Chapter 40

My brother and I wake up early like we’re still seven years old and counting down the minutes before waking up our parents.

I had woken before my alarm, my bleary eyes registering the time as a little after six from the clock on my bedside table. I smiled broadly as I recalled the events of last night and the promise of seeing Mackenzie in less than 12 hours. I allowed myself to wake up gradually, checking my phone to scroll through various social media platforms before deciding to force myself out of bed and go to annoy my brother if he wasn’t already awake.

It’s a tradition within the Doherty household that the children make breakfast if the plan is to wake the parents early. Will and I have been doing this since he was thirteen years old, and it has become somewhat of a ritual for the pair of us to cook the same breakfast every year without fail. We then don our best clothes and head to the local church for the Christmas service. It’s a big deal for my Mom for all of us to go with her. It isn’t often that she’s free on a Sunday to attend, given her busy schedule, so we all make sure we’re there for her.

Before then, we’ll eat our breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, and chives on bagels together as a family on my parents’ bed. We don’t all quite fit like we used to, most of us having to hang our legs from the bed in order to fit us all. Mom and Dad now refuse to move their legs, so my brother and I are the ones that have to compromise on space.

I eye up the presents I can see in the living room, but I snap my attention back to my brother when I hear him snap his fingers and ‘tsk’ in my direction. “Ah, ah! Help me cut this. Leave the presents.”

I roll my eyes at my brother’s antics but begin to help him nonetheless, acting like a sous chef and letting him cook everything after I’ve done the prep work. Despite not missing his bossiness, it is nice to spend time with my brother again. It’s been a little weird with him being off at college, and the house has been quieter and much more lonely.

I don’t think I’ll be taking this time with him for granted. Before he moved away, we could only manage a couple of hours in each other’s company before we got sick of one another, but now I think we’re both appreciating the time we have together, whilst neither of us will admit that.

A stubbornness we both inherited from our mother.

“Who’s the girl you’re bringing to dinner?” I don’t look in his direction, focusing on whisking the scrambled egg, a slight smile on my face. “You haven’t mentioned a girl at all since you left for college.”

“You never mentioned you split up with Clay and got a new girlfriend,” Will muses, my gaze flickering up to look at him, his eyes full of humour. “I’d say we’re pretty even.”

“Are you not even going to give me a clue?” I almost beg, gripping his arm childishly, pushing out my bottom lip in a juvenile pout. “I opened up to you eventually. I even showed you a picture of Mack as an apology.”

Will snorts but continues on with making breakfast, completely ignoring my pleas and saying nothing else. I frown but don’t say anymore as there’s no point guessing who it is when I don’t know anyone from his college. Come to think of it, I can’t remember him actually bringing up college much. He’s definitely changed since leaving home. He’s grown his hair out, and he’s definitely put on some muscle weight, but he never seems to talk about his classes or friends.

Truthfully I feel bad because I’ve never asked him.

“How’s UPenn?” I ask, genuinely interested. Will smiles as he pours the scrambled egg mixture into the pan. “Spill the deets.”

“It’s good,” Will smiles. “I got my first start for the football team in the last game, and I think I’ve decided I’m going to look into the environmental science courses for my major. It’s a lot different to high school but it’s so much more freeing.”

I smile at my brother and ruffle his messy bed hair further, resulting in a disapproving grunt slipping past his lips. “Stop that! I am older, you know.”

“But yet you’re so easy to tease.” I grin, sliding some plates towards him stacked with buttered bagels.

Despite spending nearly four months apart, my brother and I jostled and joked like we’d never been separated. There wasn’t a moment without bickering or laughing between us, and we worked well together like we have always done. We plated up the food and sprinkled the chives on top before grabbing two plates each and speedily walking up the stairs.

“Merry Christmas!” We both shout at our parents as we burst into their room, our moods slightly deflating when we realise both of our parents are awake and waiting with smug smiles on their faces. “Aw, you’re meant to be asleep.”

My dad looks at us from over his small wire-framed glasses with a smirk on his face. “Despite you thinking that us old folk are going deaf and senile, it is very hard to sleep with the amount of noise you two created throwing pots and pans about.”

I send a sideways eye to my brother before we break out in laughter, my parents joining in, and in the great Doherty family tradition, we sit down and eat.

~•~

I smile at my family as I come down the stairs dressed to the nines for church. My Mom and Dad are fussing over each other’s outfits, my mother’s nimble fingers stressing with his tie. My brother’s eyes are drawn down to his phone, but his hair is neatly slicked back, and his face is clean-shaven. He’s wearing one of my dad’s suits because his weight gain means he doesn’t fit into his own now, but I have to say he scrubs up well. Lucky for him, he’s the same height as my dad and now shares the same broad shoulders, so his charcoal grey suit fits him snugly. His dark locks are tucked behind his ears, so he does look younger than his eighteen years, which I can tell by his fidgeting that he doesn’t like.

I haven’t broken out my dress in a long time; it might’ve even been last Christmas, or possibly Easter. Those are the only two times a year I really go to Church in formal wear if I can help it. The only other time my Mother will get me in a dress for Church is when she guilts me into it because I f’d up by missing curfew or by getting a bad grade on my report card. Otherwise, I’d be wearing jeans and a nice shirt for a casual Church service.

I personally hate it. I don’t usually wear dresses anyway, and anything below the knee for me is a big no-no, so this powder pink knee-length dress is something that I would compare to vomit or something else that would make me want to be physically sick, but my Mom loves it, and I only have to wear it twice a year.

“Aww, my baby Alex!” My Mom coos, rushing over as fast as her heels will allow her just so she can pinch my cheeks between her fingers. I scowl and swat her away, but her praise does make me happy, despite the fact we both know I wear the same thing — it’s already Mom approved.”Don’t you look gorgeous?”

“Yeah, doesn’t likkle Alex look super pretty,” Will teases, pocketing his phone in his trousers. “All pretty and feminine in her pretty pink dress.”

“Oh, knock it off.” I scowl, swatting away his hand that’s slowly creeping up to mess up my hair. My dad tuts at the pair of us, muttering something under his breath about growing up and bickering like children. I don’t say anything else because there’s no point in starting a childish verbal argument with my brother, especially not whilst my mom is so high on Christmas spirit she could start spitting out tinsel at any moment.

I do not want to be the one that pokes that bear. Not today.

Will blows me a kiss that I sarcastically catch before our whole family piles out of the house and into my dad’s car. The mood instantly lightens once my dad starts up the car, the warm air blasting from the heaters and Christmas music from his speakers. I smile as I watch my parents sing Fairytale of New York together, my mom holding up an invisible microphone between the two of them, their laughter carrying over their god-awful singing.

We pull up outside the church and jump out of the car one by one. My parents are instantly bombarded by members of the congregation that they obviously recognise, allowing my brother and I to slink to the back of the parking lot and stay away from all of the fussing that the elders seem to be so fond of.

I hear Will’s phone vibrate in his pocket, and I try my hardest to get a peek of his screen just so I can see who he’s texting so badly. He notices me looking and smirks, pulling his phone high from my eye line whilst his fingers dance across the scene before, once again, the phone disappears into his pocket. “Ah, ah, ah. You will see who it is at dinner, be patient.”

“If I’m already going to find out, why can’t you just tell me who it is.” I sound like a whiny toddler. I hate being kept out of the loop, and I hate secrets even more. At least, I hate secrets when I’m not involved in keeping them. “Oh, come on, Will.”

“No.” He states firmly with finality, so I give up. I don’t know why my brother is being so unyielding about this girl, but I guess we’ll find out later at dinner.

“Fine.” I huff, wrapping my arms tightly around myself to keep out the chill clinging to the wind.

The sun is out, but it is still cold enough for the snow that fell last night to not melt. I wish I’d worn something warmer, the bitterness being carried in the air erupting goosebumps across my exposed skin.

Then I spot her.

She’s stood talking to her brother and his fiancée, laughing and smiling at something they’ve said. It never ceases to amaze me just how much she continues to take my breath away, and she doesn’t even try. The sun is bathing her skin in a golden glow, and a soft halo seems to surround her, the beams glinting from her nose ring and making her hair seem lighter than usual.

“She looks beautiful,” Will muses, his hand clasping down on my shoulder. “Maybe you should go and talk to her instead of bothering me about who I’m texting?”

I roll my eyes at his tone, however, I know he’s right. She’s here, she’s looking amazing, and I don’t have to hide who she is anymore.

“Well?” Will snaps me from my reverie to send an amused look my way. “Why’re you still standing here? Go go.”

He gives me a light shove in my girlfriend’s direction, and I glare at him but continue walking over to her nonetheless. Nate, her brother, notices me first, and the small wave he sends my way alerts her to my presence.

Oh god, her smile.

Her smile makes me feel nervous despite the fact we’ve been together for at least a month now. It’s like seeing her for the first time; the butterflies that erupt in my stomach remind me of our first kiss, and I feel like a little kid staring at her childhood crush.

“Hi,” I say simply as I approach the group. Mackenzie’s smile widens as she sweeps me into a hug, peppering small kisses against my neck whilst nobody can see.

“Nice to see you again, Alex.” Piper smiles, hugging me once Mack finally loosens her grip. “You’ll have to stay for dinner before Mack sneaks you out.”

I chuckle as Mackenzie reaches over to swat her brother’s girlfriend, a teasing look on her face. “I do not sneak her out!”

Nate laughs at his sister’s rapidly flushing face, his eyes creasing with humour. “So how many times has she been over, and how many times has she stayed long enough to say hi?”

“Don’t be cruel.” Piper scolds. “He’s joking Alex, take no notice.”

“Let her stay for dinner next time and I’ll shut up.” Nate grins before allowing Piper to drag him away, leaving us alone.

“He’s so embarrassing,” Mackenzie mumbles, her cheeks still flaming. She then casts a worried glance my way. “You don’t think I sneak you out, do you?”

“No, I don’t,” I reassure her, planting a soft kiss on her cheek and lacing her fingers with mine. “I promise it doesn’t feel like you’re hiding me if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Good,” she says, sliding her arms around my waist. Despite the frost in the air, I barely feel the cold due to her body heat, and I can’t help but melt into her. I kiss her softly, the taste of strawberries against my lips making me smile. I don’t even think about the people around me or the fact we’re kissing outside a church. It just simply feels freeing to kiss her and not be bothered by the thought of people staring.

Mackenzie smiles at me as we pull apart, then swallows harshly as her eyes settle on the church behind us. “I haven’t been in a church since I realised I liked girls. I always thought that I’d burst into flames if I walked over the threshold.”

“We’ll burn together then,” I reply lightheartedly, my smile softening at the sight of Mack’s shoulders relaxing. I spot my brother walking in our direction, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his coat. “Though I think we’ll have to introduce you to the family first.”

Will stops in front of us and smiles, and for the first time today, his phone isn’t anywhere to be seen.

“So this must be the infamous Mackenzie.” My brother smiles, offering his hand to my girlfriend. “I have to admit, you’re much prettier in person.”

“Will.” I glare, my annoyance and embarrassment building at the sight of his smirk broadening. I don’t want him to blab about the fact that we sat down the other night and he allowed me to bare my soul to him. I sat and gushed about Mack, and he let me, listening with a small yet proud smile on his face. “Don’t.“

“What?” Will says with a mocking innocence. “I was merely saying that Mackenzie is pretty.”

“Looks like we have annoying brothers in common.” I chuckle as I slap my brother across the shoulder. “Not that that’s a good thing.”

“We better head inside, kid.” Will glares at me jokingly as he rubs his arm, eyes looking over at our parents. They’re both speaking to the pastor who runs our church, a kind man called Father Antony, who’s been in charge since I was baptised. “You two don’t want to be the centre of attention when you walk in late and on fire because you’re sinners-ow!”

My brother hisses in pain as he rubs his arm, his eyes sparkling with humour as he takes in my horrified expression. “Joking.”

“Well, we’re about to find out,” I mutter, nerves taking over every fibre of my being until I’m this amassing ball of anxiety. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Mackenzie smiles softly and takes my hand, entangling my fingers between hers. “There’s only one way to find out.”

~•~

My mom and dad welcomed Mackenzie with open arms, although the knowing and unamused looks that my mother was throwing my way made me feel about ten inches tall. I think it quickly dawned on her how often my “friend,” who is now my girlfriend, was staying over. I doubt my mother would believe me if I told her nothing has happened – which is true, by the way – I’d just get the smile she gave my brother when she’d ask how his night was.

We’re all currently in the living room, minus dad, playing poker really poorly. Dad is probably doing what he does every year and sitting in front of the oven to watch the turkey, making sure that the skin is the exact colour of crispy and basting it exactly every thirty-seven minutes.

“I do this so your turkey isn’t dry,” my dad says to me every year when he finds me leaning against the kitchen door and laughing at him as he squats down in front of the oven. This is all because of the one time mom cooked Christmas dinner instead of him because he had a surgery to finish, and we all complained because it was like eating cardboard.

We’re also still waiting for Will’s mystery girl to turn up. He assured us that she would be coming over before dinner so that we could make introductions without a dinner table separating us, but every passing minute that dinner creeps closer is another minute that Will’s nervous leg bounce increases and his fingers get closer to his mouth so he can bite his nails. Will always bites his nails when he’s nervous.

I wonder why he’s worried that she won’t show?

“It looks like I win again.” The voice of my mom has me snapping from another one of my mental sinkholes. She’s grinning smugly as she slams her cards down on the table and shows three of a kind. “You guys are lucky we’re not playing for money because I am robbing you blind.”

“You’d only be robbing your own money from us,” Will smirks, watching as mom drags all of the chips in the centre of the table her way. “You guys are the ones that give us an allowance.”

“Well then, the money I would be taking at the moment was donated by your father.” She chuckles as she shuffles the cards to deal them out again. “So, how long have you two been together?”

“Officially?” Mackenzie looks over and smiles at me. “About a month.”

“And unofficially?” Will smirks, yelping when I kick him under the table.

“Alex.” My mom warns, making me glare at my brother as he smirks.

“Unofficially, I don’t know,” I answer honestly. It’s not that simple to put a date and time frame on when things between Mack and I crossed from friends to something more. Part of me wants to say that we were never really friends because our entire relationship has been a mixture of sexual tension and rivalry. Hell, she made me realise I didn’t love Clay anymore, and we were meant to be “just friends” at that point. Part of me wants to just say since the first time I met her in Benny’s, with her teasing smile and matching order. God, I can still remember when I saw her eyes for the first time, a silver I’d never seen.

Yeah, we were never just friends, even if we tried to be.

Mackenzie looks at me and smiles softly, taking my hand and squeezing it tight in hers. Even the fleeting look she sends my way proves to me she completely understands. I remember the jealous arguments that I didn’t understand at the time, the shameless flirting, the hand-holding.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear the doorbell go, Will shooting out of his seat to go and answer it. Now the questioning can be on him.

“I’m gonna go and check on your father.” My mom finishes the rest of her wine and stands, placing a chaste kiss on my forehead. “Make sure his knees haven’t seized from crouching in front of the oven.”

As she leaves the room, I lean into Mackenzie’s embrace, my hands finally starting to stop shaking. She peppers several kisses on my temple, finishing with a brief, chaste kiss on my lips. “You should go and meet your brother’s girlfriend.”

“He assures me they’re not official,” I chuckle but agree nonetheless. She’s probably nervous, I know I was when I sat down with Mackenzie’s family for the first time, and the last thing she needs is to walk through miles of this empty house before she meets anyone, nerves building with every step. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

I rise from my seat and pad towards the front door, hearing the quiet muttering of my brother and the mystery girl. I hope she’s nice, and I hope she treats him well. She doesn’t have to be conventionally pretty, or like a stereotypical supermodel. I’d never bring another girl down, and so long as she makes my brother smile and happy, that’s good enough for me.

My thick socks slide around the corner into the foyer, my face morphing into confusion when I see a familiar face standing inside my house. I haven’t spoken to her since the ski trip, feeling too angry to talk about her sending the photo that has probably destroyed my friendships with both Faye and Clay. I feel guilt building deep in my stomach when I register how many texts and calls I’ve purposely ignored since then. I think it’s time to make amends.

“April…” I start to say as I walk out towards the pair of them, only to stop dead in my tracks, disbelief and dread pushing the guilt from the pit of my stomach as I watch my brother wrap his arms around my best friend’s waist and pull her in for a kiss.

Oh no.

You have got to be kidding me. 

~•~

Well hello there!!

I must admit, I had quite a lot of fun writing this chapter. I’ve been dropping hints about April being in a secret relationship in previous chapters, mainly when she’s been lying to friends about who she’s spending time with and where she’s been going.

It’s good to finally have that bomb out in the light now!!

What do you guys think about this chapter?! Leave a like if you enjoyed it and leave comments about how you felt reading this. 

I won’t give too much away about the next chapter, but I have a feeling a lot of you will like what’s coming 😉

I hope everyone that celebrates Christmas has a great time with family. I know I will be so I won’t be publishing anything until at least the new year. 

Love, 

Lauryn xoxo