The fallen sky, p.8
The Broken Lines of Us, page 8
“And don’t forget, we’re all having brunch tomorrow at the hotel,” she says as she walks through the living room. “Eleven o’clock. Charlie, you only need to walk downstairs from your room, so I expect you won’t be late.”
“Or drunk,” Kat jokes, earning a glare from me.
“At eleven o’clock?” my aunt asks. “Yes, I suppose you should come sober as well. But that’s up to you. Just be on time.”
“You know I’m the oldest, right?” I ask, trying to sound offended.
“I do know that, honey.”
“And you know that it’s Kat and not me who’s always late?”
“Not with Jake’s mom,” Kat chimes in. “She scares me.”
“She shouldn’t,” my aunt responds. “Her son is lucky to have found a woman as amazing as you.”
“Thanks, Aunt Sandra.” She smiles up from the floor. “You’re the best.”
“I just love you all. And I’ll see you tomorrow. Charlie, you’re not leaving this apartment until those bags are done.” She points to the mess of bags with a stern look on her face.
“Oh, so Kat gets the sweet comment, and I just get lectured?” I tease.
“She’s the bride. Get married, and I’ll be nicer.” My aunt sends me one last smile before walking out.
I know her comment was a joke, but my entire stomach is now in knots. Mentioning my nonexistent wedding only makes me think about the thing I’ve been trying to avoid all morning: Annie. Now all I can think about is what she would look like in a white dress.
I give myself an internal shake and pick up the last bag. Thinking about marrying Annie is pointless and will only make my heart hurt more than it already does.
“Now that she’s gone, can we pull out the mimosas, and you guys can tell me about last night’s drama?” Holly asks, leaving the room before we can answer.
Kat gives me the same look she gave my aunt but doesn’t say anything as she picks up one of the gift bags and begins tying a ribbon. A few minutes later, Holly comes back carrying a tray with three drinks on it. She hands two of them to us, sits on the couch, takes a long sip of her mimosa, and gives me the look she’s been giving me since we were kids. I’m about to be grilled. “Spill. What happened last night?”
With my aunt’s throwaway comment about getting married, plus the fact that talking about last night makes me ache for Annie, I can’t even think about putting something in my stomach. I set the glass on the coffee table and let out a sigh. “Just a normal Dawson dinner, Holls. Nothing to report. Just Ian being Ian.”
The fact that I’m intently working on one of the gift bags should have told her everything. But I know her well enough to know she isn’t going to let things go that easily. “Mom said it was worse than normal.”
I shrug and continue working.
“I know it’s been years since you’ve seen him, but you did seem even more agitated than you usually do,” Kat adds tentatively. “Before dinner even started. Did he say something?”
I can tell I’m not going to get out of this, so I decide to answer vaguely before moving the conversation along. “You heard him. He was being an asshole. A particularly annoying asshole. I don’t want to talk about him anymore. Let’s talk about the bachelorette party.”
“You must really not want to talk about him if you’d rather talk about wedding planning, but fine,” Holly says. She’s always been like my uncle, direct and to the point.
I’m honestly surprised she’s letting the whole thing go so easily. “The bachelorette party is hardly ‘wedding planning,’” I argue. “It’s a party. I’m good at parties.”
“Which is why you’ve helped plan so much of it?” Holly rolls her eyes before taking another sip.
I can already tell we’re heading to an early afternoon of tipsy Holly Dawson. “Why would I stop you from doing what you do best? You’re a planner. I’m a socializer. My job comes later.”
“And it sounds like Kat has someone for you to socialize with,” she says suggestively.
“Kat, I’ve told you not to set me up.”
She shrugs innocently and continues working. “She’s already invited. What are you going to do, ignore her the whole night?”
It was one thing when she mentioned this woman yesterday. That was a simpler time, when all I was dealing with was being back in a city that haunts me. Now, I also have to deal with the emotional disarray Annie has caused. I can’t wrap my head around hitting on some technician who works with my sister. “Who else is coming?” I ask, desperate for this not to turn into some gossip session about my love life, as things are prone to do with Holly and Kat around.
“Well, the gorgeous Lily from work who you’re going to ignore all night,” Kat says. “And the three of us, obviously. Lena and Juliet. And a couple women from my book club who I’ve gotten close to. Am I forgetting anyone?” she asks Holly.
“Annie.”
I should get used to that name casually coming out of the mouth of family members, but hearing it still causes my heart to accelerate to an unhealthy rate. Just like the first time I saw her, I go from relatively calm to being able to feel my pulse in every part of my body. There is no topic or thought that doesn’t lead back to Annie now. My entire life will forever be pre-Annie and post-Annie. “What do you mean Annie?” I ask a little too loudly.
“I invited her,” Kat says simply, seemingly not noticing the wild emotions coursing through me.
I take a subtle breath and try to control the intensity in my voice. “Why would you invite her?”
“Don’t judge her just because she’s with Ian. Poor girl. I feel bad for her. She has no idea what he gets up to.”
My hand tightens on the gift bag. “You think he’s up to something?”
“It’s Ian,” Holly says. “If he’s being faithful to that girl, I’ll name my first daughter Ian.”
“You’d have to go out with someone for more than two dates if you want kids,” Kat jokes.
“Plenty of people have children without having a partner,” Holly responds.
“True,” Kat replies. “And then, you wouldn’t have to negotiate with them on naming your daughter Ian.”
“He doesn’t deserve that honor anyway.” Holly gets up and leaves the room. She’s back soon after with an open bottle of champagne and refills her glass. Apparently, for my cousin, the pretense of orange juice isn’t needed anymore.
“I think Ian likes the idea of Annie’s family.” Kat’s so blasé in how she says Annie. She has no idea how the name flows through my body like an electric current. “To him, it’s the perfect match. You know, a big real estate family merges with a big hotel family. Plus, you can’t deny that they look good together. Like Barbie and Ken.”
“But with an actual penis and vagina,” Holly offers. “Those dolls are anatomically confusing.”
Kat makes a fake sick noise. “Gross, I don’t want to think about my twin’s penis.”
“I wouldn’t mind thinking about Annie,” Holly says playfully.
My hands pause on the bag. I put all my energy into not reacting to her words, something that is becoming increasingly difficult by the minute. Her comment was flippant, and I’m not even with Annie. Why should I care if Holly thinks she’s hot? She is hot.
“Why are you being so serious?” Kat asks when I don’t contribute anything to their banter. “Who cares who Ian’s dating?”
“I don’t care,” I say, way too defensively. “I just thought it was weird you invited her.”
“Look, this is probably the girl he’s going to marry. We may as well get to know her.”
I’m glad Kat’s attention is on the bag because her words feel like they flew out of her mouth and straight into my gut. Annie marrying Ian? I can’t think of anything I’d rather do less than attend that wedding.
I knew coming back would be hard. It was inevitable that being back would make me feel things only this city can. What I could never have predicted was experiencing an entirely different kind of heartache. The kind only a woman can induce. Even after Jen left, I never felt this discombobulated. And I knew her for six years. I’ve known Annie for three days. But as I sit here with these damn ribbons surrounding me, I’m having to hold back tears.
Minutes of silence pass with Kat continuing to work until Holly clears her throat loudly. “Well, I think it’s very sweet you invited her.” She puts her laptop down and claps. “But that’s not the important thing we need to discuss. What are you guys wearing tomorrow?”
I feel an instant sense of relief as the topic changes. “Are we supposed to be dressing up? I had planned on skinny jeans.”
“You’re not wearing skinny jeans to your sister’s bachelorette party,” Holly says.
“Why? It’s not like it’s the actual wedding.”
“I’m just happy you’ll be there,” Kat says to me. “Wear whatever you want.”
She sends a warm smile my way and again reminds me of our mom. She’s so uninhibited with her love, and in New York, and even LA, that’s a rare quality.
“If you want me here so much, can we do something more fun than these stupid gift bags?” I ask hopefully.
“Oh God, move aside,” Holly says, coming over to sit next me. “You pour the drinks, and I’ll bag. That way, my mom won’t yell at us, and we can get drunk faster.”
“How about Holly finishes the bags, Charlie pours the drinks, and I show you my outfit options for tomorrow night?” Kat skips out of the room toward her bedroom.
“I think you Dawson sisters just manipulated me into doing all the work,” Holly says.
“But you’re so good at it, Holls. I’ve never seen anyone master ribbons like you. Your students must be in awe.”
“Yes, Charlie, my seventh-graders can’t believe their teacher can tie things.”
“I see rhythmic gymnastics in your future.”
“Just pour the champagne, asshole.”
Chapter Ten
The first thing I feel this morning is the pounding in my head, as if some tiny little person is hitting my brain repeatedly with a hammer. I keep my eyes closed as I let the events of the previous night come to my memory. I should have known that mimosas with Holly wouldn’t end with just mimosas. The last thing I remember is her doing solo karaoke after we both took shots of tequila.
I vaguely remember her leaving my hotel room at three in the morning, and I’m pretty sure I could hear her singing in the hallway. I should text to make sure she got home okay, but I can’t seem to open my eyes, let alone grab my phone.
Kat was the smart one and left before midnight, claiming that she hated karaoke and wanted to save her energy for the bachelorette party. Now that I’m on the other side of that decision, I can see her point. On both karaoke and getting drunk the night before her party. But mainly the karaoke, which was atrocious.
When the pounding against my skull gets unrealistically loud, I lift my body and realize that while my head does hurt, the pounding is a knock on my hotel room door. I force my eyes open so I can look at the clock, and that’s all I need to get moving. I have a feeling I know exactly who’s on the other side of that door. Aunt Sandra was very clear about being late this morning, and it’s already ten minutes past eleven.
Luckily, I passed out in all my clothes last night so I’m not naked. I run to the door and don’t even bother to check who it is, assuming it’s family ready to lecture me on punctuality.
“I woke you,” Annie says, looking fresh-faced and beautiful in a simple pair of jeans and a black V-neck T-shirt.
Maybe it’s because I just woke up, but I have trouble forming words. Instead, I allow my eyes to rake over her body. This may be the most casual I’ve seen her, yet she still renders me speechless.
“Charlie?”
Looking at her face makes it harder to process the fact that she is standing here. Especially when my hangover is starting to settle in. “I meant to set my alarm.”
“I thought coming in the morning was the best way to catch you. I didn’t have your number. But now I see that was a bad idea. It’s Saturday. You probably went out last night.”
“My cousin and I had a late night.”
She gives me a small smile. “Cute morning voice. Can I come in?”
“That would be good. Considering my whole family is downstairs.”
“What?” The smile drops from her face.
I pull open the door. She doesn’t hesitate. She moves about as fast as she did at my uncle’s house when we were called for dinner. I close the door and move farther into the room. We both stand there silently for what feels like a full minute, and I can’t help but wonder if she’s thinking about the last time she was here. I never thought I’d see her again after she walked out of this room. Having her back feels surreal.
“Why is your family here?” she asks when the silence goes on.
“Jake’s family flew in yesterday, so we’re doing brunch.”
“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“That’s because Ian doesn’t come to most family things.”
“And you do?”
“Why are you here, Annie?”
“I wanted to talk to you. I thought it would be better to do it before your sister’s bachelorette party tonight.”
“As you can see, now is not a good time.”
“Because you’re late to family brunch, or because your hair is sticking up like Alfalfa’s?”
Her smirk and confident, casual behavior reminds me of the Annie I met on our first night. The one who stood in that exact spot and took control of me.
“Nice to see the docile version of you that I met at dinner was only temporary.” I attempt to smooth out my hair.
She takes a few steps closer. “The real me hasn’t gone anywhere. You know who I am.”
“No. I don’t know you at all. And I need a minute.” I force myself to move into the bathroom, trying to ignore the hurt on her face. If I don’t get downstairs soon, my aunt will be up here, or she’ll send someone else. But more than that, I feel like I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster, and I don’t know what to make of Annie’s Jekyll and Hyde act.
I do my best to tame my wild hair since I don’t have time for an actual shower and quickly brush my teeth before walking back into the room. Annie is sitting on the edge of the bed, but when she sees me, she stands.
“Better?” I ask, pointing to my hair.
“Even with bed hair, you look beautiful. You always look beautiful.”
I’ve never been affected by a woman calling me pretty, but I can feel my whole body warm. I turn to the closet so she can’t see my face. “You can’t say things like that to me.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re with my brother.”
“And you won’t let me explain.”
I grab a pair of pants and a T-shirt that I’m sure Jake’s mom won’t think is dressy enough, but I’m too distracted to care. I consider it a win that I’m not going down in yesterday’s clothes. “Are you going to explain at what point you’ll be breaking up with him?”
She takes a step, but the bed is between us, and she can’t go far. “No. I mean, not yet. I want to. Soon. But it’s complicated with my family.”
“Will you turn around?”
She looks confused, so I point down to the fresh clothes I had set on the bed. When she realizes my meaning, she smiles. “You weren’t this shy on Wednesday.”
“I wasn’t that aware on Wednesday,” I snap.
The playful expression falls from her face, and she turns. Part of me wishes I could forget everything and engage in the flirty banter she falls into so easily. But I can’t flirt with her. Not now that I know she’s with Ian. And not because I owe him anything, but because I can feel myself falling for her every time I see her, and that can’t happen.
She stays quiet as I put on my shirt. “What family things?” I ask to her back.
I can hear her inhale. “My dad owns a property investment company that’s in deep with Ian to franchise the Dawson Hotels. My family’s company needs this deal.”
I think about that as I button my pants. I vaguely remember something about that deal coming up at dinner and the way my uncle reacted to it. “You’re using my brother to help your family business?”
She whips around, seemingly not caring if I’m dressed, which I am. “No more than he’s using me.”
“But that’s who he is. Is that who you are? Does your dad even know you like women?”
Of all the things I’ve said or asked, of all the ways I’ve snapped at her in the past two days, nothing has made her face fall quite like my last question.
Her eyes fill with tears. “There’s more to it,” she whispers.
Before I can ask, the hotel phone on my bedside table is ringing, making me jump. If I don’t answer, whoever is calling is going to come up to my room. I walk over to the table and pick up.
Kat’s voice speaks loudly on the other end. “I was late, but you’re even later. Get your butt down here before Aunt Sandra comes up and drags you down.”
My eyes don’t leave Annie as my sister talks. She’s looking at the ceiling, and it seems as if she’s trying to keep her tears from falling. “I’m coming now,” I say. “Cool your jets.”
“They’re cool. Freezing, in fact. It’s our darling auntie whose panties are in a bunch.” Kat drops her voice. “I think Jake’s parents stress her out. Not to mention me. Get down here. Please.”
“Okay, okay. I’m coming. Is Holly there?”
She laughs. “The shell of Holly is here. But that’s about it. How much did you guys drink last night?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Fine. Just get downstairs. I’ll order you a water with a side of water.”
