Tell Me Now

by S. Moose

  He blanches and quickly recovers. “Everything is fine. Stop worrying about nothing.”

  “Dad, I’m sorry. I saw the text messages on your phone. Something’s going on, and if you don’t tell me, I will find out.”

  “Please, Madison, let this go.”

  I can feel my hands tremble. “I can’t. What the hell’s going on, Dad?”

  He reaches and grabs my hands, bringing me closer to him. “I’m doing something to ensure your future. Whatever happens, you need to remember how much I love you. Everything I’ve done in my life was for you and will continue to be for you. No matter what. That’s all I can say for now. Everything will make sense when you come home from the city. Trust me, Madison, that’s all I’m asking.”

  “Okay. Fine. As soon as I return, you’re going to tell me what’s going on, and then we’ll handle it like we always do … together.”

  “I love you, honey.”

  I lean in and kiss my dad’s cheek. “I love you too, Dad.”

  Peter gets out of the SUV and opens the passenger door for me. I look at my dad one more time before getting in. He drives through the Chicago traffic, and I can’t stop thinking about the number on his phone. I have it in my memory, so whatever he’s hiding, I’ll find out sooner than later.

  “We’re here,” Bryce announces, bringing my hand to his lips. “Wake up, baby.”

  “I’m up.” I smile and sluggishly get up from his lap and stretch before looking outside his private jet. “Are you sure your mom and Renee know I’m coming, and they’re okay with it?”

  “Yes. Of course, baby. They’re excited. We’re meeting them tonight at Per Se, then heading back to the hotel before Renee’s graduation.”

  I look at the time to see it’s almost four. “Okay, sounds good.”

  The driver Bryce hired for us while we’re here takes us to a hotel. The traffic is horrible, and we don’t get there until close to five. Dinner’s at six thirty, and I look like a hot mess. For the past few days, I’ve been sick to my stomach. Nothing’s settling and everything makes me feel like I’m going to vomit. I took a pregnancy test early this morning, and it was negative, so I know I’m not pregnant. I’m not sure what else it could be, and I don’t want to go out tonight if I’m sick. The idea of being stuck in the hotel room while Bryce spends time with his mom and sister without me makes me sad. He brought me here to meet them. I can’t just spring that I’m not feeling good on him.

  Getting to our suite, I rush into the bathroom, turn on the shower, and kneel on the bathroom floor, my face in the toilet. Just being in the elevator made me sick.

  “Ugh,” I moan and rest my forehead on the porcelain seat. “What the hell’s going on with me?”

  Picking myself up, I strip out of my clothes and step into the shower. The hot water soothes me. I guess this is the cure. Everything in my body relaxes, and I feel a little stronger.

  A knock on the bathroom gets my attention, and I see Bryce walking in. He’s holding a glass of juice, and my heart swoons.

  “I got you this. I heard you getting sick, so I had room service bring fruit and juice. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I shrug. “I’m going to get through this weekend with your family. I’m not going to miss it. I don’t know what else could be wrong. I took a pregnancy test since I was throwing up and sensitive to food. I’m not pregnant.”

  “Well,” he says, shoving his hands into his pants, “most likely you caught a little bug. Drink this juice and come out to eat a little before we leave.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  Bryce smiles and I notice his erection tenting in his pants. If only we didn’t have to hurry to get ready.

  “You need to go! If you don’t, we’ll be late, and I don’t want your mom and sister to see me with just fucked hair.”

  “You’re lucky I love you and will do anything you ask.” He smirks and closes the door behind him, leaving me to finish up.

  After we’re both ready, I hear Bryce’s phone ring. He yells for me to get it, and I do without looking at the caller.

  “Hello?” There’s silence on the other end. “Hello?” I lift the phone from my ear and see it’s a number without a name, so this caller isn’t in his contact list. Maybe it’s the wrong number. “Hello?” I say one more time before the call drops.

  “Who was it?”

  “Not sure. Most likely a wrong number. You look so handsome.” I take in the crisp black tuxedo he has on and hope tonight goes by quickly.

  “This color purple looks beautiful on you, sweetheart.” He leans in to kiss me. “Ready?”

  “Sure am. Lead the way.”

  We get to Per Se and are led to the table where his mom and sister are waiting for us. They both stand when we get to the table, and I see the love in their eyes for Bryce. It warms me to know he has a great support team and family.

  “You must be Madison,” his mom says and comes to give me a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

  I hug her back. “You as well, Ms. Hunter.”

  “Oh gosh no, no. Please, call me Justine.”

  I smile. “Okay.” Justine moves aside, and Bryce’s sister, Renee, comes over to hug me.

  “Whatever you’ve done to my brother, please don’t ever stop.” Her voice is cheerful, and it makes me wonder more about Bryce and his past.

  “I don’t plan on it.”

  Renee takes my hand, and the four of us sit at the table. Their voices are so happy, and they can’t stop talking about Bryce and his accomplishments. I look over to see Bryce drinking, and I nudge him, mouthing, “You okay?”

  Yes.

  I love you.

  I love you too.

  Bryce’s hand sneaks into mine, resting on my lap. I love this connection with him. Even the slightest touch from him makes me weak and dizzy with passion. With desire.

  “Madison, you must tell us how you met Bryce! We haven’t heard too much about you,” Justine eagerly says.

  Bryce holds my hand a little tighter. I tell them the story about being his personal stylist to his pursuit and where we are now. Renee and Justine swoon and laugh, delighted Bryce and I are together and happy.

  After dinner, we walk around the city and say our goodbyes with the promise of seeing each other tomorrow for Renee’s graduation.

  By the time we’re in the hotel room, I’m exhausted, and all I want to do is fall asleep in his arms. That feeling is short lived when Bryce gets a phone call, and he mouths, “I’ll be back.” An hour passes before I fall asleep, wondering what’s going on and why he’s getting calls this late at night.

  Chapter 40

  Madison

  The ceremony is beautiful, and I’m taking pictures of the three of them. Bryce’s smile is infectious, and he’s so proud of his baby sister.

  “Okay, everyone, let’s get going!” Justine claps her hands, and we get into the limo to head to her brunch, which is actually a little party Bryce and I put together for her.

  The surprise is a success! More of Bryce’s family comes over to introduce themselves, and it feels good to get to know the people who love him so much. Renee and I grab a glass of champagne and sit in a quiet corner.

  “Something about him is different. You’ve done that to him. After he lost Blaire, I don’t know, everything good about him died. She was his whole world. Everything he did, he did for her.”

  “How was his relationship with Tiffany?”

  Renee rolls her eyes. “I never liked her. She always came over and overstayed her welcome. Everyone could tell she wanted Bryce. Freaking whore. I hate her.” She takes a drink and places the glass on the table. “The only good thing that came out of her was Blaire. I remember when Mom and I went to see her at the hospital. I miss my niece every day.” She sighs, gripping her chest and wiping a tear with her other hand. “It hasn’t been easy. Blaire was only three months.”

  I place my hand on hers. “I’m so sorry. I said the same to Bryce. He’s slowly opening up to me, an
d I love him so much.”

  “You have no idea what that means to us. Knowing Bryce is going to be happy is more than we can ever wish for.”

  My mind goes to Bryce, wondering what I can do to help the pain about his daughter. I know nothing can replace the pain, and I won’t dare do that. Now I understand why he sheltered himself. The more Renee talks about him, the more I truly understand who he is.

  “Don’t worry about Bryce. I promise you won’t have to worry about him. And I won’t allow him not to visit you and your mother.”

  “That means so much to me, and I know it’ll mean a lot to Mom. It’s been so long since Bryce has been happy. He doesn’t allow us to discuss Blaire. The day she died, he closed his heart, and we thought it was closed forever. There’s something in the way he carries himself, like there's this guilt and it won't go away. No matter what we tell him, he carries the burden of her death. Shit, please don’t repeat anything I’ve said. He’ll be so pissed.”

  “Of course not.”

  I excuse myself, looking for Bryce, but don’t see him with his family. I wander around the restaurant and notice a light in the upstairs party room. I don’t remember another party. The steps are on the other side of the restaurant, so I walk over there, taking one step at a time, and around the corner, Bryce is there.

  “I told you I have everything handled. She’s safe, and I’m going to always protect her. Why are you fucking here?”

  “I paid you to take care of my daughter! To see that she will be safe. You were supposed to be her friend ... her damn confidante. Not her boyfriend! Don’t you get it, Hunter? I don’t want her with a man like you.” My dad’s gripping Bryce’s shirt. “When I found out everything, I flew down to stop this. End it. The deal’s done. You fucked up, Hunter!”

  He laughs. “A man like myself?” Bryce pushes him away and straightens himself. “I love Madison, and she loves me. I’m going to give her a beautiful life. The fucking world. When you’re gone, who the hell will she have?”

  Gone?

  “You’re nearing thirty-five, and she’s barely in her twenties. You were only supposed to be her mentor. To get her out of that damn job and convince her to work for you. Jesus, Hunter. The type of man you are isn’t the man I want for her.”

  Knives stab my chest over and over. A vise tightens around my throat, and I’m finding it hard to breathe. My chest constricts as my heart shatters, breaking away into a million pieces. I’ve never known hurt like this before. Not with Kent. It’s all been lies with Bryce. The puzzles fuse, the missing pieces filling in as I think about all my suspicions and doubts.

  Everything’s starting to make sense. How Bryce found me to the way he wanted me. He doesn’t love me. It’s all part of the art of the deal. I’m a pawn in a sick and twisted game, and my father and my lover are the key players.

  I feel sick.

  Trying to hold on to something, I miss and lose my balance, falling to the ground and letting out a cry. A sob hiccups in my throat.

  “Madison?” Bryce’s voice of pain fills my ears, and I shake it off. I shake it out. “Baby. Please. Look at me.”

  I don’t register he’s in front of me until I open my eyes and see him on his knees and my father next to him. Neither of them says anything, and I cry. I simply cry.

  My tears fall steadily as spring rain.

  “Why? What did I do wrong?”

  Bryce reaches to cup my face, and I shove his hands away. His touch burns me in an unpleasant way. “Please listen. It wasn’t anything like that. Your father sought me out, and I was supposed to take care of you. I never expected to fall in love, but I fell in love with you, Madison.”

  I cover my ears, shaking my head, and trying to find my voice. “Why did you do this? You lied to me from the start. You knew exactly who I was that night. This whole thing has been a sham!”

  “Baby, please...”

  “No!” Then I turn to my dad, “Why?”

  “I’m dying, Madison. The doctors are giving me a few more weeks. Stage four cancer.”

  What? I shake my head, not wanting his confession to sink in. It’s all too much. Bryce’s betrayal. My father’s terminal sickness. I can’t do this. Not now … here with them …

  My world goes black. I’ve lost my mom. I’m going to lose my dad. And I’m going to lose Bryce.

  Not wanting to hear anymore, I carefully pick myself up and turn away, taking the stairs and rush outside. I feel terrible for doing this, especially at Renee’s party. Gasping for air, I run as fast I can. I have no idea where I’m going. Somehow, I hail a cab and get to the hotel in record time. Fumbling with my clutch, I pull out the room card and run inside to get my things. The room smells like him. He’s all around me. I can’t shake him off.

  “Be strong,” I mutter and pick up my bag to leave.

  Chapter 41

  Bryce

  I watch her leave. The love of my love runs away from me toward the door to exit. Renee and my mother come rushing upstairs. They look at me, and Renee automatically knows I’ve messed up.

  “Go!” she orders. “She’s the best thing in your life, so go!”

  I don’t hear what she’s saying, but I get up and head out of the restaurant. I try her cell, and it goes to voicemail. I call Kaylee, and it’s the same thing, so I text her and Henry.

  Bryce: If Madison contacts you, please tell me.

  Kaylee: What happened?

  Henry: Fuck, man.

  Bryce: She knows everything…

  Kaylee: What’s everything?

  Bryce: Henry, fill her in. Please let me know if you see her. I need to talk to her.

  Knowing she’s not at the hotel, I have my driver drive to JFK. She’s most likely going to go back to Chicago. I know she is and I know she won't take my jet back home.

  Hurrying inside, I look for any signs of her. The counter for one airline is free, and I run over, hoping they have something for me. Anything.

  “Excuse me. Are there any flights going to Chicago?”

  The representative looks at me, then her computer. “No, I’m sorry sir. Not until tomorrow. Can I …?”

  I leave that counter and head to three more before giving up. She’s not here. Where the hell is she?

  I call her again, and it still goes to voicemail.

  Getting back to the hotel, I walk into our suite and notice her things are gone. Everything is gone.

  Aimlessly, I walk around, trying to find anything that’ll give me a sign of where she could be. Then a piece of paper with my name on it grabs my attention.

  Bryce,

  I don’t know or want to know why you picked me. Out of all the women in Chicago, why did you have to make me fall in love with you? If your “deal” was to protect me and ensure I had a good future, well, you failed. Did you even love me, or was I just a pawn in your game?

  Please don’t contact me. You’ll never find me, and I’ll make sure of it.

  Madison

  The letter falls from my hands, and I do the same. My world goes dark. I’m back to where I was living before she came into my life and brought the light. The mini bar is near, so I open it, grabbing the bottles and twisting the caps off each one, doing my best to drink away the pain.

  Drink her away.

  Madison

  A few weeks pass and I’m back in Chicago. I had to get away and get clarity. Since Kaylee’s mostly with Henry, I’ve taken her room at Galen’s. I haven’t heard from Bryce, and I’m okay with that. My heart hurts. Everything we shared is gone.

  Tainted.

  I visit my dad, and he’s doing okay, but with the doctor’s appointment he had the other day, his prognosis is not looking good. He’s refusing any and all medications. There’s a nurse living with him, and I’m there every day until he falls asleep. We don’t do too much. During the majority of my time there, he’s sleeping, so I read to him.

  A knock on my bedroom door gets my attention. Kaylee and Henry walk in holding a brown bag. She smiles, and
I burst into tears.

  “Oh, baby girl. I’m so sorry.”

  “I miss him.” I cry, hugging myself, trying to will away the pain. “I miss him.”

  “He misses you too, Madison.” Henry stands in the corner, keeping his distance. “I know you don’t want to see him, but he’s on the way.”

  “What?” Kaylee and I say in unison.

  A hard knock pulls me away from them and looking out of my bedroom door. Fuck. He’s here.

  “I need to get it. He’s a mess, Madison. Just give him a chance.”

  Kaylee brings me close to her, comforting me as much as she can. I watch Henry walk out the bedroom, and I cry again. Even harder than before.

  Bryce walks in. He looks miserable. Like me. He hasn’t shaved in a few days, and he reeks of alcohol.

  “Kaylee.” Henry urges her to come to him.

  “No. I won’t leave her. You asshole! Why are you doing this to her?” Then she looks at Bryce. “I told you to be careful with her heart. I told you if this was a game to leave her the hell alone.”

  “Kaylee,” Henry says again.

  “Go. It’s okay,” I softly say.

  Kaylee and Henry walk out of the room, leaving just me and Bryce. I don’t know what to say, and I’m sure he’s feeling the same way. I mean, what can we say to each other?

  For a while, there’s nothing. No one’s talking or doing anything. I feel the bile in my throat, and all I want to do is vomit.

  “Madison, please. You promised you’d never leave me.” His voice is low and shaky. This is so hard. “Where have you been?”

  My voice catches in my throat, and I let the tears out again. “It doesn’t matter where I was. You lied to me. You and my dad worked together to fool me or whatever the hell it is you guys do. I’m done. I refuse to be part of the plan or deal. Whatever it is. Just leave me alone.” I’m doing my best to stay strong. My prayers for strength go unanswered. I’m so weak when it comes to Bryce, but I know I have to stay strong. Whatever we have is gone. It was fake.

  “Madison. Please look at me.” His voice is quivering, and it’s breaking my heart all over again. The emotional ball in my chest grows. “Madison. I am begging you. Please listen to me.”