Love Me Like You Do (Love Me Book 1)

by Jaime Russell

  “We going to the pool?” I ask her as I grab my bag. I need to unpack. I can’t live out of my suitcase for the next week.

  “Do you want to go to the pool or the beach?”

  “Let’s do the pool today and then for Christmas we can do the beach. What bathing suit did you pack for me?”

  “I packed you a couple.” She pulls out a handful of department store bags. “I went shopping with my mom before we left and bought us some new clothes!” She’s so excited as she opens the bags. I hate how she’s spent her money on me and won’t let me pay her back.

  “I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me,” I tell her excitedly.

  “I won’t pull everything out tonight, but I will grab the swimwear that I bought. I saw this and thought, this is Abby. Mom bought the swimsuit. She claims she saw it first and wanted you to have it.” I often wish that Lizzie was my mom. Lizzie supports Sarah without making her feel like a failure or stupid. Sarah is lucky that her mom loves her without conditions.

  “Where the hell is it? I know I packed it.” She’s rummaging through the bag. “Got it. I have some surprises in there for us.”

  “Why are you always my fairy godmother?”

  “I thought that was Rob,” she jokes. We’re acting like teenage girls when talking about a boy, the giggling, the everything is stupid funny when the guys came in. “Guys looks like the party is in here,” Max sits down next to Sarah.

  “What’s so funny?” he asks.

  “Nothing,” we reply in unison.

  “What’s in the bag?” Aaron asks, curious.

  “Apparently my new bathing suit,” I answer him as I stand to grab the bag from Sarah.

  “We’re going to the pool today and the beach tomorrow. So we have a pool bathing suit and a beach bathing suit. Try this on and come out.” I look in the bag, and all I can see is pink. I pull the bathing suit out and scoff. I’m not wearing a two-piece bathing suit.

  “Put it on, Abby.”

  “But,” I start to argue, but she cuts me off.

  “No buts, put it on.”

  I sigh and admit defeat. I know that Sarah will come in and do it for me. I get undressed and pray to God that I don’t look like a complete moron. I pull the bottoms on, and they are the boy shorts that I’m most comfortable wearing. I put the top on, and I love it. It’s a bikini top but with fringe on it so my stomach is slightly covered, and if I wanted to tan myself, I could move them out of the way. I love this bathing suit.

  I come out of the bathroom smiling at the whistles. “Do you like it?”

  “I love it. I saw two pieces and was going to ring your neck.” I tell Sarah as I made the motion to strangle her.

  “Let’s go swimming,” Max says as he grabs our black beach bag.

  “I just need to change, and then we can go to the pool,” Sarah says holding her bikini as she bolts into the bathroom.

  CASH

  “Stacy, I’m sorry. I had every intention of being out here at four to let you go home. I got wrapped up in phone calls and talking with Shawn about dinner tomorrow.”

  “Cash it’s okay. I just checked in our last guest for the night. They seem like they’re going to be fun and interesting. Besides, I think you forgot that Mary is taking over for me since you have dinner with Sally.”

  “My schedule is so mixed up. I’m covering for you tomorrow morning, right?”

  “Yes my shift starts at six am. until two p.m. and then Jenny is coming in, I think.”

  “I’ll figure it out.” The phone starts ringing, and I pick it up since Stacy and Mary are discussing something. “Thank you for calling Hawthorne’s, how may I help you? Yes, sir, let me check the computer to see if the dates are available. I’ll just put you on hold for a moment. Thank you, sir,” I walk over to the computer to check the dates. Mary comes over and takes the phone from my hand.

  “What does he want?”

  “He wants to book three rooms for these dates.”

  “I’ll take care of it, Mr. Hawthorne. Have a Merry Christmas. I wouldn’t want Sally to get mad if you’re late.”

  “I don’t want that wrath. Merry Christmas, ladies.” I start walking out, and I hear the elevator ding and then a laugh. I know that laugh. It’s Abby. I turn and see her. Holy fuck! Abby is in my hotel. What am I going to do? I hide behind a plant in the foyer and watch as they walk out to the pool area. I look up and see Stacy and Mary watching me. “Have a good night,” I say awkwardly as I run into the plant that I was just hiding behind. I apologize to it and leave the hotel, getting in my car and calling Shawn.

  “This better be good, I’m in the middle of cooking dinner for tomorrow.”

  “She’s here,” I announce into my Bluetooth.

  “Who’s here?” he asks as I hear him talking to someone and chopping.

  “Abby,” I sighed. Why isn’t he paying attention?

  “Abby who?”

  “Abby, Abby.”

  “Oh shit! What did she say when she saw you?”

  “Nothing, I hid behind the plant in the foyer.”

  Shawn let out his big laugh. “Are you shitting me?”

  “I’m not proud of it, but she caught me off guard. I have feelings for her that I never knew that I was capable of, and now she’s not only in Florida but my hotel. I didn’t know what to do or say.” I admit, embarrassed.

  “I need you to do me a favor, get your wallet out, open it up and find your goddamn man card and throw it out your window. You’re a bonafide pussy.” Shawn’s amusement pisses me off.

  “Fuck you! I call for help, and this is what I get.”

  “If you wanted hand holding, you should have called Nic, not me.”

  “You’re my best friend. Help me,” I’m getting frustrated with him.

  “Dude, you walk up to her and say, ‘hi, Abby’ and then you sweep her up in a kiss. How fucking hard is that?” He makes it sound so easy.

  “I’m at Sally’s house. I might call Nic on the way back to the hotel. You were a big help.” I hang up before he can say anything else. I grabbed the presents for the family and knocked on the door to Sally’s house. It’s a cute little townhouse. She lives in a cul de sac where all of the lawns are a perfect two inches high. The sidewalk is lined with the right flowers and colors. My favorite part of her house is the swing on the front porch. After our parents had died, I’d sit here just swinging, trying to work my way through the sense of loss I’d been feeling. My mom and I would spend hours talking about everything and anything. I feel the closest to her on that swing.

  Matt answers the door. “Cash, thank God you’re here. Sally is freaking out.”

  “Hey, Matt. Why?”

  “My mother came a day early and brought guests. She didn’t tell us that she was bringing my aunts and cousins. We have an extra fifteen people and only enough food for the six of us.”

  “Why don’t we just put together a table at the hotel for your family. I can see if there are a few rooms as well.”

  “Matt, who’s at the door? Oh, hello Cash.” Miriam leans in to hug me.

  “Good evening, Miriam. How are you today? Merry Christmas.”

  “I didn’t know you would be joining us for our family Christmas.”

  Matt looks horrified at his mother’s words. “Mother.”

  “It’s okay, Matt. Miriam, Christmas Eve has always been the Hawthorne family get together since Christmas Day is always set aside for your family.”

  “I guess I got a bit excited bringing some relatives that have never met the kids. I thought it would be a great surprise, but I didn’t clear it through Sally and Matt. You’re looking happy and have grown into such a handsome man. I wish I had a daughter your age.” She has a twinkle in her eye. I kiss her on the cheek.

  “Now, Miriam, remember I’m an asshole.” She smacks me on my arm as she heads into the living room.

  I walk over to Sally and hug her. “Merry Christmas Eve, beautiful sister. This smells heavenly.”


  “I’m freaking out. I don’t have enough food for everyone.” Sally’s busying herself and rushing around the kitchen.

  “Why don’t we just order some pizzas? I’ll arrange rooms for them at the hotel or even at a local one if ours is booked. Dinner tomorrow at the hotel, early or late? Don’t sweat the small stuff. This is a joyous occasion.” I’m getting ready to go into the living room to get what everyone likes so we can get it ordered before we do presents.

  “Stop.” Sally grabs my shoulders to make me eye level with her, “Who are you and what did you do to my brother?” I roll my eyes at her. “Early so MJ can keep to his normal schedule.”

  We order the pizza, and I gather up the kids so they can start getting ready for dinner while we wait for the delivery.

  “Uncle Cash are you leaving?” My oldest niece Leah asks me as I head for the front door.

  “No, honey, the pizza is here. I was just going out to help your dad.” Leah is fifteen years old and although she’s the spitting image of Sally; she gets her smarts from her father. She’s very athletic and is working at getting some scholarships lined up for college.

  “Yay! You’re going to love what we got you.”

  “Well get your brothers and sister.” Leah runs upstairs, and seconds later I hear a herd of elephants coming down the stairs. I look up and see the twins, Abe, and Adam. They are nine years old and full of mischief. They’re always up to something and driving my sister crazy.

  “Whoa slow down, or you’re going to get hurt.” I point my finger at them as Adam falls the last three steps. “See, I told you. Are you okay, bud?”

  “Yeah, Uncle Cash. I wanted to beat Abe.” The boys hug me then take off to the living room. Leah comes down the stairs with presents, and I meet her halfway to take them from her.

  “Let me help you with those,” I tell her as she stretches her arms to hand me the gifts.

  “Thanks. Annie and MJ are already in the living room.”

  “I can’t wait to see what’s wrapped underneath this paper.” I pretend to open the gift and Leah snatches it, running into the living room.

  “Uncle Cash!” Annie yells, rushing into my arms.

  Annie is Matt through and through. She’s thirteen years old and smart. She has two left feet, but she will challenge you all the time. I often refer to her as difficult or Miss Sassy Pants. Annie always has to have the last word or if she thinks you are wrong will argue and argue until you throw your hands up in defeat.

  “There’s my Annabelle!”

  “Uncle Cash, my name is Annie, not Annabelle.” She raises her left eyebrow and gives me a glassy stare. I hear a lot of giggling coming from near the tree. “I can’t find MJ; I wonder where he could be.” I start looking up couches, chairs, and making a grand gesture of not being able to see him.

  “I right here Unci.” He jumps out at me and pretends to knock me over. I grab him bring down on me. Matthew Jr. or MJ as we all call him is two years old and such a happy baby. We tend to forget that he’s in the room because of it.

  Matt informs everyone that we’ll open the gifts but to save their presents for tomorrow since I won’t be there. Matt’s family said that they will head to the hotel and get some rest. They will be over in the morning. Matt, Sally, the kids and myself head into the living room to do presents.

  The kids are so excited with their presents. Sally, of course, scolded me for buying expensive gifts for them. I bought them the latest learning games for the younger kids and a Kindle for Leah and Annie. I received the best present, the kids took silly pictures of themselves, and put together a collage that said, “World’s Greatest Uncle.” The love I feel and receive from these kids fills me with happiness.

  We curl up on the floor and put on Rudolph. I wake up to the credits playing and everyone asleep. I wiggle out of my spot and hunt for Sally. I find her in the office looking through old photo albums. “I was thinking about them today.”

  “I can’t believe it’s been two years already. I went to the cemetery today and put flowers on the graves.” Sally admits as she wipes her tears away.

  “I’m going tomorrow. I usually go on Christmas day. Will this ever get easier?” I look over her shoulder at the last Christmas we had with them.

  “I think time heals all wounds. But right now, it feels like it’s never going to get easier.” I kiss her on the head and wish her a Merry Christmas. She gives me a sad smile and goes back to paging through our memories. Walking out the door and getting in my car, I see my phone is blinking letting me know that I had messages.

  Nic: Heard you lost your man card.

  Shawn: Nic said to call her, and she will try to help you get your man card back.

  Abby: Merry Christmas Eve

  I smile at myself because I know that Santa is going to give me everything that I want.

  Abby.

  ABBY

  I roll over and peer at the clock; it’s 10:30 p.m. I can see the moon and stars from our open curtain. We’re sleeping with the balcony doors open so we can hear the ocean. We’d planned just to take a nap before we went to dinner but looks like we slept right through. We had a great day at the hotel pool, swimming, tanning, drinking, and just enjoying the beautiful weather.

  I look at Sarah, and since she’s still sleeping so I decide to grab my phone, but I have to pee really bad. I get up to go to the bathroom and try not to wake Sarah, who’s sleeping on the bed with me. When I come back out, Max is sitting up on the bed.

  “I didn’t mean to wake you up.” I apologize as I flop onto his bed.

  “You didn’t, sis, but I have to take a piss.” I smile as he kisses my temple and closes the bathroom door. I start to wake Sarah, letting her know what the time is. She’s not an easy person to wake up, so I decide to have some fun with her.

  “Wakey, wakey,” I call out as I bounce on her. Max comes out of the bathroom and widens his eyes at the scene before him. Sarah is covering her face with her hands and groaning trying to shove me off. My knees are on each side of her hips as I bounce, not giving up.

  “Get off of me or the only gift I’m giving you for Christmas is a black eye.”

  “Well, I never!” She pushes me harder.

  “I seriously want a new roommate,” Sarah grumbles as she topples me off and stomps into the bathroom. I catch my breath from laughing and pick up my phone to scroll through the pictures. I’m intent on just choosing a few to go up on Facebook, but change my mind and decide that they all need to go up. My phone beeps and open the message from Cash.

  Cash: Merry Christmas Eve to you.

  ME: Same to you. How was your night with the nieces and nephews?

  Cash: It was good. How was your day?

  Me: My day was great. I went to the hotel pool. We swam, ate, drank, and took a nap. We just woke up.

  Cash: Sounds like a great day.

  Me: Tomorrow I’m going to the beach for the first time. Now we’re trying to decide where to eat.

  Cash: You’ve never been to the beach? That just blows my mind.

  Me: I have never been out of PA.

  Cash: Most of the hotels in Florida serve room service 24 hours.

  Me: I didn’t even think of room service. I’m going to make Sarah call to find out. You’re so smart!

  Cash: I’m not just a pretty face, you know!

  Me: Can’t breathe. All this ego is suffocating.

  Cash: Smart-ass

  Me: It’s cute not just smart lol

  Cash: Oh really now? Pic or it didn’t happen.

  Me: LOL down boy! You don’t get to see the goodies.

  Cash: Can’t blame a man for trying.

  “Sarah, does this hotel have room service? This late at night all places would be closed.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  “Cash suggested it, not me.” She gives a sideways glance to Max and calls the front desk.

  “Hi, Mary. This is Sarah in room 615, and we are wondering if this hotel has room service this late at
night. Thank you so much. Do I need to do anything special? Thanks so much, doll.” Sarah is making notes as she’s talking. She grabs her tablet and pulls up the menu. “We can order it online. How cool is this hotel?”

  “Now that’s awesome.” Max mirrors Sarah’s excitement as he comes in from the balcony.

  The five of us climb into the one bed to watch The Santa Clause, which was one of Rob’s favorites after we place our order for food.

  There’s a knock on the door signaling the arrival of our room service and Max signs for it. Tipping the waiter, he closes the door and starts passing out the food. After finishing a delicious meal of way too much food, the movie ends, and I ask what the plan is for us.

  “We have breakfast in the morning, beach and then Christmas dinner around four I think. I have to check my email for the confirmation.” Sarah fills me in as we clean up the room a little bit.

  “When are we doing presents?” Rob asks as he gets off the bed to stretch.

  “Why don’t we play that by ear?” Max comments as he rolls the room service cart out of the room. We say goodnight and remind each other that we need to be up early, so we don’t miss breakfast. Max is staying in with Sarah and I so Rob and Aaron can have some alone time. I let Sarah know that I’m going to get a shower. I’d just shut the water off when I hear Max’s voice float through the door.

  “Hey man, Merry Christmas to you too. Abby is in the bathroom. Ouch! Why are you hitting me?”

  Sarah scolds him. “You never tell a guy that the girl he’s calling is in the bathroom, what the fuck is wrong with you?”