The Mishap

Chapter Seven

We're still sitting in the cafe when my sister spits out.
"Did Mom tell you that we're having dinner at the Phillps tonight? Just like old times."
The next thing I know, my hand collides with my mocha, and it goes spilling across the cafe table top. 
"Oh fu-- fudge!"
Holy crap, I wasn't prepared for this.
"You're 24 and you still don't swear?"
"I don't like the way they make me feel." 
"What a coincidence, I don't think the table enjoys being covered in your sticky drink."
"Oh! Right!"
I get up and grab a handful of napkins, trying to sop up the mess I made, my fingers shaking. 
"What has you all nervous?"
"Nervous? Me? Don't be silly." I let out a strangled laugh and Jackie raises a disbelieving eyebrow at me. 
"I was just hoping that we could have a family dinner. I have --uh-- news."
I might as well let my family in on the shenanigans can't go blowing my cover at the Phillps's. My parents will be so disappointed in me for lying.
"Oh? Do tell."
"I maybe started seeing someone."
"And what does that have to do with having dinner at the Phil-- OMG! ARE YOU AND CASE FINALLY DATING!?" 
"Umm… not exactly."
"Then why…"
"Brandi. I'm dating Brandi, okay?"
I yell and Jackie practically chokes on her coffee.
"Whoa, I–uh, didn't see that one coming."
"Yeah, it kind of came out of nowhere."
"And Mom and Dad don't know yet?"
"Nope."
Jackie throws back her head and gives a throaty laugh, one I had always been jealous of growing up. It had always alerted everyone to the gorgeous, outgoing, and kind woman in the room. My laugh bordered on a silent wheeze. 
"Dinner just got SO much more interesting."
She says with a mischievous grin.
With a roll of my eyes, I mutter.
"Love you too, Sis."

---

Thank God for laid back parents. My dad shrugged and my mom gave me a warm, "That's so nice dear. Brandi, you've always been part of our family, I suppose this just makes it a little more official." But my sister couldn't let it be. 
"So! Tell us the story!" Jackie smirks in my direction, fully aware of just how much I hate being the center of attention. 
"What story?" I grit out, trying to smile. 
"Of how you and Brandi got together after all these years. Have you both always had feelings for each other? Who made the first move? I demand details!"
I open and close my mouth, decidedly looking like a fish, before Brandi saves my behind.
"I've always been halfway in love with Liza, but never thought she felt the same way. After college, when she told us all that she wasn't coming back from NYC, I realized I needed to tell her how I felt and I sent an email, but never heard back… and then I met April. Things were okay for awhile, but in the back of my mind I couldn't stop thinking about Liza. Everytime we talked on the phone I wanted to shout 'why haven't we talked about my email!?' And then, a few months ago, I did." 
Brandi nudges me and I take that as my cue to continue the lie. Because, heck? Why stop now? I am a lying liar who lies after all. 
"I never got Brandi's email. Or I did, but it went to the wrong folder. Imagine my surprise when I open it up to find my best friend spilling her guts. The words she said… I've never had anyone talk about me the way she did and it was like a switch had been flipped in my heart and I knew I loved her too. I wanted to respect her relationship with April, but I couldn't help myself."
Brandi picks up the story again. 
"I'm ashamed to admit we started having an emotional affair. I was too scared to break up with April considering the ties our families have together, but then she broke up with me and…"
I can see the look in Brandi's face and im sure that she's reliving the day she caught April with another woman. So I quickly finish her sentence.
"And I hopped on the next flight. Knowing I couldn't go another second without seeing her." 
I grab a hold on her hand and she smiles at me thankfully.
Satisfied with our story, our families change the subject. The only people silent are both a surly Case and myself.  
I study his handsome profile as he pushes his food back and forth on his plate, his lips tight with tension, a furrow between his brows. 
As the dinner progressed and Brandi snuggled into me, kissing my cheek every so often, I became more and more uncomfortable and the second I saw my out, I took it. 
"I'll do the dishes!" 
"I'll do the–"
My voice isn't alone in the offer, as Case has just gotten to his feet as well. Everyone looks on with amusement.
"Why don't you both do them? It'll be quicker," their mom smiles at us. 
I grab half the empty plates while Case grabs the others and we make our way into the kitchen where I fill up the sink with warm soapy water. 
My cheeks burn as Case steps up beside me. I have successfully avoided talking to him all night, but it seems like my luck has run out.
"You don't have to. I've got it."
"Come on, Lizard. Let me help you."
My eyes snap to him, and he grins before gently taking the plate I just washed and carefully drying it. 
"Or we could not call me that."
"I forgot how angry you always got when I used that nickname."
"Is it a nickname if only one person uses it?"
"Aw, you don't like it?"
"Not many 10-year-old girls like being nicknamed after a scaly green thing." 
"Your name is Liza and you have green eyes, I don't know how much creativity you were expecting from me."
We quietly laugh together, but my eyes catch on the gentle bunching of his biceps and I blush furiously, remembering this morning. 
"I –uh– I owe you an apology. For this morning."
I scrub the pan dinner had been cooked in, decidedly not looking at Case.
"It's okay. Turnabout is fair play and all that." 
"What's that supposed to mean?" 
"Let's just say I was especially fond of your days of the week underwear when we were 12." 
"What!?" 
The pan I was about to hand to Case slips from my fingers, splashing into the soapy water in the sink, a flurry of bubbles and water erupt upwards, dousing us both. 
Case chuckles, grabbing the pan and rinsing it off before drying it. 
"Whenever we had sleepovers at the same time, my buddies and I would spy and watch you guys change into your pajamas. Or… well… I'd watch you, they'd watch you both. I must say I was particularly fond of the 'Saturday' pair with the pink polka dots."  
"Pervs!"
I toss a bit of soap on him.
"We were 12!"
He tosses some back causing suds to land on my face.
"And pervs!" I attempt to wipe a bit off.
"Maybe a little." He says just above a whisper.
My cheeks burn and Case reaches over, wiping a soap sud from the tip of my nose. 
"If I had known you and my sister were fighting feelings for each other, I never would have watched you. Never made you one of my fantasies."
I gulp, turning towards him and looking up shyly. 
"I was, uh, one of your fantasies?" 
Case smiles down at me, one side of his mouth quirked. 
"You have no idea. But don't worry. I fought the feelings off to the best of my ability. And I see what you have with my sister. It's special. And I'm really happy for you both. Truly."
I look down, my heart pounding and that's when I realize how closely we're standing to each other, and just how wet both of our shirts have become from the earlier splash. 
The white t-shirt is near see through on his body as it clings to the heavy ridges of his stomach. My nipples tighten in response, straining against my own shirt. I hear Case take a quick intake of breath before stepping away from me. 
"I've been meaning to ask. Are you free tomorrow?"
The conversation shift is abrupt and I feel off balance as I try to reply.
"Yes. Why?"
"I need to get a Christmas present for my sister and I figure who better to help me pick something out than her beautiful girlfriend. Go shopping with me?"
Against my better judgment I find myself responding…
"Of course."