Twelve
Erica
I enter the kitchen and standing behind the counter peeling potatoes is a pretty girl that I swear I’ve seen before. Her warm eyes meet mine, and a huge smile spreads across her face.
“Hi, I’m Erica. I’m Colt’s…”
“You’re Colt’s woman. I’ve heard a lot about you. Gemma, Colt’s sister.” She says. “I’d shake your hand, but I have potato slime all over mine.” She wiggles her fingers up in the air, and I laugh.
“I’m good. Can I help with anything? Colt said we didn’t need to bring a dish, but I think it’s a little rude to show up empty-handed. Please let me help.”
“I liked you already, but now I know you’re a perfect for this family,” Ma says smiling. “Can you open that bottle of red wine on the counter and pour us a glass? Gemma and I like ice and sprite mixed with ours.”
“Oh my gosh, me too!” I grab the wine and start opening it.
“It’s like a red wine spritzer, so freaking good.” Gemma moans.
“Colt was telling me that we went to high school together. You look so familiar, but I don’t really remember you.” I tell her while I make our drinks.
“Girl, I don’t remember you either. I want to say you were a few years ahead of me. Plus, high school wasn’t the best time for me.”
“Oh god, me either.” I agree.
I finish the drinks and hand Gemma hers. Paulette has her hands in the oven, pulling out a massive rack of lamb. When she pulls out a small ham I’m thanking Jesus because I didn’t want to have to push around my food all night.
“That smells great Ma. Can I freshen up your wine?”
“I am good right now girlie. Tell me about yourself. I mean I’ve heard so much from Colt, but I’d like to hear it from you.”
“Oh, ok. I’m twenty-four, and I just resigned from the police force. I have no idea what I am going to do now, but I’ve got some money that I’ve set aside to live off until I figure out my next move.”
“Well, that’s ok dear,” Ma says as she pats my forearm. “You’re young. It will come to you in time.” I smile at the kindness she’s shown me. These are the things I’ve missed out on for the past ten years.
“I’ve been thinking about working from home full time. I’ve been making graphics for author’s during my free time, sort of as a hobby. I want to make it into a real business.”
“I’m sure Colt will help you out with all of that. He’s got a mind for it. If it didn’t work out, it’s not like he wouldn’t take care of you.”
“I’d never take advantage of him. Please don’t think that’s why I’m with him. I love him.”
“Honey, I know. My Colten is an excellent judge of character. He wouldn’t be with you if all you were after were his money. Besides, that reaction said it all.”
“I love him more than I can put into words. I never thought I could feel this way.”
“I can’t wait to feel like that,” Gemma says as she slides the potatoes into the boiling water.
“You don’t? You’ve been dating Brandon for a while now.” Ma asks turning to Gemma and crossing her arms over her chest.
Just the name makes me cringe, and I can’t help but think of my sleazy ex-partner. One of the many reasons I’m happy to be done with my stint as a police officer.
“To be honest, there’s something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on. There’s something that rubs me the wrong way, but I could be overreacting. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“You don’t have to explain it. If you aren’t happy, you don’t have to be with him. Plain and simple.” Ma grabs her hand and squeezes.
“I know Ma, but it’s the holidays. I figured I’d give it a while longer and see if I’m being picky like I am with every guy I meet.”
Gemma shrugs and starts cleaning up her mess.
I drink my wine and think about Brandon. Gemma’s Brandon couldn’t be my ex-partner Brandon, could he? For her sake I hope not, that guy is a major douchebag.
“Erica, do you mind setting the dining room table for me?” Ma asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Sure,” I say putting down my wine and grabbing the plates she hands me.
“Here are all the place settings you need. Napkins are in the hutch out there.”
“No problem.”
I walk through the saloon style door into the dining room. The massive oak twelve-seater table catches my eye, and I can’t help but imagine our children sitting here one day. I lay out the plates and the silverware. I locate the napkins Ma told me about and decide to try a fancy fold I learned while working at La Tana Del Lupo, the swankiest restaurant in Denver. It was a holiday job, I only worked there November through the beginning of January, right before I started the police academy. I was able to save enough to get me through the twelve-week police academy without having to work.
I decide on the crown fold, but as I finish up the last one, someone comes up behind me. I immediately know it isn’t Colt by the feel and smell of him. I move away quickly, and my stomach turns when I see Brandon Zahn. He shouldn’t be anywhere near this wonderful family. I move to the other side of the table putting space between us.
“Brandon? What are you doing here?”
“I was invited. Gemma is a nice piece of ass. She’s pure and untouched, isn’t ready for a man like me. But you are, aren’t you Erica?”
“I’m pretty sure I answered that question the other day when I gave you that black eye.”
“I couldn’t help myself. You were looking hot, just like you were a minute ago bent over this table.”
“It wasn’t an invitation!” I shout, banging my hand down on the table.
“Look, baby, don’t get your panties in a twist. You have been giving me signs for months now. When I finally made a move you, you act like a prude.”
“Newsflash asshole, I have a boyfriend. There are a million other reasons, but number two is you’re a creep. In the future, if someone doesn’t give you consent, ripping their uniform off and forcefully kissing them isn’t okay. They're not a prude, fucker, they’re protecting themselves!”
“Oh, baby don’t play hard to get. You know you want this.”
“You’re delusional, Brandon. I’d never want you and neither will Gemma after I tell her what kind of man you are.”
He moves so quick, backhanding me before I see it coming. I scream out in pain and cower in the corner of the room as Brandon gets closer. Before he’s able to do anything else, Colt appears.
“What the fuck is going on in here?” Colt roars from the entrance.
Holding my cheek, I fall to the floor and cry. I know my silence has come back to bite me in the ass, I only hope it hasn’t pushed Colt away.