Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2)

by Virginia Wine

  “You must have it bad, if you’re listening to pop music.” Laughing as Clayton spins around, giving me the stink-eye.

  “A wise man knows when to be silent,” he says.

  “I never proclaimed to be wise, Clayton, just observant.” I can spar with the best of them.

  “So you admit it, shit for brains?” Grinning at his cleverness.

  “Was that really necessary? Turning the suck-ass music off. “Let me ask you something, Clayton.” His brow rising in confusion. “Gen,” I say. “Are you just fucking around with her, or is it what we all have suspected all along, are you falling for her?”

  “It’s not the fall that kills you, it’ the sudden stop at the end.”

  That deserves a chuckle for sure. “Is that your way of saying you don’t want to get hurt?” I ask.

  “I don’t know what she wants, we spend a lot of time talking about nothing. We don’t mention feelings or the future or label what is happening.” Clayton nods his head as if defeated.

  “You moron, say the words. I can’t see myself without you. Something that tells her how you feel.”

  “That’s not me.” Laughing at the idea.

  “Fine, then you’ll never get what you want. And someone new, who is capable of saying the words can have her happily ever after,” I chastise, walking away.

  “Wait,” he says frowning. “I could try, maybe.”

  “That’s a start, Clayton. Let’s go out the four of us, we can have dinner, share wedding photos. Just follow my lead, we may want to have some hand signals to help you stay on track.”

  He laughs it off.

  But I’m completely serious. I fold my arms over my chest and wait for him to listen.

  “Oh, you were serious?” He sits and appears to be paying attention.

  “Okay, if you see me cut my throat with my finger, it means: No, don’t do that. Or shut the fuck up.”

  Clayton nods his head in understanding.

  “If I tug on my ear, that means you need to say something positive, and NO, Let’s go make out doesn’t count.”

  “It doesn’t?”

  Jesus, what am I doing? Am I insane to get in the middle of this? “Clayton, Google romantic comments for woman, you know like you do with your stupid jokes.”

  “They’re not stupid, are they?”

  I sigh. “If you get it right, I’ll give you a thumbs-up.”

  “Okay, throat, ear, thumb…Got it,” he says.

  “I’ll call Bryer and arrange it.”

  “Back to business, which is why I originally came in, how’s Graham doing? Business in general, I know I’ve been gone and trying to be present in two different companies, this and M&M. Not to mention the drama behind the scenes.”

  “It’s all good, Nathan, I enjoy running the place. Graham has been my right-hand man, and business is up.” We talk about the club’s future and his role. “I wanted to talk about this personally before moving forward, but I wanted to make you official partner. This gym is yours as much as mine, you deserve it.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? No seriously?” Standing straighter, taller suddenly pride, confidence pouring off him.

  I regret not doing it sooner by his reaction. “I guess you accept?”

  “This is going to be fucking epic.”

  I smile at his excitement. And we shake hands but he pulls me in for a bro-hug. “I’ll call Bryer, on my way home. See what day works for all four of us to go out for dinner.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  ~Bryer~

  Arriving early, I avoid running into Cash, if he’s here today, that is. This bullshit stress every morning has to stop. I’m at a loss how to handle it without quitting, which is on the table. I spend the first hour going over still more problems that occurred during my time off.

  When someone clears his throat.

  Cash places both hands on the door jamb, with a patronizing smile on his face. “How was your vacation?” he asks, not waiting for a response. “Sorry I wasn’t here yesterday to welcome you back.”

  “That’s completely unnecessary, Cash, in fact it made my return easier without you here.” I’m going for blunt.

  “Play nice, Bryer.”

  “Who’s playing?” Looking into those amber eyes, everything about him screams trouble. He pushes off the wall, calm as can be. Compared to my heart racing. And sits on the other side of my desk, crosses his leg over his knee. But doesn’t say a word.

  “Stop being so smug,” I say, suddenly uncomfortable, he’s too handsome for his own good. It’s a shame the inside doesn’t match the package. “What do you want, Cash?” Slithering through the door.

  “Friday we are booked on a flight to Austin, you remember Austin, don’t you ,Bryer?”

  My eyes widen in shock. “The hell we are.” My voice a little louder than I intend.

  “It’s happening, Bryer, and I’ll get no argument from you.” As he places his hands on my desk but remains seating.

  As if he’s ready to pounce. “What’s in Austin, and why am I involved, Cash?” The power of this moment shredding me apart.

  “Two things really, a client I want you to impress, and some unfinished legal business concerning your mother’s things, you never finalized.”

  “Cash, be reasonable. You can take someone else to Austin, and all paperwork can be done here.”

  “Unfortunately that’s not so. The buyers want to meet the creator of the exercise clothing line, that’s you.” He waits a beat. ‘And the paperwork has to be notarized by an officer at the firm, so you see, Bryer, you have no choice.”

  “You have no claim on me, Cash, you may think being my new boss…” Using air-quotes. “Gives you some power, but I’ll walk away before I let you manipulate me.” Standing meeting him face-to-face, I watch as he curls his lips with icy contempt.

  “I wasn’t prepared to show my hand this early, Bryer. If I was a betting man, I would have thought your job meant more to you than that.” His eyes gleaming with arrogance.

  “Cash, there’s nothing left to say, if this is another attempt to trap me it’s too late. I have a man that loves me, who I love back. Someone I can trust, and he had to make up for your sins.”

  “That’s harsh.”

  “Then stop the relentless pursuit, I’m married.”

  “Ah…Yes, married,” he whispers with a smirk I would love to slap away.

  “What does that mean?” Attempting to regain my composure, but failing.

  “Have you spoken to your new husband, Bryer, about M&M?”

  Now I’m struggling to breathe, unable to respond.

  “I’ll take that as a yes, darlin’.” Apparently assumed. “Funny how control changes everything, the one left holding the cards wins. Or so they say.”

  He leans over my desk, inches from my personal space. His hands covering my paperwork. A look of defiance as his shifty eyes travel my body. There was a moment when I knew danger was imminent.

  “You will go, Bryer, you will keep this conversation between just the two of us, or the consequences will be severe. If you love him, you’ll protect him.” His lips set in a grim line.

  I knew to fear the worst. “Is that a threat?” Sorrow and disbelief consuming me, the fight fails miserably. The fear of his dominant nature coming back to me in flashes of memories I’d rather forget.

  “I think you know me well enough to answer that yourself, don’t you, Bryer?” He winks. “You’ll be smart to remember that when you want to argue or attempt to find a way out.” Arms over his chest in a stance of power, power over me. And a threat over Nathan, his company and our future.

  “If I do this, Cash, I’m resigning when I return, and I want you out of our lives forever, do you understand?” Nausea rising as I confront the man who’s taken me to hell and back.

  “I can live with that.” And quietly leaves my office.

  A never-ending freefall, of indecision I can’t do this. Nathan won’t understand, there’s no reason on
earth that I could give that would make him understand. Lie? Would that protect him? Protect his company? The bastard’s won, the emotions rise and fall. Tears spilling uncontrollably, as the rising anger fights for dominance, a battle within me surging in opposite directions. Fear, anger and a loss of control. How will I save his company and save myself at the same time? How will I get him to understand without a lie, one that could bring us down? My phone rings, and I quickly pull myself together as I see Nathan’s name on my screen.

  “Hey, baby,” he cheerfully says.

  “To what do I owe this pleasure?” Not fucking proud that I can lie so well.

  “A date, well a foursome. Can you call Gen and ask if she wants to join us tonight for dinner, in the city? Clayton will be there, you may want to give her a heads-up.”

  Shaking my head back into real life I take a cleansing breath. “I plan on leaving after lunch today.” I just decided. “So I’ll convince her.”

  “Great, see you soon, love you, babe.”

  “Love you more.” I hear a chuckle, if he only knew.

  I look heaven ward, asking for guidance, from whoever may be listening. Knowing I can’t confide in anyone. It’s leaving me hollow inside, and I’m scared, this could go wrong in so many ways.

  My nerves still on edge when we reach the restaurant, Nathan making reservations for a private booth in the back. Surprisingly it didn’t take much coaxing to get Gen to come, even when I mentioned Clayton. I see Clayton walking in and wave him over. “You look nervous, what’s wrong?” I ask, watching him take the seat closest to Nathan.

  “I’m trying to be normal,” he says with a straight face.

  “Oh, well good luck with that.” Speechless and slightly confused.

  Nathan just pats him on the back and no words are exchanged. “Drinks?” Nathan finally asks.

  I see Gen walk in, beautiful, I might add. Her hair sleek tonight, falling down the middle of her back, and those heels? No woman wears heels like that unless they’re trying to impress a guy. Interesting.

  “Lemon martini for me,” she says, joining the table.

  “Water all around,” Nathan adds.

  “Beer, Corona with a lime,” Clayton answers, so far very normal.

  As I watch Gen take the seat closest to Clayton, it doesn’t go undetected by Clayton either. I notice Nathan tugging on his ear and when Clayton notices, panic is written all over his face, what the hell?

  “You look beautiful, Gen.” Clayton sincerely looks into Gen’s eyes.

  I’m thinking wow, was there a Clayton make-over I missed?

  Nathan discreetly gives him a thumbs-up.

  It all comes together. But I’m totally on board, Clayton needs a little help, and Nathan is the perfect man for the job.

  “Thank you, Clayton,” Gen replies, a little shyer than I’m used to and she’s totally fixated on him. The grin on Clayton’s face is priceless.

  “I like your blue shirt,” she replies.

  “What else do you like about me?” Clayton says.

  Nathan giving the cutting his throat move.

  I’m on the verge of laughing, A huge part of me is unable to let this go entirely. “You guys are usually like watching THE VIEW what’s up?” I ask. They both look at me like they want to stab me with their fork.

  “Who’s hungry?” Nathan pokes me in the side. As he waves the waitress over, as if nothing happened.

  “Do you have any questions about the menu?” The waitress asks,

  I nod looking at the others.

  “What kind of font is this?” Clayton smiles and it’s contagious. “The least I can do is be entertaining.” He smiles.

  Thumbs-up again.

  Our dinner arrives, our plates set in front of us. My steak looks incredible. So does Nathan’s.

  “What is this?” Clayton raises his hands palms up at the waitress.

  We all look at his plate.

  “It looks like shit on a stick.”

  I see Nathan using the universal sign cutting his neck several times.

  “I ordered Kabobs,” Clayton continues, not giving the waitress a chance to get a word in.

  “Oh it can’t be that bad.” Gen looks at the waitress, then Clayton.

  “Let me bring you something else,” she suggests.

  “Fine, I’ll have what they’re having.” Pointing at our plates.

  I see Nathan shaking his head in defeat.

  “I know I say the stupidest things sometimes. I may annoy you, but you’ll never find anyone who wants you more.”

  Clayton bears his soul, right here, right now, in front of everyone. The table goes silent, and I notice Nathan is confused what sign to give him. I want to say, WOW.

  “Well don’t sweat it, cowboy,” Gen answers with a cute new nickname, and a pat on the hand.

  I see Gen share her plate with Clayton while he waits for his re-order.

  “So, what about vices, what are yours?” he asks between hand-fed bites from Gen.

  “That’s hard, shopping probably. Watching Goanna Pulling.”

  My mouth hangs open, I notice I’m not the only one, who will ask? My mind already going places I shouldn’t.

  “What’s Goanna Pulling?”

  Figures Clayton would be all over that.

  “It’s like tug of war, with your head. The participants, two people face each other with a heavy strap joining them around their necks, then they pull. Whoever crosses the line wins.”

  “You are not serious, Gen,” I argue, “This is the first time I’ve ever heard of it, let alone it being an interest of yours.” Laughing at her. “Now you’re just making shit up as you go.”

  “Maybe we can watch it on cable some time,” Clayton offers.

  Am I in a twilight Zone episode or something?

  Thumbs-up from Nathan, I smack him on the arm, confused by his rating.

  “He’s being supportive, Bryer,” Nathan whispers in my ear.

  Clearly, I’m the only sane person here.

  Clayton’s plate arrives, and I notice he shares it with Gen. Okay thumbs-up on that one.

  “I dreamt about you last night,” Clayton says, touching Gen’s hand.

  I’m squirming in my chair, this could go two ways. Really bad or not so bad. I’ll give Clayton credit, for distracting me after the day from hell.

  “We were dancing to a slow song,” he starts, Gen looking into his eyes, buying it hook, line and sinker. “I held you close as we swayed to Adele’s new song Hello.”

  “Shut up, that’s my favorite song,” she blurts out.

  I’m feeling a little a voyeur again, I think they can handle it from here. Our work here is done.

  “We are taking desert home if you two want to stay.” Finally my husband speaks.

  “Yeah, sounds great. I got the check,” Clayton offers.

  After our thanks and goodbyes, we are alone in the car driving home.

  “What was that?” I ask.

  “The start of something special, I hope.”

  Nathan seems unaffected by tonight, my head is spinning. Letting it go for now, I feel my mother’s journal calling me, and I know what I’m doing when we get home. A fire, a glass of wine, her words wrapping around me, and my husband close by. I have yet to decide what to do about Cash, and maybe her words will inspire me.

  This is becoming a habit, losing you and finding you. I enjoy going back and reading the first of the entries. Bryer’s growing so fast, she’s five and soon will be going to kindergarten. The good Lord has yet to bless us with another child, but we don’t talk about it.

  I will be working in David’s office as soon as Bryer’s school starts. I’ve trained with him part time for the past year, and we both feel I’m ready. It makes me feel confident to dabble in investments, life insurance, planning people’s future and our own.

  The only negative is my parents, we hardly see each other. I gave my mom an ultimatum leave him, come leave with us, or there will be minimal contact, I just
can’t expose Bryer and my family to the abuse. And it breaks my heart to see her die a little each day. I get updates from neighbors, the police were called. Once she had to go to the hospital, I showed up but she still wouldn’t listen to reason. I feel like I’m banging my head against the wall.

  So, I accept her decision right or wrong. And embrace my happiness, the life I’ve built with my own family. My little girl is so smart, and funny, I encourage those traits, more than her beauty, which is evident. I want her to know she’s more than a pretty face, she can be whatever she wants to be, whoever she wants to be. She will be strong and independent and live the life destined for her.

  I love her more than my next breath,

  Mary.

  “Mind if I join you?” Holding a large pillow and setting it next to me.

  I watch as he smiles and gracefully settles next to me. “Any time, I just finished an entry of my mother’s.”

  “And?” Reaching for the curve in my neck, rubbing the stress away.

  “It’s a gift, and there are things I never knew about my family, that make sense now.” Watching him nod in understanding. “I was just informed I have a business trip Friday.” Pulling off the Band-Aid.

  “That’s not much notice, where?”

  His hands never leaving my body, sending shivers right through me. “Texas.” And here it comes, feeling my heart stop paralyzing me as I kill the trust, the lie. “It’s Jake’s account and since I’m his supervisor, I need to attend.” Unable to meet his eyes, I stare into the fire.

  “How long, babe?” Tilting his head in question.

  “Not sure, I’ll know more after the first meeting.” I’m loathing myself right now.

  “I hope not too long.” He kisses my lips tenderly while a smile curves against my lips.

  “I’ll make sure it’s not too long.” Although that’s an empty promise, I don’t have any idea how long Cash will keep me there.

  He pulls me into his arms, pushes my hair aside to bury his face on my neck, kissing, licking, his heated breath lavishing me. He kisses my cheek.

  “Time for bed.” As he proceeds to die down the fire.