“Stop,” I groan. “I’m not hung up on her. It was almost six months ago, and it was one night. I have dated and gotten laid since then, you know.”
Adele keeps talking, “When she went home, he was there, back from school in the UK, and he courted and pursued her with all sorts of vigor. Sounds like he was a real prince charming.”
“If you don’t stop…”
“Listen please … she wasn’t interested at first, but her dad got sick, so she humored the whole thing to make her dad happy. Her dad passed away by the way, two months ago at home of an aggressive Cancer, and Nathaniel was really there for her and something blossomed between them. She didn’t even want to come to the wedding because she couldn’t afford the time off work. That’s why Carly paid for everything for her to be there for the weekend.”
“Fuck, Adele; I said I didn’t wanna hear it.”
“Don’t be so grumpy. I hate seeing you like this. It isn’t you, Austin.”
“Yeah, well go through what I’ve been through lately and see if it doesn’t put you in a shitty mood,” I grumble.
I hear the click of a door.
We both look over our shoulders and I see Jada slip into her room without looking at us. She must’ve gone into the main bathroom while I was in the other bathroom. She’s got a towel turban on her head so hopefully she didn’t hear anything.
“Subject’s done. Stop,” I warn.
Adele pouts. “I want to see you happy. If Aid can find some happy, you certainly can. Look at the turnaround in him. Having Carly has made him like the Aid he used to be. It’s even better, though, because we get Carly, too, and I like Jada, so...”
“I’ll find who I used to be. When all this shit here is over with.”
“She’s perfect for you, Auz.”
I tilt my head.
“Jada is!” she says, too loud. “She’s totally your type.”
I lean over and flick my sister’s nose. “Shut it.”
“Ow,” she groans, then throws a couch pillow at me.
“What movie you wanna watch?” I ask, nabbing the remote from her lap.
“A slasher film,” she says. “Something gory. Dirk is a wuss with scary movies and when he’s not home, I’ve got kids crawling all over me and can’t exactly watch then. When Lilly was about three months I was nursing her and watching Saw and caught her looking at the TV. I’m afraid I might have corrupted her little brain.”
I laugh.
“Look at what our parents did do our brains. We’re okay.” I shrug.
“Yeah, we’re more than okay,” she agrees.
I flick the TV over to the movie guide. Adele and I stay up late watching two slasher films, though she nods off during the second one. I nudge her with my foot as the credits roll.
“I’m the one who should be sleepin’, you’re on Cali time.”
“These kids, though. I’m always tired. Night. Love you,” she leans over and kisses my cheek and ruffles my hair before heading toward the bedroom.
“Adele?”
“Hm?”
“Thanks for coming. I needed this.”
“I know you did. You’re welcome.”
“We’ll do something fun with the kids tomorrow?” I say. “Zoo?”
“Sounds good. Love ya.”
“Love you, too.”
“Night.”
“Night.”
21
Jada
I managed to avoid everybody Sunday morning, slipping out before anyone woke up. I get back, around eight o’clock and the baby and Braeden are playing on a blanket on the floor with some big Lego.
Braeden talks me up, telling me he’s building a replica of the empire state building, while I try to be nice but yet look to make my escape as quick as possible.
An animated TV show catches his attention, so I’m almost in the clear, but as I try to make my way past Adele and Austin who are at the island eating Chinese takeout, Adele promptly offers me some food.
“I’ve eaten, thank you,” I say, and then I back up, about to turn to head to my room.
“You wanna play a board game with us?” Adele calls out.
“I can’t, I have some work due,” I sort-of lie, “but thanks.”
I have nothing on the go for the freelance site, I haven’t bid on any jobs, nor heard from any previous clients lately, but I have been planning to get into my room and start on a new story. A new story with characters that look nothing like me or Austin Carmichael. And ‘work’ would be a good reason to not socialize with Austin’s sister.
“Work? What kind of work?” she asks.
“Oh, I do some writing gigs on the side.” I shrug.
“Really? What kinds of writing gigs?” She pats the empty stool beside her.
Austin scowls at her.
My eyes bounce between them, but her smile doesn’t wane, and I can’t be rude to her, so I walk back over and sit down, avoiding Austin’s gaze, which feels like it’s on me, and I’m sure it’s filled with disdain.