by Amy Brent
Chapter 20: Katie
I hadn’t heard a peep out of Grant since he’d stormed away from my house. Ran. He ran. And I couldn’t blame him. I’d told him I didn’t think we should see each other and I suppose he agreed. I imagined the reality had hit him as hard as it hit me and I guess I should’ve been happy. I didn’t ever have to face Halle knowing I was continuing the lie. Yes, there’d always be a huge secret from her, but I’d never tell knowing it would only hurt her and for no good reason.
I finished my last session of the day hours before and had given myself the afternoon off when the noise started outside my backdoor. I went to the window and watched as a landscaping company backed their truck up to unload the bed which was piled with trees. That stings.
My phone rang minutes later as I watched the first tree go in the ground and I looked over to see Halle with her phone to her ear, headed my way. Sure enough her smiling profile image donned my screen. I answered and said hello as I opened the door.
“Hey,” she said hanging up her phone. “I didn’t realize you were watching, I’d hoped I hadn’t interrupted your session with all the noise.” She didn’t seem upset with me, so I guessed that Willa hadn’t told her anything about seeing me at her dad’s latest party.
“Not at all, I’m taking the afternoon off.”
“So you already know that Daddy decided to stop coming?”
My smile faded. “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting him.”
Halle touched my hand. “I’m really sorry he’s being strange. We had a fight and well, he’s being pig-headed. I’m trying to talk him into coming back.”
“That’s not good to pressure him.” I knew she’d be unsuccessful. He’d surely come to his senses. The ache in my chest grew as I remembered the intimacy between us. “I mean, most clients come at their own will. Maybe that was the problem all along.”
“Maybe, but I still think he needs to talk to someone.” She closed her arms around her front and stared at the floor as if something was weighing on her pretty heavily.
“Are you okay? You said that the two of you had a fight?” I held my breath and hoped I wasn’t a part of it.
“Turns out he knows Charles. To be honest I thought you had said something to him about what I told you.” She gripped my arm and shook her head. “Not that I think you’d snitch, but I didn’t know how he knew.”
“It’s okay, really.” I didn’t blame her and the guilt was eating away at me. I didn’t know if I could live forever with the secret eating away at me, but it was better than hurting Halle.
“You know, Daddy has his ways about him. No telling how he found out but I’m sure I don’t want to know. He’s asked me to stop seeing Charles.” She pulled her hand back and held her middle again. I had a feeling she hadn’t done as requested, so I decided to ask.
“So have you broken it off?”
“As if. I really like Charles and though we’ve had our back and forth lately, I think it could work. Besides, the sex is amazing.”
I considered pointing out her hypocrisy when my doorbell rang. I left her in the kitchen as I hurried past my office and to the front door. I threw it open to find Grant on the other side and he didn’t waste time as he rushed past me.
“I know you said you want to stop seeing me, but Katie we need to talk about this.” He raked his fingers through his hair as my eyes widened and I grabbed his arm to pull him into my office.
“Grant, shush. Halle’s—
He protested and continued. “No, let me finish! I can’t stop thinking about you. I think I’m falling in love with you.”
“What?” Halle’s voice sounded from down the hall and we’d only made it to the doorway of my office when Grant had pulled me to a stop and blurted out his emotions. I peeked around the door and saw her standing wide-eyed with her mouth hanging open.
Grant turned and saw his daughter, his eyes widened as big as saucers. I clutched my collar and stared between the two of them as Grant ended the awkward silence. “I thought you went home.”
Her eyes welled up with tears and my heart sank. “I thought I’d come tell Katie you weren’t coming tonight and about the trees. But I see you two do enough talking on your own.”
She walked back to the kitchen and we both ran after her. I pushed Grant out of the way and tried to take her by the arm only to have her pull away. “Halle, please let us explain.”
“You both lied to me! You’re the younger woman. Willa said there was probably more than one.” She turned to glare at her father and I shook my head. “How could you let him use you, Katie? What did you think you’d gain? I know you’re desperate and lonely, but shit! He’s my dad!” I knew the words came from anger so I didn’t mind the sting. I deserved anything she wanted to dish out.
“I’m so done with you both.” She pushed past and as I tried to stop her, Grant took my arm and pulled me back.
“Let her go. She’ll cool off.”
I pushed back and slapped his arms away from me. “What are you thinking? She’s going to hate me now! You’re her father, she can’t stay pissed off at you, but I’ll lose her forever!” Tears pooled in my eyes and he took my face in his hands and pulled me closer, soothing me with soft sounds.
“It’s going to be okay, I promise. She’s just shocked. It’s better this way, now she knows.” He turned my face towards his, keeping his hands planted firmly on each side, covering my ears. “I don’t want to be without you, Katie.”
I buried my head in his chest and let the tears fall. I was happy and sad all at once, the emotion washing over me in waves so I didn’t know what to do other than cry it out. I was happy because I’d missed him too. I didn’t know how or if it could work out, but had hoped that somehow it would. When I’d seen those trees going up I had thought it was because he was putting up a wall between us. But now I knew the wall was Halle. His lips crashed down on mine and I couldn’t reciprocate.
“I can’t do this. I can’t be with you until I know Halle is okay with it and she won’t ever be. I won’t trade her for you. I can’t do that to her. I can’t chance it if it’s going to kill our friendship.” I stepped away and wiped my eyes. “Please leave.”
“Katie, please. It’s all out in the open now and we’ll work it out.” His offer was so tempting but I couldn’t go through with it.
I walked to the door and held it open. “Please don’t make this any harder than that it already is. Please leave.”
He walked outside and turned around, holding the door open. “I’m not going to give up on us. I’ll talk to her.”
“She won’t want us together.” He knew her as well as I did and I couldn’t ever see her being okay with this.
“Fine, I’m going. But tell me you don’t want me, Katie. Tell me you don’t want me as much as I want you.”
“I can’t. I do want you. I want it all, but not at the expense of my friendship. It will change everything. She’s all I’ve ever had and you should understand that more than anyone.”
He nodded as if it were finally sinking in and without another word he walked away. I watched as he took the path to the front gate and then I shut the door and went to my office.
I lowered myself to the sofa and considered calling Halle and begging for her to forgive me. I remembered that time we’d gone to the island, she’d told me I was part of her family and she wanted me to come along on the family vacation, even knowing that she wasn’t going to have much time left with her mother, she’d wanted me close for support.
I’d betrayed that with my selfishness and my only hope is that she’d forgive me and we’d move past it, but I had a feeling I’d made the most unforgivable mistake.
Chapter 21: Grant
I looked out over the hills of the island and toward the valley where I’d stood harnessing Katie all those years ago. I wished I could have talked her into coming with me, but since Halle had found out I was in love with her best friend, she’d been giving me the silent treatment and I was sure she’d g
iven Katie the same.
She only needed a little time and I hoped that by the time I decided what to do with the Henderson property, she’d have come around.
I’d not come to the islands much since my wife had passed, but it was sure a special place full of memories. To justify the purchase of the Henderson property I’d considered moving out there full-time. It could be a welcome escape from home especially with Katie living so close. It wasn’t like I had my group parties to look forward to and I’d not been able to even imagine myself with another woman other than Katie. I strolled the property a bit longer, checking over every inch of the house and it’s grounds, which were still heavily damaged in some placed from the fire, but still had great potential. I could get it for a steal considering the work I’d have to put into it and then I could always sell it. Real estate was my game after all, and if I could make a billion working with commercial and private estates, I could flip the Henderson place without issue.
The owner had chosen to wait downstairs and I made my way off the balcony where I’d gone for one more glance at the view while I made my final decision.
“I’ll take it.” I held out my hand, but the woman’s face seemed puzzled.
“You mean, buy it or take it on to sell it?” She thought I was there to scope the home and try to sell it.
“Yes, I think I can make it my pet project and I’ll settle things now and save your time if you’re ready or I can give you a bit of time to think.” Giving her time was me being courteous, but I didn’t have a doubt she’d be chomping at the bit for my payout.
“That’s fine with me.” Those words had always made things easier, and I didn’t mind her fair price. Actually it was under market despite the small fire taking its toll.
“Get the title ready and I’ll wire you the money so we can sign.” I found myself smiling on my way out though I didn’t feel like it. This project meant I’d be taking more time away from home, like it or not. Two minutes before I’d been ready to busy myself only to find that, once I had the work, it didn’t interest me. At least I had something to do. Overseeing the remodel would be perfect.
I decided to put off calling Halle and telling her the good news. She’d be pleased that I’d taken on the property and would be expanding out beach, but with us not being a hundred percent, I’d likely not get the reaction I wanted.
I wondered if that would be the best way to go about it, to just call her up and act as though nothing had happened. As her father, I could get away with it. Poor Katie had something much harder to deal with.
I hated seeing Katie cry and thinking of her in that state was enough to soften me up and spread the guilt throughout every part of my soul. I’d wanted to hold her and tell her it would all be okay, but then, I’d had the same strong desire to do that for my daughter. I guess it was the daddy in me. Always trying to make things better and provide.
I wondered if Katie was working and that led to thoughts of how many men she’d had on her couch. How many of them interested her in the same way I did. Jealousy burned in my heart as I thought about anyone else having her. When I’d invited her to the group, I had no intention that she’d sleep with anyone else. I wanted to make sure that she was treated right and I guess all the way back then, I had decided that I was falling for her.
I strolled across the beach and returned to my home a bit later and walked into the sound of water running in the shower. No one had come with me on the retreat, so I narrowed my eyes and went into the steam-filled room.
Through the half-steamed shower glass, I saw Katie. She was lathering up and standing away from the spray, and my blood rushed through me, stiffening my cock.
She stopped moving as if she’d heard me. “Hello? Grant?”
“It’s me.” I called out hoping to calm her nerves and she stepped back into the spray.
“I’ll just be a second. I fell down getting off the plane.” The spray shut off before I could suggest stepping into the warm water with her and giving her a shower of my own.
“Take your time.” My heart raced and I stepped out to give her some privacy not knowing what kind of circumstance had brought her to me.
“I had to come see you.” The voice was closer than it should be and I turned around to find she’d thrown on a robe and left her hair dripping went around her shoulders.
“I’m glad you did.” I didn’t know what else to say, so short, sweet, and the truth seemed like the best call.
“I’m sorry about the other day.” She crossed the bedroom room and went to her suitcase, which I hadn’t noticed was laying on the floor. She searched for her clothes and I thought how convenient. I wanted to undress her, especially of the old ratty bathrobe, but she was more interested in putting something on.
“It’s understandable, though I still don’t like it.” I hoped she’d make her point and go, but then I realized she’d come all this way. “Get to the point, I’m sure you didn’t blow money on a plane ticket to come tell me it’s never going to happen.”
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t pay at all. Halle sent me.” Her grin spread wide and she dropped the robe to pull on her panties and jeans as I stood there with my mouth gaping.
“Halle knows you’re here? Did she come too?” I imagined it was a fun girl weekend they’d made to work out their best friend issues.
She pulled a soft cotton tee over her naked breasts. “No, she didn’t come, but she sends her regards. I talked to her about everything. She said it’s going to take some getting used to, but she was never angry about us being together, only that we hadn’t told her.”
“So does this mean I get a second-chance?”
She looked down to the floor. “Are you sure you still want one?”
I crossed the room and threw my arms around her, drawing her close as my lips fell against hers. She was crazy if she thought for a moment I’d miss any chance to be with her.
“I do want this. I’ll always want you, Katie.” The thought came to mind about the house I’d only agreed to buy not ten minutes earlier. I closed my eyes and laughed.
“What’s so funny?” She glanced up at me with those sultry green eyes and met them with a shake of my head.
“Nothing, I was only thinking that if you’d shown up sooner I might not have spent so much money on the house next door.”
Her eyes widened. “You bought the house next door?”
“Yes, I thought it would be a perfect distraction and a good reason to stay away from you. You know—something to keep me busy.”
“I hurried as soon as I could, but we had to wait for your pilot to arrive. He wasn’t happy about the turnaround.”
“You took my private plane?” I thought about my poor pilot and how I’d promised him a whole week back home with his family. “Carl had a vacation planned.”
“He’s already left for home. Halle insisted.” She pressed her lips to mine again and my phone rang out.
I pulled away and took my phone out of my pocket. It was Halle. I held up the phone to show Katie and she laughed. “I’m glad I’ve got a persistent daughter.”
“And a persistent girlfriend.” She giggled as I put the phone to my ear to greet Halle.
I nodded. “Thank you, Halle.” I heard a squeal through the phone and then she cleared her throat.
“Hi, Daddy. I was hoping she got there all right. I just wanted to call you and tell you I’m sorry. You were right about Charles.” I hated that I’d been right about the guy, but Halle didn’t seem bothered.
“Sorry, honey. I hope it works out.” I wanted her to be as happy as I was with Katie, and I knew she could do better for herself than Charles Smith.
“Oh, it has. I’ve met the hottest guy ever. He’s a personal trainer and I’ve got appointment with him later.” Another squeal escaped and I let her go on about the man. At least he was her age and employed. I bit my tongue and took a seat on the bed and Katie sat beside me waiting patiently. I couldn’t be happier. I had both of my girls and things we
re looking up.
Chapter 22: Katie
I didn’t think that Halle would shut up about her new boyfriend and after she told her dad all about him and hung up the phone, Grant turned to me with a sullen look about him.
“A physical therapist, that’s what my baby girl’s into this week.” He raked his hand through his hair and then scrubbed his face with his palms.
“She’ll be fine. She’s a big girl.” I lay my head on his shoulders and he pinched my chin, lifting my eyes to his.
“She is being very mature about the two of us. I’m glad.” He leaned forward and kissed me, this time with more conviction and I wrapped my arms around him as he lifted me into his lap and lay back. I stretched out atop him, letting my legs part to straddle his hips.
