Trying to Survive (The Kiser #1)

by Hannah Davenport

  “STOP! I am so not talking about my sex life with my mother!” Laughing, we continued the rest of the ride home in a comfortable silence.

  Arriving home, I couldn’t wait to run a hot bath and have a glass of wine while soaking and reading my kindle. Just relaxing. I felt terrible but hopefully it wasn’t anything that a couple of days rest couldn’t fix.

  Undressing, I climbed into the hot bath and let out a sigh of relief as the past few days replayed in my head. Not knowing anything about him, I would never know if he was okay or not, however, he did seem much better before I left.

  An hour later, I found myself dressed and heading to the living room. Austin was on the couch watching reruns so I joined him. He wrapped his arm around me as we sat in a comfortable silence.

  “You know I just like embarrassing you, but I’ll stop if you want me to. You’re eighteen and I’m proud of the man you’ve become.” I said without looking at him.

  Never taking his eyes from the TV, he said, “I know, and I don’t want you to stop. It’s one of the many things I love about you. My friends don’t have this type of open relationship with their parents.” Smiling, I snuggled into his side. I knew that with him being older, we were sliding in to the role of friends even though I would always be his mother. Two or three years ago, I never would have joked or embarrassed him about sex. We sat there together for another hour and then I had to take my medicine and go to bed.

  ****

  One week turned in to two and then three. We were back to our normal routine. I took walks every morning while he went to school. One day, I had just sat down to eat an early lunch when I received an odd text. Good morning Carlana. Checking my phone, I didn’t recognize the number, or even the area code. My hand hesitated before I typed Good morning. I waited for another text but when one never came, I slipped my phone into my pocket. No one ever called me by my full name. How strange.

  Chapter 9

  Who was that Woman?

  A week after New Year’s, I kept wondering when I would hear from the woman who I knew would blackmail me. I felt better, actually having some strength back. Matt stayed with me for a couple of days making sure I could take care of myself. Getting off the pain medicine had certainly helped. Mother had called every day but I refused to answer the phone. Matt had told her what had happened but she refused to believe him. Maria had also called but I ignored her as well.

  Making myself a cup of coffee, someone rang the doorbell. Thinking it was Matt, I opened it only to find my mother standing there with irritation on her face. She took one look at me, her eyes grew wide, and her mouth gaped open. “What happened to you?”

  “I thought Matt told you and you called him a liar?” She smashed her lips together and walked in. I turned so she didn’t plow me over. Walking over to my recliner, I sat down and put my feet up.

  “What happened to you?” She actually sounded concerned. How strange. My mother has never cared about anything or anyone but herself.

  “I was mugged.” I said nonchalantly.

  “And they did that? Why didn’t you just give them what they wanted and save yourself all of this pain?” She said it more as a lecture, or maybe like I was stupid. Now this is the mother I knew and hated.

  Rolling my eyes, I said, “Because they didn’t give me a chance. They beat the shit out of me and just took everything.” I took a sip of coffee while realizing that I didn’t offer her any. Oh well.

  “Well, you should have called Maria. Poor thing waited by herself for you to show up. She was humiliated.” Seriously, she is more worried about poor Maria than me? I clenched my teeth together so I didn’t snap at her, she just continued on. “I assured her that something must be wrong. That you would never do something like this on purpose and that you would take her out when you felt better.”

  Closing my eyes, I finally said, “Leave mother.”

  “I will not! I’m your mother and we need to settle this!” She huffed.

  “Fine. If you like Maria so much, you go out with her.” After the last few weeks, I had all that I could stand. This had to stop.

  “Don’t be ridiculous!” She said as she waved the thought away. Mother truly was clueless, thinking she would always get her way.

  “I’m not. I don’t know this girl, but more importantly, I. don’t. Like. Her!”

  “We need her in this family; her family has the right connections. Don’t forget, we can break you. All your father has to do is put the word out that he will not do business with anyone who does business with you.” She smiled triumphal and I thought I might be sick. I had seen him ruin many companies with that simple statement.

  “Whatever, you can go now.” With one last stern look, she let herself out the front door.

  I went over to the bar and poured myself a stout whiskey, then downed it in one drink. The more I was around that woman the more I think I actually did hate her.

  Two weeks past and I had not heard anything from my mystery woman, however I did answer when an unfamiliar number showed up, thinking it might be her. Shaking my head, I remembered the awkward conversation two days ago.

  “Speak.” I answered after getting out of the shower.

  “Colin, its Maria. Your mother told me you had been injured in a mugging. Are you okay?” She asked with her irritating, whinny voice.

  Gritting my teeth at the fake concern, “I’m fine.” I said as I looked through the dresser drawers for a pair of sleep pants.

  “Well good then. I called to ask if you could accompany me to dinner this Saturday?” She asked, sounding very normal now.

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean Why?” She asked and I wanted to tell her to fuck off! Actually I wanted to tell her, my mother and my father to just fuck the hell off!

  “You don’t know me. I stood you up at the Gala, although unintentional, so yeah, why?”

  “Well, my parents want me to have dinner with them and I would like you to join me.”

  Thinking of my mother, and needing to make amends, I ground my teeth and said, “Fine.”

  “Good, you can pick me up at six.” She hung up on me and I cursed. Shaking myself from the memory, I realized the doorbell was ringing…again. God, I hope it’s not my bitch of a mother. Opening the door, I found Matt standing there. Thank God!

  “What’s wrong with you?” He asked, walking past me as he came in.

  “Nothing. I’m just tired of someone else pulling my strings.”

  “Your mother.” He said dryly and I just nodded. “She’s a bitch and the best thing you can do is get away from her. I’m telling you dude, she’ll eat your soul.” Matt said with such concern I had to smile.

  “I’m also going out with Maria tomorrow.” Matt stared at me with disbelief.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” He asked, but I shook my head. “Damn! I know I gave you hell for your lifestyle, but you need to get laid. I think I prefer you that way instead of whipped by your old lady.”

  “I’m not whipped! I just have to play along until I come up with a solution.”

  “Maybe after tomorrow Cruella will realize you’re not interested and move on especially if you act like your asshole self.” He laughed at his own joke and it did make me smile. “Another thing, have you heard anything from the woman that took care of you?” I shook my head and Matt let out a sigh. “Do you think she’s still going to blackmail you?”

  “I don’t know.” I thought about her every day. It was unusual for anyone to show kindness and it was hard to believe that she spent three days of her vacation taking care of a complete stranger without asking for something in return. “I’ve been thinking of visiting the clinic to see if I can find out any information. Someone had to pay the bill and buy my pain meds so maybe I can find out something.”

  “Good idea.” He grabbed the remote and turned on the ballgame. That was the thing about Matt, he said what he wanted to and then let it go. Conversation forgotten, at least for now.

  Dressed
in my charcoal Armani suit, I showed up at Cruella’s at 6 pm sharp in my Aston Martin. I have got to stop calling her that or it will slip past my tongue one day. Shaking my head, I walked up to the door, but before I could knock, she walked out wearing a red mini-length dress. It had a sharp crisscross detailing the bodice, and long lace sleeves with a sweetheart neckline that made her body look stunning, but her severe bun and sharp features killed any lust that arose from looking at the rest of her. “I’m ready.” She said as she walked past me.

  “Good. Where are we going?” I asked, climbing into the driver’s seat. She is sadly mistaken if she thinks I’m opening her door for her.

  “We’re meeting them at Davie’s.” I put the car in reverse and headed in that direction. “You really were mugged weren’t you?” What is with everyone not believing Matt? I may be many things in this life, but I am not a liar and neither is he.

  “Yes.” I kept my eyes on the road, never once looking her direction.

  “I’m sorry that happened to you and I’m glad you’re okay now. It looks like the bruising is almost gone.” She sounded sincere, but I wouldn’t be swayed so easily.

  “Thank you.” What else could I say?

  Arriving at Davie’s, the hostess greeted us but never once looked at Maria. “Good evening Mr. Withers.” She smiled seductively and when Maria stiffened her back, I couldn’t help my beaming smile.

  “Good evening,” I looked at her nametag, “Mary” I said and then winked. She giggled.

  Maria pushed me to the side and glared at the poor girl. “We have reservations. It’s under the name Silverman.” The hostess pulled her eyes from mine, and when they landed on Maria her smile quickly faded.

  “Yes ma’am, right this way.” She turned, leading us to a table where Adele and Bod, Maria’s parents, waited for us.

  That night I lay in bed thinking about the evening. Maria and her family may have social standing, but they were a greedy bunch. All evening they asked me questions about my home, where I lived, how much money I made and what my plans were for the future. I avoided most of them, thoroughly pissing Maria off by the end of the so-called date, but I didn’t care. When I took her home that night, I didn’t kiss her goodbye or walk her to the door. I needed a solution out of this mess and fast.

  ****

  Sitting down as Betty brought me a coffee, Matt asked, “How did it go last night?” He took a sip of his own coffee.

  “It went.” I replied, dryly.

  “Are you going to see her again?”

  “Not if I can help it.” Betty set the pancakes in front of me and I dug in, as did Matt.

  “What’s your plan?” He asked in between bites.

  Sighing, I swallowed my bite of pancake and washed the rest of it down with a sip of coffee. “I’m not sure. I have to take a good look at my clients and see which ones do business with my old man. I’ve thought about talking to Ellis and seeing if he could help me out. I’ve also considered moving some money around so it isn’t associated with the company. I just can’t decide which way to go right now. I do know that I have to pretend to date Maria so my mother won’t suspect anything.”

  Matt stared at me and then did a low whistle. “Would you really talk to Ellis?”

  “Yes, I would.” Ellis and my parents hated each other. My father had once tried to destroy everything Ellis had built. He didn’t succeed and had made a lifetime enemy of my family. Now he was the only one that could compete with them, and the only one that could help me retain my business if they tried to break me.

  “And the woman?”

  “I’m not doing anything with that woman. Hell, even I won’t fuck her. I may have to make an appearance with her from time to time but that’s just to fool mother.”

  “You’re a fucking genius!” Matt said with a grin. “I can’t wait until your mother finds out you outsmarted her.” He laughed.

  I was laughing with him now. “By the way, I hired a bodyguard. His name is Gino. He’s twenty-three and just got out of the marines.”

  “Good. Where is he?” Matt looked around but I just shook my head.

  “He starts tomorrow. He’ll go everywhere I go. I rented a condo in my building for him so he would be close by if I decided to go out.”

  “That’s smart.” Matt continued eating.

  With the pancakes gone and my coffee refilled, “I’m going to the clinic tomorrow to see if I can find out anything about the mystery woman.” Matt looked at me in stunned silence before a happy grin split his face.

  “Good.” He sipped his coffee, but his grin remained.

  ****

  Walking in to the 24-hour clinic, I found the receptionist staring at me with lust-filled eyes. “Mr. Withers, what can I do for you?” I heard the double meaning but ignored it. She ignored Gino, who stood slightly behind me watching the waiting room. She leaned a little closer effectively showing off her cleavage and giving me a good look down her shirt. Knowing how to play the situation to get what I want, I let her catch me looking and then smiled back.

  “I need some information about a patient that was here.” My eyes locked with hers and I knew the way it appeared.

  “Sure, what’s the name?” That was the thing about being a single millionaire; everyone would bend over backwards for you.

  “Jake Smith.” She started typing and I could see her reading the information.

  “Jake Smith. He was here Dec. 30th and after some x-rays, he was sent home.” She smiled up at me.

  “Who brought him in?” She looked back to the computer.

  “It looks like Carlana Kiser brought him.” Carlana, I let the word roll around in my mouth for a second.

  “And the bill?” Now I was just plain curious.

  “It’s paid in full. Mrs. Kiser used her credit card.” I stared at her with disbelief. Why would someone pay my bill? I couldn’t even fathom the idea.

  “Can I have a copy of Mrs. Kiser’s information?”

  “Well, we’re really not supposed to give it out.” She discreetly looked around for any other employees. ”Sure you can.” She looked seductively at me and batted her eyes. “Anything for you Mr. Withers.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  Sitting on my couch at home, I looked over the information from the clinic. I asked Gino to run a background check on Mrs. Kiser, and was waiting for his report. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around someone taking care of me and paying my bill. I still hadn’t heard anything from her. Looking at her phone number, I pulled my own phone out and sent her a text. I don’t know why I did that, but I couldn’t help myself. I had images of deep green eyes staring into mine. Good morning Carlana. I sat there staring at my phone, and when I received the Good morning, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

  Chapter 10

  Who Keeps Texting Me?

  “Hey Megan, how’s your mom?” I asked as I picked her up. We had a day of shopping planned while the kids were in school, not that I needed to be home. However, Austin still liked to be there with me of evenings, probably more for my benefit.

  “She’s good. You can’t even tell she had a heart attack.”

  “That’s good.” Pulling out from her drive, I felt my phone vibrate. Glancing down, I saw the unfamiliar number and my breath caught. It had been a month since the last text, well the only text. Looking at the screen, I read Good morning Carlana.

  “What’s wrong?” Megan asked while trying to look at my phone.

  “Nothing, I just received an odd text.”

  “Let me see.” She grabbed it away from me. “Hmm.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I noticed her typing back. “What are you doing?” I reached for the phone, but she moved it out of arm’s length.

  “Someone has an admirer!” She laughed.

  “I do not!”

  “Okay, then a stalker?” She suddenly looked serious. “You think it’s a stalker? Maybe you shouldn’t text back. People are crazy these days.”
>
  “No, it’s not a stalker. I don’t know who it is, but they texted me about a month ago and it said the same thing.” She started typing again. “What are you doing?” I squealed.

  “Answering him. He must be harmless if he texted a month ago and that was it.”

  “Give me that! And how do you know it’s a he?” I looked down and she had replied, Good morning. How are you and who is this?

  “I just assume it’s a he. Why would a woman be so mysterious?” That was a good question, however, I didn’t know anyone with that area code, not that I had met any new people. I know I hadn’t gave my phone number to anyone.

  “Good point.” Driving down the highway I heard my phone ding, announcing a new text message. I’m fine, and I’m someone who owes you a debt. What on earth does that mean? I pondered his statement until we made it to the mall.

  Finally deciding on my reply, I typed Nobody owes me a debt. Have a nice day. There we go, polite and I ended the conversation. “Where to first?” Megan asked.

  “I don’t know. It’s up to you.” What are you doing? What is up with this person!

  “Let’s go to Macy’s. I want to look at their dresses.” Trying to shop, but someone keeps distracting me.

  “Sounds good to me.” We made our way to Macy’s but I couldn’t stop thinking about the text. Who was sending them? I switched my phone to vibrate as we shopped. Feeling the vibration, I looked at my phone to find another message. So you’re a shopper are you?

  “He is still texting you?” Looking up, I found Megan watching me.

  “Yes, and it may not be a he.”

  “What’s he saying?”

  “He or she is asking what I’m doing and if I like to shop. Weird huh?”

  “I don’t know, it seems harmless enough. What could it hurt to talk to him?”

  “Why would I do that? This is just very strange.”

  “Oh come on Lana, have fun with it. It’s just texting.” She started looking at more dresses, and then other clothes. She was right, why wouldn’t I text whoever it was. If someone came up to me and started talking, I would be friendly.