On the Verge (Sisters Series Book 3)

by Karen Lenfestey

  # # #

  That night Val lay in bed, staring at the damaged ceiling, both relieved and worried because Nathan hadn’t come home. In the distance, she thought she heard a melody playing.

  Sitting up, she listened harder. It sounded like the piano downstairs. She checked her alarm clock and saw that it was midnight. Surely Chip had been asleep for hours. And he was the only one in the house who liked to pound on the piano. This didn’t sound like a child playing, though. This sounded like a real song.

  She crawled out of bed and crept down the stairs, half expecting to see Chip or Nathan standing in front of the black piano. But when she reached the bottom of the stairs, the house grew silent. And no one was in the room.

  She scratched her head and neared the piano. Her fingertips grazed the top of the keys without pressing them. After a minute, she decided she must’ve been dreaming and returned to the stairs. Then she heard classical music playing again. Her heart leapt into her throat. She whipped her head around to see who was there.

  She watched as the ebony and ivory keys lowered while the piano seemed to play itself. Her palm pressed against her chest, trying to calm herself. Then she smelled apple pie. Just like on the day of the open house. And she knew. She knew it was the spirit of Helen.

  “What are you trying to tell me? That I shouldn’t worry that my house is falling apart? I shouldn’t think about leaving my husband because he’s changed?”

  The keys started to play a soothing lullaby. But Val was not comforted. She shook her head. “It’s not the same as with you. It’s not the same.”

  # # #

  Nathan dialed the familiar number from his cell phone outside the bar. Last call was over and he’d made his way to his car. He knew he shouldn’t drive, though. That’s where his logic ended.

  “Hello?” a groggy, female voice answered.

  Thankful, he closed his eyes. “Diane.”

  “Who is this? It’s the middle of the night.” She did not sound happy. She’d always struggled to sleep through the night, waking up to any little sound.

  “It’s Nate. Nathan.” His head wobbled and thoughts swirled incoherently through his mind. “You’ve got to help me. I’m losing her.”

  “What?” She sounded more alert. He imagined she’d turned on her bedside lamp.

  “My wife. She looks at me the way you used to. Right before you left.”

  She sighed loud enough for it to carry across the miles. “Nathan, you’ve been drinking, haven’t you? I told you I’ve moved on with my life.”

  He suspected she was about to hang up. “But wait. Just tell me what I did wrong.”

  “You know exactly what screwed up our marriage. And you’re doing it right now.”

  He was confused. How could he be ruining his marriage right now? “Just tell me what I could’ve done differently. I love her. I loved you. I can’t take losing her.”

  “Nathan, don’t ever drunk call me again. In fact, don’t call me period.” The phone line disconnected.

  He stared at his cell phone. Then he started his engine and pulled out without checking for traffic.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  The phone next to Mia’s bed rang at two-forty-eight in the morning. She answered it mid-yawn. “Hello?”

  “Uh, Mia. It’s Nate. Can you come get me?”

  His voice stimulated her like a cup of coffee. She glanced at her Snoopy T-shirt and matching boxer shorts. Not exactly what she’d normally wear for a booty call. “Why do I need to get you?” She didn’t want to leave her cozy bed if she didn’t have to.

  “I’m. . . in jail.”

  She gripped the phone tight. “What happened?”

  “Nothing. I’ll tell you when you get here. . . Bring your checkbook.”

  Mia didn’t bother to put on a bra, just pulled on a pair of jeans and rushed out the door. The streets were vacant at this time of the morning, with some of the traffic signals blinking yellow rather than going through their normal cycle. During the drive, she wondered if he’d been in a bar fight or had an accident or what. More importantly, why had he called her instead of his wife? She smirked a little. This was a good sign.

  She went into the quiet police station and told the clerk at the desk she was there to pick up Nate Sullivan. The twenty-something man eyed her chest a little too long. She crossed her arms.

  The man picked up the phone and spoke in short, incomplete sentences. “Nate Sullivan. Send out.” He hung up the phone and smiled at her.

  She didn’t encourage him. After all, she’d dated plenty of guys his age and they weren’t worth her time. Sure, they were good in bed, but they freaked out if you ever mentioned getting engaged. “What exactly happened?”

  “DUI. Your dad was swerving all over the road. It’s a wonder he didn’t get himself killed.”

  Mia locked her arms together even tighter. Nate didn’t look old enough to be her dad. That guy was just being mean. She paid the bail and didn’t relax until she saw Nate shuffling toward her. She reached out and hugged him. “Thank God you’re all right.”

  He broke their embrace and headed for the exit. “Thanks for bailing me out.” He pushed the glass door open.

  The cool night air caused her to shiver. “No problem.” He wasn’t the first guy who’d asked her for bail money. But he definitely was the last guy she ever expected to. “They told me you were arrested for DUI.”

  His head hung low as he shook it. “I’m such an idiot. Val and I had a big fight today and I figured we both needed some time apart to cool off.”

  She stiffened at the mention of his wife. “Is that why you called me instead of her?”

  He nodded. “She’d kill me if she knew about this. I know it’s a lot to ask, but. . .can I crash at your place tonight?”

  She shivered again, this time with a thrill. “Of course.” She unlocked her Mazda and they both climbed in. She could tell by the way he looked around her vehicle that he wasn’t impressed. “It’s not exactly a classic like your car is, but it runs.”

  He chuckled, then rubbed his forehead. “Beggars can’t be choosers. Please tell me you have aspirin at your place.”

  “I have everything you could possibly want at my place.” She tried to say it in her sexiest voice.

  “Good.”

  Once they made it to her one-bedroom apartment, she darted to pick up the empty sweet potato chips bag in the living room. She didn’t have an eat-in kitchen, so the couch served as her dining room table. “Are you hungry?”

  “No. Just some aspirin please.” He plopped down on her couch and the dog put its chin on his leg. He petted the golden retriever. “Homer.”

  “No. That’s Homer’s momma.” Boy, was he out of it.

  Nate’s head rolled to the side, near a pizza stain on her couch. One of her boyfriends had left the couch when he moved out. Mia was waiting until she got married and had a house before she invested in new furniture. Right now, she had tons of student loan debt to pay off and since she currently lived alone, she didn’t need anything fancy.

  As she passed through her bedroom on the way to the medicine cabinet, she wished her bed actually had a headboard. She didn’t want Nate to think she was too young for him.

  Quickly, she straightened her floral comforter and tossed yesterday’s work clothes and her sweatshirt into the hamper. She surveyed the room, decided it would have to do, and brought Nate his medicine.

  He tossed the pills into his mouth and drank a little of the bottled water she brought him. After he swallowed, he looked at her chest. “Snoopy, huh?”

  Blushing, she looked down at her top. “Yeah.” Not knowing whether to sit next to him or invite him to bed, she remained standing. Even his five o’clock shadow made him look sexy.

  Unfortunately, the room’s silence emphasized her awkwardness. She walked over to her CD player and put in the disk she’d just bought.

  Almost immediately, Nate’s face brightened. “Blues Traveler? Do you like them? They’re on
e of my favorites.”

  She returned his smile. “I know.” Unsure of what to do with her arms, she folded them, then released them. Finally, she decided to sit next to him. Apparently, he wanted her to seduce him. She wasn’t used to this role reversal, but that was okay. “You played some of their songs for me when you found that harmonica in the office.”

  “That’s right. I forgot.”

  She scooted a little closer to him so she could massage his shoulders.

  He closed his eyes and the lines across his forehead relaxed. “That feels good. Almost makes me forget that I’m a total screw-up.”

  She continued working her fingers into his tense muscles. “You’re not a screw-up. I think you’re great.”

  His eyes opened and he gave her a quizzical look. “You must be blind then.”

  “Not at all.” Her hands crawled their way up the back of his neck and into his hair. Her body grew warm as she touched his sexy, thick hair. God, she had wanted to cross that line between therapist and patient so many times with him. Stroking his hair was definitely doing that. She leaned down and kissed his scruffy cheek. He didn’t resist, so she moved in for what she really wanted. His mouth. In one fluid motion, she moved her body so it pressed against his.

  They kissed and fondled each other with their clothes on until she couldn’t take it any longer. She stood and held his hand, leading him to her bedroom.

  He walked slowly behind her. “I don’t know if we should. . . .”

  “You know you want to,” she whispered. She’d just die if he turned her down now.

  The band provided background music on their short trip to the next room. She pushed him down on the bed and stripped his shirt off. Then she smothered his muscular chest with kisses. Finally, all of her fantasies were coming true.

  # # #

  The next afternoon, Val was glad to have work to distract her from her personal life. She sat at her desk and tried to figure out how they could get more business clients. If Kelly Designs went under, she might never find another job. Certainly not one where she loved her boss and her best friend was her co-worker. Speaking of her friend, Joely had been out of the office most of the day, working on-site. As soon as Val heard her come in, she poked her head into Joely’s office. “Want to take a little break?”

  Joely’s head whipped up from the newspaper on her desk. “Are you okay?”

  Val took a swig of the pop with twenty-three flavors. But she only cared about two ingredients right now. She couldn’t wait for the caffeine and sugar to kick in. Make her feel better. But this was her fourth one of the day and so far they weren’t helping. “Do I look that bad?”

  Joely shrugged. “You don’t look that good.” They both laughed for one second. “Did you see the paper?”

  “No. Nathan usually reads the news and tells me if there’s anything I might be interested in.” Nathan. She didn’t even know if he’d be there when she came home tonight. Sighing, she sat down. “Is there something juicy in there?”

  Joely pushed the newsprint toward her. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but. . .Nathan was arrested last night.”

  “What?” Val jerked the newspaper up. “For what?”

  Joely chewed on her lower lip. “Driving under the influence.”

  Val scanned the police beat and couldn’t believe it when she read Nathan’s name. “Great. Just great. I hope none of my clients see this.”

  “I doubt they will. But more importantly, what’s going on with you and Nathan?”

  Val shook her head. “I don’t know. He took off yesterday and to be honest, I’m not sure if I care.” Her eyes stared at the paper without reading it. “I don’t mean that. I do care. He’s my husband.”

  “Is the counseling helping?”

  Val took a deep breath before answering. “The counselor wants us to talk about when we first fell in love, but Nathan doesn’t even remember.”

  “Val, most guys don’t remember things. That’s not because of the head injury, that’s because he’s a man.”

  She pretended to laugh it off, but worry clawed at her. “Nathan is definitely different since the accident. My problem is, I don’t know how long I can wait for my old Nathan to come back.”

  Softly, Joely touched Val’s hand.

  Tears sprang to Val’s eyes. “I know I said for better or for worse, but I never expected this. I feel so guilty, but. . . . who he is now, after the accident--I never would’ve married him.” Saying the words out loud flooded her with both relief and guilt.

  “Only you know what’s right for you.” Her friend twisted her mouth and her tiny mole to the side. “How strongly do you feel about your wedding vows?”

  Her belly churned. “Before I walked down the aisle, I swore this marriage would work. I’d do whatever it took. For Chip’s sake if nothing else.”

  Joely opened her arms and raised her palms. “There’s your answer.”

  # # #

  Val parked her car in the empty garage and told Chip to go inside and grab a granola bar for a snack. She walked to the mailbox, wondering what to do. Was Nathan coming home tonight? Did he have a drinking problem or was all of this a result of the accident?

  She opened the black metal door of the mailbox and pulled out a bill from the hospital stamped “second notice” and a large manila envelope. “What could this be?” It was stamped “requested material” and addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. Her stomach clenched. In fact, she thought she might throw up.

  Rushing into the house, she made it to the bathroom just in time. I hope I’m not getting the flu. As she rinsed out her mouth at the sink, she heard the back door open. Nathan. Her pale reflection in the mirror froze. She splashed cold water on her face and forced herself to open the door so she could face her husband.

  Nathan leaned against the kitchen counter, looking wiped out. In the adjacent breakfast nook Chip sat eating his snack, oblivious to his parents’ tenuous relationship.

  She looked at her son who, in between bites, pretended the granola bar was a toy car. “Chip, why don’t you go eat up in your room?”

  “Why?”

  “Just go,” Nathan said. Chip grabbed the wrapper and “drove” his granola bar through the air and up the stairs. Homer followed the boy as if he were on an invisible leash.

  Val’s stomach lurched and she hoped it was just nerves and not more vomit. She crossed her arms and leaned against the opposite wall. “Did you have fun last night?”

  Nathan’s face drained of all its color. He shifted his weight and fidgeted.

  “You made the paper.” She couldn’t believe her husband had been arrested. Her only hope was that her clients didn’t remember her married name. “A DUI. Nice.”

  For some reason, his posture seemed to relax when she accused him. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I don’t remember much about last night.”

  “Well, there’s a permanent record of it at the police station.” When she’d been talking to Joely, she’d wanted to find a way to fix things, but this was too big to ignore. “Nathan, you never used to drink. I don’t understand what’s going on with you.”

  His chest expanded with a deep breath. He lowered his head and shook it. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to be this guy. I’m such an ass.”

  Her heart softened just a tad, like hardened butter left out on the counter. She toyed with her shiny wedding band, not knowing what to say.

  Just then Chip bounded down the stairs and came into the kitchen. “Look, Mom! Look, Nathan!” Homer’s dog tags jingled as he followed his favorite person. Chip wore his gym shoes on his hands--their rubber soles flapping like the mouths of a puppet. “I need new shoes for school.”

  Nathan pulled his hands out of his pockets and stood to his full 5’11”. “How did that get ripped? I know you’re used to getting whatever you want, but those days are over. You need to. . .take care of what you have!”

  Chip’s mouth frowned. “But it’s not my fault.”

  Nathan
moved closer to Chip’s little body and wagged his finger. “It’s never your fault. Well, guess what. . . we don’t have any money!” He took the shoes off of Chip’s hands and threw them on the floor. “So you’d better find some duct tape. . . and fix these. . . unless you want to go. . . barefoot tomorrow.”

  Chip burst into tears. He took off running down the hall and up the stairs. Homer chased him and Val hoped the dog would comfort him until she got the chance.

  She scowled at Nathan. “You’re not home five minutes and you’re yelling. That’s not okay. No one yells at my son. Why’d you even bother to come back?”

  Nathan’s eyes widened. He was probably shocked at the way she stood her ground with him. His voice lowered in volume. “The kid has to learn the value of a dollar.”

  “You know what? You were right. You are an ass.” She stormed out of the kitchen and up the stairs to check on her son. When she heard the back door slam, her muscles clenched even tighter.

  # # #

  Mia called in sick to work so she could thoroughly clean her apartment. Then she went to the grocery store and bought the ingredients to make a special dinner. She picked up an extra toothbrush and even cleaned out a drawer in her bureau for Nate. The whole time, she listened to Blues Traveler, her new favorite band. It helped her to replay every minute of their night together.

  Once the Stouffer’s lasagna and garlic bread were in the oven, she called Nathan. She’d expected him to come by already, but this was okay. Her heart leapt when she heard his deep voice. “Hi! I just wanted to let you know that dinner will be ready in forty-five minutes.”

  “Dinner? Did I say I was coming to dinner?”

  She giggled. “Well, I thought it was implied. You’re not the kind to sleep with a girl and blow her off, are you?” He hesitated and acid slid down her throat. Oh, God. He regretted last night. She needed to say something quick. “It’s just dinner. You gotta eat, don’t you?”

  “Um. . .I’m not sure.”