Until Him: Book 3 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  Chapter Twenty One

  Sophia

  A month had passed since Henry was arrested. Every night I would wake up in a frantic sweat. The dream was always the same. Stefan was home, and then in the blink of an eye, he would disappear. I would search for him for what seemed like hours, but I would never find him. It always ended the same, I would be curled up in the middle of the street crying, and then I would wake up. My face always wet from tears, my heart racing. The nights were miserable.

  I was sitting on the grey sofa in my glorified closet. The house was so empty. I felt so empty. Stefan still hadn’t reached out to me. I wasn’t crying anymore. A lull of sadness came over me over the past few weeks. There were days I was filled with anger towards him for the way that he ended things. He just left me alone in the midst of a tornado with the house Thomas dropped on me.

  I can’t keep living in this home. It was his home. Every day I walked into it, I was reminded of how he left. I hadn’t slept in his bed for weeks. I have been staying in Keira’s old room.

  I needed to close this chapter of my life. He wasn’t coming back. I picked up my phone off of my nightstand, scrolling to Stefan’s name. I clicked Edit Contacts, scrolling down to block caller. Not that he was going to, but I wanted to take his choice of even reaching out to me away. My life is no longer his concern, he made that very clear. I hit the button and it turned red.

  Now I need to figure out where to live. I sighed as I stood from the sofa, looking around my room. I don’t really have much to move when I do find a place. One thing I don’t have is furniture. I could buy an air mattress and make that work for a while. I wasn’t going to breathe a word of me wanting to move out to Cam. He would of course open his home to me, but April was living with him now and it just wouldn’t be a good idea. Keira and Leo live in a one bedroom loft. The place is huge, but I didn’t want to sleep on any more sofas.

  Then Trsiten floated to my mind. He offered to let me rent out his other apartment he owned in his building. It was empty, so it kind of makes sense. I still don’t think I can afford it even if he did cut me a break. I sighed looking up at the staircase that led to Stefan’s room. I need to get out of here.

  I looked down at my phone, scrolling to Tristen’s name pressing call. It rang about five times. I felt nervous for some reason. He’s only spoken to me twice in the past few weeks, just to check on me.

  “Hey, you.” He said warmly.

  “Hey, what are you doing today?”

  “Oh umm just walking around the park with Hank.”

  “Hank?”

  He laughed, “He’s my puppy.”

  “I didn’t see a puppy at your house.”

  “He was upstairs asleep. I can’t let him run rogue through the house just yet.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “What are you up to?”

  I bit my bottom lip, “I was wondering if you wanted to get lunch?”

  “Sure, I have Hank though. We’d have to go somewhere outside.”

  “Joe’s new restaurant has outside seating.”

  “Who’s Joe?”

  That strange feeling of moving on from your old life to your new one hit me when Tristen didn’t know who Joe was.

  “A friend.”

  “Oh ok. Where is it?”

  “It’s actually a few blocks from the park. What end are you at?”

  “Near 60th, I think?”

  “It’s off 63rd. I’ll send you the address.”

  “Ok, great. I’ll see you there.” He then ended the call.

  I dressed in a yellow top with white polka dots, skinny jeans, and white keds. My right hand was gripped around the strap across my chest from my brown purse. How do I bring up: Hey, can I live in your other apartment for the price of my soul because I don’t know how I’m going to afford it?

  The sun was shining; I thought I could even hear birds over the honking from the cars. New beginnings I told myself. I spotted the back of Tristen and the small fluffy puppy on the lease next to him. His blonde hair was more unruly than his normal style. He was in dark jeans and a green top.

  “Hey!” I chirped as I approached him.

  “Well hello there.” He smiled, standing to hug me.

  I let go of Tristen, bending down to greet his puppy. “Hi, Mr. Hank.” I scratched behind his ears, his tail was wagging frantically.

  “Have you ordered anything?” I asked as I sat down.

  “No, not yet. Just got here. I asked the server for some waters. I wasn’t sure what you wanted.”

  “Water is fine.” I smiled.

  “How are you?”

  “I…” I paused. “I’m getting through it.”

  “Good.” He picked up the menu. “I’m happy to hear that.”

  “Sophia?” Joe’s burly voice appeared behind me as he walked out of his restaurant. He walked up next to our table.

  “Hi, Joe!” I stood to hug him.

  “Sorry I haven’t called to check on you. It’s been busy around here.”

  I laughed, sitting back down in my chair, “That’s ok. Busy is good.” I looked over at Tristen, “Oh this is my friend Tristen.”

  Tristen stood to shake his hand, “Nice to meet you.” He said with a side smile.

  “Likewise,” Joe nodded.

  I scratched Hank's head, as he tried to climb into my lap, “And this little fluff ball is Hank.”

  “Well hello, Hank.” Joe patted his head. “Are you two ready to order?”

  Tristen looked up at me, “Are you?”

  “Joe knows what I want.”

  Joe laughed, pointing his pen at me, “Grilled cheese with extra cheese.”

  Tristen laughed, “Alrighty then, I will have the italian with fries.”

  “Coming right up.” Joe said as he walked back inside.

  Tristen took a sip of his water, “So, what’s up with the sudden lunch date?”

  I rolled my eyes, “This isn’t a date.”

  “Mhmm, whatever you say.”

  “Can’t I just have lunch with a friend?”

  He smirked, “Yeah, you can, but I’m not just a friend.”

  “You’re annoying.”

  “I think you confused that word for charming.”

  “Charming is one thing you are not Mr Van Doren.”

  He laughed, scratching Hanks' head who was pining for attention.

  “I did bring you here for a reason, though.” I said nervously.

  He leaned back in his chair, “Ok?”

  “You remember when you said you owned another apartment in your building?”

  He laughed, “Yes?”

  “I need to move out of Stefan’s.”

  He smirked again, “So it’s not a lunch date that you wanted, you wanted to actually move in with me? Gosh, Soph. This whole relationship thing is moving so fast.”

  I huffed, with a small giggle, “Not with you, just in the same building.”

  He stopped laughing, but still smiling, “Ok, I’ll bite. Do you want to go see it after this, to make sure it’s what you want?”

  “Sure, I’d like that.” I glanced up at Joe who placed our food in front of us. He quickly walked away as two couples walked into the restaurant.

  We finished our food. I walked inside to say goodbye to Joe. We then made our way towards the subway. Tristen let me hold Hank’s leash for a few blocks. Hank tried to take off in a huge jolt, pulling me forward. Tristen couldn’t help but laugh.

  We walked through the revolving doors of Tristen’s building. One of the guards greeted him by name. Tristen returned the gesture by asking how his family was.

  He pressed the button on the elevator, and it started to climb the floors.

  “So, it’s only a one bedroom. Which is why I moved into the other one. I needed space.” He shrugged. “The bathroom is huge, and the view is amazing.”

  The elevator doors opened, and I realized this was Tristen’s floor.

  “Come on.” He said, as he stepped of
f of the elevator. “It’s this way.” We walked in the direction of his apartment. He stopped in front of the door across from his. “Here it is.”

  I laughed, “Are you serious? It’s across the hall?”

  “Beggars can’t be choosers.” He smirked as he unlocked the door.

  I followed him into the apartment. My eyes went wide when I saw it. Tristen bent down to unleash Hank, who swiftly skittered across the wood floor. The apartment had floor to ceiling windows, with a beautiful gold light fixture above what I would assume is the living room. The bedroom was off to the right. The kitchen opened up into the living space.

  I closed my gaping mouth, “Tristen, I can’t afford this.”

  He set his keys on the kitchen counter, “Good thing I know the owner. I think we can come to some form of deal.”

  I smiled at him, feeling my face flush red.

  He leaned back against the counter, “So, when do you want to move in?”

  I walked further in, “Can I at least see the rest of it?”

  “Of course.” He walked into the bedroom, I followed. “This is the bedroom, and the bathroom is in here.”

  My eyes took in the large bedroom and matching floor to ceiling windows. I followed him into the bathroom where he was standing with his hands on his hips, looking around the room. Some days I wondered what it would have been like if I met him first? Would my feelings about relationships be so screwed up as Stefan has made them? There’s no doubt that Tristen isn’t a very handsome man, plus he’s sweet. He has his faults, but he’s always been kind to me.

  He spun around, “What do you think?”

  I smiled, feeling like I was already regretting this, “How does tomorrow sound?”

  “Tomorrow is perfect.”

  “I’ll have to figure out furniture later.”

  “You don’t have any?”

  “No. Stefan’s house was fully furnished.”

  “Just take the bed in your room at his place.”

  Hank came barreling into the bathroom. Tristen bent down, scratching Hank’s ears, “Do you hear that Hank? We’re getting a very pretty neighbor.” He smiled up at me.

  I rolled my eyes, laughing as I walked out, “Ok, let’s go, new landlord.”

  That night I went back to Stefan’s brownstone. It didn’t feel right calling it home anymore. Because all it did was make me sad. I ordered Chinese, setting out my spread on the island. I poured myself a glass of water, and sat down on one of the stools.

  I looked out the window where the red dot used to come from. That’s how Thomas was getting pictures. He must have had someone following me when he got the ones of me out in the city. He was in jail still. They hadn’t released Henry or Thomas; they had too much evidence to let them out on bail.

  This is my last dinner here and it was kind of depressing. I didn’t want to tell Keira until I was fully moved out of the house. She would protest, because it was Tristen. But she has Leo’s funds at her disposal. I can’t stay here and I can’t afford to live in the city alone. Still she would protest.

  After I finished my food, I walked up stairs and started putting my things in boxes. I laid out all my clothes keeping them on hangers. The green dress from mine and Stefan’s first date peaked out from the midst of my clothes. The light brown dirt stain was still there even after I washed it. Keira let me keep it. She said green is for good luck. I don’t think it brought me luck in the slightest.

  I pulled it from the pile, hanging it back in the closet. It looked lonely swinging on the rack. I closed the closet doors, so that I didn’t have to look at it.

  I laid down on the grey sofa, curling up on my side. My heart was hurting. I missed my Mom. This is a time when I needed her most, but she wasn’t here. She’s supposed to tell me what to do, tell me the right decision to make. I felt so alone in the busiest city in the world.

  Stefan

  I leaned back in the driver's seat of my car, staring at the front door. Why do I keep coming here? Every night I return, parked half way down the street, and stare at the entrance to my home. It was almost 9PM. The dog walkers have long gone home. The late night runners are returning to their doors.

  I’m here to check on her, every night. Everything in me wants to go inside. Why didn’t I call her? Why did I tell her I didn’t love her? I sighed, running my thumb across my bottom lip. I’ve caused her so much pain. It was an impulse, to push her away.

  The light flicked on in the window to her room. What is she doing in there? “What are you doing my sweet girl?” I whispered. I looked down at my phone. I could call her, but I’ve already made my decision, haven't I?

  The light flicks off, and I started my car. My chest tightened as I passed my home, leaving her alone. She’s better without me. All of the bad things that have happened to her, and I feel like no one has hurt her like I have.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Sophia

  The sound of the city woke me up the next morning. I stretched out in Keira’s old bed. Moving day. I pushed the lingering depressing feeling away and climbed out of bed, made a cup of coffee, showered in my old bathroom, put on jeans and a white shirt paired with my Keds. I let my hair air dry as I moved boxes from my room to downstairs, next to the front door.

  Tristen told me he would help me move today. I couldn’t imagine shoving all of these boxes into an Uber. He was supposed to be here in ten minutes. I ran back upstairs, scanning my room. Most of everything was out of my room, except for the old comforter that Keira had bought me. Which I folded neatly, and set it on the sofa. I didn’t come to New York with much to be honest.

  Three loud honks sounded from outside. I laughed as I rushed downstairs, he must be here. I swung the door open, to find Tristen standing in front of a black limo.

  I burst out laughing, “What on earth is this?”

  He started up the stairs toward me with a big smile, “I don’t know how to drive a moving truck, and my car is far too small for boxes, but what I do have at my leisure is a limo at my beck and call.”

  “Well then,” I put my hands on my hips. “This is a new story to tell people.”

  “What’s the story? A nice guy helped you move?”

  I shot him a cheeky look, “In a limo?”

  “Hey, you work with what you got.” He walked past me into the house. “Is this it?” He pointed to my boxes.

  “Yep. Not too much.”

  He leaned down picking up a box, “Let’s get this show on the road.”

  I rolled my eyes, as he walked past me with the box.

  We got everything into the limo in thirty minutes. It was crazy that it took that short amount of time to move me out of Stefan’s life.

  “I’m just going to do one more check.” I called out to Tristen from the top of the stairs.

  “Ok. I’ll be in the limo.”

  I walked upstairs passing Keira’s old room, making my way toward mine. I stared up at Stefan’s room, I hadn’t been up there in two weeks. I was afraid of the emotions it would hit me with, but I needed to check.

  I walked up the stairs, feeling my heart pound with every step. The room was lit from the sun outside. The piano sat against the wall as it always has. His books neatly placed in their perfect homes. I noticed the dust floating in the sunlight. I forced myself into the room further, checking the nightstands and bathroom. My heart was heavy being in here. He never came home, he didn’t even call. Who does that to someone they claimed they love? I bit the side of my cheek, refusing to get upset.

  I shut the door behind me, slowly walking down the stairs. Part of me was making this moment last. When I step out of this house, I can’t change things. I can’t change things being here either. It wasn’t healthy.

  I made it to the last set of stairs; I noticed the paintings on the walls. My Mom’s paintings. Flashbacks from my birthday rushed back to me. How he organized for them to be delivered here. He did love me once. Once upon a time, that boy loved this girl. I sighed, I can’t take them, t
hey’re not packaged correctly. I sighed; I’ll have to come back for them. If I know one thing, he won’t destroy them. They’ll be safe.

  I made my way down the rest of the stairs, and out the front door, turning to lock it. I placed my hand on the door, taking in a deep breath.

  “Come on, Soph! We have to unload this stuff too, you know?” Tristen called out.

  I turned to walk down the steps, finding him standing through the sunroof, “What are you doing?” I laughed.

  “Whatever I want.” He smirked.

  “I’m starting to rethink this neighbor thing.”

  He laughed, “Get in the car, or I’m taking off with all of your things.” He ducked back down into the limo.

  I shook my head, walking down the rest of the stairs.

  When we reached Tristen’s building, it was much easier moving my stuff in then it was moving it out. Tirsten had the luxury of bag carts and elevators. We loaded up all of my boxes on two carts, and we lugged my two suitcases behind.

  They allowed us to take the freight elevator; we walked off at the opposite end of the hall than usual. We stopped in front of my new apartment door. Tristen put the key in, unlocking it. He walked backwards pulling his cart in. I pushed mine behind his. The apartment was so bright, you didn’t even need lights.

  “Well, here you are. Home sweet home.” Tristen walked into the center of the room. “Just don’t paint it pink or anything.”

  “I won’t paint your apartment, Tristen.” I shut the door.

  “It’s your apartment now.”

  I walked around the two carts, “Not really.” My eyes caught sight of the bedroom. “What’s this?” I walked into the room. A queen size bed was sitting in the middle of the room with white sheets and pillows.

  Tristen leaned on the door frame behind me, “You didn’t have furniture. I wasn’t letting you sleep on the floor.”

  “I could have got an air mattress.” I ran my fingers on the soft sheets. “Thank you. It was very sweet of you.”

  He turned walking back into the living area, “The rest of the house you’ll have to figure out.”