by Sienna Grant
“Reagan. Please. It’s not what you think.”
When the elevator finally arrives, I rush inside. I turn around and let him see my tears. They’re an incessant flow down my cheeks and I can’t be bothered to hide them. I want him to see what he’s done.
“Rae, please stop.”
The doors close on his pleading.
I press the button for the parking lot, unable to believe what I’ve just seen. My stomach churns even more. My hand covers my chest, trying to soothe the feeling of my heart breaking. The doors open and I run out, just barely managing to make it to a trash can before I lose the contents of my stomach.
Fifty-Five
Everett
I make it to the elevators just before the doors close. She stares at me. I think she’s looking right into my eyes, but she’s looking through me. She blinks, and I know she can barely stand to look at me. Tears fall from her lashes and roll down her cheeks.
I want to touch her.
To wipe her tears away and tell her that it’s lies.
I want to tell her I love her.
The elevator doors close and my shoulders slump, my head hanging down. My fist clenches at my side as my jaw tenses. I have no idea why I’m still standing here. She’s gone, and by the looks of things, she’s not coming back.
I march back to my office.
“Mr. Brooks?” Joy calls out in a tentative voice, but I ignore her for now.
Barging through my door I slam it behind me.
“Did you plan that?” I thunder at Margie as I reach her, standing just where I left her.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She shrugs. I get the sudden urge to take her by the shoulders and shake her, but I manage to refrain.
“Why the fucking hell would you do that?” My voice is calm. Much calmer than it should be. I should be shouting and bellowing but I’m not sure it would have the same effect.
“You know you wanted that just as much as me.” Running her finger along her bottom lip, she smirks again.
“Like hell I did. I don’t want you anywhere near me.” My teeth grind and my fingers push into my hair, gripping it as tightly as I can.
What the fuck has she done?
“Get out. I want you to leave. Now.” Stepping away she picks up her purse and goes to the door.
“Did you set that up?” I grind out once more.
With her hand on the handle, she yanks on the door open and looks at me from over her shoulder. “No. I didn’t. Happy now?”
“Just dandy.” Before I let her leave, I give her a dark warning. “If anything happens to Reagan, I’m holding you responsible.”
With a wiggle of fingers, she says, “Bye, Everett. I do hope we can do this again soon.”
“I don’t want to see you here again.”
She walks away, her head held high, and I bet if I could see her face there’d be a fucking smirk there.
Closing the door, I sit at my desk and pull my cell from my pocket. I call Reagan, but it goes to voicemail. I knew it would but that doesn’t stop me. I call her again, but this time the voicemail picks up right away. She’s purposefully ignoring me. I wait for the beep and leave a message, hoping she’ll listen to it.
“Reagan, please answer me. I swear to you there is nothing going on. I’m not even sure what that was, but what you saw wasn’t what you think. Baby, I can’t explain over a damn phone, please talk to me. Please pick up. There are so many things I need to say to you and I’d rather do it face to face and not like this.”
I hang up and slump in my desk chair, dropping my head into my hands. I’m not sure what to think or even do. I’ve never had to make amends to a woman; I wouldn’t even know where to start. I’ve never cared enough about a woman to want to give a shit about where to start before Rae.
What a fucking mess!
Reagan tried to tell me Margie was up to something, but I never thought it was me she was after. Maybe she thought she could get further up the ladder with me in her corner. Who fucking knows. All I do know is she’s fucked things up for Reagan and me.
Grabbing my car keys and shoving my cell into my inside pocket, I stop by Joy’s desk on my way out. “Joy, I’m done for the day. Hold my calls.”
“Will do, Mr. Brooks.”
I don’t look at her, I just leave. I need to see Reagan.
Fifty-Six
Margie
When I get back to the office, Reagan still hasn’t come back. I feel the smile pull at my lips as I put my purse away and sit at my desk. I wonder how long it will be before Reagan comes back, or if she comes back at all. She isn’t that weak, surely? I know Reagan Quinn, and she doesn’t give up on anything.
The phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. I clear my throat and put my best secretary voice on. “Hicks Life Solutions, how may we help you today?”
“Hello, Margie, it’s Terry Hicks. I’m not sure what is going on… but Ms. Quinn is taking the rest of the day for personal reasons. You’ll have to man the phones and keep the office going. If you could send me the end of day reports and drug trial analysis, it would be much appreciated.”
“Yes, of…of course.” I sniff for good measure.
“Margie, is everything okay?”
I put on my best dramatic voice, a little stutter, an extra sniff. “Everything’s…fine, Mr. Hicks,” I reply.
“Are you crying?”
“N-no. I just…well, I feel like this is all my fault.”
“What’s your fault? If there’s a problem, Margie, you need to tell me so I can fix it. Are you having problems with someone in the office?”
“You could say that. It’s only because I found out her secret. She was so angry with me.”
“Margie, you aren’t making any sense. Who was angry with you? And what secret?”
I grab a tissue and pretend to blow my nose and dab my eyes for appearances sake just in case anyone in the sales office is watching.
“Reagan—I mean, Ms. Quinn. She was angry. She told me if I told anyone about what she had done, I’d lose my job. And because I was just an assistant, no one would believe me over her.”
“Go on…”
“The Sphinx account. She did it, Mr. Hicks. She made me order the wrong amount of pills. She said it would be fine… she made me sabotage the account. They closed it because of the shipment.”
“Reagan did it?” The shocked sound of his voice makes this a whole lot sweeter to my ears.
“I’m afraid so. I didn’t want to tell you, but I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I think she’s also been defrauding the company, but I can’t be too sure.”
“Reagan has done that? Um, alright, thank you for bringing this to my attention, Margie. I’ll handle it from here.”
“Th-thank you for listening to me, Mr. Hicks. I really didn’t have anywhere else to turn. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble though.” I make my breath shudder in the back of my throat to give the whole act the full effect.
“No, no, I’m glad you did. You just let me handle everything. Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be fine, thank you. I feel better already getting it off my chest.”
“That’s good. I’m so sorry this has happened, Margie. But I will assure you now, we do not accept bullying in my firm. This matter will be dealt with accordingly.” There’s a small pause before he speaks again. “I’ll be in touch.”
The dial tone sounds in my ear and I put the receiver down. A smug grin tugs at the corners of my mouth.
Today has been a good day.
Phase three of taking down Reagan Quinn is complete.
Soon, Reagan Quinn will be a distant memory of this place.
Oh, how the mighty fall.
Fifty-Seven
Reagan
Once I reach my apartment, I parked and break down. The tears in the elevator were the start of it, but I wiped them away; there was no way I could’ve driven if I�
��d started crying. I was long overdue for this breakdown anyway.
When I reached the parking lot level of EB Pharmaceuticals, all I could see was Everett’s broken expression. I nearly took the elevator back up, but then I remembered how I’d caught them. What if I walked in on something else? What if he was screwing her? I couldn’t even begin to imagine what I’d do.
Letting the tears fall, I know I’m crying for something that was probably never meant to be, but it doesn’t stop me from knowing that I loved him though. Because I did. I was just too scared to tell him. Everett Brooks worked his way into my heart, and I have no idea how the hell I’m going to put myself back together after this.
I shouldn’t be surprised. It was always going to happen at some point, best it happened now rather than further down the line.
Sniffing back my tears, my breath shudders in the back of my throat as I try to regain my composure. I wipe my face with the back of my hand, clearing the moisture from my cheeks, and grab my purse. My cell rings and I freeze. I have an idea who it could be without looking, but because I’m a glutton for punishment, I look anyway. Just seeing Everett’s name on my screen makes me cry again. He rang me earlier and I ignored him. The ringing stops, but immediately starts back up again. I reject the call and send it to voicemail before throwing my phone back into my purse.
I lock my car and head for the elevator, keeping my head down so I don’t have to look at anyone. I know I look horrible.
Thankfully, I make it to my apartment without seeing anyone. Once I’m inside, I take out my cell and drop my purse on the breakfast counter. I call Terry and head for my bedroom. I don’t tell him too many details, making up an excuse as for why I can’t go back to work today—personal reasons is how I explain it. He accepts my excuse and tells me to keep him informed.
I hold in the button on the side of my cell and wait for it to shut down and turn the fucking thing off throwing it on the floor. There’s nothing like burying your head in the sand, or pillow in my case, and forgetting your problems. It suddenly dawns on me that it’s not just me in this scenario. Hayden is involved too. How do I tell him that yet again someone has cheated on him?
Margie told me she was meeting him today. Another lie to add to the growing pile.
Feeling nothing but pure exhaustion taking over my body, I’m soon drifting off to sleep.
I wake to someone banging on the door. I’m not sure how long I’ve been asleep, but my head is throbbing. I don’t need this right now; I can’t deal with him right now. Maybe if I lie here and ignore him, he’ll go away. I don’t think I have the strength to talk to him. The banging stops for less than a minute before it starts all over again. Rolling over to my side, I tug the pillow over my head, only to throw it off again because all I can smell is Everett’s scent.
Flopping onto my back, I sigh when the banging stops again. But then I hear him. His deep voice. My eyes close while I try to find the strength to go to the door. I see my phone and lean off the end of the bed to grab it. I power it on again and see a voicemail. I press call and wait for his message: “Reagan, please answer me. I swear to you there is nothing going on. I’m not even sure what that was, but what you saw wasn’t what you think. Baby, I can’t explain over a damn phone, please talk to me. Please pick up. There are so many things I need to say to you and I’d rather do it face to face and not like this.”
“Baby?” I repeat quietly to myself. “Damn you, Everett Brooks.”
I push to the edge of the bed and sit up. I drag my tired and weary body up off the bed and make my way through the apartment, passing the mirror that sits in the hallway on my way to the front door. I stall for a second, looking at my reflection. My mascara has run from my lashes and I have black smudges under my eyes. At least he can see what he’s done to me. I can’t look at myself anymore. I move to the front door and push up to my tiptoes, looking through the peephole. He looks disheveled; his hair is a mess, like he’s dragged his hands through it and tugged on it in frustration over and over. He’s dressed in a tee and gray sweatpants, so he’s been home. I drop my forehead to the door and rest it against the cold surface.
“I know you’re there, Rae. Please open the door.” His voice is quiet, and if I’m not mistaken, he sounds distraught.
Against my better judgement, I open the door. He stands before me, hands in his pockets, slightly hunched over as he looks at me. I’m not going to let him persuade me. No way. I spin away from him and make my way to the living room, folding my arms across my chest, my toe tapping on the rug, waiting for him to come in.
He walks into the apartment and sits down on the edge of the couch, setting his elbows on his knees before palming his face in his cupped hands, scrubbing them over his face. Then he has the nerve to look me in the face. His sorrowful expression is way too much for me and I have to look away.
I focus back on my toe that’s still tapping away on the floor. “What do you want, Everett?”
“Reagan, please.”
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I refuse him. Well, I do in my head anyway and try to act nonchalant. It really doesn’t work, because as if he’s got a magnet pointed at me, my head lifts up and his withdrawn and regretful eyes are staring right back at me.
My phone rings from over on the counter. I can’t wait to answer it so I can move away from his intense stare. My heart sinks when I see who’s on the other end.
I accept the call and lift my cell to my ear before saying hello.
“Reagan, some things have come to light today. I think it would be best if you take the rest of the week off, suspended with pay, of course. I’d like you to come back in on Monday at eight a.m.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Well, along with the problem with the Sphinx account, I have gotten some reports of bullying. Maybe you should take this time to consider if this job is for you.”
I don’t get to stick up for myself, I don’t have the chance to answer, because all I get is the beeps from him hanging up.
A puff of air leaves my mouth as I drop down onto a stool. A lump develops in the back of my throat as it closes up. I can’t breathe, I feel stifled. A flush covers my body, and not a good one this time. Still in my work clothes, the sweat coats my body and I have to open another button of the shirt I’m wearing.
Everett must see the change in me and is in front of me in no time.
“Don’t touch me.” The tears I’ve tried to hold back since he arrived finally begin to freefall down my cheeks, and I can’t wipe them away quick enough.
Everett pulls his hand back and crouches down in front of me. “Reagan, what happened? Let me help you.”
Staring into his eyes is definitely my biggest downfall. It doesn’t take long for my sobs to take hold. My body starts to shake, I wrap my arms around myself for comfort. I feel cold from the inside…
Everett reaches his hand out to me and I know he’s having second thoughts about touching me right now. I cover my face with my hands and cry into my palms. Big fat tears soak my hands as I let everything out. I feel Everett’s hands on me. I know I probably shouldn’t let him touch me, but I can’t help it. I need him.
Pulling me against him, my forehead falls to his shoulder and I cry. I let myself lean on him for just a minute.
Fifty-Eight
Everett
Wrapping my arms around Reagan, her body relaxes against mine as she cries. Burying my face into her hair, I press my lips to the top of her head in a gentle kiss while her body is wracked with sobs. I know this isn’t over, it’s far from it.
I have no fucking idea what’s going on. I don’t know why all of this is happening, but I’m going to find out.
Reagan sniffs back her tears, lifts her head, and looks up at me. I lift my hand and reach out, but she moves out of range. She swipes the tips of her fingers beneath her eyes and stands upright. She sucks in a deep breath and blows it out again. “I need you to leave.”
“What? Fuck. Reagan.” I’m not the kind of man to beg, but I know I did nothing. “Please let me explain. I did nothing. I swear to you.”
“It didn’t look that way from the doorway… I just need to sort my head out.”
“What you saw and what happened are honestly two completely different things.” My jaw grinds as my teeth clamp together. I want to respect her wishes, but on the other hand I need to make her see the truth of the situation. “Let me share my side of the story.”
Reagan shutting herself off, I attempt to make eye contact, but she avoids it. I know I won’t get through to her. Slipping my hands into my pockets, I take a step away from her. Finally, she lifts her chin and looks me in the eye. Moving back toward her, standing toe to toe, I take her chin in my cupped hand, bringing her eyes to mine, our noses almost touching. “Fine. I’ll give you your space, but I’ve never felt for anyone the way I feel for you. I won’t give up; I can promise you that.”
A tear rolls from her eye and down her cheek. “She’s out to get me, Ev, and I don’t know why. I told you and you didn’t believe me. So why would I believe you now?” She sighs. “Please, Everett, don’t make this any harder for me.”
“For you. Don’t my feelings count at all?” With a frustrated sigh, I loosen my hold on her chin and drop my hand. When she doesn’t say anything, I shrug, all the fight leaving my body and my heart sinking.
Without another look back, I walk to the front door and pull it open. I pause for a second in the hopes that she may have a change of heart, but I know I’m grasping at straws. Maybe this is just for tonight, but maybe this is forever.
All I can think about as I ride the elevator down to my car is how I should’ve told her that I love her. Maybe, just maybe, I might have been able to cut through that thick exterior. That invisible forcefield that she surrounds herself with.
