500 Days (53 page)

“
I didn’t know what anyone
would want so I got one of everything.” She emptied out her pockets
dumping the contents on the chair.

“
It’s fine,” I smiled. I
looked over her shoulder to see Cayden checking her out again.
“Right or left Cayden?” I asked, clenching my fists at my
sides.

His eyes widened and he sat up, clearing his
throat. “Sorry,” he mumbled. Alex looked over her shoulder and then
back at me, smiling. My eyes turned down, letting her know I was
not amused. She slipped her arms around my waist and rested her
head on my chest.

Candice cleared her throat. “Thank you,” she
said, holding up her cup of coffee. “And I apologize for earlier,
for my manners. I’m Candice,” she extended a hand to Alex.

Alex took it kindly. “Alex,” she smiled
graciously.

“
Forgive me. My name is
Prudence. I am Casper’s mother,” my mom said, stepping in. “I wish
we could have met under better circumstances. Maybe once things are
settled perhaps we could all go out to dinner?” My mother, always
the socialite.

“
It’s very nice to meet
you,” Alex replied politely. “And dinner would be nice.”

CiCi took her cue and stood up next.
“Cecelia, but you can call me CiCi.”

“
And that’s Cayden over
there,” I told her knowing he would not get up. He nodded and gave
her a too friendly smile. I held up my fist in warning. His smile
fell. Just before we all fell into an awkward silence, the doctor
walked in.

The air grew cold as I waited for the news.
Alex took my hand. I gave her a weak smile before I returned my
attention to the doctor. “He’s going to be fine. Just an acute
myocardial infarction.”

“
English doc,” I
said.

“
A mild heart attack.
He’ll need to be on a strict diet, regular exercise, and reduced
alcohol intake. He will be sent home with a list.”

“
Do you know what caused
it?” Candice asked, stepping forward.

“
That, I am not at liberty
to discuss,” the doctor said, cheeks a little flushed. “You have to
talk to him about that.”

My mom started to crack up laughing. I gave
her a look letting her know I did not find the humor in this.
“Figures he’d have a heart attack trying to keep up with someone
half his age,” my mom said, slightly disgusted.

“
What are you talking
about?” I asked her, not in the mood for cryptic
bullshit.

“
Think about it, Casper,”
she said, grabbing her purse. “Well since the bastard pulled
through. I no longer need to be here. Girls I will talk to you
later and Cecelia, we are far from done with our conversation.”
CiCi pouted, shooting daggers at Cayden again. “And Alex, it was so
lovely to meet you. I really hope my son will bring you by so we
can get to know each other.” And with that she was gone.

“
Can we see him?” Candice
asked.

“
Yes, but not all at
once.”

“
You guys can go first.
I’ll wait until you’re done,” I told the girls. Candice barely
blinked an eye before she took off with CiCi.

“
You doing okay?” Alex
asked once they were gone. I nodded my head, feeling slightly numb.
I was relieved but at the same time, disappointed. I didn’t want
him to die, but part of me thought it might be better this way. I
took a seat and looked over at Cayden who had been smiling like a
kid who had his hand in the candy jar.

“
What are you grinning
about?” I asked him.

“
Because I know what
caused the heart attack.”

“
How do you know and why
the hell haven’t you said anything?”

He leaned in closer and
rested his elbows on his knees, looking around. “Because I didn’t
want the girls to know and…I didn’t want anyone to know I was
snooping.” I narrowed my eyes at him. He looked a little
uncomfortable of what he had to say next. “Your mom was right.
He
was
trying to
keep up with Dallas.” I looked at him funny. “I found a bottle of
Viagara on his night stand.”

“
Jesus fucking Christ.” I
lost it, laughing hysterical. Alex and Colton looked at me like I
was delusional. “What a stupid asshole.” I stood up; ready to leave
when the cause in question came strolling down the hall with CiCi
and Candice. “I fucking told you she would be the cause of his
death.” Dallas froze on the verge of tears.

“
Casper, what are you
talking about?” Candice asked.

“
Why don’t you ask the
wicked witch?” Dallas did lose it then, running off down the hall
crying.

“
What the hell is wrong
with you? Seriously Casper,” Candice spat.

“
We’re all sitting around
here worried about some asshole because he can’t keep up with his
barely legal wife. The prick was popping pills and sticking it in
his latest possession when he had the heart attack.”

“
Jesus,” Candice said,
shaking her head.

“
The only thing he needs
is a reality check. I’m out of here.” I grabbed Alex, shoving her
out the door.

“
Casper, hold up.” Colton
jogged after us. “Look, we all know how you feel toward your dad
but even you have to admit you were scared for a minute.” I crossed
my arms over my chest trying to prove he thought wrong, but Colton
knew me all too well. “Despite how it happened. I still think you
need to go in there and talk to him.” I rolled my eyes and walked
away.

Alex stopped me outside the hospital.
“Casper,” I turned to look at her, eyes blazing. “It’s clear
there’s something going on with you and your dad, but I agree with
Colton. Despite what brought him here, you should go talk to him. I
know he would want to see you.”

I laughed harshly. “Please, he could give a
rat’s ass whether I came to see him or not. He would tell me it was
a sign of weakness, grieving over the ill and worrying for nothing.
Then he would make sure to point out everything wrong I’ve ever
done in my life.”

Alex stepped in front of me, placing both
hands on my chest. I closed my eyes, letting her touch soothe me.
“Casper, I don’t know your dad, but I do know any father would be
proud to have you as a son. But I also know it’s going to eat up at
you if you don’t go in there and at least see him.”

I let out a long, deep breath. “Only if you
come with me.”

“
I don’t think
–”

“
Alex please, I won’t go
in there unless you’re with me.”

She agreed, but I could
tell she was just as nervous as I was as we walked back into the
hospital. Dallas was now sitting with the girls and she had calmed
down. She didn’t say anything to me as I strolled past them and
down the hall to my father’s room. Colton was inside talking to
him. I was sure he was trying to smooth things over before I got
there. Colton looked up when he heard me approach. “Well, I’ll let
you go,” he said, patting my father’s hand and stood up. He gave me
a look on the way out saying,
‘don’t be a
dick’.
I made no promises.

I stood by the edge of the door with Alex
clutched closely to my side. “Well don’t just stand there,” my
father said harshly. I clenched my jaw tight and took a breath. I
was ready to bolt when Alex encouraged me to take the next step. I
walked over to the side of the bed. My father’s attention was on
Alex. I heard him take a small gasp. I shouldn’t have brought her
here. This was probably too much for her to take. I turned, looking
at her now pale face, wondering what had her so stricken.

My father cleared his throat. “This is Alex,
my girlfriend,” I said, daring him to say something nasty.

He looked her over. No doubt trying to
figure out everything he didn’t like about her. “Have we met
before?” he asked her.

She stood as still as a statue, not
blinking. She just stared at my father. Her skin was cold and
clammy. “Alex, are you okay?”

“
I’m sorry. I just think I
need some air.” She took off out of the room.

“
Charming girl,” my father
said smugly. I glared at him. “You really know how to pick’em.
Probably better off she doesn’t talk much, less
complaining.”

“
I don’t beat them down
until there’s nothing left of them. That’s what you do.” He smiled.
“Why did I even come here?” I turned to leave.

“
Casper, wait,” he called,
slight desperation in his voice. I slowly made my way back over. “I
just want you to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself
into.”

“
What are you talking
about?”

“
How much do you really
know about your girlfriend?”

“
Enough,” I said through
gritted teeth.

“
I think you should sit
down,” he pointed to the chair.

“
Is this the part where we
have the heart to heart? I can tell you now, don’t waste your
breath.”

“
What do you know about
her parents?”

“
This conversation is
done. I don’t need you to tell me what I do and don’t need. Alex is
my girlfriend and I love her.” He gaped at me. Eyes full of black.
“Yeah, I said it. I. Love. Her. Turns out I am capable of caring
for someone else besides myself. Unlike the black heart father who
told me love was a weakness. Lucky for me I am nothing like you,” I
growled, walking out the door.

“
Ask her how I know her
and I promise you, you will understand why I raised you the way I
did. Love is a weakness and if you let it control you, you will
fall. I learned that on my own. So you should thank me.”

“
Thank you?” I spun around
fast. “I owe you nothing.”

“
And you will live nothing
but a life of misery if you continue this ridiculous relationship
with that good for nothing girl.”

“
You shut up! You know
nothing about her and this is the last time I will ever subject her
to this horrible display of a pretend family. Next time, do us all
a favor and make sure she kills you for real. And you can tell her
no amount Viagra is gonna help that little prick.” My dad looked
absolutely appalled. His face turned beet red. “Yeah, I know about
your little problem. But don’t worry dad, my pecker still works
perfectly fine. Always has and always will.”

“
I am your father. You
cannot speak to me like that,” he stuttered. “And you end this
atrocious display of recklessness with that girl.”

I flattened my palms on the bed and got in
his face. “I will die before I give up Alex and as for you. You can
rot in hell.” I pushed myself up and walked out. I walked out of
the hospital and out of his life for good. I didn’t even bother to
say goodbye to my siblings. I was too pissed off. Where did he get
off telling me I needed to break up with Alex? He didn’t even know
her…but he acted like he did? I brushed it off. My father was just
judging her. It was what he did best. He wouldn’t be happy unless I
married some debutant.

I didn’t care anymore. I was done. I found
Alex sitting in her car and she was smoking a cigarette. I paused
for a second. Her head was out the window and she looked, scared.
Okay, what the hell had her so spooked and when the hell did she
start smoking? I opened the door slowly and climbed in. Alex
jumped, tossing the cigarette, waving her hand frantically out the
window. “Alex,” I said softly. “I don’t care if you smoke.”

“
You caught that.” She
slinked back down into her seat.

“
It was kind of hard not
to. I just wish you didn’t think you had to hide it from
me.”

“
I wasn’t. I just…I only
smoke sometimes when I drink or when I’m really
stressed.”

I looked at her strained. “What are you
stressed about?” I reached out, placing my hand over hers. She
pulled away and I inwardly cringed. “Alex?”

“
I think I should take you
home.”

The ride home was so eerily quiet. I had no
idea what had freaked Alex out so badly and I was getting nervous
the closer we got to my house. When she pulled up, I half expected
her to turn off the engine and go inside with me, but she made no
move to do so. “You’re not coming in?”

“
Not tonight.” Her voice
was barely above a whisper.

“
My car is at your
place.”

“
Shit.” She bit her bottom
lip, looking out the window.

I knew something was wrong. “Alex?” She
refused to look at me and continued to stare out the window. I
grabbed her chin, forcing her to face me. My eyes grew wide when I
discovered her tear soaked face. There was a tightening in my chest
as fear started to set in. “Alex, talk to me, please.”

She shook her head and I released her. “I
promise I will never subject you to my family again.”

She laughed through her tears. “They’re not
that bad.”

“
Alex, you need to tell me
what’s going on. You’re kind of freaking me out here.”

“
I can’t,” she said, tears
streaming down her face.

“
I’m not getting out of
this car until you talk to me.”

“
Casper, you have no idea
what you’re asking of me.” I could see the frightened look in her
eyes. Whatever it was she had to tell me I knew it was serious. I
also knew I wasn’t going to let her leave without talking to me
first.

“
Alex, you’re not going to
scare me off.”