t.
“What in the world?” Hank pointed at my hand, where I was clutching what Waldo had stolen. “They’re hers?” He turned a shade I’d never seen before.
Zach nudged me behind him and turned to face Hank. “It’s not what you think.”
“You lied to me. You said there was nothing to be concerned about, but the whole time you were . . . you were wooing her.”
Now was the wrong time to giggle. Preventing that giggle caused my tongue to bleed a little.
“Wooing, yes. But nothing else.” Zach reached back and clasped my hand. “You were worried that if I dated Haley, it would ruin everything. And that’s not true. It wouldn’t.”
Only once before had I ever seen Hank so upset.
He puffed up his chest then blew out a breath slowly. Rage radiated off him. “Haley, may I borrow your car? Mine’s at the shop and won’t be ready until morning.”
While it wasn’t the time for tangents, I couldn’t help myself. “How did you get here?”
“Zach met me at the garage down the road. Why? That has nothing to do with . . .” He waved his hands between Zach and me. “Can I have the keys or not?”
“Hank, don’t do this. Don’t leave.” I looked at Zach, then at Hank.
“I’m not staying. You can come with me, or you can give me the keys.” He stuck out his hand.
Zach tensed, and his gaze cut to me. “Grow up, Hank. This isn’t a game of Truth or Dare. She doesn’t have to choose.” Sighing, he kissed me on the temple. “Go with your brother.”
I hugged him and hoped he understood how much his words meant. Then I hooked a thumb over my shoulder. “Okay, Hank. Let’s go.”
Hank glared at Zach then followed me to the car. Once he buckled his seatbelt, I drove home.
Silence sat between us like a three-hundred-pound bunny. I’ve never seen one that big, but I imagine it would be scary and unsettling. The silence wasn’t scary, but it was unsettling.
When I pulled into the driveway, Hank opened his door. “Thanks for choosing me.”
“I didn’t.” I leaned across and yanked his door closed. But I didn’t want you driving off with my car.
He blinked, and I backed out of the driveway.
My phone rang over and over as I drove. Hank could leave his apology on my voicemail. How dare he wedge me into a place where I had to choose between love and family. I mentally corrected myself—a chance at love.
Kissing Zach was exhilarating and fun, but it was the comfort of being liked in spite of my quirkiness that made my heart thud when he focused those green eyes on me. Even if this relationship with him was temporary, I’d kick myself if I didn’t take this chance.
Years of thought had been dedicated to him.
I parked next to the Explorer.
Zach was playing the guitar again, so I walked around the house and smiled when I noticed the newly started fire in the center of the pit. “Hi.”
He tugged a chair closer to him and patted the seat. “Moon Pies are on that little table, and there’s an RC Cola in the cooler.”
“You knew I was coming back?”
A weary smile curled his lips. “I hoped.”
I sat down. “I feel like I’m messing everything up.”
“Hank and I will be fine. Once, in college, we dated the same girl.” He strummed a soft tune.
“At the same time?”
“Yep. Neither of us knew for the first week. When he found out—I’d never seen him so mad . . . until tonight. He didn’t speak to me for a month. And that was awkward because we were roommates.”
“This story is only making me feel worse, Zach.”
He laughed. “We got past that. We’ll figure this out too.”
“How did you figure that out? What happened?” I wanted the step-by-step method to make everything better.
“I stopped seeing her, and Hank dated her until she dumped him a month later.”
“You were hoping I wouldn’t ask about that part, huh?”
“Right.” He continued to play.
I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes. Sitting here on the patio with Zach was nearly perfect, but it felt bittersweet.
Zach stopped playing.
I opened my eyes in time to see him tucking the guitar back into the case.
“I hate that you’re upset.” He brushed at my cheek. “Tears make me uncomfortable.”
“I didn’t even realize I was crying.”
“You need a distraction.” He tapped his phone screen, and music started playing. “Will you dance with me?”
“I’d love to.”
He slipped an arm around me and held me close as we moved to the music. “And here, Harper won’t come barging in.”
I laughed.
“That’s a sound I love to hear.”
“You are the most romantic man ever. Has anyone ever told you that?” I leaned my head on his chest as we danced a circle around the fire pit.
Laughter rumbled in his chest. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but never that.”
Zach dragged chairs out into the yard then handed me a blanket. “It’s clear, so we have a good chance of seeing meteors.”
I snuggled under the blanket. “A warm fire, dancing, Moon Pies, and RC Cola—the night has been full of my favorite things.”
“You left something important off your list.” He leaned over my chair.
“What’s that?”
“Not a what. A who.” He brushed his lips on mine. “Thanks for coming back.”
“I hope we see lots of shooting stars. I have lots of wishes.” I spread the blanket so that it covered him also then rested my head on his shoulder.
He kissed my head. “Me too.”
We lay there, snuggled in the dark.
“Did you get tired of me chasing you and finally gave in?” I kept my gaze fixed on the sky.
He pointed. “Look.”
I squeezed his arm and silently made my wish as a tiny fiery ball streaked across the sky.
“I hadn’t gotten the memo that you were chasing me. I mean, when we were kids, you always smiled at me like I was something special. And you were always cheering for me. I liked that.”
“Keep talking.” I used the edge of the blanket to wipe away a stray tear.
“Are you crying? I don’t want you to cry.” He touched my face.
“Another shooting star.” I kissed him. “These are happy tears. Keep going.”
“But you were always Carrot, Hank’s little sister. Until Thanksgiving.”
The night came alive with meteors streaking across the sky. The conversation waited until the light display slowed down.
“I should get you home.” He stood and helped me up.
I hugged him. “Tonight turned out much better than I thought. And I have my car here.” I gathered the blanket.
“I’d like to drive you home. It’s two in the morning.” He folded the chairs. “I’ll pick you up whenever you want to get your car.”
“When do I get to hear the rest of the story?”
Zach grinned. “What do you want to know?”
“When we spoke at Christmas, this didn’t seem to be an option.” I stuck my hands in my pockets.
He shrugged. “That was before you quit talking to me and before I saw you dancing with Harper.”
“You were jealous!”
“I thought that was obvious.” He unlocked the Explorer. “If Hank gives you a hard time, I can—we can . . . probably—”
“I’ll be fine. But if things get really uncomfortable, Nacha said I could move in with her.”
“Because that wouldn’t make Hank really mad. You date his best friend and move in with his ex. I see that going really well.” Zach clasped my hand.
I hadn’t quite thought about it that way. “It’s option B.”
“We can only hope that option A works out.”
Chapter 23
Saturday morning, I woke up giddy and eager for Eve to get home. I couldn’t wait to fill her in on all that had happened since the wedding. Staying in bed meant I didn’t have to face Hank, so I enjoyed my happy bubble a little longer.
But when Zach’s Explorer pulled in the driveway—I’d become somewhat of an expert at identifying the sound of his engine—I hopped out of bed. Hank opened the front door as I walked down the hall.
“Hank, I don’t want to fight.” Zach was standing out of my line of sight.
Hank picked that moment to take a swing.
Less than a second later, Zach had Hank pinned to the wall. “I said I didn’t want to fight.”
“Quit it! Both of you.” My worst nightmare was playing out before my eyes.
Zach threw his hands up in surrender and stepped back. “I’m here to take him to pick up his truck. He texted me that it was ready.”
Hank stared at me, blinking. “You’re here.”
“I moved in weeks ago, Hank. Of course I’m here.” I hugged Zach. “Are you okay?”
“He didn’t get me. I was kind of expecting it.” He brushed hairs out of my face. “Please don’t be upset.”
I whipped around and glared at my brother. “What is wrong with you, Hank? Seriously?”
Zach stepped behind me and snaked an arm around my waist. “Is no one good enough for your sister, or is it just me who doesn’t measure up?”
The question broke my heart.
Hank shook his head. “Haley’s car isn’t here. And the cat had her . . .” He scrubbed his face. “I thought . . .”
“My cat has issues. Good taste, but serious issues. And I drove Haley home because we watched the meteor shower last night.” Zach stuck out his hand. “Truce?”
Hank eyed the extended hand but didn’t shake it. “I need some time.”
“What you need right now is your truck. Let’s go.” Zach pulled open the door. “When I come back, I’ll take you to breakfast, Carrot. If you want.”
Breakfast and Zach sounded like the perfect morning. “I’ll be ready.”
I watched them walk out to the Explorer, hoping they’d both make it back alive. Once they were out of sight, I ran back down the hall.
Somewhere between my shower and putting on shoes the perfect idea popped in my head.
Hank himself had told me the solution, but I was too wrapped up in everything to realize it. There was one person who made Hank a better person, who made him see reason. Clearly it didn’t always work because they were divorced, but I needed Nacha.
I texted Zach: Where are you taking me? I want to invite Hank along.
He sent the name of the restaurant. I already asked. He said no.
My perfect plan would have to wait.
After a quiet drive to the restaurant, I slid into a booth.
Zach tapped my arm. “Scooch over. I’ll sit next to you.”
“Are you worried?”
He draped an arm around me and looked over the menu. “He’ll come around. We’ll invite him next weekend. And every weekend after until he says yes.”
“I want you to know, that if this doesn’t work—if we have a falling out—I will still want Hank to be your friend.”
“I know.” He closed his menu and scanned the room.
Instead of feeling nervous jitters, I felt an ease around Zach. “This is strange.”
“Yeah. Usually the waitress comes to the table right away.”
I poked him in the side. “That’s not what I meant. You and me. In some ways, it feels like we’ve been dating for months.”
“A few good rounds of Truth or Dare, and we’d be up to a year in no time.” He smiled as the waitress approached the table.
“Sorry about making you wait. We had a mini disaster in the kitchen, but it’s all good now.” She flipped open her ordering pad. “What can I get y’all?”
“I’ll take the special with extra bacon. And a coffee.”
Zach handed over the menus. “I’ll take the same. She’ll need cream and sugar.”
“Coming right up.” The waitress hurried away.
“Like that. You know what I want in my coffee.”
“I noticed.”
“And that means something to me.” I waited for him to say something, but when he didn’t, I continued. “Seeing me dance with Harper changed your mind about us?”
“You are seriously chatty before coffee.” He tilted his head back. “Let me have a cup or two, then I’ll talk about my feelings as long as you want.”
This was a side of Zach I hadn’t seen.
“You faked it pretty well earlier. I’m sorry you had to duck Hank’s punches before you’d even had coffee.”
He gave a slow nod.
I really would have to wait until he had coffee.
The waitress arrived with the coveted black gold, and Zach downed half a cup before I’d doctore
d mine to perfection.
He flashed a smile. “I’m definitely going to need more than one cup, but this is a good start. And like I told you last night, this isn’t the first time Hank and I have been at odds.”
“I’ve never seen you fight before.”
“You must not have been tagging along then.” He played with my curls.
“I hate that I’m the reason.”
“It’s not the only time you’ve been the reason for a fight.” He leaned back as the waitress set plates on the table. “Thank you so much. This looks great.”
“I’ll check in with y’all in a bit, hun.” She moved on to the next table.
“You can’t drop a comment like that and not give me more information.” I shook my head as he picked up his fork. “Tell me.”
“Eat first.” He kissed my temple.
The suspense made me hungry.
True to his word, before I’d consumed my extra bacon and after he’d finished his second cup of coffee, Zach patted my hand. “I’ll talk now.”
“What do you mean it’s not the first time you’ve argued with Hank about me?”
“He hated having you tag along. To me, it wasn’t a big deal. You laughed at my jokes. But the only time we really fought was when I suggested that you go camping with us.”
“I’ve never been camping with the two of you.”
“Because I didn’t win that fight.”
“You fought about it? As in throwing punches? Why would you do that?” The story made me angry at my brother, but it gave me a different perspective on Zach.
He chewed his lip a second. “I’m trying to figure out how to say this without putting my foot in my mouth.”
“Just say it.” I looped my arm around his. “I can handle it.”
“I didn’t have any sisters . . . or brothers for that matter. And I never thought of you as any more than Hank’s little sister. I haven’t been harboring a secret crush on you for years, but I liked having you around.”
“Nothing you just said explains anything about a fight. But I’m flattered that you didn’t mind having me around.” I made sure my last sentence dripped with sarcasm.
He laughed. “We had a camping trip planned. It was right after I’d gotten dumped in the middle of the cafeteria. You probably heard about that.”
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