11 | Alcohol and Aaron ?

I tap my fingers against the marble while draining out the beer bottles I found in Aaron's closet. It's taking an annoyingly long time to do so.

"Three down, five more to go!" I say with an exasperated sigh and close my eyes momentarily.

"What the hell are you doing?" Aaron shrieks behind me and snatches the bottle away from my hand.

Anger surges through my veins, making me furious as his words settle in. Even before I can think of my action I throw my hand forward as hard as I can, whipping it across his face. The impact of the skin on skin echoed in the kitchen.

"Are you going to argue with me over this?" I give him a bitter accusing laugh full of disgust and reach for the bottle in his hand, feeling the vibrations of pain in my palm reaching the fingertips.

I get back to what I was doing without giving much thought to the event. Meanwhile, I try to sneak a glance at Aaron who's eyes have dilated in surprise. His cheeks are turning into the same shade of red as my palm.

We stand in utter silence with our legs frozen on the floor until I am done with the last one. Then, I walk to the counter and slide the lemon drink I made for him to make him feel refreshed.

"Drink it."

Aaron obediently holds the cup in his hand and put it to his mouth while his eyes show a flurry of emotions when they zero on me.

"Rose..." My name coming from his mouth sounds torturous as if he doesn't like saying it at all and his grip is firmly making his knuckles turn white as he processes the next word in his mind, "Why?"

My jaw drops and my blood boils at his word.

"Are you fucking serious, Aaron ?" I pucker my lips at him and then continue, " What the heck were you thinking your drinking problems will lead to ?" He opens his mouth to argue but closes it immediately when I walk up to him.

"Don't you dare to give me your shitty lame reasons! Not in any case drinking is acceptable. Aaron Abner you don't need to prove that you are the son of your father by such actions too..."

I immediately regret the last words as soon as they leave my mouth. I have gone too far with the words now.

"Thanks for reminding me." He says with clenched teeth and walks out of the house.

Aaron's biological father, Charlie Carter, was an alcoholic. I don't really have any memory of him, but only of the days when he came barging into my house hunting for Aaron. He would beat him until he was black and blue and often gave him black eyes for absolutely no reason.

Compelled by Charlie's beastly behavior Mrs. Abner filed a case of domestic violence against him and after the trials, she divorced Charlie. The same day Aaron decided that he'll go by his mother's name, thus Aaron Carter became Aaron Abner. This happened almost eight years ago. After that, we never talked of Charlie until today when I blurted out.

I run after him several seconds later to beg for his forgiveness. I stop at the door to catch my breath.

"Aaron... Wait!"

He finally turns to look at me, but none of us move.

A car pulls in the driveway, distracting me.

The door opens and it's a girl!

"Oh, there you are!" She notices Aaron, purposely ignoring the fact that he's looking at me and I am standing hardly ten meters away. As if it is not enough, she throws her arms around his neck and starts nibbling at his ear with her teeth.

Gross!

Aaron continues to bore his eyesight into me, without protesting her actions.

"Whatever." I can't contain my irritation and shut the door. "His dating life is none of my business.", I exhale.

I take a shower, to wash away the smell of beer that's clinging to my skin since last night. The cold water stream gushes on my palm whose redness is now all gone however, the sick feeling persists.

With a towel draped around my body, I walk out and grab my cell phone to make a call.

"Oh, my darling! " The love and warmth of Mom's voice fill the holes in my heart.

"I miss you, Mom." I want to add more, but I know I won't be able to hold back the tears which are pooling in my eyes.

"Rose, I'll be there soon Honey!" She blows me a kiss from the other side, "I love you. Always remember."

"I love you too, Mom." I squeak.

These words of hers are enough for me to provide the motivation for some time. While filling her with more details about my pacing life including my job and school, I go through my wardrobe to decide what to wear. By the time, the call ends I have finalized my outfit.

I am surprised when I find, Ryan waiting for me when I step out of the house. His eyes travel down my body, making my cheeks warm.

"I still have half an hour before my shift starts. " I mention this to him.

"That's why I am here." He gives me a little courtesy and opens the door of his Mustang for me.

While he drives, I can't control but sneak glances at him helplessly. He has not apparently shaven and god forbid, I am drooling at his face. Why he has to be so mouth-watering?

What?

Mouth-watering?

I sniffle a laugh at my absurd thoughts.

"Fantasizing about me ?" Ryan shifts to meet my eyes and places his hand over his heart, "Tell me or you'll break this little heart of mine!"

"Not at all." I smack his head lightly with my palm.

"Ouch! That hurts!" He bursts out laughing, "You just crushed my fragile male ego!"

"I was wondering if your beard pricks the skin of your partner when you make out." Ryan's laughter disappears as soon as these stupid words leave my mouth.

Ryan applies the break and turns around unbuckling his seatbelt. The air is charged and dense in the car while my heart leaps into my mouth. My body won't move despite my efforts.

He leans in, pressing his lips on my cheeks and trailing the kisses to my neck. His touch starts fireworks across my body and I'm already on cloud nine...