“Edie, you need to tell them.” Aiden reaches across the table and tugs a lock of her hair to get her attention.
Slowly, she pulls her head from my arms. Wiping tears off her face, licking her dry puffy lips, she speaks softly, “I want to drop the charges and make everything go away. I want to forget last semester ever happened.” My heart stops when she looks up at me, hurt and scared. “Most of last semester.” She rests her
palm on my face, leaning in to kiss my cheek before resting her head on my shoulder. Rubbing her hand up and down my shirt, she seems to know that my biggest fear is she will leave me after everything we’ve been through in this short period of time.
“Dammit! You can’t do that!” Shelby shouts.
Aiden grabs her arm, pulling her out of the booth. “We’ll be right back. Babe. Outside. Now.”
“It’s cold.”
“Put this on.” Gruffly, Aiden grabs her jacket and stuffs it in her arms, hauling her out of the diner.
Turning to Edith, I take her cold hands in mine, forcing her to look at me. “Baby, whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.” As much as it’s going to hurt like hell, I’m wise enough to know that forcing her to testify will get us nowhere. I want her healthy, emotionally and physically.
Chapter Seventeen
Edith
It’s the crack of dawn and I’m standing in the kitchen, bundled up with hot coffee, scarf, jacket, and flip flops. The only way Jack let me get away with wearing them is because I’m going straight from the house to the car to the airplane. I figured my logic was sound, seeing as I thought it was ridiculous to pack furry boots when the weather would be in the seventies in Miami. Jack’s answer was to buy me a bigger suitcase. I pulled the pouty face out and told him that Shelby was wearing flip flops, which did not earn me any brownie points because Jack called Aiden, who went all doctor on us for wearing improper clothing in a New Jersey winter.
Shelby threatened to withhold blowjobs and, voila. I’ve got cute red flip flops gracing my feet. Boys ain’t got nothing on coercion.
As we wait for everyone to get here so we can get to the airport, I’m getting nervous. I’m twenty-two and have never stepped outside New Jersey. I once ventured near the river in Camden, getting a good glimpse of Philadelphia, but that’s as close as I got. The past few years have been nothing but school, work, and preparing for the day I could support myself in some measure of comfort. Flying to Miami with my friends and my boyfriend is like my first spring break, only it’s December.
Jack rented a well-stocked beach house, so all we have to do is show up and relax. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to fully let go, but Jack assures me I’ll get the hang of doing nothing for a few days. I’m filled with immeasurable gratitude, but I wish Jack didn’t have to work while we were on vacation. He promises it won’t be for long.
“Ready, baby?” Jack comes into the kitchen and pulls me close, nuzzling my ear, taking a long smell of my hair. “I can’t wait to see you on the beach.”
“I hope the sharks stay away. Shelby convinced me to buy this red two-piece suit that makes me sparkle like a human shish kebab. I don’t want to be a snack.”
“I think we can find some activities to keep us away from the sharks, but if you want me to feast on you, just let me know…” He starts to suck on my neck in loud smacking kisses, making me laugh and squirm.
“Jack, stop!” I lean back and push him away. He growls and acts like he’s going to bite me. I get away, but he chases me around the kitchen island. The doorbell dings once before the door opens and I scream, running for it, Jack hot on my tail.
“Whoa. Who let the wild things out?” Aiden catches me and puts me behind his back, pretending to protect me.
“Just a little pre-flight shenanigans.” Jack halts, shrugging. He shakes Aiden’s hand, pulling him in for one of those awkward “bro-hugs” Shelby is always lamenting. She’s a hug or die kind of girl, forcing her love on everyone.
Shelby walks in behind him. “I brought gum, iPod, and ear phones for the in-flight movie.” She opens her big ass hippie bag, which is filled with every distraction I can imagine.
Half-jokingly, I peer in her bag, asking, “I hope you brought tequila, too.”
“Tsk…tsk… No need to be hungover. I brought the Dramamine,” Aiden says, holding up the box.
“You, my friend, are a godsend.” I hug Aiden and snag the box of pills from his hand, stuffing them in my bag for easy access. I had already grabbed Jack’s migraine pills, just in case. Since seeing Daniel at the Grease Lounge, I’ve been sleeping poorly, tossing and turning each night until I passed out from sheer exhaustion, then I would sleep most of the day away. Either Jack doesn’t suspect much, or he’s being overly polite with my newfound laziness.
“Okay. Let’s get rolling.” Jack ushers us all to the car, we pack, and he drives us to the airport.
Jack
The flight is uneventful. After taking the Dramamine and sipping from Shelby’s wine glass, Edith snores lightly, her head on my shoulder. I wasn’t a fan of her taking the pills with the alcohol, but Aiden assured me a sip wouldn’t hurt. I’m glad she’s actually getting some real sleep for a change, instead of tossing and turning all night long. Pretending to sleep next her as I watch her struggle has been taking its toll on me, as well.
I put my arm around her, kissing the top of her head. She’s with me and she’s safe. We’ll deal with the issue of her not wanting to testify later. Before we left, Sam called me and I assured him I was working on it. I said I would support whatever she wanted to do, but this is a criminal matter. If he gets out, it also voids the No Contact order, meaning he’d have free reign to come near her again. I cannot allow that.
***
“Ladies and gentlemen, please prepare the cabin for landing. Stow away all baggage, and place tray tables in their upright position.” I had briefly closed my eyes, but when I opened them again, I don’t see Shelby and Aiden. “Please return to your seats, as the captain has turned on the seatbelt light for your safety.”