Smokescreen

ven the worst of moods.

“I was told you liked the Atlanta Falcons, so I called in a favor.”

My brother stands up and runs around the table showing off an autographed helmet. He brings it over to me with pure happiness in his eyes. Then he turns solemn.

“Get that bitch out of here. Stella is the real deal.” He doesn’t wait for me to answer but goes back to kiss Stella on the cheek and continue opening presents.

Something in me snaps. Enough is enough. I turn and walk back to the table and everyone looks at me expectantly.

“Erica, I need to see you out front.”

“But, babe, he hasn’t opened our gift yet.”

“Now!” I walk to the French doors and motion for her to follow. As soon as she passes through Laci starts laughing.

“You don’t have to be so rude! You embarrassed me!” Erica hisses when we get to the front driveway. “And who the fuck was that woman you kept looking at. Who are all those people?”

“Embarrassed you? What did you think would happen? Are you that much of self-centered bitch? Did you think I was too much of a gentleman to ask you to leave? You’re not welcome here! How dare you show up? You’re nothing to me. You never were. My obligations to you were strictly through guilt. And those people are none of your business. I told you to leave me alone and get out! I. Am. Done. With. You! What don’t you understand? I’ve tried to be cordial, but you showing up tonight is the last straw. Get your fucking shit and get out of my home and my life.” My blood boils and anger flows through me. For the first and hopefully only time in my life I want to hit a woman. Her blatant disregard for any respect to my family and me makes me regret every single ounce of guilt I’ve ever felt over her overdose.

“Baby, I know you are mad about the pictures, but please see it from my perspective. We live together, we’re meant to be.”

“Erica, I’m through. You’re out. Don’t ever show up at my family’s home again. As for your little declaration about us doing the photo shoot together, I’m out. I’m a lawyer, Chris is my lawyer, and I have other legal contacts. I will not stand beside your coked-up ass promoting my brands. You got me?”

“How the fuck dare you? I’m giving you my image at a discount for your flailing fucking clothing line. How can you turn me down?”

“See, that’s where we should have talked. I don’t want you or your body. But your daddy did that behind my back. I don’t want jack shit to do with you. Now get your ass off my mom’s property before I call the cops.”

I walk away hoping finally it’s over. She doesn’t throw a shoe at my head or break down crying and I’m relieved.

It takes me a few minutes to gather my composure, but when I get back to the patio, my mom is waiting by the door. She holds a shot and a beer to me, I take them both. Everyone else is in the pool or on the pool deck. The sight of Stella playing chicken on Landon’s shoulders against Laci on Mason’s shoulders makes me deflate.

“They’re celebrating. Laci found a way to tape you telling Erica off. She showed us. Stella led the party to the pool. She’s so proud of you … almost as proud as me.”

“Jesus Christ, Mom, when did my life turn to this? Everyone celebrates when I tell a junkie, addict to basically go to hell?”

“Baby,” her voice is soft, “don’t question what you did. It was the right thing. She’s not your responsibility.”

I gruff and swallow the shot. “You think Stella and I can stay here tonight? I’m about to go claim her and from the way she’s swaying, a few more shots will have us both ready for bed.”

“Absolutely. It’s good to have all my boys back home.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I hand her the shot glass and run to the pool jumping in.

Stella dives off Landon’s shoulders and swims to me. Her arms wrap around my neck and she leans in.

“Don’t let her wreck this, Max, she’s a bitch. We’re stronger than her.”

“We are huh? No more hang ups on timing?”

Even in the darkness, I see her blush. “I’m beginning to see your point. Our time together isn’t that important.”

I laugh out loud, letting the stress seep from me. She’s finally getting it. Not caring who’s around, I pull her close and kiss her roughly. We don’t break apart even with the cheers and catcalls behind us. Her taste is like a soothing balm that helps push all thoughts about Erica out of my mind.

Something changed the night of Mason’s birthday. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is, I feel closer to Max than before, but at the same time, there’s also a distance. His attention toward me has grown more affectionate and loving. He smiles more than when we first met, and his stress level has seemed to decrease. But he hasn’t tried to touch me and started sleeping in shorts at night.

It’s been five days since I woke up tangled in Max’s arms on Sunday morning. When I opened my eyes and caught him watching me, my heart fluttered. His face was soft and warm. I wanted to ask him what he was thinking but he stopped me with a kiss. He only pulled away when his mom yelled to see if we were awake. He sighed against my head and rolled out of bed reluctantly. We dressed quickly and joined his mom and brothers. He held my hand possessively as we walked into the kitchen and Sara’s smile lit up the room.

I love my friends, but was glad everyone left the night before and I had the morning with the McCoy family. Sara and I discussed my business and family. It was so natural, as if we did this all the time. I waited for the panic to set in, but it never did.