by K E Osborn
He exhales seeming to relax a little more. “And that’s why I adore you. You put everything into perspective.” He kisses me softly as he pulls my hands to his. “He is an arrogant ass, isn’t he?” he states, making me smile.
The music is turned up louder as Sarah and the girls transform the deck into a dance floor. More teens and twenty-somethings turn up as do the guys from work. One by one I introduce them to Aiden. The guys from the repair shop, including Bob—who he’s already met—and finishing with Tim. I was a little anxious to see how this would pan out. I’ve seen Aiden’s jealous side when he had his little squabble with Chris. It’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to my banter with Tim.
“Hey, Timmy,” I chime as he walks up to greet me.
He smiles brightly. “Hey, Jeni.” He blows me a kiss as he eyes Aiden.
“Tim, this is Aiden, my boyfriend. Aiden meet Tim.”
Aiden narrows his eyes as he reluctantly places out his hand.
Tim looks at Aiden’s hand. “Boyfriend, huh?” Tim asks, then abruptly walks off, ignoring Aiden completely.
I jerk my head back in shock as I watch Tim walk away without saying another word. “I’ve never known Tim to be rude. He’s always so happy and playful.” I look at Bob feeling confused as I raise my eyebrow.
Aiden curls up his lip, leaning into me. “I don’t think he’s happy about us. But more importantly, I’m not okay with him flirting with what’s mine,” Aiden grunts quietly.
“Tim has always thought you had a thing for him,” Bob offers an explanation.
My eyes widen as Bob’s announcement is a revelation to me. A really sobering, awkward, and unpleasant revelation to me. “Really? Tim? God, no! He’s like an annoying little brother who persistently irritates me,” I admit, feeling like every action, every conversation we’ve had has led to this. Maybe letting him blow me kisses in the lunchroom wasn’t playful banter after all?
I led him on without even realizing.
Oh, God—I did this!
“He talks about you a lot in the shop. I think his ego might be bruised today,” Bob states as Aiden wraps his arm around me, staking his claim.
“Okay…. I honestly had no idea. I don’t understand... I didn’t mean for this…” I glance at Aiden with regret.
“I understand perfectly. You underestimate your appeal, Jeni,” Aiden replies, kissing my forehead.
Bob weakly smiles at me while gently gripping my arm. “Tim will be fine. He’s a big boy. Don’t stress about it.”
I nod, even though I feel like an idiot for not reading the signs.
Chris and Sarah make their way back to us after dancing up a storm on the makeshift dance floor. After the tension, I could do with simply sitting and relaxing. So, we all move to sit at the rectangular table.
“C’mon, guys, let’s get this grill started,” John calls out. Aiden, Chris, and the guys from work all stand—it’s a good excuse to drink beer and talk guy shit.
Aiden kisses me hard showing not only Tim but all the guys that I belong to him. I grab his hand as it brushes my shoulder. “Love you,” I tell him.
“Love you, too,” Aiden replies, knowing he belongs to me as much as I belong to him.
Sarah turns to me with her arms crossed over her chest with a great big dirty smirk on her face.
“The ‘L’ word, already?”
I smile at her, feeling content. “Yeah, he told me on Wednesday.”
She turns her full attention to me. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“You were at Chris’ place at the time. I was freaking out because I have these bottled-up emotions, which I thought were way too early to feel, but apparently he’s feeling the same way.”
She gnaws down on her bottom lip in excitement. “You look happy. I haven’t seen you this happy for a very long time. I’m so excited for you.” She leans in holding my hands.
“He makes me undeniably happy.” I can’t hold back my smile as my eyes wander over to him standing by the barbecue with the other men looking deliciously gorgeous.
I take a sip of my wine as Chris’ sisters come rushing for Sarah again. She grimaces, and I giggle. “They’re not that bad, are they?”
“No, but they have high-energy levels.” Sarah takes a deep breath, exhales slowly, and gulps down the rest of her wine.
“Just be careful of too much wine. You know what happens when you have a lot,” I tell her in a motherly way.
“Wine is my friend at times like these.”
“It’s also your worst enemy… just be cautious.”
“Yes, Mom,” she mocks as she stands to greet the sisters.
“C’mon, Sarah, there’s more dancing to be done,” Jade declares.
Sarah looks back at me, pulling a strained face as she’s dragged off to the dance floor. I chuckle while watching it all unfold, and then suddenly, just like that, I’m sitting at the table alone. At least I have a good view of Aiden while he and Chris stand together talking—probably about cars, knowing the two of them. I lean back in my chair and take another sip of my wine. The sun shines on my pale skin as I soak in some much-needed Vitamin D.
Suddenly, I realize I’m at a party, sitting on my own as usual, but this time I’m not single. For the first time in years, I know I’m completely off the market. Closing my eyes, I relax as I tilt my head back basking in the sun in utter contentment.
“Hey, Jeni.” My eyes flick open to see Tim approaching. I can’t help it as my muscles tense.
“Oh… hi, Tim. Having a good time?” I ask nonchalantly.
He sits next to me, maybe a little closer than absolutely necessary. “Can I be perfectly honest with you?”
Maybe if you were, we wouldn’t be in this weird place now, but sure why not.
Looking at him directly, I keep my inner thoughts to myself. “Sure, Tim. Fire away.”
He steadies his shoulders, looking nervous. “Here goes… I’ve always liked you. I mean, I do like you.”
My stomach falls to the ground as I furrow my brows, not knowing how to play this. “Friends are supposed to like each other, Tim,” I casually reply, wondering where this is heading, but knowing full well I’m not going to like the direction this is leading.
“No, I mean really like you. And I’m sure you like me that way as well.”
His confession rattles me to my very core. My stomach rolls as nervous, swirling waves overcome my body. “Oh… shit! Tim… I’m sorry if I led you to believe that I liked you in that way. I’m flattered, I really am. But… you know I have a boyfriend. I’ve always seen you as more of a brother to me. I’m so sorry, Tim.”
His eyes fall to the ground, scrunching like he’s in pain. “But you always catch my kiss. I don’t understand. Wasn’t that your way of showing me you felt the same?”
My body slumps. I’m reluctant to hurt him, and I feel bad that I probably will. “Tim, no. That wasn’t me flirting with you. I was playing along because it entertained you guys, and was just workplace banter, not because I secretly had feelings for you… which I don’t... I’m really sorry, Tim.”
He huffs loudly. While we sit in awkward silence, I avoid eye contact with him. Honestly, I want him to leave, but he stays next to me as if he wants to say something more, but he hesitates.
I feel so freaking bad for him.
He basically confessed his love for me, and I shot him down in flames. Tim must be feeling it, and that makes me feel like fucking shit. The tension in the air is through the roof, so I decide to break the awkward silence. “Tim.”
“Yes, Jeni?” He looks up at me with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“I don’t think we should mention this conversation to anyone.” I try to spare his feelings about being rejected.
He shakes his head slightly. “Are you sure you don’t feel the same way?” he asks as his hand brushes the side of my cheek.
I pull away dramatically, dropping my wine glass. It smashes as it hits the ground, and the noise makes me jump. �
�I’m sure,” I reply. Really uncomfortable with him touching me like that, especially with my boyfriend across the yard.
Tim watches me intently as I start to clean up the broken glass. Aiden walks over, and I smile, hoping he didn’t overhear or see any of the conversation. I sit back in my chair and exhale, looking up at the sky wishing the past five minutes would disappear from history.
Aiden peers at me with love in his eyes as he assesses the situation. “Enjoying the sun?” he asks as he sits next to me while keeping one eye on Tim.
“Mmm…” I murmur, feeling awkward that Tim’s still there and won’t fucking leave.
“I don’t want to tell you what to do, but maybe you should move into the shade. You’re starting to turn pink,” Aiden suggests, gently stroking my definitely burning arm.
I look down and wince. “Oh crap, yes,” I blurt out.
Aiden takes my hand, and I stand. Flicking a single glance at Tim, Aiden walks me to the other side of the table where the porch shadows it. To be honest, I’m glad Aiden came over when he did. The awkwardness between Tim and me was becoming unbearable. I look back at Tim, who stands and steps over to the grill seemingly annoyed that our moment was cut short by Aiden.
Things at work are going to be so damn uncomfortable now.
“Why aren’t you at the grill with the guys?” I ask Aiden.
“I saw you were with Tim, and things seemed a little, well… strained between you two.”
I laugh nervously while Aiden studies me intensely. “You have no idea.”
He looks over at Tim standing with his arms crossed, watching us. “What was he saying to you?” Aiden asks curiously.
“It doesn’t even matter. It was a conversation I’d rather not have had.” I let out a sigh.
He tilts his head, his eyes narrowing. “Was he hitting on you?” Now Aiden’s annoyed.
“Aiden, it’s fine. Leave it. Please. I’ve set him straight.”
“So, he was hitting on you?”
I take Aiden’s hand in mine. “Please, leave it. He knows how I feel. He’s harmless. No need to worry.”
“If he touches or makes one advance toward you, I swear I will—”
“Aiden! That’s enough. Let’s enjoy the party. I’m with you, remember?”
Leaning in, I kiss him gently on the lips as he relaxes at my touch while Tim huffs walking past us and into the house.
The rest of the party goes on without a hitch. The food’s good, the music is great, and the atmosphere is fun, an all-around enjoyable party, except for the Tim incident. The guests slowly start to leave as the day turns into evening, and only a few of us are left sitting around. Aiden and Chris are inside playing pool with Bob and John, while the sisters, Mel, Sarah, and I are out back nibbling on cheese and crackers and sipping our bottomless wine glasses.
“Great party, Mrs. Starke,” Sarah announces.
“Thanks, Sarah, and please call me Mel.”
The girls chatter among themselves until Skye speaks up, “Jeni, has Aiden got any younger brothers?”
I smirk. “Yes, he has one, but I don’t think he’s… available.”
She tilts her head. “Oh, he has a girlfriend?”
I suppress a laugh. “Not quite… he’s gay.”
They pout their bottom lips out as Mel, Sarah, and I begin to laugh.
“Sorry, girls.” I take another sip of my wine as we all listen to the guys trash-talking each other in the entertainment room.
“Aw, you bastard, I can’t believe you got that in,” John grunts at Chris, making us laugh.
I think all the wine we’ve consumed is making us giggle like schoolgirls.
“More wine, girls?” Mel asks, standing and stumbling across to the outside refrigerator. We laugh as Sarah, who’s giggling uncontrollably, snorts. She puts her hand up to her mouth as we all pause, then crack into hysterics.
The men stride out and sit with us at the table. Mel dallies back over with another bottle of wine. Luckily, it’s a screw cap, so it is easy to open as she proceeds to pour the girls another half glass of wine each.
Aiden asks as he sits down next to me, leaning in next to my ear, “Miss Taylor, are you drunk?”
I laugh and hiccup at the same time as some sort of retort comes to mind which I think is hilarious, but I go with it anyway.
He chuckles as Sarah snorts again, causing us to laugh maniacally. “You girls are all wasted, aren’t you?” Chris states the question with a beaming smile on his face.
“No, we’re not. We are just getting started,” Mel states.
“Dad, control your wife,” Chris jokes to John.
“Ha! Like I could ever control her.” John chuckles.
“Damn straight,” Mel boasts, and she takes another sip of her wine, spilling some on her top. The girls laugh uncontrollably causing another hiccup and a snort. The guys chuckle while shaking their heads as “You’re The One That I Want” from Grease clicks over on the jukebox. The sisters raise their hands in the air and squeal as they start to sing loudly in unison. Everyone laughs when they sing out of tune. I sit back in my chair and try to calm myself from my laughing fit and continue to hiccup.
Aiden looks at me with so much warmth emanating from him. He leans in, then softly kisses my lips.
“Aww, so cute,” Mel chimes as the girls continue their version of the song.
Suddenly, my stomach gurgles, my head spins as nausea rolls through my body. Aiden takes my hand under the table sensing something, then he leans in beside me. “Do you need some water?” Aiden whispers in my ear.
I look at him through my spinning vision and nod.
Hiccup.
Aiden heads over to the refrigerator and retrieves a cold bottle of water. “Are you okay?” he whispers.
I smile as an answer, then take a sip of my water. Sarah starts laughing at the girls singing, then lets out another snort. It instantly makes me laugh, causing me to spit water out all over the place. “Oh, fuck. Sorry,” I murmur as everyone chuckles at my expense.
Aiden takes my hand under the table again. “Drink the water, baby.” He gestures to me quietly with eyes that are filled with worry, so I do as he says and drink the water, the effects of the alcohol washing over me more and more as I lean into Aiden. “Can we go?” I ask quietly.
“Of course, I’ll message Mike.” He pulls out his phone as my head begins to spin wildly.
This came on quickly. I take in long, staggered breaths as Sarah assesses me. She’s seen this face before. She whispers something to Chris, then he looks at me and chuckles. “Mom… Aiden, Jeni, Sarah, and I have another party we need to get to,” he lies while looking at Aiden who nods in agreement. “Happy birthday, Skye. Love you.” Chris takes Sarah’s hand in his, hugging Mel with his other arm.
“Nice to meet you guys,” Sarah adds quickly.
“Bye,” I mumble.
Aiden pulls me from my seat, placing his arm around me and helping to steady me. We walk to the front of the house and stand on the curb waiting for Mike.
“Are you okay?” Sarah asks.
I nod, which makes my head spin uncontrollably as I stumble slightly on my feet, but Aiden catches and holds me to him. “You drank way too much. Mixed with the sunburn, it’s a wonder you’re still conscious. You’re dehydrated,” Aiden warns, his voice seemingly distant as my eyes flutter open and closed.
Yeah, I’m definitely drunk.
And it’s not that nice happy drunk either.
It’s more the ‘I’m going to puke, then pass out’ kind of drunk.
Mike pulls up to the curb, then Chris opens the rear passenger door for Aiden who’s holding me tightly. Somehow, he manages to put my stumbling body in the back of the car as I fade in and out of consciousness.
“See you guys tomorrow… maybe,” Aiden implies.
“Is Jeni okay?” Mike asks, full of concern.
“I don’t know,” Aiden murmurs.
My stomach churns, my head swirls, then I complet
ely fade out.
Vaguely, I remember some of the journey home with my head on Aiden’s lap as he gently plays with my hair. I feel weightless as Aiden carries me to his bed. My head flops around as I slowly come to. My head’s spinning, and my stomach’s swirling uncontrollably. Aiden lays me on the bed, sitting next to me as my eyes flutter open.
“Jeni, talk to me.”
“I love you,” I mumble, which makes him chuckle.
“And I love you.”
“I think…” I manage to murmur.
He raises his brow, waiting for me to finish my sentence.
“I think I’m gonna be sick,” I blurt out as my stomach lurches, and I hold back the bile in my throat.
Aiden lifts me in his arms and rushes me to the bathroom, gently placing me on the floor. My arms grab the edges of the seat as I move my head over the bowl. Squatting next to me, he rubs my back as the nausea worsens, then with the little warning, my stomach starts to wretch. He holds my hair back as the alcohol escapes my body.
I have no energy as I sag, completely wiped out from today’s events. Aiden dabs my mouth as I daze out. I slowly wake as he carries me to the bed, and I feel him undressing me, but I can’t move to help him as I fade in and out.
I taste the water as I drink it even though my eyes don’t open.
Then blackness hits.
“Jeni. Jeni, wake up.” I hear as I slowly open my eyes to the morning sun. I feel surprisingly okay with only a slight, bearable headache. Aiden softly runs his knuckles down my cheek as I open my eyes fully.
“Good morning, beautiful.” His usual morning greeting chimes through the air as I rub my eyes. “How are you feeling?”