Page 78 of Aiden

Rain pounds down on me as I climb in the rental car.

I’ve got to get the fuck out of here.

∞∞∞

I hope to find an empty bar. I was wrong.

Too many people fill the space, enjoying their vacations. The open tiki-style bar sits on the sand, with a small elevated deck for the bar stools. A large canopy covers the area, preventing the beating rain from falling on me. The bartender sets down a glass, giving me a knowing look. His accent is thick as he talks while pouring my whiskey.

I breathe in the salty ocean breeze blowing through the bar as I calm myself. I stare into my glass and admire the ice as it melts in the warm air. The rain patters continuously, drawing me into a memory.

I’m standing in the foyer of my grandma’s house, dressed in a pair of Spiderman pajamas. The rain falls in sheets outside as I beg Mom not to leave.

“Please.” My lip quivers. Only eight years old, I’m afraid of storms.

Mom shakes her head, smoothing out her dress and fixes her lipstick in the mirror.

“Where are you going, Mommy?”

She doesn’t answer my question, she ruffles my hair with a smile. “Stay with Grandma, sweetie. I’ll be back in the morning. I’ll make you pancakes!” She promises.

“Just stay,” I beg. I can tell by her outfit and curled hair that she’s going to see Dad. But every time she does, he’s mean to her and makes her cry.

She leans down and plants a big kiss on my cheek. Her hair smells like honey and her red lipstick leaves a stain on my cheek.

“I love you, Aiden.” is the last thing she says to me, before leaving…forever.

I slip the bartender a stack of bills and tell him to keep the drinks coming. I down my glass of whiskey and pull out a cigarette. I fumble for a lighter but a flame in front of my face catches my attention. I lean forward and light my cigarette on the small red-hot flame. My eyes pan to the manicured nails holding the hot pink lighter, trailing further to see a head of red hair, staring at me with glossy eyes.

“Having a bad night?”

I shake my head.

With a cock of her head, she brings her bottom lip between her teeth. “I can help, you know,” She offers, grazing her fingers across the top of her breast. “My name’s Brandi.” She steps between my legs and places her hands on my shirt, her fingers trail across my skin.

I grab her wrist before she goes too far. “Don’t touch me.” I scowl, but she isn’t fazed. Drunk, I guess.

A quick movement behind her catches my eye and I peek over her shoulder to find Emilia staring at us with a blank expression.

Fuck.

Her hair is wet, and her dress is soaked and tight against her skin from the rain. There are too many guys for her to be in here like that.

Did she fucking walk here?

I turn to see Howard sitting beside another rental car underneath an awning smoking a cigarette.

I stand and shove the red head away. She fumbles but catches herself.

Em shakes her head before looking around. Her eyes land on a group of rowdy guys chugging beers.

I laugh, knowing I must be drunk because she walks up to them.

She looks at me once more, hate burning in her honey eyes as a sly smile takes over her features.

I sit back down on the barstool and wait.

She walks up to one of them. His drunken eyes graze over her body. I refrain from smashing his head on the table for a few minutes. I clench my fist instead.

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