by E. L. Todd
“Sure.” My mom sat with perfect posture and looked like a queen.
“What are you in the mood for, baby?” my father asked.
“Anything. You have better taste than I do,” she said.
“That’s debatable…” He scanned the list then put it down. “Chardonnay it is.” His hand moved to her thigh.
Cayson rested his ankle on his knee and placed his hand on my thigh, acting normal.
My father turned his look on Cayson. “How’s school?”
“The same,” he responded. “But I’m just eager to be done at this point.”
“You’re almost there,” my mom said. “Don’t get senioritis.”
“I’ll try,” Cayson said with a laugh. “I have a few interviews coming up for medical school. I’m a little nervous.”
“Congratulations,” my father said with a nod. “I’m sure you’ll do well.”
He had interviews? He didn’t mention that to me. I decided to bring it up later.
Humble as always, Cayson didn’t say anything else.
My dad noticed his arms. “Your arms look like trees. Are you hitting the gym as often as you’re studying?” Amusement was in his voice.
“It’s the one thing Slade and I can do together that doesn’t get us in trouble,” he said with a smirk.
My mom laughed. “Slade is something else, but he has so much life in him—just like his father.”
“I like Slade too,” my dad said.
“You mean you love him,” my mom pressed.
“Obviously, baby.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m just glad Roland isn’t so extreme.”
“Why didn’t you invite Roland?” I asked.
“Of course we did,” my mom said immediately. “He said he had to study.”
“And he didn’t want to,” my dad started to use air quotes, “attend our lame tea party double date.”
I smirked. “That sounds like Roland.”
“Has he been staying out of trouble?” my father asked.
“Even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t tell you,” I said.
My dad nodded. “Sounds about right.”
The waitress came over and took our order. My dad ordered for both himself and my mom.
“What are you getting, baby?” Cayson asked.
“The French brie,” I said.
“Okay.” He took our menus and put them to the side. Then he ordered for both of us.
This was the first time I ever went out with my parents and my boyfriend at the same time. And it was really nice. My dad was calm and normal. He wasn’t watching Cayson’s every move. It was clear he loved Cayson, and not just because he had to. He genuinely loved him—especially for me. My mom felt the same way. It was something I never expected to happen.
“So, is my daughter driving you crazy yet?” my dad asked Cayson.
“No, surprisingly,” Cayson answered.
I hit his arm playfully. “I would never drive you crazy.”
“You drive my wallet crazy with how much you eat,” Cayson said.
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t eat that much.”
Cayson chuckled. “Sure, baby.”
My mom smiled while she watched us together. “How did this happen? How did you two get together?”
Cayson and I looked at each other, unsure who should tell the story.
Cayson took the lead. “Well…I’ve had a thing for Skye for a very long time.”
“You fooled us,” my mom said.
“Good,” Cayson said with a laugh. “That’s what I was going for. Anyway, I kept hoping something would happen between us, but it was pretty clear Skye didn’t feel the same way about me. So I moved on…”
Then I took over. “When I saw him with Jasmine at Thanksgiving it just hit me. I missed him and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Everyone kept telling me he was in love with me but I never listened…I should have. And, well, you guys influenced it too. I want what you guys have, and…Cayson is my best friend.”
My dad nodded his head in approval. “I’m glad it didn’t take you ten years like it did with your mother and I.”
“Me too,” I said with a smile.
Cayson gave me a playful look then rubbed his nose against mine.
The waiter returned with the dishes and wine. We immediately dug in. I was starving so I practically inhaled my food.
Cayson smirked while he watched me.
“What?” I said.
He used his napkin to wipe my chin. “I always know when you’re really hungry because you get food all over your face.”
“Whoops.” I shrugged and kept eating.
Cayson ate with perfect manners and acted like himself. “How’s work, Uncle Sean?”
“A big snooze fest,” my dad said. “Nothing worth mentioning.”
“I’m so excited to work there…” I said sarcastically.
My dad sipped his wine then smirked. “Well, I’ve been working there for twenty years. It gets old after a while. Plus, it keeps me away from your mother.”
“Don’t you get tired of her anyway?” I asked.
“Do you get tired of Cayson?” my dad countered.
No…definitely not.
My dad drank his wine again. “Your mom comes to work with me sometimes but I never get anything done that way…”
“TMI, Dad.” I cut into my food and kept eating.
“Your father tends to share too much sometimes.” My mom gave my dad a flirtatious smile.
“When you have a hot wife, it’s hard to resist her,” my dad said, wiping his lip with a napkin.
Cayson looked at me. “I hope you don’t distract me at work or I might kill someone.”
Did he mean if we were married? “Just make sure I’m fed and that won’t be a problem.”
My mom looked at me. “How’s Trinity?”
“She’s good,” I said. “She wants to go into fashion.”
“That’s what your uncle Mike was telling us.” She sipped her wine.
“I’m happy for her,” my dad said. “Life is too short to live someone else’s dream.”
“Did you work for the company right after college?” I asked.
“No. I worked for a stockbroker for a few years then I worked for a recycling company. Then I took over the company with Uncle Mike.”
“Did Uncle Mike do anything else first?” Cayson asked.
“He worked on Wall Street,” my dad answered.
My mom rolled her eyes. “The Preston boys are very accomplished.”
“So are the Siscos,” my dad countered, mentioning my mother’s maiden name, the one Uncle Ryan shared.
“Is Slade still intent on being a tattoo artist?” my mom asked.
Cayson nodded his head immediately. “I don’t think he’ll ever change his mind. He’s not very interested in school.”
My mom shrugged. “I told my brother to let his son make his own decisions but he didn’t take my advice.”
“He just wants to make sure Slade keeps his options open,” my dad said. “You can’t blame him for that.”
“Of course not,” my mom said. “How’s Clementine?” she asked Cayson.
“Good. We don’t talk much during the school year, but I think she’s good,” Cayson said. “She’s still a violinist with the New York Symphony as far as I know.”
“She’s very talented,” my dad said. “Every time I tried to get Roland to learn to play the violin, he kept trying to play it like a guitar.” He rolled his eyes.
I laughed, recalling the memory.
“Maybe our son is destined to be a rock star,” my mom said.
“He would give his grandmother a heart attack,” my dad said.
“But Grandpa would be on the tour bus,” Cayson said.
I laughed, thinking about Grandpa as a roadie. “I can see it.”
“So can I,” my mom said with a laugh.
I wiped my plate clean then pushed it away. “I’m stuffed.”
“It’s a miracle,�
� Cayson teased.
I hit his arm again. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“Baby, I’ll always make fun of you. Sorry.” He winked at me.
“Good,” my dad said. “I want her to have a man who treats her like a princess but keeps her down to earth at the same time.”
“Then I’m your man,” Cayson said.
“I can tell,” my dad said.
The waiter came over with the tab.
Cayson immediately grabbed it then slipped his credit card inside. “Dinner is on me.”
“I don’t think so, Cay.” My dad snatched it away then switched their cards.
My mom rolled her eyes. “Here we go…”
“Then at least let me pay for Skye’s dinner as well as mine,” Cayson said.
“No.” My dad handed the waiter the tab. “We’re done with this.”
“Of course, sir.” The waiter walked away.
Cayson sighed in defeat.
“I’m sure feeding my daughter is already enough of a financial burden,” my dad said with a smile.
“Why is everyone picking on me tonight?” I asked.
“You’re an easy target,” Cayson said. He turned back to my dad. “Well, thank you for dinner, Uncle Sean.”
“You’re very welcome, Cayson,” my dad said gracefully.
The waiter returned with the receipt then we headed back to my apartment. The drive home was spent in silence. Since I was full and warm, I was sleepy. I leaned my head on Cayson’s shoulder while he held my hand. Whenever I opened my eyes, I caught my dad glancing at us in the rearview mirror.
When we arrived at my apartment, my parents got out and hugged me.
“Until next time,” my mom said. She never said goodbye. She always made her departure as easy as possible. I’ve always clung to her since I could remember and it was hard to let her go.
“Okay, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too, honey.” She kissed my forehead before she pulled away.
My father hugged me hard. “I hate saying goodbye.”
“I do too.”
“I love you so much, pumpkin. I miss you every day.”
“I miss you too.”
He continued to hug me. “I could stand here all night…” He finally dropped his embrace. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I know, Dad.”
He hugged Cayson before he headed back to the car.
Cayson put his arm around my waist, and together, we watched my parents drive away.
When their taillights were gone, I felt sadness in my chest. “Do you feel sad when you say goodbye to your parents?”
He kissed my forehead. “I do.”
“Good…it’s not just me.”
“Of course not.”
“Cayson, can I ask you for a favor?”
“Anything, baby.”
“When we settle down…can we live in Connecticut?”
He dropped his arm and looked at me with emotion in his eyes. He said nothing for a long time, just staring at me. His blue eyes faded to gray slightly, and the depth of his eyes seemed to travel indefinitely. He cupped my face then brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Of course.”
26
Slade
If I didn’t refuse to hit girls, I’d slap the shit out of Trinity.
I spent an hour cleaning the library with the librarian watching me. There was dust everywhere and I had to empty the garbage cans. It wasn’t flattering work and I clenched my jaw the entire time. I couldn’t believe Trinity threw me under the bus like that. She got me good.
Cayson texted me as soon as I stepped out of the building. Roland is having everyone over for poker.
I could use some relaxation. When?
In an hour.
K. I’ll be there.
I went home and showered, getting the grime and garbage off my hands, before I changed and walked to Roland’s apartment a few blocks over. Normally, I would have driven since it was freezing cold but I planned on drinking. Driving wasn’t a good idea.
I walked inside without knocking and placed the six-pack on the counter. “Blue Moon—the good stuff.”
“Good.” Roland grabbed it and shoved the beers into the refrigerator.
A circular poker table was set in the center of the room along with chips and cards. I grabbed a beer then sat down.
Conrad sat across from me. “How’s the janitor life?” He had a smirk on his lips.
“Fuck you,” I snapped.
“Did you have to clean the toilets too?” Roland sat down then shuffled the cards.
“I’m about to shove this bottle up your ass.” I pointed my beer at him.
Roland laughed. “I wish I could have gotten a picture of that.”
I sighed then sipped my beer, wishing no one knew about my afternoon cleaning the library.
“Slade in all his glory…” Conrad chuckled. “I’m sure the girls would have loved that.”
“I can still land more pussy than you,” I snapped. “Whether I’m cleaning the library or not.”
“Whatever, man,” Conrad said. “My sister got you good.”
“Brat,” I mumbled.
The door opened and Skye and Cayson walked inside, holding hands.
“I thought this was a guy’s night?” I demanded.
Roland shrugged. “Skye is pretty good at poker.”
“Not as good as Cayson.” Skye gave Cayson a flirtatious look.
Roland ignored her words. “Anyway…it’s more money in the pot.”
I decided not to argue. Skye was already there.
Cayson sat beside me with Skye on his other side. He grabbed her a beer and a plate of pretzels, waiting on her hand and foot.
I rolled my eyes but didn’t comment. “Let’s get this game started.”
The door opened again and my sister walked inside. “Hey, janitor.”
You’ve got to be kidding me…
She held out a broom. “I got this for you. I figured you’d appreciate it.”
Everyone laughed.
“I’m about to shove it through your gut,” I threatened.
She laughed then leaned the broom against the wall. “My brother is the messiest guy I know. Who knew he would be a professional cleaner.”
“Look, I just tidied up the library for like an hour,” I said. “Let’s move on.”
“Slade can dish it out but he can’t take it.” Roland laughed then sipped his beer.
“Just shut up, alright?” I peeled the paper off my bottle because I didn’t know what else to do.
“Mom and Dad will be so proud,” Silke said.
“That I killed you?” I snapped.
She messed up my hair with her hand then sat on the couch. “Whatever, Brother.”
I flattened my hair then leaned back in my chair. “If we’re done with that, let’s—”
Trinity walked through the door. “I brought Heineken.”
Son of a bitch.
She put the six-pack down then gave me a smirk. “I was wondering why it smelled like garbage in here. Just got off work?”
Everyone laughed.
I glared at her, wanting to pull out that pretty blonde hair.
Cayson seemed to know I reached my limit. “Okay, guys. He’s had enough. Just drop it.”
Trinity sat across from me, a gloating smile on her face.
I gave her another threatening glare before I dropped it.
“Let’s get this game started.” Roland passed out the cards. After everyone scanned their hands, they tossed their chips in. I did the same.
Trinity kept watching me, a victorious look on her face.
She was going down.
We put all our cards down, and Conrad was the winner of the hand.
“Looks like I’m going to run you guys dry tonight.” Conrad pulled the pile toward him.
“It’s just the first round, man.” Roland dealt the cards again.
Trinity finished her first beer and moved onto her second
one like she was drinking water.
“Did you not learn anything?” I snapped.
She understood my meaning. She lifted up her bottle. “Sealed bottle. And I don’t think anyone here has any interest in raping me.”
Roland shook his head immediately. “Definitely not.”
I downed my beer then grabbed a second one.
“Slade is just insecure that I can best him in every way possible,” Trinity said. “If it’s not in intelligence, it’s in drinking.”
I tightened my grip on my bottle. “No one can match me.” I chugged the bottle in seconds then left the empty glass on the table.
She did the same. “That was easy.”
“At least they’ll be easy to beat in the game,” Roland said.
We played a few more rounds. Cayson won a few times then I took the pot. Trinity surprised everyone with a full house and we all took a huge hit. I kept drinking and she kept up with me.
She poured herself a seven and seven. Then she downed it without blinking an eye.
“Beer then liquor, never been sicker. Liquor then beer, have no fear.” I stared her down, putting her on the spot.
She poured another. “If you can’t handle it, that’s fine. I know you probably have to work tomorrow scrubbing some toilets.”
God, she was a bitch. I made myself a brandy. “Go to hell, Trinity.”
We finished the poker game then settled down on the couch to watch TV. Roland and Conrad were still drinking beer. Skye hadn’t had another since her first one, and Cayson stopped after his second beer. Trinity and I, however, were fighting to the death.
She had another seven and seven. Her eyes were heavy and she seemed a little tired. Her words were slurred, but she seemed fine in every other way. I was already drunk and wasn’t hiding it very well. I tried to play it cool but it was becoming more difficult.
Conrad snatched a glass out of Trinity’s hand. “I’m cutting you off.”
“I’m cutting you off.” She tried to hit his arm and missed. Instead she hit Skye’s thigh.
“Yeah…she’s drunk.” Conrad returned the empty glass to the kitchen.
“You’ve had enough, Slade.” Cayson took my glass away.
“Come on,” I snapped. “Don’t be a girl.”
“Too bad.” Cayson took the liquor away.
I lay back on the couch then turned to Roland. “You have a weird ass name.”