Page 61 of Frost Bitten
My father’s signature shoes click down the hall to meet his new wife. I slowly follow him, preparing myself to meet my “new family.”
I hear the click of the lock, and as I step forward to meet my stepmom, all I can see and hear is Dad enveloping a blonde woman in his arms. “Sarah, finally! I want you to meet my son, Cameron,” he says, turning to allow the woman to approach me.
I gaze at this woman, a sudden case of déjà vu washing over me. Do I know her?
“Sarah, it’s nice to meet you,” I mumble, trying to recover from my shock.
“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you! Your father is so proud of you. He’s constantly bragging about you.”
“Oh, that’s nice, I think.” I’m still struggling with my composure when she calls her girls in from the front porch.
“Girls, come on in. Cait, this is Aaron Wilkins,” she gushes as two people Idefinitelyhave met stride through the door.
No. No, this can’t be happening. Sarah is Cait and Lily’s mother. The girl I just poured my heart out to, the one I asked to spend the night with me earlier today. I carried Lily on my shoulders while our parents eloped! Nofuckingway! I down the glass of bourbon in my hand and walk away. I just can’t deal. I vaguely hear squealing in the foyer, but I can’t focus. I find myself back in front of the bar, pouring my third glass in less than five minutes. Just as I cork the bottle and reach for my glass, a soft hand covers mine.
“Don’t,” Cait whispers. “I know this isn’t optimal, but it doesn’t mean anything.”
“It doesn’t fucking mean anything?!” I whisper-shout back at her. “Cait, you are now my god-damned stepsister! We are family! I-I can’t look at you like you’re family, not likethatfamily. I just can’t. I can’t do this dinner. Dad will just have to fill me in later. I’ll tell him I ate something bad for lunch because I’m sure all of this bourbon will be coming back up any minute. I’m sorry, I just can’t.”
I don’t miss the flash of pain through her eyes when I address her by her given name, and not the name I’ve come to think of her these past couple of weeks. I just can’t handle the heartache. I can’t perform like a circus monkey for my dad, jumping around in a suit whenever he needs to make a good impression. I’m breaking inside because just when I thought the girl I wanted was mine, she’s taken away once more.
I turn and walk away, and I pray that if we can somehow get past our families being one, she can forgive me for abandoning her yet again.
TWENTY-SIX
CAIT
Waking up the morning after Christmas is a whirlwind of emotion and movement. Lily bounds into my room at six forty-five, excited to start this week out of school. I send her back out to watch TV, and lie in bed for a few minutes, trying to understand what happened. Memories of the night come back in waves, and I struggle to focus and recount them all
After I got home from Bast’s house, Mom told me she had a surprise for Lily and me. She sat us down, telling us she’s been dating someone since late August. I knew she went on the one date, but I didn’t realize things had gotten serious. She went into how amazing Aaron was and that he had a son. Evidently, Lily met Aaron while I was on my Thanksgiving trip with the guys, so when Mom announced that last weekend’s trip was to elope with him, I was in shock. I knew they were close but ready for marriage?
“Um, what?” I blinked and tried to figure out if what Mom just said was real life.
“Oh my god, really?!” Lily exclaimed. “What does this mean?”
“Well, it means, first we get to go have Christmas Dinner at his house. Cait has yet to meet him, and you need to meet your new stepbrother, so let’s get bathed and dressed. We need to leave by six-thirty.” Lily immediately ran off to go get a shower, but I sat there and asked her about the whole situation.
“Mom, are you sure?” I said, and her beaming smile eased my worries a bit.
“Yes, Hun, I’m sure. Aaron is a kind, generous, powerful man who has fallen as head over heels for me as I have for him. We don’t need him to live, but he makes me happy, and I’m ready to start my life with him.”
Once we got to Aaron’s house, time felt like it both rushed by and stood still at the same time. Literally, I struggled to fix Lily’s hair while Mom greeted her husband, but when I entered the house, I only saw Cam’s shocked face. He downed his glass of bourbon and turned to walk away, totally ignoring Lily’s cry of happiness that he was her new brother. I knew he’d never ignore her on purpose, so I told Mom we knew him from Corey and Bast, and after I widened my eyes and looked back at Cam’s retreating form, my silent message that he was someone I recently started dating is clear. Her own eyes widened, and she nodded, fully understanding my need to go after him.
By the time I caught up with Cam, he was already in a state of denial about our situation. I can only assume he hurt, felt betrayed by his own feelings toward me, and there is nothing I could do. When he called me “Cait” in his rant, instead of the new, sweet nickname he’s been calling me, my battered heart broke again. I knew he didn’t mean to abandon me; he just couldn’t deal. I just hoped he’d come back to me at some point. I finally got all my guys, and this is no reason for us to not be happy.
Once I made it back to Mom, I gave an excuse that Cam wasn’t feeling well, and he had gone to bed. His dad was concerned, but I guess given Cam was an adult, Aaron’s priority was now Mom. And Lily, since he was her new stepdad. Poor Lily wanted to hang with Cam, but I told her we’d see him soon, and she could give him a big hug.
Mom and Aaron discussed with Lily and me that they’d already had their wedding ceremony, but they wanted to have a reception the night of New Year’s Eve and make it a big celebration. Aaron had contacted his caterer, and they’d worked out a way to offer catering for the party next weekend. Mom, Lily, and I needed to book a stylist appointment ASAP, so we decided to go on Wednesday. Mom also needed my help with planning seating and entertainment, while also planning a big move. After the New Year, we’d be moving into Aaron’s house.
As I slowly begin to fully wake up, I stare at my ceiling. I’ve got so much to do this week – I think booking movers and a storage unit are the first things on my list. Mom is booking the stylist appointment first thing this morning, so I just need to show up. I decide to text Ella and see if she’s working. I’m opening tomorrow, before going to spend the evening with Dom, so I need to talk to her today. Mom said I could invite my friends to the party, but they’d need to dress appropriately. I need to make sure Ella gets a dress.
I throw my covers off and grab my phone on the way to the kitchen. I need coffee for today, because of the chaos that has decided to move into my life.
I’ve got tea.
Els
Working, but I get off before lunch. I’ll come over so you can spill.
