The Mechanic

-Chapter Twenty-One-

Location: Central

It's only ten when I knock on their door the next morning, despite my assurance that I would come over at noon.

I couldn't stay away a moment longer. I couldn't go back to sleep when I woke up at seven. I had to see her again.

The ground seems to sway beneath me as I rock back and forth on the balls of my feet, ignoring the way the leather of my boots squeaks.

Matt opens the door as usual. He grins a little bit at me, his eyes bright with coffee energy. "She's not awake."

My face twists into a confused frown. "Hmm?"

"She is not awake," he says, chuckling, and squeezes outside to sit on the step with me.

"If she's not awake... how is she not awake? She never sleeps."

He blows out a breath laughingly, and rolls his eyes. "Tell that to her. She's snoring so loudly that she wouldn't hear you."

I chuckle. "I've never heard her snore loud."

"It isn't a treat if you're trying to go back to sleep, believe me."

I look down, knotting my hands in my lap, unsure of what to say next. What should I say next? Sitting out here and talking to my brother was not in my plans for the morning. I was going to take Femi out for breakfast, maybe go to the playground afterward to loiter around and swing, but this... yeah.

I can only hope—in vain—that I won't receive a lecture of some sort.

His face lights up in a grin, perhaps having some knowledge of what I'm thinking, but he doesn't say anything.

I sigh.

"Sorry that you have to wait for her to wake up, Pary."

I shake my head. "It's fine. She needs to sleep; I just hope that she isn't having any nightmares or anything."

He smiles a little bit. "She's sleeping peacefully enough that I think that's out of the question." He folds his big hands in his lap. They look a lot like mine. Rough and blocky, not gentle.

Except he knows how to be gentle with his. I do not.

"You love her still, don't you?" He studies me for a moment. "A lot."

I nod, not saying anything. I thought that he'd know that already. It seems like something he should know.

I've loved her since I knew what love meant, and still.

He claps me on the back. "You can come inside if you want. I won't let you bother her, but I'm sure we could find something for you to busy yourself with while we wait." He winks. "El has some crochet going that she needs extra hands on. Femi has been helping her make those granny squares, but I'm sure she'd be fine with you helping, too."

I laugh at the thought. "Sure. Put the mechanic to work with a needle and thread. What a plan."

"Yarn and hook," he corrects, grinning. "But you're right. I was only joking."

I follow him inside, but I can't help from glancing toward the curtains that hide her from the rest of the room.

Wishing that she'd wake up soon.

Matt sits down on the couch and picks up a mug of coffee. "I forgot to ask you. Want coffee?"

I shake my head, sitting down as well. "No thanks."

Elena walks through the back door, Piper on her hip, and beams at me. "Good morning, lovely. You look awfully chipper this morning."

I watch as she picks up her mug of coffee from the counter and takes a long, lingering sip.