Kitchen Affairs: A Riverside Novel (The Riverside Trilogy)

by Cumberland, Brooke

  “I fucked up, Michael. I hate myself for doing so. How do I get him back? Help me get him back!” I begged through tears.

  “Honey, I don’t know. You just have to allow yourself to heal. Things will get better and you will move on. I’ll be here for you, okay? But right now, you need to get up and shower. We’re going out.” He pulled me up and slapped me on the ass pushing me out the door.

  The last three weeks have been absolute hell. I called Drake three more times after my first message and still haven’t heard a thing. It was really over. I cried in the shower releasing the last few weeks of stress and hurt. Travis and I continued our typical days at our internship and strictly stayed friends. I didn’t even tell him about Drake because I was still holding onto hope that we would work things out.

  Travis started talking about a new girl he met last week. I tried to act happy for him but all I could feel was pain. I was numb. I didn’t feel anything. When I was in the kitchen, I pushed all my focus on the project at hand, but after the day was over, I was a complete mess.

  Travis found me in the cooler twice trying to recover from a panic attack. I told him it was nothing, but I knew he didn’t believe me. Just the feel of his touch had me going into convulsions.

  “Molly, are you ready yet?” Michael yelled pulling me out of my daze.

  “Yeah, I suppose,” I mumbled. I walked out in baggy sweats and a sweatshirt. I showered at least, but threw my hair up in a messy, okay very messy, bun.

  “What the hell, Molly? You look like death,” Michael made sure to lay it on me.

  “Well, that’s how I feel, so I guess it’s appropriate,” I grunted back.

  “Mommy, are you sick?” Stella asked under her little lashes.

  “If you count love sick, then yes.”

  Michael dragged us to the Adler Planetarium where Stella had a blast looking at all the exhibits. Surprisingly, it put me in a good mood and I was able to have a great day with them.

  The following day I started to get out of my funk and finally enjoyed a day off. Michael had kept a close eye on me to make sure I didn’t eat the entire gallon of ice cream. I needed to find a way to make it up to Drake.

  By Monday, I was smiling so big I couldn’t contain myself. I was planning to go right into Drake’s office and seduce him until he couldn’t be away from me any longer. Totally going to work.

  “Hey Trav! How was your weekend?” I smiled as I stood next to him putting my apron on.

  Before Travis could respond, Blakely approached us. “Well, isn’t this perfect. The slut and her man-tress.”

  I gave her a puzzling look but before I could comment, Travis interrupted my thoughts. “Shut up Blakely! Don’t talk to Molly like that. Ever!” he stated through clenched teeth.

  “I’m just stating the facts. Didn’t you see your newest photo shoot?” she provoked.

  “What are you talking about?” I demanded.

  She searched through her purse and handed me a U.S. Time Magazine where it plastered

  Chicago’s Drake Stagliano in the middle of a nasty love triangle: Molly caught with another man!

  On the cover was a picture of Drake and separate picture of Travis and me. The first one was when we were outside the club waiting to get in and the second one was of us in the kitchen. Oh my god! Someone sold photos of Travis and me. Shit, shit, shit!

  My jaw dropped but nothing came out. I was speechless. Is this why Drake was avoiding me?

  Travis grabbed it out of Blakely’s hand and gasped. We were all over the cover plastered in a love triangle. Drake must have seen the footage weeks ago. Why wouldn’t he just tell me that or at least confront me? My mind was spinning. I didn’t know if I could handle more press drama.

  “Molly, let’s go!” Travis grabbed my hand and led me out the door. I followed, as I wanted to be anywhere else besides that kitchen.

  “Where are we going?” I asked as he pulled me into the elevator with him.

  “Drake’s office. We are getting to the bottom of this.” He looked beyond pissed. This wasn’t just about me anymore. It had his face plastered all over that magazine as well.

  “Travis, there’s something I should tell you first.” I turned to face him. “Drake hasn’t spoken to me in over three weeks. I told him about you and that we kissed. My guess is he looked through the surveillance footage and saw us. I’m guessing that’s why he broke up with me.” I looked down afraid of Travis’ expression. I slowly glanced at his face but he looked emotionless.

  “You mean to tell me that you and Drake aren’t together anymore?” he questioned. I just nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “To be honest, I didn’t know. I just thought he was giving us time but after a few weeks, I finally came to the conclusion that it was over. He won’t return my calls.”

  We arrived to his floor and once again, Travis grabbed my hand and led me out. Through all the drama and the sadness of the situation, he still had that affect on me whenever he touched me. The receptionist led us to his office and I started shaking. I haven’t seen him in weeks and now here I was about to go into his office with the man he saw me kissing. Drake turned around at the sound of the door closing as he was staring out his large windows. My heart about sank as I saw the sadness and anger in his face.

  “Molly,” he said exasperated. “What are you doing here?” He looked over to Travis. “And with him?” He nodded his head in Travis’ direction.

  “I brought her here, sir,” Travis spoke up.

  “Well, Travis, I’d say it was nice to meet you, but you kissed my girl; so it really isn’t.” He said honestly. “Why are you in my office?” He demanded.

  “I wanted to come and tell you personally that there is nothing going on between me and Molly. We had a moment, and it was wrong, and it hasn’t happened since. She confessed her love for you and I kept my distance ever since. Even after I told her I was in love with her, she told me she could only be my friend.” He paused for a moment waiting for Drake’s reaction. “I just thought you should know, sir. Molly doesn’t deserve any of this negative press.”

  “So you do love her?” Drake asked him not amused. I already told him that part but I could see how it hurt him to hear it from Travis.

  Before Travis could answer, I spoke up. “Yeah. He does. But I told him it wasn’t reciprocated and that we could only remain friends and that’s what we’ve been ever since.” I promised. I hope he could feel the sincerity in my voice. Travis had confessed his love for me, but he knew I didn’t feel the same way.

  “Say what you want Molly, but I saw the footage,” his look reciprocated to me. “You can’t fool me. And neither can you,” he looked directly at Travis. “You have humiliated me, Molly. You knew there were cameras in there, just like before. You allowed yourself to be caught.” He sat in his chair facing me. “You think I wouldn’t go digging?” He perked an eyebrow up.

  “I thought you would at least take my word for it. Yeah, I screwed up, but I told you about it.”

  “You couldn’t even answer me when I asked if you had feelings for him!” I could feel Travis’ eyes digging into me.

  “Okay, yeah, you’re right. But you cowered out. You. Left. Me. You didn’t even let me explain or let me have a few days to think. You just bailed,” I accused. I wasn’t going to play these games anymore. Either we were together, or we weren’t. “So much for anchor, Drake,” and with that I turned around and walked out the door.

  As soon as I reached the elevator, I felt someone grab my hand. He swung me around grabbing my face in his hands and met his lips with mine.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  As I was whirled around, I inhaled his scent. Drake. His soft, greedy lips pressed hard against mine not letting me go. He grasped my waist pulling me in tighter, not wanting to let me go. My hands flung to his dark hair as I lightly pulled his hair strands. I haven’t felt his lips on me in weeks and I wasn’t about to let him go now.

  Drake pressed the elevator button
and when it swung open, he lifted me up wrapping my legs around him and slammed me against the walls of the elevator. He released one hand and shuffled in his pockets for a key. He put it into a card slot and the elevator immediately idled.

  Without saying a word, he lifted my arms above my head and removed my shirt. He rubbed his warm hands all over me, remembering my skin. I moaned in his mouth as he unclasped my bra throwing it to the ground.

  As I realized what was happening and where we were, I started to panic.

  “Drake,” I tried to say as he pushed his mouth harder into mine. “Cameras?” was all I managed to say.

  Drake laughed against my mouth knowing we were famous for getting caught, but shook his head. “Don’t worry babe. That key turns them off.”

  It was like we had never been apart. As my legs were wrapped around him, I could feel him hard against me. I knew he wanted exactly what I wanted. I unbuttoned his shirt and ripped it off of his shoulders, exposing his hard rock body. I playfully rubbed my fingertips over him as I remembered exactly the way his body felt against mine.

  He pulled me away from the wall and laid me gently on the floor removing my pants. Without speaking another word, he removed his pants and pressed hard into me releasing every pleasurable feeling I had been without for too long. I moaned and arched my back as he took me and made me his again.

  Oh, god… he feels amazing.

  My hips followed his rhythm as we continued making love on the elevator floor. He kissed behind my ear, down to my collarbone, and back up to my lips making me quiver at the very touch of him. I loved this man and I wasn’t letting him go again.

  After what could have been days for all I know, Drake and I had passionately exploded into one another. He continued to press hard into me as I came over and over again. I was completely breathless but I couldn’t feel any happier than being with Drake in that moment. It didn’t matter where we were or how exposed we were, all that mattered was that he had made me his again.

  “I have missed this,” I mumbled into his chest. We lied there just staring at one another. He made me feel amazing. Incredible.

  “I have been lost, Molly. I never want to be without you again,” he stroked his fingertips to my lips looking deep into my eyes. Into my soul.

  “Please never leave me,” I begged. Considering what we’ve been through, I was paranoid that at any minute it would be taken away from me again.

  “I’m so sorry for all the hurt I put you through these last few weeks. I should have talked to you about it, but I was just so humiliated and devastated. It wasn’t just the thought of you with another man, Molly, it was the actual visual of you with another man.” My eyes shut at the thought of Drake seeing that video. I couldn’t imagine how many pieces his heart broke into.

  “Drake, this is all my fault. Seriously, it should have never happened. I should’ve told you sooner and told you everything. Every last detail. I was so scared of losing you,” I admitted. I couldn’t believe I had fucked up so bad.

  “I don’t want to make excuses,” I continued. “But I’ve never felt this way before, Drake. My life revolved around Stella and school and then all of a sudden you came into my life and it was a whole new feeling for me. And then Travis showed up and it was like my mind was spinning in circles,” I kept on rambling trying to make sense of it all.

  After Liam’s passing, I never even tried dating again. Stella was just a baby and she was all I cared about - her and school. Guys approached me but after I gracefully flashed my engagement ring, they never tried anything. I didn’t know how to rationalize my feelings when I first met Drake and Travis, but now I definitely knew Drake was the one for me.

  “Molly, look at me,” he pressed slightly on my chin. “We both made mistakes. We are in love, Molly. Let’s be in love. Let’s not do this to each other.” He kissed me softly on the lips. “I need you,” he pleaded with his eyes.

  I couldn’t believe what this amazingly beautiful man just said. We both messed up but he wanted to forget all of that. I had messed up really bad but he just wanted us to be together and happy.

  Was this man for real? How could he be so good to me?

  “I would do anything to just be with you, Drake.” I kissed him hard on the lips and lied back into his chest. “I just want you.”

  We had two more days left of being in the kitchen this week before rounds started. Classes were ending and soon we would be working in the kitchen next to the Riverside chef’s. I was ecstatic to finally work next to them. They were pure geniuses and I knew I would learn so much from them. Each pair got to work in the kitchen twice a week with a few other groups. The closer we got to graduation, the more intense we worked.

  Travis and I returned to our usual silly friendship even after all the media press blow up. He was a genuine and supportive friend who loved me. I couldn’t ask for a better guy friend. I loved him back, but not in the same way. As much as he told me he understood, I knew deep down he was sad. In the end, we decided to let all the drama go and not take shit from anyone else, especially Blakely.

  Blakely was relentless at making stabs at our unusual friendship. She enjoyed the media frenzy while it lasted, but once Travis put her in her place, she hasn’t spoken to us since.

  “Okay, Molly, final project,” Mr. Cooper came up to me. “You need to butterfly-cut this tray of chicken in under fifteen minutes.” I nodded as I was totally prepared for this. I got this in the bag!

  “Go!”

  Travis and Mr. Cooper watched as I carefully cut each individual chicken breast perfectly. I was a pro at this by now. Chicken cordon bleu is my specialty!

  “Come on, Molly, you’re doing great!” Travis cheered from across the counter.

  “You have five minutes left,” Mr. Cooper announced.

  Come on, Molly, relax you can do this. I carefully sliced my last one and yelled, “Done!”

  “That’d a girl!” Travis high fived me and gave me a hug. “I knew you could do it.”

  “Thanks! Mr. Cooper how’d I do?” I asked impatiently as he inspected each one.

  “These are amazing, Molly. You did terrific!” He smiled at me and I knew he was impressed.

  “Only one more day, Trav! I can’t wait!” I said cheerfully as we cleaned up our section.

  “It’s going to be intense, Molly, but I know you’re ready,” he smiled. Travis was truly the best partner. Given our awkward tension at times, he always helped me progress and do better.

  “Wanna go out this weekend and celebrate? You should bring Drake,” Travis smiled showing off his perfect white teeth.

  “This weekend? No, I can’t. Maybe another time?” I said as we were walking out together. I linked my arms in his as we were trying to flag a cab.

  “Molly, you have to! You can’t miss my birthday!” he smiled as he tried to sneak that last little part in.

  I stopped in my tracks. His birthday? “You’re birthday’s this weekend?”

  “Yeah. What’s wrong?” he asked as he saw my face drop.

  “Nothing. Sorry, it’s nothing,” I lied. I hadn’t even told Drake about Liam’s birthday yet. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it now that I was with someone, but I wanted to make it special for Stella.

  He turned to face me and tilted my chin up. “Molly, tell me. Please.” He looked so sincere and worried about me.

  I inhaled slowly. “Okay fine. Liam’s birthday is this weekend. I was planning on spending the day with Stella.”

  “Oh, Molly, I’m sorry. Anything I can do?” He looked so heartfelt. I didn’t talk about Liam much around Travis, or anyone for that matter.

  “No, no it’s fine. Stella wants to bake a cake and blow out candles now that she knows about him. She’s been making birthday cards all week. It’s pretty cute actually,” I smiled at the memory of watching her color pictures for her daddy.

  By Friday, I was exhausted from rounds testing and ready for the weekend. I couldn’t stop smiling as I unlocked my apartment
door. Walking in I realized my life had finally fallen into place where I was happy and content. Stella knew about Liam, Drake and I were happily in love, and I had Travis back as my friend. Life was finally normal again.

  Weeks after Liam’s birthday, Travis and I were working side by side in the Riverside Restaurant kitchen. We had great working chemistry, which made us a great duo.

  “Hi sweetheart!” Drake brushed my shoulder as he leaned in to kiss me. “How’s your day going?”

  Drake visited me periodically throughout the day. Most of the chef’s in the kitchen were men and ruthlessly drooled over me. It was pathetic, but the fact that Drake felt like coming to my rescue was adorable. In fact, it made me love him more. If that was even possible…

  “It’s great! Staying busy. Travis saved me once again from face planting into the floor,” I admitted embarrassed.

  Drake chuckled a little and looked towards Travis. “Thanks for saving my girl!” He patted him on the shoulder. “As usual,” he teased looking back at me.

  “It’s not my fault this time!” I whined. “Someone spilled sauce all over the floor and didn’t clean it up.” I leaned into Drake’s chest looking up for sympathy.

  “You are just too cute,” he kissed the top of my nose. “I hope Stella doesn’t get your clumsy traits,” he teased once again.

  Me too. I was clumsy enough for the both of us.

  I pressed my body into his, feeling him hardened against me. I had the sudden urge to take him right then and there. He grabbed my hand and lightly kissed it looking around at how he could sneak us out.

  “I want you right now,” he whispered into my ear lightly blowing on my skin.

  “Let’s get out of here. Now,” I demanded edging my lips up to kiss him.

  “I’ll see you at five. Don’t keep me waiting,” he said brushing my lips once more with his and patted my ass. Ugh, I hate when he leaves me high and dry.

  “You are an evil man, Mr. Stagliano. Leaving your lady all wet and bothered around a bunch of horny men,” I teased letting him realize what he was doing. So horny. Damn him.