Chapter 6 Ally
ALLY
I’m heading back to my childhood home after picking up some dinner from Pickle my parents always made me a priority, but I was never as charismatic as Quinn.
Our differences played a major role in our social lives.
She got along with everyone better than I did, so people flocked to her.
Girls wanted to be her, and boys wanted to be with her.
When it came to me, though, I felt like I scared everyone off.
They avoided all interaction with me, so reading became a way to fill the void that loneliness had etched in my soul.
Eventually, that isolation led to anger, and then I lashed out on those around me.
It was a snowball effect from there; I started manipulating situations to get attention and pushing boundaries just because I could.
So I guess even if I was on the outside looking in, I sort of put myself there.
I grab my things and enter through the cluttered garage, filled with boxes of mementos and belongings my parents will never get rid of.
Cobwebs gather in the corners, and the musty smell greets me the same way it has my entire life.
I sigh and push through the door into the kitchen, setting the food down on the counter, then grab the kettle from its permanent spot on the stove top.
I fill it up with water and place it back on the stove, turning it on to prepare for tea while I read.
Alcohol has never been my thing, but a strongly brewed cup of tea? Count me in any day of the week.
My phone dings with a text from my sister as I’m grabbing my favorite box of Earl Gray from the cabinet.
Quinn: Hi. Are you home?
Me: Yes? I just got here.
Me: What’s up?
Quinn: Can I stop by?
Well there goes my bath night…
Me: Of course, when?
Quinn: Twenty minutes!
Well at least I have enough time to finish my food…
but definitely not enough time for a bath.
Not that I wish she wasn’t coming over. I’d trade damn near everything to have a better relationship with my sister, so if she wants to come see me after I almost ruined her chance at love, my door is always open.
Besides, the bath will be there for me when she’s gone, along with my book and cup of tea, and it’ll be the perfect relaxing night after an overwhelming day.
Even if it wasn’t quite as overwhelming as I originally thought it was going to be. In fact, it wasn’t even remotely as scary as I thought.
I’m not sure what I imagined being a nanny for Cooper and Lucas would look like, but it definitely wasn’t the relaxing time I had with them this afternoon.
Not only was Lucas extremely well mannered, but he also knew the rules, was super funny, and overall, I could just tell he wanted to make sure I felt comfortable… just like his dad.
Which honestly was the weirdest part.
I caught him staring out of the corner of my eye a few times when Lucas was showing me around, and he almost looked at me in shock.
Me too buddy, me too.
I definitely didn’t imagine that I would be sitting around with Lucas while he showed me his book collection along with his rock collection that he named.
But alas, here we are.
Maybe I’m evolving.
Just as I finish the first half of my BLT, the sound of the front door opening snags my attention. I swallow my bite just as my sister's voice carries through the entryway.
“Allllllly!” Her singsongy voice calls out.
“I'm in the kitchen!” I shout back as I get up to put my leftovers away. Then I grab the tea kettle and pour us both cups of tea.
“Hey,” I greet her as I grab her mug and pass it over.
“Is this green tea?” she practically squeals, her eyes lighting up as I nod. “Do you have honey?”
“Yeah, but I put an offensive amount in it already, so you’re probably good.”
“Aw. You still keep it stocked?!”
“Of course,” I tell her, her words a punch to the gut. They’re constant reminders that the expectation is on the ground for me—as disappointing as that is.
“So, tell me everything. Levi told me you went over and hung out with Cooper and Lucas today.”
“There’s not really much to tell. It was fine.” I shrug, not wanting to tell her about how I drooled when he lifted his shirt up to wipe his face, the brief peek at his abs enough to kick my libido into overdrive, and I had to put that bitch in reverse.
“Don’t lie to me. You’ve been dreading this for days, and now you’re telling me it was fine? Give me something, Al!” Quinn begs as she leans over to steal a fry.
“Help yourself,” I say as I slide the tray over to her.
“Thanks! Now spill, before I call Cooper and make him tell me his side,” she demands as she starts in on the rest of the food.
“What do you mean his side? I went over and he showed me around the place. Between him and Lucas, they showed me the house, the yard, and went over pretty much any and every rule they might have. Oh, and Lucas showed me where the sprinkles are because obviously that’s necessary information to know about every home you’re in, or at least that’s what I was told. ”
Quirking her eyebrow, she looks back up at me. “Huh?”
“Apparently there’s this big thing about waffles in the house, and Lucas was supposed to get sprinkles and never got sprinkles and now he’s super excited because I told him all waffles should have sprinkles,” I say as I lift my mug up, letting the heat flow through my fingers as I blow gently on my tea.
“So I take it you and Lucas got along okay?”
“I mean, yeah. He’s a cute kid, and he was smart enough that it made it less nerve-wracking to learn everything I need to know about their house and schedule and lives in general.
I mean, Cooper’s had the same nanny since Lucas was a baby, and this is the first time they’re having someone new.
I’m sure it’s as terrifying for them as it is for me. ”
I still remember him running up to me at the BBQ, his little smile when he met me that melted my heart, even if I didn’t want to admit it.
“First off, they’re not terrified. Second, I still don’t know the full story on their previous nanny, but I know the vibe I’m getting from Levi is that it’s a bit of a relief for Cooper that he’s getting some space.”
“What does that mean?”
“I honestly wish I knew. That’s all I could get from Levi before he went to the gym this afternoon.”
“Oh, is that why you stopped by?” I tease.
“Well, that and I just wanted to say hi. It’s going to be weird not seeing you all the time at work, so I wanted to wish you luck,” Quinn says as she twirls her hair, her eyes bouncing between mine and the food.
“It is going to be weird,” I agree, realizing everything really is changing. I’m about to get a swift kick in the ass from reality, and I need to prepare myself. “Maybe Lucas and I can come to one of the games when you’re not in the back with the players and we can just watch like old times?”
“Deal!” Quinn says as she stands up, looking down at her watch. “Shit. I’ve gotta get going so I can pick up my groceries before I head home. I have no food in my house, and I really don’t want to eat at a restaurant again.”
“Have fun. I need to do the same thing soon.”
“Will do! Text me tomorrow and tell me how it goes!” Quinn says, grabbing her purse, and with that, she’s out the door, the little tornado that could continuing on her path.
As I start to run my bath, adding in a bath bomb and some bubbles because…
why not…I realize this is the first time in a long time I sort of feel…
happy. Happy isn’t even the word I would use to describe this, although it does fit—it’s just what I’m feeling is more.
I feel more comfortable than I have in a very long time.
That is until I remember that I start my new job tomorrow and my blood pressure immediately starts to rise.
What is the saying? Oh, right. Fake it ’til you make it.
I can totally do this. They aren’t going to think I'm an idiot... I hope.