Richard huffed on the phone. “Dude, the clock is ticking. You have only one more day. When women are mad, it’s gonna take a miracle to make them not mad at you.”
“I’m guessing you speak from experience?” I teased.
Chapter Nine – Lindsey
I couldn’t even face my own damn apartment.
As soon as we came back from Canada I went to a hotel. Samantha was welcomed to stay even though she bugged the shit out of me sometimes.
But for some reason, she insisted that she was okay and left me by myself.
Did she forget that I told her the man asked me to marry him?
I was fucking heart broken.
Oh well, that was Samantha. I was at least grateful she told me.
I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling. There was nothing about Gordon that would’ve signaled anything about him being an abusive man. I looked for the signs, and I didn’t find them.
But I remember when Samantha came to my condo with a black eye. She never said his name…until now.
This was for the better. Look at me. I went and fucked up. I did the very thing I vowed never to do; get a broken heart.
I played with the fire and hell, I got burnt. The aching in my chest wouldn’t go away. So, I propped myself off of the bed and slipped on my regular wear around dress. I had to go to work anyways.
Bar Seven. I thought I was going to leave this place behind. Oh well. Being an independent woman with a nice body still had its perks. I wasn’t broke, and things were still salvageable.
Ed let me in early and I made my way to the bar.
“Hey, back so soon?” Lemmy, one of the newest bartenders asked me.
“Yeah. You know us girls. We make mistakes and come crawling back home,” I sighed. “Shot of whiskey while you’re at it.”
He frowned. “Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good at all. Are you sure you want to drink before—”
“Lemmy, spare me the speech. Whisky. Now. Please, before I go crazy.”
He sighed and whipped up my drink in a flash. For once I was thankful to be back in darker settings. The lights were dim, and the smell of alcohol soothed my mind.
I downed my drink, savoring that sting that burned the back of my throat.
“God that was good.”
“Drinking your problems away, huh? What happened to good ole girl gossip?” said a familiar voice from behind me.
I turned around and saw Willow and Stacy.
My mouth dropped. “Stacy, you’re supposed to be on a honeymoon, what gives?”
“You, silly!” she pouted. She rubbed her slight baby bump and sat down on one side while Willow sat on the other side of me at the bar.
“We heard you and Gordon up and disappeared. We’ve been trying to contact you. We were worried,” Willow said.
“Sorry you two. I just…found out something about Gordon…”
“What was it?” Stacy asked, rubbing my back.
“He was the man Samantha dated last year. She got a black eye because of him.”
Willow and Stacy gasped. “Him? That sounds…wow. Shit.”
“Yeah, shit is more like it.”
Willow rubbed her forehead. “I’m gonna need a drink too. None for you, pregnant lady,” she said to Stacy. Stacy stuck her tongue out and we all laughed.
“Plus,” I added in, “the smell is gonna get to you. So, you two make it quick so you can get to safer grounds.”
Willow ordered a glass of champagne and Stacy took water and lemon.
“So, do you believe her?” Stacy asked. “Your sister?”
Damn. They had to ask that question.
Because a part of me didn’t. But then, it still kinda added up. She had a black eye. She was dating a rich guy, from what she said.
I didn’t know if the part of me that didn’t believe her was because I had feelings for Gordon or if it was because I didn’t trust my sister.
She was a pest. But could she really go that far?
“Lindsey?” Stacy poked my shoulder.
“Oh, well. I don’t even know. You two are gonna make my head hurt with these questions.” I slumped over with my elbows on the bar counter.
Urgh.
“Sorry, Lindsey. We just want to make sure you know the full truth before you walk away from something so big.”
“Big like marriage?” I asked, frowning.
“Yes. That. You two looked so—”
I got off the bar stool and scratched my head. “You two are the best. But I got to go and start warming up.”
I planted a kiss on Stacy’s head and gave Willow a hug.
“Stacy, keep that baby safe, and Willow, make sure you relax.”
I sashayed off to the back where my stripper clothes were waiting. I did a couple of stretches along with the rest of the dancers and picked the track I wanted to dance to.
Did I trust Stacy? Or Gordon?
Fuck. Why did that question have to slap me in the damn face?
***
The night was over faster than it began. I changed back into my regular clothes and headed out the back door. I didn’t feel like bumping into any ‘fans’. That never ended well.
“Lindsey!” a voice called out.
I turned around and saw a familiar looking man standing in the alley, coming out of the darkness.
“Whoa, I got mace and pepper spray, and let me tell you neither feels or tastes good,” I warned, backing up and digging in my purse.
Suddenly I could see his face.
“Hey wait, aren’t you Gordon’s friend?”
“Yes, I’m Richard, and I came to talk to you.”
We walked to the main street where there were more lights.
“How’d you find me?” I asked.
“I can find anyone,” he bragged, smiling.
“Okay, get to the point. What do you want? And if you can find people so easily, why isn’t Gordon here?”
I crossed my arms and glared at Richard.
“Listen. He’s waiting for you at your apartment. The man won’t move. He’s in love, and he’s not a wife beater.”
“How would you know?” Richard’s face tensed.
“Because, I have been his best friend since we were both young boys. I know him. And he needs you.”
I kept walking at a brisker pace. “Needs me for his money you mean.”
“So, he told you about that too?”
“Yeah.”
“So, he was being upfront with you?”
I stopped and snapped around. “Look, my sister had a black eye—”
“Your sister is a gold digging liar. And I can prove it.”
It began to rain, and all the confidence I had in Samantha began to break even more. Proof?
Why would she lie?
“Gold digger?”
Cars passed us on the road, making it feel colder than it was. Maybe that little voice in the back of my head was right. But I wasn’t going to stick to any side until I saw this proof.
“Where is this proof?”
Richard glanced down at his smart watch on his wrist.
“Go to Eliza Vent’s place. Ask her about your sister.”
I shook my head. “No, she would’ve told me as soon as she fucked up with someone.”
“Yeah, if she used your last name. She signed up as Samantha Price, not Wilson. And she didn’t list you as a relative on the application.”
My mouth dropped. That sounded like something she’d do. And we didn’t really share similar looks or features since we had two wildly different styles…I never even talked about Samantha around Eliza.
“I have to go. Search for the truth. Don’t let it scare you.”
Richard got into a car that was parked and sped off.
He had a point. I had a right to know the truth, no matter how bad it might seem.
***
There was another mixer going on full of young pretty girls ready to make a buck, and millionaires and billionaires looking for a quick fuck. I would’ve
been here for one. But I had to find out some things before I was back out on the market as a single girl again…
Here’s hoping that I wouldn’t…
“Eliza,” I called out, waving her down from the middle of the floor. She was talking to some men and her eyes lit up when she saw me. She came sashaying down the small steps that were lit up with tiny star like lights. She held her arms out and squeezed me in a tight hug.
“Darling, you’re back. How’d that wedding party go? Did Gordon treat you nicely?”
I sighed. “Eliza. We need to sit down and talk. Bring some vodka or something, because I think you’re gonna have to tell me something I really am not prepared to hear.”
Eliza’s face went pale. “What do you mean? Did something happen?”
She pulled me to the side and we went into a private room that had a mini bar.
She closed the door and went over to pull out some drinks.
“Tell me, what’s going on?”
We sat down on a black velvet couch and I inhaled and exhaled.
‘Breathe, Lindsey,’ I coached myself.
“Do you remember anyone named Samantha Price?”
Eliza’s shoulders sunk. “Her? Did she come back around?!”
“She’s my sister. And her name isn’t Samantha Price, but Samantha Wilson.”
Eliza placed her hand over her mouth as she sat back further into the couch.
“Good God. That was your sister? Why didn’t you ever tell me you had one?”
I threw my head back and closed my eyes. “I didn’t think she was much worth mentioning. She’s a spoiled brat, you know? But I don’t want to see her harmed, as selfish as she is sometimes. Tell me. Is it true?” I looked back at Eliza. “Did Gordon give her that black eye?”
Eliza got up and looked out the window. “No, Gordon didn’t give her that black eye. It was a female client she was going out with that gave her that black eye.”
“I see. Why would she lie about Gordon then?”
“Because she went out with him, and he found out she was nothing but a gold digger and got rid of her. She has that pattern. That’s why she’s not allowed here ever again.”
I downed the rest of my drink and took out my phone. She was going to get a fucking earful out of me.
“How dare she. Now I know what happened. She didn’t want to see anyone with her meal ticket. So, she lied to me to make me leave.”
Eliza nodded her head remorsefully and offered me another drink.
“I hate when I get clients like her. Lucky for you there’s no real resemblance.”
I turned down the drink and dialed her number. “I’m good Eliza. I’ll have to scrape up some sobriety and get this shit handled, and tonight.”
The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer.
I looked in my contacts and there was a second number for her. She was always changing her phone number, kind of like me. I guess that was the only thing we shared in common.
I called the other number, and the old disconnect message played.
‘If you want to find another business similar to this one—’
I hung up and massaged my temples.
“She’s not answering?” Eliza asked me.
“No. She might be stupid, but she’s also smart as hell too. She just uses it for all the wrong fucking things.”
I jumped to my feet. Sitting here wasn’t going to help anything.
“Eliza, thank you. And I’m sorry she did all that shit under your business’s name. She’ll get what’s coming to her.”
“I know. You just go and be happy. Get your man,” Eliza encouraged, shining an elegant smile.
“You need to get one too Ms. Matchmaker.” I winked and disappeared through the door.
***
Hopping off the bus, I jogged up the stairs and opened the door. The strangest thing happened. The scent of Gordon wafted by my nose and I looked around. What was that?
Then the emotions flooded in. I felt the gravity of how much I missed him. How much my eyes needed to see him, how much my ears needed to hear him and how much my skin needed to feel him.
I went up the stairs, but the closer I got to my floor, the better I heard a familiar voice.
“Samantha, no. You need to stay away. Lindsey’s going to find out the truth.”
I stuck my ear closer to the edge of the door that led to the hallway from the stairs. That was Gordon’s voice.
“Oh, come on. You know you liked the way I spent your money. Plus, she’s nothing but a classless whore. She doesn’t deserve you.”
Wow, what a way to stab your sister through the heart. I knew we weren’t the closest. But damn. A classless whore? Shit.
Chapter Ten – Gordon
“Classless is the word I would’ve used for you, Samantha,” I growled. She was only here to see if she could sink her teeth back into my wallet like she had done before. This time it was different, Lindsey was different. I found a woman I needed in my life, I finally found love, and no one was going to get in the way of that. I had been standing here for about three hours, and I’d stand here another three if I had to.
Even at the risk of losing everything.
“You might as well leave, Samantha, you’ve already lost this battle. It doesn’t matter how many lies—”
“You told me,” Lindsey cut in, coming from around the corner. “I was still bound to find out because unlike you, I still listen to my heart. Funny, because I didn’t know I still had one. I know you don’t.”
My eyes widened, and a happiness brewed inside me as if I had won the world over a thousand times.
“What?!” Samantha squeaked. “He’s the one who hit me, you saw that black eye! You—”
Lindsey held up her hand.
“You’re a spoiled little brat sometimes. But this time you’re being nothing short of a lying, manipulative bitch. I spoke to Eliza. Eliza Vent. I think you know who I’m talking about.”
Samantha took a step back and closed her mouth. It was deeply embedded in her eyes. She knew she was caught. The truth was going to come out whether she liked it or not.
“Eliza’s a liar too. She lets men abuse her—”
“Oh please. You’re going to go lie about her too? How pathetic. It’s like Gordon said, you already lost. Apologize right now,” Lindsey demanded, stepping closer to Samantha with a seething rage in her eyes. “I almost made a bad decision following you. The funny thing is, I should’ve already known. But I still gave your ass the benefit of a doubt.”
Lindsey was fierce in the way she approached Samantha who was cowering back. Her curves were exaggerated with her personality, and all I wanted to do was open her apartment and fuck her so hard she’d be unable to walk for a week.
Folding her arms and jutting out a hip. Lindsey glared Samantha in the eyes.
“You’ve done it before too. That’s why you were banned from every going to Eliza’s mixers ever again. Why do you do this?”
Samantha closed her mouth and straightened up her posture. She looked at me and back at Lindsey as if one of us were supposed to cut her some slack, or feel sorry for her.
Fat fucking chance.
“Fine. If this is the way it’s going to be, then I don’t need to be around you anymore,” Samantha said, tearing up. She slipped past me and Lindsey and ran down the stairs. The battle was fought, and it was won.
“Lindsey,” I sighed, grabbing her and bringing her close to my body. The floral scent of her hair raised up to my nose and I inhaled it back as if I were drinking a shot of whiskey.
Her soft body up against mine washed me over with relief and peace of mind.
“I’m happy I have you back. I apologize—”
“Oh stop. This wasn’t your fault. I’m partially to blame too.” I rocked her against my body as we stood in the hallway and soaked in each other’s presence. Lindsey was the apple of my eye, and fuck, she was mine forever now.
“How is that?” I asked, stroking her red
hair. I wondered if this was natural color or not. But further looking at her roots proved that she was a natural redhead.
Perfection.
“Well, I vowed to never get a broken heart. To never fall in love. But you came in and broke all my rules.” She glanced up at me and placed her hand on my jaw, feeling the stubble on it tickle her hand. “A part of me was hoping Samantha was correct while the other part of me knew she was lying. I thought it was my safety net. My reason to be free.” She sighed and shook her head. “I wasn’t free. I was enclosed and locked in a lie. You’re the perfect guy, Gordon. And I really love you.”
“I love you too, Lindsey. Does that mean,” I dug into my pocket and got out the ring, “you won’t mind wearing this on that sexy finger of yours again?”
“Not at all, rich guy.”
She handed me her left hand and I slipped the ring onto her satin smooth finger. I kissed her hand and she shivered.
“Well, let me open this door. Maybe I can whip something up for you.”
Lindsey fiddled with her keys struggling to open the door. The scent of air fresheners and a hint of cigarettes wafted out into the hall way as she pushed the door open. I’d have to get her to quit that nasty habit sooner or later.
I followed her inside and she threw her jacket onto her small sofa.
“Make yourself at home, babe, and I’ll—”
That was when it struck me. I still had time. But only if…
“Lindsey, I hate to interrupt you. And this is all your choice, but do you mind helping me keep my business?”
“Sure. Of course. Why?”
“Because if you do, we need to leave now. But. That’s only if you want to. I still have money of my own. I wouldn’t—”
She placed a finger on my lips. “Oh, come on. I know what it’s like to have something you’re passionate about. If you wanted a wife for money alone, fuck, you could’ve found one a long time ago.” She grabbed my hand. “I hope you brought your car.”
“No, I didn’t. But there’s a garage nearby where I keep spare cars in case of emergencies like this!” I said.
I stopped her at the door and dove down for a kiss. Then we were out the door like two kids running and having fun.
Hold Onto Me_A Secret Baby Romance Page 106