Page 31 of Rare Blend
“Dad. Come on. She had that outfit on for like five minutes,” Gavin cries out.
He shrugs. “Kids get dirty, son, I don’t know what to tell you.” He shoots Lily a wink, and she preens under all the attention.
Following dinner, I wash the dishes. I’ve found it’s a task that soothes my restless mind. The warm water and rhythmic motion help me unwind, giving me a moment of peace. But that’s not the case today. My dad has Gavin and Shane in the backyard, measuring for a new shed while Goose runs circles around them, and Elyse and Ariana are playing dress up with Lily, leaving me wide open for an ambush from my mom. She wanders into thekitchen, the schemer that she is, cornering me while my hands are drowning in hot, soapy water.
“How are you feeling?”
I keep my focus on removing the hardened cheese coating the inside of a casserole dish. “What do you mean?” I know exactly what she means.
“Are you taking your medication?”
“Every day.”
She leans against the counter, and I don’t miss the concern on her face, despite avoiding eye contact.
“I worry about you.” Her voice is quiet. “If it’s too much, we can figure something else out.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I say dismissively. I understand that she’s concerned, but I’m not interested in being coddled. I also have no desire to discuss options for someone else to take over. Failure in this is not an option.
She picks up one of the washed dishes and starts towel drying it. “Are you still talking to that therapist?”
Jesus Christ. What is this? Interrogate Ethan night? “Yes, mom. Once a week. And I exercise and drink plenty of water and take my medication at the exact same time every day. Why are you bringing this shit up?”
She looks at me through her periphery. “Maybe because of your episode yesterday. You need to stay on top of things.”
I keep my head down, focusing on the suds of soap and continuing to avoid her eyes. Her gaze weighs heavily on me, though. “Can we move on from this? I’m managing.”
She watches me for a beat before nodding her head slowly and picking up another dish to dry.
We silently work together until we complete all the dishes.
“What was up with you and Marisa?” my mom asks, shattering our peaceful silence. I don’t miss the small smileplaying on her lips. “You were on the ruder side, but then you kept staring at her, so I figured you have a little crush.”
I turn away to fill a glass with water. “I wasn’t staring at her.” My voice climbs one too many octaves, sounding embarrassingly defensive. Was I staring at her? “And I don’t have a crush on her. Just the opposite, in fact.”
“She’s very pretty. Seems like such a sweetheart. Jenn was telling me that she went through a bad breakup recently.”
I still, contemplating joining Shane and Gavin outside. Hell, I’d gladly join my sisters and Lily, even let Lily give me one of her makeovers. Anything to get me away from my mom and that tone she’s using. The one that indicates she’s conspiring. “It’s really none of my business.”
“You mean you’re not even a little curious about her?”
She’s going to keep poking at me until she breaks me.
“Did you not hear me complaining to Dad that I wanted her gone? I don’t know where you’re going with this, but you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“Fine,” she sighs. “Forget I said anything.”
I glance at the clock and see I still have some time before the sun sets. “I’m going to head out. Go check on my parcel and figure out what the hell to do with it.”
She nods, knowing better than to ask too many questions when it comes to my small piece of land. I’ve all but abandoned it, yet I’m forced to see it every time I come over, because it’s nestled between my parents’ land and Gavin’s. Every time I look at it, all I see is the poured foundation that’s now cracked. It was poured for a house for Laura and me, and it started cracking before we even broke up. It was as if the land knew before I did that she and I were never meant to be.
CHAPTER 12
Marisa
DRAGGING A DEAD BODY
“Damn,” I breathe, looking around the expansive vineyard. I am so out of shape. Each step feels like a challenge, as I contend with the uneven terrain and my exhaustion grows. Sweat drips down my forehead, blurring my vision, and I squint ahead, searching for any sign of the cottage among the labyrinth of red and orange. The sun beats down relentlessly, casting harsh shadows across rows of vines stretching endlessly before me. That paired with the chilled air makes my body feel both heated and cooled all at once. My heart pounds, a mix of urgency and panic pushing me forward with each careful step. I’m completely turned around. Like, seriously lost.
