2. Magnolia
Me: Be ready in twenty minutes. We are kidnapping Roro.
Chloe: Where are we going?
Me: Sugarplum?
Chloe: Bitch! You know the way to my heart.
I’m taking the last bite of my sandwich, less than ten minutes later, when my best friend comes barging into my apartment.
Chloe doesn’t have an off switch, she is always loud, smiling, and making her presence known in any room she is in.
Chloe has her long black hair in two braids under a beanie.
She’s wearing a cream oversized knitted sweater loosely tucked into a black faux leather skirt, fishnet stockings and combat boots.
She’s got such a unique sense of style, but it’s totally her.
The Miller siblings really lucked out in the genes department. Their dad is white, and their mom is Korean. Their mom is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen in my life. And her kids are on that list as well.
“I was going to come down and get you before we went to steal the baby,” I say.
“You were taking too long, I want to go now” Chloe groans, “Why aren’t you ready?”
I just chuckle and shake my head at my best friend, “I told you twenty minutes, it’s been less than ten.
Come into my room so I can change out of my pajamas.
I was just finishing up eating something, so I don’t pass out on the walk there.
” I spent the morning working on one of my online classes.
I’m taking two in person classes and two online classes this semester.
We walk into my bedroom and she flops down on my bed while I head into my walk-in closet to grab clothes.
She starts telling me about the girl she hooked up with last night.
She had invited me to the bar with her, but Aiden and Bailey were having the Baker crew over for dinner and I wasn’t going to turn down time with my siblings.
“Her name is Piper, and fuck was she hot.” Chloe’s voice is a bit dreamy, like she is currently reliving their time together.
I tune her out while I pick out my clothes.
I love my best friend more than just about anything in the world, but I do not need to know the dirty details about her latest hook up.
I change into a black fitted long sleeved t-shirt tucked into a high waisted, burnt orange skirt that flows down to mid calf, I tie the belt in a bow off center on my belly.
I finish my outfit with my black Converse low top shoes.
I walk into the bathroom to put my dirty blonde hair in a messy bun on top of my head, with a few tendrils of hair purposefully falling around my face.
I take my glasses off and put in my contacts before I swipe a small amount of mascara on my lashes and a little bit of blush on my cheeks.
I step out of the bathroom and Chloe stops the story I’ve only been half listening to, “Damn girl, you look hot. If I, for one second, thought you were into girls, I would be all over you. Why can’t you be pan like your brother?
” This is not the first time she’s asked me this, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I’m fairly sure she’s joking when she says shit like this, but one can never fully tell with her.
She’s a bit of a mess, but she’s my mess.
“You dressing up for anyone in particular?”
“Who would I be dressing up for? We are going to Sugarplum.” I shrug.
Sugarplum cafe is a popular cafe on campus.
They have the best pastries outside of Charly’s kitchen.
No one on this planet can beat the deliciousness that my sister creates when she steps into the kitchen, but Sugarplum comes as close as anyone is going to get.
Once I’ve finished getting ready, I look into my backpack, double, then triple, checking that I have everything I need before exiting my apartment with my best friend hot on my heels.
When we arrive at Bailey and Aiden’s door I just walk in, knowing it would be unlocked.
We all leave our doors unlocked during the day because you never know who is going to stop by at any point.
Our family doesn’t know the definition of boundaries.
Growing up, my siblings would regularly walk in and go to the bathroom while I was taking a shower or come in just to chat while I was using the bathroom.
That’s just how our family is. We are the definition of codependent, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bailey is sitting on the couch nursing Rowan.
Her eyes are closed and, based on the fact that she hasn’t moved since we walked in, I would say she’s asleep.
I walk around to sit down next to her on the couch and gently touch her shoulder.
When her eyes pop open in surprise I say, “Bee, go lay down. I’ll get Little Bear cleaned up and changed.
Chloe and I are going to walk to the cafe, and we are taking the baby with us.
We will be back in a few hours. I’ll take a bottle with me.
Get some rest.” She nods her head before taking Rowan off her nipple, and carefully handing her to me before heading down the hall to the room she shares with my brother.
I put Rowan on my shoulder and pat her back to burp her while Chloe and I walk into the nursery, and Chloe picks out an outfit for Rowan.
Once Rowan lets out a burp that could compete with one from a grown ass man, I take her current clothes off of her and change her diaper.
Chloe riffles through the closet before handing me a cream colored bubble sweater onesie and a pair of black knitted tights.
While I change her into her outfit, Chloe walks over to the dresser and opens the top drawer that is filled with bows of all shapes and sizes.
My niece dresses better than I do, and she has a bow to match every outfit.
Chloe picks out a medium sized black bow that is attached to a cream colored band.
Once she’s dressed, I hand her to Chloe to load in the stroller while I make sure we have everything we need in the diaper bag.
I triple check the contents of the bag before walking into the kitchen to grab a bottle of milk Bailey has pumped and ready.
I grab a soft purple blanket that has teddy bears all over it from the back of the couch and tuck it around Rowan in the stroller.
“Ready to go ladies?” Chloe asks as she pushes the stroller out the apartment door and toward the elevators.
Sugarplum is about a thirty-minute walk, straight through campus, from our apartment, but the walk to the is beautiful, so I’m not complaining.
The weather is perfect for the beginning of fall.
The leaves are beginning to change on the trees that line the paths around campus.
The mix of yellows, reds, oranges, and browns make the whole campus look like a fall festival.
I love this campus in the fall before the first snow.
Chloe and I chat along the walk about nothing and everything, just like we always do.
We are just passing the student union when I hear my name being called.
I turn and see a girl I had class with last semester.
We ended up being in the same study group.
One night, Maddox came to pick me up from the group because it was late and he’s overprotective.
She flirted with him and after that I no longer existed.
She just wanted to ask about my brother, like I would give her information about him.
Here’s the thing about Maddox. He is the very definition of a fuck boy.
He will sleep with just about anyone, with one major caveat.
If he even suspects you’re using someone he’s close to get close to him, you’re out of the running.
He’s the king of the one-night stand, but your one night won’t happen if you’re using someone he loves.
Maddox is a golden retriever with a protective streak, and the mean side will come out if it needs to.
“Hey Whitney, how are you?” I ask, not wanting to be rude.
“I’m doing alright. I didn’t know you had a kid.
” She says, and for a second I just stare at her, my eyebrows scrunched together, a slight tilt to my head.
I look over at Chloe and she’s giving her the same look.
Rowan is two and a half months old, and on the small side for a two month old.
She knew me all of the spring semester and I might be curvy, but I’ve never looked pregnant. At least I hope I haven’t.
Suddenly very self conscience about my body, I give my head a little shake and explain, “This is my niece, Rowan.”
Her face falls, “Maddox has a kid?” The disappointment in her tone has me almost playing along. Making her think this baby belongs to Maddox, not Aiden. Chloe doesn’t even try to hide the laugh that bubbles out of her.
“No, I have two brothers and a sister. This is my oldest brother’s daughter. His wife had her in June. I’m giving my sister in law a break so she can nap.”
“That’s so sweet of you. How is Maddy doing?” God, Maddox hates it when anyone other than our close friends and family call him Maddy.
“He’s good. Hey, listen, this little one is about to lose her mind. She’s going to be hungry soon. We need to find a quiet spot, I’m so sorry.” I tell her, before continuing down the walkway.
Did I just use my niece as an excuse to get out of that conversation? You bet your ass I did. Did I lie? Maybe a little. I probably have two hours before she’s hungry. Don’t judge me.
“Tell Maddy I say ‘hi.’” She calls after me, and I just give her a nod of my head, knowing full well I will not be doing that.
When Chloe and I finally make it to Sugarplum, I get into the long line. The stroller takes up a lot of room, so I’m completely focused on not hitting anyone with the monstrosity. I mean seriously, could they have picked a bigger stroller?
“Oh my god,” Chloe whispers and smacks me on the arm.
“Ouch!” I say, “Chlo, what the fuck?” When I look at her, she’s pointing to the pick-up counter, where Dallas is leaning one hip against the counter, his thick arms crossed across his broad chest. And Brittany standing with her tits pressed up against him, looking up at him with a flirty smile.
A wave of jealousy hits me, as if I have any right to be jealous over this man.
He’s not mine, and he never will be. Brittany looks perfect standing next to him, no one would ever question that they were together.
Her long, brown hair is curled in loose waves down her back.
Her olive skin doesn’t have a single blemish, and I don’t think that’s because of the make-up she has put on perfectly, no I just think her skin is that perfect.
And this man has the nerve to look sexy today.
His straight black hair is styled in that perfectly messy way that only works on guys.
His skin is still sun-kissed from the sun he got this summer.
He’s wearing a white Alpine University t-shirt that looks like it was tailor made to fit his muscular chest. He’s wearing a pair of dark blue jeans that hug his hips.
Chloe gets his attention, and when he looks up at us. When his eyes meet mine, a beautiful, wide smile overtakes his entire face. Something mischievous sparks in his hazel eyes. It’s a look I’ve never seen from him before, but somehow I know things are about to get interesting.
He pushes off the counter and starts toward us, “There are my favorite girls,” He says when he gets close enough.
For one second, I think he’s talking about Chloe and Rowan, but when his eyes meet mine, I know that this will be a moment I remember forever.
With a beautiful smile on his face, he says, “Hey Pretty Girl,” and presses his lips to mine.