Shadow of Doubt

by Melissa Gaye Perez

  “Guy Allen Radlee, what the hell’s the matter with you?” she raged as she grabbed the front of his shirt and flung him onto the sofa.

  He staggered his way back to his feet and threw his arm around her shoulder smiling as he leaned on her to keep from falling to the floor.

  “Why sis…you’ve come back to me huh?”

  “You smell like a keg of beer,” she replied with downed brows. “Get away from me.” She pushed him back to the couch. “I refuse to speak to you until you’re sober.” She then began towards her bedroom.

  “I promise,” he called out stuttering. “If you’re still here in the morning I won’t do it again.”

  Barbara turned and stared for a moment at her brother who was supposed to be a mature responsible adult but was acting now more as a stupid little child. Worse than a child…an idiot. But unfortunately right now she felt she had no place else to go.

  “I’ll be here,” she assured him.

  Even in his drunken state Guy seemed pleased as he watched her disappear down the short hallway to her childhood bedroom. He slumped on the couch and passed out with a victorious smile on his face.

  The next morning Barb snuck through the living room only to find her dear old brother still snoozing comfortably on the sofa. She crept into the kitchen and filled an ice bucket with water and ice then back to living room. She awakened him quickly with a splash of ice water to his smug little face.

  Guy flew to his feet instantly, water dripping from his head. “Why’d you do that?” he asked shaking his arms and head to rid the water.

  “You’re a cold hearted spoiled rotten little brat so I thought I’d cool you down some more,” she replied smartly as she threw the bucket into his stomach then slung a towel over his soaked curls.

  He quickly rubbed it over his head and body then walked over and sat next to her on the sofa.

  ‘I’m sorry…all right?” he tried. “I just wanted you to come home.”

  “Why? You don’t need me Guy and you damn well know it.”

  “Yes I do. You’ve always been my right arm. You’ve been there with me from the beginning. Why do you wanna leave me now?”

  “What’s the real reason Guy? Huh? Why is it every time I seem to find happiness at last you butt in and try your best to ruin it for me? Don’t you want to see me happy?”

  “Wh…what do ya mean?”

  “I mean Rick, Dave, Brett…and now Jordan! I don’t interfere in your personal life. What’s you’re problem Guy? Really?”

  “You don’t need a boyfriend that’s all. You have me. All they do is take up all your time.”

  “I don’t believe you! I love Jordan Scott and now thanks to you he’ll probably never wanna see me again!” As soon as she said it she wished she hadn’t. She didn’t want him to know he’d succeeded and probably ruined yet another relationship for her.

  Guy grinned victoriously again. “Maybe he wasn’t so great after all. Maybe he really doesn’t give a damn about you. I told you he didn’t but no, you wouldn’t listen to me.”

  “He did!” she retaliated wanting to scratch his eyes out now. “I mean he does!”

  “C’mon Barb. You’re a beautiful woman. What man wouldn’t want you? For a while anyway.”

  “What? You’re really pathetic ya know? I guess you don’t think I’m capable of a lasting relationship. Capable of having a family of my own.”

  “Hasn’t happened yet has it?”

  “Thanks to you it hasn’t!” she screamed out as she rose and stormed away, then returned to glare into his smiling little face. “And I hate you Guy Radlee!”

  “No you don’t Barb,” he mumbled rather confidently as she stormed out the door.

  Guy propped his feet comfortably on the coffee table and relaxed. He had gotten his way again and was quite happy about it.

  A few days passed and Jordan still hadn’t called and Barb had made her mind up it was over. She refused to call him. He had promised he wouldn’t let her down this time but after all the problems her family had caused while they were together she just knew he was fed up with it all. Then Guy entered the room just all too happy.

  “Ready to go sis?” he asked all smug.

  “I guess,” she replied as she picked up her bags.”

  They had finally agreed to return to Los Angeles for a while so Barb could try and help Guy find a new manager. She clearly saw that he wasn’t going to do it on his own because he just didn’t believe she would ever have the guts to walk out on him.

  But Barb knew better. She had no intentions of sticking around and putting up with her spoiled brother any longer than she had too. He was driving her insane and besides, she had a baby to worry about now. She had a life to plan on her own raising her son or daughter and there was just no room for Guy anywhere in the picture.

  They walked out front now met by their Mom and Dad. They hugged and kissed and said good bye then climbed inside the waiting limo. The trip to the airport seemed to take forever.

  “Trust me Barb. Everything’s gonna be okay,” Guy tried to comfort.

  Barb threw him an evil leer. “Yes Guy it will be. Just as soon as I find you a new manager so I can finally have peace of my own.”

  “So you really think you’re gonna leave me?”

  “I know it as a fact.”

  “The man clearly is over you. Can’t you see it?”

  “It doesn’t matter. With or without Jordan Scott I am leaving you.”

  Guy looked stunned. He finally felt she meant it this time. But he intended to do all he could to stop it.

  Finally back in Los Angeles another week had passed and still nothing from Jordan again. Barb couldn't understand why he'd do a thing like that to her...to them. She found herself busy making bookings for Guy again. She couldn't believe she let him talk her into it but after days of not hearing from Jordan, she found herself trying to keep busy.

  Barb just didn't feel comfortable around Guy anymore either. For some reason she felt she couldn't trust him. He hardly ever let her out of his sight and was acting more like a jealous boyfriend than a brother. She began to wonder if possibly...somehow, he might be behind the reason Jordan hadn't called.

  “Got me booked for a year yet?” he asked as he entered the apartment and saw her going over the datebook.

  “Not quite, but I'm trying to keep you as busy as possible so I don't have to put up with you,” she replied not the least bit joking.

  “As long as you are there, its okay,” he answered smugly.

  “And if I'm not?” she snapped unamused.

  “Then I'll turn into an alcoholic,” he teased.

  “Oh stop it! I'm tired of you tantalizing me. Now c'mon, we're gonna be late.”

  They were scheduled to tape an interview for a popular talk show to be aired the next day. Barb didn't wanna do it but Guy insisted she see it through. She'd already done everything else for him though so why not? Until she made up her mind for sure where she'd go next, she figured she may as well hang around and pamper Guy a little longer. As long as she made it quite clear it was not permanent.

  Jordan watched intensely as the interview played on tv. Being apart from Dolly was driving him insane. He could barely stand the sight of her smiling lying brother as he sat next to her and joked about how wonderful their life was together.

  It was clear that his Dolly wasn't as happy as Guy was. Jordan stared at the set and saw clearly this wasn't the happy, excited little woman he knew. He couldn't see the spark in her eye and could tell her occasional smile was forced.

  He couldn't stand anymore. Nothing he needed to tell her could possibly hurt her more than she was hurting right now. He was certain of it.

  At first Jordan thought maybe Guy was telling him the truth but now Jordan could clearly see it in her eyes. She wasn't happy living in her brother's glamorous world of money and fame. He had seen her eyes glow radiantly and smile endlessly when they were together. The woman he was seeing on television now was definit
ely not the same. She was far from happy.

  Jordan stormed to his bedroom and packed a bag. Then he called the airport and booked the next flight to LA.

  “Trouble or not, I'm going to get her. To tell her the truth about dear old Guy,” he thought as he loaded his truck and headed to the airport. He had every intention of reclaiming the love he had lost because of Guy's deception.

  Jordan wasted no time. He caught a cab from the airport in LA straight to the address Dolly had given him before she left.

  Guy and Barb were heavily at it again. She seemed tense whenever they were in the same room together and everything made her mad.

  “Just shut up Guy, I’m tired of arguing,” she demanded as she walked out onto the balcony of their fifth story apartment and watched the crazy traffic in the street below. Feeling the need for some fresh air.

  “What's with you? You've never been this moody before?” Guy asked amid their argument.

  “I'm sick of you,” she retorted looking out over the city. Then her eyes widened and face brightened when she saw Jordan's familiar ever so gorgeous body emerge from a cab below. It was him, she just knew it. He had really come for her!

  Guy noticed her sudden pleasant expression. “Who's out there?” he asked suspiciously. He rushed over to the window and scanned the ground below acting nervous, but Jordan had already made his way inside the building.

  “I don't believe it. He does love me. He's here.”

  “Who is?”

  “Jordan.”

  “No. It can't be,” Guy panicked. Then he grabbed the sides of Barb's arms and forced her to face him.

  “What's wrong with you?”

  “Barb he doesn't love you. You gotta believe me. He would've called you if he did.” He was rambling on as if he were having a nervous break down or something.

  “Barb couldn’t stand his sudden closeness. “Stop it Guy. You’re starting to scare me.”

  “I love you Barb, can’t you see that?”

  For a moment there she actually thought he was gonna kiss her. She nearly freaked out. Then she knew he was when he pulled her against him and neared her mouth with his. She quickly pushed him away feeling as if he had lost his mind for sure.

  “Are you insane!” she yelled out in shock. “You’re my brother!”

  “No Barb…I’m not,” he admitted at last, seeming relieved that he had finally said it.

  Barb stared dumbfounded at him.

  “I’ve know it since I was like fifteen years old. That’s why I’ve always been so protective of you. I love you Barb.”

  He made no sense at all now. Barb was really feeling scared of him now. “What the hell are you talking about Guy? Of course you’re my brother,” she then stated in total confusion.

  “No I’m not. Mom and Dad adopted me when I was only one and half years old. Then they found out she was pregnant with you. They made me swear to never tell you after I had found out. I kept quiet all these years for their sake, but it’s been killing me inside.”

  “But we look just alike accept for your curly hair. How could this possibly be true?”

  “The fact that we look so much alike is purely a coincidence,” he stated. “Mom used to tell me that all the time. She used to say it was meant for us to be brother and sister because of our looks.”

  Barb wasn’t sure what to say now. This entire story seemed insane to her, but for some strange reason she could tell he was telling her the truth for once. He seemed too at peace with himself.

  “But I love Jordan. Guy…I’m nearly two months pregnant now with his baby. And the thought of you and I ever being like that? It’s disgusting. How could you even think it possible?”

  “No! Please don’t say it Barb,” he panicked as they heard Jordan beating on the door now. “Barb please don’t answer it.” He was nearly shaking with fear.

  She could tell he now feared more than he was telling her. “What have you done Guy?” she asked suspiciously.

  Then the beating at the door became more intense. “Please don't answer it Barb,” Guy pleaded fearfully one last time. Barb was too confused to care. She opened the door anyway.

  “Oh Jordan,” she said as tears streamed down her face.

  Jordan snatched her up and held her tightly. “Barb we need to talk.”

  “Boy do we,” she sobbed against his shoulder.

  “What's wrong, you're trembling,” Jordan asked as he looked from Guy to her. “Is he giving you trouble again?”

  “You'd never believe it,” she whispered trying herself to let this new and crazy news sink into her head.

  “Oh yes I would. Barb he's been purposely keeping us apart.”

  “He's lying!” Guy defended.

  Jordan threw him the cruelest look he could. Guy backed off. He knew he was no match for Jordan. He just fidgeted around the apartment now as Jordan and Barb talked.

  Barb gazed at Jordan helplessly. “What do you mean he's been keeping us apart? And why haven't you called me? You promised me you would call this time.”

  “He's been intercepting my calls and refusing to let me talk to you,” Jordan blurted out quickly. “It all started when you were staying at the hotel in Houston he had the front desk tell me you were out. And when you were at your parent's house he had them lie to me too.”

  Barb looked from one to the other gasping for air. “So you've called?”

  “Of course I have. He did it the whole while you were on tour too. He even answered the hotel phone a couple of times and kept telling me to bug off that you weren't interested in me anymore and wanted nothing to do with me. He even claimed you had gotten back together with some old boyfriend. I knew better, but I just wasn't sure what to do about it.”

  “It’s all a lie. I love you Jordan. I’ve always loved you.”

  “Barb please don’t leave me,” Guy then begged knowing he was about to lose her for good and there was now nothing he could do to stop it.

  Barb ignored him and continued to stare lovingly into Jordan’s eyes. “Why didn't you call my cell?”

  “I did, it says the number has been changed at the user's request.”

  Barb's mouth dropped. She looked sharply to Guy. “How could you do such a thing? You had my phone number changed!”

  “Barb please...don't go. I can't survive in this business without you.”

  “Brother or not I'm fixing too...” Jordan already had his right arm reared back.

  Jordan wait,” Barb interrupted as Jordan stormed toward Guy with his fists doubled.

  Then she painfully went on to explain the sickening saga she had just been told by her brother. Jordan’s emerald eyes scanned the two of them quickly as he listened to this almost unbelievable tale.

  “Well, at least that explains a lot of things,” Jordan began shaking his head. “But you had no right,” he demanded to Guy still wanting to drag him to the floor and beat him to a bloody pulp.

  “I love her too is all,” Guy insisted. “Surely you can understand that.”

  Jordan seemed to calm himself. That was one thing he could understand, but they were raised as brother and sister. How could he possibly have feelings like that for her?

  Barb approached Guy and hugged him. “Oh Guy. I will always love you as my brother. But we could never be more than that. It’s just not possible.”

  “I know you do,” he whispered sullenly realizing he could never have her the way he wanted too. He had probably always known it.

  “I just had to try.”

  “Look Guy, like I told you many times, if ever you need your little sis, I'll be here. But this is enough. You've gone too far! You are gonna have to find a new manager. Today!”

  Guy looked to the ceiling then back to Barb. He took in a deep breath then let it out again. “I guess I should've known this day was coming huh?” His demeanor seemed to finally calm down.

  “Yes, you should've.”

  “I'm gonna miss you.”

  “I'm gonna miss you too, but I've
finally found true happiness with Jordan. Can't you see it?”

  “Yes...I can,” Guy answered calmer now. “And I promise not to interfere again...as long as you promise to keep being my sister.”

  Barb smiled pleasantly as Jordan again walked up behind her and massaged her tense shoulders. “I will always be your baby sister. Nothing could ever change that.”

  Barb packed one final time. She no longer felt fury for Guy but refused to ever again let him rule her.

  Jordan carried her bags as they left the apartment and caught a cab back to the airport.

  “Why are you smiling like that?” she asked Jordan as the plane took off.

  “Thinking about teaching you how to drive that car,” he chuckled back.

  “Really? Would you really?” she beamed excitedly, her eyes wide open. Now that's the woman he knew.

  “Of course I will. Mrs. Jordan Scott can do whatever she wants,” he replied smugly with a peck to her lips.

  “Mrs.?”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot to tell ya, we're stopping over in Vegas. I figured we'd better make it legal as soon as possible. I'm getting tired of you up and running off anytime you damn well please.”

  “Oh...you decided this all on your own did ya?” she glowed.

  “Well, you were griping about us men not being able to take charge of our own lives, so I've decided to take charge.”

  Barb grinned shyly and looked away. Suddenly she felt embarrassed. Jordan took her chin in his steady hand and turned her to face him again. He looked seriously into her eyes. Those damned blue eyes that seemed to tranquilize him.

  “Will you marry me Barb?”

  “Only if you make me one more promise.”

  “Uh-oh. Now what?”

  “From this day forward I just wanna be your Dolly. Barb just doesn't sound right. I was your Dolly when you found me the first time, I wanna be your Dolly now and forever.”

  “Another promise I can keep!” he assured.

  “Then yes, Jordan, I will proudly become Mrs. Jordan Scott.”