“That’s not what I meant.” Alexa moved closer to Sally. “I know you’re lonely and you’re frustrated because you want to be in a relationship. But it will happen. It’s out of your control.”
“If I don’t go out on any dates, then how am I supposed to find Mr. Right, huh, smarty-pants?” Sally asked her sister, trying to ease the intensity of the mood. She felt like she was in some sort of book and there was this hint of foreshadowing about the date. Damn it, why does life have to be so freaking complicated?
“I am going on this date with Garret. I don’t want you to tell a soul about it. That way if it doesn’t work out, then no one has to bother me on it.”
“Do you have your cell phone?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you meeting him since he isn’t coming here to pick you up?”
“In Cellar County, at Nathan’s Bar and Grill.”
“Just you and him?”
“Yes. It’s a date remember,” Sally stated sarcastically and Alexa placed her hands on her hips.
“Don’t you be sassing me, girl. I’m your sister and I love you. Now I have the right to worry. I especially don’t like that guy Keiffer, who Garret hangs out with. He’s a creep.”
“Yeah, I know who he is and there is definitely something strange about him. But like I said, this is a date. So how do I look?” Sally asked as she twirled around the room.
“You look gorgeous. Be careful, have fun, and you call me if you need me.”
“I will. Stop worrying. I’m not some naïve young girl.”
“I know that. Just follow your gut.”
Sally hugged Alexa as her gut started playing tricks on her.
* * * *
Alexa sat between Chad and Michael on the couch downstairs in the living room. The house was quiet. Everyone was out for the evening, but Alexa couldn’t help b
ut worry about her sister. She just didn’t like the idea that Sally was going on a date. Maybe it was because she didn’t know Garret and Alexa was being protective of her. She just wasn’t sure. She got up to get something to drink as Chad and Michael continued to watch the end of the movie.
Alexa walked into the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator and stared at its contents. She wondered how the date was going. Then she wondered if he would try to kiss Sally. What if he drank too much? She just couldn’t get her brain to stop thinking the worst. She couldn’t even think that Garret was showing Sally a good time and being a gentleman. Were they having fun and maybe she was just concerned for Sally’s well-being and acting overprotective? She reached for the plastic bottle of water.
Shit.
“Are you okay?”
Alexa screamed, jumped back, and dropped the bottle as Michael stared at her as if she were crazy.
“Goddamn it, Michael. Why did you do that?” She raised her voice and then covered her mouth as she realized she snapped at him.
“What’s all the yelling about?” Chad asked as he walked into the kitchen.
Michael was in a dead stare at her.
“Well, what’s bothering you? You’ve been acting strange the entire night and you just bit my head off for no reason.”
Alexa bent down to pick up the bottle of water. She sat at the island and took an unsteady breath.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you, Michael. I wasn’t paying attention and you scared me.”
She untwisted the cap and took a sip of water. It didn’t ease her mind or worry.
“Spit it out, baby,” Chad said then walked closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. He began to massage them, and she closed her eyes, absorbing the feel of being comforted by Chad.