Seamless

by Griffin, R. L.

  She shook her head and examined her recently manicured nails; they were so foreign to her, but Millie told her to get a manicure before the interview. “While I was at George’s, Patrick kept texting me, and basically told me he knew the whole time because he kept asking if I was okay and asking where I was.” She took a deep breath. “Mil, he watched me go through that entire year…shit, four years of fucking misery and he knew Jamie was alive. I don’t know if I can ever trust him again. He was my best friend and it was all a lie. Jamie threw me on him and he felt sorry for me.” Her voice was hoarse from trying to keep all of the emotion she’d hidden away from escaping through her words. It was still hard for her to even deal with the fact that Patrick lied to her for so long. She’d decided that not dealing with that part of her story would keep her the sanest.

  Millie was silent. Her hands tore the beverage napkin.

  Stella took another deep breath and continued. “So, I went to Montana after getting back together with George. I refused to even acknowledge Jamie. He came to my hotel and apologized to me through the door; said he wanted to talk. I told him to fuck off. Two days later the office blew up and I was shot.”

  The server put a new martini down in front of Stella.

  “I need another one too, please,” Millie said without looking at the server.

  “Jamie shot me, Millie.” Stella blinked and felt the alcohol hit her senses. “He looked directly into my eyes and he shot me.”

  A smothered cry escaped Millie’s lips and all of sudden her glass toppled over and vodka surged across the table toward Stella. Stella hurriedly put down napkins to block the alcohol.

  “That’s alcohol abuse,” she tried to break the emotional conversation with a lame joke.

  “I… I don’t know what to say, El. I-I’m so…” Millie sputtered.

  “Don’t…” Stella was so tired of the pity that she saw in Millie’s eyes. “So anyway. I didn’t tell anyone about Jamie shooting me.” Stella looked at Millie and shook her head. “I know. It was stupid and I have no idea why I just didn’t tell the FBI the first time.”

  “Holy shit, El.”

  “Right?” She took a drink and looked outside again. “Then, when I went to Atlanta, he kidnapped me and took me to Key West and told me he loved me and he never meant for any of this to happen.”

  “Wait. Slow down.” Millie tapped her nails on the table like she did when she was nervous in law school. “You’re seriously telling me you were shot and then kidnapped?”

  Stella nodded.

  “By your formerly dead fiancé?”

  Stella nodded again. It sounded like a bad soap opera when she laid it all on the table like this. Jamie’s evil twin just needed to turn up—or maybe Jack Ryder was his evil twin! That makes so much more sense…

  Millie burst out laughing. “You must be drunk if you think I’m going to believe that shit. You’re so stupid.” She shook her head and wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.

  Stella was shocked and then realized what it sounded like and began laughing too.

  “You’re a fucking idiot. Why can’t you just tell me what happened with you and Patrick?”

  Laughing, Stella blurted out, “I fucking swear.”

  “I’m not that stupid.”

  “George, Jesse and Greg came to get me, hence the pictures of me and George drunk in Key West.”

  Millie stopped laughing and looked at Stella. Stella knew she remembered those tweets; she’d made fun of Stella for days after the video of them dancing at the topless bar surfaced.

  “His sister drugged me at that bar in Atlanta. You saw the pictures of me being dragged out. I wasn’t drunk, I was drugged. Then he drove me down to Key West and out to this house he said was ours. He broke my nose,” Stella rubbed her crooked nose, “then he fed me a load of bullshit about the ATF and what he had to do. He said he loved me and wanted me to stay with him, that we would have a new start. Then he calmly went to fucking sleep.”

  Millie just sat there looking stunned.

  “He went to sleep, Millie, like it was nothing. I had a gun, but it was in the car. We had gotten to the creepy house—which we had to enter via ladder and trapdoor—by boat. He had a gun, but I couldn’t find it. I was just going to kill him and be done with all this, but I couldn’t find his fucking gun.” She didn’t want to see her best friend’s face when she admitted that. She examined her nails again, thinking the dark grey color was exactly how she felt all the time. “I don’t think I could’ve done it anyway,” she conceded. “I found the keys and took the boat. I thought I’d be able to find the car he left, but I couldn’t, and ended up finding a marina with a pub. Jesse, George and Greg found me and took me to Key West.”

  “This is fucking unbelievable.”

  “No shit,” Stella agreed. “So, I threatened him and his family so that he would leave me alone. I honestly thought he would, but after testifying, he moved my car and threatened me.”

  “That’s why you said ‘Jamie’ when your car showed up? I was wondering about that.” Millie was trying to digest all the information Stella had given her. “And Patrick knew the entire time about Jamie and didn’t tell you.”

  Stella nodded.

  “You never had sex?”

  Stella shook her head. “No.”

  Millie waved her hand and the server and signaled two more. “Porn martinis, please.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Don’t Go

  Owen and Kate walked into Finnegan’s and George waved them over to where he was sitting and eating lunch. He took in Owen’s expertly tousled hair, his designer jeans, and his big paw holding his youngest sister’s hand. He rose as his sister moved closer and gave her a bear hug.

  “Hey, little,” George whispered into Kate’s hair. He put his chin on her head and held her close. George hadn’t seen her in a while because she was going to school and too busy for her big brother. His fatherly instincts kicked in and he glared into Owen’s brown eyes. According to Kara, Kate may not have time for her family, but she was certainly making time for Owen. He knew this was normal, but it was still difficult to deal with his 20-year-old sister doing…what she was doing.

  George stepped out of the hug and held his hand out. “Owen.” They shook hands and George used the strongest grip he could muster.

  Owen was a friend of the family from Ireland, but that didn’t mean George was okay with him fucking his little sister. He was only in the States on a student visa while he attended Georgetown University in the Public Policy Master’s Program. Kate was going to Catholic University and majoring in Early Childhood Education.

  “Will. How’s it going?” Owen greeted.

  George motioned for them to sit. He was eating shepherd’s pie and it really wasn’t that good. He hadn’t been able to run to Cosi for lunch like usual, so he’d gotten something from the kitchen. No one ate at Finnegan’s unless they were drunk, which was fine with him.

  “Pretty good,” he answered. “Look, I asked you here because I need someone to manage this place, at least on a part-time basis. It’s kicking my ass and I’m doing more reporting, so I need some time to write.” He directed his statement to Owen. Kara had told him that Owen was looking for a part time job.

  Owen looked at Kate with wide eyes. Then he turned to face George. “Really?”

  George nodded. “What do you say?”

  “Fuck yeah!” Owen hollered.

  Kate smiled brilliantly at George and elbowed Owen in the ribs.

  “Oh, sorry. Um, yes, sir. I’d love that.”

  “Don’t fucking sir me. You’d be reporting to me and I’ll train you for a couple of weeks.”

  Owen couldn’t hide the excitement on his face. “Thank you so much, Will. I don’t even know what to say.”

  “You’re family, yeah?” He spoke to Owen, but looked at Kate.

  “Go raibh maith agat,” Owen said, this time in his native language.

  “You’re welcome. We provide for family,”
George said. “You guys want a beer?”

  They both nodded, grins plastered to their bright-eyed faces.

  “Kate, go ask Hazel for a couple of beers.”

  She got up, smile still splitting her face. Her dark hair, the identical color of George’s, was pulled into a messy bun, her light eyes sparkling as she winked at him and went to the bar. Kate was the youngest and the quietest of the Finnegan clan. She was smart, considerate, and never asked him for anything, which was different than her sisters.

  When George was sure she was out of earshot, he leaned close to Owen and clapped him on the shoulder companionably. “Owen, I’ll provide for my family. You fuck with her and you’re fucking with my family. If you fuck with my family, you’re done. Got it?” Leaning back, George scooped a forkful of potatoes and put it in his mouth, never breaking eye contact with the young Irishman.

  George got off his bike and walked up the stairs to his mother’s house. He’d always taken Sundays off from the bar so that he could eat Sunday dinner with his family. He’d stopped coming to these Sunday family events when he and Stella first started dating; it was probably one of the reasons his family didn’t like her, but that was his fault. He couldn’t take more time off from the bar and when he did take time off he wanted to spend it with her, in her.

  He saw Kara’s SUV and smiled because he’d get to see Finn. The door opened as he was walking up the stairs.

  “Will, we didn’t know we’d be graced with your presence tonight,” Kelly said as she gave him the once over. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

  He leaned in and kissed Kelly’s cheek. She was the middle sister and was always full of piss and vinegar. “Hey, sis. You good?”

  “Perfect as usual,” she said sardonically.

  “What’s the craic?” George used the Irish expression asking her what’s the news.

  “Fuck off, Will. You just show up when you want to now, huh? Is that how it is?”

  “I’m coming to Sunday dinner because I have the night off work and wanted to see my family. I didn’t know I need to make a reservation, Kelly.”

  He walked by her through the entryway into the dining room where everyone was gathered, drinking and chatting boisterously. His heart swelled at the sight; he felt guilty for not making them a priority lately, but Stella had taken over the number one position and they’d just have to deal with it.

  His mom turned and saw him, her face lighting up with delight. “Will!” she exclaimed.

  “The prodigal son has returned!” Kelly called from the entryway to the dining room. Her features were almost identical to her sisters’, her eyes the same grey-green as his. Her dark hair fell down her back in loose waves. He remembered when she was little she couldn’t pronounce her Rs—he used to torment her asking if she wanted some water.

  He ignored her and embraced his mom. The pitter patter of little feet alerted him before Finn hugged the back of his legs.

  “Unca Wih!” Finn’s hair was braided down her back, but loose black curls were falling out. “Where’s Ewwa?”

  “Ms. Stella is in New York City today for an interview, so she couldn’t make it.” Or she would’ve refused to make it if he’d asked her. He reached around her body and lifted Finn up to his chest and gave her a proper hug. “I need to see you more often.”

  Finn giggled and struggled to get down. He put her down gently and kissed her forehead.

  “Oh, that’s too bad,” Jack jeered. Kelly and Jack had only been married a few years, but George had taken an immediate dislike to him when they met and he was moderately sure that this aversion had caused his sister to marry him quickly.

  George exhaled slowly; he and Kelly had always had a difficult relationship and he’d never understood why. George’s eyes narrowed at him, recalling what he’d said about Stella last year. “I’m sure you’ll get over it,” he spit through clenched teeth.

  Kara pulled him into an embrace. “It’s good to see you, big brother.”

  “You too, Care Bear.”

  His mom had cooked corned beef and cabbage and everyone was sitting at the table eating. His mom had rushed into the kitchen and gotten him a plate, piling it high with food. They talked and ate for a few minutes and caught up on all the family gossip.

  George cleared his throat. “So, I’ve taken a job where I’ll be a reporter following Senator Ashby during the campaign.”

  “That’s fantastic,” Kara’s husband, John, said, putting his fork down and looking at Kara with a smile.

  “Will, that’s so exciting,” Kara agreed.

  “How did you get that job?” Kelly inquired.

  George felt his face redden. His sister worked on the Hill; he wondered if she’d heard something. He didn’t say anything.

  “Well, that is very impressive. It’s like you never left.” His mom raised a glass and toasted.

  Whew. The rest of dinner was pleasant and George was glad he’d come. He’d missed the family dinners; maybe he’d be able to talk Stella into coming with him the next time.

  Stella had gone straight to work Monday morning from New York. George placed the open bottle of Cristom, Stella’s favorite pinot, on the bar, and arranged the platters of cheese, olives, crackers and meats. He was hoping to get Stella good and sated with wine and food before telling her his news. He knew New York was hard for her; opening up was against her nature and to do it knowing that everyone in America could see it would be like scraping nails against a chalkboard. The only things she told him were that she was pissed he’d hired goons to follow her around and it served him right that everyone thought she was fucking them and that she’d told Millie everything. He poured two glasses and then put his phone in the speakers, picking Alabama Shakes as the background music. What was he forgetting? He heard the garage door go up and then the door opened.

  Stella walked into the house and he could feel the tension radiate off of her as she patted Cooper’s head and dropped her suitcase to the floor with a thud.

  She smiled weakly at him. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” he brought her over a glass of wine, “tough couple of days?” He kissed her forehead and pulled her into him.

  “Tough couple of years,” she responded and then took a gulp of the wine. “Oh, George. Are you really this fucking perfect? My favorite wine? And cheese. Blue cheese and olives.” She walked over to the trays of food and started shoving it into her mouth.

  “You hungry?” he chuckled.

  “Starving.” She smiled a tired, real smile.

  “I know you texted me, but how’d it go? Really?” He stood next to her, his shoulder rubbing hers.

  “It was hard, but Millie said it went well. It felt horrible.” She plucked an olive from the group in the tray and threw it in her mouth. “I got drunk afterward because she accused me of fucking Patrick. Millie, not Diane. I told her everything.” She paused for a few seconds. “George, I told her everything. I’m so fucking stupid.”

  “You’re human, Love.” He pulled her into his arms and squeezed her, then tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

  “Can’t. Breathe….” She coughed and stepped back.

  “Oh, sorry.” He’d been lost in his own thoughts and didn’t realize he was hugging her so tight. Could he actually leave her with all this shit going on? Would there even be a time when all this shit wasn’t going on?

  “What’s up?”

  “Did Diane like your shoes?” he asked, deflecting the question.

  She laughed. “I think she was shocked by them and amused that I’d shocked her. She was really nice to me. I’m glad she did the interview.” Stella put a piece of cheese on her cracker and put the entire thing in her mouth.

  He stared at her mouth, picturing the other things she could do with it.

  “What?” She smirked, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

  He adjusted himself in his pants; sex would happen later. “So, I got this opportunity,” he started, running his finger down her arm.

 
“What sort of opportunity?” she asked, putting an entire cracker in her mouth again with a shit-eating grin, knowing she was teasing him.

  “The sort that wants me to travel with Senator Ashby during his presidential campaign,” he answered, distracted by her mouth. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip and she knocked it away.

  “What?!” Stella excitedly threw her arms around George. “That’s amazing! I’m so excited for you.”

  “I leave in a week, for what seems like forever.” George analyzed her eyes to see if she put her mask on. She didn’t.

  “What? The elections are like a year away!” she exclaimed.

  “I’ll be following the campaign for the primary, which is why I’m starting so early. Everyone will be so fucking tired of these fuckers by the elections, they’ll be drafting you to run.” He smiled.

  “That’s so awesome! If you’re worried about me, don’t be,” she said, distracting him by unbuttoning his shirt. She dropped little kisses on his chest and his dick stood at attention immediately. She was trying to divert his attention and it was working.

  “But, I’m worried about you, about us, about you…”

  Stella skated her nails down his chest. “I’m fine. We’re fine.”

  George’s hands began hurriedly taking off Stella’s clothes until she stood there naked, waiting for him. “If you say ‘don’t go,’ I won’t.”

  She pushed his hands away from her. “George, I’m never going to do that to you. I want you to follow your dreams and do whatever you want to do. I’ll never tell you that you can’t do something you want to do. You’ll never be able to say ‘you know that bitch that wouldn’t let me do x, y, z.’”

  “No, it’s not like that.” He shook his head, not taking his eyes off her bare breasts. They moved as she talked—it was fascinating. “I just want you to know that you’re more important than any job. You are my first priority.”