Unmistakeable

by Abby Reynolds

  She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Jace wouldn’t have even done that for me…”

  “That’s why I’m lying in this bed with you and he isn’t.”

  “My own sister wouldn’t have done that for me.”

  I smirked. “Well, that woman is an enigma.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah, she is.” She moved her hand under my shirt, feeling the abs of my lower stomach. She drew small circles with her finger and didn’t meet my gaze. When a strand of hair fell from behind her ear, she didn’t tuck it back. “You were always there. I didn’t realize it at the time but you were…you know I don’t like Chinese food.”

  I knew a lot more about her than her preference for food.

  “I just…”

  I stared at her, feeling my heart race. I was practically on the edge of my seat, waiting for the words I longed to hear. In my heart, I knew she felt the same way I did. The attraction between us was undeniable. The trust was even stronger. And our friendship was the foundation to all of it. I would be the man to take care of her, to stand by her side through the good and the bad. She was more important than anything else. I was here for the long haul, every day that she wanted me.

  “I…

  Come on. “What, darling?” I grabbed the fallen strand and tucked it behind her ear, revealing her face.

  That seemed to snap her trance. “Nothing.”

  I arrived to the restaurant late on purpose. The less time I spent with these stiff people, the better. I knew they wouldn’t approve of Alaska at all. Just her name alone would make them dislike her. A freelance photographer would never be good enough for their son. What was she doing for her retirement? What was she investing in? All they cared about was shit that didn’t matter.

  I looked around the restaurant then finally spotted my mom’s ridiculously shiny hair in the crowd. I sighed then headed to their table.

  “My boy.” My mom stood up then kissed me on the cheek.

  I hated how she acted like our last meeting didn’t end with me walking out. “Hi, Mom.”

  My dad embraced me next, patting me on the back like he always did.

  Then I sat down and immediately looked at the wine list. I needed some alcohol—now. “So, what’s this about?” Let’s just cut to the chase. Did they have a doctor they wanted me to work for? An internship?

  “Can we just have a meal together without any fuss?” my mom asked. “As a family?”

  “If we’re a family, where’s Livia?”

  My mom swatted my hand. “Be on your best behavior.”

  “Am I five?”

  She stared at my father. “Talk to him.”

  About what?

  “Just listen to your mother.” He put on his reading glasses then looked at the menu.

  “We have a guest and we want you to make a good impression,” my mom whispered.

  So I was meeting a doctor that Dad knew. Figures.

  “Here she comes. Stand up.”

  Stand up?

  A young brunette came from the bathroom and to her chair. She was my age, with hair as silky as my mother’s. She had fair skin, perfect make up, and she held her self straighter than a board.

  Oh no.

  “Clementine, this is my son, Ashley.”

  “Ash,” I said with a growl.

  She shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” I was going to kill my parents. I couldn’t believe they were doing this to me.

  We all sat down.

  I was trying to bottle my rage but it was a struggle.

  “Clementine is completing her residency in emergency medicine,” my mom explained. “Her family owns a few urgent cares in the San Fernando Valley.”

  “Impressive,” I said politely.

  “And she’s a beautiful girl.” My mom shot me a glare.

  “Of course.” I was pissed at my parents for doing this, but the girl didn’t deserve to be treated with disrespect. She had no idea what was going on.

  My mom shared a look with my father then stood up. “We’ll give you two some privacy.”

  “Whoa, hold on.” I stood up. “Mom, I’m not doing this.”

  “Don’t be rude,” she hissed.

  Clementine remained in her seat, watching me.

  “Mom, I have a girlfriend.”

  “A girlfriend?” Her face blanched. “Please do not tell me it was that photographer I saw you with. I just assumed she was one of the girls who…entertain you.”

  I never wanted to slap my mom before but I wanted to do it now. “Yes, her name is Alaska, and I’m in love with her. This isn’t going to work.”

  She grabbed my arm and yanked me out of earshot. “You failed to mention this to me.”

  “Because my personal life is none of your business. Mom, I’m almost thirty. Who I fuck and don’t fuck is none of your concern.”

  She gasped at my profanity. “Ashley, knock it off now.”

  “No. You need to respect my choices.”

  “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” Her eyes were wide. “Now this poor girl is here. If you gave her a chance, I know you would love her. She’s elegant, smart, poised—”

  “She’s not Alaska.”

  “What kind of name is that?” she snapped. “She’s a good for nothing hippie.”

  “She’s a beautiful and talented artist.”

  She grabbed her purse from the back of the chair. “You will have dinner with her and you will take her home.”

  “No.” I held my ground.

  “Then she’ll have to walk. Come on, Bill. Let’s go.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me.

  My parents left, leaving me alone with Clementine.

  Whether I had a girlfriend or not, I wouldn’t leave a girl stranded. I sighed then sat down across from her. “I’m sorry about that…”

  “It’s okay.” She looked down at her hands then turned back to me. “They just asked me to meet their son. My parents pushed me into it too. I know how you feel.”

  At least she was cool about it.

  “So, you have a girlfriend?”

  “I do. And I love her.” I wanted it to be clear this was not a date.

  “Your parents don’t accept her?”

  “If she doesn’t have an MD, she isn’t good enough.” I clenched my fist just thinking about it.

  “Geez, they sound like my parents. When my dad found out I was dating a guy in a band, I thought he was going to put a hit on him.”

  I laughed. “That sounds close to home.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Right.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “He went on tour and we broke up. I wanted to go with him but my parents insisted I stay in school. Totally lame. I wanted to see Europe but they insisted I would see it some other time. Like when? When I’m forty and boring?”

  I laughed again. “Yeah, it makes me wonder what I would have done with my life if I wasn’t pressured to be like my father.”

  “Me too.”

  The silence descended on the table. Since we were here, we may as well have dinner. And she seemed pretty cool. “Would you like to have dinner with me?” I asked.

  “We’re here, right?”

  “Yeah.” I relaxed while I sat across from her.

  “Tell me about your girlfriend.”

  “Her name is Alaska.”

  “Cool name.”

  “Yeah. She’s a freelance photographer. She’s beautiful. She’s warm. And she’s everything I ever wanted in a woman.”

  “She sounds wonderful.”

  “She is.”

  “It’s a shame your parents don’t approve.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care. If my parents push me to the point where I have to disown them, I will.”

  “Wow…you really do love her.”

  “More than anything.”

  “Your parents will see that and eventually accept it.”

  “I don’t give a damn if the
y do or don’t.”

  The waiter came to our table and took our order. When we were alone again, I asked her about her experience in emergency medicine. She and I had a lot in common. We even had the same personality. She was actually really cool. Perhaps if my heart wasn’t already taken something could have happened. But I was more than happy with the girl I fell in love with.

  “Are you seeing anyone now?” I asked.

  “No.” She sighed. “My parents know everyone, so if they spot me with ‘trash’ they’ll know about it then give me hell. I can only spend time with my future husband. If he isn’t good enough to marry, I shouldn’t spend time with him.”

  “I’m glad I’m a boy. I messed around a lot and my parents never drilled me for it. But they did it to my sister.”

  “What’s wrong with just wanting to go to a bar and hook up? I’ve done that a few times but didn’t use my real name. It’s ridiculous. Let me make my own mistakes and learn from them. Geez.”

  I laughed. “I feel like we’re different versions of the same person.”

  “What would you have pursued if you weren’t pushed into medicine?”

  I never thought about it before. “I’m not sure. My parents bred me to be a doctor since I was little. I’m not even sure what my other passions are. What about you?”

  “Music. I’ve played the violin all my life but I’ve fallen in love with my guitar.”

  “A musician…I can’t think of a worse career to please your parents.”

  “I know, huh?” She laughed.

  The waiter returned with our plates and we ate in comfortable silence.

  “So, are you going to propose soon?”

  “No,” I said quickly. “We haven’t even told each other we love each other.” I thought about the evening before. I was pretty sure she was going to say it but she didn’t.

  “Is this a new romance? The way you talk about her makes it sound like its been around for a lifetime.”

  “It’s complicated…we’ve only been together for about a month, but our romance goes back much further than that. I was in love with her far before she even noticed me.”

  She smiled. “That’s really sweet. So, she’s like the one to you?”

  That describes it perfectly. “Yeah. I used to pass the time with various one-night stands. But as soon as I laid eyes on her, all of that changed.”

  She clutched her heart. “That’s so sweet. I hope I find someone like that.”

  “You will. Just don’t let your parents get in the way of that.”

  “Oh, I won’t.”

  When the tab came, I slipped the cash inside.

  “Let’s split it.”

  “No, you were dragged into this. It’s the least I can do.”

  “You were dragged too.”

  “And my parents will be getting an earful of it if I ever speak to them again.”

  “Well, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  When I stood up, I suddenly felt the weight around my neck fall. The chain fell underneath my shirt and leaned on my shoe. Panicked, I grabbed it and examined it.

  The clasp broke.

  Shit. I’d have to take this in to get it fixed. I’d kill myself if I broke it. It was worth more than all the gold in the world.

  We left the table then walked outside together. Since I liked her, I opened the door for her then opened the door to the car. She gave me a sweet smile then got inside. When I got into the driver’s seat, I started the car. “Where to?”

  “I live in the Borderline Apartments.”

  “I know where that is. I have a buddy who lives there.”

  I drove while we sat in silence. I was eager to get home to see Alaska. She was out with her sister tonight, but she would sleep with me when she got home. I’d lay in my bed and she would wake me up in a very special way.

  When I pulled up to her apartment, I walked her to the door.

  “Wow. You’re a gentleman.”

  “We are a rare breed.” I kept my hands in my pockets while I walked to her door. When I reached the threshold, I extended my hand. “It was nice meeting you.”

  She shook it. “You too. Take care.”

  “You too.” I walked back to my car then drove home, eager to see my girl.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Alaska

  I arrived at Payton’s doorstep. “Hey. Ready to go?”

  She saw the sadness on my face. “Nana told you about the surgery?”

  “Yeah…”

  She pulled me in for a hug. “It’ll be okay, Alaska.”

  We weren’t very affectionate, just during important moments. “I hope so.”

  “Nana is a strong woman. It’ll take a lot to take her down.”

  I smirked. “I guess that’s true.”

  “You ready for dinner? I thought I’d take you somewhere nice.”

  “Why?”

  “I know you’re bummed about it.”

  “I know it’s not a big deal, but surgery is surgery.”

  “I know.” She linked her arm through mine and walked with me to her Honda. “We just have to hope for the best.”

  We got into the car then she put on gangster rap.

  “You listen to this?” I had to shout over the music.

  “What?” she yelled back.

  I turned down the music. “You listen to this profanity?”

  “All music has profanity.”

  “But this is pretty strong.”

  She drove down the road and kept both hands on the wheel. “You like what you like, right?” She shrugged.

  “So, how did it go with Toby?”

  “He was okay in the sack. He didn’t make me come though.”

  God, she was blunt. “Are you never going to see him again?”

  “No. He bores me.”

  “Everything bores you.”

  “You don’t.” She nudged me in the side. “How’s it going with the Greek god?”

  “Good.”

  “You fucked him yet?”

  “Payton!”

  “What? It was just a question. We aren’t virgins.”

  “It’s still a personal question…”

  “Is that a no?”

  I looked out the window. “He says he wants to wait.”

  “For what?”

  “Until I’m ready…”

  “Girl, jump his bones. That guy is hot. And he has a big dick.”

  My head turned so quickly I thought I would snap my spine. “Excuse me? How would you know?”

  She smirked. “I can just tell.”

  “And how?”

  “It’s his hands. He has big hands.”

  I remembered the way he lifted up my dress and reached my clitoris from the back. He did have big hands. But I felt his cock against me when we fooled around. I knew then that it was impressive.

  “You know from experience, right?”

  “Well, I haven’t actually seen it.”

  She slammed on her breaks. “You’ve been dating him for a month and you haven’t seen his dick?”

  Cars honked from behind us. “Payton, go! You’re going to get us killed!”

  She hit the gas and took off. “You haven’t given him head or anything?”

  “No…”

  “This guy deserves a purple heart for putting up with you.”

  “Am I supposed to?”

  “Does he make you come?”

  “Well, he…fingers me.”

  “And you don’t reciprocate?”

  I shrugged. “I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to. He says he wants to wait…”

  “Alaska, believe me, he wants you to. You better suck his dick next time you see him. He deserves to come hard in your mouth.”

  I hit her on the arm. “God, you have a dirty mouth.”

  “I’m just honest. If you don’t want to lose him, you need to step it up.”

  “I’m not going to lose him. I can’t.”

  “Something’s gotta give…�
� She pulled into the parking lot of a fancy Italian place.

  “Can you afford this place?”

  She glared at me. “Yes. I make good money.”

  “Doing what? You don’t even work.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Are you selling drugs?”

  “Do you want to get slapped?”

  I rolled my eyes then stepped out of the door.

  She walked beside me and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Then she swayed her hips like she was on the runway. She was the prettier sister and she clearly knew that.

  We walked inside then approached the stand.

  “Do you have a reservation?” the host asked. He looked down at the sheet, waiting for her to give her name.

  “No.” She twirled her hair and gave him her best smile. “But could you get me in?”

  His eyes smoldered when he looked at her. He glanced at her chest and looked down again. “How many?”

  “Two.”

  “With a boyfriend?”

  “Nope. I’m single.”

  “Then right this way.”

  I rolled my eyes. My sister was unbelievable.

  The host guided us to a table then pulled out the chair for her. “Can I have your number?”

  She flicked her hair then ignored him. “No.”

  I wanted to cover my face and hide.

  He sighed then walked away. “Bitch…”

  “I can’t believe you just did that.” I was thoroughly embarrassed.

  She shrugged. “I’m a survivor.”

  “Getting a table at a restaurant is not surviving.”

  “Stop talking and look at your menu.”

  I decided not to argue with her. It would only give me a headache. I looked at the selections and decided on the fettuccini. “What’s new with you?”

  “Nothing. My life is pretty boring.”

  Boring? I wanted to laugh. “Have your eyes set on anyone yet?”

  “Just yours when he dumps you.” She smirked at me.

  “Jace came to my apartment and apologized.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Did you kick him in the nuts then push him down the stairs?”

  “No…I forgave him.”

  “And then kicked him in the nuts then pushed him down the stairs?”

  I glared at her. “No nuts were kicked.”

  “Lame.” She sighed then munched on the bread.

  Sometimes it was hard to talk to my sister.