by Portia Moore
“What do you think?” Aidan comes into the kitchen and does a model pose from Zoolander.
“Very handsome,” my mom tells him excitedly.
“I like,” Hillary agrees with a dramatic smile.
“You look okay I guess.”
“Says the guy who stole my old haircut.” He slaps me on the back of the head, and I slap him back.
“Okay, we should know better than to roughhouse in the kitchen,” my mom tells us, taking me back to when I was twelve.
We all head out of the kitchen and sit down in the living room.
“I’m going to go see what Lauren’s up to,” Hillary says before heading up the stairs and I notice Aidan watching her walk away.
“Seriously Aidan,” I scold him once she’s out of earshot.
“What?” he asks innocently.
“Lauren’s best friend?” I frown at him and he laughs.
“We’re just having fun. Nothing serious I promise.” He holds up his fingers in the scout’s honor promise. “Enough about me though. What about you? Are you cool?”
“Yeah I am,” I tell him with a smile
“I mean looking at this place it looks like you are,” he says.
“Yeah, I’ve got to show you the cars.” I laugh.
“Besides the Audi?”
“There’s a Porsche and one of the new Jeeps.” Aidan’s been obsessed with cars since we were kids, and not just in the way most guys are. He could give you a full history of almost any brand you name, his favorite being Chevy. When we were in high school, he had two cars he fully restored and sold by the time he turned twenty-one.
“Oh man, I’ve got to see them.” He jumps up from the couch. I snatch my keys off the table and yell to my mom that we’re heading to the garage. Once we make it down, he stops at the Porsche and does a long whistle sliding his hand across the hood.
“So, this is your life?” Aidan asks dramatically, obviously impressed.
“Yeah.” I breathe out as I pop the locks to the car and toss him the keys. He looks just as excited as a kid in a candy store.
“I know you don’t like this Cal guy, but you can’t fault him on taste. I’ve got to get on a highway because these streets are ridiculous,” he says as we pull out.
“Yeah, I’m still getting used to them,” I admit. Navigating downtown Chicago is like the Wild West. People cut in front of you, pedestrians jaywalk in hoards, and the cabdrivers are the worst—I don’t know how any of them have licenses.
“So catch me up. You’ve been gone for awhile.”
“Yeah, it sucks too,” I grumble.
“I saw you… or Collin about a month ago.”
“You did?” I ask surprised.
He nods. “Yup.”
It’s so strange to hear things like this, to not remember any of it. “How was he or I?” I correct myself remembering Helen’s earlier words.
“Honestly I was sort of drunk.” I frown at him. “But he looked like you, dude. Well you if you had a designer haircut and graduated from some Ivy League school,” Aidan says. He laughs, and then quickly turns serious “You don’t remember anything?”
“No, not while I was him.” I try to get more used to the face of all these sides of me being me and not another person. Helen’s been stressing that. “When I blacked out, the last thing I remembered before coming to was the thing that happened at my parent’s house.” There’s an awkward silence that stretches longer than I expect it to.
“Yeah, that was pretty fucked up.”
“My mom seems like… she’s dealing with it at least,” I tell him, and he only keeps his eyes on the road.
“Yeah I’ve been making sure to check on her since you’ve been gone,” he says.
“Thanks man.” I knew he would. My family has been his family… him, me, and Lisa were all family. I feel myself becoming angry just thinking about her.
“You saw my dad?” I ask him, he glances over at me.
“I haven’t talked to him if that’s what you mean… you?”
“He was at the house when I came to. I kicked him out though.” Aidan looks at me with a disbelieving smile.
“You kicked your dad out?”
“Yeah…” I say with a half-smile, but it’s forced.
“What was he thinking coming to your house?” I take a deep breath and explain to him what’s been told to me. Everything from Cal trying to kill his stepdad to me being a Crestfield.
“Holy shit, you should have told me this before I started driving, man.”
“It’s not a big deal. It hasn’t made my life any better or worse knowing about it,” I say dryly. He glances over at me as if I’m crazy.
“Are you serious, dude? You’re a Crestfield and you don’t think it’s changing your life?” He sounds perplexed.
“Well, I mean the financial part, yeah. Turns out I’m worth millions of dollars.”
“Drop the fucking mic I’ve got to pull over,” he says dramatically.
“Keep going. The highway’s only about five more minutes off to the left.” I’m surprised by how fast the thought comes to me. I’ve only driven here twice.
He switches lanes. “You don’t drop that type of information on someone while they’re driving a car that they couldn’t afford in three lifetimes,” he says.
“I guess that part is pretty awesome,” I admit.
“You think?”
“That’s actually why I called you earlier. I was thinking we could go into business together.”
“Seriously?”
“Of course. You’re my best friend, and I can’t think of anyone better to be partners with,” I tell him.
“But… I’m not exactly a reader of the Wall Street Journal, Chris. I don’t know the first thing about starting a company,” he says honestly and that’s why he’s my best friend. Here I am offering him to experiment with my money—no investment of his at all—and he’s still looking out for my best interests.
“I’m not talking about starting a Fortune 500 conglomerate.” I laugh. “I was thinking about more along the lines of a car restoration business. Something that you could write a book on with what you know,” I tell him seriously.
“In Michigan, no one could afford what I’d want back out after putting that much time in though.”
“Not in Michigan but here. Look around. There’s obviously money everywhere and these people don’t know what to spend it on. I bet I can even wrangle up the right clientele through Dexter if I wanted to,” I say and he looks at me, a grin on his face.
“You’re serious, dude?” he asks me trying to suppress his enthusiasm.
“Yes, dead serious.”
“Wow, Chris. I don’t know what to say,” he says sheepishly and I don’t think I’ve seen Aidan look modest in his entire life.
“Say yes. I can’t think of anything better than working with my best friend. Besides I want something that’s mine. All of this money came from Cal… and Collin. I want to build something of my own, and if I have any episodes, I’d need to work with someone who won’t freak out and that I can trust,” I tell him honestly.
“Dude, if I wasn’t driving I’d kiss ya,” he declares with a wide smile.
“Well, thank God you’re driving then.”
We drive for about a half hour, and he tells me about the saga of him and Hillary which turns out to be a lot of partying and sex. He tells me what his grandma’s been up to, and I catch him up on my therapy sessions, and my meeting with Dexter Sr. As we’re pulling back into the garage of the apartment building, I have to ask him about the elephant in the room.
“So have you talked to Lisa? I mean you can tell me I won’t be mad… much.” It’s not like I expect Aidan to stop talking to her because of what she did to me and my family, even though he should since she’s proven to be a master manipulator and diabolical liar.
“Not in awhile… last I know she’s headed to California.”
“California? What would she be doing there?”
I ask confused.
“Something with a guy…” he shrugs, and I laugh in disbelief.
“That’s ridiculous. What guy?” I ask, even though I shouldn’t care at this point. And I don’t, but I’m curious.
“Remember that Brett dude from high school?”
“You’re kidding?” He gives me a look to say he isn’t.
I shake my head. “Why would she do that? Abandon her whole life and take off with a guy she didn’t even really like in high school.”
“Well, it’s not like she had much left here, huh?” he asks, and I know I’m imagining the hint of disdain in his voice. He gets out of the car and I do the same.
“What about her kid?” I try to ignore the fact that the kid is my half-sister.
“Let’s not talk about Lisa anymore man,” he says exasperated and throws his arm around my shoulder. “You’re rich and we have two beautiful women to take out on the town…” he says and I can’t help but laugh at that.
“And drinks are on you, million-dollar man.” He pats me on the back before we go in.
“Are you guys ready to party in the big city!” Hillary squeals at the top of her lungs while sitting on Aidan’s lap in the back of our car. I try to keep from staring at her chest, but they’re out for everyone to see.
“It can’t be that much different from Michigan, can it?” I ask, and Hillary and Lauren share a giggle.
“Hey, Chris and I have been to some ragers in our day,” Aidan says trying to defend us.
“Oh please hon. We like that you’re small town boys, right Lauren?” Hillary teases.
“That’s the only thing that’s small about me,” Aidan tells her and I can’t wait to get a drink in my hand.
“You up for this, babe?” Lauren looks concerned, and I flash her a playful smile.
“Yeah, I’m good,” she says. I squeeze her hand in mine. We pull in front of the club Hillary chose, and get out of the car. There’s a long line of people. Hillary walks to a woman wearing a white dress that’s even skimpier than Hillary’s.
“Charlie!” She squeals, and she turns to her with a hard frown until his eyes trail down Aidan’s body.
“Hey babe, haven’t seen you in a while.” She says, and Hillary grabs Aidan’s arm and presses against him.
“Someone’s been keeping me busy.” Aidan rubs the back of his head and smiles nervously.
“I’d be hiding out too,” she tells Hillary and her eyes fall on me. I swallow hard and Lauren grips my arm. That makes me smile—she’s jealous or possessive—and either one is a turn on though she has nothing to worry about. She’s naturally beautiful, and even in the olive dress that shows ten percent of the skin most of the girls out here are showing, she’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“That’s Lauren’s husband, Chris. Hands and eyes off,” Hillary tells the Charlie girl, a hint of sharpness in her voice before we walk into the club. I chuckle at that.
The music is already pulsating as we make our way through the crowd. It’s some pop song and a rapper segues into it. This place is huge with two floors from what I can see. There’s more people here than I think were in my entire high school..
“Let’s head to the bar,” Hillary shouts over the music to us. We all follow behind her and squeeze ourselves in between the people. I feel my arm wrap around Lauren’s waist, and she smiles back at me. She feels good in my arms. She smells like candy, and her long, dark, wavy hair cascades down her back. I try to ignore the looks both her and Hillary are getting.
“What are you guys drinking?” A bartender approaches us wearing the same hairstyle that Collin was wearing. What’s with guys and girls hairstyles?
“Let’s do shots!” Hillary says sneakily.
“I’ll just have a beer,” I tell her and she pouts.
“An amaretto sour for me,” Lauren tells her.
“Oh, come on you guys. We aren’t in high school, so don’t be sticks in the mud tonight please!!!” Hillary shouts.
“Come on Scott, live a little. You too, Lauren. One shot won’t kill you,” Aidan urges us.
Lauren looks at me trying to read my expression. Hillary and Aidan look like we’ve killed their puppy dog.
“I guess one is okay,” I tell Lauren, and she smiles.
“Fine, one shot,” she tells Hillary who does some type of shimmy dance before telling the bartender. When the bartender spreads our drinks out before us, we pick them up to do a toast.
“To new beginnings,” Hillary lifts her glass and turns to Aidan.
“To fast cars and beautiful women,” Aidan adds.
“To life,” Lauren adds with a beautiful smile. “I’ll drink to that.”
Chapter Eleven
I wake up, and my head is pounding. I feel like a building has been dropped on my head. I sit up in bed, Lauren is lying across it still asleep, and it’s 8:00 am. My throat is dry and I feel like I’m dying of thirst. I get up and pour a glass of water from the sink. I try to gather my thoughts together. What happened? The last thing I remember is being at the club, we were toasting. How much did I have to drink? I head out of the room and down the hallway. I smell breakfast. I go to the kitchen and see my mom already getting it started. Caylen is in her high chair, and I give her a kiss and steal one of the grapes she’s eating.
“I’m surprised you’re up so early.” My mom laughs an amused giggle as she takes her famous homemade biscuits out of the oven.
“I don’t even remember anything that happened.” My brain feels so foggy.
“You drank that much?”
“I don’t know…” I mutter sitting at the table.
“I heard you all come in around three this morning,” she tells me and I scratch my head.
“I hope the car is okay.” I chuckle but I know someone had to have stayed sober enough for us to get home, or maybe we left it at the club. I hope it’s not sitting in a tow yard.
“Do you know if Hillary and Aidan came back here?"
“No clue. I only heard you and Lauren.” She turns her attention back to the food. I run my hand over my stomach. I hope we didn’t do anything to be embarrassed about. My mom wouldn’t tell me if we did though.
“Here, take this up to Lauren,” she says fixing me a plate full of bacon, eggs, and a biscuit.
“You want to go up and see mommy?” I ask Caylen and she giggles and shakes her head.
“Cookie,” she squeals, and I laugh.
“If Lauren is hung over, I don’t think taking Caylen up there would be the best thing,” my mom suggests. Yeah, that makes sense. I head back up the stairs popping a piece of bacon in my mouth.
When I reach my bedroom, I see Lauren sitting up wearing a flirtatious grin.
“Hey.” Her face is flushed pink and a magnificent smile stretches across her face.
“Good morning.” I walk over and sit beside her and hand her the plate of food. She gives me a soft kiss on my neck and giggles. She seems to be in a fantastic mood this morning.
“You know why it’s so good?” She snickers before eating a piece of bacon. I look at her closely. She’s so beautiful with the sunlight reflecting off her hazel eyes, she looks almost angelic.
“We must have had a really good time last night.” I laugh, and she looks at me with an arched brow.
“Yeah,” she says running a hand through her tangled hair.
“I have to get up, or I probably would sleep all day.” She mutters with a smile.
“How much did I have to drink last night?” I am waiting for her to answer when she sits up in bed and her smile falters.
“You’re kidding right?” She asks bemused, and I frown at her.
“No, I don’t remember almost anything from last night.” When I say this her smile leaves completely.
“What?”
“I remember taking a shot, and after that, it’s all a blur.” I see her noticeably gulp and the color in her face drains.
“Uhm… what’s wrong?” My heart starts to race kn
owing that what she says next will not be good.
“You didn’t take that shot, Chris.”
“What do you mean?” I ask her, and her eyes dart from mine to her lap.
“You didn’t drink anything…” she trails off, and my stomach drops. I know exactly who doesn’t drink….
10 hours earlier
Cal
“Babe, are you going to take your shot?”
Collin’s a fucking prick! He’s kept me shut out for I don’t know how long it’s been. Looks like I’m out right on time, though. Lauren is staring at me with her eyes wide and looking completely fuckable.
We’re in a club. Damn, that was fast. I look around. I can’t help but grin at what perfect timing this is.
“Scott, take your shot,” I look and see Aidan, Chris’s annoying best friend is here with Hillary standing at his side slutting it up like she usually does. Too many people to deal with when I don’t know how much time I have.
“You okay, Chris?” Lauren is looking at me curiously, and I smile widely at her to let her know that everything is okay.
“Yeah. I’m fantastic.”
Her eyes narrow in on me. My eyes roam over her body, and I try to kick out the thought of Collin’s hands all over her. She’s going to forget about him as soon as I get her by herself. I feel around for my wallet and hand the bartender my credit card.
“Let’s dance.” I grab her hand and lead her onto the dance floor leaving behind Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
“You like to dance?” She is surprised and should be because Chris’s lame ass would just sit at the bar all night.
“Oh yeah. Big dancer.” I circle my arm around her waist and pull her against me. She looks at me a little confused, and I turn her around so her back is against me and move her body to the music. She’s stiff at first but slowly melts into me. I run my hands along her hips as she begins to sway. What the hell have I missed? I almost feel bad for Chris— if this is how it is for him—well almost. She turns around and throws her arms around my neck. The music is loud, and the energy is off the charts. Damn my girl looks good. The way she’s moving her hips almost makes me lose my train of thought about how the hell Collin’s blocked me out, and how I can keep him out longer. I need to talk to Helen.