Trīgintā trēs

Sunday

I came downstairs the next morning to find Law sitting up at the breakfast bar in the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in front of her as she sifted through a pile of bills. My steps faltered momentarily as the familiar nerves of a child being caught doing something untoward surfaced. Gratefully, I remember rather quickly that I definitely cleaned up any and all evidence of the party that was burning brightly in this very spot only days ago.

"Hey. How was your flight? You're up early for someone that took a red-eye."

Her eyes flick up to find mine, one perfectly manicured brow quirking. "That's probably because I haven't been to bed yet. I'm too wired."

It's not uncommon for things that tire other people out to have the opposite effect on Law. After I've spent hours traveling, the first thing I want is a shower and then a nap. Law has always been the opposite. I know she tends to get anxious flying and prefers to drive, which is probably a big part of it.

I cross the kitchen before pulling a mug from the cupboard above the coffee pot and pouring myself a cup of what smells to be pure heaven, filling it with copious amounts of both sugar and cream.

The sound of the front door opening drew my attention across to the foyer, where my uncle Ramsay was letting himself in with a smile on his face. "Sunday, you're going to need to winter that bike before long or the weather is going to get the better of it."

The corner of my mouth quirked up at the thought. He's right, of course. I do need to winter my bike, but I still feel as though I just got it. For some reason, putting it away for the season seems like another piece of the grieving process. Putting away a part of my father. The first time that his bike has been put away for the season without him. Just the thought of that has me clearing my throat against the painful tension that settles there.

"I'll do it this weekend," I offer with a shy smile.

"How was your flight in, Laurie?" he said, coming to stand between the two of us at the breakfast bar before plucking a green apple from the bowl on the counter and taking a bite of the ripe fruit, the scent of the sour granny-smith immediately tickling my senses.

"Same as usual. Jones is going to be coming in this weekend from Cambridge, so I want to make sure that I have everything submitted before the break coming up so we'll have some time to spend together."

I manage to contain my ire regarding my sister's loser boyfriend, but only just. Ramsay just nods before clapping a hand against her back. "Alright. I was actually just going into the shop early this morning and thought I would stop by to take my beautiful, youthful, niece to school today."

I scrunch my brows together before shooting a look at Law whose face is held in a similar expression. It's not something that he would usually do. It's not something he's ever done. I'm immediately on guard.

"Uh, yeah. Sure. Thanks. I'll just run upstairs and grab my bag."

***

The ride to school felt awkward. A Perfect Circle played through his blown speakers just low enough to keep the silence at bay. Ramsay and I have always had an easy camaraderie. Something that has never felt strained or contrived, even when I was a little kid. As I got older and started taking more interest in the things he and my father did, the closer we became. The tension between us now felt uncomfortable, but oddly familiar.

"So, officer Bailey brought his wife's car in for an oil change yesterday," he said, finally cutting the taut tension between us that was threatening to become a permanent fixture.

I cleared my throat, letting my eyes slide toward him. "Oh? How is he doing?"

"Well, you saw him on Saturday, so you tell me."

He's not usually one to bust my chops about anything, let alone a little party that I threw. Unfortunately, I didn't think to convince the police officers not to tell anyone that they stopped by. I only stopped them from calling my sister.

"Don't tell Law. She's going to freak out." The accusation in his tone finally made clear the reason for this impromptu ride to school.

Shaking his head back and forth, he lets out a huff of laughter– but not the kind of laughter someone would let out at something funny. More like the kind of laughter you let out when you're astounded by someone's audacity.

"Sunday, it's just us now. You, Law, and me. I know that you're a kid, and everyone knows that I had my own parties in high school, but this isn't the time to be having your own rebellion. I know that what's happened isn't your fault, but the fact remains that Law is counting on you to step up and be responsible."

For the first time since the party, a pang of guilt settled into my stomach. Of course, I know this, but I had figured that what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. I hadn't really considered how anyone else would interpret the action.

"I know. It was harmless, really."

"Yeah, I'm sure it was, he began with a nod, "but what would have happened if someone got hurt? Do you know how to use your homeowner's insurance? Who would have gotten in trouble with the cops? It wouldn't be you, it would be Law."

Taking a deep breath, I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes. On one hand, I know he's right and my gut reaction is to argue with him due to the fact that I am, in fact, still a teenager. On the other hand, how am I supposed to learn to be an adult if everyone is going to keep treating me like a child?

"You're right. I'll make an effort to learn those things so that when Law moves to Boston full time I'll be set up, okay?"

He gives me a nod, seeming to be pleased with this answer before we turn into the parking lot at school. "I'll come by this weekend and help you get the bike put away for winter, so make sure there's a spot in the garage for it."

Giving him the hint of a sideways smile, I agree before getting out of the car and heading toward the school, stopping in my tracks when I find Oakley laughing at something Cam was saying as she stands across from him, letting her hand rest gently on his forearm with more familiarity than I would like. My mouth immediately went dry.

I am in no position to be possessive of Oakley. Really, we've just started with each other and we haven't made any assurances about whether or not we're exclusive with one another. It's not like we're in love or anything.

Forcing my feet to move, I start to close the gap between us, coming up beside them with a smile. "Morning Oak. Cam."

Oakley leans down and presses a soft kiss against my cheek in greeting without skipping a beat. Cam's eyes flared with an emotion I couldn't quite discern, but it was gone in a flash, her perfect facade of the nice girl falling into place effortlessly. I'm going to have to keep my eye on her. She's good.

"Walk me to class?" I say, turning to face Oakley, effectively dismissing Cameron.

"Sure," he says before giving Cam a wave and grabbing my hand.

Once we're far enough away I lean into Oak's side. "You two seemed friendly this morning."

"Yes... If there's something you have to say, just come out and say it. It's too early to do a little song and dance, don't you think?"

I run my tongue across my dry lips. "I just don't think I like seeing you with her, especially now that I know that she's the enemy."

Oakley scoffs. "Sunday, I can't just not talk to her. She's a family friend and what would equate to a coworker in the human world. If I start acting weird, she's going to get suspicious."

I clear my throat as we come around the corner before going up into the stairwell. "Yeah, but she still wants you."

"She can want me all she wants, but that doesn't mean she's going to get me. Are you seriously jealous right now?"

Am I?

"No, I just. It's been a weird morning, I guess."

He casts his knowing eyes in my direction before pulling me to a stop. "Everything okay?"

I breathe deeply, trying to figure out why things feel so off today, but I can't quite figure it out. "Yeah. I think so."

He gives me a nod before wrapping both my hands in his and bringing them to his mouth, letting a gentle kiss fall to my knuckles. "Okay. Then I'll see you at lunch."