“I’m sorry, man,” Andrew stated with disappointment.
“Are you alright?” Jayden asked with concern.
Andrew rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. He wasn’t sure if he was alright but he sure as hell wanted to be.
5 Thankful
NOVEMBER
Andrew and Jayden decided to tell the Bennett’s right away what had happened last night at the garage. The boys had wanted to discuss it at their shop but Elias insisted that they meet at his office as he had a meeting that he couldn’t get out of. Andrew then called Madison, who talked to Liam. When Liam realized what was going on he drove them to see Elias. Soon everyone, Connor included, were explaining what had happened at the Halloween party the night before. Each described what they knew from their own perspective. Madison could tell that Elias was trying to remain calm but she could see by the tense way in which he was sitting and the noticeable scowl on his face that he was starting to crack. When everyone had finished talking, he stared at them for a long moment and then snatched up the phone. He yelled at whoever was on the other end of the receiver, an assistant perhaps, and after name dropping several powerful people he was finally connected to Senator Bowers. There was silence for only a few seconds.
“You know damn well why I’m calling,” Elias fumed.
Liam touched his shoulder, trying to calm him down but Elias brushed him off. He stood and started pacing in the room. You could feel the tension rolling off of him. Madison turned to Andrew whose eyes were fixed on Elias. She could see both Jayden and Callie watching Elias as well. Connor on the other hand was looking to the ground, shaking his leg nervously. She then turned to Liam who was now leaning against Elias’s desk, a forlorn expression on his face. This was a mess and Madison knew it. She couldn’t wrap her head around why the senator even cared about them at all. Elias’s ice-cold voice startled her from her thoughts.
“If you EVER go near my son or his shop or any of his friends I swear to you that I will not only file a restraining order against you but harassment charges as well,” he threw his hand against his window and began speaking in a lower tone so fierce that it sent chills down Madison’s spine. “I will make sure that the police serve you in front of your office and that it leads the nightly news. There will be no PR team on earth that could clear your name after I’m done with you.”
There was silence and then Elias smirked before his face twisted in anger again. “Oh, that is not a threat, Senator. I mean every word of what I’m saying and don’t doubt that I have the balls to back it up,” Elias hissed out furiously.
More silence. Madison chewed on her lip nervously.
“You stay the hell away from my family. This is your only warning.”
Elias slammed the phone down and strode to his desk where he called to his assistant, snapping orders angrily about bringing certain legal documents to his office. His eyes met Liam’s and he frowned. It was the first time Madison had ever seen Elias look at Liam in this manner.
“I will not have that bastard bullying our son AND Andrew simply because he’s a homophobic vindictive asshole who has it in for us because I defended the man who beat the shit out of his good for nothing son. Jimmy is exactly where he belongs. In fact, his father deserves to be there a hell of a lot more than his son does! So don’t look at me that way, Liam. You know I’m right about this,” Elias finished indignantly.
“I know you are, but,” Liam blew out a breath. “Be careful with that man, El. You know I get a bad feeling about him. He’s dangerous and I can’t,” Liam looked down, shaking his head.
Elias moved swiftly in front of him. “I WILL protect our family against all threats.”
Liam nodded and touched his cheek. After a moment, he stood and faced them. “Senator Bowers is smart enough to know that Elias will ruin his reputation. He’s a career politician who won’t risk losing an election over a scandal like this. He was trying to scare you but don’t worry. It will be fine,” he said calmly.
“What do you want us to do, Dad?” Jayden asked.
Elias washed his hand over his face before leaning back against his desk. He looked between Jayden and Andrew several times before settling his gaze on Andrew. He looked angry and suddenly Madison was worried, hoping he wasn’t upset at Andrew. It wasn’t Andrew’s fault that this had happened.
“This is about what happened to Jimmy,” he stated, calmer than he looked. “I will contain it but I need to make sure that you don’t try anything. You need to trust that I’m handling it. Can you do that, Andrew, because if you can’t, we’re going to have a problem?”
“Yeah,” Andrew replied.
Madison watched as Andrew glanced down at his reddened knuckles.
“I won’t do anything,” Andrew finally said, looking up at Elias.
~*~
Andrew sat on his bike for a moment, watching the building. He finally knocked the kickstand down with the heel of his boot and stepped off. He walked to the school casually and entered the office. As he stepped inside he saw a couple of students sitting in the chairs, both looking down in dismay. There was an older woman with glasses talking on the phone at a desk in the center of the room. He walked to her determinedly. She set the phone down and eyed him speculatively.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“Yes, I’d like to speak to Mr. Montgomery.” The woman stared at him for a long time so he added, “I’m his nephew.”
“I believe he’s in the break room. Down the hall to the right,” she said bringing the receiver back to her mouth where she started speaking again.
“Thank you.”
Andrew strode down the hall towards the break room. He hadn’t been able to figure out when he could talk to Aaron without Madison or Olivia around so he decided that he would try to catch him at lunch. His hand ran through his hair and then he reached for his pack of cigarettes in his leather jacket. Remembering he was in a school, he sighed and put them back. He noticed as he was passing several doors where there were groups of girls huddled together. Each group was openly gawking at him. Normally he didn’t care if people watched him but he felt uneasy with all of the young eyes looking his way. Finally, he saw an older woman walk into a room just down the hall from him and picked up speed. He opened the door that said STAFF ONLY and looked around the room for Aaron. There were several people in there that had stopped eating and were now watching him curiously.
“I’m looking for my uncle, Aaron Montgomery.”
“He’s in his room. It’s 215; take a left down the hall.”
Andrew nodded and quickly walked down the hall, happy that most students were already out of the hallway now. When he approached 215 he knocked lightly.
“Come in,” Aaron said. He smiled widely when he saw that it was Andrew who was walking inside. “Hey, Andrew. What’s up, son?”
Andrew grinned. He never told Aaron, but he loved when he called him son. Over the past few years it had become much easier for him to open up to him in a way that a son would. Aaron just was very father-like. It also helped distance Andrew from his biological father, a violent man that was now serving time for murder. Andrew walked up and sat on one of the desks in front of him.
“I’ve been trying to get you alone but couldn’t figure out how to do it without raising suspicion from Madison or my aunt. So, I thought this was the safest bet.”
Aaron furrowed his brows slightly and then got up. He sat on his desk and watched Andrew curiously. “What is it that requires secrecy? You haven’t had any more issues with James have you?”
Andrew shook his head. It had only been a week since Senator Bowers crashed their Halloween party. Everyone was still on edge but basically nothing had come from it. Apparently, when Mr. Bennett said he was handling something, he was.
“I’m,” Andrew looked to the ground, a notable crease in his brows before looking up again. “How did you know it was the right time, to, you know?”
“Right time for what?”
Aaron asked and then suddenly he knew what was going on. He walked over to Andrew and placed his hand on his shoulder. “Andrew, I knew the day I met Olivia. Are you thinking about asking Madison to marry you?”
Andrew nodded. “I want to but,” he paused. “Do you think it’s too soon?”
“You two have loved each other from the day you met, so no, I don’t believe it’s too soon. Do you have an idea when you will ask?”
Andrew shook his head. He didn’t really know. He actually had no plan whatsoever. He had been thinking about the Bennetts’ wedding several months ago. When he had finally gotten passed his own self-doubt, he remembered how excited Madison was. How she admired the rings and how she had cried during the ceremony. He also had been thinking a lot about the scripture readings at the wedding, ‘there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear’. Those words had stayed with him. Often, when Madison slept, Andrew would watch her and those words would echo in his mind. He felt Aaron squeeze his shoulder which caused his head to rise.
“Andrew, you will know when it’s the right time.”
Andrew smiled. “I want to marry her.”
“That’s wonderful. Now let’s talk about rings,” Aaron said with a laugh as Andrew’s eyes widened.
~*~
Madison glanced into the living room to see Andrew laughing with Aaron. She turned back to her pot of potatoes. She was thankful that after the call from Mr. Bennett no one heard from the senator again. That suited her just fine. The whole situation had made her uneasy, but within a few weeks everything appeared to have gone back to normal.
“Madison, do you need any help?” Olivia asked, walking into the kitchen.
“Thanks, Olivia. No, I think everything is covered. Just sit back and relax,” Madison stated with a smile.
“Oh, Olivia, my Maddie loves to be in the kitchen so it’s generally best to let her be,” Grans interjected with a smile as Olivia walked back into the living room to sit down.
“Hey, I heard that, Grans! And that’s not completely accurate 'cause Andrew helps me in the kitchen all the time,” Madison replied defiantly.
“Is that so?” Grans grinned at Andrew.
“Yes, Madison lets me stir things on occasion,” Andrew said with a wink as he refreshed her drink.
Grans let out a loud laugh. “Now that sounds about right.”
“Alright now. Stop making fun of the chef.” Madison laughed.
Andrew stepped into the kitchen and kissed her cheek. “Can I help you... stir?”
“No... Smart ass,” Madison said smiling widely and nudging him.
Everyone began laughing as Andrew grabbed the bottle of wine. They had all gathered at Madison and Andrew’s home for the Thanksgiving meal. Last year it had been at Aaron and Olivia’s so this year it rotated to them. Olivia enjoyed watching the interactions between Madison and Andrew. The gentle touches between them, their stealthy glances and the genuine smiles they each had whenever they looked at one another. They reminded Olivia of her and Aaron. It did her heart good to see her nephew so happy, especially knowing how much pain he had gone through in his life.
“Andrew, you should show them your new drawings,” Madison said as Andrew began to refresh everyone’s drinks
Andrew’s eyes widened as he turned to Madison who simply winked at him before mouthing the words, I love you. He glanced at the sofa and saw the expectant smiles on his aunt and uncles faces.
“You have some new ones?” Olivia asked proudly.
“Yes, they’re not quite ready though,” Andrew said as he ran his hand through his hair.
“Helios, please. They’re so damn good. Come on, show them.”
“We’d love to see what you’re working on,” Aaron added as reassuringly as possible.
“Grans, would you like to see them as well?” Andrew asked, placing his hand on her shoulder.
“You bet I would.”
He reluctantly led them to the spare room which he used for his studio. There were several sketches on large art boards lining one of the walls. He generally did all his drawings in black and white but he had just started experimenting with color. He had finished two colored drawings on large 36x36 canvases that were on easels near the wall. One was a picture of Lake Isabella with the sun setting over the horizon. The colors were vibrant oranges and reds that contrasted with the dark blues and blacks that marked the water. The other was a picture of a campfire, flaming beautifully, and in the background, behind the flames, you could see a couple. They were almost indiscernible with the fire but when you looked closely you could see a woman sitting on a man’s lap, clearly asleep while the man held her close to his chest, his face hidden in her hair. It was Madison’s favorite picture. The one he was currently working on was their spot along CA-178. The trees and cliffs were the dominant features but as you looked further you could see the outline of a bike nestled underneath a tree. Madison wasn’t sure what else would be on the picture but she couldn’t wait to find out.
“Oh Andrew, these are lovely,” Olivia said as she stepped closer to inspect them further.
“These are wonderful, son,” Aaron stated, his pride in Andrew not being masked in the least.
“Aren’t they amazing?” Madison asked excitedly. “So vibrant,” she turned to Andrew who met her eyes, “and powerful. Just like the artist who drew them.”
Andrew smiled as he looked towards the ground. Madison had been pushing him to submit one of his drawings to a gallery but he was not about to do that. He was hesitant for a lot of reasons he couldn’t quite articulate. His black and white drawings weren’t bad but he wasn’t sure a gallery would be interested in that and he felt he hadn’t quite mastered working with color. He also didn’t think he could handle someone telling him his work wasn’t good enough. That topped with the fact that he hated to show his work to anyone prevented him from even considering submitting anything. Yet, in spite of his dislike of showing his work, here he was, standing in his art room with people whose opinions he valued so greatly. Madison walked up to him, immediately draping her arm around his waist.
“These are worthy of a gallery, Andrew,” Aaron said, looking over his shoulder at him.
“That’s what I keep saying,” Madison agreed.
“Have you considered submitting some of your work to one of the local galleries?” Olivia asked, inspecting the newest drawing.
“I don’t need anyone critiquing my art,” Andrew stated with a frown.
Madison sighed and squeezed his waist. “I don’t think anyone would criticize what you’ve done.”
“If they did, they would be idiotic and blind,” Grans said, looking at the sunset picture. “This is Lake Isabella, isn’t it?”
Andrew nodded while she smiled.
“Andrew, your art is so distinctly yours and you know what, every artist starts somewhere. They don’t just magically become great. But these,” Olivia waved at his drawings. “These drawings are amazing,” she stated as tears swelled in her eyes.
“Thanks, Auntie.”
Andrew looked down at Madison and smiled. She leaned up on her tip toes and gave him a quick kiss. “I told you they would love them,” she whispered against his lips.
“You did,” he pecked her lips again.
He pulled her close to him and held her tightly as the family continued to view Andrew’s artwork, discussing the details in them. As the time went by, the smells of the Thanksgiving meal started to waft throughout the house, making everyone hungry.
“Boy, that turkey sure does smell good,” Aaron chuckled.
Madison smiled against Andrew’s chest before turning to Aaron. “It’s almost done.”
6 Better With You
December
Andrew looked over at Madison, who was still sleeping. They were on their way to Big Bear for ten days of fun on the slopes. With the Bennett’s on their annual two-week vacation in Ireland, Liam’s practice was closed. Having not made the trip last year, Jayden and Callie decided to
accompany Liam and Elias this year as well, which meant a decision had to be made about AJ Cycles. Andrew and Jayden had talked it over extensively and came to the conclusion that the shop would be closed for those two weeks, since it was generally slow during that time of the year anyway. Andrew and Madison had never really taken a vacation together and figured this would be the perfect time to do it. Although the drive to the mountain was only three hours, Madison was worn-out, having not gotten much sleep the night before. Andrew smiled and ran his fingers through his hair as CA-18 curved and became North Shore Drive. He glanced towards the snow-covered mountains and nodded his head.
“Madison, baby, wake up, we’re coming into town.”
“I’m awake, Helios.”
“What street do I turn on again?”
Madison yawned. “Stay on North Shore Drive and then make a left on Division.” Madison sat up and stretched. “The first right should be Big Bear Boulevard. I believe the lodge is on the left side of the street. Hold on, baby, let me check google maps again.”
“I think you’re right. Did you have a good nap?”
“Yes,” she side eyed him, seeing his sexy smirk. “How is it you’re not tired?”
His lips twisted into a smile. “Baby, having sex with you gives me immense energy.”
Madison snorted out a laugh. “That’s because you drain me of mine.”
“Well, be prepared to sleep a lot while we’re here,” he said with a raised eyebrow.
Madison smiled and leaned forward. “Hey, there it is,” she said excitedly.
Andrew parked in front of the Snow Mountain Lodge. “Let me go check us in.”
Madison nodded as she watched him step out of the car. He immediately zipped up his jacket and brushed his hands through his hair. The Snow Mountain Lodge was a three story resort that they had stayed at once, last year with Jayden and Callie. Andrew stepped into the lobby and walked with purpose to the front desk.
Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3) Page 6