Page 32 of Straight, No Chaser
On account of his big brother is nothing but a fucking bastard. Putting her through hell she doesn't deserve. And now him too.
"Because I'm going to miss you so much. But I'll be back tomorrow and we'll eat dinner together, okay?"
“Taco Tuesday?”
Her head bobs and she smooths down his hair. Comforting both of them. Yet, failing to tame down his wayward locks lifting on his crown. “Yes, Taco Tuesday.”
"Will you bring me a present?"
She laughs through her tears. "Of course."
That appeases him, and he runs to his play table. Grabbing a barn and a handful of tiny horses that he's suddenly become obsessed with. The burgeoning happiness in her expression fades when she catches sight of me watching them.
"Bye, Eli. I love you."
"I love you too."
Yeah, it’s only me she despises.
* * *
"Come on, Molly. It's time to go."
I shove open her bedroom door. My god damn fucking house. I don't have to fucking knock. But it's empty. Just like my bastard heart.
Fuck. Why the fuck am I always looking for this girl. When she should always be right beside me. In front of me. I can’t stifle a groan. Fucking under me.
She sits still as a statue on the front steps. Elegant and dainty with her straight spine and slender legs tucked to the side. Covered to the knees with billowy lavender fabric. The same black bag from the night she moved in rests at her feet. Funny how long ago that seems. How quickly all the hope from that night has evaporated.
As soon as the SUV stops, she hops up and opens the passenger side door. Tossing in her suitcase and climbing in. Fuck me. Sending a clear message we are very much employer and employee from now on.
"Hi Kurt!"
He gets enthusiasm while I get nothing but contempt. Which I need to fuck out of her. If she'd let me touch her again. I drop my ass in the backseat. Grateful for the time to work in silence. I don’t have any fucking patience for her childish games. Or Kurt’s fucking snicker under his breath.
For thirty-five agonizing, long ass minutes, they chat quietly in the front seat. The movie she’s going to take Eli to. The blueberry pie she hopes to make before the season is over. Maybe finding a place here for Eli to take riding lessons if he really enjoys the horses when we visit her family.
All the things she used to talk about with me. Sharing everything on her mind and in her heart while she nestled against my back. Her arms wrapped tight around my chest. Damn, I fucking miss her already.
The pilots stand on the tarmac, waiting for us as we pull up. Prompt and ready as always. Of course, she doesn’t wait for the chauffeur to open her door. And sure as hell not me either.
"Good morning, Mr. Ellison, Miss Bennett. It should be a good flight. We might experience a bit of turbulence immediately after take-off but, it shouldn't last long. We'll have a brief fuel stop in Kansas, and can expect to arrive in Los Angeles around 4:30 local time."
"Thank you Brian."
The man nods and gestures for us to board. She jerks away from my hand on her lower back. Fine. I don't give a fuck. She can get herself inside. I'll just enjoy watching her sweet ass while she stomps up the steps.
I blink when I climb into the cabin, adjusting to the dim light. She sits in the last row, her gaze glued to her hands in her lap. Damn it. I drop down into the first seat, ignoring the brief look of surprise on Justin's face from us sitting apart. His expression quickly falls to neutral when his eyes meet mine, and he glances at Brian, following him into the cockpit.
Yeah, even they know how fucking stupid I am. I should beat both their asses for their impudence. But it's really me who deserves to have my ass kicked. I'm fucking up with this amazing woman for no other reason than I'm a motherfucking bastard.
Once we reach altitude, I unbuckle my seat belt and stride to the small bar. Grabbing her some water. I don’t have time for her to get fucking dehydrated. We've got a long day ahead of us.
She never looks up as I approach her. “Thought you might need this.”
“No thank you.”
So it’s going to be like that. No problem. Suit yourself. I drop the bottle into the closest cup holder on the table nestled between the double facing rows. Silence bores into my back, stinging more than a bullet as I return to my chair. I’m happy ignoring her too. Fucking thrilled actually. No rambling. Or timidity. Or huge smile that lights up her gorgeous face every time I caress her soft cheek. Or her gentle hand touching me with her sweet affection.
