A Promise Broken

by Anissa Garcia

  “It’s not his fault,” Hilary argued back. Her attempt to defend my honor was sweet.

  “You both are at fucking fault, but he should’ve left you alone. He should’ve had respect for our family, for you. How could you allow yourself to be his plaything?”

  “It’s not like that!” she yelled. “You don’t understand.”

  “You’re right, I don’t understand how you two could agree to do this behind everyone’s back!” He moved toward me again, and I made no effort to shield myself. Whatever he wanted to dole out, I would take. The guilt that had eaten away at me for months radiated through me, and I closed my eyes, waited for the beating. Instead, he stared at me, his eyes intense. He raised his fist as if he were ready to punch, but uncurled his index finger in my face. “You’re done. You’re fired.”

  He walked away. I swallowed the large, dry lump in my throat and stumbled over my words. “Evan, wait. Let me explain…” How would I tell him that I was in love with his sister? I couldn’t find the proper words when everyone was staring at us.

  His body stiffened, his back toward me, as everyone watched. He turned. “There’s nothing to explain. You have a week to buy my shares of the restaurant.”

  I exhaled as dread prickled down my spine. He owned one-third of Roots. The investment he’d made was large, plus the loan he’d given. I couldn’t pay it back until the place was established. It would take years. I could barely get the money needed to run the place, let alone buy his shares within the week.

  “Evan,” Josh spoke to Evan with his smooth voice, “what the hell are you doing?” Josh was part of the investment team, and if Evan retracted his endorsement, everything could fall. We needed Evan’s A-list clout.

  Evan put his palm out to stop him from saying anything else. Panic bubbled in my chest. Evan glared at me again. “One week to buy my shares, Zach. My asking price is one-point-five million.”

  “It’s not even worth that, Evan. Not yet.” Josh defended me, but I was convinced he was protecting his own investment.

  “If Zach wants it, he buys it at that price,” he said derisively. “For anyone else, I’ll give it to them for three hundred thousand. Last I heard, the owner of the restaurant across the street is annoyed with the competition. I’m sure he could come up with the money for me.”

  Hilary gasped and grabbed his forearm. “Evan, don’t do this.”

  He shook her off. “You have a week, Zach. And I never want to fucking deal with you again.”

  He stormed off, and the silence was painful. The looks of pity and disbelief among friends were overwhelming. They gradually made their way inside, reviewing what had happened. Luckily, most of the others were still eating and having a great time, ignorant of my shattered world. In the distance, I spotted Graham as he leaned against a wooden post with a smirk on his smug face. Ramming into him, taking out all my stress by treating him like a punching bag seemed like a great idea. But he didn’t give me a chance as he walked to the street, lifted his hand, and hailed a cab.

  Hilary made her way to me. Her face glistened with spilled tears. “I’m sorry, Zach. I’m so sorry.” Her eyes wouldn’t meet mine. Her fingertips roved over my face, and I flinched from the pain. I kissed her forehead and wrapped my arm around her neck. I buried my nose in her hair, inhaled her sweet scent. If I had her, it would be okay. But I didn’t have her completely. Not yet.

  “This was bound to happen—everyone finding out.” I kissed her temple and held her close. The furtive glances, the alibis, the secretive behavior were behind us. Being out in the open, the weight on my shoulders minimized, but only marginally. A new set of complications had surfaced—like how in the hell I was going to come up with Evan’s demand of a million and a half dollars. In a week.

  “I should’ve never come here,” Hilary sniffled. Her hands were on my waist, but her grip weakened, and she let them drop. “I never thought he’d react that way.”

  “I did.” I chuckled. “It’s okay, Hilary.”

  “No. This whole thing was a mistake.” She was trembling, and I wanted to calm her down.

  “No, it wasn’t.” I smoothed a stable hand over her head and down her neck. “I always said you were worth the risk.”

  “At the expense of your future? Your career? No.” She choked back more tears. “I can’t be here. We can’t do this. You’ll resent me, Zach.”

  If it were possible, I loved her more, but my heart was breaking at the same time. “I won’t. We talked through this.”

  “You already risked too much. I’ll talk to Evan.”

  My traitorous voice quaked. “I won’t lose you, though.” I took her hand in mine and pressed it flat over my heart. “Please, be brave. Stay here with me. We’ll work it out, as a team.”

  “No.” She exhaled. “I’m sorry, Zach, no. I’m taking the job in Boston. You’ll stay here, run your restaurant, open others, and become a successful financier.” She darted her eyes over every surface but my face. Her body was tense as she backed further away as if she couldn’t stand to be around me. “I’ll set up my studio and continue to freelance where I can, and all will be as it should be.”

  A hopeless sensation flowed through me. “Should be? How’s that? Alone?” I stuffed my hands into my pockets and shook my head. “I thought I was the coward, but look who’s running now.”

  “What? I’m not running!”

  “You’re wimping out on me.”

  “Am not, Collins! I’m doing what’s best for you, what’s practical. I’m fixing it.”

  I crossed the porch to stand toe-to-toe with her. She tilted her head back to look up at me. Her hands were on her hips as if it would make her taller. Even in her damn sexy stilettos, I loomed over her. “You’re retreating into your little bubble again, Hilary. You’re fucking terrified of what we have, you think it won’t work.”

  “No, I’m being realistic.”

  I caged her against the wall with my hands. Her chest was heaving, and it took all my strength to keep my eyes on hers, desperate for a response. She struggled for another excuse, but failed. She held back her declaration of love, the love I saw hidden under fright. I had constantly been apprehensive about Graham’s presence in her life, how she wasn’t over him, or how I’d never compare, but after tonight, I knew she had moved on. She wanted me. Why was she so terrified?

  “Bullshit. Work with me here,” I implored. “At least try. I know I don’t deserve you, but I’ll work forever to be the man who eventually does.”

  She resisted, and her hurt made my heart hurt. We were interrupted as the door opened. One of my waitresses whose name I couldn’t recall hesitated before speaking. “Zach, you’re needed in the kitchen. Isabella’s having a freakout.”

  I gave a curt nod and listened to the door close. Hilary and I were alone again. Thunder and lightning were in the air, as if the weather had picked up on the energy and turmoil inside both of us. She pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Don’t leave me,” I pleaded once more and lifted my palm to her cheek. Instead of pressing into it as she had in the past, she twisted her face away from me.

  “Isabella needs you, Zach.” I lowered my hands and stared down at her until her sharp eyes landed on mine. “Go.”

  I’d been brokenhearted before. Not caused by women, but by my parents. As I walked away from her, I could say with one hundred percent certainty that this was worse. She’d said clearly that I wasn’t worth the fight. After everything I’d given up—the only family I’d ever known, my best friend, my career—I wasn’t worth it. However, that wouldn’t make me change a thing. My heart would belong to her for the rest of my life. I’d given it once, and I swore to myself right then, I’d never do it again…and I knew that would be a promise I’d never, ever break.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  · hilary ·

  My head spun as Zach walked away. Even in his anger, he was so beautiful, maybe even more than usual. He was scuffed up from my brother’s p
unches, his hair and suit tousled, bruises forming on every plane of his exquisite face. But it wasn’t until he left the vicinity that I was able to gasp for air to fill my underinflated lungs.

  My hand clutched at my chest, and a stress-induced attack similar to Zach’s lurked. How had we suddenly switched roles? I was always composed. But his dreams were at stake, and I wouldn’t be responsible for destroying them. I had to do something.

  The way his face had fallen when I told him I was leaving almost broke me, and I wasn’t typically weak-willed. The biggest challenge of my life was withholding what he already knew. I was in love with him. Irrevocably. But I was terrified I’d make the wrong decision. This was also about him. I wouldn’t wreck his dreams the way Graham had destroyed mine.

  I jerked as a hand landed on my shoulder. Rain poured down, lightning lit up the dark sky, and two large, blue eyes focused on me. A timid smile crossed over my friend’s face. “You all right?”

  “No,” I sighed, straightening up off the wall that supported me.

  Renee handed me my clutch, which I’d left on a chair nearby. “I’ll take you home, babe.”

  “I’ll catch a cab. Stay with Ben. Eat, have fun.”

  She shook her head. “There wouldn’t be a Ben and me if it weren’t for you. Besides, he’s catching up with everyone.” She reached out and pushed a strand of my hair back. “Come on, silly girl. We’ll talk it over while I drive you home.”

  A tear shook loose and trailed down my cheek. “Renee…can I stay at your place tonight?”

  She hooked her arm into mine. “Of course. But Ben and I may have lots of sex tonight, so you might want a sedative.”

  “You’ve got alcohol?” I raised a brow, and she nodded.

  “Who do you think you’re talking to?” She winked. “I’ll take you to your place to get some clothes and we’ll make it a girl’s night.”

  I texted Mom and told her I’d catch up with her tomorrow, thankful she hadn’t witnessed the scene outside. I was sure by now she’d heard the story, though, and was no doubt concerned. She responded instantly, said she loved me and that all would be okay. I hoped so.

  The rain was falling fast and heavy, doing what I couldn’t do. I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. Downtown traffic made the drive slow. Renee blurted out several swear words as she veered into the next lane. I was quiet most of the way, replaying Zach’s words, his touch, and anticipating the nightmare to come. Not having him as mine would be just as difficult to accept as I imagined. Phone alerts blasted in quick succession from my clutch. I looked to see if Zach was calling. Maybe Evan had changed his mind, gotten over his hissy fit.

  “What’s going on?” Renee settled back in her seat and looked at me while we were stuck at a red light.

  Disappointment hung over me as I swiped my finger over the lock screen. “My Facebook’s going crazy,” I said. Notification after notification pointed me toward tagged posts. “Fucking hell.”

  “What?” Renee’s brow furrowed. “What is it?”

  “It’s already making its rounds. Someone took photos of Evan and Zach’s fight. Apparently, there’s a video.” I scrolled over the article, and the source seemed to have all their information correct. “How the hell could this happen so quickly? It hasn’t even been a full hour.”

  “Doesn’t Zach usually take care of that stuff?”

  Realization dawned on me. “He would’ve called Evan’s publicist. Carol would’ve shut it down in a heartbeat.”

  “But Zach doesn’t work for Evan anymore.” Renee shrugged. “You think it was Graham?”

  “I don’t know. There weren’t many of us around, but it only takes one person.” I was too involved in the scene to notice.

  Renee was pensive. “I’m sure it’ll get wrapped up somehow, but Evan’s gonna have a lot to deal with tomorrow.”

  “Dickhead,” I mumbled. “Serves him right.”

  Renee spoke with caution. “You can’t blame him for being upset at you guys, Hilary. He’s just been through a shock.”

  “It’s hardly a shock. I’m a sexual female, not just his baby sister. He needs to get over it,” I declared. The traffic moved, and Renee concentrated on the road but pressed her lips together, as if she were holding her tongue. “What? Just say it.”

  She sighed. “Don’t get mad at me, but I’m kinda on his side.”

  “What? Saying those awful things about Zach? He was a total douchebag.”

  “His approach was wrong, but Hils, he was angry. You can’t blame him. His best friend, the guy he trusted with his life, lied to him for months. Messed with his kid sister. That’s like, a huge no-no between best friends. The least Zach could’ve done was talk to him, ask for his approval to date you.”

  I didn’t want to hear her justification for Evan’s actions. “We were never dating,” I insisted.

  “Which makes it worse in your big brother’s mind. You’re supposed to be looked after, and Zach’s part of the family. He’s older, more mature, and he allowed his feelings to get in the way of making the right choice.” I was silent as Renee’s words sank in. She continued. “He knew what he was doing, and what promise he was breaking when he hooked up with you.”

  My voice trembled. “He’s in love with me, though.”

  “That’s apparent.” She never looked my way. “And you love him, so what’s the problem?”

  I watched the blur of taillights in front of us, the wipers clearing the rain off the windshield. How I wished to have those wipers in my head and my heart, giving me clarity of the situation at hand. “I’m…scared.”

  “Why?” Renee finally merged onto the freeway, and we began a steady pace toward Zach’s. I debated whether to just pack everything and run. If I could fly to Boston, catch the soonest flight possible, I would.

  “Because he has the power to hurt me more than anyone.”

  “HEY,” I SAID faintly. “Is he here?”

  Grace looked subdued, exhaustion etched across her ethereal features. She held the door open wide as I turned to wave at Renee, who waited in the car. We’d made an agreement the night before that I’d suck it up and talk to my brother as soon as possible to get things figured out. All I had to do was text her after I was done to have her come and whisk me away.

  It took Renee forever to coax me out of the car. As soon as we’d pulled up to Grace’s townhome, my eyes shot to Zach’s place next door—our place. Was he inside? Was he at the restaurant? A mere twenty-four hours had changed circumstances dramatically.

  Grace guided me to the living room and offered me something to drink as I sat on the couch. I declined. The typically warm atmosphere of her home seemed quiet, tense. She served herself a cup of coffee and loaded in the creamer. The clang of the spoon on the counter put me on edge. “Are you angry at me, too, Grace?”

  Her eyes met mine as she strolled over and sat on her armchair, careful with the cup in her hand. “No, I’m concerned.” Her small slurp of coffee filled the air, sadness evident in her eyes. “I’ve never experienced Evan this way before, and I don’t like to think of the family hurting.”

  I knew a bit about her own strained relationship with her parents after her brother had passed away. Evan was the one who bridged the gap, and they were healing their own family dynamic.

  “I never meant to cause a scene,” I said. She just nodded, sipped her coffee quietly, and tucked her feet under her. I bit my lip, twiddled my thumbs, and glanced around. The absence of sound signified her disappointment. “So, I guess lunch with Mom was canceled?”

  “She’s coming over, but Evan’s not up for going out.”

  “How bad is it?” I’d avoided every social media outlet, turned off my alerts, and refused to look at any article dealing with my brother. In fact, I had turned off my phone completely.

  “His team’s doing damage control. We’re flying to LA tonight so we can start the interview process to hire a new assistant.”

  My breath shook as I exhaled. “It reall
y was my fault, Grace.”

  “What are you doing here?” Evan passed through the living room to the kitchen. His voice was terse, surly, and he refused to look at me while he served himself coffee.

  Grace stood and strolled toward a door on the other side of the house. “I’ll give you guys some time alone.” She slipped on a paint-splattered apron and some sandals. “I’ll be painting in the garage.”

  I’d seen some of her artwork but knew she rarely had time for her hobby. Confrontation wasn’t Grace’s strong suit. Excusing herself to paint was her way of avoiding the conflict about to go down. I braced myself for Evan’s wrath and stood. We met at the kitchen island where he set down his cup, placed his palms on the granite, and finally glared at me. It was a rare occasion, me disappointing my big brother. His usual warm, blue eyes disappeared, and in their place were icy, cold ones that pierced through me, sending a chill down my spine.

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “Well, I don’t want to talk to you. Or see you. Why don’t you go depend on your new boyfriend?”

  Anger flared within me like a beacon. “He’s not even my boyfriend, you tool. Zach was helping me through a transition. We messed around for a bit, that’s all. He and I agreed we’d have some fun and stay friends. I’m going back to Boston, and everything will be back to how it was before.”

  He scoffed. “Do you know how stupid you sound right now? Grow up, Hilary!”

  “Why are you being such a dick? You don’t have to make it so complicated.”

  “God, you don’t even get it.” He exhaled. “What is it with you and my friends, huh? Graham, and now Zach.” The intensity of his voice grew. “I knew Graham was a douche, so honestly he wasn’t much of a loss, but Zach…he’s family, Hilary. You’ve taken him from me.”

  I tipped my chin up, trying not to let his words get to me. My stubbornness didn’t want to admit defeat, but I was crumbling. “Well, it’s not like I meant for this to get out of control.”