Love You to Death

by Melissa March

  “Perfect. C’mon Gideon, lead me around.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. Before I knew what was happening, Jesse had me on my feet and in his arms.

  He was an excellent dancer, but he held me too close and way too tight. I pinched him hard on the underside of his arm. He loosened his hold on me.

  “I never expected to see you here,” he said. “It’s a nice surprise.”

  I shrugged, looking over his shoulder at Gideon and the blonde. She was chatting away, roaming all over his chest with her fingers. I wanted to stomp over there and break every finger.

  “That’s Stephanie,” Jesse chuckled. “She and Gideon used to be pretty hot and heavy.”

  I jerked my gaze to Jesse, who was wearing a satisfied grin. This must be the girl whose mother was all botoxed up at the salon. I figured she’d look just as fake as her mom in about ten years.

  “Yep, she gave him the boot, though,” he continued. “Poor Gideon. He doesn’t look too heartbroken now though.”

  I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to ignore Jesse and his stupid walk down memory lane, but I didn’t have the strength. I looked over at them again. Stupid Stephanie was plastered to him like a wet blanket. And while Gideon wasn’t fighting her off, I was pleasantly surprised to see why. He was too busy shooting poison darts at Jesse.

  An idea began to swirl in my head. I brought my arm up to rest my hand on Jesse’s shoulder, brushing the tips of my fingers through the ends of his hair. Covertly, I glanced at Gideon from the corner of my eye. His eyes were narrowed on my hand. I smothered a satisfied giggle.

  Jesse, however, was reading too much into the gesture. He pulled me close, his mouth zooming in for a kiss. I turned my head to avoid his lips as they connected with my cheek. I was just about to give Jesse what for when I noticed Gideon leaving the room, heading toward the open doors of the balcony with helium head in tow.

  What was he doing?

  “Looks like they wanna be alone,” Jesse laughed knowingly.

  My heart deflated. I had to bite my lower lip to stop it from quivering. Suddenly, Jesse was yanked back, almost taking me with him. Cort stood behind him, a handful of tuxedo jacket in his fist.

  “Beat it, jerk wad,” he growled.

  Jesse started to argue, but Cort whispered something into his ear and Jesse took off, not bothering to look back.

  “What is goin’ on?” He barked at me. “You and Gideon should be dancin’. How did you end up with Jesse? Where’s Gideon?”

  “Gideon left me for Stephanie,” I told him, trying not to burst into tears. Maggie came over, looking worried.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “Gideon left with Stephanie,” I told her, barely holding back the tears.

  “I go to the bathroom for five minutes and everything goes to hell.” She threw up her arms.

  “I’m gonna call it a night guys.” I tossed Maggie a crushed look.

  “No way.” She took me by the wrist. “We’ll be right back,” she told Cort as she dragged me off. The bathroom was empty, but Maggie checked under the stalls anyway.

  “Okay, tell me what happened.”

  I explained everything in less than a minute. Maggie cursed up one side and down another.

  “That girl is a friggin’ menace!” she shouted, caught herself, and lowered her voice. “For years she baited Gideon. Came on to him, chased him, and finally wore him down. And that’s only because Gideon and Cort’s parents died in a car accident five years ago and he was so out of it.”

  “Oh no.” I remembered the photo in the office, the laughing couple. My heart went out to Gideon.

  “It just about killed us all. They were great people, Joe and Louise. Gideon was so lost without them. He shut down. He didn’t go anywhere or hang out with his friends, not even Cort. All he did was work and go to school. Then Stephanie swooped in and got him at his weakest. They dated for about six months until Gideon came to his senses. Well, more like he caught her at a party with Jesse...in the bedroom...in the dark. He dumped her so fast she didn’t know what day it was. Then he turned hermit again. Sissy had to threaten to disown him to get him to go with Cort to Baltimore.”

  “She cheated on him with Jesse?” My mouth was hanging open. Stephanie definitely had something wrong with her.

  “She just liked the Shepherd name and the money. She never loved him. Gideon knows that. I don’t know what he’s doin’ out on the balcony with her. It makes no sense. Are you sure you told me everything?” She tapped her freshly manicured nail on her chin.

  “Well...” I came clean and confessed to trying to make Gideon jealous and Jesse trying to kiss me.

  “Oh, Arden, that was the worst thing you could’ve done,” she moaned.

  “Did I know the story? No, I didn’t.” I defended myself. It didn’t matter though, I felt horrible. I hated playing games. In fact, I normally didn’t. I don’t know why I did it. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

  “Okay. Here’s what you do. You go out on the balcony and push Stephanie off. Then you grab Gideon by the lapels and lay a big wet kiss on him.”

  It took me a second to figure out she was kidding. Her voice was that serious.

  “Seriously, Mags, what can I do? He must still have feelings for her.” I pulled a handful of tissues from the box on the counter and dabbed at my eyes. The last thing I needed was two black eyes dripping drown my face. “It’s probably for the best. I don’t belong with Gideon. He deserves someone better...” Someone honest. Someone single.

  “Shut up,” Maggie ordered. “You’re the best for him. Since you came here he’s actually not working around the clock. He’s enjoying life again. Instead of spending day and night locked in that hospital, he went swimming, and riding, and spent all day Sunday teaching you to drive. I’d think you the suckiest driver ever if I didn’t recognize the signs of a woman’s intelligence at work. You milked that pretty good. I was proud of you.” She nodded appreciatively. “He really likes you. I can totally tell. And so can my parents and Cort and even Sissy. You two belong together,” she said confidently, tossing her long hair over her bare shoulder.

  You two belong together.

  I had no right to feel so happy about that. I had no justification to stay here and try to make it work when I already knew it never could. It never would. Not as long as Cass was alive.

  “Look, it isn’t like we’re talkin’ marriage here. You don’t have to drag out the old ball and chain and get hitched or nothin’. I’m talkin’ about datin’ the guy. Just let it happen, see where the road takes you.” She took my hands in hers, giving them a reassuring squeeze. “We all know you got a story, Arden. You’re runnin’ from something or someone. But I can guarantee you this...Gideon Shepherd is the finest, kindest, most honest man you’ll ever know.” She met my gaze and held the stare. “Next to my Cort,” she added with a dazzling smile.

  She had a point. It wouldn’t hurt to be with Gideon. Just for a little while, until...I don’t know. Forever didn’t seem long enough for me. Maybe I could tell him I didn’t believe in marriage. I just wanted to live in sin with him. Some people did that. My mother would spin in her grave. On second thought, no, she wouldn’t. She’d be happy that I escaped Cass and found true happiness. She wouldn’t bother judging me for how I had to get it.

  All of the sudden I felt a surge of confidence. In that moment, I realized I loved Gideon, and if I wanted him, I was going to have to fight for him.

  “I’m ready,” I told Maggie. I hurried from the bathroom, power walking past a surprised Cort. Maggie was practically running to keep up. I could hear the rustle of her skirt. I crossed the room to the open the double doors leading to the balcony, not stopping until I saw Gideon, standing alone, by the railing. He looked forlornly out over the city of Lexington.

  “Gideon,” I breathed out, drawing another breath to tell him how I felt.

  He turned at the sound of me calling his name. “All done with your dance?” he asked. There was a dis
tinct sharpness to his voice.

  “Gideon, I—”

  “I don’t care, Arden. I’m fine. Go back inside.” He raised a bottle of beer to his lips and took a long pull.

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” I snapped. “Just shut up and listen.” I wet my lips and took a step closer to him. We were only inches apart. “I don’t like Jesse. He’s a pig. I only did what I did because I saw you and Stephanie glued together. It made me furious. I was childish and stupid, I know, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted...I wanted you to dance with me. Not her.”

  I was wringing my hands, nervously looking over the railing. People and cars moved around, but I barely noticed them. Seconds ticked by and Gideon was silent. Unable to take it anymore, I twisted my neck to see what he was doing. He was slowly walking to a side table to carefully set the bottle of beer down.

  I watched him give me a steady measured look. Then he took three steps, pulled me into his arms, and finally, at last, kissed me.

  It was everything I thought it would be and more. His lips were warm and soft, moving urgently over mine. He wasn’t hurting me, but he wasn’t gentle. It was like he was channeling all his passion into this one kiss. Every bone in my body was melting. I molded myself against him, hanging on for dear life. My hands gripped his shoulders, drawing him closer. He had his arms secured around my waist, locking me in place.

  I’d never been kissed like this before. Everything seemed to stand still. Nothing existed in time except for me and Gideon. Right here. Right now. I knew I’d finally found the one I was going to love forever.

  Gideon ended the kiss and leaned back. I was swimming in haze of ecstasy. I thought I might liquefy onto the concrete floor, dissolve into a puddle, or fall into a coma or something tragic because this just couldn’t be happening. It was too good. But Gideon held onto me, casting out with his soulful eyes and reeling me in. He placed a kiss on my forehead, dropping down to the tip of my nose then each cheek and finally placing a quick kiss on my lips.

  “I’m sorry,” I murmured as I pressed my face to his chest.

  “I’m sorry, too,” he whispered into my ear, rubbing my back. “I was so mad at myself for lettin’ you dance with him. Then I was mad at you for fallin’ for him, like all the other girls—”

  “I didn’t fall for him,” I corrected.

  “I know, but my heart was ignoring what my head was tellin’ me.”

  “We’re a couple of idiots,” I said, laughing. He laughed too, his chest rumbling in my ear.

  “What a birthday,” I sighed to myself.

  “It’s your birthday?” He stepped out of our embrace to hold me at arm’s length. “Why didn’t you say so?”

  “It’s no big deal.” I shrugged.

  “What? Of course it is.” He looped his arm around my waist. “You’re freezin’. Let’s get you inside.”

  Maggie and Cort were just inside the door, waiting. They looked like they won the lottery when they spotted us.

  “Hey, did ya’ll know it was Arden’s birthday?” Gideon told them.

  “No!” Maggie huffed. “Why didn’t you say somethin’? We’d have made a cake and bought presents.”

  “How old are you?” Cort asked.

  “You never ask a lady her age.” Maggie rolled her eyes.

  “It’s no big deal guys. I’m nineteen. It isn’t like a milestone or anything.”

  “It’s a big deal to us,” Gideon said.

  “Yeah, now we really have a reason to raise the roof.” Cort reached out and pinched my cheek with brotherly affection. “Let’s grab a bottle of bubbly.”

  * * * *

  We ended up back in our room. The formal attire was chucked for comfy clothes. Cort had ordered part of the h'orderves from the appetizer table to be delivered to the room along with a plate of petit fours. He and Gideon took two bottles of Dom Perignon on our way out. I guess it technically wasn’t stealing since they were the ones paying for the party.

  “Here’s to Arden.” Maggie lifted her plastic cup. “May this year be her best ever. Happy Birthday!”

  “To Arden! Happy Birthday.” Cort and Gideon cheered, plinking their plastic cups to Maggie’s and mine.

  “Let’s play a game,” Maggie suggested.

  “Does it involve gettin’ naked?” Cort asked, eyeing Maggie lasciviously.

  “If it does, I’m outta here.” Gideon drained the contents of his cup, lounging on my bed with his long legs stretched out over the comforter, feet dangling off the edge.

  “Later, cowboy.” Maggie winked at Cort, “How about a nice game of Truth or Dare?”

  The boys groaned.

  “Aw c’mon, party poopers,” she whined, batting those big baby blues at Cort. “Just one game.”

  “Ahh! Fine. One game.” Cort lunged forward, rolling Maggie back onto the mattress in a bear hug and smothering her with kisses.

  Maggie squealed happily before sitting up and situating herself. I sat next to Gideon on the bed, cross legged, the pleasant buzz of champagne humming in my ears.

  “Okay, birthday girl goes first.” She smiled eagerly at me, “Arden, truth or dare.”

  “Dare,” I said quickly.

  “Really?” She looked surprised. “Okay...Umm...I dare you to tell us something about you.”

  “That isn’t a dare,” I said.

  “Sure it is.”

  I looked at Gideon then to Cort. Neither seemed inclined to agree with me.

  “Alright,” I sighed. What was so interesting about me? “I love Twizzlers.”

  Maggie growled in frustration. She didn’t argue though.

  “Interesting,” she said in a tone that contradicted the statement, “Your turn.”

  “Cort, truth or dare?” He raised his brows at me, surprised. I guess they thought I’d pick Gideon.

  “I’m brave...gimme a dare.” He stretched his arms up over his head, cracking his knuckles.

  “I dare you to lick the bar of soap in the bathroom.”

  Maggie erupted beside him, her laughter tinkling around us. Cort jumped to his feet and headed for the bathroom. A second later he came out wrestling with the wrapping. Then, with a steady look at Maggie, he stuck his tongue out, bringing the bar to his mouth and quickly flicking the tip of his tongue over the surface.

  “Easy,” he bragged, getting ready to toss the soap.

  “Not so fast, Romeo,” I said, stopping him. “I said lick it, not touch it with the tip of your tongue.”

  Cort grimaced. He looked at the soap and swallowed. He didn’t look so brave now.

  “Go ahead, Danger Dan,” Gideon encouraged.

  Cort narrowed his eyes at his brother. Then he raised the soap to his mouth and licked it end to end. He immediately started gagging, wiping his tongue with the end of his shirt. Maggie, still laughing hysterically, handed him a cup of champagne.

  “That was disgusting,” he said between wipes.

  “Guess you’ll pick a truth next time.” I grinned.

  “My turn.” He smiled back at me. Uh-Oh. “Truth or dare?”

  “I already went,” I said.

  “No rule says you can’t go again.”

  “What? No way. It’s my birthday. Don’t I get to make the rules?”

  He shook his head. “Nice try. Pick one.”

  “Fine. Truth.” I didn’t trust him with a dare. The look in his eyes told me I chose wisely.

  “What happened to you that day we found you in our trailer?”

  The smile I was wearing froze on my lips. I sucked in my breath. This was the last thing I expected. Cort wasn’t being mean. I could tell he was simply curious. They all were. In the last five months no one had asked about what happened. I figured they were politely waiting for me to spill my guts. I’d been waiting for them to ask, especially since I put the kibosh on Stewie and his motor mouth. But I didn’t expect it tonight or that Cort would be the one asking.

  “I...I was...We...” I floundered, moistening my lips.

  �
�Cort, not tonight,” Gideon said.

  “You’re just as curious as I am,” Cort insisted.

  “Leave it.” Gideon sat up.

  “Why?” Cort pressed on, ignoring the warning in Gideon’s voice.

  Maggie must’ve sensed the same brewing argument I did. “Ask her somethin’ else, Cort,” she said, rubbing his thigh.

  Cort’s inquisitive eyes lingered on me for a few heartbeats then he finally smiled, saying, “Who’s the first boy you ever went to second base with?”

  It was so typical of Cort to make it a sexual question. He was one big raging hormone. But it was safer than the first question, and I was relieved to answer it.

  “Jeremy Weathers. We were at a basketball game. He kissed me. I kissed him back and before I knew it he slipped his hands under my sweater. I smacked him in the face. He cut his lip on his braces. He deserved it. Little twerp.”

  Cort howled with laughter. “I guess that counts.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Something was holding me down. I couldn’t move. My hair was caught too. I gave it a jerk. A thousand rockets launched behind my eyelids.

  I cracked an eye open then quickly closed it. The sun was blaring through the window like Christ’s second coming. What was wrong with me? I searched my memory then groaned—all that champagne. Ugh, that’s stuff packs a solid kick.

  I carefully twisted onto my side and came face to face with Gideon. He was asleep, his face taking on a boyish look in silent repose. I watched his mouth work in small twitches, wanting so badly to trace his lips with my finger.

  While I stared, Gideon’s lips curled upward. My eyes flew to his, they were opened half mast and hazy with dreams. Neither of us said a word. His arm was draped protectively over my waist. We were clothed, but under the covers. The last thing I remembered was feeling very sleepy and Gideon tucking me in, kissing the crown of my head and whispering for me to not let the bed bugs bite.

  Staring into Gideon’s warm brown eyes made my heart tremble and stall. In the quiet of our soundless conversation I suddenly didn’t care about the little details anymore. All my plans and strategies for leaving—they just disappeared. I didn’t want to be anywhere that Gideon wasn’t. As long as I was with him everything else would work itself out.