500 Days

by Jessica Miller

  I smiled in response. “No. I just want to enjoy you.”

  “There are plenty of ways to do that.”

  I chuckled. “And you call me the whore.”

  “Whoa! Whoa!” She pulled back, offended. I tightened my arms and legs around her so she couldn’t move or hit or kick me.

  “Alex, I was kidding.” She glared at me but I could still see the playfulness in her eyes. “I just…sometimes I get scared that this is going to end. That I’m going to do something stupid to screw it up and lose you. I don’t want to take any minute with you for granted. So this, this right here,” I demonstrated by holding her close and placing her hand over my racing heart. “You comfort me Alex. Just you. Being able to hold you in my arms all night is the greatest gift anyone could give me.”

  She smiled, making her eyes glisten. For a moment I thought she was going to tear up, but Alex had a tougher game than anyone I knew. “I’m not going anywhere Casper,” she whispered, nuzzling her lips with mine. I brushed her hair off her shoulders, lifting her chin higher so I could shower her with kisses all along her jaw and neck. I kissed where her pulse was now thumping, lingering longer. I could feel her breathing pick up and then the warm air of her exhale as I pressed a wet kiss to the hollow of her throat. I had only planned to hold her for a while and fall asleep with her in my arms. But once I started I couldn’t stop. I was in no rush though. I was going to take my time and show her how much I loved her, how much I craved her.

  For the next hour, I spent every minute kissing and touching every inch of her body. I rubbed her sore shoulders and back, working my way down to her feet. She was so still and quiet I thought for a moment she fell asleep. She didn’t stir until I started to press wet kisses all the way up her spine, darting my tongue out when I reached the back of her neck. I could feel the goose bumps I was causing her as my hands trailed gingerly down her sides. Her skin was so soft I could just touch it for hours and that was what I planned to do. Working from one shoulder to the next, I carefully rolled her over on to her back.

  “You do realize I just might never let you leave this room again,” Alex said.

  “I’m okay with that.”

  She smiled smoothing her long fingers behind my neck. She kissed me so tenderly I felt my temperature rise and it took everything I had to keep with my slow pace. Just looking into those beautiful green eyes made it all worth it.

  I spent most of the night just watching her sleep. Her skin had a slight glow to it in the dim light of the moon. I loved how peaceful she looked, content.

  My phone was going off like crazy in the morning. Not wanting to wake Alex I turned the phone to silent and checked all my messages. I had several missed calls from my sisters Candice and CiCi. Colton had text me several times and I even had a message from my mom. Shit.

  I sat up, scanning through and listening to the multiple messages. Most of them were just call me. I scrubbed a hand down my face picked a number at random. I was thankful when that number happened to be Colton. “Hey, we’ve been trying to get a hold of you.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Did you talk to anyone else?” he asked, deflecting. He did this when he had something he didn’t want to tell me.

  My stomach dropped. “No. You’re the first one I called.”

  I could hear him let out a sigh. “It’s your dad, man. He had a heart attack.”

  I dropped my head to my knee. My dad was the biggest prick on the planet and probably ranked number one for worst dad ever, but he was still my dad. “Cas, you still there?”

  “Yeah, um…is he?”

  “No, he’s at the trauma center on Capitol Hill. I don’t know all the details. Candice was too much of a mess to understand.” I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Cas, you should really go over there. They don’t know if he’s going to make it.” There was a long pause. “Cas?”

  “I know,” I looked down at Alex who was now awake and sitting up on her elbows. She had a worried look on her face. I turned to look at the time. “Do me a favor and call Candice and tell her I’m on my way.”

  “Do you want me to pick you up?” Colton asked.

  “Nah, I’m good. I’ll see ya shortly.” I disconnected the call and tossed the phone on the bed, running my hands through my hair.

  “Everything okay?” Alex asked, running her hands over my shoulder.

  “My dad had a heart attack.”

  I could feel her stiffen. “Are you okay? Do you need me to do anything? Call anyone?”

  I shook my head no. “I have to go to the hospital,” I said, getting up and looking for my jeans.

  “Okay.” She watched me, concerned. “Do you want me to go with you?”

  I paused, thinking it over. “Yeah,” I replied. Maybe having Alex there would help keep me calm. We quickly got dressed and headed out the door. Alex took the keys from my hand and I didn’t argue. All the way to the hospital I just stared out the window, rubbing my hands up and down my legs. Alex reached out and took my hand, giving me nothing but a silent comfort. I squeezed her hand back thankful that I had decided to have her come along. All the times I wished my dad was dead and now the thought of actually losing him was a lot different than I thought it would be. I never imagined I would actually feel any kind of sorrow if the bastard would die. I blamed it on Alex, she was making me soft.

  When we arrived at the hospital I first saw my sister CiCi consoling a hysterical Candice. I didn’t put much thought in to it. Candice was always the emotional one. She cried over everything. So the scene in front of me wasn’t what stopped me. It was the fact that my mother was there. Fear set in as I saw Colton embracing her in a hug. My grip tightened on Alex’s hand. “Do you need a minute?” she asked.

  “No,” I said, pulling her along.

  Candice’s head shot up the second I approached. She sprang up and instantly attacked me. Her eyes narrowed on Alex before she dug into me. “Where the hell have you been? Everyone has been trying to get a hold of you for hours.”

  “I’m here now, aren’t I?” I said through gritted teeth. The last thing I wanted was a lecture from Candice. She looked down at mine and Alex’s intertwined fingers and then her head snapped back up and I knew she was about to dig her claws into Alex. “Don’t,” I warned. She pinched her brows tight together and turned to sit back down with CiCi. I knew the only one I was going to get a straight answer from was Colton.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I believe I taught you better than that,” my mom broke in.

  “Now is not the time, Prudence. And what are you doing here anyway? Come to see if he actually croaks or not?” I could feel Alex tense next to me and I knew I had to pull it back for her sake.

  My mom let out a tight laugh. “You know that bastard is going to outlive us all.” She leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek. “And I’m here because your sister called me. I, unlike your father don’t abandon my children.”

  “Mother,” Candice cried.

  I bit back thousands of insults and scrubbed a hand down my face. Alex didn’t need to be here for this. I didn’t want to be here for this. My mom gave Alex the once over and I knew she was sizing her up. Not willing to subject her to the insanity that was my family. I excused myself and tugged Alex with me to go find a doctor that would give me some answers. The nurse at the desk told me the doctor would be out momentarily to speak to all of us. Just fucking great.

  I looked at Alex who I could tell felt really uncomfortable and out of her element. “You don’t have to stay. You can go home and I’ll catch a ride with Colton. There’s no need for you to be subjected to this.”

  She grabbed both my hands and made me face her. “Casper, I’m fine. I’ve been through worse. Plus I know you won’t admit how freaked out you really are, but I can see it in your eyes. I wouldn’t be a very good girlfriend if I abandoned you in your time of need.”

  “If you want to be a really awesome girlfriend you would find an empty bed and h
elp me relieve some of this stress.” She pushed me playfully before wrapping her arms around me in a comforting hug. I instantly relaxed. “Just you being here is enough.” Alex pulled back enough to give me a thankful kiss. “C’mon. Let’s go wait until the doctor comes out to talk to us.”

  I sat Alex next to Colton while I sat on her other side. “Where are Cayden and the preschooler?”

  Candice crossed her legs, shifting her body so she was facing the other direction, showing me that she was still pissed and refused to talk to me. CiCi rolled her eyes at her and answered. “Cayden’s chasing after some candy striper and Dallas is with dad.”

  “Wait, she’s with him and we’re sitting around, why?”

  “Because she through a fit and said everyone had to wait out here until the doctor talked to her first and she’s his wife.”

  “We’re his goddamn kids!” Candice shouted upset. My mom sat beside her, consoling her again. I groaned at Candice’s theatrics.

  We all sat around silently for another half an hour and still no one came to talk to us. “This is getting ridiculous,” I stood up. “What room is he in? I’ll find out what’s going on myself.”

  “Just sit down Casper. I’m sure it won’t be that much longer,” Candice said. She had finally calmed down enough to talk civilly.

  I couldn’t sit still. My leg kept bouncing and I was getting antsy the longer I had to wait. “I’m going to get some coffee.”

  Alex put a hand on my knee. “I’ll go. Stay here.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “Can I get anybody else anything?” she offered.

  “Coffee would be great, thank you,” my mom said kindly, making me wonder what she was up to.

  “I’ll go with you,” Colton said, springing up from his chair.

  I stood up and kissed Alex’s temple, whispering, “Thank you,” before she took off down the hall with Colton, passing Cayden on his way back. I watched his head drop and tilt to the side as he checked out Alex’s ass. It took everything I had not to knock him out cold. Brother or not I wouldn’t think twice.

  “Dayum. Is that Colt’s new honey? Because if so I might have to introduce myself and show her what it’s like to be with a real man.”

  CiCi rolled her eyes. “Please, no one is that desperate. One look at you and she’ll be laughing all the way home.”

  Cayden brushed her off and strolled right up to me. “What’s up bro?” I punched him in the shoulder. “What the hell was that for?” he groaned, rubbing his arm.

  I stared him down and got in his face. “That honey with Colton is my girlfriend. And if I ever catch you checking out her ass again I will lay you flat out on your back without a second thought.”

  He put up his hands in defense, cocky smile on his face as he took a seat next to CiCi.

  “Girlfriend?” my mom and Candice asked. All girls had a surprised look on their faces while Cayden sat back looking smug.

  F-U-C-K. This was not what I needed right now. I let out a deep breath. “Yes, Alex is my girlfriend.” I gave them each a pointed look to not be assholes, but even I knew that was wishful thinking.

  “That’s Alex?” CiCi asked, a big smile dancing on her lips. “No wonder you had a stick up your ass when you busted me…” CiCi bit her lip, realizing she said too much.

  “Busted you for what?” My mother asked, turning to CiCi with her arms crossed.

  “Go ahead CiCi, tell her.” I sat back resting my arms behind my head, happy to have the heat off me.

  “He caught me out past curfew. No big deal,” she lied.

  “Cecelia Rose Covington. Do not lie to me.”

  CiCi fidgeted in her seat. Cayden took this opportunity to bust CiCi. “He picked her up at a bar,” he laughed.

  “What! How did you even get in?”

  “A fake ID,” Cayden offered.

  “Hand it over,” my mother demanded.

  “Casper already took it,” she huffed. She turned to Cayden, eyes on fire. “You’re such an ass!”

  “That’s what you get for snooping around my room and telling dad about the joint you found that wasn’t even mine.”

  “What the hell is going on over there? I have half a mind to make you live with me,” my mother snapped.

  “You think you can do a better job when you’re not even there?” CiCi snapped back, turning it into an argument. My mother, CiCi and Cayden were all going at it drawing attention to us.

  I just sat back and smiled. “You see what you started,” Candice complained. When the arguing got louder Candice snapped. “Enough! This is not the time or the place.” They all shut up as Alex and Colton returned with drinks and snacks. Alex stood there a little frightened, not expecting to walk back into a battle field. Colton, used to it, brushed past her and handed drinks to Cayden and CiCi. I stood up to take the carrier out of Alex’s hand.

  “I didn’t know what anyone would want so I got one of everything.” She emptied out her pockets dumping the contents on the chair.

  “It’s fine,” I smiled. I looked over her shoulder to see Cayden checking her out again. “Right or left Cayden?” I asked, clenching my fists at my sides.

  His eyes widened and he sat up, clearing his throat. “Sorry,” he mumbled. Alex looked over her shoulder and then back at me, smiling. My eyes turned down, letting her know I was not amused. She slipped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest.

  Candice cleared her throat. “Thank you,” she said, holding up her cup of coffee. “And I apologize for earlier, for my manners. I’m Candice,” she extended a hand to Alex.

  Alex took it kindly. “Alex,” she smiled graciously.

  “Forgive me. My name is Prudence. I am Casper’s mother,” my mom said, stepping in. “I wish we could have met under better circumstances. Maybe once things are settled perhaps we could all go out to dinner?” My mother, always the socialite.

  “It’s very nice to meet you,” Alex replied politely. “And dinner would be nice.”

  CiCi took her cue and stood up next. “Cecelia, but you can call me CiCi.”

  “And that’s Cayden over there,” I told her knowing he would not get up. He nodded and gave her a too friendly smile. I held up my fist in warning. His smile fell. Just before we all fell into an awkward silence, the doctor walked in.

  The air grew cold as I waited for the news. Alex took my hand. I gave her a weak smile before I returned my attention to the doctor. “He’s going to be fine. Just an acute myocardial infarction.”

  “English doc,” I said.

  “A mild heart attack. He’ll need to be on a strict diet, regular exercise, and reduced alcohol intake. He will be sent home with a list.”

  “Do you know what caused it?” Candice asked, stepping forward.

  “That, I am not at liberty to discuss,” the doctor said, cheeks a little flushed. “You have to talk to him about that.”

  My mom started to crack up laughing. I gave her a look letting her know I did not find the humor in this. “Figures he’d have a heart attack trying to keep up with someone half his age,” my mom said, slightly disgusted.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked her, not in the mood for cryptic bullshit.

  “Think about it, Casper,” she said, grabbing her purse. “Well since the bastard pulled through. I no longer need to be here. Girls I will talk to you later and Cecelia, we are far from done with our conversation.” CiCi pouted, shooting daggers at Cayden again. “And Alex, it was so lovely to meet you. I really hope my son will bring you by so we can get to know each other.” And with that she was gone.

  “Can we see him?” Candice asked.

  “Yes, but not all at once.”

  “You guys can go first. I’ll wait until you’re done,” I told the girls. Candice barely blinked an eye before she took off with CiCi.

  “You doing okay?” Alex asked once they were gone. I nodded my head, feeling slightly numb. I was relieved but at the same time, disappointed. I didn’t
want him to die, but part of me thought it might be better this way. I took a seat and looked over at Cayden who had been smiling like a kid who had his hand in the candy jar.

  “What are you grinning about?” I asked him.

  “Because I know what caused the heart attack.”

  “How do you know and why the hell haven’t you said anything?”

  He leaned in closer and rested his elbows on his knees, looking around. “Because I didn’t want the girls to know and…I didn’t want anyone to know I was snooping.” I narrowed my eyes at him. He looked a little uncomfortable of what he had to say next. “Your mom was right. He was trying to keep up with Dallas.” I looked at him funny. “I found a bottle of Viagara on his night stand.”

  “Jesus fucking Christ.” I lost it, laughing hysterical. Alex and Colton looked at me like I was delusional. “What a stupid asshole.” I stood up; ready to leave when the cause in question came strolling down the hall with CiCi and Candice. “I fucking told you she would be the cause of his death.” Dallas froze on the verge of tears.

  “Casper, what are you talking about?” Candice asked.

  “Why don’t you ask the wicked witch?” Dallas did lose it then, running off down the hall crying.

  “What the hell is wrong with you? Seriously Casper,” Candice spat.

  “We’re all sitting around here worried about some asshole because he can’t keep up with his barely legal wife. The prick was popping pills and sticking it in his latest possession when he had the heart attack.”

  “Jesus,” Candice said, shaking her head.

  “The only thing he needs is a reality check. I’m out of here.” I grabbed Alex, shoving her out the door.

  “Casper, hold up.” Colton jogged after us. “Look, we all know how you feel toward your dad but even you have to admit you were scared for a minute.” I crossed my arms over my chest trying to prove he thought wrong, but Colton knew me all too well. “Despite how it happened. I still think you need to go in there and talk to him.” I rolled my eyes and walked away.

  Alex stopped me outside the hospital. “Casper,” I turned to look at her, eyes blazing. “It’s clear there’s something going on with you and your dad, but I agree with Colton. Despite what brought him here, you should go talk to him. I know he would want to see you.”