16. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Zach
T he week has flown by, and my time with Mazie has been nothing short of amazing. She’s relaxed a lot more, and we’ve fallen into a sort of routine. While my shifts can vary both in start time and length, Mazie’s an early riser, up by seven every single morning.
Even though she’s happy to let me sleep in while she gets the day started with coffee and whipping up breakfast, I often get up as well. Most days, I try to start with a quick run before breakfast is served.
I text her before I leave the precinct, so she knows I’m on my way back, and after dinner, I insist on at least helping clean up. Once that's finished, we settle on the couch for a show or movie. It’s comfortable and it’s easy.
Which is why when Mazie seems a little out of sorts this morning, worry weighs down my features. She’s in a bit of a tizzy, clearly anxious about something, but what I can’t quite place.
The doors and windows were all locked last night, I made sure of it. I helped her pull the curtains shut. So I can’t imagine what has her pacing the kitchen and mumbling to herself, but I opt to skip my run today because of it.
After twenty minutes of watching her ping around the kitchen, I walk over to her and put my hands on her shoulders, dipping my head to meet her gaze. Her fingers are threaded together, her sapphire eyes are wide.
“M. What’s going on?” Concern laces my voice. Maybe I’ve fallen into a false sense of security, and she actually wants to break up. Despite my three day “marriage” in first grade, it’d be the shortest relationship I’ve ever had.
“Nothing. What do you mean?” She twists her fingers, and her eyes dart around the room.
“Something’s bothering you. What is it?” I rub my hands down her arms and back up again.
“It’s just…” She takes a deep breath and stops talking.
I look at her with my brows high, urging her to continue.
A heavy sigh makes her head droop. “I know it’s been like a week, but you’re here all the time anyway, and I like having you here and want you here as much as possible. I wanted to give you a key, but you already have one. So I was worrying about how to give you something you already have, or just telling you to use it so I can keep the door locked, and then I started thinking about how fast it is and that maybe you’re not there yet.” She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth as she lifts her gaze to mine.
I tug her into my chest, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and tucking her head under my chin. “Next time, just bring it up. Don’t overthink it.”
She pulls back to look at me. “That’s kind of what I do. You should know that by now.”
With a shake of my head, I push her ear back against my chest. “I just mean, there’s no reason to hold anything back from me. And while it may seem quick in terms of the relationship, things are different than normal. We’ve been close friends for so long that we don’t have to lay as much groundwork. In a lot of ways, the only thing that’s changed is the amount of time we spend together and the fact that we have really awesome sex.”
Her body shakes with a light laugh, but she remains silent.
“I didn’t know that having the door unlocked for me was bothering you. I wish you had said something. I don’t mind using my key, and don’t need some grand gesture of you giving it to me because we’re in a relationship. I know we haven’t been to my apartment yet, but I’d hope if we’re ever there, or I’m there and you’re coming over, that you’d feel free to use your spare key to let yourself in.”
Though she nods against my chest, there’s still a tightness to her body. “What else is bothering you?”
Her shoulders slump, and she relaxes against me. I’m not sure if it was some sort of test that I happily passed, or if she was just reluctant to share. “Eli’s coming by the café today.”
My brow furrows, and now I’m seven shades of confused. She and Eli are thick as thieves. They’ve always been super close. I’m not sure why his presence would put her into such a mood.
As though reading my mind, she continues. “We’re going to talk about us. You and me.”
“I mean, he already knows. I told him. And he seems fine with it.” We had discussed my phone call the night it happened. She was equally as concerned about the sociology professor.
“Yeah, but you’re the friend, not the sister. You know he’s always been protective of the three of us.”
“He’s your brother, that’s his job. But I don’t think it’s going to be bad, M.”
“I know. And the rational part of my brain doesn’t either. But then there’s the irrational part that worries he’s going to make me choose or be angry or some other unlikely situation.”
I tighten my arms around her and press my lips to the top of her head. “You know he’s not going to do that. In his eyes, you can do no wrong.” I’m pretty sure none of them can.
“Maybe that’s how it looks from the outside, but if anybody can be a fuckup in Eli’s eyes, it’s me.”
While I’m closer to the family than most, I don’t actually know the inner workings of the Bakers. Though I’d bet it’s more that Eli just holds Mazie to higher standards than the younger sisters because she took on the role of a mom and had more time with their parents to learn how to be a good person.
“Do you want me to go with you? Intervene and talk to him first?”
“No. This needs to be a sibling discussion. And like I said, some part of me is sure it’s going to be just fine. But there’s that tiny little part that says, ‘what if it’s not?’ And right now, that part is winning.”
I’d never pretend to know what goes on in Mazie’s head or what it’s like to deal with day in and day out. But she spends a lot of time warring with herself and worrying about things that take more of her energy than necessary. As much as I wish my presence and support would change that, the reasons are rooted deep in her psyche.
“When are you supposed to be meeting him?”
“I figured I’d leave with you, so soon. He has class at like ten or something, so he said he’d swing out this way first, grab some breakfast at the café.”
My eyes flick to the clock on the stove. It’s a quarter after seven, which means I have to leave in about a half hour to make it to the precinct in time to start my shift.
“How about we leave in twenty and I drive you? I’ll also grab breakfast at the café.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Her actions betray her words as she buries into my chest.
Her shoulders dip once more, and she pulls from my embrace after I press a kiss to her head. “We should get ready.”
She’s dressed and anxiously sitting on the edge of the bed, her knee bouncing incessantly by the time I get out of my quick shower. While I want to give her more comfort, there’s nothing I can say or do in this instance, and that she just has to live through the chat with Eli to see that it’s not as terrible as she fears.
“I’ll drive you there, but I won’t be able to bring you back. Do you want to take two cars?” I’m worried about her focus right now. Not that it’s far, and not that she’s likely to encounter much of, well, anything. But it only takes one extra person on the road and her inability to pay close attention to her surroundings.
“That’s okay. Eli can bring me back. Or one of the girls.” Her mind seems to be in the same place as mine.
I stand behind her on the front step as she locks, checks, and then rechecks the door before I open the passenger side door for her. She gives me a tight smile as she lowers herself into the car, pulling her purse into her lap. It’s moments like this when I feel utterly helpless with Mazie. They’re not new, but now it’s compounded. There’s more to it. The need to save her from herself is stronger.
The second I’m in the car, I link my fingers with hers and pull the back of her hand to my mouth before resting them on the center console. It only takes five minutes to get to Three Sticks, and as she looks through the picture window into the café, her body relaxes at the sight of her sister. Liv’s moving around the open space freely, getting things ready for the morning or perhaps cleaning up from the early customers.
Walking around to Mazie’s side, I open her door and extend a hand. With a deep breath, she exits the car. A smile spans her face as we walk through the door, the tiny bell above us announcing our entrance.
Liv’s pink streaks whip through the air as she spins around to see who entered. A brief look of confusion crosses her face before a wide smile. “Hey, Zee. Were we expecting you today?”
“Probably not, Bibly.” Their nicknames have always been…interesting. And at times confusing to keep up with. But it’s very much a part of the Bakers. “Eli’s swinging by shortly so he and I can chat.”
“Oh cool. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen big bro. Think I have time to call Jameson to swing by with Jordanna?” She’s already moving behind the counter and pulling out her purse.
“Can’t hurt.”
After Liv shoots off a quick text, she raises her gaze back up, spreading her hands as she leans against the counter. “What can I get you guys this morning? Coppuccino for you, Zach?” She winks.
“You know I hate that you guys call it that.”
“And you know we like the cutesy names. I mean, Alina made one up for her and Cam.” She waves her hand at the board above her head.
Mazie turns to face me and rests her hand against my chest. “You were the first one to order a cappuccino. And really, our first customer. It only felt right to name it after you. Plus, it’s just a fun play on words for us.”
“It’s better than Jameson’s!” Liv calls over her shoulder while she works the machine.
I give a moment of consideration before I realize that it could, in fact, be worse, as his is a Diva Espresso. Though Jameson’s wasn’t named after him.
Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to get to know him. Between work, and the two of them having Jordanna, it’s been too crazy to take the time. Plus, I’m not exactly family or anybody of importance besides Mazie and Eli’s friend. At least, I wasn’t.
Jameson’s a good guy, the little I’ve chatted with him. But he’s a bit intimidating. He probably shouldn’t be, as we’re the same age, roughly the same height. It's more his put together, big city guy attitude. Not just that, but he was able to tame Liv and win over Mazie. Neither of which are easy feats.
“Anything else today, Zach?” Liv’s voice pulls me back into focus.
My brows furrow at the bag next to my to-go coffee. “What’s in the bag?”
“Coffee cake muffin.”
My eyes widen and my mouth waters. Nothing’s better than Alina’s coffee cake muffins. “You’re my favorite little sister. Did you know that?”
“Hey! I heard that!” Alina bellows as the door to the kitchen swings open and she walks out with her hands on her hips, flour on her cheek and in her hair.
“I was just saying that ’cause she was here and you weren’t. Can’t have my favorite muffin without the wonderful chef who created them, can I?” I shoot a wink her way, and she rolls her eyes.
It’s easy to fit in with the girls who have been like baby sisters to me for most of my life. Their spouses may be a different story. I’ll be the first to admit that I may judge Cameron a little harshly for his past. Maybe it’s the cop in me, or maybe it’s that he hurt Alina and I saw the devastation.
“Sorry, ladies, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to get to work.” I turn to Mazie and lower my head so only she can hear me. “I’ll see you later. Okay? No stressing. It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
Her fingers twist into my shirt as she nods. I dip my head to meet her lips, then press another kiss to her forehead before heading for the door.
“Aw, you guys are so cute.” It’s the last thing I hear as I walk through the door, and it brings a smile to my face.
It may have started off on the wrong foot, but today’s going to be a good day.