by M. Skye
“What?”
“The fact that she’s breathtaking. What are you thinking by not taking a chance on her? She’s sexy.”
“You don’t know her. I’m sure she’s amazing, and no one can deny that she’s gorgeous, but I’m not looking for anything right now. You know that. I just got back here and I have other things to focus on before I can even think about dating. It’s just not on the agenda for now.”
While Will seemed content to drop the conversation, Liam just went on to scan the room. He meant what he said about not wanting to be involved right now, but he just couldn’t shake the feeling he got when he saw that man watching. It was as if he was staking his claim on Draya, and Liam knew he didn’t need that kind of drama. She was beautiful, so beautiful, but if she had baggage, he knew he couldn’t take that on. He had enough of his own to deal with without adding more stress to either of their lives.
***
“Rico,” Draya, called out, looking behind the door to the back office; when she didn’t find him there, she backed out of the room. She had been trying to locate him for the past five minutes with no luck. He had told her he had someone for her to talk to, but they got separated and then Liam showed up with his brother, actually surprising her.
The whole week, she had been so preoccupied with Damien and all their issues that she had forgotten she invited Liam, but she was glad he came. She had to admit, outside of the gym, he cleaned up pretty well, but then again, she also found him attractive in his workout gear.
Draya leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. She had seen Damien there, as promised, and although he wasn’t causing a scene or being anything other than supportive of her endeavors, she could tell he wasn’t giving up. The stolen glances and touches that would look accidental to anyone watching, clued her in on this. She wanted him to understand that things couldn’t continue, but he was making it hard. The truth was his influence had gotten her a lot of help tonight. She had already received enough commitments for her new bar and a few more for any future projects.
With her eyes still closed, Draya attempted to block out all the feelings of regret and focus on the future. She was finally getting out of the shadow of her ill-fated affair. Her mind drifted to earlier in the day when the most amazing thing had happened to her. Before getting ready for tonight’s events, she received a call that changed her entire outlook on the day. In addition to looking for Rico and his investor, she was also looking out for her sister, Ashton. She and Ashton had practically been strangers over the past seven years, and now, she was ready to make an effort to be more involved in Draya’s life.
Peering out into the crowd, Draya sank back against the wall, realizing that Ashton still wasn’t there. She hadn’t seen her sister since Christmas, and was a bit anxious. She still wasn’t sure what sparked this change of attitude, but she wasn’t going to complain either way. No matter what the reason was for her change of heart, Draya knew she couldn’t afford to be picky when it came to her family. Although her sister and mother weren’t the ring leaders of the crusade against her, they never stood up and went against her father the way she had. It was his vendetta because of her decision to move back that they carried around. She was convinced that it really didn’t bother her mother and sister at all.
Trying to decipher the call with her sister to determine if it was all a big joke to mess with her head, Draya was stunned to hear her name called out. She recognized the voice and she wasn’t afraid; that wasn’t the problem. The problem was who the voice belonged to, and what they could possibly be after. Turning slowly, Draya came face to face with the person she least expected to be in attendance: Deena.
“Draya,” she held her arms out. “Excellent event.”
Giving her a brief hug, Draya pulled back quickly, making sure to hide her surprise. “Thank you, I had no idea you were coming.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I would have arrived with Damien, but as it turns out, he wasn’t home all night. He had some things to do, so me and the girls fended for ourselves. He does that a lot.”
Feeling a wave of uncertainty wash over her, Draya crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s fine that you were a little late, that fact that you came means a lot. I appreciate it.” After a moment of awkward silence, Draya grew uncomfortable and attempted to walk back towards her guests.
“Oh, Draya, please wait.” Turning back to face her, Draya swallowed hard. “I was wondering if I could ask you something. You see, I don’t really know how to ask this, but who do you think it is?”
Feeling her pulse race, Draya wasn’t sure what to say. She honestly had no clue why they were even having this conversation. Deciding to go with her need to be free of this madness and everything it came with, she was prepared to offer exactly what Deena was asking for; the truth.
“Deena, you have to know, I feel like it has nothing to do with the kind of woman you are. You’re probably one of the kindest people I know and such a beautiful spirit to be near, and you can’t blame yourself. I’m sure he just hasn’t figured out what he has, and for that, I’m sorry.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Deena stepped back as if she finally realized what Draya was telling her. “How long?”
“What?”
“How long has this been going on?”
Draya knew this was possibly one of the worst places to be having this conversation. She wanted to unburden herself and perhaps give Deena the closure she needed, but she couldn’t do it here. There was too much at stake, and plus, Damien was in the building. Draya was sure after she got to the bottom of all the whole ugly story, Deena would probably want to kill them both.
Draya reached out to touch her and was shocked when Deena drew back. She jumped when Deena’s voice became a little more harsh. “I would really rather if you kept your hands off me. We’re talking about the fact that my husband has been seeing another woman and you knew about it. I want to know how long you’ve known and who it is. I think you owe me that much.”
Bucking her eyes, Draya felt the wind leaving her. “Wait, what?”
“I know that he trusts you. He sees you as one of our girls and I know that he’s used you as an alibi. I know you probably didn’t want to be roped into this, but you’re in now, and I need you to help me.”
“Help you how?”
“I’m not ready to end my marriage, but I won’t sit back and let him play me for a fool. We have our reputations to uphold, and I will not just give up my good name because he can’t keep it in his pants.”
Wishing she was anywhere but there, Draya looked to Deena and took a deep breath. “What is it that you think I can help you with? I’m not sure what I can do to make this better. It’s a pretty messed up situation, and for that I am truly sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me. I know he’s like a second father to you and you were just stuck in the middle. All I need you to do is tell her to back off.”
Draya was thrown off by the fact that Deena just didn’t seem to get it. Here she was trying to confess, and Deena was enlisting her as an ally. Draya knew she had to nip this in the bud. “Deena... I’m—”
“I get it,” she cut her off. “He’s your friend and so is she. Just do me a favor and let Brittney know that I’m on to her. She’s going to stay away from my husband, or there are going to be consequences.”
Swearing she heard her wrong, Draya held up her hands. “Brittney? Why would—”
“I know it’s her, I’ve seen them together.” Reaching into her purse and pulling out a photo, Deena placed it in her hand and awaited a response. “It was taken a few weeks ago.” When Draya just kept staring at the picture, Deena kept going. “They were at a hotel together, and I think he’s been meeting her at your place too. You used to room with her, right?”
“Yeah,” Draya stuttered, “but I don’t think—”
“No need to keep covering. I get it. She’s a beautiful girl. Young, athletic, and I’m sure she goes the extra
mile in the bedroom, but we’ve been married over twenty years. I want his cheating ass nailed to the wall, but he’s my cheating ass to nail. I just want her to be a woman and step aside to let me handle this myself. I don’t want to seem like I’m giving her a free pass because I’m not, but I don’t want this to get all over the church. It’s embarrassing enough as it is. I don’t want to have to disown her whole family behind this because her mother and I are good friends, much like yours.”
Hearing her accusations, Draya wanted to scream at the top of her lungs that she was the one sleeping with Damien, but something about that picture had her going. She thought Brittney hated Damien more than anyone, and she just couldn’t figure out why they would be in a hotel together. From the looks of the picture, it was Damien’s favorite hotel; they had been there several times.
“I know this is a lot to ask, Draya, but I didn’t know who else to turn to. Will you do this for me?”
Nodding her head, Draya stuffed the picture in her purse and walked past Deena to find the other guests. Making her way through the crowd, Draya looked around to see Damien talking to a group of men and when he looked up at her, she had the sudden urge to go over and claw his eyes out. After talking to Deena, she now had no regrets about ending things. She was convinced he was a double-crossing dog who took cheating to a whole new low. Not only was he cheating on his wife, but he was also cheating on his mistress, and possibly with her best friend.
Walking further into the room, she looked back to see Deena walking out the door. She tried to pass Damien up like he wasn’t there and when he reached out to grab her, she tried to keep walking and he gripped her arm a little more tightly. She was actually all set to snatch away when she felt a hand on her shoulder, lightening the mood. Turning to face the unknown person, she was delighted to find Liam standing behind her. While the room seemed to grow even more tense, Liam tugged at her arm and Damien released her just as Rico walked up with a pretty woman standing beside him.
Looking around the group that had suddenly grown quiet, Rico developed a serious expression and then turned his attention back to the woman at his side. Pulling Draya closer, he placed her hand in the woman’s and she shook it graciously. Trying to forget the awkwardness that just occurred, Draya smiled and looked to the cheerful woman, hoping this was the investor Rico had promised.
While still holding her hand, Draya noticed Liam’s hand feeling heavier on her shoulder. Once she dropped the woman’s hand, Rico introduced her as the investor and she let out a bright smile. They had done so well tonight, and this was only going to make things that much better. Introducing herself, Draya noted the excited look on Rico’s face and thought this could be a good step for them.
“Draya, this is Alea. She wants to make a huge investment in our restaurants and possibly become a silent partner.”
“Wow, I... well, thank you. I guess we should be talking in my office,” Draya offered. “What is it that you do?”
“I own a few businesses, and I’m really excited about a partnership between the three of us.”
Turning to walk back towards the office, Draya was stunned to feel Liam’s hand on her again. Growing tired of people grabbing her tonight, Draya turned, and saw that his expression was pained. Confused, she asked quietly, “What’s wrong?” He slid his hand down to grip hers and pulled her away from everyone. She looked back to Rico and the woman apologetically and saw the woman’s expression grow grim. Looking back at Liam, she silently questioned him with her eyes. Gripping her arms tightly, he gave her a look and she could tell he was clearly panicked.
“Whatever she’s offering you, don’t take it. I’ll... I promise I’ll match it. I’ll top it. I’ll do whatever I need to do to make sure you’re not in bed with that woman.”
Draya wasn’t sure why he was so insistent. They hardly knew each other and they were hardly friends. To see him looking so concerned and downright flustered was new to her. He always seemed so calm and collected. “Who is she to you? Why are you so rattled?”
Just as the question left her mouth, she heard someone approaching and smelled the perfume of the woman she had been dragged away from. Suddenly, she was feeling overwhelmed with everything going on around her. Looking to Liam one last time, she gave him the chance to answer, but the woman behind her answered for him.
“I’m his mother.”
“Stepmother,” Liam roared, and by this time his brother had walked up, making the situation even more, hostile. “She is my stepmother, and I honestly have no clue what she is doing here. Did you follow us, Alea?”
“It’s my duty to know where my kids are. Right boys?”
Looking around at their faces, Draya realized there was more to this than she thought. Liam was clearly upset and so was Will. As much as she wanted to know what the deal was, she was actually happy when Rico whisked her away. Getting a few feet away, he stopped, dragging his hands down her arms.
“What the hell was that all about?”
“I have no idea,” Draya sighed. “It was weird. He’s always so nice when I’m around him.”
“That’s the trainer?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Nice,” he laughed.
“What about that was nice?”
“He’s protective and not afraid of that asshole across the room.” He nodded towards Damien. “I think I’m going to like him.”
“Like him?” Draya scoffed, “I’m not sure I’m going to keep dealing with him. Did you see what just happened? He has crazy family issues and I can’t deal with it right now.”
“Right now? Did something happen?”
“Deena knows about Damien’s affair.”
“What did you say? How did you explain yourself?”
“I didn’t have to. She thinks it’s Brittney.”
Looking at her like she had two heads, he crossed his arms and stepped back. “And you just let her? What the hell was that all about?” He was still ranting while she played the conversation with Deena back in her mind. She was all set to tell the truth until she saw that picture. The picture sparked questions she had never had before and she wasn’t sure she could dismiss them so easily. While he was still going on, she held her hand up and stopped him.
“She was in a hotel room with him. Deena showed me the picture. As much as I wanted to set her straight, I have my own questions now. What the hell was she doing there?”
“Damn,” he sighed.
“Damn is right,” She huffed and walked away, leaving him stunned with a room full of people buzzing around them. She was so aggravated she couldn’t see straight, but she knew one thing for sure; she had to talk to Brittney soon. The longer she let this fester, the harder it would be for her to shake the doubt that was mounting inside her. There had to be a reasonable explanation, she concluded. She just couldn’t believe her best friend would betray her this way.
Sitting down, closing her eyes, Draya let a tear drop down her face. She just wasn’t sure how her night had turned so sour. Things were beginning to get out of hand, and the people she always confided in, suddenly didn’t feel so safe. Rico was still in her corner, she knew this, but Brittney was a different story. They had been friends almost their whole lives, but now, Draya wasn’t sure she could trust her.
Screaming out, and smacking some papers off her desk, she heard a yelp and looked up to see a visitor walking through her door. “Bad time?” she smiled.
“No,” Draya stood up and crossed the room. “It’s never a bad time for you. I’m so glad you made it.”
“I’m sorry I’m late, Dray. I missed you, baby sis.” Holding her sister tighter, Draya exhaled and allowed her tears to flow freely. Pulling back to wipe her face, Ashton held her palm to Draya’s cheek. “Tell me what’s wrong. Why are you crying?”
“I messed up, Ashton. I really messed up.”
Pushing Draya’s head against her chest, Ashton exhaled and held tighter. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here, but that’s about to change.”
“How? Dad will never allow you to be here for more than a day. He has always come between us with his wallet. He will cut you off if you keep talking to me, you know that.”
“He can’t do that anymore, Draya. That’s why I’m here.” Pausing for a minute, Ashton stepped back and slid her hand over her face. “Draya, I need you to come home with me for a few days.”
“Why would I do that? For him to spit in my face? The last time I went there before the holidays, he slammed the door in my face. I don’t think I can deal with that again.”
“Dad is not in the position to slam any door.” Stepping back, sliding her hands across the Draya’s desk, Ashton took a seat and closed her eyes. When tears began to descend down her cheek, Draya took a seat and grabbed her sister’s hand.
“Ashton, what’s wrong?”
“Draya, Dad has cancer, and Mom says it’s not her problem. It’s getting so bad between them. I think she wants to leave him.”
“Why are you here? Did you come here to tell me about him?”
“I came here to bring you home. Dad is still Dad, but he asked for you. He wants to see you.”
“And I’m supposed to just jump up and run because wants me to?”
“No, you’re supposed to because he’s our dad and he won’t always be here. He’s an ass, he’s controlling, and sometimes cruel, but I think he feels bad for the way he has been treating you. Now, are you going to come with me, or are you going to make me beg?”
Closing her eyes and exhaling, Draya stood and crossed the room. She hadn’t prepared for news like this, but she knew what her answer was to his request. Without a shadow of a doubt, she knew what she was going to say, and when it came out, she turned to see Ashton’s eyes buck.
“What did you say?”
“I said no. Get out,” she stepped away from the door and waved her hand out for Ashton to leave.
“Draya...”
“He treated me like shit. He acts like I’m dead to him, and now, he will really be dead to me just like I wished for all these years, so go. Go be the good daughter that lives under his thumb and bends to his every will, but I won’t be there to say goodbye. He doesn’t deserve it from me.”