by Sandi Lynn
“Finance and investments. She’s interning this summer at our company and will have an office next to mine when she graduates.”
“Lucky girl.” I grinned.
His eyes stared into mine as he brought his hand over and softly stroked my cheek.
“I’m happy I came over tonight.”
“Me too.” I smiled. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“How is it that a handsome and sweet guy like you is single?”
“I guess because the right woman hasn’t come along.” He smiled as he stroked my cheek. “But somehow, I think my luck has changed.”
I trembled from head to toe as I stared into his eyes. My hunger for him was insatiable as I leaned in and brushed my lips against his. Our kiss turned passionate and within seconds, I was on his lap, straddling him as my hands were planted on each side of his face. His arms wrapped around me, and I could feel his hard cock pressing against me. I wanted him so badly that it hurt. He broke our kiss and slowly closed his eyes as he placed his forehead against mine for a moment.
“I want you, Ellie. I really do. But it’s not the right time,” he signed.
“Why? I don’t understand,” I spoke and signed back.
He carefully lifted me off his lap and stood up from the couch.
“It’s complicated. There are things going on in my life right now that I can’t explain, but I will soon. I promise. I just need you to trust me.”
“Sure. Okay,” I signed as I furrowed my brows.
He took my hand and helped me up from the couch.
“I better get going,” he signed. “I’ll text you.”
He brushed his lips against mine before walking out the door. I didn’t know what was going on with him, and I was beginning to get worried.
Henry
I couldn’t do this anymore, and I couldn’t put it off any longer. After tomorrow night, I’d be a free man. Free from Kirsten and all this wedding bullshit. She was going to be devastated and I felt like a bastard, but I wasn’t in love with her. It wasn’t fair to her or to me.
It was six p.m. the next evening when my phone rang, and Kirsten’s name appeared. Instantly, a knot formed in the pit of my stomach.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Henry. I just got home and I would like for you to come over. We need to talk.”
“Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
As I was on my way over there, the thought that she possibly would break up with me entered my mind. I hadn’t treated her very well the last few months and with any luck, she’d had enough. I silently prayed to God to let her be the one to call it quits so I wouldn’t have to be the bad guy.
“Hi,” she spoke when she opened the door.
“Hey.”
“Come on in.” She gestured.
“How was your trip with your mom?”
“It was good. We had a nice time.” She shut the door and walked into the living area. “I can’t believe you didn’t call or text me once while I was away. What kind of fiancé does that?”
“You were the one who was angry, Kirsten. Not me. You were the one who stormed out of my office.” I pointed at her.
“Because you put your friends before me all the time. I’m the one you’re marrying, Henry. I should come first.”
“Just because we’re getting married doesn’t mean I have to cut off all contact with my friends. Do I get mad at you when you see your friends?”
“No. But I always put you first. My friends always come second. I gave our relationship a lot of thought while I was away, and my mom and I had a long talk.”
“And?” I secretly prayed she was calling our engagement off.
“I made an appointment for us to go see a couple’s therapist tomorrow evening at seven o’clock.”
“What?” I shouted in disbelief. This was not how it was supposed to go.
“He’s a really good therapist and I know he can help us.”
“No! No, he can’t, Kirsten. I am not going to see a therapist,” I shouted. “You actually think that seeing a therapist before we get married will make things better?”
“Yes!” she shouted back. “I do think it’ll help!”
“Oh my God!” I placed my hands on my head and paced back and forth. “No, it won’t.”
“How do you know? I know you have some issues you need to work out and he can help you with that.”
The more she spoke, the angrier I became.
“He can’t help me, and he can’t help us!”
“How do you know?!”
“Because I don’t love you, Kirsten,” I blurted out. “He can’t fix that,” I calmly spoke as she stared at me from across the room.
“What did you say?”
“Don’t, Kirsten. Don’t make me say it again.”
“No, you fucking bastard,” she shouted as she ran over to me and started pounding her fists against my chest. “I want to hear you say it again.”
“Kirsten, stop.” I grabbed her wrists and held them tight in front of me as I stared into her teary eyes. “I’m sorry, but it’s over between us.”
“Who is she?” she asked through gritted teeth as she broke out of my grip.
“There isn’t anyone else. Things haven’t been good between us for a while, and you know it.”
“Bullshit, Henry! Who is she?! Who have you been sleeping with?”
“I haven’t slept with anyone.” I pointed at her. “This has nothing to do with anyone else but me. I’m not happy, and I haven’t been in a long time.”
She placed her hand over her mouth as the tears poured from her eyes.
“How could you do this to me?” she sobbed.
“I’m sorry, Kirsten. I really am. But I can’t stay in a relationship that makes me unhappy. It’s not fair to you or to me. You have to realize that.”
Her hands reached out and clutched the front of my shirt.
“We just lost our way, Henry. I can make you happy again. I promise I’ll go to counseling alone and I won’t say a word about your friends. You can do whatever you want. I can make you happy again.” She pleaded.
I placed my hands on each side of her face and softly wiped away her tears.
“I’m sorry, but it’s over.”
I inhaled a sharp breath as I walked out of her apartment. Now I needed to brace myself for the consequences and the wrath of my parents.
Chapter 11
Henry
The moment I walked through the door of my apartment, I poured myself a double scotch and took it out on the terrace. As I was staring out into the brightly lit city, I heard the elevator ding. A sickness formed in the pit of my stomach with the thought it could either be Kirsten or my parents. I wouldn’t put it past her to have called them the second I left her place. Walking to the foyer, the doors opened, and Addison stepped out.
“Hey.” I let out a sign of relief.
“Hey. Can I crash here tonight?” she asked as she pushed past me with her bag.
Of all nights for her to want to crash here.
“Sure. What’s going on?”
“I got into a fight with the parents.” She walked into the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of wine off the counter, opened it and brought it up to her lips.
Quickly, I ran over and grabbed it from her.
“Use a glass.” I smirked and I took one down from the cabinet. “Tell me what happened.”
“Carlyle and Lillian. That’s what happened. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Actually, I think forty-eight hours is a record for them.”
“Why? What did they do now?”
“They invited Carter Colson over for lunch today.”
“Oh boy,” I spoke.
“You were right. The guy is a total douchebag. The way he was kissing their ass and then trying to charm me was disgusting. I totally saw right through him. Plus, I did some digging and found out some things about him.”
“Like what?”
“He has anger issues, and he likes to knock girls around.”
“How did you find that out?” I narrowed my eye at her.
“I gave Paulie a call.”
“Our private investigator?” My brow arched.
“Yep. You know he always had a soft spot for me.” She grinned. “Anyway, turns out that Mr. Colson was arrested last year for assault and battery.”
“Who did he assault?”
“Some girl he was dating. According to her, he didn’t like it when she tried to go out one night with her friends instead of him. They got into a big fight, and he beat her up. Apparently, his family paid the girl off to leave town. So, without her testimony, they dropped the charges and let him go. When I told Carlyle and Lillian that I wasn’t interested and there was no way I was going out with him, they threw a fit and told me that I had no choice but to give him a chance or else.”
“Or else?” I arched my brow at her.
“I didn’t give them the chance to clarify. I stormed upstairs, threw a few things in a bag, and headed here. I will not let them dictate who I can and cannot date. And if they think they’re going to threaten me with the company, I don’t care. I’d rather work somewhere else than have them control my life. No offense, big brother.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about them harassing you anymore because their focus will be on me now.” I brought the glass of scotch up to my lips.
“Why? What did you do?”
“I broke up with Kirsten tonight.” I finished off my drink.
“What? Oh my God. Why?” Her eyes widened.
I took a seat on the couch and Addison sat down next to me.
“Because I’m not in love with her and I’ve been miserable.” I glanced over at her.
“Good reason.” She patted my shoulder. “Do the parents know yet?”
“I haven’t told them. I’m waiting for my phone to ring because I’m sure Kirsten wasted no time either calling them or running to their house. She was really devastated.”
“I’m sure she was, but I can’t say I feel sorry for her.”
“Why?” I asked Addison.
“Because I never liked her. You know that. I always thought she was an entitled phony bitch.”
I let out a chuckle.
“Is there someone else, Henry?”
I rubbed my face with my hands and let out a sigh.
“Yes and no.”
“What do you mean?” Her face took on a confused look.
“I did meet someone and she’s an amazing woman, but I haven’t slept with her.”
“Who is she?”
I looked over at her as a small smile crossed my lips.
“Her name is Ellie Scott. She’s a website designer and an artist. I don’t know, Addison.” I got up from the couch and paced around the room. “She’s such a beautiful woman inside and out. My life feels right when I’m with her. I knew I wasn’t happy with Kirsten, but I didn’t really realize how completely miserable I was until I met Ellie.”
“Wow, Henry. I’ve never seen you like this before. I’d love to meet her.”
“You will. There’s something else you should know about her.”
“What?”
“She’s deaf.”
“Oh wow. Really? And you two can communicate okay?”
“Yes.” I smiled. “You know I know sign language. She can read lips really well and she can speak.”
“I’m happy for you. I really am. But mom and dad are going to be pissed as hell?”
“I don’t care anymore. They’ll either accept it or they won’t.”
“You already know the answer. You know how they are. Especially with her being—”
“I know.” I let out a sigh.
“Does Ellie know about Kirsten?”
“No. I haven’t told her yet.”
“Oh, Henry. That’s not good. You can’t keep something like that from her.”
“I know, and I’m going to tell her.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.” I raised my voice at her. “Everything is just so fucked up right now.”
“If you want my opinion, I think you should tell Dad tomorrow. I’d talk to him first before Kirsten gets to him. You know the two of them are close, which is weird if you ask me.”
“And we both know what he’s going to do to me when he finds out,” I said.
“Maybe not. You’re a very valuable asset to the company. I don’t think he’ll do anything stupid.”
“Haven’t you learned yet never to underestimate him?”
“Well, he never paid much attention to me anyway.” She looked down.
Taking a seat on the couch, I hooked my arm around her.
“They love you, Addison.”
“They loved her more. Dad and I never have or will ever have the bond he had with Abigail.”
I let out a long sigh as I pulled her into me.
Chapter 12
Henry
I was awoken out of a sound sleep by the ringing of my phone. When I reached over and grabbed it from the nightstand, I saw my mother was calling.
“Mom?” I sleepily answered.
“Henry, your father has had a heart attack and is being rushed to Mount Sinai. You need to get there as soon as possible. I tried to call your sister and she isn’t answering. I don’t know where the hell that girl is.”
“She’s here with me. Mom, is he going—”
“I don’t know. Just get to the hospital.” She hung up.
Flying out of bed, I pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt and ran to the guestroom where Addison was.
“Addison, wake up!” I shouted as I entered the room.
“Oh my God, Henry. What?” She placed the pillow over her head.
“Mom just called. Dad had a heart attack and he’s being rushed to the hospital.”
“Oh my God!” She jumped out of bed.
“Hurry and throw on some clothes. We have to go.”
We rushed through the doors of the E.R. and asked where my father was. After a few keystrokes, the nurse behind the desk told us we needed to go up to the surgical waiting room on the third floor.
“Surgery?” Addison looked at me as we stepped into the elevator.
“It must have been pretty bad,” I spoke as the doors closed.
We found the waiting room and saw my mother sitting in a chair looking out the window.
“Mom,” Addison spoke as she ran over and gave her a hug.
“How’s Dad?” I asked.
He’s in surgery right now. The doctor said if he waited, he would most likely have another heart attack.
“What happened?” I asked.
She stared at me with a stern look on her face.
“He got up to use the bathroom and collapsed on the floor,” she spoke. “What have you done?” she asked as her eyes stared into mine, and I could see the hatred in them.
“Mom, stop. Now isn’t the time,” Addison said.
“It’s because of that deaf woman. Isn’t it?”
“No. I wasn’t happy with Kirsten, and I hadn’t been in a long time.” I tucked my hands in my pants pockets.
“Bullshit, Henry.”
“Mom. You need to—”
“Shut up, Addison. This is between me and your brother,” my mother spat.
“Do not talk to her like that!” I spoke through gritted teeth. “We can discuss this later. Right now, this is about Dad, not me.”
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eye as she glared at me.
“We always took pride in the fact that you never disappointed us, Henry. I can no longer say that. I’m going to get some coffee.”
“Mom, I can—”
“No, Addison. I’ll go myself.”
I turned and faced the window as I stared at the outside. I honestly didn’t know what to think about what my mother had just said to me.
“Obviously that little bitch ran to them last night,” Addison spoke as she pl
aced her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t let what Mom said upset you. You know she’s just worried about Dad.”
“I think in some subtle way she’s blaming me for his heart attack.”
“God, Henry. No. She is not blaming you.”
My mother walked back into the waiting room with a coffee in her hand and took a seat. Addison sat down next to her, and I took the seat across from her. She wouldn’t even look at me, so I got up and went out into the hallway and leaned against the wall with my hands tucked tightly into my pockets. Being in this hospital brought back so many memories of Abigail.
It had been four hours and we still hadn’t heard anything. I was in desperate need of coffee so Addison and I walked down to the coffee bar that was situated off the lobby. As I was paying for our coffee, I heard someone say my name.
“Henry?”
Turning around, I saw Ellie standing there.
“Ellie? What are you doing here?” I signed as I noticed her staring at Addison.
“I’m visiting a friend of mine who just had a baby.”
“Ellie, this is my sister, Addison,” I signed. “Addison, this is Ellie. She can read lips.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Ellie.” She smiled as she placed her hand on her arm.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Addison. What are you two doing here?”
“I was going to text you later. Our father had a heart attack. He’s up in surgery,” I signed.
“I’m so sorry. I hope he’s going to be okay.”
“Thank you. So do we. We were just grabbing a cup of coffee. Can I buy you one?”
“Thank you, but no. I’m good. I was just heading to the gift shop to get some flowers and a balloon.”
“I’ll go with you.” I smiled as I signed to her. “Addison, I’ll meet you upstairs.”
“Okay.” She patted my shoulder. “It was nice to meet you,” she spoke to Ellie.
Ellie gave her a nod and smile as we headed to the gift shop.
“She’s a beautiful girl,” she spoke.
“She is.” I smiled. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you sooner.”
“Don’t apologize. You have a lot going on, and you need to be with your family.”
After she picked out some flowers and a balloon, we stepped into the elevator together. As soon as it stopped on my floor, I pressed my lips against her forehead.
