Page 26 of Embracing the Beat
It finally starts to sink in once I’m dressed in faded jeans and a t-shirt, determined to work in the basement until I’m too tired to move today.
Or tonight.
I need a jolt of caffeine to kick-start my brain, so the coffeepot is my next logical choice. Mug in hand, I stand at the counter and wait for the coffeepot to finish brewing, tensing as warm arms circle me, soft breath teasing me through the thin cotton of my t-shirt.
“Good morning.” Her voice is husky as she nuzzles against my back. “You’re up early.”
“Morning.” I clear my throat and set the mug down on the counter, dreading what comes next.
Lacing my hands with hers, I tug them away from my body so I can spin around to face her. A small smile plays on her face, and her eyes are a combination of sleepy and happy as she meets my gaze. Her hair is a mass of rumpled curls I want to run my fingers through, and I squeeze her hands to fight the urge.
Fuck, I’m an asshole.
I open my mouth to say something—anything—but come up blank, my mouth snapping shut again, and the light in her eyes dims, her smile fading shortly after.
“W-what’s the matter?” She swallows slowly, and if possible, I feel worse than I did when I first came up with this plan.
“I—” It’s the only thing that comes out, and I want to groan in frustration.
“You?”
“Last night was amazing.”
It’s the wrong thing to say, given the way her eyes brighten again. I want to kick my own ass for leading her on, if only for a moment.
“I thought so too,” she breathes out, attempting to step closer.
I lock my muscles, keeping her at arm’s length figuratively as well as literally.
“I’ve been thinking, Mikey. As great as last night was, we shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have.” The flinch when I use her nickname is telling. As is the way she curls into herself.
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
She nods, her tongue dragging along her lips. My attention fastens to the movement almost involuntarily. I want to kiss her again so badly my lips tingle with the need.
Don’t even think about it.
“You’re r-right,” she whispers, yanking her hands away from mine. “It shouldn’t have.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m glad we’re in agreement. Last night was a mi—” I can’t bring myself to use the word mistake. “Well, we shouldn’t have. You’re Sawyer’s sister.”
“Is that why?”
It’s one of the reasons, and it sounds a lot better than you’re too good for a homeless history teacher.
“Why what?”
“Don’t play dumb. We both know you’re smarter than that. Why last night shouldn’t have happened?”
“Well, yeah, kind of. You might be his little sister, but I always felt like you were my little sister too. Last night—”
“Shouldn’t have happened. I heard you the first time. K-kid sister status.” She rocks back on her heels, eyes shuttering. “Yep, that’s me. Sawyer’s sister, Mikey. Hey, is there any chocolate milk? Maybe some Lucky Charms? It’s Saturday, right? Ohhh, cartoons.”
I shake my head, darting out a hand to wrap around her elbow when she starts to retreat. “Michaela.”
“Mikey, remember?” The smile she gives me doesn’t reach her eyes. And since I’ve seen the real one since she’s been back, I can tell the difference. And I fucking hate it. “What’s the big deal, West? We had too much to drink.”
