Chapter 15
December 22, 2010
During the beginning of the week, Gabe and I make ourselves useful. Annie and I stay in the kitchen, helping cook things for the Christmas party as well as Christmas dinner. I never knew before that Gabe loves children. I suppose I should have guessed considering Gabe has plenty of brothers and sisters from his mother’s side of the family.
I love watching Gabe interact with the kids because he is just a natural. He pretty much stayed in the living room playing with Phil and Sam. Sam didn’t want to admit it but it was obvious that he was having some fun with Gabe while watching movies and playing games. Daphne was practically glued to Annie and me so we all helped cook the food, which I believe Daphne loved the most.
Karen kept gazing at Gabe and me whenever we were together in a room. There was something in the way she gazed at us that always put me on alert. I don’t know what it was but it always gave me the chills. Momaw merely smiled at us but there was something else in her eyes when she would look.
It was actually a pretty peaceful afternoon just sitting the kitchen with my grandmother and Aunt Karen. Daphne was in the living room watching Sleeping Beauty on the screen while Gabe had taken the boys into town to the arcade.
Karen seems to trust Gabe around the boys and he seems to be really natural with them anyway. She didn’t want to admit it but I know that Uncle Jack tagged along with them. Phil can be a handful on someone not used to his antics.
I know Daphne hadn’t slept well last night so there’s a decent chance she’ll fall asleep on the couch. Rachel is actually outside right now.
I raise my head smiling at Momaw, “Are you sure it’s going to snow?”
Momaw shrugs her shoulders, “It might not snow heavily, but there’s a chance for a few flurries. I tried telling Rachael that, the girl just doesn’t listen.”
I giggle nodding my head turning toward Annie at the table. She’s been quiet since we arrived a few days ago. I don’t know what’s wrong with her because she won’t talk to me or anyone else. I know she was up late last night talking to my grandmother for some reason.
I only know because after my shower I went to her room to talk with her because Gabe was dead to the world. I went searching for her when I heard voices in the kitchen so I just left them both alone. Unfortunately, Momaw has been looking at me strangely all day, I can only hope, and pray that Annie didn’t let my secret slip to her.
I grab the bowl of chocolate glancing toward Momaw to make sure she’s not looking my way. I turn toward Annie smirking at her to see her eyes mischievous toward me has we both take the bowl slipping it underneath the table. We hear a slight giggle jumping to see Aunt Karen sitting on the side of the small round wooden table smiling at us.
She merely shakes her head as she continues stirring the bowl of marshmallows. There’s some kind of candy recipe Karen is making that she discovered from the internet that requires marshmallows.
Annie smiles at me as we both dip a finger into the bowl attaining chocolate on our fingers. We quickly lick the evidence from our fingers before Momaw can turn around.
Suddenly Momaw tisks, “Here I thought my granddaughter and her friend were better mannered than this. Stealing my bowl of chocolate.”
Momaw turns around shaking her head at us but there’s the slightest hint of a smile. She waves toward us, “Go ahead. I was done with that bowl anyway, plus it’s not like I can use it now that you’ve both put your fingers inside the bowl.”
We both giggle retrieving the bowl from under the table to quickly lick the chocolate from the inside. Karen sighs from the table, “Just make sure that Daphne doesn’t catch either of you. The last thing we need is for that girl to be on a sugar rush for the rest of the day.”
Annie and I look at each other our eyes wide before we both burst out laughing. Karen and Momaw shake their heads at us obviously confused one what has us laughing like maniacs.
Annie is the first to calm down from laughing so hard, “Sorry, we were laughing at something we remembered. See, Laura bought a bunch of donuts a couple weeks ago. She also got some chocolate bars and the worst thing was she forgot that the donuts she bought for Kimi already had chocolate in them. Safe to say Kimi was a force to be reckoned with when she’s on a sugar rush.”
Momaw giggles nodding her head, “I think I understand now. Kimi does have low tolerance for too many sweets.”
I nod smiling as Annie and I finish the chocolate in the bowl. I take the bowl from Annie moving toward the sink to give it a good wash.
“Momma!”
We all jump at the screech from Daphne in the living room. Karen drops her things to the table quickly moving into the living room. I glance toward Momaw as I place the bowl in the drain rack.
“Is she alright?”
Momaw sighs shaking her head, “Daphne has been having stomach problems that past two weeks. The stomach problems are causing awful diarrhea and Daphne can’t control it. She’s ruined three pairs of underwear this morning alone.”
I frown deeply glancing toward the living room, “Has she been to the doctor?”
Momaw shakes her head sighing, “Karen just believes it because of school. Daphne isn’t having the best luck in school. The kids are all so mean these days.”
Annie and I both nod already knowing about kids in school. I sigh grabbing a towel and wiping my hands free. I glance toward Annie to see her helping my grandmother flatten out some cookies she’s getting ready to make. I grab my jacket from the back of a chair smiling at everyone, “I’m going outside for a little while. Hopefully I’ll get to chat with Rachael and catch up on her college stuff.”
Karen enters the kitchen her lips turn downward as she glances toward me, “Maybe she’ll confide in you about the guy she’s dating.”
My eyes widen, “She’s seeing someone?”
Karen shrugs her shoulders walking toward the huge bag underneath the kitchen table, “I was a teenager once. She thinks she’s being slick sneaking around and deleting her text messages from her phone before I can see them.”
I shake my head slipping into my jacket, “I’ll see what I can do.”
Karen engages Momaw and Annie into conversation about Daphne. I walk out of the kitchen into the dining room. I glance out the window sliding the curtain to the side seeing Rachel outside smiling to herself. My eyebrows rise as I grab the handle pushing the door open. A steady gust of wind flies past me as I shiver tugging my jacket tighter stepping into the cold.
“Rachel?!”
She jumps turning around toward the sound of my voice, “Laura?”
I smile at her walking through the damp grass. Rachel is sitting on a red bucket, which is turned upside down.
“What’s up, Laura?”
I shrug grabbing another bucket from beside the shed. I turn it upside down placing it next to her on the ground, “It was getting stuffy inside the house. Not to mention, I’ll gain ten pounds sitting in that kitchen watching them cook a bunch of sweets.”
Rachel giggles nodding her head, “That is understandable. I came out here to just get away from my mother. She’s giving me this look all week.”
I nod folding my hands together, “I can imagine. So how has college been lately?”
She shrugs smiling slightly, “I did attend the college I wanted closer to my father. I never seen him though, which is a huge plus in my eyes. He was never there you know? I don’t have to worry about him bothering me because he doesn’t call or email, nothing. Mom is just probably worried about that.”
I tilt my head from side to side, “Maybe. Make any friends?”
Rachel turns her head toward me her eyes questioning, “What are getting at Laura?”
I hold my hands up confused at her sudden hostility, “It was only a simple question.”
She looks at me shaking her head, “There’s something going on…”
I bite my bottom lip allowing my head to fall, “Alright…I’ve never been a good liar or anything. Are you seeing someone, Rachel? You might believe that your mother has no idea but she knows you’ve been sneaking around. It kind of makes sense since you’re outside avoiding everyone.”
I watch as Rachel’s face turns a slight light pink before she turns from my view, “That woman can’t just let me have my own life. I swear.”
I shake my head standing to my feet. I walk toward her standing directly in front of her, “You have the world’s best mother in there, Rache. She just cares about you and worries about everything that happens to you. I would pay to have a mother like you. You should go in that house and tell your mother all about this boy or man that you love.”
Rachel opens her mouth to cut me off but I hold my hand up glaring at her, “You can lie to everyone else in the entire damn world, but you can’t lie to me…”
Rachel lets her head fall down as she twiddles her fingers around, “I-I know, Laura. I’m having a hard time coming to grips with my own feelings. We’ve been dating about half a year. We went to the same school together before and it just sort of happened. My mom would know him the second I say his name.”
I shake my head pulling her up to her feet, “If something serious was to happen with this guy, you would want your mom to know, right?”
She sighs nodding her head smiling at me, “Yeah, I would certainly want her to know.”
I return her smile, “Than promise me you’ll tell her all about it. She’s got enough to deal with for Daphne’s sickness.”
Rachel nods smiling again, “I’ll tell her, but would you mind if I told you first?”
My eyes widen as I shake my head, “I wouldn’t mind at all.”
She nods as she takes my hand pulling me along with her. She walks along the damp grass with me at her side as she sighs, “His name is Jeffery Stevenson. He attends my college with me, he plays basketball for the college, and he just joined a frat at the college. It happened so suddenly because we’ve been friends since the end of high school. We were at a party when it happened and I’m afraid my mother will look at me differently.”
I nod suddenly understanding where’s she’s going with this conversation, “You slept with him that night?”
She gives me a guilty nod, “Yeah, unfortunately. I was drunk and so was he and it just happened. I couldn’t get him out of my head after that because we agreed to be friends and forget it but I just couldn’t. It was too much for me. We saw each other again at a party and I got jealous of a girl he had on his arm. Long story short he saw how mad I was and came after me. I was honest and we got together that night.”
I smile squeezing her hand, “You should certainly tell your mom about this.”
She smiles at me but suddenly we hear gravel crunching at the front of the house. I whip my head toward the house smiling, “Gabe and your dad must be back with the kids.”
Rachel sighs nodding, “I should get inside before my mom drags me. You should go see Gabe and see how it went…”
I nod, “be sure to tell your mom.”
She rolls her eyes nodding, “Sure thing, Laura.”
I turn around toward the edge of the house. I begin to hear car doors open forcing my legs faster as I take off in a run. I pass the side of the house quicker than expected. I step in front of the house expecting to see my jeep in the driveway since Gabe arrived.
Unfortunately, it’s not what I expected. A rental car sits in the driveway looking as if it would cost as much as a house in the real world. The passenger door opens and a woman steps out on the driveway. The smile slips from my face as the woman removes her shades revealing my mother’s smiling lips.
“Laura!”
I glance toward her clothes mentally groaning at her choices. My mother acts as if she’s a teenager once again. I glance toward the driver’s side of the car watching a man step from the door. His face is covered by a simple yet stylish pair of shades, but I know him. He’s the man I fell in love with and sometimes the man I feel as if I’m still falling in love.
He turns toward me smiling as he removes his shades revealing his beautiful eyes. I return to face my mother as Robert moves toward the back of the car.
“Hey mom.”
She smiles at me but her eyes are more dead than I’ve seen them before, “My baby. I hope you did well on your exams.”
I nod smiling at her, “I did just fine. Momaw was beginning to believe that you weren’t coming.”
More like Momaw hoped she wouldn’t come. I was the exact opposite hoping that she’d come because Robert wouldn’t come without her.
She shrugs, “The weather was awful at the cabin. I wanted to see some snow for a little while. We didn’t expect the airport to be so swamped at the late time. I had already scheduled a slot for the private jet but it was impossible when it was canceled and my jet couldn’t make it. We had to get tickets for Robert’s jet which took longer than expected.”
I nod forcing a simple smile, “Momaw and Aunt Karen are in the kitchen. Gabe went into town with Jack to the arcade with the boys. Daphne is watch TV or possibly taking a nap by now. Annie is also in the kitchen helping with the cooking.”
Mom’s head tilt to the side, “Annie’s here? Shouldn’t she be with her own family?”
“Annie’s mom is out of the country at the moment. She wanted to spend Christmas abroad apparently so Annie asked to come here. It was Momaw’s decision if she was allowed to stay here.”
Mom nods but I can see her discomfort at the idea of Annie here. Annie isn’t part of the family and mom tends to get annoyed when my friends stay here. Kimi came one year for Christmas because her mom needed to go out of town to see some friends that were in the hospital and mom was less then pleased by her coming.
“Molly?”
Mom sighs turning on her sneaker moving toward the back of the rental car. The door of the house opens revealing a distraught Aunt Karen who glances toward the car in confusion, “That’s not your jeep…”
I shake my head moving my hands from side to side. Her eyes widen as she shakes her head mouthing, “Molly?”
I nod frowning, “Yeah.”
She sighs turning her head into the house, “Molly’s here, mom!”
Karen steps out of the house moving toward me and placing her hands on my shoulders. Karen knows how mom can get when someone not in the family is here for the holidays. I raise my head as I catch a glance of someone walking toward us.
Robert is smiling brightly toward us both carrying bags in his hands. My eyes widen, “You’re staying here?”
Robert’s smile falls from his face, “That’s what Molly said.”
Karen sighs shaking her head, “She made no plans with mom about staying here.”
The door creaks behind us from the house and we hear Momaw’s voice, “Annie can stay in my room. It’s not that big of a deal. I have a small bed in the couch in my room. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
I shake my head sighing as Momaw ushers Robert into the house with the bags. No wonder mom was peeved about Annie staying because she wouldn’t have anywhere to sleep. Mom walks toward us but she’s not smiling as she walks directly pass us into the house.
I groan shaking my head glancing toward Karen beside me, “What have I done now?”
Karen smiles sadly, “How do you know it’s something you did? She could easily be mad at mom because she agreed.”
I shake my head balling my fingers in a fist, “She wouldn’t get mad at Momaw. She knows me better than to get mad at Momaw because it’s not her fault. I know how Momaw is, she always allows my friends to stay here, and I knew when I asked. It’s my fault and both of them know it.”
Karen shakes her head grabbing my shoulders and turning me to face her, “You should not be thinking like this. You have nothing to worry about with her. She’s not going to start anything.”
I stare at her face wanting to believe her. She doesn’t know mom the way I do. No one does anymore. Suddenly I hear high voices from the inside of the house causing me to shake my head pulling from Karen’s grasp running into the house.
~*~
December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve was freezing cold. There hadn’t been any huge accumulation of snow overnight but there was something far worse. Ice. It had woken me in the middle of the night pelting the roof with small drops of ice. I had moved the curtains aside to see ice coating the cars in the driveway early this morning knowing that it was going to be one of those mornings.
I walk down the stairs yawning, my stomach finally relaxing now that I’ve eaten breakfast. Both Annie and Gabe are still in the bed from the late night last night. We were all woken by the ice on the roof, mom and Robert included.
I tried dressing appropriately but I know I probably didn’t succeed. I walk through the living surprised to see it empty except for a couple of bags sitting on the couch. I enter the kitchen finding Momaw sitting alone at the table drinking a mug of coffee. Aunt Karen was just down here beside her when I left for a shower to warm up from the cold in the house.
“Momaw, where’s Aunt Karen?”
Momaw sighs, “Jack called. They seem to be having problems with one of the cars. She had to go pick them up in the SUV. He was dead set on using the pickup but it wouldn’t start.”
I nod, “Do you know what’s wrong with it?”
She takes a sip from her coffee before shrugging, “I’m not too sure. It could have been anything with this weather like this. Batteries don’t last long in the cold and I’m sure they didn’t anticipate ice accumulation like this. I’ll probably have to check my own car today. At least crank it to make sure it doesn’t freeze over. The last thing I need right now is for that car to give out on me.”
I nod pulling the chair out from the table, “How are you doing, Momaw? Are we still having the party at the hotel this year?”
Momaw nods smiling, “It is going to be so much better than last year. We’ve got a piano this year and I’m hoping we can get Robert to play. I’ve seen a few things on the internet with the help of Karen. He sounds beautiful.”
I smile nodding drumming my fingers on the table, “He does sound magnificent. In twilight he actually played the piano so skillfully that it was heart wrenching. I was reading something in a twilight book that when he played grown women were tearing up.”
Momaw smiles tilting her head to the side. I glance toward the light gray hair on her head and the deep wrinkles appearing on her face. Her eyes cast downward as she sighs smiling fondly at the table, “You know I’ve had this table since Karen was a baby. She’s younger than your mom, of course, but she’s always been fond of this table.”
I nod following her eyes toward the table. Her fingers are tracing a deep carving on the table in fascination. I get a slight peek at the carving to see something I never saw before. Mom and Karen carved a small heart into the table with ‘Sisters 4 life’ into the center.
“Wow,” I gasp seeing the image on the table.
Momaw sighs shrugging her shoulders, “It was something they did long ago. I’ve past the stage of trying to get them two to talk pleasantly.”
I nod holding my chin in my hand, “Momaw?”
She smiles turning toward me, “Yes, dear?”
I frown lowering my gaze toward the table. There was something about the way mom and Robert were acting when they arrived days ago that’s got me to thinking. I completely forgot about Sarah’s appearance here for Christmas.
“Did mom mention Sarah’s whereabouts for the holidays?”
Momaw suddenly frowns nodding, “She did. I just don’t believe you’re going to want to hear it.”
I slide my hands into my lap tightening my fists into each other. I nod, “Please tell me. She’s my sister so I believe I have the right to know where she is.”
Momaw nods pushing her coffee mug aside, “Your mom said she refused to come in with them. She would be coming in late. She called late last night about staying here because she received a message from your mother about not having room for her this time around. I told her personally, there was no room for her so she’s staying at hotel in town. She’ll be here for dinner tonight, and tomorrow for gifts. I told her that she has to help on Christmas with the food to the hotel otherwise she’s not invited.”
My eyes widen as I nod toward her smiling face, “Wow, she really needed that…”
Momaw gives a sarcastic chuckle, “She’s a lot more than that. If I weren’t so old and decrypted I might give her what she deserves.”
I shake my head grabbing her wrist, “You’re not old and decrypted. If anything, you’re the nicest most sweetest person on the planet and I love you all the same. You wouldn’t be my Momaw if you didn’t have a touch of gray hair on that head.”
Her eyes get misty and we suddenly hear footsteps entering the kitchen. I turn my head to see Robert entering the kitchen fully dressed looking dashing as always.
“Morning. Dreary day we seem to have here…”
Robert glances out of the window over the sink smiling to himself, “I have to admit I’m not used to ice or rain for Christmas. The ground should have a couple feet of snow instead of ice.”
I giggle causing him to turn around smiling at me. His smile always makes me swoon and my heart skip a strange beat.
“It’s going to be this way for a few weeks I’m afraid. You’ll all be lucky if the airports are even opened for New Years.”
I glance toward Momaw my eyes wide, “I sure hope so. Annie would hate to miss the ball drop. It was something she and her brother used to do together. She doesn’t realize it but Gabe and I are forcing her to tag along with us despite her refusals.”
Momaw smiles at me her eyes twinkling, “You don’t still blame yourself for what happened to him?”
I shrug, “Sometimes, but just leave it. You and everyone else can annoy me about it all you want but I’ll still feel the same way no matter what.”
She holds her hand up in surrender, “Alright, forget I said anything.”
The house phone suddenly starts ringing forcing Momaw to her feet. Robert beats me to her helping her to her feet. Momaw taps his hand smiling at him as she moves toward the cord phone on the wall. I sigh lowering my gaze toward the table as Robert takes a seat beside me smiling slightly at me.
“Sleep well?” he asks cupping his chin in his palm.
I shrug forcing a nod, “Just peachy…”
Robert chuckles nodding not seeming to be bothered too much by talking to me. I wish it were a different story for myself considering my entire body seems to break out in chill bumps whenever he’s around me. My mouth always goes dry not to mention my hands slightly shake from the nerves.
Suddenly Momaw’s voice enters my ears, “I don’t know, Karen. I can’t get my car out in this weather because there’s a decent chance the damn thing won’t even crank…”
I turn toward Momaw to see her lips turn down in distress and worry all over her face. I push myself to my feet walking toward her as she speaks into the phone again.
“What all does the car need anyway?”
Momaw nods sighing as she hears Aunt Karen from the other end. Momaw suddenly glances up toward me meeting my eyes before she her lips curve up in a smile as she glances between Robert and I.
“Alright, I believe I have an idea. I’ve got all the things the car needs and someone should be there soon.”
Momaw rolls her eyes, “Of course I’m not sending your sister. Molly would kill me if I woke her up right now. I’ll send the fiancé and stepdaughter. They’ll see you soon.”
Momaw quickly hangs the phone on the receiver before I can hear Karen reply to her statement. I glance over my shoulder toward Robert to see him staring at my grandmother with this newfound shock. I giggle shaking my head at his face returning to glance at Momaw.
“Momaw, before you get carried away maybe you should tell us about what you’ve just told Karen we are doing.”
Momaw waves her hand toward us, “Oh, it’s nothing. Karen’s car just broke down at their house because of the ice. She believes the tire is flat but the truck Jack had just needs some type of fluid for the engine.”
I nod as Momaw moves to her purse on the counter, “I have the money to pay for the things she needs. I’m sure you can both figure out what she needs. Laura can even give Karen a call for the specifics…”
I turn toward Robert seeing a smile on his face, “That sounds fun. Laura and I haven’t spent much time together lately.”
I sigh closing my eyes turning around toward the entrance/exit of the kitchen, “I’m just going to get my blazer, scarf, and gloves. It’s freezing outside.”
I walk into the living room spotting my blazer on the coat rack by the front door. I quickly pull on the blazer wrapping the scarf around my neck pulling on the gloves on my hands. I hear footsteps walking toward me at the door as I turn around finding Robert smiling at me, “Are you ready?”
I smile nodding, “Just about.”
Robert steps toward me suddenly grabbing my scarf and suddenly stuffing the scarf into the front of my blazer. My skin heats up as bumps appear under the blazer on my skin just behind my shirt. Robert’s hand skims along my neck feeling the bumps arise along my skin.
“Let’s get going before your mother wakes up.”
I nod following Robert out into the cold. A huge gust of wind hits me as I shut the door behind me. The entire grass is damp from dew but as I glance down the driveway and sidewalk, it’s all covered in ice. I shuffle behind Robert toward the small rental car sliding in the passenger seat.
The inside is shiny with leather seats, black and silver lining of the dash, GPS, and touch screen radio with Sirius satellite radio.
Robert slides in the key as I close my door pulling my seatbelt over my body.
“Wow, this car is pretty flashy. Mom sure knows how to spend money on cars she doesn’t keep for a long time.”
Robert chuckles backing out of the drive, “She really knows that much. Has she mentioned anything about the wedding to you since we got here?”
I sigh shaking my head staring out the window of my side, “No, she hasn’t. Why?”
I’m slightly scared to ask him about his question. He suddenly sighs causing me to turn toward him. His fingers tighten around the steering wheel as he continues driving toward town. Robert has been around here long enough that he knows how to get to town now that mom always lets him driver her places.
“There’s something she’s going to ask. She told me the other day that she’s going to ask you to be her maid of honor.”
My eyes widen and my fingernails dig into my palm, “WHAT?!”
Robert winces keeping his face turned away from me, “I know. She’s going insane with the wedding and Sarah has begged for that position. Sarah got this creepy look on her face when she heard about Molly’s proposal for you in the wedding. Does she know…” He trails off as if he’s afraid of the answer.
I sigh lowering my gaze, “Maybe. I’m not saying either way or not. She does know more than she’s willing to admit.”
Robert groans shaking his head, “When are we going to talk? I mean a real conversation and not some short talk where you run off in the middle of it.”
I roll my eyes folding my arms over my chest, “Talk! I’m here in this car right now…”
Robert stops at a red light closer to town than I thought. For the rest of the time in town, we’re both quiet. His actions are forcing me to believe he wants to have this conversation in private so that no one can go back to my grandmother about our behavior. Living in such a small town in the south, almost everyone knows everyone.
Robert pulls into an O’Reily Auto Parts store cutting the engine.
“Stay in the car, please. Apparently, Karen needs some antifreeze for the truck and a battery charger. The battery in the car is completely dead. When we get out of town, we are going to talk about this. I’m sick and tired of not talking to you for some stupid reason. Now, stay in the fucking car.”
He grabs a baseball cap and a pair of thin shades for his face before he steps out of the car. I bite my bottom lip feeling shivers rack my body. Just hearing him curse like that in front of me gets, me going worse than anyone else does. I shake my head unfolding my arms as I pull out my phone. I hit the button lighting up the home screen revealing an image of Gabe and me hugging each other.
I groan holding the end button turning the phone off and stuffing it back into my black jeans. I lean back into my seat closing my eyes concentrating on nothing but my steady breathing.
“They don’t have the battery for the make and model of the car. The charger is out because of the weather but they did have some antifreeze. I’m sure it should help the truck a little bit.”
I jump at the sound of Robert’s voice as I must have been really out of it not to hear the door open. Robert puts the bag in the floor in front of me before pulling the belt back over his body.
“It shouldn’t take more than five minutes to get out of town. Then we are going to have that talk.”
I roll my eyes as he changes gears hitting the gas forcing me to clutch the handle of the door. He quickly drives through town thankfully without catching the attention of any local police. The last thing we need is the police in this small town stopping us to give him a ticket.
I glance out the mirror after good six or less minutes to see the last shred of town flying by in the mirror.
“Now talk.”
I glance over toward Robert shaking my head, “Why should I, Robert? You’re going to be my stepfather in the matter of months. Don’t you just love the fact that you already fucked your stepdaughter?!”
Robert’s fingers tighten around the steering wheel, “We are going to this again, huh?!”
I shake my head, “We can’t do this right now.”
Robert shakes his head next glancing toward me his eyes glazing at me. He’s somehow removed his baseball cap and shades when he came from the store. Suddenly we both hear pelting on the roof of the car causing Robert to hit the brake quickly. The seatbelt hurts my chest as I gasp for breath glancing toward Robert.
“Are you alright?” I ask him seeing him wince from his own belt.
He nods groaning as he rubs his chest, “I-I’m fine. What about you?”
I nod attempting a smile, “I’m fine.”
Robert glances down at the car before glancing up, “We need to get the car on the side of the road. There’s a decent chance the battery might go dead though. We can’t drive in this weather.”
I nod as he moves steers the car toward the shoulder of the road. He sighs putting the car in park before cutting the engine.
“Check your phone. We’ll have to call someone.”
I nod pulling my phone out and turning it back on. Robert groans from beside me, “Never mind. There’s no decent cell service out here apparently.”
I sigh checking the service on my phone anyway before nodding my head, “Mine’s out too. So, what do we do?”
Robert sighs, “At this point, we wait until the ice lets up and we try to walk. We can give up trying to get to your Aunt’s house. It’s not going to work. You are my main priority right now.”
I nod stuffing my phone in my pocket. We sit in silence listening to the ice pelting the roof of the rental car. The ice conveniently stops altogether a few minutes later. Robert attempts to start the car but no such luck before he turns toward me.
He frowns deeply, “There’s a jacket in the trunk that will fit you. I’ll get it for you but we have to walk. I don’t want to hear any lip from you about it either.”
I sigh nodding, “Sure, let’s go.”
We both climb out of the car standing on the side. Robert rubs his hands together moving toward the trunk of the car. He pulls out a jacket carrying it under his arm slamming the trunk down and locking the car completely. He walks toward me smiling as he tosses me a jacket. I glance down at the jacket shaking my head noticing it’s a male jacket, which means it’s his jacket.
Unfortunately, I stuff my face into the jacket moaning at the familiar scent of cigarettes and mints. There’s even a slight hint of aftershave in the coat.
I hear a low groan as I glance up finding Robert staring at me with hooded eyes, “Laura…”
I sigh, stepping back as his hand reaches out toward me, “Don’t…”
I don’t know what I’m capable of right now. I could easily make a mistake right now with Robert all alone on his ice-covered road.
He groans shaking his head and stepping directly in front of me, “I don’t know what to do, Laura. Ever since Thanksgiving, you’re all I can think about. Hell, my dreams were of you last night.”
His hands move toward me pulling the jacket up my arms his hands skimming up my arms, “Do you remember that day we spent in the bed? After our date?”
I nod images of that day coming to my mind. It was and still is my most favorite time of my life.
“I-I th-think about that day all the time…”
Robert sighs lowering his head toward me, “I dreamt of that day last night. Just between you and I, the shower is just not the same after having shared yours with you that day.”
I close my eyes leaning my head back as he places a simple kiss on my neck where my shoulder and neck meet. I moan threading my fingers into his hair as he turns me toward the car. He pushes me against the car suddenly slamming our lips together in a serious heated kiss.
The feelings I’ve been trying to suppress break free as I clutch him tighter to me feeling his hands sliding down my sides. His fingers clutch around my ass squeezing bringing a deep moan from both of our chests.
He pulls me up higher against the car as I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist. I moan into his mouth as his tongue finds it’s way into my mouth exploring every crevice. My hands roam through his locks that I’ve missed so many times that my dreams are never accurate.
He pulls back staring at my face smiling as he breathes in my face, “I’ve missed you so much, Laura.”
I smile reaching up and pecking his lips carefully with mine, “And I’ve missed you too, Robert. More than you will ever know.”
He grins at me stepping back allowing my legs to fall back to the ground. I hear the distinct hitch of the back door opening. He steps inside first holding his hand open for me as I take his hand slipping inside. We sit in the back of the car holding each other tracing the lines of our palms.
“Laura, why did you break things off in New York?”
I sigh closing my eyes feeling the onset of tears disrupting my vision, “You were never going to choose. I would have sat at home while you were gone with my mom. I would sit at that house on that computer attending college online. Things worked out better this way, Robert. You don’t want my life ruined by your lifestyle.”
Robert nods, “I believe I would have chosen eventually. I don’t know how much longer I can stay away from you.”
I gulp shaking my head, “This can’t happen again, Rob. I’m just not strong enough to resist you.”
Robert shakes his head, “You can’t do this, Laura. I can’t live without you…”
I take his hand closest to me, “I will still be in your life, but you are engaged to my mother, Robert. I can’t just let that go with a flick of my wrist. I feel this amazing incredible passion with you but I can’t do this. I will not hurt Gabe because he hasn’t done anything wrong to either of us. I care about him, Rob, and he doesn’t deserve this.”
Robert stares at me as if he’s trying to solve an intricate puzzle. He suddenly grabs the back of my head pulling my lips toward his own, “Then I’ll fight for you. One of these days we are going to be together with nothing to stand between us.”
He places his lips on mine and I’m a goner. I lose myself in the kiss once again feeling his hands creep up my back into my shirt. He pulls me toward him and I climb into his lap moaning as he tugs me tighter threading his arms into the jacket, I’m wearing.
His hands remove the scarf around my neck that’s in my blazer. He unbuttons the blazer quickly pushing my shirt up and running his fingers along my bare stomach. I moan from the chill of his hands alighting a fire within me.
“Robert,” I moan in the kiss as he takes my breath away.
He leaves my lips causing my head to lean further back giving him easy access to my neck. He doesn’t disappoint either as he immediately presses open mouth kisses along my neck. This continues for a good twenty minutes as I can feel something very prominent poking my inner thigh causing desire to spark in my body as Robert grabs my ass again.
“Laura,” Robert moans pulling away from me. He smiles but I can tell the hint of a smirk in the smile, “As much as I want to continue this, we should stop before we get carried away. Lord knows how much I want to ravish you right now but that would not be in your best interest. You’re right, I’m with your mom, and you’re with Gabe. We both needed this but it can’t happen again. I’m sorry for getting carried away.”
My eyebrows rise and my lips turn down in a frown. My fingers ball into fists as they sit upon his chest and I start hitting him constantly on the chest, “You did this on purpose. You know my feelings for you are something I can’t control. I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU….”
I scream those three words as I continue to hit his chest. Robert just sits there taking the blows without saying anything. The entire time I’m screaming a completely different set of three words inside my head wanting anything in the world to let them loose.
Robert eventually moves me from his lap wrapping my scarf back around my neck. We sit in the back of the car knowing it’s too dangerous to attempt the walk to Momaw’s house. I’m not too sure, how long we sit there before we hear the honks blaring behind us.
My head whips toward the back window of the car seeing Aunt Karen’s car pulling up beside us. I quickly push the door open leaving Robert behind as I run toward the open driver’s side door. Uncle Jack steps out fully dressed in winter clothes, boots, thick pants, and a pair of simple cloth gloves.
“I was beginning to worry. When you two didn’t show after an hour I found a neighbor at home that happened to have some antifreeze in his shed. Your grandmother was about to call the police. You’ve guys have been out here for a good three hours. Molly, Annie, and Gabe are all awake worried like crazy about you two.”
I frown, “S-Sorry, Uncle Jack. The ice hit us and then we pulled to the side. The car wouldn’t crank back up after we decided to cut the engine.”
Jack nods frowning toward the car, “It’s probably too cold. Just a couple of minutes and it won’t crank back up. Hop on in the car and I’ll get you both back to Genelle’s.”
I smile running toward the safety of the car toward the warm back seat. I groan at the feel of the heating working in the car as Uncle Jack and Robert converse about what went wrong with the car. After a couple minutes, Uncle Jack climbs back into the car while Robert grabs the antifreeze we managed to get from the auto parts store.
Robert takes the passenger side buckling up as Jack drives us toward Momaw’s house.
“It’s such a shame about the cell service out here. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a few electricity problems from all the ice on the power lines. That would sure ruin Genelle’s Christmas party at the hotel.”
I nod as we get closer to the house. Robert and Jack start conversing about the car and what might have went wrong beside the obvious. Another ten to fifteen minutes, we arrive at the house. The front door bursts open revealing mom and Momaw standing at the door.
Jack smiles cutting the engine after he parked allowing us to get out of the car. I waste no time hoping from the backseat running toward the front door to see Momaw’s worried expression turn into relief. I don’t spare mom a glance as I run into Momaw’s open arms smiling yet shivering in her arms.
“My, child, you are freezing. Let’s get you into the house with some blankets. Some hot chocolate should warm you right on up.”
Momaw walks us into the house where Annie, Gabe, Aunt Karen, and the rest of kids are sitting with anxious expressions on their faces. I avoid Annie’s gaze as Gabe immediately moves toward me pulling my body into chest.
“Laura, I was so worried about you. Please don’t do something like that again.”
I know he doesn’t know anything that happened with Robert and I but I do. I can’t even force the tear not to fall as I close my eyes shoving what happened with Robert to the back of my mind.
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