Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2)

by Virginia Wine

  I’m hugging the toilet as my stomach lurches in revulsion, all the while sobs consuming me. The last of the dry-heaves subside, and I will myself off the floor. I stagger over, cupping my hands to rinse my mouth out repeatedly. My eyes meet the mirror, I’m losing my grip on reality.

  Out of breath, I make it back to Cash’s office, confirming everything on Cash’s computer has been copied then I shut it down, and leave, locking the door behind me. Now I know every dirty secret, and most importantly, why.

  I have one more stop before I head back to Gen’s place. Once I’m in the drug store, I grab two pregnancy tests, and drive straight to her condo, crying every step of the way. If my instincts are right, this will change everything.

  I’ll be married to the wrong man carrying the right man’s baby.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  ~Nathan~

  “You look like sewer-shit,” Clayton says as he enters the office.

  “Aren’t you clever, you’re a brave fuck if you’re starting a war of words this morning.” Glaring at Clayton, as a warning.

  “Borderline- crazy are we, Nathan?”

  “I’m heading in that direction, Sponge-Bob. I haven’t been to sleep yet, and I ‘ve been here since five am, so do you still want to play?” I watch his head tilt.

  “Has anyone ever told you you’re beautiful when you’re angry, I thought not.” He sits, and starts his computer. “I’m done now.”

  I watch him drink his coffee, read his emails, and check his phone. I want to ask, I question what’s holding me back. Frustration mixed with fear perhaps? I feel like a damn fool.

  “How is she?” Regretting the crack in my voice.

  Clayton spins around to meet my words. “She’s with Gen, Nathan. And no, she’s not fine.”

  “You’re right, stupid question.” Brows knitted in a frown.

  “You two need to work your shit out.” His face filled with contempt.

  And I don’t blame him. I’ve dished out enough unwanted advice to him, it’s only fair I receive my ass-kickin’. “I want that more than anything, we just have to fix a few things before we can get there,” I say.

  “Don’t wait too long, Nathan, absence does not make the heart grow fonder. It points it in a different direction.”

  Now, that felt like a kick in the ass. My phone rings, and notice it’s still very early, the caller Id says Augusta Law. “Nathan speaking.” Not knowing which partner I’ll be getting this early.

  “It’s Brett, Nathan.”

  “This is early for you, should I be nervous?”

  “Good news and bad.”

  His relaxed casualness gone. I can hear the tension in his voice, and I prepared myself mentally. “Ok let’s hear it.”

  “The patents have been stopped and transferred to your name, so we have protected each one.”

  “That must be the good.”

  “That’s the good, Nathan, but Cash was there yesterday, ready to apply for the official application. When told of the new development, he made a scene and had to be escorted out of the building, it wasn’t pretty from what I heard. He also made some ugly threats directed at you personally. I wanted to warn you in case he makes good on them.”

  The emotion in his voice a rare thing to hear, Brett is cool and even keeled at all times. “Did he threaten Bryer?” I had to know.

  “No, this was all about you, the wheels of justice were on the right side, not Cash’s. I got the distinct impression he’s not used to losing.”

  “Well too fucking bad,” I say, in a harsh tone.

  “I’m quite certain he is unaware of the foundation, but it won’t be long now.”

  “Thanks, Brett, I’ll keep my guard up.” And we hang up, knowing we still have our work cut out for us. I don’t even have to fill Clayton in on the conversation.

  He heard everything and leans back in his chair, steepling his hands. “Strike one for the good guys.”

  Several hours pass as the gym comes to life, I’m buried in tedious paperwork that will soon be given to Graham, when I hear commotion out on the floor. Clayton’s voice rising, and a sea of people separate, as I watch the black suit, black tie and blond hair, making long-legged strides in my direction, heads turning as his pace is hurried and impatient.

  I stand, crossing my arms, in the doorway. “I don’t think this room is big enough for the two egos about to go head-to-head.” Sarcasm dripping from my mouth. “Why are you here, Cash?”

  “Really, I have to spell it out for you?”

  “Apparently.”

  “You know Bryer was with me in Austin.” A smug look appears, knowing how deep that cut is.

  “Just to clarify, Cash, is this personal or business?” Well aware of the audience we’ve attracted.

  “You did this on purpose. Maxwell James wanted me to handle his business, and you stepped in and took over, to retaliate for what happened in Austin.”

  “I don’t believe you, Harrison, nothing that comes out of your mouth is the truth.” My fists are clenched in the attempt to control myself, I want to hit him. I see Clayton feet behind him, prepared to have my back if needed.

  “And why on earth would I lie about being with your wife?”

  I can barely contain myself. My breathing is becoming erratic, and he senses he’s escalated this to a whole new level.

  “Are you kidding me? You’ll be on the ground in five seconds,” I threaten.

  “Try it, just try it, Nathan. Nothing would please me more than pressing charges against you for battery.”

  “You’re really pathetic, Cash, a conniving, deceitful, piece of dirt. I’ve had just about enough of you I can handle.”

  “Listen, you fool, you’re not going to win. I’ve already won. What’s the problem, Nathan, still wondering if it’s business or personal? I hate to be the one to tell you but it’s both.”

  I watch as he straightens his tie and tugs on his expensive fucking jacket. The smirk on his face, waiting for me to react. “What’s that supposed to mean? More games, Cash, because you’re good at games, tricking people into thinking you are something different than who you really are. A lying sack of shit.

  “A winning sack of shit, just remember that.” As he turns feeling victorious.

  I, on the other hand, am left feeling completely confused. We won, he knows we won. The stock is ours, the foundation is back under my control. What else could he possibly have under his sleeve?

  Clayton rushes in, physically removing me from the doorway, and forces me to sit, his look says it all. His own temper rumbling beneath the surface. “Not that I didn’t enjoy that, but do you really think that was smart trying to make him mad, or madder than he already was? He’s like Armageddon in a suit, Nathan. It’s in your best interest to stay clear of him, he’s fucked-up-dangerous.”

  I lean over my elbows on my knees, my fingers threading my hair. Replaying the entire scene in my head. “I don’t think I could have done it differently, it would be an indication of weakness.” I look up with determination in my face. “Cash is our covert mission to personally bring him down. You think this is over? This is far from over, the game is still in play and there is nothing, I mean not a fucking thing he can do about it.”

  “Let’s get out of here for a while.”

  I nod my head in agreement, as he grabs his key and pulls me with him. We end up at a dive bar on the outskirts of town, where no one will find us. Hell, I can’t find us. “You ever been here before?” I ask, noticing the car in the parking lot, no tires supported by 4 cinder blocks.

  “Yeah, many times,” he answers.

  I quickly turn to him in surprise. “Nice place.”

  “Just walk in feeling tough,” he advises.

  Once again, I swiftly look at him. “What? Why?” And just then I’m walking into blackness, going from direct sun to the dim bar lighting is blinding me momentarily. I follow Clayton’s swagger, trying to look tough, whatever the fuck that means. And we find two empty stools at
the bar, the pleather cracked, torn and stained. Clayton doesn’t seem to mind so I sit and watch Sasquatch approach.

  “What can I get you two?”

  “Two beers, long necks if you have’em, and two shots of tequila.”

  “Who are you?” I lean into Clayton. Whose tough persona includes licking his hand and pouring salt on it as I watch the whole ritual unfold. I personally just shoot it straight and follow it with a pull from the long neck, soothing the burn.

  “I met up with Gen,” he starts.

  I think I’m about to hear the next step in his budding relationship, but to my surprise, I don’t.

  “You need to see Bryer, Nathan, Cash wasn’t lying, there’s more.”

  And my stomach hits the floor, wanting to reject the alcohol I just slammed. “What do you know, Clayton?”

  “Not much I swear. Gen’s too loyal to spill. Just know there’s more. Swallow your fucking pride or whatever is holding you back and go to her.”

  “It’s not that easy,” I say, afraid that my actions won’t be forgiven, that I crossed the line.

  “Then make it easy, you have no choice.”

  She won’t forgive me…

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  ~Bryer~

  Sagged against the wall, my eyes glued to the four positive tests, one in each hand, I finally come to terms with the results. Each box included two tests, four tests can’t be wrong. I’m pregnant. But how do I feel about the reality? The fucked-up truth that Nathan and I are not really married, or the one where I tell him he’s going to be a father, but I’m married to Cash.

  I can’t wrap my head around any of it, beaten down by the master of manipulation. I’m afraid it will all be too much for Nathan, it feels like too much for me.

  The real pain comes when you realize you can’t get them back, I don’t know how this could ever end with happily ever after. Some love stories are short stories.

  I slither up the wall, supporting my weight on the counter, gathering my strength, and recouping my balance. I throw away the four tests staring at me, and then curl up under the covers of Gen’s comfy guest bed. I see my mother’s journal and hold it against my chest, tears streaming down.

  Dearest Bryer,

  My sweet girl, I stopped writing here a long time ago, but since the doctors told me my mind would be affected due to the combination of medicine, treatments from the cancer. I wanted you know how much I have loved you, still love you, even after my mind and body will fail me, I will go on loving you.

  Honestly I never set out for this journal, to be shared, but looking back at my entries, it’s perfect. The life lessons I’ve always instilled in you, the reasons why things happened the way they did. And why I protected you the best way I knew how.

  You will be independent, both emotionally and financially, but I want you to find the kind of love that I found, share a life, as I shared mine.

  Don’t hate him, Bryer, I know it will be easy to hate him. I’m asking you not to.

  David wasn’t strong enough to witness the woman he loved deteriorate before his eyes. I can let him go knowing he loved me, just enough. He wanted to remember me today, not months from now when I’ll be someone else.

  You sweet girl are so strong you will see me through this, you will slay the dragons, and return to fight another battle. That’s how I raised you. My sense of pride as a mother is monumental, always know that even when I’m not able to say the words.

  You too will become a mother, then you will truly know a love like no other. An unconditional love that burns a steady flame for eternity. You are my hero, sweet girl. Be the woman I know you can be.

  Your Mother & Best friend,

  Mary

  My hormones must be all over the place because the quiet screams of grief are brought to the surface, the memories transported here and now. I love her for this gift that allows me to peek into her life, a life I never knew about. I’ve never felt closer. Do I hate my Dad for leaving us? No, I forgave him by letting him go, and we each can go on with our lives. It’s OK, Mom, I don’t hate him. I close my eyes and drift off, hoping to dream of her. Hold her, and tell her everything will be okay.

  “Bryer, wake up, Bryer.” Feeling the gentle shake of Gen’s hands, as she sits on the side of the bed. “What time is it?” I ask.

  “Late.”

  I look up in a hazy surprise as to why she’s here. “What’s wrong?” Propped up on my elbows now.

  “It’s Nathan.”

  “Is he okay? Is he hurt?’ Sitting up as I grab both her arms, urging her to give me the details faster.

  “He’s here.”

  Words escape me, as I fight the nausea.

  “He wants to talk to you,” she continues.

  As if I didn’t understand what she was saying. I nod my head in agreement, and I push the covers off me and slide on my jeans and a T-shirt.

  “I’m leaving to see Clayton, you’ll have the place to yourself.” She pulls me into a hug and whispers, “You love him, he loves you. Please work it out, you belong together.” I squeeze her in tightly, in lieu of a reply. She leaves and after I find my fluffy slippers, I take a deep breath and walk out to the living room.

  I see him before he sees me. He’s looking out the window, his back to me, his head hung low, the weight on his shoulders insurmountable, his hands are in his pockets, his hair is a disaster. Making him even more gorgeous, he complains about being pussy-whipped, well I’m dick-whipped. I’m his before a word is ever spoken.

  He turns.

  I get my first glimpse of the pain in his eyes.

  “God I fucking missed you,” he says, but doesn’t move towards me.

  I lower my head, questioning if I should return those exact words, they’re the truth. “I missed you too.” Watching his baby blues that draw me in, too raw for comfort, I look away, the intensity invading every pore, every fragment of my broken heart.

  “That’s a start,” he says with an unrelenting stare. A slow smile appears then quickly melts away.

  “Can we talk?”

  I only nod as I walk to Gen’s couch, timidly taking a seat, attempting to construct the story that needs to be told. But my thoughts interrupted.

  “I’m so sorry, baby, I’m ashamed of how I reacted, and where my mind went. To watch the one you love, love someone else is a slow death.” I start to interrupt but he puts his hands up.

  “I know that’s not what happened, that’s where my jealous, angry mind leads me. I know, Bryer, I know there’s nothing between you two.” He reaches for my hand.

  I let him, knowing the words that I’ll be saying may change everything.

  “Please forgive me, please.” He takes both my hands and brings them to my lips.

  His warm mouth grazing over my fingers, my knuckles. I can see the moisture in his eyes as he waits for my words. And my world just falls away. “I look at you and I forget everything I was about to say.” Meeting his eyes, I know his heart is just within reach, and I comfort myself in that feeling for a brief moment I have him back. Before chaos begins and the possibilities fade away. I take him in, breathe him in. If only for a moment.

  Barging ahead, I put distance between us, and I understand his confusion as I stand. “I need to start from the beginning Nathan.”

  He nods but he’s oblivious to how bad this will be.

  “I warned you, didn’t I?” Not waiting for a reply. “Cash is the devil, and he destroys everything and everyone in his path.”

  “Yes, lesson learned.”

  “The Austin trip.” I take a long breath. “I admit it was reckless, but Cash was blackmailing me, threatening me that he would bring down M&M, he showed me proof of his control. I thought I was protecting you by lying. I thought I could confide in you when I returned, less risky, but you found out faster than I could make it right.” I let that sink in. “I turned in my resignation today.”

  He looks at me instantly.

  I watch as he shakes his head, no and
I assume the worst.

  “Baby, we have been fighting relentlessly to get everything back in our name, lawyers, John myself, we won. Cash lost.”

  I can feel the triumph rolling off him, the pride I’ll be destroying in moments.

  “But I won’t deny that fact that I’m happy you are away from him, and the danger that circles around him. I’m sorry you had to give up your passion, trust me, we’ll figure it out.”

  I’m going to prove him wrong, the pain radiating off me is causing me to sway, and physically, I can feel my stomach churn.

  “Are you alright?”

  “No.” I support myself on the table that holds the TV. “I’m not. This will hurt, Nathan.”

  And a brow is raised in worry.

  “Our friend Kahale, Cash got to him, paid him off to rig the wedding.” I watch as Nathan attempts to comprehend, but doesn’t process it. So I hammer on. “We are not legally married.” A tear falls, I have to reach deep inside for strength.

  “What the fuck? No, Bryer, that can’t be,” he says

  “It gets worse.”

  “How could it possibly get worse?”

  My heart goes out to him, I’ve had some time to process, he doesn’t see the hit that’s coming. “The Austin trip was a farce, a trick. The papers that I had to sign to receive my mother’s box, they were all lies, tricks he orchestrated to have me sign the one document he needed to finish his diabolical plan. He even distracted me by using my ole’ friend who had just lost her husband.”

  “What document?” He slowly stands, bracing himself for the worse, and moving a step closer.

  “A marriage license. Between Cash and myself.” It all happens in slow motion. He processes my words and I watch his arm fly back and punch the wall with everything he has, every raw nerve exposed in that one hit. Unfortunately, I have to go on. I don’t want to, but this is the only way I’ll know if we are moving forward together, or apart.