by Tia Siren
I rushed out the door and into the parking garage, dropping my keys three times. I pulled out my phone and groaned, realizing it was dead. I jumped in my car and headed over to the restaurant, my tires squealing as I pulled in and parked. I sat for a second to calm myself and get my thoughts collected and then walked slowly toward the door. When I got inside, my parents waved at me, and I sighed, smiling and running over to them.
“God, guys, I am so sorry,” I said. “Happy anniversary. I am a terrible daughter.”
“No.” My mom laughed. “We were just worried something had happened, or we said the wrong time. We tried to call, but we got your voice mail.”
“Yeah. I overslept, and I didn’t plug in my phone,” I said, sitting down. “I woke up in a panic and came over as fast as I could.”
“That studying must really be wearing you out,” my dad said. “You need to take some time to relax.”
“Yeah.” I laughed nervously. “I do need to find time to do that. I just have to be ready and prepared for anything on those finals.”
“Well, we’re happy you could make it this morning,” Mom said. “We figured all that happened was oversleeping, so we pushed our reservation back forty-five minutes and waited for you. They said we had to get a table before the afternoon rush started to get here, so we went ahead and took a table. We’ve only been sitting here fifteen minutes, so you’re fine. We ordered some mimosas and the breakfast platter we all like so much.”
“That’s great,” I said, smiling.
“And I got those apple danishes you like so much,” my dad said.
“Thank you, Daddy.” I sighed. “Really, I’m so sorry. Of all the days for me to be late, I picked your anniversary.”
“It’s okay.” Mom laughed. “So, tell us about work, school, your life. We haven’t seen you since you gave us that check.”
“Things have been crazy busy,” I said. “School is always busy, especially since it’s freshman debate week and the upperclassmen have to sit in as the audience.”
“That sounds like fun,” my father said. “Debate was my favorite class in high school.”
“And I’m sure you were good at it,” my mother said.
“I got an A,” he said, winking at her.
My parents had the kind of relationship I hoped I would have with someone one day. They were always there for each other, always supportive and caring. I thought about Mason and how sweet he had been to me the night before, and I wondered if he could be the man I would find that happiness with. I pushed the thought from my mind, remembering that in order for us to even nod at each in public, we had to take care of the entire family feud situation. Until then, neither of our families would understand us being together or sleeping together, which was all it was at this point. Still, part of me hoped he was the man who would make the other half of me. I had been motivated to become a lawyer for so long that I had completely forgotten there was a future outside taking down the York family and others like them. There was still an opportunity for me to have a happy ending.
“What did you do last night?” my mom asked happily.
“Last night?” I said, swallowing hard. “I, uh, went home from my study group and just kind of chilled until I fell asleep. I passed out on my couch, which was why I didn’t plug in my phone and my alarm didn’t go off.”
“Well, you look well rested.” My father smiled, sipping his coffee. “That’s all that matters.”
The rest of breakfast went well, with my father talking about the promotion coming up and my mom telling me all about her project at church. They seemed calm and collected, and I could tell the money I had given them had gotten things back on track for them. At the same time, though, I couldn’t help feeling slightly awkward since I was sitting there in the same clothes I was wearing before, the light scent of Mason’s cologne still lingering on my skin. Luckily, I had fixed my makeup in the car before coming in, so I didn’t completely look like the epitome of the walk of shame. My parents had no idea where I had been the night before.
It had been such an amazing experience, and even while I was sitting there across the table from my mother and father, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and that made me feel guilty. I felt like I was betraying my father and all the hard work he’d put into Spencer Hotels. I felt like I was consorting with the enemy, even though he had vowed to make this up to me and my family. A week ago, I wouldn’t have believed him. I maybe even would have thought it was his way of trying to cover it up. But after spending the night with him, reminiscing about old times, and making love like we did, I believed it when he said he wasn’t going to let his father get away with what he did.
I knew it was going to be hard on him to go up against his own family, but he wouldn’t be able to go on if he didn’t make things right. On top of that, he and I would never have the chance to be friends again if he didn’t do something with the information he’d found. At this point, all I could do was trust in my judgment and hope and pray that I was right.
Chapter 21
Mason
Everything felt like it had changed in a flash without notice. I had gone from my life to a completely different one as soon as Ava had walked into my house on Friday. I knew at that moment, no matter what happened between us, things would never be the same for me. My life was changing, I was growing, and this time I wasn’t going to fight it. It was the best thing for me, and part of me believed Ava was the best thing for my life. I hadn’t spoken to her since she left Saturday morning in a hurry, late for breakfast with her parents. She had definitely been freaked out that morning. I thought her standing in the bathroom doorway clutching my sheet around her perfect body had been absolutely adorable, and I hadn’t been able to keep myself from chuckling at her as she whirled around the house like a tornado.
The only thing I regretted about her bolting that morning was that I didn’t have a chance to sit down and talk to her about anything. We had that amazing kiss, and then she wandered out of the penthouse in a complete daze. She was so cute, lost in our kiss, trying to make her way to her parents but as blown away by what had happened between us as I was. I didn’t know how she felt about everything. It had all come so suddenly, and neither one of us had held back at all. It was a night of passion that led to a morning of confusion and chaos, but I wouldn’t have changed it for anything in the world.
Things felt different to me, and though I was going with the flow, I wasn’t sure exactly how I felt about things either. I just knew I didn’t want it to stop. I had been walking around with blinders on, sleeping with women because of the size of their tits and not anything else. I had gone in and out of the realization that I was turning into my father, but I hadn’t wanted to admit it because that would mean I was capable of what he was capable of, and that was not okay with me. So, instead, I drank myself into oblivion every night, got crazy, and shook it off the next day. Being with Ava was something I hadn’t experienced in years. In fact, it was something I hadn’t experienced since the last time I was with her.
I knew that as a guy, I was supposed to think of sex as only that, getting my rocks off with a hot girl and slaking a physical need no different than eating. I was supposed to leave emotion at the door and look at it from an outward viewpoint. But sex with Ava was more than that. It was an expression of something greater than just lust. The way our bodies wrapped around each other, the way we moved against each other, it was like we could sense what the other needed before it even happened. It was an emotional as well as physical experience, as it had been the first time, and it was something I had never had with another woman. Hell, I didn’t even know if I could have that with another woman. When I was out playing the field, sex was only sex, a way to numb the mind, to focus on something pleasurable and forget the outside world for a little while. It was robotic almost, something I did without thinking, my actions happening before I could really even think them through.
All the other girls had been a distraction from my life, m
aybe even a distraction from my subconscious desire for Ava. It was crazy to think I could still want her after ten years, but after Friday night, I was thinking anything was possible. Even after all that, the thing I thought would help me get over her, she was still as bright in my mind, if not brighter. There was no way around it. I wanted Ava, and I didn’t know if it made sense or was even possible, but that was what was in my gut. In order to even have a chance with Ava, though, I had to start thinking about forcing my father to stand up and rectify what he did. My father was really shady, and I no longer trusted anything he said or did. I wondered who else he had done that to over the years and if that was where the money came from that awarded me the luxuries I had. I didn’t want to work for York Hotels anymore, and I could feel myself getting closer and closer to the point where I knew I was going to leave. The thought of sitting next to that man, showing my support, made me sick, especially knowing that across town, Mr. Spencer was stocking groceries to make ends meet for his family.
It was Sunday. I hadn’t gone to lunch with my parents yesterday. I wanted to be free of my father as long as I could. I needed to know what my options were and how I could get myself out of my hollow life and into the life I actually wanted. I got out of bed and made a pot of coffee before going over to the table and opening my laptop. I grabbed a cup of joe when it was done and started to formulate a real business plan. I knew how to do it from college, but I hadn’t done one in a long time. It was an important part of my future, and it was time to sit down and make it happen.
I had been working on a plan in the background for my technology company for years. I thought it would be good to have something as backup in case the hotel went to hell or I decided to leave the company. I knew it was now more important than ever that I got serious about it. I needed to finish up all the finite details I had left out in the initial plans. I needed it so tight that it would never fail, and I needed to have it done soon. Ava talked about legacy, the legacy on which a man built his entire life. My father’s legacy was York Hotels. Ava’s father’s had been Spencer Hotels. This business plan, if I could get it implemented the way I wanted, was going to be my legacy. If I couldn’t get my father to invest, I would get my own investors, and I would make this happen for myself and for whatever future family I had.
I didn’t know if my company would take off or be a huge bust. I knew my ideas were solid, my application would be flawless, and I had the clout to spread the word, but I wasn’t sure if anyone would believe in me. I guessed I didn’t need anyone else to believe in me as long as I believed in myself. I didn’t want to work for my father anymore, and I didn’t want to be wrapped up in his deception and lies. On top of all that, if I left the York empire, it would mean I could be with Ava, and that alone was reason enough for me. I had to follow my own path, and fortunately, my path led right alongside Ava’s. She was what was going to make me happy, and I knew it. It wasn’t the money or the pools, the bars or the girls, or even the empire surrounding me. It was the girl who had the ability to drop me to my knees, push me across a store, and kiss who I thought was a perfect stranger in the middle of a crowd. It was the girl who made my inhibitions disappear whenever I felt the touch of her skin against mine. Ava was what was going to truly make me happy at the end of the day.
I worked on the business plan for hours, moving and rearranging things. Early in the afternoon, I took a break and jumped in the shower, figuring I should probably change my clothes at some point. When I got out of the shower, I looked in the mirror, running my hand over my facial stubble. I got out the shaving cream and razor and started preparing to shave. As I patted the cream on my face, I looked up, stopped, and stared at a familiar man. I really loved that beard. Fuck it. I figured if people didn’t like it, they could look somewhere else. I tossed the razor in the trash and wiped the shaving cream off, deciding it was time for a change.
I smiled at myself, feeling better than I had in many years despite everything going on with my dad. I got dressed, walked out on the balcony, and looked out over the city. It was a beautiful view. I couldn’t deny that. But as soon as I quit the company, it was definitely going to end. It was okay, though. I was ready to make my own way, to stop being led around by the hand by my father. I would have a view like that again, but when I did, I would have earned it. I pulled my buzzing phone out of my pocket and looked down. It was John.
“Hey, buddy,” I said.
“Hey,” he replied. “You sound chipper.”
“Just a good day,” I said. “What’s up?”
“I was just kind of wondering where you were last night,” he said. “We had plans to go to the bar, and you never showed up.”
“Yeah, I really wasn’t feeling it,” I said. “I should have called. Sorry about that, man.”
“I don’t understand you. We went out to your favorite spot last night. I got us a table with bottle service, there were hot fucking chicks everywhere, and some of my buddies from college came out. They all expected to meet you, but you never showed. You kind of made me look like an ass.”
“I’m sorry, dude,” I said. “I’m sure they were more than happy to drink the alcohol and fuck the women. I was just in another place yesterday, you know?”
“No,” he said. “I don’t know. Please explain it to me.”
“My mind was in another place. I was thinking about my life, my choices, my future,” I said. “I was thinking about how tired I am of the same old shit, the same old job, and the same old people. None of these people really care about us, man. You have to know that. They’re our friends so they can say they know us. Don’t you ever want more from your life than just booze and chicks?”
“No,” he said pointedly.
I laughed. “Well, I do. I want more than just booze, chicks, and fake people. I want to do me, make life happen, earn my own way.”
“Dude, seriously, what is wrong with you?” he said.
“Nothing’s wrong with me. I guess I’m just finally growing up.”
“What does that mean? Am I not a grown-up?”
“This has nothing to do with you, John,” I said with a sigh.
John was irritated with me. He was on the defense regarding everything I said. In the back of his mind, he knew what I was talking about, but he hadn’t reached the point of understanding that in his own life yet, and that was okay. I didn’t need a partner in crime for any of this. I needed my own self-motivation and the understanding of what I wanted out of my life. I wasn’t totally positive yet, but I knew two things for sure: I wanted Ava in my life and I didn’t want to work for my father ever again. I was done with the chaos and lies, and I was about to change everything.
Chapter 22
Ava
I drove through the city on the way to take my second-to-last final. It was one I wasn’t worried about at all, and I was looking forward to getting it over with. I was tired of studying, of being so buried in my books that I couldn’t find the light of day. I knew it was all part of going to law school, but I still really wanted to be finished and move on. I had been in school for what felt like forever, and I was aching for a real life with a real job and real things to do every day besides being buried in textbooks and only coming up for a refill on coffee. I was almost done with this year. I had one more semester after this one, and then I would be on to my last semester in school. I was even thinking about taking an overload of classes the next semester and finishing up early. I had the grades to support the request, and I was sure the dean would approve it, but I wanted to make sure I could do it and maintain my grades before attempting and failing.
Law was one of those careers where it really mattered where you placed when you graduated. I was sitting in the top ten, and I had worked my ass off to stay there. Everyone knew that the best job offers went to the top ten, and I wanted to make sure I got to pick a firm that would be my home until I started my own place or moved up and made partner. I went to the school and powered through the final, finishing before any
one else. I sat back for a minute and double-checked my answers before turning it in. I always worried that I’d rushed too much when I was the first one done, but everything looked perfect, so I was going to chock it up to my studying and knowing the information. Afterward, I made my way to a cafe to meet up with Blair.
“Hey, hey,” she said, unpropping her feet from my chair and putting down her book. “How was the final?”
“Easy peasy.” I gave her a high-five.
“Nice,” she said. “So how is life? Anymore peeps out of the York clan?”
“Actually, yes,” I said, sitting up. “I finally went to Mason’s and sat down and talked to him about everything. He found out his dad really did screw over my family, and he has dedicated himself to making it up to us.”
“That’s awesome,” she said. “What else happened? I can see on your face that wasn’t the end of the conversation.”
“We reminisced about the old times, and then the conversation was over,” I said. “Because we had sex.”
“What?”
“I know.” I sighed. “I woke up the next morning completely mortified, late for my parents’ anniversary breakfast, and lost in my own head. I am so ashamed of it, and if my parents ever found out, they would absolutely kill me.”
“Really? You think so?” she said. “Even if was fated in the stars for the two of you to be together?”
“Come on.” I snorted, rolling my eyes. “You have been watching too many chick flicks lately. Things are not fated in the stars. That only happens in make-believe. I live in this world.”
“I think fate is real,” Blair said, shrugging. “I think my parents were fated to be together. Your parents, they are, like, perfect for each other, and I think the universe plays some serious tricks on us.”