by MK Schiller
She reclined against the brick facade. Kyle leaned against her, placing an arm on each side of her body. He wanted to block the wind, but mostly he wanted to be close to her. She crossed her arms. She didn’t push Kyle away, but her stance wasn’t encouraging either. Her fragrance drifted around him. He still couldn’t identify it, but he could name it now. It was the scent of comfort, serenity, and peace. It was the smell of home.
“Why are you here, Kyle?”
“I’m glad you had your scar removed. You look beautiful. You always did, either way, but I know it made you self-conscious.” He knew he was avoiding her question, but the rise and fall of her chest was distracting him. He wanted so desperately to kiss her there, to run his hands down the length of her body. How could he not have seen how stunning she was all along, both inside and out?
“Tim’s a good surgeon,” she replied without meeting his eyes. “Answer my question.”
“I wanted to support you. I thought you’d made partner.”
“No. Why are you here in Chicago?”
Kyle swallowed, willing the words he’d rehearsed a hundred times to come out clearly. “Lanie, I missed you. I’m so sorry, baby. I was so wrong that day at my apartment. You were right about everything. I thought I wasn’t capable of being what you needed.”
“And what…now you are? What created this sudden shift in perception? Is New York running low on girls for you to fuck?” Lanie’s voice had a bite, causing Kyle to flinch. Of course that’s what she’d think. He hadn’t let her believe anything else.
“Lanie, there’s been no one else since you. There is no one else for me. I made a mistake. A horrible mistake, and I came to see if I could right it. I have a suite here. Will you come with me so I can explain it all?”
“No, tell me what you need to explain right now. What do you want from me?” Her voice was distant. She sounded far away, but she didn’t hesitate with the words. She gave nothing away.
“I don’t want you to forgive me, because I don’t deserve it, but I promise if you give me another chance, I’ll earn it. I want a do-over. Will you let me have one? I promise I’ll never hurt you again.”
Lanie took in a deep breath, but her posture didn’t relax. She didn’t pull Kyle in for a kiss. She didn’t even smile. She looked miserable, and Kyle wanted more than anything to change that. “Why should I do that?”
“I wish I had compelling reasons in my defense, but I don’t. I’m a stupid, self-centered man, who didn’t realize how lucky he was to have you in his life. I wish I could take it all back, but I can’t. So I’ll just tell you what I’m feeling. What I’ve been feeling for a long time now, but I didn’t have the courage or confidence to tell you.” Kyle sucked in a breath and leaned closer to Lanie so he could whisper in her ear. He wanted to shout it from the Willis Tower but needed her to hear the conviction in his voice clearly. “I love you, Lanie Carmichael. I love you very much.”
Kyle stumbled back when Lanie pushed him. She hadn’t shoved him hard, but the act hurt him as much as if she’d sucker punched him in the gut.
Her laugh dripped with hostility, but the hurt in her voice was evident. “Kyle, that’s just something a man says to appease a woman.” She pivoted, and her heels clicked loudly against the pavement as she walked away.
Kyle stood there in stunned silence with the realization that Lanie had used his own words against him. He tried desperately to control the regret and remorse that coursed through every vein. Lanie rounded the corner. Kyle rushed after her. “Lanie, wait!”
That’s when he felt the hand on his shirt. It was dark, and Brad had been so quiet Kyle wondered how long he’d been there. Was he eavesdropping? “That’s enough, Kyle. You’ve said what you came to say. Lanie, go back inside. Cassie’s waiting for you.”
“Brad, it’s okay,” Lanie said.
“Let me pass,” Kyle growled, narrowing his eyes. Brad ignored Kyle, keeping his eyes on Lanie.
“Lanie, please go inside. Kyle and I need to talk for a minute.” Kyle wanted to punch Brad in the jaw, but he controlled himself.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Go, Lanie.” Lanie looked at the two men dubiously but nodded. She turned and walked back toward the hotel entrance. When she was out of earshot, Brad turned back to Kyle and said, “I don’t fucking care what you want, shithead.”
Kyle had never heard so much authority in Brad’s voice. In fact, he wondered what the source was.
“Get. Out. Of. My. Way,” Kyle said with deliberate slowness, knocking Brad’s hand away.
“You’ve hurt her enough. She was a mess when you left. You need to leave her alone now.”
A stab of guilt pushed through the anger, but he wouldn’t give Brad that satisfaction. This was between Lanie and him. He didn’t owe Brad anything. “What do you know about it? You’re not exactly astute when it comes to Lanie.”
“I was there for her when you weren’t.”
Kyle felt the blood drain from his face, and he clenched his teeth so hard, he thought he might end up with another chipped tooth. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I was there for her as a friend, asshole. She needed one.”
“You took her promotion.”
This time Brad looked guilty. “I didn’t ask for the lead on that case. Lanie wanted me to do it. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
“Why did she want you to do it?” Kyle asked, although he knew the answer. Lanie was a damn smart lawyer, but she had confidence issues, including a fear of public speaking—not a great trait for a trial lawyer.
“I don’t know, but I plan on asking her tonight. Right after I tell her I love her.”
Kyle didn’t know what happened, but he felt the quickening of his heart, the raw tension in his muscles as if each one was flexed painfully, and the fierce pounding in his head. He snapped. His fist connected to Brad’s jaw before his brain fully registered the movement. Brad stumbled back, almost falling, but he steadied himself.
“What the hell, Manchester?” Brad asked, rubbing his cheek.
“You fucking asshole!” Kyle grabbed Brad’s shirt and shoved him against the brick wall. “You had your chance and blew it.”
Brad’s slow smile took Kyle off guard. It was such an unexpected reaction, but it made Kyle flinch. “So did you.”
“You knew the whole time, didn’t you?”
“I had a feeling. I know I was an idiot. Lanie is everything I want and need in my life.”
“What about Cassie? You think Cassie’s going to just wish you the best of luck?” Kyle had no idea why he was bringing up Cassie. He didn’t care about her feelings at all, but she was his last shred of hope and he clung to it.
“No, but I don’t give a damn. I’m breaking up with her tonight either way. I know it will be difficult for Lanie to deal with, but she doesn’t deserve the way Cassie treats her. I don’t feel any guilt about it. She’s been cheating on me for weeks now.” Brad adjusted his tie and ran a hand down his jaw, wincing. “You can’t make Lanie happy, but I can.”
Brad moved toward the hotel entrance, but Kyle wasn’t done yet. He placed his hand on Brad’s shoulder forcefully to halt him. “It’s her choice, not yours.”
Brad stood rigidly. “She made her choice. At least where you’re concerned.”
“I’m not giving her up,” Kyle replied.
Brad turned quickly, pinning Kyle to the wall. Kyle was quicker, though, and managed to deflect Brad’s fist with his own. They tussled for several minutes, connecting fists to jaws, necks, and guts. Kyle bloodied Brad’s nose. Brad blackened Kyle’s eye.
“Don’t fucking make me ruin my own suit, asshole,” Brad screamed.
“You’ll only ruin it with your own blood.”
“Stop it!” Both men turned to see Lanie. Kyle cringed, wondering how much she’d heard. She had her coat and purse with Brad’s jacket draped on her arm. “What the hell is wrong with both of you?” She turned to Kyle, not hiding her disappoi
ntment. Kyle placed his hand on the back of his neck, lowering his head sheepishly. “Kyle, you’re a journalist. You report the news, not make it.” She turned to Brad. “And Brad, you’re a lawyer. You know what it would mean if you got arrested for fighting.”
Kyle let go of Brad’s shirt, shoving him a little in the process. Out of breath, they backed away from each other.
“Lanie, where are you going?” Brad asked.
“I’m going home, Brad. You should go in. Cassie’s looking for you.”
“Let me drive you home. You’re upset and you’ve been drinking,” Brad said, walking toward her.
Kyle let out a sarcastic laugh. Brad turned to Kyle with venom in his eyes. “What?”
“Tell him what you’ve been drinking, Lanie.”
Lanie headed toward Kyle. Kyle felt his heart inflate and then immediately deflate when all she did was hand him the jacket…Brad’s jacket. “I’ve only had virgin drinks tonight. I’m fine to drive.”
She turned toward the parking lot. “Lanie, the valet is over here.” Brad gestured toward the front of the building. “I’ll wait with you for your car.”
“She doesn’t park in valet. Lanie has trust issues with her car,” Kyle interjected. Brad didn’t hide his annoyance, and Kyle felt somewhat vindicated in proving to Brad that he knew Lanie better. She began walking away but halted when a shrill voice erupted into the cold night air, making them all stiffen. Damn succubus, Kyle thought grimly.
“Brad, why are you out here?” Cassie gasped. “You’re bleeding!” The sparkles on Cassie’s dress made her glow in the dark.
“Cassie, go back inside and wait for me,” Brad commanded, but Cassie stood her ground, surveying the scene. When she saw Lanie, her confused expression morphed into a scowl.
“This is your fault. You are so fucking self-centered. This is not about you, Lanie. It’s about Brad. He deserves this, and it’s obvious you’re jealous as usual.”
Lanie’s spine stiffened, and even in the dark, Kyle could see her hazel eyes widen. He had seen this expression before, aimed at him. It was not fear or guilt…Lanie was pissed. Kyle knew better than to interject. This was Lanie’s fight, and he considered himself lucky to be present for it.
Brad, on the other hand, didn’t know better. “Cassie, don’t talk to her like—”
“It’s okay,” Lanie interrupted, holding out her hand to dismiss Brad. She walked over to Cassie. “Cassie, you are the epitome of self-centered. You always have been, and you know what? I’m done with it. I want you out of my house. I’m giving you twenty-four hours to pack up your stuff.”
Kyle felt like clapping, but he held back, choosing to cheer her on in silence. Cassie’s expression changed from anger to shock. “Y-you can’t do that,” Cassie stammered.
“Like hell I can’t. Twenty-four hours or I’ll personally put it all on the street. You, better than anyone, know what happens to makeup when it’s exposed to the elements.”
“I have no place to go!” Cassie wailed, turning to Brad. Her quivering lips and pleading eyes clearly conveyed her unasked question. Brad slowly shook his head and removed her hand. Black, mascara-tinted tears rolled down Cassie’s face, making her look like a horror movie clown.
“Go live with Mom,” Lanie said, providing the answer. Kyle was proud Cassie’s meltdown did not deter Lanie. In fact, Kyle was very proud of Lanie in general.
“What? I can’t live with Mom. We’ll kill each other.”
Kyle almost laughed, but he was too mesmerized by Lanie’s laugh. She cupped her hand to her mouth as soon as she did, as if the sound was unintentional but unavoidable. In that intense moment, it probably was. “You deserve each other,” she finally said.
Cassie straightened up, wiping the tears from her face, managing to make an even bigger mess. “You can’t do this. I won’t let you get away with it. There are laws about this!”
This time Lanie’s laugh was fuller, and she didn’t hide it. “You’re right. There are laws, and guess what? I’m a lawyer! And a damn good one too…a fucking ten, and I don’t have to tell you the difference between ten and two, do I?”
Kyle wondered what Lanie was talking about, but it was clear the statement held some deep meaning between the sisters.
“If you fight me, I’ll sue your ass for back rent so fast you won’t be able to find a sugar daddy to take care of it.” Cassie opened her mouth to protest, but Lanie cut her off. “Stop making fucking excuses, and worry about hiring a moving company to get your truckloads of clothes out of my house.” Cassie gave Lanie a last pleading look, but Lanie ignored it. She turned on her heel and marched purposefully toward the parking lot.
“Brad, please. I can’t live with my mother,” Cassie whimpered.
“You can’t live with me either. Go inside and clean yourself up.”
“But Brad— “
“Go inside!” Brad commanded. Cassie sulked and lingered for a few seconds, but she eventually complied, walking toward the hotel entrance with stooped shoulders.
Kyle almost felt sorry for her, but he knew the kinds of mind games she put Lanie through, and he couldn’t summon an iota of sympathy. Kyle waited a few minutes, watching as Lanie’s car peeled out of the parking lot. Brad was watching too.
“I love her, and I’m not letting her go,” Kyle warned. “I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to right my wrongs.”
“Yes, but she loves me, doesn’t she?” Brad asked.
“I don’t know,” Kyle said, feeling his muscles stiffen.
“It was a rhetorical question, idiot.”
They both stared at each other, having a nonverbal conversation. They had been friends so long that they didn’t always need words. Brad moved with lightning swiftness, heading toward the hotel entrance, but Kyle surmised the situation quickly. Brad ran toward the valet, and he got there first with his lead, but Kyle was a faster runner and not far behind. The valet kid held his hands out and backed up at the sight of two suit-clad grown men running toward him like children. Brad held out his valet ticket, breathing hard. “Get my car, fast.”
Kyle didn’t ask for his car. Instead, he looked over at the board with all the keys, instantly recognizing his, thanks to the gaudy keychain. He jumped behind the valet desk like it was a hurdle and unhinged it.
“Hey, you can’t do that!” the valet kid yelled, but Kyle was already sprinting toward the parking lot. He had no idea where his car was parked, but he pressed the lock button on his fob until he heard the familiar sound.
Kyle’s car squealed out of the lot as he made his way toward Lanie’s apartment. He would tell her again how sorry he was. He would tell her how much she meant to him. That they were both flawed, but she was perfect even in her flaws. He knew he was far from it, but he would do everything in his power to make her happy. Kyle saw the high beams of Brad’s headlights in his rearview mirror. He cursed, realizing his lead wasn’t as big as he thought. He pushed down on the accelerator, feeling his heart race as fast as the speedometer. He thought about what Brad had said. This whole mess had started because Lanie loved Brad. Did she still? Suddenly his mission seemed ludicrous. He felt ridiculous. Lanie was not fickle enough to fall into the arms of the guy who got to her first. Kyle slowed down until Brad was dangerously close to his bumper. He then abruptly pulled over, with screeching tires, until he came to a halt. Brad passed him, slowing long enough so Kyle could see his puzzled expression.
Kyle wanted to make Lanie happy, and maybe the best way to do that was to concede. Ironically, everything had worked out exactly as she’d predicted in that sports bar so many months ago. Brad had naturally fallen in love with her. He’d seen that Lanie was special. She was sweet but strong. She was innocent but wise. She was loyal and dedicated. Brad was, in many ways, perfect for her. Kyle wouldn’t stand in the way of that. He’d already said his piece, and Lanie had rejected him. He wouldn’t make her do it again. He loved her so much that he’d let her go.
&n
bsp; Kyle made an illegal U-turn and headed back to the Marksman Hotel.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kyle passed through the lobby. The partnership dinner was still in full swing. Kyle wondered if Cassie knew Brad had left yet. Maybe Mrs. Jansen would give her a ride home. What an awkward scene it would be for her to stumble upon Brad and Lanie. At least the truth would be out now. Lanie had stood up to Cassie. Brad would tell Lanie he loved her. They would have their happily ever after with minimal casualties.
The suite at the Marksman was luxurious and well-appointed, like a scene from an old Hollywood movie with pale colors, velvet curtains, and miniature crystal chandeliers. It screamed opulence and romance, and Kyle hated it. He considered leaving and checking in to a motel along the expressway. He hadn’t booked his return flight. He had come here on a mission, unsure of the ending. The mission had failed miserably.
Kyle surveyed himself in the glass-tiled bathroom. His eye was slightly blackened from Brad’s fist, and his jaw ached, but there was no permanent damage. He carefully took off Brad’s suit. He would have the hotel dry-clean it and courier it for him. He donned loose sweats and his favorite Syracuse T-shirt.
He opened the minibar and grabbed all the tiny bottles of liquor it held, preparing to drown his sorrows. He poured the drink and swallowed it fast like medicine, but it wasn’t quite what he craved. He wanted ice cream. Kyle called and ordered the deluxe hot fudge sundae. It was the same one he and Lanie had shared on that first date. What date? Their whole relationship was a sham. Kyle had warned Lanie not to fall in love with him. He hadn’t taken his own advice.
He sat on the plush velvet sofa and flipped channels until he found an infomercial on an electric can opener that only required one hand to use. Was it really so hard to open a can? He watched the whole thing. The rain started then, pelting down in fat drops against the cement, echoing through the triple-paned windows. It was just cold enough to freeze. The bitter and sad sound matched Kyle’s own emotional state.
