Everett just ruined everything great that might have been building between us. I didn’t imagine what just happened. That crazy hot guy just asked me to marry him.
Even more crazy—I almost said yes!
Chapter Thirteen - Everett
“That’s a nice look.”
“Fuck off, Danny. I can’t have a drink after the worst 24 hours of my life?”
“Of course you can. I was going to say you need a nurse if you’re nursing a drink, but I can see you’re not up for a joke.” He flops into a chair opposite. “Too soon, I guess.”
“No, funny that. Very cliched, I know. Mourning a loss that happened what seems like five minutes ago.”
“Oh, get over yourself, Ev. You knew her for five seconds, then you tried to start spending money on her kid. Who, I might point out you met one time for only a few minutes in the middle of the night. What did you expect was going to happen?”
“I didn’t expect her to ignore my calls. I went on social media and she’s blocked me, just in case I decided to get active. Who does that?”
“I think the answer is very clearly someone who had a marriage proposal thrown at her when she rejected the gift of a wheelchair.” He runs his hand through his hair and laughs. The incredulous sound has me glaring in his direction. “It sounds insane just saying it out loud. No wonder she ran for the hills. Haven’t you ever seen a proposal or read about one? Don’t you know how they’re supposed to happen?”
“Of course I do. I had a brain snap. I didn’t even want to ask her, but I did want to help her. The words just fell out of my mouth and then she ran. I was relieved she put some space between us until I realized she meant it to be permanent. What am I supposed to do now?”
“Give up.” Cross sits in a chair beside me, his laptop open on his lap. “I think you’ve made such a mess of it that you should pretend it never happened and move on. Forget it. Hope she does. Then hope you never run across her again.”
I frown at him. “That’s the opposite of what I want.”
“So, go to her house.”
“No!” Danny and Wyatt both shout the word, and Danny continues. “Do not go there. You don’t have any idea what she’s thinking. She’s blocked you, not answered calls. The signs are all there for you to stay away. We do not want to be bailing you out of prison because you date like a sixteen year old boy.”
“That’s a bit harsh, Danny.” Wyatt waves to Sayer who just arrived with Kendra, and I’m graced with a look of sympathy. “Look, you have your answer. No more Jill for you. You fucked it up, now you have to move on. Learn from it and don’t make such a mess of your next relationship.” He slides over on the sofa to make room for the newcomers. “Oh, and try to get to the second date before you ask someone to marry you next time. It’s a matter of etiquette, you know.” He and Danny both laugh and I can’t even blame them. I’ve made it easy for them to tease me.
“Everyone. This is Kendra. Kendra, this is Wyatt and Cross. The sad sack over there is Everett, and you already know Danny.” They sit and Sayer says, “Are we still drowning our sorrows, or can we talk about New Year’s?”
“I think we’re being sad for a little bit longer.” Danny shakes his head and waves his hand at Everett. “We haven’t finished sharing our dating tips with Everett.”
“What happened?” Kendra asks and we all look at each other.
Of course, Danny is the one to start blabbing. “Everett, here, stands to inherit a billion dollars, probably a chunk more since it’s been in trust since he turned 18. All he has to do is put his teensy tiny signature on a marriage certificate and it’s his.”
“You make it sound so easy.” I know if I could see my dejected face it would be almost comical. Who in their right mind is miserable about inheriting that kind of money?
“Phew. That’s a lot of pressure.” Kendra is wide-eyed and Sayer takes her hand. “Can you marry just anyone?”
Wyatt answers for me this time and I feel myself sliding down in my chair. “He can. There’s no rule except that he has to marry.”
“You’ll meet the right girl, Everett. Surely that’s on the cards for you.” Kendra is the picture of optimism.
The other four laugh. That leaves me looking dejected, and Kendra looking confused. She doesn’t have to wonder for long, because Sayer puts his arm around her and speaks quietly, “Everett met someone, they didn’t have sex, he met her kid and her brother, then the next day he asked her if she’d marry him.”
Kendra’s eyes widen to dinner plate size. I’d laugh if I didn’t have the urge to punch her boyfriend. How does my misery condense so succinctly into a sentence or two?
“Oh. No wonder you look so sad. That’s a bit mixed up.”
“You’re telling me. You can imagine the response I got.”
Kendra lets the corner of her lips quirk up into a tiny smile. “I can. From the look of you it didn’t go well. You don’t need to worry, though. There’s still a chance. I rejected Sayer years ago.”
Danny is quick to throw in his two cents. “Oh, don’t worry, we know all about that. Last Christmas, when you brought Heath along as your date, Sayer looked just like Everett does now.”
Kendra’s eyes widen again, and the conversation has my full attention. “What? How do you know that?”
“He cried to us about it, of course. I can’t tell you how glad we are that you decided to resign. All Sayer’s dreams are coming true. Can I please just say how fun it is to have some fresh meat around here. I love having a new person to share our stores with.”
“Okay, Danny-big-mouth. That’s enough out of you.” Sayer’s voice is gruff, but Kendra turns adoring eyes on him, and he leans forward to kiss her. “I really was jealous of him,” he mutters.
She grins and looks around the room. “Some of you have some pretty mixed up families, by the sound. I’m so glad we were poor. There’s nothing for anyone to control about my future.”
“Control! See, you get it. I refuse to let them control me.” I finish my beer in one long draw. It’s been years since I got drunk. Maybe today is the right day for that drought to end. Maybe I’ll sit right here in Wyatt’s lounge room and drink myself silly.
“It’ll work out, Everett. Everything always does.” I smile but there’s emptiness behind it. I can’t feel any kind of optimism about this situation. “Do you want to talk about it? Get a woman’s perspective?”
“No, Kendra. I do not. What other interesting topics would you suggest?”
“I’ll bite that one,” Sayer says. “We’re set on the Maldives for New Year’s, right?”
“Right.” Danny smiles. “And anyone who doesn’t have their date on the right holiday has to chip in.” He turns to me and pats my leg. “You did good, Ev. You tried so you’re off the hook.”
I grunt and the conversation flows around me. They talk about plans for our holiday and who is the next victim of Danny’s little game. I’m faintly interested to hear that Danny pulled his own name out for Easter and he doesn’t have a date lined up. What I wouldn’t give for him to fail at his own game. My time in the Maldives would be all the sweeter knowing he’d paid to put me up in six-star accommodation. A guy can dream, right?
That’s not my dream, though.
My new dream is to put my family pressure behind me. To settle down with someone who understands me. Maybe even to have a family of my own someday. I let my mind wander, exploring the possibilities that could be mine if I could just stop seething over the situation and start living my life free of those expectations.
How did I get to be almost thirty having never had a serious relationship? It’s not normal to be this distant from people. To have no real life plans besides work. As I tune back into the conversation flowing around me a new reality hits.
If it weren’t for the eight other men in the secret billionaire’s club, I’d have no one.
Chapter Fourteen - Everett
“I need you to bring back two bags of ice. Don’t forget.”<
br />
“Got it, Mum. I’ll be a good boy.” Danny swears under his breath and the call disconnects. I smile, feeling a little better than I did two weeks ago when we all hung out at Wyatt’s house. Tonight we’re catching up, the eight of us, as well as Kendra. I can’t help but think about the changes that are ahead for us as more and more partners are added to our mix. Kendra has been a nice addition. She’s fun, interesting and it’s like she’s always been with us.
It’s not often the eight of us are in the same place at the same time. The last time was New Year’s and we all know how that ended. I plan to keep a tight rein on Danny tonight. There’ll be no surprise games. One is enough to deal with, especially since he’s managed to drag it out all year. I find myself smiling, thinking about the game. I’m so glad that I didn’t draw Christmas. I forget who has it but I pity him so much. What woman is going to want to date on Christmas?
Talk of Christmas makes me think of Tommo. Last Christmas we celebrated with a small group of our company in a faraway location. We tried to make it as festive as we could, but it’s just not the same as being home with the people you care about, and the food you’re familiar with. I miss the smell of Christmas whenever I spend it away from home. It doesn’t feel like a real Christmas unless you can squeeze in all your traditions.
From what I hear, Tommo is awake and sitting up, and he’s asked for me. I hope they’re not going to make a big deal of me pulling him out. Anyone would do what I did. When I tell him what I learned yesterday about the accident he’s going to be shocked. But it can’t be helped. At least his shock shouldn’t be compounded by the worst hangover in the history of the world. I was unamused when the phone rang this morning, early, and shrill.
Today is a new day and I’ve decided to stay away from alcohol for a while. More weeks of hazy memories aren’t what I want in my future. My bandages were removed yesterday and soon I’ll be given a clean bill of health. That means back to work.
I make my way along the hospital corridor keeping my eyes on the room numbers. I hate hospitals. Hate the smell. The squeaky floors. The way every flat surface seems to have something piled on it. The way there’s always something beeping in another room.
A vision of flaming red hair pops into my head, unbidden.
I didn’t hate her hospital. I enjoyed every moment I spent there, even though it was short. That’s because Jill made it better. Just like she made our date in the pub on St Patrick’s Day better, and she made green food seem better. The way my hotel room filled with excitement once she was there. She has a presence and I didn’t even know it affected me until it was too late.
I sent the stickers that she left behind after our disastrous breakfast. I wrapped them up in one of my old army shirts and included a note saying I hoped Jack enjoyed wearing it. Nothing else. No return address. No phone number added to the bottom of the note desperately proclaiming I’d accept a call. She showed me what she wanted, and I will honour that.
Thirty six. Tommo’s room is the last on the right and I knock and push the door open. I call out, “Are you decent?”
“I am, come in. Pull the curtain back, Everett.”
I paste on a smile, unsure what I’m going to see when the curtain slides back. I have no idea what kind of injuries Tommo has, and I’m worried my face will show disgust or horror and I’ll upset him. I steady myself and pull the curtain aside.
Three things strike me at one.
One. Tommo looks better than I expected. He’s sitting up. He’s smiling. He’s even eating. All good signs.
Two. Tommo’s room likes like he just gave birth to his first child. There’s foil helium balloons in an enormous bunch in the corner. The room is full of flowers, and I mean full. They’re on every flat surface—on the table that sits over his bed, on both side tables, on his chest of drawers and I even catch sight of a bunch resting in the basin of his bathroom. On the floor there’s an enormous gift basket wrapped in cellophane, full of snacks and chocolate.
Three. The beautiful redhead that haunts my dreams is sitting beside his bed.
I open my mouth, then close it. Tommo laughs as I stare at him and then look back to Jill. The last person I expected to see here today was her.
“Cat got your tongue, Everett?” It’s Jill who teases me, not Tommo. That should please me, but it only adds to my confusion. If you asked me ten minutes ago what would happen if I arrived here to find Jill, I’d have assured you that she would collect her things, say her farewells and leave immediately. But here she is smiling and talking to me.
As usual I have no idea how I got here.
“Uhh, hi. I didn’t expect to see you,” I pause, “again.”
She smiles, and it’s a genuine smile. The kind that goes all the way up to her eyes. “I can see that. Don’t worry. I’m not here to bite your head off.”
I take a deep breath and remember why I came. It was not to be reminded of the lust I feel for this woman, even two weeks after she stopped talking to me. I’m here to see my friend. “How are you? I’m pleased to see you awake.”
“Only thanks to you.” Oh, here we go. Please don’t go on about it. “I heard you pulled me out.”
“I did, but the others could have done it too. I’m just glad you’re looking well. What do the doctor’s say?”
“Looks like I’ll be leaving within the week. Sally is happy to be getting me home to laze around her living room all day.” He laughs, and I think back to the photos he always kept of Sally. He seemed to have one in every pocket and would pull them out all the time.
“That’s great.”
We talk about the weather. What’s been happening in the news. All superficial topics that I embrace to keep my mind away from thoughts of Jill. I’m hyper aware of her. Every movement of her head, every time she waves her hand or laughs. I’m saving every moment for later, when we leave here and go back to being strangers. A nurse arrives and announces they need to take Tommo for an x-ray.
We say our goodbyes and all of a sudden Jill and I are in the corridor together. I know I should let her go, but I don’t want to. Instead, I ask, “Want to get a coffee?”
“Not really,” she says.
“Okay.” I guess the friendly woman in Tommo’s room was just for his benefit. “I guess I’ll head home then. It was nice to see you, Jill.” She doesn’t move or say anything, and we stand awkwardly looking at each other. I shuffle my feet until a nurse approaches from the end of the corridor.
“Excuse me?” The nurse looks up and slows her pace. “My name is Jillian Harmer and I’m starting work in this hospital in two more weeks. Would you have an empty room we could borrow for a little while? We need to have a private,” she grimaces and nods her head toward me, “and kind of delicate conversation. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable in the waiting room.”
“I’m pretty sure all our rooms are full. Let me check.” I stand rooted to the spot as she goes to a desk and pulls up a chart. Jillian turns smouldering eyes on me and flicks her eyelashes in my direction, causing an immediate increase in my heart rate. I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m starting to get used to that feeling whenever Jill is nearby. The nurse turns back, glances up the corridor and leans into Jill. “We don’t have any spare rooms but you’re able to use the staff room at the very end.” She points and Jill nods. “It’s dark in there, I’m sorry for that. There’s no natural light. There’s a lock on the door, though if you need privacy.”
I’m incredulous. We’re standing in a hospital being given free rein to lock ourselves in the staff room on the say-so of one staff member. Jill takes my hand and drags me away as I smile awkwardly at our helper. Surely, she’s going to tell us she was joking and who do we think we are?
That doesn’t happen, though. I let Jill lead me into the room like I’m a zombie, and then she turns and locks the door. She flicks off the light and steps toward me, bumping me slightly as we meet in the darkness.
“I’m sorry I haven’t called, Evere
tt. I needed some time to get my head together.”
“Umm. Okay. I’ll be honest. I have no idea what we’re doing in here. I thought we were done.”
“So did I.” Her fingers slip around my neck. “But Jack has asked about you every day since you sent him that jacket. I couldn’t forget about you even if I wanted to.”
“But I was a dick.” I bite my lip as I risk putting my hands on her waist. She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she leans closer.
“You were a maniac, but I may have jumped to conclusions. We don’t know because we never discussed it. I think we need to have an adult conversation about it before we decide to give up.”
“Okay.” Her fingers are twisting through the back of my hair, while her breasts press against my chest. All I can think is that I wish we were back in the hotel room so I could take her clothes off. Why did she decide to do this here in a hospital?
I feel her press up on her toes and her lips graze my ear lobe. “I want you.”
“Here?”
“Yes,” she breathes. “Don’t you want your own naughty nurse?”
I grin in the darkness. “I definitely do, but I only want a naughty nurse if she’ll let me care for her. Will you let me care for you?”
She pulls away but I keep my hands tight around her waist, and for the millionth time since I woke up and found myself under her care back on the base, she’s frowning at me. I can’t see it in the dark, but I know it’s there. I can even hear it in her voice. “I’ve already told you this, Everett. I don’t need you to save me. I don’t want that at all.”
“Maybe I need it.”
“I don’t care. I’m not about to pretend I’m not capable so you can feel good about saving the single mother from her terrible life. I’m happy. My kid is happy. Sure, we struggle sometimes, but who doesn’t? We have an interesting and full life.”
The Billionaire's Luck (Secret Billionaire's Club Book 2) Page 6