She caught Jeremy from behind stretching with his hands up to the top of the doorframe. She got one of me sleeping on the couch, but only took a picture of my closed eyes. It became sort of a competition between us of to capture the most abstract picture of one of the three of us when we weren’t looking. We took so many during the first week we had several to choose from to have matted and framed.
Living with Becca was better than I had imagined. Jeremy and Becca had become even better friends, and I got to hold a sexy red head every night in bed. Everything was perfect, except for right now. “Becca honey the place looks great. It’s only my dad sweetheart,” I soothed.
She sighed with irritation. “Things didn’t go well the last time I met your father. It has to be perfect.” I kissed her quickly. “You're perfect for me, and that is all he is going to care about."
Jeremy walked in to the living room trailed by my father. “Look who I found walking up to the front door. Let me take that Mr. Ryan.” Jeremy grabbed my father’s overnight bag and headed to the guest room.
“Hello Rebecca. I'm glad I'm getting a second chance to get to know you. I would like to apologize for the way my wife acted the last time we saw each other. I do not share her feelings, on…well…most things it seems. So, where would the two of you like to go to dinner this evening?”
I slowly rubbed my thumb on the inside of her palm trying to remind her to relax. “Yeah Red. Where do you want to go?” “There is that Italian place we went to last week. How about there?” she suggested. “I love Italian food. Would you mind driving Aiden? You know the way around town,” my father agreed and tossed me his keys.
It only took about five minutes to get to the restaurant. Parking was easier than usual, and there was a shorter wait time than when school was in session. “Dad. I meant to tell you this a week ago, but every time I called the house mom answered. I wasn’t about to tell her before you. Becca moved in at the beginning of the week.”
“Why didn’t you call my cell?” he asked. “I tried. I left a couple of messages, without details, of course,” I answered. My father pinched the bridge of his nose, a mannerism I inherited.
“Ah, I caught your mother on my phone a few days ago. She said she was checking my software updates. I thought it was odd at the time, now I realize she was lying to me. She probably deleted my messages. She wasn’t very happy I was still coming to see you while you refused to obey her.”
“I’m sorry I'm causing your family so much stress,” Becca apologized. “Red,” I began, but my father raised his hand to stop me. “Aiden, I’m sure you’ve told her she isn't responsible for the trouble your mother has caused, but I think she needs to hear it from me."
My father turned to Becca, and patted her hand. "Rebecca, I don’t know you very well, but I can tell you are an extremely sweet girl. My son loves you, and I haven’t seen him this happy in years. I don’t know why Nadine worries more about petty gossip than the well being of her only child. She is to blame for her unhappiness. That isn’t a burden that belongs to anyone at this table. Do you understand?”
It broke my heart to see her eyes fill with tears, but she held them in and nodded to answer my father. “Good, now let’s enjoy our dinner,” my father insisted.
Once our food arrived we had moved on to talking about our class schedules for fall quarter, jobs, and of course baseball. “Why is it we hardly ever talk about you playing ball?” Becca asked.
I shrugged. “I love playing, but it's my last year. I don't want to spend years in the minor leagues praying for a chance at the majors. There will be some traveling when the season starts in February. We probably should talk about that.”
“How much traveling?” she asked me. I took a deep breath. A lot of guys on the team had problems with their girlfriends during the season because we were gone so much. Many of them cheated, or were cheated on during the away games.
I wasn’t worried though. I knew I would never cheat on Becca. No other woman could tempt me away from her. I believed Becca wouldn’t stray either.
“We are gone for a week about every other week from February until June," I answered. “The end of June or the beginning?” Becca asked. “The beginning.”
“So we are only talking about three months, and half of that you’ll be home?” Becca worked out. I nodded.
She raised her eyebrow and a mischievous smirk spread across her face. “I guess you will have a lot to make-up for when you are home.” My father started laughing, and slapped me on the back. Becca realized what she implied in front of my father and turned bright red.
“I think you’ve got your hands full with this one,” my dad said, still chuckling. “Son, I believe everything will work out this time. You, my dear Becca, are a treasure. I’m glad my son found you.” He got up from the table to pay the check.
“Sorry I didn’t talk to you about the traveling,” I apologized. “Aiden, it feels like we've known each other forever, but we really haven't. This is going to happen occasionally. Is baseball going to interfere with your degree?” she wanted to know.
“No. I’ve got getting my work done down to a science now. I want you to know that I will never cheat on you. I don’t want you to worry while I’m gone that I’m doing something I shouldn’t be. I usually use the down time on the road to get ahead in my reading and any assignments I can do away from campus.”
“I trust you Aiden. You know I never would cheat on you either don’t you?” I smiled and tucked a strand of dark red hair behind her ear. “I trust you too. I’m glad you moved in with me. We will get to see more of each other when training starts. Plus, I will feel better knowing Jeremy is there when I'm gone.”
It was later in the evening when we got back to the house. Becca had been stressed for most of the day, and by the time we walked inside she was yawning. I pulled her into my arms. Her warm soft body molded to mine. I wanted to touch her, run my fingers through her hair, taste her, and cover her soft skin with mine. I wanted to, but she was tired and nervous about my father staying over.
“Go to bed Becca. I’ll be in soon." She opened her mouth to protest, but I interrupted before she could speak. "Go on Red, you’re tired.” “I love you, and you’re right I’m exhausted,” she agreed. She turned to head to our room and I swatted her on the butt. She squeaked. “I love you too Red.”
I walked into the kitchen and found my dad having a quiet argument on his cell. I began to turn to give him some privacy, but he held his hand up for me to stay. He mouthed, “your mother.”
“No, Nadine I will not offer Aiden money to reconcile with Vanessa.” Pause. “This is getting old. You didn’t even give Rebecca a chance.” Pause. “Yeah well, I like her. I like him with her. You better learn to accept them together, because I have a feeling he is going to marry her eventually.”
My father looked at me to see if what he said was true. I smirked, and went into my hiding spot in the pantry. Hidden inside an old coffee container I pulled out a velvet ring box. I opened it quietly and turned it toward my dad. He smiled approvingly at my choice. It was actually my design. A one-carat pink diamond set in platinum with quarter carat rubies imbedded in the band. It was unusual, but perfect for Becca.
“No they aren’t engaged yet, but it is going to happen. My guess is soon,” my father continued to argue. Pause. “Nadine, stop,” he said sternly.
“Listen closely Nadine. I will tell you this in the only way you seem to understand anything. If you continue trying to force Aiden to reconcile with Vanessa, or make any effort to end his relationship with Rebecca, I will remove all financial support for you.
I will call my lawyer and tell him to begin divorce proceedings. I might do that last part anyway, but how much you get out of me will depend on what damage you inflict on our son. I have proof of your meddling, so don’t think a judge won’t be sympathetic to my position.” Pause. “I thought you would come around to seeing things my way.”
He pressed the screen of his smart phone an
d ended the call. “I really miss when you could just snap these things shut. It made ending an argument feel a little more satisfying. Ok, bring that here I want to see it.” He gestured for me to hand him the velvet box.
“Do you think she’ll like it?” I asked nervously. “I think she is going to love it. But, I thought you wanted to wait until the beginning of her senior year to propose?” he asked concerned.
“I did. I do, kind of,” I answered hesitantly. “But…” my father encouraged. “But, every day I feel more in need of making her officially mine. We spent one night apart, and I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to go grab her and drag her back here. She makes me feel like a cave man. I just want to mark her and tell every guy she is taken.”
My dad laughed. “Yeah, that sounds about right. Well, you have the ring. When the right time comes around, take advantage of it.”
“Is mom going to be a problem?” I asked. “I don’t think so. She knows I’ll cut her off. I won’t put up with this shit anymore. She loves the status my job brings her, but I'm sick of working with George Preston.
Ted Anderson and I have both quietly offered to sell him our shares of the firm. We are negotiating for either that or buying him out. But, I really want to teach law.
That's the real purpose behind these trips to Spokane. I have been meeting with university officials at Gonzaga. Your mother is going to hate it, but I have put up with her society garbage long enough. She can stay or come with me. It almost doesn’t make a difference to me anymore.”
“Did you ever love her?" I asked sadly. “No. I grew to care. She used to be fairly nice. Never as sweet as your Rebecca, but not the harpy she is now. But love her? No, I'm sad to say I never did.
She was the perfect society match for someone with my background. I won’t let her force the same life on you. You only get one Aiden. You found love. Hold onto it with both hands."
“It isn’t too late for you dad.” He nodded solemnly, but said nothing more. The ring I was staring at seemed less impulsive and more crucial to my future by the second. Maybe it wasn’t about perfect timing, but about spending time with my perfect girl.
25
Rebecca
A few days later I woke up to see Aiden leaning on his elbow smiling down at me. “Mornin’ sleepy head.” I stretched, and watched his hooded eyes follow my movements. “I love when you do that,” he said, and ran a finger up and down my arm. “Naughty boy.” “I can’t help where my thoughts go when you thrust your breasts in my face.”
I rolled over on top of him and nuzzled his neck. I reached down and stroked him teasingly. “This reminds me of something,” I murmured. He grunted incoherently. I think it was a question.
“I’ve been on the pill for over a month now,” I said nuzzling under his ear. He held me tight against his body. “Does that mean that we don’t have to use condoms anymore?”
“Not if you don’t want to,” I said, running my fingers through his soft blonde hair. “Are you kidding me? Why would I want to keep using them? I think this calls for celebration sex,” he suggested.
He slid his hands across my ass and up my shirt. My breath caught. “What is celebration sex?” I asked breathlessly. His smile turned devilish. “Come here and let me show you.”
“Give me a couple of minutes first,” I said and excused myself to the bathroom. After I took care of all of my immediate needs, and brushed my teeth, I started the shower. I stood under the nozzle and let the warm spray run down my body. The shower door opened and I felt Aiden’s rough hands slide down my arms and wrap around my stomach.
I fought the urge to tremble, or just melt into a puddle at his feet. I wondered if the overwhelming sensations he brought out in me would ever diminish. I hoped not.
“I got tired of waiting for you,” Aiden’s voice rumbled in my ear. His hands cupped my breasts and I gasped. He chuckled. “Red, I’m just getting started.”
“Aiden I need…” I felt him smile against my neck. “Me Red. You need me.” I nodded, unable to speak since one of his hands had ventured lower and was in the process of teasing me. He turned me around, and backed me to the wall. I wrapped one of my legs around his hips and he pushed into me hard.
I let out one long satisfied groan. Aiden’s breath hitched. He pulled out and slammed back in quickly. “Is this…are you…oh god,” he groaned. “Perfect, it’s perfect don’t stop,” I begged. “Too good…not going to last long.” “Me either. I love you Aiden.” I felt the tremors begin and was vaguely aware of myself chanting his name over and over again. Aiden shouted my name, then stilled holding me tight.
“Shit. That was fucking amazing. I love you so much. I don’t want to wait a year to ask you. Marry me. We’ll set a date for whenever you want just agree to marry me now.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I agreed eagerly. “Dammit, I can’t believe I just proposed in the shower.” I giggled. “It worked though.”
Aiden smiled showing off his nearly perfect teeth. Nearly perfect since the right tooth near his canine was a tiny bit crooked. It was barely noticeable. And yeah, I spent a ton of time studying everything about him. But I found that tiny imperfection sexy as Hell.
“Can I give you your ring now, or should I plan something special?” he asked excited. “You have a ring already? I thought, uhm, I thought that this was a spontaneous proposal,” I said with a stupid grin on my face.
Aiden started nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about it for…well about five minutes after I met you. I knew for sure when I asked you to move in here. The things that Toni said made so much sense. Honestly, I asked you to move in because I was afraid you would say no if I asked you to marry me.”
“Can I put clothes on first?” I teased. “Do you have to?” Aiden complained. I turned off the water and reached out for a towel. “Which story would you rather tell our kids someday? That you proposed after doing me in the shower, or any story that involves us wearing clothes?” I asked.
Aiden had a glazed, but content look on his face. I waved my hand in front of his face. “Sorry, I was thinking about what you said. I like it, ‘our kids’. I think we should practice.” His smile turned wicked, and he raised his eyebrows. “You are a bad boy,” I said and playfully swatted him.
We ended up driving out to People’s Pond, a small lake and popular hang out for everyone in Ellensburg. We walked around some of the trails that took us behind the more popular area of the lake, and sat on a blanket he carried with us.
“I know you’ve already said yes, but humor me anyway.” Aiden seemed nervous, and it was totally cute since I had already said yes.
He got down on one knee, which seemed really uncomfortable because the ground under the blanket was rocky, but he was going all out. “I had this designed especially for you. I love you Becca, before you my life was hopeless. Before you I only thought about doing what ever I could to forget, the past, the future, everything. Now I want to feel everything. Each moment with you is better than the one before it. Marry me. I promise to stand by you through all that life throws at us.”
My eyes filled with happy tears. I knew what was coming, but his words still surprised me. "You already know my answer, but I'll say it again anyway. Yes,” I said enthusiastically.
He opened a small, black velvet box. “Oh my god Aiden, that is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," I shrieked. “I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I had a local jeweler make it. I couldn’t see putting something on you that wasn’t red.” He took out the ring and slid it on my finger.
Aiden turned serious. “I think it's time I met your family.” I took a shaky breath. “We can’t get married if you won’t even introduce me to your family,” Aiden stated frustrated.
“Did you ever think it’s them I don’t want to introduce to you? I’m not worried about what they are going to think about you Aiden. You are amazing. I’m worried about what you might think about me after you’ve met them?” I said tensely.<
br />
He wrapped me in his arms. “My opinion of you isn’t going to change.” “I don’t see how it won’t. It’s hard for me to keep a good opinion of me when I visit them,” I said dejectedly.
“Unless you are planning on cutting them out of your life I want to meet them,” Aiden insisted. “You’re right. I’ll call them and see if we can go this weekend. We only have a couple of weeks until school starts. I need to find a job, and get all of my supplies,” I rambled.
“You don’t have to get a job,” Aiden said stroking my hair. “Yes I do. I don’t want you paying for everything, and my grants don’t cover much,” I asserted. “I want to take care of you,” he whispered in my ear. “You do. So much more than you know,” I reassured him.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. “I’ll totally chicken out if I don’t do this right now. Do you mind?” “No,” he murmured nuzzling my neck. I pulled my mom’s number out of my contacts and hit send.
“Hey mom, are you busy this weekend?” “Not really. Just some projects around the house,” she responded. “I was thinking about coming for a visit. There is someone I want to introduce you to,” I told her reluctantly.
“This must be serious. You’ve never brought a guy home before. This is a guy right?” she asked. “Yes mom. I’m not a lesbian if that is what you are asking,” I spit out. “Well I didn’t know for sure. That seems to be what college kids do now days. Plus with your history I thought it was a possibility,” she said condescendingly.
My history, not what happened to me. “Is this weekend good or not?” I asked through clenched teeth. “Sure this weekend works, but you’ll both have to stay in the guest room because I’ve turned your room into a craft room,” she informed me. Of course she did. Why would she want to make sure I had a place to stay? “No problem, I prefer it that way anyway.” I hung up without saying goodbye.
We didn’t really ever say good-bye or I love you. We just got straight to the point so we could go back to not having to bother with each other. I refused to stay home so she could make all of my decisions, and from that moment on she acted as if I didn't exist. Maybe it was tough love. Maybe it was a coping mechanism. Either way our relationship was broken, and I wasn't sure we could fix it.
Self Destruct Page 11