Chapter 43 Chilly Chats
Chilly Chats
Maisie
Lauren doesn’t leave my side as we make our way through the elaborate chandelier-topped foyer, snake through the formal dining room—already set extravagantly for tomorrow’s festivities—or enter the kitchen and run into the first family member.
Dad.
We’ve barely spoken since that day in the hallway after my first meet—well, other than details about coming home or checking that I did, in fact, take the back three and a half off my competition list.
Sometimes I wish he would back off a little.
I realize that since getting to college, the space has done me good.
I’m starting to see how suffocating all his ideals for me truly are.
But still, I let him wrap me in a hug, and I rest my head on his chest, his cheek coming to rest atop it, like we’ve done my whole life.
He may be intense sometimes, but he’s still my dad.
“Hiya, Bean,” he whispers into my hair, using the nickname he’s had for me since I was “the size of a bean.” “It’s so good to have you home.
” He punctuates the sentiment with a kiss to the top of my head before pulling away.
I sigh. He looks back and forth between Lauren and me. “What are you two going to do today?”
“I’m planning to kidnap her for a few hours. See what she’s been up to. It’s been too long,” Lauren says, resting the back of her hand on her forehead, feigning deep dramatics.
“Well, don’t keep her away too long, or your Aunt Madeline will throw a fit. Honestly, I might too,” he says with a laugh.
“There’s plenty of me to go around,” I say, patting both of them on the shoulder.
Dad rolls his eyes, and Lauren barks out a laugh before grabbing my wrist and dragging me to the next part of the house. We find Aunt Kaity in Dad’s study, her feet propped up against his expansive walnut desk.
When we enter, she throws her hands up in excitement, shouting, “My babies! Oh, Maisie, sweet girl, how are you?”
She rushes me, arms outstretched, and we practically topple over. She sways me side to side, her cushioned body and familiar scent causing me to melt into her comfort. I’ve always loved Aunt Kaity. In some ways, I feel closer to her than to my own mother.
“I’m good, I’m good—oof,” I get out as she squeezes me a little too hard.
“Sorry about that.” She pulls back, grinning. “Sometimes I feel like I could just squeeze you ’til you pop, I love you so much.”
All three of our smiles widen. The air of laughter, comfort, and joy is infectious in this stuffy room.
“Where’s Aunt Madeline?” Lauren asks her mom. “Wasn’t she with you when I went to check on Maize’s arrival?”
“Yes, yes, she was.” Aunt Kaity sounds less than enthused. “I think she said something about a phone call. I’d try the den or her room.”
“Aye aye, Captain.” Lauren salutes and grabs my wrist again, leading me through my own house like I haven’t been here before. God, I’ve missed her.
We navigate down a small set of steps to check the den, but no luck.
Instead of going back the way we came, however, Lauren slides open the door to the patio and pulls me out behind her.
It’s furnished with wrought-iron benches and chairs, all circling an unfortunately covered firepit.
I stare at it as if I could will a blaze into existence and wrap my arms around myself for warmth.
“What are we doing out here?” I question Lauren, teeth already chattering.
“I wanna know what’s really going on with you without anyone hearing.” Lauren taps her foot, waiting for a response, apparently unaffected by the cold.
“About what?” I ask, shivering.
She pinches her eyes together and spikes a brow, like I’m the one being ridiculous when she’s the one who dragged us out here and isn’t telling me exactly what she wants to know.
“What happened between you and Connor on your little road trip? Your little overnight road trip?” She crosses her arms, waiting for my reply.
My body suddenly goes hot, a flaming contrast to the cold all around us. “Well, for starters, there was only one room left with…one bed.”
She squeals and claps her hands. “And how was that?” she prods.
“It was…amazing.” I blow out a breath, and the chilled air forms a cloud. “Everything is so comfortable with him, and we sort of hooked up a little?”
I jump back at more squealing from Lauren. Someone is going to come looking for us if she keeps this up.
“But,” I interrupt her excitement, “I don’t think we can be together like that. I feel…broken, Lo. Karsen really did a number on me.”
She all but growls at the mention of Karsen. “That piece of shit doesn’t deserve to live on the same planet as you.”
“Yeah, well, I was with that piece of shit for two years, so what does that say about me?”
Her eyes soften. “It says you wanted to be loved. Like we all do. It’s his fault that he chose not to give it the way you deserve.
Not yours. And young love is confusing at the best of times.
Please don’t blame yourself for his actions.
” She scoops me into her arms for a hug, and I nuzzle in like I’ve done since we were little.
“And I’m sorry you feel broken. I’m not invalidating that. I just wish you could see yourself through my eyes, MaiMai. And I’m willing to bet Connor sees you in a pretty damn good light too.” The unexpected wetness in my eyes trickles down the slope of my cheek.
I squeeze her back as hard as I can, and now it’s her turn to let out the oof.
“Sorry,” I say, but I’m not really. I don’t know where I’d be without her.
I’m so glad we’re finally together in person.
“We’ll see. I’m still afraid he’s gonna bolt again.
I don’t think I can handle losing him as a friend.
I don’t want this to ruin us. We’ll talk when he comes to pick me up, but I’m not holding my breath. ”
She’s about to say something else when we both turn at the sound of the sliding glass door opening.
Mom says, “What are you girls doing out here? It’s freezing!”
We share a knowing look and smile before heading inside together.