Love After Pain

by Torrie Robles

  “How are things going? You seem to have gotten back into the swing of things.”

  “It’s going great. My clients are happy to see that I’m back. I set up meetings with both Mr. Whitmore and Mr. Zanetti to take care of what they need. I plan on heading down to Texas with Mr. Zanetti soon.”

  “Giovanni Zanetti is an up and coming man. He has just now started to tap into his family’s resources. He’s someone we would like to represent now and in the unforeseen future. Make sure you do whatever he needs.”

  “I always do.”

  “Mr. Keller, Ms. Stevens is here.” Elizabeth’s voice comes over the loudspeaker.

  “Send her in, Elizabeth.”

  I’ve seen Bridgett Stevens in the office a few times since I’ve been back. She was working for a rival firm here in the city, but it seems that Keller’s offer to put her on the fast track to partner was just too good to pass up. Without even a knock she enters the office.

  “Bridgett, you know David.”

  “Of course. David, how are you doing today?”

  “Great. Just fine, thanks.”

  I’ve heard of Bridgett’s reputation when it comes to her aggressiveness in the courtroom. She’s gotten companies out of lawsuits when anyone in their right mind knew her clients were liable. A customer of a high end cosmetic company went blind after getting a new mascara in their eye and the jury found her client not accountable. Because the client’s family had a history of bad eyesight, it just might have been perfect timing for the blindness to set in. A food chain that she represented was sued because the temperature of their fries was too hot and burned a toddlers mouth. She got them off because the fries were ordered for the adult in their combination meal and the toddler shouldn’t have had them.

  I personally don’t believe in playing dirty. I like to be honest and forthcoming with my clients and in their legal problems. I don’t see myself losing sleep at night while my clients get to keep their millions and innocent people suffer at their hand. I like to make sure my clients are held accountable. It may not always be the best way to go when you’re a corporate law attorney, but I can tell you this, the majority of my clients run their companies by the books. The IRS isn’t breathing down their necks and none of my clients have ever been picketed, threatened or had continued bad publicity. That’s not the way I work. I may not be ruthless, but I make sure my client’s keep their noses clean. That’s how I’ve made a name for myself. I offer security, stability, and trust.

  “I brought you in, Bridgett, because I want to pair you and David up. As you know, Henry was working with David, but things weren’t working out so I wanted to go in a different direction. I’m not always going to be in the office as an active member of the firm. David, before Kate passed you were on the right track to make partner. The other partners and I have always been proud that you’ve represented us. We still are, but Bridgett adds to the firm what we need to continue to be a player in the industry. Corporations don’t want pussies representing them. They don’t want someone to just lie down in the courtroom and then still collect a check at the end of the day. We need her to walk big and play hard ball. She’s known for not letting the little things go unnoticed. It’s because of her eye for detail she’s been able to win cases others thought were lost causes. She’s aggressive and David, you’re straightforward. I feel you two will make a powerful and dangerous combination. I need you to continue to let the clients know what’s right and what’s wrong. I want you to continue to be who you are and represent us like you’ve always have. But when things get tough and honesty is not always the best policy, if the honesty make our clients weak, then I need for Ms. Stevens to get in there and get her hands dirty.”

  “I don’t mind a few broken nails.”

  I feel a vibration in my pocket. “Sorry.” I pull my phone out. “This may be about my kids.” I see it’s a text from Olivia.

  Olivia: Hi, David. Making sure you’re feeling okay. Just worrying about you. Let me know how you’re doing.

  Me: I’m doing good. Feeling a lot better.

  “David?” Robert’s voice startles me.

  “Sorry.”

  “Is everything alright?” My phone buzzes in my hand so I look down again.

  Olivia: Well I’m glad. I wouldn’t want you to make the kids sick.

  Me: I bet you would make a great nurse if I were. I’m sure you would get me feeling better in no time. ;0)

  Robert clears his throat to get my attention again. “Sorry about that, Robert. Everything is as fine as can be expected with babies and children.”

  “I want you both to work together, David. You two need to get to know each other’s clients inside and out.” My phone vibrates again.

  Olivia: Okay now I’m worried again. You don’t sound like my David.

  Me: Your David? I didn’t know I was your David. I think I like the sound of that. But it’s me anyhow, all 6 foot 4 of him. All man, all David. I put my phone back down.

  “With all due respect, Robert, my clients trust me. They not only seek my professional advice, but they seek my advice on a personal level as well. I’m not sure how they’ll feel about adding another attorney into the mix.”

  “David, this isn’t up for discussion. We see both you and Bridgett as the future of the firm. We’re setting it up so that you will be the faces of Keller, Donald and Yates. If things go right, McAllister and Stevens will be added to that title.”

  The future, that’s what this is all about. What needs to be done to secure the firm’s future. To make sure that even after the current partners have long since retired they still get a fat paycheck. They still want a piece of the pie and it’s going to be on the tails of my continued hard work. There was a time when I wanted that. When I wanted the name, the reputation, the fame and glory, but now I just want to be there for my kids.

  “I’m up for the challenge if David is.” Bridget looks over at me cocking her eyebrow.

  “Robert, I’ve always been a team player and I’m not about to turn my back on you when you’ve been there for me when I’ve needed you to. I’m game. But I’m saying this first. I will always be true to who I am and the way I work. I will not turn into some slimy ass lawyer because it will make your name shine brighter. I’ll continue to do what I need to do, but I won’t bend in my morals. Even if I’m an attorney. I’m damn good at my job and no partner will deter me.”

  “Don’t worry, David, I always play nice.”

  “Well it’s settled then.” Robert stands, signaling that he’s done with this meeting. “Start looking into each other’s cases. Start getting the feel for the way you work. Make sure you can pick up where the other may leave off. Make it a true partnership.” The smile on Robert’s face is telling me that he wants this to be more than a business relationship, and the thought pisses me off. “Why don’t you two kids have a drink after work or a bite to eat and get to know each other a little more? It will be better for everyone all the way around.”

  My phone buzzes again in my hand.

  Olivia: Heading to Turner’s for a drink with your sis. Can you stop by? I would like to see with my own eyes that you are alright. I’ll sleep better tonight. Please?

  “Sure, sounds great. How about Turner’s at five. I can spare an hour before I need to pick up my kids. How does that sound, Bridgett?”

  She smiles. “Sure sounds good. I’ll meet you there or would you like to drive together?”

  The tone in her voice is telling me she’s on board with what Robert is thinking. The problem with that is, I wasn’t. Bridgett’s dark hair and eyes did nothing for me. Each business suit she pours her body into does nothing for me. She isn’t Kate and sure as hell isn’t Olivia. If there was anyone who was able to turn my fucked up head it wasn’t Bridgett. But it was most definitely a little spunky woman that has turned my world upside down.

  Me: Sounds good. My new work buddy and I will be there after five.

  “I think it would be better if we met. I’ll
have to get my kids after.” I turn to Robert. “You got a second? I have something I need to discuss with you.” He nods in response and I wait until Bridgett closes the door behind her.

  “Robert, I’m not sure what your angle is here. I hope I’m wrong in assuming this, but there’s no reason for you to be playing matchmaker. That kind of help is not warranted. And frankly it pisses me off. Not only am I not ready for something like that, it’s disrespectful of my wife’s memory. On top of the fact that I don’t fuck where I work. It’s totally unprofessional of you and completely inappropriate.”

  “David, I apologize if I overstepped. I didn’t mean any disrespect, especially not to Kate. I know how extraordinary she was. I saw what she brought to your life and I see how empty it is now. I was just thinking for you both professionally and personally.”

  “I don’t need any help in either area of my life, Robert. I’m fine with both. If there comes a time when I need your help then I’ll ask. But please, stay out of anything that doesn’t directly affect the firm.”

  32

  David

  “I’m excited about what Robert has planned for the future.” Bridgett says after finishing her second martini. Me, I’m just sipping on my first beer.

  I’m not blind, I know Bridgett is beautiful. I’m sure she’s used her looks to get everything she’s ever wanted. She’s lucky that she has the brains to back up her looks. She didn’t get the reputation that she has only because she’s used her body to get it. Her track record shows her talent in the courtroom. If I thought Kate was fierce, Bridgett is probably twice as fierce. Kate had a reputation of winning and doing it gracefully. Bridgett wasn’t graceful at all when it came to her talents at winning. She was a terror, a nightmare you never wanted to go up against.

  “I think Robert may have a hidden agenda when it comes to you and me. An agenda that I’m not on board with.”

  “Robert’s harmless. He just wants a united front when it comes to the firm. He wants to make a name for himself. He wants a legacy, and he thinks you and I can give it to him.” She signals the waitress for a third drink. I look around the bar. I haven’t seen Olivia and Destiny yet, I’m sure they got held up at the office. I look at my phone and see that Olivia hasn’t texted me in several hours.

  “I’m all for making the firm a thriving success, but I’m not going to do it in a way I don’t feel comfortable with. In the years that I’ve known Robert, I’ve never known him to encourage office relationships. I’m not sure why he thinks it’s a good idea now. I don’t like it.”

  I look up when I hear the laughter of my sister. She walks in with Olivia and another guy. By the way his hand rests on Des’s lower back, I say this is the guy she’s been seeing for a while. She still hasn’t thought to bring him around to meet me. That doesn’t sit well with me as her big brother. It’s not that I need to approve of anyone that she dates, but this guy is different. The main reason being that he has lasted ten times as long as any other guy has.

  I see Bridgett glance over at my sister and Olivia. Neither of them have looked for me. I’m disappointed to see that Olivia isn’t searching me out. We were both a little flirty with each other today in our messages. I thought that would be the start of our flirtation banter, maybe take whatever is going on between us to the next level. Obviously, between my jack off session in the shower the other night and my erotic dreams, my dick is on board one hundred percent.

  “You are an admirable man, David. I wish I was here when your wife was alive. I would have liked to get to know her. But the fact of the matter is, she’s gone. I know that it’s still hard for you.”

  I already know where this spiel is going and I don’t care to hear it. I tune her out while I watch Olivia talk, rather flirtatiously to a fucktard that just walked over to her. By the way his muscles are bulging out of his youth size t-shirt I’m certain he has a major case of little man syndrome. Either he likes the fact that he is probably wider than he is tall, or he’s making up for lacking in the package department. I just can’t believe that Olivia is falling for the crap that I’m sure he’s laying on her. “David, are you listening to me?” I feel Bridgett reach out to take my hand. Right at that time, Olivia glances over to me and sees this exchange. Her face pales a bit and she struggles to paste a fake smile on her face while she listens to fucktard.

  I pull my hand back. “Excuse me.”

  “Is she the one you were texting while we were in the meeting with Robert today?”

  “How do you know it wasn’t about my kids? Why would you think I was texting a female or anyone else other than who I told Robert it was?”

  “Well for one, you never actually told Robert who it was. In fact, you seemed to skate that question without him realizing you didn’t really answer him. Plus the look on your face was one that a man doesn’t get when discussing his kids. No matter how much he may love them. A man does not get a dopey look on this face discussing diaper and bottles. If I’m seeing things right, the taller one must be related to you somehow because you both resemble each other, and the little one seems to be getting along fine without you.”

  I look over and see that guy has now placed his hand on Olivia’s hip while he bends down to talk to her. I see red. My pulse quickens and I know my adrenaline has kicked in. I’m experiencing the fight or flight complex and I’ll be damned if I run from this. I’m gonna fight and make sure this asshole knows he doesn’t have the right to touch Olivia, my Olivia. “You’ll have to excuse me.”

  “David.” Bridgett stands up suddenly.

  “I’ll see you at the office tomorrow, Bridgett.” I turn to leave and make my way over to where Olivia and Destiny are standing near the bar. When Destiny sees me I read her lips as she says ‘Fuck’. Yeah, she knows me and I’m sure the look on my face isn’t a pleasant one.

  33

  Olivia

  I feel a smack on my back. I look up to see Destiny darting her eyes between me and something behind me. “What?”

  “David’s coming this way and he doesn’t look happy.”

  I look over and sure enough he does not look happy. I don’t know what his problem is. I just saw that tramp, the one that I’m assuming is his work buddy grasping onto his hand. I’m just trying to have a good night. A fun night. A night not having to deal with feelings. “Olivia?” David is right beside me. Trent, who I’ve just met tenses at his arrival. The hand that he placed on my hip a few minutes ago is now gripping me.

  “David?” My voice is a bit higher than it usually is. David eyes fall to Trent’s hand on my hip, and they blaze with anger. He wraps his hand around my upper arm and pull me towards him. I feel Trent lose his grip on my hip, and I’m thankful for the lack of pain.

  “What the fuck?” This comes from Trent. “Who the fuck do you think you are, buddy?”

  “Listen, fucktard. You don’t need to worry about who I am because you’re done here. You can scurry away and go back to whatever muscle head gym you came from. She isn’t interested.” I’m completely shocked by David’s response. I look to Destiny for some help, but it looks like she’s just as shocked as I am.

  “She seemed plenty interested before you decided to insert yourself in the middle of our conversation.” I feel Trent wrap his arm around my waist and try to pull me towards him. David doesn’t let my arm go and the pulling and tugging brings me more pain than pleasure.

  “Will you two fucking stop it.” I yank my arm away from David’s grip, causing my arm to sting. I step out of Trent’s grip. “I’m not a piece of meat, for Christ sakes. I don’t belong to either one of you so stop trying to piss on my leg.”

  “I don’t need to piss anywhere, Livie.” David gives me a smirk. Boy he’s full of himself tonight.

  “There’s too many other bitches in this bar to have to deal with this shit. I’m out. Have fun with your fucking cave man.” Trent walks away and instantly invades a group of four girls laughing at each other. What a dick.

  “Well that seems to b
e taken care of,” David says above my head.

  “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Destiny bursts out.

  “What do you mean, what do I think I’m doing?”

  “That’s exactly what I just said. What are you doing, David?”

  “Hi, I’m David McAllister, Destiny’s brother.” He completely ignores Destiny’s question and introduces himself to the man standing at Destiny’s side, which pisses me off because I want to know where he gets off twat blocking me like that.

  “Hi, I’m Spencer, Destiny’s boyfriend. I’m glad I finally have a chance to meet you.”

  “Yes, it’s about time. It seems my sister has been politely keeping you away from me out of respect that I lost my wife several months back.”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry about that, man.”

  I see David nod his head. I am sure he’s heard enough ‘I’m sorry’s’ to last a life time.

  “David, do you think you can answer Des’s question. Because I’m am dying to know what’s crawled up your ass and made you come over here and interrupt my conversation with Trent.”

  “Oh you mean, Popeye?” He points to where Trent is standing with a girl hanging from his bicep. I guess I didn’t make that big of an impression with him because I can see he’s completely forgotten about me. Damn, I may be losing my touch.

  “Yes.” I’m not about to let him sidestep the fact that he just walked up and totally messed with my game.

  “I thought we were meeting for drinks. I was just clearing away any distractions.” My mouth drops at his confession. “My time is valuable, Liv, I don’t have much before I need to head home to the kids.”

  “So what about Tramp Mc Lotsofboobs you were sitting with?” I cock my eyebrow, pop my hip and cross my arms over my chest.