Love Unforgettable: Love in San Soloman - Book Three

by Wells, Denise

  I blink my eyes in surprise, then give her a half smile in response and wink. My winks have been known to really wow the ladies in the past. ‘Course those were Texas ladies and these ones out here seem like a whole new breed.

  She smiles and turns to walk toward the busier end of the bar again, looking back once at me.

  Well, holy hell.

  If I wasn’t gone for her before, I most definitely am now.

  Chapter 23

  Lexie

  Am I flirting with Cole Mason?

  I think I am.

  I walk back to the opposite end of the bar from where he sits to serve some additional guests. The crowd is thinning out just a bit, in part because Trevor has left, and probably in part because the food is almost gone. I scan the room, pausing at one of the entrances just in time to see Elise walk back into the winery, looking really upset. She finds me with her eyes and comes storming forward, her face red and eyes puffy, yelling as she approaches.

  “What is wrong with you? Not enough single men around, you have to go after the ones already taken? You are a sick woman.”

  She must know what Trevor and I did.

  That doesn’t make me sick, it just makes me stupid.

  Maybe she doesn’t mean me. Though all indicators point to that she is talking to me.

  I turn around just in case there is someone else behind me. Nope. Just me.

  She reaches the tasting bar, people parting the way for her with her every step.

  “Elise—” I start.

  “And then you have the audacity to speak with my daughter and me as though you aren’t a monster set on destroying our lives?”

  “I—”

  “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” she asks.

  “I—”

  “Nothing?”

  “May I speak?” I ask.

  Elise nods tersely, her chest heaving with fast breaths, her face red with both anger and exertion. I worry that she’ll go into labor if she doesn’t settle down. Though, I’m just not sure if that really happens outside of movies.

  “I’m sorry,” I say.

  “Sorry? Sorry?” Her voice is near screeching and everyone in the building has stopped talking and is watching us now. “Sorry doesn’t do anything. Sorry doesn’t help me sleep at night. Sorry is just a word. A stupid, meaningless word.”

  “Obviously, we made a mistake.”

  “We? Are you trying to imply that Trevor was involved in this? That he had a say somehow? Oh my God. That’s rich. He’s right. You’re crazy.”

  Cole moves to step in, but I raise my hand to stop him. This is something I’ve got to handle on my own.

  “I’m not sure why you think he wouldn’t have a say in this . . . wait, he said I was crazy?”

  “I’ll bet you’re one of those people who also thinks a girl deserves to be raped based on what she’s wearing,” Elise says.

  “What? God, no. Of course not. Where is this coming from?” I have to admit, I’m more than a little confused at this point. Or else Elise is. “I don’t see what that has to do with anything. Why would you say that?”

  She puts her hand over her stomach and grips the edge of a barstool. Hard enough so that her knuckles turn white. She bends her knees slightly and hunches over.

  “Elise, are you okay?” I ask. It takes her a minute to look up and answer.

  “Don’t say my name as though we are friends,” she hisses. “It’s just Braxton Hicks, I’m fine.”

  “Okay,” I say. “Are you sure? Can I get you some water?”

  She nods. People start to murmur in the background, rehashing what they’ve just witnessed. I’m not sure whether we are continuing this argument or not. And I still don’t know why she thinks Trevor isn’t at fault here.

  Does she think I forced him?

  I wish I knew how much she knew, how much I should tell her, and how many things I need to apologize for. Where does she think he was for two months when he was here before? And was she okay with him just being gone that whole time? What did poor Paisley think?

  I look over at Elise. She’s moved around the stool and is now perched at the edge, eyes closed, breathing deep. It’s clear she’s in physical pain. Shit, emotional as well.

  She opens her eyes and looks at me. “He’s married with a family, we are going to have a baby soon for God’s sake. Can you just leave him alone?”

  “Of course. Definitely. I planned to after today anyway, I already told him that.”

  “Why?” She pushes a deep breath out. “What makes today different from any other time?” Deep breath in.

  “Well, today I found out about you and Paisley and the baby. I mean, that made all the difference in the world. That changes everything. I would never do what we did knowingly. Never.”

  “Doesn’t make you any less of a homewrecker. He came back to us once before. And he’s back with us again. I’m the mother of his children. You are nothing. He’s never leaving—”

  I hear a splash on the floor and grab a bar towel to go clean it up. Grateful for the break in conversation. I don’t need Elise saying any more with all these people hearing her say it, in my place of business, tarnishing my reputation.

  Only, as I round the bar, I realize that it’s not wine that someone spilled.

  It’s Elise.

  Her water broke.

  “Um, Elise?” I ask tentatively.

  “Don’t. Talk. To. Me.”

  “Should I call an ambulance?” I’m already calling, not sure why I’m asking. Especially since she just told me not to talk to her. I give the dispatcher my info, then go to stand by Elise to make sure she doesn’t need anything.

  “It’s too early,” she winces. “Oh God. Someone call Trevor. Please. This doesn’t feel right.”

  I scramble for my phone and quickly dial Trevor’s number. It goes straight to voicemail. I leave him a message, letting him know what’s going on.

  “Elise,” I say. “I left Trevor a message, he didn’t pick up. Do you know where he is?”

  “He should be . . . oh God, this hurts!” She tries to lower herself from leaning against the stool to the floor. I move to help her.

  “Don’t touch me!”

  Cole appears and helps her away from the stool. “I don’t think you should sit down about now, ma’am. What do you say we walk a bit, real slow like, how does that sound?” He has one arm around her waist and the other hand on her shoulder. Elise nods and straightens back up.

  “Keep her away from me though,” Elise says to Cole about me.

  “Let’s keep deep breathin’, just you and me, okay?” Cole says to Elise. She looks up at him and takes a deep breath. “In two, three, four, five. Out two, three, four, five. Good. You seem awfully upset, something happen?” Cole asks her.

  “She seduced my husband. Earlier this year, and again a few days ago,” Elise groans loud enough for most people to hear. Conversation stops again in the room as everyone’s attention turns to Elise. “She won’t leave him alone. She thinks they belong together. And completely ignores that he has a family and is happily married.”

  I’m riveted.

  As I’m sure is everyone else.

  Kat moves to step forward, mouth opening, ready for a fight, always my champion. I hold out an arm to stop her, I want to hear the rest of what Elise has to say. Cole looks over at me, as if to ask if he should continue. I nod slightly.

  “She won’t leave him alone?” he asks. “Why do you say that?”

  “Trevor told me,” Elise pants. I have to wonder why she keeps talking when it’s obviously an exertion to do so. She’s barely had time to hate me yet seems to be doing so with a vengeance.

  “But he’s back with us now and she just won’t let go. They dated for a time in college, and she thinks something is still going on. She’s been sexting him,” Elise continues with a moan.

  I’ve done no such thing. Where is this coming from? What texts could Trevor have shown her that aren’t months old? U
nless they’re from someone else and he just said it was me.

  “Keep breathing,” Cole tells her. “In two, three, four, five. Out, two, three, four, five.”

  She breathes a couple times, then keeps talking. “Now she keeps trying to get him alone. If women like her would just respect the sanctity of marriage, there would be no affairs. And Trevor is not the only one she’s tried to do this with.”

  I swear I hear a collective gasp through the room.

  “What the fuck?” Remi whispers.

  “I don’t get it either,” I say.

  “She’s had affairs with other married men?” Cole asks. His voice still annoyingly calm. But I can see the vein in the neck pulsing.

  It’s not true, Cole. Please don’t believe her.

  Say something, Lexie.

  “She’s going to . . . oh, that one hurt, shit . . . she wants me out of the way, so she can raise my babies. Or so that she and Trevor can raise them together. At least that’s her plan.” She lets a long breath out. “I really want to sit down.”

  “It’s better if you keep walking,” Cole says. “Let’s keep talking, keep your mind on other things.”

  “Elise,” I interject. “I’m not trying to steal your family. It was a one-time mistake and it won’t happen again.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” Elise moans.

  I can’t tell what I feel more, hurt or pissed. And ashamed. Definitely ashamed. But I think it’s a combination of the three. Plus, how was I so wrong about someone for so long? How did Trevor fake everything so convincingly? I mean, I had absolutely no clue that he was married. None.

  I try calling Trevor again and get his voicemail immediately. Either his phone is off, or he has me blocked.

  “I just left Trevor another message, okay, Elise?” I tell her.

  “You should be used to getting his voicemail by now,” she pants. “God, where is the ambulance? I need something for the pain.”

  “Keep moving,” Cole tells her. “It will help with the pain, believe it or not.”

  She pulls her phone from her pocket. “Can you call him from . . . Oh!” Elise doubles over, clutching her stomach.

  “Focus on the breathing,” Cole says gently.

  “Here.” She hands her phone to me. “Try Trevor from my phone. I’m sure he has you blocked. With good reason.” Her voice is harsh, she sounds impatient. I walk toward her to take it.

  “Elise, I don’t know what all he’s told you, but it’s not like . . .” I start, but stop when she looks at me, the pain in her eyes evident. Physical and emotional, both are there in abundance. I look at her face, seeing her for the first time as a woman, and not as my ex’s wife. She hurts, and she loves him. She needs to believe whatever lies Trevor has told her. Her very existence, and the existence of her daughter and baby, depend on it. Just like I had no idea he was married. She has no idea he’s a lying cheat.

  I can’t do it. I can’t be the one to tell her that. Even if I am one half of his cheating this time. Well, and a few months ago. But I can’t be responsible for hurting her further.

  “Elise?”

  I look up and see Trevor walking across the room calling for her.

  Asshole.

  “Hey, buddy, you want to get your fucking hands off my wife?” he says to Cole, his steps quickening.

  “Now’s not the time, buddy. I’m just helping a lady in a time of need. It’s best you take over at this point,” Cole says.

  “Trevor?” Elise calls, grabbing her belly.

  “I’m right here, honey.” Trevor rushes to her side. “Are you okay? Is it the baby?”

  Elise nods, biting her bottom lip.

  “Her water broke, we called an ambulance, they should be here any minute,” Cole tells him, stepping away from the couple. Trevor continues to talk to Elise in a hushed tone, looking over at us every so often. I hear the word crazy come up a few times. As well as bitch. This from the same guy who told me he loved me and was moving here for me not two days ago. I can’t even wrap my head around it. Am I the only one who didn’t see what kind of person Trevor is?

  “Hey, you want to tone down the name callin’? That’s not necessary,” Cole says to Trevor.

  “I’ll decide what’s necessary,” Trevor says.

  “Trevor,” I start. “I think we can both safely say that nothing will ever happen again. And that Elise has nothing to worry about. Am I right?”

  “Sweetness—” Cole says at the same time that Kat says, “Lex, what the—” at the same time Remi says, “This is not the way—” and Mavis pretend coughs, “Is dreck!”

  “It won’t happen again,” I say more firmly.

  “Make sure it doesn’t,” Trevor returns.

  I turn to look at my friends, all return my gaze with sympathy. Mavis and Babs included.

  Cole comes over to me and touches my shoulder. “I’m gonna try to pretend I understand what it is you’re doing, sweetness.”

  Kat comes closer. “What in the actual fuck, Lexie?”

  “Why are you doing this?” Remi asks.

  “I don’t expect you guys to understand—” I start.

  “Oh, oh no, I don’t feel so good,” Elise announces. “I think something’s wrong.”

  I look at her and see that she’s started to leave a trail of blood behind them.

  Blood can’t be good.

  “Trevor,” I call.

  “Leave him alone,” Elise grunts. “Isn’t it enough, what you’ve already done? Just stay away from my family, please.”

  Trevor looks at me, his eyes filled with something close to an apology. Even though I am fully disgusted by his behavior, I point to the floor behind them. He turns to look, his face blanches.

  “Honey,” he tells Elise. “I’m going to take you to the hospital. We can’t wait for the ambulance.” He gently steers her in the direction of the exit as she collapses. Trevor stumbles under the unexpected weight and goes down to a knee. Cole rushes to the pair and tries to help Trevor up.

  “Back off, man,” Trevor says through clenched teeth. “I got this.”

  “Okay, okay, you need help, you let me know,” Cole says, backing away. I hear the sirens in the distance.

  “You could be the last guy on earth, and I still wouldn’t turn to you for help,” Trevor says. “Just stay the fuck away.”

  I look around the room and notice that it’s just a few stragglers at this point, the party forgotten. Those who are here are collected in little groups, mostly staring at what’s going on. Not a single other person has stepped in to try and help.

  “I’m not sure what’s going on with them,” Cole says to the girls and me. “But there’s a light or two burned out on both their strings.”

  “That’s one way to put it, cowboy,” Kat says.

  My God, has Trevor always been such a dick?

  “Yes,” Remi says.

  “Did I—”

  “You said it out loud,” Kat adds. “And yes.”

  “Why didn’t you guys ever say anything?” I ask them.

  “We did,” Kat says. “You just didn’t want to hear it.”

  “You always had a reason or an excuse for how he was acting, back in college and this last time,” Remi says.

  I think back trying to remember if that’s true. And if so, how many times I did it. Not that I’m doubting what they’re saying. The proof is evident with Trevor lying about so many things, not to mention what he’s just said in front of a large group of people. I guess, I just thought I was better at reading people. Or at least at protecting myself from things like this. It’s crazy what you’ll tell yourself about someone’s behavior to make things normal when they aren’t.

  The sirens grow closer and we hear the trucks pull up. Two paramedics rush in and immediately tend to Elise. Followed by Brad and Ethan and a few other firefighters. Brad and Ethan talk to Trevor while the paramedics get Elise on a gurney. The paramedics are back out the door with Elise in a matter of minutes, Trevor trailing behind them
.

  “My man to the rescue,” Kat practically sings.

  “Which one is your man?” Cole asks.

  “The hot one,” Kat says.

  “I heard that,” Ethan says as they are walking out the door. Brad just laughs. Then leans his head back through the doorway, looks at Kat and mouths, “I love you.” She blows him back a kiss and they’re gone.

  Chapter 24

  Cole

  The minute the crazies are out of sight, they all start talking at once. It’s something I’m slowly getting used to with this crew.

  “Bubala, I tell you once, I tell you so many times, he is putz. Shmendrick. Dreck. Fercockt. Trash. And why you apologize? Oy vey iz mir. You hurt me so,” Mavis cries.

  “Lexie, what in the actual fuck was that about? Why didn’t you tell her the truth? He does not deserve to get away with this.” Kat’s voice gets louder with each word.

  “I get why you’re trying to spare her feelings, but I think it’s the wrong choice to make,” Remi says.

  “I know you’re all going to have something to say about what just happened, but if you let me explain,” Lexie starts, but they are talking over and not hearing her.

  Clearly, none of them are getting anywhere. I put my fingers to my lips and whistle. Everyone stops and looks at me. “Can y’all even hear what each other is sayin’?” I ask. I get a chorus of no’s and some shaking heads in return. “Well then, one at a time. Sweetness, why don’t you tell them what you were tryin’ to say.”

  “I’d rather have the few people here who didn’t know better think that I seduced Trevor, than to have to tell Elise that her husband is a lying cheat,” Lexie explains.

  “Why?” Remi asks.

  “Because of the pain in her eyes. You guys didn’t see it. But, as a woman, I just couldn’t do that to another woman. Not for something as simple as saving face. She needs to believe he’s loyal. As do their children. I’m sorry if you don’t agree with my choice. But it’s my choice,” Lexie says.

  I start to clap my hands. Partly to stem any argument, but mostly because I am damn proud of this lady. She’s livin’ proof that it takes a lot of balls to be a female.