Comfort Zone

by Missy Johnson

  “What are you doing?” She glares at Liam. “I don’t understand why I’m the one getting yelled at. They’re the ones who wouldn’t follow the rules. Go yell at them.”

  “Nobody is yelling at anyone,” he assures her, which is enough to get her moving.

  I follow them to the elevator, feeling guilty about being disappointed that we were interrupted. As if he can read my mind, Liam smiles at me apologetically.

  “I’m sorry, Becca. I have to keep an eye on her.”

  He takes a deep breath and gives me a half smile as the doors open. They step in and turn around. I can’t look at Grammy or I’ll start laughing, because she’s glaring at me like I shat in her cereal.

  “I was really looking forward to doing that room comparison, too.”

  “It’s fine,” I say, giving him a half smile. “I understand—” I stop when the doors close abruptly.

  Okay then.

  My eyes dart up when they fling back open to Liam smirking and Grammy glaring at me.

  “Sorry.” He winces. “She keeps pressing all of the buttons. Have a good night, Becca,” he adds, a wistful look in his eyes.

  “I’ll do my best.” I glance at Grammy and smile, despite sensing I’m not her favorite person right now. “Good night, Grammy. I hope you sleep well, too.”

  She glares at Liam and then me.

  “Oh, I bet you do. You don’t think I know what’s going on, Missy? You want me to sleep well, so my grandson can sneak into your room later, for a good fuck—”

  I burst out laughing as the doors slam shut. They don’t open again, but from the way Liam winked at me just before they closed, I know it was him this time.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Becca

  I shut the door to my room, disappointed to be arriving back there, alone. But, it’s been a long day and tomorrow is going to be even worse, so getting some sleep isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I peel off my dress place it over the end of the bed and then I curl up under the covers. It’s late, so I think twice about calling Loz and send her a text instead.

  Yawning, I close my eyes and for the first time in my adult life, I fall asleep without even thinking about it.

  Something strange happens the next morning; I wake up before my alarm goes off. Two hours, to be exact. I reach for my phone, still half asleep. When I see the frantic messages from Mom, I sit up and swing my legs out of the bed. My heart pounds as I call her. The words “emergency” and “call as soon as you get this” playing over in my mind. I’m not sure what I thought might be wrong, but I was expecting something a little more serious than Dad not being able to squeeze his foot into his new shoe.

  “Mom,” I growl, cutting through her hysterical tears. “It’s a shoe. It will be fine.”

  Five in the morning for this? Is she kidding me?

  “It’s not just a shoe, Becca. This foot injury has changed him. This whole day is about us becoming one again, but what’s the point in all of that if things are regressing back to how they were?”

  “What do you mean?”

  I know I’m going to regret asking that.

  “We haven’t had sex all week. I don’t think he finds me sexually attractive anymore. I’m pretty sure it was those nurses,” she adds in a hushed voice. “You should’ve seen the way they were fussing over him.”

  “It’s their job.” I sigh.

  “It’s their job to ruin my marriage?” Mom retorts.

  I squeeze my eyes shut and do my best to pretend that it’s not my mother I’m speaking to, because if I don’t, this conversation is going to scar me for life. The only thing pushing me through this is that if this all falls to shit, it’s going to be me left here to explain to people why the party is off. The plan was for them to stay here last night too, but somewhere along the line, Mom ended up booking their flight for seven this morning.

  “Mom. He broke his foot and nearly severed an artery. Can you blame him for not wanting to…be too active?”

  “I know, but it’s not like he fractured his peni—”

  “Mom.” I sit up in the bed, cradling my head in my hands wanting to both laugh and cry. “I…”

  I groan and palm my forehead, letting my voice trail off. Words fail me, because what do I say to that?

  “Just get dressed, drive up here, have your little ceremony and then do…whatever it is you need to do. You have fifty people coming to this thing, half of them are probably already here. Suck it up and be an adult, okay?”

  “I’ve been trying to suck it up all week,” she grumbles.

  “Mom,” I yell. “Just come up here and we’ll talk about it, okay?”

  “Okay,” she whispers.

  I cringe and turn my phone off, then throw it across the room. I have no hope in hell of going back to sleep after that. Between handling Mom and this thing with Liam…I shake my head. I was so disappointed that nothing happened last night. That kiss…wow. I get hot just thinking about it. I can’t stop wondering if Grammy hadn’t tried to infiltrate one of the most exclusive poker games in the state and almost got herself kicked out of the resort, where would last night have ended up?

  There’s something about Liam, and it’s more than just physical, and it has little to do with him being my professor, or me not remembering what happened. I look forward to our conversations, and the more I get to know, the more I like. He makes me laugh like nobody else, he’s sweet, considerate, and the fact that he stopped things from going any further than a kiss at the bachelor party tells me he respects me. The icing on the cake is he’s the kind of guy who’ll drive five hours to pick up his grandmother.

  I giggle, just thinking about the look on Liam’s face when he pushed past me, into the room, because Grammy had smuggled Andrew here. I can’t believe we didn’t hear him during the half an hour drive from Liam’s mother’s house, to here. That poor thing wouldn’t have known what was going on. I think I’m beginning to understand why Liam didn’t want to do this drive alone. Maybe it was never a ploy just to try and get with me.

  #

  At eight, I head downstairs to make the most of my included cooked breakfast. I send Liam a text along the way, on the off chance he’s awake. I’m not sure what his plans are today, other than making sure Grammy doesn’t cause anymore chaos. I try calling Jake too, but he doesn’t answer either. I slide into a booth and glance at my phone again before I order. I’m not much of a breakfast eater, but I feel like I’m going to need the energy to get through today, so I go for avocado and eggs, and an extra strong coffee.

  Halfway through, Mom calls. I’m afraid to answer.

  What will it be this time? Dad’s pants have split?

  “Hello?”

  “We’re at the airport, just waiting on an Ober driver to pick us up.”

  “Uber,” I correct, smiling.

  “So long as he comes, I’ll call him whatever he wants.”

  I snort. That’s what she said.

  “Okay. Let me know when you get here.”

  “I have to go and speak to the event coordinator, first, but maybe I can get ready in your room after that?

  “Sure.” I smile. “I’ll see you soon.”

  #

  I head back to my room to get ready. I still haven’t heard from Liam by the time I reach my room, so I have a quick shower. I’ve only been under the water for a few minutes, when there’s a knock on the door.

  Shit. Mom.

  Sighing, I jump out and wrap the thick towel around my body, then race over to the door. Liam stands there when I open it. He raises his eyebrows, then slowly roans his eyes up over me, until they meet mine. They shine as a smile creeps on to his lips.

  “Is that what you’re wearing?”

  I stare at him. “What do you think?”

  “I think I like this much more than the dress you were wearing last night.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “I sent you a text.”

  “My phone is dead,” he apologizes. “I think Grammy did somethin
g with the charger, but she won’t tell me what.”

  I chuckle, because I can totally see Grammy doing that.

  “Where is she?” I ask as I glance past him.

  “Back in the room. She was watching her shows and apparently leaving the house between ten and two is the worst thing in the world.”

  “At least it will keep her occupied during the ceremony,” I say.

  “That’s a good point.” He nods.

  “So, are you coming in, or are you just going to stand there and stare at me all day?”

  “Can I come in and stare at you?” he smirks.

  I creep the towel a little higher, showing just a bit more of my thigh. He swallows, then gives me an intense stare. I lower my gaze, it suddenly becoming very obvious how turned on he is.

  “If only my mother wasn’t going to be here any minute,” I tease.

  His expression turns incredulous as I struggle to contain my amusement. I only feel a little bit guilty about winding him up.

  “Becca?”

  I force myself to smile when Mom pokes her head into the room.

  “What are you doing?” she asks, looking from me to Liam.

  Two more faces appear behind her. Aunt Sylvie and Aunt Nancy. All I wanted was a quick shower, not a room full of people to watch me dress. Liam rubs his jaw, looking like he’s trying not to laugh.

  “What’s happening?” Aunt Nancy asks, looking overwhelmed.

  Well, this isn’t awkward at all.

  “So, are we interrupting something, or not?”

  Mom sounds like she wants to be interrupting something, and Sylvie and Nancy giggle like a couple of schoolgirls.

  “No. Liam was just here to let me know his phone was dead.”

  “Okay…and why would you need to know that?”

  Good point.

  “Liam was just leaving,” I say instead.

  Another round of giggles follows. I shake my head, because I’m not sure they even know what they’re laughing at this time.

  “I’m sure he was.” Mom winks at me. “Are you coming to the ceremony?” she asks him.

  “Liam’s got to look after his grandmother,” I explain.

  Mom shrugs. “She can come too.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose—”

  “Not at all. We’d love to have you both.”

  “Okay, then we’d love to come.”

  Liam winks at me, enjoying my less than happy reaction. I shake my head, sure this is payback for working him up.

  “I guess I’ll be seeing you sooner than I thought.” He smirks at me, then leans close enough to whisper in my ear. “I can’t wait to see what you wear.” He walks out and shuts the door.

  “Wow, you’re lucky to have snagged him,” Aunt Sylvie gushes. “He’s really handsome.”

  “I haven’t snagged anyone,” I retort.

  Is she saying he’s out of my league? Fucking wonderful.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  I disappear into the bathroom to finish getting ready. With my hair done and some makeup on, the dress doesn’t look too bad. Okay, it’s still hideous, but acceptable for a family gathering.

  Mom is already dressed when I emerge, and the aunts have left. She paces the room, looking nervous. Her light blue dress drapes beautifully to the floor. She looks stunning.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she says, brushing it off like it’s nothing.

  I take her hand and smile. “It’s okay to be nervous. You’re recommitting yourself to each other. That’s a big deal.”

  “I know, I’m just…” She shakes her head.

  “How are things with you and Dad now?” I ask her gently.

  “Better.” She smiles at me. “You don’t want to know what we got up to on the plane, do you?”

  “No. I don’t. Ever.” I close my eyes, pleading with my mind to not go there. “Oh, I have something for you.”

  “What?” she says.

  I walk over to my bag and dig down to the bottom to retrieve the little box. It’s wrapped with a little ribbon, about the size of a jewelry box.

  “It’s not much,” I say as I hand it to her.

  “Becca. I can’t believe you got me something at all,” she says, her eyes glassy. She carefully undoes the ribbon, as if not wanting to damage it, then she reaches into the box and pulls out…a tiny little Pac-Man penis.

  “Oh, you didn’t.” She bursts into laughter.

  “I’m giving you this for a reason,” I begin. “I know sometimes I act like all you do is get on my nerves, and that you embarrass me, or make my life difficult—”

  “I was excepting something a little bit more uplifting.” Mom frowns.

  “Just listen,” I promise her. “I’m trying to say that I love you. I love all those things about you, because if you weren’t overbearing, embarrassing, hard to get along with and impossible to shut up, then you wouldn’t be who you are. And I wouldn’t be who I am.” I look her in the eye and smile. “I love you, Mom.”

  She smiles at me, you have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that,” she whispers. I smile and wrap my arms around her.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes.” She smiles at me.

  “Then let’s go.”

  #

  I go downstairs to where the ceremony is going to be held and mingle with my relatives and friends of my parents. I feel like I should wear a sign, because I’m answering the same questions over and over again. No kids? Back in college? Not married? Way to make me feel hopeless.

  Liam walks into the hall. My heart jumps as he strolls over to me. He looks good in a pair of nice pants and a fitted charcoal shirt.

  “No Grammy?” I say.

  He shakes his head. “She won’t leave Andrew and I didn’t think he’d be welcome at this event. Even if he was, you’d struggle to drag her away from her daytime soaps.”

  I look up, sure I’m imagining things when I see Laura standing over by the side door. I wave her over, throwing my arms around her when she reaches us.

  “What are you doing here?”

  She shrugs and glances at Liam, then raises her eyebrows at me.

  Ah. That’s why.

  “I managed to get a sitter at the last minute. Luke is parking the car. I felt bad about not being here for you, since you’re always there for me. So we flew down. Just for the day, we fly back out in the afternoon.” She glances at Liam again. “Are you going to introduce us?”

  “Right,” I grin, embarrassed that I let him stand there like a fool. “This is Liam…a friend of mine. Liam, this is one of my other good friends, Laura.”

  “Lovely to meet you,” he says, kissing her cheek. She grins at me, then smiles at Liam. “You too. Where’s Grammy?” she asks.

  “Back in her room,” Liam explains. “Alone. Which means I should probably go and check she hasn’t barricaded herself in, or set fire to the place.” He turns to me. “I’ll be back soon.”

  The moment he leaves, I turn to Laura and narrow my eyes.

  “You found a sitter because you felt bad? Bullshit. You wanted to see the fireworks—whether that be Liam and I, or my parents.” Laura’s mouth drops open. “Come on, how much is this costing you?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Fine. Five hundred dollars and three weekends of babysitting Annie’s little rats.”

  I shake my head and laugh. I always knew she was determined. I take two glasses from a passing waiter and nod for Laura to follow me. We sit down over near the pool.

  “I’m glad you’re here, but Jesus, Loz. I hope this is worth it. Worst case? I’ll spike Aunt Sylvie’s drink. She’s a riot when she drinks.”

  “So…” Laura’s eyes shine as she has a sip of her champagne. “If there’s no fireworks yet, are there at least sparks? Your text was pretty cryptic.”

  I smile. “Plenty of sparks and sorry. I’m nervous with any written communication these days. It’s only a matter of time before I send a text to the wrong
person. Last night would’ve gone further, if Grammy hadn’t ruined everything.”

  “Do I want to know?” She giggles.

  “It’s pretty funny,” I admit. “Liam and I were making out while we waited for the elevator, I was just about to invite him up to my room, when two security guards walked past with Grammy.”

  “What?” Laura laughs.

  I nod. “They were escorting her off the grounds of the casino after enforcing a ban.”

  “For what, exactly?”

  “She tried to start a game of strip poker in the high rollers room.”

  “Are you serious?” Laura snorts.

  “Becca, there you are.”

  I look up and see Mom standing there.

  “We’re ready to start.” She glances at Laura and smiles. “Laura. I didn’t even realize that was you,” she says.

  She throws her arms around Laura; whose eyes widen at the ferocity of the hug.

  “Congratulations, Mrs. Chambers. Forty years is a big achievement.”

  “We’re very happy,” Mom assures her, then she winks at me.

  I make a face and get up, following her over to the area on the other side of the pool, where the ceremony has been set up. I don’t even want to know what that was referring to. I sit down with Laura, glancing at the door every now and then in search of Liam.

  “That’s the fifth time you’ve looked.” Laura grins.

  “Shh,” I whisper, giving her a dirty look. “It’s starting.”

  “I’m going to struggle to sit through this and not think of what they’re really referring to,” Laura says, choking back laughter.”

  “Wait till you hear my poem.”

  Aunt Betty, who sits on the other side of Laura, insists on giving both of us a running commentary on her thoughts of the ceremony. I manage to sit there with a straight face until Laura leans over and nudges me.

  “You’re lucky to have such wonderful role models, Rebecca,” she gushes, her eyes welling up with tears. “I just love that they have such a deep connection.”

  I can’t look at Loz or I’ll lose it. She shakes silently next to me as we listen to Aunt Betty go on and on about how she wishes more people would open themselves up to someone else, like my parents have.