by Tiana Laveen
Perry sighed on the other end. “I didn’t tell ’er to call you, Aiden. I only reminded her that it was your birthday because I knew she’d forget.”
“She never forgets either of our birthdays. She already called me earlier, too.”
“But she was drunk…anything was possible.”
Silence wove itself between them for a spell.
“Okay, well, thank you very fuckin’ much, Perry. This was just you looking out for me, huh? Man, bull! Did she tell you about the damn sink?”
“Yeah…”
“Well then you knew she was going to fucking call me, regardless of the birthday or not. Don’t even try to play me like that.” Perry exhaled loudly on the other end.
“All right. Sorry, man… I didn’t think she’d call right away though. I told ’er you were having company. Look, relax. You know Mom is—”
“Once again, you don’t want to deal with her. I have to be Captain-Save-A-Drunk 24-fuckin’-7! Not tonight; I’m not doing it! Tonight is mine, you hear me?!” He stabbed himself with his index finger in the chest, boiling to the point of no return… like the pasta sauce before him.
“Mom just needs—”
“What about what I need, huh? Nobody gives a shit about what Aiden needs. No one even asks. She’s a manipulator and full of shit! That’s what this disease has done to her, okay? The mom we had when we were little is dead! I can’t take much more of this. I have warned both of you the last few months, Perry. I am telling you straight up that something bad is going to happen if she either doesn’t go to rehab, or you give me some help here.”
“How can I help you when she only yells at me and doesn’t listen?! You act like I am enjoying this, Aiden, I’m not. She doesn’t do that with you… you’re different.”
“I’m not different. I just tell her the truth, period. She knows I’m on the edge but her addiction keeps forcing her to push me anyway. You know, it’s funny how you didn’t address what I said earlier in this phone call.”
“What?”
“That nobody even asks me how I am doing or what I think anymore. They just do whatever and call me when everything falls the fuck apart. No one wants to listen to me or take my advice before whatever it is they are doing explodes in their face, but the minute shit falls apart, who do they call? Good ol’ Aiden Summers. I’ve had it! You and Mom need to give me some space… I am pissed at both of you at this point. Her, because she’s been fucking up for years. She knows it but is too selfish to address it and won’t stop. And you for being a deserter and enabler, letting me carry this burden all of this time.”
“Aiden, calm down,” Perry said lazily as if it were just a minor hiccup in the fabric of life, but Aiden could feel in his heart he’d reached a crossroads.
The gall… the nerve. No more…
“Look, I’m sorry. You’re right, okay? You never really speak up until you’re at your breaking limit and I think that’s why Mom keeps doing what she’s doing. I… I can’t handle her, Aiden, I just can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m not built for it. I can’t stomach it. I tried, but she’s just too much. I need to live my life, man. We only get one.”
“Do you know how many dates I had to cancel in the past because of her? Do you have even a fraction of a clue about how many times I’ve had to ask for a flexible work schedule because of Mom but had to blame it on other stuff? How well do you think that makes me look for a promotion, huh?” He was met with silence. “Do you know how much sleep I’ve lost worrying about Mom over the years? And now I’m just numb. I don’t feel anything at all. Do you realize how this has impacted my life? Either you don’t, or you just don’t care!”
“Aw, Aiden! Come on! You know good and damn well that—”
“Stop pawning her off on me. She’s your mother, too. You want to be alone with your girlfriend tonight. Well, guess what? I want to have a stress-free evening, too…one I can enjoy, all right? I want off this hamster wheel, but you all just won’t let it happen. It’s like you want me to explode!” He laughed dismally as he snatched open a cabinet door and grabbed the garlic powder. “She’s so egotistical that she asked if I had plans tonight. I confirmed it and she still asked me to come over.”
“No, I don’t want you to explode, Aiden. And we both know it’s just to keep her company because she hates being alone.”
“She left me and you alone for most of our life in her own way. We barely got to see the sober version of Mom so she now can deal with being alone, too—see how she likes it for a change. I am tired of this shit.”
He abruptly disconnected the call with Perry before the man could utter another word. He was all talked and excused out.
Aiden went about his duties in the kitchen, his chest heaving a mile a minute. Pausing several times, he took deep breaths, trying to reel himself in, convince himself that everything would be fine if he just pushed it all out of his mind. Turning off the pasta sauce he added a few seasonings, then dashed to his hall bathroom and sprinkled water on his face. He checked himself out in the mirror, ran his fingers through his hair and looked at his reflection long and hard…
Just then, the doorbell rang. He hung his head, sighed, turned off the bathroom light, and made his way to his front door. Throwing on an award-winning smile, he opened the door and thrust his arms wide open.
“Welcome! Give me a hug, beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms and squeezed her so tight, he hoped and prayed she couldn’t feel his anxiety, and detect how his world was colored in the most depressing of hues. She felt so good in his embrace. He inhaled the sweet scent of her hair and pretended for just a moment that life was good… life was great. When he finally released her, she stepped inside and chuckled, her hands full of bags and whatnots.
“Be right back.” She set the bags down on the nearby couch. “Your dessert is in the car. Gotta go back and get it.”
“I can grab it. Let me help.”
“No, no, no. I’ve got it.”
In less than a minute, she returned with a big box and a smile on her face. He closed and locked the door behind her, then she carefully placed the cake near the bags.
“Damn.” They both burst out laughing. Her coat was hanging open, revealing a blood red cat suit with matching high heels. The dark, shiny waves of her hair were slicked back, and her lips were covered in bright red lipstick. A seductress was she… “You look… just wow. You look amazing.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you like what you see. I have some birthday surprises for you here.” She motioned towards the bags sitting on the couch. “But, uh, I see you just couldn’t make this your special day, could you? You had to share it.” She shot him a ‘shame on you’ glance before turning away to take a gander at the place, all decked out with assorted decorations.
“Look, it’s Valentine’s Day. You’re my date, so you know I couldn’t just not do anything at all. Besides, we can celebrate both. Let me take your coat.” She placed her purse on a nearby lamp stand as he helped usher the camel jacket off her, revealing her outfit in its entirety.
Oh…my…goodness.
He bit his lower lip as he looked her up and down, refusing to even attempt to hide his budding lust. Turning away with reluctance, he hung up her coat in the nearby hall closet.
“Hey, I want to put your birthday cake in the kitchen. It’s over here, right?” She pointed towards the arched doorway, decorated with heart shaped lights.
“Yeah.” Her heels clicked across the hardwood floor as she carefully carried the sweet concoction. He followed close behind her with the bags filled with assorted, colorful tissue papers.
“How cute!” She looked at the flickering heart shaped lights, then entered the kitchen tossing her sights here and there. “Oh, my goodness, something smells good.” She set the cake down on the island. “I swear you are trying to blow my fitness goals here and we’re only two months into the new year!”
“Hey.” He pointed to the stove to show off his handiwork. “Gotta feed the s
oul. Angel hair pasta with pesto, fettuccini with grilled chicken, garlic bread, salad… nothing major, but I love Italian food.”
He set the bags on the island beside the cake, but before he could say another word she turned towards him and grabbed him close. He landed in her warm arms, enfolded in an all-consuming embrace. Addison wrapped herself around his body, and planted a sweet, needy kiss against his lips. Sliding his arms around her waist, he returned the favor, this time tasting with his tongue. As he slowly caressed her arms, his breathing slowed and his calm returned as she took over his senses, made herself at home in his soul. Who knew how much time passed with them like that? But too soon, they both seemed to awaken from a daydream, reluctantly letting one another go.
“Have a seat in the dining room. I’ll get everything on the table.”
“Not on your life. I am helping.” She walked over to the island and pulled the cake out of the protective box covering. His brow rose when he saw the name on the white box: Mousse Boutique.
“How in the world did you get a cake from them so last minute?” The Mousse Boutique was well known for pricey, rich, one-of-a-kind desserts and pastries, and you simply didn’t walk in there and pick something up. No, it took weeks, sometimes months of planning to get your hands on one and when you did, it was typically at some monumental gathering such as a wedding or 21st birthday gala.
“Well, it just so happens that my sister owns several florist shops and she does a lot of weddings so she pulled some strings for me.”
“Wow! It’s good to know people in high places, huh?” He laughed as he gave the cake a closer inspection.
HAPPY 32nd BIRTHDAY AIDEN –
You’re the perfect Valentine.
The white cake was framed in red trim and hearts, with roses that looked unbelievably real. In fact, he did a double take and surmised that they were.
“Today I turn thirty-two and it’s the first time I’ve ever had anyone do something like this for me.”
“I find that hard to believe!” She leaned against the counter and crossed her ankles. “Surely you must’ve had birthday parties, people over, friends, girlfriends who treated you to a good time on your special day, Aiden?”
“Well, yeah, of course. I’ve had parties, girlfriends that bought me birthday and Valentine’s Day gifts, but I am talking about going the extra mile like this.” He looked into her eyes. “It’s the thought that counts. I mean, look at you.” He stepped back from her and licked his lips in appreciation. “You got all dressed up in this sexy ass red number for me.” Her complexion deepened from his words. “You got one of the best bakeries in the entire city to make me a cake at the last second, a gorgeous cake at that, and you’ve got all those bags over there. No telling what’s in them. I told you to just come over and chill with me and well, you did all of this instead. That’s nice… thank you. You’re thoughtful.”
Closing the distance between them, she pressed her lips to his.
“You don’t have to thank me. It was my pleasure. Okay, so do you want to open your gifts now or later?”
“Later. Let’s eat first. Now I mean it.” He pointed towards the dining room. “Go have a seat and I am going to bring in your dinner. I just put the pasta on, it’ll be al dente and ready in just a sec. What type of dressing do you want for your salad?”
“Do you have balsamic?”
“Yes, I do. Kick off your shoes and get comfortable. I hope you know that you’re all that I needed tonight. All of this extra stuff you did is just the icing on top…”
CHAPTER NINE
Italian Food, Italian Icing, So Very Enticing
She’d eaten four thick slices of the heavily seasoned garlic bread…
Who knew what the bastard had put in it? It might as well have been crack-cocaine for all she knew because it was the best damn garlic bread she’d ever had. She was officially hooked.
“Okay, I need to know what’s up.” She grabbed her glass of red wine by the stem, tipped it towards her awaiting mouth, and took a generous gulp. “How’d you learn to cook like this?”
“Actually, I’m not all that great a cook. I just know how to chef up some things well, these being a few of them.” He put his burgundy linen napkin next to his plate.
There was that smile again—the one that seemed sincere but was turned and twisted from the murky depths of deceit. She trusted him, but not his words. What a strange realization and predicament she found herself suddenly in. She shifted in her seat and crossed her legs, careful to not tip her drink, lest she lose the precious drops in a messy sacrifice.
As he dipped his garlic bread in the pasta sauce, he kept on smiling, holding tight to that expression. It looked an awful lot like the hope she’d grabbed onto when she had nothing left to carry her through. A smile… What was it, truly?
The man wasn’t as happy as he pretended to be. Maybe he wasn’t really lying, but there was something behind that smile… something that disturbed her so.
After her divorce, she went through a stage of not trusting herself, but after she’d came through, healed from it all, she began to really pay attention to what people said, what they didn’t say, and the expressions on their faces. She firmly believed that had she paid more attention to her ex-husband’s words and actions and nonverbal cues, she would have seen the writing on the wall. That son of a bitch had never hidden his true self from her; she’d simply chosen to ignore it, and what a bitter pill that had been to swallow.
Now she was equipped to detect these sorts of hypocrisies and contradictions much better. Aiden’s smile was hiding something. It was a shield; the damn thing was almost forced, and his low-key, relaxed, easy going behavior was now in question. Was it all an act? She was growing close to him—no, more than that, she felt attached. She cared for the man in unexpected ways that made her pause and question her true motives as of late.
She yearned to pull the sheets off and expose the secrets, but she shoved the notion away.
No need to ruin his birthday by making things unpleasant, but this isn’t over. I will deal with it later. Just drop it for now. Besides, it’ll only lead to an argument.
“Well, you cook these few things very well.” She chuckled, bringing herself out of the introspective funk.
“Do you want some more wine?” he offered as he held up the bottle and waved it, a cute little smirk on his face.
“No, I think I better stop while I’m ahead.”
He nodded in understanding and placed it back down on the table.
“I’m so excited for you to see your birthday gifts. I can’t wait until you unwrap them.”
He looked at her for quite some time, his expression impenetrable. Shoving his plate aside, he leaned into the table, his eyes on her.
“Do you know what I really want for my birthday, tonight?” She couldn’t help but smile at the man as he gave her the naughtiest of glances.
“What?”
“I’d much rather unwrap you instead. I don’t need a plate for my dessert. I want to eat some of that cake off your body.”
For a split second, she was at a loss for words. She burst out laughing, and he did the same.
“You laugh, but I’m serious.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I like you a whole damn lot, Addison. You’re special, you know that? The man who let you go was a fool…”
Her body went hot at his words, her pussy called out to him, and her heart raced.
“He was a fool all right, but not for the reasons you mentioned. Anyway, I was really looking forward to tonight. And well…” She sank her teeth into her lower lip as she cast him a mischievous grin. “You didn’t disappoint. I think I can handle dessert. I’ve been thinking about you all day. I’m so into you.”
The sexy son of a bitch stood from the table.
“I’m glad you’re into me…” He inched towards her, tapping his fingers along the edge of the table as he approached. “Because there’s nothing I would like more right this second than to be a litt
le closer to you. Come to bed with me.” He pressed two fingers beneath her chin and tilted it upward. “Let me show you how happy the birthday boy is tonight.” He reached for her hand to help her rise from her seat.
“When I’m finished with you, you’ll think it was your birthday… Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.”
She followed him through a long hallway engulfed in darkness; only the creaking of their feet against the wood awakened a world that was content on silence. When he opened his bedroom door, out poured vibrant, red illumination. She stepped over the threshold and was certain her eyes looked three times their normal size.
“Oh my God, this is amazing. Cool lighting and your bedroom is magnificent! Does it always look this way?” She admired the furniture and general layout of the room. He undid his leather belt and laid it with a loud thud on his dresser.
“Minus the red rose petals sprinkled all around the room and this blinding red light, pretty much.” She blinked several times as he played with a knob on the wall, altering the colors of the overhead ceiling light that was responsible for red hue. The rubicund color slowly waned and turned to purple, then blue before cycling back to red. Ivory and cherry scented candles sat in clear jars, their golden flames jumping and swaying as a small gust of air blew past. Aiden had opened the master suite bathroom door, causing a sudden breeze, and disappeared inside. Since he left the door ajar, she could see him turning on the faucet and washing his hands and face. She glanced at the bed. It was a monstrous thing, looking significantly larger than even a regular king-sized.
California king, maybe?
She ran her hands up and down the thick black metal posts. His sheets and comforter were snow white with a dainty black trim. Gliding her palm leisurely across the material, she discovered that it was soft and cool to the touch. Well-made, indeed. Two iron nightstands stood on either side of the bed, both black, matching the rest of the furniture in the room. Off to the right was a small semi-circular desk with a laptop on it.
