Riley's Pond (New Adult Romance) (20 page)

“By choosing my own destiny?”

“No Taylor. By throwing away the opportunity of a lifetime. Become a lawyer or not, Harvard University, even if only for the one year, would boost the credentials in your portfolio for whatever career field you choose, not to mention open the doors to any university you want to attend. We can talk more about it when you come home.”

“What if I don’t come home?”

“Taylor, stop acting like a petulant teenager. Neither your mother nor I will allow you to stay at Lydia’s past summer. You need to go to college,
somewhere.
”

“Why do you care, anyway? Shouldn’t you be worrying about your
other
so-called ‘daughter’?” I jumped in the seat when he yelled back.

“Enough damnit! Life’s complicated and messy, Taylor. No one gets the storybook ending. All you can hope for is that the good times outweigh the bad. And another thing,
don’t
dismiss a future with Mr. Barnes just yet. Have your fun, but remember Michael can keep you in this lifestyle you’ve become comfortable living. By the way, what color is the Mini?”

“Blue and white,” I answered feeling a ping of guilt in my stomach. “Dad, I’m not changing my mind about Michael. You don’t know him. You only know the Michael that comes into the office, not the one who…..” I stopped, realizing I almost said things I promised to keep secret to protect my father
.

“
Everyone has two faces, Taylor. Even you and the ‘country bumpkin’ jumping your bones.”

“Nice one
father.
Again, none of your business, but I’m still a virgin
.
My ‘country bumpkin’ respects me, which is more than I can say for the other men in my life. Tell Michael to go to hell. My advice to you,
Daddy,
is find another firm to work for. I’ve got to go. I have to get ready for a date with my ‘hick’.”

I flipped my phone shut without saying “goodbye” and wiped my wet cheeks with the back of my hand. The phone rang again, only this time I checked. I wasn’t having another bantering contest with “daddy dearest.”

“Riley?” A sob heaved in my chest unexpectedly.

“Taylor, what’s the matter?”

I felt guilty for finding pleasure in the worrisome sound in Riley’s voice. Someone cared about me.

“I just got off the phone with my dad. Not a pleasant conversation, but then, they usually aren’t with him.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, now that you’ve called. We still on for tonight?”

The hesitation lasted too long. “About that, babe. Barney called. Andy is sick and Barney said he’ll pay me double if I stay and cover his shift. I’ll be done by ten and can come by then to hang out if you want.”

“Damn! Not tonight,” I whined. “I need to see you. You’ve worked three nights straight! I miss you.” Tears rimmed my eyes again.

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll call Barney and tell him ‘no’.”

Apparently the “self-indulgent” gene ran prominent through me too, but my conscience kept it in check. “No, don’t do that. I’m being selfish. Promise to come by later?”

“I promise, and for the record, I’m so damn horny I can’t see straight. If I don’t see you soon, I may go blind.”

“Nice to know you care.”

“You know I’m teasing. About going blind. That’s a myth.”

I laughed. “Thanks, Riley. I needed that. Tell me you love me.”

“I love you and for a hell of a lot more reasons than just lusting after you. You rock my world, girl. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Maybe I can knock off early for good behavior.”

He smacked a loud kiss in my ear and hung up. I sat in my car a while longer, listening to my iPod and allowing myself a good old-fashioned cry fest. Maybe the tears would wash out all the pain inside and make more room for me to love Riley without feeling guilty about hurting him.

Reality bit hard. Dad was right. Harvard University’s credentials were golden and my year had been paid for. Riley still had his senior year of high school with lots of dances, football games, and cheerleaders to make out with under the bleachers. I’d be nothing more than a fond memory to him a month after I left here. Riley, however, would hold a piece of my heart long after I went back to Boston. Probably forever.

**

Grammy sat out on the back deck, enjoying the afternoon sun, and of course, her cup of tea.

“You’re an habitual dipper. You should seek help,” I joked.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Care to join me? You look a little forlorn. Want to talk?”

“Dad called.”

“Oh.”

“Riley cancelled our date. He’s coming by later, if that’s okay.”

A sigh heavy enough to sway the house blew out her nose. “Don’t you think it’s time you slowed things down with Riley, Taylor? After all, you’ll be going home soon and your life will be going a different direction with Michael.”

“Actually, Grandma, I broke things off with Michael.”

Grammy’s tea bag stilled, as did the air around us. She shifted in her chair, her eyes narrowed. I watched the brows above her eyes curl tight. “Are you crazy, Taylor? Michael is perfect for you. He spoils you rotten—has a promising future at his father’s law office and can give you everything you’ll ever want or need. Don’t fill your head with silly romantic thoughts about the Martin boy. Your little summer romance is nothing but a teenage fling. Be realistic, Taylor. There’s no way it’s going to last past the summer.”

She turned her focus on the meadow, letting the sting of her words bite silently. A part of me hated that she, like Dad, could possibly be right. Especially about me and Riley. As much as he claimed to love me, being separated such a long distance could cause his heart to wander…not “grow fonder” as the cliché suggested. I watched the feline predators study him when he worked at Barney’s and heard their feral growls whenever he publicly kissed me—which he did a lot.

But whether I went to Harvard or not, I couldn’t stay in Wellsville forever, or with Grams. We’d murder each other sooner or later. But even if I lost Riley, I wouldn’t go running back to Michael. The thought of being with him made my skin want to crawl off my bones.

I leaned against the railing. “Regardless of where this
fling,
as you so callously refer to my relationship with Riley, goes, I know I don’t want to spend my life with Michael. Riley’s brother, Jaxson, would be a better choice than him, believe me.”

Grammy’s lips flattened. “You don’t mean that, Taylor. You’ve just been away from Michael too long. The two of you need to rekindle your relationship—spend some time getting to know each other again. Time alone with Michael is precisely what you need to get your priorities back into focus. That’s why I invited him here for the weekend.”

Air exited my lungs so fast I felt them stick to my ribs. A flicker of rage ignited. Now
Grams
controlled my life! When the hell did
I
get a say in my destiny? My eyes flashed in horror.

“
What
? No! Grammy, say you didn’t! You don’t understand. I
can’t
be with Michael—”

Grandma lifted from her chair, her angry posture matching mine. She closed out the space between us in two incensed steps. “Nonsense!” she interrupted. “Now go upstairs and make yourself presentable. He should be here in an hour or so.”

My eyes swam with tears and I felt dizzy. Why the hell did I tell Riley it was okay to work an extra shift? He’d have been here within the hour and we’d be gone. In fact, knowing Michael was coming would have had me convincing Riley to run across the state line and never come back. Hell, I’d even have sex in the truck with him!

In my letter to Michael, I made special mention of his last attempt to “brand me” as his property—a reminder of the monster he kept well hidden. I knew Michael would consider Grammy’s invitation as a challenge to reclaim what he felt rightfully
belonged
to him. Me.

The thought made me livid. I moved the extra inch, practically touching Gram’s nose. She could feel the spit of every cantankerous word. “I can’t believe you did something so underhanded without asking me. This is
my
life. You’re no different from my parents.”

Grammy blenched at my brashness. “Taylor Wilson! Michael is your fiancé. The way you gallivant around with Riley Martin, it’s only a matter of time before you two become intimate and ruin your chances with Michael. You know how he feels about your chastity.”

A blustery half-laugh burst from my mouth. “For your information,
Michael
is far from
chaste.
Riley has been nothing but respectable to me that way. If you’re still freaking out over the damn hickey, you should know Mr. Barnes’s hands haven’t exactly been idle on my body.”

Her brow arched. “But you’re engaged to Michael. It’s different. You’re his—”

“What?
Property
? I don’t think so. And, we are
not
engaged! I’m barely eighteen and not marrying anybody,
chaste
or
unchaste.
For the record, I’m not you or my mother.”

Grammy’s hand covered her mouth and her eyes widened.

“I wasn’t asleep like everyone thought that night at Riley’s. I have no intention of repeating history, which is why I broke it off with Michael. I don’t want to end up with another control freak in my life, in particular as a
husband.
”

I paced the deck, arms wrapped tight around my stomach. Panic pricked at the idea of confronting Michael, especially after telling him to take a hike. No one
dismissed
Michael Barnes.
Ever.

“
God, Grammy! Why did you invite him here?”

“Because regardless, Taylor, he’s still a better choice for your future. You need to spend some time with him before you do something stupid with the Martin kid. In fact, it might be a good idea if you went back home with Michael. I understand he’s already found you a place to live. And, I agree with him. A fall wedding would be wonderful. You need to unleash those raging hormones with a man who’s right for you. Not some high school jock.”

My tennis shoes squeaked against a wood plank when I stopped abruptly. “You know nothing about Riley! He’s ten times more of a man than Michael will ever be!” Tears streamed steadily over my cheeks. “Grams, you have no idea what you’ve done by bringing Michael here. You’ve sealed my fate.”

“Let’s hope so.” She brushed past me, talking over her shoulder. “Go put on something flirty for your fiancé. Let him appreciate what he’s about to lose if he doesn’t take charge of this situation.”

She slammed the back door and I stood frozen, baking under the August sun. Michael would soon be here. God help me.

**

Grammy sent me back into my room three times until I came out dressed in something she deemed appropriate. Unfortunately, a short floral skirt and lacy camisole. She tousled my hair over my shoulders and pushed my slouching shoulders straight. At this moment, I hated my grandmother. How could she barter my soul without a second thought?

“There. You look feminine and pretty.” The doorbell rang and my heart climbed into my throat. “Smile. Your parents spent a fortune on those teeth. Show them off.”

She walked down the stairs and I remained hidden around the corner. I tried calling Riley again, but no answer. I wanted him to come as soon as possible and save me from whatever unknown knotted my stomach. I had this sick feeling that by the time Riley arrived, it would be too late.

Michael’s voice sounded like a premonition of something horrible sliding out of his mouth. I sent Riley an S.O.S. text praying he got it fast.

Leave work a.s.a.p.! I’m in trouble. xoxo -T.

I felt Michael’s evil presence the moment he crossed the threshold and entered the house. His overpowering, expensive cologne wafted up the stairwell, seeking me.

“Mrs. Daniels, have you gotten younger since I’ve last seen you?” His fake flattery sickened me and Grammy’s school girl snigger made me want to vomit.

“Oh, Michael, you’re still the charmer, aren’t you?”

“The only girl I apparently need to charm is Taylor. Where is she? I can’t thank you enough for inviting me here. My heart shattered when I got her letter. I couldn’t bear the thought of not having her in my life. I think you’re right. We’re just missing each other.”

“Taylor?” Grammy trilled. “Michael’s here.”

I pushed against the wall, wishing to melt into the wood. Grammy’s feet padded heavily on the stairs. Her fists pushed hard on her hips when she found me hiding around the corner.

“Get your little fanny downstairs!” she demanded quietly, yanking my cell phone from my fingers. I stepped to the top of the stairwell, her whispered warning hot on my ear. “Behave yourself, young lady. He’s come a long way to mend things. Give him a chance, for your sake.”

For everyone else’s sake
.

Standing in the doorway to the living room, I faced Michael, strategically poised against the piano, holding a bouquet of red roses. He always knew what gallant gestures to pull off to sway people his way.

I faked a smile and stepped forward…a sacrificial lamb heading to the altar.

Grams morphed instantly into the false “sweet old lady” she used to impress. I went rigid when I saw her grab her purse and car keys.

“Well, I’m just going to leave you two lovebirds alone for a few hours. I’ve got some errands to run. There’s fresh lemonade and ice tea in the refrigerator, and some blueberry muffins Taylor made this morning,” she lied. One more on top of the many others.

I grabbed her elbow, a trembled whisper rushing from my mouth. “Don’t leave me alone with him, Grammy. Please, I beg you. Stay.”

She patted my arm. “You’ll be fine. Taylor. He’s not going to bite, for heaven’s sake.”

Biting
would be the least of what Michael could do to me. The front door shut, taking all the oxygen from the house in its wake. The snap signified finality. I watched Grammy’s shadow shrink away and my body shivered with an unexpected chill.

Michael’s feet shifted behind me. I couldn’t avoid the inevitable and turned. A malevolent smile twitched on his lips. I imagined the same smile must have graced Lucifer’s face when he fell from Heaven.