Beyond Broken

by Kristin Vayden

  “Damn.”

  I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out at his dejected remark.

  “You think it’s funny? Okay, it’s on. I won’t seduce you. But I will entice… just you wait, Sophia Holton… I won’t push you. I’ll protect your honor, but… in return when I’m teasing you with the sweet and slow torture I’m planning, you have to protect my virtue as well.” He chuckled darkly.

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “Nope, it’s a promise… one I can’t wait to get started on. How many days ‘til I get to see you?” Greyson groaned the last word.

  “Four.”

  “It might kill me.”

  “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

  “Whatever.”

  I laughed, feeling the sweet ache in my cheeks because they had held a smile for so long.

  Greyson yawned, and I sighed inwardly, not wanting to say goodbye but knowing he needed to sleep.

  “Go to bed.”

  “No.”

  “Yes, you need to sleep and if you don’t sleep then you’ll just want to nap when you’re here.”

  “Leave it to you for the perfect motivation. You effectively shot a hole through all my arguments.”

  “As always,” I bit my lip, mentally calculating the days and hours until he’d be here. My skin tingled as I thought about his kiss.

  “And humble… one of the many things I admire about you, Sophia Holton. Wait… What’s your middle name?”

  “Humility.”

  “Funny. Seriously, though.”

  “Grace. My middle name is Grace, after my mom’s great grandmother.”

  “It fits. Okay, Sophia Grace Holton. I’m going to go to bed, just like my demanding and shrewish little nurse told me to.”

  “Good. That nurse knows her stuff.”

  “I know. That’s why I keep her around.”

  He paused and I waited, sensing a shift.

  “You’re right, you know… I have fallen for you, Sophia Grace. I’ll save the words for later… but I wanted you to know, to hear it from me just in case you hadn’t figured it out yet.

  My heart flip-flopped in my chest at his words, the declaration within them. But it was bittersweet because only time would tell… everything.

  “Good to know,” I teased, lightening the mood against the cloud of uncertainty that tried to steal the moment.

  “Sophia…” Greyson teased in a warning tone.

  “I kinda like you too, Greyson.

  “My heart just warmed with your sentiment,” Greyson said, using a bad British accent.

  “Yeah… that didn’t work how it sounded in your head.”

  “I’ll do it again…”

  “I’m falling for you too, Greyson. And I do miss you.”

  “Better. I can sleep now.”

  “Have good dreams,” I murmured into the phone.

  “I will… you’ll be there, how could I not enjoy them?”

  “Always the charmer.”

  “Always… but at least I’m telling the truth.”

  “Night, Greyson.”

  “Night, Sophia Grace.”

  I hung up the phone and rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling. I went over each part of the conversation, reliving it all over again. With a heavy sigh, I got ready for bed. The last thoughts I remembered before falling asleep were of Greyson’s promise to dream of me. I knew he would because tonight I’d be dreaming of him too.

  ****

  The rest of the week came and went in a similar fashion. I’d go to work, come home, and just before bed, Greyson would call me. But each night he called, he was increasingly tired, less full of himself and more… strained. Each morning I’d wake up praying for him, but it didn’t feel effective.

  As Friday dawned, I went to work and finished, expecting to hear from Greyson at any time. After all, he was planning on flying in that night, he just wasn’t sure of when. As I pulled into my apartment my phone rang.

  “Greyson!” I answered cheerfully.

  “Hi, Sophia.” His tone was forced.

  “What’s wrong?” I froze my movements and stared ahead, not seeing anything but focusing on his voice.

  “I… Sophia I’m so sorry. I won’t be able to see you this weekend. There was a fallout between two divisions of my company and if I can’t resolve it… thousands of people could lose their jobs. I don’t have a choice. I’m so sorry.” His tone was defeated, weighed down, and stressed. In my head I pictured him rubbing the back of his neck and then running his hands through his thick hair, tousling it. My own heart broke with disappointment.

  “Greyson… I understand. I’m disappointed. But I understand. People gotta eat. They need jobs for that.”

  “I know, but right now I want to ditch the whole thing, hop on a plane—”

  “But that wouldn’t be right, and Greyson, you are being selfless. I can be too. Okay?”

  “Okay. I just had all these plans and—”

  “And we can do them all later. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Promise?” he asked, desperation lacing his tone.

  “Promise.”

  “I’ll call you later… actually, no. I won’t be able to. I don’t know how long these meetings will go so just… do me a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Take your roommate Bekah and go do something fun for me? Let me live vicariously through you while I’m stuck in that boardroom with blood thirsty leeches.”

  “We’ll find something.”

  “Just stay out of trouble.”

  “Yeah, because I’m such a rebel,” I said, struggling to maintain a light and teasing tone in my voice.

  That earned me an honest laugh.

  “And send pictures.”

  “Of Bekah? Greyson!”

  “Of you, dork.”

  “Now I’m a dork.”

  “Yes. But I hate to break it to you… you always were.”

  “Says the snobby rich kid.”

  “Yeah, but I wear it well.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “You do… so well I’d never know you had a penny to your name.”

  “Sure, Sophia. I’ve gotta go. I mean it, I want pictures, alright?”

  “Alright, pictures.”

  “Of you.”

  “Of me.”

  “Do I need to write this down for you?”

  “Umm… no.”

  “Okay…”

  “Hey, stop teasing me and go save your company.”

  “Just call me Superman.”

  “Man of Steel, huh?”

  “Yep… your kryptonite.” His tone grew softer, as if remembering our discussion so long ago.

  “Yep… my kryptonite.” I bit my lip and glanced down at my lap.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow, hopefully. Bye, Sophia.”

  “Bye, Greyson.”

  I walked up the stairs to my apartment and unlocked the door, disappointment hanging heavily over me like a wet blanket. I understood why Greyson couldn’t make it, but that didn’t make it easier. Not at all.

  “Hey, girlie.” Bekah called from the kitchen as she popped a chip in her mouth and chewed. The crunchy noise made my own stomach rumble.

  “Hey.” I half smiled, walking over to her and reaching into the bag.

  “Hit a puppy on your way home?” Bekah raised her dark eyebrow and tilted her head slightly.

  “No, but Greyson isn’t coming this weekend after all.”

  “That sucks.” Bekah twisted her lips and offered me a folded-over chip, one of my favorites.

  “Thanks.”

  “Least I can do.” She shrugged with a grin.

  “Seeming as you usually hoard them to yourself, yeah. Talk about sacrifice.”

  “The things I do for you,” Bekah replied with a lofty tone.

  “Yeah…” I rolled my eyes but grinned. “Do you have plans this weekend?”

  “Nope. Unless you call watching a Netflix marathon plans. It’s bee
n a busy week and I was just going to chill.”

  “Are you up to doing something?”

  “Sure. Though my heart was really set on watching a few hundred episodes of Scrubs, I think I can push it back a few days.”

  “Great. I’m going to go and change and we’ll figure something out.” I popped one last chip in my mouth and savored the salty flavor against the crisp texture as I walked down the hall. After I changed, I took my worn scrubs to the closet laundry, shaking them out.

  “Wait a sec. I have something I can toss in there too.” Bekah hopped from the couch and ran to her room, coming out with small armful of clothes.

  I turned to add the soap and Bekah tossed her clothes in.

  “Hey, you dropped something.” Bekah held out a piece of folded paper.

  I took it and opened it up, suddenly remembering the invite to Dr. Solomon’s party. “I completely forgot. Hmmm.”

  “Hmmm what?”

  “Dr. Solomon invited me to a barbeque at his beach house this weekend. He invited you too.”

  “Looks like we figured out our plans.” Bekah’s eyes widened.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah… seriously? Okay, but is this Dr. Solomon old, young, hot, married… stuff I need to know.”

  I laughed, shaking my head at the rabid interest on Bekah’s face. “Mid thirties, good-looking, not married, as far as I know and really a nice guy.”

  “Okay, nice could mean a lot of things, Sophia.” Bekah gave me wary look.

  “Nice as in he helps people with addiction for a living and is still normal and sane.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Okay, not nice as in he lives in his mother’s basement and kisses her goodnight?” Bekah questioned.

  “I seriously doubt it.”

  “And he’s not married?”

  “Nope, I really don’t think so.”

  “Hmmm…”

  “Hmmm… what?”

  “Hmmm as in I’m wondering what his flaw is.”

  “So because he’s a doctor, young, good-looking and not married, you’re suspicious?” I gave her a disbelieving expression.

  “Basically.”

  “Shallow.”

  “Realistic,” she quipped.

  “Okay. Well, do you want to go or not? I’ll need to text him to get his address. The ink is all smeared on the paper. I guess his beach house is about an hour away or so.”

  “Go for it. It’ll be fun either way.”

  “Okay.” I shrugged, amused at Bekah’s ideas. After I sent a quick text, my phone buzzed a reply almost immediately.

  Glad you can make it. 13221 South Beach Prom. Prty starts at 10 a.m.

  I replied with a quick thank you and entered the address onto my GPS app. It was just under an hour away, so we’d need to leave about nine.

  “Okay, all set. Can you be beautiful by nine?” I arched a brow.

  “I’m beautiful when I wake up… I’m smokin’ by nine.” Bekah winked and sat on the couch.

  “Got it.” I rolled my eyes, wondering what on earth I was going to wear. “So what do you want to do tonight?”

  The rest of the night we did a Netflix marathon and ate way too much popcorn. By the time I went to bed my brain kicked in, reminding me that the salt would make me retain water. Good thing I wasn’t trying to impress anyone! My ankles would probably be swollen by morning.

  At eight, my alarm went off and I slowly rose from the warm spot in my bed. The sheets and blankets beckoned me to sleep for five more minutes, but I resisted and pulled out my swimsuit. After putting it on and pulling denim shorts and a bright orange tank top over it, I slid my feet into a pair of flip-flops and slowly trudged to the bathroom.

  “Hey.” I passed Bekah in the hall. She was way too awake. “Okay, Energizer Bunny, when did you get up?” I eyed her through the narrow slits of my eyelids.

  “Uh, definitely before you… are your eyes even open?” She ducked down and studied me.

  “Yes,” I mumbled.

  “Coffee… you need lots of coffee… I’ll be right back.” She rushed off to the kitchen and soon I heard the coffee grinder whirling.

  We ate breakfast and were ready to go by nine. I rechecked the directions on my GPS and headed out onto the highway. As we got closer, the houses changed. What had been stucco ramblers with beautiful yards became quintessential beach houses with bleached wood siding and beautiful ocean views. I pulled up to the correct address and turned off the car. Dr. Solomon’s house was on the left and utterly beautiful.

  “Um… that is gorgeous.”

  “Yeah.” I sighed, still soaking up the view.

  “I might marry him for the house… just sayin’,” Bekah whispered.

  I giggled and pushed her playfully. We walked up the sandy sidewalk and knocked on the light blue door.

  “Hey! You made it! Did you have any trouble finding the house?” Dr. Solomon’s grin was wide and I did a double take at his clothes, or lack thereof. He was in flip flops and pale blue board shorts, shirtless. His abs could rival Greyson’s, and that was a huge compliment. I struggled to hide my surprise. It was a beach party, what had I been expecting?

  “Yeah, no problems.” I held up my smart phone and smiled.

  “Gotta love technology.” He winked and moved away from the entrance. “You must be Sophia’s roommate.” He extended his hand to Bekah.

  A deep crimson color bloomed in her cheeks, accenting her olive-toned skin. She brushed away a few strands of her ebony-colored hair and shook his hand. “Yes, pleased to meet you, Dr. Solomon.”

  “Oh, my name is Braxton. You don’t need to call me Dr. Solomon.” He shook his head and grinned.

  “Okay, Braxton. You have a beautiful home,” Bekah said.

  “It’s my escape.” Dr. Solomon, Braxton, turned and winked at me.

  “Well, let me show you around.” Dr. Solomon ushered us into the living room and I felt my eyes widen. Huge bay windows extended slightly and soaked the room in light. White and comfortable furniture dotted the space and accented the light wood floor.

  “Wow.”

  Dr. Solomon’s eyes darted to mine, holding my gaze.

  “It’s beautiful,” I finished.

  “Thanks. I tried to give it a relaxed atmosphere without taking away from the view.” He shrugged.

  “Wait, you decorated all this?” I gestured to the room.

  “Yeah, it was cathartic, something to distract me.”

  “You’re talented.”

  “Thanks.” He gave me a shy grin. “Over here we have the drinks and some snacks. We’ll fire up the barbecue around one and I have a mean two-on-two volleyball tournament set up as well. Do you guys play?”

  “No,” I answered at the same time as Bekah said, “Yes!”

  “Well, Sophia, you can be our referee. Sound good?”

  “Sure… just don’t send the ball flying in my direction. I’ll just scream and duck,” I joked, but it was also the truth.

  “Got it.” Dr. Solomon chuckled. “I’m really glad you could make it, Sophia.” He gazed at me with his baby blues. Just then the doorbell rang and he excused himself.

  “Um… is there anything you want to share with me?” Bekah murmured as she took a step closer to me and studied the room, not making eye contact.

  “About?” I asked, curious.

  “Never mind… it’s just that… well… Yeah, never mind.” Bekah grinned and shrugged. “It’s probably nothing. Don’t worry. Are you thirsty? Let’s get something to drink.”

  The day went by quickly, with plenty of food and fun, and way too much sun. My skin was tender by the time the sun began to set, but I didn’t care. It had been a great day, even if I had been smacked in the head with a volleyball — twice. There were quite a few people from the Willow and Oak in attendance so I was really relaxed, and noticed that Bekah had made some new friends as well.

  I dug my toes into the warm sand and rubbed the coarse grains against my skin as I wiggled my toes, enjoying the
sensation.

  “Is this seat taken?” Dr. Solomon asked quietly as he sat down beside me.

  “Nope.” I grinned. “Thanks for inviting us. This has been a great party. It was great to get away, just like you said.”

  “Sometimes I do know what I’m talking about.” He grinned and picked up a handful of sand, letting it slowly sift through his fingers. “Your roommate seems really great. I can see why you two get along so well.”

  “Yeah, Bekah’s the best. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

  We were quiet for a few moments, staring at the blue-green water with the fiery colored hues of the slowly setting sun.

  “It’s not my business, so feel free to tell me to take a hike…” Dr. Solomon gave me a small smile, but furrowed his brow. “But have you been alright? You’ve seemed a bit out of sorts this past week. Don’t get me wrong, your performance has been impeccable as always, just… something seems different.”

  “So the white coat is never really taken off, is it?” I joked.

  “As much as I’d love to leave it at the door, it’s like skin.” He shook his head but his expression was amused.

  “Yes, I’m alright,” I answered, not really knowing how to answer, especially since the relationship I’d built with Greyson wasn’t exactly kosher by professional standards.

  “Good. I just would hate to see you hurting for any reason. I’m here if you need me. I mean that. You’re unique, Sophia. You have a joy and purpose that many others can’t quite achieve; yet it flows from you. That’s a gift but also a curse. The wrong type of person, of guy…” He studied me carefully before turning his attention back to the sifting sand. “…could easily take advantage of that. I know I’ve warned you before, but please be careful.” He turned his gaze back to me, searching my eyes. My heart skipped a beat because there was a deep awareness in his eyes that spoke volumes of what he knew… but wasn’t saying. He at least had suspicions about Greyson, about me. Yet he wasn’t coming out with it directly, just warning me once again. As if I hadn’t warned myself enough.

  But Greyson was different, he had changed. He was changing. I wanted to defend him, yet to do so would only confirm what Dr. Solomon already suspected and thought to be true. It probably was a moot point, but something held me back, so I kept my lips sealed and simply nodded.

  Dr. Solomon regarded me calmly then stood, dusting off the sand from his shorts. Reaching down he offered me his hand. I accepted it and he lifted me effortlessly from the sand so that I actually hopped up.