Page 16 of Bad Habit
I miss her. I need to go and visit soon. Or maybe I can beg her to come and see me instead.
The last thing I do before I make my way to the donation dinner is put on my signature lip stick before pocketing it into my purse. I left so much when I left my parents house. But I didn’t leave my armor. Confidence and power are found in words. And words are always more lethal when said with the color of blood.
The dinner is full of guests as I check in. I recognize some faces but fail at finding my favorites. I’m sure AJ is with Rory and Melinda is with Eddie. The triplets are probably off in a corner somewhere. I’ve come to learn they never tend to like new people. I do spend a few extra minutes looking for Oliver, but come up short.
“Mia Cassidy. You look…” I recognize that voice. My body seizes at the sound because it is usually accompanied by my ex. I steel my bones and plaster a smile on my face, just like I grew up doing. I’m not new at playing this game. I should have known that I would see them here.
When I pivot on my heel to face the group of people I grew up with but haven’t seen in close to a year, I’m filled with dread. I make quick work of scanning for the face that I hope to not find. Thankfully, I don’t find Adam’s face.
“He’s not here, Mia.” The man on the end steps forward with a low voice. Henry was always a friend and has never once been anything but kind towards me. Our moms are a part of every club and board together. He steps forward and hugs me and I can feel the unease leave my body. I can handle them all but Adam. Thankfully he isn’t here.
I pull back from Henry just in time for Sean to wrap an arm around my waist. I push him away from me and step out of his hold. He doesn’t drop his arms though. “Too good for a hug now?” His stupid ass grin makes me ball my fist. That wouldn’t have been my first reaction a year ago. AJ would be proud.
“I wouldn’t want the smell of desperation for daddy’s approval to rub off on me.” My nose scrunches as I try to keep my words from coming out too much like a snarl. I need the donors in this room and I won’t ruin it just because some dick wants to try and act like he knows me. They’ve never truly known me. They all play the exact roles we have been groomed to play. I just don’t feel like playing anymore.
“Her little small town pretending has given her sharper teeth.” Lucas steps up to stand next to Sean. Never liked him much either. They were always lying for Adam.
“Careful. She likes to use those sharp teeth.” I watch their eyes grow at the small army of three that I know is now at my back. The faint smell of mint and cinnamon fills my nose. And the grin that overpowers my lips couldn’t be fought.
Henry moves back to stand in line with the others in a sort of face off with the shield of men behind me.
“Who are your friends?” I feel Oliver’s hand ghost over the bare skin of my neck before he crowds the space around me. His voice is laced with promise. The West men don’t like when their people feel threatened.
“Who are we?” Sean seems offended and looks to me to speak up. When I make no intention to do so, he laughs. “We’ve known our girl here since we were all in diapers.” Oliver still has his hand barely grazing my back, his touch burns to let me know he is there.
“I’d be careful calling her your girl.” Maxwell sounds like he is ready for unplanned entertainment.
“I’m not property, Sean.” This is why I left. The sense of entitlement is suffocating with these people. “And I’m not anyone's girl.”
“Adam will be sad he didn’t come with us now.” Lucas says while never taking his eyes off where Oliver is touching me.
“I don’t give a shit what Adam feels.” I motion to the table next to them. “Enjoy your meal. I expect donations from each of your families names to come through before the end of the night. Or I’m calling yourmothers.” Henry grins but drops his head so the others don’t see. “Let’s go.” I walk away knowing the triplets are following me. I unclench my fist when we get far enough away that I can no longer hear their voices.
“Who are those guys?” Oliver’s voice is a close whisper at my back.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I attempt to shrug off his obvious concern while still walking forward.
“Who’s Adam?” Of course he would pick up on that. I turn too fast, ending up face to chest with him.
His hand steadies me at my waist and he glares down at me. But he knows I’m always ready to face him like this, all heat and adrenaline. The soft moments are what scare me.
“I’m not talking about him either.” I lift my chin to meet his imploring stare. His brothers walk past us and sit at the table set to the side for the gym. I have a moment to notice that Oliver is in a suit. They all are. And they all look good. But Oliver looks unfairly sexy. “You’re in a suit.” I state the obvious.
“You look good too.” He drops his hand from my waist and searches my face. “They upset you.” He is always astutely aware of my emotions.
“They are harmless. Idiots. But still harmless. They came because their mothers asked them to. They will eat and they will give large donations. And that is what we need.” I can tell he doesn’t believe the confidence I put behind my words but it is the truth. They are here doing what they grew up doing. Attending donor dinners or fundraisers is a normal afternoon for them.
I watch his jaw tighten, him fighting the want to ask more questions that he knows I’m not going to answer. I’ve done a great job keeping my past separate from the home I built here. And them showing up tonight won’t change that.
I hear the mic turning on and Oliver’s head turns to the side. “It’s time for AJ to give her speech.” He is looking at the stage where Melindais making her way back to our table and AJ is taking the stairs to walk towards the mic. Oliver guides me to our seats.
All of our eyes are glued to where she is standing and radiating strength on that stage. She clears her throat and looks at each of us around this table before starting.
“A very passionate and beautiful soul told me recently that healing isn’t peaceful. And that resonated in my soul. My name is Avery Davenport. I am one of the instructors at West Haven Martial Arts. I also help manage the gym. Eddie West found me on the streets, staring into his gym windows when I was fifteen years old. He gave me a part time job cleaning equipment after hours. When I was seventeen, I showed up on his doorstep running from the devastation of losing the only person that I cared about in the world. The only person that made sure I survived an abusive foster care placement.” We all look at Eddie who isn’t even trying to hide his tears. AJ continues her speech.
“My sister, Chloe, was the definition of sunshine. She was the one who taught me how to love. She taught me to fight for what made me feel alive. She is the reason I fought to stay here and not give up.” I can’t help but to stare at the portrait again. AJ was nervous to ask me if we could name the foundation we are trying to build after Chloe. But I knew as soon as she asked it of me, that it was the only option. “That’s why we are dedicating this new foundation to her. You are here tonight to open your wallets to help the success of the What’s Our Dream Foundation. Because Chloe cultivated dreamers. And that is what we will do with this program.”
AJ’s eyes find me and she smiles brightly. “My partner in this foundation is sitting in this very room. Her name is Mia Cassidy and she brings rays of sunshine into every room she steps in. She makes each person she comes in contact with feel like they can win any situation. Mia will carry on that same fighting light with every step of this foundation because she is the reason it exists. Without her, this entire donation dinner wouldn’tbe happening. The opportunity to bring stability to children’s lives that need it wouldn’t exist. She is the strongest and most brilliant person I know. And together we will care for each and every child with the purest form of love and protection. We will make sure that they know they have a purpose. We will stand in their corner and fight for them every day. And we just want to say thank you for making that happen.” She nods her thanks as the entire room stands and applauds her.
