INFLUENCED: A Good Girl, Bad Boy Love Story Page 4

  It was strange for me, being asked questions about myself and my life outside of school, my future career, or accomplishments. He seemed to want to know me, the girl under all that stuff. I felt oddly... special.

  “My friend who wants me to teach the class, you might remember her,” I began. Spencer giving me a questioning looked as he used his napkin to clean the smudge of mustard on the side of his lips. Those lips, I tried to not stare at them. I bit my own for a moment as I fought to keep my mind off of wondering what his lips would feel like on mine...on my body. I shook it all away. “When you would pick me up sometimes from class, I had a friend who would need a ride to Decatur every now and then, Jaylesha.”

  “I think I might remember, yeah, I do now. Wasn’t it always a secret that we gave her a ride because your mom hated her?” Spencer questioned.

  My mom had never been the biggest fan of my friendship with Jaylesha. Jaylesha was a scholarship student at our dance school and was from the inner city. My mom didn’t want me associating with Jaylesha for her own pompous reasons. That was one area where I didn’t listen to my mom, I remained friends with Jaylesha, though my mom didn’t know.

  “She doesn’t hate her, she just doesn’t approve of our friendship,” I noted, Spencer scoffed and shook his head in disbelief.

  “That woman doesn’t approve of anything,” Spencer muttered. I ignored his statement.

  Picking up our trash, the two of us cleaned off our area and began to make our way back towards the street. I was full and happy that I’d decided to eat with him. At once, I inhaled a scent that was too familiar. My eyes shot around, searching for the location when I saw Spencer had lit a cigarette. I jumped away from him as quickly as possible.

  Stopping in his tracks, Spencer watched me as I kept myself on the other side of the lane. His face was scrunched in a look of confusion before he began my way.

  “Stay over there!” I shot.

  “What the fuck just happened?” he asked as his feet stayed glued in his spot, as instructed.

  “Just keep your smoke away from me,” I demanded.

  “Wow, Peaches, I knew you were a priss, but this is another level,” he declared with a light chuckle, before taking a long drag from his cigarette. Watching him suck in the smoke made me want to gag.

  My hands went to my hips. “You think I’m a priss, really?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “To be clear, Mr. Grant, I have asthma, you might not recall. Cigarette smoke can set off an attack, like I can’t freaking breathe and shit. I’m not being prissy, I’m trying to not die, thank you very much,” I retaliated.

  “Oh fuck, I forgot.” Without any other prompting, he threw his cigarette to the ground and snuffed it out with his shoe. He looked at me, his sapphire eyes wide and filled with remorse. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s fine. Just try to not smoke around me,” I shrugged.

  “It’s not fine, that wasn’t cool of me.” He came in my direction and looked down at me giving me the most pitiful puppy dog eyes. “Forgive me, Peaches.”

  There was no way I could not laugh. I burst into a roar of laughter.

  “You’re pathetic,” I affirmed through my giggles.

  “I know, but you love it,” he confirmed.

  He made me forget everything. My constant struggle with achieving the goals my parents placed in front of me. The need for complete perfection in all things. In that moment, I wasn’t Megan Reese, the daughter of powerful lawyers Marian and Dexter. I was a girl who had the freedom to laugh and share a joke, I was Peaches.

  “You know smoking is a terrible habit?” I noted knowingly, as I finished my fit of giggles.

  “Yeah,” he kicked a few rocks around. “Just something I picked up in Europe.”

  “At Yale, my roommate was a Pre-Med student. For an assignment, she had to watch a dissection of cancerous lungs, believe me you don’t want that happening to you,” I warned, my mind going back to watching that video with my old roommate.

  “Wait, you were pre-law and she was pre-med?” I nodded in response to his inquiry. “That is fucking madness. Talk about stress overload and all in one room.”

  “You are going on a tangent. We are addressing your terrible addiction.” I brought the conversation back to my specific point. “Have you ever thought about quitting?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t know,” he mumbled as he checked his cell phone. “We’ll see-- Oh shit! The time. We better get back to the office. We don’t need your mother turning us in for going over our lunch.” He took my hand into his strong warm hand, before he started jogging towards the street in order to hail us a cab.

  * * *

  After a long day of staring at legal documents, I wanted to curl in bed with my laptop and watch Netflix, but my parents had other plans. Once a month, my parents had dinner with friends of theirs, the Petersens. If I was in town, I got the delight of joining these dinners. It was a chance for my parents to brag about my latest accomplishments.

  There was no doubt in my mind, as it was summer, we would be joined by the Petersen’s daughter, McKinley. She and I never got along and when our parents got together, it was a constant back and forth of whatever your kid does, my kid can do better. I’d surely need a few glasses of wine to get through the night.

  Sweat prickled my forehead as I drove up to the restaurant. Traffic had been a nightmare and I was late. My door was opened by the restaurant valet who extended a hand for me to step out into the warm Atlanta evening.

  A surprising breeze fluttered the hem of my emerald green fit and flare dress as I stood accepting my ticket from the young gentleman. I slipped my ticket into my gold clutch and proceeded to the front door of the restaurant, which was promptly opened by an attendant.

  “Thank you,” I rushed in an attempt to get inside as quickly as my golden strappy heeled sandals would take me.

  I knew the girl at the podium. My mind was already working overtime and I still couldn’t place her name. This place was a favorite of my parents and it was easy to learn who the employees were.

  “Good Evening, Miss Reese,” the hostess acknowledged, “Your parents are in the garden room.”

  “Thank you,” I said quickly, before making my way past her and weaving through the tables to the garden room, my parent’s favorite place to be seated.

  I walked into what I could only describe as a large greenhouse filled with exotic plants and tables covered in white linens. I always enjoyed the tranquil feel of the place. As I kid, I always wondered what the various types of flowers were and when I’d go home, I’d look them up and have Lucinda order some for me.

  Spotting my parents was easy, based on their usual table and my dad’s booming voice. I weaved through a few more tables until I’d reached theirs. My mother was elegant, as always, in a rust colored one shoulder gown, her hair still secured in her tight bun. My father was slightly more casual in a dark gray suit, black button up, but no tie.

  “There’s Megan,” my father’s large voice announced.

  It was a joy to see my dad. He worked incredibly hard and often, so seeing him could be rare. The graying African-American gentleman stood and pulled me into a gentle hug, giving me a kiss on the cheek, his bushy beard scratching at my face. Mom hated his beard and was always urging him to cut it off.

  “Hi, Daddy,” I cooed to him as he released me from his hug. I turned in the direction of my mother, that permanent scowl plastered on her face. She wasn’t pleased and I knew it was my tardiness that put me in the doghouse with her.

  “You’re late,” she spat with no hesitation.

  “I’m sorry ma’am, traffic wa--.” I began hurriedly, but she wasn’t going to allow that.

  “No excuses, I informed you 8 PM, you need to manage your time better,” she insisted, stern as always. I swallowed before placing my studied fake grin on my face as I glanced up in an attempt to greet the rest of the table.

  To my surprise, we weren’t just joined by the Petersens
this evening, but the one and only Spencer. My eyes were instantly glued to him and my heart skipped a beat as he nodded in my direction with a sheepish grin plastered on his face. I was going to have to get over this schoolgirl crush, and fast. Spencer couldn’t possibly want me in anything else than the brother-sister relationship we grew up with. It was time to squish those butterflies for good.

  There was another familiar face at the table that caused my heart to stop. I was shocked I'd missed him there. As handsome and debonair as usual, a grin and glass of wine to his plump lips. Seated next to my father, the man I was supposed to marry this summer, though I'd called off the wedding and our relationship six months ago, my ex fiancé, Hampton Davis.

  Chapter Four

  Spencer

  There were multiple things I wanted to do within a span of a few minutes. Firstly, I wanted to tell Megan that she looked stunning, that green dress looked exquisite on her womanly curves. I may have seen her a lot growing up, and she may have been like a sister to me once, but I was still a man, and my dick got hard, just like anyone else’s would, when a beautiful woman stood in front of me.

  The next item on my agenda was simultaneously rolling my eyes and wanting to smack the woman sitting across from me. I didn’t hit women, my mom had raised me better than that, but Marian Reese was a bitch. Twice now, I had seen tears either shed or come close to falling when Megan was too close to her mother. I understood the want and the need for your children to do well, but she was taking it far past a gentle nudge in the right direction. In fact, if it was at all possible, I could clearly envision Marian pushing Megan off of the academic cliff without a parachute, and letting her fend for herself on the fall down. I hated her so much.

  Last on my list of things that needed to be done, but never could be, because I was a gentleman, and not a caveman, was to punch the too smug, too arrogant, too heavily cologned man to my right square in the jaw. I knew who he was long before I had been introduced to him this evening. Everyone knew Hampton Davis, one of the most famous Real Estate brokers in the south. What I hadn’t known was his relationship to Megan. They had apparently been engaged, but she had broken it off near to six months previous.

  Thankful to be the son to one amazing lawyer, and one incredibly smart and perceptive mother, I was able to guard my reactions when her father broke the news of Hampton and Megan’s relationship. Although he didn’t tell me the nature of the break-up, if I could have guessed, I would have said that his overpowering scent made her want to snuggle up to a skunk instead. Did he fucking bathe in his after shave? It was either that or the self-righteous bullshit that spewed out of his mouth. I’d never met a man who was so in love with himself, and that was saying something. Have you met me?

  Like a good boy, though, I kept my hands to myself, and let my eyes roll to the heavens in my mind. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure why I was here for dinner anyway. My parents hadn’t been able to make it, but Megan’s father Dexter had convinced me to join them after my first successful day, and when the boss asks for something, you don’t hesitate.

  Conversation ebbed and flowed around me as more wine was ordered and consumed. All the while, I found myself continuously gazing at Megan. She didn’t speak unless she was asked a direct question, but she watched everything with her eyes, making sure she knew what each conversation was about and how she could contribute if asked to. This was a side of Megan I hadn’t seen earlier in the day. She seemed a bit more carefree. Tonight, it appeared she was acting more like Marian than Megan.

  “So, Megan,” I asked, catching her off guard at the use of her real name and not my silly nickname, “Which type of law do you see yourself getting into? What are you studying?”

  Before she could answer, her mother chimed in.

  “She’ll be going into Criminal Law, taking over the firm once she’s ready, and Dexter and I decide to retire.”

  I watched as Megan slinked in her seat a little bit at her mother’s response. She clearly had no interest in taking over the family business, and I couldn’t blame her. She wasn’t cut out for Criminal Law. Not that she couldn’t do it; I’d bet my last dollar that she could be ruthless if she needed to be. Somehow though, I saw her doing something with children or the Earth. Family Law or Environmental Law would be right up her passionate alley.

  If I was honest with myself though, I didn’t think she wanted to be in law school to begin with. She was more of a free bird, fitting in better with some sort of performing art, like her dancing. She had been beautiful as a teenager, whirling around her dance studio. It was something she was passionate about, no matter how nonchalant she had appeared when I had asked her during lunch. The spark in her eyes blossomed when I had asked, and it had rippled over as soon as I had mentioned I had watched her.

  “That’s very nice to hear, Marian,” I responded as politely as I could to her overbearing mother, “But I’d like to hear what Megan wants to do.”

  I didn’t miss the way her cheeks flamed at my words. I was stepping into dodgy territory talking back to her mother, but I was curious, and no matter what she ended up doing, it was a disgrace to let her squash her dreams.

  “I love Criminal Law, but I’d love to practice Family Law, especially child custody cases.”

  Her mom’s “humph” echoed around the table, catching everyone’s attention and pulling them from their own conversations.

  “Dexter, darling. Tell Megan that Family Law is for lawyers who can’t handle the big cases. I won’t have my only daughter degrading herself for the likes of something so pointless.” Directing her gaze back at Megan, she sneered, “You’ll be taking over our firm and I don’t want to hear anything else about it. Is that clear?”

  “Yes Ma’am,” Megan said, dropping her head.

  The rage boiling inside me hit DefCon 1. I was angry for Megan, and I was angry at her. How could she not speak up and tell her mom to take the stick out of her ass and fuck herself with it? I needed a cigarette to calm my nerves, but remembering our conversation from earlier, I refrained from excusing myself from the table. Instead, I flagged down the waiter and ordered a scotch on the rocks. It would have to do for now.

  Our dinner arrived shortly afterward and I let my anger reduce to manageable. My plan was to ignore every vile thing out of Marian’s mouth, and not let it get to me. I wish I had had the foresight to include Hampton in with that plan.

  “Megan, my love, would you care to go for a walk after dinner?” Hampton cooed at her, his sickly sweet voice hovering above the table, making me gag.

  “Oh my, what a gentleman he is. She would love to,” Marian answered again for her.

  The look in Megan’s eyes were enough to confirm she had no intentions of going on that walk, but she knew she wouldn’t have a choice.

  “Actually, I’m sorry, Mrs. Reese. Megan promised me she would show me around Atlanta again this evening. Being gone for eight years, I’m feeling a little lost.” It was the best plan I could come up with on the sly to get her out of another second with that douchebag she called an ex.

  The look on Megan’s face could only be described as shocked, and thankful all at the same time.

  “Yes, I’m sorry, Ma’am, I did tell him I’d help a little with the city. I don’t want to go back on my word,” she said, pleading with her mother.

  “Well, your word is your bond, Megan. Do as you promised and make sure to be home at a respectable hour. You have work tomorrow and you know I don’t tolerate tardiness,” her cold response came.

  “Yes, Ma’am,” Megan whispered.

  Once dinner was finished, I stood, no longer able to stand the stench of Smelly Davis and close to losing it on Marian Reese. I needed to get out of there on the double.

  “Thank you so much for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Reese. I’m going to cash in on the promise from your daughter and I will make sure I escort her home safely,” I said, injecting the most respectable tone into my voice. I wasn’t buying it, and it didn’t look like Megan was ei
ther, but I only needed to convince her award winning lawyers. Shouldn’t be too hard.

  “Be safe with my daughter, Spencer,” Dexter lightly threatened in a very father like way.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Walking around the table, I held out my arm for the standing Megan to hold onto.

  “You owe me, Peaches,” I whispered into her ear as we glided out of the restaurant.

  “I do,” she said, a smile coming over her features as the humid air splashed us in the face upon our exit.

  * * *

  I was loathe to admit it, but Hampton’s suggestion of a walk sounded peaceful, and after the day that both Megan and I had had, I didn’t think she would mind. We walked at leisure through the park across the street, just looking around. Her arm was still looped through mine, which I found brought a certain comfort to me that I hadn’t been looking for.

  As soon as the thought entered my mind, Megan pulled out of our contact and took a couple steps away. I didn’t know why, but the distance she put between us stung.

  As though she sensed my awkward emotions, she looked at me. “I’m sorry, I’m just a little hot right now,” she said in the way of an excuse.

  “How about some ice cream, Peaches?” I asked, spotting a frozen yogurt shop not too far from us.

  “That sounds delightful,” she responded, following my eyes to the destination across the street.

  “Well then, let’s go!” Grabbing her hand, I proceeded to pull her along with me, like a mother would her slow moving child.

  “Spencer! Slow down,” she said through a burst of giggles, the sound wafting through the thick heated air.

  “I can’t slow down, Peaches. When I want something, I have to go for it, no matter the consequences,” I laughed back.

  Stopping dead in her tracks, my arm jolting in my socket, I turned to look at her and find the cause of her lack of movement.

  “Is that why you left Europe, Spencer? Consequences?” she whispered.