Duly Noted

by H. M. Shander

  Aurora: Won't you get sick of me?

  Nate: Never.

  Feeling lighter in her mind and soul, she sent out a text to her daddy.

  I’m sorry and that’s the end of it. It was an oversight. End of story. You can either accept it or not but I refuse to apologise any more.

  Since nothing further came from him, she assumed he did not accept her apology. Oh well, his issue to deal with, not hers.

  ***

  The next two weeks dragged. The only perk to her otherwise dole-drum day was her forty-five minute daily lunch date with Nate. The evening shifts sucked since he usually left at four-thirty and there were no after-work playtimes at his car. Granted, he spent a healthy amount of time texting her during the evenings to the point where she got in trouble once for responding.

  After work, and before meeting him for lunch, she filled her free time and managed to get caught up with the summer course she’d neglected. It was boring as hell though, and didn’t help pass the time as quickly as she’d hoped. Kaitlyn worked days at the department store, so she had no one to hang around. Even with the Percocet and Xanax taking the edge off, she was lonely.

  Having swapped a shift, she surprised Nate by leaning against his car, waiting patiently for him to come out from behind the building. She never spoke about it at lunchtime, and his expression of sheer joy and surprise was priceless, and worth it.

  He sauntered up to her. “Well, look at you.”

  “Yep, look at me.”

  He placed his hands on either side of her body, and leaned in close. “Xanax?”

  She shook her head and breathed him in. “Nope. Total determination.” He whistled. “And I’ve been practising.”

  “How?” He ran a hand through his hair and she saw the sweat on his forehead. Someone had been working hard. Either that or he was really hot. She’d place her money on him being hot, because he was sex on a stick.

  “Random cars in the parking lot.”

  Nate laughed. “I can just see it too. You walking around touching different vehicles.”

  “Pretty much.” She stepped away. “Okay, enough of that.” Imaginary dust flew off her pants as she gave them a smack. Nate kept his car in unnaturally clean condition. “I’ve missed this.”

  He held her cheeks with his calloused hands, and brushed her aching lips with his. “I’ve missed this too.”

  “I’m back on days now, so we can be together all evening, every evening if we wanted too.” She grabbed his damp shirt collar and pulled him closer. “Care to clear up our bargain?”

  “Tonight?” He sounded surprised.

  “Yeah, why not?” She’d kept her apartment clean and tidy, and this time wouldn’t be embarrassed if he showed up.

  “I can’t. It’s Friday.”

  Her eyes rolled. “I’m aware of what day of the week it is.”

  He laughed as he rubbed her arms. “I’m heading out to the track tonight.”

  “Oh, right,” she said as she kicked at a pebble.

  “I’d ask you to come, but I know you can’t. You’re not there yet.” Tenderly he brushed away a tendril of her hair. “Not without those drugs.”

  “Yeah, not yet.”

  “Have you thought about calling my sister?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You know about that?”

  “Yeah, there’s no secrets, remember.”

  “I wish I could forget.” She shook her head. “But I haven’t.”

  “And your dad?”

  “He’s still pissed. So getting any magic pills from him won’t happen before Christmas likely.”

  He pulled her close. “Racing season will be over by then.”

  The sarcasm rolled out. “I think that’s his plan.”

  He kissed her, dipping her the longer their lips locked together. “As much as I love this, I need to go. Lucas is driving down with me tonight, and he’ll be at my place soon.”

  She kissed him goodbye, and waved as he drove away. On the walk home, she called the doctor’s office to book an appointment. She wanted to get her own prescription for the knock-out meds, so her daddy couldn’t control that, and her life, anymore.

  Aurora was buried nose deep in the back office on the Saturday when a strong male voice called her name. Her heart jumped a little, thinking Nate was there instead of at the track. Instead her heart skipped a beat when she saw Matthew standing there, looking adorable in tight black jeans and an emerald green top. He held a single rose in his hands.

  “Matthew, what are you doing here?”

  “Visiting, my lady.” He stepped closer to her. “I’m checking on the building. For the big end of summer bash. I came to see how it was coming along.”

  A quick scan of the area before she inched closer to him, and whispered, “You can’t see me.”

  “Yes I can, you’re right in front of me, my lady.”

  She waved him away. “No, I mean, you can’t see me.” She sighed as she came around the desk. “I told you, I’m seeing someone. I’m sorry.”

  “I figured but hoped I was wrong and you were lying to me. This is for you anyways,” he said, passing the rose. His face multiple shades of sadness. “Can you at least join me for supper tonight, and we can talk about it?”

  Not wanting to be a complete bitch, she set the rose on the desk, when she really wanted to drop it in the trash. “There’s nothing to talk about.” Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Look, my lady, I will be here for a few days at the end of summer, and I’d rather there be no awkwardness between us.”

  Steadying herself against the desk, she said, “Maybe it’ll only be awkward if you keep trying to make something between us. There wasn’t anything there, it was just sex and there’s no future for us. I’m with someone else.” Her voice was low to not arouse the staff into coming into the back room. “I’m sorry. I’m not going to dinner with you.”

  He stepped closer. “Have you heard about Mr. Thomas Anderson?”

  The name rings a bell. She shook her head, worried the direction the conversation seemed headed. “No, but I’ll bet you know lots.”

  The tall dark-haired man stepped closer. “Do you know who that is?”

  “Of course,” she lied as she couldn’t for the life of her figure out who he was.

  “His trial starts on Monday.”

  “Oh, good.” The lightbulb flickered. “OH. Oh,” she said, unable to make eye contact. The murderer. Momma and Carmen’s murderer. And Rebecca’s too, I suppose.

  Matthew stepped back when a staff member came into the room. “So I thought we could discuss what I’ve heard, what the lawyers are asking for. You know. That.”

  She sighed, and resigned herself, tugging down her sleeves as she straightened up. “Yes, I suppose I should have an idea.”

  “Thank you,” he said, but there was no smugness in his voice. And she expected plenty. “Tonight? Same place, same time?”

  She nodded, wondering what the hell she was getting into.

  Why the fuck was she back here, again, with Matthew James? She was starting to think she was losing her mind. In her head only, she decided she’d get the info on the murderer and head home. Nothing more. Not looking forward to it, she popped a Xanax as she left the apartment.

  She took little stock of her appearance, not wanting to give him any fuel. Her messy hair styled into a top knot, for no other reason than to keep the hair off her neck. It had been a hot day, and at the moment she was thankful for the air conditioning. Walking in the heat to the restaurant was nearly unbearable. She didn’t even apply makeup for fear it would melt off by time she arrived.

  As she beat him there, she sat in a corner booth, drumming her fingers in moderate frustration. Tardiness was a huge pet peeve. Just getting ready to leave, he waltzed in looking fresh and damn good. Probably part of his tactic, charm her with his dazzling good looks. Well, dammit it, it wasn’t going to work. Not today. She had Nate, and he was hotter. W
ay hotter.

  “You’re late.” She didn’t even wait for him to have a seat.

  “And my apologies for keeping you waiting, my lady.” He hung up his suit jacket on the hook beside the booth. How could he wear a suit jacket? It’s twenty-nine fucking degrees outside. “I had a meeting with my manager that ran longer than anticipated.”

  “Let me guess, you couldn’t agree on the right colour of baskets for the pencils to be sorted in?”

  He looked at her with confusion on his face. “No.”

  “Are the layout plans wrong, and everything will have to be scrapped and redone?”

  “No, my lady.” His brow furrowed as he studied her, a worried expression crossed his face. “I was discussing my estate. Some of the termed deposits I had set up for Rebecca matured, and we needed to decide on the appropriate management of funds.” He folded his hands together. “You’re upset with me.”

  “When we agree on a time, I expect you to show up.”

  “I’m five minutes late.”

  “Late is late.”

  His mouth creeped open a hair, but it shut after a moment’s hesitation. Pausing, he twisted his hands while taking her in. “You look lovely tonight,” he said sweetly.

  “I wasn’t trying very hard.” Her mouth twisted into a sneer. She needed more relief than the Xanax was providing. Her core felt tense and one misstep from the man across from her, and she figured she’d throttle him.

  “And you certainly don’t need to,” he said.

  She dug through her purse and dug out two percs. “Stop, please. Just stop.” The back of her hand wiped across her sweaty brow.

  “What? What is it I’m doing that’s irritating you so much?”

  The pills slipped down her throat dry. “It’s you.” Sighing, she looked him deep into the eye. “You’re driving me crazy.” Matthew’s grin meant he took her statement in a different direction than she intended. “It was only sex. One stupid night.” Well, that wiped the smug smile off his face. “I’m sorry.” She took a breath and carried on. “You’re a great guy, but you’re not the one for me. I’m seeing someone.”

  He dismissed her with a wave although his face spoke volumes. It was easy to see from the hurt on his face she was probably breaking his heart. “I’m sorry you saw it as a ‘stupid’ night.”

  “I was high that night. Loaded up on a combo of drugs. I honestly thought you were someone else.”

  “Yes,” he thumbed towards her purse, “I’ve noticed you’re a big drug user,” he said with an uneasy smile while he twisted in his seat. “My lady, I’ve requested your assistance with my end of summer event and I don’t want things awkward between us.”

  Her back pressed into the seat of the booth. “Did you think coming here would help?”

  He nodded. “I did. I hoped.”

  “Then you need to stop. Stop with the weekly delivery of flowers. Stop with the texts.” She wanted this over, and didn’t want the possibility of this date, or the one-night stand to ever come up again. “Unless you have–”

  The waiter appeared and asked for their orders.

  “I’m not staying for supper.”

  Matthew’s jaw dropped. “Oh, please. One last supper together.” He smiled, but not a true smile. This was forced.

  The waiter stood motionless. “Shall I return?”

  “No,” Matthew said, pointing to an item on the menu. “I’ll have this.” He closed it up and looked at Aurora. “Your turn.”

  “I’ll be fine with a 7UP, thanks.”

  Matthew nodded, and the waiter took off.

  “The heat kills my appetite.” She glanced around the restaurant as a large group of patrons walked by. Uncomfortable in his presence, she couldn’t stand it no more. “As I was saying before…” A large gulp of air filled her lungs, but in its release it left behind a breath of courage. “Unless you have news about the trial, please don’t call or text me anymore.”

  “My lady.”

  “Hopefully things will be better at the end of summer when we’ve had some distance. But I can’t stay here for supper. I’m sorry.” She fished out money from her purse and dropped it on the table. “Goodbye, Matthew.” Without turning back, she walked out of the restaurant. She felt bad for being such a bitch, but the man needed to get a clue.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Aurora wandered around her apartment Sunday morning with a heavy heart. Holding the phone in her hand, she wondered about Nate, if he missed her as much as she missed him, although her thoughts flipped briefly back to Matthew. Should she send him an apology? She wasn’t that mean was she?

  Her back ached and throbbed, and she kneaded her knuckles into it. Looking up at the sky, the pain had to be caused from the darkening clouds to the west. And like her mood it grew darker.

  First she needed some pain relief and later she’d swallow a Xanax for the storm. She grabbed a couple percs and settled in to her favourite chair, but after a few minutes, she didn’t much care and tossed her textbook to the floor. She had a mid-term next week and was overwhelmed at the possibility of failing her test – it would be her first fail. But she couldn’t concentrate with so much going on in her mind.

  Between Nate and Matthew, her boring as hell job, a stack of assignments she wasn’t sure how to complete and the constant throbbing of back pain, she was poised on the precipice of great peril. She hated feeling helpless. It had taken her a long while to pull out of that pit of despair and she’d be damned if it would happen again.

  She texted Nate. How’d the races go last night?

  Nate replied almost instantly. Good. 1st 3rd & 2nd in the final.

  Aurora: Way to go. Wish I was there.

  Nate: You were. ;) In my heart.

  She sat in her chair smiling like an idiot. Yeah, she was in a slow fall for this man.

  Nate: I’ll be leaving the track in a couple hours. Do you want to meet for supper?

  Aurora: No. I’ll make supper. Come hungry.

  Nate: I’m salivating already.

  Aurora: Dinner will be ready at 5.

  Now, she had something to do, and she jumped at the chance to get it done. Tonight’s dinner would be cheese and prosciutto stuffed chicken with steamed veggies and twice baked potato. She made a quick shopping list and raced to the grocery store. Fearing she wouldn’t have time to make a dessert, she scoured the bakery section, settling on a couple slices of cheesecake. She returned minutes before the rain started and swallowed a Xanax.

  “He’s here,” she said to no one as she raced to the buzzer.

  A soft knock sounded moments later and she opened the door to see Nate standing there, holding an envelope and small package. He looked good, no scratch that, he looked fucking gorgeous. His mop of dark hair brushed off to the side, exposing his forehead more than normal. A clean-shaven face and his chocolate eyes sparkled. And he was in normal clothes – jeans and a Henley top.

  She gestured him in and he set the items on the edge of the kitchen table, grabbing her and firmly planting a kiss on her lips. Breathless and wanton, she pressed back, parting her lips as she did. “Hi,” she said when they separated.

  He glanced around the apartment. “You cleaned.” Candles cast a soft orange glow on the table, where matched dishes were set out for supper. “Wow. Very romantic.” His eyes danced. “But first, these are for you.” Two packages thrust into her hands. “The envelope’s from Mom, the box is from me.”

  “To what do I owe this honour? It’s not my birthday.”

  “Just open it, will you?”

  “Okay.” She set the small box down and tore open the heavy envelope, slowly removing a picture frame. Turning it over, she gasped. “Oh my god.” It was a picture of her and Nate, sitting in the cage, her head resting on his shoulder, her hand over his heart. Her eyes were closed but a small smile edged her lips. Nate’s head was leaning against hers, a look of satisfaction on his face as his finger stroked her cheek. They looked relaxed with each other, and over-the-moon ha
ppy. “Oh, wow,” she said unable to make a more coherent sentence. “How– when–”

  “Obviously when you were at the track.” He rolled his eyes mocking her. “Seriously though, there’s always a professional photographer around, taking car shots mostly. Guess he thought we were happy.”

  “We were, I mean, we are.” She couldn’t remove her eyes from the picture, and it rendered her speechless. She touched the edges as if it were alive. “Thank you.”

  “Gosh, if I knew you’d like it that much, I should’ve had you open mine first.”

  She set the picture frame down and picked up the little box. Unwrapping it, she froze when she saw the velvet-covered box.

  “Relax,” he said, “it’s not a ring.” She released her breath as he lifted the lid, revealing a necklace charm. “It’s the universal symbol for hope.”

  It was gorgeous. A silver pendant with three symbols as one – a cross, a heart and an anchor, hung on a black satin string.

  “I saw it and it instantly made me think of you.” His cheeks flooded with colour. “If you don’t like it I can take it back.”

  “Over my dead body,” she said, trembling as she removed it from its velvet confines. She draped it over her head, letting it settle near her heart. “It’s perfect. Thanks.”

  “You really like it?”

  “I do.”

  He smiled. “Good. Because I did this.” He lifted his shirt, pulling it high over his sculpted chest. There above his heart was the same symbol. “Maybe I should’ve waited until after I gave you the present, but I couldn’t help myself.”

  She reached out and gingerly touched the dark ink, running her finger over the fresh scar. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “How about dinner’s ready, because it smells delicious and you told me to come hungry.”

  They dined on her fancy meal, and Nate ate up and moaned with every morsel. His carnal groaning ignited the fires in her. Ones she desperately wanted, and needed, him to put out.

  Speechless, she stared up at him as her breaths raced alongside her pulse. Her blood pumped fast and like a hungry monster her body fed off it. “Dessert now, or later.”