#analey bodecker

Annie takes a long sip of her coffee as she looks outside of the café. Needing to get out of the apartment and just study for a moment. This wasn’t at all how she thought living with Brooks would be. The first year was blissful. Brooks was his playful self, chasing her around the apartment.

But now Brooks spent more time at the new division, and less time at home. He slept less, and became a lot more bitter, especially when Otto reached another milestone. Annie tried to tell him that Otto was older, and he had been at the company for quite some time, while Brooks was starting a division from the ground up. He didn’t want to listen.

So anytime Analey got a chance, she was drinking a coffee, eating a croissant, and sitting in her favorite spot. Able to people watch, but also fully pay attention to her studies.

Otto rarely went to the city. He preferred his time spent in Boston. But when he could take a chance to visit the new division and spend some time with his brother, he did. The past few months, Brooks always had an excuse. Explaining to Otto, that he had everything under control, which confused the oldest Baizen more, because he just wanted to see his brother, and not wanting to talk business at all.

It just so happened that he was walking to his apartment when he spots Annie, nose in a book, while her finger unconsciously plays with her hair. Otto stops to watch her a minute, having to shake his mind from going elsewhere, before he just walks into the café.

“Well, if it isn’t little Annie Gables,” Annie looks up at him, giving him a big smile, and Otto diverts his gaze to the book she’s reading, “This,” he taps on an old copy of Anne of Green Gables, “I’m pretty sure isn’t required reading.”

“It’s not. I just needed a moment of…simpler times,” she gestures to the chair in front of her, and Otto holds up a hand. “What’re you doing?”

“I need coffee.”

She gives him an odd gaze, and then points at the front counter, “Then go order one, like a normal person.”

Otto leans back in his chair, and gives her a big smile, before a young man walks over to their table, “Mr. Baizen, would you like your usual?”

“As a matter of fact, Jeffrey, I would,” Otto’s eyes never leave Annie’s as he talks to the barista, “Could you maybe bring me a surprise pastry of some sort?”

“Of course. Right away.”

Otto leans forward again, and slides the book over to him, while Annie rolls her eyes, “You Baizen’s get recognized everywhere, huh?”

“It comes with the territory, sugar,” he tears off a piece of her croissant, and pops it into his mouth, “What’s wrong, the loft too big for you? Brookie keeping you too busy?”

“Wow, that’s a bit personal, Otto. Do you talk to all your brother’s girlfriends like that?”

“Well, Z is divorced, Archie is looking for a woman that can compare to mom, and Raiden has been married since he could walk. But I did not mean that the way it came out. You and Brookie, you guys have been together awhile, huh?” Annie’s eyes move down to the table, as her cheeks go red.

“Hey, you know mom and dad started dating when she was in high school. It’s fine. Uncle Hawwy didn’t know though, did he?” Annie shakes her head no, and Otto stops talking while his own coffee and dessert is delivered to the table.

“Brookie used to have fun.”

“He’s busy,” Annie finally looks back up at Otto regretting that decision. “He’s got a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He was sent here alone.”

“No, he wasn’t. Aster offered to come out here with him, and even Fable said she could start here, but Brooks was all, ‘Oh, I don’t need some college girl fucking up the family business.’ He’s too proud to accept help, that’s different. Dad always said if he wasn’t careful, Brooks could turn into Gregory, and mom swatted his ass for that. We don’t like my dad’s parents.”

“Why would Carter say that then?”

“Gregory, avoided his wife and put all his effort into his work to do so. I mean…I’m not saying Brooks is doing that to you.”

“He’s not,” Annie answers defensively. “Brooks is trying to prove himself to his dad, and Ransom, but mostly to you.”

“Me? What the hell does he have to prove to me?”

Annie sighs rolling her eyes, “Brooks looks up to you. He adores you. Everything has always came natural to you.”

“I couldn’t talk normal for thirteen years of my life. Thankfully I was good at school since I had speech therapy most of my childhood, had to be pulled out of class to work on my R’s and L’s. Got bullied because of the way I talked. I have a father who was a fucking psycho, and I hoped my whole life I didn’t turn out like him. Why do you think I was always so hellbent on being with my dad, and doing what my dad does? Because I didn’t want to be my sperm donor. Brooks wants to play this pitiful game, it won’t work for me. We had the same childhood. We had a good and charmed life. And he at least gets to say Carter is father.”

“I didn’t know,” Annie looks up at Otto, and sees his need for complete perfection all the time.

“But I don’t blame my sperm donor for anything. I thank Carter for being my dad. Brooks never wanted for anything. Babied by everyone because he was tiny. He’s so naturally smart, but he stresses himself out. He didn’t even come shopping for the children’s hospital with us this year. Explain that to my mom. She misses Brookie. If she could have kept us all at the castle she would. But to hear him talk, she only favored me and Raiden. And once the girls were born, she didn’t care about any of us boys. Which is a lie.”

“Otto, I…Brooks is just misunderstood.”

“He’s a baby, that everyone makes excuses for, including you. So either he mans up and gets the company started, or he’s the bigger man, and admits he needs help. There’s nothing wrong asking for help. It’s good for you to admit that you can’t do it alone. I still ask dad for help.”

“Can we change the subject. Brooks isn’t here to defend himself. He does try. He wants you and your parents to be proud of him.”

Otto nods slowly, “He should consider himself lucky that we have the means to fail. He should take risks. Most don’t have built in money like we do.”

“So, how is your girlfriend, Giselle?”

“We broke up,” Otto smiles taking another bite from her croissant. “I’m flying solo right now.”

“You’re about to be drinking solo if you take another bite from my food. You should have asked for one of your own,” Otto throws a hand up to ask for his own croissant, but Annie pulls it back down. “Stop. Be normal for once.”

————————————

“You’ll never believe who I ran into today,” Annie says walking into hers and Brooks’ loft, while he sets another dirty dish in the sink. She takes a calming breath before picking it up to put in the dishwasher.

“Who?” he asks. He reaches around her for a container of bourbon, and pours him a glass.

“Your brother Otto.”

“Really? What’s he doing in the city?” Annie turns to give him an odd look at the tone change, but continues.

“He was wanting to see you.”

“He didn’t,” Brooks takes a long drink of the bourbon looking at her. “How long did you talk to him?”

“I don’t know maybe an hour?”

“Where?” he asks taking a slow step towards her. “Where was my girlfriend at while she was talking to Mr. Perfect?”

“You’re acting ridiculous. I was at the coffee shop. He saw me, and came and sat with me.”

“I don’t want you around him, unless I’m present.”

“Excuse me? Is there something you want to say? Since clearly, you think our talking was more than that.”

“You’re a fucking redhead,” Brooks screams. Annie rolls her eyes and walks towards the bathroom. “He wants you.”

“Oh. My. God! Brooks, do you hear yourself? Where am I? I am at home with you, my boyfriend. And instead of taking a nice relaxing bath with me, you’re screaming at me for something I didn’t do. Banning me from talking to your brother, unless you’re around. I don’t want him.”

“But he wants you. And whatever he wants, he always gets.”

Annie turns the water on, ignoring that Brooks had followed her into the bathroom. Glaring at him. “He’s not the only one. Just like this stupid argument. Do we always gotta fight before we have sex?”

Brooks shuffles his feet back and forth looking at her. “Not everything has to be fast and hard, Brooks. But if you want to lean me over the counter and take your frustrations with Otto out on me,” she undresses, standing in front of him completely naked. “I’ll let you. Whatever you need to make you feel better.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“I didn’t say there was.”

“I’m stressed. And…C’mere. I am stressed Annie. Work is killing me. I’ve got no help,” Annie steps closer to him, and cups his bulge over his pants. “You gonna help me relax?”

“Whatever you need, Brookie.”

“Coming!” Brooks shouts, glancing around the apartment, realizing Annie hadn’t returned yet. Changing his pace to a jog. Opening the door, his face drops, before faking a smile, “Otto, what’re you doing here?”

“Came to see my little, Brookie,” he pushes past his brother, going to sit on the couch, propping his legs up, and he playfully taps on the seat next to him. “I would ask if we could have a movie night, and I could have my little brother snuggled up against me. But…I think you’ve already got you a bed buddy to snuggle with.”

“One that you can’t stay away from,” Brooks sits in the chair opposite of his brother, just staring at him.

“Did that bother you? Literally we just talked at a coffee shop. Oddly enough, one that we have invested. We, as in you and me. Wanna pull the camera footage?”

“Already did.”

“This is awkward.”

“I trust her. It’s you I worry about. Mr. Golden Boy,” Otto rolls his eyes at the nickname his brothers had given him, and even more so the first comment. “You’ve always been able to get what you want.”

“I don’t want your girlfriend, Brookie. Honestly,” he puts his hands up in surrender, finally looking around the apartment. “Annie is a girl you marry. Otto doesn’t get married.”

“Right. You like a one and done.”

“How’s Dean?” Otto reaches over grabbing a blow pop from the candy bowl beside his table. “Was this Audi’s idea?”

“She always needs candy,” Brooks reminds him. His sisters don’t visit a ton, but when they do, his perfect princess Audriana is always digging around for candy, so now Annie makes sure she has plenty.

“Dean is fine. He’s a licensed mechanic officially now. And just wants to get into dad’s garage.”

“Don’t we all,” the two boys actually laugh, and Otto tosses him his own lollipop. “Wanna watch a game and bet? You got gushers?”

“You cheat. You still do that, I win because I’m Otto Baizen gig. I’ll order us some takeout. How long are you in New York?”

“A few more days. By the way, my luggage is outside your door. Thank god for private elevator access,” Brooks goes ahead and calls in some Chinese food. The two brothers actually getting along for once. Feeling like they were almost kids again. Laughing about the trouble they got into, and always using Brooks or Archie to get them out of it.

“Babe, there’s some luggage in the,” Annie stops seeing the laughing Otto and Brooks. Unsure how she should feel seeing the two of them together when it was less than a month ago that she was told to stay away from Otto. “I’ll go get the bag and put it in the guest room.”

“Annie, you just got home. Don’t worry about it,” Otto starts. “Brookie ordered us some Chinese.”

“She’s fine. Thanks, Annie,” Otto gives his brother an odd look while Annie goes to grab Otto’s things. Walking into the guest room to make sure it’s good and stocked. “What? That’s what she is supposed to do.”

“What the fuck?”

“I’m telling mom you said a bad language word,” Brooks laughs. “That’s what she does. I work. She can…”

“First off, Brookie, your entitlement is showing. Secondly, you saying that because that’s what mom did? You know dad told her every time she didn’t have to. And mom worked.”

“I know she worked. I worked in her office.”

Otto lets out a strained snort, “I did I worked in her office as my high school job.”

“You sat in a cozy chair and helped her and Lucy decide colors for the characters. Or a title of the book.”

“Yeah, well, going to work with dad wasn’t an option, since you and Archer already went. Dude, I don’t want to fight. I worked just as much as you guys. Uh, not as much as Zeph. None of us worked as much as him. Except…”

“Iclynn,” they both answer together.

“You boys know the only reason Icy worked with James is because of Arlo, right?” Annie asks starting to sit on Brooks’ lap.

“Why don’t you go and put on something more comfortable. Otto is staying the night. You know I don’t like day clothes on me,” Otto shoots Brooks another harsh look, but Annie is already heading to the bedroom for some shorts and a shirt.

“What the hell does she mean about my baby and Arlo? Annie!” she gives them a giggle, crawling into Brooks lap.

“Nothing. Forget I said anything about Icy and Ari Jr. I’d call him AJ if there wasn’t already one in the family.”

The three actually get along. And enjoying her time with Brooks, she snuggles right into him. Only getting up once the food gets there.

Enjoying a moment with them, until it’s time to clean up, “I’ll help,” Otto offers.

“It’s fine. You two spend some time together,” she cleans up the kitchen, taking out the trash, before going to give Brooks a kiss.

The man pulls her into his lap, deepening the kiss, “Brookie, I’m going to bed. Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

“Okay, babe. Love ya,” Annie repeats the sentiment, giving a little wave to Otto, before retiring to their room.

“So things good in paradise? Or you just trying to turn her into mom?”

“What?” Brooks looks over at him, brows furrowed and on the defense.

“Even dad helped mom clean up after dinner. Hell, we did sometimes, too. He always said, never take your mother or any woman willing to clean up after you for granted.”

Brooks rolls his eyes, settling back in the seat. “Not everyone’s life is a fairy tale.”

“Have you ever talked to them? It wasn’t. You know sometimes you gotta get out of your own head, and talk to the people around you. Not everything is about you.”

“Correction, not everything is about you, Golden Boy. I’m going to bed with my girlfriend. Might want some noise cancelling headphones on. If you didn’t pack any there’s some in the top drawer.”

“It’s tacky to brag about sex, Brookie.”

————————————

Annie pushes Brooks arm off of her, needing a drink of water. Grabbing up his discarded button up, she puts it on, walking out of the bedroom, yelping at Otto diddling around on his computer. The older man looks up at her, apologizing. “You’re fine, it was…I forgot you were here a moment.”

She awkwardly walks into the kitchen, asking if he wants anything while she fills up a glass, “I’ll take a beer.”

Popping a top off a Sam Adams, she walks to hand it over, “Beer after midnight?”

“Yeah,” he shortly answers, refusing to look at her. She looked too good coming out of that bedroom, and he will not allow himself to check out his brother’s girlfriend.

“Everything okay?”

“Doesn’t Brooks need you to clean something up or anything?” Annie bashfully looks away, turning to go back in the bedroom, before looking back at Otto.

“He’s under a lot of stress.”

“I’m sure college isn’t stressful?”

“I don’t mind,” Otto nods at her, finally looking up at her. “I don’t. It’s the least I can do. He pays for everything.”

“So, he’s your keeper? Not allowed to be around me without him, so I suggest you run along.”

“Otto.”

“Annie, he’s made it perfectly clear to the both of us, he doesn’t want us as friends. And seeing how you do whatever he tells you to, I see where this is going. It’s fine. It’s your life. Harry wanted more than you to fold over for some man.”

“My dad wants me to be happy, and I am. You’re not being fair.”

“Neither is Brooks. Goodnight, Annie,” she whispers out a goodnight, walking in to see Brooks move his hand over her side before looking back up at her.

“You get thirsty?” she gives him a nod, drinking on her water before crawling back into him. A quick moment of how her and Brooks once was.

Even the way he clings to her, bringing her as close to him as possible, and ghosting his lips on her. A deep sigh rolls off of him, and she settles down onto him. Wishing that this was the Brooks she always got. “I love you, Brooksie.”

“Love you, too, Sa…Annie,” if it wasn’t for a soft snore coming from him, she would question more. Thinking she almost heard him say someone else’s name. But he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. He’s usually working. And he’s been working later.

“Brooks?” just more snoring. She tells herself it was a snore, and he wasn’t going to say someone’s name. Because that would be just silly.

The moment he hears those giggles, Otto feels himself a bit on edge. He isn’t sure he can handle three teenagers, tried to come up with a few things to keep them out of trouble. His mom had even had copious amounts of snack foods for the three of them.

He fakes a big smile, but it’s lost the moment he locks eyes with Annie. She gives him a forced smile, but follows along with his sister and cousin to their part of the house. Thankfully only offering a quick hi, before they depart.

Feeling sick to his stomach, he rifles through the boxes of food that was still left to put up, but Illiana trots back in, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Do you guys really eat this much?”

“How much junk food do you eat when you’re high, pothead?”

“Don’t be an ass. I’m just,” his voice trails off when he sees Iclynn and Daisy turn the corner with Annie. She looked different. Tense. Hurt. Something he couldn’t place. “Uh, I’m gonna…I think I’m going to the pool.”

“The pool?” Illiana asks confused. “We’re at the fucking,” Otto clears his throat, still not used to his baby sisters cussing, “Flipping beach, and you want the pool? I have a new bathing suit that everyone needs to see my ass.”

“Really?” Illiana gives him a sweet smile. “No. I’m gonna have to go everywhere with your three…four. Because you are trouble aren’t you?” she shakes her head quickly, but Iclynn and Daisy both nod at Otto.

“Otts, I’m single and need…the less you know the better. You are daddy’s spy aren’t you? You’ll run and tell him everything! That’s why you work with him, isn’t it?”

“Ills, get on your suit. And go to the pool for now. We’re going out on the boat later. Hired you a captain, so I can work,” she gives him a grumble, but he stops her quickly. “This may be vacation for you. But it’s my workday.”

“Dad said you’re taking a break?” Iclynn asks as she gives her brother a sad look. She could sense some distress and unease with him. He was never gone this long. “Is everything okay? Even when you left you hadn’t been yourself.”

“I’m fine,” his eyes cut over to Annie’s, and he’s not sure how he’s going to get out of this. “I just needed to clear my head.”

“It’s a girl isn’t it? What girl has stolen Otto’s heart?”

“Suits, now!”

“Sheesh, it’s definitely a girl. You need to get laid,” Daisy gasps, pulling Iclynn along with her, but Annie stands there sheepishly playing with her hair. “Fine, I’ll shut my mouth. I’m expecting you to get high or drunk with us and tell us all about her.”

“You better not be smoking, Illiana Ryder Baizen!”

“Ooh,” the other two girls chant, and even Annie snorts a bit.

“That hurt. You full named me. No me gusta, Señor. No me gusta. I’m going out to the pool.”

“Icy, you two aren’t smoking are you? Daisy?” she turns her head looking at anything but Otto. “At least do edibles. Smoking is a nasty habit.”

“Does that mean…”

“It means, get dressed Illiana!”

__________________

Otto tries to focus. Tries to just pay attention, but between the girls splashing and playing around in the pool, and Annie sat under an umbrella reading Anne of Green Gables, he just couldn’t. Only a year separated her and Iclynn, but she seemed so much more mature. There was a calmness about her that his sisters didn’t possess. Little did he know it was because she was not in a good headspace.

And even now on the boat, he tries to put Annie out of his mind. Tries to quit looking at her. Tries to step further away from her every time she gets close to them, but they both found themselves always next to the other. It was almost no use. They always gravitated toward the other.

Lost in his reverie he doesn’t notice Annie walking into the dining area, stopping a moment to just stare at him. She couldn’t stay away. She needed to. She wanted to. She sighs, walking in to get her a drink, like she wanted. She wasn’t going to let how she was feeling about Otto keep her from doing what she was needing to do.

Otto’s eyes drift from his computer in front of him to the window outside.

Annie places an open bottle of beer on the table in front of him, and settles down at the table with her own ginger ale. “You avoiding me?”

Otto finally looks at her with his cocky grin, and shakes his head, “I’ve got a company that relies on me. I’m working. Like I said, this isn’t my vacation.”

“Icy said you’ve been out here for a few weeks now,” Annie’s eyes focus on the beer bottle in front of him. A beer he didn’t ask for and still she felt compelled to give him something, only because she got something to drink.

“Needed to clear my head, Gabes.”

Annie huffs out a laugh, finally able to look up at Otto, who is now the one turning away.

“Forgot you called me that.”

“What?” he asks animatedly. “You forgot that you made me swear on top of Anne of Green Gables that I would take you to Prince Edward Island one day? It feels like I’ve been punched in the gut.”

“You know, us Bodecker’s, we can be just as dramatic as the Drysdale’s. I guess we had to to put up with you lot for so long. Glad I finally grew out of that phase.”

“Yeah, you did,” Otto mumbles, quickly grabbing up his beer to take a long swig.

“What was that?”

“Nothing. So have you really lost that Bodecker spunk?”

“Life changes you.”

Otto nods, raising his bottle to toast her soda, “People change you.”

“Touché. So who changed you, Mr. Baizen.”

“I’d rather not say.”

“That bad, huh?” her brow cocks up, and she tries to smile, but Otto’s face turns serious. The playful flirty banter gone.

“Depends on how you look at it, I guess. Some might say it’s frowned upon. I say, you can learn something from people of all ages. If you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna tell the captain to go ahead and turn back. Enjoy your soda, Annie Gables.”

Annie follows him as he quickly walks away. Needing to remove himself quickly, because he’s failing. The desire to reach out and grab her hand, even to cup her face as her singsong laughter fills the cabin. He can’t do this. Not here.

————————————

“Where’s Otto?” Annie asks walking around the bar to grab up some popcorn.

“He’s out on the beach ‘thinking’,” Iclynn looks over Annie hard. She’s noticed how off she seemed when they kidnapped her, but also how her demeanor was changing from comfortable to distant. Her constant excuses to be away from them.

She slightly pulls her away from the giggling blonde ‘twins’ as they raid the pantry.

“Is everything okay?” Annie tries to nod, but Iclynn playfully smacks her. “Don’t lie. What’s going on with you and Brooks?”

“It’s nothing.”

“So there’s something. You two okay?” when Annie shrugs, Iclynn wraps her arms around her in a tight embrace. “I knew something was off at the apartment. And the fact he hasn’t been calling Audi. And Otto?”

“Brooks is closest with Otto. I just wanna know if he’s told his brother anything, you know? I’m gonna…I’ll be back.”

“You put your stuff in the bedroom across the hall.”

“With college and everything, I just wanted to sleep and let you guys have fun and enjoy yourselves. I don’t wanna bring the fun down. I’m gonna…I was just gonna talk to Otto. I got something I wanna ask him.”

While Iclynn nods, she watches Annie. There’s more to whatever is going on. Even if she doesn’t know what it is. Annie is withholding information.

Even leaving her phone on the counter. Which makes sense, seeing how it wasn’t going off with notifications. Even now, when she picks up the other girl’s phone, there’s no messages from Brooks. Before he had text her all the time.

Annie takes a deep breath as she watches Otto sit out of the beach. His feet barely sticking in the water as he looks out at the ocean. The slightest red glow of his ever present roach in his hand. Annie doesn’t want to spend a week with this awkward avoidance of each other. She’s not sure what Otto was going through, but she wants to let him know, that she was there for him.

Making her way down the stairs, Otto doesn’t to turn to know it’s her. He always knew. It was like his stomach was at unease whenever she was around. And that slightly sweet and orchid smell that he couldn’t get enough of. Definitely not the luxury perfumes he was accustomed to, but it was perfectly Annie.

He clears his throat, holding up his hand with the joint, offering her a puff, which she does in fact take before she sits down, a bit too far away. Wisps of hair blowing with the evening breeze, and an oversized hoodie covering up her shorts. Before handing back the stick, she takes another puff, and her emerald eyes turn to look right at his crystal blue ones.

Too afraid to keep looking, but both unable to turn away. “Did you bring enough?” she asks playfully to break the ice.

“Got a good supplier around. It’s not as good as the Adler’s, but this will do until Z gets here.”

A comfortable silence drifts between the two, and Annie almost wished she didn’t have to ruin it. Pulling her knees into her chest, she rests her chin on them and gives him a soft smile, “What cha doing Otts?”

He returns her smile, admiring the way her creamy skin glistens in the moonlight. Her sun kissed glow showing of her splatter of freckles, and she’s never looked more beautiful. “Nothing,” he casually answers.

“Looks like your thinking. Isn’t that why you came here?” he gives her a nod, watching the pot do it’s job as she starts to relax, “Penny for your thoughts?”

“My thoughts cost a lot more than a penny, sugar.”

“Because your Otto Baizen?”

He shakes his head no. His finger tapping along his temple, “Because I got a lot going on up here.”

“Wanna talk about it?” he takes a deep breath, pretending he’s going to speak, but decides best to shake his head no. “The boat ride was fun. I think the girls really enjoyed themselves.”

“The girls,” he chuckles. “Aren’t you only a year older than Iclynn?”

“Lately I’ve felt much older,” she tucks some of her flyaways behind her ear, and Otto wishes it was his fingers doing that for her.

“I get that.”

“Yeah, sometimes…never mind,” she sighs. There was such a calm serenity around them, she would hate to break it.

“What?”

“They’ve got high school problems. I’ve got real world problems. I went from one man’s house into another,” Otto tilts his head to the side, curious if he should get pissed at his brother or not. “One set of rules to another,” rules? Why does Brooks have rules for her? “Never really being…me.”

“Living with the Bodecker’s couldn’t have been that bad. Your dad was a gaming streamer, two bad ass moms, but one had this soft sweetness. And Eva, I’m terrified of.”

“I wasn’t talking about my family,” her eyes move out to the ocean. Taking a deep calming breath. She didn’t want things to go there.

“Do you love him?”

“I did,” she admits. Tears start to form in her eyes, and he hears the slight crack in her voice, “I wanted to grow with him. When I was in high school, and…oh, um,” she bites at her lip. Otto was the first person she ever admitted to them dating while she was still in high school.

“My dad was twenty-four, and my mom had just turned seventeen when they first started dating. I have no judgement.”

“It’s like…you know your first love?” Otto calmly shakes his head no. “Have you ever been in love?”

“Falling,” while Otto looks out to the ocean, Annie stares at him. Unsure if she heard right, and what exactly that could imply.

“Brooks is my first love. Things were happy. Free. And then I move in, and they were the same, but more blissful and magical. But then six months in and he’s pulling away. He drinks a lot. He works a lot. He stays gone a lot. And I just don’t fit in with his lifestyle anymore.”

“Why are you with him then?”

Annie shrugs, unsure herself why she’s tolerated so much from him. The drugs was one thing, but that constant shadow of a feeling like he was bringing other women into the guest room. And that dress with no tag, that she knew for a fact wasn’t hers.

“I never saw anything past Brooks. He was just it. There was nothing else. But it was young love. We’re not moving at the same speed. He’s trying to run ahead of me, and I’m just me. How come you’ve never been in love?”

“I said I was falling,” he chuckles at the audacity at the admission. Hoping she understands it’s her. She was the reason for this break from reality. He needed to get away from her to think, and yet fate pushed them back together. He reaches over to push that twig of hair that just keep keeps flying her face, behind her ear. Gulping at just how beautiful she looks.

“And I love and hate it.”

“Why?” she asks unable to turn away from him.

“It’s one sided.”

“And if it’s not?”

A silence settles between them, and he has to pull away. “Then she has a decision to make. I need to go check on the girls,” he moves to stand, but she grabs at his hand.

“Otto, wait,” he stops his movement, but the words leave her mouth. Speechless the two of them stare at one another. “Is it scary? Falling in love?”

“It’s terrifying,” he whispers.

“Add that to falling out of love.”

“Annie…”

“Otto, I can’t do this.”

“Do what?” his smile returns, despite his heart beating out of his chest. Wanting to just hold her against him, and figure out whatever is being unsaid.

“I’m not sure. I just can’t.”

“I’m the one who can’t do this. I cant complicate things more. I can’t…he’s my baby brother.”

“He’s not the same,” she shakes her head as the tears finally break through her lash line. “He was…it was like he was excited for me to come here.”

“I’m not following.”

“Our fights are almost always about you. When I told him you were going to be here, he told me to have fun and not bother coming back home. The other night, I swear I heard him whisper someone else’s name,” Otto clenches his teeth, and his hands turn into a fist. Brooks knows better. “I can’t do this. I just can’t. Any of it.”

“You know where I stand. The decision is yours, Annie Gables. I’m here. Literally. I’ll help you with what you need. Even if it’s to go back home. If Brookie has another woman…you tell me what you need and when you need it. I’ve gotta go.”

She watches as he retreats in the house. Left with her thoughts on what she should do. Her feelings for Brooks had changed. She was annoyed at the blow he was constantly snorting, but the possible other woman, she couldn’t tolerate. That would be the thing that she would have to walk away from. But is getting help from Otto the right decision?

Annie stands outside hers and Brooks’ apartment, in a way, dreading to go in. She had a tiny glimmer of the old Brooks while Otto had been there. He had drank a bit more, but he was kind, he paid attention to her, and he came home early.

The week after Otto left, it was misery. Back to how things were. Random things out of place on her side of the closet. Finding a few of Brooks’ things oddly in the guest room, and she needed a break. A break from school, and most definitely a break from him. She didn’t expect college to be easy, but she also didn’t expect to be so far away from her family and friends, while a distance was growing between her and Brooks.

Opting to spend most her time with the Baizen/Teller triplets. Annie fit right in with Iclynn, Illiana, and Daisy, and she missed them. Missed then simplicity of staying up late at night in the treehouse, or riding around in someone’s car, while they sang obnoxious pop songs at the top of their lungs. New York had no need for a car, except for Brooks’ constant use for a driver.

She gives an eye roll before walking into the house. Her eyes drifting over the apartment, and feeling like something was off. The guest bedroom door open, and a pot of boiling water on the stove, and no Brooks.

Annie gets a sick ping in her stomach as she rushes to turn off the stove. Walking slowly into the apartment, almost thinking that someone could be in here with her. Walking quietly into the bedroom, and she swears she didn’t see what she thought she seen. Brooks leaned over on the bathroom counter. Standing up he sniffles a bit. His hand messing with his nose when he finally catches a glimpse of her.

“Brooks what’re you doing?”

He takes a long sniff, staring at her blankly, trying to find the best excuse. “Nothing,” she walks closer to the bathroom, and spots a mirror, and a rolled up bill in his hand. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

“Why is the guest bedroom always open?”

“Why the fuck does it need to be closed Analey? What is your deal with the fucking guest room? This is my goddamn apartment. I should be able to do whatever I want.”

“You can’t even look at me,” Brooks rolls his eyes going to walk past her. “Brooksie, look at me!”

“Why? It’s not like I don’t see you every fucking day. I sleep in the bed with you every night. Wake up with you every day. It’s getting a bit monotonous here,” she gives him an annoyed laugh, ignoring the constant ringing on her phone. “What? Enlighten me what’s so fucking funny.”

“You’re the one who asked me to move to New York with you. Changed my college of choice, so I could live with you, and now you’re tired of seeing me everyday? What did you think this was going to be?”

“And still couldn’t make you change you stupid damn major. Speech pathologist, really? You and everyone else in the Otto Baizen fan club. More like Otto White. You know my dad, mine, adopted him. His dad really fucked my mom up. Goddammit everything is about him. He’s not even working for Blood Like Wine and he offered help. I don’t need fucking I’m help, I’m Brooks Sirius fucking Baizen. A real Baizen, baby. Bred to perfection.”

“You’re disgusting. That’s your brother,” he grabs her arm glaring at her. “I suggest you drop my arm, right now.”

“Where are you going? Running back to Boston? Going to be Otto’s slut? That’s what you want, huh? He’ll use you for a month and move on.”

Annie phone rings again, and she doesn’t have to look to know who it is calling. The first call had been Daisy, the current was Illiana. “What is your hang up with Otto? You used to look up to him?”

“Saw him for who he really is,” he shrugs. “Golden Boy my ass, even Lydia knows Otto doesn’t deserve to have my last name,” a new call comes in to Annie’s phone being Iclynn, and he slams his hand on the counter, “Would you answer the fucking phone?”

“No, we’re talking. They can wait. There’s a reason that you didn’t go to your other grandparents house. Don’t believe a word that vile woman tells you. You even said yourself that Archer is her favorite. You’re not an investment banker. She doesn’t see dollar signs in your eyes. Don’t look for approval from people who don’t care about you. Talk to me! This isn’t you. Whatever you were doing in the bathroom, wasn’t you.”

“What’re you gonna do? Call mommy? She gonna arrest me? She doesn’t have jurisdiction in this state, Annie. I’m working nonstop and the Adderall wasn’t helping,” he slams his hand on the counter when a knock comes on his door. “It’s about damn time for my food.”

Walking over to the door, he slings it open to be greeted with his two sisters, and cousin. The three of them looking over towards Annie, but it’s Iclynn that notices her blotchy skin. Sees the red rimmed eyes. And she knows she heard arguing, if only for a moment.

“We’re here to rescue you!” Illiana squeals, “Hey bub, we’re kidnapping your girlfriend, because we need her. We’re headed to the Hampton house for the week. Everyone else will be there after a few days.”

“Yeah, mom mentioned it,” Brooks deadpans, jumping in front of his sister to stop her from going into his bedroom, “Where are you going?”

“To pack Annie some clothes. Annie, lots of bathing suits. We’re staying at the smaller house cause it’s just us. Mimi and Papa are staying in Boston, in an empty estate. Lucy and Chris are going to India. Why are you standing there,” Illiana turns to look at her. Iclynn and Daisy had sat on the couch, knowing that no one told Illiana no when she made up her mind.

“I mean, you’re my size, we’re not quite the same style. But…could you help.”

“I don’t need to go to the Hamptons.”

“I think it’s a great idea. School has stressed you out. I’m working on another big client I’ll be gone a lot. You don’t want to spend your off time here,” walking into their bedroom, he throws a suitcase onto the bed. “I’ll give you my card, and you can buy what you want.”

“Or,” Illiana starts, walking into the closet she grabs a few dresses, shorts, shirts, and hoodies to toss in the suitcase, “She lets us take care of it, because Iclynn has daddy’s card. Apparently she’s more responsible.”

“I am!”

“She is. She really is. Brookie, you coming the last few days? Audi has been missing you. She slept in the bed with mom and dad crying and saying you hadn’t FaceTimed her,” Brooks feels guilty. He promised her every night. And hadn’t even done one night, and ignored her own calls. “She’s it, bub. She’s the last Baizen. Oh this is cute.”

Annie looks at the dress confused, before turning to glare at Brooks, “I just bought it for you the other day.”

“The tag is missing,” Illiana states confused.

“Well, if I leave them on there, she wants to take them back. It’ll be a nice yacht dress,” Annie wants to tell him no. That everything he said was a lie, but having her friends there, she opts not to. Reserving that for when she returns.

“Packing was easy. Ooh! Toiletries.”

“I’ll get it! Just go, raid the pantry or something. Annie, come get your things.”

“You got some freaky stuff in there don’t you?” Illiana smiles winking at him. “Don’t really wanna know because you’re my brother and it’s weird you’re dating my friend. But say no more. I need something spicy! Annie, ten minutes, we need to hit the road.”

Annie slowly gathers her things while Brooks cleans up his mess from earlier. Fighting the want to cry, because she doesn’t trust him alone. “Annie, have fun,” he says leaning over the vanity. “I mean it. Have fun. I’m trying.”

“For you or for us,” she says tossing the toiletries into her luggage. “This is is Brookie. I’m not living like this. I won’t. I’ll see you in a week.”

“Love ya.”

“I love you, Brooks,” she wants to scream at him for the casual way he says goodbye. His former self would have walked her to the car. This self stay in the apartment while he gave her a weak goodbye kiss. Being in the Hamptons was just what she needed to clear her head. She couldn’t wait.

Otto takes a long drag from his joint as he stares out at the horizon. A few days had turned into two weeks, and still he didn’t feel any more up to heading back to Boston. Had no desire to see the outside world, and just wanted to be holed up in his family’s vacation house, left alone.

He kept up with work remotely, even if his dad told him to take some actual time off, but Otto hated his mind drifting. He wasn’t sure what was going on with Brooks, he just knew he had no business feeling the way he did about Annie.

Even being out here alone, all it did was make his thoughts wander back to a pretty redhead, and he hated it. He knows he shouldn’t be feeling this way about his brother’s girlfriend, but he couldn’t shake it.

He sits close enough to the edge of the water to where it barely washes up to his feet. Closing his eyes to let the setting sun hopefully wash away his doubts. Hearing his phone ring, he starts to ignore it. Had really thought about letting it go to voicemail, but being here alone, and it being his mother, she’d keep calling until he picked up.

“Hey, Ma,” he drags out. Story rolls her eyes a bit, knowing he was high. He dealt with stress much like Carter did.

“I have a huge favor to ask of you.”

“I don’t like the way that sounds.”

“Well, seeing how you’re already at the Hampton house, and we can’t come up there until later in the week, and it’s your sisters’ and Daisy’s senior spring break, and they want a bit more freedom without us…”

“You want to send three teenage girls with me to watch in the Hamptons while I’m taking a sabbatical?”

“Baby, we’re all coming out there on Wednesday. So you’ll just have them from Saturday, until then. And it’s going to be a big Baizen vacation. If you still need some time away, Mimi and Papa want the estate to themselves, so you can go to their house there. I really wish you’d stay. Z is even bringing Veda and Rosie,” it doesn’t take Otto much convincing. He would have done it anyways. But a vacation with Brooks is one of the last things he wants.

“So you’ll keep the girls out of trouble?”

“Wait wait, is Raiden bringing Birdie Mae?” Story softly answers with a yes, and Otto runs his hand down his face, “Where’s Arlo going for spring break?”

“He’s riding with Zephyr and the girls, and bunking with him.”

“I don’t like her dating.”

“She’s eighteen and could do a lot worse than Arlo Adler.”

“They had sleepovers together already.”

“They were babies! Your dad won’t be able to sleep with them in the same house together,” Story giggles. “He said he’s gonna have to teach Aslan to sit outside Iclynn’s door.”

“Can he quit getting German Shepard’s and naming them literary names that start with an A?” the two do some random catching up, before bidding adieu. Story just happy she gets to see her first baby a bit. She didn’t like any of them getting older.

————————————

Annie takes a long look out the window, her old friends singing and giggling to whatever pop song is on, but her mind is far away. Thinking about everything that had transpired with Brooks, and she was nearly at her breaking point.

Unhappy, under appreciated, and either ignored or in a huge fight with Brooks. She didn’t know what to do, but finish the semester and go back to Boston. She missed everyone, and found herself forgetting who she was more and more each day.

“Annie!” Illiana throws a Twizzler at her, giddy with laughter. “Where are you?”

“Just thinking.”

“I hate to ask, because your boyfriend is my brother, but did he fuck you stupid or something?” Daisy’s mouth drops open, while Iclynn hides her face. “You’re just getting started Icy, you’ll know one day. Well, maybe one day I’ll know. I’ve got to date older men. How is it?”

“Can we change the subject?” Daisy throws her head back on the seat, hoping that Illiana doesn’t continue this.

“Are you still scared of a dick?”

“Oh. My. God! I’m not scared, they’re just…no, I don’t want one near me. Much less inside of me. No! And it looks like it’s gonna hurt.”

Illiana shrugs, popping a candy in her mouth, “At first, huh, Icy? Just how big is Arlo?”

“We haven’t had sex,” Iclynn rolls her eyes. It wasn’t a lack of trying on her part, not to mention, she was in fact terrified. “I just…”

“You put that shit in your mouth, huh?”

“Ills!” Daisy finally shouts at her. “I don’t want to talk about Arlo’s penis, or what Icy is doing with it.”

“Arlo’s penis? Penis? Call it a dick.”

“Quit talking about my boyfriend’s cock!”

“Oop,” Illiana puts her hand over her mouth, and even Daisy starts laughing right along with her.

“Wait,” Annie finally realizes where they’re going. Her eyes going between all of them, “How did you get Carter and Jax agree to letting you be away from them and in the Hamptons for spring break?”

“Otto’s there. He’s been there a couple weeks now. He said he’s hiring a captain to take the boat out. So all day in the sun. And I bet if Icy does her pouty face, he’ll let us drink,” she raises her eyebrows at Annie, and even Daisy and Iclynn. “And no real adults until Wednesday. Otto doesn’t count. He’s the fun brother.”

The girls continue to giggle, but Annie grabs up her phone, giving a quick text to Brooks to let him know Otto would be there.

“Should have known you’d run to him,” he responds.

“I can come back. I didn’t know.”

“Don’t bother. Have fun.”