Hated Ties (Book 3. Ties)

7. Can't Hate

Nicole opens her front door and a look of surprise immediately surfaces. "Mackenzie! I didn't know you were coming."

"Neither did I," I answer.

She invites Levi and me inside. We are taken to the living room where Richard, Christopher, Emily, and four people I had never met before are sitting. "Uncle Leelee," Christopher screeches. He is so big. Pictures and video calls do not do him justice! Christopher runs towards us, and with perfection Levi lowers his body, and Christopher jumps right in. It is a beautiful moment. After a few seconds of horseplay between the two, my nephew notices me. His eyes go wide. "Auntie Kenzie! You're here!"

All I can do is smile. I feel... okay. But the happy environment trying to welcome me is gone once little Christopher, who is not so little, jumps from Levi's arms to me. His arms reach around my neck, and I try to carry his weight, but my wrists cannot sustain the pounds. I can feel gravity wanting to take us down, and there is not a thing I can do about it.

My clenched eyes open after I realize I am not on the floor and neither is my nephew. Levi has an arm around my waist and the other under Christopher's body. My blood is rushing to my face, and it's not because I am embarrassed or scared of people seeing how weak I am. No, it's all because Levi is standing too close to me.

His arm around me is not producing any fear though. It is not touch that grips my heart in terror; it is the unexpected reach. Robin had realized that immediately, so he has been letting me be the one who initiates any contact, whether it's a hug or me wanting to lay on his shoulder.

Many things happened at the same time, so I missed the reaching over of Levi's arm towards my body. That only means I skipped the moment where I usually cringe. And, now his arm is around me, and I want it to stay there. I should not feel this way or feel anything at all.

"Christopher Philip Storm, don't do that!" Nicole is quick to reprimand the four-year-old as she takes him from both Levi and my arms. Levi lets go of me but does not distance himself much. "Look at your aunt. You're too heavy for her because she doesn't eat."

I roll my eyes. "Why is it that everytime you see me you mention my eating habits, Nicole?"

She smiles mockingly. "Because you're thinner every time I see you."

"Maybe she just doesn't have people who cook as well as me," Levi interjects with a glimmer in his eye. "She ate everything I served her two days ago."

Her smile disappears and is replaced by coldness. "She's married now, Levi. That type of behavior should not be happening. Thanks for letting me know you were here, by the way."

Her words make me cringe inside. "Nicole," I plead.

"No, it's okay. That just shows me how much you value me." She raises her eyebrows and changes the subject before I can say anything else. "Come and meet my dad's fiancée and her son's family."

There is no possibility to talk about things with my sister, so I simply follow her with Levi to my side. I meet Sirrah, Hai, and his family. Interactions continue for a few minutes between the adults while Christopher, his sister, and Hai's son play on the rug. After a while, Nicole asks who wants to help with the sides for dinner. Using the word 'ask' is pushing it too much though. She is essentially commanding Levi and I to help her while everyone else stays with the kids in the living room.

With anxiousness we walk inside the kitchen, waiting to hear what snappy Nicole has to say.  "Why is it so warm in here," I ask to break the uncomfortable silence.

Nicole stares at me like I am an idiot. "Because the oven is on. Take off your hoodie, maybe that'll help." Her voice oozes with sarcasm.

"No," I say too strongly. She is going to be on to me now. "...You're just making me nervous." I force a smile. In return, both Nicole and Levi appraise me as if looking hard enough will let them hear what I am thinking. But, Nicole does not know what is going through my head, no one does.