One Hot Summer

Chapter 15: One Last Supper

RILEY

I hurried home from work the next day in hopes to have enough time to make myself look decent. I wasn’t sure why but I had this itch to see the look on James face, the face that said I f****d up. I wanted to look my very best.

It was a personal decision to not inform anyone from work that I was having dinner with my ex. Honestly, I didn’t think I had the mental capacity to field more questions about my failing love life. Especially since everyone hated James.

Searching through my closet I pulled out a handful of dresses. My decision came down to three. A black dress that I wore early on in college before my curves had filled out. It was a halter and hugged every inch. My next choice was a pale pink dress that had quarter length sleeves. A little longer than the last but with a neckline that dipped down much further. My final choice was a shimmery gold dress that supported my breasts and pushed them up without the need for a bra. It was certainly more flashy and complimented my figure in a mature yet sexy way.

I decided to make my decision while I showered. I quickly shaved my legs nicking myself a handful of times in my haste. The time showed 6:45. s**t! I quickly dried off and slipped into the gold shimmer dress. Note to self: don’t forget panties. I thought as I brushed my teeth while blow drying my hair.

The doorbell rang as I was adding final touches to my makeup. I spritzed myself with my favorite “in the stars” perfume, grabbed my heels, and headed toward the front door.

Fuck! Bennett had beat me to the door and was already having words with James.

“She knows I’m coming, i***t” James argued. I stepped between the two. “Ready to go?” I asked James without looking at Bennett. I couldn’t handle his disapproving glare right now.

“Yep…thanks Benny” James said with a snarky tone. I gripped his arm and forced him to move toward the car.

BENNETT

I was ready to beat the smirk off of his ugly mug the second I opened the door. The audacity that this man had to show up at my house and ask for Riley. After everything he had done to her he was lucky I didn’t break his nose.

“You need to leave” I said keeping the door barely opened. “I’m here to pick up Riley. Just let her know I’m here” James said arrogantly leaning against the porch wall. “You can f**k off” I said trying to shut the door.

“She knows I’m coming, i***t” he said making my blood boil until I caught a whiff of the intoxicating scent that I couldn’t get enough of. Riley walked into my vision and my heart dropped at the sight of her. She was a vision wrapped in gold. Like a gift I wanted to unwrap and cherish. Her hair was swooped to one side, her collarbone ever present. I wanted to sink my teeth into her neck and mark her as mine. I wanted to watch goosebumps form over her perfectly smooth skin. I was at a loss for words, fighting back the feeling that seems to surface in the worst moments.

She completely ignored me which made my blood begin to boil again. I wanted to grab her and force her to stay. The thought of her being with James made me want to break every bone in his body. What was she doing? Was she insane? Why would she go back to this asshole? What happened to Milo?

“Ready to go?” She asked him, not even giving me the courtesy of a second glance.

“Yep…thanks Benny” James said with a smirk on his face.

I stood like a statue in my spot as I watched them drive out of sight. Slamming the door as hard as I could I pulled out my phone and began to dial Riley’s number. My thumb hovered over the call button. My jaw was clenched tightly. That asshole better not touch her. I threw my phone onto the couch and took off out the back door.

RILEY

The car ride was silent and I was okay with that. My mind was still trying to calm down. I nervously shifted in my seat. f**k, I forgot panties I thought feeling like a dope.

“Dad’s excited to see you” James said placing his hand over mine. “Oh, uhm…I’m excited to see him too” I said nervously pulling my hand away to move the hair out of my face.

“I’ve missed you Riles” he said swallowing hard. I tried to change the subject, “so is big Jim still making you come work for him after graduation?” I asked with a nervous giggle.

“Uhm…actually I think he’s had a change of heart” James said prompting my eyebrows to sky rocket to the top of my forehead.

“When has your dad ever strayed from the plan?” I asked. James shrugged, “recently. I guess”.

We pulled up to the restaurant valet. I took a step out, fidgeting with my dress. James intertwined his fingers in mine. I pulled my hand away. “Please riles. Just for tonight?” James pleaded.

I sighed deeply and placed my small hand in his. I was not ready for tonight.

Big Jim’s face lit up at the sight of us. “There they are! The perfect couple” he said, his Bronx accent really shining through. He rose to his feet and pulled me into a hug bear hug. My eyes widened as I felt my feet leave the ground. “Just as beautiful as ever” Jim said patting my head like an obedient puppy.

We sat down and Big Jim wasted no time going into his life story once again. I tried to seem interested as I circled my finger around the lip of my water glass. The table was full of Jim’s colleagues and a few family members. All of them looked like they’d once been in a biker gang.

“My son, my big guy. He’s doing so well in school. Graduates in a year” Jim boasted. James blushed and soaked in the praise.

Dinner was long but the food was great. I got the roast beef piled on top of mashed potatoes and brown gravy. The carrots were tender and sweet. I was way too engrossed in my food to pay attention to the conversation.

“My son, Jim junior is planning on joining the police force after graduation. Serving the community” Jim continued boasting. My ears perked up.

“What? No shop?” One of his pals to the right of him asked.

“Nope, he’s got his head on straight. He’s smart and he’s got a safe woman by his side” Jim said. I whipped my head in the direction of the conversation. “Safe?” I asked confused. James squeezed my knee. I looked up at him as he subtly shook his head telling me to stay quiet.

“Yes, dear. You’re the girl who’s gonna keep him honest and keep him out of trouble” Jim said before looking over at his friends.

“See, I told James that as long as he married a sweet and safe girl he could do what he wanted in life. So he proposed to his beautiful girlfriend and here we are” Big Jim said looking back at me. “Let’s raise a toast to the bride and groom to be” he continued.

I almost choked on my water. “I’m sorry, what?” I said. “Baby” James said gripping my wrist. “Dad wanted to have us for dinner to congratulate our engagement” he added.

At that moment I sunk down into my seat ready to play along. Suddenly the vision of every argument with James surfaced in my head. The vision of him cheating on me played over and over again. What was I doing? Why was I helping him? Everything finally clicked. James was never in love with me. I was his ticket out of the family business. I was no longer sure any of it was real..

Before I could do anything I felt myself rise to my feet.

“What are you doing baby?” James asked, a look of worry appearing on his face.

“I’m sorry to burst your bubble Big Jim but your son is the last man I’d ever marry” I said. Big Jim’s face suddenly got stern. I wanted to stop but the words came flooding out.

“James hasn’t been faithful to me and if he was an honest man he would’ve told you that I dumped him when I found him cheating on me.” I said throwing my napkin down.

“Thank you for the lovely meal and for always being kind to me when your son wasn’t” I stated before leaving my spot at the table.

James gripped my arm tightly, the look of rage covered his face. I’d never seen him lash out this way before. “What the hell do you think you’re doing Riley?!” He shouted through gritted teeth.

“Take your hand off of her James” big Jim said removing his son’s grip from my arm. He smiled warmly at me before planting a kiss on the top of my hand.

“You deserve better, sweetheart. I’m sorry for my son” he said glaring at James. “Good luck” I say sarcastically to James before taking my leave.

I didn’t know how I was going to get home but I sure as hell wasn’t going back into that restaurant. I couldn’t rid myself of the pride that welled up inside of me. That was the most I’d ever stood up for myself. I scrolled through my phone looking for someone who would be able to pick me up.

Riiiiiing

Riiiiiiiiiiing

Finally a deep voice answered.

“Hey, uh…Could you come pick me up?” I asked biting the end of my nail.