Chapter 7

Bethany

The night had been filled with laughter and wine, the stories everyone told embarrassing to someone in the room. Each of them got their turn in the hot seat. Damon hadn't stayed long, but gave her a long kiss at the door and promised to be in Jamaica as soon as he could.

Bethany worked hard not to think about it as she moved into the airport the next morning, her mother beside her. They walked to the long line of people already there for check-in. Kent and Matthew had stayed back with the driver, pulling out luggage and checking it all on the curbside check in.

"I'm so nervous. Tell me this is going to be great." Her mom pressed her shoulder against Bethany's, her smile tight.

Bethany wrapped an arm around her mom and smiled down at her. "This is going to be a dream come true. We'll get checked in and get us a good magazine and a coke."

"You're right. I just feel so jittery."

"That's a good thing. This isn't just a vacation, Mom, but a huge change in your life. I'm so proud of you." Bethany squeezed her mom tightly before releasing her and moving up a little. She glanced over her shoulder, looking for Kent and Matt and not finding them yet.

"Well, your pushing a little helped. I probably would have stayed on the fence until I convinced myself that I was really good enough for Kent, which would never have happened."

"I do the same thing with Damon. I swear I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall. There's no way someone as incredible and so put together could want me." Bethany moved up another step.

"You have to be kidding me, right? You're the full package. It's him that should be worried." Bethany's mother cocked her hip and gave a funny look.

Bethany laughed and turned as Kent called to them.

"Girls. Come over here. Let's take the premier line for check in." He urged them to join him as Matt walked up to the counter.

Bethany repositioned her bag and shrugged as her mom glanced at her questioningly.

"You and I have a lot to get used to." Bethany's mom chuckled and moved back through the crowd.

"I'm just stoked to have more than one meal a day. Martha has officially spoiled me. She's my favorite person now." Bethany moved in behind her mom.

"Hey. Watch it. That's my spot." Her mom glanced over her shoulder, moving out of the long line of impatient people. They moved through the premier line within a few minutes and made their way to security.

Matt seemed to be laser-focused on getting them through the various stops and safely to the gate. His demeanor was all business, the sight of him being so demanding and taking charge almost comical. He did it well though.

They found the gate and sat down, Bethany looking up at him as he let out a long sigh.

"Your guard is down." She tilted her head as her eyebrows lifted.

He looked down at his pants, checking his fly. "No, it's not."

Bethany rolled her eyes and stood, glancing down at her mom and Kent. "We're going to get a drink and some snacks for the flight. You guys want anything?"

They put in their orders. Bethany slipped her arm into Matt's as they walked to the open market in the center of their terminal.

"Since when does someone refer to the fly on your pants as a guard?" She had to know.

"Hell, who knows. You kids today have all new names for old stuff. I thought you were talking about my pants. What guard is down?"

"Yours. You were very mature and businesslike back there. You better watch yourself, or your father might think you capable of doing something grown up, like running a business."

"Oh no! You don't think he noticed do you?" Matt gave a look of panic, the expression melting into a sarcastic smile. "He's not fooled. Neither are you."

"This is true." Bethany released him and moved to pick up the latest fashion magazine. The girl on it looked far too familiar. She moved toward Matthew, making sure not to walk on the outside of the store and have the item pick up the security device. That's all she needed - to look like a thief.

"Matt. Do you know this girl?" She held up the magazine.

He scowled and pushed it away. "Ugh. I hate that bitch."

Bethany pulled the magazine up to her face and studied the girl. "Is she on a TV show or something? She looks like someone I know."

"You don't know her and be thankful. She and Damon were a thing a few times over the last thousand years. Her name is..."

Bethany cut him off. "Bridget."

"Yes. Go put that up. Don't support her shit. She's a venomous snake. Not sure what my brother ever saw in her." He turned and walked to the cash register with a bunch of items. "Grab what you want and come on. I'll buy, but you have five seconds."

She chuckled, putting the magazine down and picking up a candy bar. She stood there for a minute more before picking it back up. She was a glutton for punishment. She had to have it, needed to know more about this girl. How in the world was she supposed to compete with a model?

You're not. Stop it.

Bridget was beautiful, no doubt. Her silky looking blond hair and big full lips had nothing on the mixture of blues that made up her eye color. Bethany dropped both on the counter, and Matt picked up the magazine.

"No. I'm not buying that. You seriously don't want to know anything about her, Bethany. She's a horrible person, and all you'll see is what she wants you to see. She wears a tight mask."

"Please? I want to read all the other articles."

"You're not getting it to read up on Damon's old flame?"

"No. Promise."

"Liar."

***

The flight to Jamaica was much quicker than Bethany imagined, but most of that had to do with the fact that she had fallen asleep.

Matt pushed softly at her shoulder, waking her. She jerked up and looked around as everyone began getting up and pulling their bags from the overhead bins. Finally gaining awareness of her surroundings, she grabbed her magazine from the seat pocket in front of her and slipped it into her handbag.

"Come on, sleepyhead. No more rest for you." Matt moved back and made room for her to get out.

The seats in first class were large and worn leather, so incredibly comfortable. She didn't remember even hearing the safety announcements before she had passed out. Moving out in the aisle, she lifted to her toes and spotted her mother and Kent getting off the plane in front of them.

"I didn't even realize I was tired. I slept good last night." She glanced back at Matt. "Are we going to baggage claim next?"

"Yeah. We'll get our stuff and load it up on the resort’s van. They should be sending one after us." He walked behind her as she moved off, the air warm around them in the tunnel that connected the plane to the terminal building.

"Is it an all-inclusive resort?" She slowed a little, letting Matt move up beside her as they walked out into the building. Her mother waved at her.

"Yeah. All the food and drinks you want. I wish I could enjoy it like you will, but I'll be on a damn interview the whole time." He grumbled under his breath about the lack of fairness in life.

"You aren't in an interview. Just enjoy yourself. If Erica doesn't like you for who you are then forget her, Matt. She's not worth your time."

"I don't want her to like me. Relationships take work."

They stopped in front of Kent and Bethany's mom, Kent glancing between the two of them. "Matt bitching about Erica again?"

"He sure is." Bethany glanced at Matt and smiled. "How on earth did you know?"

"Whatever..." Matt moved up to Bethany's mom and offered his arm. "Karen, let's leave these rascals and go have a lovely vacation with buffets and fruity drinks."

"I'm with him." Bethany's mom laughed as they walked off together.

Bethany shook her head, glancing at her soon-to-be dad as he seemed to slow his stride a little.

"I wanted to tell you that I'm so far beyond blessed to have you and your mother in my life. I'm thrilled at the family unit we're already becoming, and I want you to know something." He stopped, and Bethany paused beside him, turning toward him and begging the water works to stay down.

"What?"

"I know you and your mother had a rough go at life due to some of the decisions your father made. I'm not him. I will never be him, but if you ever see me slipping into someone you don't like, someone you can't respect, someone you question, come talk to me. Love me enough to let me know?"

Bethany nodded as her eyes filled with tears.

He extended his hands, and she slipped into his arms, wrapping him into a tight hug. Everything was going to be okay. Her mom would be taken care of and so would she. Warmth spread down her chest and rested in the center of it, the moment one she would remember forever.

Old hurts never left, but they could begin healing thanks to new treasures. She was grateful to have one in Kent.

Matt had forced Bethany to come to his room at the large, luxurious resort first. She was staying with Erica and Matt with Damon, but Damon, of course, wasn't there yet. Bethany pulled her bag behind her down the long open halls until they reached Matt's room.

"You know I want to go check out my tub and the bed in my room, right?" she huffed as he fumbled with the door.

"I know. You can go in a minute. I just wanted a few more seconds with you, okay?"

"All right." Bethany couldn't argue with someone wanting her time and attention. Especially someone like Matt. He had no self-confidence. That was the issue. Now, how to build it?

He opened the door and moved into the room, holding it for her. Two large queen beds filled up a small portion of the room, the rest being a living area with two couches and a small kitchenette. The view of the white sand beach just beyond the glass doors at the back of the room was breathtaking.

Bethany pushed her suitcase against the wall and walked toward it, pressing her hands to the glass and letting her eyes move across the beautiful swell of the ocean as it crashed into the shoreline.

"I love the beach." She glanced over her shoulder as Matt started to pace. "What's the matter with you?"

"You slept the whole damn flight. I figured I could get you to help me work through this decision, but all I got was growls, snores, oh, and did you know that you talk in your sleep? Actually, you teach school. It's creepy and somehow cute."

Bethany turned and walked toward him, reaching out and taking him by the shoulders. "Talk to me about what decision?"

"Bethany... have you not been paying attention this last week? Half the reason Erica is here is to try and get me to come work for her at McKenzie and Bryant in the advertising group. She knows I'm a creative."

"And that would be bad because?"

"Because I don't want to wear a monkey suit and put on a mask every day. I like who I am, and freedom is key to me." He pulled back and ran his hand through his messy blond hair.

"You're an artist, Matt. You should be sharing your talent somewhere. If you don't want to work in design with me, Damon and your dad, then start selling your art to galleries. Aren't we going to Seattle next week with you for that very reason?"

"Yeah. I want to see what the guy thinks. What he has to offer. I need options, or I'm going to fold under the rationale she presents." He turned and started to pace again. "It doesn't help that I would give my left foot to see her naked."

"Too much." Bethany held her hands to her ears. "We're not going there. That's you and Damon's talking moments."

"Got it. Sorry. I'll wait until Saturday evening when you're my sister to talk about the perfect curve of her..." He paused and laughed as Bethany let out a long groan.

"Look," Bethany removed her hands from her face and walked toward her brother, "talk to her. Just talk to her and see what she wants and what she's offering. Tell her that you have another opportunity as well that you're going to be checking out. We'll go to Seattle in a week or so, and then you can make a decision."

"You're right. I don't have to make a decision here."

"Exactly. This is about relaxing. If you don't want to talk business at all - tell her."

"Okay. I can do this. I can do this."

"I'm going to my room. I'm completely grossed out now."

"Tell me what color her panties are later." He winked and started to laugh as Bethany grabbed her suitcase, gave him a 'go to hell' look and slipped out.

Damon wasn't the only lustful one. Apparently, Matt was too.