Today we’re cleaning the house, and we’re starting in the kitchen. Callie is working on the fridge clean out, Cydney is taking care of the floors, and my hands are in the soapy water dealing with the dishes. As I’m washing, I begin to space out, thinking about Zac, trying to figure out how to approach him. The man is intoxicating.
I stand outside Zac’s room with my hand hovering over the doorknob. I want to go in, but I’m positive he’s sleeping. “Screw it,” I whisper to myself. Grabbing the doorknob, my hand turns it as quietly as possible, trying to make sure I don’t disturb him.
Once I have the door open slightly, I shimmy myself through the small space. Shew. I’m in. My heart is racing. I close the door slowly in an attempt to remain as silent as possible. My legs are wobbly as I step over to the bed. When I gaze down, he appears peaceful, his chiseled chest rising and falling with his light breathing.
I wonder if he sleeps naked. Oh my! That’s a delicious thought.
Do his tattoos extend down the rest of his body? I’ve only seen the ones on his torso showing the skulls with chains, and the one with wings and a skull in the shape of a butterfly on his right side. The small one on his left side is made up of letters that form a cross, but I can’t quite make out the words. In addition, he also has more skulls on his arms and the word “relentless” written from collarbone to collarbone across his chest. Holy hell! I would love to explore his body more.
“Cayden! Earth to Cayden!” I hear my name being called, “Cayden!”
What the hell? Can’t a woman get any privacy?
“Cayden!” My sister Cydney is bellowing my name.
“What? I’m busy!” I shout back.
“Yeah, we see that. The plate you’re holding has never been cleaner.” Cydney states.
Wait. Plate? What plate? I look down and I am basically molesting a plate. Jiminy Christmas! What have I been doing? Fucking daydreams about Zac. “Fine, sorry. I was making sure it was properly cleaned.” I attempt to cover my tracks the best I can, but my sisters aren’t buying it one bit.
“Right. And you were biting your lip for fun. Oh, Cayden, we’re not fools. We know you were thinking about one of them. Either way, that’s one clean ass plate,” Callie says, snickering and making the okay sign with her hand.
Ah fuck. Did I say all that out loud too?
I hang my head. “Okay, bitches, let’s finish up in here. Please.” Jeez, I really need to get my shit under control. Time to change the subject. “Hey, what do y’all think of this whole Momma moving thing?”
“I think it’s great. Momma found her happy place. I say let her live and have fun.” Cydney places more dishes into the cabinet.
“Yeah, she deserves this. She raised us, we went off to college, and in the process, she found something she was missing,” Callie throws in her two cents.
“Yeah. I’m happy for her too. She deserves all the happiness she desires.” Momma does have more pep in her step lately, and she is always smiling. Professor Bryant has made her shine more since they’ve been together.
Just when we were finally finishing the dishes, the guys walk in. “Hey, baby.” Dex greets Callie, giving her a kiss; followed by Maverick giving the same treatment to Cydney. And then there’s Zac and I…we’re staring at each other, nothing else. Ugh! This is annoying; however, we share a great moment between us, rolling our eyes at the way the others act. I silently giggle. “Zac.”
“Cayden.” That exchange earns us some confused looks from the others.
“I need some fresh air. I’ll be back in a bit.” I exit the kitchen and make my way to the front porch. I’m sitting on the porch swing, minding my own business, when Momma walks up the porch steps.
“Cayden, baby girl, whatcha’ doin’ out here?” She comes and takes a seat next to me.
I glance at her, and it’s obvious how happy she is. I can’t take that away from her. “Nothin’ really. Just takin’ a break.” I’m almost certain Momma’s not gonna believe that for a second.
“Cayden, now look here…” I meet her eyes, and she has her mom face on. “You’ve been moody since you came home from school. I know that you have a lot on your mind and a choice to make…”
“Momma—”
She holds up her finger to quiet me. “Let me finish, missy.” I shut my mouth quickly. “If there is anything that I know about you girls is that y’all let your heads get in the way of your hearts. For goodness sake, Cayden, you need to put on your big girl panties and make the right choice for you, not anyone else.”
“Well, damn, Momma. Tell me how you really feel.” I grin and lean over to give her a hug.
“Honey, you’ll figure it out.” She pulls away and heads into the house. I turn to scan the field out in front of the house, letting my thoughts wander. Momma’s right. I need to make the choice that is best suited for me, not for anyone else.
* * *
Today’s the day that we’re saying goodbye to Momma. She is moving to Athens, and we’re all ecstatic for her. Plus, we’ll be near her again as soon as we go back to school in the fall.
Dex, Maverick, and Zac are all working on loading the U-Haul, while we ladies are inside finishing up last-minute packing of things that Momma wants to take with her. Momma and Professor Bryant ran into town to get a few things before they leave for Athens.
The three of us finish the packing, tape the boxes, and get them staged for loading. Zac walks in wiping the sweat from his face with his T-shirt, showing off his abs and the large tattoo that runs from his hip and up his rib cage. “These ready to go?” He points to the boxes that are in front of me.
“Yeah, I just need to label them.” I take out the sharpie and label it with the word “knickknacks.”
“Great.” Zac lifts them as if they weigh nothing.
I watch him stroll out the door, and I fully enjoy the view of his flexing muscles. Cydney and Callie walk up beside me and bump my shoulders. Wrapping my arms around their necks, I squeeze them to me.
“Hey, boys,” I hear Momma outside.
“Hey, Momma,” The boys shout in unison.
“You’re ready to go,” I hear Zac say.
We all laugh when we hear the guys respond to her. “C’mon girls, let’s go see Momma off on her new adventure,” I instruct.
The three of us make our way out the front door, as Momma meets us on the porch and stands in front of us. Opening her arms, we rush into her waiting embrace.
“Aww, my sweet baby girls. Have fun this summer, and I’ll see you when you come back to school. I’m only a call or even a short drive away.” She squeezes us once more before she releases us.
“We will, Momma.” I give her a kiss on the cheek.
“You have fun too,” Cydney tells her.
Callie has a huge happy ass grin on her face, like she is an emoji or something. “Go be happy, Momma. And believe me, we know where to find you.”
Momma chuckles. “Of course you do. Remember girls, I’m happy. Very, very happy.” She saunters down the stairs and out to her car. Professor Bryant waves at us before he opens the door to the U-Haul and climbs in.
“Hey, Professor!” I holler before he shuts the door.
“Yes, Cayden?” He responds back.
“Be sure to take care of our Momma.” He smirks and nods. I know he will. They both start their vehicles and begin their short trip to Athens. We wave from the porch as we watch Momma leave to begin the next chapter of her life…one she more than deserves.
Dex and Maverick come up to the porch, wrapping their arms around Callie and Cydney. I’m leaning on the banister looking at Zac, and he’s staring back at me. He mouths, “You good?”
I nod my head and mouth back, “Yeah, I’m good.” Pushing away from the banister, I enjoy the warm feeling I get for no other reason than because he’s checking on me.