“I doubt it was your fault. He had issues from my understanding.”
“Issues,” she repeats back to herself. “When your attorney tells you the FBI wants to speak to you about your son who you haven’t heard from in years…I suppose that’s what you call it.”
“So you still won’t speak with them?”
“No. I have no information to give. I gave them my phone records and that was that.”
“Oh.”
“Shyla, I need to ask you something. It’s been floating around in my thoughts and well, we are going to be seeing a lot more of each other I think.”
“Okay,” I respond, wishing I had something in my hands to clench.
“Did Eric hurt you?”
Her question leaves me speechless. Should I deny it? Should I tell her she’s right?
“Why would you think that?” I say, clearing my throat as I walk over to the bar to get that drink after all.
“Because, I already know he was following you. I know where the assault occurred and it’s in your neighborhood. Eric had a tendency to get…attached. All these years I have been able to deal with my son’s absence because I told myself this was all his fault. That he was selfish and I wouldn’t chase for someone who didn’t want me, not even my son. And if I know he is capable of hurting someone, then it will validate those feelings. Then I can really just forget about him.”
“I can’t say.” God I wish Taylor was here. “The investigation is ongoing and I can’t speak about what I know.” There. I neither confirmed nor denied.
“If they catch Eric, we’d find out eventually.”
“Yes, but right now, I can’t say.”
“Don’t worry about Randall, I haven’t told him anything. He has his own issues with Eric. We have a unspoken agreement to keep our discussions about him to a minimum. I know you might think that I would be angry with you, if you are the person who is pressing charges against my son, but I understand. Eric has hurt us all in someway. In fact, I am ashamed. I brought him into this world and then he hurts a young woman who has already had her fair share of struggles.”
“He is an adult and anything he does or did is on him, Nan. There is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I appreciate you being there for Taylor.”
“Taylor should have been the one, on paper. The one to come out damaged. How did he come out so good, and Eric so bad? How did that boy who was so ruined when he came to us become all this?” She gestures around to the grandiosity around us.
“I don’t know, but I am thankful. I think people are who they are to an extent. Despite the horrible things he endured, he persevered. And maybe you and Randall have more to do with that than you think.”
“I don’t know…I have to admit, I don’t think I was ever as motherly as I wanted to be to either one of th—“
Just then, the door flings open and I am both relieved and anxious to see it’s Taylor. I originally came to this room because I learned he was discussing a pre-nup with his father without my knowledge. I haven’t had time to digest that information having run into Nan.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he says once he spots me. He places his hand on the small of my back and it puts me at ease.
“Sorry, I couldn’t find you and everything was dying down so I just thought to come here. Is everything okay with work?”
“Yeah, it’s still the factory issue. Another storm is coming so we anticipate further damages. Are you ready to go?”
“Of course.” Thank god.
Taylor turns to face Nan. Her limbs are rubbery and loose, and her eyes are hooded. “Randall is looking for you too. What is this place, some new hideout?”
“I’ll go, I’ll go,” she says, bobbing ever so slightly as she heads out of the suite. She turns right at the threshold. “Shyla, welcome to the family,” she says, almost mockingly.
“She’s drunk,” I say to Taylor once she’s out of earshot.
“That’s a rare sight, but I think I know why.”
“Our engagement?”
“No. Today is Eric’s birthday.”
Chapter 25
Later, as I remove my earrings, Taylor approaches me from behind and kisses my neck. His pillowy lips ignite my body, but the lingering subject of the prenup has yet to be broached. It wasn’t something I wanted to discuss in front of Harrison.
“Taylor, I don’t think your dad likes me. Well, I shouldn’t say that…I just think he’s still not thrilled.”
“Who cares?” he says, pushing his hardness into my ass. “And he does. He’s just being himself. I warned you, my family is not warm like yours. We don’t mince words. Funny thing is my dad’s the warmest of the bunch.”
“He asked me if I would be willing to sign a prenup tonight.”
Taylor stops kissing me. “What?”
“He said you had discussed it with him. Why didn’t you say something to me if you were concerned?”
“Such an asshole…” he says under his breath about his father. “Hold on, he brought up the topic with me. And Shyla, it’s a normal topic of conversation when you are as wealthy as I am. And of course I entertained the subject with him, but I was still thinking about it. I haven’t made any decisions. It’s not something I am hiding from you and it doesn’t speak to my commitment to you.”
“I know…I know it shouldn’t. It’s just that when you start talking about contingencies like that, especially unbeknownst to me, it makes me feel like we are considering staying together and divorcing to be equal possibilities. Wait—that’s not true, I don’t believe you are making them equal, it’s just finding out through him fucked me up because I thought we were a team and I thought we told each other everything.”
“I understand, and I fucking hate it. I don’t want you to feel like I think you are with me for money or that I have some sort of insurance policy against our marriage. The truth is, I am mostly concerned about protecting you. You should want to know how you will be taken care of in the event you decide you don’t want to be with me.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“All I am saying is it’s not about accepting divorce, but it’s about making sure we minimize ruining our relationship with some battle for money. But, like I said, I hadn’t decided on one…and I don’t want to hurt you. I do want to make sure you are protected though in the case of numerous possibilities. But if it really makes you uncomfortable, if it really makes you feel as though I am not committing to you, I can forgo it. I have more money than I can spend in multiple lifetimes, and I would give you more than you could spend in a pre-nup anyway.”
“I don’t know about this stuff. I never had to worry about money like this…having too little money was always a problem, not too much.”
“Now you can see where I get my boldness. Remind me never to leave you two unattended again. I’ll make sure he cuts the shit. I apologize for his behavior.”
“Something tells me it’ll have very little effect.”
“If he wants his son and daughter-in-law to visit, he better start letting it take effect.”
“The truth is, I understand where he’s coming from. If you were my son, I would look out for your financial interests and the Holden name. I wouldn’t want it dragged in the mud with a public, messy divorce. And I would be uneasy about my son marrying someone who is so closely linked to a very traumatic past.”
“The thing is, I am a grown man Shyla. I make decisions for me. The only other person whose opinion matters is yours. It’s not that I don’t appreciate his pointless concern, it’s that I am marrying you. You are becoming the most important family in my life. And that means this decision comes down to what we want, not what he wants. And I really want to end this subject because it does feel like we are planning a divorce, not a marriage.”
Taylor pulls out the pins from my hair one by one as long waves collapse onto my shoulders and collarbone. “What does the inscription on your ring say?”
“Only us.”
&nb
sp; “Exactly. And I fucking mean it.”
He leans into my neck, pressing his nose into my hair and inhaling as he slides his hands over my hips. “Now, onto more important things. I watched you all night tonight. You held yourself with such poise. I think my Shy is really back just like I knew she would be. After the wedding, let’s discuss making your dreams happen, okay? I want you to feel fulfilled, and I understand that that means having interests and a possible career outside of me.”
My chest bursts with pure contentment. “Yes, the gala really inspired me tonight! I want to be more involved in that aspect of our lives. And there’s so much more I want to do.”
He stares into my eyes through my reflection in the mirror. “I love that look in your eyes. They are glowing with excitement. God I missed when that was gone. Promise me never again.”
“Never.”
“The other thing I was thinking while watching you tonight,” Taylor’s eyes squint mischievously and his grin creeps up one side of his face, “is how much I would have loved to bend you right over that table on stage and fuck you into an inarticulate mess. And now that you are standing here is this sexy lingerie…my thoughts are even filthier. I am a lucky man.”
All have on is a navy lace strapless bra and thong. He smacks one of my exposed cheeks and squeezes the flesh with is powerful grip.
“Didn’t you already do that once today?” I ask, enjoying the lustful sting of his touch as I bite my lip.
“Actually twice, if we count that sexy mouth of yours. But, it’s never enough.” He sweeps me up in his arms and carries me towards the bed.
“Wait,” I say, stopping Taylor in his tracks. “I know this isn’t a big deal to you, but it is to me. I don’t want the pre-nup hanging over our heads. I trust you. And I want to alleviate your dad’s anxiety about us because even though it is only us, I do want your family to like me. I don’t have much family of my own. The money doesn’t even mean anything without you. I want to do it. Let’s just do it so we can move past it.”
“Whatever you want, babe.”
Chapter 26
Taylor:
We’ll all be coming together after work today, expect us to be there around 7. OX
Henry and Lizzy are finally back in town after some international work travel so we invited them over. Kristin and Chad are also coming to dinner at my condo tonight. Taylor and I thought the private rooftop deck with sparkling views of the city would be ideal for catching up and telling them all about the engagement. Yes it’s the middle of winter, but when Taylor remodeled the unit for me, he had heat lamps installed throughout the rooftop deck so we could enjoy winter views of the city. That fine man thinks of everything.
My invitation to Kristin was brief, and I’ll admit, I sensed tension between us. At first, I was thrilled with the idea of her and Chad as a couple, but now I am not so sure. Chad isn’t my boss anymore, and it is unlikely I will return to Rubix, even though Taylor could pull strings in a heartbeat. But when he was, I have a feeling Kristin was disclosing more to him regarding my past issues than I would have been comfortable with. That’s how she is with boyfriends, she tells them everything. I guess we all do that. But he was my boss, and those boundaries were important.
Anyway, I’d be willing to forget it all in a heartbeat, but now I think the tables have turned and she’s upset with me. Honestly, her being pissy with me for going MIA for a while is low on my list of priorities considering the other things going on in my life. We’ve always worked things out, and I am sure whatever is going on between us will pass.
For this dinner, instead of getting a caterer, I insist on grilling on the deck, like some sort of sophisticated tailgate. On the menu is aged ribeye and a colorful assortment of balsamic-marinated vegetables. I decorate the roof with dozens of candles to compliment the hundreds of white string lights that adorn the deck. The aroma of the steak begins to rise from the grill just as I hear footsteps coming from the door.
“Hey!” Henry is the first person to pop through, the combined sounds of chatting and laughter bursting across the threshold, and I am awash in contentment. This is when life feels perfect. When I have all of my people together in one place, when all the complications of day to day living dissipate and instead all I can see and hear are their smiles.
Beards must be a thing this winter, because Henry has one now to compliment his short dirty-blond ponytail. His is definitely well-curated and much further along than Taylor’s short scruff. Black peacoats and jackets cover nearly everyone, except for Lizzy, who is wearing a cream wool cape.
“Wow, it’s hot up here!” she says, whipping it off and tossing it onto a rattan couch. “Come here Shyla!” We reunite with a huge embrace. “It’s been soooo long! I’ve missed you!”
“Me too. I am so happy we would could all get together.”
“Look who I found outside of the building,” Taylor gestures over to Kristin, who waits quietly to greet me.
“We brought some wine,” she says after a hug.
Chad has his beard back as well, and I feel like I am at some sort of hot lumberjack convention. “Good to see you, Chad.” I say, giving him a warm hug.
I run back to the grill to tend to the food, and that’s where I find Taylor, in all of his gorgeous, tall, dark-haired glory. He has on black pants, his white shirt sleeves rolled up, tie loosened. His coat and suit jacket are presumably thrown onto some furniture somewhere on the deck. “Hi,” I say coyly, when he spots me watching him from the corner of his eye.
“Hi,” he winks at me.
“Thanks for checking on the meat,” I say as I walk up to him and wrap my arm around his waist.
“No problem. I was just really tempted to make a joke about you tending to my meat. You’re rubbing off on me.” He kisses the top of my head. “You smell like steak.”
“I’ll tend to your meat anytime, baby,” I say in a Frank Sinatra-esque voice. “I guess there are worse things to smell like.”
“Maybe that should be your future endeavor: meat-scented perfumes.”
“I am sure that’ll be a hit. Nothing like having stray animals chasing you down the street.”
“It’s almost done.”
“When should we tell them?”
“Let’s all settle in, then I’ll give you some sort of cue.”
“Okay, will it be like a bat signal?”
“Considering we will be sitting next to each other, that would be extremely inefficient,” he says, deadpan.
“I’ll let you take the lead,” I say. I pat the small pocket on the front of my silk blouse that holds the ring. Lizzy with her finely-honed social skills would spot a ring on my finger within seconds.
We plate the food and bring it to the table. Everyone sits down to commence feasting, all smiles.
“There is so much catching up to do! Lizzy, how is everything going?” I wonder if she’ll address the pregnancy plans that she announced to us, during our Costa Rican vacation, at the table.
“Wow, things have been crazy at work as I am sure Taylor has told you. Business is really good. Henry and I have been traveling a lot together, closing new accounts left and right.” I sense an unspoken tension when she mentions their travels, as if she is trying very hard to sound normal. They are totally screwing. “And as a result, while I am soooo still planning on the baby, I am giving myself an entire year. I just want to work out a few more things before there is a bun in the oven.”
Henry involuntarily clears his throat and looks away as he bites into a piece of asparagus. Did he have a change of heart since Costa Rica? When we spoke the night of Lizzy’s announcement, he seemed devastated, but unwilling, or maybe even afraid, to do anything about it.
“How about you, Henry?” I ask, sensing weakness now that Lizzy opened up the conversation about their traveling.
“Well, I wasn’t in Russia or Geneva, that’s for sure,” Henry says, playfully teasing Taylor.
“Henry, I told you it was nothing,” Taylor sighs, a
s if this topic has been brought up a million times before.
“You weren’t supposed to mention it!” I scold Henry. What a big fucking mouth he has.
“Actually, that’s not true, it was something. Something pretty important,” Taylor says.
Henry stops chewing the food in his mouth and takes a big gulp.
“Let’s all fill our glasses. I’d like to propose a toast.”
My eyes scan the table. Lizzy’s grayish-blue eyes brighten as she begins to realize what is likely coming. Kristin and Chad look somewhat bewildered. Henry looks terrified, presumably because in true Henry fashion, he thinks this is about him.
We empty the last wine bottle as Taylor stands and offers me his hand, inviting me to join him.
“There is a specific reason Shy and I invited you all over tonight. It wasn’t just because we love your company,” Taylor states sarcastically. “And Henry, you’ll be relieved to know that I never left you out of a secret meeting in Geneva. I never went there. It was a terrible cover up that blew back in my face because Shy cavorts with La Grande Bouche and Deuce Biggalo Male Gigolo over here.” Taylor gestures to Lizzy and Henry with his glass. “I slipped away on vacation to meet a jeweler, and I proposed to Shy.”
“What did she say?” Lizzy blurts out.
“Qu’est-que tu penses?” Taylor says to Lizzy in her native tongue.
“We’re getting married!” I say, whipping the ring out of my pocket and sliding it on my finger.
The table erupts with congratulations and Lizzy squeals like she’s back in middle school at a NKOTB concert.
“Congratulations, buddy!” Henry says, slapping Taylor on the back. “You lucky bastard,” he says to Taylor while giving me a hug.
“Watch it,” Taylor points at Henry, sounding very serious, but we both know he’s kidding.
“I’m so happy for you,” Kristin says. But she is reserved, not exhibiting the type of jubilation I would expect from my best friend.
unStrapped Page 22
