My Thug Bride

by Katherine Summers

  The fathers’ conversation went something like this. I don’t think I understood a lot of it.

  “You shouldn’t be this obtuse,” old Ernie was yelling, “You’re hurting our children. How great is it that they’re in love?”

  Dad bellowed back, “I don’t want a cheating scumbag for Anna. If it’s your son I’ll refuse any day.”

  We are not in love. I’d have said it, but like I mentioned, there was no room for a third party. It was amazing that Markian was looking so alive so early on in the morning. Usually, he doesn’t care about anything. He’s always listless.

  The conversation moved on to a cane that dad had bought last year. I DID NOT know it was for Ernie Hathaway. They fought over it – why dad hadn’t sent it over, why Earnest hadn’t visited, it jumped to Markian’s wife Rhea and ended up with Mark calling him a heartless scumbag again.

  Where the heck is Henry Hathaway?

  I know I was wishing with all my heart to not see him, but I would really like an introduction to what was going on. I was not used to romance of any sort – forget about bromance. And that too of dads.

  Around a half hour later, the object of my thoughts made an appearance. And boy, did my heart fall to the floor when I saw him.

  If I had thought I looked like a pathetic mess this morning, Henry Hathaway was a sight to redeem me.

  He was still in last night’s clothes when he was led into the living room. He had bed hair and I have no doubt that he hadn’t washed up. I don’t think he knew that he had buttoned his shirt wrong. What in the world was up with him?

  I was surprised as it is.

  “Dad!” he called out as he barged in, “Dad what are you doing here?”

  The dads turned around. I was standing in the opposite corner of the room, I don’t think Henry saw me. While Ernie frowned at his son, Mark was straight up savage.

  “This rascal is your son?” he scoffed at Earnest, “He dare show up at his probable in-laws’ place dressed like this?”

  Wait, wait, wait.

  WHAT?

  “What?” Henry looked terrible. He had bags under his eyes and he was clearly annoyed, “Dad what the heck did you tell Mr. Reeves?”

  “And he has no manners.” My dad stated.

  Well. Markian should be the last one to be surprised by lack of manners. I’m pretty coarse in my speech most of the time.

  “Henry,” Earnest walked to Henry, “Don’t you worry son. I’ll sort this out for you. It’s my fault.”

  I could tell Henry Hathaway was losing his patience. It was kind of amusing, like watching a soap opera of sorts.

  “Dad, sort what out?” Henry fumed, “Why in the world are you here?”

  Earnest shrugged him off and turned back to face Mark. He said, “Reeves, look at my boy. He’s a lawyer and yet he has shown up like this at his girlfriend’s place. Do you know what he told me last night? I like Anna too much, dad but I shouldn’t. And then he hung up on me! He never hangs up on me.”

  I lost my footing.

  My heart rushed, thumping hard against my chest. My cheeks grew hot and my hands sweated.

  Oh, goodness. Henry had said what?

  I coughed to shut out my own reaction. It drew the attention of the room instead. I looked up and was met with Henry’s eyes.

  I froze. And all color drained from his face. He turned pale as if he had seen a ghost. I swallowed.

  “Oh, is that Anna?” Earnest smiled and turned around to look at me, “My son sure has a unique taste!”

  I pressed my lips, my eyes glued to Henry. Heat ran through my body and I blushed as flashes of last night played in my head.

  Damn.

  Henry looked away. He took two steps forward and held his father’s hand. He pulled him lightly as he said, “Dad, a word. Please.” He dragged Earnest away.

  All the amusement in my body left me and all that I could feel was my fiercely beating heart. As if someone was clenching it in her hands from the inside.

  I didn’t realize when Mark came closer and snapped at me, “You should have told me!”

  I was out of it, but I still responded, “Told you what?”

  “About the ring! The proposal. Do you know how embarrassed I was when I heard it from Hathaway? My own daughter didn’t say a thing to me!”

  I frowned, “What proposal Mark?”

  “You tell me.”

  “I would if I knew what you were talking about.”

  It was then that Mark unclenched his fist while pulling open my palm with his other hand. He smacked something onto it and barked, “This. Here. Why did Hathaway have it?”

  It was my pendant. Relief flooded all over my body. My smile could have crossed my ears. It wasn’t lost!

  But… what?

  Mark began to ramble, “I hate the sight of Hathaway. That craphead thinks he can come here and mess with me fifteen years, eleven months and twenty three days later? Where was he all this time? My daughter? He can turn himself inside out and he won’t have my Anna! Anna, out of all the people in the world, you fell for that whacko Henry? Is he an addict? The way he looked! What about Ray Elliot? Anna, you have –“

  I drowned his voice out.

  I think the pendant must have come off during our little heated fiasco at the bar room yesterday. In that case, it must have been with Henry. Why did his father have it then?

  Mark was still muttering to himself. It’s strange that he doesn’t realize how much into Earnest Hathaway he is.

  “Dad, you like Earnest. Just admit it.” I said casually. I shouldn’t have.

  It launched Mark into another series of heated self-remarks until Henry re-entered the room and called out rather nervously, “A-Anna, a word.” Turning to Mark, he sought permission, “Sir, may I?”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Dad, I’ll be back in a sec,” I announced and glared at Henry in the process. I didn’t mean it, of course, but my glares kill even when they’re half-hearted.

  Not in a passionate way, the kill kill way. The ones that makes you scared for your life.

  While I moved out of the room as Mark nodded in a forced pretense of decency, my hand brushed against Henry’s for a second.

  Electricity ran through my fingers almost instantaneously. I pulled away, my heart launching itself in another furious reverie. I quickly stepped out, not wanting to match his eyes.

  Boy, oh boy.

  Did Henry Hathaway really like me?

  Because chemistry, we had. Feelings? I’m not so sure.

  Henry

  Dad. Dad. Dad. Why do you always create so much trouble when it comes to Markian Reeves?

  What are you guys? Lovers?

  They’re more into each other than they’re into anybody else. Doesn’t mom ever feel cheated? I honestly wonder. He forces me to.

  I wouldn’t have woken up from my sleep the next morning if Pete hadn’t kicked me out of bed, literally. A lot had happened while I was asleep.

  I woke up with a headache with Peter shouting in my face, “Henry, your dad! I think he went to Anna’s – man! Look at this.”

  He shoved a note at me, a sticky note, yes. My head was clogged but I could recognize dad’s handwriting on the paper. My father always carries sticky notes around. He was born a nerd.

  His note read – “Don’t you worry, son. I’ve gathered my courage, I’m going to get your fiancé back for you. The ring is beautiful <3 Did she refuse to accept it? I’m excited and so nervous. Say good luck to dad Henry! Your dad is the best!”

  Oh no, no. What was this?

  I sprang up from my bed like a haunted man and looked at Peter in question. Pete shrugged in response, “Earnest came in early morning and asked for you. I couldn’t refuse your dad man. I don’t know why but he asked me to go out because he wanted to have a word alone with you. God knows I had no idea he hadn’t woken you up. He left in a hurry and I came in to your room to find this note stuck to your bedpost. Henry, I’ve been trying to wake you up for the pa
st hour – why the heck were you so sound asleep?”

  Horror filled every inch of my body. Oh fuck no.

  “I took sleeping pills – I, I couldn’t sleep,” I said, my heart rocketing against my chest. Dad had gone to Anna’s thinking what? What fiancé? What ring?

  I could have hit my head.

  “How long since he left?” I asked hurriedly, getting out of bed and buttoning up my shirt as fast as I could.

  “About forty minutes,” Peter said.

  “Fuck.” I pulled on my shoes and a jacket. Then, I ran.

  I ran as if my life depended on it. It did.

  My car didn’t have enough gas, I didn’t carry my wallet, so I decided I would run the entire way. Only – that happens in movies. Of course I rushed back to my room and got my wallet to hail a cab. I might be of this generation but I’m pretty old school. I don’t use e-wallets. They just don’t feel right to me.

  The taxi driver wouldn’t have let me in if I hadn’t paid up first – that was how nasty I looked. I tried to straighten my hair and look alive, but it didn’t work. All the while my mind was fixated on one thought: Anna.

  After what had happened last night, I didn’t have the heart to see her. And there my dad was, ready to say God knows what. This must be what living through hell was like.

  What had dad assumed about us?

  I tried to call him, but he didn’t pick up. Lady luck would be quite smitten with me if this mess worked out fine. Because I had a feeling I was screwed. So, so screwed.

  When I reached Anna’s house, déjà vu hit me like a sandstorm from behind. The first time I was here, I was afraid because of the woman who had called me – I had seen her fight on a street like a maniac. Today, I was afraid because of my father who was acting like one. Anna Reeves… you’re definitely a first.

  I wasn’t allowed to get into the mansion – of course, the way I looked I wouldn’t have allowed me in either – until I had shown my I.D. to the lady guard and a picture of my troublesome father. Apparently, he was already inside and causing trouble. I was led directly into the room where the storm was brewing.

  It was difficult to get dad away from Markian, but I knew I had to do it when Anna coughed. Her eyes met mine. I hadn’t seen her stand in the corner, maybe it was her thug abilities but I hadn’t even sensed her presence. Usually, any human can sense the presence of people around them.

  When I saw her, my heart burnt. She was in a pink t-shirt and skinny black jeans, looking like she had just walked out after a bath. She was… enticing.

  I swallowed. Water was still dripping from her hair and soaking her tee, her face was slightly turning red. I wanted to get closer. What kind of perfume was she wearing today?

  Fuck.

  Last night swam in my mind like a daydream and ended in a nightmare.

  I turned around, my heart beating faster. Her lips caught me off guard as did her eyes. I could imagine my fingers in her, the sound of her heavily beating heart and her moaning pleas.

  I took my father’s hand and ran for my life again.

  I am the horniest piece of shit that ever lived because I checked her out before running out the door.

  Once I had left the room, I looked for a private space, but it wasn’t like I knew this house. So, I dragged Earnest to the garden outside hoping we’d be out of earshot of every possible person there.

  Dad got out of my hand and looked at me with marked fury. He was at a safe distance away from Markian Reeves, so he didn’t have to pretend to be patient with me. He barked heatedly, “What’s wrong with you? I had it under control! Why’d you come looking like this Henry? You’re embarrassing me!”

  That got me. Heat rose in me too, “I am embarrassing you?”

  “Yes – didn’t you hear Mark? He called himself a probable in-law of yours. It was going good! Now he’ll think my son is a thug or something. Look at you!”

  Yeah right. I was the thug.

  “WHAT was going good?” I asked, “What in the world did you tell him? Dad – Anna is not my fiancé; I don’t even know her!”

  Confusion masked my old man’s face, but he still maintained his anger, “Don’t mess with me young man. You clearly told me last night that you liked this girl.”

  “Yes, I – I do. But… let’s start from the beginning dad. Why did you think you had to come here and sort anything out?”

  I tried to keep my patience even though my annoyance was getting the best of me. I did not need to be doing this. I didn’t even have to be here.

  Earnest frowned, “I was worried after you hung up on me. You sounded so upset. I came to visit in the morning, but you reeked of alcohol.”

  What? But I hadn’t even drunk!

  “And Henry, did you –“ dad lowered his voice, “I mean – stop jerking off in your sheets son. It smells disgusting.”

  I might as well have choked. I was so not having this conversation.

  “But as your father I think it is my responsibility to sort out any problems that you might have because of Mark and me. You were clinging on to this ring so desperately, it broke my heart. I’m assuming your proposal didn’t go well and Anna refused to marry you. That’s what upset you so much, right?”

  What ring?

  “Dad, I don’t know about any ring,” I said flatly. I didn’t. “And I did not propose to Anna Reeves. We met three days before and I like her. That’s as far as it goes.”

  My dad’s expression turned to one of perplex, “But you only date your friends Henry,” he said.

  I rolled my eyes, “No I don’t. But yeah, it’s a first with Anna. Usually I’m attracted to women I’ve known for some time. Also, we’re done here now. What did you tell Markian Reeves?”

  I think the reality of the situation hit dad then. His eyes widened and he stared at me for a number of seconds. Then, he wiped the sweat off his mouth. I could see a slight shiver in his hands.

  “I – I told Mark you kids wanted to get married.”

  I thought so. I wanted to bash my head on the ground.

  “Fine, let’s go and clear this out then,” I said.

  Dad didn’t move. I would’ve made him but his hesitation bugged me. I stopped for a while to consider his situation. And I wasn’t pleased with my analysis. From what I knew, dad and Markian hadn’t seen each other in years. A misunderstanding had provided him with an excuse to finally meet Mark for something outside of his need to apologize. And now, that had turned out to be a major fault on his part as well.

  How would it look to Markian? That this was another fiasco caused by dad. He would question my old man’s sincerity and I don’t think Earnest could take it.

  Yeah, Mark is that important to him.

  I sighed. I’m not so sure anymore. I understand it. If I was in my dad’s shoes and Peter was in Mark’s I don’t think I’d be able to stand it either. Some friends are very important, some people are a part of you no matter what happens. You don’t share blood – but the bond in itself feels like it’s worth the world.

  I get it, dad. It’s illogical and annoying, but I get it.

  Although it wouldn’t have begun if he hadn’t slept with his friend’s girl. That’s bro code! It’s ethics. My dad is a man of principles so I don’t get why he did it.

  I shrugged and whisked his shoulder.

  “I’ll try and find a better way out. L-Let me talk to Anna first,” I told him. The light of hope that spread in his eyes made me smile, so I nodded to him reassuringly. I’m sure that Anna would murder me though.

  The thought of seeing her again made my heart pound – despite all odds, I wanted to meet her. It scared me a little, but what else could I do?

  I went back into the room.

  Anna doesn’t look anything like Mark. I mean, of course – but when I saw the pair in the room again, not a soul could have said that they weren’t father and daughter. Mark was impatient as he said some pretty hypocritical stuff regarding Earnest to her while she told him point blank, “Dad, you li
ke Earnest. Just admit it.”

  She made me smile.

  I don’t think she was listening to Mark’s outburst, but I stalled for a second. The image of her filled me with a strange warmth again. Her figure was gentle, but I could see a marked dignity in her air. She was beautiful, even when I watched her from behind.

  I shrugged and stepped inside. In my heart I hoped things would go well.

  I must be out of my mind because when I asked to speak with her alone, she glared at me. I found it cute. Cute. When her fingers brushed against mine, the energy between us was so palpable, I ended up thinking about yesterday again. I blushed, she swept her hand away.

  I followed her out.

  I wonder what Anna Reeves was doing to me. I’m usually well behaved and chemistry-less with almost every girl I date. And here I am, reverting back to our half-assed eventful night that ended up in a disaster. All because it’s Anna.

  At this rate I might as well brush away all my doubt and ask her out.

  I mean, for some reason I really, really want to now.

  Chapter 11

  Anna

  I was nervous.

  I’m never nervous!

  Ever since I hit eighteen, I’ve had my fair share of fun. I’ve had a few one-night stands, I’ve had friends with benefits. And as ridiculous as it sounds even after five years of all that, I’ve never properly dated a man. I’ve never been in a relationship.

  One of the reasons is that I don’t like the kind of responsibility it brings along. I don’t want to be answerable to my partner for what I do with my time and life. Another reason is, I’ve never officially been asked out.

  So when I heard the words that Henry Hathaway liked me, I think it’s pretty natural to have my heart pounce about like a mad baby kangaroo.

  I haven’t been told those words before.

  I haven’t been told them even now, but the possibility makes my heart all mushy. I still might be a girl who is a thoroughly hopeless romantic on the inside. Even if I’m scared of commitment, romance is still on the book.