Catherine
I held out the shirt I’d purchased before me, looking it over one last time. I rarely bought things for myself; saving what money I could was top priority, but this was an exception. I couldn’t remember the last time I allowed myself to go out and have fun, let alone go on a date.
I was nervous.
Okay, nervous didn’t even begin to describe it; I was terrified. Not because of Elijah or even being on a date, but because I was fearful of messing it up.
The choice to splurge a little and buy myself something nice was a random choice, and I didn’t regret it. It did, however, put a little dent into my getting-my-own-place fund, but I’d work an extra shift to cover it.
I took a little extra time to do my hair, leaving it down, which was something I didn’t do often. I usually cared what I looked like, but today the effort to do just a little extra seemed appropriate.
Dressed and ready, I grabbed my purse and carefully opened my door. I had heard my mother come home about an hour ago, and since then there’d been silence. I’d hoped she’d gone to bed but as I rounded the corner into the living room I found I wasn’t that lucky.
“Look at you.” Her voice was slurred. Drunk at five p.m. was nothing new. She always got loaded before going to work; I guess it helped her cope with the things she had to do at that nasty club she called her job. “Got a hot date or something?”
“Just going out with a friend.” I tried to keep the details of my life minimal. My mother and I were not close and I don’t think we ever had been. I think in a way I held a grudge against her for taking away my chance to really know my father. She stood between us, and that was something I no longer had the opportunity to do. One should never place a child in between a hateful tug of war, but she did.
“I talked to Barry about getting you a job at the club again.” My heart felt like it slammed against my breast bone. “Showed him your picture and he said you could make him a killing.” Make him, not me. In my opinion, Barry was no different than a pimp on the streets. “What you could make there would put that chump change you make at the pizza joint to shame.”
“I like my job.” I began moving toward the door, suddenly needing some air.
“You think you’re so much better than me.”
“No.” I reached for the handle and looked back at her just before turning the knob. “I just have more respect for myself.”
“You’ll end up pregnant by some asshole that promises you the world, just like I did. Then after you have the baby he’ll realize he no longer wants you and you’ll be left to raise that baby alone. Your life will no longer be sunshine and roses.”
“My life has never been sunshine and roses, Mother.” Usually I ignored her, but this time I couldn’t. “You’ve made sure to remind me, every day, just how I ruined your life. But what you need to realize is you’re the one who ruined your life, not me, and not Dad.”
I yanked open the door and ignored the names she hollered out after me. I was used to them by now.
I climbed into my car and turned the key—nothing happened. Over and over I attempted to start my car, and with each try I grew even more frustrated. I slammed my fists on the steering wheel, took in a deep breath, and tried to hold back the tears.
My phone chirped in my purse and I grabbed for my bag to search for it.
Eli: Leaving the house now.
We’d agreed to meet at the restaurant and after dinner go to a movie right down the road. I should correct that—I told him I’d meet him. He wanted to pick me up but I refused. Living with the embarrassment of my mother and stepfather was hard enough without sharing them with the few friends I did have.
Without sending a response I threw my phone back inside my bag and climbed out of my car and began walking toward town. I immediately regretted my choice of footwear and thought I should have worn my flats instead.
Five minutes into my walk I grew frustrated and once again dug my phone from my bag.
Me: Can I ask a favor?
I wasn’t even sure Marcus would answer but it was better than calling Eli, or worse, going back home.
Marcus: Anything for you, buttercup.
I’d have to ask him one day why he felt the need to call me that.
Me: My car won’t start and I’m supposed to meet Eli. Can you give me a ride?
Marcus: Where are you?
Me: The corner of Henry and Gregory.
Marcus: On my way.
Relieved that I would no longer have to walk, I sat on a bench just outside a hair salon. Ten minutes later Marcus slowed to the curb only a few feet away and rolled down the passenger window.
“Hello pretty lady, you need a ride?”
Laughing, I stood and moved toward his car. “Thank you so much.”
Once I was inside and buckled up, he still didn’t move and I looked over to find him staring back at me. “What?” I asked, looking over my attire, thinking I must look ridiculous or have something on me.
“Why didn’t you let Eli pick you up?”
Instead of looking at him, I look straight ahead. “It’s new, and I wanted to drive myself.”
I think he knew I was lying, because he had yet to pull away from the curb. I could also still sense the way he watched me. “And?”
I shouldn’t have looked at him. Because the moment I did I had one of those uncontrollable rambling moments that I regretted instantly.
“My family is insane, I hate the life I live, and I didn’t want him to get caught up in the middle of the insanity. He’d run away screaming for sure.” I took in a deep calming breath and hung my head. “I’m embarrassed.” The confession made my chest feel tight.
“You do know he’s going to ask why I’m bringing you, plus he’ll have to take you home.” I hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Unless you borrow my car and just drop me back off at my apartment.”
Lifting my head to look at him, I could see his kindness show. I swear Marcus had a heart of gold and I knew in that instant why Morgan loved and adored him so much.
“You could come back to my place after and if you want me to drive you home I will, or you could stay.”
“You’d do that?”
“Yeah,” he began to pull away, “I’m sure he’ll still wonder why you drove my car, but hopefully he won’t notice.”
He’d notice, but it was better than him taking me home. It was bad enough Marcus would see the filth I came from, but it was better than Eli. I never wanted my mother or stepfather to meet him.
***
I hurried from the car and practically jogged across the street toward the restaurant. I’d texted Eli on the way to ensure him I was on my way, just running a few minutes behind.
Stepping inside, I walked toward the hostess, who offered me a smile. “Do you have a reservation?”
Before I could answer I felt someone step up behind me and an arm wrap around my waist. My body stilled as a large hand spread out over my stomach and pulled me back further into him. “She’s with me.”
“Of course.” The hostess offered a dazzling smile as she looked over my shoulder. “Right this way, Mr. Taylor.”
I started to follow her, only I was unable to move because Eli continued to hold my body close to his. “You look amazing.” His warm breath fanned out over my cheek. “Love the shoes.”
My cheek heated as I bit my lower lip.
He slowly slid from behind me, stepped up to my side, and took my hand into his. I finally got the chance to see him then. I tried not to allow my mouth to fall open in awe but I thought I failed. When he chuckled I knew I’d failed.
“Like?”
I nod. “You clean up nice, Mr. Taylor.” I repeated the name our hostess used, gaining a big grin from Eli. He wore a pair of faded jeans that frayed and were patched beneath with denim. The collar of a dress shirt was unbuttoned just enough to display a small tease of his chest below, and a sport jacket over the top. I was very impressed. Honestly, he looked edible.
When we arrived at our table, he pulled my chair out and pushed it in once I was seated. The entire time he sat across from me he wore a grin that made my heart beat just a little faster—the one where only the corner of his lip tilted up, showing off just a small sliver of his white teeth.
I was staring; I did that a lot when he was near.
After placing our drink order, I nervously picked at the cloth napkin wrapped around my silverware just so my hands had something to do.
“You gonna tell me why you drove Marcus’ car?” I looked up and my eyes met his, then I instantly looked away. “I saw you get out of the car from across the street.
“He loaned it to me.”
Simple and to the point, no reason to explain any further.
“Because?”
So much for that thought.
“Mine wouldn’t start.” I shrugged as I reached out to take a drink of the water the waitress had brought. Suddenly my throat felt very dry. I was thankful when she paused next to our table once again, ready to take our order. By the look on Eli’s face, though, I sensed the conversation wasn’t over.