Chapter Eight

Anika

I am unwillingly dragged from my sleep when Rowan kisses my forehead. “No,” I groan. “Go away.”

“You need to get up, sweetie,” he says softly.

“I don’t wanna,” I whine.

“Get up or I will come over there and tickle you,” Max threatens from across the room. I sit up and stick my tongue out at him and he chuckles. “Good morning, Nika,” he says as he comes to me and kisses me softly.

“Good morning,” I smile.

“How do you feel?” Rowan asks before kissing me deeper, making me sigh.

“Uh… I don’t know yet. Ask me again when I’m more awake,” I say. I get up and the moment I stand, it's the soreness that I feel. My entire body is aching but fuck if it wasn’t worth it.

“You are sore, aren’t you?” Max asks as he continues to get dressed.

“Yeah. Pretty sure it’s from my little comment about myself there at the end,” I say.

“That was fun to watch,” Rowan says as he pulls the dress I picked out from the closet and hands it to me. Max and Rowan are dressed similarly in black slacks, a button-up, and a suit jacket with a tie. They both look mouthwatering.

I am wearing a more conservative deep red dress. It is form-fitting, but not excessively tight. I am pairing it with matching heels and silver jewelry. I do my makeup but apply a minimal amount and leave my hair down.

I hear voices in the living room. I come out of the bedroom with my phone and bag to find everyone from last night is here.

“Oooo, you look great,” Mia says as she comes over to hug me.

“Thank you. So do you,” I say.

“What happened after we left?” she asks when I step into the kitchen to get coffee.

“I learned to keep my mouth shut,” I laugh.

“Was that the unforgiving part?” she asks.

“That is a massive understatement,” I say wide-eyed, and she laughs. “I also completely broke down and cried. I mean like he didn’t hurt me or anything. I just realized just how much my family's words have affected how I see myself.”

“I would call that therapeutic then,” Mia says, and I laugh. Everyone joins us in the kitchen as I finish making my coffee.

“Good morning,” Annie says to me happily.

“Morning,” I smile.

“I’m dying to know what happened,” Emma says.

“Like I told Mia… I learned to keep my mouth shut,” I say with a smirk as I sip my coffee.

“That’s one way to put it,” Theo says. “How do you feel?”

“Sore,” I laugh. “You three seem to have that ability.”

“Don’t feel bad. I basically called myself fat this morning. I meant to keep that thought inside my head,” Annie says with a laugh.

“Oooo. Yeah. That’s unfortunate,” I laugh. “Did you say it in a bad way or just a statement?”

“Either way is bad,” Theo says.

“No, it’s not. I can say that something makes me look bigger and not be talking bad about myself,” I say as I sip my coffee.

“Explain,” Theo says as he steps closer.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Max says with a smirk.

“I just mean I can say that this dress makes me look fatter and not mean it in a bad way,” I say. Theo stalks closer but I stand my ground.

“It’s too early for you to already be a brat,” Theo says as he boxes me in.

“Fat is not a bad word. I have known my whole life that I am bigger. Yes, my family meant it negatively but I’m starting to see the difference between how they meant it and what is reality,” I say.

“Anika,” Theo says as he looks at me like he’s going to bend me over something again.

“Is fat a bad word, Theo?” I ask him.

“No,” he says with a gruff tone.

“Then why is it bad to refer to myself as fat?” I ask.

“Because if you say it, you are saying it because it was taught to you as an insult,” he says.

“No. By definition, I am fat. Fat simply means to carry excessive weight on you. I hate to break it to you, but I am and always have been overweight from a medical standpoint. Weight has nothing to do with beauty and I’m noticing that you people clearly don’t have an issue with it. I can call myself fat and not mean it badly,” I explain.

“You are a brat, you know that?” he asks, and everyone laughs.

“If I have to admit when I do wrong, so do you,” I say.

“Fine. You are right, there are situations where it is not meant negatively,” he says as he steps back from me.

“Annie, did you mean it negatively?” I ask her.

“I did not. I was just referring to the way my shirt appeared. I still think it looks nice considering I’m wearing it,” she says with a smirk, knowing I’m about to make him apologize.

“I think you owe your wife an apology, Theo,” I say with a smile.

“She’s right, ya know,” Max chuckles. Theo sighs and turns to a still-smiling Annie.

“Annie, I apologize for assuming you meant it negatively and punishing you for my assumptions,” he says as he cups her face.

“It’s okay,” she smiles and kisses him. “I enjoy pissing you off anyhow.”

“God, you’re both brats,” he complains.

“I think we just found a new best friend to add to the group,” Mia smiles.

“Oh, sure. Because four brats together won’t lead to chaos,” Max says.

“I think I found my people, Theo,” Annie grins at her husband.

“Yeah, yeah,” Theo says before turning to me with his eyes narrowed. I smile and turn to rinse out my cup.

“It’s only funny because your sass is directed towards someone other than me and Max,” Rowan says as he kisses me.

“Mhmm,” I smile. “You’ll get your turn. Don’t worry.” I turn and hug Max, who squeezes me.

“You do look nice, Nika,” Max says.

“Thank you,” I say before kissing him. “I picked it because I don’t look fat in this one.”

“Opposed to?” he questions.

“I’m not answering that after challenging Theo,” I giggle. “What I would say is in no way positive.”

“At least you learned to keep your mouth shut,” Emma shrugs. “We should go before Anika ends up not being able to walk.”

“That’s a good idea,” I laugh and pull away from Max who has his eyes narrowed on me. When I go to walk past Theo, he grabs me and pulls me closer to him.

“You are beautiful and understand there is no way for you to justify saying any different,” he says.

“I’ve not said anything different,” I smile.

“That’s a load of bullshit,” Mia says. “Not two days ago you said over text that you felt that you looked dumpy when you don’t wear makeup and dress up.”

“So, you just blatantly lied to me?” Theo asks.

“No. I have never directly called myself “not beautiful” before,” I say smirking.

“That is not what I meant, and you know it, Anika,” he says softly.

“I feel like this sweet tone of voice that you have right now is a trick,” I say.

“It is. You should run,” Annie says as she grabs my hand and pulls me away from Theo.

“We need to leave,” Emma laughs.

“I’m having so much fun watching Anika dig herself a hole though,” Rowan says with a chuckle.