I stand up from the tub and hold my hand out for her to climb over. I grab the condoms from the drawer next to the sink and throw the extras on the counter before putting on me. I pick her up and sit her on the edge of the counter wrapping her legs around me. We've used half of the surfaces in this room and almost every inch of my room at this point.
I know she's been wet since we got into the tub, and I can't wait to slide home. I make love to my woman until her legs can't hold on anymore and let her rest until we have to get ready for the real world to come back. I look at my tired angel taking up half of my bed and bask in the fact that our world is ours. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
Usually, whether it was a good day or bad day, I can separate what happens at work once I actually leave. I've managed to adapt over the years, but today. Ugh.
Today was just plain miserable.
Why is it that just when we think our past just might leave us, it pops up left and right?
Rob did nothing but scream all day in a tirade. It probably had something to do with the fact that he needed to come in for monthly inventory so early this morning. I got the brunt of his crappy and cranky mood more than anyone.
My day only got worse from there.
It didn't help that two of my so-called 'friends' from high school, Sierra and Brooke, came home for a weekend vacation to their parents' houses and felt the need to stop by to antagonize me.
Yay for me.
Of course, Rob didn't believe me when I said they were complaining about me on purpose because they knew me. How they found out where I worked probably wasn't hard for them because a bunch of our class still lives in Aiken, whether they go to Broxton or work around here. All it takes is for them to ask one person what I've been up to and it spirals from there.
I thought I was over the actual bullying. The second things turned sour our senior year, they turned on Kylie and me. It wasn't just the stuff they said or did. It's the fact that I trusted them to be my friends and have my back when I was in the middle of being humiliated. Just seeing them was enough to get my blood boiling. I tried to be professional; I really did try to keep everything under control so that Rob wouldn't go overboard on the yelling. Once he got on a roll, though, I wrote up a report on my version of the incident and went home. People like him or the bitch twins—as I call them in my head—get on a roll and there is no reasoning with them at all.
This is why I stay in my shell. Since it's Friday and I don't have any classes tonight, I reserve myself to a pint of ice cream and Netflix binging with Kylie. She knows I probably won't talk most of the night, if not the whole night. My brain cannot stop working into overdrive. She and I have both gotten hooked on Beauty and the Beast, even though I've barely paid attention. I'm so far into my own head, I don't know if I'm even still awake.
These are the days when I really don't want to open my own place where people can act like that.
Now, I'm questioning everything. Can I handle the emotional responsibility of dealing with employees and customers, who will no doubt, go through this? I know I'll have to get involved, and I hate customer confrontation. It's been rare for as long as I've worked at Barrel of Snacks, but nothing this bad.
I've avoided people all day by turning off my phone and hiding at home. I'm so engrossed in my own mind that I don't even hear the knocking on the door. Blurs of Kylie pan out, and I'm pulled from my trance by the sound of Matt's voice.
What is he doing here? I did text him when I left saying I didn't feel well and I'd talk to him later.
"Is she here? She texted me she wasn't feeling well, but when I called her it went straight to voicemail. I can't get a hold of her and that douchebag boss of hers said she went home like a zombie after fucking up all day. I know he's lying, and she's gotta be upset."
Through my daze, I can hear Kylie's reply, "I'm sorry, Matt. She hasn't said a word since she got home and just started folding laundry with me. Her eyes were bloodshot, so I know she was crying. She never lets me see her cry, and I've known her for twenty years. I can count on one hand how many times I've seen her truly breakdown, and this is one of them. Someone, not just Rob, must have really messed with her today. If I were you, I'd just let her hide tonight. She's still getting used to your attention, and I know you care, but please. Just let her be tonight."
"Kylie, I need to know she's okay. I'm her boyfriend, and I want to be there for her. I care about her, more than you know. After our weekend at the lake, I know when she needs me. I can feel it." His voice cracks a little at the end, and the shell around me starts to crumble.
I know my tough and loyal bestie has her doubts, but after everything I told her about our camping trip, she is definitely going to cave.
"Fine. If she turns you away or starts crying again, I'll call her brother and say I told you so."
I can feel him relax all the way over here. "Thank you, Kylie."
I smell the comforting scent of his cologne, and I prepare myself to send him home. I don’t want him to see me tore up like this, and I’m not emotionally stable for his interrogation. I love him, I do, but I never expected today to happen, and I can't bear to see the look of pity in his eyes. Instead of pushing me, he just grabs my pint off of the table and takes a bite out of my ice cream before holding a spoonful out to me. He settles his arm around me and pulls me in close, kissing the top of my head while I grab the pint back and continue eating. Kylie plops down on the loveseat, and we continue our binge-watching session. I still haven't paid much attention, but being in the comfort of Matt's arms fills a void I’ve been feeling ever since I got home.
I'll tell Kylie about my visitors today at some point, but she might get Aaron involved so that he can make protect them from her wrath. They are actually scared of her after everything that happened. One of them was stupid enough to leave a trail of lollipops from my locker to hers with 'Lollipop Guild' on a loop in her locker. Needless to say, Aaron never found out about it because Bryce knew his head might explode, but Kylie took care of them all on her own. She just walked into class, snacking on one of the lollipops, smirking like the cat that ate the canary. I don't know what happened to make them truly scared of her in the long run, but when some people had to suddenly "go to the bathroom" after eating a plate of brownies, I knew she was behind the scheme.
Lord love that best friend of mine.
I really hate blasts from the past. Seriously, why couldn't they leave well enough alone? What if they come back when I have my own place or they send people to harass my staff? This isn't fair. I never did anything except want a fun night during my senior year. It was high school for goodness sake. They need to stop, but my brain can't connect the rage with words. Why is it that I could stand up to Matt when I first met him or any of the jerks I knew in college, but I couldn't stand up to the bitch twins?
As the rest of the night goes by, Matt's presence and Kylie's friendship has only filled my heart to replace the doubts in my head. After a few hours of thinking, I have mapped out plans in my head for any future instances involving Sarah, Hannah, (aka the bitch twins), and anyone else who tries to start any drama in my restaurant.
Matt is intent on staying over tonight to make sure I'm okay, and I'm secretly glad because being in his arms is reassuring to everything around me. My thoughts settle even more and logical reason has overcome.
It is my restaurant, and I have the right to remove any disturbing customers and refuse service to anyone that finds themselves in a position where they need to instigate my staff where they feel hurt or threatened in any way possible. If they refuse? Well, it's a good thing I have an overprotective brother who happens to wear a badge that has the ability to remove any trespassers on my property.
It’s been three days since the incident at the café. It’s Kylie’s birthday, and since her shift doesn’t end till seven and I’m in class till six-thirty, her parents have set her birthday dinner for eight o’clock. We aren’t formal families, so it doesn't take us
long to get ready and head over to their house.
As much as Matt protested missing tonight's dinner, I just wasn't ready to have him there. It's the anniversary of Bryce's death and even though I’m head over heels in love with the gorgeous man, my dad and Richard Mitchell, plus my brother is not something I'm ready to throw at Matt. We've only been officially together a little over a month, and it's not even my birthday dinner, it's Kylie's.
Aaron picks up Kylie and me from our condo, giving her a longer than familial hug, and whispering in her ear. Whatever he said must have been good because she is bright red. I swear, one of these days, I'm going to dump a bucket of ice-cold water on both of their heads so that their senses can kick in quickly to each other.
I already dropped off her favorite cake at her parents’ house before my class. Knowing Aaron, he'd try and eat some ahead of time and then I'd have to smack him. I don't feel like getting cuffed to a chair again for withholding cake and assaulting an officer of the law. He may be four years older than me, but he is still genetically programmed to torment me.
The overwhelming feeling of bittersweet is heavy on my mind and body. We lost Bryce four years ago, and it's still not any easier. Walking up the porch of their house always brings back fun memories of our families enjoying holidays together. We walk into the house to a chorus of "Happy Birthdays". Kylie's parents, Leigh Anne and Richard, give her hugs and guide her further into their colonial, while my parents take Aaron and me into the dining room to see all of the decorations. I love this house as much as my own childhood home. Leigh Anne has amazing taste and goes above and beyond for birthdays, graduations, and even quilting bees. In either family, we've never had a bad meal. Although, the rum raisin pumpkin muffins were slightly questionable a few years ago.
I wander into the kitchen, helping prep the side dishes when my mom, Kylie, and Leigh Anne all corner me.
Fantastic.
My mother is the first to start the interrogation. "So my baby girl. You've evaded my phone calls, and Kylie says it's not her story to tell. Now, you've mentioned Matt briefly. Care to update us?"
Leigh Anne eggs on, "Why didn't you bring him? He's more than welcome here whether or not we're celebrating anything."
Feeling pressured, I say, "After what Aaron did to him at the Cole Swindle concert? I’m so not ready to see what all of you would do to him. He'd more than charm you all. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the last two months alone."
Sliding up next to me and wrapping her arm around my shoulders, my mother's voice soothes me. "Honeybun, I’ve never seen you glow as you are right now just by talking about him. I can see the hesitancy but seriousness in your eyes. Don't let go of these feelings. Embrace them. Don't fight them. I love seeing my little girl fall in love. Remember to keep an open mind."
"I know, Mama." I lay my head on her shoulder. "He treats me like a princess. He always tells me that no matter what, at the end of the day, he wants me to go to bed and wake up with a smile on my face because my eyes glow brighter than the halo of an angel."
Kylie nudges her mother. "See? I told y’all he whipped out the corny romance on her."
I roll my eyes. "I call him a cheese ball every time. He knows I love it and tells me I deserve to be reminded often."
Leigh Anne says, "Well next event, I hope you bring him whether you're ready or not. You may never be ready, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the leap and include him with your family."
Shyly I reply, "Actually, the next event is his birthday in May before Memorial Weekend. I kinda want to keep it small."
Before any of them can talk me out of it, Kylie's dad booms from the other room, "Ladies! We are here to celebrate my daughter's twenty-fifth birthday. We need to get to eating so we can spoil her with presents!"
Leigh Anne's voice echoes through the kitchen, "Oh hush, you goat! We're coming. Let us have our girl chat and you men watch some sports stuff."
"Well, do we have your permission to start grillin' the steaks, my queen?" Kylie's dad never lost his northern accent despite living here so long. Neither has my dad', which is hilarious because the rest of us have pretty thick southern accents if I say so myself.
Sighing in frustration, Leigh Anne yells back, "Alright, you manly men. Get to slaughtering your meat and call us when it's ready."
We watch as all three men stand around Mr. Mitchell's state of the art grill. No doubt grunting about marinades versus seasonings. I can only imagine having Matt joining in. There's been an extra closeness between the three of them without Bryce, and I just don't want the thought of Matt replacing Bryce to come across anyone's mind. I know I'm being silly, but thoughts of Matt coming for family gatherings instead of friends only leaves a warm and settling feeling in my stomach. He'd fit in easily with my family because he's the kind of guy that has the ability to fit in anywhere and finds something in common with people immediately.
I miss our huge family barbecues. The summer events and semester concerts aren't as intimate as I'd like. I walk into the dining room thinking about how life with Matt is safely settled in the honeymoon phase. The smells of steak, creamy mashed potatoes, salads, cornbread, thick gravy, and mixed buttered vegetables take over my any thoughts in my head as my stomach growls loudly. Every place setting is settled in as we load the table with the sides and drinks. I don’t realize how hungry I am until I look at all of the food.
Before we dig in, Kylie's dad taps his glass to make a toast.
"To my baby girl who turns twenty-five today. We love you more than life itself, and your brother would be very proud of you. Rather than look on the sad side of this day, we celebrate the life of our amazing daughter and son who looks over the new lives she helps every day. Happy Birthday."
We all raise our glasses and toast. "Happy Birthday, Kylie."
The meal is nothing short of filling, and my daddy has to pretty much carry me to the living room for present time. Kylie gets good loot this year. After our cake, which was delicious if I do say so myself, Aaron drops me off to crash. Kylie's staying at her parents because she plans to go to the cemetery with them tomorrow. I can't go because I got stuck with a pickup shift before class. The downsides to being an assistant manager when no one else can fill in.
As I get my book bag ready for tomorrow, my thoughts on everything that has happened in my life makes my mind open up to bigger future possibilities. I don't want to get in over my head and dream things that may never happen. I drift to the ideas of kids running around the backyards, jumping in the pool with their papaw, or baking in the kitchen with me looking up at me with hazel gems, light brown hair, and a confident smile firmly in place. If it's one thing I know for sure, any child of Matt's will have his charming genes. There is no way he wouldn't pass them on for the world to enjoy for future generations.
Lord help me for having these thoughts.
As per every night, I get my good night text from Matt. My heart fills with love thinking about a future with him, knowing deep down he’s the one I want a family with someday. I missed him today and can't wait to see him tomorrow. I'll keep the dreams of a large family to myself for the time being and continue to enjoy having him to myself for right now.
I've been with Charlie over three months now. I know I sound like a lovesick fool because it's only been a couple months, and I do not care one bit. In my defense, it took me a month just to get her to go out with me. I'm addicted, but not in a creepy way. She's been leaning on me when she needs me and keeps her independence. I would never take that away from her.
The guys have been bugging me lately since I'm either working, on campus, or spending time with Charlie. After our camping trip, we kicked our exams in the balls and continued kicking ass until finals. Since our last finals were yesterday, Jeremy has taken it upon himself to rib me at work all day about going out and partying.
My birthday is in a couple of days and then Memorial Weekend will kick us off into summer. I planned on being in Savannah with my angel. I told h
er I had to work on the weekdays, but I plan on surprising her before the weekend like she's expecting. Jeremy wanted to celebrate this weekend since he's planning another trip back to Chicago in a few days.
I’ve seen everyone at intramural practices and games, but I know his complaining means a guys’ night at the bar. I hate canceling on people, especially her, but I think she'll understand. I'm picking up my phone when it starts beeping with a text from Charlie.
From: Angel
Hey babe, call me on your lunch.
So I do. She picks up on the second ring.
"Hey, beautiful, I was literally picking up the phone to call you. What's up?"
"Well, the thing is, I have to cancel our movie plans tonight. Rob needs help until 9:30 and I could use the extra cash. He's still being a jerk about my vacation in a few days, so I'm trying to help as much as I can. I hope you understand."
"Actually, I was about to also. Jeremy hasn't let up all morning about how I haven't been out for a guys’ night in weeks, and we both know he won't shut up about anything once he gets started."
"Yes, it’s sad when grown men pout when they don't get their way." Little minx that Charlie can be keeps going, "Sounds like someone else I know when I bought myself lunch on campus the other day in between studying. Now I won't name names, but his last name is Reynolds, and I teased him mercifully the rest of the day."
Dropping my voice to a whisper, "Baby, I'll tease you mercifully, but in a different way. You'll be begging me to get your way."
"Haha, Mr. Comedy over there. I gotta get home, eat lunch, and get ready for work. Have fun with the guys. Call me if you need a ride, but just for fun, I may make Aaron pick you up."
"Yes, because your brother's hairy legs are such a turn on for me. Don't let Rob get to you too much, okay? Love you."
"Love you, too."
Man, I can't stand her boss more and more with each passing shift. As much as I want to punch the guy, I don't want her to get fired because it's the learning experience she wants. I'd stop by the café when she said I could, yet he somehow still knew when I’d be there. Nothing is ever good enough, even though she’s the best employee there. All I can do is support her.
The Eyes That Own Me (Timing is Everything Book 1) Page 16