by Todd, E. L.
“Which is the point,” he said sarcastically.
“Shut up and let me finish! He’ll leave Monnique. That would hurt her so much. She might even leave him because of it.”
“No offense to Monnique, but her mom is already dead. No amount of crying will change that. You are still alive and we need to keep it that way. Cortland would agree.”
“No. I can’t do that to him.”
“So you’re just going to lie?”
“Ryan, he’s so happy with her. I don’t want to ruin what he has because of this. I know he would pick me in light of the situation.”
He sighed. “I would like to have the backup, Scar.”
“No. Don’t tell him.”
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“If I don’t draw a line for him, he can’t cross it. If he doesn’t support Monnique through this tragedy, she’ll never forgive him. That will always be a rough patch in their relationship if they decide to stay together.”
“This is more important, Scar.”
“No. I love Cortland. I won’t do that to him. You’ll just have to deal with it.”
He growled. “Your selflessness is really fucking annoying.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Promise me you won’t say anything.”
“No.”
“What?”
“I won’t say anything. I don’t need to promise you shit. My word is good enough.”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah.” He turned away and walked back into the kitchen.
Cortland eyed us for a moment. “So, everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Ryan said quickly. “I need a favor.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Can you run the store for about a week?”
He stared at him incredulously. “Wait. What? I don’t know how to ink. I’m make your clients bleed to death.”
“I said run the store, not draw ink.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Take care of the money. That’s it.”
“So I take the money and you ink?”
“Well, no. I won’t be around. I’m having a friend of mine work for me. His shop has been pretty slow. He’ll take eighty percent of the commission. I need you to make sure he doesn’t take more.”
“Where will you be?”
“In New York.”
“Why?”
Ryan paused for a moment. He was never a good liar. “I’m meeting Janice’s family.”
“For a week? Can you wait until the weekend?”
“Her—uncle died,” he said quickly.
“Oh,” he said sadly. “Sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Yeah.” Ryan averted his gaze, unable to keep a straight face.
“Why can’t Scarlet run the shop? She’s done it before. No offense, but I already have a full time job and I have Monnique who really needs me right now.”
“Please just do it,” Ryan said.
“Hire someone.”
“I don’t trust anyone. You are the only I can have complete confidence in.”
Cortland shifted his weight to the other foot and thought for a moment. “Yeah okay.”
Ryan clapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”
“You owe me.”
“You want me to teach Monnique a few things?” he asked with a smile.
“I can still change my mind, you asshole.”
Ryan raised his hands. “Sorry, sorry.” He walked back to the table and sat beside Monnique, listening to her talk about her mom and the funeral. I felt bad for not being able to attend. Monnique wasn’t just Cortland’s girlfriend. She was part of our family.
Cortland stared at me, gauging my features. “Where’s Sean?”
“He’s at work,” I lied.
“Why can’t he watch the store?”
“He’s coming with us.”
“Why does everyone need to meet Janice’s family?” he asked with a laugh.
“Sean and I are gonna see his parents while we’re out there.”
“But you were just there.”
I shrugged. “Well, Sean misses them.”
I could tell Cortland wasn’t buying it. He studied my gaze, looking into my eyes. “Scar, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly, looking away.
He stepped closer to me then wrapped his arms around me. “You can’t lie to me.”
“I’m—I’m just upset right now. It’s nothing.”
He hugged me to his chest, running his fingers down my back. When he held me I felt safe for a short moment in time. Cortland and I always had a unique relationship, different from any other. We were lovers before we were friends and were somehow stronger because of it. He was like a second brother to me.
“Is it Sean?” he whispered.
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
“Another fight?”
I hated lying to him but I couldn’t tell him the truth. I loved him too much to let him screw up what he had with Monnique. “Yeah.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“We’ll work it out.” I pulled away and looked at him. His hands were still wrapped around me. I was glad that Monnique was cool about our relationship. She was never jealous when Cortland hugged me or called me. I suspected it would be different when she knew the truth—that Cortland and I fooled around. “How are things with you?”
“Awful.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I hate seeing my girl in pain. There’s nothing I can.”
“Just be there for her. Holding her hand and being attentive is all you can offer her right now.”
“Yeah.”
“Did you meet her mom?”
“Once.”
“What was she like?”
“She’s was really nice. She made jokes about me being so white, but I know she liked me.”
“Was she fine like Monnique?”
He smiled. “She was a fox.”
I giggled but it was weak.
Cortland’s gaze turned serious. “Are you sure there’s nothing else bothering you?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I never lied to Cortland about anything. He was the one person I didn’t have to hide anything from. He always accepted me exactly as I was. Together, we hid secrets from everyone else in the group. But we never hid anything from each other. “No.”
“Okay,” he said as he lowered his hands. “So, is Ryan going to propose?”
That was a question I was not expecting. “No. Why?”
“Why else is he in such a hurry to meet her family?”
“Oh. Well, maybe that is why. I don’t think he would tell me if he was planning on asking.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he was going to pop the question. He’s totally obsessed with her.”
“Yeah he is,” I said with a smile.
Cortland looked over at them and noticed Ryan wasn’t sitting with Janice. “That’s odd.”
“What?”
“She isn’t sitting his lap, practically humping him like usual.”
“Well, they’re fighting right now.”
“About what?”
“It’s a long story, but basically we were all at the shop yesterday and Ryan got into a fight with a customer. When they were rolling around on the floor, Janice and I jumped in to help. Ryan wasn’t happy about that.”
Cortland’s jaw was clenched tight. “I don’t blame him. That was really dangerous, Scar.”
“I did what I had to do.”
“I’m sure Ryan would have gotten out of it. I would be so pissed it Monnique did that. I don’t blame him for being so angry.”
“She meant well.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. When a guy is twice your size, he could break your sternum with a just a simple push. It’s really—”
“I got it,” I said quickly. “I’ve been bitched at by Ryan enough already.
“I’m sure Janice is going to get a lot more of it.”
“She’s sick of it too.”
Cortland ground his teeth together and I could see his jaw move slightly.
“Nothing happened so just forget about it.”
“You’re lucky nothing happened.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Does Sean know?”
“No.”
“I feel another fight coming on.”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I reach it.”
Monnique came to Cortland then wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m ready to go home.”
It broke my heart to see her so miserable. She was completely devastated. Thankfully, she had Cortland there. He was such a sweet guy and she was lucky to have him. When I saw them together, I didn’t feel guilty for lying. Even though I needed Cortland to support me, I knew Monnique needed him more. He was so happy with her and I would never jeopardize that for any reason. Cortland would do the same for me.
4
Since Ryan had the shop taken care of, we packed our belongings and headed to the airport. Due to security issues, Ryan had to leave the gun at home. There was no way we could get it onto a plane without being arrested right on the spot even though Ryan had a license for it.
We took a cab to the airport then finally boarded the plane. I called Sean a few times but his phone was still off. I was getting so frustrated not being able to talk to him. I had never been so cut off from him. Even when we were fighting, if I called him, he would answer. When he was at work he always took my calls in a heartbeat. But now he was totally unreachable. I hated it. I really hated it.
When we moved to our seats, we were sitting in the center row. Ryan purposely sat me in the middle so I would separate him from Janice. He sat down and opened a magazine, acting like everything was normal. Janice looked like she wanted to cry.
“Janice, switch seats with me,” I said.
Ryan grabbed my arm. “Sit.”
“Ryan, you’re being—”
“Now,” he whispered.
I rolled my eyes then took my seat.
Janice still looked miserable.
I turned to Ryan. “I understand why you’re mad but now you’re just being an asshole.”
“Stay out of it, Scar.”
I shook my head. “You’re such a hypocrite.”
He dropped the magazine and looked at me. “What?”
“You’re always saying life is too short not to treasure the important things. Janice and I might have someone tailing us, wanting to take us out, but you continue to be mad at her over something so stupid. Yes, it was reckless, but we both weren’t thinking. She loves you and wants to protect you as much as you want to protect her. Now knock it off and stop being a dick.”
He said nothing while he stared at me, his gaze locked onto mine. His silence told me I got to him. “You’re right,” he whispered.
“I know I am.”
He smiled. “Don’t get carried away.”
“Too late.”
“You’re the only person who can talk some sense into me.”
“Because I’m not afraid to call you an asshole and a dick.”
“You’re such a sweet sister,” he said with a laugh. “Now switch me seats.”
I immediately jumped and moved out of the way.
When he sat down next to Janice, her eyes started to water. The sight made my heart tug. I knew how much she loved my brother, and I was glad she put up with his bullshit.
“Baby, I forgive you,” he said as he kissed her.
“I’m so sorry,” she said with a voice full of emotion.
“Just don’t do it again.”
“Okay.”
He kissed her again, his gentle touch becoming more passionate.
I looked away and concentrated on the magazine he left in the seat.
Janice finally broke their kiss and rested her forehead against his. They stared at each other for a long time, saying nothing. Just glancing at them made my cheeks redden. Their emotions were easy to read. Their love was powerful and infectious. Everyone felt it around them.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too.”
“We’re okay.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “You wanna go to the bathroom?”
“What?”
I threw the magazine down. “Are you seriously making a jab at me right now?”
Ryan smiled as he looked at me. “What? It sounds like fun.”
I rolled my eyes then picked up the magazine again.
He turned back to Janice. “Go in the bathroom. I’ll be there in a second.”
She smiled. “I like this.”
“You’re going to like it a lot more in a second.”
“You guys are so gross,” I said as I licked my fingers then flipped the page.
When Janice stood up, Ryan patted her ass. “Hurry up.”
Ryan stayed beside me while he waited for the right moment. “So, have you heard from Sean?”
“No. His phone is off.”
“Did you call his parents?”
“I’m not calling them.”
“Why?”
“Because then I’ll have to talk to them.”
“Is this still because of the wedding?” he asked in an annoyed voice.
“No. They already don’t like me. Imagine how much they’ll hate me now.”
“They do like you, Scar.”
“His mother doesn’t,” I said bitterly.
“And who cares if they don’t? Sean loves you. That’s all that matters.”
“Then why should I call them?”
“They were probably the first people Sean called since they have money, right? They’re probably already in New York since Connecticut is so close.”
I knew he was right. “I don’t want to talk to them.”
“What are they going to say?”
“That this is entirely my fault. That I’m the reason why Sean might go to jail.”
“Sean made that decision on his own. He could have just turned around and left. They can’t hold you responsible for that.”
“I bet his mom will.”
“Come on, Scar.”
“Just drop it.”
He sighed. “Whatever.”
Ryan waited a minute before he looked around then followed Janice into the small stall. When they were gone, I thought about Sean. Our plane incident was embarrassing and mortifying, but it was one of my greatest memories with him. I loved the dynamic flexibility of our relationship. Thinking about having sex with him made me more depressed. I missed my fiancé so much. I wished I could tell him how scared I was, how much I needed him. I couldn’t even call him because his phone wasn’t on. I hoped he was okay and he was being treated right. When the tears started to form in my eyes, I blinked them away.
Ryan and Janice returned to their seats a few minutes later, both smiling like idiots. I didn’t look at them, wanting to hide the emotion on my face. Ryan leaned back and placed his hand on her thigh, drawing circles with his finger. She rubbed her nose against his as she stared at him. I breathed through the emotion, trying to put Sean out my mind. When I sniffed, Ryan looked at me. I knew I was caught.
He gave me a saddened expression like he always did when he knew I was in pain. Abandoning Janice, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled my head to his chest, letting me shield my face inside his jacket. He ran his hand down my back as I tried to control my emotion, the devastation in my heart. Janice leaned over and placed her hand on top of mine, squeezing it gently. They said nothing but they understood just how hurt and scared I was. Their presence was enough to dull the pain in my heart for just a moment in time.
5
Sean
I couldn’t stop thinking about Scarlet. Was she safe? Did something happen to her? I hoped she kept her promise to stay with Ryan at all times.
“Mr.
Prescott, did you hear me?”
“Sorry. What?”
The officer stare me down, unable to hide his annoyance. “Where were you the day Carl Rogers were beaten and taken to the hospital for severe internal injuries?”
“I was at work.”
“The incident happened at eight in the morning. Your position didn’t start until nine.”
My lawyer, Bill, held up his hand. “Just because his shift doesn’t begin until nine doesn’t mean he wasn’t in the building. We have a witness that says he was at work when the incident happened.”
“When can I make another phone call?” I asked. I had to talk to Scarlet. I hadn’t spoken to her since I left.
The officer ignored my statement. I had already asked ten times. When I was given the one phone call, I knew I had to use it to phone my parents, who took care of all the legal services. Bill had been our lawyer for years, helping us from minor cases, to law suits, to sexual harassments suits, to discrimination cases, you name it. And he won every case. But we were always innocent so perhaps that was why. In this situation I was totally guilty.
“What’s the name of the witness?”
“Bryan Smith,” Bill answered.
“Just one phone call. That’s it,” I said.
Bill looked at me. “One thing at a time.”
I sighed, annoyed. “Look, Carl Rogers was charged with sexual harassment and rape to dozens of women within R and R. My fiancé and her best friend were two of those victims, and they were the ones that revealed his crimes. Obviously, he’s trying to get vengeance on my fiancé by making this shit up. He’s doing this so he can get to Scarlet and Janice. Please send protective services to watch them.”
The officer glared at me. “I would be really surprised if Mr. Rogers was able to break out of jail and hunt down these two girls and dispose them.”
I returned his glare with my own. “He can hire someone.”
“How?”
“Criminals do it all the time.”
“CSI New York is not real life, kid.”
I stood up. “My fiancé is in danger. Please send a cop or two to look after her. Please. I’m not crazy.”
“Sit down, Sean,” Bill said.
Slowly, I dropped back into my seat, trying to bottle my rage. “This is bullshit. Just let me call her, then.”