by Sian Ceinwen
“I’m aware that he’s sexy as fuck,” Heather laughed, even though this was painful to hear, and she wanted to clarify, “but I’m glad to hear that you hadn’t been interested in him when you were sober!”
“Then he was flirting with me, telling me I was beautiful. I mentioned you because I did think about you and he went on a long rant about how wonderful you were and how much he loved you. I was so in love with you from what he was telling me. It was completely and utterly strange.
“We were still eating, and we were talking about how amazing the food was. We had a second glass of wine, each and after that, we started talking about sex and the idea of leaving to go have it. He said, ‘Heather loves sex, and she’d want me to have sex tonight,’” Maddy rolled her eyes, “like, now it’s obvious that of course that wasn’t the case but at the time it felt like the truest fact I’d ever known.”
“I have to ask, was there any part of you that wanted this, or was it only the drugs?”
Maddy shook her head, “I would never have slept with him, otherwise. I won’t lie, I’ve certainly bragged to my friends about getting to be around Cruise Control, and they’re all gorgeous, but I’m trying to have a career in talent management. Sleeping with clients is one of the biggest no-nos.”
“Okay, continue, then,” Heather smiled reassuringly at her.
“We left the dinner, and he kissed me when we were in the lobby, while we were waiting for the elevator, then we went upstairs to his hotel room and had sex, then—”
“No. I need more information than that, Maddy,” Heather said, “I need to know exactly what you did.”
“I’m not comfortable telling you every gory detail,” she cringed.
“I understand that, and I appreciate what you’re doing for me tonight. You didn’t have to do this, and as I said, I know it’s difficult for you. If I’m going to try and stop these nightmares, I need to know as many details as you remember.”
Madeline sighed, “Okay, well, we went into the hotel room, and he got naked, and I thought he was a god. Like, an actual god. My brain thought that he was a god sent to earth to have sex with me for some reason. I gave him head for a bit,” Heather cringed as she heard this, and Maddy looked down at her coffee as she continued, “sorry. Then he got on the bed, and I got naked, too. I was on top for a bit, then he did it from behind.”
Heather grabbed another tissue and handed it to Maddy, who was crying again. Somehow, this wasn’t as bad for Heather as she’d thought that it would be, maybe because she wasn’t hearing anything that she hadn’t imagined or seen in her dreams, anyway. She felt bad that she was putting Maddy through this, though.
“I had a shower to wash off, and he came and joined me. We didn’t have sex in there, just kissed a lot. Then we went back to the bed, and he was talking about you and how amazing you were, and I thought that I wanted to have sex with you, as well. He was describing the sex you guys had the last time he saw you, and he got hard again, and so I got on top of him, and we had sex again.”
“Did he use a condom?” Heather asked, almost certain of the answer to this question.
“I’m sorry, no he didn’t,” Maddy shook her head, looking ashamed, “I was given the morning-after pill at the hospital, and as you can see, I’m not pregnant,” she gave Heather a grim smile, “I’ve also got a clean bill of health. They tested us at the hospital, I’ve had the follow-up test done, as well.”
“That’s reassuring,” Heather said, “what happened then?”
“I think we were starting to come down. We both got really tired, and the next thing I remember is being woken up by Gabriel and Ariana. I was really confused at first. I was naked, and Harrison was naked, and I could feel he was hard, and I felt sick. As soon as I put it together, I started getting flashbacks of what had happened.
“I felt like a piece of shit but not as bad as Harrison did. He started crying immediately. He felt guilty as fuck, he wanted to call you straight away and tell you, but Gabriel and Ariana told him that we needed to leave straight away for the hospital.
“I had to put on the clothes I’d been wearing the night before, then we all went to my bedroom so I could get changed into a fresh outfit. The whole time, Harrison was crying, and I think that was the first time he tried to call you. He checked your flight time, and you’d already left New York.
“He kept apologizing to me, too. Saying he was so sorry, he shouldn’t have done it. I kept apologizing to him, as well, for the same reason,” Maddy gave a small laugh. “It was pretty pathetic. I thought that was the absolute worst I would ever feel. Then we went outside. There were thousands of people waiting for us, I’ll never forget the moment I saw that photo,” she cringed and squeezed her eyes shut tight. “It was fucked up. I felt violated. I had felt terrible for having slept with Harrison, but that photo made me feel completely sick.
“We got into a limousine, and Harrison just kept trying to get on to you, but he couldn’t. He kept saying ‘they’re going to show her the picture,’, ‘they’re going to show her the picture,’ and I searched on the internet and saw it. Someone had been in the fucking room with us while we were sleeping. It was the worst feeling.”
“Oh, Maddy,” Heather sighed; she could only imagine how horrible that must have felt, “I’m so, so sorry.”
Maddy nodded her thanks and was silent for a minute or so before continuing, “Once we got to the hospital, I was taken to a separate room, and I didn’t see Harrison again until that day at Cooper’s office. Is there anything else that you want to know?”
“Has it gotten any better for you since it became public that you guys were drugged?” Heather asked her.
“Not, really. I’ve shut down all of my social media accounts. The hate online was just too much. I was super stoked to have hashtag Madeline is a slut trending worldwide. That was just wonderful. I’d been drugged, slept with a man who was engaged, had some asshole come in, and take a picture of me naked that was shown to the world, and I was the bad guy in everything. The woman who broke up the world’s favorite couple.”
“Hashtag couple goals,” Heather said with a roll of her eyes, and Maddy laughed, “I appreciate your honesty with me, Maddy. I’m glad to finally know the truth.”
“I’m assuming that Harrison gave you a watered-down version?” Maddy smiled.
“That’s the understatement of the year. All he remembers is being at the table and eating dinner, then waking up the next morning. Hey, maybe it’s true,” she shrugged.
“I doubt it,” Maddy said and cringed, “but I also don’t blame him. This has to be up there as one of the worst conversations I’ve had in my life. How are you two going? I heard that you broke off the engagement.”
“Yeah, we’ve actually just kind of started seeing each other again. That’s part of why I wanted to talk to you. I’m trying to get past this, and, like I said, my therapist thought that this might be the key. Fuck knows I’ve tried everything else I can think of.” She pursed her lips.
“Well, I really hope that you do, Heather. I’m sorry for the part that I played in all of this.”
“I forgive you, Maddy,” as she said it, Heather realized that it was true, she held no ill will toward the woman sitting in front of her, “I really do. I hope that you can get past this, as well. I have never blamed you for any of this; I knew that you were a victim as well. I hope those assholes rot in prison for what they did.”
“Me, too. Thanks for asking me to do this, Heather. I didn’t realize how much I needed to talk about it; it’s actually been good. I feel…relieved.”
“I’m glad,” Heather said and hesitated before adding, “look, it’s not my place, but I’ve been having weekly therapy sessions, and if you haven’t talked to someone, I’d really recommend it. What happened to you was awful and traumatic, and it’s okay if you need help to get over it.”
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll think about it.”
Heather stood up
from the table, and Maddy took this as her cue to rise, also. They hugged one another as they said goodbye. Heather was fairly certain that she’d never see Maddy again, but it was a relief to clear the air.
Later in the evening, Harrison called her. She thought about telling him she’d seen Maddy but decided not to. They had phone sex, though; it felt so familiar, and it was reassuring to Heather that her conversation with Maddy hadn’t changed her feelings toward Harrison, at all.
“I love you, angel,” He said as he wished her goodbye.
“I love you, too, Harrison. More than I thought I could ever love someone. When you get back from Los Angeles, maybe we can talk about what we want to do moving forward?” she asked him.
“That would mean so much to me,” she could hear the smile in his voice, “I look forward to it.”
She went to bed that night, exhausted from the emotional toll that the day had taken on her, but with a strange feeling of peace coming over her. The truth had been nowhere near as terrifying or hurtful as she had expected it to be. Zoe was a damn good therapist.
Chapter 24
SWEET DREAMS
SUNLIGHT WAS STREAMING INTO the bedroom in her apartment, and Heather blinked her eyes in confusion. It was morning; that was odd. She realized that it was strange because she’d grown accustomed to waking in the middle of the night, and she didn’t remember anything after going to bed.
Heather realized with a smile that she hadn’t had a nightmare last night. For the first time in months, she had slept through the night. She had the urge to call Harrison but decided not to; it might have been a fluke. She’d tell him what had happened if it was all still going well when he came back to Chicago on Monday.
She’d tell Zoe at their session today, though. Oh, she couldn’t wait to let her know how it had gone and get her thoughts on it. This felt massive to Heather. Not just that she hadn’t had a nightmare last night, but her feelings this morning, as well. It was like there was a part of her soul that had been restored through her conversation last night and the peace she’d finally come to.
Heather set about her day, took a shower, and got dressed ready to go to Serenity. She looked at her phone and saw a text message that Harrison had sent her an hour ago.
On my way to the airport. Can’t wait to see you when I get back. I’ll call you when I can.
This man, she loved him so much. The weekend had been amazing, if the lack of nightmares became an ongoing thing, she would happily move back in with him soon. She needed him; she wanted to go to bed with him by her side and wake up next to him every day. She sent him a text back.
You’re probably on the plane by now. I love you, honey.
Heather debated internally for a second, whether she should send it, but it felt right. Heather was whole again, and it finally felt okay to call him that. He’d see the message when he got off the plane, and she got shivers thinking about him reading it. She knew that it would make him happy.
She saw that she had a text from Sebastian as well.
Is Harrison with you?
Heather frowned, that was fucking weird. He’d sent it about thirty minutes ago, right when they should’ve been getting on the plane. Her phone rang as she was typing out a reply and it was Ariana calling her.
“Heather, is Harrison with you?” Ariana asked her when Heather answered the phone; she sounded concerned.
“No. Why? He sent me a text that he was going to the airport an hour ago. What’s happening?” Heather had a growing knot of fear in her stomach.
“He missed the flight to Los Angeles; the guys had to fly without him because they couldn’t get on to him. They thought he might be with you, so I said I’d try and get on to you.”
Heather felt sick; the last time she hadn’t been able to get on to Harrison was the night he’d cheated on her, “Did you try Michael?”
“Yes, he’s not answering, either. I’m really worried, Heather.”
“Fuck. Is Cooper on the plane, too?”
“Yes. I don’t know what to do. I’m at work; what do I do?” Ariana sounded fretful.
“Okay, I’ll keep trying Harrison. Everything is probably fine,” Heather didn’t feel so sure of that, Harrison had never missed a flight in his life, “but you keep trying Michael.”
Heather had tried calling Harrison five times in a row when her phone rang with a number she didn’t recognize. Her heart skipped a beat. Was it Harrison calling her back from a different phone?
“Hello?”
“Could I speak to Heather York, please?” the person asked.
“Speaking. How can I help you?”
“Miss York, my name is Doctor Davies from Chicago Hospital. I’m calling you because you’re listed as the in case of emergency contact in Harrison Fletcher’s phone,” his tone was even and calm.
Heather fought the urge to be sick, “What’s happened to Harrison?”
“He’s been involved in a car accident, and he’s in surgery at the moment. Can you come to the hospital immediately?” he asked.
“Yes, of course.”
Harrison. She wanted to lose herself in worry and despair, but she couldn’t. She needed to be where he was.
“Cal!” she called out, and he appeared almost instantly.
“Yes, Heather?” His face dropped when he saw her, “What’s wrong?”
“Harrison’s been in an accident, can you take me to Chicago Hospital?”
He nodded, “Of course, let’s go now.”
As soon as they were in the car and on their way to the hospital, Heather called Ariana.
“Hi, Heather. Did you get on to Harrison?”
“No. A doctor called me; he’s been in an accident. He’s in surgery. I’m on my way to Chicago Hospital,” as she said it, Heather finally gave in to tears.
“Oh my god, Heather,” Ariana gasped, “I’ll meet you there.”
Heather wanted to tell her not to; it was her instinct to try and assure Ariana that she would be fine, but she wanted her there, “Thank you.”
After they hung up, Heather knew that she needed to call Sarah and Robert to let them know, as well. She hadn’t spoken to them since she’d had a very awkward call with Sarah shortly after the night Harrison had cheated on her.
“Heather?” Sarah sounded pleased as she answered her call, “It’s so lovely to hear from you. How are you, dear?”
Heather choked back a sob as she tried to say something, but couldn’t.
“Heather? Are you okay?”
“Harrison. He’s been in an accident,” Heather struggled to say through her tears.
“No!” The pain was evident in Sarah’s voice.
“He’s in surgery,” Heather managed.
She needed to say this. It made it clear that he was still alive…for now. That thought broke Heather, and she sobbed loudly. They’d only just started to make things right again. If he died today, she knew that she would not survive it.
“What hospital?” Sarah asked her.
Heather gave up and put the call on speaker, leaning forward to drop it in the passenger seat, before sitting back to continue crying.
“Hi,” Callum said, “I’m not sure who I’m talking to.”
“I’m Sarah, Harrison’s mother, who is this?” She sounded confused and terrified.
“My name is Callum Archer. I’m Heather’s bodyguard. I’m driving her to Chicago Hospital where Harrison is in surgery.”
“We will meet you there,” Sarah informed him.
Sarah hung up the call, and Callum drove Heather the rest of the way to the hospital in silence. When they arrived, he parked as close as he could to the entrance, assessing the situation as he drove past it. There was a throng of media near the entrance, and Heather felt sick.
She was insanely nervous right now; the last thing she wanted was to deal with paparazzi. If that was what she had to do in order to get to Harrison, though, she would do it. Heather would wa
lk on hot coals to get to him right now.
Sure enough, as soon as the paparazzi spotted them, they were swarmed. Heather said nothing. Tears were still rolling down her face, and she couldn’t stop them if she tried. She just needed Harrison to be okay.
Once they got inside, they were directed to a waiting room where other stressed family members and friends sat, waiting for news about their own loved ones. Heather sat in one of the chairs next to the wall, and Callum sat next to her.
Heather pulled out her phone and searched for ‘Harrison Fletcher.’ The top news stories were about the accident. Apparently, their SUV had been t-boned by someone who had blown through a red light. There were pictures of the carnage, and Heather felt sick. Where had Harrison been sitting? Surely, he must have been behind Michael, or he would almost certainly have been killed instantly.
Heather wondered if Michael had survived; was he in surgery, too? She looked around the waiting room but couldn’t discern if anyone else here was someone that Michael knew. She had actually met Callum’s wife, Ellen, a couple of times, but she’d barely been around Michael because of her split with Harrison.
They’d been sitting there for about half an hour when Ariana arrived with Ross Weber behind her. She made her way directly to Heather, gave her a massive hug, and sat down on the other side of her. Callum moved over to stand next to Ross near the door. Both of them seemed to be on alert.
“He’ll be okay, Heather,” Ariana said.
“He has to be, Ariana. I can’t live in a world where he doesn’t exist,” just the thought of it was too painful to bear.
Living their lives separately had been hard enough to deal with. The universe wouldn’t be so cruel as to take him away from her now. The man that she loved more than anything, the man that she had finally figured out how to forgive. He could not leave her now.