by Bruce Thomas
"I'm sorry," I whispered looking down at my feet. "You don't have to go. I'll go back in there and tell your Dad we won't make it. I understand if you don't want to spend it with me either."
Now I was once again alone in this city. I would spend the rest of the holiday eating stale crackers and scrolling through social media because I can't mind my own business. I was now taking up the spot as fake girlfriend too seriously. I have no say in Fred's life.
Hot air from Fred's sigh cascaded over my skin as I noticed he moved closer to me. He towered over me like a skyscraper would to a local bystander walking the streets. I craned my neck up to meet his eye seeing the mix of inflicted emotions
swimming in the muddy pools of them.
"We can't really back out since the asshole brought it up in front of Matty."
I looked back down at my hands that were clasped tightly in front of me in shame. "Why don't you just tell your dad that we're not really a couple?" I didn't see the point in keeping up a facade when it is helping anyone.
A finger tilted my head back up before it was dropped quickly and was shoved into jean pockets. "That's not going to happen." He closed his eyes momentarily regaining his composure. "But you have to suffer through dinner too. You don't get the luxury of being by yourself when I have to deal with that." He jutted a finger towards the hospital room. This is all your fault."
"So you don't hate me," I asked smiling slightly. I was more than happy to be spending time with him no matter what the company. "No more than usual." He turned around on his heels and started walking down the desolate hall. *****
"Could you not walk so fast? I'm wearing heels," I complained stumbling up the drive to Fred's house.
"No one told you to dress up, Anna." He continued his long strides all the way up to the door. He was wearing his normal jeans attire but I made him drive back to his place and put on a nicer shirt other than a bleached stained t-shirt he was sporting. It took a lot of effort and plenty of lying, saying that I wouldn't go if he didn't. Low blow, I know, but I was starting to see how Fred worked. He would do anything if it meant not being alone with his father.
"It's Thanksgiving," I stated watching Fred twist the
doorknob to enter the house. "And if you haven't noticed, your place and family are as classy as the royal family." Fred snorted and looked down at me. "You don't dress like this when it's just you and me." I rolled my eyes and smirked. "That's because you're scum."
A deep laugh from Fred vibrated the air around us as he opened the door. We were greeted by Matty screaming his welcomes from the couch where he set up camp with piles of blankets and a bowl of fudge ice cream.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom," Fred said into his ear, giving my hip of taught squeeze before heading down the hall. I watched his back disappear before I gained composure to move.
I walked over to Matty to see that he already had a bowl of almost melted ice cream waiting for me on the end table. He wasn't kidding on sharing it with me. I beamed down at him in gratitude at the feeling that I maybe won this little guy over.
"Why thank you," I said sitting down next to him on the couch. At the first taste of the cold treat my mind wonder off to the time that Fred and I had ice cream after putting Matty to bed. My face flushed at the thought of what went down on this very couch his little brother and I were now sitting on.
Fred came back into the room a few minutes after watching whatever cartoon Matty had on the television. He sat on the arm of the couch and dipped his finger into the ice cream in my lap and sucked it into his mouth winking at me.
I turned away quickly wondering if he was thinking the same thing I was.
Lawrence descended the stairs seconds later. He
opened his arms wide in a welcoming and smiled over at me. "Annaanna, dear, you look beautiful. Fred did you tell her she looks beautiful?" Fred rolled his eyes and turned to Matty. "I will carry you to the table, Matty. I don't want you hurting yourself so soon." Fred reached down and scoop the little boy up into his arms and started making his way to the dining room table.
I ignored Lawrence's skeptical stare as Fred walked past him without a glance towards him or me. I forced a smile and, too, made my way to the table. I gave Fred the stink eye as I walked closer to him. He smiled innocently and patted the chair beside him for me to take.
I thought about sticking my tongue out and choosing a different chair but I really didn't want to be far away from Fred's side in this situation.
Thanksgiving dinner went surprisingly smooth with Fred and his father ignoring each other and Matty, even in his condition, taking charge of all the conversation. "And then the robot would have used my heart for his heart and I could have just used his body for mine, get it. Just incase I died." My fork hit my plate at the end of Matty's speech on how the heart monitor would have saved him, like in that one movie.
I looked over at Fred who was frowning at his little brother. He set down his utensils and leaned forward on his elbows.
Lawrence cleared his throat keeping his eyes on his food being sawed on his plate. "It doesn't work that way. And don't talk about dying at the table." "Why," Fred said with an accusing tone.
Oh no, please Fred don't start anything.
This was going so nicely it could have been mistaken for a nice family dinner.
"Does death offend you?" Fred asked, his body already going into defense mode.
"Fred, please," I practically begged. I took the risk and reached on top of the table and place my hand over his. I held my breath expecting him to shew my off, which he did, sending my hand back onto my lap. I looked down slightly embarrassed but I mostly didn't want to witness what was about to go down.
I looked over at Matty to see him slouched back in his seat, his lip beginning to jut out and his cheeks flushed.
"Because it sure didn't seem like it when Mom died. You threw a damned party instead of grieving with the rest of us. Isn't that right, Dad? Did you make a good deal that night?--"
"Enough!" Lawrence shouted. The harsh lines of disappointment were clear on his face as he glared at Fred.
The room went silent with the exception of Fred's harsh breathing. I closed my eyes Annaefly as if I couldn't see them, then I wasn't really there. "Do you have any idea how angry your mother would be if she was here to see you now? You think I don't know what you do to make your money. She is probably rolling over in her grave at this very moment at the thought of the person her son has become--"
"Hey!" I screeched pushing back from the table. I felt the sudden panic of my outburst but I couldn't sit here and listen to this man tell his son that their dead mother wouldn't accept them as her child. Anger bubbled under the surface and I looked over at Fred to see him staring at me in shock. I didn't dare look over at Matty afraid that if I did I would lose all my courage.
"Your son may be rude and lack certain manners but he is a good person," I said. I shook my head frowning wanting to keep the words from tumbling over but there was no stopping them. My heart jumped to my throat when I felt Fred's finger snake their way through mine under the table. With the strength added from his hand in mine I took a steady breath. "He is passionate about what he wants and he's smarter than you or anyone else gives him credit for. He is doing just fine on his own. He hasn't needed any help from anyone and certainly no Annabes from you because he is the most determined person I have ever met." The last part was the truest. When Fred set his mind to something he doesn't let up until the task is won.
"Why can't you see how wonderful he is?" I asked the stone cold man. Fred was wonderful in his own way. Yes, he wasn't the knight on a white stallion who spoke kind poetic words to post claim on the fair maiden. He was maddening and pushy but there was good in him. He cared so deeply about his little brother though he doesn't like to show it, but I can see it because I know the real Fred. The real Fred was behind that mask of no emotion.
The real Fred was insecure and troubled with thoughts of life. Sure he was cocky as
hell but it was all part of the facade. I truly believed this to be true.
"He has you brainwashed, little girl." Mr. Montgomery pointed a stern finger my way, his lips quivering with anger, maybe it was something more inhumane,
I don't know. He sure looked mad. "Get away from this bum before he sucks you in so deep there is no escaping." Fred's grip on my hand was loosening as if he wanted to let go but I held it tighter. He looked down at our joined hands and rubbed his thumb back and forth over mine as if it was distracting him from what was happening at the moment. It would have been comforting if it wasn't for my heart beating so profoundly in my chest that I started seeing white spots in my vision. I wouldn't be surprised if I passed out. The mixture of the tension in this room and Fred's hand clasped so tightly in mine was making me dizzy.
"I think it's time Anna and I left," Fred said, his voice quiet. He sounded like he was in another world. He continued to look down at our intertwined hands as he spoke, his thumb still rubbing gently over mine. "But we haven't even had pie!" Matty protested. He started eating halfway through my little speech seeming used to his brother and father fighting. He had mash potatoes smeared on his face and green beans dangling from his fork which was halfway to his mouth.
"Another time, buddy," Fred said. He let go of my hand leaving me sitting at an awkward angle in my chair while he stood and started walking over to his brother. He patted down his ringlets and hugged him with one arm Annanging him into a side hug.
I looked up at Mr. Montgomery, giving him one more chance to apologize before we left. I would normally have felt ashamed for my interference but anger was still boiling through my veins. He picked up his fork and knife and went back to
cutting his turkey, completely ignoring our departure. With a little shake of my head I got up from my chair.
Fred stuck out his hand for me to hold again and I gladly accepted it, giving him the best smile I could muster up which ended up as a slight grimace.
I was all but tugged out to Fred's car. I didn't bother to open my mouth and complain about the quick pace in the shoes I chose to wear. "Fred, I am so sorry if I overstepped in there. I just couldn't hear him talk about you like that--" My apology was cut short by Fred's lips. He pressed his body forcefully over mine against his SUV while his lips worked passionately against mine.
I arched my back to pressed myself closer to him as one of his hands fisted itself in my hair and the other one ran up the length of my body, grabbing my waist and holding me closer.
I was lost for words and panting loudly when he pulled away. I searched his eyes as his face stayed close to see something that I've never seen in those murky eyes of his: Appreciation. He dropped his forehead down to mine, his breathing rough and jagged. "Do you really think all those things you said in there?"
I opened my mouth afraid that no words would come out from being so affected from that kiss. African moths replaced butterflies in my stomach and fluttered relentlessly.
"Yes, I do," I confessed. "You deserve so much in life, Fred. You just have to let people in and help you. You don't have to be alone."
"Why?" He asked grabbing the back of my head and pushing his forehead harder against mine. It was as if he was trying to get as close as we could to see if there was a chance he could read my mind. "Why do you care so much about me, Anna?"
I closed my eyes and just leaned against him. His warm breath beat against my face in a steady pace, calming my frayed nerves. All the tension was slowly leaving my body making me feel weak and tired. "You're human. You're worth caring about."
The hand in my hair slide out and cupped my face. He tilted my head to look at him. He ran the pad of his thumb back and forth along my cheekbone as he looked deeply into my eyes.
"Don't say that," he warned. He seemed to be searching my soul for something as his eyes switched between both of mine.
I felt the stinging behind my eyes and after what just happened in the house I could use a good cry. "Why not?"
"You can't feel that for me, Anna. You just can't."
I wanted to fight him and ask him what he expected to happen with the fooling around and night confessions. Of course I would catch feelings for him. I think I knew it would happen since the first kiss. The urge to cry hit me hard because I knew his response would be something like this all along. Which is why I vowed to keep my feelings to myself. I looked down so he could see the sheer glaze of tears in my eyes.
"Thank you," he finally said after seconds of silence. I wasn't sure if he was thanking me for berating his father or for believing in him. Either way, it made me smile.
Courageously, or just too exhausted to care, I leaned forward and softly kissed him. His hands gripped my face and he breathed into it. I smiled at him again before turning around and opening the car door. I smiled wider when he took the door from me and opened it fully so I could get in. Maybe he was taking my "lack of manners" comment to heart.
Just because he told me not to fall for with him doesn't mean I could just tell my heart to knock it off. His father's warning was too late. I was already in too deep to escape.
I might be able to fit one more chapter in before Christmas. I will try my hardest! You can expect something major to happen:) Ps please go read my newest story For Your Eyes Only! Xoxo
================= 25
You should have caught on by now that this story is going to be adult friendly which means if you are not comfortable with graphic and sexual scenes, either skip or maybe this story isn't for you! I spent a lot of time on this chapter, which I'm sure some are mad about SORRY, but I had to make it perfect!
"Do you want to come up?" I asked once he parked inside the lot dedicated to student parking. I figured that's what he was going to do since he normally just drops me off at the entrance. I bit my lip hoping that he would say yes.
After what happened at his father's house I knew he was upset but I really couldn't tell if he still was. After that kiss against the side of his car he seemed to calm down some.
Fred looked over at me from the side of his eye and unbuckled his seat belt. I took that as a yes and did the same, opening and closing the car door to head up to my place.
The halls which were normally flooding with music and bodies were partially empty except for the occasional straggler that walked by without making much for eye contact. Fred walked closely behind me, closer than he normally walked by me. It was as if me sticking up for him at his dad's made him more comfortable with me. He hasn't even made one crude joke towards me since we got in and then out of his car.
Opening my dorm door, I walked in, throwing my key on the kitchen counter, and headed towards the fridge. I bought a pie at the Starbucks in the building and forgot to Annang it, being so nervous to spend dinner with Fred and his family, that it slipped my mind.
I pulled it out and raised it for him to see. He nodded once and slouched down on the couch. I looked at him with his head in his hands and his shoulders slouched. I've seen Fred in moods where he hated being around everyone and I've seen him as his cocky perverted self but never have I seen him so exhausted.
Placing a piece of pie on a plate and grabbing two forks I walked over to him and set it down on my lap. He removed his hands from over his face and eyed the fork I was holding up in front of him. He took it and froze when he saw what was on my lap.
"Pecan pie," He said in a dazed, incredulous voice. I felt like the whole world Annaghtened when a soft smile graced his lips.
"It's not homemade but...." I took the first bite, savoring the taste of such pure goodness. I was more of a cherry pie kind of girl but there was nothing wrong with some pecan. I nudged the plate closer to Fred beside me, motioning for him to eat some.
I was about to cut off another bite when suddenly the plate was removed from my lap and placed onto the floor. I turned my head in protest, a complaint ready on my tongue, but was met with a pair of lips instead.
He kissed me hungrily, shoving his tongue in my mouth and grabb
ing fists full of my hair. And I didn't stop him. Losing all self control I shifted, moving my hips to wrap my legs around his waist and pulled him closer. He grabbed my bare thighs, his hands roaming under my dress to cup my backside. I moaned into his mouth when his hand slid between my legs.
My body sprang to life like it always did when Fred touched me and I shamelessly grinded myself down on his hand. His lips moved to my neck, nibbling at the spot where my neck connected to my shoulders. When his lips connected to that section of skin, my body physically lunged forward, the sweet sensation of ecstasy flooding me.
"Found it," he said into my neck, attacking the spot with more gusto. The sweet spot left me rolling my eyes in the back of my head and pushing myself further into him. His hand never stopped moving as he brought me closer and closer.
A tight pinch sent my hips bucking forward as a cry slipped through my lips. Fred brought his mouth over mine to suppress the gruntle noises leaving my lips as he pushed his finger deeper into me. The uncomfortable feeling soon passed and I found myself rotating my hips with every push he made.
He stopped his movements momentarily and nudged another finger at my opening. "Tell me if it's too much," he said breathlessly. I could tell he was just as affected as me and more than I've ever wanted anything, I wanted to make him feel the intense feeling I was experiencing.
I squeezed my eyes shut at the stretch of pain that rocketed in my lower half.
I dug my fingernails into Fred's shoulders feeling like I needed to grab onto something or else I would float away. I could feel my orgasm creep up my spine with every curl and jab of Fred's fingers. I muffled my release by latching my lips onto Fred's neck, practically biting into his flesh making him grunt.
Breathing heavily I brought my hands from his shoulders and into his wavy hair. I pulled his head down to mine and kissed him like
he was kissing me minutes before. You would have thought my body would be tired and calm after my release but that wasn't the case at all. I needed more.