A Secret to Keep

by Railyn Stone

  “Hannah, that’s not-” Sloane shook her head knowing Hannah had every right to be mad at her. She was pretty sure if someone had treated her like she had just treated Hannah; she would be just as angry. Sloane also knew it wasn’t something to take lightly since Hannah didn’t like how close she was with Chase. He was nothing more than a big brother to her, but Hannah didn’t see it that way. As far as she was concerned Sloane was trying her best to garner every bit of Chase’s attention. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but Sloane wasn’t helping the situation by constantly putting Chase in the middle of things.

  “No, Sloane. Chase and I don’t really get to spend much time together as it is. He’s busy. I’m busy. So when we get a chance to spend time together, we value it. I thought as his friend, you would understand. I thought you would be supportive of ‘your friend’s’ relationship, but once again, I guess I am the one that’s wrong. You are so selfish.”

  “Hannah, that’s enough.” Both ladies turned to see Chase walk in.

  “I guess now you want to just take her side since she’s standing there with crocodile tears in her eyes. Ooooh, sometimes I think you’re in love with her,” Hannah added before storming past Chase’s outstretched hand.

  “Hannah.” Sloane watched his head drop in his unsuccessful attempt to keep Hannah in the room.

  “I’ve really messed up. I’m so sorry, Chase.” Sloane mumbled the words and watched Chase walk further into the room. He would barely look her in the eyes and she knew he was still upset with her.

  “Sloane, I would love to do nothing more than show you the door right now, but I guess I’m a sucker for punishment. So, I must know why you chose to spend the evening with Gates McCall, the man you’re supposedly trying to fool into thinking we are together.” Chase folded his arms in front of him and stared at her with eyes ablaze.

  “Chase you have to believe I had no intentions of staying with Gates last night. After our presentation yesterday, he asked me to have dinner with him.”

  “Oh, so you just said yes, knowing I had plans and I was waiting for you to pick up Brayden. Is this supposed to be making me feel better?”

  “No. I only said yes because he said we needed to talk about how we were going to proceed with the project. At the time, I didn’t know he’d already decided on going with our proposal and not D&S. I figured it would be a good way for me to persuade him to go with us.” Sloane stood in all her penitent glory trying her best to get Chase to understand her situation and what truly happened.

  “So once again, you were going to do what you wanted and go to dinner with him; forget anyone else whose life you’re disrupting?” His stoic attitude as he looked down his nose at her made her cringe.

  “No. I figured I could go with him and answer his questions and I’d still be able to make it back in time to pick up Brayden.”

  “I’m sure.” Chase rolled his eyes and shook his head at Sloane. “Do you even realize you’re making up lie after lie to cover up something you should have told Gates already?”

  “I didn’t know he was planning on having dinner in Charleston. He didn’t tell me he was going with our project until we were in the air.” No matter how hard she tried to make it sound better, nothing was helping.

  “Did it ever occur to you to tell him you couldn’t fly anywhere with him, Sloane? I mean, I wouldn’t imagine Gates held a gun to your head and made you get on the plane? You do have a son to take care of, you know?” Chase’s face registered a mixture of anger, sarcasm and hurt and Sloane was scared she may have gone a little too far this time.

  “No, he didn’t, and yes that’s my fault. I should’ve told him no, but I didn’t. I thought we’d be back quickly and it was a horrible judgment call on my behalf.” Placing her hands on his arms, she pleaded with him to forgive her. “Chase, I’m sorry.” She needed his friendship. Chase was down to earth, he was calming and she needed him in her and Brayden’s lives for the times when things seemed wrong. But most importantly, during the times she royally messed up.

  “Sloane, what am I supposed to do? I mean, really…what happens the next time he wants to whisk you away? Are you going to just up and go?” Turning out of her grasp, Chase sulked and walked a few feet away to stand with his back to her.

  “Chase, that’s not fair. You and Liyah have both said I need to tell Gates about Brayden.”

  “Well, did you?” He turned around and her heart nearly pounded out of her chest at his glowering glare. She felt all of five years old. “Did you seize this golden opportunity to tell Gates about his son?”

  “Um, well, no.” Shifting from one leg to the other, she fumbled with the clasp on her purse and kicked herself for trying to use Chase’s own words against him. It was no use when she couldn’t even live up to her end.

  “Then I don’t think you have a leg to stand on.”

  “Okay, you’re right. I screwed up. I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry.” She hated to see him so upset and angry with her, but what was worse was the fact that he had every right to be. He was one of the best friends she could ever ask for and had been there for her whenever she needed him. She knew he loved Brayden, but she had truly taken him for granted and she had some major making up to do.

  “Sloane, I can’t believe you. How could you do something like this? I know I agreed to help you, but do you understand the ramifications of all of the lies you keep telling? I have things that are important to me. Namely, Hannah.” He gestured to the back, where she knew Hannah was probably poking holes in a voodoo doll made especially in Sloane’s likeness. “You want to talk about fair? This isn’t fair.”

  “I know. I promise nothing like this will ever happen again.” She pleaded with him to believe her.

  “And I guess I’m supposed to take your word for that?” There was the glare again. It was one of those parental looks and she’d seen it on his face far too many times.

  “Yes. Please?” Chase had no obligations to her to continue on with the lie and she was grateful he even went along with it in the first place, especially since she had elevated it to them being engaged. “Plus, he’s gone. He left this morning and he doesn’t have a reason to come back, so it’s all over now.”

  “You sound a little disappointed about that.”

  She nodded. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I wish I hadn’t done all of this. I wish I could change things, but I can’t. I have to deal with the fact that I’ve made mistakes, but I don’t want to lose our friendship.”

  He continued staring at her like he didn’t believe a word she was saying. Then again, why should he trust her? Hell, she was even wondering as he stood there why she left with Gates in the first place, starting this whole disaster. “Honestly, I don’t know why I put up with you.”

  “Because you love me?” She chewed her bottom lip and tilted her head to the side batting her eyelashes and praying to the Man upstairs Chase would forgive her for her transgressions. “I know you’re mad and you have every right to be, but I need you in my life. I never meant to take our friendship for granted. I’m sorry.”

  Giving in, Chase looked down his nose at her and slowly opened his arms for her to move in to hug him. Grinning, she moved into his embrace. “The next time you get some kind of idea like this, you’d better check with me first.” She could hear his voice rumble above her head and she exhaled.

  “Yes sir. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You would actually have to pay someone to watch that little rugrat of yours,” he smirked. “I guess since Mr. Wonderful is gone, things can get back to normal.”

  “Definitely. Even though, in his mind, you’re my fiancé now, but it doesn’t matter since he’s gone.” She smiled against his chest and felt his arms loosen their grip as the words tumbled from her lips.

  “Sloane,” Chase started shaking his head at her. “What did-”

  “Oops, would you look at that.” Tapping her watch, she hugged hi
m again. “I gotta go pick up Brayden. Thanks again. Tell Hannah I’m sorry.” Giving him a quick peck on the cheek, she turned and hurried out the door.

  Chapter 8

  Gates sank into the plush leather seat, ran his hands through his short hair and stared at the clouds as the plane cut through the sky. He’d never had any intention of getting reacquainted with Sloane. In all actuality, he wanted to continue ‘hating’ her for leaving him, but it wasn’t possible. Seeing her in Antony’s office for the first time in more than a year had been his undoing. Those sable eyes and the slight, southern sexy cadence of her voice melted his insides and he could barely function. He had every intention of stringing her along and stressing her out with this project, but he couldn’t do it. And when her eyes filled with tears sitting in Elijah’s the night they had dinner, he knew he couldn’t keep up his scheme. He hated to see her cry.

  She was the most amazing woman he’d ever encountered and it was unnerving to him how she could get under his skin and make him want her more. He thought about their night in Charleston and how easy it was for them to fall right back into place. It was so comfortable; something he’d never managed to find with any other woman, no matter how hard he tried. Not many women could pull off the ‘drenched in a downpour’ look and still be as beguiling and beautiful as she was. His entire body had reacted to her presence when she exited the bathroom. Her beautiful ebony skin contrasting against the stark white of the hotel robe beckoned for him to touch her. He longed to push his hands through her thick curls and get lost in her seductive eyes. But he knew it wasn’t possible.

  When she left him, he had tried dating other women, but no one measured up. She was matchless. And the looks she gave him made him feel like he was a much better man than he was. He could deny to everyone around him that he still loved her, but he couldn’t deny his heart. Somehow, someway, this woman had invaded and claimed a stake in his soul. That’s why it hurt so much to know she’d moved on.

  Gates wasn’t the type to scam on any other man’s girlfriend, wife or fiancée. He didn’t need to, nor did he want that type of karma, but it was hard for him not to want her back. Her laugh and smile were intoxicating and their carriage ride was enough to throw him right back into the past and remind him of how much he missed her. He had to admit, he was jealous when he found out she was engaged and had a child with another man. It was a hard pill to swallow. Gates McCall didn’t envy anyone. If anything, people, or more specifically, men, envied him. From the day he was born, people jumped at the chance to make him happy because of who his father was. Victor McCall was a powerful man and even though he didn’t spend time with them, his children were important people to please, nonetheless. Gates wanted to believe somewhere deep down Victor loved his children, but he was never one to express it.

  And where people had catered to Gates’ every whim during his childhood, Sloane had grown up differently. She’d lost her parents at the young age of eight in a car accident. With no one else in her family left, she went to live with her mom’s sister, Avery. Her aunt raised her to work hard for everything she received. Gates admired that. Sloane worked for everything she’d ever gotten and her humbleness made her that much more endearing to him. She had single-handedly showed him a life he’d never known. It also fueled his desire to take care of her, even when she didn’t want it.

  “I’m not with you because of your money, Gates. I hope you know that,” Sloane said, reaching up to caress his face as they entered his penthouse. They’d returned from a party at the governor’s mansion and he had noticed her quiet demeanor and had asked her what was wrong.

  “I know that Sloane. Why would you feel the need to say that? Have I given you a reason to-”

  “No. I just want you to know I don’t need your money, nor am I a charity case. I love you and I’d be with you even if you had nothing.” Her eyes held more love in them than he knew he deserved and at that moment, all he wanted to do was give her the world. That was the reason he was doing what his father wanted. Gates knew Victor wasn’t going to live forever. If he could stand dealing with his father’s manipulations long enough, he could take over the company and take care of her for the rest of their lives. That very night, was the first time in a long time that they’d actually been able to have a great night together. Things in their relationship had gone from euphoric to almost unbearable. He knew it was mainly his fault. Gates knew he had to get out or he was truly going to turn into his father. It was the last thing he wanted. He was only waiting for Victor to relinquish everything and he’d be able to sell it all. Then he and Sloane could build the life they’d dreamed of together. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out that way. Not more than a week later, she was gone. It took everything in him not to destroy the world around him when he read the letter Evan handed to him. She was everything to Gates and in a matter of moments she managed to leave him desolate.

  Months later, when his father died, it gave Gates a chance to reevaluate his life. He wanted her back and he’d thought about nothing more than finding Sloane and asking for them to give it another chance. So, when he looked up and saw her standing in the back of the crowd at the funeral, he’d been surprised. His heart had leapt in his chest at seeing her glowing face. She was even more beautiful than the day she’d left him. Her soft skin had an earthy ethereal glow. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her and was afraid if he looked away she would disappear again. He was ready to pull her into his arms and let her know no matter what, it was okay and they could start over. But when she’d left without saying anything to him, he felt something break inside. He ended up sending her a note expressing nothing but the anger he felt burning in the pit of his stomach. From that day on, he’d done nothing but focus on building his father’s business. He didn’t care anymore about what he wanted, but focused on the things that could help him keep his mind off of the woman that had stolen his heart. In some way, it made him feel better to buy up other companies because he didn’t have to think about his personal life and all he was missing. He hadn’t always been that way, but it was the only thing that worked for him and he started to understand why his father did what he did. It was easier to invest in the tangible rather than the intangible.

  Gates knew he still loved Sloane but his pride prevailed and he took his frustrations out on everyone and everything around him, instead of dealing with the pain of losing her. His best friend, Evan, knew better than to believe Gates had gotten over Sloane. He was the reason the two had even met in the first place. It was at a 4th of July party of a friend of Evan’s. Sloane was beautiful then, but Gates was attracted to more than that. She didn’t care who he was and how much money he had. It was the most refreshing thing he’d experienced in his life. Women had a tendency to make absolute fools of themselves because of his money and last name. Evan claimed he was lucky; Gates found it annoying. So when he met Sloane and she treated him like any other guy, he was gone. He knew from the day he laid eyes on her, she was the one he would spend the rest of his life with.

  “Gates McCall, I’d like you to meet Sloane Davis.” Shaking hands with the beautiful brunette, Gates instantly knew there was something different about her.

  “Nice to meet you.” Evan had told him she was beautiful, but he wasn’t prepared for how stunning she really was. Her thick locks trickled down her back in rivulets and he lost himself in the depths of her deep-set eyes. She was breathtaking and he nearly lost his ability to speak when Evan introduced them.

  The two hit it off and ended up talking through most of the night. She was intriguing and probably the easiest to talk to of any woman he’d ever met. He thought it was funny, but she seemed shocked he took such an interest in what she wanted to do with her future. “Why are you having such a hard time believing that I find it interesting you want to go into non-profits?”

  “I don’t know, I guess it’s because every time I say it, people look at me like I have two heads or tell me I’ll never make any money in it. What the
y fail to realize is that it’s not about the money for me. It’s about helping people.”

  “I think that’s commendable. There’s nothing wrong with helping people.” He walked with her outside to the patio to find a quieter spot to talk.

  “Thanks. You’re the first person to say that.” He couldn’t get enough of the way her eyes twinkled as they continued to chat. The two were deeply engrossed in their conversation and the rest of the people around them seemed to disappear. Even Evan and Liyah made themselves scarce and mingled with others when they noticed the pair only seemed to have eyes for each other. Gates and Sloane talked about everything that night from books to movies, to the girl that was following him at every party he seemed to go to lately.

  “Allie’s stalking you?” Sloane grinned, turning to see daggers shooting from the young woman in question’s eyes.

  “Not exactly stalking. I met her at a function one of my father’s business associates was having. She’s the daughter of someone he’s doing business with and I ended up being introduced to her. You know, I guess kind of like a modern day ‘arranged’ thing. She’s sweet, but all she talks about is herself…constantly.” He soaked up every bit of Sloane’s melodic laugh as he continued on about the woman. They both commented on the fact she had not taken her eyes off them the entire night. “I’m not interested, but she doesn’t seem to get the hint.” As he finished his explanation, Evan walked up to join the two of them.