“I’m sorry. Shirley sent for me.”
A worried frown snaked across her brow. “What did she want?”
“To ask a lot of nosy questions.” He caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and looked up to see Ryan headed their way. He changed the subject. “Did you have a good therapy session today?”
“I got into a fight with Darla during group.”
He glanced at Darla swinging her legs back and forth as she sat at a card table, shooting Mindy a dirty look from across the room. “All that rivalry between you and Darla should be water under the bridge by now.”
“You’d think.” Mindy sounded defensive. “She’s been snotty to me since the day I arrived.”
“You think she’s still sore about Vince?”
“Who knows? I don’t know why she would be. She’s supposedly madly in love with Rod.”
“He’s definitely in love with her. I can tell you that. Anyone else giving you a hard time?”
“No.”
“Vince say anything to you?”
“He spends his time making googly-eyes at Belinda. And I told you I don’t want anything more to do with him.”
Earl took a breath. Keeping his foot out of his mouth was getting to be a full-time occupation. “Vince is making googly eyes at Belinda?”
“He must think banging his therapist will somehow clean up his image. Or get him out of here sooner.”
Earl watched Vince, sitting at a small wooden table near the door, playing chess with Astrid. He didn’t like having the guy here; didn’t like having the guy anywhere near Mindy, or thinking about the things they might have done together during the last two years. He couldn’t imagine what had possessed Anthony Howard to send the asshole here while Mindy was still a patient. Unless it was just to piss him off. “Let’s not talk about Vince,” he said.
Mindy smirked. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” The word came out sounding like a growl. “That asshole’s lucky he didn’t end up in the La Brea Tar Pits before he got a chance to come make googly-eyes at his therapist.”
She touched his face, tracing his lips with her soft fingertip. “You’re handsome when you’re jealous. The way your jaw gets all tight and your eyes start to blaze.”
“My eyes blaze? Really?”
“Oh yes.” She nodded, looking completely serious, with just the hint of a grin playing at the corners of her mouth. “Don’t they feel hot to you?”
“Yeah. Just like everything else on my body when I’m around you.”
It was about as much foreplay as he could stand. He ached to be alone with her, someplace where he could rip away her thin cotton tank top and shorts and lose himself deep inside her. “Is there any way of being alone together?”
She shrugged, shaking her head at the same time. “Not right now. I’ll try coming by again tomorrow. If you want me to.”
“I want you to.”
Earl tried willing away his frustration. Two years of trying and failing to get over her, only to find himself back at her side, sure she still loved him, but unable to do anything about it, was eating him away from the inside out. Occasionally, he fantasized about being a Time Lord, hopping into his Tardis and travelling back in time so he could view Mindy’s childhood for himself. Maybe then he’d understand why she wouldn’t talk to him.
As it was, he found himself walking a fine line between wanting to pick back up where they’d left off and demand she just tell him whatever was keeping them apart, and being afraid to even tell her how he felt, lest he push her away again. It was frustrating. Just goddamn, fucking frustrating. “I’m sorry,” he said. “For not believing you about what you saw.”
Another flash of black caught his attention. He looked up to see Ryan making another sweep past him. Mindy noticed, too. The alarm in her eyes practically shouted the words ‘shut up.’ Unease crept into his consciousness. He really should have believed her. He cleared his throat, debating whether to say something further, but never got the chance.
A uniformed CRC employee, Dennis according to the name tag on his shirt, showed up and tapped Mindy on the arm. “Excuse me, Miss LePage. There’s someone here to see you.”
“There is?” She exchanged a puzzled glance with Earl and looked back at the guard. “Who?”
The guy looked doubtfully at Earl, then back at Mindy and shrugged his shoulders. “Him.”
Anthony Howard crossed the length of the room, wearing his hair slicked back, sporting an unnecessary pair of sunglasses and holding his arms out-stretched. “Mindy, sweetheart. Sorry it took me so long to get here and check in on you. I’ve been held up in L.A. on a big record deal. You know how it is.”
Earl got to his feet. Ire curled his fists, tempting him to take a swing. “Sure, Howard. She knows how it is. Once upon a time you cared about getting record deals for her, too.”
Anthony scowled. “I expected to find you here, Grayson. Filling her head full of nonsense. Don’t pay him any mind, honey. Just as soon as you finish cleaning up your act we’ll get you back in the studio, revving your career into high gear.”
Mindy shot Anthony a bewildered look. “What are you doing here?”
“Guess I was right about this clown trying to counter-act your progress.”
“The only one counter-acting her progress is you. I don’t know what the hell you were thinking sending her and Vince here at the same time. Now why don’t you leave? The lady clearly doesn’t want to see you.”
Anthony laughed. “I think you’ve got things backward. I’m the one who has legal guardianship over Mindy. And I would like you to leave.”
Chapter 31
Mindy’s breath caught in her throat. In the split second between Anthony’s demand and Earl’s response, she imagined Earl leaving and the hurt she would feel once he was gone. A hurt she seemed destined to feel anyway. Her heart stalled and then went to hammering while she stared at Earl and he glared at Anthony.
“Fat chance,” Earl said, hands balled into fists. “I’m here to help Mindy. And I’m not leaving until she’s better.”
And once she was better, he would be gone. He hadn’t said that exactly, but he hadn’t needed to. Why had she so stupidly thought they could rekindle what once had been? Mindy tucked her emotions back where they belonged. There was no future where they ended up together. He could never love her unless he knew the real her; the one who’d been a broken, fourteen-year-old girl who gave away her baby. And how could he possibly love that? If he knew that, he would never look at her the same way again. And that would hurt worse than walking away from him.
Earl took her hands in his. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.”
Mindy closed her eyes for just a moment, savoring the warmth of his touch.
“I think you are,” Anthony persisted. “If I have to get an Emergency Court Order to make sure of it.”
“That’s a good idea, Anthony.” A challenge sounded in Earl’s voice. “In fact, I’ll be seeing you there sooner than you think.”
“What?”
Even through the sunglasses, Mindy saw surprise widen Anthony’s eyes.
Earl uncurled his fists. “On the grounds that you’re not fit to be her guardian.”
Anthony’s face turned red, his lips twisting into an ugly snarl. “You have no proof of that.”
Earl smiled. “Really? You sent her and Vince Allan to the same rehab facility; the same Vince Allan who’s spent the last two years boozing it up with her and ruining her life.” He paused and pointed across the room at Vince. “And don’t start with your ‘Who? Me?’ bullshit, Allan. We all know it was you.”
Across the room, Vince’s mouth dropped open in surprise. He pointed at himself, shaking his head, and Mindy could see his denial in the gesture.
Earl turned back to Anthony. “And after you’re done explaining about Vince, you can explain to the judge why you think it’s a good idea to put her in a facility that’s trying to treat
her addiction by drugging her up at night. Oh yes, and then you can talk to the judge about her nightmares.”
“Nightmares?” Anthony’s brows arched up. “What nightmares?”
“Right.” Sarcasm laced Earl’s voice. “Because you’re such a good guardian, you don’t even know about the nightmares.”
A defiant sneer twisted Anthony’s face. “You really think all that baloney you just spouted is going to convince a judge to turn over guardianship to you?”
“I guess we’ll find out. I the meantime, try not to be too surprised when your lawyer calls to tell you he’s been served with my petition for your removal.”
Anthony said something back, but Mindy was no longer listening. Earl was taking Anthony to court. He wanted to be her guardian. He wasn’t just walking away.
Chapter 32
Shirley watched the images on the newly installed surveillance monitor in her office. She’d had Ryan install the equipment this afternoon. She couldn’t risk missing something important. And she didn’t want to admit her feelings for Earl to anyone. Their love affair had to appear natural; spontaneous. Not like something she’d orchestrated. But the new equipment was a double-edged sword. For all the investigative aid it offered, it also held the potential to thrust a knife into her heart every time she saw Earl cozying up to that stupid slut.
Still, she found herself unable to look away. She sat transfixed in front of the images of Earl and Mindy, stopping, pausing, rewinding. Reviewing every body movement, every facial expression, no matter how small. She listened to their words, matching them to the body language and facial expressions, paying close attention to volume, intonation, anything that might aid in deciphering the true meaning behind the words. Earl knew about Mindy’s nightmares. He knew, and he didn’t seem to be writing them off as hallucinations. With every review of the tape, her heart sank a little more. Ignorance really was bliss.
“Shirley, my dear. You busy in there?”
The knock on her office door brought a welcome distraction. Turning off the monitor and rising from her chair, she plastered a smile on her face before opening the door. “Anthony, it’s good to see you. How’s your lifestyle maintenance program going?”
He walked in, to her irritation, like he owned the place. “It’s going great. I’m following the diet Dr. Belanger prescribed, meditating daily, calling my life coach once a week and gifting ten percent of my income to the CRC cause.”
Well, there was that. She relaxed, moving to her side of the desk. “I was happy to hear you’d arrived to show your support for Mindy last night. How did your visit with her go?”
He frowned. “That prick Earl Grayson was with her when I arrived, and she ordered me to leave. I’m surprised you didn’t already know that.”
She continued to feign ignorance. “I have seven patients here who need my attention, not to mention staff to supervise, a business to run and former patients who sometimes require my services. Much as I’d like to be omnipotent, some things get by me.”
“I’m sorry. I know how many responsibilities you have.” He hung his head half a second before bringing his gaze back to hers. “I guess it’s unrealistic to think you know every problem I have before I’ve told you. Although you certainly do seem to know about most of them.”
She nodded. “Is that why you’ve come? To tell me about your visit with Mindy?”
“Earl has initiated proceedings to have me removed as Mindy’s guardian.”
She knew, and she didn’t like it either, but their interests were only partially-aligned. He had no business ordering Earl to leave. She had plans for Earl. “You say he’s initiated legal proceedings. Do you know this for a fact?”
“I know him well enough to know he doesn’t bluff.”
That’s what she was afraid of. Worse, it meant Earl lied to her about the phone call he’d had with his attorney. Had her gushing like a fool about some non-existent Storm Jackson movie. That part really pissed her off. “What’s best for Mindy is the only thing I can concern myself with,” she said carefully.
“Shirley, I need your help with this.” Anthony’s voice rose. “I need you to intervene on my behalf in this matter.”
She quickly raced through the alternatives. Anthony as Mindy’s guardian gave her control of Mindy, but might lose her proximity to Earl. Anthony wanted to chase Earl away. “I would have to consider your request carefully.”
“You’re talking like you might not help me out with this.” His cheeks reddened. “You know, Shirley, you owe me.”
She raised an eyebrow, amazed at his audacity. “I do?”
His face deepened to scarlet. “I’ve brought three patients to this place since I checked out, including luring Vince here with a record deal I didn’t want to give him. And I’ve given CRC a lot of money.”
“That would be in accordance with your lifestyle re-programming.” She spoke slowly, quietly. “Remember, helping others achieve inner peace through CRC’s teachings is something you do for yourself.”
“I know that.”
She saw him take a deep breath and continued on speaking in the same slow, quiet manner. “Remember to program your emotional responses.”
He took several more deep breaths.
“That’s good. Now remember how we discussed my knowledge of how you embezzled your clients’ funds, and how that’s privileged information?”
He nodded and continued breathing, despite a slight tensing of his jaw. “Yeah.”
“Of course you do.” She smiled, pleased with his response. “Your secrets are safe with me because of my professionalism. If I were called into court and forced to answer questions under oath, there’s no telling what I might have to reveal. That might not be in your best interest. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes.” He glared at her.
“Now that you’ve calmed down, let’s consider some of our other options regarding this situation.”
“I can’t think of any other options.”
In that moment inspiration struck, as it frequently did. “What about Vince?” she asked.
“Vince?” He scratched the rapidly-thinning dark hair on top of his head. “I got him here, didn’t I? And I told him I wanted him cleaned up and publicly romancing Mindy in exchange for that record deal. Even though I don’t get why you want that. I told you, those two are toxic together.”
Once more Shirley understood why the world so desperately needed her. People were just too clueless for their own good. “Vince was in love with her, wasn’t he?” She remembered from their previous conversation he didn’t think so, but she tried planting the idea in his brain.
Anthony shrugged. “If you can call it that.”
“What do you mean?”
“It wasn’t love with those two, Shirley.” He threw his hands in the air, shaking his head at her like she’d gone insane. “Just more of a convenience thing, you know. Someone to screw and do drugs with. As soon as I called him about coming here and getting cleaned up, he was all over it, promising me he’d fly right and stop with all the Mindy drama.”
“Did you ask him to do that?” She didn’t trust Anthony to see the wisdom in her plans.
“No. I told you, I told him to get cleaned up and publicly romance the broad. He’s the one who volunteered he was done with her. He’d already made his mind up about that when they landed in Aspen and she took off in a taxi. Do you have any idea what you’re asking me to do? Hook up two people who are not in love and don’t want to be together anymore. I’m not a miracle worker, you know.”
“Oh.” Shirley didn’t like that news, but she held her disappointment behind the mask of a poker face. “What about having each other to support one another’s sobriety?”
Anthony laughed. “Those two are about as likely to support each other’s sobriety as a porn flick is to win an Academy Award. Mindy wasn’t even into heavy partying before she hooked up with Vince. And threatening to expose my secrets isn’t going to make those two want to be together.
Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”
“I do.” She spoke a bit too curtly, so she quickly followed the comment up with a smile. “You’ve offered Mr. Allan a record contract, a chance to get his career back on track. You must have some influence with him where Mindy is concerned. His support right now could really be beneficial to her.”
“I don’t see how Vince can be much of a support to anyone until he gets own act together.”
Shirley considered everything he’d said, unable to let go of her latest idea. But pushing too hard for something most recovery specialists would advice against might be a bad idea. If Earl did get a court hearing, she didn’t want CRC coming under negative scrutiny. It had to seem to the outside world like Vince and Mindy were a couple by their own design. “There must be some way you can convince him to work it out with her.”
“Hell, I don’t know. I mean, what the fuck difference does it make anyway? I don’t see how bringing Vince and Mindy back together helps me with this Earl problem.”
That was exactly the problem. Her influence right now didn’t extend as far as she would like. “Watch your language, Anthony. Hell is one thing, but I have to draw the line at the f-word.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Good. Now, think about it. Why is Earl here in the first place?”
“Because he’s still got the hots for Mindy. Apparently he regrets dumping her two years ago. Duh.”
She hated hearing it said aloud. And like it was so obvious anyone could see it. Still, she couldn’t let that distract her. “How badly do you think Earl is going to want to become Mindy’s guardian if she and Vince patch things up and she starts fooling around with him right under his nose?”
A smile wiped the frown from Anthony’s face. “Shirley, my dear, you are a genius.”
True.
“You know, you’re right,” he continued on. “I’m a smart and influential man. I will find a way to get Vince Allan to patch things up with Mindy. I have to get back to L.A. on business, but I’ll call him every night and see if I can’t start nudging him in that direction.”
Redemption (Desire Never Dies) Page 15