Page 8 of Do It Yourself
Two months and my grumpy little sister was going to be somebody’s wife. I couldn’t freaking wait to watch her marry her soulmate. Patrick really was the perfect partner for Elle. Conversation eventually flowed to plans for my birthday, I didn’t particularly want to discuss plans in front of Jude but realistically the only thing he could be involved in would be family dinner. If he did happen to infiltrate another dinner with the family, I would just make sure to sit as far away from him as humanly possible.
“Well, we better get going. It’s almost this big guy’s bedtime and we need to get back into town.” Anika ruffles Henry’s hair before pushing back from the table. My gaze flicks to my brother but he says nothing, just stands and walks over to Henry, giving him a tight hug. “I’ll be home soon, buddy. I just have to help Gramma with something.”
Henry nods and lets out a big yawn. “‘Kay, Daddy.” A quick round of hugs for the rest of the family and Anika is slipping her and Henry’s shoes on.
“Let me walk you out.” I hustle over to the pile of shoes, slipping on my old sandals before following them out. Once we are out the door, Henry starts to show his true exhaustion, motioning for his mother to pick him up.
Anika, of course, immediately scoops him into her arms and Henry burrows his head into her neck. My heart pangs at the beautiful bond between the two of them.
A familiar longing makes it momentarily hard to take a breath.
“It was so good to see you, Nik. I can’t wait to spend the weekend with you and Henry.”
“Yeah, it will be fun. I haven’t been up to the cabin in years.” We’ve reached her car and I hold off my reply while Anika buckles Henry into his car seat.
My mind wanders to how close Anika had been to our family years ago. It wasn’t only Paul that she pulled away from, it was all of us. It still hurts but I’m feeling hopeful that this dinner was the first step towards rebuilding that bridge.
“Well, I’ll let you go but, really, it was so nice to have you here tonight.” I wrap my arms around Anika in a quick hug. There’s hesitation on her end but soon enough she hugs me back. It’s a brief hug but I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips.
I stay outside and watch Anika drive away, following her tail lights as they get farther and farther away. I’m stuck in my head, focused on a future that wasn’t an option any longer. My nose starts to burn as memories threaten to overwhelm me.
Chapter Six
JUDE
I’m helping Mama D and Lola clear the table, putting any leftovers into tupperware before handing the dirty dishes to the mother daughter duo who insisted on doing the dishes. Paul is sitting in the living room with Patrick and Elle, chatting in hushed voices. We’re all trying to give Anika and Mabel whatever time they need for the conversation we were sure Mabel was intent on having.
My body feels like it’s vibrating with the need to follow Mabel out into the night. Everything’s cleaned up and I decide to stop fighting the urge. “Have a good night, everyone.”
Mama D offers me a hug, The Warren sisters offer a quick wave, Paul ignores me, and Patrick offers up his fist for a bump. The joker shakes his hand out like I actually put some weight behind the bump.
I do my best to walk outside quietly, not wanting to disturb Mabel if she’s possibly still chatting with Anika. Her silhouette makes me groan, her body is sinful perfection. It takes all I have to keep the thoughts of gripping those hips and driving into her warmth in the back of my mind.
All dirty thoughts escape my mind as I hear a soft sniffle coming from my personal siren. “Mabel, what’s wrong?”
I rush to her, placing my hands on her shoulders. I’m sure I’m crossing more than one line right now but right now, I don’t care. She’s upset and she needs comfort. “Mabel?” I ask again, a small whine escapes her before she turns and wraps her arms around my waist, small sobs shaking her body.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. Tell me what’s wrong.” I pull her closer to my body, running one hand up and down her back. I’ll do anything to stop the crying, do anything to keep sadness from enveloping this woman.
She doesn’t answer me but eventually the tears stop and her breathing returns to a somewhat normal rhythm. “Mabel, tell me what you need.” This request comes out quieter, she feels so goddamn good in my arms. I want to scoop her up and keep her here forever.
“I…I need….I have to go.”
Before I can react, Mabel pushes out of my arms and all but sprints into the darkness. I’m stunned and can’t turn my brain back on quick enough to follow after her. I instantly miss the warmth that came from our bodies pressed together.
A shiver shakes through me and there’s an uncomfortable tightness in my jeans .
I stand in my confusion for a moment longer before making the decision to start my long walk back to the Bunk House. There was no way in hell I was going to walk back into Mama D’s house with a boner after I’d already said my good-nights.
Thankfully, the walk gives my body the chance to return to its base soft setting. I’m determined to get a good night’s sleep and put the memory of Mabel’s body pressed against mine into a small box, tucked far, far back in my mind.
I slept like shit.
I couldn’t get the memory of Mabel’s soft, sweet body pressed against mine out of my head until I forced myself to replace images of her with the thought of my step-dad chewing with his mouth open.
Bleh.
I still felt like my skin was too tight every time I stopped to think about how much I was going to be around Mabel for the next few weeks between shadowing her and the trip up to the cabin. I’m a mess the next day as well, so messed up even the most oblivious guys who live in the Bunk House with notices and heckles me about how strange I’m acting.
