6. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Rebecca
S neaking out of the hotel room was probably one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done. It didn’t take me more than five minutes into the drive home to realize it, but I’m still thinking about it over a week later.
Part of me felt like it was self-preservation, to leave before he kicked me out. Before the disappointment settled in that it was me who he slept with. Or before the beer goggles wore off.
Ultimately, I was being a coward.
Staring at the fan spinning round and round above my head, I can’t help but want to kick myself. While it likely wouldn’t have led to more than another fuck, it would have been worth it. Just the thought of his hands running up my thighs sends a tingle through me.
Pluto jumps up on my bed with a loud meow, and I jolt from my overthinking. My hand clasps my chest over my heart. “Sheesh, cat. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
He tips his head to the side and looks at me with wide green eyes. We stare at each other for a moment before he starts purring and rubs his face against my chin.
“Okay, okay. I get it. You’re hungry.” With a sigh, I throw off the covers and climb out of bed, Pluto figure-eighting around my feet while I pull on a sweatshirt. It may be summer still, but Mom keeps the house a frigid sixty-five. She swears one day I’ll understand.
The damn cat nearly trips me as I walk down the stairs, then scurries away like he’s possessed. I shake my head at the insanity of my pesky feline. As crazy as he makes me, I’m going to miss him when I’m living on campus in a week. He’s been my cat for five years and it’s been nice to be home with him this summer.
“You’re up early.” Dad puts the coffeepot back with a thud and tightens the cap on his travel mug before adjusting his tie.
“Work.”
“Ah, yes. My daughter, the working girl. You know, you wouldn’t have to get up so early if you worked somewhere, I don’t know, in the same county?” It’s been a topic of contention since I took the job. Part of it is worrying about me driving that much in a day. But much of it is the wear and tear I’m doing to my already beat-up Toyota.
“I told you already. I want to have a solid start with my job before classes start. And Pineville City is only a half hour from Juniper Grove. Besides, it’s one of the best small businesses within a three-hour radius. If I want to learn about opening my own business, they’re who I want to learn from. Especially because Three Sticks is owned and operated by women.”
He holds his hand up and nods. “Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard the speech. As has your mother. I still don’t even understand why you chose a local college like Pineville. Not that it’s a bad school, but you could have done more, greater.”
I walk over to him and press up on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Because then I wouldn’t be able to be close to you, Daddy. And Mom. You’ll both need the support at times.”
Our eyes both turn in the direction of my parents’ bedroom.
“How is she today?”
His gaze settles on the ground, and he adjusts the lid on his coffee. “Better than yesterday. Worse than normal. I have a feeling she’ll be in bed most of the day.”
Shortly after I was born, my mother was diagnosed with severe depression. At first, they thought it was just postpartum and that she’d get over it. But she didn’t. The first time she tried to kill herself, I was four.
While she’s much better now, on a proper medication that helps her and has taken away any suicide ideation or tendencies, she still has bad days. Some where she cries a lot, some where she can’t get out of bed. But she also has good days, which became more common as my childhood went on and she found medications that worked for her.
“You’re fine to leave, Becky.” I roll my shoulders at the nickname. I’ve never really liked Becky, which is why I go by Bex. But my parents have never changed the nickname they gave me as a child. “I checked in with her this morning. She’s just tired and wants to sleep.”
“I’ll bring her home a muffin or something.”
A proud smile spans his face. “I’m sure she’d love that.” He flicks his watch out from his suit jacket. “Okay, I’m going to be late.”
With a quick peck against my forehead, he grabs his briefcase and heads into the garage where I hear the door open and his BMW start up. He’s a prominent attorney in the area, which helps make it so Mom doesn’t have to work and can have her bad days.
I chew the inside of my cheek as I contemplate the contents of the fridge. The sisters have generously offered for me to grab food and a coffee any time I want, on the house. Apparently, all of their employees are encouraged to eat or drink for free as a part of having good morale amongst the team.
I have yet to partake in that generosity, but Alina’s pastries always smell so damn delicious. My stomach grumbles at the mere thought.
A quick glance at the coffeepot has my lip snarling. Regular coffee just sounds so bland this morning. I need something that has a little more to it. Something…chocolatey.
Though it’s likely a million degrees out today, a piping hot mocha latte is calling my name. My mouth practically waters, especially when paired with what’s surely going to be one of the most delicious muffins I’ve ever tasted.
The firm craving of chocolate is reassuring. While Eli and I used protection, I always get a little nervous. Though the need for chocolate may have more to do with my solemn state than my anticipated cycle. Thankfully, I only have a few more days of waiting on edge.
Slamming the fridge door shut a little harder than necessary, I take the stairs to my room two at a time.
The mangled mess of covers on my bed only reminds me of the state in which I left Eli’s hotel room. When I got home early the next morning, I put my dress in my closet and crashed back into bed. Just looking at it made my stomach coil, and it has since landed in the back of the closet.
I’ve never found myself this strung out by a guy before, especially one I barely know. Though maybe that’s part of it. We shared such an intimate moment, slept curled into each other for several hours, and I didn’t get a chance to learn more about him. Or perhaps, I didn’t give myself that chance.
My thoughts are so consumed by the shoulda, coulda, wouldas while I shower that I can’t remember if I shampooed my hair. Many curly-haired girls opt to use conditioner only, but I have a hard time feeling like my scalp is truly clean, so I use a curl-friendly shampoo. Regardless, my hair’s either going to love it or hate it today.
The drive to Juniper Grove is a straight shot, but boring. It will be nice when it’s only half an hour.
The lights are on in the café when I park. Though things have been running a little differently than normal, or so I’m told at least, they still open quite early. I’m happy to be somebody they trust to be here first thing.
Liv moves through the café, her pink highlights floating around her as she wipes things down and sets chairs in proper places. She’s only a few years older than I am, married, with a young daughter, and a successful business. I aspire to be like her.
Walking in, I hear Liv talking to somebody and glance around until I find Alina, who's sitting behind the counter with her feet up and a hand over her giant belly. My eyebrows scrunch together because Alina hasn’t been in much lately.
“Ignore her. She’s not supposed to be here today.” Liv shoots a very pointed glare at her sister.
“I have to make sure the pastries are coming out right.”
“We’ve been doing just fine for the past two weeks. Why the sudden need to investigate? You taught Holly yourself. Said she was more than capable to not only take over for a few weeks, but to be a permanent assistant to you.” Liv stops and pops a hand on her hip.
“I don’t know, some need inside me pushed me to be here to check in. I was up anyway. I’m barely sleeping these days. Cam found me in the nursery folding clothes at two in the morning the other day.” Alina waves her hand like it’s not a big deal.
My eyes ping-pong back and forth between them, frozen in place.
“Nesting. It means baby’s almost here.” While Liv smiles, Alina pales.
Before either of them can say anything, the door swings open, the bell ringing as Mazie waltzes in. All three of them look at each other and, at the same time, all three ask, “What are you doing here?”
Mazie points to Alina behind the counter. “You’re supposed to be at home, resting up for the baby.”
Alina gestures right back at her. “And you’re supposed to be on your way to the airport for your honeymoon.”
“I know, I know. I just wanted to stop by quickly before I left to make sure everything is in order.” She looks around frantically, her bottom lip between her teeth. One thing I’ve learned in my few weeks here is that Mazie is the high-strung one, while Liv seems to be more laid back, and Alina falls somewhere in the middle.
Liv crosses the café and puts her hands on Mazie’s shoulders. “Everything is fine. We are good. Alina is just making sure Holly is on track with the pastries, I’ve got front of house like always, and Jay is all set to handle all the backend stuff for the week you’re gone.”
“And we trust him. Right?”
Liv’s jaw clenches, and I take a step back, afraid she might explode. “Yes, Maze. Not only is he my husband , but it’s kind of what he does for, you know, a living? He keeps businesses afloat.”
Mazie shakes her head and covers her eyes. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m nervous.”
“Everything will be fine. Look, Bex is already here to help out.” Liv extends her hand in my direction, and Mazie glances over at me, seemingly just now noticing that I’m standing here.
I smile and pull a piece of paper from my purse. “I, um. I have my class schedule. If that’s a welcome distraction?”
They’ve been mentioning it to me for days, but I kept forgetting to print it. Mazie and Liv stand behind me, while Alina ambles over to see too.
“Oh, look! Professor Baker. That’s our brother.” Liv smiles proudly.
“Wait, you guys have a brother? I thought it was just the three of you.” He’s never come up in conversation before, and I always assumed it was just them. Does he have a hand in Three Sticks? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him here.
“We do. He’s been a bit of a…recluse for the past year or so. But he’s a great teacher.” They all nod enthusiastically with wide eyes. It makes my stomach flutter.
That not only gives me the added pressure of doing well, but also that I have to like him as a professor. They’re his sisters. Of course, they think he’s wonderful. But have they ever taken a class with him? Probably not.
Before anyone can utter another word, the bell above the door jingles, and we all turn toward it.
Zach stands just beyond the threshold, a hand on his hip and the other flicking out his watch. “Maze, baby, I know you’re nervous. But come on. We’re going to miss our flight.”
She swallows roughly and doles out hugs, even to me. It’s another thing I’ve loved about working here so far. The Bakers include everybody and welcome you like one of their own.
It makes me realize how lucky their husbands are to have married into the family, and I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to be considered a Baker.