“Why?” There was no missing the disdain dripping from her tone now. “No one has been interested in talking to me at all.”
“Look, I . . .” She cleared her throat, pulling the image of Bethany and her abusive father to the forefront of her mind. Holding on to that emotion she’d felt so she wouldn’t respond defensively. “There’s a lot of bad blood between us, but there are some things we need to sort out. I’d like to invite you to come over here. Without having to sneak in.” She gave a weak chuckle, hoping the joke would lighten Bethany up.
Silence.
Okay, maybe not. She really should have planned this out better. “Bethany, it’s time for us to clear the air. We need to lay all of this to rest. And I want to hear what you have to say. You know things about my grandfather that I don’t know.” She paused, pushing back the lump in her throat. “And part of the reason I don’t know is my own damned fault. Because I stayed away, and I never got a chance to say good-bye.”
Her eyes burned with sudden emotion. She blinked, swiping her hand over her eyelids.
“He loved you, you know,” Bethany said quietly. “Despite the distance, he never gave up hope of you guys reuniting. Before he . . .” There was a light sniffle on the other end. “Before he passed, he was hoping to reach out to you again. But he ran out of time.”
Maggie pressed her hand to her chest. So many mixed emotions running through her now. “Can we talk in person, please? I think it would be better than doing this over the phone. I have wine,” she offered.
“I don’t know.” There was clear hesitation in her voice.
“I’m not looking to cause any trouble. And we don’t even have to talk about the inheritance. I just—I want things to be different.”
There was a long pause; Maggie held her breath. She rolled the placemat and released it, then rolled it again, trying to distract her mind.
Bethany exhaled a heavy sigh. “Is . . . your brother coming?”
It was hard to tell if Bethany would consider Robert’s presence good or bad. Maggie opted for telling the truth. “I left him a message. I asked him to, but I haven’t gotten a response yet.”
“Will your parents be there?”
“My mom’s working late and my dad left for an out-of-town trip this morning, so the house is all ours. No one will bug us, I promise.” Maggie smoothed her hair and shifted the phone to her other ear.
“What exactly are you hoping to accomplish here? Because I’m not going to apologize for my relationship with your grandfather.” Her tone was clearly defensive.
“I’m not asking you to.” Despite the fact that it still disturbed her, Maggie needed to let it go if she was going to get Bethany to open up. “I just want to clear the air. Let us have the chance to get these things off our chests and try to move forward. If we can. If you want to, even,” she added.
Bethany sighed again, a sound that showed her conflicted feelings. “Fine. I’m going to come over. But no funny stuff. I’ve had enough surprises lately.”
“You’re telling me.”
“You know, it’s weird,” she said after a pause. “Talking to you again on the phone, I mean.”
“We used to do this all the time,” Maggie replied. How many nights had they sat up, whispering on the phone so as not to awaken their parents? “And then drag ass the whole next day at school.”
“I don’t know what happened to us.” Bethany sounded sad, her voice quiet.
Her heart pinched. For all of Bethany’s faults, she’d been a good friend when they were in high school. Helping Maggie get notes and homework for missed classes because of Cassandra’s disappearance. Fending off nosy neighbors or students with a vicious protectiveness. Somehow she’d forgotten about all of that.
She swallowed, forced a smile into her voice. “I don’t know either, but we can talk about it when you get here. Come by at seven?”
“Okay, I’ll be there.”
They hung up. Maggie grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, downing half of it quickly. The cold liquid felt good on her tight throat. All of this dredging up the past was so painful. It forced her to see the way she’d been hurt. And how she’d hurt others as well. It was apparent Bethany had been confused and upset by Maggie’s withdrawal.
They might never be where they used to, but they could at least be cordial.
Maggie sent Andrew a text, confirming Bethany’s visit at seven, then shuffled back upstairs to grab her computer. Might as well get some work done while waiting for her brother to call.
Another hour passed before her cell vibrated with a text. It was from Robert. Wht time wee meetin?
Why was his texting so awful? He wasn’t at the bar, was he? Maggie bit back a sigh and typed in 7 pm, but then erased it. She needed some time to talk to Bethany first without him around.
Meet at Mom’s at 7:30.
She was tempted to tell him he should leave the bar, but pissing him off right now might make him skip the meeting. So she added, If you need a ride, call me, then sent the message and tucked her phone in her pocket.
The hours dragged. Maggie tried desperately to focus on work, but her nervous stomach wouldn’t stop twisting. Finally she gave up and crammed her computer in her bag, going downstairs to watch some mindless TV. Andrew would be here soon, and she could relax in his arms for a bit before the big talk.
At six forty-five, the front doorbell rang. She jumped off the couch, smoothing her hair, and ran to the door.
Andrew grinned down at her when she opened the door, and he whipped a handful of vivid, bright wildflowers from behind his back. “I was going to get roses, but figured you might like these better.” He had on a pair of khakis and a soft blue shirt that accented his piercing eyes. The breeze gave his cheeks a slightly flushed look.
She smiled and hugged him, giving him a thankful kiss on one chilly cheek. “They’re beautiful,” she said, taking the flowers and shuffling into the kitchen. “I think my mom has a vase under the sink somewhere.” She put the bouquet on the kitchen table and invited him to sit down, pouring a glass of wine for each of them.
Obviously Andrew didn’t miss the slight shake in her hand as she filled the glasses, because he said gently, “It’s okay. It’ll go fine.”
“I just . . .” She stopped, sucking in a slow breath to ease the thunder in her heart. Why was she so nervous? “I don’t know what to expect. I feel this strange sense of anticipation. Like we’re finally going to clear the air. And I’m a little afraid of what I might hear.”
“Understandable. You’ve gotten a lot of surprises lately.” Ignoring his glass, Andrew stood and slipped a hand around her waist, tugging her close to him.
Maggie’s heart rate picked up, but for a different reason. She breathed in his rich cologne, nuzzled her nose against the strong line of his neck. Being in his arms was so right.
The side doorbell rang. With a groan, she extracted herself from Andrew and opened the door. Bethany stood there, wearing a pair of faded jeans and a tight black sweater. Her dark hair was pulled up into a tight, sleek ponytail. She wore only eyeliner and a hint of pink lipstick.
“Come in,” Maggie said, forcing a smile to her face. She knew it was fake, but she hoped Bethany wouldn’t be irritated by it.
The woman gave a fake smile of her own in return with no comment. She swept inside, eyeing Andrew. “Hi,” she said with a cautious nod, slipping into a chair at the kitchen table. She stared at the flowers, a strange expression on her face.
“Can I get you a glass of wine?” Maggie offered.
“Just water would be good for now.” She paused. “Those flowers are pretty.”
“Thanks,” Maggie said, going to the fridge to get a bottle of water. She slid a glance at Andrew, unsure how much she should confess about their relationship. Would it hurt anything, make her look suspicious by hooking up with someone still te
chnically in the inheritance competition? “Andrew brought them,” she simply said and left it at that, handing Bethany the drink.
Bethany’s eyes flicked between the two of them. One eyebrow rose. “Is there something going on between the two of you?”
Andrew grabbed his glass and leaned back on the kitchen counter. Maggie took a big drink of her wine, letting the tartness slide down her throat. She nodded.
“’Bout damn time,” Bethany muttered, rolling her eyes. “No one knows why you two broke up in the first place.”
Maggie blinked. Not the reaction she’d expected. “Well, we’re seeing what’s going to happen. Just taking it a day at a time.” She cast a furtive glance at Andrew, who looked at her with a slightly crooked smile. Her heart melted, and she forced herself not to run over and kiss him right there.
“So what did you guys want to talk about?”
“I saw something, Bethany,” Maggie made herself say, tearing her gaze away from Andrew. She put down her glass and gripped the back of the chair. “Something I didn’t want to make assumptions about. And I wanted to see if . . .” Pause. “Well, if you wanted to talk about it any. But if you didn’t—”
“Just cut to the chase,” Bethany said with a weary sigh.
Fine. “I saw you and my brother. In the car.” She hoped that was pointed enough; she didn’t want to get graphic about it. Not when she was still hoping to drive the image from her head.
Bethany’s back stiffened, and her eyes grew hooded. She leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “What exactly did you see?”
She was going to make her say it. “You guys looked like you were about to have sex,” Maggie ground out. “After the weekly meeting at the law office.”
Bethany’s jaw tightened so much that Maggie could almost hear her teeth grinding. Anger poured from the woman’s body. Maybe this had been a mistake. Why had Maggie thought the woman would want to talk?
Too late to back out now. She had to get it all out.
“I’m sorry,” Maggie forced herself to continue. Her grip got even tighter on the top of the chair. “I didn’t mean to be crass. But it just took me by surprise, because you said you and my grandfather had been in love. I just . . . I didn’t understand how it happened. And I thought you might want to talk about it some.”
Andrew remained silent from his spot by the counter.
Bethany fixed her attention on the table, drawing her hands into her lap. She swallowed, swallowed again. When she looked up at Maggie, her eyes were haunted, filled with an agony that froze the air in Maggie’s throat. “I don’t know how it happened,” she said in a low whisper. Maggie could see her hands twisting in her lap. “I’ve been eaten alive with shame. Once it started, I couldn’t seem to stop it.”
Maggie remained silent, sensing the woman needed to get it all off her chest.
Bethany’s eyes filled. “I loved Jeffrey. He was fun and witty, and he got me. He never made me feel cheap or disrespected me. He shared everything about himself and encouraged me to better myself. But he was so obsessed with you, your brother and your sister. With reuniting the family and finding out what happened to her. When he found out he was sick, he doubled his efforts. I kind of slid to the side.” She pressed a fluttering hand to her mouth, sucking back a gasp, then steadied herself. “I’m not blaming him for my cheating. But your brother was there, and he said all the right things, those words I needed to hear. He noticed me.”
Maggie’s heart lurched. This had to be hard for Bethany to admit. As much as she didn’t want to hear it, she needed to let the woman say her peace. Her fingers ached and she loosened them, realizing she’d never let go of the back of the chair. “Let’s move into the living room, where it’s more comfortable,” she said.
Bethany nodded, and Andrew followed Maggie onto the couch. Bethany perched on the edge of a plush chair. She had her water bottle in her hand.
“So, my grandfather didn’t know,” Maggie nudged.
Bethany shook her head, sucked in a shaky breath. Tears were coursing down her face now, and she covered her face with her free hand. “I cheated on him. And with your brother.” She sniffled and looked up. Eyeliner streaked under her eyes. “Robert talked a good game at first, but after we were both set up in this inheritance ‘game,’ he started blowing hot and cold. Not wanting to see me unless it was convenient for him. Prodding me for information.” She gave a bitter laugh. “Now I have jack shit to show for it all. And you know the worst part of it?”
Andrew slipped his hand into Maggie’s and squeezed, somehow sensing Maggie needed his strength right now. She shook her head at Bethany.
“The worst part is I don’t know if your grandfather knew about the affair or not. And I can’t help but wonder, is that why he put me in this inheritance competition? To force the truth out and hurt my chances of winning?”
Wow. Maggie didn’t know what to say to that. She didn’t think her grandfather was malicious, but then again, she’d learned a lot of new things about her relatives over the last few weeks. Nothing was what it seemed.
“But I don’t think that’s what it was. Your grandfather was a good man. Obsessed, but still good.” Bethany swiped her hand over her eyes, smearing her eyeliner a bit. She straightened her back and sniffled. “I made a mistake with Robert. I don’t expect you to understand. Hell, I don’t even know why I told you all of this. Maybe some strange nostalgia for the way things used to be.”
So much deception all around. Had her grandfather known Bethany was cheating on him? Maggie wasn’t sure how much more truth she could take. But she’d asked for it. Had opened up the opportunity for Bethany to speak her mind. Lashing out at the woman right now wouldn’t do any good.
Besides, if the taut features on her face were any indication, Bethany was already beating herself up with guilt. She was wrong, plain and simple. And she knew it.
“I’m glad you told me,” Maggie said. Her voice wavered a bit, and she cleared her throat. Her poor grandfather. Everything had fallen apart for him, and he’d died before he could fix it. How hard that must have been for him, feeling alone in his struggle. Even his girlfriend straying. “And I don’t understand why, or know all the details, but I don’t think I need to.”
“Why do you think Robert is blowing hot and cold?” Andrew asked.
Bethany tilted her head to the side. “Probably because I have no more information for him regarding Cassandra. And no more money, to be frank. I bailed him out of a few situations.” She sighed, smoothed her hand over the back of her ponytail. “In fact, right after we met in the diner, a loan shark showed up, wanting payment for a bet your brother had made and lost, then begged me to help him with. Stupid me, I paid it off so he wouldn’t beat Robert up again. Second time I’ve bailed him out with this guy. And that pretty much tapped me out.”
Maggie’s jaw dropped. So that was what that had been about—that huge, meaty jerk had been there after Robert, not Bethany. It all made sense now, why she’d tried to schmooze with him, make him less angry. She’d been paying off Robert’s gambling bill.
And he’d probably been all too happy to get the help. And when Bethany’s money ran out, his attention did too.
Her stomach turned. She didn’t want to believe it, didn’t want to think her brother would so callously use someone. But the evidence was right here, staring her in the face.
The kitchen door slammed open. Everyone started and turned toward the direction of the sound. Had to be Robert.
“Where are you guys?” her brother hollered.
“In the living room,” Maggie said evenly, trying to compose herself. She squeezed Andrew’s hand and sucked in a rapid breath, glancing over at Bethany, who sat straight up in the chair and tightened her jaw.
Robert stepped in, disheveled as always, red tie askew and white dress shirt half hanging out of his pants.
“Seriously, you’re loaded?” Bethany said, the scorn pouring into her tone. “Can’t we talk for ten minutes without you needing a drink?”
He paused in the doorway, raked a hand through his hair. His gaze skipped right over Bethany, dismissing her. “What are you guys talking about?” The light slur was there, but there was also a strange edge to his words as he studied her and Andrew.
Bethany swallowed, glanced away.
“Robert, we know,” Maggie said, holding back her frustration. “About the two of you.”
Her brother stared in confusion at Maggie, then at Bethany. “What are you talking about?” He moved into the room and took the unoccupied chair, slumping into the curved corner. His hand waved in the air as he rolled his eyes. “Oh, I suppose Bethany’s been talking, huh. I don’t know why you’d listen to her, anyway. Anything that woman told you is a lie.”
Chapter 29
Bethany stood, anger pouring off her in waves. She pointed at Robert, and her body shook with tension as fresh tears sprouted in her eyes. “A lie? How dare you! I only told the truth here. And now your sister knows how you’ve been treating me—and your grandfather.”
He stood and stomped over to her, thrust his finger right in her face. “No one is going to believe the word of some slut who doesn’t have any qualms banging whatever man she meets.”
“Robert!” Maggie barked, thoroughly done with him trying to spin the truth. Anger made her face flush hot. “Seriously? I saw you two in the car! Having sex after the meeting with the attorney. Stop lying to us. I saw you.”
He paused, turned bloodshot eyes to her. His face grew a mottled shade of red, splotchy as he squirmed. “Maybe that wasn’t me,” he hedged with a shrug. “Could have been anyone.”
“You’re kidding, right?” God, how dumb did he think she was? Like she wouldn’t know her own brother. Idiot.
He blanched. “Okay, okay. It was just that one time,” he rushed to say, blinking his bloodshot eyes. “I was stupid and weak.”
“You’re still lying—” Bethany started in a screeching tone, but Maggie cut her off, biting out her words to her brother. “I don’t believe what you’re saying at all, Robert. In fact, I’ve heard so many crazy things about you over the last few days that I don’t know what’s real and what’s not. So why don’t you sit down and tell me what’s actually going on here? Because I am tired of being on the outside all the time. And I’m damned tired of hearing lies.”
The Inheritance Part V Page 4