by Abbi Glines
His words had gone from complementary to something else. Did he think I wanted him to get close to me? Had I given off that vibe? Maybe the way he smelled or the way he smiled made me feel lightheaded, but I wasn’t pushing myself on him. I wasn’t hoping for anything more. I concluded that his comment had insulted me.
“I don’t recall asking you to. I’ve already fallen in love once, and it shattered me. I’m not looking for a replacement.” I kept my voice cool and was rather proud of myself for the way I responded.
He leaned down making sure my eyes locked on his. “No, you didn’t,” he whispered before he straightened and walked down the hall toward his room. I stood there until his bedroom door closed behind him. He didn’t turn around to look back at me. He just left me with those last words.
I was angry. I shouldn’t feel upset with him. I owed him too much. But his need to be brutally honest wasn’t always acceptable. Especially when he didn’t know what he was talking about. He couldn’t tell me what I felt.
I spun around, walked into my room and closed the door behind me. I locked the door and growled in frustration.
The one thing I hated about his last words? He was forcing me to involuntarily question my feelings. I was asking myself if I had been in love with Jasper. If there had been time for that. In reality, I didn’t know Jasper, not really. I had figured out he’d deceived me even if the deceptions weren’t that big of a deal. The issue was he had deceived me.
Dropping my purse on the bed, I sank down on the bedspread and fell back to stare at the ceiling. Every moment I had with Jasper had been magical. He’d made me feel a way I never had before. I didn’t want to think any of that wasn’t real. It had felt real. I wouldn’t lose those memories because Stone was cynical. My memories with Jasper were something no one was taking from me.
THE NEXT MORNING, I WOKE up to shouting before my alarm went off. I glanced at the clock—it was only five. Sitting up in bed, I listened. The thick walls and doors muffled most of the shouting. A few words were clear, but I wasn’t sure what it was about. Going back to sleep wouldn’t be possible now.
My first thought was it was Jasper. He’d come back here to talk to me.
I climbed out of bed and glanced down at my faded pink pajamas my mother had given me for Christmas when I was sixteen. Changing into clothing before I went out there to face whatever was happening seemed silly. I didn’t care what anyone thought of my pajamas. Especially Stone. And Jasper had already seen them.
If it was Jasper out there causing a scene at five in the morning, it was time I dealt with him. Stone had been helpful, and he shouldn’t have to fight with his best friend over my staying here. Hiding from Jasper forever wasn’t going to be possible anyway. I’d had a full day to get myself together. Life would go on. Heidi was always going to be my sister. And other than the Van Allans paying for her care, they wouldn’t be a part of her life.
Opening my door, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and prepare, then headed down the hallway toward the voices. Stone was demanding that she respect his home. I paused and waited. Maybe I’d been confused. I thought I’d heard two male voices, not Presley’s.
“Jesus, Stone, relax. You’re always so fucking wound up. She threw you a party. Everyone left late. It’ll get cleaned up,” the other male said.
“I don’t recall asking you what the fuck you thought about it,” Stone shot back at him.
“Stop it! Just stop it! Why can’t you be nice? You’re always so mean!” Presley wailed loudly.
Then there was silence.
I wanted to scurry back to my room, but I’d gotten so close I was afraid they’d hear me if I turned around and walked back. I needed to wait until there was shouting again.
“You live here for free. When your bitch of a mother wanted nothing to do with the spoiled brat she’d raised, I took you in. He didn’t. Don’t forget that.”
“That’s an unfair statement. Do you two always fight? I need some fucking caffeine and an aspirin to deal with this,” the other voice said.
“Unfair? You were married to her mother. She caught you fucking her daughter and kicked her daughter out. You weren’t asked to leave, and you stayed despite the circumstances.” Stone’s words had my jaw dropping open. Had I just heard that correctly?
“Let it go, Stone! Half the damn country has been married to her mother!” the other guy shouted back.
“Get out of my house, Wesley. If you want this, then go with him. But don’t fucking have a party in my home, trash it, and use it as a way to sneak this bastard under my roof.”
“You hurt me with her!” Presley cried.
I waited, covering my mouth in case some other insane bomb was dropped and I ended up gasping out loud. I had to move soon or one of them would come storming out of the great room and find me here.
“She needed somewhere to live. I gave her a place. The same as I did for you.”
“And did you fuck her like you did me?” Presley shot back.
There was a sigh. “It was once, Presley. We were drunk. You came onto me naked in the hot tub. I am a man, and you were straddling me rubbing your pussy on my dick. Trust me, I’ve regretted that lapse in judgment since the moment it happened.”
“You’re a cold bastard just like your dad,” the other man said.
“Says the man who was living off a woman and fucking her daughter behind her back. What happened Wesley? You run out of money, or is it you can’t find another brainless female to keep you?”
“Stop it! I can’t stay here with you! You’re nasty and cruel. I’m going with Wesley. He loved me. He cared about me,” Presley said the words as if they were a threat.
I backed up slowly praying no one heard my footsteps. This was not my drama and I shouldn’t have heard any of it. Staying here this long had been wrong. I’d been frozen in my spot listening to every word as if it was some television drama unfolding.
“Please, go with him. You have no money. His profession is to live off wealthy women. Good luck with all that,” Stone replied and I began to hurry as I tiptoed back down the hallway.
“You don’t know him!” Presley yelled.
There was no response.
I slipped back into my room and started to close the door when it stopped just before the latch clicked. A hand was holding it open. My heart quite literally stopped and I bit my bottom lip.
“I trust that answered your curiosity.” Stone’s voice was businesslike. I didn’t have time to decide if he was angry, or if I should respond. His hand was gone and the pressure from my body weight pushed the door closed with a slam.
I jumped back and stared at the door in disbelief. He’d caught me. But he hadn’t been upset. At least I didn’t think he was upset. That had been rude of me to listen. Intrusive even. I owed him an apology. I could have tried to escape sooner.
A few more doors slammed shut. Presley shouted things. I hurried to the bathroom to take a shower and dress for the day. I’d have to face Stone and apologize at some point.
I needed to think of how to say it though.
As the water ran down over my face, the image of Stone naked in a hot tub popped into my head uninvited and I tried to push it away. I didn’t want to think about Stone naked, but the image wouldn’t leave. I’d seen him shirtless. I knew how impressive his body was.
Frustrated, I hummed my mother’s favorite Elvis Presley song and tried to focus on the lyrics. I tried to picture anything but the image my mind kept displaying. When my body tingled as I unwillingly remembered Stone’s description of being straddled naked, I covered my face, horrified by my reaction and thoughts. How was I turned on by that? Was I sick in the head and only now realizing it?
“I am not a sicko, I am not a sicko,” I repeated quietly to myself until the water turned cold.
GERALDINE CAME TO THE DOOR wearing a red-striped bikini and a large straw hat, carrying around a martini glass full of milk. On one hand, I was a little shocked. On the other, I was gratef
ul she was mindlessly packing for a nonexistent trip to the Caribbean because it helped me drown my thoughts.
I was cleaning up the kitchen after lunch when Geraldine finally came out of her spell.
“Why am I wearing this bikini?” she asked.
I spun around from loading the dishwasher to see her with a towel wrapped around her and her hat was gone.
“You were packing for a trip to the Caribbean,” I told her.
She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Dear God, if I ever visit that place again don’t let me wear this. My thighs have seen better days.”
I smiled. “I thought you looked great in it.” I hoped I had her attitude about life when I was older and my brain got scattered.
“Thank you. But trust me. There was a time long ago I could turn heads,” she said with pride.
“I believe you.”
She returned my smile. “I guess I have some unpacking to do. If you could water the garden for me while I put things away, that would be wonderful.”
“Yes, of course.”
She started to leave, then paused and looked at me. “You’re a good girl. I’ve known a lot of beauties. Many that have been in and out of Stone’s life. But never have I met one with your spirit or heart. Don’t give up on him.”
I opened my mouth to tell her that Stone was only helping me and she had the wrong idea about us. However, she had left the room and her footsteps were echoing down the hall before I could gather my words to respond.
Surely Stone had explained our situation to her. He wouldn’t want her thinking there was anything between us. Her mind was scattered. Maybe she was confused again thinking I was a girl from his past. That idea saddened me. Stone wasn’t an ideal guy to spend your life with. He was hard, blunt and cruel at times. He looked down his nose at others and was closed off. But he also had a soft spot. The idea of a girl hurting him made my heart hurt a little—only a little.
Watering the garden took over an hour. It was an impressive set up and she’d told me yesterday how Stone had helped her organize it during spring break three years ago. They’d spent four days preparing the irrigation and making sure the planting system was installed properly. He would have been a sophomore in college. His friends would have gone to some exotic location to party, but he’d come here to help an elderly woman begin a garden in her multi-million-dollar castle.
Actions like that made the Stone who had told me I hadn’t been in love with Jasper seem like a different person. It was as if there were two of him. One I respected and admired, and the other one I wanted to punch in the face.
I wondered how many childhood memories Stone had in this back yard. From the bits and pieces I’d learned about his parents, this must have been his safe place. He came here to be a little boy and feel secure. I’d been raised with love and security. I didn’t know what it was like to grow up with parents like his. I couldn’t expect him to be normal after that.
“Beulah, dear, we seem to have company. I believe it’s more for you than me,” Geraldine called from the back patio. When I put the water hose down and looked back at her, the concerned frown she wore made me think she might be having another spell.
“I’ll be right there,” I assured her and turned off the sprinklers that were set to water most of the crops. She stayed on the patio. Her frown also remained in place. I wondered what she could be imagining to have her so upset. Stone hadn’t prepared me for a spell like this. I only knew about her more entertaining episodes.
“Is everything okay?” I asked once I reached her. She sighed heavily as if she hated to tell me what was wrong.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. He’s always been welcome here. Because of that, I didn’t think one thing about it when he came to the gate. I happily let him inside. I was ready to make him a cup of tea and feed him a slice of the almond pound cake you made earlier. But when he got inside the house, he asked to see you and I remembered. Stone warned me this could happen and said I should tell you to call him if he tried to get in here. But . . . I forgot, and now he’s here. In the parlor.”
“Jasper,” it wasn’t a question. Although she had never said his name, I knew who she was referring to. He shouldn’t have come to my job. To a place that he’d always been welcomed. It was wrong to take advantage of Geraldine. Instead of the panicked mess I’d been every time I thought I’d have to face him, this time I was angry. I was frustrated that he’d do something like and that he’d upset Geraldine.
Facing him was the last thing I wanted to do, but I wouldn’t allow this to upset her more than she was. “That’s all right. Not to worry. I’ll see if I can help him then send him on his way. Or you can feed him some pound cake and enjoy your tea. I’m sure he’d like that.”
She shook her head. “Oh, no. He isn’t to stay here with you. Stone told me to be sure this didn’t happen, and I messed it up.”
The distress in her voice was unfair to her. Jasper was being selfish. “Then you have a seat in the kitchen, and let me handle Jasper. This isn’t a problem at all and Stone doesn’t even need to know about it.”
Geraldine pinched her lips and shook her head. “No, no. I’ll have to tell him. And you’re not going in there alone. Stone didn’t tell me why, but he was very adamant about it. I just wish I’d remembered sooner.”
Arguing with her was a waste of time.
“If you’re sure,” I said worrying this was too much stress for her.
She gave a firm nod. “Absolutely.”
I didn’t know what he’d say or why he was here, but I had to deal with this and make him leave. Coming between him and Stone’s friendship made me feel terrible. Jasper and Stone were as close as brothers. It wasn’t until after I’d left that I realized how close they were. Stone and Jasper didn’t have a lot of family from what I could tell, and they weren’t going to lose each other over me.
“Then let’s go see what our guest wants,” I said with a smile that wasn’t genuine.
She studied me then sighed. “This isn’t good,” she muttered. “Let’s go.”
With Geraldine by my side, we walked to the parlor, and I began mentally coaching myself to face him. I had to do this without any crack or breakdown for Geraldine’s sake. Maybe for my sake too.
When we got to the doorway, Geraldine stepped in front of me almost protectively. “I brought her, but you’re not supposed to be here. I had forgotten. So I won’t be leaving you alone. Stone didn’t give me any details on the situation and I know you boys are close. If he thinks that you shouldn’t be around Beulah, then there must be a good reason.”
Jasper’s eyes weren’t on Geraldine, they were locked on me. My chest ached at the sight of him. I was surprised it wasn’t as painful as I’d feared. I didn’t care what Stone said, I loved Jasper. Or I had. The way I’d felt for him had changed. My feelings had to change with the truth. He was a Van Allan and my sister’s biological brother. I wasn’t bitter that my sister didn’t have the privileged life Jasper had because she’d been given something so much better. I felt sorry that he had to grow up with those monsters as his parents.
“Stone won’t allow me in the building. You won’t answer my calls or texts. I didn’t know how else to talk to you.” The pleading in his voice was hard to disregard.
“Stone is trying to protect you. You have to accept the truth and admit the lies, then maybe we can talk. Right now, it’s too fresh, too painful.”
Jasper took one step toward me, and Geraldine took a step toward him as a silent warning. She didn’t seem to care that Jasper was a foot taller than her. She held her head high and glared at him with determination.
“Gerry, you know I won’t hurt her. I just need to talk to her.”
Geraldine shook her head. “You’re talking, but you’re not getting closer. I wasn’t supposed to let you inside.”
Jasper lifted his eyes to look me. “I want a DNA test for Heidi. And I’m having one done for me too. I . . . Hell, I don’t know what my parents were capable
of. If Stone is right . . . Jesus, I could be a bastard of one of my father’s secretaries. I need to know the truth. I can’t just accept what Stone believes is true. God knows my mother can’t tell the truth. She is still protecting herself. She always will.”
Heidi didn’t need her DNA tested. It would scare her or confuse her. I shook my head no. “I won’t have Heidi upset.”
He took another step in my direction. “She won’t ever know. We need a swab from inside her mouth and a strand of hair. Nothing else. If she is a Van Allan, then she deserves the inheritance that is rightfully hers.”
“No! She is an Edwards. My mother,” I felt emotion clog my throat making it hard to speak. “My mother . . . was our mother and she always will be. Heidi needs to know nothing more than that. I WILL NOT let you upset her! Nothing is more important than Heidi.” I was speaking loudly, my heart pounding in my chest for other reasons than the sight of Jasper. It was fear that I couldn’t protect Heidi if she was a Van Allan.
“I would never, ever, hurt her. She would never have to know anything more than she does now. But . . . I’d like permission to visit her. If she is my sister, then I’ve missed out on that. I never had a sibling. I want to know mine.”
My throat was closing, and my hands felt sweaty. I shook my head and backed away from him. Panic was causing my vision to blur. This wasn’t happening. If I had no claim on her, if they found out she wasn’t my sister . . . I could lose her. They could take her away from me. They’d be able to whisk her off to wherever they wanted, and she’d need me. She’d be scared and confused.
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t breathe.
BEFORE I HAD A COMPLETE panic attack, the front door swung open.
“JASPER!” Stone’s roar echoed through the house. I jumped, jerking my head around to see him taking long quick strides into the parlor with a furious expression. I’d never seen him show this kind of emotion. For a moment, I snapped out of the complete breakdown I was having over my sister.
