Trusting Hearts (The Heart Series)

by S. Donahue

  “It’s in your purse downstairs.”

  “Uh… I can’t make it that far.”

  “I’ll get it for you. I’ll also get you some Advil and a glass of water. You’re going to need it.”

  “Why’d you let me get so drunk last night?” Rachel asked.

  “Nobody told you to do mind eraser shots,” he said laughing at her. “You said and I quote, “I need to erase Vinnie from my mind.”

  “Oh, my God… They must be called that for a reason.”

  “I wasn’t going to let anything happen to you nor was I going to take advantage of you.”

  “So we didn’t have sex,” Rachel asked questioningly.

  “Trust me. It would take more than a mind eraser for you to forget it,” Carson joked.

  “Pig,” Rachel said pushing his arm playfully.

  Carson left the room laughing hysterically. Rachel ignored him and rolled over in bed as she mentally hoped for the agony to go away. When Carson came back to her bedroom, she chased the pills down with a glass of water and called Genene to let her know she wouldn’t be in. Rachel let Genene know that she could call her blackberry or email her if there was an emergency.

  “Do you want me to stay with you?” Carson asked, hoping she said yes.

  “No, it’s okay. You can go to work. You have a divorce case to work on.”

  “Yeah, well…”

  “Carsy, I’m sorry about my drunken behavior. I haven’t gone out in a very long time.”

  “You needed it.”

  “I ruined our date.”

  “I had fun.”

  “Oh yeah, cleaning vomit is fun.”

  “Listen, I’ve been thinking. I don’t want to keep this a secret anymore,” Carson said with a serious look on his face.

  “Have you lost your mind? Were you doing mind erasers too?”

  “Funny. I don’t want to hide anymore.”

  “We have to for now, just until I can figure things out. I have a date tomorrow night with the doctor.”

  “What did you just say?” Carson asked, clearly pissed off.

  “I have a dinner date with Colin. He was in the office yesterday with Brad. He asked me to go to dinner with him last night but I told him I had to go to the boy’s baseball game.”

  “You lied.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.”

  “So you care about his feelings.”

  “I care about everyone’s feelings.”

  “Rach, cancel it.”

  “I can’t. He’s friends with Brad and Gia. If I cancel, then I have to see him at the baby’s christening on Sunday. They invited him.”

  “This is insane. I have to see you with the doctor at the christening…” Carson said in an angry tone.

  “It’s not like I’m going to be with him. Are you going?”

  “Yes. Gia and I work together and I’ve known Gia since she was a baby.”

  “I just figured since Maria was going to be there, you would have chosen not to attend.”

  “We don’t speak to each other.”

  “Maybe you’ll rekindle,” Rachel said in a sarcastic tone.

  “Come on Rach, it’s not like that.”

  “You never know what will happen when you see each other.”

  “I see her every day at work.”

  Rachel was running out of comebacks and needed to make Carson understand.

  “Colin lives down the shore. It’s not like we’re getting married on our date. We’re friends, plus I’m still married, in case you forgot,” Rachel confirmed.

  “I clearly remember since I’m your lawyer.”

  “Well, my lawyer would rather be here arguing with me than finalizing my divorce.”

  “Oh yeah? Fine. I’m leaving.”

  “Fine!”

  “I’ll talk to you later. Instead of waiting for Vinnie to sign, I’m just taking it to trial,” Carson declared as he walked out of the room and slammed the door.

  Rachel’s face dropped. She felt like she was blindsided. She didn’t know if she was ready to go to trial with Vinnie. She knew Carson was angry and it would never get to that point but the reality of the situation was so surreal. Carson was amazing and she loved being with him. But she was just so torn. The stress was eating away at her insides.

  ***

  When six o’clock finally arrived, Rachel decided to get out of bed and get something to eat. She was really hungry but she knew she would vomit if she ate anything substantial. Instead, Rachel decided to eat a slice of toast and a cup of hot tea, since that’s what sick people usually ate. No sooner than she took the toast out of the toaster oven, she heard a key slide into the lock of the front door.

  Great, hopefully Vinnie’s not here. Isn’t there some kind of law where your exes or soon to be exes shouldn’t just barge into your home?

  “Mom!” screamed Jason. “We’re home!”

  “I’m in the kitchen,” Rachel yelled back. Her head felt like it was going to explode.

  “Why are you in your pajamas?” Jeff asked, raising his eyebrow with concern.

  “I’m not feeling well. I called out today.”

  “You look like shit,” Vinnie blurted out.

  Rachel gave him a look that said don’t piss me off. He backed off.

  “Do you need anything?” He said changing his tune.

  “No. I’m going back to bed.”

  “Do you want me to stay?”

  “No!” Rachel snapped in a pissed off tone and a miserable look on her face.

  What doesn’t he get?

  “Did you guys have fun at the water park?”

  “Yeah, it was fun. I want to go back.”

  “We can go back. You have the whole summer.”

  “Can all four of us go?” Jeff asked with a hopeful expression.

  Rachel noticed that Vinnie was silent. He was probably afraid to answer but Jeff was waiting patiently. Rachel was going to let Vinnie be the bad guy, because she was tired of always having to break their hearts. They didn’t know the truth.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, buddy,” Vinnie said, being the bearer of bad news.

  “Can’t you two just make up? You’re adults.”

  “Well, Mom’s mad at me because I messed up.”

  Jeff looked at Rachel. “Mom, people make mistakes. You should forgive him. He’s the greatest.”

  “Oh, Jeff, You’re way beyond your thirteen years,” she responded.

  Meanwhile Jason was sitting quietly at the kitchen table eating a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

  “What’s wrong, Jay,” Rachel dared to ask.

  “I like this girl, but she won’t give me the time of day. She says I’m a player. Can you believe it? She’s the only girl I like.”

  “Hmmm… You’re dad has experience with that sort of thing. Talk to him.”

  Vinnie gave Rachel a dirty look then laughed out loud.

  “Come on Jay, I’ll tell you all about women.”

  “For the love of God, I’m going to bed.”

  ***

  An hour later, Vinnie went up to Rachel’s room to tell her he was leaving.

  “I thought you already left,” Rachel asked.

  “I was playing video games with the boys. Do you need anything?”

  “No. I’m good.”

  “I’m trying to be nice to you.”

  “And?”

  “Some woman is trying to date me. I told her I was married.”

  “That’s a first. If you’re looking for my approval, then I say go fuck her.”

  “Rach, come on. I’m trying to have an adult conversation with you.”

  “Shouldn’t we have had that conversation before you cheated?”

  “Rach, I’m trying. You can’t keep me hanging on forever.”

  “I gave you twenty-three years of my life. You can wait until you die for all I care.”

  Vinnie turned to walk out the door, but turned to the side and faced the chair by the door.
<
br />   “What’s this?” He asked.

  “What?”

  “Why is there a man’s belt on the chair in my bedroom?”

  “First of all it’s my bedroom and that is none of your business.”

  “Are you fucking someone?”

  “Actually no. I haven’t had sex since before your Jersey Shore episode in September.”

  “Here I am trying to win you back and you have moved on completely!”

  “Come on, Vin… You’re not a victim, so stop playing one. I’m sure there’s someone in your life. Drop the act.”

  “This isn’t over. I’m going to find out who he is,” Vinnie promised. “Is it the florist?”

  “What florist?! Now get out of my room!” Rachel screamed.

  Vinnie turned and slammed the door behind him.

  There’s a lot of that going on today!

  Rachel texted Carson as soon as Vinnie left.

  “You left your belt in my bedroom this morning when you stormed off and Vinnie found it.”

  “Good. Wait, are you back with Vinnie? Why was he in your bedroom?”

  “To tell me he was leaving. He dropped the boys off.”

  “Did you tell him it was mine?” Carson asked.

  “No, he thinks it’s the doctors.”

  “He knows about the doctor.”

  “Yeah, because he saw flowers in my office from him like a month ago.”

  “Are you serious with this guy, Rach? Be honest.”

  “I’m not. I swear. I saw him for the first time in eight months the other day when he was with Brad.”

  “We need to figure out what’s going on between us. Should we stop dating until you make a decision?” Carson asked.

  “I don’t want to but obviously you think I’m with everyone.”

  “Seriously, you’re going out on a date with someone else tomorrow night.”

  “We’re friends.”

  “Ok, well when you decide what you want, let me know.”

  “What about Maria?

  “She moved on and I moved on with you. Her new boyfriend will be at the christening on Sunday. Gia called to let me know.”

  “I’m sorry that you have to see that.”

  “It’s okay. I’m over her but I want us to work. Just give us a chance.”

  “We’ll give it a try. What could go wrong?”

  Chapter Nine

  Wednesday came very quickly and Rachel was extremely busy at work. She would be going out on her date with Colin that evening. He was meeting her at the office since she wouldn’t have time to go home and change. She was going to get ready at the office instead. He was staying in a hotel in center city anyway, so it was just easier. The intercom buzzed and it was Genene letting Rachel know that her mother was holding on line one. Rachel rolled her eyes and thanked Genene. She was mentally preparing herself for her conversation with her mother. She knew she was going to get an earful but she wasn’t sure yet what it was about.

  “Hey, Mom,” Rachel said as she picked up the phone.

  “Hi. Can we see you sometime? You’re always so busy and you live right down the street,” Carlotta complained.

  “Mom, really? I have a demanding job.”

  “I heard something.”

  “Come on with the gossip already.”

  “It’s about you.”

  “Seriously? Enlighten me.”

  “Well, Patty Giancola said that she saw you leave the house Monday night with a guy on a date. She thinks it may have been Carson Licciano. I told her that she was crazy and that you don’t go on dates because you’re a workaholic. Then she proceeded to say that she saw him the next morning around eight leaving your house.”

  “Mom, it was Carson. He’s my lawyer. I filed for divorce against Vinnie and tell Patty to mind her own fucking business,” Rachel said angrily.

  “Can you watch your mouth and speak like a lady? Are you sleeping with him? Lawyers don’t make house calls at eight in the morning.”

  “No, Mom! I’m not sleeping with him.”

  “Don, she’s not sleeping with him and she’s divorcing Vinnie. Carson’s her lawyer,” Carlotta screamed to her husband in the other room.

  “That’s a fucked up mess there! Stay out of it, Lotty,” Donato yelled back calling Carlotta by her childhood nickname.

  “Listen to dad, mom.”

  “Well are you dating again because Jeff said you have a date tonight and it’s not with his father?”

  “Yes. I had a talk with them because I don’t want to give them false hope.”

  “Who’s the date with?” Carlotta asked being nosy.

  “That doctor that’s friends with Gia and Brad.”

  “Colin?”

  “Yes.”

  “Don, she does have a date tonight!” Carlotta yelled, clearing up any confusion.

  “Mom, stop telling Dad everything and don’t tell anyone else either.”

  “Tell her she better not turn into a hussy,” Donato yelled in the background.

  “Mom, tell him it’s not the 1950s anymore and no one uses that word anymore. Its whore or pig and I most certainly am not either one of them. I was with the same man for twenty-three years for God’s sake.”

  “Don’t take the lords name in vain!”

  “I have to go. You two are both crazy and I have someone at my door.”

  “No you don’t. You just don’t want to talk to us.”

  “If I didn’t want to talk to you, I would have had Genene take a message. I will call you back.”

  “Yeah, because I have to tell you why I called you.”

  “You mean that wasn’t even the reason. I’ll call you right back,” Rachel said aggravated and in need of more coffee.

  ***

  Rachel got up from her desk to answer the door. She was so agitated from the call with her parents. She knew they meant well, but they just didn’t know when to quit. It was Brad at the door with a cup of coffee. It was as if he read Rachel’s mind.

  “Hey sister-in-law… How are you? A little bird told me that you might need this.”

  Ah, Gia must have known they were going to call me.

  “I’m okay. Thanks so much… I did need this.”

  “Rach, you have been looking so stressed out lately. Do you need time off?”

  “No, that would be the worst thing.”

  “What’s going on?” Brad asked, obviously concerned.

  “At this point, I’m tired. I have two teenagers, I work a lot… no offense… and I’m dealing with three different men, one of whom I’m divorcing and he doesn’t want to let go.”

  “Wow. You need a break. Why don’t you take Friday off and you and Gia can go to the spa and go shopping. She misses you and she needs to get out too. The whole day is on me. I’ll give Gia my credit card.”

  “What? Do you feel guilty about overworking me?” Rachel said, teasingly.

  Brad laughed, “I need you healthy for the account coming up with Dr. Hill. He’s a personal friend of ours and I want to make sure that there are no issues. Plus, this account may bring us additional business with other doctors and facilities.”

  “Brad, I can’t take that account. I’m going to dinner with him tonight.”

  “I know.”

  “This is crazy. I know you and Gia really want me to hit it off with him, but I can’t commit to it. Not right now. Taking his account right now may actually put us in a bad situation.”

  “Listen, you dating him, that’s my wife’s issue. I just think you’re a very reliable and hard-working manager.”

  “Why, thank you, Mr. Roberts, and I’ll take you up on your offer. Tell your wife I’ll pick her up at 8 A.M. for breakfast.”

  “Will do and just relax. It will all work out.”

  “You’re the best boss and brother-in-law.”

  “I try.”

  ***

  Later that afternoon, Rachel met Carson for lunch at the new Chinese restaurant on Chestnut Street. He wanted to talk ab
out the divorce and of course the status of their relationship. Carson was such a gentleman. He held the door for Rachel and pulled out her chair for her regardless of the situation that was happening between them.

  “This is why you shouldn’t date your clients. When you want to be mad at them, you have to meet with them to discuss business,” Carson said with a smile on his face.

  Rachel rolled her eyes and smiled. “What’s going on that is so important?”

  “I have good news. Vinnie has decided to sign the divorce papers.”

  “He has?” Rachel asked with confusion on her face.

  “This is what you wanted right? I asked you before we started the process and several times after.”

  “Yes, but I’m just wondering why now, all of a sudden. What’s the catch?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t trust him. I think he’s playing with your head, just from some of the comments that he made,” Carson said.

  “The most important thing is that Vinnie agreed to the divorce. Whatever else he has in mind, I can deal with,” Rachel said with relief in her voice.