Betting Against the Odds (6 page)

I went with the girls to get some drinks well the boys played pool with some other people when I felt two arms circle around me pulling me towards a random room when the girls weren’t looking. Ugh I tried pushing him off but he was too strong he pushed me into the room against a wall kissing my neck and running his hands all over me and grabbing my butt. I went to scream but he bit down on my lip drawing blood.

I whimpered as I tried to move him but he took this as encouragement pushing me in the bed moving my dress up. I started crying and screaming as loud as I could which he answered by slapping me. He got up to unbutton his pants when the door flew open and there in all their glory stood Matt, Luke, and Nate.

Matt took one look at me and lost it. He kept hitting the guy until Luke and Nate dragged him off of the guy. Matt looked like he didn’t want to stop but Nate whispered something to him making him look at me.

Whatever Nate said had Matt moving to me; he looked at my face and down to my body pulling my dress down and smoothing it out. He touched my face making me wince well making him get angry again when he noticed by bloody lips.

“Come on love let’s get you out of here okay?” he held me in his arms as I molded my body to his quivering in fear. He kept whispering sweet stuff to me as he combed his hand down my hair calming me.

We made it out the front where the girls were at; they took one look at me and they all ran to me grabbing me and practically crying and getting angry at the douche head. Matt left us to talk for a few minutes appearing with both Luke and Nate at his side.

They wanted to go home but I couldn’t let that douche ruin my day or my list I couldn’t and I wouldn’t so I voiced it to the group.

“No I want to do this please?” they all looked at each other but Anna spoke up.

“Honey there’s always next year to see the ball drop,” I looked down trying not to cry but knowing some tears were escaping.

I looked at them and at Elaina who knew I couldn’t do it next year. She must have sensed my need because she came to stand next to me, “No we are not letting Penny’s night end like this we are going t0 celebrate and we are going to live and be happy with or without you guys.:

I squeezed her hand as the rest of the group agreed to the original plan but with one revising given by Matt; if we were going to see the ball drop we needed to do it in style.

About 20 minutes later we were sitting in a limo and getting off at a stop so close to the ball that I didn’t think it was possible for us to be this close and not get in trouble.

The door opened and we all poured out when a voice greeted us, “Well look who the cat dragged in.”

I turned to see Cole standing there looking handsome as ever he smiled at us all his eyes lingering a little longer on Elaina who was looking everywhere but at Cole. Cole led us to a spot where we can stand and watch the ball drop I lingered back with Elaina whispering to her, “So Cole is hot don’t you think? and he is very nice.”

He cheeks darkened but she just shook her head no, “Now Penny don’t dish it out when you don’t want to admit the chemistry between you and Matt.”

I started laughing, “Touche El, Touche”

We held hands laughing as we made our way to Matt and Cole who were both standing there waiting for me and El.

Elaina looked at them and back at me whispering so only I could hear, “Well you have to admit those two men are hot as hell and look at them standing there waiting on us two plus size mamicita’s,” she laughed and I laughed as we stopped at the boys Matt taking a hold of my hand.

“What is so funny ladies?” Cole asked as we stopped.

Elaina raised her eyebrows in a challenge, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Cole laughed a husky sound that had me want to fan myself, “Alright keep you secrets Elaina I will find them out one day.”

That had her blushing and me smiling like a manic.

Matt pulled me aside looking at his watch, “We have about 10 more minutes left before the countdown are you excited?”

I smiled leaning my head on his shoulder as his arms circled around me, “Yea I am excited,” I moved his hands noticing the rawness, “Does it hurt?” I asked him rubbing them softly.

He looked down at me his eyes portraying many emotions, “I am fine when I saw that asshole I just I lost it I’m sorry if I scared you; are you okay?”

I kissed his hand moving to face the front of him, “You didn’t scare me Matty you saved me,” I touched his face gently as I gazed at him, “I was so scared I thought...,” I broke off in a sob as his hands tightened around me, “I’m glad you are here with me Matt and I am glad I walked into the pub and beat you at poker,” he laughed making me smile.

One minute left to go and Matt leaned into me, “I am glad I let you beat me at poker,”

I started laughing, “Oh Matty let’s not pretend Matt you lost fair and square admit it.”

“Never,” he scoffed and we laughed and stared at each other intently as the countdown started 10…9…8…7…6…

“Matt will you be my first kiss for this year,” he smiled at me 5…4…3…

He leaned closer to me his lips angling over mine, “I will love too, love.” 2…1…

And we kissed and it was absolutely, freaking, greatly, beautifully, fantastic that I thought if my year started out like this I would be happy no matter what happens this year the surgery or my last year but tonight was not the time to think about death tonight was the night to kiss a man who took my breath away and made my heart beat faster.

Tonight was meant to live.

Ch. 6 Stand under Hollywood Sign (Matt’s POV)

New Year’s Eve was perfect and now here I was a week later planning a trip to go to California to fulfill Penelope’s bucket list and I have to admit I was pretty damn excited. Luke and Anna were planning to join us but Nate, Janet, and Elaina couldn’t but they told us to send pictures and write.

I was on my way to Penelope’s house to go over important things like where we were staying and for how long both Anna and Luke had taken off 6 months of work to travel with us through at the list. We figured it will be about June by the time we were done with the list and having Nate here to take over the shop put Luke at ease well Anna was enjoying her time off from the vineyards that were left to her and her two brothers from their grandparents.

I made my way through the gate glancing at Penelope’s house it always surprised me how big her house was and how it only held her most of the time. My first thought when it came to this house was “A cold big house” which goes against everything Penelope is; she was warmth and light.

I couldn’t believe the way we kissed it was amazing the first time at Christmas I felt guilty and regretted having to kiss her like that not knowing exactly how she felt but that kiss on New Year’s sealed the deal he felt drawn to her in a way he never felt not even with Isabella. He felt Penelope’s kiss from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head; he felt it in his soul a soul he forgot existed until her.

I was smiling widely trying to rein it in before I knocked on her door I took a breath in releasing it slowly as I rang the doorbell waiting for her to answer. I was looking down at the floor when I raised my head surprised to see an older lady standing there looking at me questioningly but also with a look of knowing.

I gave her a shy smile lifting my hand to shake hers, “Hello ma’am my name is Matt Collins I am a friend of Penelope’s. You must be Mrs. Rose,” that had the woman smiling, “Penelope talks about you all the time all good things she loves you a lot,” I stated it in a matter of fact manner letting unsaid words leak into what I was trying to convey to her.

One look at her and her bright smile and I knew that she got what I was trying to say and she appreciated it, “Well Matt come on inside Penelope has been expecting you but I am afraid she in a bad mood,” she whispered lowly.

“Why is she in a bad mood is it her headaches I know she has been sick,” I must have said something wrong because Mrs. Rose looked shock for a second before answering me.

“Well she was all excited getting ready to make her big plans going over plane schedules and houses to rent for a month when her parents decided to grace her with their presence and lets just say it didn’t go well not for my Penelope.”

I shook my head slowly, “What happened?”

Mrs. Rose was quiet for a second before she stopped to look at me serenely, “I like you Matt even though I just met you and I have a feeling you are making a big difference in Penelope’s life but I can also tell that you have some stuff going on that runs deep and my Penelope well she has baggage too more than you know,” she took a deep breath looking at me straight in the eyes which looked close to tears, “Penelope is a miracle you might not know why but she is a bright light in this dark world despite everything she has going on and I know she will be gone for the next five months and I want you to promise me that you will protect her; she is strong willed and pigheaded at times but she is also delicate and fragile and honestly Matt she needs people who love her around her especially now,” she looked down.

I was pocketing her words so to speak wondering what was happening with Penelope that seems to make this woman worry so much I was about to ask when I heard footsteps and my neck tingled knowing that Penelope was behind me.

I turned towards her smiling a big smile as she took me in her frown that covered her face washed away as she gave me a beaming smile that lightened up her face along with the room. I held my hands out for her and she didn’t disappoint as she ran into my embrace enveloping herself into me.

We stood there for a minute when I heard a cough from behind us we both looked at Mrs. Rose who was looking directly behind us. I let go of Penelope as we both slowly turned towards the front of us where her parents stood.

Her father looked like an Italian movie star good looking and powerful in his suit well her mother was a tall thin women with blonde hair cascading down her back her body looked young but her crinkles in her face gave away her age. Penelope’s dad looked pissed and her mom well looked confused.

Penelope held my hand pulling me forward, “Dad and mom this is my friend Matt the one going on the trip with me and my other two friends.”

They didn’t say anything so I took initiative holding my hand out, “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Davis it is very nice to finally meet you.”

Her dad shook my hand tightly but I held back a grimace as her mom held out her hand, “Charmed to meet you matt we were about to sit down and have tea would you be willing to join us so we can all talk about this trip.”

I was about to answer when Penelope shook her head, “No mother I told you it was none of your business it is my money to do what I want and I am 18 years old.”

Her mom waved her hand in the air as to brush Penelope off, “Nonsense your my daughter I must know what is going on come on now you two,” she walked forward with her husband as I looked at Penelope who didn’t move.

I gave her hand a squeeze and a smile letting her know it will be okay but she looked anything but okay.

How hard could it be…

              I was wrong this was the worst conversation that I have ever had even surpassing my own family conversations to boot.  Penelope’s dad said nothing at all to us but played on his phone or palm reader the whole time and Penelope’s mother was a piece of work.

All she did was fire question after question at us about whom was going on the trip and then the major questions started as she gave both me and Penelope a pointed look.

“So Matt who are you exactly to Penelope?” she asked with a sly smile that I found disgusting.

I smiled the best I could, “What do you mean like am I her boyfriend?”

I didn’t expect the way her mother’s face lit up in amusement as she barked out a laugh, “No honey I would never think someone like you would be with someone like my daughter,” she stated giving Penelope a repulsed look which had Penelope looking down at her cup her face turning red.

This got me angry as I looked at her mother sitting straighter, “What do you mean? What is wrong with Penelope?”

Her mother sat back on her chair raising her eyebrow as she held my stare than looked back at Penelope standing up and putting her hands on her shoulders. Penelope stiffened under her touch but raised her face as if she was making herself ready for something and that’s when her mom spoke.

He mom raised her hands a little off of Penelope’s shoulders, “What’s wrong with Penelope you asked well let’s see first we will start with her greasy dull brown hair, and let’s see her fat jiggle arms, he fat stubby legs, and well let’s be honest my Penelope is a big girl as you can tell,” her mother just stood there laughing as if she was funny and I was plain shocked.

I felt my face turn red and my blood ran hot as I looked at the woman who was looking at her own daughter like she was nothing. Penelope looked embarrassed as I witnessed her eyes squeeze trying to stop her tears.

I couldn’t stand it I stood up walking towards Penelope and pulling her off the chair into my arms lifting her face to meet mine. I gave her a quick kiss leaning into her, “You are beautiful my love don’t listen to that woman who is trying to regain youth that has left her a long time ago,” I heard her mother scoff as she glared at me about to speak but I raised my hand stopping her, “You Mrs. Davis are not fit to be a mother and you are as blind as a bat if you can’t see how beautiful and remarkable your daughter is. She is curvy and sexy and her hair lights up in the sun and her smile God what I would do to see that smile every day. She is beautiful and you ma’am are nothing but ugly and you don’t deserve her. Now if you will excuse us we are going to my parent’s house for dinner I suppose you two will be gone when we come back and I assume you won’t be here when we leave on our trip so I will say goodbye and by all means I hope I never see you again.”

Mrs. Davis eyes were bugging out as she opened and closed her mouth glaring at me then turning to her husband, “
Are you going to let this boy talk to me like this?”

Mr. Davis sat there staring at us all and then looking at Penelope his eyes gleaming with sorrow and admiration. He stood up walking towards us as he held his hand out towards me, “It was nice to meet you young man I hope you take care of my daughter because,” he looked over at Penelope who was still in my arm and smiled, “because she is my little girl even though I may not act like it she is precious to me.”

He bent down given Penelope a kiss on the cheek and handing her a black visa card telling her to use it and not wasted her trust fund she looked at it pocketing it and thanking her dad as she looked up at me waiting for me to move and I did just that.

I put her on my motorcycle strapping the helmet to her head touching her cheek lightly. She held me tightly as I drove her to my house not really sure how this meeting was going to go but I knew that my mom would treat her way better than her own mother.

I stopped helping her off my bike as she stood there looking at my house which compared to most was relatively small but she looked at it like she was in awe than she turned towards me giving me that smile that made my insides light up. I grabbed her hand leading her into my house taking her to where my mom was getting ready to prepare dinner.

“Matthew is that you? Seamus just told us you are leaving for six months are you crazy? Your papa will not like this so I thought you might explain this madness to me-“ my mom came into view stopping her rant when she saw Penelope she looked shocked and then straightened her face into a huge smile.

“Hello I am Madeline and who are you my dear?” my mother asked reaching for Penelope’s hand.

Penelope smiled shyly, “Hello I am Penelope and I am afraid that I am the madness that is taking Matt away for six months.”

My mom smiled and waved her hand signaling us to follow her as we went into the kitchen siting down at the table, “So Penelope can you explain this trip to me?”

Penelope looked down biting her lip as if contemplating what she may say, “I um see I have this bucket list and Matt offered to help me but I mean if it is too much he doesn’t have to go.”

I was about to speak up when my mother laughed, “No honey if Matt offered than he did it for a reason and plus he is 21 years old he is allowed to leave the house now… unfortunately.”

Penelope laughed as my mom continued talking, “So I am to assume you are the one he has been spending time with which I have to thank you for because he is not out all night hanging with those hoochies, “ I stared at her as Penelope blushed.

“Mother,” I started to demand her to stop when she put her hands on her hips.

“Don’t mother me I am being honest and now I must know,” she said looking straight at Penelope, “Are you two sleeping together too?”

I coughed as Penelope blushed looking at me than at my mom, “No ma’am we are not I mean he doesn’t look at me… I mean no ma’am I am a virgin,” Penelope admitted her face turning red my mom nodded in approval as my eyes widened at her words a virgin.

I must have been giving her a wide-eyed mouth hanging open look because she suddenly sat back glaring at me as she spoke, “Yes Matt I am a virgin I can understand if you have never heard that word before,” she smiled at my mom, “Well ma’am that is the truth I am an 18 year old virgin and though it is embarrassing to admit it is true I just never felt that connection with someone before.”

My mom smiled widely, “Well that is a good thing darling; so how about you join us for dinner I am making Spaghetti and meatballs.”

Penelope nodded, “That would be fantastic on one condition do you think I can help out? I have always wanted to learn how to cook but never had a chance to my mom is not much of an eater; if you know what I mean.”

“Oh sweetie that would be lovely but you must call me Madeline or mama I can’t stand being called my full name.”

Penelope blushed and I did as well, “Sure but if I call you mama than you need let me see pictures of Matt’s as a baby.”