Page 17 of Captivated

I sigh and then veer my eyes around my room, the four walls I feel the safest in, even though their screaming matches still resonate through the drywall. This is my little sanctuary from the family I claim to the outside world, even though the only person who has ever acted like my family is sitting right next to me.

“Promise me no matter what happens, we will always be in each other’s lives, Cash,” Birdie draws me in for a hug, and I cling to her like the lifeline she is.

“Always, Birdie. I was looking at Oregon State for College, so at least I can get the hell out of Washington.”

“Oregon is so beautiful. I wouldn’t mind retiring there,” she smiles at me when we part.

“Then that’s the plan. You and me against the world, Birdie.”

She chuckles and then reaches up to push my blonde hair that’s fallen forward out of my face. I’m due for a haircut soon. “You say that now, until you find some girl and she becomes your entire world. I won’t mind coming in second place, but you better never forget about little old me.”

“Ha! You’re funny, Birdie. But I’m never getting married. I don’t want to fall in love if that’s what happens,” I say as I point to the door, referencing my parents’ fight from earlier.

“Not all marriages are like that, Cash. My husband and I had a beautiful relationship until I lost him.” Tears fill her eyes as she mentions Preston, her husband that died in a car accident just after their fifth wedding anniversary. Birdie and Preston never had kids, and she never remarried. Instead, she stayed single and worked as a housekeeper in our affluent community for a few years, until she was recommended to my parents to work for our family. Birdie and I took a liking to each other immediately, so my parents kept her on and used her as a part-time nanny as well, giving them the freedom to be the selfish assholes they are while I had someone who raised me like their own and taught me everything I know about being a young man.

“Then you’re lucky, Birdie. But I just don’t think I ever want that. Girls are drama and then the longer you’re with them, the more hatred you have for one another. I don’t want to be miserable. I’ll be just fine on my own.”

“You say that now, my boy. But one day, the right woman will knock you off your feet, crash into your world you think is perfect, and then all the things you thought you knew about love will be thrown out the window. You’re still young. Don’t make huge decisions about your future now when you still haven’t truly lived.”

I shake my head at her. “Nope. Not gonna happen.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll remind you of this conversation then so I can say, I told you so.”

“You do that, Birdie. I’ll be waiting…”

Chapter 7

Cash

“There, I think that will do it.” I stand back and admire my handy work, checking to make sure the shelves are sturdy and level. It’s my day off and Birdie had a piece of furniture she needed help building, so I made a point to head over to the retirement center before my impending date tonight.

“They look perfect. Now for me to stack all of these books finally,” Birdie comes up behind me and starts to unload her collection of literature from the box on the floor.

“Let me at least get that box off the floor so you don’t have to bend over and hurt your back, Birdie,” I say, pushing her hands out of the way and lifting the cardboard box onto the coffee table.

“Thank you, son. Okay, where do I start first?”

“Well, I think the Stephen King collection should get the top shelf, but that’s just my opinion,” I casually throw my hands in the air before setting down my tool belt and then reaching for a bottle of water.

“Funny, because I think Danielle Steel deserves the top spot.”

“Of course you would put love at the top,” I tease.

“Love should always come first.”

“You know how I feel about love, Birdie.” The bite of my words comes out too harshly, but this conversation always pops up when I’m not in the right state of mind. And today it’s only exacerbated by the fact that tonight I have my date with Misty.

“Any plans for tonight?” Birdie turns to me as she places a picture of the two of us on the center shelf, eye-level if you stand right in front of the structure.

“Uh, yeah. I have a date actually,” I mumble, but of course Birdie doesn’t miss a word.

“A date? With whom?” Excitement fills her voice with the prospect, but I quickly shut her down.

“Just this woman. It’s actually part of a bet between Cooper and me…”

Smack!

“Hey! What the hell?” I rub the spot on my head where Birdie’s hand just connected, now even more irritated than I was a minute ago.

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