by K E Osborn
I must have done something right to be so lucky to have Aiden all to myself.
My eyes flutter slowly to the sound of the alarm. I’m exhausted, and my body’s aching from making love with Aiden all night. It’s becoming a habit—a nice one, so I’m not complaining. Goosebumps tingle all over my skin at the memories of Aiden’s hands all over me. I snuggle into his back, gently kissing his shoulder as his hand tightens around mine. I lean over as he turns in my grip and starts kissing me passionately for what seems like an eternity.
But our moment is interrupted by the rumbling of my stomach.
Chuckling, I check the time, wanting to know how many more minutes I can spend in the arms of the man I love.
Panic sets in when I check the clock. “Shit! Mike’s going to be here in fifteen minutes. Aiden. Get up!”
“Do we have to?” Aiden groans, scrunching his face like a pouting four-year-old.
I rush out of bed, yanking the covers off him and laugh at his reluctance to get up.
Frantically, I run around getting dressed. Once I’ve got my hair pulled into a ponytail and have completed the quickest makeup application I’ve ever done, I glance over and see Aiden lying on his back, watching me with an amused smile.
“Aiden! What the hell? Get up!”
He slowly slides out of bed and stretches dramatically, trying to get me to look at his glorious body.
Ha! So not going to work!
“Baby, don’t stress. We can be late… I don’t have any meetings until two this afternoon.”
I’m trying really hard not to lose my patience, but he’s really testing me. “Aiden, don’t be silly. Your father—”
“Who cares what he thinks,” he says, rather blasé.
“I care!”
He frowns but thankfully starts to get dressed.
I don’t want to have to face the wrath of Niall twice today, I’m already going to be taking an extended lunch to see the psychologist, and I’m sure when we return, we’re going to get a mouthful from the old asshole.
Aiden ushers me out of the room, straight to the kitchen.
“We don’t have time to eat.” I tug on his arm and redirect us to the front door, grabbing my bag on the way.
“Good morning, Miss Taylor, Mr. O’Connell,” Mike says with a smirk, watching me pull a reluctant Aiden by the arm.
“Morning, Mike,” I call out, jumping into the car. “Aiden, hurry up.”
“Mike, can you go through a drive-thru, please. We need coffee and some breakfast.”
“Aiden, no. We don’t have time. We need to get to work.”
“Baby, I love you, but you skipped dinner last night, and I know you’re hungry.”
I huff, knowing he’s right. Of course, my stomach makes the loudest sound ever as if to prove his point, so I roll my eyes and laugh. “Fine!” I groan reluctantly. “But your father is going to be mad at us for being late. Problem is… he’ll take that shit out on me, as usual,” I say, frustrated.
“We’re only going to be a few minutes late… fifteen at the most. He won’t even notice, and if he does, I’ll stop him,” he tries to calm me, unsuccessfully.
As soon as the car stops, I yank Aiden out and pull him along, rushing to the elevator. Of course, with my luck, the elevator doors open, and we see Niall standing next to Brielle’s desk.
My stomach sinks as I feel the color drain from my face.
Damn!
“Oh, it’s the afternoon shift. I wasn’t sure if you both still worked here,” Niall states, but it’s loud.
“Yes, of course we do, Father. Don’t be ridiculous,” Aiden snaps.
“Then get here on time like the rest of us do,” he yells, slamming his fist down hard on Brielle’s desk. “Dammit, Aiden, can’t you see that she’s…” he points directly at me, “… going to be your downfall. Your full attention needs to be on this company, not what’s between that’s legs.” Rant over, he storms back to his office before Aiden can say anything.
My mouth drops open, but I say nothing. Aiden turns me to face him. His brows crease, and his nostrils flare. “You all right?”
I smile to reassure him I’m okay, even though I’m hiding behind my sadness. I lean in to hug him, so he can’t see the hurt behind my eyes, and also because I need to be close to him. Aiden always eases my discomfort. “I’m fine.”
He holds me at arm’s length and looks at me with a slight nod of his head in acknowledgment that I’m okay. Holding all my fears inside, I give him nothing to be concerned about, and so he leans in and kisses me gently. “What comes out of Father’s mouth is total bullshit. Ignore him.”
I nod, knowing that Niall always talks bullshit, but it doesn’t mean that his words don’t cut me to my core. “Of course, I do. Don’t worry, Aiden. I am stronger than you think.” He kisses my head, then disappears into his office.
With a heavy sigh, I sit at my desk, rest my elbows on the table, and put my head in my hands, closing my eyes. I can’t help but feel emotional. Niall’s taunts are starting to wear me down. I wish I could figure a way to fix whatever is broken between Niall and me. I can’t seem to grasp onto the concept of why he despises me so much. I exhale loudly and shake my head. Looking up, Brielle sits on the edge of my desk. She’s staring at me sympathetically.
“I think it’s a good thing we’re going to see Dr. Lovett today,” she whispers quietly.
I nod in agreement. “I think so, too. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep hiding my fear of your father and his abusive tirades.”
“I’m worried about you, Jeni. I think you should tell Aiden what’s going on.”
I frown at her. I wish she would stop bringing this up. She knows how I feel about telling Aiden. “No, Aiden’s already concerned. I can’t let him think it’s worse than he already assumes it is.” Brielle shakes her head in disagreement. “Things have to get better. Jeez, they can’t get any worse.” I give a small laugh.
There’s a moment’s hesitation before she speaks, “I don’t like it, Jeni. Keeping this from Aiden is just plain wrong in all kinds of ways, especially for me.”
I nod in acknowledgment and exhale. I know not telling him is wrong, but I just can’t bring myself to ruin his relationship with his father any further. She pats me on the shoulder, then walks back to her desk.
Turning on my computer, I get busy working on the expense report I didn’t finish yesterday. The elevator chimes, and a delivery driver walks in with a bouquet of flowers.
But it’s not Monday?
I look at Brielle, who gazes at me with a raised eyebrow, seeming as confused as I am.
“I have a delivery for Jeni?”
I raise my hand, and he brings the small bouquet over to me.
“They’re a lot smaller than the ones Aiden normally gets you,” Bree says.
I take the envelope and open it.
Jeni,
I’m so glad you’re back. Hopefully, I’ll get to see more of you.
I hope these brighten your day like you brighten mine every time I think about you.
Erik Anderson.
Oh shit!
My eyes widen.
This is not good.
Aiden’s going to flip out!
“Who are they from?” Brielle asks, walking over to my desk.
I look up at her, and she takes the card from my hand and reads it.
“Oh…” she says, looking at me, creasing her eyebrows together.
“What’s he thinking? He knows I’m engaged. Why the fuck would he send me flowers?”
“I don’t know unless he’s the type who doesn’t care that you have a fiancé. There are people out there like that, you know? They only care if you’re married, and engaged means they still have a chance.” She hands me back the card.
“What the hell do I say to Aiden?”
She shrugs. “I have no idea. But, can you do it when I’m not around?”
I roll my eyes and laugh while she heads back to her desk. Maybe th
e best thing is not to tell Aiden. So, I take the card and flowers to the trash in the kitchen. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.
A couple of hours later, Aiden comes out of his office, and I’m too busy to notice where he goes.
“Are you fucking kidding me? What the hell is this, Jeni?” Aiden yells.
I look up to see him standing there with the flowers and card.
Oh, crap!
Brielle stands and walks off to the bathroom.
Thanks for the support!
“Jeni?” Aiden asks, storming over to my desk, his nostrils flaring.
“Aiden, it’s obviously nothing because I put them in the trash. Don’t make this into a big deal. The kid has a crush, that’s all.”
“The kid has a crush. Okay, let me see. Where’s the best part?” He scans over the card. “Oh… I hope these brighten your day like you brighten mine every time I think about you. That doesn’t sound like a crush, Jeni. It sounds like something completely different to me. That dickwad is lusting over what’s mine. Little fucker. I’m going to call him, the ignorant little—”
“Aiden, that’s enough! Why are you so jealous of some kid? He’s got to be what? Nineteen, if that? He’s no threat to you. You’re my man, so stop with the jealousy and let him be. It means nothing to me.”
Aiden furrows his brow. “Seriously? Let him be? Baby, he sent you flowers. He knows you have a fiancé. What sort of asshole does he have to be before I can tell him to fuck off?”
Niall walks out of his office glaring at us. “If you two want to have a domestic, you can do it on your own time and not on mine, when I pay you damn good money to be working,” Niall barks, then storms back into his office.
I take Aiden’s hand in mine, his face turning a bright shade of red. “Babe, you’re stressing over nothing. Don’t let your father or Erik do this. Neither of them are worth it.”
Aiden looks at me, and his jaw relaxes as he starts to calm down. I stand, wrapping my arms around his waist, his arms slide around me. “I can’t lose you, Jeni,” he whispers. “I’m worried this will all become too much for you.”
My chest squeezes at his vulnerability. “I’ve told you… you never will, and I am fine.”
Aiden kisses the top of my head, then lets me go. “Erik and I got along well until he started hitting on you. I know he doesn’t know we’re together, but I can’t stand that little fucker being near you.” He runs his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I’ve never been the jealous type. I don’t know how to handle it.”
“There’s nothing to be jealous of. Trust me, babe, I got this. I can handle Erik,” I tell him as I lean up, kissing him softly.
“Can I come back yet?” Brielle calls out from across the room.
I giggle as Aiden finally smiles. “Yeah… I’m okay now. Lost it there for a minute,” he admits, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
Bree wipes her forehead. “Phew… I thought I was going to have to pull out the fire hose to cool you off there, big bro.”
“Yeah, yeah, all right… I might have overreacted. I love my girl, so sue me,” he drones, letting me go and turns to walk back to his office. As he steps past the trash can, he throws the flowers in on the way and we get back to work.
Time ticks by, and the closer lunchtime gets, the more anxious I become.
“We’d better get going if we want to make it to your appointment on time,” Brielle whispers.
I look toward Aiden’s office wondering if I should tell him I’m going out for lunch. Bree notices and answers my unspoken question. “We should leave before Aiden comes out and invites himself to come with us.”
“Do you want me to come in with you or sit outside?”
“I definitely want you to come in with me,” I quickly respond.
“We’re nearly there,” she tells me, pulling up at the traffic lights.
My nerves are barely contained.
What if Dr. Lovett thinks I’m crazy? The uncertainty has me wanting to crawl out of my skin.
What if she wants to institutionalize me? Oh my God, I’ve never thought of that before. How would I explain it to Aiden?
My heart rushes at full speed. “Bree, I don’t think I can do this.” I wrap my arms around myself as some sort of protection from the unknown.
She furrows her brows. “Jeni, you have to if you want to get better. Do it for Aiden if you can’t do it for yourself.” I nod begrudgingly. “That’s my girl.”
Pulling into a parking lot off the street, my breathing is shallow and quick. After parking, we step out and make our way to the clinic. With each step, my heart pounds a little harder and a little louder.
Brielle takes my hand, and we head inside. It’s large and spacious, and there’s soothing music playing in the background.
The receptionist looks up. “Good afternoon, ladies.” Her voice is so soft and kind, she sounds almost angelic. How does she do that?
Brielle waits for me to respond, but I say nothing. She exhales taking the lead. “This is Jenifer Taylor. She has an appointment with Dr. Lovett at one o’clock.”
The receptionist gives me an understanding smile. “Hello, Jenifer, I’m Tracey. Please fill out this paperwork for me and bring it back when you’re finished.”
I take the forms, and we sit in the waiting room. There are three pages of information to fill in. It’s a little overwhelming, but I do my best and take it back to the desk.
“Thanks, Jenifer. Deanna will be with you shortly,” she says the words so kindly, it makes me want to be her friend. But I guess that’s all part of her training in a place like this.
Returning to my seat next to Bree, my leg starts to bounce up and down on the spot. I hold my hands together, but I can’t help fidgeting with my thumbs.
Bree eventually gently places her hand on my knee, stopping it from agitating.
I sigh.
“It’s going to be fine, Jeni. I’ll be right here with you.”
I hear people talking, sparking my interest. I glance up and see Dr. Lovett, and I’m guessing a patient walking toward the front desk. They’re both laughing, and the patient seems really happy, which is the exact opposite of what I thought I’d see here. I imagined people crying and generally being despondent.
“Have a great weekend, Jo, and I’ll see you in a month,” Dr. Lovett says. She picks up my file and looks it over, raising her eyebrows at something I’ve written, then she calls, “Jenifer Taylor?”
I stand apprehensively.
“Nice to meet you. Would you like to come with me?” she asks kindly and starts to walk off.
“Is it all right if my friend, well… she’s actually going to be my sister-in-law. Now I’m babbling…” I take a breath. “Can she come in with me?”
Dr. Lovett smiles. “As long as you’re comfortable talking in front of her, it’s fine with me. However, if at any time you feel uncomfortable, then you must tell me,” she replies.
We follow her, and the room is nothing like I’d imagined. I was picturing one of those sofas where the patient lies down and for it to be stark and sterile, but it’s the complete opposite. There’s a large wooden desk with two dark brown loveseats facing each other and a dark brown table in between. A beautiful plush, bright red rug lights up the room. There’s a full-length window covering one entire wall looking out to a pond with ducks swimming on the surface of the water.
Instantly, my nerves are calmed.
Dr. Lovett closes the door after we walk in, and I can’t help but smell the aroma of something beautiful in the air too. Maybe lavender?
“Now, first things first. Please call me Deanna or Dee, whichever you prefer. It says on the form you like to be called Jeni. Is that right?” she asks, gesturing for us to sit on the sofa.
I nod and sit, and Dee sits across from us on the other sofa.
“Jeni, would you say you’re normally a reserved person?”
“Not normally, no,” I reply quietly.
Bree
takes my hand.
“You have nothing to be nervous about. I won’t repeat anything you share in here. It stays between you and me. I can tell you’re hesitant to open up to me, which is understandable, but more importantly, I can tell you’re hurting, Jeni. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here today. It would be good to have a chat, so we can remove some of that weight off those shoulders of yours. Don’t you think?”
“Yes… yes, please.”
“I see you have a beautiful engagement ring on your finger. Would you like to talk about your fiancé?” she asks kindly.
My face instantly lights up in a smile. “He’s amazing, the best a girl could ask for. He’s caring, supportive, and loves me more than anything. His name is Aiden.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Is he the reason you’re here?” she asks curiously. I shake my head. “Tell me more about Aiden. How did you meet?”
“We were in a chain collision. He literally ran into the back of my car.”
“That’s a unique way to meet someone. I can tell by the way your face lights up when you talk about him that you love him.”
“I do, very much.”
“So, what’s happening in your life that brought you here today?”
My heart starts to race again, and it feels like it’s being squeezed by a vice. “I can’t…” I say quietly.
“Jeni, the first step is recognizing the issue or problem or perhaps both. In your case, it seems it’s a who that’s the problem?”
Brielle glances at me and gives me the courage to say his name. “Jason.” The word is like acid on my tongue, and I want to spit it out of my mouth.
“Good. Now… who is Jason to you?”
“My ex-fiancé,” I tell her.
“Jeni, what did Jason do?”
I tense, closing my eyes, as imagery flashes through my mind of his fist pounding into my face. My breath catches, my heart races, but I manage to choke out the words. “He hit me… a lot. I was in the hospital. They had to take out my spleen and my left eye socket was fractured. I was… a mess.” I sniffle and pull a tissue from the box conveniently placed on the edge of the sofa. “I was left broken, battered, and terrified of men… all men. I felt like shit and still do. I hurt so much, physically and mentally, but worse than that, I blamed the one person I love most in the world, and it broke him, too.”
