Aiden shakes his head in defeat. “Shay, I know what’s at stake here. I promise you I’m going to see this through. I’m not going to leave you hanging.”
Interesting choice of words. From the grimace on Eli’s face, he’s had the same thought. This is out of control; time for me to practice a little self-help. Putting my carton of fried rice on the table I get up from the couch, stepping over Eli to head to the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” Dad’s giving me that look that says I’m about to get a lecture.
“I’m going to the bathroom, or did you forget to put pissing on my itinerary?” The words hang suspended in the air. No one takes a breath until I’m down the hall.
***
Standing in the bathroom with the water running, I just want to scream. What is that? A make-up bag, but not my make-up bag. I inspect it then unzip it to rifle through the heavy glittery eyeshadows, perfume samples, and dick-sucking red lipstick. Jesus, Eli is dating a prostitute. I let the thought soak in a moment. I glance at the bed with a serious case of the ‘baby bears,’ envisioning an X-rated Goldilocks rolling around in my bed with my Eli. A wave of nausea tugs at the fried rice in my stomach while I think about lying in Eli’s carnal hotbed of medical acronyms like VD, HPV, HSV and PID. How many STDs was I cuddled up with in that comforter?
I shove the make-up back in the bag and hold up a stick of eyeliner. “This is the stick of eyeliner that is breaking my back.”
Is this why he broke it off with me? Was I not good enough for him? What the hell was all of that bullshit earlier? I search my memory of Eli’s episode of affection and proclamation of undying love for a clue that I was duped. Did I imagine that? “’I love you, Shay,’” I say the words out loud, trying to make them true.
A hissing voice invades my thoughts. “‘I love you’ is always a lie.”
I shudder and look around the room for the source of the voice. There is nothing but me. I have to get out of here. The crazy is really starting to take hold.
I slide into my shoes, take a deep breath, and head for the door. All eyes are on me when I enter the great room. I breeze through, making my grand exit.
“Shayleigh, what are you doing?” Dad’s voice is laced with warning.
“I’m going home.” I hope the sharpness in my tone cuts all three of them.
“I would rather you didn’t leave right now. I think you should come home with me.” Dad approaches, peering at me over the glasses resting on his nose.
Oh hell no. I would rather sleep in the county jail than walk into that shrine to my mother and sister. “No way, I’m not going to that house. I’m going home.”
Eli rises to his feet in confusion. “Shay, what’s wrong?” I know he’s half expecting me to go off on the collection of empty beer bottles on the table.
“Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s just peachy.” The sarcasm drips from my mouth like sour honey. “I’ve just had quite enough of you lying, controlling, drunk bastards making all of my decisions for me.”
Aiden is uncharacteristically quiet. He tracks my angry gaze to Eli. He sits down, relieved, to let the scene play out.
“Honey, no one is lying to you or trying to tell you what to do. We’re all just trying to figure this out so we can help you.” Dad lays on the police-negotiator tone as though I’m some deranged psycho holding a gaggle of nuns hostage in a bank heist.
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need you three writing the step-by-step manual to my life.” I grab my backpack. Still in the foyer, I look back at Dad. “Besides, isn’t he the enemy here? Won’t he be the one in the courtroom making sure that justice is served—cold?” I point my finger accusingly at Eli. That may have been a little dramatic, but warranted.
The room falls silent, my cue to exit. I’m sure to slam the door with practiced finesse and start for the driveway. That’s when I realize the fatal flaw in my plan. Shit, no car. I think for moment, but I really don’t have much choice. I open the door to find them all still standing quiet and stunned by my first exit.
Aiden, being the first to realize my folly, plucks his keys off the table, giving Eli a wink. “I’m up.”
Walking to me with his smarmy swagger, he smiles. “I’ll get you home.”
How did it come to this? Now I’m getting a ride home from Aiden. I’ll do whatever it takes to get me away from Eli and the river of lies that flow from his gorgeous mouth, even land square in the middle of Aiden’s fantasy land of fallacies. I hold back the sorrow filling me with the memory of the kisses we shared earlier. I try to shake it off.
Eli walks around Aiden to stand in front of me. “Shay, I’m not sure what has you so upset, but I think we would be better off talking about it rather than you storming out.” He’s trying to talk me down off the ledge. Honestly, he’s not worried about me falling off the ledge. He’s more concerned about what I’ll land on—Aiden’s dick, to be exact. He’s so transparent.
Eli pleads with me. “I’m not your enemy. Please just stay.” He moves closer, reaching for my hand. I step away from him closer to Aiden. “Please don’t go.”
“I don’t want to get in the way of you and your stripper, whoever she is.” I gag on the words as they come out. I bite the inside of my lip to keep from bursting into tears. “You really need to look into a twelve-step program to detox from tramps. Call me when you get to step twelve.”
Aiden lifts his hands in front of himself counting on his fingers. “That would be step nine, dude.” He can’t suppress a victorious smile.
Eli’s head drops with a loud sigh. “Not that I need an explanation, but I do have one.”
And there it is folks, the sorry-ass explanation of his venereal explorations with some whore, complete with all of the reasons I should be okay with it. I’m certain the story involves too much beer and a shit-ton of body glitter. I’m not listening to this. As much as my heart would like to rewind the clock to before, when I felt so good in Eli’s arms, I can’t. Staring at him I try to process all that has happened.
Aiden rattles the keys. “Let’s go, babe.”
My stomach is churning at the fact that I really have no choice but to leave with this smug bastard. But fuck Eli, fuck him for not being straight with me. All he had to do was tell me the truth.
Chapter Fourteen
Aftershock
Harry
She slams the door again. That’s Daddy’s little girl. A burst of anger builds in Eli until he kicks the bottom of the door. Leaning his head against it in defeat he growls, “Fucking Aiden.”
I sit back down, trying to process Shayleigh’s dramatic display. What the hell did Eli do? There’s more to this than a couple of beers. “It doesn’t look like this one’s on Aiden.”
Eli seeks comfort by way of another two beers from the fridge and rejoins me in the great room, handing me one of the bottles. He sits rubbing his temples before speaking, “Where were we in this mess?”
“You were about to tell me what that was about.” I lean forward, putting the bottle on the table unopened, hoping Eli will take the hint.
“Not now, Harry.” Eli shakes his head.
“You know she’s right, don’t you?” As much as I want him protecting Shayleigh, he needs to be careful.
“About what?” There’s so much, Eli can’t process exactly what it is I’m getting at.
“About you being the enemy. You’re an assistant DA, and you can’t be anywhere near this case without being disbarred or possibly landing yourself in jail.” I have to remind him of the precarious position he’s in.
“I’ll work it out; there’s no way I’m letting Shay burn for this. She didn’t do it.” Eli is emphatic.
“You are walking a very fine line here,” I warn. “You should step back.”
“I’ve got it under control, Harry. I’m going to take a couple of days off.” Eli’s tone tells me it’s no longer open for discussion.
Fine, he thinks he’s got everything under control. I remember when I
thought that, right before the twins were born. I open the bottle, taking a drink and leaning back on the couch letting a lengthy silence go by while Eli shuffles through the files. “How come you never went into private practice? I know before he died, Oliver Roth made you some very generous offers.”
“Because I’m just like you, Harry. I love putting the bad guys away.” Eli flashes me a knowing smile. As corny as he sounds, I know he really means it.
“If you intend to keep doing that you’d best be careful. I played the back nine with your boss last week and he seems to think you’re his perfect replacement. Told me how he’s going to endorse you if you run for the DA’s office.” I’m full of pride for Eli and his potential. “Then maybe you can make an honest woman out of my little girl.”
“Let’s focus keeping her out of prison first." Eli certainly likes the idea. “Judging from the outburst we just witnessed I’m doubtful she wants anything to do with me.”
“Son, you know better than that. I have no question that you two will work through this and end up giving me beautiful grandchildren.” I pick up one of her crazy comics, waving it. “Then maybe she’ll stop all of this foolishness.”
“At least one of us has confidence in Shay and me; now we just need Shay and Aiden to get the memo,” Eli quips with a smile.
“She’s a spitfire, but I know you’ll tame her.” I try to inject some confidence in Eli. Anything to get her away from Aiden.
We toast.
Chapter Fifteen
The Crying Tree
Shay
Aiden’s freakishly tall truck is encrusted with mud on outside, but the lap of luxury inside, complete with heated leather seats and satellite radio. The smell of leather mixed with gun oil from the rifle hanging on the rack in the back window is familiar. Aiden is the epitome of rugged outdoorsmen, a quality I’ve always found drop-dead sexy.
He doesn’t say a word as we start down the road. Lights flicker in a pattern through the window. I’m sure Aiden will break the silence soon enough when it’s time to try and convince me of his sincerity again, but I’m surprised after a while that he doesn’t.
All I can do is reflect on the madness of everything that has composed the last twenty-four hours. Stealing a glance in Aiden’s direction I’m halted, compelled to study him. His jaw is clenched. I wonder what has him so quiet. His eyes stare intently at the road.
Silence with him is so foreign. I can’t help wondering if he’s pondering the possibility that I killed Gary and Alice. Maybe he thinks I’m just totally screwed and doesn’t know what to say or how to console me. He moves his eyes slightly in my direction, then quickly back to the road. I guess he has the weird feeling you get when someone is staring at you, because I am.
We turn north on US-1 instead of south. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere special.” Aiden doesn’t take his eyes off the road.
If he wanted to say more he would have. I know not to press him. If I push him for information he’ll only clam up more. I wonder if he’s acting this way on purpose to keep me guessing, to keep me interested.
We turn left toward the ocean and travel over the causeway that connects the barrier islands with the mainland. The city lights dance on the chop in the water below. There is no moon tonight, only a clear blanket of midnight blue with pinpoints of stars. I have a good idea where we are headed.
After traversing a winding residential road we arrive at the small park on a narrow part of the island flanked by the ocean and the river. There’s a huge oak that has seen the anguish of many lifetimes, and sags, partially crippled from the last hurricane that blew over the island.
Bleakness settles over me at the sight of this once-majestic titan holding itself up with one of its massive branches for a crutch. I run my fingers over the rough bark—this tree is my old friend.
Aiden dips under the branch and leans on his elbows, looking past me. “Your crying tree,” he whispers through a smile. “I thought this would be a good time for you two to get reacquainted.”
“I haven’t been out here in a while.” I search my memory.
“How long has it been?” Aiden asks, seeming a million miles away.
“It was…” The words get caught in my throat. “With you.” His eyes snap to mine as I remember standing in this spot with Aiden the last time I was here.
For a moment I feel the remorse that lives in him. It’s as palpable as the humidity. “Me,” he says in a tone heavy with resolution and sorrow.
I nod slightly as I break away from his stare. I find myself fidgeting with my empty ring finger. Aiden looks up at the old tree, laying his hand on the trunk. He looks at me and traces his fingers along the heart carved in the bark with one word in the middle: ‘Shayden.’ He drops his hand and his eyes. “I’ll wait for you in the truck.”
As he walks away I feel the wake of his sadness wash over me. I don’t turn around. I can’t shake the events of the last time we were here. It was a beautiful September night. The sky was a blanket of stars, much like tonight. There is always a breeze here, but that night it was warm and comforting. Aiden brought me here because he knows how much I love it.
Chapter Sixteen
The Memory of the Last Proposal
Shay
I let myself fall into the memory.
I remember walking out onto the dock on the riverside. Aiden held me between his legs, enveloping me in his warmth, his love. I nuzzled my back against him to feel his chest heaving rhythmically while he held my hand, and kept wrapping one of my curls around his finger. Every so often he would plant a sweet kiss on my head. I loved nights like that with Aiden, how it felt like there was no one else in the world but us. Being with him was the only time I could sit still for that long.
We talked for hours. Lulls in the conversation were filled with sweet kisses and barely audible proclamations of love. For a moment I ache desperately to reclaim that feeling of peace.
We watched out over the water until our attention was drawn to the dolphins right there next to the dock. They surfaced and bobbed so close I could have touched some of them.
“They’re hunting.” Aiden whispered.
“How do you know?” I asked, turning my head and looking up at him.
“Do you see how they’re positioned and how they appear to be in a formation, closing in toward that center point? Watch, they’ll dive incrementally and then it will happen.” He pointed out over the dark water at the dolphins swimming.
“What?” At that moment hundreds of mullet jumped from the water all at once. It was an amazing display of animal instinct, the sound the spray from their synchronized effort to escape so astounding, so raw and natural. “Wow.”
“Nature is beautiful; even in chaos there is order,” he said simply.
I nodded, nuzzling deeper into the contours of his body, taking in his scent mixed with the ocean breeze.
He leaned down, resting his hot breath on my ear. “You’re beautiful, and I love your chaos. I love everything about you.”
Aiden’s words lit my being on fire to the point of being nearly disoriented. He kissed my cheek, and then moved slowly down my neck. I sank deeper into the ecstasy, my eyes closed; I only wanted to hear and feel him, I didn't want any of my other senses to cloud this moment.
His lips brushed up against my ear. “Shay…” he paused.
“Yes?” I whispered, lost in his touch.
“Be my wife.” He gave my hand a squeeze while sliding a beautiful diamond ring on my finger.
“Aiden.” My mind began to race, I was so caught in the moment I sighed the word, “Yes.”
I turned around to face him, smiling, sharing this special moment. His fingers tangled in my hair, he pulled me in to his lips in what had to be one of the most passionate kisses we had ever shared. He was so different that night, tender and sweet. I really believed him. I really thought he meant it this time. I could feel the smile in his kisses as he playfully tugged at my bottom lip with his
teeth.
I twisted around, covering him in desperate kisses and leaning him onto his back. I thought only for a split second about the fact that we were on a public dock. But it was well past midnight and we were in the gazebo at the end, out of sight. Frankly, I didn’t care.
I strategically draped my full skirt over us as I straddled him. I could feel him growing against me. My body pressed down on him. He let out a moan resembling my name. His rough hands caressed my back. I reached down and undid his button-fly jeans, which were at full capacity. My movements grew urgent. I had to have him inside me that minute or I might combust.
“I love you, Aiden.” The words bubbled from deep within me.
“I love you too, Aiden.” A deep gruff voice grumbled from behind us and a very bright flashlight killed the mood. That was the night I met Mark Simmons, the killjoy of all killjoys. A laugh escapes me, remembering that night.
Chapter Seventeen
Shadow Boxer
Shay
I climb up into the branches of the crying tree, leaving the memory behind. My laughter rapidly transitions into a river of sorrow which then crests the banks of whatever strength I had left. Cradled in the twisted branches that serve as my perch, I purge as much sorrow as my soul can spare.
After what feels like hours, my eyes have turned swollen and raw. Not one more drop could squeeze out if my life depended on it. I climb out of the tree and wipe my face, trying to regain some composure. Heading toward the riverside reaching the dock, I contemplate going out to the end, to the last place that Aiden proposed to me. The happiness I felt back then isn’t in the gazebo.
The beach then, I muse, passing the swings I’ve played on hundreds of times and soon step onto the sand, my shoes slip off and I walk down to the ocean. It’s cold, shockingly so.
Looking out onto the vast expanse of dark water after midnight gives me a sense of how small I really am in the world. A few blinking lights from ships move in and out of the port, happy people either beginning or ending their cruises to tropical locations. I envy them their simple lives.
INK: Fine Lines (Book 1) Page 7
