29. Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Elijah
A fter the weekend we just had, and the openness I experienced with Bex, also paired with her understanding of my need to be there for my sisters, I decide it’s time to finally let them know.
Thankfully, Alina’s call was not anything urgent. And while I’m frustrated I drove out there for something unnecessary, she had a good reason.
She explained that I’m so reclusive lately, and after everything that happened last year, they just want to have eyes on me every now and again. To make sure I’m doing alright because I don’t come around as much.
Guilt poured over me like thick syrup, sticking to my skin and holding things against me.
After a quick chat with Bex, we decide the following weekend is the perfect time. She’s scheduled to work Sunday and will absolutely not be taking the day off again.
I insist on driving both of us, figuring I’ll either hang around Juniper Grove for the day or head home and come back later. And to make sure all the sisters are present, I even asked Bex to ask Mazie to be there, despite the fact that she doesn’t usually work Sundays anymore.
Sitting in the car, staring into the café that’s like a second home, I’m riddled with anxiety. They’re my sisters, they love me no matter what. I think.
“So, how do you want to handle this?”
“I think it’s better if we go in separately, and then when they’re ready, I’ll tell them.” I don’t take my eyes off the picture window, nor do I stop picking at my lip.
Delicate fingers land on my arm, and I turn to see Bex’s brilliant jade eyes shining at me. “It’ll be okay.”
“Yeah. I’m not worried.”
She tips her head to the side and one corner of her mouth pulls down.
“Okay. Maybe I’m a little worried.” I take a deep breath, holding it for a beat before releasing it. “Why don’t you head in first. Get started with your routine or whatever. I’ll follow in a few minutes.”
She nods and moves to get out of the car, but I grip the back of her neck and pull her mouth to mine. With a light whimper, her fingers flutter to my chest.
“See you inside.”
I reach for her as she leaves, wanting to hold on to her alone for just a few more minutes. When it comes to Bex, I feel like I’m a kid who never learned how to share.
My gaze follows her as she walks in, getting nods and smiles from my family. It’s clear they’ve happily welcomed her into the business. Will they be the same about welcoming her into the family?
Not that we’re at that level yet, but just the general idea of her being my girl.
With a deep breath, I leave the safe confines of my car and plant my best big brother smile on my face as I walk into the café.
Liv’s face lights up, being the first to see me, and she runs over, throwing her arms around my neck. It makes the smile turn genuine. “What are you doing here? We weren’t expecting you.”
“Alina gave me a bit of a talking to the other day about how I’m not around as much, so I figured I’d swing by.” Great. Now I’m an asshole because that’s not why I’m here. “And there was something I kind of wanted to talk to you all about.”
Her eyebrows pull together, but she nods. “I’ll get Alina and Mazie from the back.” She hikes a thumb over her shoulder and goes through the door into the kitchen.
A quick glance has me noticing my three brothers-in-law, but I can’t bring myself to talk to them, not yet. Not even Zach, my supposed best friend. I don’t think he’d be mad that I talked to Jameson and not him, but I don’t think he’d appreciate it much either.
Instead, I grab a table, rearranging it a bit so that we’re at one big one with chairs all around instead of a few smaller tables. Though maybe space would be my friend right now.
Without giving it much more thought, I sit at one end. When Bex looks my way, I raise a hand and act like the good old professor I am. “Hey, Bex. I forgot you mentioned you work here.”
Idiot. I’m an idiot. I sound like one, I look like one, and if Jameson overhead me, I’m sure he’s thinking I’m one.
She comes over and stands near me. I make a show of extending my hand and encouraging her to sit next to me. Linking my fingers on the table in front of me, I lean forward a bit to make small talk. She’s my student, the sisters know that. It would be odd for me not to have a chat with her when running into her in public.
Though we only talk about class, we talk in hushed voices. Just in case.
I straighten as everybody starts to take a seat, Liv passing out coffees to everyone. She may hate being front of house, but she makes a great barista. Not only does she make excellent coffee, but she’ll remember everyone's orders.
With a deep breath, I clear my throat. “I realize I haven’t been by in a while, which Alina so kindly pointed out to me last weekend.” I shoot her a quick grin, and she rolls her eyes.
“But there is something I wanted to share with you all.” Quickly, I look around the circle. These are my sisters. My brothers. My family.
It’s not until my gaze lands on Jameson’s, who has Jordanna resting against his chest, her little cheek pressed to his shoulder, that something flashes through me. Not just acceptance but understanding.
Our stares meet for a moment, and as I turn away, I notice Liv’s eyes narrowing as she looks between us. I probably just got him into some sort of marital trouble. I’ll have to buy him a six-pack. Or maybe we’ll go for a round of “golf.”
“I want you all to know that I’ve started seeing someone.”
Mazie straightens in her chair, her eyes glittering. Alina smiles widely, her eyes filling with tears, which I mostly blame on the postpartum hormones. But Liv’s eyes are still narrowed. She knows something’s up.
With a deep breath, I reach over and take Bex’s hand, pulling it toward me and closing both my hands around hers.
All eyes zero in on our connection and silence fills the room. I can see the gears working in my sisters’ heads, in Zach’s. Cam probably knows better than to open his mouth with something negative around me, and Jay and I…well, we already covered this.
Recognition flashes through Zach’s eyes, like the pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together for him and he nods slowly.
“Well, shit. Don’t all say something at once.” My fingers tighten around Bex’s as frustration roars through me.
“Sorry. We’re just…surprised is all. Bex has been working here for months and this is the first we’re hearing about it.” Mazie sounds hurt. Betrayed. I can’t let her think Bex was hiding some big secret from her.
“It’s relatively new. And I asked her not to say anything. You’re my family. And while, yes, she works here, I needed to be the one to tell you and I wasn’t ready yet. For obvious reasons.”
Now they all look at me like I’ve grown twelve heads.
“Because she’s young. My student. I mean, shit, Zach’s a fucking cop.”
He looks taken aback. “First of all, you’re my brother. I’d help you bury a body. Second of all, Bex is almost twenty. Nothing illegal is going on here. And I don’t handle morality as far as the college is concerned.”
“Are you happy?”
My attention draws to Liv. In so many ways, I think she’s the strongest Baker. She’s been through the most. Had to handle so many challenges on her own. Or, at the very least, without the guidance of Mom and Dad. She was dealt the rawest hand, but she’s become an amazing woman. An amazing mother. And her perceptiveness is something that I hope she never loses.
“Yes.”
One of her shoulders lifts. “That’s enough for us. We’re your family, Eli. We love you. No matter what.”
“And we already adore Bex. She’s so much more than just an employee to us. She really fits in with us and our dynamic.” Though Alina speaks, Mazie and Liv both nod their agreement.
After one last look around the circle, my gaze lands on Bex. Her cheeks have a pink hue to them, but her eyes are sparkling. It takes my breath away. “Anything you’d like to add?”
Putting her other hand on top of our pile, she looks around the group. “Thank you. All of you. You’ve been so welcoming and accepting. And I know this situation could have been sticky with the age difference. But I’m really happy you all accept us.” She nods repeatedly, and I know she’s trying to will away tears.
The bell on the door chimes, and we all turn to see a shocked looking customer.
Liv pops out of her chair and welcomes them, scooting behind the counter.
“I won’t take up more of your time. Thank you, guys.”
Everybody stands and goes about their business, except Bex. She leans in close while I do the same.
“That went well.” She sounds optimistic.
“It did. I didn’t have a reason to be nervous. I just was.” I swallow sharply. The pounding of my heart should subside shortly. “I’m going to let you work. I’ll be back later to pick you up. One o’clock?”
Her mouth presses into a line, and she nods. Leaning forward the tiniest bit, I brush my lips against hers. I don’t want to make a big show of anything. Not yet.
She gives me a quick wave as she heads toward the counter, tying up her apron.
I put the tables back the way they were, watching the family dynamics. Alina is cooing over baby Phillip while Cam holds him, Mazie is tucked into Zach’s chest. Even Liv has moved from the counter and is running her hands over Jordanna’s curls while she’s still snuggled into Jameson.
Everybody moved on like it was no big deal. Nobody is giving me strange looks. Nobody is glaring at Bex. Relief pours through me.
I’m about to walk out the door, when Liv’s voice stops me. She takes a few big steps to close the distance and wraps her arms around me again before sliding her hands to my biceps.
But her face screams disappointment. So I brace myself for some harsh words. “Why did you think you had to keep this a secret from us?”
Not what I was expecting.
“Well…like I said. She’s young.”
“So? Jameson’s quite a bit older than I am. And you were the one who told him it wasn’t a big deal.”
“She’s younger than you are Liv.”
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Eli. When are you going to stop putting so many expectations on yourself? When are you going to just allow yourself to be happy? Bex seems like a good start. She’s a sweet girl, and just seeing you two together, I can tell that you care about each other very much.”
I nod silently, her questions weighing me down, clogging up my mind.
“We all love you, Eli. We want you to find someone. Someone special and important. And if that’s Bex”—she lifts one shoulder— “who cares about some of the semantics? She won’t be your student forever.”
A warm smile spans my face. “Thanks, babiest sis. It means a lot to me.”
With a squeeze of her shoulder, I leave the café, feeling lighter than I have in weeks.
That is, until I walk outside and nearly bump into Liv’s longtime friend, Kylee. Fuck.
“Oh. Eli. Hi.” Her face breaks into a megawatt smile as she tucks some hair behind her ear, her eyes absolutely glowing.
My hands slip into my front pockets and push up to my toes as I give her a tight smile in return. “Kylee.”
“I haven’t seen you in a while. How are things?”
“Oh, uh. Fine, I guess. The semester is well underway and—” It’s that moment I’m cut off as two hands hold my face and pull it down.
My lips connect with Bex’s and my arms loop around her waist.
She breaks away with a wide smile, hands cupping my face. “Sorry. I just… I had to do that before you left.”
I trail my nose against hers and place a small kiss against her lower lip before she runs back into the café.
But I’m met with fiery eyes and the angriest face I’ve ever seen.
“So, um, that’s Bex. My…girlfriend.”
Her pupils widen and, before I can explain further, her hand flashes out and slaps me across the face. Then she storms off without a word.
My hand goes to my stinging cheek while my tongue presses against the inside. I’m not entirely sure I deserved that, but I’m also not sure I didn’t.
Never once have I led Kylee on. Never did I give her any thought or hope that we would be something someday. I was always adamant that she was too young for me, that I couldn’t date anyone as young as she is. And here I am, dating someone who is clearly quite a few years younger. Even if she couldn’t tell her age by looking at Bex, she’s around the café enough that I’m sure she knows she’s a college student.
With a sigh and pinch of the bridge of my nose, I head for the car, wondering how one person can fuck up so much while on the hunt for happiness.