by Bella Bennet
David gave her a half smile and brushed her hair back.
“Well…” He didn’t know what to say. He looked away at the floor. At all the alcohol bottles. “I guess I could use help to clean up. Do you want to help?”
Penny gave him a withering stare and knew she was done crying. He gave her his patented blinding smile.
“You stink. And your teeth look like they’re trying to molt. It’s fucking disgusting. Get in the shower and I’ll make omelets. You’re cleaning your mess up yourself.”
Penny stood up and walked out of the bedroom. Tough love was Penny all over. David took a deep breath and figured it was pastime he took a shower and cleaned up. He had a world to get back to and fake that he was fine.
Chapter 8
Henry was mowing the lawn when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the screen. It was David’s office. Henry chewed his cheek. He wondered if the call had to do with any leftover things related to his divorce, or was it David? Henry didn’t know how he felt about David yet. He ignored the call and put the phone back in his pocket.
He wished he could ask David if what Ned had told him was the truth. But he had pretty much burned that bridge hadn’t he. Henry flattened his lips and pushed the mower faster. He had gone on some dates thanks to the online dating profile, but there wasn’t something working with each alpha he had dated. On paper they had looked great. Their photos were accurate even. No surprises there. It was, well Henry didn’t want to admit this to himself, but none of them were that green eyed, blond-haired attorney that had gotten under his skin. Henry thought he’d be over him by now. He had been sure it was just a rebound from his only long relationship ending.
What if it wasn’t? What if David was the real thing, and he was turning his back on it? Well, if he was turning his back, so was David. He had heard nothing since David had stopped by that one day a few weeks ago. Except for these phone calls, but that might not even be David. It could be something related to the divorce. Plus if David had wanted him, he knew where he lived.
Henry was still mad. He was mad at getting duped by Greg, by believing Ned and by David the so-called playboy. That wasn’t fair of him. Sure David had tons of guys around him at the omega club, and a fan club too, but that didn’t mean he loved ‘em and leaved’ em, right? Dammit, Henry didn’t know what to do. He decided he might as well stick to his original plan of dating as much as possible. That would give him a better idea of whether what he thought he had with David was special or not. Which didn’t matter because it was too late to fix that mess. Henry frowned. He thought his life was supposed to get better getting away from the alpha that used and lied to him. Not worse.
His phone buzzed again. Henry sighed and pulled it out. This time it was Ned. Ned had also been pestering him. He had apologized and then, get this, told Henry to contact David. That maybe Ned had been too hasty and shouldn’t have told Henry things based on a rumor. Well, it was just a little late for that wasn’t it.
Henry ignored the call and put his phone back. He would forget this by diving headfirst into landscaping and gardening. It was what he loved and made him happy. He might even grill out steaks tonight with some ridiculously time intensive side dish and dessert too. He was an amazing omega and screw everyone that didn’t appreciate him.
David ignored Penny. He was fine. He continued to read through the legal documents in the file. Penny had been trying to talk to him, to get him to open about his feelings but David wanted nothing to do with it. He would do his job, be the best attorney he could be and fuck everything else. He had even been skipping the family dinners. Last time he did that was also the last time he had gone on a bender.
His mother had come over as he knew she would. He was on the patio, sitting on a chair, just staring at nothing when she walked out. He thought he had gotten all the keys to his place from her, but she might have 50 more. His mother didn’t like to be kept out of her kid’s lives. Especially when she thought they needed her.
Penny walked in farther to his office and sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. He didn’t look at her. David reminded himself that he could get through this. He had to focus on his job.
“You’ve been working till 10 or 11 every night since you came back.”
David made a few notes in the margin and kept reading.
“You will burn yourself out. You can’t keep this up.”
David flipped the page and kept reading. He would not look at Penny. He didn’t want to see her pity. David would cure his heart the same way he always did. By diving headfirst into law. God help the opposing counsels of his clients. He was out for blood.
“David, I’m sorry things didn’t turn out the way you had planned, but maybe you were too hasty. You only tried once. What happened to your persistence? Your never give up?”
David threw down his pen and didn’t quite glare at Penny, but gave her his long hard stare. The one that left no doubt in the receiver’s mind they were stupid, annoying and irritating him. They must have sat there for a full minute staring at each other. David would never break. Penny would be in for a long night if she thought she would outlast him.
She threw her arms up. “Fine. I give up. Be moody and mopey for the rest of your life. You’re an idiot if you let him get away.”
He would not discuss this. It was done. Over.
“If there’s nothing else, I’d like to get back to my work now. The one that pays your salary.”
Penny stood and glared.
“You’re a dick. Don’t you dare be a fucking prick for the next several months. I won’t stand for it.”
She turned and stomped out of his office. She left his door open. Probably because she knew how much it would irritate him. Fucking meddling woman. David slammed his chair back and got up to slam the door closed. He could be angry if he wanted to. And he was not moping!
“Bianchi Law Office, Penny speaking.”
“Hey Penny, this is Ned, David’s friend from college. I had recommended David to my friend Henry.”
“I’m listening.”
“Um, look, I think I screwed up. Henry has been moping over here. How has David been doing?”
“I will not discuss personal matters with you. I don’t even know you.”
“I need you to help me get Henry and David back together. It’s all my fault. I feel like a dick, I am a dick. Please, Penny. Henry cares for him and I think I ruined a couple that belongs together.”
“Hold on…. Ok I’m in the bathroom, now tell me everything and leave nothing out. What did you do?”
“I told Henry a rumor I had heard about David and pushed him away from dating David. He didn’t know it was rumor, he’s furious. I need to fix this. I screwed up.”
“No shit you did! I want to reach through this phone and strangle you! I can’t believe you caused all this. Do you know what you did? David was in love for the first time in his life. He was so happy. He had finally found his omega, and you fucked it all up! You piece of shit!”
“I realize that now. I have to make this right. I have got to fix this. I need to get them back together. I need your help.”
“Why would I help you? You’re the dipshit that caused all this. I don’t even want to be talking to you I’m so mad at you.”
“Look, I’ll do whatever you want to make up for this, but please help me get them back together. I made a huge mistake. They shouldn’t have to pay for it. Do you have any ideas of how we can get them to meet up?”
“First off, if I help you at all it’s because I love David and he deserves to be happy. Second, you will owe me for the rest of your life. You do not understand that amount of pain you caused. You destroyed him. Third, I don’t know if we can get them together. David has closed himself off. He probably wouldn’t talk to Henry if he passed him on the sidewalk.”
“If only there was some way we could force them to be in the same room and not leave until this gets all straightened out.”<
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“And I suppose you’d like to keep your involvement in ruining their lives, out of it?”
“Henry knows. But yeah, if I could just fix it, then David wouldn’t have to know.”
“You have some nerve. But I want Henry and David to get back together too. They were perfect for each other and David still loves him. I think I might have an idea…”
Henry was surprised when he had opened the door to find Ned on his porch with a six-pack and take out from his favorite Mexican restaurant. He couldn’t turn that away even if he was still miffed at Ned. A couple of beers, some terrific burritos and things were back to normal between them.
“You’ve been through a lot and I think you need a vacation.” Ned held up a hand. “I know, I know you don’t want to be away too long. That’s fine, there’s this place not too far away that’s secluded but has hiking trails, tons of wildlife and even canoes you can use to paddle around. It would be a great way to just escape and come back refreshed.”
Henry looked over at Ned. This was a bit much. “I don’t expect you to pay for a cabin rental for me to get away.”
Ned laughed. It seemed…. off
“I happen to have a friend that owns it. She said it would be a perfect escape. It’s a two-hour drive off the interstate into the woods. Its secluded. You could run around naked all weekend and no one would see. Well, except for some bears. But they probably wouldn’t mind.”
Henry smiled. Maybe Ned was just nervous for doing something so extravagant to apologize. A nice secluded weekend in nature. No one else. Just lie back and relax.
“I’m going out that way this weekend, anyway. My aunt is having a birthday party. I’ll drop you off, stay at my aunt’s then come back and pick you up for the drive back. My friend says she can order groceries delivered so we don’t even have to bring anything. Hadn’t you been wanting to pick up watercolor painting?”
Henry nodded. A secluded forest cabin. It sounded nice. Plus he wouldn’t be alone for the drive, and he’d make Ned drive too.
“Ok, I think it sounds great. Thanks for doing this for me.”
Ned smiled and clinked his beer against Henry’s. “What are friends for?”
“David, I want to apologize. I think I’ve been too hard on you.”
David looked up and couldn’t help his eyebrows from shooting straight up. Penny rarely apologized. Especially if she thought she was right.
“I don’t believe you.”
Penny smiled. “I know, you’re wary, I never apologize. I realized that this is a very hard time for you right now and I need to be considerate and not…”
David smiled. “A bitch?”
Penny smirked. “Anyway, you know that cabin in the woods by the lake I own? I think you need a vacation. Don’t worry, you can bring your work with you and it will only be for the weekend. I’ve ordered groceries. I’ll even drive you up since I know you’d hate to get your car hit by some wandering moose.”
David narrowed his eyes. Something was up. “Why are you doing this?”
Penny looked guilty. David narrowed his eyes even more until they were barely open. He wasn’t in the mood to be played.
“I feel terrible for yelling at you. I’m sorry about, what happened with… you know. I know working is how you deal, so I thought by changing where you work, maybe it would help you heal faster. A change of scenery for a weekend. To get away.”
Penny was tearing at a nail. She always did that when she was nervous. Well, that would make sense because he probably had been a complete asshole since he came back from his ‘flu’.
“Fine. You drive so I can work on the way up.” Penny lit up with a huge smile. "But no ‘80s music. Or EDM. I don’t want to listen to you singing the whole way either.”
Penny smiled and curtsied. As she turned around and walked out David dropped the smile. There had to be something else going on. Penny never, ever drove anywhere without singing. Or gave in so easily to his demands. He didn’t know what she had planned, but he’d be damned if she thought they were getting pedicures together or some other bullshit.
Henry walked into the cabin and he wasn’t sure what he had expected, but when Ned had told him it was a secluded cabin in the wilds, he thought it would be a rustic cabin with one room, heated by a fireplace. That was not this cabin. It was beautiful. A porch on the front with chairs, a large living room, dining room, modern kitchen, loft with three bedrooms, a big deck out back and a hot tub. Steps led from the back deck to the path to the lake. It was beautiful. If he owned a cabin like that, he’d probably live there half the time.
He leaned on the railing and just looked out back to the lake shimmering through the trees. It would be a wonderful weekend. The smell of fresh air was invigorating. The only downer were the pine trees. He was surrounded by pine trees that smelled almost like someone he knew. He dipped his head down and sighed. That was a big regret of his. Over time, it had become more apparent that he was an idiot for thinking what he had felt with David was common and he could find it anywhere. Plus, he didn’t even ask David about what Ned had told him. Didn’t even give him the chance to clear his name, so to speak.
Henry knew how bad gossip and rumor could damage someone. He felt bad, but there was nothing he could do about it anymore. That ship had sailed and Henry had cut the rope and pushed it off the shore. He looked up and took another deep breath. He was here to not think about it, to get himself back and just relax. Starting with that hot tub.
Henry turned around and walked into the cabin.
“… just give me a few minutes. He’s out on the… I’ve got to go.”
That was odd. Henry wondered who Ned was talking to. Who would need to know that he had been out on the deck? He was sure that’s what Ned would say. Henry stood in the living room waiting for Ned to come back out of the garage but finally Henry gave up waiting. He grabbed his suitcase and walked to the main floor bathroom. He would change into his trunks, climb into that hot tub and just forget about anything bothering him for the entire weekend.
Henry set his bag down and felt hands on his arms. What the hell? Before he could even say a word, his arms were pulled behind his back and something put around his wrists.
“Hey!” He couldn’t pull his arms apart. Ned was down by his feet. Henry tried to step backwards but now his ankles were connected. He fell back but Ned jumped up and caught him.
“I’m so sorry Henry but this was the only thing we could come up with.”
“What the hell are you doing? You psycho! Get whatever this is off of me!”
Henry was furious. He wasn’t terrified, he’d known Ned for decades. If Ned was a serial killer, he would have known it by now. Ned was the gentlest, nicest guy he knew, except for now. Henry rethought that when Ned brought up a bandanna. He was rolling the bandanna into a narrow strip.
“Ned, what the hell is going on? Who were you talking to on the phone?” Henry tried to hop back but ended up getting caught and pushed up by Ned again. Who then flipped the rolled up bandanna over his head and covered Henry’s mouth with it. Now he was getting scared.
“I’m sorry but we’ve got to hurry. Come in here and you need to sit on a chair.”
Ned was pulling him by his left arm into the living room. Henry tried to dig in his feet, but with his ankles tied together, he couldn’t do that. So he hopped so that he wouldn’t fall. Ned pulled a thin rope, it looked like a brand new clothesline, around his chest and tied him to the chair, and then did the same to his legs. Ned moved him so he was facing the kitchen.
“I’m sorry. But it’s for your own good.” Ned then ran into the garage and closed the door.
Henry sat breathing heavy staring at the garage door. What in the hell had just happened?
“Ok, we’re here. I’ll open the garage and pull on in.”
David looked up and saw them approaching the cabin. It looked like a small but nice cabin. It was too rustic for his tastes, but he would not complain for a weekend alone in the woods
to rejuvenate. He gathered up his papers and put them in his briefcase.
Penny parked and shut off the car. David opened the door but stopped before hitting the other car.
“There’s another car here.”
“Oh yea, that’s just the other car I keep here. For when I’m here.”
David narrowed his eyes and turned towards the back of the car but his arms were grabbed and he was pushed against the side of the other car.
“I’m so sorry David. I know you will be furious. But this is the only way we could think of to get this mess fixed.”
David’s head was on top the other car so he couldn’t see Penny, or who was behind him. It wasn’t Penny because her voice had come from too far away. He was trying to kick out and hit his attacker but he didn’t have enough room to work with, due to being smashed in between two cars. His wrists were tied together, probably by plastic zip ties.
“What the fuck have you done now Penny? Let me go!”
“Just calm down David. And don’t yell so loud.”
His ankles were grabbed next and then a tie was pulled down in front of his face and he was gagged. He turned his head around to glare as Penny walked back with her hands up. He swore at her anyway. It wouldn’t sound like anything coming through the fabric, but he didn’t care. He didn’t know what crazy shit Penny had cooked up or who was helping her but she would die when he got free.
The person behind him pushed him forward and David had to hop. That made him frown and glare even more. He didn’t fucking hop. Penny was dragging a chair and David stopped. No. There was no way they were tying him to a chair. He looked down and around but saw no plastic. Maybe they wouldn’t kill him here. Or maybe not kill him at all. But David wasn’t feeling very good right about now.
“David, I know you’re probably thinking the worst but, do you think I’d kill my best friend?”
David looked at Penny and realized she didn’t seem like she would kill him. He was pushed from behind again and he had to hop or fall forward. So he hopped.