by Nikki Vale
Chapter Fourteen
Trevor
I fought the urge to show up at Megan’s apartment last night unannounced, but that didn’t stop me from asking Gina if she saw Megan after their shopping excursion yesterday. She looked reluctant to tell me that she hadn’t seen Megan last night or this morning for that matter.
We’re all lounging around Granny Mabel’s living room waiting for the red-haired devil herself to show up. My niece, McKinley, is sitting in my lap playing with one of her baby dolls. I attempt to braid her soft, sandy-brown curls, as she does the same to her doll. She’s such a beautiful little girl, with her caramel complexion, and big gray eyes. She’s also a sweetheart, even if she does talk incessantly.
“I want a stroller for Camie. Do you think Mommy and Daddy will get me one? Did you get me one? What did you get me for Christmas Uncle Trev?” McKinley asks in rapid fire succession, turning her head to look at me, pulling the half-finished braid from my fingers.
“A muzzle. That’s what little girls with millions of questions get for Christmas,” I reply, pressing my fingers into her sides and tickling her.
“Look who I found loitering outside the door?” Granny says to the room at large. Megan comes in behind her looking fresh-faced and beautiful, in a clinging sweater dress with leggings and heeled boots. I love the way she dresses to accentuate her figure. The shirt isn’t exactly tight, but it goes in at the waist and flares out hugging her ample hips.
“Auntie Megan!” McKinley screeches, scrambling off my lap, racing over to Megan and wrapping her arms around Megan’s legs. “I love your shirt, Auntie. It looks so pretty, like cotton candy. I love pink. Can you get me a shirt just like yours for Christmas? We’ve been waiting for you. Where were you? Why’d you take forever? ”
Did I tell that precious little girl she needed a muzzle? I take it back. She needs a hug and a kiss for asking Megan exactly what I wanted to ask her. If Evie and Hunter haven’t gotten her a Baby doll stroller for Christmas yet, her Uncle Trevor is going to buy her the best damn stroller available.
Luckily Hunter and Evie are snuggled up on the other end of the couch and so wrapped up in each other they haven’t noticed the Spanish Inquisition taking place in front of them. Otherwise, Evie would tell McKinley to stop badgering Megan, like she usually does, when McKinley asks other adults too many questions.
“I went to go visit my Mommy at her house, and I overslept,” Megan tells McKinley, but she’s eyeing me as she leans down and kisses my niece on the cheek.
“So what is it that we’re doing today?” Megan asks, turning towards Evie.
The two lovebirds look up like they’ve just realized Megan came into the house. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be so into someone else that the world around you fades into background noise. They weren’t even kissing or hugging, just sitting with their arms around each other, whispering to one another.
“Don’t you remember, that one last thing we need to do?” Evie responds. She quickly darts her eyes towards Granny Mabel and Megan gives and almost imperceptive nod in understanding. Apparently, we’re doing something for Granny Mabel, and Evie doesn’t want her to know.
“Right. Well, I’m ready if you are,” Megan says. “Grab your coat little one.”
McKinley scampers off to get a jacket, and I get up off the couch to grab one myself. Brushing past Megan, I make my way to the coat rack by the front door. Not only do I feel Megan’s presence behind me as I pull on my black wool coat, but her sweet scent also tantalizes my senses.
“What is that? It’s like vanilla, but better. No, it’s like cupcakes. Sweet, delicious cupcakes.” I say as I turn around to face her. She has a lopsided grin on her face.
“It’s my favorite scent from Bath and Body Works called ‘Sweet in Paris’ but they don’t carry it anymore. So after this bottle, that’s it. I always thought it smelled like cupcakes too. It’s funny how good food can smell.”
“I’m more interested in how it tastes,” I respond, my voice suddenly thick.
“How what tastes, Uncle Trev?” McKinley interrupts, suddenly popping up between us.
“Cupcakes. We were talking about how great your Auntie Gina’s cupcakes are,” Megan says quickly, a twinkle in her eye as she looks at me.
“Oooh, are we going to have some of her cupcakes today?” McKinley asks with hope.
“We’ll have to ask Auntie Gina if she’ll make some and then ask your mom and dad if you can have some,” I tell her.. She quickly runs off, and Megan and I laugh as we hear her begging Evie for cupcakes.
“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you last night…” Megan begins, but I quickly shut her down.
“No biggie,” I say shrugging my shoulders. “Just let me know when you’re available, and we’ll hang out.”
I’m being magnanimous. Well, I’m trying to be. What I really want to do is ask her why she couldn’t take a second to answer a simple text. I already know where she was – thanks to McKinley. Mentally sighing, I adjust my coat and contemplate putting on a beanie since it’s so cold outside.
This is what I agreed to, no-strings-attached. It is not a relationship. Even if it were, I would like to think that I wouldn’t get all emotional because my girl didn’t respond to a call or a text for one day. But, she’s not my girl. And it’s not that serious.
Shit. I’m in trouble if I have to remind myself of that fact.
I might need to rethink my whole approach to this ‘bet’. It’s supposed to be all about sex and whether I can make her purr or some such nonsense like that. Now I’ve gone and complicated things by making it my own secret mission to get Megan to open up to me. My desire to know more about her is messing things up because I’m actually starting to like her. I need to stop playing head games with this woman and get this bet over with, for both our sakes.
“Is everyone ready?” Evie asks as she walks into the entryway holding McKinley’s gloved hand with Hunter following close behind.
They really do make a beautiful family.
“Yep, we were just waiting for you slow pokes,” Megan replies. Evie sticks her tongue out at Megan, but quickly pulls it back in before McKinley can catch her.
“We’re leaving, Granny!” Evie shouts.
“Alright, see you kids later,” she says coming to the doorway of the kitchen, her hands covered in flour from whatever she was whipping up in there.
“So, what exactly is it that we’re doing today?” Megan asks as soon as the front door closes behind us. “I thought we were done with Christmas shopping. And we’re supposed to pick up where we left off on the wedding planning stuff next week.”
“You’re right. I just had a fantastic idea that came to me yesterday. I thought it would be great if we had pictures taken of all of us as a Christmas gift for Granny Mabel. We are all family to her, and I think she would love it,” Evie says.
“That is a good idea,” Megan agrees.
“Plus, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to try out a possible wedding photographer, killing two birds with one stone,” Evie sheepishly adds. Megan laughs, her eyes shining with amusement.
“I should have known you had a hidden agenda involving the wedding. You’re obsessed! Well, wherever this photo shoot is taking place, let’s take my car. It will be the most comfortable for all of us,” Megan offers. We all gladly follow her to her roomy Escalade.
Pausing outside the vehicle I wonder for a second where I should sit, but luckily Evelynn sees my mental dilemma and solves it for me.
“You sit up front, Trevor. It only makes sense that we sit together in the back,” she says.
“Are you sure?” I ask, eyeing Hunter. We’re about the same height, but his build is bulkier than my wiry frame.
Hunter chuckles. “I’ll be okay. We both know that I’ve been in worse positions than having mild leg discomfort from sitting in the backseat of a decked out SUV.”
He’s right about that. He’s also right about Megan’s ride bei
ng fully loaded. I wonder where she got the money for such a lavish ride on a teacher’s salary.
“I’ve got to run and get McKinley’s booster seat. Be right back,” Hunter informs us. The look of pure adoration on Evie’s face is almost too much to bare, like staring directly into the sun too long.
“They’re disgusting, aren’t they?” Megan mumbles. I just grin at her and climb into the passenger seat.
**********
“Okay, you two move closer together please.” The photographer says to Megan and me for the umpteenth time. We’ve told her repeatedly that we’re not a couple, but she’s got it in her head that we are, and I’ve given up telling her, while Megan appears sullen.
“Alright. Red, if you’ll just smile now…”
“If she calls me ‘Red’ one more time, I’m clawing her damn eyes out,” Megan says through clenched teeth. I think she’s attempting to smile, but it looks more like a snarl.
“Everyone else, you look perfect. Red, could you look over here, please,” Emily calls out.
“That’s it!” Megan snaps breaking away from the groups as if to pounce on the poor unsuspecting photographer. Quickly grabbing her by the waist, I restrain her.
“Excuse us for a sec. We need a little time out,” I say to Emily. Evie and Gina are barely suppressing their laughter, while Hunter and Brayden look at me with sympathy as I pull Megan over to a tree, out of earshot from the group.
The park Evie chose is a beautiful place to take photos, but even though it looks calm and lovely outside, the air is quite nippy. Megan’s cheeks are a little red, but I can’t tell if it’s the cold or her rising temper. The photographer, Emily, was calling Megan out quite a bit, but Megan’s reaction was a little overboard – even for her.
I drop my hand from around her waist as we get to the other side of the large oak tree. Megan doesn’t say anything, just takes a few deep breaths as if she’s trying to calm herself.
“So what’s really bothering you?” I ask with concern.
“Nothing,” she replies, averting her eyes – a tell-tale sign that she’s lying.
“It’s not, nothing, but I won’t push if you don’t want to talk about it.” I brush some of her thick red hair out of her face and look into her eyes. There’s sadness and confusion reflected in those beautiful green orbs. I only want to make her feel better, and so without thought, I lean in and press my lips gently to hers.
It was only meant to be a light, reassuring kiss, but as soon as our lips meet, that spark that we have between us, lights up. Megan quickly wraps her arms around my neck and when I go to pull back and break the kiss I feel her hand against the back of my neck pulling me forward. Either she’s forgotten that the rest of our group isn’t far away, or she just doesn’t give a damn.
I do my best to shield our actions from view, hiding behind the trees massive trunk, as I acquiesce, dipping my head to kiss her again. This time, the kiss is like fire. All the sweetness and gentleness is gone as Megan nips at the fullness of my lower lip with her teeth. Pressing her against the tree with my body as I lean into her, I dive in, pushing my tongue past the barrier of her lips. Megan releases her hold on my neck, running her hands down the front of my sweater. I suck in a breath as icy hands make their way under my clothes and onto my abs. The heat emanating from my body quickly warms her delicate fingers as she caresses my flesh.
“Auntie Megan. Uncle Trevor,” McKinley calls out, her voice sounding too close for comfort. Megan and I quickly separate and I grab her hand, pulling her from behind the tree with me as I step out.
“We’re right here, munchkin,” I say, announcing our presence.
“The picture lady says she just needs you guys and then she’s done,” McKinley informs us, before turning and skipping back to her mother.
“Well, I guess that means playtime is over,” Megan says smiling at me. At least she seems a little more upbeat now.
“Only for the interim, cupcake,” I promise her as we walk back to join the group hand in hand.
Chapter Fifteen
Megan
I’m acting like a total brat, and it’s not exactly all the ‘picture lady’s’ fault. Heart-to-heart with mommy dearest didn’t go so well this morning. I shouldn’t have been so surprised or bent out of shape when she reverted to her normal tight-lipped-self when I reminded her that she said she had something important to talk to me about.
She quickly waved me off after informing me that my father lives in Las Vegas, knows of my existence/whereabouts, and is giving me access to a large trust fund set up in my name as long as I go meet him before my next birthday. Then she rushed out of the house and off to who-knows-where before I could ask any questions – typical. So yeah, I’m a little bitchy this morning. But no one seemed to notice much, except Trevor.
His toe-curling kiss took my mind off my frustration for a minute. The warmth and pressure of his hand holding mine gives me a sense of calmness and security that would frighten me if I dwelled on it too long, so I won’t. Right now I’ll just accept the comfort he’s offering as we walk back over to a group of expectant faces.
“You alright?” Gina asks with quiet concern.
“I’m fine. Just a little grumpy, if you know what I mean,” I say, insinuating that it’s my time of the month. Which it isn’t, but hey, it’s a good excuse as any for my erratic behavior.
“Alright, I just need the last couple over here on the bench for their photos.” Emily points to the green, wooden park bench near the pond. I sigh a little at her ‘couple’ comment, but mostly ignore it this time.
“After this, we’re going to Brayden’s place for cupcakes,” Gina says, putting a hand reassuringly on my shoulder.
Yes. Cupcakes sound heavenly. And wine. Wine and cupcakes. Do those even go together? What am I thinking? Cupcakes go with anything. Hell, same goes with wine. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I need them both in my life right now.
Trevor and I make our way over to the bench and sit down side by side. He releases his hold on my hand and places it on my knee.
“I love that, it’s perfect. You two look absolutely adorable in your matching colors,” Emily says before quickly snapping some pictures. Trevor and I look at each other in confusion and then take notice our respective outfits. We burst out laughing at the same time.
I’ll be damned! I’m wearing a soft pink sweater dress, heather gray leggings with matching boots and a black pea coat. Trevor is dressed in a heather gray sweater, black jeans with gray Timberlands and a black jacket. We do look like a matching couple! Poor Emily, she must think I’m a crazy bitch for getting mad every time she referred to us as a couple.
That just makes it even funnier to me, and I start laughing so hard tears begin rolling down my cheeks. Trevor smiles at me, wipes away my tears with his thumb, and then places a sweet kiss on the tip of my nose.
“I love it when you laugh. I mean, really laugh,” he says. His eyes are shining with something I can’t quite place, which quickly sobers me up. The light leaves Trevor’s eyes as he witnesses my reaction and I’ve just succeeded in killing what could have been a beautiful moment.
“I think that will do it. Excluding the last few pictures, I got some great candids of you guys. You two really are a cute couple.” Emily puts her camera down and starts packing her equipment away.
Trevor stands, puts out his hand to help me up and then leaves me standing there as he turns and goes over to where Brayden and Hunter are chatting. I guess I deserve that. What did I expect him to do? Hold my hand again, like the couple Emily kept referring to us as, while I pointedly corrected her almost every time? Do I even want him to?
Yes.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
“Gina, will there be wine with those cupcakes?”
**********
“Someone please take that bottle away from her.” I hear Brayden say.
“Is that a leprechaun I hear?” I remark, taking another sip of the wine. Brayden’s accent isn’t all th
at noticeable unless he’s tired, irritable or frisky − Gina shared that last tidbit.
I’m not drunk like he thinks I am. I’m right at that point of feeling good, but if I have a little bit more, it could all go south quickly. So I set the bottle down – but not because he suggested it – and pick up a red velvet cupcake instead.
Mmmm. Wine and cupcakes go just fine together.
“Who’s going to drive Megan home? Or hell, us, for that matter?” Evie asks.
“Hello, I’m right here. You don’t have to talk about me as if I’m not in the room. Trevor can drive my car, drop you guys off and then take me home. See, easy peasy,” I say sounding completely sober until I hiccup and then giggle. Okay, so maybe I am a little tipsy.
“And that there, ladies and gentlemen, is our cue to exit stage left,” Trevor says, taking me by the hand and pulling me up off the couch.
“I’m not that bad you guys. I swear.”
Trevor pulls me into his body like he’s giving me a hug as he murmurs in my ear. “I believe you, but you are tipsy, and it’s not even noon yet, Megan. Let’s just go back to your place and relax.”
I don’t know if it’s the wine, Trevor’s intoxicating scent or his warm breath against my neck as he whispers to me, but I feel like complying. I silently nod my head, and he takes my hand like he seems apt to do lately, and we head for the front door.
“Thanks for everything,” I say to Brayden and Gina.
“I’ll probably be staying here tonight, so I’ll see you later,” Gina tells me.
That’s nothing new. She practically lives with Brayden, without living with Brayden. I think she just keeps her stuff at my apartment so she has a place to run to in case he doesn’t keep on the straight-and-narrow.
I make it down the apartment stairs and to the vehicle without mishap, but that’s mostly due to Trevor next to me practically doing a one-arm-carry, with his arm wrapped tightly around my waist. Luckily, McKinley fell asleep on Brayden’s couch a while ago, so I just missed getting the worst role-model-of-the-year award by mere minutes. That thought takes all the warm fuzziness out of my buzz, as I climb into the passenger seat and wait for Evie and Hunter to get McKinley situated in the back. I swear that little girl can sleep through anything.