6. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Zach
M ovie nights are one of my favorite things. Not only do I get to relax and watch a great film, but I get to spend time with Mazie. The fact that she spends half of them as a terrified little ball in the corner of the couch is just an added perk.
Poking fun at each other is a long-standing tradition. As is making her watch scary movies. She makes me watch that romantic shit on her nights, so it’s only fair. Besides, there’s a method to my madness, even if it hasn’t worked yet.
One day, one day it will.
And until then, I'll keep finding scary movies to watch. At least I also bring snacks. Mazie’s favorite is Twizzlers, while I prefer Raisinets. She’ll always have her feet pulled up under her while she sinks into the corner and half hides behind a pillow, chewing one candy at a time while I just dump the box back and catch whatever falls in my mouth.
Tonight’s no exception, as I walk up to the door holding our snacks and knowing exactly what movie to pick from her streaming services. She answers the door after I knock, her curls loose and hanging over her shoulders. All the air leaves my lungs. She’s utterly breathtaking, even in comfy pants and a t-shirt.
“Hey.” She’s breathless, as though she ran to answer the door.
“Were you not expecting me?” I glance at my watch. Eight o’clock, like always.
“I was. I was just cleaning up a bit.” She steps aside and extends her arm, inviting me in.
Right away, I take my shoes off, per Mazie protocol. She’s so strict about it that the sisters have the same rules. Eli could care less, but I notice him taking his shoes off as soon as he walks through the door, so I usually do too.
I’m pretty sure it’s just ingrained from her mother. We always had to take our shoes off as kids. It made sense then, as they were often muddy or covered in some foreign substance, like most kids' shoes are. Mazie has gone to great lengths to keep the memory of Jenna alive in as many ways as she can, and keeping the shoe rule is a simple one.
Without words, I extend the Twizzler bag to Mazie, which she quickly grabs and tears open, taking one out and biting into it. I take a look around the house. I’m sure whatever mess she was referring to is imaginary since she keeps her home spotless. I could show up at any given moment and it’d be neat as a pin.
I flop down on the couch, putting my feet up on the table. It earns a scowl from Mazie, but she doesn’t say anything and settles into her corner.
The sofa is small, so we’re not terribly far apart, but we’re not touching either. I wouldn’t mind her being a little closer.
But how do you tell your best friend that your feelings go beyond friendship? You don’t. Or at least, I won’t. If this friendship and time together is all we ever have, it’s better than risking it by telling her I have feelings for her and her not reciprocating and then feeling weird around me.
I grab the remote from the table and navigate my way to the proper channel and select the movie. Turning to Mazie with a raised eyebrow, I already find her halfway huddled behind a pillow, and chuckle lightly to myself. “You ready for this?”
“As ready as I ever am.” So not really, but she's willing to be a good sport for me.
I settle into the couch, tearing open my box of Raisinets and tipping it back. The chocolatey chewy goodness fills my mouth.
When the introduction credits come on a bit loudly, Mazie jumps, and I can’t help but smile and laugh lightly to myself.
“What are you so scared of? You know it’s fake.”
“It doesn’t feel like it while watching it. My heart is racing.”
“That’s exactly what there is to love about them. A little scare, a little adrenaline.”
“I’ll pass. But I’m willing to watch for you.” She turns and looks at me with a glimmer in her eyes.
Now I feel guilty. Before we even started movie night, I made sure the scary ones wouldn’t trigger anything for her and the murder of her parents. She assured me it wouldn’t, but suddenly I'm not so sure.
Reaching forward, I grab the remote from where I left it on the table and pause the movie.
“Are you really okay watching this? I can find something else.”
“It’s not my favorite genre of movie, but it is yours. You suffer for me.” She picks at the frill on the pillow in her lap.
“Yeah, but yours don’t scare me. They just don’t entertain me.”
“It’s not a big deal. Really. They just cause nightmares. Like that one with the aliens.” She shudders as if remembering.
“They’re not triggering anything about your parents?”
She winces slightly at the word. It’s something I’ve never shied away from. Especially since she told me that her therapist said she needed to use and hear the word more frequently. I guess it’s part of her healing journey.
Not a single one of the Bakers came out unscathed. Even Liv who was a preteen at the time. But Mazie took a large portion on herself. Not only did she lose her parents and step into that mother role right away, but I’m pretty sure she never truly grieved the loss.
I’m fairly certain she went right from learning of the loss and being a sister, straight into mom mode. And I’m not sure she ever really stepped out.
“No, they’re not triggering. You’re good about not picking slasher films, just scary things.” It’s true. I avoid choosing anything that would qualify as a slasher and stick to things that are just plain creepy.
“You know, if they ever are—”
“I can tell you. I know.” She rests her fingers on my forearm and sparks ignite beneath the surface of my skin. “I can always talk to you about anything and be honest with you. I know that.” There’s sincerity in her eyes and she says it like it’s the surest thing she’s ever known.
Before I can stop myself, something takes over me, and I lace my fingers through hers. She inhales sharply. It’s not like we’ve never held hands before, but there’s something about this moment that makes it more intimate.
Which is why when I notice her parted lips, I lean forward, slowly and slightly. I only make it about halfway before I pause, not sure if I should continue but fighting everything inside me that wants to press my lips to hers.
When her breath caresses against my face, when she doesn’t back away, I’m done in. Heart pounding, I bring my free hand up to cup the back of her head, running my nose along her jaw before brushing my lips against hers.
Fireworks explode within me. I've been waiting for this for so long.
Just a small taste isn’t enough. I tighten my hold on the back of her head and press my mouth firmly against hers, slipping my tongue along the seam of her lips. With a moan, she parts them, and my tongue dives into her mouth. I’m not usually a fan of spearmint albeit mixed with the sugary sweetness of the Twizzlers, but now it’s my favorite flavor.
She separates her hand from mine and plants both on my chest. For a second, I’m worried she’s going to push me away, but instead she fists my shirt and pulls me closer.
I grip her around the waist and pull her into my lap, keeping my mouth moving against hers. Her curls cascade around us. Losing my fingers in the hair at her nape, I tighten them into a fist, and she whimpers into my mouth and grinds her hips against mine.
Fuck, she’s so much sexier than I ever let myself realize.
One of my hands glides down her back and plants firmly into her back pocket, pulling her closer.
I’m able to give her ass one squeeze before her palms flatten against my chest and she pulls her mouth from mine, her chest heaving.
“What are we doing?” Her forehead falls onto my collarbone, but she doesn’t move away.
I twirl a curl around my finger and pull it straight down her spine. “Haven’t you ever thought about it, M? Us?”
The moment she hesitates and swallows thickly, I know this isn’t going to go the way I want it to. She lowers herself so she’s sitting on my knees and her gaze meets mine.
I've memorized every sparkle and freckle of those brilliant sapphire eyes, but I also see they’re filled with something along the lines of remorse.
“You’re my best friend, Zach.” Ouch.
Subtly, I shift beneath her and remove my hand from her back pocket. It doesn’t feel appropriate anymore. “Is that it, though? Is that all we are?”
Her chin drops to her chest. “I’m not willing to risk losing you. I need you in my life, and if we tried something and it didn’t work, I don’t think we’d be able to stay friends.”
A heavy sigh deflates my chest, and I drop my hands to my sides. “I should go.” I shift to get up, and she scrambles off my lap and stands.
“Wait, no. Don’t go. Let’s watch our movie.” She wraps her fingers around my forearm, but I pull out of her grasp.
“I don’t want to anymore, Mazie.” Grabbing my lightweight coat from one of her kitchen chairs, I head straight for the front door. “I’ll…see you later. I just can’t be here right now.” I don’t even turn to look at her as I slam the door shut behind me.
The cool night air puffs in front of my face as I exhale and shove my hands into my pockets.
Home is the last place I want to go. With a sigh, I amble down the front steps and get into my car, taking one look back at the house. Mazie’s standing in the window, holding on to the curtain. One hand raises in a slight wave, and her fingertips rest against the window. The most I can give her is a nod.
I head to the only place I can think of. Though he’s surely going to call me an idiot.