My Step-Dad Is My Mate
Chapter 9

Oh My God! Aiden is coming to pick me up in 20 minutes and I have noidea what to wear! My makeup isn't done, my hair is a mess just whatthe hell.

In case you are wondering what is going on, I'm getting ready- wellsuppose to be finishing up by now for my date with Aiden. And yes, Isaid yes to him. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. At first, Iwas going to say no, but then I thought to myself. I deserved this, toactually enjoy myself for once after everything that has been going on. Iwon't let my emotions or Richard or anything else stop me from livingmy life.

As I rampaged through my wardrobe and tossing dress after dress afterdress on the floor, I was close to giving up. Times like this made mewhich I had girlfriends to help with this kind of stuff or any type offriend that is.

"Need any help?"

I looked up to see my mother standing in the doorway with a hopefullook and it made me cringe.

"Sure momma." I said lowly. Her footsteps got closer to me and mycloset.

I couldn't help but cringe being in the same room with her, it wasbeyond uncomfortable.

"How about this?" She said and held up a cream colored strap-lessdress.

I stared at the dress in shock. When did I buy this? Slowly I took it frommy mother's hand and ran my hands down the soft fabric.

"It's perfect.”

My mom smiled a little and nodded then proceeded to leave the room."Wait, mom." I called out and she stopped abruptly and turned to faceme.

"Thanks" I began, “for helping.”

Mom smiled at me and then exited my room. Well, that was awkward. Ilaid the dress on my bed and admired it for a few seconds the turnedto vanity to finish up my makeup and hair.

"You look beautiful sweetie.” My mom complimented me as I lookedover my outfit in the mirror downstairs near the hallway.

My hair was straightened and curled at the end, my skin glistened fromthe new body lotion I had used which was scented lavender and myface had light make up. Just eyeliner and my red lipstick.

"Thank you momma." I said with a smile.

5 more minutes and Aiden will be here. What if I trip over my heels?Spill juice on him? Drop acid on his face!? Okay, that last one is mostlikely not going to happen but I'm nervous okay? I've never been outon an actual date before. I wanted the first person to take me out bemy mate but...Aiden is just perfect enough. I wonder what he hasplanned? Is he going to wing it or something? Would he be as nervousas I am? Probably not, I bet he's been out on a date before but itdoesn't really matter who was a part of his past, all that matters is now."Well someone looks nice."

I felt my body tense as I heard his voice as he came down the stairs."She does doesn't she Richard? My baby's first date! I'm so happy forher.” My mom said excitedly.

I was glad to see her in her normal chipper state again, it sure beatsseeing her looking depressed 24/7.

"Date?" Richard asked as he paused before taking another stepforward. His jaw was clenched and he glared at me with dark eyes but Ididn't look away or back down. I looked right back at him and showedhim that I didn't have two shits about what he thinks or wants.

"Yes hunny, she has a date with that Beta. What's his name again?Umm, Jaden? No that's not it... Braden?"

"Aiden." I corrected my mother at her hopeless guesses and shesnapped her fingers.

"Aiden! That's it. He's a sweet boy isn't he Richard?" My mom asked asshe lightly tapped his shoulder and Richard just growled softly."Richard! Why are you growling?" She asked and I smirked at him,knowing damn well why he was.

"Rose, she isn't going anywhere." He said and I rolled my eyes.

My mother scoffed and crossed her arms. "Why not?"

Richard looked dumbfounded for a minute but then the expression.Went away. "It's a school night for Christ sakes!"

"Is that really it Richard?” I asked in a teasing tone and he sent me awarning glance.

"Yes." He said stiffly and I chuckled.

"Well, I don't care. I'm going on that date. Aiden's going to take me todinner and then take me dancing. Ooo dancing. He'll run his hands allover me and-"

"HE WILL NOT TOUCH YOU!" Richard bellowed, making m momjumped back a little from the little fright but I saw it coming.

"What's going on with you two?" She asked but I tuned her out asRichard and I were having an intense glare down.

"You will not leave this house." He growled to me and I growled rightback.

"You don't control me."

"YOU WILL DO AS I SAY!" He shouted and I felt my anger flare.

"FUCK OFF RICHARD. KNOW YOUR PLACE BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLYAREN'T IN IT!"

"Am I disturbing something?"

My head snapped to the direction of the front door where Aiden stoodwatching us with wide eyes while I took in his outfit. was wearing someblack jeans with a grey dress shirt and his hair combed to the side. Whoknew casual could look so good?

"Get out/No." Richard and I said at the same time. This asshole...

I walked over to Aiden and engulfed him in a hug, breathing in hiscoconuty scent.

"I'm so glad to see you."

"Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?!" My mom yelled asshe came out of her trance of shock.

"Yeah Richard. Why don't you tell my mom what's going on." I said witha strong voice as I let go

of Aiden. He gripped my hand and entwined our fingers. I looked up athim and he smiled at me.

"You got this." He said via our link and I felt a little more courage. Thisis it. I can do this. It's time.

"I just think Danica shouldn't be going out with a boy she barely knows.Much less on a school night!" Richard exclaimed, lying fluently.

I gritted my teeth together. Now is the chance for him to be honest andhe lies again? What a douche.

"Is that it Richard? Because she barely knows me?" Aiden said, tauntinghim.

"Richard it's not that big of a deal. Let her enjoy herself." My mom said,still oblivious to the lies and tension floating above us in the room.

"Oh Jesus Christ mom are you really that fucking blind?" I blurted outbefore I could stop myself and it became so quiet you couldn't evensound of anyone breathing.

"Danica! What on earth is the matter with you?" She asked and that'swhen I lost it.

"What's the matter with me? You've been fucking my mate for almost 3years now and you are asking ME that question?"

Richard's mouth fell open and I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders.

"I haven't been f- Mate? Danica your m- But I've been with Ri- wait...Areyou saying that...?"

"Yes mother" I said with a roll of my eyes. "Richard is my mate.”

Tap tap tap!

My eyes fluttered open quickly as I studied my surroundings, only toreplace out I was in my room, alone. No Richard, Aiden or my mom. It wasjust a dream. In a way, I feel a little relaxed and angry. It seemed so real,like I had actually told her I was mates with Richard.

Tap tap tap!

"Danica come downstairs! Aiden is here.” I heard my mom's voice fromthe other side of the door and I got up, rubbing the sleep away frommy eyes and grabbed my purse. Quickly checking myself in the mirror, Iwas wearing the exact same outfit as I did in the dream. Weird.

As I opened my bedroom door, I was greeted by my mom who lookedat me proudly.

"You worse the dress I picked.” She said.

Oh she I guess she really did help me do this.

"Of course.” I replied back with a grin.

"Come on, Aiden is waiting on you." She said and started walking downthe hall with me on her tail.

As we approached the steps, I took a whiff of Aiden’s scent; his coconutscent and breathed in deep. Damn does he smell good.

"Hey." He said when I got down to the final step.

"Hey."

"You ready Dani?" Aiden asked as he reached for my hand, slowlylocked our fingers together.

I nodded and waved bye to my mom.

My eyes trailed up the middle of the steps, where Richard stood quietly,watching me leave with a sad look in his eyes. I faced away from hislook and shut the door behind Aiden.

"I have some things planned for us. If that's okay." He said softly.

"It's perfect. Thank you."

"For what?" Aiden asked and I blushed lightly.

"Being here, for this. Even though I pushed you away for a little while,you still stayed. Thank you Aiden."

I got in his car and Aiden shut my door for me then went over to thedriver's side and started down the road.

"A promise is a promise and I told you I don't break mine. You don'tdeserve the life you have Danica. You need to be happy, just like everygirls needs to be and if I can at least bring some joy into it, then I'llkeep doing whatever I need to do."

I was on a full on blush by the time Aiden was done. I just peeked athim through the corner of my eye to see he was already glancing at meso I covered my face. I'm acting like a 1 0 year old.

Way to play it smooth Danica.

"You should get some zz's. It's going to be a little before we get towhere we're going and I don't want you to be tired.” He said and mycuriosity was sparked. I opened my mouth where we were going but hebeat me too it.

"Don't even.”

I pouted and Aiden laughed as he poked my bottom lip with his finger."Put that lip back in sweetheart.”

The thought occurred to me to bite his finger but I went against it andleaned back in the seat.

My eyes slowly began to droop while Aiden drove on to wherever hewas taking me but I had a feeling I'd like it. I trust him.

And that was my last thought, before I drifted into the peaceful statecalled sleep.