Chapter 8
Kate
Theincessantbuzzingof my phone pulls my attention from the canvas in front of me. When I pull out my earbud, Alanis Morissette fills the space. A photo of my sister making a kissy face at the camera looks back at me when I glance down at the screen. I sigh heavily and press the red ignore button. Sorry, sissy, not in the mood for you today.
“Busted,” my sister shouts from behind me, and I jump, causing my phone to slip from my hands and crash to the floor.
“Jesus fucking Christ, woman.” I clutch my hand to my chest, willing my heart rate to drop to a rate not resembling the aftermath of running a triathlon—not that I would know. Lauren was always the athletic one between the two of us. I hop off the stool and retrieve my phone.
Phew—not a single crack. She’s lucky because if there were, I would have made her replace it.
“Are you trying to fucking kill me?”
“Ha.” My sister shrugged. “If only it were that easy.”
I narrow my eyes at her and flash her the middle finger, which only makes her smile bigger.
“But maybe,” she draws out, “if you would have answered my phone calls and texts, then you would have known I was planning to come over.”
“I’ve responded to your texts,” I admit, and it’s not a complete lie.
“Yes, no, and single emojis are not actual responses. Maybe for some people, but not me.”
I roll my eyes. I’m pretty sure those are actual responses.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” she states matter-of-factly.
“Have not,” I whine like a child. “I’ve been working.” Again, not a total lie. I’ve had a few pieces left to finish up for clients.
Lauren places her hands on her hips and steps her foot out of the side. “Have, too. And further proof—” She holds up her phone, revealing our text conversation with a slew of unanswered texts from her. “—if you had read your latest messages, you would see that I said I was coming over after I set up my classroom.”
Before I can ask her what she’s doing here, her eyes catch onto the colorful canvas behind me.
“Ooh, this is new.”
“Thank you. Just finished it.” I step back beside her and admire the painting before us. I can’t help but smile when I notice in my peripheral vision that Lauren and I are both tilting our heads to the side with our arms crossed.
“It’s different from your usual.”
I twist my lips. “Yeah, I guess it is.” Art has always been a way for me to channel my emotions and escape the real world. I let my inner demons bleed onto the canvas with every stroke, allowing people to see the parts of me I keep buried deep. I guess that’s why my pieces have always had darker undertones to them. My art is the only way I know to share my deep, dark secrets.
This piece is different—it’s bold and vibrant. I hadn’t even realized the difference as I was painting it. I nibble on my bottom lip while I try to think what the inspiration behind this piece could be. What’s the difference between today and the last time I painted? Only one thing comes to mind… dinner last night, interacting with Andy.
No, it couldn’t possibly be, right?
I shake the thoughts away and move over to gather my brushes to take them downstairs to clean them.
“So, not that I don’t love it when you stop by unannounced, but what’s the emergency?”
“I wanted to talk to you about dinner last night.”
Why do I feel like I’m about to be scolded like a damn child?
“Look, I know that you and Jax”—my body goes rigid at the mention of his name—“had an intense first meeting.”
I snicker. I don’t know that “intense” is the word I would choose, but sure, we can go with it. “Are you here for you? Or are you here because your husband asked you to?” I point a paintbrush in her direction.
“Now, that’s not fair. If Finn had something to say, he would—we both know that. I’m doing this because last night was awkward as fuck.” Her voice raises, shocking us both. Lauren is the more levelheaded one out of the two of us, so when she loses her temper or raises her voice, you know she’s fired up.
Is she seriously trying to pin this all on me? Oh, hell no. “And whose fault was that? I wasn’t the one to crash a family dinner.”
“Jaxon and Andy are family,whether you like it or not. Finn is the most important person in my life—”
I gasp dramatically, bringing my hand to my chest. “I am offended. And to think we shared a womb,” I scoff.
Lauren rolls her eyes and lets out a harsh breath. “You know what I mean, Kate. And just like you are to me, Jax is important to Finn. Look, I know that shit happened, and you guys just seem to clash like oil and water.”
I laugh at her analogy because there couldn’t be a more perfect way to describe it.
“But—” Her eyes and voice soften. “—he’s had a rough go of it. Maybe throw a little compassion his way, will ya? For me?”
First Mom, now Lauren.I can see the challenge shining in my sister’s eyes. This isn’t a topic she’s going to let slide, so I concede.
“Fine, whatever,” I huff, tired of talking about him.
“Thank you,” she sighs. “I’m not asking you to be besties and paint each other’s nails. Just be cordial.”
“I already agreed. But just remember that it’s not just me. I can’t be held responsible if he pokes the bear.” I hold my hands up like a bear in defense mode and growl.
“I get that, but I can at least feel better knowing that you won’t be instigating it.” I leave my hands by my side as she steps up and hugs me, then rushes out the door, shouting, “Love you.” Talk about door dash.
Long after my sister leaves, I’m annoyed with her. Not even a long, hot shower relaxes me. Later, I’m lounging on my bed, still wrapped in a fluffy towel, flipping through Netflix, when a loud noise from outside startles me.
“What the fuck?” I hop off the bed, holding my towel tighter at the knot, and walk to the window.
“Holy motherfucking shit,” I shout as soon as I flick the blind open.