Page 1 of In His Veins

AVA

“Really, Chase, you worry too much.” Those words leave my mouth as I watch the cockroach that’s just skittered from underneath my ancient refrigerator. I slowly reach for the fly swatter on the kitchen counter without shifting my gaze.

“There’s no shame in letting Richard support you a little while longer. You’re still so young. I know it’s frustrating living at home, but you work so many hours to make rent. And let’s be honest. The place is old as original sin and kind of a shithole.”

I make a noncommittal noise as I strike, phone propped against my ear. I’ve learned cockroaches can sense intent, and it flees a moment before I make contact with the floor. Then, it proceeds to wedge its massive form through my baseboards, robbing me of the chance to try again.

I sigh and respond to my brother. “It’s time Chase. In fact, it’s past time. Can you even imagine how pathetic it feels to still be living with your parents at twenty-five? Besides, it’s not like they’re far away and neither are you.”

He’s silent for a moment.

“I just worry about you, Avie.” He says it gently, and I can’t help but melt a little at the name he’s called me since I was little. I open my mouth to reassure him, but he beats me to it. “I know you’re capable. You’re smart and strong, but the older brother instincts are hard to fight. Just promise me you’ll call me or one of the twins if you ever need help.”

“I promise, but I’m kind of a homebody. It’s hard to get into trouble if I don’t leave the house.” I open the fridge and grab a protein shake to drink on the way to work.

Chase snorts. “You used to be a homebody. Then you met Paige. She’s been getting you into trouble since she laid eyes on you.”

I grin at his perception of my friend. He’s not entirely wrong either. Paige was my random roommate during freshman year of college and it didn’t take long to realize she’s my opposite in almost every way. She’s bold, headstrong, daring, and she made it her personal mission several years ago to bring those qualities out of me.

“I really wish I could keep telling you how smart and resourceful I am, but I should get going. I have a shift at the cafe soon.”

I drop the shake in my tote bag and lock the handle of my front door on my way out of the apartment.

“Fine, I’ll let you go. Just remember what I said, yeah?” I unlock the doors of my pale-blue Subaru and climb inside, sighing as I start the engine.

“If I’m ever in dire need of rescuing, I swear you’ll be the first person I call, okay?” I hear him laugh, my attitude eliciting humor for once.

“Alright, talk to you later. Love you.” I’m not really paying attention anymore as I try to drive while unscrewing the cap off my shake.

“Love you,” I reply, and end the call. Chugging the last of my drink, I pull into the parking lot of The Sable House and then race inside, tying my apron as I go. One of the owners, Lauren Sable, raises a brow at me.

“Take a breath, Ava. No one’s burning the place down to get a table. You’re not even late.” She chuckles as she rolls silverware in paper napkins. There’s plenty left to roll since she’s just getting started, so I grab a pile of napkins and give her a hand.

“Well, you know what they say. Early is on time and on time is late, right?” At least Ithinkthat’s the way it goes. Anyway, I glance over just in time to see her roll her eyes.

“That sounds like something your father would say,” she mutters, drawing a smile from me, but then we work in silence.

Since I started working at the cafe, my father has come in maybe a handful of times, and to put it mildly, he didn’t leave the best impression on my boss. My father, Dr. Richard Channing, is an intelligent man. As one of the nation’s forerunners in biomedical engineering and technology, he stays busy. He wasn’t around much when I was growing up, but has decided to pay more attention to me now that I decided to move out of his house. On his best days he’s cold and reserved. At his worst, he’s borderline hostile. Needless to say, Lauren, who shares her kindness like it’s an infinite resource, is not a fan of my father.

I carry an armload of silverware to the basket before distributing them to the tables. There are plenty of people in the cafe even though it’s only nine a.m. Known for its abnormal operating hours, the cafe quickly grew in popularity with the local college students when it opened several years ago. Paige and I spent many evenings studying here, knocking back free refills of black coffee to make it through the night. We were sophomores when we first met Lauren and her wife, Marie, and we haven’t been able to stay away from the cafe since.

I spend the next few hours taking and running orders. I’m wiping down tables when I hear the bells at the front door chime as someone walks in. A party huddles toward the front, and when I turn to take in more than the new patrons’ silhouettes, I bound toward the crew with familiar faces—my brothers.

I greet Lucas and Jax with hugs, but I level a mild glare toward Chase. “Funny. You didn’t mention that you’d be stopping in.”

“Just smile and admit you’re happy to see me,” he counters under his breath, flashing that infuriating grin that’s gotten him out of all sorts of trouble.

Chase and I hug last, and peering up at him, I take note of the height difference between us. He’s nearly an entire foot taller than me, and when I’m lifted off the floor for a moment, it feels like he’ll cut off my air supply. When he sets me down and I straighten my uniform, only now do I take notice of the most important person among the guys.

“Tony!” My excitement returns, seeing my brothers’ father. He kisses my cheek and hugs me just as tightly as the others do. He and Mom split up long before she met my dad and had me, but Tony always made a point to include me when I was growing up. Anything he did for my brothers, he did for me, too. He’s like a father to me in many ways, and when I decided it was time to move out of my parents’ house, Tony was the first person I called.

“Hey, honey. Settling into the apartment okay?” He holds me at arm's length to look me over, then flashes a soft smile. I’m so happy to see him I feel teary, so I hug him again while responding.

“Pretty good. Thanks for all the furniture you passed down. I’ll get good use out of it.” He smells like cotton detergent and for the millionth time in my life, I wish he was my actual dad.

“Anytime, kid. Now, tell me what’s good at this place, ‘cause I’m starving.” I walk him toward the large table where my brothers have already made themselves comfortable. I take their orders, and before I can even walk away to place them, they’re already bickering amongst themselves. The noise makes me smile. What used to be annoying and hard to listen to is now familiar and comforting.

Lauren wanders out with a coffee pitcher in hand and listens to them go at it. They’re loud and emphatic, like there’s money on the line if someone wins the debate. I wander back to the table when Lucas gestures wildly, telling a story I’ve already heard a million times.

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