Gamble on Love

by Michelle Monkou

  “Nowadays, how often do people celebrate twenty years of marriage, of being in love with someone, of settling down with your soul mate?”

  “Enough with the silly romantic crap.” Denise couldn’t help her eruption, blaming the dive in her mood to missing Jaden. “I’ve got to get home.”

  “I’m staying overnight. Why don’t you?” Thea looked at her father, then her mother, for help.

  Her mother kept her focus on her plate.

  But her father was clearly angry with her. “Denise is free to go if she wishes. Never want her to feel like a prisoner in her home, or what was once her home.”

  “It’s not that at all, Dad,” she said. “I’m sorry.” Denise would rather not stay after her bad behavior. The emotions that she’d tucked away and kept a tight lid on were pushing against her restraint. Lashing out at her mother came fast and, she had to admit, with increased intensity. She felt that the road of hidden hurt and suppressed anger may disappear under her feet. And she hadn’t thought about the eventual blowup that she felt building inside her.

  “Maybe tomorrow we could go to church together.” Thea continued to push her agenda.

  “I didn’t bring clothes.”

  “But I did and we still wear the same size.”

  Denise doubted her few extra pounds were shared by Thea, but she surrendered after seeing her father’s disappointment.

  Tonight promised to be long and agonizing.

  After the house had settled, Denise lay in her bed in the room that she’d had as a child. It had become a place to store Christmas decorations. For the most part, the original setting remained, with the too-pink walls and frilly fabric.

  “I was such a girly girl.” She got up to open the drawers to her vanity. How many times had she sat at this mirror?

  Her stomach growled. She’d skipped dessert, but a slice of pie would hit the spot now. She threw on her robe and quietly headed out of her room.

  The entire house was blanketed in darkness. Thin slivers of light came from her parents’ room and Thea’s. She didn’t want Thea’s company on her snack run. Her over-the-top optimism might earn her a push down the stairs.

  She eased down the stairs, carefully trying to remember which treads squeaked. Using her hands, she felt her way toward the kitchen.

  Ten years ago she had done the same thing, sneaking out of her room to get ice cream.

  Her father had been gone on business. She and Thea had been invited to a slumber party. But she had had no desire to hang out with Thea’s friends, so she had come back home. Thinking that her mother was asleep, Denise had gone straight to the kitchen.

  She had heard an upstairs door open and then someone had come down the stairs. Her mother’s laughter had been loud and quite happy. Denise had hidden.

  “You know you can’t get away.”

  Denise had frozen. Someone else was in the house. Was her mother in danger? She hadn’t known whether to jump out of her hiding place or slide into the pantry. But she had been afraid the door would make a sound. She had slid to the floor and remained as still as she could.

  “I’ll be right back. I have strawberries and whipped cream for us.” Her mother had giggled like a schoolgirl.

  “Screw the strawberries, but I could use the whipped cream.” The man had laughed.

  Denise had sat hunched on the floor, her mind whirring with confusion. Her mother hadn’t sounded in danger. Yet that wasn’t her father.

  But it had sounded like him.

  “I want to make love to you all over this house.”

  “No. And I’m not letting you into my bed. We agreed.”

  “You and your rules. How about the living room, then? My brother is a lucky man.”

  Denise had heard a roar in her head. She had clamped her hand over her mouth just in case the sound had come from her mouth. But it had been her body defending her from the acts of betrayal by her mother and her uncle. Her heart had been ripped in two. She had stayed there past his departure, her mother’s return to the bedroom and the morning sun’s appearance.

  Now Denise wiped at the tears that could still pour at the memories of so long ago. She cut her slice of pie, opting to eat it at the kitchen counter. That night she had retreated into a web of secrecy.

  Jaden went down to the hotel bar, hoping that a communal atmosphere while looking at the sports channel would take his mind off Denise. He couldn’t be the only male in the hotel missing that special someone.

  He entered the bar, immediately disappointed at the spattering of people. He took a seat at the counter.

  “Good evening, sir. What can I get you tonight?” The bartender flipped a small towel over one shoulder and waited.

  “Rum and cola.”

  “Coming right up.” The bartender headed off to his rum supply.

  Jaden took out his phone and set it on the bar. Then he put it back in his pocket. He didn’t want to act like a lovesick wimp. “Man up,” he muttered.

  “Excuse me?”

  A soft, lilting voice interrupted his solitude. Jaden turned to view its owner.

  “Hi, I’m Celia.” She outstretched her hand, which Jaden took. “May I join you?” The woman didn’t wait for his response, slipping onto the bar stool next to him.

  Jaden took his drink. He looked at the dark potent liquid.

  “I’ll have what he’s having,” she purred. “Here all alone?”

  Jaden noticed the long, tanned legs, crossed in a sexy pose. The short skirt and silky top molded along her curvaceous body weren’t lost on him. But he had no desire to play the game of flirtation. Frankly, the hunger in her eyes irritated him, suggesting she was a regular in hotel bars wherever her business trips took her.

  Finally, he answered, “No, I’m not alone. My wife is waiting for me. It was nice meeting you, Celia.” He didn’t bother to offer his hand. The brunette would have to toss her thick hair at someone who cared to appreciate the effort. Jaden picked up his drink, tossed down a couple bills and headed out of the bar.

  Not that he considered himself a magnet to women, but he practically ran to his room to avoid any further meetings. Safe behind his hotel door, he climbed into bed and flipped open his phone.

  “Hey, baby, I miss you.” Jaden stacked the pillows and leaned back.

  “I’m glad you called.” He heard Denise sigh.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m staying here at my parents’.” She paused. “I’d rather be at home. You know how that goes.”

  “Yeah.” Jaden didn’t know what issues Denise had to deal with at home, but he could empathize from personal experience with his parents.

  “I’ve been busy all of a sudden. With Sara’s wedding coming at me so quickly, I hope that I can help her properly, as a maid of honor should.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do fine. You said that she had a planner. It’s not as if you’d be doing the major logistical stuff that comes with holding a wedding.”

  “I’ve got to admit that I’m nervous for her.”

  “That’s natural.”

  “Kind of. Well, you know how it is. I see people spend all this money and have dreams that are limitless. Yet, the split-then-blended family is on the rise.” Her tone turned bitter. “Look at my family.”

  Jaden didn’t know how to respond. He wanted to offer comforting words that could erase her low expectation.

  “Let’s not talk about this anymore. I sound like I need to talk to a shrink. Instead, I want to talk about you making love to me,” she offered.

  “I wish that I could do more than talk about it.”

  “Promise me that you will.”

  “Cross my heart, baby,” Jaden stated.

  Chapter 8

  Jaden had tried the movies, an impromptu picnic and now a quiet stroll in the park to spark Denise to life. Her quietness and polite responses unnerved him. He stopped asking if he’d done something to offend her. But the heavy sighs and sad gazes stirred him into action to spend the
day with her.

  “You know, I missed you when I was gone.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  “Would you like to go off somewhere together?”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  Jaden guided her to a bench and took a seat. “I can’t take it anymore. What did I do? Or what didn’t I do? You look sad. I’m not feeling sad. I didn’t think that I would make you this way.”

  She placed a hand on his cheek. “I’m really sorry. It’s not you.” She kissed him. He wanted more but recognized that she wanted to talk.

  “I’m a good listener.”

  She nodded. Then kissed him harder. She couldn’t keep teasing him. He wasn’t ashamed to compare himself to a puppy who lost control with a good belly rub.

  He scooped her into his arms and returned her kiss. He wanted to remove the pain that made her wilt. In his arms, he wanted to protect her. His mouth communicated its own message of hope and joy.

  “You mean so much to me. I can’t think straight when I’m not around you. I crave your touch, your laugh, your intelligence.”

  “Ditto.”

  They laughed at the famous line from one of her favorite romantic movies.

  “But seriously, I hate to see you worried. Is it friends, family or me? Although, I don’t want to know if it’s me. Allow me my illusions that we are a fantastic couple enjoying each other’s company.”

  “Friends are fine. I’ve been worried about us moving on and drifting apart, but I’m realizing that it’s all part of growing up. Now that we’re out of college, the growing process has kicked into high gear. I get the feeling that Athena may be the first to leave and stretch her wings. That’ll be a sad time.”

  He heard the quiver in her voice and pulled her close to him. Since he was the loner sort, he didn’t have ties to friends that cut deeply. Leonard was his best friend. With a newborn, his life had taken a turn without Jaden.

  “As for family…” Denise’s laugh sounded tired and frustrated. “Families don’t quite operate how you expect them to. I know there isn’t any rule book. But there’s got to be a code of honor somewhere. Don’t you think?”

  “I’ve wondered the same for a long time.” He’d talked to Calvin once since he’d returned. The conversation hadn’t gone well, as Calvin had reached a point when he had to open more of his soul to let in the therapists. Jaden had tried to talk him down from his panicked state. If Calvin were to show up at his front door, although he wouldn’t be surprised, he’d be very disappointed.

  “Would you take me to meet your family now?”

  “As long as you don’t think they are a reflection of me.” He winked at her.

  “One day, when you officially meet mine, I’ll definitely make that statement.”

  “Let’s go shock some old people.” Jaden pulled her up from the bench. “My mother will be thrilled and embarrassed that she didn’t get time to prepare a feast for an army.” Jaden drove to his parents’ with a lighter heart. He wasn’t afraid for them to meet Denise. She was a woman of substance who could see past the imperfections of a family. The older he got, the more he believed that there wasn’t a family without its cracks and fissures.

  Jaden pulled up to the house. Now that he was actually there, some of his bravado left. Her hand slipped into his and they walked up to the front door, comrades in arms.

  Usually he used his key, but letting themselves in would be even more of a shock. He knocked on the door and waited. His father opened the door. His surprise kept him rooted as his gaze shifted from his son to Denise. Jaden cleared his throat when he felt the gazing period had teetered over into rudeness.

  “Please come in.”

  “Denise, this is my father, Grant.” He looked up to see his mother approaching. “This is my mother, Clarice. Mom, this is Denise.”

  Jaden relaxed when his mother threw her arms around Denise and gave her a bear hug. And in a flash, Denise had disappeared, locked into place by his mother’s arm. He offered a small wave and a mischievous wink as she departed, which earned him her bared teeth.

  “Now, that was a surprise.” His father thumped him on his back. “Oh, no, you don’t.” His father pulled him by the elbow into another room. “You’re coming with me and telling me all about this girl.”

  “I’m not telling anything because by the time we sit down for dinner, I’ll have to rehash the same thing for Mom.”

  “Do you think that your mom isn’t finding out the scoop from Denise? I like her look and vibe, but she’s not strong enough to stand up to your mother’s interrogation.” His father shoved him down onto the sofa.

  Jaden listed all the main details about when, where and how he’d met Denise.

  “It makes sense now why you’ve been looking peaceful. That’s what I call it, because I couldn’t figure out the change in you.”

  “I’m far from peaceful, Dad. Too much stuff going on in my life.”

  “Yeah, but the other stuff has lost its priority with you. Now you have her at the top of your list. And I can see it. Heck, I agree with it.”

  A small knock on the door caught their attention.

  “Come in,” his father ordered.

  “It’s me. Um…it’s your mother.” Denise pointed with her thumb over her shoulder. “She’s crying.”

  Jaden shot up from the sofa and hurried to the door. His father beat him there and they all hurried into the dining room, where his mother sat at the table.

  She was drying her eyes, clearly startled to see them. She turned to Denise. “Which one came first?”

  “Your husband.”

  “See, my Jaden is no longer a mama’s boy. He’s definitely all yours. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Jaden looked at Denise but she was giggling and his mother smiled sweetly at him and returned to work. “What just happened?”

  “I think it was a test,” his father said. “And you passed. Meanwhile, I’ll quietly have a heart attack over yonder.” He headed for the nearest chair and sat.

  “I’m sorry, but your mother made me do it,” Denise said.

  “You can say no.”

  “Leave her alone,” his dad chimed in. “I’m going to like getting to know Denise.”

  Jaden sat with his father at the dining table. Denise’s first meeting went well. The empty place setting across from him was the only reminder that not all was perfect.

  Denise couldn’t deny that she was on high after meeting Jaden’s parents yesterday. She’d settled comfortably into the family unit. Sitting across from Jaden, she’d felt the warm love of a strong family. She wanted to belong and share in that bond with the man she loved.

  She knew in her heart that Jaden had strong feelings for her but didn’t feel confident that those feelings translated into anything stronger.

  With her own parents’ anniversary four weeks away, Denise had to meet with Thea once more. This time Denise insisted on meeting at her own house. She had a lot of work to do and wasn’t keen on driving any farther than necessary.

  “We’re here,” Thea and her parents called as they walked through her door.

  “Didn’t expect to see all of you.” Since reliving the dark moment, Denise had made any contact with her mother almost nonexistent.

  “Well, I’m using this anniversary to celebrate Mom and Dad’s marriage. But I think that it’s also a perfect vehicle for all of us to bond.”

  Alarm bells clanged in Denise’s mind. “We bond every time we meet for this party.” She shook her head. No way was she going into a group therapy session with Thea.

  “I thought you’d feel that way, so I invited therapist Sasha Luchenko to help us get under way. Mom and Dad are up for it. Now it’s up to you.”

  Denise wondered if she had stepped into an alternate universe. Because if that was the case she wanted out right now. Thea couldn’t really be serious. And this dark-haired, Eastern European woman looked as if she’d stepped off a runway in Milan.<
br />
  This was it. Denise pushed up the sleeves of her blouse. “Are you sure you’re up for a bloodbath?” Her response got the desired reaction of shock. “Tea, water, coffee? I may have a bottle of vodka if you want to make things more lively.” The way she felt she might take a few shots.

  “What’s gotten into you? I barely recognize you.” Her mother stood with her hands on her hips as Denise took drinking glasses from the shelf.

  “Maybe being manipulated or blindsided by Thea’s new-age stuff. Maybe it’s having to deal with one more detail for this anniversary party. Maybe it’s because I’ve had a long day and would like to relax with my man.” With each statement she plunked a glass onto the counter.

  “You’re being deliberately vulgar.”

  “And you’re so refined.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t know what I’ve done to you, but you always treat me as if I’m your enemy.”

  Suddenly Denise couldn’t remember what she was supposed to be getting to pour into the glasses. Tears blinded her. Anger choked her. She moved around the kitchen as if it were her first time, trying to give her body something to do before she screamed.

  Her mother touched her shoulder and she flinched. “No. Don’t do that. Why do you hate me?” her mother asked.

  Denise saw Thea in the doorway. But it was too late—she couldn’t hold back. “I don’t hate you, as much as I try, because you’re my mother. But I’ll never forget what you did ten years ago. You stripped away my innocence.”

  “Denise, what are you saying?”

  Thea entered but maintained her distance.

  “Why don’t you get your therapist in here for this session. It’s about to be played and there won’t be any repeat performances.”

  “Dad!” Thea shouted.

  “I saw you, Mom. I saw Floyd. I came home from the slumber party.”

  “Oh, no.” Her mother had the decency not to pretend that she didn’t know what she referred to.

  “Dad, what is she saying? Mom?” Thea screamed.

  “Denise, it’s okay.” Her father took the glass out of her hand. He held her against his chest, stroking her hair. “It’s okay. I know.”