Let Life Happen

by Jaqueline Snowe

  I left to go get food and found Miles sitting next to him. It made me smile to see Miles and Mike chatting away like old buds. My brother seemed different, like he didn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders anymore.

  Jenna nodded toward him with a questioning smile.

  I sat down across from her, shrugging at my brother. I motioned to Ainsley in her arms. It was impossible not to notice how much Jenna loved her. She picked up her little foot and made a face. “Look at her little socks. They are so tiny. It just amazes me.”

  “Babies are small, shorty.”

  “I know, but still. I can’t believe she’s so little. I love her something fierce.” She snuggled Ainsley into her face, and I froze. I could picture Jenna holding a little girl, and I wanted to be the father. What. The. Fuck?

  She noticed my face, and a flash of concern crossed hers. “What’s wrong?”

  “Ah, nothing. Sorry. Just had a moment.” I wiped my hands on my face, confused as hell where the thought had come from. I was young and had a terrible example of a dad. I needed to calm the hell down.

  She put her foot on my leg under the table, never moving it throughout the meal. I noticed how she could read my mood even without knowing the details. She knew I was stressed about something, and her silent support meant more than she knew.

  A while later, Gage was telling a story about the first time he met Cyn. It sounded similar to Jenna’s and my meeting, but I kept it to myself.

  “And then she pours a drink down my shirt and tells me to never come back. It was love at first sight.”

  “More like love at first fight,” she teased.

  Then Miles suddenly stood. “Dad?”

  What the hell? Our dad walked into The Pit, looking disheveled and lost. His hair stood up, and he wore jeans and a thermal shirt. It was the most dad-looking I’d ever seen him. No suit, no tie, no sneer on his face.

  “Miles. Aiden. I’m glad I found you. Merry Christmas.” He stood there unsure what to do, just glancing around the room. For a man who exuded confidence, he certainly seemed out of place.

  “What are you doing here?” Instead of me, it was Miles who asked in a defensive tone. Go, Miles!

  “I rented a car and drove all night to get here. I wanted to spend Christmas with my sons.” He shifted his gaze between me and Miles. He was blinking fast.

  I still hadn’t said anything. I wanted to know how he found us, but then of all people there, Mike shakily stood, leaning on his cane. “Mr. Chad?”

  “Yes.”

  “Nice to finally meet you. Come sit down here by me. You have two outstanding young men here. I want to meet the man who raised them.”

  “Um, okay.” He was unsure and then recognized Jim at the head of the table. “Jim Smithson? I’ll be darned. Merry Christmas.” He went up to Jim and shook his hand. Then he recognized Rich and did the same. “You all must be Jenna’s family. Thank you for being there for my sons on Thanksgiving. I really appreciate it.”

  “It’s nothing, Christopher. Make yourself comfortable.”

  I watched my dad stop by Jenna, and I thought she might cry. What the hell? “Thank you, Jenna, so much, for emailing me the invitation.” He pulled her into a hug, and she awkwardly accepted it. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone.

  “Aiden, son, Merry Christmas.” His eyes filled with regret and something else.

  I nodded. “You, too, Dad. Now I know how you knew we were here.”

  “It was all Jenna. I’m sorry I didn’t make it back in time. I had to rent a car, and I drove way too fast, but…”

  “Dad. You’re here now. It all that matters. And if you don’t go talk to Mike, he will literally hit you with his cane. That’s a promise.” I smiled.

  “Okay, son. Okay.” He hit me on the back, squeezing my shoulder for a second too long, before moving down the table.

  I glanced at Jenna, but she avoided my eyes before I finally kicked her. “Jenna.” I lowered my voice in attempt at intimidation, but she just mimicked me.

  “Aiden.”

  I laughed. It was funny. Gage even choked on his water next to me.

  “I want to yell at you for going behind my back, but at the same time, I can’t. You did it for the right reasons.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t care you’re mad. This isn’t about you anymore.”

  “Yeah, explain how, punk.” I rested my arms on the table, anxious to hear her smartass explanation.

  “It’s about the concept of a holiday. Families set aside feuds, enemies forget their vengeance, and it’s a time to be around those you love and would do anything for. Look at your dad laughing with Mike right now. His eyes look cheerful, and the stress he carried in on his shoulders is gone. Let your beef with him go, at least for today. Okay?”

  Her green eyes bored into mine and pleaded with me to understand. I thought I was beginning to. “Okay.”

  After a couple hours of talking and drinking, my dad and Miles decided to head out. I walked them out, and my dad gave me a bear hug so uncharacteristic of him I laughed.

  “Dad, don’t hurt yourself.”

  “I’m glad I got to be a part of today. I haven’t been to a Christmas like this in years. It was refreshing.”

  “Good. I’m glad, too. Really. I’m going to stay a little longer. I need to give Jenna her gift. If it’s okay with you guys.”

  “Sure thing, son. Take your time. We’ll just be at Miles’s. If you want to, bring her back with you. We can all eat dinner together.”

  “It would be nice. I’ll ask her.”

  I waved at them as they drove away, then went back into The Pit to see Jenna laughing as Cyn opened her gift. A baby onesie that read, “Just Served 9 Months,” with prison bars.

  “I love it, J! It’s perfect!” Cyn hugged her across the table, and I was mesmerized by how much joy Jenna brought into these people’s lives. They loved her without hesitation. Any one of these people would take a bullet for her.

  Jenna turned around, and her smile made me feel I could do anything in the world. “You say goodbye to your dad and brother?”

  “Yeah. I wanted to hang out with you crazies a little longer.”

  Jim chuckled and pulled out my chair. “Then sit your ass down, son, and join us.”

  “Yes, sir.” I sat next to Jenna, and for the rest of the afternoon, I kept my hand on her knee. I would squeeze it every so often, and she would lean into me.

  We all said goodbye to her family, who each hugged me like I was one of their own.

  I took Jenna’s hand and walked her to her bike. “I have to give you my present.”

  “Oh, man. I have one for you, too. Can we go back to my apartment? No one’s there today, so it would just be me and you.” She waggled her eyebrows.

  “Oh, baby, that’s an invitation I am not going to pass up. If I ever say no to you, punch me.”

  She laughed and patted my face, her nose scrunched. “Hop on, muscles.”

  We rode back to her apartment, and I saw the evidence from her girls’ night two days ago. “It looks like the red and green section from Party City threw up in here. And then children had a food fight.”

  “Yeah, it got a little crazy. It always does. I love those assholes.” She laughed and pointed for me to sit on the couch. “Your gift is in my room. Wait here.”

  I took the box out of my pocket and twirled it around in my hand. I was suddenly nervous she might not like it. Shit. She never wore jewelry. I was awful at this. Fuck.

  She walked out with a shy look on her face and flushed cheeks. “I’m a little nervous to give you this. I thought it was such a good idea when I found it, but now I’m afraid you’ll hate it. I’ll be embarrassed.”

  I laughed and walked up to her. “We’re an interesting pair, aren’t we? I was just thinking the same thing. I was about to run out of here and get a gift card or something.”

  She cackled, then hit me in the ch
est lightly. “I hate gift cards, just for future reference. They’re impersonal and show the person was giving a gift out of obligation, not because they wanted to.”

  I tilted my head and thought about it. “I agree. I’ve never thought about it like that.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I’m wise. It’s because I’m a barkeep.”

  “Whatever, shorty. Here, take mine first. I’ve had it in my pocket all day.” I handed over the package, and her hands shook. She opened it to find the necklace with five birthstones surrounding the word Family. “The stones represent your grandpa, uncle, Gage, Cynthia, and Ainsley. It took a lot of sneaking around to find out everyone’s birthdays without you catching on, but I saw this in a window downtown when I was visiting my dad, and I thought of you. God, I’m rambling. You haven’t said a word or looked at me. If you don’t like it, we can return it. You can pick out new charms or whatever you want. You just always talk about doing what you want and being around those—”

  She interrupted me and threw her arms around me. This was the tightest hug she’d ever given me, and I felt her trembling with sobs. “Oh God, you’re crying. I’ve never seen you cry. Ah. Come here.”

  I wiped the tears from her face with my thumbs, and she gave me a watery smile. “Aiden, this is the best present I have ever gotten. I love it. I fucking love it. Will you put it on me?”

  “Of course. Turn around.”

  She lifted her hair, exposing her neck, and I couldn’t resist pressing a kiss on the back of it. It was so delicate and beautiful. “It looks good.”

  “My gift will seem so stupid after this.”

  “I doubt it. You could strip for me, and I would have the best Christmas ever.”

  She laughed like I wanted her to, and she handed me a bag. I opened it to find a Crime Scene Investigation kit for kids twelve and older and the entire series of CSI. “No way!”

  Then there was a picture of the two of us. It was the one we didn’t know was taken—her wearing that red dress and me kissing her against the door on the night of our first date. “How did you get this picture?”

  I held it in my hands and saw it was closer than the one online. It was edited or something to really make our eyes stand out. We looked like two people completely obsessed with each other.

  “I, uh, was friends with the guy who posted this on Twitter, and we made a deal if he took it down and gave me the original, I would hook him up at the bar. He agreed and even helped me edit it so it could be a surprise. Do you like it?”

  “It’s perfect. And I can’t wait to play with those toys either.” I fought a grin at her hesitation. It was a perfectly thought out gift, meaning more than she would know. I usually got a gift card and frat shit from my family. This sort of gift showed she knew me.

  “Do you really like it?” She bit her lip nervously.

  “Yes, Jenna. I really like it. The picture is going in my room.” I scanned it again.

  “Do you have anywhere you need to be?”

  “No. Well, my dad invited us both over for a late dinner and to catch up. But that’s later.” I pulled her in for a hug and set her on my lap. “You’re going to watch all these DVDs with me by the way.”

  “I expected to,” she replied, sliding down my lap. “Can I offer you part two of your gift?”

  “Uh…” I had a hard time focusing on words as her mouth left mine to trail down my neck. “Yes.”

  “Good. Because I have another gift in the bedroom.”

  “Oh God.” I moaned as she pushed off me.

  She began stripping to reveal the sexiest bra and panty combo I’d ever seen. It was bright red and lace with a garter. “Stop staring and join me.”

  “Merry Christmas to me,” I said to myself before grabbing her and showing her over and over how much I loved her body.

  Chapter 37

  Screw New Year’s Resolutions—Live Your Life-Jenna

  “I’M excited for the 1920s theme, though. I get to bust out my cigars, and Aiden’s going to wear a weird hat.” I grinned. The week flew by and I was pumped for the party. My girls were excited, too. It would be epic.

  “See, you get excited about those things. I get excited about wearing a flapper dress and using my flask.” Maya pulled up her dress to show a flask hidden beneath a garter.

  “Damn, girl. Show Jon, and you’ll get whatever you want from him.” I checked out her outfit and added, “You look really good.”

  “Thanks, J. You do, too. But I don’t think ladies wore leather jackets or smoked cigars back then.”

  “I’m putting my own spin on it with a little twenty-first-century action.”

  Kennedy came out with a feather band around her hair, wearing the shortest and most revealing dress she had, making her look like a pinup model. “What do you think, girls?”

  “Is this slightly to get Garret’s attention or for Nate to head toward the next base?” I asked.

  “Yes. No. Both.” She giggled. “Who cares? I look good.”

  Maya and I both glanced at each other and nodded.

  We walked to the frat house to find the party in full swing. The girls said we chose to arrive fashionably late. I said they took way too long getting ready, but oh well.

  I eyed the poker tables, decorations, and bar. It was a prohibition theme, so I went up and ordered a whiskey. I’d barely had a sip before Aiden shimmed on up to me with his hat pointed down.

  “Oh God.” He even had a tuxedo resembling an old mobster.

  “I prefer to only be called God in bed.” His husky voice went straight to my core. I couldn’t get enough of him.

  “Of course you do.”

  He took the drink out of my hand and set it on the table next to us. He twirled me around and whistled. “You would have rocked the twenties and kicked some major ass. I can see it now—you working at an underground bar, driving all the mobsters crazy with your smart mouth.”

  He kissed me before I could respond, lingering a little with his tongue. “You taste like whiskey and heaven.”

  He deepened the kiss and pushed me against the wall behind us. His hand dragged down my dress until he went under to squeeze my bare ass. “Is this a garter I feel?”

  “Maybe.”

  “You’re going to kill me.” He pulled out a flask from his pocket and took a swig. “Here, have some.”

  “Breaking the law. So sexy.”

  “Wanna role-play later?” he teased.

  “No, you’re more than enough to handle,” I admitted with a laugh. It was true. We all knew it.

  “Damn right, baby.”

  We found our friends and sat at a roulette table. He leaned over to whisper in my ear between turns. “Did I tell you I got an A on Jackson’s project?”

  “No fucking way! That’s fantastic news. I’m proud of you!” I was sitting on his lap, but I hugged him anyway.

  “Thank you. He emailed me this morning and told me it was a great start for next year.”

  “You rock, Mr. Prez.”

  He chuckled lightly and kissed my temple. “What are the odds of you getting off work for a couple days in March?”

  “Define couple of days. Like a weekend? Or during the week?” I asked, unsure where this was going. Aiden was nothing but random at times, and I had to ride it out.

  Aiden shrugged. “Spring break. Any part of the week. Let’s go somewhere.”

  “I like where this is going. Where are you thinking?”

  “We could head to California or Mexico. What would you prefer?”

  “I haven’t been to either place actually, so either one!” I said excitedly.

  “Oh, Jenna. We’re going to the coast. I can’t believe you’ve never been! We can go to Mexico this summer as a road trip or something.”

  “Hells yeah! Sounds great. I’ve always wanted to go to California, but never got around to it with work and school and all.”

  “Then it’s settled. We’re going. I
’ll get it set up. Ask your friends if they want to come too.”

  My heart melted at the thought of planning a trip with him. It didn’t freak me out like I would’ve thought. It got me excited. “Fo’ sho’.”

  “Aw, you sound like one of the guys now.”

  “I’ve been hanging around at the house too much. I should really cut back.”

  “Not gonna let that happen, shorty.” He pulled me close and kissed me. He had a little scruff growing, and I liked the way it felt against my face.

  “I’m really digging this new beard you’re starting. It makes you look sexier.”

  “Mm-hmm. Glad you like it. Wanna feel it elsewhere? Maybe somewhere…lower?” His voice dropped, causing shivers to run down my body. He softly rubbed his chin against my neck. The combination of rough and soft was turning me on.

  “I think you have to. I mean, I think I read it feels really good down there.” I gulped, already amped and needing his touch. He was an addiction, and I needed a fix.

  “Gotta give my girl what she wants…Let’s head upstairs real quick to test out this theory.”

  We ran up to his room, and I quickly punched in the code. It never occurred to me knowing the code to his room was a huge sign of trust until then. I was about to tell him so, but he picked me up and proceeded to show me, excruciating slowly, how good the beard felt against my inner thighs.

  “Shit. I didn’t expect it to feel so damn good.” I moaned into his pillow after coming numerous times. “Keep the beard. That’s an order.”

  We took our time cleaning up in the bathroom and met back on the bed. “Hey, you need more contact solution. I just saw you were almost out.”

  “Wow, am I really here that much?”

  “Guess so. Does it freak you out?” he asked with an apprehension on his face. Once again, he was more concerned about me than himself.

  “Surprisingly, no. If I think about it too much, I freak, but then you usually say something stupid or funny, and it goes away. What about you, though? Are you freaked out?”

  He scoffed. “Not at all. Want to know a secret?”

  “You’ve been keeping secrets? Uh-oh.” I pretended to look mad, but deep down, I was anxious. I was always expecting something to ruin the moment for me.