Impulse
1193 Words
Sia's POV
I stood at the arrival gate of JFK, Joel's small fingers looped tightly in mine.
"Mommy, I can't see Aunt Rachel," he said, a frown pulling at his face. He stretched his neck, eyes darting over the crowd like he expected her to come running with balloons and candy.
I bent a little, brushing back his curly hair. "She’s super busy with her wedding, baby. Someone else will be coming to pick us."
He nodded but pouted a little. I didn’t blame him. It will be his first time to see her physically and he just couldn't wait.
Fortunately for us, Rachel's wedding wasn't the only thing we came for...
I spotted a clean-cut man in a black suit holding up a sign with my name. It was a ride booked by my company for when I got here. I nodded at him and he gave me the usual formal welcome.
"Welcome, Ms Reynolds. Right this way."
He took our luggage while I guided Joel toward the sleek black BMW waiting just outside. Joel slid into the backseat and ran his fingers over the leather with a grin.
"This looks just like Uncle George's car," he said.
I smiled. "It does."
As the car made it's way through the city, I glanced out the window. This city never left my bones, not completely. Some memories tried to sneak in, but I forced them back. Joel’s laughter from beside me kept me grounded.
A few hours later, Joel and I were settled into the hotel room that had been booked in advance for us. We freshened up, had a quick meal, and I packed his small bag. We weren’t heading to any meeting now. This was personal.
I called George, but he didn’t pick up. Probably still in one of his back-to-back meetings. I sighed and put the phone away.
By the time we pulled up in front of Rachel’s family house, Joel was already dozing off, but his eyes flew open the second he saw the mansion.
"Are we here?" he asked.
"We’re here, baby."
We walked up to the door, and I rang the bell twice. It opened seconds later.
"Sia, darling!" Rachel's mom beamed. She threw her arms open and I went into them. I could feel her warmth, familiar and safe.
Her eyes dropped to Joel. "Is this—?"
"Yes," I smiled. "This is Joel."
"Oh my grandson," she said, hands flying to her mouth. "He looks so big in real life."
"That’s because I feed him fertilizer," I joked.
She laughed and held Joel's face like she was committing every feature to memory. We went inside, the house still filled with the same scents and softness it always had.
We turned into the living room, and there was Rachel, mid-conversation with some tall guy. Her eyes locked on mine and went wide.
"Oh my goodness, Sia!"
She ran at me full speed, arms outstretched. We hugged hard. The kind of hug that said, “I missed you more than I want to admit.”
She took Joel and spun him around, her laughter echoing off the walls. "You were still in your mom's belly the last time I saw you!"
"Rachel, he’s five, not five months," I said, laughing.
She stuck out her tongue at me. Then her voice rose. "Dad! Come meet Sia!"
Mr Brooks walked in with his same old calming presence. He hugged me like he always had.
"Is this my grandson?"
"Yes, sir."
He touched Joel’s head gently with a smile.
We did some catching up, making sure to fill each other up on our various lives. At least the little we could at the moment.
Later that night, after Joel had passed out in Rachel's brother's room, the rest of us let loose at the bridal shower. There was champagne, laughter, terrible dancing. All the good stuff.
Morning knocked early. I was pulled out of sleep by my buzzing phone.
I slipped out quietly, picking up in the kitchen.
"Hey," he said, sounding guilty. "Sorry I missed your calls,” his deep voice was warm and apologetic. “I was at a conference and it ran longer than expected. We had to reschedule some meetings.” His apologies came even before I could say a thing.
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, but my vision remained blurry, hinting at the need for more sleep. “It’s okay, I understand.” I said, trying to calm the gentleman at the other end of the line.
George sighed. “I was frustrated, to be honest. As soon as I got home, I crashed.”
His tone softened. “How’s Joel doing? And the wedding prep?”
“Joel’s having his best time” I replied, smiling. “And the wedding prep is quite well, just a little overwhelming.”
George chuckled. “I can imagine.”
Then, his tone turned serious. “Sia, I miss you already…”
I leaned on the counter, heart doing things it shouldn’t. "George..."
"I mean it. I want to see your sleepy face."
"George," I said, warning in my voice.
Without waiting, he switched the call to video.
I was still trying to decline the request when I felt a presence behind me. I turned, and there he was.
Jason.
Rachel’s brother. My highschool crush. Another walking heartbreak. He looked taller, sharper, more grown into his own coldness.
"Sia?" he said, brow arched like he wasn’t sure I was real.
I turned back to my phone quickly. "George, I’ll call you later."
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah. Later."
I hung up, heart stammering like it didn’t know whose name to beat for. Before I could say anything, Jason crossed the space and wrapped his arms around me. I froze.
His touch wasn’t soft, it wasn’t hesitant. It was cold, firm, like someone trying not to feel but failing. His breath brushed my neck.
"Good to see you again," he whispered. Not fake-friendly. Just low and direct.
I blinked, completely thrown. Jason didn’t do hugs. Jason didn’t do affection. But here he was, practically wrapped around me like some lost part of him remembered me.
He let go. "Sorry. That was impulse."
I turned to him slowly, finding a smile to hide the mess inside me. "It's fine."
Rachel’s voice rang out. "Jason, you’re back?"
His eyes left mine slowly. "Hey, sis. Congrats."
Rachel's face lit up with a warm smile. "Thanks, Jace. I almost thought you wouldn't make it."
"I could never miss something this important.” Jason replied with a small smile across his face. “I was already heading to the venue when mom told me that you all were still at home."
"—since you all are still getting ready, I’ll be stepping out for a bit. Call me if you need anything." He said finally before exiting. I could swear that he was referring to Rachel but his eyes remained on me the whole time.
As soon as he left, Rachel's gaze narrowed, her eyes darting between Jason's retreating figure and me.
She squinted at me. "Okay... what was that crazy eye contact?"
- Writer
