Page 10 of Kissing Chaos
“And did you say yournewtherapist? And honestly, why haven’t you mentioned that your lease was almost up? I would’ve helped you secure a place.”
I shrug, vaguely grasping the fact I’ve once again procrastinated in an area I most definitely shouldn’t. Although it wouldn’t be the first time if I end up in my brother’s guest room for something similar. I could find a little place like this. Two-bedroom, single bath, open floor plan. It could be cute. Well, until the doom piles eventually take over the corners of the living space.
“Jett. Focus,” Reece says, tapping the counter in front of me. Irritation is brewing in his eyes, but he’s doing his best to keep his cool. I’m a pro at pulling out the angry side of him. It seems to be reserved for me and McKenna.Our dad always jokes that the eleven months separating me and Reece in age wasn’t enough time for our mom to refill the optimism jar, butquite honestly, I don’t think my brother is too optimistic when it comes to me surviving on my own.
“Right, so there was this incident today where I got stuck in an elevator and missed my appointment and they couldn’t reschedule, but I needed to have an appointment today because I was fixating, right? They gave me a number for the therapist here in Havenwood, and I really like her and I don’t have to drive on the interstate to get to an appointment.”
“Jennette Marie Taylor, what in the world?”
“I know, right?” I say while grinning, winded from my continuous spout of words. “And there was this guy—the elevator mechanic—who saved me. He was a little growly, but he talked me through everything and I didn’t have an anxiety attack.” My shoulders relax on a sigh, the tension from the day slowly seeping away. Until I focus on Reece and recognize the look on his face.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me about Joey?”
“I did.”
“No, you said you guys broke up. Not that he left you for someone else. So, he was cheating?” The anger coming off him is palpable. He thought Joey and I were planning our forever. Everyone did.
Rolling my eyes at Reece, I say, “So you could end up in jail for assault? No thanks. And I don’t want to talk about him. I just want him to disappear from my memories while I wait for a fictional knight in shining armor to sweep me off my feet. One who treats me like a princess and brings his own crazy to the relationship. Just like you and Dad always said I deserved.”
Reece shakes his head at me as he mixes in the last ingredients—basil butter, at least a pound of mozzarella, and cream cheese—into the gigantic pot on the stove. Once he is satisfied with the consistency of the Alfredo sauce, he turns off the burner and approaches me from around the cornerof the bar-style counter, sliding his phone in front of me. I look questioningly at it then stare back at him, my eyebrows furrowed. Before I can ask, he nods toward the calendar on the fridge.
“Mom has already tried to call. Twice. Call her back.”
A groan works its way up my throat. I do not want to tune in to this week’s disappointment session. “Can’t you just pretend I’m sick or something?”
He gives me a pointed look and taps the phone’s screen. Pouting with an audible sigh, I unlock the screen and hit the contact for our mother. Silently, I beg for her not to answer. For her to be too busy with her perfect little family.
Am I bitter that she and our dad split during my junior year of high school, Reece’s senior? Not really. Turns out they had only stayed married out of convenience and friendship—and their children—but our mom had fallen in love with her assistant. She and Luke married not long after she left us. Reece and I now have two little sisters that we—well, I—only see a few times each year. My big-hearted brother sees them regularly.
So, no. I’m not bitter about the divorce.
My frustration comes from our mom’s inability to understand me.
She tried her best, but even now she usually hands off any Jennette issues to our dad or Reece.
For the last three years, Reece and I have had standing calls on Thursday evenings. Just like when we were kids, Mama expects me to engage in the conversation and share everything happening in my life. And just like when we were kids, I always disappoint her.
Pressure on my forearm brings my attention back around as Reece squeezes it. “Hi, Mama. Yeah. We’re both here,” he says while giving me a gentle second nudge, and I realize I must have missed her answering the call.
“My oldest babies. How are y’all this week? What’s new?”
Reece eyes me, waiting for me to expose who knows what. I widen my eyes at him in innocence and shrug. I do not feel like explaining myself to a voice on a speaker. What’s the point if I can’t stay focused on the conversation at hand?
“Not much new going on at the farm. No new love interests for you to interrogate. Jett, how ’bout you? Wanna tell mom what’s new with you?”
If eyes could set people on fire, my brother would be roasting right now.
“Fill me in, Jett. I’m still waiting for the girls to come out of dance practice, so give me all the details you can muster.”
My eyes close, as if not seeing my surroundings will somehow erase this moment from time.
“Nothing really, Mama. Just been spending some time out here with Reece and getting ready to devour some Alfredo, but overall life’s a peach.”
The beat of total silence and Reece rubbing the back of his neck clues me in to my biggest mistake of the evening.
“Jennette, honey,” Mama prods gently, like she is coddling a toddler. “Reece only makes that dish when you’re having a rough go. What’s happened?”
I groan audibly, looking at Reece for help.
