Marcus: The M Series, Book Three

by Ryanne Anthony

  “Cramp? What happened,” Matthew asked as I stormed into Mother's living room and went straight to the bar. I ignored him and opened a fresh bottle of scotch, drinking it straight from the bottle.

  “Shit, this is not good,” Matthew muttered. “Rockford... Same shit, Mother's.”

  “I don't need babysitting, Toad. Get the fuck out of here!”

  “No,” he shouted. “Look at what you're doing!”

  “What? You've never seen a man want to drink his life away before?” I turned and took another drink. “Fucking song. Damn it! Where did she learn to sing like that?”

  “Russ, what the fuck happened? ... Yeah, he just showed up at Mother's ... She was? ... Right ... Luther Vandross? ... Oh, okay, then what? ... Take a Bow? Take a Bow ... Ohhhhh... Oh, shit ... Yeah, okay. Got it ... Shoot it to my phone ... Thanks, brother ... Yeah, I will.”

  “Of all the fucking songs... Damn, I fucked up, Toad.” I had another long gulp then scowled when Matthew snatched the bottle from me.

  “Every-fucking-time I come in this house someone takes my drink! Shit!” I opened the door on the bar and pulled out another and Matthew took that one, too. “Fuck you, Matthew,” I shouted as I burst into the study.

  I grab another bottle and guzzled. It burned like hell. I sat on the couch and Matthew silently sat across from me as we waited for Joshua. A few minutes later, I heard rapid footsteps through the hall then Joshua burst through the door.

  “What,” he said, breathlessly. “What happened?”

  “Apparently, Mariah can sing,” Matthew informed.

  “And? Damn it, there better be more than that to this story, Cramp! I was in the beginning of something... with Mandy, fucker!”

  “She wouldn't even look at me. She won a karaoke contest and sang that fucking song.”

  Joshua scowled. “What fucking song?”

  I guzzled again. “Take a Bow,” Matthew answered.

  “I don't know it,” Joshua mumbled, pulling out his cell. He tapped on it then asked, “Is that Madonna?”

  “Yep,” Matthew nodded.

  “Do not play that fucking song,” I shouted.

  “I have to, Cramp. I want to know why you're destroying your liver again and why I had to leave Mandy damn near naked!”

  “Use your fucking earpiece! I don't want to hear it again!”

  “Hold on, Twerp,” Matthew said, looking at his cell. “Come over here. It's from Russ.”

  They each put a bud in their ear and watched the screen. I had to be Mariah singing. That thought’s cemented when they looked up at me at the same time. I took another gulp of scotch.

  “That's not really her singing, is it,” Joshua muttered, amazed.

  “She looks good. Fuck, she sounds phenomenal. Why is she a nurse?”

  “I don't fucking know,” I mumbled at Matthew, starting to feel fuzzy.

  They grew quiet as they listened. I grew more irritated. I finished the bottle and grabbed the bottle I opened earlier.

  Joshua whistled and sat next to me. “Damn, Cramp. That look she gave you at the end... you really fucked up.”

  I took another gulp. “Not helping, Twerp,” Matthew quietly scoffed.

  “I know, but still… Cramp, if you're going to drink, slow down. Mariah can't take you back if you're dead,” Joshua derided.

  “She doesn't want me back. Did you hear the words in that fucking song?”

  “Why didn't you tell her who you were? Are you still pissed at Dad?”

  “She hates money,” I slurred.

  Matthew and Joshua looked at each other. I shook my head and took another gulp and think. Well, I tried to think, but the alcohol had started to do its job. Damn, I should’ve eaten. I looked at Joshua.

  “She and her mother struggled a long time when her father died. Mariah's medical bills bankrupted her and the...” I attempted to drink again, but Joshua took the bottle. I stood. “Tell him, Toad. I bet you fucking know.”

  “Boys? What's going on? Marcus? Are you drunk,” Mother asks as I staggered to the bar.

  “Little bit. Not enough. I'll fix that in a minute,” I slurred as I grabbed another bottle.

  Dad eased alongside me and took the bottle. “Son... You've had enough. Where's Mariah?”

  “I fucked it up, Dad. She left me. Give me the bottle back.”

  He set it in front of me and I gripped it tight, trying to remove the cap. Mother moved to my other side and snatched the bottle.

  “Marcus, no! You’ve had more than enough, already! Why did Mariah leave you? What did you do, darling?”

  The room spun. I put my head down and wouldn’t answer.

  “He never told her his real name and she found out elsewhere,” Joshua told her.

  “Okay, wait, wait... how did she find out?”

  “That fucking Wexler,” I slurred as the alcohol consumed me.

  “Why would you keep it secret, son?”

  “Maffew... Matchew... Mattrew... You! Middle son! Tell 'em,” I said, picking up another bottle. I opened it, took a drink and spit it right out. Damn seltzer water! I thought it was vodka. I snatched the bottle from Mother and took a long drink.

  Matthew sighed. “Mariah's father and twin siblings, a boy and a girl, died in a car wreck on an expressway in Chicago when Mariah was eight. Mariah was the only survivor. Her father died on impact, the twins died in the ambulance.”

  “Oh, my God,” Mother gasped. “How old were those babies?”

  “Three.”

  “Did Mariah suffer, son,” Dad asked.

  “I was told in addition to her neck, she had second and third degree burns on her back. She had numerous surgeries and was in-patient for almost a year and they almost lost Mariah the second night she was there. I spoke with her grandparents, Marcus, when we came back from Tokyo. They didn't care about Rachel's life, but they knew what happened. They can't get past her marrying 'that... man.'”

  Matthew walked over and took my bottle. He had a long swig and gave it back. He sighed hard then said, “I was so disgusted when I left them. I'd never seen such... hatred. From everyone else's stand point, Donald Hollander was the salt of the Earth. Rachel’s parents just couldn't see any deeper than the color of his skin and wanted nothing to do with her children.”

  I shook my head as I dropped on the couch. How could anyone reject my beautiful Mariah?

  “She hates money. Really hates it... they never had enough of it,” I mumbled.

  Matthew continued. “Rachel filed bankruptcy when the medical bills piled up, then there was Mariah's student loans. Mariah and her mother worked for years and still haven't put a dent into the medical bills. Mariah is still paying it off. I don't think Rachel's told Thomas about it, even though he paid off Mariah's student loans.”

  He paused and put a hand on my shoulder, forcing me to look at him. “I bought that debt, Marcus. The money she pays every month goes into a savings bond. When she finishes, if she finishes, she will be told she can keep it or give to a charity of her choosing. Mariah is very proud and I don't think either of us should tell her what I did.”

  He looked away from me. “That is why she rejected Marcus. I believe she loves him, but she's afraid to accept where he comes from. It's not Marcus; it's the name and what's behind it.”

  I felt defeated at his words. “She's never coming back to me! Fucking stupid song! What am I going to do without her?”

  I continued my drunken rant. Joshua told them what happened.

  “May I have a private moment with Marcus,” Dad asked in his clipped English tone.

  I felt his hand on my shoulder and his voice to my right. “Son. Have you eaten? Let's go to the kitchen. We'll get a bite and put our heads together.”

  “I'm not hungry, Dad. I just... need her. I want her back.”

  “I understand that, son. Let's figure out how to do that while we get something in your stomach.”

  July 9, 2011

  I laid across the bed with a cold towel on my forehe
ad, at Mother’s insistence. I shouldn't have drunk so much; my head had been pounding all damn day. I wondered how Mariah dealt with her head pain and had for so long. And mother locked away all the alcohol, so no ‘hair of the dog.’ Mean woman.

  “She's here, Cramp. Mariah showed up,” Matthew announced, coming into my guest room at Mother's. “Brace yourself.”

  “Why,” I asked, wincing as I joined him at the window that overlooked the garden.

  “Look to the left, in the red,” he said, pointing.

  Mariah was on my father's arm and he was introducing her to his brother, my uncle Bradford from England. She looked fucking amazing. I didn't feel the pounding in my head anymore.

  My father escorted her to the table where her family was and left her after she sat. She crossed her legs and put her arm on the back of the chair, holding her head in her hand. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She looked beautiful but sad... just like the day I first saw her.

  Looked like she's ordered a martini. I watched a waiter bring her and Nathan one. Dad appeared at my side as I continued to watch her and handed me a bottled water. I guzzled it down quickly.

  “I've talked to your brothers, Marcus, and they've agreed to ask Mariah for a dance. Stay back and let them finish. Hopefully, she'll be relaxed and you can speak with her, after. Come, Matthew.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  Staring at Mariah, I started to dress, glad I showered already. I wasn't sure if she'd come after Mandy said Mariah sent gifts to her shower. I peeked out the window again and saw Mariah and her father step on the dance floor.

  I hurried down the stairs. Fucking house suddenly seemed too damn big, even though I'd come down the back stairs, and it felt like it took forever to get down them. I headed straight to the informal living room's windows. They also overlooked the garden.

  Mariah appeared very subdued, but sad. I wanted to walk up to her and kiss it away. I thought about the last time we were together: the after lunch tryst the day before and the call that almost ruined it. She giggled and I slammed into her, making her cry out. The nurse I was speaking to heard her, and I covered Mariah's mouth. She sucked them seductively, sending more chills through me. Before I knew it, I was moaning into the phone.

  I was getting hard thinking about it... God, I missed that woman.

  Thomas and Mariah’s dance finished and right on cue, Joshua approached their table. He shook Thomas' hand and they chatted.

  “Come on, Twerp...” I murmured.

  “He'll get her out there, Marcus,” a feminine voice said beside me, making me jump.

  I turned and smiled. “Evelyn... I didn't hear you walk up.”

  “I can understand your distraction,” she laughed. She watched with me as Joshua laughed at something Mariah said. They saluted then Joshua and Mariah danced the quickstep across the floor. They looked good together.

  “Nice. Wish I'd taken it up when Katherine offered,” Evelyn sighed when they've finished.

  I put my arm around her shoulders as Matthew bowed to Mariah.

  “I think you did well with your Martial Arts, Blossom.”

  Evelyn elbowed my ribs and laughed. “That one ass-kicking I gave was so worth it.”

  Mariah shouted to Joshua, “Extra points for bowing and calling me 'Lady'.”

  “Damn it,” Joshua yelled, feigning anger.

  Evelyn and I laughed with the crowd and watched as Matthew and Mariah started off. They looked even better together and I enjoyed seeing a genuine smile on Mariah's face.

  “If he weren't our brother, I'd have you kick his ass right now,” I muttered.

  Evelyn laughed and took my arm. “Come on, Marcus. You'd better get out there if you want to try for a dance. If you don’t, I will kick your ass, headache or not.”

  I led Evelyn through the back doors. She joined Russell then I crept over to the far side of the floor. I watched as they finished and waited for him to take her hand.

  “Thank you, Mariah. That dance was truly a pleasure,” Matthew flirted and kissed her hand, making her blush. I vowed to get Evelyn to kill him later.

  “Thank you, Matthew. Pleasure was all mine,” Mariah cooed.

  Matthew twirled Mariah with too much flair and she landed right into my chest... again. This time, I held out my arms and steadied her. I looked at Matthew and mouthed, 'very good.’

  Matthew mouthed, 'don't fuck up,' patted my back then joined Joshua and Mandy.

  “Lost points for this, Matthew,” Mariah called after him.

  “Sorry, Mariah. I think it's worth it,” he said back.

  “I believe it's my turn, Miss Hollander,” I murmured to her.

  She finally looked at me and gave me an expression that said, 'no fucking way.'

  “I don't know if that is such a good idea, Dr. Cannon,” she said, icily.

  I smirked. “Dr. Cannon is my father. Let's stick with 'Marcus,' shall we?”

  She pushed out of my grasp and looked at me with disgust. My heart dropped.

  “I think I'll stick with goodbye instead,” she sneered and turned to the house.

  I watched her walk away, thinking I should just leave it done when Nathan approached.

  “Don't let her push you away. Go after her.”

  “Why should I,” I demanded, scowling at him.

  “You love her now make her believe it, again. You fucked this up, so go fix it.”

  “He's right, Cramp,” Matthew snapped. “Move your ass!”

  “Fuck,” I muttered, running after her.

  * * *

  “What happened in there, Marcus,” Joshua asked, approaching me with Mandy when I rejoined the party. My talk with Mariah felt… brutal.

  “I apologized, and asked her to think us over.”

  “Look at her face, Marcus,” Mandy groaned. “Does it look like she wants to think things over?”

  No, it didn't. She still looked like she did that day in the clinic. My heart tugged at the sight.

  “Damn it. There's nothing else I can do.”

  “Dance with her.”

  “Does she look like she wants to dance, Mandy? Especially with me,” I snapped, getting sick of this shit already.

  “If she fucked up with you, would you be happy, Marcus? Even if you were the one to end things,” Matthew asked behind me.

  I look at him, long and hard. “I really, REALLY hate it when you're right,” I snarled.

  Matthew grinned at me and turned to Mandy and pointed to his back on the left. “Right there; it's this side's turn.”

  Mandy gave him a confused look. “What are you talking about?”

  “He wants you to pat his back, sweetie,” Joshua groaned. “Grow up, Toad!”

  Mandy rolled her eyes at Matthew and tugged my arm. “Come on, Marcus. Don't give up. Go to the mic and do your toast to me and Joshua, then ask her to dance. She can't refuse you in front of all of us.”

  I paused a moment, wondering if I should keep trying. The look on her face was telling me I shouldn’t bother ever again.

  “Why the hell are you thinking on it,” Matthew barked. “Go get your woman back, Cramp!”

  I scowled at him then walked to the stage. The music died down and everyone went to their seats. Matthew passed me a glass and I turned to the band.

  “After I speak, I'd like you to play a slow tango.”

  “No, problem,” the bandleader nodded.

  Joshua spoke. “Good evening, everyone. We'd like to thank you all for coming out and celebrating with Mandy and I tonight. We look forward to seeing you all at our wedding next week.”

  Applause filled the garden.

  “Now my brother would like to say a few words, as well.”

  I cleared my throat and stepped to the mic.

  “To the bride and groom. Here's to many years of bliss and babies. Cheers.”

  I downed my drink. Thank God it was scotch. Mandy took my glass, urging me to continue.

  Here we go.

  “When I first met the
woman I love, she had the same sad look on her face that she has now. I swore then I'd always do whatever I had to do to bring a smile back to her beautiful face.”

  I looked at Mariah; she was about to drink a margarita.

  “She has shared a dance with my brothers and I'm hoping she can put our differences aside and indulge me in a dance, as well.”

  Her face looked like she was screaming 'shit' in her head. I shared that sentiment, baby.

  I shrugged out of my jacket and Matthew took it. I walked down the steps and the band played a melody that made me want to dance with her more than ever. I turned and mouthed 'perfect' to the bandleader. He nodded and directed the band to play louder.

  I thrusted my hands in my pockets and stood in the middle of the floor, on total display. I stared at her as I fingered the anklet in my pocket. If she gets up, I vowed to put it back on her ankle, where it fucking belonged.

  She won't budge... the music stopped. I turned and swirled my finger at the band. They started playing the song again. My heart was beating a mile a minute and I was beginning to get pissed. Damn, this girl is stubborn!

  It really shouldn’t turn me on, but I swear, to this day, it does.

  Finally, Nathan stood and yanked her to her feet. She whispered something to him and he scowled. He said something to her that really pissed her off, but she walked with him and my breath caught. He looked like he was walking her down the aisle to me.

  I wanted that to happen. Soon.

  “Let it go, Mariah,” Nathan said to her then kissed her temple. “Marcus,” he nodded to me. I nodded back. He left us alone. She still wouldn’t look at me; she just stood in front of me, watching her family, like a frightened virgin.

  “You asked me to think,” Mariah whispered. “That was not enough time. Let's not do this now.”

  I held her chin and pulled her head up. When she finally looked at me, I release her.

  “Your sadness is breaking my heart and I need to do something to make us both feel somewhat better,” I whispered back to her.

  Mariah gasps softly and exhaled slowly. She stepped back and I felt a panic. I was going to grab her if she attempted to flee.

  “Okay, just... stop talking,” she whispered as she closed her eyes.