by Rhian Cahill
He sighed. “I didn’t want to impose.”
“Bryan. For God’s sake, she’s more of a mother to me than my own.” It hurt to think he hadn’t wanted to share Marjorie’s worsening state with her. They might be divorced, but they were still friends. At least she’d thought they were. “I didn’t think the divorce had affected our friendship but obviously it has.”
“It hasn’t.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I haven’t told anyone she’s gotten worse. Honestly, until today it was just more prolonged memory loss.” Bry shook his head. “I don’t know what this morning was about.”
Kelsey watched as he dropped into a chair and, resting his elbows on his knees, cradled his head in his hands. She walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. “So what happened last night?”
He shook his head again. “I haven’t a clue. The night staff said she went to bed at her usual time. Perfectly fine. Then around one she woke disorientated and calling for you.”
She took the seat next to him. “Has something happened recently that might have triggered her memories of me? As I said before, it’s probably six months since I’ve visited and she barely recognised me the last time I was here. I had to keep reminding her who I was.”
“No, nothing that I know of. And she hasn’t recognised me for the last month, although until today she was happy to sit and chat, let me read to her, but for some reason I’m the enemy now.”
Bry sounded so dejected, so heartbroken, that it was only natural for Kelsey to lean over and wrap her arms around him. “I’m so sorry. It’s horrible to see Marjorie in such a debilitated state. I can only imagine what it must be like for you.”
His arms came around her and he pulled her closer until she was almost in his lap. The action felt so normal, Kelsey didn’t think to protest, never mind hold back. She slipped into his lap and held him tight.
“I have no right to ask,” Bry murmured into her hair. “But I’m going to. I can’t do this on my own any more. I need you, Kelsey.”
West dropped the knife after he narrowly avoided slicing his thumb for the third time. He really shouldn’t be chopping onions when his mind wasn’t completely focused on the job. He’d be lucky if he didn’t lose a finger, never mind cut one. With a sigh, he left the knife where it had fallen and walked over to the coolroom to grab a bottle of water. Bottle in hand, he headed for his office. The onions could wait. It was busy work anyway.
No one else was in yet, the quiet only broken by the hum of the refrigeration units, and he knew he had the place to himself for another couple of hours. Plenty of time to brood. Alone.
He’d gone home after leaving Kelsey’s, but a shower hadn’t calmed his agitated state so he’d headed in to work. Not that he’d fared much better here. He dropped into his chair and leaned back, closing his eyes. It wasn’t even three hours since he’d left Kels, but he already craved the sight—the touch—of her again.
She hadn’t called to let him know everything was okay. Then again, should he expect her to? Sure, they’d slept together, but did that mean they were supposed to check in now? He didn’t think so. And if recent weeks—hell, months—were anything to go by, he’d be the one making the first move. Every time he’d gotten closer, she’d thrown up a red light to stop him. He didn’t think the fact they’d finally tumbled into bed would make any difference either. His phone vibrated in his pocket and his heart skipped a beat in hope. Hope that was quickly crushed when he saw the message was from Coop.
Can’t make tonight.
Tonight? West’s mind went blank. He had no idea what Coop was referring to. He started to type a reply when it hit him. They were supposed to get together with Zac for a few drinks. He deleted what he’d already written and started again.
Cool. Works for me. You wanna text Zac or will I?
West held his phone and waited for Coop to reply. Instead, he got a message from Zac.
Don’t tell me. Something came up for you too.
He stared at his phone. He could hear the censure in his friend’s words. West thought about saying yes but decided he really needed to get whatever the hell was bugging Zac out in the open before it destroyed their friendship.
Nope. I’m still good. Usual time, usual place?
He’d just hit send when his phone buzzed again. Coop.
WTF is up with Zac!!
West smiled. At least he wasn’t the only one on the receiving end of Zac’s mood. Thumbs flying over the screen, West fired off a reply to Coop.
No idea but I plan to find out. Going ahead with tonight. I’ll let you know what happens.
He didn’t have a clue when he’d see Kelsey now. Mentally going over this afternoon’s schedule, West figured he could get away a few hours early and catch her at home. If she was home. Glancing at the time, West decided to ring her and see if she wanted to grab an early dinner with him before he met up with Zac. His phone went off twice in rapid succession before he could open his contacts. The first was from Zac.
Sure. Same time, same place.
The second from Coop.
Good luck. Wear a flak jacket.
West grinned. Hopefully, he wouldn’t need armour when he saw Zac. Although West had the feeling his heart could probably do with some protection when it came to Kelsey. He wasn’t the type of guy to put things off except when it came to her. But he wouldn’t let his irrational fear of all things Kels get the better of him. He’d made the decision to pursue so he’d man up and do what he had to. Hitting speed-dial one, he brought the phone to his ear and waited for Kels to answer.
It rang five times before she picked up. “Hello?” Her breathless voice whispered in his ear, reminding him of the way she’d breathed his name earlier when they were in bed and he was driving her—himself—crazy.
He swallowed to wet his suddenly parched throat. “Hey. How’d it go?” West asked about Bry’s mother even though he wanted desperately to get to the more important topic. Them.
“Um, good. Can I call you back? I’m in the middle of something.”
“Oh, sure.” West bit his tongue to stop the question of when from popping out his mouth.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be.” He heard someone call her in the background. “I gotta go. I’ll call you.”
Right before she hung up West heard the same voice calling out again and a ball of lead sank to the pit of his stomach. He didn’t want to believe what his ears, and mind, were telling him, but even if it were true there had to be a perfectly good explanation as to what Kelsey was doing all out of breath with her ex-husband. Shame he didn’t think even a legitimate reason for them being together was acceptable.
“Who was that?”
Kelsey spun around to find Bry had followed her into the kitchen. “Huh?”
“On the phone.” He tipped his chin to indicate the device still in her hand. “Client?”
“Client?” Her mind still played the reel of memories hearing West’s voice had conjured up, making it hard to focus on the conversation.
Bry ginned. “Obviously not a client if you’re this flustered. Boyfriend?”
“Wh-what?” She choked on the breath she’d just inhaled. Her cheeks heated, making her bring her hands up to cover her face while she continued to hack and splutter.
Kelsey spun around and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. She quickly filled it with water and took a sip, trying to soothe the rawness her coughing fit left behind.
“Hey. You okay?” Bry came up behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. “Come sit down.”
She let him guide her to a chair and dropped into it, relieved to not be standing on her shaky legs any longer. He’d thrown her with the boyfriend comment. They’d never talked about dating others. Actually, Kelsey had never even contemplated dating, either her or Bry. Now though, she could only conclude that if he thought she was se
eing someone then it was possible he was.
The stab of jealously Kelsey thought she should feel never happened. All she felt at the idea of Bry moving on with someone else was relief. Which delivered a shaft of guilt. She should never have married him. Should never have promised to love above all others when she’d known she couldn’t.
“Better now?”
His words snapped her out of her thoughts. “Oh, yes. Breathed the wrong way, I guess.” She shrugged and took another sip of water.
“Are you sure? ’Cause I should get going, but I don’t want to leave you if you’re not all right.”
“I’m fine. Go.” Kelsey gave him a little push. “I have to get to work anyway.”
“Thanks again for this morning.” Bry leaned down and kissed her forehead. “And for everything else you’ve agreed to.”
Kelsey smiled up at the man she’d married—the man she still held great affection for—and wished with all her heart that it could have been different between them. “No need to thank me, Bry. I’m more than happy to help out with Marjorie.”
For the first time since she’d seen him this morning his mouth curved in a genuine smile. “You might be happy to but you’re not obligated, so I still feel the need to thank you. Probably will forever.”
Kelsey frowned. “It’s really not necessary.”
“I know. And that’s what I love about you, Kelsey. You’re always willing to go above and beyond.” He stroked a finger down her cheek, but unlike West’s touch, there was no firing of neurons. No zap of desire hitting her veins. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yep. Six o’clock.” She pushed out of the chair and followed him out of her kitchen.
“I’ll bring take-out for dinner so we can eat before we head over to see mum.”
“Sounds good.” Kelsey held the front door wide as Bry stepped outside. “Oh, and, Bry. Try not to worry too much. Marjorie is getting the best of care at the home and everything that can be done is being done to make her comfortable.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “I know. Having you with me makes it all easier to cope with too.”
A twinge of guilt hit Kelsey, tightening her stomach. She’d let him and Marjorie down with her neglect. She wouldn’t do that again. “I’m here for whatever you need.”
“Thanks.” Bry waved as he made his way down the path to the kerb where he’d parked his car when he’d followed her home to talk about Marjorie’s situation.
Kelsey watched until he’d driven down the street and out of sight. She closed the door and then made her way back to the kitchen and her phone. She’d left it on the counter, and as much as she wanted to put off the coming conversation, she couldn’t. She had to return West’s call.
Chapter Nine
Every muscle in West’s body tightened when he glanced at his ringing phone. He stared at it through three rings with trepidation tugging at his gut.
Kelsey.
He’d anticipated this call with a mixture of excitement and dread. Surprise ricocheted through him at the sight of his shaking hand and he swiped his thumb across the screen with a little too much force, making him juggle it as he brought it up to his ear.
“Kels.”
He heard her suck in a deep breath before the voice that had called out in pleasure only hours ago echoed in his ear. “Hey, I can talk now.”
For a split second, West had the urge to say he couldn’t, but the notion was quickly overtaken by the need that burned in his bones for this woman. “You okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” He could picture her scrunching up her nose in question.
“You sounded weird earlier. I thought something might be wrong, that’s all.” His gut clenched when he thought about how out of breath she’d sounded and how it reminded him of making her breathless with satisfaction this morning. He quickly changed the subject. As much as he wanted to know what had gone on between her and Bry, he didn’t. “Anyway, I’ve got a few hours tonight before I have to meet Zac, so I thought I’d bring dinner to your place around six.”
“Oh. I can’t.”
“Seven then?” He’d be pushing it to make it, but for Kels he’d risk Zac’s wrath by being a few minutes late.
“Ah, it’s not really a good night—”
“Don’t cut me out again, Kels.” West couldn’t stand it if she avoided him like she had in the past.
Her sigh filled his ear before she said the words he’d longed to hear. “I’m not, but I’ve got stuff going on, plus you’re expecting to see me in the office next week, and at this rate I’ll never clear all my clients off my desk.”
“I told you you could see them out of here.” West didn’t want to give her any reason to quit before she started. “There isn’t enough work here to fill your days, so it makes sense to continue to run your business out of my office.”
“West.” Her exasperation came through loud and clear.
“What? Surely you can see this is a mutually beneficial arrangement.” He leaned against the counter and rubbed his fingers back and forth on his forehead. “C’mon, Kels. You and I both know you can do the office managers job in your sleep. There’s no need for you to rush any of your clients’ work.”
She sucked in a breath. “I really can’t see you tonight.”
That pulled him up short, making his back straighten and his heart sink. “Why?” He knew before she spoke, but he hoped—
“Bry is coming over.”
When her words met his ear, he clenched his jaw and ground his back teeth together. “Fuck.”
“It’s not what you think.” Her words rushed over each other.
“And what is it I think, Kels?” Jealousy and anger burned in his gut.
“We’re deciding on how best to handle Marjorie’s worsening health.”
“We? Why the fuck is it we? You’re divorced. I know you were with him for years, but you don’t owe him or his mother any kind of loyalty.” West could hear the words he was saying. Knew they were callous and heartless. But he didn’t care. His hurt and frustration were blinding him to his selfish behaviour. Just when he thought he’d made it past Kelsey’s red lights, he found himself faced with another one.
“West, please understand. Marjorie gave me what my own mother has never been able to. Whether I owe her or Bry doesn’t come into it. She’s someone I care about. Someone I want to support during this difficult time. God knows how much longer she’ll be with us, and if I can help make that time a little better I will.”
Suitably chastised, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and tried to reel in his chaotic emotions. If he didn’t gain control, she’d push him away again. “I get that, I do. But you can’t hold the fact I want to see you against me. You have to know this morning wasn’t just about sex for me.”
West gripped the phone tighter as he waited for her to say something. Silence stretched until he thought the connection had been cut off. On the verge of pulling the phone from his ear to check, she spoke.
“It wasn’t just sex for me either.”
Thank God.
“But I can’t deal with this—us—today.”
Damn. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “How long?”
“I, I don’t know. This thing with Bry isn’t going to be a one-time deal. It’ll be ongoing. I’m sorry. I need to do this.”
He understood Kelsey’s need to help others. It was her doing so above her own needs and wants that he couldn’t wrap his head around. She was the least selfish person he’d ever met, always looking out for those around her. West knew it came from her childhood. Having to take care of her younger siblings while her mother hid in the bottom of a bottle had left a mark. All he wanted to do was take care of her, make sure she got what she needed—wanted. If she’d let him.
“Can I call you later? After you’ve dealt with your commitments.�
�� West needed a definite time of when they’d connect next even if it was only by phone. He needed to have her with him on this or at least know where they stood, and to do that they had to talk.
“Sure. I’ll text you after I’m back from visiting Marjorie tonight.”
It was better than nothing, and really, he had no choice but to accept the small concession for now. He’d prefer in person, but at this point he’d take whatever the hell he could get. “We’ll talk later then.”
“Okay. Oh, and, West?”
“Yeah.”
“Could we keep what happened this morning just between us?”
“I’m not about to brag about getting you into bed, Kelsey.”
“I didn’t think you were, but I’d rather no one know right at the moment. It’s not like we know what it is we’re doing.”
And there it was. While Kelsey wasn’t sure what was going on between them West had a crystal-clear view of their future. It involved white picket fences and happy ever afters. But the last thing he wanted to do was scare her off with his plans. “Fine. Just between us.”
For now.
Kelsey tapped out a message to West. He wouldn’t be happy when he read it, but there was nothing she could do about it. Marjorie was far more agitated than she’d been this morning, and even though they’d had to resort to sedating Bry’s mother, Kelsey couldn’t bring herself to leave her former mother-in-law just yet—or leave Bry to deal with it on his own. Bry had suggested she leave the room while they administered the medication so Marjorie wouldn’t lose faith in the only person she seemed to trust in her confused world.
She could hear Marjorie calling for her and it took all the strength Kelsey had not to go back in there before the nurses and doctor came out. Poor Bry had been relegated to doctor again and therefore one of the bad guys. It saddened Kelsey to see the woman who’d loved her son dearly not recognise him at all anymore. Kelsey wasn’t sure how Bry coped with the blank stare his mother now gave him. They’d had such a close relationship, especially after Bry’s father had passed away.
