Page 50 of Aria

“I don’t think I like whiskey…”

“You’ll learn to. As for a toast, I actually did get you a little something.”

My spine straightened in my chair, intrigued. “Really? You didn’t have to get me a gift.” I fiddled with the promise ring on my finger as Noah reached over to the chair behind him.

“It’s not much. It’s actually terrible,” he said. “Sorry.”

I frowned with curious apprehension. “Thanks?”

He handed me something wrapped in construction paper. “Try not to rip the wrapping. That part is from Sam.”

My smile was organic as I ran the pads of my fingertips over the orange paper. “Sam is the best.” I carefully pulled the paper apart to reveal a picture drawn in colored markers—it looked to be a drawing of a stick-figure standing with a smaller stick-figure.

“That’s you and Sam,” Noah explained. He pointed out a scribble in the corner. “And that’sCurious George. Not sure how he got in there.”

Tears nearly seized me. I looked down at the other gift in my hand, shrouded in a thin layer of tissue paper, and tore it open. It was a DVD copy of the filmCitizen Kane.

“See? Terrible,” Noah said, shaking his head. “I don’t think people watch DVDs anymore, but I had to get you something.”

Reaching out, I squeezed his arm, more tears threatening to spill. I was beyond grateful for the gift. It was thoughtful… it meant something. “I love it,” I told him. “Thanks, Noah.”

Devon cleared his throat. “Let’s hear it for the birthday girl. Happy twenty-seventh, Chelsie.”

Everyone raised their glass as I looked around at my tribe. The day had gotten off to a rocky start, but deep down, I felt more blessed than ever. I recalled a time when my birthdays had consisted of violent sex, mental abuse, and a feeling of hopelessness and despair. Ian always made sure he brought hisAgame on my birthday. The only celebration was that I’d survived another day.

It was hard to believethiswas my life now. My abuser was behind bars and a rock god was by my side.

I only wished my parents were here to see my happiness.

Maybe someday…

As the hours rolled by, I decided to call it a night, stumbling into my apartment at almost three A.M. and grabbing the mail on the way in.

“Hey, Misty.” The cat purred, curling around my ankles as I yawned and sifted through the assortment of bills in my hand. “Happy birthday to me,” I grumbled to the credit card statements and utility notices. As I was about to toss the pile onto the table, a return address caught my eye.

Auburn Correctional Facility

I recognized the handwriting on the envelope.

My stomach dropped. My throat squeezed. My chest tightened.

With shaking fingers, I opened the small envelope, discovering a simple birthday card with a cartoon picture of a teddy bear holding a red balloon. Sucking in a shaky breath, I flipped open the card.

“I hope your birthday is full of surprises. – Ian”

Car headlights flashed in my open window, momentarily blinding me. My apartment faced the building’s parking lot, so it was nothing out of the ordinary, but it was enough for a deep-seated feeling of dread to seep into my bones. I rushed over to the window and pulled the drapes closed before wringing my hands together and closing my eyes, trying to calm my nerves.

I reached for my cell phone and automatically began to call Devon…

But I paused when I remembered that Devon knew nothing about my grim past and convicted felon of an ex-boyfriend.

Swallowing back the lump in my throat, I scrolled farther down my contact list until I landed on Noah. A pang of guilt coursed through me.

I should be confiding in my boyfriend. I should be giving Devon the opportunity to soothe my fears.

I couldn’t, though.What if he saw me in a completely different light after learning about my past? What if he didn’t want me anymore once he knew how broken I was?

Ian’s voice cackled in my mind:“You’re pathetic. Weak. A nobody. No one will ever love you the way I love you.”

---