Page 6 of Hold Me Instead
Zachary felt his throat tighten, but croaked, “Yeah, you know how much Dad gets a kick out of shit.”
Sandra’s laugh burst free, eyes watery as she tilted her head his way. A tired smile lingered. “I’m really glad you’re here.” She straightened, dabbed the corners of her eyes with her fingertips, and walked toward the double doors. “Alright, let’s go.”
“Wait.” He cleared his throat. “Sandra, hold on—”
“I’ll pull Mom out of the room if you want some alone time. He’s sleeping, but still.”
The sound that escaped him could only be described as a growl—fitting, since he felt like a disgruntled animal. Emotions were confusing and fuck expressing them. “I’ll hang out here for Mom. Besides, it’s rude to make people wait,” he taunted.
His sister squinted with a scrutiny that was effective as a high school counselor. “What?”
He pointed inside the waiting room where Charlie sat, pretending to focus on her phone.
“Charlie! I didn’t know you were here.” Sandra rushed over to Charlie, who stood for a welcoming hug. “Did you text me?” she asked, pulling back with concern.
“No. I, uh, haven’t been here long. Figured I’d run into you at some point,” Charlie said.
Sandra whipped back to him, eyes alert. “Were you nice to Charlie?”
An abrupt laugh escaped him. His sister waited, eyebrow raised. She knew he harbored residual issues regarding the practice, though he’d never divulged them all to her.
Charlie rubbed her currently pinched forehead, but said nothing in his defense. Though she wouldn’t have a reason to, would she?
He flung his arms wide, frustration as exposed as his palms, but kept his tone measured. “What is this, kindergarten?”
Sandra shrugged. “Youareacting like a child in regard to Dad. Figured all your tendencies to revert back might be kicking in.”
He crossed his arms, then realized the pouting gesture for what it was and moved to lean against the wall, using every effort to appear casual. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Thirty-five years old and I feel like a kid. Weird“big sister”powers.
Sandra full-on grinned, and some of the tension left his body. If nothing else, their stupid quarrel made her happy for at least a moment.
“Jay must hate all this counselor bullshit,” he mumbled, even though he knew full well his brother-in-law loved that about Sandra. It seemed like every part of her that needled Zachary growing up only made Jay fall harder—like when Zachary was eighteen and she analyzed aloud in painstaking detail Zachary’s high school relationships “for thesis research,” only to have then-college-boyfriend Jay turn to her and say, “Do mine next.” True love, where your quirks and flaws were plated in gold.
They don’t make relationships like that anymore.
Charlie touched Sandra’s arm. “Do you need food? I just wanted to check in, see what I could do,” Charlie said, interrupting the sibling bickering.
Zachary’s gaze traveled over her short frame, and the curves fitted to her scrubs. She gripped a raincoat against her body, its stripes of bright colors a cheerful contrast to the gray scrubs, the top of which was printed with cats holding jack-o’-lanterns and wearing witch hats. Upon closer inspection, he noticed some cats held signs that read We Choose Treats!
God damn it,charming she is.
“Thanks, but Jay distracted the kids by cooking up a feast tonight, and I managed to force some cafeteria food on Mom. Much as I’ve tried, I think she’s staying here for the night.”
“Does she need anything from home?” Charlie asked.
He rubbed his chest, unsure why it suddenly ached.
“No, you’re sweet to ask. We’re doing alright at the moment. Unless this dope needs something.” Sandra turned to him. “Are you coming home with me?”
“Staying by Jordan.” His eyes darted to Charlie, who barely glanced his way, then back to his sister. He was pretty sure Charlie wasn’t eager to help him, anyway. “I don’t need anything. Assuming I’m the dope you meant.”
Sandra smirked.
“Then I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Let me know if anything comes up,” Charlie said, continuing the conversation as though Zachary wasn’t involved.
Sandra stopped her. “Did you want to see him?” she asked Charlie softly.
“No, no. You three should have this time with him.”
