Past Imperfect by Alison G. Bailey Page B

because of your pool, the family beach house, or boat. It’s hard to tell sometimes who likes you and who’s in it for the stuff.”
    “You had your brother and both your parents.”
    “Yeah, Peyton and I have never been very close and you’ve met B and B.”
    “B and B?” I ask in confusion.
    “My parents, The Bastard and The Bitch.”
    I don’t laugh because even though the tone of his voice is light I can see the sadness in his eyes. “So, I take it you’re not close to them either.”
    “It’s hard to be close to people who never wanted you in the first place.”
    I cup the side of his face. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
    “Well, when you overhear your parents reminiscing about driving to the clinic and how it was a mistake not to have gone through with it. Well, it paints a crystal clear picture that they didn’t want me.”
    Tears sting my eyes and all the breath leaves my lungs. I’ve been around his parents enough to know they were frauds. They both put on a good act for clients, but I had experienced firsthand how cold his mother can be and what a lecherous fake his father is. Mrs. Johnson conducted my interview. She was professional in her questions, but had a condescending expression on her face the entire time. I was actually surprised to have gotten the job. On my first day, I arrived early to get settled into my office. I hadn’t met Mr. Johnson at that point. He came into my office to welcome me to the firm. We shook hands, he held mine a little too long as his eyes roamed up and down my body. My creep radar went on high alert and I knew then I had to keep my distance from him.
    I place a soft kiss on Brad’s lips. “I feel sorry for them.”
    “Why?”
    “Because they’ve missed out on knowing an amazing man.”
    Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him into my chest. As he nuzzles into me, I run my fingers through his soft hair. We stay like this, holding each other tight, and drift off to sleep.

“Were you just smelling my dirty clothes?” I asked.
    Becca startled and quickly dropped the pair of my jeans she had her face buried in. “I was just checking to see if they needed to be washed. I found them crumpled up on the floor in your bedroom.”
    “Well, let me give you a piece of advice. If they’re on the floor, then chances are they need to be washed.” She looked up at me with the most pitiful expression on her face, like a child who had just been reprimanded. “Look, Becca, I have a class I need to get to.”
    “Is it okay if I stay and do your laundry? I also thought I’d cook dinner. That is if it’s okay with you.”
    “You know I don’t expect you to always do my laundry or cook for me.” I didn’t expect it, but I had to admit, that part of this “ relationship” was pretty good. It was almost like having Miss Sally around except I never had sex with Miss Sally. Although, hers were the first set of tits I ever noticed.
    “I like doing things for you, Brad. It makes me feel useful and wanted.”
    “Well, as long as you enjoy it.” I turned to leave.
    “When will you be home?” she asked.
    “Um… I’m not sure. I might go hang out with Jason for a while.”
    “Well, I’ll be here waiting for you.” There was a weird tone in her voice. I stared at her for a few seconds, trying to see if I could spot the crazy in her eyes.
    Things with Becca and I were different than anything I had ever experienced. We had been doing this for a little over a month, but it was as if we had just met. I didn’t know any more about her now than I did that night we met. And to be honest, I didn’t want to. I didn’t call her or ask her to come over. We didn’t go out together on dates. I never looked for her around campus. She just showed up at places. I went to parties and hooked up with other girls, but never felt as if I was cheating on Becca. You can’t cheat on a relationship that doesn’t exist. I figured she would get tired of being basically my maid