Chapter 12

TWELVE

The universe is finally on my side.

Damn, April has finally gotten to me.

This could be the start of a new life, one I’ve dreamed of for such a long time. I quickly press on my phone again, dialing Ava’s number. The phone rings for the longest time as I tap my foot impatiently on the dirty floor. I’m going to have to catch the bus every single goddamn day until I can save some money to buy my own car.

I guess it could be so much worse.

“Hey, what’s up?” Ava answers quickly. “I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“Kind of in the middle of what?” I ask, cringing.

“God, nothing like that,” she claims. “Besides, it’s like midday, and I’ve got one kid who refuses to take a nap and another who is completely zonked out on the couch. Do you know what that means?”

“What does that mean?”

“It means their naptimes are no longer synced. I have to somehow figure out how to get things done because I’ve lost two hours of freedom.”

“Just call Mom to help you.”

“I can’t just run to Mom every time I need help,” Ava raises her voice, but it wakes whoever is asleep, so she lowers her tone to barely above a whisper.

“Why? She loves your kids and babysitting,” I remind her. “She says it all the time.”

“Maybe because Mom still has a career. She runs her own business and manages people. Mom’s still girl-bossing at her age. Dumping my kids on her is unfair because I’m having a bad day.”

I’m all out of ideas on how to help Ava, growing bored with her dilemma.

“Okay, so what about Millie? Dump them on her.”

“Why are you calling?” she responds impatiently. “It’s not about my kids.”

“Right, okay. So, I wanted to tell you, I got the job.”

A crackling sound over the speaker sounds like Ava dropped the phone.

“Oh my god. We’ve been talking about my situation, which you don’t care about anyway, and all this time, you could’ve told me you got the job. Congrats, sis,” she rushes in excitement. “Give me all the details but wait a minute, let me get comfortable because River looks like she is just about to pass out. Maybe my talking to you is helping, so I probably shouldn’t stop talking.”

I glance at the window to see I’m not so far from Ava’s place.

“I’m on the bus, about to hop off,” I tell her while standing up. “I was hoping I could come over because I need a new wardrobe.”

“Fine, see you soon.”

* * *

“When I agreed to lend you one outfit for the interview, I didn’t agree to lend you an entire wardrobe for your new corporate career,” Ava complains as I sift through her wardrobe and pick out items to wear.

Hanging over my arm is a nice gray pencil skirt, a black buttoned shirt, and a matching blazer to the skirt.

“But you’re so pretty and so talented,” I coerce in my sweetest tone. “You’re the best big sister ever.”

Ava’s girls managed to fall asleep simultaneously, which is why she’s hovering over me and watching what I take. When I reach to pull out a nice beige dress, she instantly slaps my hand and demands I put it back. Something about Valentino and vintage.

The baby monitor she’s carrying in her hand makes a crackling sound before a cry blares through the speaker. Ava’s shoulders fall, followed by a heavy sigh.

“Freedom is over. I’ll meet you downstairs when you’re done.”

I spend another twenty minutes going through her clothes since she has a lot. Of all my sisters, Ava’s wardrobe is like the women’s department at Macy’s. Racks, and racks, of clothing, all of which are organized into colors and or styles.

When I’m finished, I borrow two pairs of pants, three skirts, and four blouses. It’s enough for me to mix and match until I can afford to buy my own clothes.

Ava is inside the kitchen with River, who is sitting in her highchair, attempting to eat some fruit. River has grown so much in the last year. Walking, somewhat talking, she’s a mini-Austin and it’s super cute. It’s not just her, everyone has grown. I’m only two months away from turning the big twenty. Time sure did fly when I was having fun in Europe.

Austin arrives home from some meeting to pick up Emmy. She has a playdate with her bestie so Austin will drop her off before heading back to the hospital. His hello is quick, followed by a goodbye as he races out the door with an excited girl behind him.

When River sees them leave, she extends her hands and wails.

“Such a Daddy’s girl,” Ava mumbles, then pulls out some crackers and Jell-O which instantly quietens River.

I make myself and Ava some coffee from her fancy machine. Placing the steaming hot cups on the table, I sit beside her but quickly get back up again to grab some cookies from the jar on the countertop.

Their house has always felt like home to me, or maybe because they make me feel like I’m part of the family. When it comes down to who I feel more comfortable around, it’s definitely Ava and Austin. I love Will and Millie, but their house has a different dynamic. Way more chaotic with three boys running around.

“Tell me more about the job,” Ava asks while blowing the steam away from the mug.

I quickly open the email from Meredith, scrolling to read as fast as I can. Everything is quite formal. Attached are employment forms and a contract. The pay is average compared to other roles I’ve applied for, but beggars can’t be choosers.

My finger clicks on the third attachment, which is a job description. The main part of the role is assisting Meredith with admin-type tasks. From what I’ve read, nothing to do with April’s stepfather, which is a relief. I much prefer working with a woman.

“I’m just a junior assistant. I’ll be reporting to Meredith.”

“Meredith?” Ava questions, raising her eyebrows.

“Yeah, she’s Hunter Cash’s executive personal assistant. I’ll be helping her,” I say while reading the concluding part of the email. “He’s April’s stepfather.”

Ava shakes her head like she’s in disbelief.

“Let me get this straight. Hunter cash is April’s stepfather and you never once told me this?”

“Why would I tell you this?” I answer in confusion. “What does it matter?”

“What does it matter?” Ava repeats in a high-pitched tone. “Have you seen Hunter Cash?”

“Actually, no. He hasn’t been home. April warned me her parents aren’t around much. They got married about a year ago. She said their marriage is kind of weird,” I blurt out, then continue so Ava will leave me alone. “I’ve met April’s mom. Let’s say she fits well into the bored housewife image.”

“And you haven’t met Hunter Cash?”

“No, Ava,” I drag for the millionth time. “I told you, I haven’t met him. He’s been traveling or something. I don’t know. April said chances of me running into him would be incredibly slim hence why it was okay for me to stay there.”

Ava takes a moment to process, so I assume Q & A time is over.

“So, wait a minute. Let me get this story in my head in order,” she begins with, slowing down like she’s trying to solve a riddle or something. Then, she continues, “You’re staying in Hunter Cash’s house. Now, you’ve got a job as an assistant for Hunter Cash.”

“Ava, for the love of God,” I raise my voice in frustration. “Yes, I’m technically staying in his house. I’m not working for him as his executive assistant. Any more questions? Because I really don’t understand why your brain can’t compute this.”

“I have one more question,” she adds while I let out a groan and fall back into my chair. “Have you googled him?”

“No …” I answer slowly. “Why would I google him? I just figured he was like some old dude. I know he’s thirty, but that’s old.”

An obnoxious laugh leaves Ava’s mouth. “Firstly, thirty is not old. Thirty is hot. Why don’t you google him right now? You’re welcome.”

Just to get her off my back, I open my search engine and type in his name. The page instantly fills with images of a very attractive man. As I look closer, he looks exactly like the man inside the elevator. The one with the big feet.

Oh shit…

Hunter Cash busted me staring at his crotch. FUCK! Now, how am I supposed to face him? Sure, it’s one thing to see him in the office, which is manageable if everyone stays professional. But what if April is wrong and I run into him at her house?

“Okay, why the face? He’s hot, right.”

“Um, sure. Attractive, yes.”

Ava rolls her eyes at me. “You sound like Mom when she’s in front of Dad.”

I take a deep breath, then sputter the truth. “I kinda saw him in the elevator and had no idea who he was. One thing led to another and ….”

“What do you mean one thing led to another?” Ava almost shouts. The volume of her voice causes River to stop mid-cracker and stare at her mother in bewilderment. “You hooked up with him?”

“God, no! He just caught me staring at him.”

Ava clutches her chest, releasing a long-winded sigh. “You had me for a moment. Look, not the best first impression, but it’s not that bad. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.”

“How was I supposed to know it was him?” I ask defensively.

“You google him. You google everyone,” Ava states, crossing her arms. “At what point did you think to not google him? Your bestie says you can stay with her and her rich stepdaddy. Weren’t you the least curious if he was hot?”

My gaze fixates on Ava, wondering how we’re so alike most of the time, but other times, it’s like we live on different planets.

“I don’t know what sick and twisted world you live in, but why would I google her stepdaddy? Even the word stepdaddy is just wrong.”

Ava huffs, staring at me like I’m an idiot.

“Open your eyes, Alexa. Hunter Cash is hot. He’s like the next biggest billionaire or something like that.” It almost feels like I’m being disciplined by a teacher. “I’m sure if you ask Will or even Dad, he’d know who he is.”

“Yeah, sure, I’ll ask Dad,” I mumble.

Ava pulls River out of her chair, wiping her down quickly.

“Back to my room. This changes everything.”

Once again, we’re standing inside her closet, but this time Ava pulls clothes off the rack and forces me to take them. With Hunter suddenly in the picture, everything is low-cut or short. I don’t exactly have big breasts, yet Ava made sure all the blouses and bodysuits have low cleavage.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do,” I say while eyeing a lacy top that is not professional. “But I’m not going to dress slutty just because he’s hot.”

“So, you admit it?”

“I never denied it,” I mutter, annoyed with her and desperate to leave. “Look, I want to make an impression and keep the job so I can earn some money to make it on my own. Not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth to which they gladly eat from.”

Ava places her hand on her hip, annoyed at my analogy. As far as she’s concerned, her success is all her.

But we all know the Edwards name can get you places, no matter whether you want it to or not.

My arm is weighted down by all the clothes Ava has added. “I think there’s plenty for me to choose from. Just one more favor?”

“What?” she questions impatiently.

I put on my biggest smile. “A ride home, pretty please.”

* * *

On the twenty-minute car ride home, Eric calls Ava with an emergency. When he says anything is an emergency or even crisis, it’s never life or death.

It turns out that when his dog walker was walking his dog, she stopped to chat with another dog walker. The dogs basically had sex while they were gossiping about something, and now Eric’s dog is knocked up. The other dog’s owner happens to be a long-lost ex of Eric’s, and shit has hit the fan in his house over custody of the puppies.

I couldn’t make this stuff up even if I tried.

Ava eventually gets him off the phone when we turn into the street of April’s property.

At the front gates, I see a familiar car. On closer inspection, I notice it’s mine. What the hell? Mom steps out of the car, looking tired. Ava stops the car near the gates, allowing me to get out.

“Mom, what are you doing here with my car?”

She moves closer to me, dropping her eyes to the ground before raising them to meet mine. Standing so close to her, I can see they’re red with dark circles around them. My stomach begins to churn, thinking of how much I’m hurting her. Something I always oversee when I’m so angry with my father.

“Alexa,” she manages, keeping her voice low, “I don’t ask for much. I never ask for much. But please, this time, I’m asking you to think of me.”

“Mom, I—”

She hands out the keys to my car. “I need to know you are safe. Please take your car back. I know this was a gift from your father and me, but I’m asking you to please understand how much I worry about you. I’m not sleeping, Alexa. You’re my baby, and if anything happens to you …” She trails off, choking on her words.

It’s time for me to stop being selfish, not if it means I’m hurting her.

“Mom,” I whisper. “I don’t like seeing you like this.”

“Then please, take your car back. This is not the safest of cities, and I just want to know you have at least this basic necessity.”

She’s still holding out the keys, which I stare at for the longest of times. I may have told my father this wasn’t my battle, but it’s not Mom’s either.

“Okay, Mom,” I say faintly as I take the keys off her. “Thank you.”

Her pained eyes meet mine, followed by a relieved smile. She doesn’t hug me or offer any other affection, turning her back to walk to Ava’s car.

It dawns on me Ava must have known, or else how would Mom have gotten home?

“Mom?” I call again, forcing her to stop and turn back around. “I love you. That will absolutely never change, okay?”

She nods silently, still with a smile on her face. “Ditto, Kid.”