Ripple Effect, page 18
part #1 of Effect Series Series
She shook her head. “No. I want to get this over with.”
Jason adjusted the zipper on his polo shirt. “Okay, let’s head on up and do this. You’re going to be great, Ainsley. Just stay focused like we talked about.”
“I will. My mom is what matters.” Her voice sounded confident.
I knew my girl though, and she was scared as she twirled her ring. She gave me one last look with a half-smile prior to following Jason up to the house. I got in my car before they rang the doorbell. Within a minute, Christine answered the door and welcomed them in the house, almost in the same manner she had with us last night. I hoped she cooperated. For Ainsley’s sake, part of me was tempted to drag Christine’s ass to the clinic if she didn’t agree to go.
I settled into my seat, preparing for a long wait.
Over an hour had passed. I guessed it was a good sign that they hadn’t been kicked out when Christine was confronted with the truth. I stretched my limbs that were getting restless, and my phone vibrated. It was my sister, Jessica.
Jessica: Have you decided if you’re coming to the anniversary party?
Me: I haven’t. The party isn’t for another five weeks, Jess.
Jessica: Okay. I just want you to be a part of it.
Me: I know, Jess, but you need to stop pushing.
Jessica: I love both my brothers, and it’s hard for the family to be divided.
Me: I love you, too, sis. I’ll let you know. As far as I’m concerned though, Jake and I aren’t family.
Jessica: I know, and I understand. But I still feel like I need to try to fix us.
Me: I’ll be in touch.
Jessica: Okay.
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel complete and utter anger for what my brother and Selena had done.
I have Ainsley. She is mine.
Selena paled in comparison to what Ainsley and I shared. I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to the party. My brother was still an asshole for what he had done. He had committed one of the ultimate betrayals in my book, and I’d never trust him again.
I touched the steering wheel and changed the XM station to get the sports highlights. My phone vibrated again. It was Brandt.
Brandt: Gerald called and asked to speak with you. He won’t say about what, but I’m sure it’s because we fired his law firm. He might be calling your cell. I told him you were out for the day.
Me: He’s an asshole. I’ll deal with him later. Thanks for the heads-up. I’m not going to take his call today. It’s the last thing Ainsley needs, and I won’t hide it from her.
Brandt: Understood. Any word on her mom?
Me: Not yet. They’ve been in there for over an hour.
Brandt: Remember how long we had to talk before I agreed to go?
Me: Yes. Hopefully, she makes the right choice and decides to get help.
Brandt: If she’s ready, she will. Keep me posted. I’ve got everything under control here.
Me: Thanks. Ainsley has class after this, and then I’m going to take her somewhere for her to relax.
Brandt: I’m glad you got your head out of your ass, and you didn’t fuck up this good thing you’ve got going with her.
Me: Me, too. Let me know if anything happens at the club.
Brandt: Take care of your girl. I’ve got it.
Me: Roger that.
I took a deep breath as my mind thought of something special I could do for Ainsley. If Christine agreed to go, Ainsley could not have contact with her mother for thirty days. I scooted my seat back to try to stretch my legs as I had a thought of what to do for Ainsley. I opened the yellow pages app on my phone and began searching for what I hoped would help my girl take her mind off all the shit happening with her mom even if it was only temporary.
After two more hours, the front door finally opened. Jason came out first, followed by Christine, and then Ainsley. Ainsley stood tall, but her eyes were red from what looked like excessive crying. With her slumped shoulders and downward-cast eyes, Christine looked like her world had been taken from her. Jason was holding some luggage.
I released my pent-up energy through a long breath that I didn’t realize I had been carrying all this time. On instinct, I went for the door handle to comfort Ainsley, but I pulled back when I remembered that it could negatively impact the situation if Christine were to feel like everyone was watching.
Pride was a terrible and powerful thing at times. I remembered how hostile Brandt had been the day of his intervention.
Ainsley put her arm around her mom’s waist. The wind blew Ainsley’s hair as she looked to be saying soothing words to her mom. With shaky hands and a nod, Christine grabbed Ainsley’s free hand.
Jason was patient and unhurried as they walked toward his car. He was good, much better than the asshole who had done Brandt’s intervention. We’d almost lost Brandt that day until I had taken that asshole of an interventionist out in the hall and set him straight.
My eyes stayed trained on Ainsley as she walked past me. She glanced my way and gave me a sad but relieved smile. Hopefully, after class today, Ainsley would be able to relax with what I had planned.
I looked in the rearview mirror as Ainsley hugged her mom. Then, Christine got in the backseat of Jason’s car. She looked forlorn as the door encapsulated Christine to what would hopefully be the journey to her mental freedom. She was going to have a tough road ahead of her. Ainsley was nodding and responding as Jason said something. After a few minutes, Jason got in his car and took off. The moment Jason’s car was out of sight, I got out and walked up to Ainsley. She was staring off into the distance in the direction of where her mom had gone.
“Hey, baby.”
I wrapped my hands around Ainsley’s waist, and she turned to me and grasped me tightly. I rubbed her back as she took deeper than normal breaths. A strong gust of wind blew, and she shivered.
“Do you want to get in the car?”
“Just hold me for a sec. It was tough in there. I watched my mom break down when she realized what she was doing and that I had known what happened to her. When she agreed to go, we had to get the house in order first. She wouldn’t go otherwise. We had to empty the fridge, get all the laundry done, and put up the dishes before we got her packed. I’m sorry it took so long, but she seemed afraid that my dad would find the house in what she considered a mess. I’d left my phone in the car, or I would have told you what was going on.”
I kissed the top of her head and held her tightly. “Don’t apologize. Your mom is going to get help, and that’s what matters.”
She nodded her head. “Yes, it’s hard, seeing her broken like that. I don’t know what caused her to break. She wouldn’t talk about it. Hopefully, she’ll tell me eventually.”
Ainsley pulled back, and the redness from her eyes was still present, but it was beginning to fade. “Thank you for being here for me.”
My thumbs went up to her cheeks where a couple of tears had escaped. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Do you still want to go to class? Or do you want to go somewhere else for a bit?”
She looked down at her watch. “I need to go to my first class. It’s the last day of new material. My other two classes required us to email our assignments instead of attending, and I did that this morning.”
I turned us to the car and began walking to the passenger side of the vehicle. A bird was singing a melodic melody. As I put Ainsley into the car, I thought about how my whole life was right here in front of me and not in the past.
She was my light that brightened any dark night.
As class came to an end, I handed in my paper. I was ready to go curl up somewhere and go to sleep. The day had been emotionally draining, and I was thankful for the three-day weekend I had coming. My professors had given us Friday off to study. I had three finals next week, but right now, all I cared about was shutting my mind off. Adam had insisted on waiting for me on campus versus dropping me off at his house to get my car.
The campus was nearly vacated as I sluggishly made my way out to the parking lot. I smiled to myself as I saw Adam sitting on a bench, engrossed in his phone. He was probably working on getting caught up on emails from the club.
I was falling for him more and more every day. We still hadn’t said that we loved each other, but it felt as if it had been trying to leave my tongue lately. We weren’t ready, and I’d told him I would never pressure him for more than he was willing to give, but the feeling was starting to make itself known.
He looked up as if he could sense me near him. He smiled under his mirrored aviator glasses. I could get lost while looking at him.
“Hey, baby. How was class?”
I adjusted my backpack. “Good. There wasn’t much new material, but I’m glad I came. The professor gave us a few clues as to what would be on the test.”
Adam grabbed my backpack from me, and we started walking to the car. It was sweltering, and I picked my ponytail up off my neck.
“I want to take you somewhere. Are you up for it?” he asked warmly.
He was watching my response closely. Adam had been attentive, which helped. I never had anyone to lean on before as I had always depended on myself. The vulnerability aspect of trusting someone enough to be there for me was terrifying, but it made me feel cared for at the same time.
He opened the car door, and I sat down in the passenger seat. I enjoyed the smell of hot leather.
“I’m exhausted. Can I take a rain check?”
“It’ll be relaxing, I promise.”
The hope in his voice caused me to capitulate to his request. “Okay, sounds good.”
He grinned at me as I got into the car and then strolled over to his side. The car roared to life, and we were on our way. My mind kept going back to the moment reality had taken effect in my mom’s mind.
Jason sat in the blue wingback chair that was next to the cream couch. My mom was in black pants and a dark purple long-sleeved shirt. The smell of pine was pungent in the house. My dad had insisted on having that smell throughout our home.
I mentally scoffed at the word home.
We had never had a home. Being here again, after what had happened last night, made the bile in my stomach turn, causing an acid flavor in my mouth.
Jason spoke, “Christine, Ainsley has prepared a letter for you that she’d like for you to read.”
My mom smiled. “I’d love that. I need to set the meat out for tonight’s dinner in twenty minutes. Gerald requested pork chops and mashed potatoes.”
My eyes closed, and I took a deep breath as I prepared to read my letter to my mom. I prayed it would take root and bring her back to me. Having her stuck in the past pained me. I opened my eyes and turned to face my mom. It was as if I was staring at a broken version of myself as her pale blue eyes met mine.
She gave an encouraging look. “Go ahead, sweetie. I’m listening.”
I cleared my throat, unfolded my letter, and tried to blink the words into focus since tears kept trying to take over. After the fifth try, I started seeing what I had written. Tears from when I had written it earlier stained the paper.
I looked down and began to read.
I finished the letter and looked at my mom. She was blinking rapidly as if the real world was trying to break through. A tear streamed down her face. I said a silent prayer that my words had penetrated her thoughts.
“You knew what was going on?” Her shocked voice tore through me.
A sob escaped me. “Yes. I’m so sorry I didn’t help you.”
Jason came into the conversation with a soothing tone to his voice, “Christine, I’d like to take you to the center. It’s a place to teach you how to cope and heal with what has happened to you. Will you accept this gift?”
My mom scrunched her eyes shut as if she was battling within her own mind. What she’d thought was her reality was turning into fiction.
“Ainsley, baby, we’re here.” Adam’s voice brought me out of my deep reflection.
I turned toward him. “Sorry. I was thinking about when I read my letter to my mom this morning and how I had to watch her struggle as she tried to reclaim what was real. Jason was unbelievable as he slowly coaxed her into agreeing to go. I hope they can help her. He’s going to call me tomorrow to update me on everything. I hope she’s in the best hands.”
Adam looked down at my right hand and smiled. I followed his gaze and saw I was touching my grandmother’s ring. I knew that was my nervous tell.
“Brandt said this guy was the best.”
“Thank you for calling him. Please tell him how much I appreciate it until I’m able to see him again.”
“I will.”
Looking down at my hand, I asked, “Do you want to read my letter to my mom sometime?”
He gave me a smile. “I’d love to, but there’s no pressure, Ainsley. I understand how personal it can be.”
“I want you to.”
He kissed my hand.
I looked out the window and saw a blue-and-white striped awning with the words Nubiance Spa printed in black. It was the premier spa in Atlanta. Two green spiral trees in stone planters were placed on each side of the door. My mom’s friends used to talk about coming here for massages. I looked back at Adam and then back at the spa, wishing that I could afford a massage here.
“Let me give this to you, Ainsley. It’s a gift from me to you.”
Turning back to him, I said, “Thank you.”
I was too tired to argue, and quite frankly, I was grateful for his thoughtfulness.
Adam smiled at me as he got out of the car and came over to my side to let me out. “After this, I’m going to order food to be delivered to the house. We’ll have an easy night in. I was thinking we could order in from your favorite Italian place, Luigi’s.”
“I’d love that. Thank you. Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome. I would do anything for you, Ainsley.”
His words warmed the chill that had been in my body since yesterday. As he opened the spa door, the eucalyptus smell from the spa began to invade my senses and tension ebbed from my body. White candles were lit throughout the room.
A beautiful Asian woman in a white wraparound dress was standing beside the counter. Her skin was porcelain, and she had pale red lips. Her black coal hair was done in a bun. “How may I help you?”
We walked up to the counter.
Adam addressed her, “Appointment for Ainsley Pearson. My name is Adam Ryker. I called earlier and made all the arrangements.”
She gave him a smile. “Yes, Mr. Ryker. We’ve made all the arrangements you requested. Miss Pearson will receive the premier package.”
“Perfect.”
I was glowing inside with how thoughtful Adam had been.
The receptionist walked around the counter. “Miss Pearson, please follow me, and I’ll show you to your room to change. Fresh cucumber water will be delivered to you momentarily.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right there.” Before leaving, I reached up and kissed Adam. “You’re the best. I think you definitely deserve something special for this.”
He caught on to my sultry tone and gave me a crooked grin. “I’ll hold you to that.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Feeling lighter from the day’s heavy emotional weight, I walked behind the receptionist. I pushed away all my thoughts for what the future held aside. I was going to lose myself and be in the moment.
My mom is safe.
I was in heaven as the masseuse massaged my body. A waterfall was in the room. I listened to the water cascading down the wall. Low soothing sounds came through the speakers lining the room. The masseuse’s hands were magical as the oil glided over my skin while she worked through the tension in the muscles.
I wish I could afford to do this every week.
All too soon, the woman gently said, “Please rest for a few minutes, Miss Pearson. I will come back with a refreshing mango drink.”
I sleepily said, “Okay.”
A door lightly opened and closed. The ambience absorbed into every fiber of my being as I rested and existed. My mind was shut down, at ease, and void of worry. The door opened, and internally, I groaned, dreading that my spa time was over. I tried to savor the last few minutes before the masseuse gave me my drink.
Then, the blanket was lifted off my feet and up to my butt.
Oh, maybe, it isn’t over yet, and Adam added something. He deserves a huge thank you after this is over.
The blanket was brought down from the top of my back, exposing it. Only my butt was covered now. Light touches trailed across my back, and they felt familiar. It was Adam’s touch. I bit my lip and started to turn my head. His hand came to the back of my head and stopped my movement.
“Stay put, baby. I’m going to make you feel even better.”
I gave an appreciative moan as he walked toward the other end of the table. His fingers brushed the soles of my feet. They curled while a delicious tingle spread to my calves and up my leg. He left a trail of fire as one of his hands moved to the inside of my right leg before making its way farther up my body, inch by inch. My sex clenched as I anticipated his touch.
“Adam, I need you.”
“You’re mine, Ainsley. I’m going to take care of you first, and then I’m going to take you.”
I moaned as my legs moved wider apart, beckoning him inside. He shoved his fingers in deep as his thumb touched my clit. I began moving over him. I grabbed the sides of the table and lifted myself until I was on all fours and could move back over his fingers with force.
“Fuck. Do you want it hard?”
Breathily, I panted, “Yes…”
I turned his way for the first time, and I noticed he was naked. His defined muscles and tatted arms had me craving him.
“Ainsley, I’m going to take you rough from behind, and then I’m going to make love to you on this table.”
“Just hurry.” I had turned into a crazy, wanting mess, and I didn’t care where we were at the moment.
I need him.
I want him.
