Until Then : Book 1 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  When we got down stairs to leave, Keira tried to convince me to change out of my skinny jeans. I told her ten times that it was 20 degrees outside and that I refused to wear a dress. I zipped up my brown knee boots and buttoned up my pea coat, as Keira slid into her heels.

  “Come on ladies.” Leo whined, standing outside the front door.

  “We’re coming.” Keira yelled.

  Tristen’s car was on; the boys were in the front seats. Leo was attempting to be the DJ. Keira and I climbed into the back, the car smelled of new leather. Leo finally chose a song, the bass from the music hummed along the surface of my entire body.

  The drive to the party wasn’t long. We pulled down another very winding driveway, which was lined with beautiful cars. I had never seen so many expensive cars in one place. My eyes studied the various people stepping out of them. Everyone was so posh, and well put together. I now understood why Keira said to change, but it was still 20 degrees out. When we got closer to the house, it was as grand as Leo’s. It felt like flashy houses were like pocket change to these people.

  When we stepped out of the car, I heard a guy call out Tristen’s name. He walked over to greet him, breaking away from our group. Keira and Leo walked toward the house.

  “Come on, Silly.” Keira yelled out to me.

  The house was radiating with loud music. Every girl was dressed like it was New Years Eve. The girls were in short dresses, the guys in dress pants with typical collared button downs. We walked into the kitchen that was filled with people. A bowl of punch sat in the middle of the island, surrounded by jello shots. Two girls clinked their shots together, before downing them. A few other guys were leaning against the counters.

  “Leo!”, a guy yelled. “Nice of you to show.”

  “Brian, you still holding up your reputation of being a prick?” Keira joked.

  “Who is your friend?” Brian asked, looking me up and down then gave Keira a hug.

  “This is Sophia.” Keira poured herself a drink. “She’s my roommate.”

  “Sophiaaaa, that’s a nice name.” He smiled and put his arm around me. “Welcome to my house.”

  I instantly felt uncomfortable. “Thanks.” I took a step away from him. Everything about this was uncomfortable.

  Keira pushed his arm away. “She’s Stefan’s girl. Don’t be stupid.”

  He stepped back, raising his hands in the air. “Oh you’re Stefan’s new pet?” He laughed, “I don’t want that kind of trouble.”

  “Not a pet.” I pursed my lips together forming an uncomfortable smile.

  He leaned into me, “Sweetie, you are all pets to him. He’s an Edwards.” He said with a sly smile.

  Leo appeared from behind the refrigerator doors and opened a water. “Chill, Brian.” he snapped.

  “Stefan is here?” One of the shot girls from a few moments ago chimed in. Her tone was as if she wanted to see him.

  I gave her a strange look, “No, he’s not.”

  “Cammie, Stefan doesn’t even remember who you are.” Keira laughed under her breath.

  “Keira, we all know why you're here, I wouldn’t start.” Cammie snapped and walked out.

  After my encounter with these charming people, the next two hours were fine. We made our way to a glassed in area that had a giant circle of white seating and a dual fireplace in the middle. Off to the side was a hot tub, a few girls decided to strip down to their bra and panties. One even took her bra off. I looked around, and it was as if this were normal. Tristen had finally joined us along with a few of his other friends. Everyone seemed to have known each other for years.

  I noticed Cammie’s presence as she walked up next to the hot tub girls. She whispered something to them, their attention quickly traveled over to me. I took a sip of my drink, trying to ignore them.

  “Sophia is it?” One of the girls called out.

  I looked over at Cammie, then back to the other girl. “Yes?”

  “So, it’s true? Stefan has an actual girlfriend?”

  Keira placed her hand on my shoulder, “Ignore them.”

  “Keira, don’t be a downer. We want to get to know the infamous girl who finally tied Stefan Edwards down.” The other girl chimed in.

  “Does everyone know him here?” I whispered to Keira.

  “Lily here knows him very well.” Cammie nudged one of the girls.

  Lily eyed Cammie, “Girl you know him better than I do. More than once.”

  I looked at both of them, “What are you talking about?” My stomach started to turn.

  “Look the earlier you know it, the better. We’ve all had a taste of Stefan.” Cammie continued. “He has a high sexual appetite, but you probably know that already.”

  “And he was delicious,” Lily laughed, ”You should feel lucky.”

  I looked away from the three girls, trying to hide the fact that their words were getting to me. I knew Stefan had a life before me, I just didn’t know it was this kind of a life. My beautiful man was turning into someone else the more they spoke.

  “So, you know Jess too then?” The third girl asked.

  I turned back to face them. The sound of her name made my skin crawl.

  “You need to shut up.” Keira snapped at them.

  Leo stood up, “Cammie stop this shit you started. It’s not cool.”

  She gave Keira and Leo a sinister look, and then looked back at me, “It’s nice to see how trusting you are.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  Keira sat up straight, “Stop listening to them, Sophia.”

  I looked at Keira, but spoke to them, “What do you mean?”

  I knew the next words out of that girl's mouth were going to be nothing I wanted to hear. I knew it would break my heart, I knew it would change how I felt, but I needed to know.

  She smiled, “Well she’s there with him. You know, in London.”

  My heart instantly sank. My impending fear was confirmed. My words were taken from me. I didn’t have a response. I blinked away the tears forming in my eyes, and stood up.

  “You guys are bitches.” Keira said to them curtly, as she stood up next to me. “We can leave.” She told me.

  “I’m fine, I just need to go to the bathroom.” I didn’t make eye contact with her, as I stood up. I made my way straight for the door that led outside.

  I heard Leo in the distance. “She’s not going to the bathroom, guys.”

  The outside cold hit my teary face like knives. I walked around the corner of the giant house, while a few more small tears released onto my face. I pulled out my phone to call Stefan. He didn’t answer. I called him again. Still no answer.

  “Fuuuuck!” I threw my phone, and it crashed against the side of the house.

  “Well that doesn’t look like it was the best idea.” Tristen appeared next to me.

  “I don’t think I make the best choices.” I tearfully replied.

  He walked over to my phone and picked it up. “Yep, it’s totaled.” He handed it to me. “Those girls are horrible people. Don’t let them get to you.”

  I looked at him. “You heard what they said.” I breathed in. “I’m a fool. How many girls has he slept with that I don’t know about? How many have I met?”

  “You’re not a fool. He is.”

  His words didn’t calm me, but I knew he was right. “Can you take me somewhere?” I asked.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  I looked down at my broken phone, “Anywhere, but here.”

  We got in his car and pulled out of the driveway. I watched as the party drifted into the distance. I leaned my head against the window, allowing my mind to go numb, just for a moment. The smell of french fries awoke me, I hadn’t realized I had drifted off to sleep. I looked over at Tristen, then outside. We were parked in a fast food parking lot.

  “I got you a large fry.” He held out the fries for me.

  I forced a smile, “Thank you.”

  “Are you better?”

  “A lit
tle.” I lied.

  “I didn’t know you were dating Stefan.”

  “I didn’t know this many people knew him.” I half laughed, as I picked at the fries.

  “He’s an idiot.”

  I looked over at him and gave him a small smile.

  We talked for an hour in his car, snacking on French fries. I learned a lot about Tristen in that hour. His father was Leo’s dad’s brother. For such a big family they were close. They grew up in New York, and their family was from old money. He told me a few years ago his parents were going through a rough patch, and Leo helped him through it. Thick as thieves is how he put his relationship with Leo. He asked about my mom, and my goals. He was kind, and refreshing. I could talk to him, and not worry about who was around the corner. I could actually breathe.

  “You should probably talk to him. Get the real story.” He sipped his soda, “I can’t believe I'm advocating for Stefan.” He laughed.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Stefan hasn’t always been the saint that he is now. Let’s just say that.”

  “I’m slowly finding that out.” I looked out the window. “What did he do to you?”

  “You’re idea of him might change when I tell you.”

  I looked back at him, “Tell me.”

  “A few years ago we got into an argument. It escalated and we got into a fight. People tried to stop him, but it was enough for the cops to get called. It’s not one of my prouder moments.”

  My mouth dropped open, “Stefan did that?”

  “I tried to press charges, he was arrested. They put him in handcuffs and everything. The funny thing about the Edwards is that they always get off scotch free. He wasn’t even in custody for more than 2 hours.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “What do you expect when someone has unlimited access to anything? He was a prick. He thought no one could touch him, and honestly I don’t think he’s wrong.”

  I was trying to process what Tristen had just told me. Nothing made sense. I didn’t know the person that he was describing. I don’t think I know Stefan at all. My fingers ran along the broken screen of my phone.

  “I broke my phone.” I said lowly.

  “You sure did hulk that thing.”

  I finally laughed, and he joined me.

  “Are you ready to head back?” He asked.

  “Can you take me back to Leo’s?”

  He turned his car on, “Yes, they’re back there already. They’ve only called about 20 times.”

  I looked back out the window. Keira was probably pissed at me for leaving like that. I couldn’t stay there. Not like that. What game is Stefan playing? I thought I knew him. He didn’t tell me Jess was going to London. He didn't want me to come here. He didn’t want a lot of things happening. I’m tired of everything going his way. When those girls said those things, I felt my heart breaking. Tristen might be right, I should allow him to tell me his side, but I can’t. Not yet. Tonight was too much. Plus, I broke my phone. What is it with Stefan and I breaking our phones?

  When we got back to the house, most of the lights were off. We walked inside from the cold; we were greeted by Keira and Leo waiting on the bottom of the steps. Keira was on her phone, Leo stood when he saw us.

  “Yeah, they just got here.” Keira said into the phone. “Where’s your phone?” She asked me.

  “I broke it.” I held up my shattered phone.

  “She broke it.” She said to the person on her phone.

  Leo walked over to me, “I’m glad you’re ok. I’m really sorry about those girls.”

  “I’m fine.” I lied again.

  Keira looked at me with sad eyes, “Stefan wants to talk to you.”

  “I don’t want to talk to him.” I said bluntly.

  Keira’s sighed, and adjusted her legs under herself. “He’s insisting.”

  “Give me the phone.” I held out my hand.

  When she handed me the phone, I stared at it for a moment, watching the time count on the call. He lied to me. Didn’t he? He at least kept important facts about his trip from me. The voice on the phone yesterday, it was hers. The dinner date was her. At least that’s where my mind was going. My thumb landed on the red circle ending the call. I felt the disconnect in my lungs. I wanted to hear his voice more than anything. I wanted him to be here. I wanted to fall asleep on his chest to the sound of his heartbeat, but he was there with her. I was here alone.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Stefan

  “I need you to pay attention.” My father said to me.

  I leaned forward, picking up the papers in front of me. “I’m here.”

  Once they started speaking again, my thoughts went back to her. Sophia should be waking up for work right now. I was going to get on the first flight out last week, but Keira convinced me that it was a bad idea. Taking my position at our company had enough contracts and paperwork to review, that my plans would fall through if I didn’t stay. I still couldn’t believe they let her go with Tristen. If he touched her in anyway...the thought of it kept taking me to a dark place that I never want to revisit. I don’t even know what's going through her mind. I just need her to be there when I get back.

  “I think it’s time for a lunch break.” One of the lawyers spoke up, catching my attention, “We can regroup after”

  I immediately stood up and walked out of the room, leaving my father and the lawyers in the room. I made my way to the lift, taking it to the ground floor. Once I got outside, I pulled my phone out and tried to call her again. The call went straight to voicemail. My jaw clenched, and I slid my phone back into my jacket.

  My father walked up behind me, “Come on, son. We’re meeting your mother for lunch.” He patted me on the shoulder.

  “If I must.” I sighed, following him to the car waiting on the street.

  When we entered the restaurant I spotted my Mum sitting at a table with Thomas. My father walked over and greeted my Mum with a kiss on the cheek. I pulled out a chair across from Thomas. “Why are there so many seats?” I asked.

  “The Donahues are joining us.” My mother smiled, as she nodded to the front door.

  I turned to look, finding Jess and her parents entering, “Why did you invite them?”

  “Stefan, you know why they are here.” She said dryly.

  “I do, but that doesn’t mean we have to entertain them too.”

  She looked at me with distaste, and then stood to greet them. “Charlotte, I'm so happy you could join us.” My mum walked up to Jessica’s mum.

  Our fathers shook hands, and pretended they actually liked each other. In reality, they both despise one another. The two companies are the only thing that forces them to associate with each other. I guess you could call them true businessmen in that sense. Fucking pricks if you ask me.

  I looked up at Jessica as she pulled out the chair next to me. Sometimes I felt bad for her. She’s in this never ending circle of our families’ personal issues that somehow became business issues. The other night was nice. She was herself for the first time in a long time. Still, it didn’t excuse how she had acted. Our families push us together, time and time again, all because of that stupid contract we signed. Why did we sign it? Impressionable 18 year olds at the time. It seemed like a great idea, why not? We were in love once. At least I thought so, until she became who she is now. The amount of things Jess has done to people in the past few years are unforgivable.

  “Hi.” She smiled at me, resting her hand on my arm.

  I pulled away and picked up the menu.

  “Don’t act like that.” She whispered.

  “Don’t pretend like we are anything more than friends.” I said curtly. “We both know I don’t want to be here.”

  “We both know you don’t have a choice.” She snapped, and opened her menu.

  “So, Stefan. How are the meetings going for you?” Jessica’s dad asked me.

  “Fine.”

  “Just fine? You should feel proud tha
t you are taking this step. I know our family is.” He placed his hand on top of Charlotte’s.

  I glared at him, “I don’t know if proud is the word I would use.”

  “Stefan, not now.” My father snapped.

  I looked at my father, then out the window. They don’t realize it, but the more they force my interaction with them, they push me further into wanting to find a loophole in this damn agreement.

  My phone began to vibrate. Jess and I both looked down at it, Sophia’s name appeared across the screen. Jess looked at me and sighed. I grabbed the phone quickly, and stood making my way outside without excusing myself.

  “Sophia?” I answered. A moment of silence lingered.

  “Hi.” Her sweet voice appeared. I hadn’t heard her voice for an entire week.

  “I’ve tried to call you.” I told her. “I sent you a new phone. Keira told me you broke yours.”

  “I know. I didn’t want to use it at first.” Her voice was distant. “After getting lost in the city 3 times, I finally gave in.”

  I let out a small laugh, “Your stubbornness never fails.”

  “I want to talk about everything, but I can’t do this over the phone.” She said.

  I could hear it. I could hear it in her voice, she was hurt. It’s taking everything in me to not leave right now and jump on a plane. I put my other hand in my pocket as a gust of cool wind blew toward me.

  “I will be home before the Gala Friday. We can talk about everything then.”

  “Ok.” She finally answered. “Promise you will be here?”

  “I promise.” I noticed my family watching me from the table.

  “I will see you on Friday.” She said. This goodbye was dry, nothing like our normal conversations.

  “Ok, I will see you then.” I started to hang up, but she stopped me.

  “Stefan…”

  “Yes?”

  “I miss you.” She said quietly.

  “I miss you too, little one.” With my last few words, she ended the call. Damn did I miss her.

  I turned to walk back inside the restaurant. My mother was watching me from the moment I walked through the door. When I got to the table, everyone had already ordered. I sat back down next to Jess, who was lost in conversation with her Mum.