The Mishap

Chapter Six

I destroyed my inner cheek, literally chewing on Case’s actions last night. I’m not sure when I passed out but I cringe when I try to move from my awkward sleeping position. Somehow I managed to fall asleep with my head at a 90 degree angle and shoved into Brandi’s bum. 
Bless her and her cute butt.
I manage to not disturb Brandi as I get up and stretch until my muscles shake.
Still feeling half-awake, I trudge upstairs to change.
It dawns on me, while passing the bathroom, that I could really use it. My stomach isn’t so happy about last night’s epic snack as I was. I quickly step back and open the bathroom door only to freeze.
Oh
My
Lanta
…
When Case’s eyes meet mine, he quickly grabs a towel and wraps it around his glistening body.
How the h e double hockey sticks does he look so much like a statue that belongs in the Louvre?
“Liza?” Case asks quietly, only for me to realize I’ve been standing there with my jaw on the floor.
“Oh, shi-shoot!” I quickly slam the door shut, almost swearing, and run into Brandi’s room, jump on her bed, and cover my face with my hands.
How did I not hear the shower?
Why did I just stand there?
How is he not only hot, and sweet, but also well-endowed?
The still fresh image of a dripping wet Case enters my mind and now my tummy feels agitated for a reason other than food.

I hold all my bathroom needs in until Brandi comes to get me some time later.
“What are you doing up here?”
There is no way I’m going to tell her what happened. Nope. No way. Instead, I shrug in response to her question.
“Well, it’s time for breakfast. Come on!” Brandi tugs at my arm, pulling me from my hiding spot. 
After a quick stop to the restroom, Brandi and I make our way to the kitchen. Thankfully, Case is nowhere in sight. Even so, I can’t get myself to relax completely.
“...so I was thinking we could hang out today, if you want.”
Brandi looks at me and I realize I didn’t hear a word she said.
“Huh?”
“What’s with you this morning? You are acting kinda weird.”
“No, I’m not.” I immediately go on the defensive.
Brandi juts out her hip, leaning against the kitchen island and says, “Mmhmm. Right. What did I just say then?”
I look around, pursing my lips and taking a moment to think. “Thaaaat...you love me and I’m your best friend.”
“Ugh! You’re impossible!” Brandi laughs and pushes my shoulder lightly. “I was asking if you wanted to stay over for a bit today. Just you and me, like the old days.”
“Oh...yeah, I don’t see why not.”
Brandi jumps in place and smiles before wrapping me in a quick hug. She grabs her sugar-filled cereal and some fruit before making her way to the dining room. I follow, not grabbing anything due to a churning in my gut.
“Hey, Case.” Brandi says lightly as she sits down across the table from him.
Our eyes lock for an instant and I quickly look away. I keep my eyes on the table as I take a seat next to Brandi. I can feel my cheeks burning and I tilt my head forward to have my hair hide me as much as possible.
“Where’s your breakfast?” Brandi asks and I look up to accidentally meet Case’s eyes again. He looks as uncomfortable as I feel.
I quickly look away once more before replying. “Oh, uh, I forgot to grab something. I’ll just...” I start to get up, thankful for an excuse to leave the room, when Brandi grabs my wrist.
“Sit down! You can take this.” She places a banana in front of me and my mind instantly goes to the gutter. I feel like hyperventilating, but somehow I manage to keep it under wraps. “Tha-Thanks.” I smile at her the best I can manage.
“You are so weird today. Case, isn’t she being weird?” Brandi asks him to my horror.
“No weirder than normal.” He mutters. I look up, meeting Case’s eyes. Is he just going to ignore what happened?
Case gives a small cough into his fist and starts to get up. Maybe I was wrong. “Maybe I should leave you t-” 
“Not you too! Sit down mister!” Brandi commands Case in her biggest little sister voice. “It’s been forever since we have been able to be together as a group. The least you could do is enjoy breakfast with us.”
He does as his sister commands but sits there as silently as me. Brandi starts to bombard him with questions on his plans for the day so I take the moment to fall into myself.
Is Case weirded out by me now?
He hasn’t figured out the lie, has he?
I scare myself into looking up only to notice him staring in my direction with glazed over eyes and red ears. I look over to Brandi and notice she’s just silently scrolling through her social media, so that means...he’s looking at me. What?
I take in my surroundings, realizing I’ve been out of it for longer than I thought. In my foggy state I must have grabbed the banana and been nibbling on the tip for sometime now. It’s still sitting against my mouth at this very moment.
My eyes go back to look at Case and suddenly I’m mortified.
I almost slam the banana onto the table in an attempt to stop my crude actions as quickly as possible.
I need to get out of here.
“Ah, Brandi?” I say as I get up out of my seat. “I forgot I have plans with my sister this morning. I need to go. Like now.”
“Oh.” Brandi’s shoulders slump a little but she gives me a small smile, letting me know it’s okay. “That’s okay. We’ll catch up later.”
I can’t get out of Brandi’s house fast enough and almost trip down the front steps as I run to my car.
…..
When I get home, I fall into my own bed, trying my best to not think about my crazy morning.
I told Brandi I had plans with my sister. I hate lying. One lie is enough as is. To make my lie into a truth, I pull out my phone and text my sister.
*Hey. Do you have plans today?*
I watch those three dots show up and disappear a few times before she replies.
*Nothing important. What’s up?*
*Do you want to meet up today? I’m kinda missing my big sis.*
*Awww. For sure I want to see you! When are you free?*
*Me=vacation, remember? lol*
*Alright. Want to meet up now? Same place we would meet up when I was in college?*
I think about the small-town coffee shop that only ever had 3 customers occupying it’s two-level store at any one time.
*See you soon.*

Driving through town is a little strange after being gone for so long. Memories of missing curfews, late night movies at the theater, and hanging out at the beach grace my mind.
After parking, I take a moment to drink in the familiarity around me before getting out of the car. 
The paint-chipped front door of the coffee shop opens the same as before. With a little jolt and push it dislodges from the frame and chimes the bell, letting them know there is a customer.
I immediately see my sister by the fireplace, our spot.
After ordering the same drink I always get, a large caramel mocha, I make my way over to the fake fireplace. Just because no one wants more heat in Georgia at this time of year, doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the aesthetic.
“Hey!” Jackie gets up and pulls me in a tight hug. It feels too soon when she lets go, so I keep a hold of her hand. “Glad we can catch up.”
“I know!” We both sit down in the lumpy, green, velvet armchairs and get situated before continuing our convo.
It doesn’t take long for my coffee to show up in a large mug. A cute leaf pattern adorns the top of the cream. I take a sip and let my drug of choice slither down my throat while letting out a small moan.
“Good?” Jackie asks with a little laugh.
“Yeah.” I smile. “Not as good as New York’s, though.”
“Maybe. But the company is way better here.” She motions to herself jokingly.
I don’t take it as a joke though. She’s right. It’s slowly dawning on me how much I’ve been missing my family and friends.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA lately. I didn’t realize…” I trail off, not able to come up with an excuse.
“Hey, hey.” Jackie pats my knee, causing me to look up at her. “I’m not going to say I approve, but you’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“Not sure that Rome would agree. I can’t believe I completely missed the news.”
The guilt I’m feeling is real. Even my coffee isn’t working as its normal pick-me-up.
“You just need to apologize and he’ll get over it. He has to. We’re family.”
“I’m hoping he’ll see it that way.”
“He will. Rome has always been in his own little world. He could have tried harder to get your attention, if I’m honest. But we all knew how busy you were up there, in New York, so we didn’t want to pester you.”
“You guys could never bother me. You guys and Brand are everything to me.”
“Does that mean you are thinking about coming home for good?”
Jackie looks at me hopefully and with a nod of my head, I say.
"No, I–uh have a life there and a career. I–I can't."
Somehow as I say it, I don't necessarily believe it.
She looks a bit depleted but shakes it off.
"Yeah, I kind of figured that but nonetheless you are here for now so I will enjoy our time together. Just—"
She pauses for a moment taking a deep breath.
"Just what?"
"Just try not to shut us out again, Lizzy."
Placing my hand on the top of hers I mumble.
"I wont…"