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My dreams are filled with a certain broody, hot lawyer. One that owns my body in ways no other man has and ways that also leave me aching and alone at the end.
Chapter Seven
Andrew
My phone ringing wakes me up. I crack my eyes open and see it’s 5:00 a.m. What the hell? I blink, trying to focus on the name on the screen. It’s Andrea.
“Hello?” I’m concerned because she never calls this early. Something must be wrong.
“I’m engaged!” she sings into the phone.
I pull the phone away from my ear a few inches when her voice pierces my eardrum. I’m not awake enough for this. Rolling over, my comforter slides off my hips, and the cool air skates across my bare ass.
“Congrats, Andrea! I’m happy for you; I really am. Jack’s a great guy… Also, do you know it’s five in the morning?” I ask with a laugh.
She’s an early riser from working at the café. I also know she can’t contain her excitement.
“Yes, Brother, I know what time it is. Some of us have to get up early to start the day. Not everyone has a cushy office job,” she teases me back.
I laugh with her. I wouldn’t describe my job as cushy, but I don’t have to be there at five in the morning, either.
Sitting up, I put my feet on the cold floor. “All joking aside, I’m happy for you and Jack. I can’t wait to celebrate with you.”
“Good, I’m glad you said that. We’re having a little get together this weekend to celebrate. Can you come?”
I scrub my hands over my face. Of course, I’ll go. I want to celebrate with them…and seeing Charlie will be a bonus.
“Yeah, I’ll be there. I’ll see if I can get a flight for Friday afternoon and spend the weekend.” I won’t ever pass up the chance to spend time with my sisters again. I spent too many years keeping them at arm’s length to protect them from knowing too much.
“Yay! Okay, good. I’m inviting Mom and Dad, too.”
Silence hangs between us. She knows things are strained between Malcom and me; she doesn’t know why though. But this weekend isn’t about me. It’s to celebrate Jack and Andrea.
I sigh, hoping she didn’t hear me. “Okay.”
I’m not thrilled to see them, but I’ll put my feelings aside for Andrea and Jack. It’s not as much an issue with my mom. She’s difficult, but not shady and crooked like Malcom.
“You know you could just tell me what’s going on between you and Dad, right? I’m sure I’ll understand.”
I know she’ll understand. She’ll also be hurt and angry, and now isn’t the time for that.
“I know, and eventually we’ll talk about it. But for now, let’s just celebrate, okay? I promise to be good.” I feel like a kid promising good behavior.
She snickers when I say it. Andrea being happy and thriving, even if she is far away, makes me happy. She deserves it. She and Adalyn both, and they both have it.
“Love you, Brother. You can go back to sleep now.”
Her chuckle makes me shake my head. Sure, I’m going back to sleep now.
“Love you. See you this weekend,” I say.
We say goodbye, and I sit here, staring at myself in the mirror by the bed.
My guilt and self-loathing are less when I’m with my family. Well…with my sisters. My parents, not so much. And when I’m with Charlie, I don’t feel it at all. Maybe that’s why I crave her the way I do. She brings quiet and peace to my tormented mind.
“It’s not going to happen. Get over it,” I say out loud to myself.
Standing from the bed, I stroll naked into the bathroom for a shower. I find myself standing under the stream, unmoving for several minutes. The hot water beats into my skin and eases me, but not enough to help much. With another sigh, I grab the shampoo and start my day.
