Against All Odds

by E. L. Todd

  We had lunch at a Mediterranean place. I was tired so I didn’t say much. I just wanted to eat something and refuel.

  Dad watched me after I scarfed everything down. “So…what are your thoughts?”

  “Let’s just say I have new respect for you.” I was half kidding, half not.

  His lips turned up in a slight smile. “It’s challenging at first but you’ll get the hang of it. It overwhelming, but if your uncle Mike and I can do it, you can too.”

  “I hope so.” I ate the rest of my hummus and felt the energy returning to my body. “But the day is only halfway over.”

  “At least time goes by fast when it’s busy. Your mother says time goes by so slow when I’m gone. But my day usually goes by fast.”

  “Probably because she’s waiting around for you all day.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe.”

  I ate everything on my plate and felt my stomach bulge with happiness.

  “So…Cayson lives here now?” He watched my face as he spoke.

  I knew this would come up eventually. “Yeah.”

  He wanted to know if there was anything between us, but he didn’t want to ask and stick his nose in my business. At least he was getting better at babying me.

  “Cayson knows the truth. Trinity told him.”

  “I see…”

  “And he came back here because…he thinks we can try again at some point down the road.”

  “But not now?” he asked.

  “No,” I said sadly. “He says he doesn’t trust me anymore…”

  He nodded. “It’s understandable. It’s a lot for someone to take in. You guys were apart for about a year. People change.”

  “Yeah… I saw him the other day and it was…tense.”

  “Give it time, Skye. He’ll come around.”

  “I sincerely hope so.”

  “Give him space for a while, and if the doesn’t budge, give him a little push.”

  That was easier said than done. “What did you do to win Mom over?”

  “Never gave up,” he said simply. “I worked every day to earn her trust back. In fact, I’m still working on it,” he said with a light laugh.

  “Twenty years later?” I asked incredulously.

  “When you hurt someone like that, you never forget it.” His eyes contained his sadness.

  I had a feeling Cayson couldn’t forget even if he tried.

  “Just don’t give up, Skye. I know how much Cayson loves you. He’ll come around.”

  That was the only thing helping me hold on. After everything Cayson and I had been through, I hoped we could work it out. We were too amazing to give up on. If there was any chance he could forgive me and we could make it work, we had to try.

  “And cook for him,” he said with a smile. “That always works.”

  “Is that what Mom does when you’re mad at her?”

  He sipped his water. “Sure.”

  I didn’t press him on the subject and immediately backed off, not wanting to know more than I needed to. “So, how am I doing? At work?”

  “It’s hard to tell,” he said honestly. “But I think you had a good start. There’s still a lot for you to learn.”

  “I’ll probably have to work there for twenty years before I finally master everything.”

  He laughed. “No. Uncle Mike is as dumb as a monkey and he does just fine.”

  “Didn’t he graduate from Yale?” I asked incredulously.

  “Yale is for stupid people. Everyone knows that.”

  My dad picked on his brother any chance he got. They reminded me of Roland an I. “He’s not stupid.”

  “Have you heard him talk lately?” he teased.

  “You’re just mean to him because he’s older than you.”

  “I’m mean to him because I don’t like him.”

  “So much for that professionalism you talked about…”

  “We aren’t at the office.”

  The check came and Dad paid for it.

  “Let me split it,” I said.

  He looked at me like I was crazy. Then he handed over the cash.

  I didn’t bother arguing with him. He’d always been weird about money. He wouldn’t let me pay for anything no matter how old I was. But if Roland offered, he would take his money and not blink an eye over it. Being a girl sucked sometimes.

  We headed back to the office then got back to work. Dad did everything and talked on the phone at the same time. Mom called at least three times, and they didn’t talk about anything in particular. It was cute but annoying at the same. When he hung up, I gave him a glare.

  “This is the most unprofessional office I’ve ever worked in.”

  He laughed. “Uncle Mike and I aren’t great examples…”

  “I’ll say.”

  We got back to work and he showed me the different meetings he had for the following day. “I want you to sit in and see how I talk to people and how I act.”

  “Won’t they ask why I’m there?”

  “I’ll tell them you’re an associate.”

  “If you constantly introduce me as Ms. Preston, they are going to know I’m your daughter or assume we are married.”

  “They won’t assume we’re married,” he said immediately. “You’re way too young, and everyone knows what your mother looks like. Actually, the office probably likes her and Cassandra more than us.”

  “I find that hard to believe,” I said.

  “You’ll see…”

  ***

  By the end of the day, I was exhausted.

  “Did you quit yet?” Uncle Mike asked.

  “I’m thinking about it,” I said honestly.

  “Wouldn’t you judge you, kid.” He locked his office then said goodbye to his secretary.

  “So, where’s my office going to be?” I asked.

  “Who said anything about an office?” Dad asked. “You’ll be working with us for a while.”

  “But will I get one eventually?” I asked.

  “We have another one on the floor,” Uncle Mike said. “But I assumed you would take your dad’s when he left.”

  “Why wouldn’t she take yours?” Dad countered.

  “What if Conrad wants it?”

  “What’s he doing anyway?” Dad asked.

  Uncle Mike shrugged as we got into the elevator. “I have no idea. He’s been quiet lately. I think there’s something up but he won’t tell me what it is.” He looked at me then hit the button on the wall.

  Uncle Mike wouldn’t ask me anything because he knew I would never rat on my cousin.

  “I’m sure he’s just adjusting to the move,” Dad said. “Give him time.”

  “I don’t know…” He checked his Rolex. “Beatrice went to school in Cambridge so I’m not sure why he moved here to begin with…he told me he was staying there.”

  Conrad’s dad would figure it out eventually. The truth couldn’t be kept a secret much longer.

  I decided to change the subject. “Maybe Trinity will take it.”

  “No,” Uncle Mike said immediately. “She wants to go into fashion. It’s where she belongs.”

  It was sweet that her dad was so supportive. If I wanted to pursue something else, I’m not sure how thrilled my dad would be. But then again, he let Roland drop out of college…

  We reached the lobby then stepped out.

  “Want a ride home?” Dad asked.

  “No, it’s okay,” I said. “It seems pointless to walk just a few blocks.”

  “But those heels look painful.” Dad cringed when he looked at my feet.

  “And your tie looks like it’s choking you,” I said.

  “I hate wearing a tie,” Uncle Mike said. “That shit is the worst.”

  When we reached the sidewalk, Dad stopped before he entered the garage. “You’re sure?”

  “Absolutely,” I said.

  “Alright,” Dad said. “We’ll see you tomorrow at eight sharp.”

  “I look forward to it.” Not really.


  “I caught that look,” Uncle Mike said as he pointed at me. “She already hates it—true Preston.”

  Dad walked beside him then playfully pushed him.

  Uncle Mike pushed him back.

  I shook my head then headed home.

  ***

  When I walked inside, I dropped my purse in fright.

  “Surprise!” Everyone screamed.

  I practically jumped out of my skin as the lights came on. Everyone was there with balloons and ribbon. “What’s this?” I asked. “My birthday isn’t for three months.”

  Trinity rolled her eyes. “We’re congratulating you on your first day at work, silly.”

  “Oh.” It finally dawned on me. “Well, that was really nice of you guys.” When I searched the crowd, I spotted Cayson next to Slade. I quickly looked away and pretended I didn’t want him right then and there.

  “You deserve it.” Roland patted me on the shoulder. “You’re throwing your life away to that dreadful company. This is more of a goodbye party.”

  “At least I have a job,” I jabbed.

  “Wait and see,” Roland said. “I’m going to be the greatest writer this world as ever seen.”

  “Let me know if your book every makes print,” I teased.

  “Oh, it will.” Roland drank his beer then nudged me with it. “We got a cake…”

  “Oh…what kind?” I said excitedly.

  “What kind of question is that?” Silke asked. “We all know you love chocolate.”

  “Good,” I said. “I was going to complain if it was something else.”

  Theo chuckled. “Well, I can only have a small bite because I need to stay sexy for my lady.”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “You need to get sexy first before you can stay sexy.”

  “Whatever,” Theo said. “You want to see me naked. Don’t act like you don’t.”

  Conrad watched them with sadness in his eyes. Then he looked away.

  Roland was beside him like glue. “Another beer, man?”

  “Make it five,” Conrad said.

  Slade didn’t speak to me or make a joke. The last time we spoke to each other was when he tried to help Trinity and I make up. I knew he disliked me because of what I did to Cayson. I had a feeling the fact we were blood related wouldn’t help me out in this case. He would loathe me for a long time, not that I blamed him.

  “I’ll make the margaritas!” Trinity said.

  “I can’t get drunk tonight, guys,” I said. “I have to work in the morning…and I don’t want to get fired.”

  “You’ll probably get fired regardless,” Roland teased.

  I smacked his arm. “The second I feel better you start acting like a jerk?”

  “Yep,” Roland said.

  “That is the official rule,” Theo said.

  “Well, I guess I’ll try to stay as miserable as possible,” Silke said. “Slade’s being nice to me for once.”

  “Don’t get used to it,” Slade said. He drank his beer then returned to his conversation with Cayson.

  I decided to change and get out of my work clothes. The heels alone were extremely uncomfortable. Once I was in my room, I thought about the way Cayson looked. Had he always been that handsome? The way his shirt clung to his chest reminded me what was underneath the fabric. His shoulders were broad, and I remembered the way I grabbed them when I pulled him on top of me. His eyes were crystal blue like the artic, beautiful and cold. Thinking about him made me long for him in a desperate way. The fact he was in my apartment but I couldn’t have him was difficult.

  After I changed I walked into the living room. Pieces of cake were being passed around. Silke thrust one into my hands. “We gave you the big piece.”

  I stared at it with wide eyes. “This is the most delicious thing I’ve ever seen.” Actually, Cayson was. I took a bite. “Wow, this is good. Where did you get it?”

  “Cayson picked it up at some bakery in So-Ho,” Silke explained.

  That didn’t surprise me. Cayson knew exactly what I liked. “I sincerely hope there will be no leftovers because I’ll eat all of it.”

  “You could use a few extra pounds,” Silke noted.

  “Well, in that case…” I took another big bite.

  Silke laughed but it was heartless and forced. Her depression still lingered in the details of her face. The usual spunk she possessed was gone. Her joy and liveliness was a thing of the past.

  “It’ll get easier,” I said to her.

  “Yeah…” She held her wine in her hands.

  Alex came over to me with her empty plate. “There’s only one thing better than this cake.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “Me,” Theo interrupted.

  “Taco Bell,” Alex said. “And it’s a close call.” She had a smudge of frosting on her lip.

  “Baby, you eat like a pig,” Theo said.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “You want me to kick your ass in front of all your friends.”

  “Yes,” Silke and I said at the same time.

  Theo sucked the frosting off her lip. “All better.”

  Watching them together made me long for Cayson. They were two lovebirds that couldn’t be separated. Cayson and I were practically worlds apart. Every time I thought about what I did to him, I realized how unlikely it was we would get through it. If the situation were reversed, I’m not sure how I’d feel about it…

  Cayson approached me with a piece of cake. His gray t-shirt hinted at the muscle in his chest, and his dark jeans hung low on his hips. My attraction to him had only increased due to time. Not seeing him for so long made me forget how handsome he was. I longed for his kiss.

  “Are you ready for another?” He held the plate out to me, a smile turning up the corners of his lips.

  I immediately put my hand on my stomach. “If I do, I might explode.”

  “You better save room for margaritas!” Trinity yelled from the kitchen.

  He moved the plate around in front of me, trying to entice me. “I won’t judge you…”

  I stared at the rich chocolate cake before I took it out of his hands. “Oh, what the hell?” I took a few bites.

  Cayson chuckled lightly while he watched me. A hint of affection and fondness was deep in his eyes. It was so far away it was difficult to see. But I knew it was there. He held his beer in one hand then placed his other in his pocket.

  I inhaled the cake, unsure what to say to him. The tension was still there even though we tried to act like it didn’t exist.

  “How was your first day?” he asked.

  “Hectic,” I said with a sigh. “For the longest time, I thought my dad and Mike were mindless idiots that just drove fancy cars and played golf while the money rolled in. I had no idea how much work they actually do.”

  “Who knew?” he said with a laugh.

  “My head was going to explode by lunchtime. My notes were ten pages long, and most of them don’t even make sense because I was writing so fast that my penmanship looks like chicken scratches.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it. Don’t project your entire career to be like your first day.”

  “True…” I finished the cake then left the plate on the table. When I looked back at him, my eyes immediately went to his face. His eyes were beautiful and deep, reminding me of the vast ocean. It was hard not to get lost in his look. I could stand there forever and just stare.

  Cayson shifted his weight and broke eye contact first. “Now all you need is a fancy car and you’ll fit in with the other Prestons.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah…but I like my car. I hardly use it because everything is in walking distance.”

  He drank his beer then looked out the window.

  “So, what’s new with you?” I wanted to keep our conversation going, hoping our connection would deepen and turn into something more.

  “Not much,” he said. “I had to hose down my couch after catching Slade.”

  I laughed at the memory.

&nb
sp; “And then I went on a few job interviews. I hope I get something.”

  “I’m sure you will,” I said confidently.

  “There’s this position at the hospital I hope I get. It’s in the infectious disease department.”

  I cringed. “My job doesn’t sound so bad, after all.”

  When he smiled, it lit up the whole room. “It’s all about prospective.”

  “Well, I hope you get it.”

  “Me too.”

  “You like living in the city?” I asked.

  “Yeah…it’s a pretty beautiful place.”

  “I don’t know if that’s the word I’d used to describe it,” I said with a laugh. “But it’s pretty incredible.”

  “Yeah.” He took another sip of his beer then shifted his weight.

  Would it always be this awkward? Was he thinking about the way he yelled at me? That’s what I was thinking about.

  “Excuse me.” He walked away and had a conversation with Slade.

  I sighed, feeling my heart fall into my stomach. Cayson came close to me and felt my warmth, but when it got too hot he took off. I reminded myself I needed to be patient. I put Cayson through unspeakable pain and made him live a lie. The least I could do was give him space.

  We gathered around the table in the living room and played a bored game. It was just like old times in Cambridge. Cayson won the game like usual, and Slade was a bad sport over it.

  I snuck glances at Cayson whenever I could but I tried to be discreet. I wished I could talk to him alone, when no one was in the apartment. Perhaps if we had privacy he would come out of his shell a little bit.

  Or he would scream at me again.

  When it was almost midnight, I kicked them out. “Unlike most of you, I actually have to work tomorrow.”

  Slade took the offense to heart. “I work!”

  “I said most of you, not all.”

  “And my job is important,” Slade continued. “People are trusting me to permanently ink their bodies.”

  “Aren’t you a janitor?” I asked.

  He gave me a hateful look.

  “It’s a sore subject for him…” Trinity put on her coat then grabbed his hand. “But I think it’s sexy…” She moved into his side and kissed his neck.

  Slade’s wrath disappeared. “Let’s go, baby.”

  “You better not be going to my place,” Cayson snapped.

  Slade inched toward the door. “Well…I can’t make any promises.” They walked out and shut the door.