The Day He Came Back

by Ward, Penelope

  We’d made a lot of progress in our ability to get along today, and I wanted to do something to further break the ice. Remembering the days I’d played music to send her messages, I took out my phone and pulled up “Ice Cream Girl” by Sean Kingston. I blasted it. Even if she couldn’t hear it or didn’t get what I was doing, I suppose I was entertaining myself after a long day.

  ***

  The following afternoon, Raven and I were in the kitchen while Dad was napping upstairs.

  The doorbell rang.

  “Are you expecting someone?” she asked.

  Shaking my head, I said, “No.”

  I heard Genevieve open the door and say, “Can I help you?”

  I peeked around the corner and caught sight of blond hair just as her voice registered.

  It couldn’t be. I’d just spoken to her yesterday.

  Then I saw her face.

  When Paige spotted me, she lifted her arms in the air. “Surprise! I used up the rest of my vacation. Screw it. I hopped on a plane. I missed you too much to last a whole month.”

  I had no time to grasp what was happening before Paige engulfed me in a hug.

  My mouth hung open. “Wow. This is certainly a surprise.” My heart pounded.

  “I knew you’d tell me not to come. I hope you’re okay with me surprising you. I just couldn’t stay away. I want to be here for you.” She wheeled her suitcase to the corner before returning to me and wrapping her arms around my neck.

  Looking over Paige’s shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Raven, who’d emerged from the kitchen. She looked like she’d seen a ghost as she watched Paige embrace me.

  Sweat dotted my forehead. I pulled back and took Paige’s hand as we walked toward Raven. I forced out the words that were unavoidable.

  “Raven, this is my fiancée, Paige.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  * * *

  RAVEN

  His fiancée.

  Paige.

  His fiancée.

  His fiancée.

  Say something.

  Clearing my throat, I said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

  She flashed her beautiful white teeth. “Likewise.”

  Not only did she have a gorgeous British accent, but Paige was blond, blue-eyed perfection. She looked like an older version of the girls who used to hang out by the pool back in the day, but also a little like Baby Spice from the Spice Girls.

  He turned to her. “Raven is my father’s nurse.”

  Yup. That’s all I am. Nothing to see here.

  Her expression changed. “Your name…is Raven?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s so ironic.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  She looked at him then back at me. “The prototype robot our company first designed was named Raven. Gavin named it.”

  What?

  I gave him a questioning look. His eyes seared into mine, but he didn’t say anything.

  Holy shit. “Wow,” I said. “That’s so...weird.”

  “I know. Very strange coincidence.” She smiled. “Anyway, it’s great to meet you.”

  “You, too.” I looked from Gavin to her to the massive rock on her finger. I’m gonna be sick. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to tend to Mr. M.”

  I ran up the stairs as fast as I could. Retreating to the bathroom, I shut the door and let out a shaky breath. Gavin had a fiancée. He was getting married. He was taken—for life. Any hope of rekindling anything was over. And what was that other thing about? Gavin had named a robot after me? He had been thinking of me over the years. But that was insignificant now. Because it was too late.

  Too late.

  Too late.

  Too late.

  I looked down at my trembling hands. I hadn’t realized until this moment how much I’d been holding out hope that Gavin and I would find our way back to each other. How stupid to think a catch like him would still be single.

  Mr. M would be waking up any minute. I needed to shake myself off and tend to him. I was his nurse. And nothing more. Despite feeling empty inside, I splashed water over my face, put on my big girl panties, and did my damn job.

  ***

  I tried my best to keep away from everyone but Mr. M for the rest of the day and prayed I wouldn’t run into Gavin and Paige on my way out. But once again, I had no choice but to go through the kitchen where I kept my belongings.

  Gavin was alone when I entered. He looked tense and had a glass of wine in his hand as he leaned against the counter.

  I couldn’t even look at him. “Sorry to interrupt. I’m just gonna grab my keys and go.”

  “You’re not interrupting. I was waiting for you.”

  My heart clenched.

  “Where’s your girlfriend…uh…fiancée?”

  “She’s napping before dinner. You know, the time difference and all.”

  “Ah. Right.” After what felt like the longest moment of silence ever, I said, “Well, I should let you be. I’ll ju—”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t mention her,” he said.

  “You don’t owe me an explanation.”

  “I know, but given our history, I should have said something. I was going to. There just never seemed to be a right time.”

  My eyes stayed glued to the floor. “No worries.”

  “She really surprised me in coming here.”

  “Well, clearly she couldn’t live without you.” I know what that’s like.

  “About the robot thing…” he said.

  I finally looked up at him. “Yeah. What was that all about?”

  “I did name the prototype after you. I don’t know why. I don’t want you to think I was—”

  “That you were still in love with me?” I blurted.

  He blinked a few times. “Yeah. I mean...on some level, I guess I’ve always carried around a piece of you, even when I didn’t want to think about you. I suppose turning you into technology was an ode to my experience, the good and the bad. You made a big impression on my life in a short amount of time. And needless to say, I never thought I’d see you again, so I didn’t plan for you to find out about it. It was just my little secret…not so secret anymore, I guess.”

  “You didn’t tell her, did you? About us?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  Not yet? “Good. I don’t want the awkwardness. Nothing good can come from her knowing.”

  “I haven’t had time to process how to handle it. If you prefer I don’t tell her while she’s here, I won’t. But I have to be honest with her at some point.”

  “Yes. I really do prefer that you not say anything right now.”

  “Okay.”

  When the weight of his stare became too much to bear, I said, “Anyway...I’d better get going.”

  “Have somewhere to be?”

  I told the truth. “I have a date.”

  A couple of weeks ago, before Gavin’s arrival, I’d arranged a date for tonight with a man I’d met on a dating app. At the time, he was headed out of town on a business trip and said he’d be returning today. I’d totally forgotten about the prescheduled date until he messaged me a reminder this afternoon. I was in no mood to go, but given what happened today, I was going to force myself. The distraction would be much needed.

  “Oh. Okay.” He set his glass down. “Boyfriend?”

  “No. I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment. But I’m meeting someone for dinner.”

  Gavin nodded slowly.

  “Anyway, have a nice night,” I said.

  “I was going to tell you to be safe, but who am I kidding? You’ll kick his ass.” He smiled, and it was like a knife to my heart.

  As much as I knew I needed to go, I didn’t want to leave Gavin, and that was fucked up. I’d never thought I could suffer a second heartbreak when it came to him. But that’s exactly what was happening.

  ***

  Outside, I was fishing through my purse for my keys when a man wearing black seemed to appear from the bushes.

 
; He jumped in front of me. “Boo!”

  Scared shitless, without thinking, I twisted around and kicked him before pinning him down.

  “What the fuck?” he yelled from under me.

  “Who are you?”

  “Who the fuck are you?”

  “I work here.”

  “Well, this is my house,” he said.

  What?

  The smell of alcohol registered on his breath. I looked into his eyes and recognized him.

  Oh my God. “Weldon?” I let him go.

  “The one and only.” He stood.

  My, had he changed. His hair was long and shaggy. He had a mustache and beard. I would never have recognized him from afar.

  “I didn’t recognize you. I’m sorry. I thought you were about to mug me.”

  He squinted his eyes. “Wait a minute. I do know you. You’re the girl who ripped my brother’s heart out.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. “It’s Raven, yeah.”

  “I heard he’s home. But what are you doing here? Are you fucking with his head again?”

  “I work here, Weldon. I didn’t know your brother was coming home.”

  “What do you mean work here? You took your old maid job back?”

  “No. I’m a private nurse. I was assigned here six months ago to look after your father. It’s a long story, but he thinks I’m my mother, Renata. And I’ve never had the heart to tell him the truth or remind him that she’s dead.”

  “No shit? That’s wild.” He looked over at the house. “Anyway, I’m…sorry about your mother. I never had a chance to tell you.”

  “Thank you. And I’m sorry about yours.”

  “You’re a good liar,” he scoffed.

  “I actually am sorry, Weldon.”

  “Well, thank you. I still haven’t gotten over it.”

  Apparently. “Does your brother know you’re here?”

  “Nah. I didn’t tell anyone I was coming. Gavin wasn’t answering his phone, so called his office in London. They told me he flew down here. So I figured why not make it a family affair? I was due for a visit to dear old Dad anyway.” He took a flask out of his jacket. “How many marbles has he lost exactly?”

  I watched him take a sip. “Your father has retained a lot of his memory, but he’s suffering from dementia, and every day is different. You’ll have to see for yourself.”

  “Fuck. I thought I had enough reason to drink. Being here might drive me over the edge.”

  “From the looks of things, I think it will do you some good to be with your family.”

  He chuckled as he closed the flask. “Did my brother shit a brick when he saw you?”

  “It was quite a shock for both of us.”

  “Awkward, eh?”

  “Well, awkward was when his fiancée showed up this afternoon.”

  “No fucking way. Fiancée? Jackass didn’t tell me he was with anyone, let alone engaged.”

  “Yeah. Don’t say anything about me to her, though. She just knows I’m the nurse.”

  “She doesn’t know you ripped my brother’s heart out?”

  “Please stop saying that.”

  “Why? It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

  My eyes felt watery. This was not an opportune moment to get emotional. It had been a really long day.

  “Why do you look like you’re about to cry?” He squinted. “You still have feelings for him?”

  “No,” I lied.

  “You single?”

  “Yes.” I needed to escape this conversation. I rushed to open my car door. “Uh…I have to go. Enjoy your time with your family.”

  I slammed it shut and started the ignition as fast as I could.

  ***

  My date ended up being a dud. Not that I expected a success story, considering I was incapable of focusing on anything other than Gavin getting married. But this guy spent the entire time talking about himself with no interest in anything I had to say. He was definitely interested in having sex, though. That he made very clear when he tried to come home with me. Sadly, that was the same experience I’d had the last few times I’d tried online dating.

  The following day, I found myself hanging out by the pool with Mr. M so he could spend time outside with his kids. I’d avoided encouraging it, but when he requested to join them, I sucked up my pride and accompanied him.

  The second I appeared at the French doors leading outside, Weldon smirked. I hoped to God he didn’t out me to Paige.

  I could feel Gavin’s eyes on me as I helped Mr. M into his lounger. I took the seat next to him and gazed out at the pool, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

  “Gavin, why don’t you take Raven and go for a two-hour Starbucks run? I feel like some coffee.”

  Weldon was clearly just as much of a shit stirrer as he’d always been.

  My heart pounded.

  Gavin glared at him. “If coffee were all you were drinking today, I’d be very surprised.”

  “Touché, brother.”

  At one point, Paige moved from her seat onto the edge of Gavin’s before placing her head on his chest. Seeing the two of them like that made my skin crawl. Her golden hair was splayed out across him, and she looked so content. A flashback of myself doing the very same thing during our one weekend alone here came to mind. I had to turn away.

  Paige’s voice startled me. “So, Raven, how long have you worked here?”

  I answered without looking at her. “A little over six months.”

  “Renata worked for us for many years before returning,” Gavin clarified.

  Paige grimaced apologetically. “Well, it’s nice to see Gavin’s dad so well taken care of.”

  Weldon chimed in, “I might say the same about my brother. Seems like you’re taking care of him just fine, Paige. Who knew he had an old ball and chain back in England? Certainly not me. Guess I’m the last to know anything around here.”

  “Well, if you’d answer my fucking calls maybe I’d be able to fill you in on my life,” Gavin snapped.

  Paige looked surprised. Needless to say, their volatile dynamic came as no shock to me.

  With a smug look, Weldon turned his attention toward me. “So, Renata, do you have plans tonight?”

  What’s he getting at? “Excuse me?”

  “I have tickets to see School of Rock at the Kravis Center. A friend of mine is starring in it. I have no one to go with. And seeing as though you’re single, and I’m single...”

  “How do you know she’s single?” Gavin barked.

  “She told me last night during our chat outside, right after she pinned me to the ground because she thought I was going to carjack her.”

  Gavin looked over at me, and for a moment I could have sworn he was pissed.

  “Renata has better things to do than accompany a drunk to a musical,” Gavin snapped.

  Then the weirdest thing happened. Weldon looked downright sad, like he’d taken Gavin’s comment to heart. It miffed me a little that Gavin had answered on my behalf. I knew he was just jabbing at his brother, but the more I watched Paige all over him, the more I lost my mind.

  I probably needed my head checked, but I said, “Actually, School of Rock is one of my favorites. I wouldn’t mind going to see it.”

  Weldon sat straighter. “Yeah?” He smiled. “Well, alright, then.”

  What am I doing?

  “I’d say pick you up at seven, but I’m carless at the moment,” he said.

  “You won’t be picking anyone up drunk,” Gavin scolded.

  “I’ll drive,” I said.

  Weldon flashed a satisfied grin. “Cool.”

  Gavin wore a scowl for the remainder of our time outside.

  After he and Paige went upstairs, Weldon turned to me and said, “He’s probably gone to fuck you out of his system.”

  Oh my God. “Could you lower your voice if you’re going to say stuff like that? Your father might hear.”

  Thankfully, Mr. M had nodded off in his chair.

/>   Weldon cracked up. “Could this family be any more dysfunctional? My apparently engaged brother still has it for you. I can see it in his eyes. Meanwhile, my father has it for you, too, but only because he always had it for your mother, who’s now dead, except he thinks you’re her. And me? I’m just drunk and watching it all go down, while I’m sure my mother is rolling around in her grave.”

  Well, ain’t that the truth.

  ***

  I went home quickly to change before returning to the house to pick up Weldon for the show.

  The more time that passed, the more I regretted saying yes to this. It was a stupid decision made out of jealousy and spite.

  When I arrived to meet Weldon, Gavin answered the door. He looked no happier about this than he had earlier.

  “Hello,” I said.

  He didn’t say anything, just swallowed as he took me in.

  I wore a black dress that might have been overkill for a musical. But it definitely showed off my legs. And yes, I wanted Gavin to eat his heart out a little.

  “Are you mad because I’m going with Weldon to the show?”

  Gavin clenched his jaw. “You know he’s trying to fuck with me. You went right along with it.”

  “I guess I went along with it because you answered on my behalf. It’s been an emotionally draining few days. I almost canceled on him, but then I figured, why not go and enjoy the show? Try to get my mind off of things.”

  He stared at me for a few seconds. “You know what? You’re right. I don’t have a right to be mad about this. I just can’t seem to help it. Old habits die hard, I guess.”

  “You don’t have to worry. I know I don’t owe you an explanation, but I would never date your brother, Gavin.”

  Despite the current state of affairs, I knew I was the one who’d hurt him a decade ago. I couldn’t stand the thought of him thinking I would do that again.

  Paige entered the room, interrupting our conversation. I straightened my posture as she got closer.

  She looked me over and noticed my purse. “You look nice, Raven. Is that vintage? A Fendi?”