Chapter 9

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Oliver

Waking up to Abby curled away from me, wasn't what I wanted this morning. I know she's not used to it here with me yet, but she's going to need to get used to it. This is her home now, this is her bed, our bed. I roll closer up behind her and spoon her. Snuggling up with Abby's back close to my chest, wrapping my arms around her and resting my head into her neck. She didn't move, but muttered softly and linked her fingers through mine, and pulling my hand up to her chest snuggling her face into my palm. This works much better.

She was so upset last night about losing her job. Some jerk grabbing her that way, the fucker deserves to get punched. I'm glad she stood up for herself. I should have been there for her, but I was working. At least she doesn't have to go back there again. I know she said she needs the money, but I need to find out a little more about her past. I'm taking care of all her expenses, what does she need so much money for? I know she's got the car and it's repairs, but I was planning on taking care of that. Anything beyond that, what else does she have a credit card or two? Abby's responsible, I doubt she's in any trouble there. It doesn't make sense.

She shifts in my arms and faces me snuggling into my chest. This is getting so much better. Wrapping her arms around me she rests her head in the crook of my neck and I feel her soft warm breath on my skin. I can tell she's awake, but she's not talking and doesn't seem to want to move just yet which is fine with me. I can spend the whole day in bed with her if she wants. I'm liking this just fine. Her little fingers are rubbing circles on my back and my whole body is humming with an electrical pulses. I'm coming alive with her touch and hoping she's feeling the same thing I am. Then Abby huffs out a puff of air and she seems irked at something.

"You were frowning earlier, why?" Abby says finally when she pulls back looks at me. "When I rolled over you were frowning."

I nod and try to figure out how to gently ask her about the money. I don't want to be nosy I just want to help her out. She shouldn't have to struggle. I open my mouth and sigh. Just as I do I hear the front door open and voices downstairs. I smile at Abby, then begin kissing her forehead. I just got a reprieve from that conversation.

"Ollie, we come bearing food!" I hear Kate yell up to us. I'm not wanting to leave the bed but my stomach growls at the mention of food. I know it's taking priority.

"Come on, Abby! It's your favorite, birthday girl!" Melanie yells.

Birthday? It's Abby's birthday? I look at Abby and she shakes her head with her eyes closed. I can't believe I didn't think to ask her when her birthday was. It didn't even occur to me. I should have. I wonder if she knows mine. Abby doesn't want to get up, but Melanie yells again getting a growl out of Abby as she throws the sheets back and gets up like she's pissed. It's like this just set Abby in a worse mood. She rolls her eyes at me and sighs.

I feel like I need to say something, apologize for not knowing at least. "I didn't know it was your birthday, sweetheart. If I knew..."

"I don't celebrate it, so don't worry about it. Melanie does this all the time." Abby says angrily getting out of the bed and putting on a pair of shorts.

"So, it's not your birthday?" I ask her cautiously now confused. She looks a bit irritated that I know.

"No it is, I just don't like to celebrate it. Please don't make a big deal about it. There's nothing big about my birthday. It's just another day. Nothing special about the day, nothing special about me." Abby says. It's obvious that her birthday is something that's painful for her. I don't want to hurt her so I agree nothing big. That doesn't mean I will ignore it though. It certainly doesn't mean I won't do something for her. I will as soon as I figure out what to do.

We head down and apparently our friends don't get the message about Abby not celebrating her day. There's a birthday cake with candles lit, a huge breakfast of rolls, fruit, eggs and meats. Each of them are wearing party hats and have party horns in their mouths. When they see Abby the sounds go off and they yell out happy birthday. Abby stops and cringes. She really doesn't like this.

"Happy birthday doll face!!" Melanie comes over and hugs her tight. Placing a bright green sparkling tiara on Abby's head, Melanie made sure it's on good and tight before she walks away, much to the annoyance of Abby. Frowning she adjusts the tiara, wiggling it on her head before she gets it comfortable.

"Thanks Mel. This was sweet. You really didn't have to." Abby goes to the food and makes a plate.

"Of course, I did. I'm your best friend, I'd never forget your birthday, sweetie. Now make a wish and blow out the candles." Melanie took Abby by the shoulder and guided her to the cake. "Come on, make it a good one." She encourages her and waits for Abby to blow out her candles. Melanie starts singing Happy Birthday and the others immediately join in. I smile and walk up behind Abby, running my hand up her back. She glances over at me and I see the tears in her eyes. This is really hard for her. Shit! What happened to her to hate her birthday?

Abby looks at everyone watching her and it's then when I see it. She doesn't like being the center of attention. I can see her shrink away as Melanie forces her to be the focus of our attention. It's just us, and Abby's having a really hard time with it. Shit! she does not like this at all. I can see the anxiety on her face, through her body language and Melanie is ignoring all of it. Abby blows out the candles and Melanie is fussing over her. Abby's getting more annoyed.

"Hey Melanie, What's all to eat here?" I ask taking her by the arm and over to the trays of food they brought in. I make her tell me everything, hoping to give Abby a break. I see the guys attention turn to the food and Abby's back slouches. She's had enough. The attention turns to food and off Abby then, as we load up our plates Abby starts to breathe.

We gather around my dining room table and eat together laughing and talking, as Abby finally relaxes. I touch her leg and squeeze then run my hand up and down her thigh. I want her comfortable around all of us. My friends are in and out of here all the time. She's got to get used to it. Melanie breaks out some gifts for Abby once we're done eating. Abby seems embarrassed by this attention again, but opens them up and thanks each one for their presents. I feel bad not having something for her, but I'll make it up to her later. I've got all day to plan.

"Thank you all for this. It was really nice of all of you. You really didn't have to do this." Abby says softly and gets to her feet.

"Don't tell me you're working today?" Melanie asks as if this is a normal thing that she tries to get Abby not to do.

"Yep. I have to go get ready. Thank you again." Abby says collecting her gifts and going upstairs to our room.

I watch her but don't move. I need to talk to Melanie. Once I hear the door close I turn to Abby's friend. I'm getting the information I need. "Why does she insist on working so much? What is she paying for?"

Melanie looks guilty at me. Her eyes dart from the stairs to me as she listens for Abby. "If she finds out I told you she'll kill me." She whispers then leans over the table to tell me while the other lean in to hear as well. "Seriously she'll kill me."

"I won't tell her. None of us will but I need to know what's going on with her." I tell her.

Melanie looks at all of us a moment and thinks before she decides to tell us. "Abby came from a pretty poor family. She was on her own since she was sixteen. She was doing good though, good student, great job, she did good for herself. Anyway she was dating this guy before I met her like four years ago. She was head over heels for him. The guy was a complete douche. From what Abby's told me about him, which is very little. He used her big time. She had an awesome job as a personal assistant for some CEO and had gotten a scholarship to go to college to get her business degree at night. Abby's smart and talented, the girl completely underestimates herself and it's all because of him. He took her self esteem right out from underneath her. The dick stole not only her credit cards, but her business one. He maxed out everything, he found her checkbook and emptied out both her checking and savings then disappeared on her. She was left holding the bag feeling responsible and guilty."

"What an asshole!" Dylan growled taking a drink. He read my thoughts.

"Yeah, no kidding." Melanie continues. "She was fired and luckily her boss knew her and understood it wasn't her, but Abby being Abby, felt responsible for what was stolen from her boss and is paying him back as well as the bank and her own credit cards. We're talking tens of thousands of dollars she got stuck with that she didn't take. She's been paying for three years now, three jobs on top of keeping current with her current bills she has now. He took everything from her, but her car. She got kicked out of her apartment, lost her job, no money, her credit went to crap. She even lost the scholarship."

"Who was this dick?" Mason asks. I'm figuring he has the same thing in mind as I do. The guy needs to pay up.

"I wish I knew. I swear if I did I'd tie his dick in a knot around his neck!" Melanie says with Kate nodding in agreement. I think the three of us were a bit scared of Melanie's idea of revenge, but I don't think I'd get in her way either. The guy deserves it. "She was living in her car when I met her. I let move in with me and one by one she got the only jobs that she could and has been working her ass off since."

"That explains the job choices." Kate says. "She accepted what she could to pay the bills. Anything that would check her background or credit wouldn't hire her because of him."

"Damn, he really screwed her." Dylan muttered.

"Do you know who the CEO is? I can contact him directly and pay him off." I tell Melanie.

She shakes her head. "Abby's pretty tight lipped about this. She doesn't talk about it and if she finds out I told you she's gonna be pissed. She doesn't like to burden anyone with her problems and keeps everything to herself. She has some serious walls, Oliver. Hurdling them aren't easy."

I hear Abby walking down the stairs and smile up at her when she walks in the kitchen with her purse on her shoulder and ready for work. I look at what she's wearing all black and her hair is pulled up in a ponytail, she's working at Wrapped. Walking over she grabs a roll up and a strawberry.

"What time are you done tonight?" I ask her as I take Abby's hand pulling her close to me.

"Four but like I said Oliver, I don't usually do anything. Really." Abby says softly as I kiss her lips.

"I'm taking you out to dinner tonight, sweetheart. That's all." I tell her wrapping my arms around her and pulling her to stand between my legs so I can hold her tight against me. "A date sweetheart isn't a big deal, it's just dinner." A nice dinner for the six of us at the best restaurant in town with a couple bottles of champagne and a special dessert just for her. I'll talk to the chef and have him make some special for her as long as it's chocolate she'll love it.

"Nothing fancy, Oliver. I don't have the clothes for your rich places. Please, I don't fit in, in those places." Abby begs me. Damn it! I want to treat her to something nice and she won't let me. Cupping my face she makes me look at her. "Oliver please, don't do anything big for me. I don't need it."

"What if I just want to spoil you?" I ask her and she shakes her head at me. "I can do that you know."

"I'm asking you not to. I have to go. I'll see you later." Abby pulls away from me and leaves. I walk to the front window and watch her get into the car and drive off.

"Are you going to do as she asks?" Dylan asks me as the others come in and sit down in the living room. "About not making a big deal of her birthday?"

"Yes." I tell him and look over my shoulder at him and smirk. "And no. I'm going to treat her like she should be treated, Abby's gonna have to get used to it."

"Easier said than done." Melanie says. "As much as people like Delilah, her boss at the foundation, put her down she has a hard time seeing herself any other way."

"Oh, the foundation! I forgot to tell you!" Kate rambles as she remembered something to tell me. "I overheard mother talking to Avery last night. Apparently Avery paid Abby a visit at the foundation yesterday. Did she say anything about it?"

Fuck! Avery strikes again!

"No, but then by the time I got home she was asleep and upset already about something else." And it hit me, it wasn't just the job Abby was so upset over last night, it was Avery too. Damn it, I should have seen there was more going on with her.

"Avery was pretty rude from what she said to mom. Telling Abby you two are competitive in everything as she matched your donation." Kate says and I cringe that donation was big, the only way Avery could have done that was if she got that money from another source, probably my mother. She would know what I gave. Avery would make Abby feel small about money. I shake my head and then all this morning with gifts and Abby saying she doesn't want anything.

Damn you Avery, you're fucking things up for me.

Abby

As I drove to work I wondered if I was too hard on them. I know they don't know my past, they don't understand what has happened to make me this way or why I'm so determined to stay out of the limelight. Even Melanie has limited information on my past only because I don't want to rehash it. I'm embarrassed by my mistake I made and the idea that he could find me just by seeing me with Oliver in a picture scares me. I don't want him to know things are going good again. I don't want him to find me. I don't want him to trash my life again and everyone in it.  It would break me to lose these people that I have around me now because he comes in and destroys them while he takes me down. I can't do that to Oliver. I'm good as long as I hide, if Oliver puts me out in the spotlight, I'm in trouble.

I get to work and start my shift. I compartmentalize my life so personal never comes with me. I'm good at separating my work from home life, it keeps things simple. Or it did before Oliver came in and jumbled everything up. Now it's all thrown together and I'm having trouble separating everything, that's why the work issues are happening, that's why I keep thinking about the past and that's why I can't seem to get Oliver off my mind. I need to step back to compartmentalize again, then I can get back to normal. I tie on my apron and grab an iPad then go to my section.

It's just the beginning of lunch and it's already packed. That's the good thing about working here, it's always busy, I always make money. I take my first order and and greet the next table. I get the order in then go back and get the second tables drink order. My third table is sat and I look over, it's Avery and an older woman I recognize. Oh no! It's Oliver's mother. Well this was bound to happen. Avery wants me out of his life, this is her way.  I get the drinks delivered and go to their table.

"Good afternoon, I'm Abby can I get you something to drink to start?" I'm the same as I am with everyone. I'm courteous and professional and I act like I don't know them at all.

"Well well! Abby, aren't you just everywhere lately." Avery makes her snide comment and I give her a tight smile, but say nothing and just wait for her order.

"Avery? You know this girl?" Oliver's mom asks. Here it comes.

"Yes, Grace this is the one I was telling you about, the one Oliver has become so taken with. You moved in with him yesterday, didn't you?" Avery looks at me then questioning me as if we're friends. I will never be her friend.

"Can I get you both something or are you still deciding?" I ask professionally. I'm not getting dragged into her game.

"Ah! You're the poor girl my son felt sorry for and is giving you charity." Grace says looking down her nose at me as she eyes me head to toe. I swallow hard and try to steel my spine. I'm not a charity case. "You're very fortunate Oliver is so kind hearted. I hope you appreciate what he's doing for you. I also hope you understand that it is temporary. He is in no way going to let you stay there permanently. You aren't... the right fit for his world. If you understand me."

"I'm aware. Now are you ready to order?" I push. I want them out of my section. And this is why I hate my birthday. Murphy's law, when my birthday starts really good something always messes it up.

"Yes, I believe so, as long as I don't have to come back here for you." Grace glares at me then smiles. "I'll have an ice tea and a Cobb salad."

"Same." Avery says shoving the menu into my face. Rude bitch! "I hope the food is better than the service."

"I'll get that right in." I say politely and head to the back. Grinding my teeth, I'm muttering curse words under my breath as I punch in their order.

"You know that Steel family sure must like you, Abby." The young naive hostess says. I hate to say I don't even know her name. I look up at her and raise my eyebrows at her. "Well usually it's just Oliver that comes in for you, today you get his mom, ex girlfriend and Oliver with all his friends just walked in asking for your section too. You are so lucky, Abby."

"I would not call this luck." I look up front and Oliver smiles and waves at me. I shake my head no, but it doesn't stop him. He starts walking back to me not noticing his mother and Avery have now seen him. I look over at them then back to Oliver and he doesn't even glance their way.

Once he reaches me, Oliver leans in and kisses my lips. "Happy birthday, sweetheart." He smiles but it slides away fast when he sees my face. "What? What's wrong?"

"First, I've asked you not to do this here. Second, I said don't make a big deal out of my birthday. Third, your mother and Avery are here in my section. They just gave me a warning to stay away from you." I tell Oliver. I see the anger grow fast in his eyes. Those deep blue orbs dart around the restaurant until they land on the two women staring at us.

"They gave you a what?" Oliver asks taking my hand as he glares at his mother.

"Please just leave. I need my job, Oliver. I can't lose this one. Go, let me do my job and I'll talk to you later." I quickly tell him as I scan around looking for my boss. I put my hand on his chest and push gently to get him to move. I need him to leave without a scene. "I need to take care of my tables."

Oliver nods and walks back to the lobby. He looks pissed. I keep an eye on him as I take plates out to tables and clear plates from others. I keep myself running just so I'm busy and I don't have to talk to anyone for long. It's when Oliver is standing next to his mothers table with the rest of the group I know I have a problem. I walk up just as my manager walks over. Oliver's voice is getting louder and the entire restaurant is now quiet and watching them. So much for not making a scene, we're right in the middle of one.

"You fucking threatened my girlfriend, mother! I'm not a kid believe it or not. I'm actually a grown man now! I don't need you vetting my dates." Oliver yells. Dylan and Mason

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