Wilson James Taylor

"Diane, hurry up, will ya?" My father rushed his wife.

I was on the fence about taking them to Sydney's aunt's event since all the bickering they do, but I figured an evening out as a family would do us some good.

I sat in the family room, shaking my leg with anxiety.

Sydney hasn't called, texted, or snapped me all day. I couldn't help but wonder if I did or said something wrong. Well, there's the bit where Hunter was a dick to her at the meet because he wants me with Anna. Also, the guys are under the impression I fucked her when I haven't, but I let them think so. I know it's wrong, but I didn't say I touched her, yet. We've kissed, I mean.
Shit, I've been taking it slow with her, and I don't even know if she appreciates that.

Next time, for sure, I'm just gonna go for it. The worst that can happen is she rejects me. I am actually not prepared for that, that shit's embarrassing, the ball is in her court.

Mom clicked into the room, popping in her last pearl earring.

"Ralph, why you are so excited to get to this art show, I have no idea," Mom went on.

"Will, my purse, behind you," she demanded, flicking her wrist. When I handed it to her, she thanked me.

"We made a big donation, honey, the least we can do is show our faces and support," he explained. Kelly was in his shadow to nod.

"If you ask me, the check was enough support. I have places to be-"

"Like where, Mom?" I clenched my jaw.

All other six eyes shot to me.

"Well, let's not waste anymore time," Kelly addressed, pacing to the front door.

"Are we taking two cars, or one?" asked the assistant, standing in the foyer as Dad, Mom, and I approached.

"One-" My mother said.

I cut her off to say, "Two. I have plans after."

"Plans?" My mother questioned like it was a problem.

I mocked her dramatic pearl clutching and laughed, walking out the door.

I walked backwards to my Jeep and said, "I met someone."

"I wish you wouldn't drive that hippie thing everywhere, son," Dad sniped, helping Kelly down the stairs.

"She likes it," I emitted, popping my eyebrows.

"And that's all that matters," Kelly cheered with a smile.

I looked her up and down. "Uh, thanks, Kelly."

I just didn't like Kelly. The idea that she was having an affair with my father was still in my head and very possible even if he swore differently. There had to be a reason my mother never liked or trusted her even when Kelly is so good at her job and loyal.

"Who is she, when did this happen, what does she do, who's her family? Wilson, sweetie, these are things I need to know," my mother listed.

Annoyed, I removed her supple hands from my face.

"Can you, please, relax? It's early, look, I'm just telling you that I have my eye on someone. You don't need to hit me with the third degree, alright, spare me. And if you go looking for her, doing background checks and shit again, you will never meet her."

My mother was taken aback. "I wouldn't have had to do a background check on that last whore if you just brought her over for dinner."

"Mom," I sighed.

She put her hands up and replied with, "I'm just saying. Now come on, I'll ride there with you. Anything beats listening to those podcasts with your father."

I liked Sydney, sure. In fact, I planned on telling her later that night. Probably grab a snack, stroll downtown, or something, just talking. Then hopefully, back to my place. It sounded good and I knew she'd be down, even though she still hadn't replied to the text I sent letting her know I was on the way.

We arrived at Delaney's and it was a surprisingly a good turn out. I say surprisingly because Sydney had her doubts.

From what I saw online -- the reviews-- and word of mouth, people liked her art. She was no Picasso, nor did she make a killing exactly, but she was content and making sales.

There were nude models in some compromising positions all over the place. Some even had their paint melting off under the heat but Delaney said the show must go on and that's art.

Kelly introduced myself and my parents to some potential clients. I was over all the business talk.

I got a buzz in my pocket. It was a text from Anna:

will be back soon. hoping we can talk xx

"Why so sassy?" Damian laughed at my eye roll. He slapped my hand and put the beer back to his lips.

I took turns picking my white Nike Blazer Mid '77s off the grass and made sure they were still clean.

"What're you doing here, man?" I asked him.

He looked at me like that was a dumb question to ask. "Well I did do some of the work on the yard; I got an invitation, too."

"My bad," I laughed it off.

I grabbed a beer off a passing caterers tray. She smiled small, naked, and kept walking away.

Damian shook his head. "If I was going through puberty again and these chicks weren't so weird, I'd be in Heaven right now," he joked, nudging me to agree.

I shook my head, too and just said, "Man."

"Sup," Omar greeted the two of us.

I barely looked his way but acknowledged him with a head nod and "sup" in return. He took a seat on the side of Damian.

When Dame asked Omar where Wes was, Omar just laughed and claimed he didn't know.

For maybe the next ten or so minutes, the three of us just caught up and talked shit. They forbid me from talking work, though. The event was a bore, but I was there for more than just to watch my parents present a check.

"Oh," Damian remembered, pulling the drink from his mouth, "Sydney lookin' for you."

"Now you tell me, pfft," I spat, getting out of the lawn chair. "Where is she?"

Damian had no answer as he didn't know, telling me he last saw her when he first arrived, about fifteen minutes before I did.

My eyes darted around the yard, I couldn't see her anywhere.

I looked down at my phone to see if she finally replied or called me back. She didn't. I wondered why but guessed because she was helping with everything.

Finally, Delaney made an announcement that got everyone to gather around. Damian and I stayed behind, though, not wanting to be here any longer.

"--I'm on my third drink, you're babysitting," Omar competed with Damian, telling him he was only sipping.

Damian smacked his lips. "Do you know my body? Alright, then. Let me sip."

"Ho'," Dame shot out, looking out in the distance. "Is that Wes right there?"

My attention was peaked so I turned my neck. "Yeah, that's his ginger-ass, but is that-"

"Sydney?" Dame, Omar, and I all chorused.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing: linked arms with Wes, Sydney paraded around topless. Okay, she had paint over her chest, but still.

Whatever he was saying went in one ear and out the other, but I heard it. I almost knocked his ass down for being childish and probably offensive, but saved myself from playing Captain-save-a... nevermind.

Sydney looked right at me and then broke away from Wes. He didn't let her hand go at first and she smiled all cute and sweet at him before waving and making way to where he aunt stood before the crowd.

Wes snaked over to us with a toothy grin on his pasty face.

"Evenin', boys," he exhaled deeply. Crickets.

"Drink number four is calling me," Omar weaseled away.

"Ima go over there, get some finger sandwiches , or somethin'," Dame excused himself, leaving Wesly and I.

"You clean up nice, buddy. No grass stains on the pants, that's new," he taunted, slapping my arm.

"Oh," he sarcastically pouted when I said nothing back. "you look angry."

"Whatever you think you're going to do to Sydney, don't," is all I said, trying to walk off. Emphasis on "do 'to' her" because she would never touch him. He's slimy, disingenuous - a rat.

Wes back-peddled to catch up and cut off my direction.

My jaw clenched, losing patience for his bullshit.

"So you care about this one? That's also new, wow, you're pulling out all the stops today. Tell me, how's Anna? Yeah, remember you passed her to me, too, when you were done with her? Don't try to be noble, Will, I know you. The real you," he leered with a wink at the end.

My fists balled up but I had to drop them.

I don't fight anymore, I told myself. And I wasn't about to prove him right.

Once everyone cheered and dispersed, I grabbed Sydney by the arm to talk.

"Oh. I had no idea you were here," she said, unamused.

"How could you, not like you replied to my texts?"

"Sorry I don't have a phone on me," she sassed.

"I can see that, it's not like you'd have anywhere to put it," I alluded to her lack of clothing.

"Look, you and Wes... I don't know what he said to you, but you should stay away from him, trust me," I warned.

I'll admit, my eyes wandered a few too many times and Sydney finally caught me, putting her arms over her chest.

"Arms down, Syd, you'll ruin the art," Delaney said in passing. But Sydney didn't listen at first.

"I think it's a bit too soon for the overprotective, jealous thing, Will," she murmured, pushing past my body.

"I know him, okay? I know he's just doing this to get at me," I explained, grabbing her hand to stop her walking.

"He's your friend, why would he? And if anything, he's actually helping me. Yeah, care letting me know when we hooked up?"

I dropped my head. Caught, I let out a slight chuckle.

"I didn't say that-"

"Well did you tell them we didn't?" She asked angrily. "No? Didn't think so. Oh, but you did just have sex, didn't you? You're a liar, Wilson."

"Woah, wait, liar? I didn't lie to you, Sydney," I swore.

Sydney stopped again and blinked. "Anna - the girl that left your house that night? You said you weren't seeing anyone and nothing happened. You could've just told me."

There was no beating around the bush, she knew.

I put my hands up. "Y-yeah, we hooked up, whatever. She means absolutely nothing to me. Swear. Whatever Wes told you about me and her, don't believe it."

"A-hem," my father walked up on me and cleared his throat.

I ripped my eyes away from Sydney's discontent face and asked what he wanted.

"We're going now. Joining us for dinner tonight?" he asked.

It wasn't until my mother walked up that Sydney had to be herself and say something.

"Hi, I'm Sydney," she put on a front like she was so happy to meet them.

My mother looked her up and down, as did her husband.

"Nice," he let slip.

"Ralph!" Kelly hissed at her boss.

"Men," Mother scoffed.

Sydney, looking right at me, said, "Tell me about it."

After that exchange, my mother warmed up. "You're the niece? Are you an artist as well?"

"No, just the model."

"And a good one, at that," my father input.

My mother glared at Dad before returning to Sydney.

"Well," she puckered, "it was nice seeing you, Sydney..."

"Janes. And likewise."

Diane, my mother, looked like something hit her. She gave Sydney a once over again, this time more curiously.

"Hm. Where have I seen you or heard that name before? Are you on tv?"

"No, no I'm not," Sydney blushed. "If you'll excuse me."

With that, she strutted away, picking up the pace when she was further from us.

"Sydney, wait," I called out, trying to follow but my mother put her arm out to stop my body.

"Come, Wilson," she spoke.

I dropped my shoulders, thinking it would be best not to argue. That and Sydney probably wanted me out of her face for a while.

Back in my Jeep, my mother fastened her seatbelt and thought out loud.

"Tsk tsk," she said, "It's going to bother me all night until I remember, where do I know her from?"