by Brooke Page
Tyler was very still for a long moment. Just as I was about to say more, his hands slowly slunk across my thighs and up my dress as his mouth found mine. This was how he coped with his emotions. Whenever we started to poke at the deep and damaged feelings he had for his family, Tyler became physical as though he was trying to block out his pain. One day I was going to have to resist him so we could tackle his feelings, but he felt so broken. His touch was so needy. He acted like our connection was the only thing that would save him from falling off the edge.
Chapter 8
Tyler
The sun was setting by the time I was finished making love to Becca. I was exhausted, resting my head in the crook of her neck, my body snug to her side. I slowly rotated my thumb across her bicep. Her breathing was still heavy. I might have worked the aggression out of me a little too hard. I didn’t understand the feelings that were rising inside of me. My heart told me to accept them, but my mind was telling me otherwise. How do you embrace a complete opposite perception of someone you’ve known your entire life?
Becca’s hand found my hair, her fingers slowly making patterns along my scalp. I couldn’t help but close my eyes, feeling her comfort. She didn’t say anything, but her chest eventually began rising and falling into its normal calm pattern, helping to lull me to sleep.
Just as the sun completely left the sky, my office phone rang. No one ever called that number on a Sunday. I wanted to ignore it, but at the same time I didn’t want Becca to wake. I cautiously rose from the bed, untangling our body parts as gently as I could. I was pleased when she rolled to her side without making a sound.
Pulling on a pair of shorts, I quietly made my way up the spiral staircase. The call went to voicemail before I could answer. My ears stung when RJ’s voice came over on the message machine.
“Tyler, it’s me. I just wanted to say I had a good time today. It was a good start at building our relationship. I really want our family to feel… normal, like an actual family. I know we have a lot of work to do, but I hope you’re willing to keep trying. The way your mom glowed being around family, it’s contagious. I’m with her totally now. I want what she wants, Tyler. I want my sons to play golf with me then go home and have a barbeque on Sunday evenings with my grandkids. I know I wasn’t around when you were growing up, and I pawned you and your brothers off on your mother and grandparents, and I’m sorry. I want this to work. We should grab lunch tomorrow and talk more since we’ll both be in Grand Rapids.”
RJ paused, and I tentatively reached for the phone to answer his call, but he started to talk again. “I decided you were partially right about Chino. Tomorrow at the meeting, we’ll discuss a better outcome for his projects. I’ll tell him we won’t, now or ever, be partnering on his subdivisions, and if he wants to badger us anymore, he can find himself a new architect.”
I swallowed hard, fighting a lump in my throat.
“Anyway, that’s all I needed to say. We can talk more tomorrow. I love you son.”
My mind was screaming at me to pick up the phone, but my hand sat shaking next to the receiver. RJ paused for a moment before he hung up, as if he knew I was hanging by a thread intently listening.
I sat at my desk and put my head in my hands. Was he telling the truth? Can we really be normal after all we’ve been through? Could we possibly just start over?
I shook my head; he had hurt me so many times throughout life. Forgiving him felt damn near impossible.
***
My phone startled me awake. It was a little after 6:00a.m., and I hadn’t slept a wink last night. I moved myself out to the deck, spending the night listening to the waves and staring out at the stars. My heart was heavy with indecision, wondering if I could ever truly trust RJ. My phone beeped again, and I reached to see what all of the messages were about. I had three text messages and one urgent email that kept beeping. I figured it couldn’t be that urgent or else whoever it was from would have called me by now. I checked the texts. One was from Nathan while the other two were from RJ. The first was a simple, you around? Then the second was about lunch. I blew out air in contemplation as my thumbs hovered over the letters.
Sure -Tyler
Lunch couldn’t hurt. If he wanted to be a part of mine and Becca’s life, then he was going to have a lot of ass kissing to do for me to believe him.
I stood stiffly from the lounger and stretched. My back was going to hate me all day from attempting to sleep out here. I opened the slider as quietly as I could to find Becca still passed out from last night. A half smile crossed my lips as I watched her sleep. I was so lucky to at least have one constant in my life, and soon she would legally be mine forever.
Gently closing the slider, I tiptoed to the bathroom to get ready for meeting with RJ and Chino. Nathan’s text was a confirmation that he was going to be at the meeting this morning as well.
I stepped into the warm water and thought about how today might play out. Nathan was going to be irritated as hell with RJ threatening Chino. Nathan was as money hungry as RJ and might not appreciate RJ’s sudden change of heart.
I shook my head. I’d have to believe RJ’s promises when he followed through. Getting out of the shower, I dressed for work, my heart not feeling as heavy as my mind began to accept the idea of RJ being a part of my life like a normal father. A glimpse of the possible future infiltrated my mind as I tied my tie. A little boy about Josie’s age was sitting on my lap with a Cubs hat at a baseball game. RJ was sitting next to us, leaning down and pointing out the baseball players to the little boy. To my little boy.
My stomach fluttered. I had never really pictured myself with my own kid. Maybe an actual relationship with my father would be nice. I could start calling him Dad instead of RJ.
Becca was still sound asleep when I walked out of the closet. I sat down on the bed next to her, admiring her natural beauty. Her alarm would go off in a few minutes, so I didn’t feel bad for running my hand along her back trying to coax her to open her eyes.
She slowly lifted her heavy lids, and a small smile crossed her lips before she buried her head into the pillow. I grinned at her shyness. Some things might never change.
“Good morning, baby doll,” I greeted, leaning down to nuzzle the side of her neck.
She giggled and rolled to her back, stretching her arms above her head. “I don’t think I moved an inch. I slept so soundly,” she yawned.
Pride filled my lungs. What can I say, it was a pat to my ego fucking her so good she could barely move and automatically crashed for the entire night.
“Are you feeling better this morning?” she gently asked while rubbing my forearm.
I nodded my head slowly. She always knew when something was wrong, even if I wasn’t exactly sure what my problems were.
“You’re up early, do you have a meeting?” she asked, moving her hand to feel the fabric of my blue tie.
“Yeah, I’m meeting with RJ and Nathan at 8:00 a.m. Chino is going to be there as well to go over the finances for the warehouses.”
“You finished them already?” she asked.
“Yes, I worked on them Saturday and some last night while you were asleep. Don’t sound so surprised,” I said, trying to sound wounded.
“You always surprise me,” she said with awe.
I leaned down to kiss her, smiling at the quick peck verses a good lip lock. She always wanted her teeth brushed before she’d give in to my charm.
“Will you be around for lunch?” she asked sweetly.
I paused then looked out the window. “Actually, I’m going to meet RJ for lunch.”
“Oh?” she said with hope.
I nodded my head, trying to look unaffected, still not meeting her eyes.
She reached for my face, forcing me to look at her. Her expression was soft and encouraging, just what I needed to see to feel sure about my decision to meet with RJ. “I love you, Ty.”
I was about to reply back, but my phone cut me off. That damn ‘urgent message’ was still b
ugging me to read it.
“I guess it’s time for work,” I sighed.
I kissed her again and said I love you back. Grabbing my phone, I headed to the kitchen to make our protein drinks for the day. Becca was crazy and put a bunch of spinach in them normally. I enjoyed getting to the blender first so I could mix more fruit in with them.
I scrolled to the oh-so-urgent email and nearly dropped the almond milk as I read the contents.
Tyler-
RJ informed me the plans for the partnership are in full gear. I hope to discuss further finance and percentages later this morning. I know the numbers won’t be set in stone, but RJ and I agreed on a legal contract last Friday to get things going and will sign this morning for preliminary action to move forward.
RJ and I also discussed Becca last night over the phone. I apologize for working with her over the two of you and wanted another perspective on the plans for the warehouses. Think of it as breaking her in with a larger client.
Looking forward to future business and seeing you later this morning.
-Lee Chino
Owner of Chino Corporations
I reread the email again and again. The time the email was sent was at 6:02am this morning. My teeth clenched as I almost crushed the carton in my hand. I can’t believe I actually started to fall for RJ’s game. The only reason he was buttering me up about this whole being closer was to get me to say yes to this dangerous contract. Fuck him.
Too pissed off to continue making our shakes, I marched directly to the garage and slammed my key into the ignition. I revved the engine a few times then peeled out of the driveway.
Just as I was about to get onto the highway, Nathan’s name came across the screen of my console.
“I hope you’re fucking happy,” I shouted as I hit answer on my steering wheel.
“Whoa, good morning to you too,” Nathan responded. “What am I supposed to be so happy about?”
“Like you don’t know,” I sneered. “RJ told Chino he was making the deal.”
“Huh. That’s not what he told me,” Nathan said calmly.
“What?”
“RJ called me last night to tell me he wasn’t going to partner. He said he was going to tell him to find a new architect if he made a fuss about it.”
“Then why did I get an email from Chino about how he and RJ were going to sign the paperwork for the partnership on the subdivisions?”
“Interesting. Maybe after RJ slept on his decision he change his mind?” Nathan said.
I hit my steering wheel with my palm. “I’m going to flip the fuck out on him.”
“You need to calm down. Where are you?”
“About 20 minutes from the office,” I said, stepping harder on the gas pedal.
“All right, I’m about to leave my condo. Talk to me before you go ape shit on RJ.”
I hung up without responding. I didn’t want Nathan to calm me down. Everything was going to spill out. RJ needed to hear it, and he needed to hear how furious I was about him trying to use creating a relationship as a scheme to get me to agree with his ridiculous business proposal.
I made it to the Conklin building in record time. I slammed my door shut and power walked to the elevator, steam radiating from my ears. The elevator couldn’t move fast enough to the top floor. I paced in the elevator as each floor passed, fidgeting and cursing under my breath. This company was about to be in huge trouble.
The doors slid open, and I slipped through the crack before it was completely open. I turned directly to the right towards RJ’s office but was jerked backwards by my arm.
“I thought I told you we need to chat before you attacked RJ,” Nathan said calmly, dragging me towards his office.
“The only person I need to talk to right now is our lousy, good-for-nothing father.” My eyes burned with pure hatred as I said the words in Nathan’s face.
He cocked his head to the side in frustration. “Is this really about Chino talking to Becca? It’s not that big of a deal.”
“It’s not just Becca!”
“Then what is it?” he countered, his voice rising with mine.
My eyes went hard, but the tightening in my chest made the words even harder to speak. “He’s used me one too many times. The tactic of trying to start a relationship with me so I’d say yes really pisses me right the fuck off.”
“Tyler, he’s trying,” Nathan exasperated.
“No, he’s not! I’m so sick of everyone saying that! He’s not trying!” I shouted. “This bull shit business deal has gone far enough,” I said through clenched teeth. I shoved past Nathan and stormed out of his office.
“Cooper!” I heard Nathan yell from behind me.
I pounded on RJ’s office door.
“Tyler, you’re being irrational right now. Calm down before you talk to him,” Nathan tried to convince me.
I hit the door harder with both fists. “RJ, open the fucking door!” I yelled.
“Buddy, it’s not worth it; don’t lose your head,” Cooper tried to reason.
“RJ!” I shouted again. I was going to break the fucking door down. I grabbed the door handles, figuring they would jiggle from being locked, but shockingly they clicked free.
“RJ I swear to God—” I lost my voice and my train of thought as the doors flew open.
The puddle of blood streaming out from under RJ’s desk caused my breath to hitch, but the bullet in his forehead stole my breath completely.
Chapter 9
Becca
The skyline was hazy as I drove to work in my Lexus. I took a drink from my protein shake, wondering why Tyler had left everything out on the counter instead of making the shake himself. I appreciated the gesture, but normally I’d find the shake mixed and in the fridge. Maybe his mind was focused on other things, like his father. He’d never admit it, but I could tell he had hopes of starting anew with RJ. Tyler needed to mend that part of his heart, and unfortunately, it wasn’t something I could help with.
When I got a few blocks from the Conklin building, I saw flashing lights all down the street. Maybe there was an accident? Once I finally got to the basement parking ramp, I was greeted with yellow caution tape and a policeman guarding the entrance. Then I noticed the building was flooded with cops.
A shiver traveled up my spine as I drove past the entrance. What happened? What if Tyler was hurt? Picking up my phone as steadily as I could I went to call him, but he didn’t answer.
I frantically searched the streets for a parking spot, desperate to make sure my Ty was okay. Finally finding a spot about four blocks down, I raced as fast as I could in my four-inch yellow heels.
Why did I choose to wear heels today?
It was overly warm, and I was cursing myself for straightening my hair instead of throwing it in a ponytail. I was sweating by the time I made it to the building entrance.
“I’m sorry ma'am, but no one is allowed in or out of the building,” a police officer halted me as I tried to cross the yellow tape.
“I work in this building,” I replied.
“Doesn’t matter, no one can come in or out.”
“What happened?” I asked, trying to stay calm.
“Murder scene. Like I said, no one can leave or come in,” the officer said without blinking an eye.
My knees trembled as my breath hitched. “Please, my fiancé is in there, please let me through!” I begged, tears threatening my eyes. I started to walk towards the door. He firmly grasped my shoulders.
“Ma’am, you can not go in there. I have strict orders from the detective—”
“Detective? Detective Anderson? Radio him. Tell him Becca Stine needs to get into the building.”
“Ma’am, I can’t bother the detective, now please—”
“I’m begging you! I need to know if my fiancé is okay!” I pleaded, tears falling from my eyes.
He sighed then reached for his radio to call the detective.
Rolling his eyes after making contact, he moved out of
the way. A gentleman stopped me as I got into the building, asking what I was doing.
“Can you tell me where Detective Anderson is? Or where Tyler Conklin or Nathan Conklin might be?” I said in a rush.
“Top floor,” he said flatly.
I gasped then moved to find the elevator door, rapidly pressing the call button.
“Come on… Come on!” I said desperately. Finally the doors opened, and I paced the small space, anxiously waiting to arrive at the top floor.
When the doors finally opened, I was shocked with the chaos in front of me. Swat teams and medics, police officers in all types of uniforms. I stopped the nearest one.
“Have you seen Detective Anderson or Tyler Conklin?” I gulped.
“Becca.” I heard Detective Anderson’s voice.
I briskly walked over to him, trying to keep myself together. “What happened? Is Tyler—”
“He’s in his office. You should go check on him,” he answered, nodding his head in the correct direction.
I sighed in relief then moved as quickly as my heels would let me.
“Tyler,” I choked as I crossed through the entry way. He was standing at the window, gazing outside. He didn’t even turn when I said his name. Nathan was sitting in the leather chair, his forearms on his knees. I noticed blood on his shirt and pants.
“What happened?” I asked, slowly walking over to Tyler. He finally acknowledged my presence and put one arm out to me as I hugged his middle. I caught my breath as I felt him in my arms, relieved that he was all right.
“RJ,” Nathan whispered. I looked up at Tyler, whose head was down, not meeting my eyes. Then I glanced at Nathan, waiting for further explanation.
Mitch came rushing into the room before he could finish. “What happened?” he asked with a heavy breath, nervousness on his brow.
