19. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
Bridges
I wanted to hug my mother for inviting the Greenes and Renee Harmon and Josh.
Mom was on a few boards of one thing or another with George Greene and Renee Harmon, and when I’d broken down and met her for lunch at her favorite spot a week ago, it was my golden opportunity to convince her to do me a favor.
Nougatine at Jean-Georges, One Central Park West, New York City
“You’re never free for lunch,” Mom said. “What gives?”
I stood outside Nougatine waiting to escort her inside. A lady never goes into an eatery alone was something I’d been taught since I was five.
Once we were inside, a server took us to Mom’s favorite table and I held her chair—another thing I’d been taught since I was five. I rolled my eyes at the thought.
Once I was sitting in my chair, I sucked in a deep breath. It’s now or never. “I’m dating Weston Aames, and I want you to help him get sponsors so he can pass the vote from the Board of Aames Investments.”
Dating? It was what we were doing, right? We didn’t explicitly say “Let’s go on a date,” but we spent time together—clothed and not clothed—so it was just fine to say we were dating, right?
“Dating? You’re dating Claude’s young son? How’d this come about?” Mom was surprised, of course, but I’d expected her to be happy, not skeptical.
“After that bullshit at Claude’s will reading, I was worried about him, so I reached out. Did Dad know what Claude had in mind with his will?” My parents didn’t keep secrets from each other as far as I knew. If Dad knew, he’d have told her, I was sure.
The server approached our table with a friendly smile. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Eaton. I’m Jacque, and I’ll be your server today. Would you like water? Still, sparkling, or bottled.” He handed each of us a menu.
“Still water, please, and a white wine spritzer.” Mom then glanced at me.
“I’ll have an unsweetened iced tea, please.” I opened my menu and perused the lunch offerings.
Nougatine was the more casual offering at Jean-Georges, a New York City staple for Mom and her friends.
We sat inside versus on the outdoor patio because the temperature was in the mid-sixties with a bit of a breeze, and Mom had already made her salon trip for the week.
I knew better than to ask the host before we were seated.
The server returned with our drinks and we ordered lunch. When he walked away, Mom took a sip of her drink and then steadied her gaze at me. “So, tell me about Weston Aames and you.”
Where to start? My mind’s eye produced a picture of West’s gorgeous smile and sleep-tussled hair from the previous morning and how happy I’d been when he hurried under the blanket and slurped my cock into his mouth. That probably wasn’t something I should share with my mother.
“It’s still new. We’ve been on a few trips together for him to train and experience some of the things he should expect next June.”
“What’s next June?”
My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. “Didn’t Dad tell you?
West is riding across the country for charity to prove to the Board of Aames that he’s prepared to take the helm.
He’s lining up sponsors, and he’s planning to donate money to the Rainbow Equality Alliance in San Francisco at the end of his ride. ”
“And you’re helping him? How much is all of this costing you, Bridges?” Yep, skepticism was the flavor of the day.
“Number one, he’s working at the shop every day after he finishes his courier job. For every hour I’ll be with him on the ride, he’s giving me an hour of work.”
“Oh, so you’re screwing your employee. That’s a great idea, Bridges.” The raised eyebrow reminded me of the ass chewings I used to get when I did something stupid as a kid.
“Okay, that’s harsh. We’re taking things slowly, Mother. Look, he makes me happy. He and I enjoy biking together and, if I recall correctly, you worked with Dad at a brokerage house before I came along. You dated your boss.”
Mom giggled. “He wasn’t my boss. He worked for my boss. Anyway, are you going through a mid-life crisis? How much older are you than Weston?”
I should have guessed that was coming my way. “There’s twenty years between us, but it doesn’t bother us. Your parents were thirty years apart in age,” I reminded.
Mom smirked. “Yes, but that was back in the fifties when that sort of thing was done. Do you have anything in common?”
“Yes, but we’re still learning about each other. Not everyone gets married after knowing each other for three months, Mom.” My parents’ whirlwind courtship was a thing of legends in the Eaton family.
I got to be at Mom and Dad’s shotgun wedding. That was the part that Mom seemed to skip over when she told the rather fairytale-esque story of their courtship. I always laughed.
“Yes, well, I guess that’s not a problem you’ll encounter. Okay, if you enjoy his company and the two of you are getting to know each other, then I’m happy. What can I do to help?”
Present
And that was how the Greene’s and Harmon’s got invited to Thanksgiving dinner. I wasn’t sure how Mom got Dad to agree to it, but we were there, and I had Constance to thank. She might walk around with her nose in the air most of the time, but I could always count on her in the long run.
“May, what are your plans going forward?” She was at the other end of the table with Mom and Dad, but there was something about the tone of my mother’s voice that had me immediately turning in that direction.
“I’m going to move back to Vermont for a while. I have family back there, and I feel like it would be helpful to be around them.” May’s voice wasn’t loud thankfully. West hadn’t mentioned her move to me, leading me to believe he didn’t know. Her telling him at a dinner party was a shit move.
West was talking to Malcolm and George about the Katy Trail in Missouri, and when May answered Mom, I was glad he hadn’t heard her. George and Malcolm were telling West about places they’d hiked when they were younger.
Dad spoke up. “What are you doing with the apartment?”
“Well, we’re having to pay rent for it right now into the trust, and it’s foolish for West and I to have all of that room. I’ve asked Edmond to sell it.”
Suddenly, all conversation stopped. I glanced at Weston to see his face was pale. He didn’t move for a moment, and then he stood, folded his napkin and placed it next to his plate. “Excuse me.”
He quickly left the room, and I was livid. I followed him, finding him pacing the sunroom. “West, did your mother tell you she’s selling the apartment and moving back to Vermont? I wasn’t told anything as the executor.” I stepped behind him and touched his shoulder, trying to judge his distress.
West released a sob, so I turned him into my chest and held him. God, what was wrong with people?
After a moment, he stepped back a bit, but I didn’t release him. “She doesn’t think I can finish the ride either. God, am I stupid for thinking anyone has ever believed in me? Now, I’ll be living in a box in the park.”
“Baby boy, I believe in you, and I know how hard you’ve worked for this. You won’t be homeless and you’re not living in a box in the park. Don’t let this discourage you, please. I’m in your corner all the way.” And I was. Whatever happened, I would be there for him.
Unfortunately, May chose that moment to come into the sunroom. “Bridges, will you excuse us?”
“No, May. I won’t. Weston and I are leaving. Here’s cab fare to get home.” I reached into my wallet and handed her a hundred, knowing there was no way West wanted to talk to her at the moment.
I took his hand and led him out to the foyer to collect our coats from the hall closet and send a text to the car service to pick us up. Weston had been blindsided by his mother’s news, and I wouldn’t make him return to the dining room and pretend nothing had happened.
I put my hand on his back and guided us out the door and down the hallway to the elevator. “You don’t have to go, Bridges. I’d like some time alone so I’ll walk home. Are you opening the shop tomorrow?” The light in his eyes was gone, and the doubt that replaced it tore me up inside.
“No, I’m not opening tomorrow. Alexis went with Stephanie for the holiday, and since I’m not having a Black Friday sale of any kind, I doubt I’d have any customers. Come home with me and let’s talk about this, baby boy.”
Weston sighed, his demeanor revealing how emotionally exhausted he felt. “I just want to be by myself. I’ll come over tomorrow after work.”
As much as I wanted to insist he go home with me, I had to respect his wishes. He wanted time to process what had just happened, and I had to let him. I didn’t have to like it, though.
I took off my coat and tossed it on the mahogany table in the middle of the foyer, stamping back into the dining room.
I sat down and said nothing because I had nothing nice to say.
Besides, I didn’t want to leave the Greene’s and Renee Harmon with the impression we didn’t appreciate their offers of support.
“Weston felt unwell, so he went home. He asked that I get your number, George, and yours too, Ms. Harmon. His team will reach out next week to solidify the sponsorship details,” I said.
After dinner, I said goodbye to everyone except May. The words I had for her weren’t fit to be said in front of decent company. I’d thought she had her son’s back, and maybe she did, but It was clear to me that she still thought of Weston as a child. I knew better that he was all man.
There was no way I was letting nay-sayers rip away the little bit of confidence West had built in himself these few months as he prepared for the challenges the ride would present. If he didn’t have that confidence right now, I’d have it for him until he got his back.