The Entitled Read online

  “I love you,” I blurt. “I love our tattoos. I love my flowers.” I’m breathing rapidly, my eyes stinging with tears as I walk into the living room.

  He chuckles. “That’s a lot of love, birthday girl”

  “It is.” I smile. “When are you coming over?” I look around the room Brance and my mom have been redecorating. My mom’s taste is far from elegant.

  “Soon,” I hear him groan as he stretches. I picture him all warm and hard, his dark curls a mess.

  Which makes me remember my mom. “Oh my God, Reed!” I can’t hide my excitement. “Mom got Botox yesterday. Her face looks like she had a stroke! You have to be nice though.” A twinge of guilt swims over me. I shouldn’t be happy at my mom’s expense.

  “Wait a minute… What?” He sounds distracted.

  “Are you listening?” I demand. “She looks crazy! Just act like you don’t notice it.”

  “You’re kidding, right? What the hell is wrong with her? I thought you said she was looking better now that she has this sick codependence thing going on with Brance.”

  “Well he’s not with her twenty-four hours a day. Although she is begging for him to move in.” I twirl my hair around my finger.

  “Well, he can’t,” he kind of grunts. “You don’t have enough room for all his security.” He’s joking, I think. Ignoring his comment, I zero in on his breathing.

  “Reed? What are you doing?” My core clenches and cheeks get hot.

  “What do you think I’m doing?” I hear another harsh breath.

  “Reed Saddington! Are you… you know.” I check to make sure my mom hasn’t materialized. I’m shy whenever I have to verbalize anything sexual.

  He laughs. “Well, I was trying to rub one out listening to your sexy voice, but you ruined it with the visual of Olive Oyl and her stroke eye.”

  “I knew it.” My voice sounds shaky. I should be chastising him. Instead I’m all tingly, thinking about him touching himself.

  “Reed…?”

  “Are you alone?” His voice is harsh.

  Suddenly, I wish Brance wasn’t on his way over. “Yes.” It comes out like a whisper. Clearing my voice, I add, “But Brance will be here any minute.”

  Lately, all Reed has to do is say my name, and I start to flush. Trying to distract him and myself, I keep talking about my mom.

  “She looks bad. I kind of feel sorry for her. She was crying, and I had to hear this whole speech about how she was always plain and I’m beautiful. It makes me feel bad for her… kind of,” I say slowly, listening for any sounds indicating Reed is still masturbating.

  He’s silent for a moment. Then it sounds like he is moving around. I can’t lie; I’m a little disappointed.

  “Kitten, you are one of the kindest people I know.” There’s the sound of a door shutting. “Now, Olive Oyl, she’s pathetic. Serves her right. She makes herself look like a freak.”

  “You have to stop calling her Olive Oyl.” I bite my bottom lip so as not to laugh. He is right though. She does resemble the cartoon minus the black hair.

  “It’s my birthday. The whole place is decorated. She worked super hard on it, so try to be nice to her.” Lying back on the couch, I picture Reed shirtless, his toned abs flexing down to that V that makes me drool.

  “You’re playing the birthday card today, huh? What will you give me if I’m on my best behavior? Actually, fuck that. Beyond good behavior. I’m talking major ass kissing.” His voice is husky.

  Bolting up, I ask, “What do you want?” sounding way too enthusiastic.

  “I want to have you all to myself tonight. Me and my birthday girl.” My heart races and my stomach flips again. As I rub my legs together, a ripple of pleasure zings straight to the inside of my legs. Reed and I have been doing some major make-out sessions. But he hasn’t gone any further than my breasts. I wonder what he is going to do to me tonight. I hope he makes me come—I want him to.

  “Deal,” I whisper. My eyes dart around as I wait for my mother to explode into our sphere.

  “What was that, Kitten?”

  I smile into my phone. “You’re such a brat… deal, I can’t wait!”

  “Neither can I. I’ll be over around two. Claire still insisting we wear suits?”

  “Yep!”

  “Prepare yourself for prince charming. I love you,” he says, his voice low and gravelly.

  “Love you too.” Hanging up, I literally start singing, not caring that my voice is average at best. I’m happy, so I belt out the Beatles’ “Birthday” as I roll around the couch.

  My singing is cut short when our doorman calls, alerting me that Brance is on his way up. Throwing open the door, I stare, fascinated. Brance is hauling three large garment bags and is accompanied by a girl covered in tattoos. She has pink hair and follows him, pulling a makeup bag on wheels.

  “Brance, what the hell have you done? It’s just us!”

  He pushes some metallic streamers out of the way and kisses me on the lips. “No arguing with me, Tess. It’s your birthday! Claire is going to need all of my attention.” He huffs. “Tess, this is Tilly.” He wraps an arm around Tilly’s shoulder. “This woman is mind-blowing in the art of makeup. Between the two of us, I am confident we can tape up your mother’s eye. Where is she?” His chocolate eyes roam the room and he no doubt takes in the ridiculous explosion of party decorations, paper lanterns, streamers, and tinsel dangling from the ceiling. “Thank God, is that coffee I smell?” He veers toward the kitchen.

  Laughing, I say, “What would I do without you?”

  I turn to the girl with pink hair. “Hello, welcome to the insane asylum.” I wave my hands like I’m Vanna White. She looks around in awe.

  “Can I get you a cup of coffee?” I offer, having no idea where Brance found Tilly. She is clearly much older than we are.

  “That would be awesome. Wow… I always wondered who actually lives in places like this.”

  “Yeah, don’t hold it against Tess. She can’t help that she’s rich and some decorator puked glitter all over her apartment for her big day.”

  My eyes widen. “Excuse me, what are you?”

  He ignores me as he opens the fridge.

  “Oh my God!” Tilly has her hands over her mouth. “That is your refrigerator? It looks like a cabinet!”

  Brance and I glance at it, both of us numb to such extravagant things. She walks over to it, her hands touching how it all blends in with the wooden cabinets. “So cool.”

  Smiling, I say, “Two coffees, coming up. Tilly? Do you like anything in yours?” I’m already scooping two large spoonfuls of sugar into Brance’s cup.

  “Just a little crème if you have it.”

  “Of course.” I hand them both their cups.

  All of us turn as we hear the door open. Maria and her sister Letty bustle in carrying all kinds of bags filled with food and alcohol.

  “Hola.” I skip over to them. I have grown up with these two women and love them like family. My mother is not an easy woman to work for, so I always make sure they know how much I appreciate them.

  “Hola. Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl.” Maria drops the bags on the counter, pulling me into a warm hug.

  “Thank you.” Turning, I hug Letty, who hands me a small wrapped present.

  I’m touched. “You two shouldn’t have,” and I mean that. I have more than any fifteen-year-old could ever want or need. But this little gift means they care. My eyes well with tears.

  “It isn’t much, but we love you and it’s a special day.” Maria winks at me.

  A loud gasp fills the room, “Oh… mi amor, these are so magnificent. From Mr. Reed, yes?” Letty praises my flowers, her fingers fluttering over the roses. She loves Reed.

  “Yes, Letty, from Reed.” It’s impossible to stop my goofy smile.

  “Jesus,” Tilly breathes out. “I don’t think I have ever seen anything that spectacular. Your boyfriend sent you these?”

  Starting to feel self-conscious, I wonder, what mus
t this woman think?

  “He likes to spoil me.”

  “Uh, yeah, he does. They smell amazing.” Her whole face is almost engulfed in them.

  Brance chokes on his coffee. “Spoil is a nice way of saying her boyfriend is obsessed, lucky bitch!” He pinches my butt as he walks by, and I squeal. “Come on, my beauties. Let’s go find Momma Bear.”

  I smirk at him as he walks by. “You’re fantastic, you know that, right?”

  “Undoubtedly. Wait until you see the dress I’ve picked for you tonight. As soon as Reed sees you, he will fall at your feet and pledge his undying love for you.” Placing his hand on his heart, he drops it and dryly demands for me to go take a shower.

  “Thank God, I had the good sense to make you get waxed a couple of days ago,” he mumbles.

  “Yes, master, or should I call you sir?”

  His eyes twinkle. “Oh, I think master is fine. Have you had breakfast yet?”

  “Here it is.” Posing, I hold up my cup as if it’s a gourmet meal.

  “That will never do.” Pulling out his phone, he starts ordering tons of pastries from the bakery down the street. He knows it’s my favorite. I happily follow Brance into my bedroom, letting him take charge. He hangs up and sighs, hands on his hips as he studies me. “Music, please!”

  Four hours later, I stare at my mom, and I’m not exaggerating—I might fall to my knees and pledge my undying devotion to Brance and Tilly. They have taken a skinny woman who looks as though she had a stroke and somehow magically taped up her eye so that she looks normal. Tilly’s makeup skills are brag worthy. She went with pretty pastels. My mom appears softer, younger. Brance has straightened her bleached-blond hair stick straight and parted it in the middle.

  The last piece of putting my mother together is getting her into the dress.

  Brance unzips the garment bag and pulls out a lavender ruffled, skintight ball gown, with a full-length train.

  My phone rings. Glancing at my mother, I reach for it. It’s my father calling. I haven’t heard from him in a week or so. Last time we talked, he promised to make it to my party. Then he and my mom had a horrible fight, so I haven’t been holding my breath.

  “I will be right back to help you guys,” I say. “Put her in that.” I motion to the couture gown.

  “We’ve got it.” Tilly nods. “She does better with us anyway.” It’s the truth. I wince at her easy acceptance of it. A complete stranger has our relationship figured out, right down to the way my mother’s mood swings seesaw up and down when she’s with me.

  “Hello,” I say back into the phone, shutting my bedroom door and stepping into the gold hallway. Yes, my mother heard gold was going to be this year’s fall color. Also, she thinks it means royalty. So, gold it is.

  “Tess, it’s your father.” His voice is curt, with no affection at all. My heart hurts talking to him.

  “Hi, Daddy.” My tone matches his. God. It’s painful dealing with my parents.

  “I’m not going to make it tonight… wait hold on a second, Tess.” He starts talking to someone else. Unbelievable! Why do I even care? I have the most self-absorbed parents alive. Staring down at my nails, the urge to start picking at my polish is great. But a quick thought of Brance’s horror squashes that.

  I have no idea why my dad keeps up this charade of calling me once a week.

  He left! And, obviously he’s not coming back. I used to be close with him—he was my hero. Now I see his number and groan. He hates Reed, and frankly it’s started to wear me out. Ignoring him is so much easier. His negative views about my looks, style, manners, and intelligence are endless. Not to mention his OCD is frightful. The thought that he could have passed that on to me haunts me.

  “Tess? Tess, are you there?” His voice makes me respond automatically.

  “Don’t worry about my birthday…”

  “Well, that is why I’m calling. I’m sorry, but I’m involved in a big case, and with your mother being difficult”—he sighs—“it’s complicated.”

  “I said it was fine. I need to go. We’re getting ready,” I snip.

  Silence. “Who is coming tonight?”

  “Just some friends. You’re not missing anything.” I can’t help the disappointment from seeping out of me. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “So, Reed?” His disapproval carries through the phone. “Tess, I’m exhausted and the last thing I want to do is fight with you on your birthday.”

  “Why are you so against Reed? Yes, he is going to be here tonight. He’s my boyfriend! He also wants to be around me especially on my birthday. He thinks I’m worth it.” I know I’m behaving like a child. I mean if he was home, it would be difficult for Reed to stay over. I should be happy instead of upset. Again, I’m greeted with silence, and I almost hang up.

  “Happy Birthday, Tess.”

  The line goes dead. No wonder he has gotten filthy rich as a lawyer. He’s a master liar.

  Blinking back my stupid tears, which are making my vision blurry, I try to even out my breathing. Why do I let him bother me? It’s not like he does anything when he is home. But that kind of a lie? I miss him. He’s strict, but at least he tries to stay invested in my life. More so than my mother. When I enter my room, I look at her. She’s been drinking Cristal since she woke up. I should persuade her to eat a scone or drink some coffee. I can’t see the full glory of her dress because she is sitting.

  “Okay, Momma Bear,” Brance coos at her, removing the champagne from her hand. “Sit here and let your makeup set. Drink some coffee. I have to get Tess ready.”

  My mom looks at him. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.” She sways slightly.

  “Perfect. I’ll send Maria in with a fresh pot. And my feelings are going to be hurt if you don’t try one of these pastries.” He raises his dark eyebrows at her.

  She hiccups. “Brance, you know I don’t eat carbs, but for you I’ll make an exception.”

  I have to look away. She’s so worthless. I never realized how lost she truly is. She’s only twenty-two years older than me, not yet forty but so broken.

  Straightening my shoulders, I make up my mind. I will never let myself become her. She shouldn’t have been a mother. She’s far too self- absorbed.

  Even on my birthday, we have spent hours getting her ready. I feel like a footnote.

  “Sit down, Pretty Girl.” Brance and I stare at each other in the mirror.

  We don’t talk; his eyes tell me everything—he knows how I feel. Brance gets me. Gets my sadness and the painful truth that my mother and father never truly wanted me. He starts to blow out my hair as Tilly accesses my face for makeup.

  The warm heat from the hairdryer gives me a false sense of calm. The conversation with my dad has made me remember that I was completely unwanted by them. My mom got pregnant to trap my dad. Even with all my beauty on the outside, they still don’t want me, not really. My dad married my mom, stating it was his duty, and they have both been miserable since.

  Today, on my birthday, I’m seeing firsthand how tragic she is. I guess when all you do all day is live in extravagant regret, you start to lose what little sense you have of yourself.

  “I don’t think I will ever have children, Brance. Do you think Reed will be upset?” I say it loud enough for him to hear but not my mom.

  Closing my eyes, I don’t need to wait for his answer. Of course he will be upset.

  Turning off the blow dryer, he taps me on the shoulder and I open my eyes. He frowns as he squats down, unplugging the hair dryer and plugging in the styling iron. Crossing his arms, he looks at me through the mirror, his dark eyes filled with understanding. “I think… you’re getting too deep on your birthday.”

  “No, I disagree. This is the perfect time to embrace the truths about myself.” Crossing my legs, I continue. “I won’t end up like her.” I motion at my mother with my eyes. “I don’t want children. I’m going to stop the insanity with me. As long as I have Reed, Jax, and you, I will be fine.”

>   Brance looks at Tilly. “Can you give us a moment?”

  She looks relieved. “I think I might get myself a glass of Cristal.”

  We watch her walk over to my mother, who is drinking coffee and champagne—nice! Although, she does seem to be nibbling on a couple strawberries. Tilly sits next to her and my mother happily pours her a glass.

  Brance tilts my head up. “Tess, I refuse to let you do this on your birthday. I have worked too hard to hear this shit. We are fifteen! You don’t want kids? Use birth control!” Taking a piece of my hair, he starts pulling the iron through it. My head jerks. He’s not being gentle, frustration oozing out of him. For a skinny, delicate guy, his hands are awfully strong. My lips twitch at his passion. He is like my fierce dragon, ready to breathe fire on anyone who dares to hurt me.

  “Brance?”

  He raises his dark eyebrows. “What?”

  “I’m so happy that guy beat you up.” His grumpy frown starts to twitch.

  “Damn right, baby.” He breaks into a smile. The last yellowish blackness around his eye is almost gone. Since that is how we found each other, we’re now thankful for that guy.

  “Wait until you see your birthday gown! And wait until you see my tux.” With a hand on his hip, he gives me a sassy pose.

  “You’re crazy.”

  Leaning over, he kisses me on the lips. “Tilly? Turn up the music! And don’t even think about getting smashed until all makeup has been applied. That includes me. I want you to highlight my eyes tonight.”

  REED

  Past – fourteen years old

  Glancing over at Jax, I start to laugh. He gives me the evil eye. “Don’t fucking start.” He grabs at his tie as if it’s strangling him.

  “Screw this.” He yanks it loose, unbuttoning the first two buttons on his starched white shirt.

  “You read the invitation, man. Black tie!” I say.

  “Nah, I love Tess, but she’s yours. That means you have to look good. All I have to do is show up.”

  Scowling at him, I’m pissed because he’s right. Also, I made a deal and I plan on cashing in on it. Jax looks good enough. We’re in Tom Ford black suits for fuck’s sake.