A Reason to Stay

by Melissa Ellen

  I closed the door sliding down the back of it. My legs unable to hold me up. This man was going to be my undoing. The wall around my heart was being demolished and Rhett Blackwood was holding the sledgehammer.

  I walked through the kitchen at Christopher’s headed towards the office. I glanced over at Mike, who was busy prepping a plate. He looked up at me as I gave him a knowing grin. He flushed with embarrassment, giving me a quick smile before looking back down at the plate.

  As I was checking my schedule for the week, Stephen walked into the office, picking me up in a big bear hug. I giggled with excitement, hugging him back. “I missed you,” I gave him a peck on the cheek.

  “Missed you too, pumpkin,” he put me down with a grin.

  “How was your Thanksgiving?”

  “It was great, other than Mike moping around like a lovesick teenage boy.”

  I grinned at the thought of Mike being just as affected by Lizzie as she was by him.

  “What do you think about him and Lizzie?”

  “I think it’s about damn time he finally grew a pair and made her his. I was getting tired of all his mood swings every time he saw her with someone else.”

  “You knew he liked her all this time?”

  “Of course, I knew. He’s my brother, Ava. How could you not know, it was all over his face, since the first time they met. ”

  “I can’t believe you never said anything to me!”

  “It was none of our business,” he playfully pinched my side. I giggled, slapping his hand away.

  “I just can’t believe I never saw it….I mean I noticed a few times things were weird with them. I never realized that was why.”

  He shrugged his shoulders and changed the subject. “So what’s going on with you and this Blackwood guy? Thanks for ditching me at the club, by the way.”

  “First of all, I’m pretty sure you were already tangled up in a leggy red-head well before I so-called ‘ditched’ you.” He grinned at me unashamed. “As far as me and Rhett….I don’t really know. I guess it’s just a bit of fun before I graduate.”

  He looked at me with a frown. His eyes filled with concern. “Ava, you’re not the type of girl to just have ‘fun’ with a guy.” He searched my eyes, trying to find the truth.

  “I can have fun with a guy!” I shrieked. He didn’t look convinced.

  “Just promise me you’ll be careful. I know his type, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  “And what type is that?” I asked defensively. I don’t know why his words had me on edge, feeling protective.

  “He’s a womanizer, Ava. He’s the kind of guy that is used to taking what he wants, then throwing it aside when he gets bored.”

  “You don’t know him.”

  “Neither do you. I may not know him personally, but I know what he’s capable of,” he growled at me.

  I looked away, trying to calm my own anger. Why was I getting so worked up? I didn’t need another fight with Stephen. It seemed that was all we were doing these days. I knew Stephen was just looking out for me. If I’m honest, I’ve had the same thoughts about Rhett which is probably what angered me the most. Hearing them from Stephen, was just confirmation of my own fears.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m getting defensive. I just…I don’t want to fight with you. Let’s change the subject. Your concern is noted. I promise you. I’ll be careful… you’re wrong about one thing, though,” I paused, letting my apology sink in.

  “Oh, yeah and what’s that, pumpkin?” he asked in a much calmer voice.

  “I do know how to just have fun with a guy,” I winked at him, trying to turn the conversation back to our normal light hearted banter.

  He gave me a semblance of a smile, “I’m going to have to take your word for it.”

  The rest of the shift seemed to go by with little drama or excitement, and I was thankful for it. Stephen and I were back to normal - our small fight in the office seemed forgotten by him. I still couldn’t help feeling that there may be some truth in his words. I didn’t really know Rhett. I did know he had the capability of breaking my heart. I needed to be more guarded, but he made that nearly impossible. He could throw me off easily with just his presence. My body responded to him naturally and my brain continually lost all sensibility.

  “You ladies coming to our place for the party afterwards?” Stephen asked. Amber and I had been talking, while closing out the checks for our final tables when Stephen walked up to join us.

  “I’m in!” Amber piped up, barely containing her excitement. Stephen gave her a wink while nudging my shoulder for an answer.

  “I can’t,” I said regretfully. I didn’t want to bring up that I’d made plans with Rhett. Stephen gave me his signature pouty lip. I laughed, pushing him away. “Stop! That’s not going to work.”

  “Lizzie’s coming.”

  “I figured, as much.” I also figured I wouldn’t be seeing her until tomorrow. She would want to be with Mike every minute she could. It seemed so weird from her usual casual relationships with men.

  “Fine, but then you and I are hanging out tomorrow,” he smiled, walking backwards towards the kitchen. I couldn’t believe he was letting me out of this so easy. I guess we were both working to keep the peace.

  “Works for me. I’ll text you tomorrow.”

  I finished closing out my checks and headed to the office. Feeling the vibration of my phone in my apron, I pulled it out to look at the incoming text.

  R: Forgive me. Something came up. Call you later.

  I couldn’t help feeling disappointed and slightly panicked. Was he bored with me already? Stop! I chided myself. I needed to get out of my head and going home to an empty apartment was not going to help with that.

  I walked in the office, finding Stephen and Hank.

  “Hey, does the invitation still stand for tonight?” I asked, hopefully.

  “It’s always a standing invite, pumpkin.” Stephen put a wad of cash in his pocket.

  “Okay, then I’m in! Just let me finish up here. Then I’ll be over.”

  “Sounds good. I’m headed out to ice down the drinks. See you in a bit.” He smirked, leaving Hank and me to finish.

  I decided to run home first to change out of my work clothes before going to Stephen and Mike’s. As I was walking out the door, my phone chimed with a text. Pulling it out of my purse, I hoped to see a text from Rhett.

  L: Where are you? Stephen said you were coming over.

  A: On my way, now.

  I dropped my phone back in my purse, deciding I wasn’t going to let thoughts of Rhett ruin a night with my friends. If I was going to tell myself that I was only having fun with Rhett, then I couldn’t be worrying about whether he called. Or who he might be with.

  Cars lined the street out in front of Stephen and Mike’s house. The house was lively with music and people roaming about. It was a typical bachelor pad with minimal furnishings that revolved around a ping pong table in the main living area and a pool table in what should be the formal dining room.

  I made my way through the sea of drunken college students, searching for my friends. I quickly spotted Stephen, leaning against the wall near the fireplace with a scantly cladded Deanna pressed up against him. I guess that hasn’t run its course, yet. I waved at Stephen, catching his eye. He gave me his smile only reserved for me, causing Deanna to turn and look my direction. I gave her an insincere smile and a fake wave of my fingers before turning to look for the others.

  I found Lizzie, Mike and Amber in the kitchen, drinking and joking around the island.

  “Ava!” Lizzie screamed, running to throw her arms around me.

  It was obvious she was half-way to a drunken state. I let her infectious giddiness take over as I laughed, hugging her back. Mike joined her side, putting his arm around her waist while leaning forward to give me a kiss on the cheek.

  “Glad you made it.” He smiled, looking down at Lizzie. She leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. “I
could use some help keeping an eye on this one,” he nodded his head towards her.

  “Hey!” she exclaimed, nudging him with her elbow. “I don’t need a baby-sitter. I’m fine!”

  “I know you are,” he kissed the top of her head. “It’s more for me than you.”

  She rolled her eyes at him while smiling and basking in all his affection. “Come on,” she grabbed my hand, pulling me with her. “We need to have girl talk.” I looked back at Mike, giving him a smile to reassure him I would keep an eye on her. We pushed our way through the crowd up the stairs to Mike’s bedroom.

  Lizzie pulled me into the room, shutting the door behind us. “Sit,” she demanded, pointing to the bed. “Spill it. What happened with Rhett when I left?”

  I should have known this was coming. “Nothing much. He apologized for not calling and explained why. I felt like a complete jerk by the time he was done.”

  “Well….what was his excuse?”

  “He fell asleep watching a movie with his little sister.”

  “Oh…well that’s boring, and now I feel like the asshole for the way I was this morning.”

  “Sorry, it wasn’t a seedier story for you,” I laughed, “And that makes two of us. If it makes you feel any better, he insisted I see him tonight and then cancelled on me.”

  “That helps a little, but not much….oh, well. His loss. My gain. Let’s get drunk.”

  “I think you’re already there,” I gave her a disapproving look.

  “I’m fine! What is it with you and Mike?” she pulled me off the bed.

  We went back down to the party to make our drinks before finding Amber and Mike. I scanned the rooms for Stephen, with no luck. He likely disappeared somewhere more private with Deanna. The four of us snuck outside to the backyard, where they had a fire pit going and people already surrounding it. We found a spot at the edge, taking a seat as we relaxed, drinking the night away. Stephen eventually found and joined us, absent Deanna to my relief.

  As the night went on, my mind and body became more numb as the alcohol flowed through it. I was close to empty on my beverage and desperately needed the bathroom. I looked at Lizzie with Mike’s arms locked around her, deciding not to interrupt. Amber and Stephen were deep in conversation with full drinks.

  “I’ll be back,” I stood, shaking my empty cup at them, none of them really acknowledging me. Oh well.

  I headed for the bathroom first, not wanting to have to balance a full drink through the mass of people. I stumbled my way up the now crowded stairs to use the guest bathroom, praying there was no line.

  Just as I was about to make it to the top step and break free of all the bodies, my path was blocked. “Are you lost?”

  I looked up at the guy blocking my path, asking me the stupid question. He was your typical cocky college guy who thought he was God’s gift to women, but instead came off more slimy than charming.

  “No, I’m fine,” I sneered impatiently, trying to squeeze past him. He moved to the side, blocking my attempt.

  “What’s the hurry, baby? Let me get you a drink.”

  “I’m good. Excuse me, please.”

  “Your cup is empty,” he slid his hand towards me, skimming it down my arm. I jerked my arm away, trying to figure out how I was going to get past the asshole. Every instinct I had said to turn around and flee, but I needed to get past him. Damn my small bladder.

  I felt my phone vibrating in my purse. I pulled it out waving it at the slime ball’s face. “Excuse me, I need to take this,” I used all my strength to push between him and the stair railing while pushing the button to answer. He pressed me into the railing, trapping me with his body. I kneed him in the crotch, racing up the last step and down the hall as he groaned in pain.

  “Teasing bitch,” he yelled in an intimidating voice behind me.

  I was furious and frightened all at the same time, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Who the hell does he think he is? In my frazzled state, I’d forgotten I had a phone call. “Shit. Hello?” I answered in a shaky voice, putting the phone to my ear.

  “Ava?” I could barely hear Rhett on the other end. The music was blaring. The crowd of people adding to the deafening noise.

  “Hold on a second.”

  I pushed my way down the hall towards Stephen’s room to help drown out the noise. I burst through his bedroom door, switching on the light, quickly closing and locking the door behind me. I was still a little shaken up and afraid the slime ball would follow me. I was trying to steady my breathing when I heard Rhett shouting through the phone.

  “Ava!”

  “I’m here! Sorry!”

  “Where the hell are you? It’s fucking two in the morning. And who the fuck was that guy?” he growled at me. Is it really two? Wow. The night has flown.

  “That was nobody. Just some jerk.”

  “Where are you? I’m coming to get you.” I could hear the anger seething through his voice and after dealing with one chauvinistic jerk, I was in no mood to put up with another. Plus, I still had to pee and this conversation was just delaying me further.

  “I’m fine.”

  “No you aren’t. I can tell you’re drunk. Where are you?”

  “I’m at a friend’s and you’re not coming to get me,” I said defiantly, my words slurring together.

  “Which one?”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Too late for that. Which one?” he asked again, trying to control the anger in his voice.

  I ignored his question, lying down on Stephen’s bed, looking up at the ceiling. The room started to spin. Oh shit, I’m going to be sick.

  “Ava? Answer me damn it!” Rhett yelled through the phone. He’s really angry. All the more reason not to tell him.

  “I have to go.”

  I was moments away from throwing up. I heard Rhett shouting through the phone as I clicked end. I rolled off the bed, stumbling into Stephen’s en-suite bathroom, flinging myself over the toilet.

  CHAPTER 9

  I lay on the cold tile floor of the bathroom after evacuating the contents of my stomach and finally relieving myself. My phone continually rung in the background. I ignored it. The coldness felt good on my skin, helping to sober me up some. I need to stop drinking. After what felt like hours, I peeled myself off the floor to splash some water on my face.

  I was doing my best to pull myself together and not look like a wreck when I heard Lizzie and Amber banging on the bedroom door.

  “Ava? Are you in there?” I could hear the worry in Lizzie’s voice.

  “One second!” I yelled back, but before I could make it to the door, it came crashing open, slamming into the wall.

  I jumped back shocked. Rhett stood in the doorway, looking furious and gorgeous. He was still wearing his suit from the morning sans jacket. His tie had been removed, the top buttons of his shirt undone, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. God, he was beautiful.

  As soon as he saw me, I watched the relief start to wash over him as the hard breathing in his masculine chest started to slow. He strode towards me, pulling me roughly against him, folding his arms around me in a protective embrace.

  I looked past him, seeing a shocked Amber and a speechless Lizzie standing in the doorway. Mike ran up behind them out of breath. “What the fuck?” he stared at his brother’s door frame in shock.

  Rhett ignored them all, his attention only on me. He slowly pulled my head up to look at him with his hands on each side of my face. “Are you okay?” he asked, softly. A drastic contrast to how he was on the phone.

  I nodded. “How did you find me?”

  He ignored me, turning to Lizzie, clasping my hand with his. “I’m taking her home.” The tone of his voice allowed for no argument.

  I still wanted to argue with him. Unfortunately, my body’s desire, after Rhett’s touch, had overpowered the logic of my brain. Lizzie nodded her understanding without a word to Rhett. I never thought I would see the day Lizzie was rendered speechless.

&n
bsp; Rhett tucked me into his side, guiding me out of the room. As we passed Mike, he apologized for the damage to the door and frame. “I’ll cover the cost of repair, just let Ava know how much.”

  “No worries,” Mike nodded, pulling Lizzie to him as if understanding Rhett’s madness for breaking down the door.

  As we descended the stairs, people moved to the side letting us pass easily. Where was he, when I needed to pee? I watched every girls’ head turn in appreciation as Rhett made his way into their view. I instinctively held his hand tighter, possessiveness taking over me. We were steps from the front door when I felt a hand tug at my arm.

  “Ava.” Stephen was standing there, looking worried.

  Stopping in my tracks, I halted Rhett’s determined pursuit for the front door. He looked back at me confused before immediately spotting Stephen’s hand on my arm. I felt his body tense, his hand tightening on mine.

  I smiled at Stephen reassuringly. “I’m fine. I’ll call you tomorrow. Promise.”

  He dropped his hand from my arm, giving me a weak smile. “Be safe, pumpkin.” Stephen’s use of my pet name, only seemed to irritate Rhett further.

  I rubbed circles with my thumb over the top of Rhett’s hand that was locked with mine, trying to calm him before there was a brawl between the two men.

  “Always,” I replied while trying to pull Rhett’s strong body forward, with little success. The two men stared each other down as if sizing up the other. It was awkward and unnecessary. I had never seen Stephen so protective. Of course, he never really had to be with my lack of interest in dating. I tugged once more on Rhett. He finally budged, walking out the door with me in tow.

  Rhett had left his car abandoned in the middle of the street in front of the house. He opened the passenger side door, placing me into his car. I sat there like a petulant child forced to leave a birthday party early. He got into the car, looking over at me with his potent stare.