Seventeen Days Read online

  “Wait, y-y-you sent me gifts? I’ve never seen one, never seen any card. Unless my mother kept them from me, but what reason would she have had to do that? Why wouldn’t she have wanted me to have a piece of correspondence? I don’t get it.” Knowing Sienna is evil, I wouldn’t put it past her to do a thing like this.

  Pulling my knees up so I can rest my head on them, I gaze up at my aunt. Could it be she wanted a relationship with me but my evil mother kept her from doing that?

  “Sienna always has been the jealous type. She probably saw us bonding when I visited and didn’t like it. Honestly, I have no idea. I stopped trying to figure her out when we were teenagers. If I didn’t see her staring back at me whenever I look in the mirror, I’d question our being related.”

  “You wanted a relationship with me?” I ask.

  “My darling girl, I’ve always wanted one with you. Why do you think I jumped at the chance to have you stay with me? I wanted to use this summer for us to get closer. To get to know you now, as a young woman. Now, when you’re old enough to make decisions on your own. Getting you away from your mother has been a Godsend these last couple of days. I’d like for us to be friends, if you’ll let me.”

  “Why did you wait so long after I got here to bring it up? Why not ask me the first day? Waiting to bring it up now seems pointless. I’m leaving in two weeks. Harrison booked my flight home last night.”

  “Why in heaven's name would you go back already? Where are you going to live? What are you going to do? Do you have a plan once you get there? Your bitch of a mother kicked you out and cut you off financially. Frankly, I think she used what happened in Paris as an excuse to get you out of her hair.” Her questions are all valid, and I don’t have the answers to many of them. If any.

  Getting up from my chair, I start to pace back and forth, wearing my own path in the floor. Why would she wait until now? None of this makes any sense to me.

  Not bothering to hide the bitterness in my tone, I say, “Yes, I have a plan. I’m staying with my friend Gabe in Jersey. He also has a job lined up for me. So don’t go worrying about me, I’ll be fine. If I fall on my ass, I’ll get back up again. I may not have Sienna’s money backing me, but I have faith in myself. I will make something of myself when I get back there.” Faith in myself may be all I have, but it’s everything.

  Placing her hand on my shoulder, she stops my pacing and turns me around to face her. I didn’t even know she stood up. “Morgan … I’d like you to stay here. Move in with me on a permanent basis. Get into a college here. Keep working for Harrison and stay away from that awful city and all it’s corruption. Stay here where you’re wanted. Please. At least think about it.”

  Where I’m wanted? I’m wanted back there, aren’t I? Okay, so maybe I’m not. Maybe my so-called friends have moved on and my mother is doing who knows what. I still belong in New York, don’t I? My future was always meant to be there. At least through college. I should still have four more years until I need to make such a drastic decision. Once college was over is when I planned on making a choice. Except now, I won’t be attending Columbia. At least, not on my own merit. Surely, Sienna won’t pay for it now.

  “I need to get to bed, I have another early start tomorrow. Maybe we can talk about this again later. I’m not sure what to think. I-I-I need some space.” With that, I all but flee from the room and up the stairs. What the hell just fucking happened?

  Refusing to talk on the drive into work this morning, made me feel … small. Not wanting to bring up our talk last night, I figured it was best to stay quiet. We seem to work best that way. Before I can get out of the truck, she places a hand on my arm, stopping me from unbuckling and hopping out.

  “We should have dinner tonight, only the two of us. We need to get things all settled between us and find some common ground. I’m not your enemy, sweet girl. And I may have a solution to your leaving here in a few days. Promise me you’ll let me talk it out tonight. I’ll make you lasagna and pick you up this evening, instead of you grabbing a ride home with Harrison. I’d like some extra time with you.”

  Sucking up some courage, I glance over at her. Seeing the pain in her eyes, I nod my head yes. Which I’ve been doing a lot lately—nodding. I’ve never been one to stumble over my words and have nothing to say. It’s got to be this state. In New York, I seem to always know exactly what to say and when to say it.

  Unlocking the door, I see the guys all out on the dock. All four of them. I wonder why the front door was locked if they’re all here? And why hasn’t Harrison left for the day already? Maybe I’m mistaken and his tour doesn’t leave till nine, but I could’ve swore it left at seven again this morning.

  Filling a mug with coffee, I power on the computer and wait for it to boot up. Maybe I should email Celene since I never got around to emailing her last night. No maybe about it, I should, so I’ll do it before turning the phones on. It’s not eight yet, so I don’t have to turn off the answering machine for a few more minutes. Sending one email should only take me a moment anyway.

  Turning my chair around to stare out at the gulf, I notice Harrison walking toward the back door. Maybe I should turn the machine off before he comes in so he knows I’m ready to work. Before I can make up my mind, he’s through the back door and turning my chair around to face him. Not saying a word, he bends down and places a hand on my cheek, and his lips claim mine. Mm, I like this greeting better than the hug he gave me yesterday afternoon. His warmth seeps into my bones as he holds my head close and kisses me good morning.

  “Mornin’, babe.”

  “Morning.” Again, I’m speechless.

  “How’d the rest of your night go once I dropped you off? Did you sleep okay?” he asks.

  He makes my head spin with how fast he’s taken us from sort of friends, to friends who kiss. How does he expect my brain to function to answer his questions? His good morning kiss has rendered me incapable of thinking. All this and I haven’t had a sip of my coffee.

  “Um. Okay, I guess. My aunt brought up a few things I can’t figure out. Because of that, I slept like complete shit. What are you still doing here? I thought you had a tour that started at seven.” Please don’t ask me about the upsetting questions and the issues with my aunt. Please.

  “No, all the tours leave at nine today. Both boats are full, but Thad and I are only running a short four-hour tour. I have a few meetings set up for this afternoon and an interview.”

  An interview? Is he planning on replacing me already? After only one day?

  “Is Dave not coming back? Are you replacing me before my time is up?” I ask.

  “What? Oh no, Red. It’s nothing like that. The interview is for another crew member. I’m hoping to expand and add another boat and crew. I’ve been debating on adding an overnight tour, and multiple day fishing tours. That sort of thing. Nothing to do with you or Dave.”

  “Oh. That’s good, I guess. More business equals more money, right?” Noticing the time, I switch off the machine and set about getting the rest of the equipment ready, thankful he didn’t bring up my conversation with my aunt. He must have seen the pleading look in my eyes. It’s not anything I want to have one more thought about until she picks me up tonight.

  “After my interview is done, do you want to go out and try to catch a few fish? See if we can catch our dinner?” He wants to take me fishing today? I’d love to, but I can’t.

  “May I have a raincheck? My aunt is picking me up tonight and making me dinner. She wants to uh … talk some more. About the things she brought up last night. Sadly, that means I can’t go fishing tonight. Maybe we can go tomorrow?”

  We’re interrupted by Gentry walking in the back door. Whew. I didn't want to tell him anymore about my aunt. Instead of being saved by the bell I was saved by the hunk.

  “Good morning, pretty lady,” he says while grabbing my hand and placing a kiss on it. Only unlike yesterday, he didn’t kiss my palm.

  Seeing the expression on Harrison’s face,
maybe it’s a good thing I kept it to myself. If he doesn’t take a breath soon, I’m worried he may pass out. He’s pissed. Well, pissed doesn’t begin to cover it. He appears like he wants to murder Gentry for touching me. Who knew jealousy could be a turn-on?

  Not replying to him, I stand and make my way over to Harrison. All it takes is me touching his cheek and he takes in a deep breath. “Calm down, Captain. You’re the only one I want.” When the hell did that happen? “He was only telling me hello. Right, Gentry? You didn’t mean to upset Harrison, did you?” I know damn well he did; I can see the smug expression on the fucker’s face. He meant to piss his friend off. There’s no doubt in my mind.

  Clapping a hand down on Harrison’s shoulder is where Gentry made his second mistake of the morning. Slowly, I back away from the two of them. Harrison is going to explode. There’s a storm brewing in his eyes—they’ve turned so dark they’re almost black. You can feel the anger radiating off his body. He’s beyond pissed.

  “Get your hands off of me, asshole. Before I rip your arm off your body. You may want to step back. What the fuck did I tell you, yesterday? Morgan is ‘hands off’. Which also happens to mean lips off. If you want to keep your job and your friend, back away. Back the fuck away, man.”

  “Easy, tiger. I’m out. Hands off. Lips off. Got it.” Backing away from Harrison, he reaches for the door, never once taking his eyes off from him. Smart move on his part. I have a feeling if he turned around, Harrison would’ve struck. “I came in to tell you, your customers are starting to arrive. And I wanted to see if you’d like to run a combo class with both tours or if you wanted to do them separate. That’s all, I swear. Sorry for offending you with telling her good morning. It won’t happen again.”

  “It better the fuck not. Get out there and combine the tours; you can teach both tours the basics. Send in your dad or Thad so I can inform them of the change.” His tone still drips with anger—he’s seething.

  Have I mentioned Harrison going all caveman is sexy? Cause it is. He meant it the other day when he said I was his. He’s claimed me, that’s for sure. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not.

  Without waiting for Gentry to be fully outside, he grabs my hand and pulls me into him. Lifting my gaze up to meet his, I lean in and place my lips on his. Hoping to soothe him like he soothed me in the truck a couple days ago.

  “You … you’re the only one I want to kiss,” I manage to tell him in-between small kisses. Maybe I entertained the idea for a few minutes’ yesterday of having a nice brief fling with Gentry, but I see now I never would have acted on it. It’s truly Harrison that I want.

  My heart is so fucked.

  Aunt Savannah pulls into the lot at a quarter till six. Harrison left for the day about a half hour ago, claiming he had a few errands to run. I know full well he wanted to leave me alone to think. He knows something is off about me today, and he’s been great about letting me stew on my own.

  I’m scared as hell to have this conversation with my aunt. Could she actually have wanted to be in my life? Did she try to contact me and send me gifts? My head tells me that, yes, she did. Now the big question is, why did my mother keep her from me?

  Doubting Harrison will care if I switch over the phones and leave a few minutes early, I do exactly that. Not so much as one call has come in over the last hour—I’m sure fifteen minutes won’t make a difference. If a customer calls, they can leave a message, and I’ll call them in the morning.

  Being sure to lock both doors, I make my way to her waiting truck. Could she be any more different from my mother? Sienna wouldn’t be caught dead getting into a pickup truck. If it didn’t cost at least a hundred thousand, she probably wouldn’t step a foot near it.

  As she’s pulling out onto the street, I break the awkward silence.

  “How was your day, Aunt Savannah? Did you have a nice one? Mine was … interesting. Well, the morning was, anyway. The rest of the day kind of sucked balls.” Guess I don’t only have word vomit with Harrison. What the hell is wrong with me lately?

  “My day was good. Had an emergency with a horse going into early labor, but luckily, I was ready for it.”

  A horse? Labor? Oh, yeah, a horse being in labor is normal for her. With her being a large animal vet and all.

  Shaking her head and trying to hide her laugh she asks, “Did you say most of your day ‘sucked balls’? What kind of expression is that?”

  “Yeah, you heard me right. It seems I’m suffering from a case of word vomit the last couple of days. Ask Harrison. It’s another way of saying my day could’ve been better, that’s all.” Not wanting to get into what happened between Harrison and Gentry this morning I continue, “This is nice. Um … us talking.”

  “It’s different, but I like it. I’ve always wanted to talk to you, Morgan. I hope you know that. It’s only I didn’t know how to bring up the subject and actually get the words out. I’m thirty-seven and scared to talk to a teenager.” She pauses to blow a few stray strands of hair out of her face. “Before your mother gave birth to you, I asked her for custody of you.”

  Excuse me, what did she say? Talk about a newsflash.

  “I knew she wouldn’t raise you, that she’d turn over the pleasure to a nanny whenever she could. She’s a selfish person, and I knew, I knew, she’d try to turn you into her. It’s the whole reason why I asked her for custody of you. Obviously, she turned me down. She didn’t talk to me for years and didn’t let me meet you until you were seven.” Her voice is filled with sorrow but is that also, regret? Does she regret not fighting harder to be in my life?

  “Th-This is a lot to process. So, let me get this straight, you wanted me before you ever met me? It’s not that I’m finding this all hard to believe, it’s my knowing it has to be true. Sienna is an awful person and an even worse mother. She’s never wanted me to be happy. I’m only now learning to accept it all. Adding this to the mix, is almost too much. You know?”

  Honestly, how much do they think I can take at once? Lately, I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. Maybe I don’t need my flight ticket to take me back to New York or New Jersey. Maybe I need to make my destination unknown and find a place that’s all mine. And only mine. Start over completely from scratch.

  Give myself time to get to know who I truly am.

  “Believe me, honey, I know it’s a lot to take on. I learned long ago your mother is only out for what’s best for her. She has never put anyone before herself. Not you. Not me. Not your father. Nothing. Her and her career are the only things in this whole world she truly loves. She’s lived a sad and lonely life.”

  She’s been lonely? My mother? Surely, I misunderstood. I’ve been the lonely one.

  “What do you know of my father? Did you actually know him?” I ask.

  “Did I know him? Yes. The question you should be asking is if I still know him. The answer to that would be yes as well.” Shaking her head in disbelief she continues, “Has she never let you know who your father is?”

  “Can you drop me off by Harrison’s place, please?” I plead. No longer wanting to talk or spend another minute with her. Drop me off. I need to get away. Now. I can’t handle being near her any longer.

  I’m doing what I know how to do best.

  Running from my issues.

  Choosing to ignore everything around me.

  Hiding.

  But this time I don’t feel like hiding alone. I feel like hiding with Harrison. I need one of his hugs. I don’t wait for her to stop the truck before I open my door and jump out. Running toward his door.

  Running to him.

  Stepping out of the shower, I hear a loud bang on my front door. Followed by the dog barking. Not wanting company, I choose to ignore it. Maybe whoever it is will go away if I ignore it long enough.

  Pulling on my boxers, I hear my name and what sounds like Morgan’s voice. Is she here? I thought she was to be having a talk with Savannah tonight? Her not being able to spend time with me outside of the office is
what has me in such a sour mood. I must be hearing things—just because I want her near doesn’t mean she is.

  Hearing both a yelp and a growl, I run to my front door. Those sounds could only be heard by Morgan and Dog meeting in the entryway. She probably tried getting in and tripped over the lazy ass. Laughing to myself at the picture in my head, I stop short when I actually see her.

  She’s here. And she’s … crying?

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” I don’t get the words out before she’s running into my arms. She’s holding on to me like she actually needs me. Wrapping my arms snuggly around her, I pull her in tight, gathering her as close as I can.

  After what seems like an hour but has only been maybe five minutes, she finally lets go.

  “Can I stay here for the night? I … I … can’t go back there tonight. Can’t see her again. Not tonight.” She’s all but pleading with me to stay.

  She wants to stay here? With me? Alone? In my house?

  “You’re always welcome here, Morgan. Always. I’ll crash on the couch; you can have my bed. Would you like to lie down now, or tell me what’s happened first?” I ask.

  “Will you lie down with me? At least for a little while. Please?” This time she truly is pleading. Hell, I can’t tell her no. It’s then she notices my lack of clothing. “But could you maybe put a pair of pants on?”

  “Anything you want, babe. Follow me.” Grabbing her hand, I lead her back to my bedroom. I’ve seen her here in my dreams what seems like a hundred times but she was never upset when she came here. Imagining her hair spread over my pillow is one of my favorite fantasies.

  Letting go of her hand, I grab a pair of sweats and quickly pull them on. Motioning to the bed, I say, “Lie down, wherever you like, I’ll follow you.”

  Pausing to take off her sandals, she briefly hesitates.