Park Avenue Player

by Ward, Penelope

  “I’m not gonna make it this time.”

  My heart dropped to my stomach. I hadn’t been expecting him to confide in me, and certainly not with news like that. As I stared at his pale skin, I tried to comfort him, even if I knew it was in vain.

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I do. And you know what the sad part is?” He laughed almost maniacally. “I’m still a fucking virgin at nineteen who’s never even had his first kiss! And I’m gonna die that way.”

  What could I possibly say to that?

  “Are you saying you want me to kiss you?”

  God only knows how he managed to smile, but he did.

  “On second thought, I’m good.”

  Anna returned, and in her presence, he no longer seemed interested in talking.

  We went back to playing our game until a nurse came and interrupted, insisting that Adam needed his rest and should return to his room.

  Anna and I lingered in the lounge after the nurse wheeled Adam back.

  “What’s going on? You look upset,” she said. “Is it the way he looks?”

  I shook my head. “I’m fucking devastated, Anna.”

  “He’s not doing well, is he?”

  “He just confided in me that he doesn’t think he’s going to make it this time.”

  She stared down at the floor. “It sucks that he’s lost hope. How does someone live each day knowing they’re going to die? I can’t even comprehend it.”

  “He told me he couldn’t believe he was going to die a virgin who’s never even kissed a girl. I felt terrible. What the hell do you say to something like that?”

  She placed her head on my shoulder. “What did you say?”

  “I made a dumb joke, offered to kiss him myself.”

  Anna smiled sympathetically.

  “It got him to smile at least.”

  We sat in silence for a while before I finally stood up. “We might as well get going.”

  “Should we say goodbye to him?”

  “We should let him rest,” I said. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

  We were on our way out when Anna stopped, just before we made it to the elevators.

  She looked anxious and said, “Wait right here, okay?”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Anna ventured down the hall toward Adam’s room. Even though she’d told me to wait, I couldn’t help my curiosity, so I followed her.

  He was, in fact, awake and sitting up alone.

  Standing just outside the doorway, I watched as Anna sat at the corner of his bed and pulled him to her. Adam didn’t question it. He just laid his head on her chest and closed his eyes. After about a minute, he looked up at her and to my shock, Anna lowered her head to his. My heart beat out of control as I watched her place a long, firm kiss on his lips. It only lasted a few seconds, but for Adam, I was sure the memory would last a lifetime. His mouth spread into a wide smile after.

  Mine did too.

  Chapter 25

  * * *

  Elodie

  My Saturday plan was to sleep in, go shopping for a new outfit at the mall, treat myself to a mani-pedi, and then go home to get ready for my date with Benito tonight. Thankfully, he hadn’t written me off for canceling on him.

  Anyway, those were my Saturday plans. That is, until my phone rang as I was getting up to start my day.

  When I saw it was Hollis, I almost wondered if he was calling to apologize about last night. I should’ve known better.

  My tone was cold as I answered. “Hello?”

  “Elodie...I’m sorry to bother you on a Saturday.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Hailey was invited to an opera tonight, if you can believe that. Her friend’s parents have tickets. They’re going to the performance, and then she’s going to sleep over at their place across town. She has nothing to wear. They want her in a dress. I told her not to bother you, but she really wants you to go shopping with her. Any chance I could pay you double time to take her out for a couple of hours today? Feel free to say no.”

  Feel free to apologize to me for being a dick last night.

  I didn’t answer right away. A part of me wanted to blow him off. I just couldn’t do that to her, though. But I wasn’t going to free up his morning on my day off, either.

  “I’ll tell you what, I was already going to the mall near me to buy myself an outfit. She and I can shop for a dress there. Maybe you could drive her out here?”

  He didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, I could do that. Probably not worth it for me to come all the way back to the city, though. I’ll take some work with me and find a place with WiFi until you’re done.”

  “Okay. Whatever. Westshore Farms Mall at one o’clock? We can meet inside the main entrance.”

  “Got it.” He paused then said, “Elodie?”

  I let out a breath. “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for doing this.”

  ***

  Hollis and Hailey were right on time. I’d gotten to the mall a few minutes early, probably because the idea of seeing Hollis made me anxious. Standing around the house and waiting had been driving me nuts.

  “I’m so excited to shop!” Hailey beamed and gave me a hug.

  Hollis, on the other hand, didn’t seem that excited. He looked freaking amazing, though, dressed in a pale blue collared shirt left untucked from his jeans. His sleeves were rolled up, leaving his tanned, muscular forearms on full display. He looked like something out of a Ralph Lauren catalog.

  He gazed up at the two levels above us. “I can’t remember the last time I was at a mall.”

  “There’s a Starbucks on the first floor with WiFi.”

  “Yeah. I think I’ll head over there.” He turned to Hailey. “How long do you think you’ll be?”

  She scrunched her nose. “You can’t rush perfection, Uncle Hollsy.”

  “Right.” He chuckled.

  Once we separated from him, Hailey and I went to three different places before we ended up at the big department store. We visited the Juniors’ section first to pick out a handful of dresses for her. Then we headed over to the Women’s department and selected a few outfits for me to try on. We took them to the dressing room and planned to model the clothes for each other.

  I entered a stall and Hailey took the one next to me. We’d tell each other when we were ready, then meet in the common area to show off our outfits.

  When I tried on the last one, I exited the stall to find she wasn’t in the common area. Instead, I could hear her talking outside the dressing room.

  “Hailey?” I called.

  “Out here!” she said.

  I walked out. “What are you...” I lost my words at the sight of Hollis standing in the middle of the Women’s department.

  He swallowed hard as he took me in. I happened to be wearing a striking red dress that pushed my breasts together nicely. If I’d had to choose an outfit for him to catch me in, this was it.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  “Hailey told me she needed me.”

  She looked at him. “Well, you have to pay for my dress, right?”

  That’s total bullshit.

  I called her out. “You know I have your uncle’s credit card.”

  She blushed. “Okay, you’re right. I wanted him to see how pretty you look.”

  Fairly certain I was the one blushing now.

  Hollis’s eyes traveled up and down my body. “She does…look very pretty.”

  “She’s going on a date. He’s picking her up at eight.” She laughed. “That rhymes.”

  I’d never told her I was going on a date tonight, let alone what time Benito was supposed to be picking me up.

  Lifting my brow, I asked, “How did you know that?”

  “A text from him popped up on your phone.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’m gonna go change out of this.”

  Hailey skipped away to the dressing room.

  I was just about to head b
ack in myself when Hollis’s voice stopped me.

  “Wait.”

  I turned around, and before he could say anything, I said, “I hope you know I was specifically trying not to advertise what my plans were tonight.”

  He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I know.”

  I crossed my arms. “What were you going to say?”

  “I just wanted to say thank you again for this. After the way things ended yesterday, you could have easily told me to fuck off.”

  “I’m doing this for her, not you.”

  “I know that. But thank you for not taking my mistake out on her.”

  “Mistake, yeah. Every time you’ve gotten close to me, you chalk it up to one big mistake.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” He looked down at his shoes then back up at me. “Look, I’m sorry about yesterday. Clearly I don’t know how to handle myself around you.”

  I laughed angrily. “I’d better go before she hears us.”

  When Hailey and I returned, holding the two dresses we’d chosen, I was surprised to see Hollis still waiting for us. He looked like a fish out of water, deep in thought, staring off into a rack of Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses.

  The three of us moved to the register, and Hollis stood close behind me while I paid for Hailey’s dress with his credit card and used my card to pay for my own. When he breathed out, I could feel it on the back of my neck; that’s how close he was.

  That simple breath brought back the memory of what it felt like when he devoured my lips, how amazing it was to be ravaged by him in the least gentle of ways.

  Hollis was quiet as we walked back out of the mall. When we got to the parking lot, he still seemed lost in his own mind.

  He scratched his head. “I can’t seem to remember where I parked.”

  “Well, that’s unfortunate,” I said. “I’m right over there. I guess I’ll see you guys on Monday.”

  Hailey gave me a hug. “Thanks again, Elodie.”

  I squeezed her. “Have the best time at the opera. Let me know how it is. I’ve never been.”

  She pulled back. “Really?”

  “Most kids don’t grow up getting to do such fancy things. And many adults don’t get to, either. You’re very lucky.”

  “I know.” She smiled.

  I smiled, too. I knew Hailey appreciated the life she’d been given as of late.

  We both turned to Hollis, who still looked like he was trying to figure out which direction to go. He really had forgotten where he’d parked.

  “Drive safe back to the city,” I said.

  “If we can find the car!” Hailey laughed.

  I left them before I knew whether they’d reunited with Hollis’s vehicle.

  Thoughts of him flooded my brain the entire ride back to my house. I really wished I knew what had happened to make him so guarded, so afraid of intimacy.

  I shook my head. I wasn’t supposed to be analyzing Hollis. I was supposed to be looking forward to my date with Benito.

  When I got home, I realized I’d never responded to Benito’s text about picking me up at eight, the one Hailey had seen on my phone.

  I typed out a response.

  Elodie: Sorry for the delay. Eight is great. Looking forward to it.

  Benito: Me too. I still can’t believe you finally agreed to meet :-) Do you like sushi?

  Elodie: I love it.

  Benito: I know this great place not too far from you. There’s a jazz bar around the corner that has really good drinks, too. Maybe we could hit that after.

  Elodie: That sounds perfect.

  Benito: Can you text me your address?

  After I typed out my address, I second-guessed whether it was safe to have him pick me up here. But then I remembered his background check was clean and decided not to stress over it.

  It was four o’clock. The time would fly by before I knew it. Even though I never had a chance to get the mani-pedi I’d originally planned for today, I thought helping Hailey pick out her first nice dress was a much better use of my time.

  I thought about the fact that she would be spending the night at her friend’s, since the opera was on the other side of town. That meant Hollis would have the place to himself. He’d likely be calling one of his concubines to fix the mess he’d started with me the other day. The thought of him taking out his sexual frustrations on someone else really irked me.

  And here I am thinking about Hollis again.

  Why? Why couldn’t I rid my mind of him for one night?

  Deciding to take a relaxing bath to clear my head, I filled the tub and threw a bath bomb into the water. Slipping inside the bubbles, I took my time as I applied a face mask before shaving my legs carefully. While I was pretty certain there wouldn’t be any sex with Benito on the first date, I had to prepare for the unexpected.

  Once out of the tub, I slipped on my black lace panties and immediately, of course, thought of Hollis. This, after all, was the thong that had started our infamous game. Pretty sure I selected this particular one as an extra fuck you to him tonight.

  After blowing my hair out and applying my makeup, I put on the red dress I’d chosen and tilted my head as I looked at myself in the mirror.

  There was still a ton of time before Benito would be here. I decided to pour a glass of wine. My palms were sweaty, and my heart was racing. It had been a damn long time since I’d been out on a date.

  At seven forty-five, my doorbell rang.

  Holy shit. He’s early.

  My heart now pitter-pattered as I dumped the remainder of the wine into the sink. I straightened my dress and rubbed my lips together before taking one last look at myself in the hallway mirror.

  I’m ready for this.

  Or so I thought.

  But when I opened the door, it wasn’t Benito standing there.

  Chapter 26

  * * *

  Elodie

  My racing heart came to an abrupt halt at the sight of Hollis on my front porch. I hated the effect the man had on me. The wine I’d just consumed burned in my throat, threatening to come back up, and I swallowed to speak.

  “What are you doing here?”

  He dragged a hand through his hair. “Can I come in?”

  I folded my arms across my chest as my initial shock started to turn to anger. “What for?”

  “I need to speak to you.”

  “That’s not a good idea. My date is going to be here any minute.”

  Hollis’s jaw flexed, but he did his best to keep his voice steady. “It will only take a second.”

  Last week, him getting angry at the mention of my date would have thrilled me. But I was done playing games. He didn’t get to be angry, and he certainly didn’t get to be possessive, because I wasn’t his. Lord knows I’d given him ample opportunity, and he’d made it clear that anything that happened between us was a mistake. I was no one’s mistake.

  I straightened my spine. “Say what you have to say right here. And do it fast. You’ve already ruined the first plans I had with Benito. There’s no way I’m letting you mess up tonight, too.”

  Hollis looked down and just kept shaking his head. After a long minute of watching and waiting, he finally spoke.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice was barely a whisper.

  “For what?”

  “For making you miss your date the other day.” He looked up and caught my eyes. “For acting like a jealous asshole.”

  I sighed. I wanted to read into his admission of jealousy, to take it to mean he had feelings for me. But a strong physical attraction doesn’t equate to feelings, and I was done getting my hopes up.

  “Fine. Apology accepted. Is there anything else?”

  Hollis looked back and forth between my eyes. As we stood there staring at each other, a car slowed and pulled to the curb.

  Shit. Benito.

  I held my breath while he parked and began to get out of the car. Hollis looked over his shoulder and back to me. My hands trembled, but I wouldn
’t let either of these men see me like that.

  “Don’t go,” Hollis whispered.

  Benito shut the car door and started up my walkway.

  I felt tears well up in my eyes. “Give me a reason not to, Hollis. Not with your mouth or your body, but something from the heart—words, feelings, anything.”

  The pain in his face was palpable. But I’d let him do this to me more than once. I needed more than jealousy and physical attraction. I’d take something minimal even, just to assure me I wasn’t going to take this risk alone.

  Benito’s footsteps grew louder.

  “Hollis? Do you have anything more to say?”

  He continued to watch me as my date walked up and stood next to him. I had no choice but to acknowledge the man.

  I put on my best fake smile. “You must be Benito.”

  “I am.” Benito looked over at Hollis with his eyes trained on me.

  The entire thing was awkward.

  “Ummm… This is my boss, Hollis.”

  Benito stuck out his hand. “Oh. Good to meet you.”

  Hollis turned, leveled him with an icy glare, and dropped his eyes to Benito’s hand. He made no attempt to reciprocate the greeting.

  Instead, he looked back to me. “Can we have a moment, please?”

  I couldn’t let him do this. I just couldn’t. He’d had his chance, and again he’d left me dangling.

  “We can talk about it Monday morning when I get to work.” I turned my attention back to my date. “Hollis was just leaving. Would you mind coming in for a minute, Benito? I just need to get my purse.”

  “Umm…yeah. Sure.”

  It didn’t get much more uncomfortable than this. I nodded at Hollis. “Have a good weekend.”

  Opening the door, I walked in, and Benito followed. Once he was inside, I held the door open and waited a few more seconds. Hollis stared at the ground.

  I frowned. “Goodbye, Hollis.”

  Saying those words and shutting that door were oddly some of the hardest things I’d ever had to do. But I needed to do it. My relationship with Hollis wasn’t healthy, and I deserved more than he would ever give me.