Anchor (Book 1)

Chapter Eighteen

"What do you mean?" JJ asked, his confusion apparent. Now I think I gathered his full attention.
"I mean that Austin and I got into a really bad fight before I left and I couldn't bear leaving things how we left them, so I came home." I regurgitated the same lie I told my dad.
"You came home just to mend things with Austin? You do know it's normal for siblings to fight, don't you?"
I could tell he wasn't buying it but it was the only excuse I had come up with. He had to believe it.
"Yep." I answered confidently.
"Okay..." He replied, undoubtedly skeptical.

I wished he wasn't, but if it was flipped and I had been the one on the receiving end of that  story, I probably wouldn't believe it either. Instead of dwelling on the fact, I wound my way around to the reason I'd called him up. I say wound because we talked quite a lot before then. JJ spent ten minutes guilting me because he had to go to a check up alone. He also wanted to know if the food in the Big Apple was really good as everyone says. He also had questions about the weather there, my dad, and an assortment of other little things normally brought up in a casual phone call. It took a while before I could even do anything but just reply to his endless stream of questions. When I saw a chance, I grabbed it.
"I really want to see you." I blurted.
I was surprised by my forwardness, but it was true. I missed him so much in the little time I was away from him. 
"And I want to see you. When, do you think?"
"As soon as possible. Today even."
I added that in because I was hoping he'd catch the hint. I needed to get out, now before Austin had the chance to try and talk with me again.
"Okay, how about I pick you up at eleven."
I glanced at the clock on the wall, the clock I inherited from Melissa, and it read 9:45. Eleven was perfect.
"Sounds great!" I said with enthusiasm.
"Okay, see you then."

I was practically ready, so I decided I'd go down to the little bakery on the corner and pick up some pastries and a couple blueberry muffins for my mom, Austin and I. I didn't mind the rain, I just made sure to dress for the occasion. It wasn't too cold, so I slipped on a light knitted sweater. To avoid soaking in the giant puddles though, I put on my heavy black rainboots.

A bell rang when I entered the bakery. Instantly, an older man appeared from behind the counter.
"What can I get for you?"
"Um, not anything just yet. I'm still deciding."
He nodded and flickered back into the room he had recently emerged from. "Just yell when you're ready."
Of course I knew exactly what I was getting, I just didn't want to go in and out. The bakery was only a five minute walk from my house so if I left now, it would seem like a pointless outing. I examined the walls of the shop; there were four of them and each one was uniquely decorated. One wall was particularly my favorite. It was a warm shade of yellow, just like all the rest, but this one held all of their awards. There were rows and rows of different plaques highlighting each one of the bakery's achievements and milestones. I liked that. I admired them for not being too humble and allowing themselves to gloat a little bit. I wondered if any customer thought the same way I did or if they didn't notice them at all or if they thought the owners were just a bunch of snobby show offs. I might take a poll, I thought jokingly.
"I'm ready." I called loudly.

I set the bag of pastries and muffins on the counter. After announcing my arrival, I gathered three plates from the cabinet and started loading the food onto each of them.
"Hey Nat, you mind dishing out another plate?" Austin called, walking down stairs.
"Not a problem, who's here?"
"Hi Nat!" Lindsey greeted.
I turned around to face her and she smiled very fakely at me. I took in her apparel and stifled a laugh. She was dressed for the mountains!! Her big coat almost engulfed her whole figure and she wore one of those winter hats on her head; the ones that have flaps to cover your ears. Oh, and she wore these ridiculous mittens too, all while she was inside the house.
"I'm sorry for crashing in like this. I hope you can salvage a muffin for me."
"Of course we can!" Austin cut in.
He wrapped an arm around her as she slipped off her mittens.
"It sure is cold out there, don't you think?"
I ignored her and instead pulled out another plate and placed a muffin on top.
"So I meant to ask you," Lindsey started again clearly not realizing I didn't want to talk to her. "Austin told me about the attack and well, how are you doing?"
She said 'attack' like it was some sacred word. She cupped her hands and whispered it soft and slow.
"I'm fine." I said simply, cursing her for having me bring up such terrible memories. "It's sort of gone cold, though," I elaborated which was in part, because of me. I did everything in my power to steer the detectives away from Anthony and Jen. I made a promise that I wouldn't press charges unless it was on my terms and I intended to keep it that way. I needed to be the one to disclose what had happened. I added that tidbit to torture Lindsey. She kept asking why and when I wouldn't tell her, she became angry. Austin glared at me sharply, but he couldn't do a thing to ease her curiosity because he himself didn't know why the case had turned cold either. Only I did.
My mother came downstairs then, totally oblivious to the conversation that had just happened. She gave Lindsey a questioning look, because it was obvious she had been unsettled, but that was all she did. My mom didn't really enjoy getting involved in other people's affairs. She always advised me to stay out of them as well, which I had a harder time with.

When my mom gave birth to me, it was a blessing. She loved Austin to death, but I learned later that she had always wanted a girl. When she had two, she couldn't be happier. Melissa was more on the chubby side and by the time she was three, could no longer fit into  toddler clothes. I was the exact opposite and was wearing the clothes until I was six. She dug out the box that held the clothes from when she was a child and I wore almost all the outfits in it. My grandma absolutely adored the idea, but my grandpa on the other hand, thought they were too old and worn and I shouldn't be wearing them. Because of this and other things, my grandparents got into a lot of arguments. So many in fact, that they entered couples therapy on their twentieth anniversary. They didn't have reservations for a fancy restaurant and they didn't have plans to go on a romantic walk in the moonlight. Nope, they celebrated twenty years of marriage in front of a mediator who listened to their quibbling all night long.

I waited on the porch for JJ. I soon saw his headlights poke around the corner. His tires splashed rain water up when he came to a stop. He reached over and opened up my car door and asked me to hurry because. "She doesn't take on water too well. It leaves her with a nasty smell." I heeded his warning and shut the door promptly once I got inside. He kissed me quickly on the cheek and turned the radio to the country station I like. Bobbing his head to every song, I wondered if he studied some of the songs to impress me.
"Have you been listening to country?" I asked.
"More frequently, yes. If you like a cowboy, then a cowboy I shall become."
"I like you just the way you are."
He grinned, "I'm so glad you said that. I don't think I could ever look good in a cowboy hat."

"Doctor Busby says you're way overdue for a check- up." JJ said when a song ended.
"He never respects privacy!" I remarked frustratingly.
"Well, I am kind of your boyfriend.." He replied hesitantly.
"Are you?" I questioned, surprised by the comment.
"I guess... I mean, if you want me to be."
"You don't sound so sure." I teased.
"I am!" He pleaded, "I'm serious."
"Well then ask me." I replied, smiling.
"Alright. Natalie Coleman. will you be my girlfriend?"
"Geez, don't make it sound like a proposal. I'm not ready for that yet." I teased again.
He threw his hands up in the air. "Natalie, will you be my girlfriend or not?"
I giggled and used his own reply against him, "I mean, I guess...if you want."