Bk 2, Chapter 5: The Suitor Ball

I was thrilled to get the hell out of that carriage, leaving Micah and Mom behind. I desperately wished that I’d gotten home even a week earlier. Maybe I could’ve put a stop to their relationship before Micah got the balls to ask her out.

“Ryan!” a voice called as I entered the ballroom. I turned to see Selena coming towards me, and she did look pretty amazing in her dress. She had nothing on Mom, but she was ravishing. A tight black gown that her curves poured into, black hair flowing over one shoulder, sea-colored eyes bright.

“Hey, Selena.” I smiled charmingly.

“You look very handsome tonight! I guess I keep thinking of you as a little boy.” Selena said fondly.

“Well, I’m not.” I shrugged.

“I can see that.” Selena smiled. I offered a hand.

“Care to dance?” I asked her. She batted her pretty eyes.

“I might.” she smiled, and slid her hand into mine. Selena and I moved out onto the dance floor, and I placed a hand on her hip. Selena let out a small gasp.

“Usually the side, isn’t it?” she winked.

“Perhaps.” I shrugged confidently, and Selena smiled. I spun her around the floor.

“I suspect you’re not quite happy with my son’s relationship with your mother.” Selena murmured.

“Perhaps not.” I said flatly.

“Are you just using me to make Micah jealous?” Selena asked pointedly.

“No. No, I did want to dance with you.” I promised her. She tossed her head, eyes glittering.

“But it was just a bonus?” she guessed.

“Maybe.” I grinned. Selena laughed, a musical sound.

“So. What do you not like about Micah and Jess being together?” Selena prompted after I dipped her.

“She’s my mother. He’s my age. It’s unsettling.” I lied smoothly. Of course, I couldn’t say I was in love with my own mother.

“Hm.” was all Selena said.

———

“Micah! Ohhhh!” Jess moaned as I kissed her neck hungrily. We’d left the carriage, and instead of going into her own daughter’s suitor ball, Jess had led me around the back into the gardens.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” I murmured, drawing back to look her in her gorgeous mismatched eyes. Jess put a hand on the back of my head and pulled me into a deep kiss. I grabbed Jess’ thick hips and kisses back fiercely. To think, this morning Jess liking me was just a fantasy, and now I stood here tonight kissing her!

“I am definitely enjoying it.” Jess leaned her head on my shoulder. I slid my arms around her and held her close to me.

“You’re amazing.” I told her softly.

“How long have you been crushing on me?” she asked curiously, looking into my eyes.

“I’ll tell you if you’ll tell me the same thing.” I grinned. Jess laughed and gave me a light kiss.

“Deal.” she said.

“I’ve been wanting you since I was thirteen.” I admitted.

“I’ve always thought you were handsome, but I only really started noticing when you were... sixteen-ish? But your eighteenth birthday was when I finally realized how hot you are.” Jess smiled. I kissed her.

“Hm. So I’ve liked you longer.” I grinned.

“I always suspected. You were a blushing mess around me.” Jess teased. I glanced down at her giant tits that were so enormously large, and Jess grabbed my chin, tilting my gaze up into her eyes.

“What, you think you can just ogle me because you’re courting me?” Jess lifted an eyebrow. I flushed hard and looked away.

“Hey. Micah.” Jess said gently. I met her eyes again, and found them glittering with amusement.

“Yes?” I asked nervously.

“We should head into the ball.” Jess said. I offered her my arm, and she took it.

———

After my dance with Selena, I went in search of my twin sister, the guest of honor. Gabby was, as per tradition, making her way through the ball’s bachelors, swapping them out each song. She was currently dancing with a red-haired young man who looked to be utterly terrified of my sister. I hid my smirk and glanced away, accidentally locking eyes with Selena, who gave me a smile and turned back to her husband.

“Ryan.” I heard Mom say, and looked up to see her walking up to me. Micah had left her side, finally, stopping to speak with one of the bachelors who was about his age.

“Hey, Mom.” I said. She leaned against my side, and I wrapped an arm around her.

“Hi.” she smiled.

“Wanna dance?” I asked her. Mom glanced over her shoulder at Micah, who I had noticed point out Mom to his buddy. Prick.

“Yes, I would.” Mom smiled at me. I slid my hand into hers, and we walked out onto the dance floor.

“You really are beautiful.” I complimented her as I spun her around to the beat of the music. She laughed.

“Stop teasing your poor mother.” she waved off my compliment.

“Hey. I’m serious.” I said. Mom met my eyes, and saw the heat I was sure was in them. She blushed lightly.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her.

“Nothing. I’m just... glad to know you appreciate your mother.” Mom said, still blushing.

“Of course I appreciate you.” I told Mom in surprise.

“Well, Gabby doesn’t seem to. We just had a fight two days ago because I was ‘oppressing her’.” Mom sighed.

“That’s not true. Gabby loves you.” I sighed.

“I’m not sure I agree. Recently, she’s been closer with Lora than me.” Mom frowned.

“Well, at least one of your children will always care about you.” I told Mom jokingly.

“Even if I keep things going with Micah?” Mom asked observantly.

“You know I don’t like it?” I asked.

“Of course I do! I’m your mother, silly.” Mom giggled.

“Well, you’re right. I don’t like Micah. I don’t like the two of you together.” I admitted.

“Aww. I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t realize you’d be so upset. But... I do care about Micah. Can’t you be happy for me?” Mom asked gently.

“I wish I could, Mom. But I hate seeing him with his hands all over you.” I murmured. Mom gave me a sad look. But before she could speak, the song ended and Micah walked up to us.

“May I have this dance?” Micah asked Mom. To my disgust, Mom agreed and the two waltzed off.

“Need a partner again?” a familiar voice asked. I turned to see Selena, smiling.

“I suppose so.” I admitted.

“You’re really unhappy with Micah being with your mother. I saw it when he came over to ask your mom to dance.” Selena said. I sighed.

“I am extremely unhappy.” I said unhappily. Selena touched my cheek.

“It’ll get better, once it’s familiar.” Selena assured me.

“Doubt it.” I scoffed.

“My father married my best friend.” Selena revealed.

“She was 23, he was 49. We weren’t friends after that, and then my ex-friend got pregnant and I couldn’t bear it, so I left.” Selena explained. Oh, Tita. I’d never thought about what happens if Mom got pregnant! Oh, that would be the absolute worst. Yet, it was almost certainly going to happen, due to her half-elven fertility.

I felt nauseous, disgusted, and beyond pissed off.

“I need some air.” I staggered to the door, and escaped into the night, gasping for air.

I sat on a stone bench, sucking in air, trying to curb my nausea.

I put my head in my hands and felt like crying, screaming, or violently killing something. Instead I just sat there and moped.

I looked up at the glistening stars, and knew what I needed to do. Who I needed to see.