Confusion: (a love story)

by Catherine Curtis

  I turn to give him the tea and he is just staring at the floor. “But?”

  “She passed away two months ago. I’m still dealing with the estate. Not sure what I will do next.”

  “I’m so sorry Aubrey.” The words sound insufficient so I just wait while we sip our tea. After a few minutes my mind has had time to circle back around to my first question and I decide to brooch it again. “But I still don’t understand, why are you here.”

  He looks up at me and I can see a tinge of uncertainty in his caramel colored eyes; he’s afraid to tell me.

  “Funny story actually.” He turns and wanders into my living room and makes himself comfortable on the only piece of furniture left in the room, the couch. I settle in at the opposite end and sit facing him as he takes a deep breath,

  “So this afternoon around 4:00 I was sitting on my mammas porch in West Virginia when my cell phone rang. It was Eric Church. He told me that he had heard that I was out and wanted to know if I would be interested in a little private security job. I told him I was pretty busy with my mom’s estate but that I would be happy to make a recommendation. He told me that they needed someone that the client would trust and he had some idea that I might be the person. When he asked me who I would trust with the life of Isabella Scott, I asked him where and when I should show up. All of a sudden I found myself on a private jet and next thing I know I’m staring up at you while you chastise me for smoking.”

  I sit silently for a minute and sip my tea. I’m thinking of exactly what I want to ask but I’m also just giving him a while to get good and nervous. He’s watching me like I might attack at any moment. I decide to start by asking him things he has already told me. Once he is comfortable answering my questions he might me more likely to keep talking.

  “Around 4:00 huh?”

  “Yeah, probably a few minutes after,” he adds nervously. That would be right around the time I left Nathan’s suite. I wonder if they came up with this after I left or if they had already discussed it.

  “How do you know Eric?”

  “He trained under me actually.”

  “And why would he think I would trust you?”

  He takes a sip of his tea to buy himself some time. “You know how Marines talk, Is. I was sort of known for making sure you weren’t the topic of conversation.” I can’t help smile with gratitude at the remark. Aubrey is putting it lightly. When Marines in the desert start talking about women they say things that would bring new meaning to the phrase shock and awe. There are critiques of her body and fantasies about what they would do with that body in every lurid detail. Being the General’s daughter made me a great target for these sorts of conversations. It’s something I accepted but it’s nice to know there was someone out there protecting my honor.

  But it doesn’t actually answer my question.

  “That’s why they would trust you with me, but why would they think that I would trust you.” I think I’ve hurt his feelings by questioning the idea that I would trust him but he answers me anyway.

  “I don’t know Is. Maybe all of our adventures didn’t go unnoticed. Maybe someone assumed that you wouldn’t spend all that time with me if I didn’t have your trust.” And he is right of course. I was 15 when Jackson Aubrey joined the Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune. He was 19 and I had a terrible crush on him but he always treated me like a little sister. I took advantage of that and I was usually pretty good at talking him into a hike or fishing or going someplace we weren’t supposed to go. He was deployed a few times but he always came back to North Carolina and I was usually as excited as his family to see him. He deployed again the month before I left for Dartmouth and I knew that his team had seen a lot of losses. I was always afraid to ask about what happened to him.

  I take another sip of my tea and try to refocus. “Why are you here Aubrey? Why did they hire you?”

  He actually looks relieved at the question. “My employer, Nathan Graham, told me that when you asked that question I was to remind you that you told him to figure out a way to not worry about you when you aren’t with him.”

  Unbelievable. Did Nathan actually think that I would agree to this? Does he think he is being funny? All three of them are going to pay for this. I narrow my eyes at Aubrey and give him his last chance at escape. “And did he tell you why he is worried? Did he tell you what he thinks you are protecting me from?”

  “He did.”

  “And that is?”

  “Is, they are just being careful. Just let us take care of things for a few days.”

  “You aren’t going to tell me.” He just shakes his head no but I can tell he disagrees with the approach. Damn them for doing this to us. “OK Aubrey, I’m going to make you a deal. Listen carefully, because the deal is only good for a few minutes. The deal is, if you tell me what is going on, and I mean everything, I will pretend like you never told me and find a way to look like I figured it out myself. And if you don’t tell me, when we go to bed tonight we will be friends but when we wake up you will regret the day you ever set foot on that plane and you will continue to regret it until I know what is going on. Got it? Either way, I figure out what is going on. With the first choice, no one gets hurt. With the second, you will do nothing but wish you had taken the first. That is your deal. Let me ask you again, why are you here?”

  He looks a little stunned and I am sure he is trying to figure out if I am serious. He is not a man that is accustomed to being threatened. Most people would know better than to threaten a Marine from the Special Operations Command, but then most people wouldn’t be willing to do what it takes to follow through.

  “No?” I ask but I can tell he isn’t going to budge. “OK Aubrey, let’s get you to bed. We have a long day tomorrow. You can sleep on the guest bed. It’s close enough that you will be able to hear me breath but much more comfortable than the couch.

  Chapter 12

  I wake up about 6:30 and I decide to lie in bed until 7:00. That will give Eric time to make it to Nathan’s suite. As I lay there I go over my plan and try to think of how they are going to react. Eric and Aubrey I can predict. Nathan, I’m not so sure. At 7:05 I throw my legs over the side of the bed. I decide against the yoga pants and head into the kitchen in Nathan’s t-shirt and a pair of black lace underwear.

  When I pass the guest room I can tell by his breathing that Aubrey is awake. I smile at the possibility that he is staying in bed to hide. I make two cups of coffee and then pick up my cell phone and dial Eric. He picks up on the third ring and I’m happy to hear that his voice sounds like he is in a cave. That means he is on speaker phone and Nathan is sure to hear.

  “Good Morning Eric.” I settle onto the couch in the living room with my eyes on Aubrey’s door.

  “Hey Isabella, what’s up?” I can hear the uncertainty in his voice.

  “Oh, not much. I just called to thank you for reconnecting me to my old friend Aubrey. Sure has been great to catch up.” I pause for a second but he stays silent so I continue. “Just curious, are you going to tell me what has got Nathan acting like an overly possessive ass or am I going to have to figure it out myself?”

  He pauses for a second and then sounds very uncomfortable at being put in the middle. “I’m sure Nathan is looking forward to seeing you this morning and you guys can talk then.”

  “Oh I don’t know, Aubrey has never been to New Hampshire. I might need to show him around a bit.”

  Another pause. “Yeah, about Jackson. Is he around? Maybe I could chat with him a minute.”

  “Oh I’m sure Aubrey would love to chat.” I raise my voice a bit to make sure that Aubrey can hear my next sentence clearly. “But he’s still asleep in my bed so I guess I’ll have to have him call you back later.” I almost laugh as I hear Aubrey start to scramble out of bed and then fall with a heavy thud onto the floor. “You boys have a nice day though and give my best to Nathan,” I say cheerily before I hang up.

  Aubrey appears in his door not a second later. His eyes
are wide and his face is flush and I can see his quick breaths across his bare chest. He is standing there in his boxers and his rumpled brown curls are sticking in every direction. For a moment he is the 19 year old boy that I followed around like a puppy dog. I would do anything to get his attention, and I sure have his attention now.

  “Is?” His voice is low and questioning. It the same voice he used for me when he was asking if I was going to behave or if he was going to have to call my father. I smile at the memory and walk over to hand him his cup of coffee.

  “I’d put some clothes on if I were you. I’d say we have about three minutes before we have visitors.”

  I saunter off into the kitchen and start to pull down a couple of extra cups. I can tell that Aubrey hasn’t taken his eyes off of me so I reach for the high shelf and give him a better look at my underpants just to mess with him. I guess old habits die hard.

  I go about making coffee and he finally disappears into the room when there is a loud knock on the front door. I pick up the newly made coffees and open the door to a flustered Eric and very unhappy Nathan.

  “Good morning gentlemen. Coffee?” I hand them each a cup and then retrieve my cell phone and coffee from the counter. “Come on in guys. I was just going to make a quick call.”

  Aubrey appears back in the doorway to the guest room, this time fully clothed. Eric and Nathan eye him and then the bed behind him as he mouths the words “Guest Room” in his defense. Eric sighs as if he has been saved from some terrible fate and Nathan takes a hard look at them both and then turns his attention to me. He looks like he is about to speak but I switch my phone to speaker phone and toss it, ringing, onto the coffee table. After two rings, my father picks up.

  “Hello Daddy.”

  “Hey Pumpkin, what’s up?”

  “Well, I was hoping that you could tell me. I’m sitting in my living room with Eric Church, Nathan Graham, and Jackson Aubrey. Interesting group wouldn’t you say.”

  There is silence for a moment and I’m happy to see the color draining from Eric’s face. I can see the gears turning with Nathan and am sure he is trying to figure out what is happening and what I am going to do next. Aubrey just looks like he has a headache.

  “Sure is Pumpkin. And I can tell from your voice you’re not pleased.” I can hear my father’s chair squeak as he leans back and I can picture him as he places his feet up on the desk and crosses his hands over his stomach. It’s his thinking pose.

  Eric breaks in and tries to keep his voice low enough that my father can’t hear him. “Isabella, how ‘bout you go get dressed and I can talk to the General for just a minute.”

  “What was that?” My father’s voice rings out.

  “Oh nothing Daddy. I’m making Eric uncomfortable because I’m standing here in my t-shirt and underpants but it’s nothing they haven’t all seen plenty of before.” Eric and Nathan both look at Aubrey and he starts to shake his head no.

  “What is it Jackson?” I smirk. “You forget to tell him about that time we went skinny dipping when they called you up to protect me?”

  He looks at me and his face has grown very serious. “Is. You and I both know that you were the one that was skinny dipping. I just showed up to made sure that you made it home safe.”

  Our eyes are locked and I know that if I could hear his thoughts that he would be begging me to just back down. But I gave him a choice last night and he chose poorly, so it’s too late now. “That’s funny,” I continue, “Because I have a distinct memory of seeing you naked.”

  “Jesus, Is, are you trying to get me killed?”

  My Dad’s voice breaks through the burst of emotion that has filled the room.

  “Isabella, why are you torturing these boys? What have they done?”

  “You really don’t know Daddy?”

  “I have never been so happy to claim ignorance in my life.”

  “Oh thank you Daddy. That’s all I wanted to know.”

  “No problem Pumpkin. But Sweetheart, go easy on them. I know there’s three of them and only one of you, but I know enough about those boys to know that it’s not a fair fight.”

  “I’m not making any promises at this point, Daddy.”

  “Well in that case, I’ll direct my advice to the boys. I don’t know what you did to piss her off but I’ll tell you that I would rather be wearing a black hood with the boys down at Guantanamo than to face that woman when she is mad. And if she offers you a deal, I would take it...” I look up at Aubrey and give him a knowing smile and I can see that it is happening already. I don’t know which part he regrets just yet, but his eyes can’t hide the regret. I glance over and Nathan has been watching the exchange and is trying to read what it means.

  “...and take the first chance you have to come clean. Otherwise, God have mercy on your souls.”

  I laugh. “Now Daddy, don’t be so melodramatic. I’m just looking for a little honesty, but I’m happy to hear that the conspiracy doesn’t go to the top, so to speak. You have a good day and I’ll catch you up when I can.”

  “Sounds good pumpkin. And how’s that hound of mine?”

  “He’s doing fine Daddy. Cranky and stubborn as always, but fine. Love you, Daddy.”

  “Love you Pumpkin.”

  The line goes dead and for a moment no one says anything. I look up and Eric and Aubrey look really uncomfortable.

  My eyes lock with Nathan and his look is focused and icy cold. I start to worry that I have pushed him too far. After all, I don’t really know the man. I have no idea what he will do when really angry. I’m suddenly grateful that Eric and Aubrey are there to keep us both calm.

  But as the time passes Nathan’s mood is shifting and I’m both relieved and a little confused when I see that amused smile wash across his face. He looks almost playful.

  “For the record,” he states, “that is not your t-shirt.”

  I try to fight it but the corner of my mouth curves up enough to betray my amusement. Finally I raise an eyebrow and ask sweetly, “Would you like it back?”

  “Oh I’ll collect it later,” he says suggestively, “but if we are going for honesty I thought we should clarify that what while you are, in fact, standing here in your underpants, you’re at least partially covered in my t-shirt.”

  We watch each other for a moment and I realize that he has seen through my scheme. He knows that Aubrey is not a threat and he knows that as mad as I am he still has me. Because whatever my words are, I still slept in the only piece of him that I have.

  “Very perceptive Dr. Graham,” I almost growl, “Is there anything else you would like to be honest about or would you like some more time alone to think about it?”

  There is an uncomfortable silence as Nathan watches me. His look is impassive but I know he is trying hard not to make a mistake. I attempt my own mask of a coy smile and wait him out.

  “Would you like to continue this conversation in private or do you have some need to keep tormenting these guys?” He gives a brief glance to both Eric and Aubrey. I do the same but they are both staring at the floor and if I had to guess they are both praying that I let them go.

  “Well Eric is yours to decide, but I’m not done with Aubrey until I know the truth about what is going on.” I can see Aubrey’s jaw clench in anger at being treated like a possession. I always knew how to push his buttons and make him lose control and I can tell I haven’t lost the touch. “But assuming you are about to tell me the truth, I suppose he can go.” Aubrey finally looks up at me as I wave my hand dismissively.

  Nathan takes a long look at Aubrey’s growing anger and then back to me with a clear look of frustration and disapproval. “So are you saying you want me to send him home? Would you be more comfortable with someone else?”

  I meet Aubrey’s glowering eyes and decide that I’ve punished him enough. I let out a sigh but continue looking him in the eye as I say what I have to say. “No Nathan, I do not want someone else. If you tell me something convincing enough for me
indulge you in providing me with security, and that is a big if, then Jackson Aubrey is your man. Other than my father, there is not another man on this Earth that I trust more.” Aubrey gives me a slow nod and a small smile and I know that he is both forgiving me for torturing him and thanking me for my gift of trust.

  I look at Nathan and he is narrowing his eyes on Aubrey and I am sure he is unhappy with the level of affection I clearly have for the man. I look down at me hands from embarrassment and do my best to ease his concerns. “And before you go getting all insecure about that, you should also know that I flirted with the man terribly and practically threw myself at him for about four years. If he didn’t show interest then, then he is no threat to you now that I have moved on.”

  I look back up at Nathan and try to regain my authoritative tone. “No, you should not send him home, you should keep him and double whatever it is you are paying him. But you should also make it very clear that if he is going to be with me then he has to be honest with me too. You boys will not keep secrets from me again or the deal is off. Are we clear?”

  Nathan just looks at me and I can tell that for once he is the one who is confused. “So you are agreeing to me giving you a security detail?”

  “I agreeing to you paying Aubrey twice as much as you promised him originally to hang out with me for a while. And that’s only if you can give me a reason much more convincing than you being an overly paranoid stalker.” I punctuate my statement with a smile.

  “I’ve gone from overly possessive ass to overly paranoid stalker. You know there are plenty of women who would appreciate my attention.” I can tell by his tone that he is teasing, but the comment hits too close to my own insecurity. He may be kidding but what he says is true and reminds me that he is way out of my league.