“Like it? I fuc… I mean I love it!” I gave him a pointed look and he laughed. I did not want to hear language like that come from his mouth. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
“How about I get the food together and you drive us to grandmas?”
“Seriously? That’d be great!” Laughing he helped me gather the food in the kitchen.
With the Jeep loaded and Austin behind the wheel, we headed out on our forty-five minute drive to my parents’ house.
“This is the best present ever mom. It drives so well.” He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. Reaching over, I turned the radio on.
“Just remember to always wear your seatbelt. The top won’t protect you if you wreck.” That was my biggest fear, Austin wrecking. My Graysen was killed in an accident, and I always worried the same thing would happen to Austin. It took a lot for me to buy him a jeep, knowing that unless he wore his seatbelt, he could meet the same fate.
“I will mom, I promise.” He flashed me a bright smile.
Arriving at my parents’ house, they came out to greet us and help carry our food and packages in. “Look Grandma! Mom got me a jeep for Christmas!” His enthusiasm was contagious and mom was now smiling while dad opened the passenger door and had a look inside.
Whistling, dad said, “That’s nice.” Austin had to show him everything about it while mom helped me carry my food inside.
“Beth and Scott couldn’t make it this year.” Mom said disappointed.
“Why? What’s wrong?” I asked with concern. They were always here for Christmas.
“The girls have been passing the stomach virus around. Hailey has it now. She’s been throwing up all day.”
“Poor thing. I hope she feels better soon.”
“Me too, now let’s get everything inside. It’s cold out here.” It was cold at 30F, but sometimes the temperatures would drop a lot more than that.
Walking in to the house, warmth and comfort surrounded me. It smelled like pine cones and cinnamon with a fire roaring in the fireplace. The tree in the living room had lights that twinkled and presents were stacked high all around it. Mistletoe hung over the open doorways with Christmas decorations scattered throughout the entire house. Mom loved Christmas and it showed everywhere.
Walking in to the kitchen where the apple cider was brewing on the stove, I took down a coffee cup and poured me some. Christmas was the only time of year she fixed it, that and homemade candy. There were chocolate covered peanut butter balls in a bowl so I popped one in to my mouth. It tasted like a homemade Reese cup. She had pinwheels in another bowl, but I always preferred the peanut butter balls.
Standing there sipping my cider, I noticed mom staring at me. “What?” I asked with a smile on my face. Mom looked happy.
“You’re beautiful, you know that?” Blushing, I just shook my head. What could I say to that? “You are. Your auburn hair has gotten so long. I love the way it just naturally curls. People pay a lot of money to try to get their hair to look like that.
“Thanks mom.”
Dad and Austin walked in, Austin still talking a mile a minute about his jeep. Smiling at the sight, I thought now this is family. I felt better today, physically and emotionally. Did I still miss my Graysen? Absolutely, but it was getting much easier. For the first time in two years, I felt like I’d be okay.
“Shall we eat or open presents first?” Mom jolted me back to reality.
“Presents, definitely presents.” Austin insisted and everyone laughed at his eagerness. He may be eighteen, but Christmas was his favorite holiday and it showed.
Sitting around the living room, mom started passing out gifts. Of course, a lot of them were for Beth and her family. As Austin enthusiastically opened his gifts, he got clothes, video games, and a $200 visa gift card. “That’s to help with gas and dates.” Dad told him with a mischievous grin.
“Thanks Grandpa!” He stood up and gave mom and dad both a big hug.
“Now you. Go on, open it.” Mom said with a smile on her face.
I took the small red and green package and slowly untied the silver ribbon on top. As I opened the box, my heart fluttered and my breathing became more labored. Looking through the box, tears filled my eyes. Looking up at my smiling mother, I said, “Mom, this is too much.”
“Nonsense dear. You deserve this more than anyone I know.”
“What is it mom?” Austin asked with curiosity.
Smiling with glossy eyes, I looked at him. “It’s a trip to New York.” Mom and dad had purchased a plane ticket, and paid for a hotel room for eight days. I’d always wanted to visit the Big Apple, but never had the chance. Now I get to bring in the New Year there.
“Awesome!” Austin said peering over my shoulder to look in the box.
“Will you be okay with me being gone for New Years?” I asked, suddenly concerned.
“Of course, we worked everything out. I didn’t know where you were going, but Grandma asked me to stay with them, and I’m going with Kaitlyn to Jason’s house for a New Year’s Eve party.”
“Do I need to call you and tell you to stay safe that day?” Raising my eyebrows as though I mean what I asked.
Blushing, “Mom please don’t! Oh God, I need to get out of here before you embarrass me in front of Grandma and Grandpa.” Everyone laughed at that.
“Thanks mom, thanks dad.” I hugged them both. “Wait, what about Megan and her plane ticket?”
“It’s okay, she purchased hers when I bought yours. She’s all set. Knowing her, she’s probably packed and ready to go.” And she probably was.
We stayed a few more hours before it was time to leave. I needed to make sure I got plenty of rest, and I needed to pack. Our plane left the day after Christmas so I only had about a day. I can’t believe I’m getting to go to New York!
The next day, Austin and I watched old movies, ate left over food, and I rested a lot. That evening, I pulled out my suitcase and started to pack. Our plane left at 2 p.m. on the 26th, and the closer the time got, the more excited I became.
“I’m glad you’re going.” I looked up to find Austin standing in the doorway with a solemn look on his face.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just glad to see you finally getting out of the house. It’s about time you did something for yourself.” A faint smile graced his face.
“I guess so. What about you?” I took a seat on my bed so I could look at him while we talked.
“Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the airport then head over to Grandma’s.”
“Please be careful, and when you go out New Year’s Eve, please don’t be drinking. It’s bad enough knowing you’ll be on the road with everyone else that night.” My heart started pounding at the thought. Austin would be driving, and so would a lot of other people, drunk people. Oh God! My breathing became labored to the point I thought I’d pass out. I’d surely die if anything happened to him. I can’t do this! I can’t do this! I need to stay home, stay with him. What was I thinking? Austin was saying something, but I couldn’t hear him over the roar in my ears. My head began to swim and my vision blurred. Nothing made sense. Strong arms wrapped around me, and my world righted again. Someone was whispering to me. Who was it? Then I knew, I knew it was Austin. My baby. My strong man.
“It’s okay mom, I’ll be fine. I promise.” But how could he know that? None of us knows when our time will come. I thought I’d go before Graysen, I’m the one born with a genetic disease, but that didn’t happen. “Mom, listen to me.” He said with authority. He leaned back and looked in to my eyes. “Jason’s parents don’t want any of us on the road that night for the same reasons you don’t. We are all spending the night and his parents will be home. It’ll be okay.” He said smiling. I took the first deep calming breath since thinking about it. He wrapped me up in his arms and I knew it’d be okay. I prayed it would.
The next day, with my luggage packed and loaded, we headed to Megan’s house to pick her up. I’d hugged
Austin all morning, but I’ll have to admit, I was now excited. We were heading for New York!
Chapter 4
Christmas and New Year’s, Can it get worse?
Arriving at mother and father’s house for Christmas dinner, I had to swallow the distaste in my mouth. Hoping I could get through the next couple of hours. Since Thanksgiving, I’d thought about the ultimatum they had giving me and so far I hadn’t come up with anything. I didn’t need their money, but I did need mine. Father could break me; I had seen him do it to other people many times before. Would he though? That was the real question.
Ringing the doorbell, Gary, the butler greeted me. Always professional and treated me like a guest, I nodded to him as he led me down the hallway to the dining area. I found mother there in a long dark blue dress that spoke of money, and father in his suit. Looking around I noticed Uncle Rob and Bambie, huh, I guess they’re still together. That’s surprising. And to the far left, I saw an older man and woman with a younger lady. The older woman had on a red flowing long dress, and her black hair pulled back in to a severe bun. The other man also wore a suit, and the younger lady was smiling at me with a calculated look in her eye. She had on a cream-colored long dress that formed her body, with a sweetheart neckline. She also wore her bleached blonde hair in a severe bun, and had on way to much make-up. Of course, she was stick thin, and after looking from mother to daughter, I shivered. In thirty years, she’ll look like her mother. Hell, they look alike now.
“Colin, I’m so glad you could make it.” Mother came over and placed her hands on my upper arms while she air kissed my cheeks. Slightly shaking her off, she flashed me a Don’t fuck with me look. It was so quick, I’m sure I was the only one that saw it. Turning, she said, “Colin, I’d like you to meet Adele and Bob.” I nodded, “And this is their daughter, Maria.”
Walking over, Maria pulled me in to an embrace. Immediately I sized her up as being bold and taking what she wanted. Not my kind of girl. I liked to be the one in control, and I could tell that she did to. “Nice to meet you Colin. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you.” I wondered from who because nobody in this room knew a damn thing about me, including my parents.
“Nice to meet you to.” I stepped back, but she stayed close. Looking around, I noticed that everything was decorated which was unusual. A white tablecloth stretched across the long table with five chairs on each side and one at each end. Perfectly placed white candles with greenery and red bows wrapped around them dotted the table. Green vines hung off the far edges, and even adorned the chandelier above that also had red roses weaved throughout. The table was set with mother’s fine china, and crystal glasses. No doubt, she was flaunting her wealth.
“Shall we have a seat?” Mother asked as she moved to the chair at one end of the table while father sat at the other. I went to my normal chair; noticed Maria followed, and took the other chair to my left. “Son, I was telling Maria before you arrived about your business and how proud we are of you.” What the hell? They have never showed any interest before and they have certainly never said they were proud of me.
Taking a sip of wine, I didn’t say anything. With mother’s glare, I finally relented and said, “Thank you.”
“So Colin, where exactly do you live” I could actually see the greed in her eyes. She may come from a good family, but she wasn’t any different than all the other women I had fucked.
“I live in Manhattan.” There, that was a good enough answer. She looked as though she had to ask me more, but mother interrupted her.
“Colin, I thought you might ask Maria to accompany you to the New Year’s Eve Gala?” She raised a questioning eyebrow while I clenched my jaw and gritted my teeth.
“Oh, I’d love to! Thank you!” What the fuck! I did not ask her! Turning my head slowly to give her the are you insane look, she never even looked my way. Cunning and manipulative, just like mother.
Two excruciating hours later with dinner finished, and the right amount of time allotted for dessert and small talk, I scooted my chair back and stood up from the table. “Thank you mother for a lovely evening, but I must be going.” This time I ignored her warning look.
“Colin, surely you can stay a little while longer?” Mother asked in her sweet voice, which was actually a warning.
Ignoring her, I turned to Maria. “It was a pleasure to meet you Maria.”
“The pleasure was mine. I’ll get your number from Mrs. Withers and contact you about the Gala.” She smiled sweetly and batted her eyes while I clenched my teeth once again. She knew better than to ask me for my number. I just nodded before turning to leave.
“I’ll walk you out.” Mother said before I got two steps from the table. She hurried out of her seat then strolled up beside me. Taking my arm as we left the room, she hissed, “You better not embarrass me. I expect to see you at the Gala with Maria on your arm.”
“Whatever you say mother.” I sneered. As we got to the door, I jerked my arm from her and left without saying goodbye.
As I got in my car, I let the rage of this evening feel me. Driving way to fast, I headed home. Before making it there, I turned around and headed to a bar not caring which one it was. This was New York after all and there would be plenty open today.
Finding a little whole in the ground bar, I parked and went inside. Several people littered the bar stools also trying to forget. This day should be about family and not about standing…social standing. Everything my parents did was calculated, and nothing was from love. Sometimes I still bought them a present, but I couldn’t remember the last one I’d received from them.
Sitting down, the bartender came over and asked, “What’ll you have?”
“Whiskey, neat and the most expensive one you have.” He raised his eyebrow and left to get my drink. When he returned, he sat it in front of me and I handed him my credit card. “Start a tab.”
After my third drink, I felt someone saddle up beside me. Turning, the first thing I noticed was her long shapely legs. Continuing up, I took in her small leather mini skirt, the skintight tee, long slender neck and ruby red lips. When I finally met her eyes, she stared with interest. She had on way too much eye make-up and used too much perfume, but she was here. “Hey sugar, want some company?”
“Sure, why not.” I turned back to my drink as she slid onto the stool beside me.
“Buy me a drink?” She asked so I waved the bartender over. “I’ll have what he’s having.” I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I figured she’d have some type of girly drink.
After another couple of drinks and some idle chitchat, I excused myself so I could go to the men’s room. Just as I entered, she pushed the door open and followed me in. Surprised and very drunk, I asked, “What are you doing in here?”
“I thought you could use some help…help to forget whatever you are trying to forget.” She walked over to the bathroom sink as I just stood there watching her. She spread her legs and bent over. Looking over her shoulder she asked, “What are you waiting for?”
What was I waiting for? Noticing she didn’t have panties on, I walked over to her and unzipped my pants. Taking my dick in my hand, I slid a condom on and aligned it up with her pussy before surging forward. She wasn’t very tight, and that said something because I had a big dick. I worked it in and out until I felt that familiar tingle at the base of my spine and I erupted in to the condom. Holding the base of my dick to keep the condom in place, I withdrew. As I flushed it down the commode, I zipped up. “Thanks sweetheart.”
Grinning, she said, “No problem. That’ll be $100.”
I knew my face showed dawning and then anger. I have never paid for sex, and I didn’t intend to now. She must have read my thoughts, “Butch is outside to make sure you pay up, and I also know who you are. If you don’t pay, it’ll be all over the news. You know, how you stiffed a prostitute. Get it?” She giggled. I wanted to strangle her; instead, I opened my wallet and threw a $100 bill on the floor. As she reached down to get it, I head
ed back to the bar.
“I’m finished. Close out my tab.” The bartender had a sympathetic look in his eyes. Undoubtedly, he’d seen this scam way too often. He handed me my card and receipt, and after leaving him a tip, I left as quickly as possible. Heading toward my car, I kept muttering to myself. Stupid, stupid, stupid! That was the first time in many years that I let someone take advantage of me. I knew the whiskey had caused my severe lack of judgement, but I still should have known better. Shaking my head, I climbed in to my car and headed home. After almost hitting a light pole, it dawned on me that I probably should have called Seth to come and pick me up but I really hated to bother him on Christmas.
Somehow making it home without incident, I made my way to the elevator, nodding at Dean on the way. I showered and then fell into bed, just wanting to put this horrible day far behind me. Tonight had been an all-time low for me.
Chapter 5
Girl’s Trip!
“I can’t believe were here!” I said squealing like a kid, but I didn’t care. We landed an hour ago, and after collecting our bags, we hailed a cab. And here I stood in the hotel room looking out the window at New York City!
“I know! I’ve wanted to come here for so long, and here we are!” Megan felt exactly like I did. This is the best Christmas present mom and dad could have given me. Megan and I met in grade school, quickly becoming best friends. I was always sick and unable to run very much so she would hang back with me. We found that we had a lot in common and through high school, she became my partner in crime. When I moved away with Graysen, we still kept in touch, and when we moved back closer home, it was if no time at all had passed. “What do you want to do first?” Megan asked as she started reapplying her makeup and fixing her hair.
“I have to let Austin know that we made it safely.” Her face showed understanding as I pulled out my cell. After talking to him, then mom for ten minutes, I was ready to see the sights. “Ready.” I called to her.
Trying to Survive (The Kiser #1) Page 4
