Until Him: Book 3 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  “Of course. We’re at the same table.”

  I let out a sigh of relief, “Thank goodness. I don’t think I could brace Tristen’s parents alone.”

  She laughed, “His Mom is intense.”

  I nudged her, “She’s your aunt in law now.”

  “Don’t remind me.” She rolled her eyes, as she stood up. “Do you want a glass of wine?”

  “Sure.”

  Stefan

  “Hey Man. What time is it over there?” Leo asked. I heard fumbling around in the background.

  “I’m in New York. What is that noise?”

  “I’m doing the dishes; we just got done with a late dinner. Did you just say you were in New York?”

  “Yeah. Got here a few hours ago.”

  “Who is that?” I heard Keira’s voice in the background.

  “It’s Stefan. He’s in New York.” He responded to her, I could tell he tried to cover the phone, but I could still hear him.

  The phone muffled like it was rolling around, “Stefan Edwards what the hell are you doing in New York?” Keira whispered sternly into the phone.

  “Well hello to you too. I believe I can go wherever I please, but if it matters so much to you I’m here to see my Mum.”

  “No. You cannot be here.”

  “Why? Have you gone mad?”

  She huffed, “I have not gone mad. Where are you right now?”

  “My old brownstone.”

  She paused, “Why are you there?”

  “I just needed to clear my head.”

  “How long are you here for?”

  “I haven’t decided.” I laid down on the window seat. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Stef, it’s not really a good time to chat.”

  “It’s a simple question, Keira. You’re being very spastic.”

  She huffed again, “Ok fine.”

  “Can you tell me what that night looked like, when I left for London?”

  “Are you trying to make yourself miserable?”

  “No. I just want to know what I did to her; So that I can stay away.”

  “Are you planning on not staying away?”

  “Being in New York is hard.”

  She sighed, “When we got to the house she was laying on the window seat in your room hysterically crying. She kept yelling for you to come back and to not leave her alone.”

  I ran my hand over my forehead, “Guess where I’m sitting right now?”

  “The window seat? Fuck you’re depressing.”

  “Yep. Well that was all I needed to know.”

  “Stef, are you going to stay away? She doesn’t need this yo yo love you have going on in your head. She can’t take another let down.”

  “I’m here to see my Mum. Nothing more.”

  “Ok. I’m handing the phone back to Leo, but Stef?”

  “Yes?”

  “Stop being so fucking depressing.”

  I laughed, “Bye, Keira.”

  Leo and I got off the phone. I dropped my phone onto the window seat, next to my head. I felt like just as much of a prick for hurting her as my family did. Did I make the wrong decision? I thought I was protecting her from my family, from me. My brother arranged her Mum’s accident for fucks sake.

  I ran both my hands down my face, and then looked over into the middle of the empty room. Why did I leave? She needed me.

  Chapter Thirty

  Sophia

  Tristen was waiting in my living room, while I dressed for Mrs. Gladberry’s dinner. Apparently Mrs. Gladberry is a world renowned bestselling author who is now retired. She hasn’t made an appearance in ten years since her last book. Tristen said some say she retired, others think she had a melt down after her husband passed away, keeping herself hidden from the public. She’s putting on a dinner to benefit a school in Brooklyn.

  My hair was styled in old movie star curls, which were draped over my right shoulder. The lilac dress was slim fitting, with an open back. I applied my red lip, and then put the lipstick in my gold clutch.

  “I’m ready.” I said as I walked into my living room.

  Tristen stood turning to look at me, “How do you get more beautiful every day?”

  I felt my face flush. “Thanks, Tris.”

  We made our way downstairs; a limo was waiting outside to take us to the dinner. I kept replaying the last time I saw Tristen’s Mom. It was Keira and Leo’s wedding. She danced around the topic of The Edwards involvement with her family; comparing me to Stefan’s Mom. I thought she was crazy, but here I am trying to move on from Stefan with Tristen by my side. I keep mentally trying to prepare myself for whatever conversation his Mom could possibly bring up.

  We exited the Limo, Tristen holding his hand out to walk me up the stairs into the building. When we were on level ground, I didn’t pull my hand away. He was comfortable, and his touch was helping calm my nerves.

  The large hallway was filled with people. We turned the corner, and I saw Tristen’s parents straight ahead. I looked around for Keira or Leo to save me, but they hadn’t arrived yet. Tristen noticed the panic crossing my face, he squeezed my hand, and I smiled.

  “Tristen, you look dashing.” Celeste beamed, kissing his cheek. She looked down at our hands, and I gave her my best please don’t eat me smile.

  “Hello, Sophia. It’s lovely to see you.” She brought me into a hug, making me let go of Tristen’s hand.

  “Thanks you too.”

  “Would you like a drink?” Tristen asked.

  I nodded, with a smile. Then he left towards the bar, leaving me alone with his parents. I swallowed the frog that formed; this is going to be a long night.

  Tristen’s father started speaking to someone who was passing by. Celeste was studying me like she was about to wreck my life.

  “Sophia, how are you?” She asked. “I heard about your Mother.”

  I forced a fake smile, “I’m fine.”

  “You’ve done well for yourself in the city. Social Climbing is your specialty.”

  “Um?”

  “Don’t think I approve of you just because you are living in my son’s apartment.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You keep proving to be more like Evelyn as the days go by.”

  I laughed, “Evelyn is a very strong woman who has been through a lot in life and I would be honored to be compared to her strength.” Did I really just stick up for Stefan’s Mom?

  She smirked, as Tristen approached. He handed me a glass of wine, taking my other hand kissing the top of it. I wanted to tell his Mom off right in front of him, but there’s a time and place for this. Celeste was not going unscathed tonight.

  Stefan

  I stepped out of the limo holding my hand out to help Jess onto the sidewalk. I don’t know how she got me here, but alas, here I am. My Mum was the real reason; she told me that she didn’t want to attend this event alone. She was afraid that she would be at a table alone. It was after all, the first event my Mum had attended since my father’s arrest. The gossip circle says that we have dirty money now, but most of my Mum’s money came from inheritance. The trophy wives in that circle didn’t earn a dime of their own, so they can all go shove their designer shoes up their ass for all I care.

  As we walked up the stairs, we spotted Jess’s parents. I shot a glare at Jess and she understood immediately.

  “I don’t really feel like the patriarchal questions right now. You stop to say hi, I'll wait for you inside.” I told her, she nodded. I took the steps faster before they reached her.

  Inside was filled with people who I avoided eye contact with. My family was a spectacle again. I adjusted my suit as I turned the corner, I stopped frozen. Her brown hair curled perfectly, her eyes dancing in the light, the dress fit her every curve, that red lip...her lips. Damn, I missed her lips. She was speaking with Tristen’s parents. Her eyes scanning the room, I didn’t think I would see her this quickly. I ducked behind a group of people. Her gaze was concentrated in my direction,
and then her head turned. My jaw clenched when I saw who caught her attention. Tristen.

  He placed a kiss on her hand, as they started down the hall toward the main room. It took everything in me to not chase after her. Not to rip her from his grasp. I left for a reason; I didn’t expect her to fall into someone else’s arms so quickly, especially him. Now seeing it with my own eyes was solidifying that this was a bad idea. I realized I was biting my bottom lip, a trait I picked up from her, fuck I can’t do this.

  I turned and made my way back toward the entrance. I ran my hand over my mouth. My eyes caught sight of Leo and Keira entering.

  “Stefan,” Keira broke away from Leo’s arm, “What are you doing here? Where are you going?”

  “Leaving. Don’t worry.” I kept trying to walk.

  Leo stepped in front of me, “Why?”

  “I saw her.”

  Keira touched her mouth, “Oh. Was she…”

  “Was she with Tristen? Yes.” My jaw clenched, “I can’t see her like this. She’s not mine anymore.”

  “Stefan, you shouldn’t leave.” She said firmly.

  “I left her. I chose to leave. It’s not fair to her, for me to just show up. Plus...” I paused. “It hurts like hell. A hell I never knew existed.”

  Leo patted me on the shoulder, “I’ll tell your Mom that you left. Go.”

  “Thanks.” I said flatly. I looked at Keira’s pleading eyes one more time, and made my way toward the entrance once again.

  I kept my head down as I walked back outside. Jess was walking up the rest of the stairs; her parents had just entered the building. She spotted me with a confused look on her face.

  “Where are you going?” She asked.

  “I’m leaving, Jess. This was a bad idea.”

  “It’s not a bad idea. Just go talk to her.” She pointed toward the building.

  “No! She’s in there with Tristen. She’s happy. Why would I ruin that for her? That’s the reason I left, so that she could be safe and happy.”

  Jess reached for my hand, “You’re wrong.” Her eyes traveled up toward the front doors. I turned to look and my heart stopped.

  Sophia

  The grand ballroom was magical when we entered. My hand clenched Tristen’s arm. His parents were leading the way down the stairs. Events like this still made me nervous no matter who I was with. I looked back at the staircase, I was searching for him. One day I might no longer look for him, but today wasn’t that day, he still had parts of my heart I could never get back.

  “This is Sophia.” Tristen said, snapping me back from my thoughts.

  I smiled at the older couple in front of us, “Lovely to meet you.”

  My eyes caught sight of Keira and Leo speaking with Stefan’s Mother. My stomach dropped at the sight of her. I hadn’t noticed Evelyn until now. I was surprised she was here. The last time I saw her she was curled up on her bed. The day both our lives exploded. I bit my bottom lip, “Excuse me,” I let go of Tristen’s arm, and made my way toward Keira who was now walking in my direction.

  “Hi,” She smiled, taking my arm, turning me around to walk back toward Tristen. She was avoiding something.

  I stopped walking, “What are you doing?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re acting weird.” I stared at her in the eyes; she’s the worst at hiding her emotions.

  My ears caught the conversation Leo was having with Evelyn. “He was here, but he left”. Leo said, turning his back to us.

  My attention was on them, forgetting Keira was standing there. “What did you say?” I asked Leo, breaking away from Keira. She tried to grab my arm, but missed.

  He looked stunned, “Nothing.”

  Evelyn’s eyes were locked in on me.

  I looked back at Keira, then up the staircase. The music suddenly felt louder, my heart beating faster. I left them, rushing up the stairs, clenching my dress so that I wouldn’t trip. I burst into the hallway, looking up and down both ways. Why am I going to him? I felt my body giving up. This is stupid. I headed toward the entrance, rushing through an open door a gentleman was holding, and it was as if the air inside my lungs was taken from me.

  Everything in my body hurt when I saw him. He was in a black in white tux, with his bowtie tightly around his neck, his eyes as dark as I remembered. He instantly saw me, breaking his attention away from who he was talking to. Jess was standing next to him, her hand on his. He pulled away when he saw me. We were frozen in time.

  I let go of the breath I was holding. We stood there for a moment, eyes locked. Drops of water fell on my face; I looked up as the rain started to sprinkle.

  “Sophia,” Tristen’s voice came from behind me.

  My eyes still on the sky, I looked back down at Stefan, my heart ached as I turned away from him toward Tristen.

  “Are you ok?” He asked, his voice concerned as he looked past me at Stefan.

  “I’m fine.” I took his arm, and we walked back into the building, just as the rain poured down like a waterfall.

  Stefan

  The rain started pouring, I took off my jacket handing it to Jess, and she covered her head as we walked back up towards the building. She threw it over her arm once we were covered.

  Jess shoved my shoulder, “Go after her or you will regret it for the rest of your life.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Bullshit! You’re scared she doesn’t want you back.”

  I kept my eyes on her’s.

  “Tristen Van Doren has nothing on you, Stef. You’re an Edwards and it’s time to remember who you are. She’s the love of your life. You’re just going to let her slip away like that? You didn’t come tonight because of your Mom as much as you keep trying to lie to yourself about it.”

  I clenched my jaw as I listened to her. I glanced toward the door. If I walked away right now, would she ever forgive me?

  “Why are you trying to help me, Jess?”

  She sighed, “Because you’ve never looked at me the way you look at her. Not once in all the years I have known you. I hated her, I did, but that’s your girl and she’s walking away from you as we speak.”

  “I’m sorry I never loved you the way you wanted me to.”

  She shoved me, “Thanks for the apology, now go!”

  Chapter Thirty One

  Sophia

  We kept walking back towards the main room. Tristen didn’t dare touch me. The hallway was empty; everyone had made their way to their seats. Dinner was starting soon.

  “Are you sure you’re ok?” Tristen asked.

  “Yes. Can you please stop asking me?” I snapped.

  “Sophia wait.” Stefan called out. My entire body tensed at the sound of his voice.

  Tristen and I stopped walking, “Soph, keep going. I can handle him.”

  “I don’t need anyone to handle Stefan for me. But thanks.” I turned to face Stefan as he slowly approached us. My heart was beating a million miles a minute. He was ten feet away, but so close to me, closer than he’s been in months.

  He stopped walking, “I owe you an explanation.”

  “You can go to hell.” I said through my teeth.

  He was shocked, “I understand you hate me right now.” Jess appeared behind him, I glanced at her then back to him.

  “Hate you? Hate you? I despise you!”

  “Please don’t say that.”

  “Stefan, you left. You fucking just left me alone!”

  “I wasn’t thinking straight at the time. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  “You really shouldn’t think, it doesn’t seem to be your strong suit.” What the hell has come over me? Who is this girl that has taken over my body?

  “It wasn’t easy for me to decide to leave. You moved out. I thought you’d be better off without me.”

  “Easy for you?! I found out the reason behind my Mom’s death and you left in the middle of everything. You didn’t even try to see if I was ok.”

  “I did try to call y
ou!”

  I glared at him, “You’re a liar just like your brother.”

  “Where is the girl I fell in love with?”

  I bit my bottom lip, stifling the tears that were forming, “She died along with my Mother. Is that what you want to hear? Because it’s true.”

  He had no response; his face was full of shock. I think I broke him with that statement. I didn’t realize how much anger built up inside me. The love for him was still strong, but the anger was overflowing.

  “Since, you’re not leaving this spot. I’ll make it easy for you. Goodbye, Stefan.” I turned brushing past Tristen. I stopped on my steps when I saw Keira and Leo. Their faces were full of sympathy and pain. I looked away, continuing to walk down the hall.

  “Leave, Stefan.” I heard Tristen firmly say.

  Keira quickly caught up to me. She walked with me and didn’t speak until we walked down a dimly lit hall opposite of the dinner.

  I leaned against the wall, and looked up at her, “I swear Keira if you dare ask if I’m ok, I will punch you.”

  She raised her hands up, “I wasn’t.”

  “Who was that girl out there? I don’t know the girl that said those things to him.”

  She leaned on the wall next to me, “You’re hurt. It’s how your body chose to deal with it.”

  “I think I was in shock from seeing him. I didn’t think I would ever see him again.” My eyes were watering, but my adrenaline was so high it was keeping the tears in.

  “You’ve had to bottle up what you’ve wanted to say to him. If Leo ever did something like that to me, I’d probably have the same reaction.”

  “I said some mean things.”

  “They did some mean things to you.”

  I rested my head back against the wall, “Keira, I still love him.”

  She took my hand, “I know.”

  I looked at her, “You do?”

  “Yes. I’m best friends with both of you. I know things.”

  “Does he…” I looked away. “Does he say that he still loves me?”

  She sighed, “That’s not for me to say.”