The Ex's Confession

by L. C. Davenport

  When she entered Nicole’s room, though, she had second thoughts. Maybe Locke had seen this mess, she thought in dismay, and let her think he was letting her off easy. There was no way she was going to get all this junk packed up and back into those suitcases before Haley wanted to be on an airplane. She shook her head at the chaos surrounding her and started hunting for that ridiculous pink luggage.

  Fifteen minutes later, she still hadn’t found any sign of a pink bag and she was starting to get irritated. Honestly, would it have killed Nicole to put things away? She put her hand over her mouth, glad she hadn’t said that aloud. It was bad enough that Nicole had gotten herself almost killed; now Rebecca was wishing the fate on her again.

  Figuring that Locke might have put Nicole’s bags away, she wandered down the hall in search of him. All the upstairs bedrooms were empty, including the one Cassie and Michael had shared. She padded down the stairs and was on her way to the library when Elliot’s voice drifted down the hall. The kitchen door was ajar, and as she came closer his voice became louder.

  “I don’t know why you’re so angry,” Elliot was saying in a defensive voice. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

  “No, you’re not doing anything wrong,” Locke answered sarcastically. “You’re just conveniently dating Nicole to get Rebecca’s goat. That’s low, man.”

  “I’m not dating Nicole.” Elliot’s answer was quick and sure.

  “It sure looks like it from where I stand,” Locke retorted. “You take her on carriage rides, you let her hang all over you, and you do what she tells you to do. That sounds like dating to me. Bad, nasty dating, but it’s still dating.”

  “I’m not doing it to make Rebecca mad.”

  Locke’s laughter had no humor in it. “She’s not mad, you idiot. She’s confused. She reads your columns, where you all but profess your undying love and adoration, and then watches you flirt with another girl. What’s she supposed to think?”

  Rebecca held her breath. She was pretty sure she wasn’t supposed to be overhearing this conversation but she couldn’t make her feet carry her away

  “She’s supposed to think she made a mistake seven years ago!” Elliot was almost shouting.

  There was a loud thud, like the sound made by a fist hitting a wooden table. “You’d better be kidding,” Locke said quietly.

  “You seem awfully interested in Rebecca’s love life all of a sudden.”

  “I am.”

  No, no, thought Rebecca. Please, I don’t want Locke to have feelings for me. He’s like the big brother I’d like to trade Elisa for.

  “And why’s that?” Elliot’s voice was laced with panic.

  “Don’t be an idiot; I’m not in love with her.” Rebecca breathed out a sigh of relief. “I know I’ve only known her a few days, but she has this strange hold on me. It’s like I’m a long lost brother or something. And while you may be my best friend, I won’t stand by and watch you play with her feelings. Nicole’s either, for that matter.”

  There was a long pause. When Elliot finally spoke, his words were filled with regret. “You’re right,” he said. “I haven’t been fair to either one of them. But I can’t break things off with Nicole until she’s feeling better; what if she had a relapse or something? It’s my fault she got hurt in the first place.”

  Locke made a disgusted sound. “You give yourself too much credit,” he said with some exasperation “Do you think you have some sort of power over women to make them jump into lakes just to get your attention? It’s Nicole’s fault she had the accident. You didn’t push her out of the boat.”

  “But I should have been paying more attention to her.”

  “You shouldn’t have been leading her on all this time. That’s all there is to it. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d better get back to work. With my luck, Rebecca’s already finished packing and she’s waiting for us to help her take all those blasted pink suitcases to the boat.” The sound of a chair scraping across the floor jerked Rebecca to her senses and she ran as quietly as she could around the corner to the hall closet, hoping her flushed cheeks wouldn’t betray her.

  She had just managed to get her breathing back to normal when Locke came up behind her and pulled her hair gently. “Why are you trying to climb in my closet?” he asked in a voice that didn’t quite match his casual words. “It’s kind of dusty in there.”

  Rebecca cleared her throat. She didn’t dare look at him. “Have you seen Nicole’s bags anywhere? I can’t find them in her room.”

  Locke snorted. “I’d be surprised if you could find anything up there. I’m sorry; I forgot that I put them in the shed. I couldn’t keep all that pink in my house without getting sick.” He shuddered. “I’ll grab them for you if you want to start making sense of her junk.” He opened the front door to leave, but not before Rebecca saw the angry set of his jaw.

  Rebecca climbed slowly up the stairs, thinking about what Elliot had said. She couldn’t get her mind around the fact that he was using Nicole. Sure, Nicole wasn’t her favorite person in the world, but no one deserved to be treated so unfairly. She wondered what could have induced Elliot to be so cruel.

  She was in Nicole’s room folding a pink shirt when her cell phone rang. The display flashed Jen’s phone number, and she answered with a certain amount of trepidation. “Hey.”

  “Rebecca? Thank goodness you answered.” Jen’s voice sounded frantic.

  “What’s up? Has Scott gotten into trouble or something?” Rebecca teased, trying to lighten her friend’s mood.

  “Something like that.” Jen’s voice sounded strange, as though she’d been crying for a long time. “He’s been shot.”

  ***

  Rebecca frantically threw clothes on the bed, wondering what was taking Locke so long. She dashed the tears from her cheeks as she bent over to gather more pink shirts from where they were scattered on the floor. When she looked up, Elliot was staring at her from the doorway.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, taking a step into the room.

  Rebecca just held the ridiculously frilly blouse to her stomach, trying to stop crying. “Nothing,” she said in a voice she knew did not sound like her own.

  Elliot caught the blouse as it fell to the floor and tossed it on the bed before he grabbed her shoulders. “Something’s wrong,” he said. “What is it?”

  Rebecca looked up at him and was horrified when the tears started pouring unhindered down her face. “I’m sorry,” she said over and over. “I’m sorry.”

  Elliot made an inarticulate sound and pulled her into his arms. Holding her head on his firm chest and patting her gently on the back. “It’s going to be fine,” he said. “Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.” Rebecca only managed to hiccough. “Please tell me.”

  Rebecca finally got herself under control enough to push away from him. She started tossing more clothes onto the bed. “It’s Scott,” she said, wiping her eyes on one of Nicole’s skirts. “He was shot this morning.” He stared at her blankly. “Scott Tennant. You know, Jen’s husband? The one you met at Jaime’s a few weeks ago?”

  Elliot looked shocked. “Shot? Is he hurt?”

  “The man’s been shot with a gun. Of course he’s hurt!” She went into the bathroom and started throwing makeup into a bag. “How much of this stuff does she need?” she muttered to herself.

  Elliot loomed over her. “How badly is he hurt?” he demanded.

  “Jen didn’t have time to say. He was in the operating room when she called. I need to go home immediately. Her parents are out of the country, and his died a few years ago, so no one’s with her right now. I’ve got to go!” she said shrilly. She tried to push past him back into the bedroom but he wouldn’t budge.

  “You can leave whenever you want,” he said. “But first you need to calm down. You’re not going to do either of them any good if you show up at the hospital a nervous wreck.”

  Rebecca sat on the toilet and grabbed a tissue. “Okay,” she said, wiping her nose. “I need a f
ew minutes.”

  Elliot looked like he didn’t believe her, but left her alone when they heard Locke’s voice from the hallway.

  For a few minutes, all Rebecca could hear was the muffled sound of their conversation. She washed her face in the sink and tried not to look at her reflection. When she emerged from the bathroom, one of the suitcases was open on the bed. Elliot was stuffing it haphazardly with anything that was near.

  “There’s no way that’ll ever close,” Rebecca said, her voice almost back to normal. “You’ve got to fold them first.”

  “I’ll make it fit.” Elliot threw several pairs of shoes on top of an untidy pile of dresses.

  Rebecca laughed shakily. “You can’t do that,” she chastised. “Nicole would kill you if you spoiled all her nice things.”

  Elliot looked like he didn’t care but stopped himself from saying something that would get him in trouble. “Then show me how to do it.” He stood aside as Rebecca dumped the bag’s contents back on the bed and started folding.

  “I take it that you’re still not very good at laundry.”

  Elliot laughed softly as he tried to mimic her motions. “Not really,” he admitted. “What is it with you and laundry? I’m beginning to think you’re obsessed with clean clothes.”

  Rebecca shrugged and placed a stack of shirts back in the suitcase. “And that’s a bad thing because...”

  Locke’s laughter echoed in the room. “He’s never been really worried about looking put together,” he commented. “Do you need any help?”

  “No.”

  “Yes.” Their answers were simultaneous.

  Locke covered his smile with his hand. “I’ll listen to Rebecca,” he said, smirking at Elliot. “Otherwise we could be here for the rest of the day, and I understand someone needs to get to the airport.” He leaned over and gave Rebecca a one-armed embrace. “I’m sorry to hear about your friend,” he said in her ear. “Do they have any leads on the shooter?”

  Rebecca shook her head. “It happened while Scott was at work this morning, so they’re trying to get the security tapes from the bank. I’m hoping Jen has more information when I get there.”

  Locke nodded. “Keep me posted, will you?”

  Rebecca smiled at him weakly. “Sure,” she said. “I would have wanted to talk to you, anyway. I’ll really miss you, Locke.” She sniffed and concentrated on the task in front of her, trying to keep calm.

  “As would I,” he said. “Does Elliot have your email address? I can just get it from him.”

  Rebecca looked over at Elliot, who was studiously ignoring them. “I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I can give it to you, if you want.” She pulled a piece of pink paper from the bedside table and scribbled her address and cell phone number on it. When Locke took it from her, he sneezed.

  “What is that smell?” he asked, looking like he might gag.

  “That’s Nicole’s perfume.” Elliot picked up another suitcase. “She soaks all her stationery in it. There’s no way to get the smell out. Believe me, I’ve tried.”

  Rebecca almost laughed at the twin looks of distaste on their faces. “I’ll give you an unscented copy when we get to the hospital to pick up Haley,” she promised. “I wouldn’t want anyone to be sick on my account.”

  ***

  Elliot spent the journey back to Mackinac City on the phone. He sat far enough away from Rebecca that she could only hear snippets of his conversation. “I need to change… no, it’s not for me… yes, I paid for it… thank you very much.” He snapped his phone closed and then glanced up at Rebecca.

  “Do you want me to call Haley and have her meet us outside the hospital? Your flight leaves in three hours.”

  She tilted her head and looked at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “Aren’t you going home with Haley?”

  “Well, yes, but I haven’t–”

  Elliot waved his hand at her. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out.” He opened his phone and turned away from her. He was on the phone longer this time, and when he finally hung up, he seemed disgruntled. He mumbled something as he stuck the phone back in his pocket.

  “Is something wrong?”

  Elliot ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Nicole says she won’t leave the hospital tomorrow unless her head stops hurting. She could have headaches for the next six months.” He leaned his head back and exhaled loudly. “I could be stuck here for months.”

  “Hey,” Locke protested. “That wasn’t very kind. Michigan’s not that bad, you know. You might actually enjoy yourself.”

  “Fat chance of that happening,” Elliot muttered. “I need to get back home. I have a job, you know, and things that need to be looked after.” He glanced at Rebecca.

  “I think the things can take care of themselves,” Locke said innocently.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  Rebecca had the distinct impression that they were talking about her but decided to ignore them. She was perfectly capable of looking after her own affairs. If Elliot didn’t see that, he didn’t know her as well as he said he did.

  Haley and Cassie were waiting outside the hospital’s entrance when they arrived. Cassie ran up to the car as it stopped and pulled Rebecca onto the pavement and into her arms.

  “We heard about Scott,” Cassie said. “I’m so sorry, Rebecca. I wish I could come home with you.”

  Rebecca was grateful Cassie couldn’t see her face. “It’ll be fine,” she said, trying to believe it. “I’m sure Scott will pull through and be back to his normal obnoxious self before I know it.”

  “You’ll stay in our apartment, won’t you?”

  Rebecca blinked at her. She hadn’t really considered where she’d stay. “I really need to find an apartment of my own,” she said slowly, “but if you and Mick don’t mind, I’d be really glad to housesit for you until then.”

  Cassie beamed at her. “Then it’s settled. Do whatever you want. I trust you.”

  Rebecca tried to smile back. “Even if I paint the walls of your bedroom?”

  “As long as it’s not pink.” The two sisters laughed and shared a final embrace before Haley pulled Rebecca into the car.

  “Call me when you get to Chicago!” Cassie called as the car pulled away.

  It only took thirty minutes to get back to the airport, but Rebecca was glad for the drive. She hadn’t had time to pay attention to the Mackinac Bridge when they had taken Nicole to the hospital the day before, and she was grateful for the chance to watch as they crossed it this time.

  “I’m going to miss Mackinac,” she said to Haley.

  “You’re going to miss Locke’s house,” Haley corrected.

  Rebecca smiled at Locke, who was looking at her in the rearview mirror. “More his library than anything else,” she agreed, sharing a smile with him.

  Once they reached the airport, Locke stopped the car and jumped out to collect their suitcases from the trunk. Rebecca walked behind him and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m really going to miss you,” she said. “Please take care of yourself. And come see me when you get a chance. I should have an apartment within the next few weeks, and you’re welcome to bunk on the couch anytime you want.”

  “You can count on it,” Locke said. He grabbed her in a bear hug tight enough to crack her back. “Call when you get home.”

  “I will.” She hugged him one last time and turned to leave. “Where’s my bag?” she asked, looking around. “It was here just a second ago.”

  Locke cocked his head toward the airport door. “Elliot’s got you,” he said. “Now go.” He grinned at her and hopped back in the car before he could get in trouble for being double-parked.

  Rebecca trailed behind Haley and Elliot, wondering what he was doing. When she made her way to the ticket counter, he was waiting impatiently for her.

  “They need your ID,” he said. “Hurry up or you’ll miss the flight.”

  Rebecca fumbled in her bag. “But I haven
’t paid for a ticket,” she protested.

  “I told you everything would be all right,” Elliot said. “Now come on.”

  She eyed him as he handed her the ticket. “Did you do this?” she asked.

  Elliot shrugged uncomfortably. “I know you’re staying at Cassie’s,” he said, rummaging around in his pockets before pulling out his keys, “but you’ll need a way home. Take my car. If I need a ride when I get back, I’ll call you.”

  Rebecca was touched by his thoughtfulness and said as much. “You don’t need to do all of this,” she said. “I can really manage–”

  “Rebecca, please,” Elliot interrupted with a pained expression on his face. “Consider it thanks for everything you’ve done on this trip.” He paused for a moment, as if he were gathering his courage, then rushed on. “I wish you could stay. You’re the only one around here with a lick of sense.”

  Rebecca could feel her cheeks getting warm. “You’re just saying that because I’m the only one who doesn’t talk back to you.”

  “You are,” he insisted. “You already have Locke under some sort of spell, and Cassie and Michael are afraid of what will happen when you leave. I wish you could stay.”

  Rebecca suddenly found her shoes extremely interesting.

  “You’d better get going,” he said abruptly. “Did you give Locke your information?”

  “No, I forgot. Would you mind?” She pulled a piece of white paper out of her bag and smiled impishly at him. “Tell Locke I changed my mind about making him sick. I sprayed his note with my own perfume before we left the house,” she confided. “Just in case he needs an antidote for Nicole’s.”

  Elliot took it from her hand. “I’ll give it to him,” he said. “Now go. I’ll probably see you when I get back.”

  Rebecca hesitated, then leaned over and quickly brushed a kiss on his cheek in what she hoped was a casual gesture. “Thanks for everything,” she said after she had stepped back. “And I’ll repay you as soon as I can.”