by L. T. Varner
“Are you Danni?” she asked, starting to smile at me.
I responded hesitantly, “Yes.”
Before I knew what she was doing, she had her arms around me in a tight hug. Okay, maybe she wasn’t going to yell at me.
“I am so glad to meet you finally. I have heard so much about you,” she said, pulling away to look at me.
I was dumbfounded about who this woman was. Mike and Mark looked at me with puzzled looks on their faces. She finally let go of me when she noticed I was confused.
“I’m sorry to overwhelm you. I’m just happy to meet you. I am Paige.”
It dawned on me finally. She was Daniel’s mom. He had mentioned her before, specifically how they were very close.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Paige. Daniel talks about you a lot,” I said before she hugged me again. She seemed very happy to meet me, and this confused me even more.
“I am so glad you came. Daniel will be thrilled you’re here. He adores you,” she said as she let go of me again.
I saw Collin watching us out of the corner of my eye with Steph draped on his arm. I glanced away, trying to give Paige my full attention. She was a breath of fresh air and a joy to talk to. After I examined her, I could see that Daniel looked a lot like her. I was surprised how much she and Daniel even carried on a conversation the same way. Nothing was off limits when she mentioned she thought my nose had healed nicely. I was surprised he would mention me getting into trouble, but she assured me that he has always told her everything.
After we had talked for twenty minutes and I introduced her to Mike and Mark, she excused herself to help with the party. She walked toward Collin, and I looked somewhere else, finally noticing Nick was nowhere around. Soon they ushered us into the main room, saying Daniel was in the lobby. I grabbed onto Mike out of habit, as he wrapped his hand around mine. He was my comfort and safety net tonight, and even Mark put his hand on my back protectively.
I heard someone say, “On the count of three,” and then everyone erupted into “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANIEL!” I could hear his laughter but still couldn’t see him. I heard lots of people wishing him a happy birthday. With all these people I would have to wait forever for my turn to see him. I heard him joking about hating his birthday when someone bumped into me. What a jerk, I thought to myself as I looked around and saw that it was Collin making his way to Daniel.
I wasn’t sure where Nick had gone, then felt two hands wrap around my waist. I smiled knowing Nick had found me. He kissed my cheek and asked, “Have you seen Daniel yet?”
“Not yet,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He whispered in my ear, “I could help you pass the time if you want?”
I giggled a little devilishly and started to kiss him when I heard someone clear their throat.
“Hey, it’s my birthday, and I want my present,” Daniel said, pouting, as I pulled away from Nick.
I jumped into Daniel’s arms as I felt his arms around me. He said, “You have just made my list of all-time best birthdays.”
I laughed and said, “But I haven’t slept with you yet, dirty boy.”
He laughed too when I heard Collin say, “They will never grow up.”
Daniel finally released me, and I said, “Happy birthday, sweet Daniel.”
He looked at me with his playful grin and said, “All the other cute girls have given me a birthday kiss, so I am waiting for yours. Make it dirty.”
I quickly planted a big one right on his lips and in typical Daniel style he wouldn’t let me go as he tried to french me. Someone elbowed me in the ribs, and I couldn’t help but grunt in the pain. Daniel felt it too and let me go.
“That was meant for me,” he said as he started rubbing my ribs.
I looked up and saw that it had come from Collin. Then Daniel pulled me along to meet his mom, even though I explained that I already had. I looked at Nick, and he laughed, motioning me to go play. Of course, Collin gave me a pissed-off look as Steph hung off of him in her super tight red dress that barely covered her ass.
Daniel and I talked to his mom for quite a while. The more we talked, the more I liked her. I had just taken a sip of my drink when I heard Daniel’s mom say, “What is wrong with your brother tonight? He has been upset all day. Are you fighting again?”
Instantly I started choking on my drink, spilling half of it down my shirt. I quickly had all their attention and Daniel looked nervous.
Paige asked, “Honey, you okay?”
I nodded that I needed a moment to learn to breathe again. Daniel started handing me napkins to dry myself off. I thought to myself: wait a huge minute, did I hear that right?
I looked at Paige while trying to control my coughing and said, “Excuse me, did you say ‘brother’?”
She looked at me with a confused frown and asked, “Didn’t they tell you that they are brothers?”
The look on my face explained it to her as my coughing left me unable to speak. The look on Daniel’s face was completely serious for the first time since we had met.
“Daniel, could I have a moment alone with you?” I asked before slamming back the rest of my drink.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me out into the hallway with him. I had to stop to take my shoe off and attempt to dry it off. I had red streaks from the cranberry juice staining my leg and shoe.
“Daniel, you have some explaining to do,” I said trying to make a joke, and he started smiling at me. He took a handful of napkins and squatted down in front of me, wiping off my leg.
“You have your drink all down your legs, you klutz.” His hand was getting too far north. I tried to stop him, but I was laughing hysterically when a voice yelled, “Knock it off Daniel, now.”
Daniel and I looked at each other and laughed harder. We knew who it was, and that made it even funnier.
Laughing, Daniel said, “Quick, turn around, and I will get the back, too.”
Collin’s voice was ice cold when he muttered, “Daniel, stand up, you’re making a scene.”
Daniel stood up as neither one of us could quit laughing. “I missed you,” I said, jumping into Daniel’s arms. He hugged me and said, “I’m thrilled you’re here, too.”
While I stayed in his arms, Collin stared at us.
“Danni, I would like you to meet my brother, Collin,” Daniel said.
I whispered in his ear, “It doesn’t matter to me, as long as you are my friend, Sweet Daniel.”
He added, “Best.”
We let go of each other, and I excused myself to go clean up and give them a chance to talk.
I took ten minutes to tidy up and get my shoes clean before I headed back into the party. The music had been turned up now, and everyone was dancing. The crowd had thinned some as I saw Mike and Mark sitting at a table with Jake and his date. I went to talk to them and told them the big news. They were as shocked as I was. Jake mumbled that they were both idiots. Mark wondered if Collin was still an ass and I nodded that he was. Mike looked at me and then pointed to the dance floor. I saw Daniel out there with some girl, who was hardly wearing any clothes. We both laughed.
Soon Nick had found us as well, and sat beside me. I was on my fifth drink, so Nick was becoming much more appealing. A slower song came on, and Nick led me to the dance floor. He grabbed my waist and pulled me close to him as we started moving to the music. He definitely had rhythm.
Daniel bumped into us on purpose and grabbed my ass, and I started laughing. Nick tried to turn me away from Daniel so that he could have my attention to himself. I noticed I had Collin’s attention, as well. He was standing at the bar watching as someone was talking to him, but he wasn’t paying notice to anyone but me. I locked eyes with him, and he toasted me before taking a shot.
The song ended, and a more upbeat song came on as Nick pulled me closer to him, putting his hands on my hips and grinding against me. He was starting to turn me on. I put my arms around his neck and let him lead when he turned me around, so my back was to his f
ront. I could feel his breath on my neck and went along with the sensations as I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on his shoulder. He started kissing my neck slowly. It felt amazing as we got lost in our little world.
After a few more dances, Nick excused himself to use the bathroom, and I started walking back to my seat. Daniel grabbed me and pulled me back to the dance floor.
As we slow danced he said, “That was quite a show.”
I laughed and said, “You should have been in my shoes.”
He laughed and said, “Your shoes are sticky, but on the plus side you don’t seem so frustrated.”
I started laughing with him when I got elbowed in the ribs once again. I am going to hit someone hard if that happens again, I mumbled to myself. Daniel whispered in my ear, “Again, that was meant for me.”
This time, we both started laughing. I left Daniel so he could dance with a blonde and then found Nick sitting with Collin, Steph, Rick, and his wife. I sat down next to Nick, and he turned to me and pulled me closer to him, putting his arm around me as I rested my hand on his leg. I felt this burning stare and knew Collin was watching us.
Nick was talking to Collin and Rick about someone else they all knew, which gave me a chance to take fully in my surroundings. Most of the guests still in the room were a younger crowd, drinking heavily and trying to get the band’s attention. I lost track of how many times Collin’s conversations had been interrupted.
I noticed Daniel dancing with Steph and instantly liked him less for that. Nick leaned over trying to get my attention and started kissing my neck. I couldn’t help myself and let out a little moan as I closed my eyes.
He whispered in my ear, “I like that sound.”
I turned toward him as he kissed me softly. Soon I found myself sliding my hands under his shirt and jacket to feel his bare skin. I wondered if I was going too far when I felt his hand slide a little farther down my back. I was ready to start taking his clothes off when the song ended, and others sat back down beside us.
I indicated I would be back after deciding it was time to put out my fire before I did something I would strongly regret later. Standing at the bar, I ordered two shots of whiskey. The bartender flirted with me as I ignored him and quickly downed the shots. When I ordered another one, Collin was next to me ordering drinks, as well.
Without looking at me he said, “You know that won’t help, right?”
“It always has in the past,” I mumbled before downing the second shot.
When I turned to walk away, he stepped in front of me, blocking my path. In a very firm, cold voice, he looked into my eyes and said, “You should stop being everyone’s whore.” Then he stepped aside.
Instantly, tears filled my eyes as I looked down, not wanting him to see how his words affected me. I headed outside to get some fresh air.
Alone now, I wiped away my tears. That was the meanest thing he had ever said to me. I couldn’t believe he could be that cruel. I had learned long ago not to listen to the painful things people said because of the business I was in. I was constantly a target in the media because of my dad and the assault. But Collin could get to me faster than anyone ever had.
“Hey, dirty girl, what are you doing out here?” Daniel asked, approaching me from behind.
I wiped my eyes before turning back to him and said, “Hey, birthday boy. I think I’m going to call it a night. I am really tired.”
I knew he was aware that something was wrong as he ran his finger under my eye to wipe away my mascara.
“What is wrong, Danni?” he asked sweetly.
I answered, “I am fine really, just tired.”
“Then why are you crying? You are not fine,” he said, wrapping me in a hug.
I tried to hide my crying, but Daniel could tell I was upset when he asked, “What did he say to you?” There was anger in his words as he let go of me and looked at me.
“Nothing, Daniel, everything is fine. Enjoy your party and I will catch up with you tomorrow, okay?” I said, trying to forget Collin ever existed.
“I am going to fucking kill him!” he snapped as he let go of me and headed back inside on a mission.
Lying in my hotel bed with the lights out, I cried as I thought about how cruel Collin was and how hearing him say that had cut me to the core. No one had ever called me a whore before. I now knew why girls didn’t like to hear it. Nick understood that I wanted to be alone. I could tell he was disappointed that we didn’t take a step further in our relationship that night. I knew I was fooling myself with him.
A knock on my door brought me out of my deep thoughts. It was probably Mike checking on me. I had told him everything before I left and he swore the next time he saw Collin, he would punch him for me.
“Who is it?” I asked as I climbed out of bed.
I heard Daniel say, “Me. Open the door.”
I opened the door and stepped aside as he came in looking disheveled.
“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t ruin your party,” I said, closing the door as he sat on my bed.
“You didn’t. Collin has a way of ruining everything,” he said, taking off his torn jacket.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were brothers?” I asked, sitting down by him.
“Well, Collin is not easy to like. He has a hot temper, and he can tear you down so quickly you don’t see it happen. Danni, Collin is in such a fucked up predicament with Steph, he is just mad at everyone, especially you.”
“What did I do?” I asked, even more frustrated.
“Don’t you get it, Danni? He is so madly in love with you that he tries to piss you off so you will just hate him. But, instead, you ignore him, and that pisses him off even more. Collin is very controlling, and he realizes he can’t control you. And believe me, you are the one person that he wants to control.” Daniel stood up and handed me a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
Looking down at my hands I said, “I want to hate him, ignore him, strangle him sometimes, but he is all I think about. Is that love?”
“No, Danni. That is the both of you fighting against your destiny to be together,” Daniel said, throwing the clothes at me. “Now get dressed. My real birthday party is about to get started without me.”
Chapter 24
Idiots
Daniel lived in a gated community. The house, sitting back among the trees, had a rounded brick driveway. Pulling up in front of his house, I realized how well he must do for himself. The house was comparable in size to my schoolhouse, but this was much more elegant. It had more of a refined cabin look to the outside. Lanterns hung from the porch all the way around the front. Instantly it felt like home.
As I made my way up the porch, I said, “Your house is beautiful, Daniel.”
Smiling, he unlocked the door and said, “It isn’t mine. It’s my mom’s. She just lets me live here.”
Then I remembered him saying a while back that he couldn’t live without his mom, so he just made her live with him. He was the sweetest person I knew.
The inside of the house was just as beautiful as it was on the outside. Hardwood floors as far as I could see, a large kitchen to the right, a dining room and office to the left, and my favorite, an older style wooden staircase leading upstairs.
“Mom!” Daniel yelled, scaring me out of my house-envying stupor.
“Kitchen!” Paige yelled back, and I laughed at their one-word responses.
Heading into the kitchen, I saw Paige in sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt. She stepped toward me and said, “I am so glad you are here. Are you hungry?”
“Hi, Paige. Sorry to barge in so late, but Daniel wouldn’t let me go to bed. Thank you, but I’m not hungry,” I said, sagging down on the leather stool in front of the island.
She watched me for a minute and then stepped around the island and put her hand on my cheek. “What’s wrong?”
Now I understood where Daniel got his ability to read people so well.
“I am fine, just tired.”
“Why do yo
u look like you have been crying then?” Paige asked.
While looking in the fridge, Daniel said, “Jackass called her a whore. Beat his ass, Mom.”
“You’re kidding?” she asked, with a mix of anger and frustration.
I wondered how he had found out. I hoped I hadn’t ruined his birthday. Daniel started putting food and drinks on the island as if on a mission. Then Paige gathered it all up and put it in two bags for him like she already knew what he was doing. Daniel smiled and kissed her cheek. Their undeniable bond made me think of my mom and all the things I had missed out on with her.
Paige looked at me and said, “Collin can be cruel when he is hurt. I’m sorry he said that to you.”
“Thanks, Paige, but please don’t apologize for him. He is an adult so he can do that himself.”
“Really? You’re friends with him?” Paige said, pointing to Daniel.
“Hey, Mom, that wasn’t nice. I’m your baby, love me and hug me and tell me I’m pretty,” Daniel said, half laughing as he tried to hug her playfully.
Paige laughed, untangling herself from him, “I love you, son, but I am surprised a smart woman like Danni is friends with you. Usually, you pick the ones with not much going on up here,” she said, tapping his forehead.
I burst out laughing, knowing she was right, and Daniel made a sad face at her, playing for sympathy. He got it when she hugged him tightly, almost protectively. Daniel turned to me and stuck his tongue out in victory.
Down the hall behind a set of double doors, I said, “Wow, Daniel this place is huge.”
He laughed and said, “Thanks, but you haven’t seen it all yet.”
He explained that this was his corner of the house. It was a huge room with tons of arcade games, a pool table, a stripper pole, a full-size bar, and a pool.
“Wow, you don’t ever need to leave this room. It has everything,” I said as I noticed the full kitchen behind the bar and two more closed doors. I assumed they were bedrooms.