A Special Obsession

by A. M. Hargrove

  “This is incredible,” she finally says. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “It was commissioned, and is uniquely yours.”

  She stands on her toes and hugs me. “Thank you. I love it.”

  “You’d better hug Jeb too. He dug up the old picture. I didn’t have one. And I wanted pictures with you in them.”

  Cody and Jeb disappear out to the barn so Cody can see his soccer net. Special is admiring her painting when my phone rings. I automatically assume it’s my dad, but I’m wrong. It’s my friend, Prescott.

  “Merry Christmas,” I answer.

  “Dude, what are you up to?”

  “Out at Special’s.” He knows all about her since I just talked to him last week.

  “Cool. I’m in the islands where the wind blows warm and the booze flows freely. Exactly how I like my pussy.”

  “You’re a sick bastard, you know?”

  “Oh, yeah. But it takes one to know one.”

  “Why you calling me from the islands?”

  “Can’t a guy wish one of his friends a Merry Christmas?” Prescott says. But I know better. Something’s not cool. There must be trouble in paradise. So I walk out on the porch.

  “Hey, man, everything good?”

  He lets out a breath into the phone but then recovers. “Yeah. Yeah. All’s good. The reason I’m calling is to let you know I’m gonna be in your neck of the woods for New Years. Is it cool to crash with you?”

  “Seriously? You have to ask?”

  I get an image of him rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, I’ve suddenly developed some manners. Seems your new lady has given me a conscience. I didn’t know if you had plans or not. So I guess I’ll be there, but I don’t know what time. I’m supposed to land at three-ish, but you know traffic.”

  “Dude, it’s New Year’s Eve. I don’t think it’ll be gridlock. Want me to pick you up?”

  “Nah, the car service will bring me.” Then he snickers. “Will I meet your Special lady?”

  My tone immediately changes. “Cut the bullshit, Prescott. I won’t take any shit from you, and I’m pretty fucking sure I can kick your ass these days.”

  “Calm down, motherfucker. I didn’t mean anything by that.”

  “You better not, or you won’t have an ass to sit on because I’ll be handing it to you with my fist.”

  “Christ, Weston, chill. I’m not going to embarrass you. Swear to God.”

  I give it a couple of seconds before I say, “Fine. See you Saturday. Peace, brother.” The line goes dead—because of me, not him. Then I immediately analyze the conversation. Something’s up with him, but he won’t say. Prescott never calls when he’s on vacation. But I’ll get him to open up when I see him, even if I have to drag it out of him.

  35

  Special

  When I can’t find Weston, I walk out the front door and find him on the porch staring off into the field.

  “Hey, what’s up? Everything okay?”

  His head shakes as he says, “Not sure. Prescott just called. Something’s going on, but he wouldn’t say what. By the way, he’s coming into town for New Year’s Eve.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I look forward to meeting him.”

  He pinches the bridge of his nose.

  “I’m not sure I look forward to you meeting him, though. He’s like my brother, but can be an ass.”

  “It’ll be fine,” I reassure him. “I wanted to tell you that the painting is too much. I’ve never had such an extravagant gift. It’s extraordinary, Weston. Thank you for being so thoughtful. Not just for me, but for Cody and Mimi too.” I press my lips to his cheek. “You really made their Christmas amazing.”

  He slides his hand into my hair and says, “Do you have any idea how much this Christmas means to me? I’ve never experienced anything like it. For the first time, I get what the meaning of family is. You are so fortunate to have this with Cody and Mimi every day of your life. Special, you don’t know how it feels not to have it. It’s worth everything.”

  I step into his space and hug him. I can smell his spicy scent, and unfortunately, I think my sex can too. How can I want this man so much? We had sex how many times during the night? Jeez!

  “Hey, is there any possibility of sneaking away for a quickie?” he asks. His mind runs in the same direction as mine.

  “Not a chance, unless you want to get caught,” I say.

  “Nope, don’t want that.”

  “Glad you said that because I would’ve smacked you otherwise.” I’m not kidding. Cody doesn’t need to be exposed to that.

  “You’re tough, aren’t you?”

  I’m not really, but I put on a good show. “When it comes to my kid, I am.”

  He runs his fingers through my hair as we speak. “Cody pretty much thought I was a dumb fuck, didn’t he?”

  I laugh so hard, I rest my forehead on his chest and a loud unladylike snort pops out of me. “I’ll admit it. He did.” I pat his chest with my palm.

  “I had this vision of Cody and me shopping for little football figurines and he blew it.”

  Shifting backward a bit, I tap him on the cheek. “Aww, I’ll go with you in his place if it’ll make you feel better.”

  “Smart ass.” He pinches me on the butt for emphasis. I squeal and he pinches me a second time.

  “Stop! Or I’ll pinch you back and you’ll regret it.”

  “No, I won’t. I love being pinched in the right spots.”

  “I’m sure you do,” I say, pinching his nipple and then taking off down the porch steps toward the barn where I’m safe from further attacks.

  When he catches up with me, I’m watching Cody maneuver the soccer ball into the net. Jeb gives him some instruction with each kick.

  “Did you ever play soccer, Weston,” Jeb calls out.

  “Some, when I was in school.”

  “Do you have any pointers for Sport, here?”

  Weston and Jeb coach him together, so I go back and join Mimi in the kitchen. She’s admiring her new knives.

  “Do you like them?”

  “Oh, Honey Bear, these are too expensive for a plain old cook such as me.”

  “Hush your mouth, Mimi. He wanted to do something nice and give you a gift you could actually use. I suggested them.”

  “But why spend so much money?”

  “Why not?”

  Sitting down, I take her hand. “He doesn’t have a family who cares. He’s never had a Christmas like this. It was important, and you should’ve heard how happy he was. It meant a lot for him to be a part of this. He wanted you to have this as much as you loved getting them.”

  She smiles. “Well, I might as well put them to use and start getting dinner ready.”

  As she cuts vegetables, she marvels at the difference between her new knives and the old ones. Weston bought her a winner with this gift.

  By dinnertime, Cody can barely keep his eyes open with all the soccer playing he got in today. It’s the first time in ages he doesn’t ask for seconds, and he begs to go to bed after dinner.

  Jeb doesn’t stay much longer, and Mimi heads to bed early. When it’s only the two of us, Weston drags me to our fuck palace for an intense night of … well, fucking.

  Not much before dawn, Weston says he feels like his vacation is about to end.

  “What do you mean?”

  “The last couple of days have been perfect, and tomorrow it’s back to reality. I don’t really want to go.”

  I don’t either. But we have to. “The good thing is we’ve made some great memories.”

  “I want the reality every day and not the memory to sustain me.”

  “Me too.”

  “Have you given any more consideration to moving into the empty apartment above the bar? And to having Mimi and Cody move in with you?”

  “I didn’t know the apartment was empty.”

  His expression changes and he quickly says, “Jeb mentioned it to me. The property manager must’ve told
him. Maybe you should think about it.”

  It would be so nice to have Cody and Mimi with me all the time, but getting Mimi out of the country would be like trying to get the country out of Mimi. She’d be so stifled in the city, I’m not sure she’d survive.

  “Mimi would hate it.”

  “Virginia Highlands isn’t the big city. It’s a neighborhood. She could walk to local shops and take Cody to the park.”

  But that raises another issue I haven’t shared with Weston. The one about Cody. He’s managed to crack through most of my walls, so maybe it’s time to let him in all the way.

  I ball up my fists and rub my eyes. I’m sleepy and he senses I don’t want to discuss this further.

  “Let me put you to bed. The sun will be up soon.”

  He gets no argument from me. When we get to the back door, he turns me around and says, “One day we won’t have to sleep in separate beds.” Leaving me no time to question that statement, I’m tucked in my bed before I know it. When I try to object, he shakes his head and closes the door as he backs out of the room. My eyelids flutter closed, and sleep claims me before I can think about what he said at the back door.

  In the morning, the sun wakes me up, along with Cody’s voice. He’s asking Weston questions about soccer. Weston explains the value of being two-footed. Cody asks what that is, and Weston tells him it’s when a player is able to play the ball off both feet. I lie there and listen to Weston as he tells Cody how using the left foot can easily trick the opponent.

  They mumble a little more, then Cody laughs. The smell of bacon frying tickles my nose and my stomach grumbles. Time to get up. I’m wearing my Charlie Brown Christmas pajamas as I walk to the kitchen.

  “Coffee on?” I ask Mimi.

  “What do you think, lazy bones?” She laughs at me. “Glad to see you were able to sleep over the boys making all that racket.”

  “I’m glad they’re having fun.”

  “They’re working up an appetite. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

  Weston comes in and gives me a good morning hug, and over breakfast Cody teaches me everything he’s learned about soccer.

  As we’re cleaning up the kitchen, I remember what Weston said about the apartment. “Mimi, would you ever consider moving to Virginia Highlands if I could find the right place for all of us?”

  She sets down her towel and looks at me. “Honey Bear, you know we’ve been through this before. This is my home place. It’s where I belong.”

  “You belong with Cody and me.” I put my hands on her shoulders. “I want nothing more than for the three of us to be together. And Cody could have so much more in the city – friends and sports – and we all could be together every day.”

  “What about this place?”

  “We could lease the land and the barn. Maybe someone would want to rent the house. I’m not asking you to make a decision now, Mimi. Only to think about it.”

  She agrees, but I’m not sure she means it. Getting her off this farm will take nothing short of a miracle.

  Cody is sad when Weston and I leave. It’s something I point out to Mimi as I’m walking out the door. “This is what I’m talking about. I hate to go, but there are plenty of games on this week so the bar will be super busy.”

  “I understand. I promise to think about it.”

  We hug and Weston and I get into the truck. The painting is loaded up because we’re going to hang it in the bar. I’ve already picked out the perfect wall for it.

  When we get to town, I help him carry the painting in. He laughs. “Do you think I’m weak or something?”

  “No, but it’s enormous and cumbersome.” It’s several feet long and wide.

  “Let me go get the toolbox.”

  “Do you have a level?” he asks.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “I have one in the truck. I’ll be right back.”

  He comes back in with a level and some wall anchors.

  “I brought a stud finder too,” he says.

  “I could’ve told you where one was.”

  He glances up from digging in the toolbox. “Yeah?”

  “Uh-huh. Standing right in front of me.”

  “You’re so funny.”

  When the painting is hung, it looks so perfect I can only stand and stare at it. “I can’t believe this. It’s so beautiful. Thank you again.” I hug him.

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad it turned out so well.”

  The next day, everyone comments on the new artwork. A few of the customers even want to know who the artist is. I end up having to call Weston for his name because it’s hard to tell from the painting.

  Early that evening, I’m chatting with Jeb at the bar when Weston shows up. Jeb and I were talking about Mimi and Cody moving in.

  Weston asks, “So, you told Mimi about the apartment?”

  “No, I asked her to consider it if I could find us a place,” I say.

  Jeb smiles. Then he says to Weston, “So, you told Special then?”

  “Told me what?”

  When I look at Weston, he’s shaking his head. I glance at Jeb and he quickly focuses on a glass he’s cleaning.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” Weston says.

  “Yeah, there is.”

  Then one of the waiters calls me over. We’ve had an issue with one of the TV mounts, and a contractor who came in to fix it is getting ready to leave. I head over to thank him, but he calls out, “Hey, Weston, I didn’t know you were going to be here. We got that TV mount fixed up like you requested so everything’s in order now. Hope you’re enjoying being the new owner of this building.”

  I’m completely confused. How does this guy know Weston and what did he mean by the new owner? When I look at Weston, he’s thanking the guy and ushering him out the front door. Then I look at Jeb and he’s moved to the other end of the bar, busying himself with arranging liquor bottles. What the hell is going on?

  I know one thing. I aim to find out. Chasing after Weston and the unknown man, I call out, “Hey, wait up. I didn’t get a chance to thank you.”

  36

  Special

  Weston clearly is uncomfortable as he shifts from one foot to another. The man, who has no idea there is anything going on, smiles at me.

  “Hey, I’m Special. Thanks for coming around so late to fix that.” I jerk my head in the direction of the TV mount.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Charlie and it wasn’t a problem at all. Weston asked me to swing by after I finished up my day.” Then he turns to Weston and says, “Oh, by the way, the guys on the job today were saying that Mr. Wyndham has been a bigger jerk than usual at work. He’s been insane ever since you left.”

  “I can only imagine,” Weston says. And now all the puzzle pieces fall in place.

  “Thanks again, Charlie. I appreciate you stopping by. Would you be interested in some dinner?” I ask.

  “Oh, that’s awfully nice of you, but my wife has dinner waiting on me.”

  Holding out my hand to shake his, I say, “Well, bring her in some night for a meal on the house.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take you up on that.”

  “I have to get back.” I hold up my thumb and aim it over my shoulder, then head inside.

  Jeb stares at me and I scowl back. When I get up to him, I only say, “You knew all along.” I don’t stop and keep marching straight to the kitchen.

  As expected, Weston follows me in there.

  “You’re angry.”

  “You think?”

  There’s no response as I busy myself with orders. I don’t really have to work because there are other people working the kitchen tonight. I’ve had to hire a lot since the business has taken off. We have a wait list for tables every night in the restaurant, and the bar is packed from around four until midnight. Our lunch crowd is thick, and sometimes we have a wait for tables then too.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I finish plating the sandwich I’m working on, wal
k over to the wall, and hang up my apron. Then I’m out the back door. He follows.

  “Why? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I was afraid of your reaction.”

  I consider how I would’ve responded, and he’s partially right.

  “Okay, you’ve got me there. I wouldn’t have liked it, but at least I would’ve known.” I stare him down.

  “I didn’t do it just because of you. I’m not that altruistic.”

  “Explain it to me.”

  He runs his hand over the short side of his hair. “Do you remember when I said I needed to break away from my father? That I wanted to come up with something to make money other than working for him?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Jeb came to me and told me the owner was selling. He made a good pitch, so I called the realtor and checked into it. The wine shop next door is killing it, the apartments above are great rental properties, and your place was doing great. It was really a win-win for me. In fact, I’m getting ready to place a bid on another piece of property in Brookhaven.”

  It does sound like a great investment for him. “I get all that. But then why keep it from me?”

  “I was afraid you’d balk. Try to push me away. And that’s the last thing I wanted.”

  “Why lie about it then?”

  “Technically, I didn’t lie.”

  “Yes, you did. By omission. It’s equally as bad.”

  He steeples his fingers and presses them to his forehead. “It wasn’t intended to be.”

  “But it was. It hurts that you felt you had to keep it a secret too. It makes me feel like I’m ten. And that you don’t trust me enough to tell me.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I didn’t tell you because of the way you’re acting now.” Frustration mars his features.

  “I suppose we’re at an impasse.”

  He blows out a breath, creating a puff of steam in the cold air between us. “All I wanted was for you to be happy. You have to admit, until now it worked.”

  “Yes, and look where it brought us. I was happy and now I’m sad … and angry.” I walk away, leaving him standing there. When I get over to my apartment, I text Jeb, telling him the bar is his for the night and I won’t be coming back in.