“Don’t go,” he spoke low, his eyes looking everywhere but at mine.
“Okay,” I replied just as low and he nodded, letting me know he heard, and then reached toward a small hidden compartment behind my hip. Opening it up, he pulled out a tablet-looking device.
It was a remote.
Hendrix settled back into his earlier position with his head on my lap, wiggling a bit in place, and brought his hair toward my fingertips just a couple of inches away.
Without a word, I complied to his silent request and ran my fingers through his thick black hair. Scratched his scalp, while he swiped a finger over the tablet’s interface.
A few buttons were pressed, and the projection screen came down from the ceiling and his equipment turned on. Another swipe of his index finger and the bright bold red and white logo for Netflix came to life.
He remembered my wishes of a few days ago.
“Want to chill with me today and watch bad scary movies?”
“You’re actually asking, not telling me?” I bit my lip, a move he followed with heavy-lidded eyes. For the first time since I met Hendrix, he was relaxed, just looking up at me with a lazy smile.
He shrugged. “Well, yes.”
“Then pick the first.”
His face turned into my thigh and kissed the skin he could reach, just a quick peck before going back to his toy and finding us a cheesy horror flick to watch. The one he picked was all zombie and gore.
Thank you, God.
Romance or sex were out of the question, not with him so close and docile.
We were a quarter through the movie, at the point where the female lead was driving a screwdriver through a walker’s head, when he paused it and stood, walking his sexy ass over to a cabinet and opened it wide.
“Hey! Why’d you stop it?”
“Hungry.” Hendrix looked back at me from over his shoulder. “Chips, chocolate, and sodas? Or do I order a few pizzas?”
“Hawaiian please with extra cheese, an order of wings, and a large as hell Coke,” I rattled off my order; his eyes widened. “What?”
Shaking his head, he grabbed a few bags from his junk-food hiding spot and jumped back on the bed. This time, he sat beside me. “Love that you eat like a normal person and don’t pick at lettuce all day.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Parker.” I’m not what you think I am.
“I’m starting to realize that more each day.” Opening the bag of Combos, he offered me some first before tossing back a few. “Which is why I was thinking we should ask each other one question a day for the next few weeks to help us along. Honest answers, though, no bullshit or sparing feelings.”
I reached for another Combo. “Agreed. Now, you order us some food, and I’ll think of something good while we wait.”
“Why do you get to go first?”
“I’m a girl.”
“Call bullshit.”
“And I’ll call a you’ve been between my thighs.”
Hendrix didn’t reply. Instead, he opened a new tab on his projector and made an online order to his house. Ordered more food than was necessary, but I appreciated the thought behind it.
This. Moments like this with him made me happy.
Jewelry, traveling, or expensive meals meant shit to me, and I needed him to see that.
After ordering, he settled down once more with his head on my lap, and I continued my earlier ministrations of playing with his hair. Eyes closed, he had a serene expression on his face. Made me forget all about the movie he’d paused.
Until he spoke. “Thought about your question yet?”
“I have.” Leaning down, I pecked his lips. Made a promise to myself then and there that if he could change—act like this more often—I’d let my anger from yesterday fade. “Favorite horror film growing up?”
One eye cracked open. “Starting off slow, nymph. Expected more.”
I pulled on the ends of his hair hard enough for him to wince. “Just answer the damn question, grouch.”
“Grouch…really?” His laugh was deep and carefree, making him appear younger than his almost forty years. “You’re too cute for words, babe. And to answer your question: Halloween. Hands down, it had the freakiest killer in my opinion.”
“No way!” I gasped, pushing him away from me with that weak answer. “Jason. All. The. Way.”
“Take that back.” Rolling off, he stood on his knees a few inches from me and looked poised to attack. “In this house, we are a Halloween family. Live it. Love it. Deal with it.”
Mimicking his pose, I placed a hand on my hip. “Nope. Not going to happen…shit!” Before I could finish my mini rant, I found myself knocked back with his body weight pinning me down. I was consumed by his warmth; he felt exquisite against me.
“You were saying?”
“Cheater.”
“Always, nymph. I don’t play fair when I want something.” Lowering his face to mine, he pecked me twice before maneuvering our bodies further down the bed. On my side and with his head on my stomach, we lay for a few minutes in silence. For a moment, I thought he’d fallen asleep, but then he spoke, his voice low—warm. “We aren’t so different, you and I…you know? We’re both hungry to succeed no matter the cost, Beau. Was something my mother loved about me, called me her little overachiever. That ambition was something we shared.”
“Money will always be the difference between us.” I let the statement hang in the air; there was no way I’d touch the subject of his family. Not when it was clear that he spoke in past tense for a reason.
“Just like age, nymph, it’s nothing but a set of numbers. Doesn’t determine who you are.” Turning his face, he nuzzled the area just below my belly button, nipped the goose-bump-filled flesh. “My parents didn’t come from money, either. They were just another lower/middle class family from the Bayou, who worked hard day in and day out. Woke up at three every day to open the doors to the family’s small diner. We struggled, but were close. They gave me everything as their only child, taught me to fight for what I want. To never give up. It’s what got me through their deaths at the age of fourteen—my mother’s teachings stuck. Work hard and enjoy the rewards. I make no apologies about who I am, or my tendencies to be an asshole, but I do admire your tenacity, Beau. It’s what drew me to you in the first place. You’re a fighter, babe…never stop.”
Hendrix hit play then, and the movie picked back up. No more words were exchanged, but I was more than okay with that. That precious piece of him he shared could never be measured in wealth.
This side—playful and loving—was what I had been missing.
You love him. Son of a whore.
I did. I was in love with Hendrix Parker.
XXX
“So, let me get this straight,” Zoe began, looking through yet another rack of designer dresses. Fifth store, and we had yet to find anything even remotely elegant enough for the gala that Hendrix would be honored at. “He made you feel cheap, then was attentive and sweet, only to turn around and give you three days to find a dress for the Design & Architecture event this weekend.”
“Pretty much.” She had summed it up in a nutshell. Taking a red gown down, I held it out and examined it. It was a beaded, high-waist halter style. Nice, but not me. It reminded me of something my mother would wear. “Did I also mention that before we came back, I snooped in his office while he was on the phone outside? I know…” I waved off her look of chastisement “…but there was this picture and photo album driving me up a wall. So, I peeked and Jesus, I wish I hadn’t.”
“What did you find?” I scrunched up my nose in disgust at the lime-green number in her hand, and she laughed, turning back to continue her search. “Some dark secret?”
“I think so.” Immediately, I was assaulted of picture after picture of him with a stunning woman. Beautiful and happy. They smiled in every photo: hugging, lounging on a sofa, even one on a boat with her mimicking the Titanic pose from the movie. “You should’ve seen how happy he looked—how carefree he was with this other woman. It’s plain to see that he loved her.”
Moreover, that was a dagger to my chest; I needed him to see me the way he saw her. To laugh and smile with me like he did with her. Be happy with me and not with the memory of her.
Pink number in hand, she winced. “Looking into their past always hurts. Word of advice—don’t do it again. Not worth the pain.”
“Agreed, and that’s a no-go on that dress.” I should’ve taken Hendrix’s up on his offer to have a personal shopper gather a collection of evening gowns for me. Could’ve had them brought to the apartment for me to go through. This was hell. “Think classic beauty with some boom factor. Like sexy meets sophisticated.”
God, the purple dress I found next was just hideous. Looked like something one of those quinseañera girls would wear. Poufy and full of sparkle; Hendrix would kill me if I showed up in this, though his expression would be hilarious.
“Holy shit!” Zoe called out, making the few women in the room turn her way. “You got to see what my eyes just landed on.” She pointed in the general direction across the room, but I noticed what she did at once.
A white, floor-length dress with gold beading in a gorgeous pattern across the chest and right hip. Curve hugging, no flaring skirt, with a dangerous split up one side. Three-quarter-length sleeves finished off the elegant look along with a rounded neck that kept me demure in the provocative department until I turned around.
It was backless. Completely bare and sexy; the edge dipped low enough to just cover the very top of my ass.
There was no way for me to wear anything beneath this dress.
Hendrix would like that a lot.
Zoe had it in her hand and was at the register before I could even try it on. “Trust me, it’s in your size, and I saw some other chick eyeing it. Worst case scenario, we come back for a refund or exchange.”
“Word.” We paid without a problem using the credit card he’d given me. I felt weird using it, but this was an expense that he demanded I make. “Now, to find shoes. I’m thinking strappy? Gold?”
“What size are you?”
I stopped walking and turned to look at her. “Seven. Why?”
“Then I got you in that department.” Coming to stand beside me, she threw her arm over my shoulders and leaned in so no one could hear her. “Sugar bear bought me these gorgeous Manolos a couple months back in the wrong size. He was so proud of himself that I kept my mouth shut, placed them in the back of my closet ever since. Please take them, Beau. They’d look fabulous with this dress.”
“Can I buy you lunch?”
“Deal.”
My phone pinged then with a text message from my mom. Then another one. And another. Three in total.
You need to come home tonight no excuse. ~Mom
Something big is happening and I need your help with dinner. ~Mom
In fact, head on over now if you can. You’ve missed a lot this last week, Beau. We need to have a chat about this job that’s keeping you away from the family. ~Mom
“On second thought…how would you like to meet my family instead?” Smile forced, I begged with my eyes for her not to abandon me.
“You need a crutch.”
“Fuck and yes. Please.” Was about to drop to my knees in the middle of the sidewalk when she slapped my arm and nodded. “Thank you,” I breathed out, “and if they ask, you work at H. P. Builders too. That’ll keep them from asking questions I don’t have answers to.”
“Lead the way, Beau. Just lead the way.”
The drive back to my childhood home was short, considering it was the middle of rush hour. It was well past five o’clock when I parked my car in the driveway.
It’d taken longer to stuff our faces than to get here.
Burgers, fries, and a strawberry milkshake had hit the spot. More than made what was coming bearable. Anytime you were full, things that could bother you on a normal day—didn’t.
I was stuffed and ready to face the firing squad. “Twenty bucks says she gets overdramatic and this entire night is about my sister Gloria. God knows what she did now.”
Zoe grabbed my arm when I made a move to open the door. “Wait…just give me two minutes.”
“Okay.” Weird chick, but she’d become my best friend these last few weeks. Our relationship was flawless, an even give and take.
“Step one: minimize conversation, Beau.” Taking a deep pull from her shake, she looked at the empty cup with longing. “Trust me, let them talk, and you answer when you’ve got no other choice than to do so. Helps keep them at bay.” She was right, and I nodded. Made sense. “Two, and this is the most important part, we need to go back for another milkshake once done here. God, you spoil me and I love it.”
“Shut up!” I laughed and exited the car. But it’d worked. Her silliness had lessened a bit of the tension in my body. Having her here would help a lot.
Mom was already outside and ready to start her harassment when she noticed that I wasn’t alone. Then, she was the perfect hostess. “Why didn’t you tell me you were bringing someone with you? Those manners, child,” she scolded, then turned a warm smile toward Zoe. “Hello, dear, I’m Barbara. This brat’s mother.”
“Ouch!”
“Hush, now. You’re late, and it’s about to happen.” Looking from me to Zoe, she held a hand out for her to shake. “Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you for having me, Mrs. Carter. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Look at her laying the charm on thick. “Please don’t get too upset with Beau. My car broke down, and she picked me up so I wouldn’t be stranded.”
“That’s my girl.” Crazy woman approved. “Now, let’s head on in before we miss it. Everyone’s out back.” She turned and walked in while I gave Zoe a shrug because I had no clue what was happening.
Not that it took me long to figure it out.
There, in the center of the patio was Ivan, down on one knee while my sister gasped in shock. Family and friends surrounded the couple, my mother and father off to the side with wide smiles on their faces.
No one looked concerned with the fact that this was all happening too fast.
“Gloria, I’ve been in love with your sassy mind and sweet smile since you barged into my office demanding answers—telling me to do my job and fight for Aubrey.” Everyone around them laughed but me. To be honest, I think I went into shock at that point. “You and kiddo mean the world to me, make me happier than I’ve ever been, and I yearn to be a better man for you both each day. I love you, smiles.”
“I love you too, baby,” she whispered through tears.
“So, marry me. Let’s do this right and make our family official.” Ivan presented her with a ring, and she was nodding before it was even near her finger.
“Yes! A thousand times, yes!” Ivan slipped the ring on her finger and stood up then, swinging her around in a circle while those of us witnessing applauded.
All eyes were on them, and yet, I couldn’t find the one person who should be here celebrating this moment.
Where was my niece?
“Aren’t you going to congratulate me, sis?” Gloria said a few minutes later, and I looked up; I’d been in a daze since he got down on one knee. Trying to process everything around me.
Was I happy for her? Yeah, I was.
There was never a moment where I doubted my own feelings toward the situation, but it’s the suddenness that had thrown me for a loop. Zoe’s hand in mine kept me grounded; she squeezed whenever I needed to clap or act enthused.
“Congratulations, babe.” I pulled her to me and gave her a good hard squeeze. My eyes watered, and the sniffle coming from her let me know she was emotional too. “You’re going to be a stunning bride with the cutest flower girl ever. Is munchkin excited?”
“Thank you, Beau. To be honest, I thought you would scold me and say it was too fast.”
“It’s rather quick…” I looked down at her stomach “…are you?”
“No, brat…” she laughed “…but I’d like to be in the future.”
“I’m really happy for you.” Looking around the room once more, I spotted my favorite kid in her grandfather’s arms, pulling on his mustache and laughing. “Is she excited? It’s a big change for her.”
“Yeah, she really likes Ivan.” A wistful smile broke out across her face. Made her look softer. “Aubrey even lets him put her to bed. Wants him to read to her every night from one of the books you gave her last Christmas…it is too cute for words.”
That put me at ease, a weight I didn’t realize I was carrying slipping from my shoulders, and I let out a sigh. “She needs a dad.”
Not that piece of shit sperm donor that did nothing for her. Hadn’t seen her now in five months.
“He’s so good with her. Makes up for everything Xavier hasn’t done for her.” And then she did something that caught me off guard; she kissed my cheek. Whispered her next words low enough so that no one would hear. “Can’t wait until it’s your turn, Beau. You’re going to be an amazing wife and mother someday. I’m proud of you, kid.”
Would I have that someday with the man I loved?
And I realized then, that what I was feeling toward Gloria was jealousy. Because I wanted Hendrix to feel for me what I did for him. A task that was damn near impossible.
It was clear as day that his heart lay with someone else.
“You ready to head out?” Zoe asked me after dinner was served and everyone had eaten. Her phone and mine had been inundated with messages, Daddies wanting to know where their sugars were.
Hers with care, and mine with demands of compliance.
“Yeah, let’s bounce.” She walked off then to say goodbye to my family, while I pulled out my phone and typed out a quick text to Hendrix.
Bad day. Need to be alone. See you tomorrow afternoon. ~Beau
Within seconds he replied, but I ignored and hugged my family before walking out. Not even Aubrey’s sweet raspberry kisses could get me out of the sudden funk I was in.
Today served to make me realize just how much I needed a timeout, a separation to get my head back on straight and remember my role in his life.
I was a signed name on a dotted line, and nothing more.