Kiss Kiss

by Various Authors

“Shilah! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She seemed to notice Avery for the first time and ran a hand through her short, dark hair nervously.

  “Mom, this is Avery. Avery, this is my mother, Katherine.” Katherine beamed at Avery as they shook hands.

  “Come in, come in. What’s new? Have you picked out your house plans?”

  Shilah glanced at Avery and shook his head. Katherine led them through the eclectic house to the kitchen and offered them something to drink. Minutes later, they had settled outside on her deck.

  “I’m glad you’re here, but it’s quite a surprise.” She cocked an eyebrow as she sipped her lemonade. Avery turned to Shilah, dying to hear his response.

  “I had a couple of days off and wanted to show Avery my old stomping grounds.” Katherine did a double take and Avery felt like she was looking at her in a new light.

  “You must mean a great deal to my son. He’s never brought anyone home before. I thought he was gay.”

  “What?” Shilah asked with a shocked laugh. Avery chuckled out loud.

  “All the signs are there, Shilah.” Avery agreed.

  “You’re a successful professional, well dressed…” Katherine chimed in.

  They visited for quite some time, Katherine asking all about Avery’s life. She made them lunch, telling them about her classroom success stories and her volunteer work. As they returned inside, she asked where they were staying.

  “The View.”

  Avery cocked an eyebrow at him. He must have made new reservations while she was in the shower.

  “Oh, Shilah. Honey, please tell me you’re not going to see him.” Katherine shook her head as her face clouded over.

  “I have to.” His reply seemed matter-of-fact, but Katherine’s response made Avery nervous.

  “Just be careful.”

  Later as they said their goodbyes, Katherine pulled Avery in for a hug and whispered, “Be good to him. He’s my baby, and he’s not as unshakeable as he acts.”

  Avery thought about Katherine’s comment as she allowed herself to absorb the scenery as they pressed on to their final destination.

  “Your mom’s pretty cool.”

  Shilah nodded, but kept his eyes on the road.

  “Why did your mom tell you to be careful?”

  “She’s knows we’re going to my dad’s.”

  “Okay…” Avery wanted to press him further, but his furrowed brow made her wonder in silence.

  A couple of hours later, they pulled into a trailer court. It looked abandoned to Avery, until she saw a small child playing with a doll and an old woman hanging clothes on a clothesline. As their car passed the child, the little girl waved. Avery waved back uneasily, and her stomach clenched. They came to a stop in front of a run-down silver bullet camper.

  “Home sweet home.” Shilah’s lips curled in a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

  At the top of the rickety stairs, Shilah rapped on the door. Avery stood behind him on the ground. Her instincts told her to take his hand and pull him back to the car.

  “Who is it?” A nearly unintelligible voice growled from inside.

  “It’s Shilah.” The trailer shook as the sound of stomping feet reached her ears. Shilah backed down the stairs and gripped Avery’s hand hard enough to make her wince. The door swung open with such force that it slammed into the side of the trailer. A middle-aged Navajo man stood before them wearing nothing but a pair of sweat pants. He raised a surprised eyebrow at Avery and waved them inside. Avery looked around the room at the clutter and empty whiskey bottles. It looked like every dish in the house was piled in the sink. The thought of sitting down on any piece of furniture made her cringe, and she wasn’t sure she could have found a spot if she’d wanted to.

  “Avery, this is my dad. Dad. Avery.”

  Avery held out her hand, but Shilah’s father only gave her a quick nod.

  “I haven’t seen a bill from the housekeeper.” Shilah announced looking around the room.

  “Caught her stealing and had to let her go.”

  Shilah walked to the sink and turned on the faucet. No water came out. “I thought I told you to get this turned back on.”

  “I haven’t had the time to call anyone.” His father responded, plopping down in the one recliner that wasn’t covered in filth.

  Shilah started to pick up whiskey bottles, tossing them into the trash.

  “Son. Would you stop?”

  “Someone has to do it. Why can’t you keep this place up? I’ve told you over and over if something needs fixed, send me the bill.”

  “I don’t need your money.” After saying this, he took a big gulp of whiskey. Avery tried to contain her disgust as she took in the awkward exchange. She struggled to reconcile the differences between Shilah’s mom and dad and wondered what had happened to him to make him like he was.

  “Can you at least wait until we’re gone to start your daily binge?”

  Shilah’s dad cracked a dry smile and shook his head. “This is my house, half breed.”

  Avery whipped her head in Shilah’s direction and saw his jaw clench. As he stared at his father, Avery watched his facade crack, and the distraught expression he wore made her ache to comfort him. She looked over at Shilah’s dad, who seemed focused on his whiskey. She returned her gaze to Shilah, who slowly turned his head in her direction.

  “And you thought your family was a mess?”

  “So that’s why you’re here? To show your white girlfriend the slum you crawled out of?”

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  “I don’t have time for this shit.” Shilah’s dad stood and stumbled to the door, whipping it open violently.

  “Why, Dad? Do you have more whiskey to drink?”

  “Get the hell off my property.” Avery flinched as if he’d slapped her. She watched as Shilah drew in a deep breath and blew it slowly out. Her mind reeled with questions. She could not believe this man could have sired Shilah—that he could have descended from someone so vile.

  “Good to see you too, Dad.” With that, Shilah ushered Avery out. From behind her, she heard the door slam shut.

  Nicole blotted her lipstick and looked at her reflection. The woman in mirror looked as indecisive as she felt. Her make-out session with Aaron still had her aroused and she was sick and tired of being alone. Thrusting her jitters aside, she fluffed her hair and put on her strappy shoes. She pulled the curtains in the living room and lit the candles on the dining room table.

  She’d had The Old Mill cater dinner, which she kept warm in the oven. The table was set for two. Scouring her music collection for something soft and romantic, she panicked as she realized she had nothing of the sort. As she searched for a radio station, she came across a love song channel. A sinking feeling came over her as “You and Me” by Lifehouse oozed from the speakers. The ultra-sappy song transported her back to Aaron at the fish fry, yet she found herself unable to change the station. She poured herself a glass of red wine and paced.

  A light rapping on the door announced Colin’s arrival. When she answered, he was leaning on the doorframe; his perfect white smile disarmed her.

  “Hey, beautiful.” He swept into the room and planted a soft kiss on her lips. He handed her a bottle of wine. “I see you started without me.”

  “Want some?” She asked softly as he removed his leather coat. He nodded and as she poured him a glass of wine, she tried to steady her shaking hand. When she moved to pick up his glass, she knocked it over onto the white tablecloth. He chuckled and took her glass of wine from her, taking a small sip.

  “How much did you drink?” He teased her and she couldn’t help but smile.

  “I’m just really rusty,” she murmured.

  “It’s okay, Nicole.” He brushed a stray strand of hair off her face, his knuckles softly stroking her cheek. It didn’t feel okay. He felt, tasted and smelled amazing. But it felt like she was trying to smash a square peg into a round hole. Though his colors and her patterns se
emed to jive on paper, the final product was all wrong. He leaned in for a kiss but she picked up a napkin and moved to the other side of the table to dab up his spilled wine.

  Colin leaned over the table and plucked the napkin from her hand and tossed it aside. The flames of the candles reflected in his dark sensual eyes. She saw his lips twitch playfully and she was torn. His willing face was handsome, and she knew if she took her blouse off, he most certainly wouldn’t run screaming into the night. Part of her wanted to just take the plunge, to prove to herself she’d moved beyond Ryan. Colin came around the table toward her.

  “He’s all wrong for you, Nicole. You know that, right?”

  The oven timer dinged.

  “Are you hungry?” She zipped past him into the dimly lit kitchen. She shivered, as if the temperature had dropped in the room.

  “Famished.” Colin’s voice came from right behind her. She shuddered as his arms came around her waist, his mouth nipping at her earlobe. She felt her breath hitch as he turned her around to face him. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to look him in the eye. He moved in for a kiss and Nicole stopped his face with both her hands. Colin rested his forehead on hers and exhaled in frustration.

  “This isn’t happening, is it?”

  “I’m sorry.” As the weight of the truth fell from her shoulders, the only regret she felt was for stringing him along for as long as she had.

  He shook his head, and a range of emotions played on his face.

  “Damn. This really sucks.” He kissed her on the forehead. Then he stepped back and kissed her on the hand. A farewell kiss. With dejected eyes, he grabbed his coat and walked out the door, Nicole felt relief flood her, certain she’d done the right thing.

  As Aaron slid down the highway, he had to force himself to take his foot off the gas. He’d been hard at work, salting the parking lot at the tree farm, unable to get Nicole out of his head. Her eyes, her voice, her lips. He wondered if Colin was kissing those lips right now, and his jaw clenched as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. As he helplessly pictured Nic with Colin, he remembered how painful it was to watch Nicole reunite with Ryan after he’d caused her such heartache. One thought led to another, and before long he was playing back the fight in Minneapolis like an ugly You Tube clip you just can’t stop watching.

  When he’d opened the door that fateful afternoon, Ryan had been rolling around in bed with some leggy brunette. He’d paused for a moment, too shocked to find his feet or voice. The next thing he could remember was yanking Ryan out of the bed by his hair. He tossed him onto the floor and grabbed him by the front of his undershirt. It seemed the girl was screaming, but the volume of his own heart hammering in his ears made the sound seem distant. Ryan was on his feet shoving him, and Aaron punched him in the jaw. He felt something bounce off his back and looking down saw it was an alarm clock. He turned to see the woman standing on the bed in her underwear hurling the Holy Bible at him from the bedside table. He batted it out of the air and pointed to the door.

  “Get out, bitch.”

  She didn’t need to be told twice. She grabbed her stuff in a flurry.

  “Heather!” Ryan called after her, but she had already locked herself in the bathroom with her clothes.

  “Heather, huh? What is she, a Hooters girl?” Aaron scoffed, as he felt his temper flare.

  “She’s a nurse.” Ryan glared at him and rubbed his wounded jaw. Aaron choked out a humorless laugh.

  “Well, aren’t you a walking fucking cliché?”

  “Bite me, Aaron.”

  “You told me this bullshit was over, you lying piece of shit.”

  “What the hell is your problem?”

  “You have a wife at home. You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as Nicole.”

  Ryan laughed haughtily and Aaron clenched his fists.

  “Oh, is that funny? Let’s see how funny it is when I knock your permanent teeth down your throat.”

  “You need to get a grip. Nicole’s my wife. We’ve been through a lot of shit together.”

  “No. You’ve put her through a lot of shit and I’ve sat back and let you. I should have taken her away from you a long time ago.”

  Ryan laughed again. “You’re pathetic, Aaron. You don’t have the balls to make a play for Nic. You never have.”

  “She would have been a hell of a lot happier with me.”

  “Right, I can totally see Nicole as a farmer’s wife.” The bathroom door swung wide and Heather rushed past Aaron and out the hotel room door. He noticed Ryan didn’t even look in her direction.

  “You arrogant bastard,” Aaron replied quietly, his voice quivering with anger. “She deserves to know what you really are.” Aaron saw Ryan’s eyes widen for a moment before his mask of confidence reappeared.

  “You whiny little bitch. Now you’re going to grow a pair? Go on and tell her what you saw here. Be sure to explain why you didn’t tell her about the other times.”

  Delivering a swift punch, Aaron felt Ryan’s nose crunch under his knuckles. The punch knocked Ryan back against the entertainment center, the impact tilting the entertainment center against the wall. Aaron shook his right hand, wondering if he had broken a finger. Ryan held his nose, which was now bleeding profusely. Neither of them spoke for a couple of long moments.

  “Go ahead and tell her everything. I’m tired of being the guy everyone expects me to be.” As Ryan pinched the bridge of his nose and lifted his head to the ceiling to try to stop the bleeding, Aaron’s disgust for Ryan was all consuming.

  “What the hell happened to you, man?” He shook his head and as he turned to the door, he spoke, “I should have let that car hit you.”

  The memory of his last words to Ryan chilled him to the bone and he tried to warm himself up with a sip of coffee from his thermos. He turned the fight over in his head, looking at it like a broken object in need of repair. There was no taking it back, no solution to find. The storm had passed and darkness had fallen. As he looked at the stars in the night sky, his carefully constructed walls tumbled down. It was time to shine the harsh light of judgment on himself. He couldn’t blame Ryan any longer or use him as an excuse; he was the reason he wasn’t with Nicole.

  All the opportunities he’d missed to tell her how he felt were on him and no one else. He’d played mind games with himself and hid like a coward from his love for her behind a misguided sense of loyalty to Ryan Harper.

  “You’re pathetic, Aaron. You don’t have the balls to make a play for Nic. You never have.”

  Enough is enough. The bullshit stops here. I’ll tell her and let her decide.

  As he pressed on toward town, he took the curve too fast and his stomach dropped as his salt truck slid sideways around the bend. A pickup truck blared its horn at him and nearly missed t-boning him, pulling around him at the last second. He pulled over for a minute, trying to catch his breath. Peeling his hands from the steering wheel, he realized he’d somehow bent it. Fortunately, it still worked. He eased back onto the road, deciding that arriving at Nicole’s alive would probably be more productive.

  After several failed attempts to get up the hill to her driveway, he bailed on that plan and turned the truck around, parking it haphazardly on Main Street. He knew he’d get a ticket and piss off half the town (his truck proudly stated “Foster’s Farm”), but at the moment he only cared about the opinion of one person in Jefferson Point.

  He jumped down from the truck and nearly lost his footing as he landed on a sheet of ice. He used his truck for balance as he made his way to the sidewalk, which had thankfully been salted. As he approached the stairs to Nicole’s, he saw Colin carefully descending the stairs, gripping onto the hand railing for dear life. Colin’s jaw hit the ground as he narrowed his eyes at Aaron.

  “I should have listened to Sean,” Colin mumbled, as he reached street level. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, shook his head, and cracked a crooked grin. “Good luck.”

  Aaron blinked at him blankly and stared
after him, confused, as Colin slipped across the street. Then he made a mad dash up the stairs. He somehow managed to get onto the porch without falling and knocked on the door. He yanked off his hat and raked a nervous hand through his hair, his adrenaline at an all-time high.

  The porch light blinded him and he heard the door open. Once his eyes readjusted, he saw Nicole staring up at him in wide-eyed surprise. Aaron pushed the door open and forcefully yanked her into his arms. He smothered her with a passionate kiss, practically knocking the table over in their wake.

  “I’m such an idiot.” He managed between kisses, his hands in her silky hair. “I’m in love with you, Nic. It’s always been you.”

  She pulled away from him, gasping for air and touched his face, her eyes locked with his. She seemed to search him, judge him, and accept that he told the truth. She opened her mouth and as she moved in with kisses of her own, she whispered, “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember.”

  Their lips were locked as she unzipped his coat and forced it over his shoulders. His mouth never left hers as he kicked off his boots and tore open her shirt, buttons flying everywhere. Her hands made their way to his shirt buttons and she managed to get two of them undone before he yanked it off over his head. They broke away from one another and he watched as she ran her fingertips over his shoulders and down his arms, taking him in with those astounding eyes. She took both of his hands and pulled him into the living room, forcefully pushing him back onto her couch. She shrugged off the remains of her blouse, and stood before him—a vision in only a black see-through bra, short skirt, and high heels.

  As she climbed onto his lap, he hungrily yanked her mouth to his. Their fevered kiss grew in intensity, and he growled as she tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth. He fisted her hair, and tilted her head back for better access to the creamy white flesh of her neck. The tiny sounds that she made as she squirmed on his lap nearly took him over the edge. Unable to resist a moment more, he ripped open the fly of his jeans. He raised himself up and Nicole tugged at his pants, seeming as eager to free him as he was to be unleashed.