“I…” Crap, I press my lips together, trying to come up with a quick, realistic excuse for why I can’t go, but I don’t have one. Ly won’t be home and I don’t have work tomorrow. “Fine,” I grit out, and Denver smiles. I want to wipe the stupid, attractive smile off his stupid, handsome face, but I don’t… even when my fingers itch to do it.
“Mommy, can I open my present from Grandma and Grandpa?” Ly asks, and I turn to find her with a gift bag that’s almost as big as she is. I didn’t notice the bag earlier, but Shel must have had it when she came in.
“If they don’t mind.”
“Can I please?” She jumps up and down, giving her grandparents a pleading look.
“Go for it,” Dad says, walking toward her, and she squeals, dropping the bag to the ground and tossing the tissue paper out with a flourish.
“Thank you.” She dances around happily when she sees she now has a new dollhouse and two new babies to play with. I clean up the paper and boxes then settle her in the living room with her new toys. Pen stays with her, promising to keep an eye on her while I finish putting food and drinks out.
With Shel, Dad, and Denver’s help, we finish just as everyone starts to show up. And after that, I’m so busy I don’t have time to dwell on the fact that Denver wants to talk about me belonging to him. Or the fact that I’m going to the bar with him tonight, which kinda means we’re going on a date. Not to mention I’m supposed to have a date with Mike next week.
When the hell did my life get so complicated?
Just when I’m about to go get the cake from the kitchen at five thirty, I hear the doorbell chime. I start toward it, but stop when Shel waves me off to answer it herself. When I see her walk back into the dining room with two people trailing behind her a few seconds later, my stomach turns. Gabe’s parents are not my favorite people, but they are Ly’s grandparents, and another link to the father she will never really know. So as hard as it is for me to be around them, I really do try to put my feelings about them aside for Ly’s sake.
“Hi, Pauline.” I give Gabe’s mom a smile and then look at her husband, keeping my expression in place. “Jack, I’m so glad you could both make it.”
I don’t hug either of them. I learned early on that they are not the kind of people to show affection, a trait Gabe unfortunately shared with them. Gabe was not the kind of guy to kiss me for no reason. I can count on both my hands the number of times we even held hands. I didn’t mind it too much, because I knew he loved me; he showed me he did every single day he was alive in other ways. I still wonder how he would have been with Ly. I wonder if he would have changed for her, because she is affectionate. She’s always been the kind of kid who has no problem giving out hugs or kisses to any and everyone she loves—though I can’t recall ever seeing her hug either of Gabe’s parents. Then again, they don’t exactly give off hugging vibes.
“Aubrey,” Jack says in a dismissive sort of way, as his eyes sweep the room filled with friends and family.
“Where’s Lyra?” Pauline asks, looking around as well.
“My sister took her up to her room to help change into the birthday dress Joe brought. She should be back down in just a couple of minutes,” I reply, then add, “There’s lots off food. Please make yourselves at home.”
They don’t respond to my statement. They also don’t grab plates for food. Instead, they walk to one of the empty corners in the room away from everyone else and lean against the wall.
I know I won’t be able to do anything to make them feel welcome, so I leave them and everyone else in the dining room and head to the kitchen. Once I’m done placing the candles in the top of the cake, I pick it up and grab a book of matches, along with Ly’s birthday gifts from me.
Before I make it to the kitchen doorway, Denver comes into view and I instantly go on alert. “Let me help with that.” He takes the cake from me, and without another word, he walks toward the dining room. I light the candles when I hear Pen shout out that she and Ly are coming down, and Shel turns out the lights. As soon as Ly arrives in the doorway, wearing a pink T-shirt with her name in glittery writing and a poufy skirt, we all sing “Happy Birthday” to her, which makes her face light up with glee. Tears start to burn the back of my throat, and I fight to keep them at bay. It’s times like these I miss Gabe the most. Holidays have become easier over the years, but it’s hard to think about what Ly is missing out on with her dad not being here to celebrate with us. When the song comes to an end, Ly blows out the candles then sticks her fingers in the cake, taking a swipe of icing and making us all laugh when she shoves her fingers in her mouth. She smiles from ear to ear.
“Can I open my gifts now?” Ly asks, bouncing on her toes while eyeing the stack of presents against the wall.
“Sure, honey.” I kiss the side of her head before she gets down to open her gifts then take my camera from Shel so I can get some pictures of her. When she’s done opening presents and thanking everyone, people start to take off and I begin to clean up. As I’m gathering up empty plates and cups, Pauline comes into the dining room and starts to help—something that shocks me. Then she opens her mouth, and I know she’s trying to be helpful to soften me up.
“We’d really like to take Lyra to Nevada for a couple weeks this summer,” she says, and my lungs start to feel funny. “My mother is ill and I’m afraid that if she doesn’t meet her great-grandma now, then she never will.”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head. I don’t like the idea of being away from my baby for a night, much less a week. Since she was born, she’s rarely been gone overnight, and even then, she is just right next door at my parents’ place.
“She should get to know her dad’s family. Gabe would have wanted her to spend time with his grandparents, would have wanted her to meet his family.”
As guilt starts to settle in the pit of my stomach, I wonder if he would have wanted that. He never really spoke about his family outside of his parents, and I wouldn’t even say he and his parents were close. They had a strange relationship, one I never really understood.
“I need to think about it.” I don’t really need to think about it, but I don’t want to have this conversation right now, not with people around, and not when I feel put on the spot.
“We are her family too, Aubrey. Even with Gabe gone, we are still her family.” Her words make my stomach hurt.
“I know, Pauline, and like I said, I’ll think about it. I just don’t know. She’s still young, and we have never been apart for more than a night over the last four years,” I say quietly.
“Did you ask her?” Jack questions, coming into the dining room right then, and I look at him.
“I did. She’s going to think about it.”
“Good.” He gives me a nod of approval. “Let’s tell Lyra bye and head out.”
“Sure.” She hands me the stack of paper cups she’s picked up. “Let me know what you decide. I plan on booking our tickets in the next few weeks, so if you could let us know sooner than later, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll let you know,” I agree, and she nods then leaves with her husband. I move to the hall and watch them say goodbye to Ly, feeling my stomach twist when she holds herself back from hugging them like she did everyone one else who came to celebrate her birthday.
“What was that about?” Shel asks, coming my way when they are gone and the door is closed behind them.
“They want to take Ly to visit their family in Nevada for a couple weeks this summer.”
“They want to take her for a week? They haven’t even had her overnight.”
“I know.” I let out a sigh.
“What did you tell them?”
“That I’d think about it. I don’t want to let her go, but I feel so guilty. I don’t want to keep Ly from Gabe’s family. I don’t want her to hate me in a few years because I didn’t allow her to get to know them.”
“Honey, you don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Lyra is young; she’s
still a baby as far as I’m concerned. She should be here with you.”
I nod in agreement. “The bad thing is I have time to break the news to them. I just hope when I tell them no they are understanding.”
“You know your dad and I are here. We can go with you if you want. Maybe we can help explain why right now isn’t the time for that kind of separation.”
“Thanks, Shel.”
“Anytime.” She gives me a hug. “I’m going to get Ly’s bag and take her over to the house. Have fun tonight with Denver.”
“Shel….” I let the warning hang in the air between us.
Her eyes soften and she reaches out to me, resting her hand against my cheek. “Just have fun.”
“Sure,” I mumble, and she drops her hand away, giving me a smile. I say goodbye to Denver’s mom, Joe, along with his family and mine. Once everyone is gone, I go to the kitchen, where I come up with another excuse as to why I can’t go out tonight. I just hope it works.
Chapter 4
_______________
Denver
“HOW LONG DO YOU NEED to get ready to go out?”
At my question, Bre looks up from the counter that she’s been wiping down for the last fifteen minutes. A counter that was already clean, because Shel and my mom spent time cleaning up the kitchen after everyone else left. They just took off themselves, all of them going next door to Bre’s mom and dad’s to watch a movie.
“I don’t really feel up to going out. I have a headache.”
“Did you take something?”
She licks her lips. “Um… I didn’t. It’s not that bad.” She turns her back to me and starts to wipe down the sink. “You can go. I’m probably gonna just take a shower and head to bed.”
“You’re full of shit,” I state, and she turns her head to look at me over her shoulder.
“Pardon?”
“You don’t have a headache. You’re just using that as an excuse to avoid me once again.”
“I’m not,” she lies, and I know she’s lying, because every time she does, her head tips a little to the right. She’s always done that, ever since I can remember.
“You are.”
“Okay, so maybe I just don’t want to go out.”
“That’s fine.” I shrug, and relief fills her eyes. “I don’t mind staying in. We can talk here.”
“Thirty minutes.”
“What?”
She tosses the sponge in her hand into the sink then skirts past me, doing it quickly. Pausing in the hall, she glances at me over her shoulder. “I’ll be ready to go in thirty minutes.”
“Right.” I grin, and she huffs out an annoyed breath before stomping off, which makes me laugh.
While she’s doing whatever women do to get ready to go out, I go to the living room and look out the front window, my mind wandering to the party.
Everyone who was invited showed, and Bre was having a good time… until Gabe’s parents arrived. I know that since Gabe’s passing, Bre has made an effort to include them in Lyra’s life. They’re always invited to holidays and birthdays, though they don’t always show up, which is probably a good thing. Bre shut down the moment they arrived here. No, she didn’t lose her smile, but I could see it in her eyes that she was uncomfortable.
Then again, they made everyone uncomfortable. They didn’t chat or even try to join in on the conversations going on around them. They just huddled together in the corner of the room, talking amongst themselves. The only person they interacted with was Lyra, and that didn’t last long, because she wanted to play with her toys and spend time with her friends who came to celebrate her birthday. I can’t say I’m surprised by their behavior. Since they moved to town years ago, they have kept to themselves. No one really knows much about them, and they have never attempted to change that.
“Ready.” Bre’s voice brings me back to the moment and I turn to face her, feeling my mouth go dry. Her long, dark blonde hair is down, framing her pretty face. She’s wearing a little makeup, just enough to make her eyes pop and her lips are glossy. Her top and jeans are both formfitting, showing off her curves, and the high-heel boots on her feet seem to make her legs look long as hell. Jesus, she’s fucking beautiful without even trying.
I sweep my eyes back up her body to meet her gaze. “You look beautiful.”
“Stop,” she demands, holding her palm up toward me.
I can’t contain my frown. “Stop what?”
“Stop acting so weird. It’s starting to freak me out. You’ve never talked to me like you have today. Not ever. You’ve definitely never kissed me, and now the compliment? It’s too much.”
“Do you know how many times over the years I’ve wanted to tell you how beautiful you are? How many times I wanted to touch you, kiss you, claim you?”
“Denver.”
“I’m not going to stop, Bre. I’m not going to stop—even after I get what I want.”
“See? You’re freaking me out again!” she cries, tossing her arms out.
“What are you so afraid of?” I take a step toward her.
She takes a step back, shaking her head. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“You are. You’ve always been afraid of me. Why is that?”
“I’m not scared of you. I just…. We just…. I just don’t understand the game you’re playing. I don’t know why you’re doing this now. Why you’re acting like this now.”
“I’m not playing a game. As for why now? I think I told you earlier. I knew you weren’t ready before, not for what I wanted. Now, all bets are off.”
“What you wanted?” she whispers.
“What I want.” I move closer to her and drop my voice. “I’ve always wanted you.” Our eyes stay locked as I wrap my hand around her hip. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted.”
I feel her body tighten under my palm before she jerks away. “Liar,” she hisses, her eyes filling with anger. “Keep up with this game if you want, but don’t lie to me.”
My brows draw together in confusion. “It’s not a lie.”
“Yes.” She shoves my chest with one hand while glaring at me. “Yes, it is.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
At my question, her face pales and her eyes slide away. “Nothing, let’s just go.”
She starts to move toward the door, but I step in front of her and block her path. “No. Tell me why you’re calling me a liar.”
“No.” She doesn’t look at me. “No. Either we leave now, or I’m not going.”
My jaw clenches. I want to demand she open up to me, but I know that if I push too hard, she’ll close down and I’ll lose my shot. “Let’s go.” I open the front door, and she steps out onto the porch with me, but stops to lock the door. When we make it down the steps, I place my hand at the small of her back and lead her to the passenger side of my truck, opening the door. Once she’s in, I head around to climb in behind the wheel. We don’t talk as I drive us down to the harbor and park, and she keeps quiet as I lead her into the bar. I lift my chin as we pass people I know, but don’t stop to talk to any of them, even though I can see a million questions on their faces as we walk by.
“You okay?” I ask Bre once she’s seated at a four-top table at the back of the bar.
“Yeah.”
I can tell by the set of her shoulders that she’s uncomfortable. I doubt she’s ever been here or to any of the other bars in town. Hell, when we were in high school, I can only ever remember her going to the one party I invited her to, the party where I had planned on making my move.
“What do you want to drink? Beer, wine, something else?” I ask, taking off my coat and hanging it on my chair.
Her nose scrunches up, making her look adorable. “Water.”
I smile. “Babe, we’re at a bar, and you don’t have work tomorrow. It’s okay to have a drink.”
“Beer is gross, and wine isn’t much better. I’d rather just drink water.”
“What about mixed drinks?�
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“I haven’t tried any. I’m not a big drinker.” She slips off her jacket.
“All right, I’ll order you a water and something else. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to drink it.”
“Sure.” She shrugs.
“Be right back.” I head for the bar, and Andy, an old friend and the bartender, lifts his chin, coming toward me.
“What can I get you?”
“Beer, water, and a Moscow mule if you can make it.”
“Don’t got those fancy copper cups, but got the shit to make the drink. You good with that?”
“Yep.”
“Right.” He grabs a beer and hands it over to me after popping the top. “I see you’re here with Aubrey.” He nods toward where Bre is sitting while he grabs a bottle of vodka off the top shelf.
“Yep,” I repeat.
“She looks about ready to bolt,” he observes, and I look over to find her eyeing the door. It makes me smile, but my smile quickly turns into a frown as I watch a guy approach her. My insides tighten with raw, ugly jealousy when she stands to greet him with a hug. “She’s pretty. Always been pretty. It’s probably a good thing she doesn’t hang out here. I imagine you’d be busy cock-blocking if she did.”
“Shut the fuck up.” I listen to him laugh as I grab the drinks from the counter and head to the table, where the guy is now laughing at something Bre said.
The moment I arrive, Bre’s wide eyes come to me and she swallows. “Here, baby.” I hand her the drink then look at the guy. I don’t know him, but I have no doubt he’s the Mike she was supposed to be going out with next week. “What’s up, man?” I stick my hand out toward him. “Denver. And you are?”
“Mike.” He gives my hand a shake while his eyes bounce between Bre and me.
I want to squeeze his hand until his fingers snap, but I don’t. I let it drop then wrap my arm around Bre’s shoulders. We still have a lot of shit to work out, but I wasn’t lying when I told my mom that I’m not going to let her be taken from me again. She’s mine. She might want to deny that fact, but I won’t stop fighting for her until I finally get what I want.
ONE LAST WISH Page 5