“That’s ridiculous. You can play that game all day. Everyone has their own shit. Just because money isn’t your obstacle doesn’t mean you won’t have other issues. Isn’t that what this entire conversation has been about? None of this is easy. It’s all a jump into the unknown.”
“I guess.”
“You can’t predict it, Zach. You and Teddy might want different things. Or you might want the same thing, but it doesn’t go the way you imagine. Or you might start down one path and realize it’s the wrong one and switch courses. That’s just how it goes.”
He sat there thoughtfully, maybe digesting what I was saying, maybe just contemplating the five-thousand varying shades of beige providing the Starbucks décor. “You know, doll, for someone who claims to be directionless, you sure have clarity when it comes to sorting out my life.”
“That’s because I love you, dummy.” I scooted my chair around the table to give him a quick side hug. “I’ve got your back, whatever happens.”
“Same, doll. Same.”
Zach had toleave earlier than me so he could get across town to pick up some new signage he’d ordered for Hal’s. He’d been managing the bar for over five years, and Larry, the owner, was getting ready to retire and sell it to him.
I still had a few minutes before I needed to head to Studio Obscurum. Customers drifted in and out of Starbucks. I was looking down and scrolling through my phone when the barista called out rather loudly, “I’ve got two grande hot chocolates for Turtle and Sloth…” This elicited subdued chuckles from nearby customers. “…and a black coffee for Renn.”
My head flew up as an annoyed preteen voice whined, “Oh my god. You are so embarrassing. Did you tip the barista to make her write those names on our cups? So lame.”
A giant espresso machine obscured his sightline, so Renn hadn’t noticed me. But I could see him on the other side of the counter, standing stiffly in charcoal Dickies shorts with his arms folded across a Studio Obscurum t-shirt. Loose hair framed his disapproving face as he spoke to the boy in front of him, a kid of about twelve whose appearance I’d describe most effectively as mini-Renn. “It’s the least you two deserve after this morning. If you’re going to act like slow-moving animals, that’s what I’m going to call you. Also, when you get home, I want you to clean your bathroom and finish up the laundry you should have done yesterday.” Renn looked sternly at the sullen tween, as well as another younger boy, standing quietly to the side.
“C’mon, bro. We were just a little late.”
“Don’t backtalk me, Robbie. You made me push back a client. You’re lucky I’m not putting you on restriction. And your bathroom is currently a hellscape that smells like marinating body parts, so you’ll thank me once it’s done.” Renn uncrossed his arms and grabbed the cups off the counter, handing “Sloth” to the older kid and “Turtle” to the younger one. “Plus, I’m buying you hot chocolate. That either makes me a saint or a sucker, so I don’t want any more complaining.”
I sat mesmerized. I had no idea who these kids were, likely family based on the resemblance. Another side to Renn I’d never seen. He was spectacular in full-on dad mode. I hoped he never found out I often left my clean laundry folded in the basket because, seriously, who has time to put things in drawers? I held my breath as Renn exuded calm control, masterfully staring down his adolescent counterpart.
The older boy huffed but stopped arguing. As their group turned, Renn finally looked my way.
Just as at the party, seeing me so unexpectedly, he evinced an immediate flash of happiness. For a too-brief moment, we forgot ourselves as our eyes met, everything else falling away while our bond flared unapologetically.
“Sadie, hey.” He approached, raising his hand in tentative hello. “It’s so weird how we keep running into each other outside of the studio.”
“Nah. Seeing you at the partywasrandom. But since I was already heading in when you texted this morning, you probably had a fifty-fifty shot of running into me at Starbucks, right? Unless I was going to hang out at the dry-cleaning place or get a spray tan,” I reasoned teasingly.
He winced. “I’m so sorry I had to do that. As you can see…” He pointed to the kids next to him. “I had my hands full.” Both boys stared at me curiously. I smiled at them as Renn continued. “These are my brothers, Robbie and Gage. Guys, this is Sadie.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
They smile-stared back and mumbled hellos.
“They’re why I needed an extra hour. When I stopped by to pick these two up after a sleepover, they weren’t even awake yet, let alone dressed—even though I told them to be ready by 8:30 so I would have time to drop them home and get back for our appointment.”
“We’re sorry, Renn. We stayed up late and when Ryder’s mom knocked on his door this morning we sort of…lied, I guess, and said we were already up and…sorry.” This from Gage, and I’d never heard anything cuter than his sleepy, shaky little voice.
Renn huffed and explained to me, “When I got there, Lydia—that’s their friends’ mom—was like ‘oh yeah, they’re upstairs, I’ll get them.’ Of course, they’re still snoring. She’s a single mom so I’m not trying to rag on her, especially since she did me a solid keeping them last night when I had to stay late working on a guy’s back piece.” He looked harshly at Robbie and Gage. “But it’s not Lydia’s job to make sure you guys get up. I gave you that phone specifically so you could set the alarm. That’s your responsibility.”
Big brother Renn. I was into it.
The three of them sat down at my table. Seated on my right, Renn pointed at the partially shaded tattoo visible on my thigh. “I’m excited to get back to work today.”
I tilted my chin in agreement as Robbie, following Renn’s finger, blurted, “Oh! I get it. You’re one of his customers.”
Renn blinked hard before nodding.
Robbie looked at me. “Makes sense now. I couldn’t figure out at first why he was just, like, staring at you.”
“Robbie!” Renn cried, embarrassed.
“What?” Robbie stared challengingly at his brother. “You were.” He took a triumphant sip from his cup while Renn just shook his head. Gage snickered and tried not to smile.
