by Ancelli
“Gallerias.” He chuckled, looking at the fancy key. That was an upscale neighborhood about an hour away from his folks’ farm. Now she wants someone to talk to. “Nah, I’ll pass on that. I have friends I can talk to.”
“Ethan,” Maverick called out.
“Maverick?” Rayn stared at his best friend as if she’d seen a ghost.
Ethan’s parents had become like second parents to Maverick. They’d taken him in when he didn’t have anywhere to go after college. According to Maverick, he didn’t follow the path his father had in mind for him, so he’d been given an ultimatum: Pop’s business, or the highway. Maverick choose the highway leading to Ethan’s parents’ humble home.
Maverick only lasted two months at the run-down house before he decided to enlist in the Marines.
Ethan searched for jobs when he arrived home from college, though he couldn’t find any in the field of business management. Instead of using his degree, he began working at a dairy farm until he’d had enough. It wasn’t how he’d imagined helping his parents get out of poverty. Maverick told him he should give the military a chance. Maverick said it was worth it in the end. Ethan would be able to help out his parents and still have enough to survive. Rayn hadn’t been wrong after all: he hadn’t had anything to offer her five years ago. Ethan ended up serving in the Air Force as a financial management officer for four years. He made good money and was able to save enough to put down a payment on a plot of land for his parents. While stationed in Texas, he surprised them with a four-bedroom farm for their anniversary.
With regret, he decided to leave the Air Force when his mother’s cancer resurfaced. Ethan went home, where he was needed the most. Now he worked in the city as a financial advisor, raking in more than eighty thousand a year before bonuses. He’d done better than he’d expected.
“Rayn, with a Y,” Maverick joked, walking up. “It’s been what? Five years since…”
Maverick looked over at Ethan and clamped his mouth shut. “Hey, they just handed the urn with your mother’s ashes over to your dad. I’m going to take him home. He’s not doing too well.”
“I got him.” Ethan gave her a half smile. “Thanks for the condolences.” He walked away from his past again.
“Give him some time. He’s been through a lot this year,” Maverick commented. “He had to uproot and give up his life in Texas to come and take care of his parents.”
“I know,” Rayn replied, staring anxiously as Ethan walked away. This was not how she pictured meeting him again. Magda wanted her son to be happy. “I wanted to pay my respects.”
“Call him in a few weeks.” Maverick mouthed the words. “It was nice seeing you. Take care.” He stepped away, leaving her alone.
Rayn watched as the crew finished with the resting site. She picked a rose from one of the flower arrangements nearby. Magda had shared that sunflowers and lilies were her favorite. Rayn had sent her a bouquet of fresh flowers every week for the last two months until her passing.
The workers departed.
“Magda, I promise I will make this right.” Rayn took a sniff of the flower and glanced up at the clear, blue skies. “Thank you for giving me a second chance.”
***
Jenny and Ethan’s cousin Elena were cleaning up as he and his dad entered the house. Jenny placed the broom to the side. “Alexandre?” She watched Ethan’s dad closely, obviously concerned as he clutched the urn. “I think you should lie down.”
“I don’t need you to tell me what to do,” his father snapped, continuing to walk to his bedroom.
“Uncle Alexandre.” Elena followed behind him. “I made you some chicken soup.”
“Did you follow Magda’s recipe?” He stopped to inquire. “Her soups were the best.” He smiled now, looking at the trinity urn.
“Yes.” Elena touched his back. “I followed Auntie Magda’s recipe to a T. I even added boiled eggs, corn, and sausages.”
“Can you bring it?” He opened the door to his room.
“Of course.” She walked back to the kitchen as he gently closed the barrier.
“He didn’t mean that.” Ethan dropped his jacket over the back of the couch and kissed Jenny’s cheek. “It’s been a very long, emotional day.”
“I know.” Jenny caressed his chin. “How are you holding up?”
Ethan had met Jenny at Heart Hospital after his mother was admitted and given the diagnosis that the cancer had returned and spread throughout her stomach. She was so kind and loving to his mother, up to the day she was transferred to hospice.
“I’m good.” He walked into the kitchen, joining his cousin.
“Honey.” Jenny gazed at him. “Your body needs rest.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead.” He opened a bottle of water and chugged it.
Elena watched their interaction as she prepared the bowl of soup. “Who was that woman you were talking to after the funeral?”
“What woman?” Jenny was curious, too.
“That soup smells delicious.” He took the bowl out of her hand and grabbed a spoon. Rayn had haunted him for years and now she decides to show up. He couldn’t believe his cousin would bring up another woman in front of his…he didn’t know what to call Jenny at the moment. “Your husband is on his way to get your nosey ass.”
“Whatever. We’re staying here tonight,” she mumbled, serving another bowl. “I only ask because I saw her in Auntie’s room one day.”
His head jerked in his cousin’s direction. “What? When?”
“I’m not sure, but Auntie was still speaking at the time.” Elena placed the soup and a pack of crackers on a wooden tray. “Your mom was talking up a storm and laughing. I hadn’t seen her so happy. I didn’t want to interrupt their moment, so I eased away and came back later.”
“You have to be confused.” Ethan stirred the spoon in the hot soup. “There is no way Mom would be laughing with Rayn.”
“I don’t forget faces. It was her, and they appeared to be enjoying each other’s presence,” his cousin insisted.
Ethan watched Elena closely as he held up the bowl and sipped on the soup like a little kid. She had to be mistaken. There was no way his mother wouldn’t tell him Rayn had visited.
“Who is she?” Jenny crossed her arms over her chest with a little attitude.
“Oops!” Elena smirked, picking up the tray and walking out of the kitchen, leaving him to explain who the mystery woman was.
He didn’t even know Rayn had been at the funeral the entire time. When had she arrived at the church? And if what his cousin said was true, why hadn’t his mother told him Rayn was in town. What the hell is going on?
“Ethan.” Jenny tapped on the counter. “Who is she?”
Is that jealousy? Because she doesn’t have a reason to be jealous.
“Someone not worth mentioning.” He took a bite of a cracker. He needed some answers. Maybe he should pay her a visit.
Nah.
“Doesn’t sound like nothing.”
This wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have with Jenny, especially on this day. He’d just said goodbye to his mother, and that was who he wanted to talk about. “She was someone I knew a long time ago, and she came to say her final goodbye to my mother. Nothing else.”
Her full lips turned from a frown to a sweet smile. “I can call in if you need me to.”
“Nah.” He set the bowl down. “You have patients that need you. Maverick and I are going to go have some drinks later.”
She walked up to him and kissed his lips. “Take care.” Jenny cupped his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow, or after my shift?”
“Bye.” He pulled away and watched her walk out the side door.
“Liar.” Elena strolled in. “Uncle just told me who Rayn is.”
Ethan shook his head. “Mind your business.” He placed his bowl in the sink. “I’m heading out after Dad falls asleep.”
“I’ll be here.” She placed his dad’s dish in the sink. “You don’t have a maid. Wa
sh your dishes!”
***
Later that evening
Ethan sat at the bar, drinking his sorrows away, one shot after another. He was still feeling empty from the death of his beloved mother. Nothing and no one could take away the pain he was feeling.
“We need to talk.” Maverick sat on the bar stool next to him and grabbed one of the shot glasses he had sitting in front of him. “I want you to listen without interrupting.” He stared at Ethan as he raised the glass to his lips. “To Magda de Monet.” He gulped down the amber liquid.
Ethan’s chest hurt from all the crying he’d done that day. He picked up his glass and stared into it. Drinking wasn’t going to solve his problems or take away the agony he was feeling. He’d made sure to tuck his father in to bed before he left. If anything was to happen to Alexandre, Ethan wasn’t sure he would survive, mentally. “I’m listening.”
“Another one,” Maverick told the bartender. “The past has come back to haunt us, and it’s time we both face it.”
“Why don’t we leave the past where it belongs?” Ethan took a sip of his drink, thinking of Rayn. He hadn’t wanted to let her go when he’d held her in his arms. She smelled the same as she had years before. Rayn’s high ponytail and black pantsuit made her appear sophisticated. He’d wondered about her from time to time, but had managed to leave her in the past until now. Seeing her brought back so many happy memories—and not-so-good ones. Why did she visit his mother? Elena said Rayn made his mom laugh, that she hadn’t seen her so happy in a while. Rayn had made that happen.
“It’s time we faced it.” Maverick placed his elbows on the counter. “I know you saw me that night.”
Ethan took a sip. “What night?” he asked, knowing exactly what his friend was talking about.
“I don’t know why you covered for me then.” Maverick entwined his fingers together. “Maybe it’s because you were there to do the same thing you witnessed me doing.”
Ethan didn’t comment; he just looked ahead. The night he referred to had been the beginning of the end of his relationship with Rayn. He didn’t want to rehash it.
“I’ve always been a man of my word.” Maverick swallowed. “The first time I witnessed Colton manhandling a woman was in our freshman year. I walked in on him pushing himself on a woman. The look in her eyes when I walked in haunts me to this day. Dude, if I hadn’t walked in the minute I did, he would’ve done worse than assaulting her. I witnessed him do a number of despicable things to girls on campus. After he grabbed Rayn in the hallway, I warned him, that first time, if I ever saw him touch another woman, I was going to fuck him up.”
Ethan cracked his neck, listening.
“I guess he didn’t believe me.” Maverick swallowed. “No one knew where I came from.” He rubbed his chin. “I was groomed from childhood to take the reins of my father’s business.” Maverick threw back another shot. “You weren’t ready to do what I was raised to do. I didn’t have a problem having blood on my hands. You weren’t built for it, or so I thought. Now, I know better. You would’ve shed his blood for the woman you loved.”
“For her,” Ethan sighed, “I would’ve done anything.”
“I made sure he saw my face when I slaughtered him.” Maverick scratched his chin.
Ethan’s head snapped in his friend’s direction. “He saw you?”
“I made sure he did,” Maverick continued. “My sister died in the arms of a man that claimed to love her. Imagine a man that says he hates you. Can you imagine what he would’ve done to Rayn if I hadn’t walked out of that elevator in time?” He swallowed. “I didn’t see race, all I saw was a defenseless woman like my sister, because in that moment he had all control over her. It didn’t matter if I liked her or not. My father would’ve beat my ass if I didn’t defend her honor, and I did what needed to be done.”
“But he accused her,” Ethan muttered. “And I was willing to take the fall.”
“He knew it was me.” Maverick gulped down the rest of the drink. “I heard he’s a cop now.”
“A cop?” Ethan was surprised at the revelation. Who would employ such an obvious bigot as an enforcer of the law?
“It wouldn’t surprise me if we see him on the news. He won’t be a problem between you and Rayn.” Maverick shook his head. “Enough about that fucker.” He signaled the bartender for two more rounds. “I know you covering for me cost you Rayn. I personally think you and Rayn should have a one-on-one conversation before she leaves, even if it’s just for closure.”
“I don’t have anything to say to her,” Ethan lied. But he had questions. Why were his mother and Rayn in the same room? Why didn’t his mom tell him?
“Trust is the biggest element in a relationship.” Maverick stared at him. “She doubted her trust in you because of something I did, and because you are an honorable man you kept quiet on my behalf. I’m releasing you from the secret. Tell her the truth. Tell her what your intentions were, and what actually happened.”
“I picked him up by his fucking neck like I imagined he did to Rayn.” Ethan balled his fist and slammed it against the counter, causing their drinks to spill over. “My fingers were wrapped around his throat, and I watched him gasp for air.” Ethan clenched his jaw as the memories of that night resurfaced. “I wanted to end his miserable life, but Rayn’s words resonated in my mind. Don’t let your parents down.” He picked up another shot glass and gulped the contents down like water. “I dropped him and punched the ground instead. I hoped the motherfucker would bleed out.” Ethan sighed. “He bruised her in more ways than one. He’d been harassing her from day one. You don’t know how many times I wanted to fuck him up, but Rayn wouldn’t allow me. She didn’t want anyone to know about us. I didn’t care, but she couldn’t let her fucking daddy know she wasn’t dating a black man.”
“Well, what’s the saying? One drop technically makes you black.” Maverick smirked. “All jokes aside, you need to talk to her.” He stood. “Dude, wouldn’t you want to redo the last time you said goodbye? I have a feeling she turned down your proposal because she was afraid for both of you. She’s here. What do you have to lose? Some good sex?” He chuckled.
“That chapter in my life ended years ago. My new one is named Jenny.” He didn’t sound convincing, not even to himself.
“It’s time to reread that old chapter.” Maverick patted his shoulder. “I didn’t miss the way she was eyeing you, or the way you reacted to her presence.”
“That night didn’t end our relationship. Rayn did.” Ethan swirled the remaining drink in the glass. “I wasn’t enough for her parents and in the end, I wasn’t enough for her. I was our biggest problem. Rayn was a spoiled fucking brat.”
“A brat you loved,” Maverick added. “I’m going back to the farm to my chocolate drop.”
“Chocolate drop.” Ethan chuckled.
“She loves it when I call her my chocolate drop. Don’t tell your cousin I said that.” Maverick laughed.
Maverick and Elena had met at Magda’s birthday party a couple of years back. Ethan didn’t know his best friend was into the swirling until Elena wrapped him around her index finger. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, and in less than a year they were married in an intimate wedding ceremony.
“No more drinks for my brother.” Maverick pulled out his wallet and placed a few bills on the counter. “Call him a cab. He’s headed to the Gallerias neighborhood.” He knocked his hand on the bar twice as he walked off.
Chapter Eight
Jenny opened her door wearing a short black babydoll and twisted her lips into a seductive smile. Almost immediately, her gaze turned suspicious. She leaned in and sniffed him. “You’ve been drinking and driving?”
“A little.” Ethan pinched his thumb and index finger together.
“A little doesn’t smell like a bar.” She placed her hand on her hip. “It’s late.”
“I’m sorry.” He set his head against the frame. Ethan assumed she would be more understanding on why he needed
a few drinks.
She walked back from the door but didn’t turn him away. “I have to work in a couple of hours.”
He watched her ass jiggle as she strolled across the room and sat on the couch. Damn, she had a beautiful figure.
Ethan shouldn’t have come to Jenny’s; it wasn’t fair to impose on her. He needed to clear his head of Rayn, who was taking over his senses against his will, again.
“Are you just going to stand there and let in cold air?” Jenny grabbed a blanket from off the back of the couch and wrapped it around her shoulders.
Ethan stepped inside and closed the door. “I shouldn’t drive out to the farm in my condition.” He’d dodged the bartender and sneaked out the back to his truck.
He’d driven past Rayn’s neighborhood several times and finally parked outside by the gate, thinking of his college sweetheart. What would he say? He didn’t want her to think she still had a hold on him. The last thing he wanted to hear was Rayn nagging him about drinking and driving. Back in college she’d had an issue when he drank. That memory helped Ethan decide to leave Rayn for another day, one when he wasn’t wasted. From there, he’d driven to Jenny’s house.
“Wise decision.” She picked up the TV remote. “Your dad already lost the love of his life. I don’t think he’ll survive if he loses you, too.”
This is so not what I need right now.
“You’re right.” He sat on the arm of her couch. “Can I stay here tonight?”
“Under two conditions.” Jenny raised an eyebrow.
Ethan laid his head back. He’d really had too much to drink. “Really?” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“First, get off the arm of my couch.” She watched him closely.
He dropped down on the cushion next to her. “Done.”
“Second. Who was that woman Elena was talking about?” She turned her body in his direction.
