18. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Weston
November
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Bridges greeted Mom and me when we arrived at Eaton Cycles in Brooklyn.
Bridges was taking us to his parents’ place in the Primrose Building for a Thanksgiving dinner party. Mom and I were both nervous about it, but it had seemed important to Bridges that we attend, so there we were.
Since the Katy Trail weekend in October, Bridges and I biked in the evenings after I finished work for the courier service and helped him around the shop. Sometimes we’d bike around Manhattan, and after, he’d accompany me home and give me a sweet goodnight kiss.
Sometimes, we rode out to Long Island, though I didn’t dare go by the Hampton’s house that CJ and Claudia now shared.
I was afraid if I saw them enjoying the place, my hatred for them would ignite the house and burn it to the ground.
I had to figure out how to channel that anger constructively, but I wasn’t there yet.
Bridges and I had continued to grow closer, and more than one night I found myself in Bridges’ bed instead of going home.
We were still taking things slowly—as in, we hadn’t taken the step of having anal sex.
The snail’s pace was killing me. I legit wanted the man to bend me over and have his way with me.
After a quick embrace with my mom, he stepped around her and wrapped me up in a hug with a kiss to my temple and a whisper in my ear. “Stay with me tonight.”
Those words were an aphrodisiac to me. I’d never been with a man who seemed to wrestle with his desires verses his morals.
I’d tried to explain to him that my father had never hinted that he’d disapprove of anyone I dated.
Knowing how much he thought of Bridges, I was sure he’d approve—though he might be jealous of the amount of time I spent with Bridges instead of him.
“If you’re sure,” I whispered in return as Mom walked into the shop and over to a really cool display Alexis had created about the carbon fiber bike frames he’d created.
Bridges nodded and kissed my forehead. Luckily, I’d left insulated leggings and some sweatshirts at his house, borrowing his clothes to get me home to change for work at the ass-crack of dawn.
I’d never admit it, but when I wasn’t with him, I slept in his soft red sweatshirt that I’d pilfered from his dresser one evening when the temperature dipped quickly.
It was a stupid teen-like thing to do, but it smelled like him, and I loved his spicy, soft scent.
I had no plans to give the sweatshirt back.
“May, can I offer you a drink before we go? Mom and Dad are having a cocktail party for their friends, and I wasn’t sure if you’d want to go.
Dinner is set for eight o’clock after everyone leaves.
I bought a bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc I remember Claude mentioning you like. Can I get you a glass?”
“Please, Bridges.” Mom smiled as he took the stairs to his apartment, giving me a thumbs up.
Mom studied the designs Alexis had on the wall in front of her drafting table. “What are these, Weston?”
I walked next to her and began to explain about the bikes Alexis was creating for mass production with a cycling manufacturing company in Taiwan. Bridges and Alexis were preparing to go to Taipei to meet in person with the team there after the first of next year.
“That’s exciting. Are you going with him?” Mom gave me a very motherly stare that said she knew more than she was giving away.
“Why would I go along? I’m not part of his business.
I’m damn lucky he’s helping me at all. I can’t take off from work for something like that, and I can’t afford a plane ticket or a hotel.
I just paid our rent to the estate, which I want to talk to Uncle Edmond about.
I’m still not clear on what you and he agreed to, and I feel like we’re being ripped off. ”
Mom scoffed. “Now, you know Edmond is only following the letter of your father’s will, Weston. He wouldn’t rip us off, as you say.”
“Well, then he must not believe I can do this ride. If he’s making us pay rent into a trust for the time we’re living in the house, then he doesn’t think I’ll be able to do the ride. I don’t know what to think about that, Mom.”
“Think about what?” Bridges came down with a tray holding three glasses of wine and a small charcuterie board.
Mom quickly jumped in. “It’s nothing, Bridges. Tell me about those bikes. Claude would have been so proud to see how you’re flourishing.”
Was that a slam at me? Did she not see how hard I’d been working to meet the fucking requirements of Dad’s will?
Bridges handed each of us a glass of wine and took one for himself.
“It’s the schematics for the new ultra-light bike we’ve created.
It’s made from...” Bridges went on to explain to Mom about carbon fiber bike frames, but meanwhile, I stewed on what she’d said about Uncle Edmond.
I made up my mind to call him the next day. We had things to discuss.
“I’ll be making a bike for Weston for the ride next June.
He’s working damn hard, May. He’s going to be successful at this.
The reason I wanted you to come to my parents’ place tonight is because I want Weston to explain to my father all the progress he’s making toward his goal.
He has three corporate sponsors for his ride, and it’s just Thanksgiving. He’s been...”
I interrupted. “I don’t think Mom cares, Bridges. She and Edmond don’t think I can accomplish anything on my own. That’s fine.”
My mood was shot to hell. I wasn’t nervous about seeing Daryl and Constance any longer. Everyone was going to come at me with preconceived notions of my abilities and their judgments on my progress. I wasn’t sure how the fuck I could ever overcome that.
“Weston, I didn’t say anything of the sort.
I have faith in you, son. I would have contested the will if I didn’t think you could show all of those people you could handle the responsibility of planning and completing whatever you chose to try.
I want you to use this time to show yourself that you can do anything.
Please, don’t doubt me, Weston. I’m your biggest cheerleader.
” Mom hugged me, and I couldn’t not hug her back.
We’d been through a lot of shit together, and she had always been my fiercest supporter.
I downed my glass of wine and picked up a cube of cheddar and a cracker. “We’re taking a car service. Sine no one’s driving, West, you want another glass?” Bridges offered me a comforting smile.
“Oh, he doesn’t need another glass.” Mom’s comment immediately sparked my temper, especially after she’d been so supportive.
“I’d love another glass, Daddy.” Yeah, it was dirty pool to call him the sexually charged nickname in front of my mother, especially since Bridges and I hadn’t talked about kinks, but my response was more about shock value for my mother that I was old enough to drink if I wanted than hinting at any desire to have an age-play relationship.
Thankfully, when I turned to hand him my empty glass, Bridges smirked. “Stop. You’re being a brat.”
He rushed up the stairs as I turned to Mom. “I’m not a child, you know. I’m legally an adult, and I can make the decision about whether I’ve had too much to drink.”
Mom scowled as he put her wineglass on a nearby table. “Don’t embarrass him in front of his parents, Weston.”
Bridges’ laughter echoed through the showroom.
“May, let me stop you there. I know West realizes he has to make an impression on my father to get his vote, but there’s nothing he could do to embarrass me.
My parents and I have a tenuous relationship at best. If my father wasn’t a voting member of the Board of Directors, I wouldn’t ask either of you to endure the bullshit we’re going to see at this dinner. ”
Bridges held up the bottle of Sav Blanc and three clean wine glasses. “The car will be here in a minute. Let’s enjoy the ride.”
God, I wanted to hug that man hard. How the hell had he come into my life just when I needed him? He was a fucking powerhouse, and I was here for it.
We got into the sedan, me in the middle of the backseat as Bridges poured Mom and me another glass of wine and then himself while the car headed across the bridge and uptown. I was still dreading the dinner, but with a little lubrication and Bridges’ vigilance, I’d be okay.
“May, dear, it’s so good to see you. We’re sorry we didn’t reach out sooner, but we wanted to respect your privacy to grieve at your own pace.” Constance greeted Mom as we stepped off the elevator into their apartment at the Primrose.
Constance hugged her and air-kissed Mom’s cheeks, and I was immediately pissed.
Neither of the Eaton’s reached out to us after Dad died.
Seeing them now was the first time I’d seen them since Dad’s funeral.
I was struck dumb at Constance’s proclamation that they were giving Mom ten months to grieve before they checked on her.
Mom, always the diplomat, responded with a smile. “Thank you, Constance. I truly appreciate your consideration.”
It was bullshit, but I stood next to Mom and kept my mouth shut until Daryl turned his attention to me. “Well, Weston, how’ve you been? What are you doing these days?”
It took everything inside me to keep from suggesting he go fuck himself, but I held my tongue and thought about the end result I was seeking. He was a voting member of the Board, and I needed him on my side.
“I’m doing well, sir. I’m working for an executive courier service in Manhattan. I’ve even delivered packages to the Aames Building a few times. How’ve you been, Mr. Eaton?”
If you can’t kill them with kindness, dazzle them with bullshit. My history teacher told us that during my senior year of high school. Mr. Bernard wasn’t wrong.
“Well, we miss Claude, but the business is thriving. I don’t know if you’re aware of what’s going on at Aames Investments.” His haughty tone fueled the anger Mom had stoked earlier.
I took a deep breath and released it, remembering that cooler heads always prevailed.
“Perhaps you weren’t privy to the fine print of Dad’s will, but I’m not to be included in any of the meetings regarding Aames Investments until I complete the vetting and approval process.
I’m glad the business is doing so well. I’m sure Dad would have wanted that above all else. ”
Bridges touched my shoulder and moved me further into the Eaton’s apartment so he could close the front door.
Their home was quite the spectacle of ostentatious wealth, but then again, my parents’ place wasn’t a shack in the woods, either.
It was all symbolic of the world where they all lived and thrived, the world of wealth.
It was a world I wanted nothing to do with.
We went into the elaborate dining room to see a full Thanksgiving spread on the long table. There were people in attendance I’d never met, and my nerves were back, bringing along their friend, paranoia. Were they setting some sort of trap for me?
Instead of having wine with dinner, I decided it was best to stick to water. I needed to be on my best behavior—and my toes—when I met the other guests so I didn’t sound like an idiot while answering any questions.
Bridges escorted me around the room as everyone was finishing their cocktails. “Weston Aames, meet Renee Harmon and her son, Josh.”
Ms. Harmon held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Weston. I’m the CEO of Athletiwise Athletic Wear. I learned that you’re garnering a lot of attention for your cross-country ride. We’d love to discuss an opportunity to be a part of it as a sponsor.”
I glanced at Bridges to see a smile, so I turned to the woman. “Thank you, Ms. Harmon. I’d like to discuss a sponsorship with you at another time. I don’t want to disrupt the Eaton’s Thanksgiving celebration,” I quietly responded.
“Oh, of course. Connie has my number. Reach out next week,” Ms. Harmon responded before Bridges moved me to another group of folks.
“Malcolm and George Greene, this is Weston Aames. I think Mom told you about West’s upcoming cycling adventure.” Bridges held my hand like a grounding rod, probably to keep me from freaking out, and I appreciated it.
The taller man smiled. “We have a foundation that supports the mission of the Rainbow Equality Alliance. Maybe you’ve heard of it, The Greene Foundation. We provide educational grants to homeless gay youth. We’d be proud to become part of your ride.”
I couldn’t speak. Why the fuck had the Eaton’s invited people to dinner who were willing to support my mission? Something didn’t seem right, but if I questioned it, maybe I’d wake up and find out it was all a dream.
“Uh, thank you, sirs. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support.”
Bridges released my hand, only to put his on the back of my neck and lean forward to whisper in my ear. “Keep talking, baby boy. This is exactly what you need to do. Tell them about the meetings you’re setting up across the country.”
I glanced to my right to see the reassuring grin on Bridges’ face.
His support was all I needed before I turned to the Greene’.
“It would be great to hear more about your foundation. I’m setting up meetings with LGBTQ+ organizations as I cross the country to create community awareness of some of the issues facing our brothers and sisters under the rainbow umbrella and how anyone can help.
I’d love to highlight your foundation as a community partner. ”
Bridges squeezed my shoulder. “Good job. Let’s sit down.”
With a reassuring hand on my back, I took a seat next to Bridges, while Mom sat at the end of the large table next to Constance and Daryl. It was good to see the smile on Mom’s face. It was as if she was back in the haze of when she and Claude were members of the elite set.
I glanced toward Bridges for any guidance he could give me to maneuver the minefield we were sitting in. I was grateful for the support I’d heard from the guests, but why the fuck had the Eaton’s invited those folks to Thanksgiving?
It wasn’t because they liked me, especially Daryl. Of that, I was sure.