Choices: A Sweet Romance. (New Beginnings Book 1)

by Michelle MacQueen

  Michaela wasn’t surprised that her father had been so heartless. If she had to choose between her parents and her brother, Chris would win every time.

  Michaela woke the next morning to the sounds of someone trying to break in. She grabbed a knife from the kitchen, but then put it down when she heard a voice on the other side of the door.

  “Dammit,” Chris slurred and then Michaela heard the sound of his keys hitting the floor. She ran to the door and unlatched it.

  “Oh Chris,” she said as soon as she saw him fumbling to pick up his keys and trying not to fall over. She reached down and swiped the keys before wedging her shoulder up underneath his arm. “Come on.” She heaved, and he started moving. Halfway to his room, Chris stumbled, sending Michaela slamming into the kitchen island counter as they passed it. She let out a sharp cry as pain throbbed from the impact and then righted herself.

  Michaela got her brother into bed and then brought him a glass of water.

  “I have to get ready for work,” she said, covering him with a blanket.

  “Work,” he grumbled.

  “I’ll take care of it,” she promised. Chris nodded once and then closed his eyes. With one more look at her brother, Michaela left the room and immediately started dialing her phone.

  “Hello,” Katie answered.

  “Hey, Katie, it’s Michaela.” She entered her room, shedding her pajamas as she walked.

  “Yeah, I know. Caller ID.”

  “Right, sorry. I’m not thinking clearly this morning.” Michaela pulled on a skirt and button down shirt. “Look, I need a favor.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I need you to tell Mr. Howarth that Chris called out sick earlier this morning.”

  “Sure thing, is he okay?”

  “He will be,” Michaela sighed as she tried to tame her hair. “I know he has a few meetings today, but I’ll reschedule those when I get in. I’m on my way now.”

  “Okay, see you in a few,” Katie said. Michaela hung up and then called Jason.

  “What?” he mumbled, still half asleep when he picked up.

  “Jason, hey,” Michaela said.

  “Hey.” He was a little more awake that time.

  “Wake up,” Michaela said impatiently.

  “I’m awake.”

  “Good, I need you to do something for me.”

  “Yeah?”

  “In a few hours, can you go check on Chris? I’m running late this morning and leaving soon. He’s passed out, but I had to get to work.”

  “I’ll be there. Can I go back to sleep now?” He hung up, and Michaela smiled for the first time that morning. Jason was not a morning person.

  “Hey, man,” Jason said, closing the door behind him.

  “Go away, Jason,” Chris responded.

  “No. Your sister told me to check on you, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

  “Look.” Chris lifted his head off the couch and grimaced. “I’m fine. You saw me. Now you can leave and tell my sister I don’t need a babysitter.”

  Jason moved around the couch and stared down at his friend until he sat up, making room. Sitting beside him, he sighed and closed his eyes for a second before speaking.

  “I won’t say that I know what you’re going through...”

  “Good.”

  “... but I do know what it’s like to feel like your parents have abandoned you.”

  “I doubt that,” Chris said. “Look at you. You’re like the all-American perfect son that parents dream about.”

  Jason sighed and pushed down the little bit of anger he felt coming on. “Chris, how long have we known each other?”

  “Since I moved to the city, so like two years.”

  “And how many times have I ever mentioned my parents? Have I ever gone to see them or have they come here? Where they live? What they do?”

  “We don’t talk about family stuff.” Chris looked away suddenly feeling ashamed that he didn’t know the answer to any of those questions.

  “That’s shit. I knew all about Michaela before she got here. I’d been hearing about her for years.”

  “I’m sorry, man. I don’t know what to say.”

  “I’m not trying to make you feel bad,” Jason said. “I’m only trying to make you see that I get it. You don’t know anything about my family because I don’t talk about them. My parents died when I was nine. Car accident. Maggie and her parents were my only living relatives, but they couldn’t afford another mouth to feed. By the time I was eighteen, I’d been in four different foster homes before I was finally kicked out. My girlfriend Briahna’s family took me in as one of their own. But in a few short years that was gone as well. The alone thing sucks, I know. But, the difference is, you aren’t alone and I’m not anymore either.”

  Chris stared at Jason long and hard before sucking in a sharp breath and letting a soft chuckle rumble through his chest. “Alright, let’s stop acting like girls.”

  “You’re right. We need to shoot things. Halo?” Jason asked, grinning. Chris nodded his head in response.

  Work was pretty slow. After the bustle of Legal Services, the office felt like a graveyard. There were plenty of people in and out all day, but they didn’t talk much until they were behind the closed doors of the offices. Michaela thought it made the hallways feel desolate.

  Mr. Bryan, one of the name partners, seemed to always be around. He made a point of stopping every time he passed the front desk. He’d stare straight at Michaela and smile. He wasn’t bad looking: he was maybe forty, with jet black hair that was silver near his temples. The changing hair color didn’t make him look old, it made him seem more dignified. His smile was nice too. No, it wasn’t his looks that made Michaela uncomfortable. It was the way he’d look her up and down slowly. It was also the fact that he was her boss.

  “Don’t mind him,” Katie said when she notices Michaela squirming. “He’s harmless.”

  “I just feel like he wants to take me into his office and you know...”

  Katie laughed. “He probably does. But he won’t say or do anything about it. If he does, tell someone and it’ll be taken care of. This place may be boring as hell, but it’s a good job. But… he’s hot, right?” Something in the way her eyes shined mischievously told Michaela everything she needed to know about her new friend.

  “You haven’t...” she gasped.

  “You’ve got to find some ways to make this place more fun.” Katie shrugged.

  “Sounds like you have.” They were both laughing when Mr. Bryan himself walked up.

  “You ladies are in good moods today,” he said cheerfully.

  “Only for you,” Katie said softly. Their boss’s smile widened.

  “When beautiful women like you say things like that, you’re likely to give a man a heart attack.” He placed his hands over his heart and then turned his attention to Michaela.

  “Are you settling in all right here?”

  “Yes, sir,” Michaela answered.

  “No need for that ‘sir’ business.” He laughed softly. Michaela only nodded. “Well, ladies, I must be getting back to work and it’s about time for you to be heading out. If you need anything at all, just let me know.” He winked at her before walking away.

  “Michaela,” Katie snapped her fingers in front of Michaela’s face. She hadn’t realized Katie had been saying her name. “What are you doing tonight?”

  “I don’t know,” she answered.

  “Want to grab a drink?”

  “Only if we stay in this part of town.” Michaela laughed. “I don’t think I want to go to any of the bars near your place.”

  “Deal.”

  “There’s a place called Jason’s that I like,” she said. “Meet you there around eight?”

  “See you there.”

  Michaela didn’t know what to expect when she got home. She thought Chris might still be asleep, but he wasn’t. She heard shouting even before she opened the door. Chris and Jason were sitting on the living r
oom floor with Xbox controllers in their hands. Neither of the boys took their eyes from the screen as she threw her bag on the counter and starting rummaging in the kitchen for something to eat.

  “Hey, Mic!” Jason called, still not looking at her.

  “Have you guys been playing that all day?”

  Neither responded.

  “Eat shit!” Chris yelled suddenly.

  “Dude.” Jason’s voice wasn’t angry, only surprised. “How’d you find me?”

  “I’m the master.” Chris grinned.

  “Well, master, I have to go. I have a bar to open tonight.” Jason stood and stretched.

  “Hey, Jason,” Chris began, “thanks, man.”

  “Any time, bro.” Jason entered the kitchen as Michaela was putting something in the microwave. “Hey.” He stood so close their shoulders were touching.

  “How is he?” She looked up at him.

  “It’ll take time.”

  “I know.” Her shoulders slumped, and she leaned against the counter.

  “Michaela.” Jason sighed as he wrapped her in a hug. She clung to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s all going to work out.”

  “What if it doesn’t?”

  “Then I’m here for you.” He kissed the top of her head and smoothed her hair down before releasing her. “Will I see you tonight?”

  She nodded. “I’m meeting at friend at the bar later.”

  “Until then.” He backed away and gave her one last smile before leaving.

  Katie waved Michaela over to where she’d already taken up residence at the bar.

  “You look great!” Katie said.

  “You too.” Michaela sat beside her. “What are you drinking tonight?” Katie already had a half empty glass in front of her.

  “Vodka cranberry. Want me to get you one?”

  Before Michaela could respond, a bartender appeared, whiskey sour in hand. “Thanks, Aaron,” she said.

  “Come here a lot?” Katie laughed.

  “My friend owns the place,” she said.

  “That Aaron guy is the owner?”

  “No, he’s the assistant manager. Jason owns the bar.”

  “Hence the name?”

  “Right.” Michaela looked around, trying to see if she could spot Chris. He left before her, and she assumed he’d end up at Jason’s. She couldn’t stop worrying about him. The look in his eyes yesterday was forever seared into her memory. After Jason left, Chris wouldn’t speak to her.

  The bar was already crowded, it being Friday night and all, and she couldn’t see him. What she did see was Jason behind the bar. The muscles in his arms strained as he lifted a keg to change it. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t look away. Aaron took the empty keg away as Jason started filling more drink orders. His movements were fast and smooth. He looked like he belonged there.

  “Who is that?” Katie asked. “Talk about gorgeous.” Katie narrowed her eyes like a predator stalking its prey. Michaela swallowed the irrational urge to punch her. Jason didn’t belong to Michaela. They were just friends. Michaela was surprised she could even think of him in any other terms when she still had Ethan on her mind. It hadn’t been that long ago that she thought she’d never be with any other man.

  Beside her, Katie licked her lips. Jason looked up and caught the two woman staring at him. He met Michaela’s eyes and smiled like she’d just made his night. They stayed locked in that gaze until a customer caught Jason’s attention and he started pouring drinks again.

  “That’s Jason,” Michaela finally explained.

  “Man, the things I’d like to do to him...” She laughed when Michaela tensed up beside her. “Relax Hun, that boy has it bad for you.”

  “We’re just friends,” Michaela found herself saying, suddenly defensive.

  “He’d like more. That look said it all.”

  “He’s been helping me through a rough time.” Michaela didn’t want to have to explain Ethan to someone she only met a few days ago. “That’s it.”

  “Whatever you say,” she paused. “But, if I were you, I’d get on that before someone else does.”

  Michaela didn’t say it, but she knew Katie was hoping that someone else was her.

  “Hey, Jason,” Michaela said when he made his way across the dance floor to their table.

  “Ladies,” he smiled.

  “Hello there,” Katie said. “I’m Katie. Aren’t you a dish?”

  “A pleasure to meet you.” He sat in the chair next to her with a flourish. Michaela hid a laugh behind her hand. Katie was practically drooling as she leered at Jason and he was having fun with it.

  “I assure you,” Katie began, “the pleasure will be mine.”

  Michaela choked on her drink and spilled it down the front of her shirt. Real smooth, she thought.

  “You alright?” Jason asked, hiding a laugh of his own.

  “I need another drink.”

  “Allow me.” Jason stood to leave, but Michaela grabbed his arm.

  “I’ll come with you.” She turned back to Katie. “Be back in a few.”

  When they were out of earshot, Jason leaned in to say, “Enjoying your new friend?”

  “God! She makes me need to drink,” Michaela answered.

  “I think she’s fun.”

  “Yeah, well, you would.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” He feigned offense.

  “Just get me my drink, bartender boy.” She shoved him behind the bar.

  “Is that all I am to you?” He laughed. “Someone to keep you plied with alcohol.”

  “Yes. Hurry up.”

  Jason came back around and handed Michaela her drink before swinging his arm around her and putting his lips to her ear.

  “Help me get her off my scent?” Jason asked, his breath warm against Michaela’s skin.

  “Probably won’t work.” Michaela’s voice shook as Jason pulled her closer.

  “Isn’t there some girl code?”

  “That’s a myth,” she said.

  “All we can do is try.” Jason led her back to where Katie was waiting, an impatient look on her face. He didn’t release Michaela right when they got to the table. Instead, his arm slid lower so that his hand was resting on her waist. Michaela couldn’t speak, she could barely even breathe, but their closeness seemed to have no effect on him.

  “Well, ladies,” he said. “I have to get back to work.” He leaned down and brushed his lips softly over Michaela’s cheek before releasing her and heading back towards the bar.

  “I thought you said you guys weren’t together,” Katie demanded.

  Michaela barely looked at her as she smiled and gave one small shrug.

  Chapter Seven

  The next couple weeks went much the same way. Michaela worked, and then she volunteered at Legal Services. She grew more comfortable with that part of town and that type of work. She’d have much rather been there than Howarth, Bryan, and Hodges. She grew close to Kimberly, the little girl who she met on her first day. Her grandmother was fighting to keep custody of her away from her father. He was an addict who was known to leave his child to go on benders. Kimberly’s mother died the year before.

  Katie was working on the case with one of the lawyers, and she said it was a tough one. There was no proof of abuse. They all knew her grandmother’s was the best place for her. That’s what Kimberly wanted. But it was far from a slam dunk.

  While her grandmother met with the lawyer, Kimberly would sit with Michaela at her desk and talk to her as she worked. Katie said that Legal Services existed for kids like her. It broke Michaela’s heart that she might have to go back and live with a father who didn’t truly care.

  In some ways, she could relate, though she never compared her situation. She knew she had as good a childhood as money could buy. But she also understood wanting a kind of love from her parents that they could never give. Kimberly’s dad would get a lot more from the government if he was a single father. Michaela’s parents w
anted to use their children as well. They even threw one of them away when they realized he wouldn’t advance their social status.

  Thinking about her parents brought the rest of their world to mind. Ethan. Why couldn’t she just forget about him? For so long, he’d been the one constant in her life, and she still loved him. Chris was no help. He was still drowning his misery in booze. Jason couldn’t help either. She didn’t think it was okay anymore to run to him when she was upset. Something felt different in their relationship, and it made her awkward and nervous around him. She hated it. Their friendship had been so easy for a little while.

  Her cell ringing snapped her out of her thoughts. She fished it out of her purse and grinned when she saw who was calling.

  “Josh,” she said into the phone.

  “Hey, Mic.” His voice was loud and excited. “I did it!”

  “What?!” she yelled. She knew what he meant, but needed him to say it.

  “I made the team. I’m starting the season in the NHL!”

  “Oh my God. Josh!” People in the office were staring so Michaela ran outside. She leaned against the building, trying to catch her breath. Her heart hammered in her chest.

  “I get to play our first game and guess where it is.” His words were stumbling out of his mouth in rapid succession. Before she could guess, Josh told her. “We’re playing in New York. The Rangers are our first game. My first NHL shift will be in Madison Square Garden.”

  “That’s amazing.” Michaela couldn’t think of what else to say. Her mind was in overdrive.

  “I want you to be there.”

  “Of course,” Michaela said. “I wouldn’t dream of missing it.”

  “How many tickets do you need?”

  “Three,” she found herself answering without even thinking about it. Of course Jason would come with her and Chris.

  “They’ll be at will call. I can’t wait to see you. I’ve got to go call Ethan.”