“Okay, bye.”
Stepping out into the hallway, I looked right and found the corridor empty. Then I went in search of Emmery. Of course I found her precisely where I thought I would. What she was doing, however, threw me for a loop. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the massive television, Xbox remote in hand, waiting for the console to load.
“What are you doing?”
“Jesus man. What is with you and scaring the shit out of me? Maybe you could clear your throat when you enter a room. Or announce yourself,” she choked out, chest heaving. That’s when I noticed the fitted black almost see-through shirt she was wearing. Once I finally made my eyes move back up her body, her eyes were wide with alarm. “Uh, why are you staring?”
Shit. Busted.
“Nothing. I was just surprised to see you playing a video game. What are you going to play?”
“Not sure, I was looking to see what games you already had loaded so I didn’t have to wait for downloads,” she explained as she turned her attention back to the gaming system. “You wanna play with me?” she asked provocatively with a devil’s grin.
“Sorry, sweetness, I gotta run Drew home. Just wanted to see what you were up to. See ya later.” I turned and quickly left the room, but not before I heard her say something. Unsure of what the comment was, I hesitated at the doorway. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
“Sure you didn’t, pookie,” she uttered without breaking eye contact with the screen. “Bye.”
Not sure what to make of the comment, I quickly exited. As I walked back down the hall, I couldn’t help but think of the possibilities. If I ignored my own self-imposed moratorium and decided to explore the opportunities, would she even be interested?
I had a shit record with dating and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt Emmery the way I had hurt Leila. But what if I didn’t? What if it was the best chance I had ever taken? That coin had two heads. What if I do finally open up, put myself out there and she doesn’t feel the same way about me?
I’m not really sure my heart would survive the kind of pain I had inflicted upon it a year ago.
Maybe things were better this way.
Safer. For both of us.
Chapter Eight
~Emmery~
Sitting there on the floor of the game room, I was so confused by my behavior that I wasn’t surprised when Brody left all but scratching his head.
What the hell, Em? Pookie? That’s the best you got? I was mortified at my choice of pet name. Even if it was a big joke. Who the hell said pookie anyway? How embarrassing.
I stayed in the large entertainment room until I heard the garage door close. Turning off the console and TV, I went in search of my aunt. Still thinking about what Drew had said to me in the hall while Brody was on the phone. I thought I knew what he meant, but I wasn’t sure.
If you want it, you’ll need to fight for it.
What is it that he thought I wanted? Him? Or Brody? I hope he didn’t take my harmless flirting to heart. I flirt with the baristas at Starbucks every morning. I meant nothing by it; I just might have been a tad too friendly.
“Aunt Jane?” My voice echoed through the large home as I hollered from the large hallway between the living room and foyer. “Aunt Jane?” The large, open staircase in front of me caused my words to bounce around the two-story open foyer, carrying sound to the second floor.
“Em, I’m up here,” she called from somewhere above.
Skipping a stair all the way up, I was on the second-floor landing in a split second. “Where are you?”
“Brody’s room,” she yelled just before momentarily poking her head out like a turtle.
“Oh,” I said, walking toward the bedroom. I paused at the threshold, but couldn’t bring myself to cross. This was his room. I looked around from the doorway. It was tastefully decorated in dark, masculine colors. A large stone fireplace sat to the left with a plush sofa in front. To the right was a black king-size bed with thick balusters. The mattress seemed extra plush, leaving the bed close to stomach high. I wouldn’t need a running start, but I would definitely have to hop a little.
Not that I would find out.
Ever.
But did I want to?
I could see myself tangled around him as he pinned one leg back and slid into me. Shit, that certainly was not helping nor was it the thought I needed to be having. I needed to stop this madness. Brody and I were not happening. I was here for a mini vacation, not to find a husband. Wait, where the hell did the husband part come from?
Moving on. I shook my head and the thoughts loose.
Past the bed, where the room narrowed, there were French doors on both sides of the room. Straight ahead was a set of large floor-to-ten-foot-high-ceiling, multi-panel accordion glass doors that opened out to a balcony. Given the location of the room, I believed it would have a view of the river and backyard.
“Em, you can come in. I’m just straightening up in here,” Aunt Jane’s voice floated out from the doors to the left.
Hesitantly, I stepped into the master bedroom and tiptoed across the floor like a teenager sneaking out on a school night. When I walked through the double doors, I learned it was his bathroom and I was quickly in awe. The bathroom was spectacular. A mixture of stark white limestone and opulent gray marble set this room apart from the rest of his estate. It was more contemporary and modern.
More him.
“I just have to grab his dry cleaning out of the closet and check toiletries. Oh, Lei’s gonna be here soon with the baby. I can’t wait for you to meet them. You will just love her,” Aunt Jane gushed as she grabbed the towels off the vanity and rummaged through the cabinets.
“Not as much as he apparently still does,” I muttered under my breath as I walked around the palatial bathroom, stopping in front of the two wide steps up to the large whirlpool bath. Its width was about that of a full-size bed but a foot or two longer.
Yet another reason I did not want to get involved or attached. He was still clearly not over his ex.
“I told you how hard their breakup hit him. I don’t think he’s still in love with her. I think he just misses the way they were. Anyway, I meant to ask you if you had given any thoughts to when you wanted to head back home. You’re certainly welcome to stay as long as you’d like, but if you are planning on leaving soon, I need to book your ticket,” she explained after she finished taking inventory.
Not really listening to exactly what it was she was saying, my eyes wandered around the space. “Tell me again why you do this? Why you work for him? Is he not capable of letting you know when he’s almost out of shampoo or soap?” As I heard myself asking, I couldn’t help but be ashamed of my tone. “I’m sorry, Aunt Jane. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.”
“He’s very much capable, but he’s a busy man, Em. He normally works seventy hours a week at the office and then comes home and puts in lots more hours here. He provides me with a home, a new car, insurance, more money than I can spend and I’ve been a part of his life since he was born,” she said with an honest smile. “I enjoy taking care of him. It’s not that he expects me to do so, but it’s just the little things that I can take care of so he doesn’t need to.
“After Caroline died, he spiraled out of control. He needed a mom, he’d lost his, so I stepped up. After all I was Caroline’s best friend and practically lived here to help her with Brody since William was always working or drunk.”
“You don’t have to explain your choices to me. I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’ll take care of booking my ticket,” I said, regretting my bitchiness.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. “I’ll be downstairs.” Leaving the bathroom, I pulled out my phone and saw the text message from an unknown number.
Such a shame your daddy has all that money and you live in shitty apartment. Enjoy Charleston. While you can.
Holy shit. This time I started panicking.
How the hell had they got
ten my number? Re-reading the text message, my body fell lifelessly to the buttery suede sofa in the living room. I had to call Veronica and make sure she was okay. She was the only other person up there, other than Lois, that really knew what was going on. Scrolling through my contacts, I found Veronica’s name, clicked the phone icon and placed the phone against my cheek.
After the third ring, I thought for sure it would roll to voicemail, but she picked up.
“Hey, Em,” she greeted me but her voice trembled.
“Veronica, honey, are you okay?” Even though I asked the question, I was terrified of the answer she would return.
“When are you coming home?” She didn’t answer me and she got straight to the point.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t booked a return ticket yet. What’s goin’ on, Ronni? You’re scaring me. I just got this cryptic text and I think it’s from those guys. Are they with you?” I knew the answer before I asked the question when I heard her sniffle.
“Not anymore but they were here. Em, they came to my apartment. They told me if I didn’t give them your number, they would hurt me.” She paused then whispered. “Like really hurt me, Em. They had guns and I’m really sorry but I figured it was just your phone number. I’m so sorry. They know you’re in Charleston, but I promise it wasn’t me who told them.”
“Veronica, it’s fine. I’m glad you gave them my number. I’d hate it if you were hurt because of me.” Turning my attention to the foyer, I heard my aunt coming down the stairs. “Listen, I have to go. Can you please call your brother and go stay with him until I get home and can figure this out?”
“Yeah, but call me later. I’m really worried about these guys, Emmery. They know things about you,” she whispered but I cut her off.
“Okay, bye, Ronni.” I pressed end just as Jane came into the room.
“You didn’t have to end your call on my account,” she announced as she continued on to the kitchen.
“Nah, she had to go anyway.” I decided right then, I needed to get home. “Do you think I could use the computer in Brody’s office? I need to check my email and bank account.”
“I don’t think it would be a big deal. Just don’t touch anything or move things around. I’m going to run over to my house really quick. I’ll be back in a few.”
“‘Kay,” I said as I opened my menacing text again. Mentally I debated replying to the text and telling them I wouldn’t be any trouble just to leave me alone. I decided against it. Maybe if I ignore them, they will take the hint. Hearing the door off the veranda click shut, I stood and walked off toward the office.
After looking into flights and not being able to make a decision, I decided to check my email. As I logged into my account I was greeted with several dozen emails. There were tons of spam, a few from my boss, Ted, and even two from my dad. He was just checking in and wanted to let me know that he should be home just after New Year’s and would like to have dinner. Much to my surprise there was email from my mother.
Staring at the sender’s name, I contemplated opening the damn thing. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my mom, but she had a shit-storm of drama that followed her around. She was her own personal hurricane. There was always a path of destruction left in her wake. My father being exhibit number one. Sure, he went on with his life after she up and left us a year and a half ago, but he was a shell of a man. He was in the pit of despair and it killed me to see him beat himself up emotionally for not being enough for her. Exhibit two would be my love life, or lack thereof. You can’t get hurt if you didn’t let anyone get too close.
To: Emmery Lennox
From: Alejandra Varela-Lennox
Subject: Checking In
Just reading the subject line made me want to scream. Checking in? Ha! She hadn’t checked in on me in almost two years unless she needed something or wanted information. Against my better judgment, I clicked on the email.
Hi Emmery.
I hope this email finds you well. It’s Christmas Day and I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. I would love to see you or just talk to you. The cell number I had for you is no longer working. You must have changed your number. I could send you a plane ticket to come see me in Isla De Margarita for the New Year. I know that we’ve not been in touch much over the last year and that’s my fault, I know. But I want to remedy that mistake. I miss you honey. I know I’ve made many mistakes. Mistakes that I wish I could take back. I should have taken you with me. But I have followed you over the last year and watched your progress in your training. You still look beautiful when you ride, so carefree and at peace.
Even though I may not be there, I am still watching over you from afar. I will always be your protector, whether you want me to be or not. I’ll always be your mother.
Please call me. Or you could email your cell number to me and I will call you. There are some things going on here in Venezuela that you should be aware of but I don’t want to explain in an email.
I love you sweetheart.
Mom
I re-read the email. The simple fact that she reached out was worrisome. She actually had the audacity to ask me to call her. How many times had I called her over the last year and she didn’t answer or call me back? I couldn’t say how many because I lost track. After the fifth or sixth month of trying I finally gave up. I just couldn’t fathom what would make a mother abandon her child. I mean, I wasn’t a kid, but I was still her child and she just up and left me. I sat there and stared at the screen until I heard voices.
Shit. I don’t want to meet Leila, the goddess, or Leila, the saint.
I was sure why I had already decided I didn’t like her. Because Brody is still in love with her and you want to climb him like a tree.
Gah! What the hell was I thinking? I didn’t want him.
Did I?
Sure, he was hotter than sin and you could get lost in those gorgeous blue eyes for days, but he was here and I was there. And did I mention, he was an arrogant prick—sometimes.
“Emmery,” my aunt called from the other room. “Dear, can you please come out and meet Leila and Lillian?”
“Be right out,” I hollered, rolling my eyes, dreading the introduction. Not exactly a big fan of kids, but babies were cute enough. As long as they didn’t slobber on me, spit up or poop, then I was good.
Rising from the leather chair, I strolled out toward the large, open living room. Sitting with an adorable little red-headed girl bouncing in her lap was the infamous Leila. I knew because I had seen so many pictures in the shrine room.
Lillian turned to look first as I entered the room. She was the most precious baby I had ever seen. Blue eyes just like Brody’s and strawberry blonde curls just like her mother. She had porcelain skin and rosy cheeks.
And I had to admit, in person Leila was certainly beautiful. She had a smile that lit up the room. I couldn’t help but overhear her yammering on about how she was disappointed that Brody wasn’t there.
Why does that bother you? He’s not yours. Cut the shit.
“Oh Emmery, there you are, sweetheart. Come meet Leila and Miss Lilly,” Jane gushed as her eyes lit up. “Leila, this is Emmery, my niece, the one I told you about. Emmery, this is Leila.”
Politely, she stood and shifted the baby to her hip and offered her hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard such great things about you. And I hear you love to ride too.”
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” I said as I took her hand, turning on my boarding school manners and charm. “Aunt Jane and Brody have told me all about you, but I didn’t know you rode as well. And hello Miss Lilly, aren’t you just the cutest thing ever?”
Lillian immediately shied away, tucking her head behind Leila’s shoulder and peeking every now and again. “Don’t mind her—she’s a little shy when she first meets new people.”
“I would be too. She doesn’t know me. I totally understand,” I offered as I sat down in one of the armchairs. “So I hear you are a nurse. What an exciting job tha
t must be.”
Leila smiled and chuckled. “It can be but I think you’ve got me beat. Riding every day and getting paid for it? Next to being a mom, that has to be the best job ever.”
“I think so,” I answered, beaming from ear to ear.
“Emmery and I were just talking about how long she was going to stay. Did you make any arrangements to return to New York?” Aunt Jane asked as she reached for the baby.
“No, I was just checking my email. I have so many it’s hard to sift through them on my phone. But I will probably need to head out Tuesday or Wednesday.” I decided against saying anything about my mother’s email. I knew there was no love lost there between her and Aunt Jane. “So I hear that someone is having a sleepover?” That got Lillian’s attention. Her head whipped around and looked from me to her mom.
“I told her on the way that she was having a sleepover with Daddy and MawMaw.” Leila smiled, looking at her daughter.
“Dad-dee,” Lillian cooed one word. That’s all it took. My heart melted at her sweet little tone.
“Yes, sweet pea, you are stayin’ with Daddy tonight.”
The three of us sat there for about thirty minutes talking before I heard the garage door open. A minute or so later Brody came through the door with a massive grin, looking sexier than I had ever seen another human look.
“Where’s my girl?” he asked, tossing his keys on top of the console then crossing the room like his heels were on fire.
Lillian just squealed and jumped up and down on Leila’s leg. She was so excited she almost jumped right out of Leila’s arms.
“Hang on,” Leila told her as she tried to hand her over to Brody. The baby squirmed and wriggled like a worm on a hook.
Seizing the child in his arms, Brody exclaimed, “Gotcha, Lillybear.” She giggled this tight laugh that warmed the whole room. It was clear she adored him as much as he did her. The love that radiated between them was awe-inspiring. He twirled her around, lifting her over his head slightly. All eyes were on them.
His Redemption Page 6