This year her family and his would be arriving Saturday. Dianna felt this to be the perfect opportunity to escape. She didn’t have to explain to her mother why she came up early. She simply told her she felt like getting away for a while, and Sean’s mother had been delighted that she’d offered to have it ready for when everyone arrived.
After she opened the windows and put a few groceries away, Dianna carried her suitcase to her bedroom and sat on the bed. Staring into space, she finally allowed herself to think about why she’d come here in the first place.
She needed time and distance away from Sean, and by the constant texts he’d sent her on the drive up here, she was right. She answered one text, saying she was going away and wouldn’t be responding to any more messages.
That hadn’t stopped him. He texted several more times, even tried to call—which she sent straight to voicemail. She hadn’t read or listened to any of his messages, which wasn’t an easy thing to do. The furthest she went was to make sure they were indeed from him and not someone else.
She’d firmed up her decision to go to Paris. She was going to break the news to her mother when she arrived. She’d been hoping to tell her parents at the same time, but she wasn’t sure if her father would be here or not. Even though Loraine Duvall and Edward Sheldon got along amazingly well for a divorced couple, Dad’s new wife wasn’t very fond of Dianna’s mother. And Dad being the obliging man he was would likely relent and not come at all.
Dianna jumped when her cell rang, her heart instantly racing. She checked the ID before hitting Accept.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Just wanted to make sure you got up there alright.”
“Needless to say, I did.”
There was a small pause and then Loraine said, “Honey, Sean called here several times. Why doesn’t he know where you are?”
“Because I don’t want him to know!” She cleared her throat, hoping to sound not so edgy this time. “You and Ellen are the only ones who know and I want to keep it that way.”
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
“What makes you think anything’s wrong?”
“Child, please.”
“I’m fine. I just want some time alone and I don’t want anyone to know where I am. I’m turning off my cell phone so the only way you can reach me is by calling the landline here, okay?”
An exaggerated sigh echoed over the phone. “Fine. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
Yes, Saturday. The day most of the guests were expected, including Sean.
More than once on the five hour drive here she wished she’d told him to stay away, his parents’ house or not, but it was too late now.
No biggie. All she had to do was learn how to act like her heart wasn’t breaking.
***
Tucker walked up the path of his house stopping only to kiss the beautiful woman in his arms. “Mmm you taste so good, baby.”
The woman giggled. “Then kiss me again.”
Sean rolled his eyes as he watched his brother’s supposed moves. If it weren’t for the fact he’d been sitting here for two hours as the sun set, drinking from a very expensive bottle of scotch, he’d get up from the deck chair on his brother’s front porch, throw up and then head home.
“You’re so hot.” Tucker put his date down and together they reached the steps. His brother stopped then frowned when his gaze rested on him.
“Sean?”
“Who’s Sean?” asked the woman.
“My older brother.” He scaled the steps. “Sean, is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me. I was hoping you wouldn’t see me.”
“Why would you come here if you didn’t want me to see you?”
Well, that was a stupid question. “I wanted to let you guys finish and then I was gonna let you know I was here.”
The timer lights flickered on illuminating the perimeter of the house and grounds. Sean cringed as the brightness hit his eyes.
Tucker’s frown deepened. “Are you drunk?”
“Yes.” He held up the open bottle of scotch. “But I have a very good reason.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“You two go ahead and do what you gotta do.” Sean reached into his jacket pocket and placed some earbuds in his ears. “But could you hurry up? I really want to throw up.”
Sean stared at the connector at the end of the cord, thinking the buds would probably cut out the sound better if he’d thought to bring his iPod.
Tucker let out a very loud sigh and turned to his date. “Honey, I’m sorry, but he’s my brother and I think he needs me right now.”
The woman put her well-manicured hand to her chest, her crimson lips parting in exhale. “Oh my Gawd,” she said in a thick Queens accent, “that is so sweet.”
“You’re okay?”
“Yeah, but I have to say, I’m a little disappointed.” She pulled his head down and nearly ate Tucker’s face. Dianna would never kiss like that. She was too good. Damn, that girl knew how to kiss.
Man, he was an asshole for thinking about her.
Tucker pulled away and looked at the willing woman in his arms, turned to look at Sean, then back to his date. Geez, could he be more obvious?
“I gotta go, sweetheart.” You’d think Tucker would at least try to hide the anguish in his voice. At least for his sake.
“It’s okay. You go be with him and next time, I will give you a night you will neva fa-get.”
“Ho man. Maybe I could just put him to bed. It’s a very large house, we wouldn’t be disturbed.” He ran his hands over her back, although, Sean knew his brother wished it was her ample front that had the honors.
“No, he obviously needs to tawk. Yaw doing a good thing and good deeds deserve a re-wawed.” She sucked on his lower lip before she turned and headed for her car.
Tucker waited for his date to get into her BMW and back down the long driveway before walking up the steps, glaring.
Sean slowly got to his feet, stumbling slightly.
“Thanks a lot bro.” Tuck swatted him on the back of his head.
Sean looked at Tucker trying to focus. He took a deep breath. “Ow.”
“Come on. Let’s go have some coffee.” Tucker sighed and unlocked his door, turning off the high-end alarm system he’d just had installed. It amazed Sean how loose his brother was with money. Sure, he was loaded, being a successful financial advisor, but the need for him to have everything top of the line was somewhat disconcerting.
Sean picked up his bottle and walked into the house.
Tucker closed the door and took the scotch from Sean’s hand. “Holy shit, dude! This is a five hundred dollar bottle of Highland Park 30! Either something really good happened or something really bad.”
“Mr. Park 30 has been a very good friend for me tonight.” Sean swayed. He was pretty sure the room wasn’t supposed to tilt like this.
Tucker studied the contents of the bottle. “Is this your second bottle of scotch? Please tell me you started with something cheaper.”
“Nope, that’s the only one.”
Tucker raised his eyebrows. “There is only the equivalent of like seven shots missing.”
“Five. It was already open when I snatched it from the bar.”
His brother’s mouth dropped open in horror. “I could drink this whole damn bottle and still not be as drunk as you are.”
“I don’t drink like you do.”
Tucker put the scotch down and pointed an accusing finger at him. “It’s all that prissy bottled water shit you drink. Honestly man, this is embarrassing.”
Sean studied his finger, but the shaking made him queasy. “Can I go throw up now?”
“Yeah,” Tucker said in disgust. “I’ll make coffee.”
Sean went into the bathroom and did what he had to do. This so wasn’t worth it. All that drinking had done nothing to get his mind off Dianna. She had shut him out, and he was powerless to do anything about it.
Had he made a mistake by walking away
from her? He’d assumed they could at least remain friends, but was that really even possible anymore?
All he had to do was picture hurting her again and he knew he’d made the right choice. She deserved someone who would be there for her always, not someone who would ultimately walk away. And he knew he’d do that eventually. Hell, he’d already done it the morning after they first made love.
Proof she deserved better.
“Feeling better?” Tucker asked as Sean walked, or rather shuffled, into the kitchen.
He plopped into one of the dinette chairs where a steaming cup of coffee waited, and squinted from the bright overhead lights. “Define better.”
Tucker pointed to his mug. “Drink.”
Sean took the mug and sipped. And nearly spit it out. “Is this raspberry tea?”
Tucker sat down with him and stirred his drink. “Yeah, why?”
“You badger me about bottled water and you drink flavored tea?”
“The chick I was seeing, what’s her name, introduced me to it.”
“The one who just left?”
“No, the one before her, or the one before the one before her, I’m not sure.”
Sean shook his head but stopped when the room began to swim.
“So.” Tucker sat back in his chair. “What is your good reason for being drunk?”
Sean put down his mug and tried to focus his eyes on his brother. “I was hoping if I drank enough I’d have a memory lapse retroactive to earlier this evening, but I don’t think it works that way.”
“Not usually, but why would you want to forget tonight anyway?”
“Dianna and I are no longer friends. We decided it tonight.”
Tucker looked at him like a deer caught in the headlights. “Wait a minute. Just hold on a sec. The last time I saw you, Dianna was making cozy with that Matt dude, and despite my firm objections you were with the beach chick. You both seemed fine with it, so what happened?”
“I broke into her house and we had sex all night.”
“Who? You and the beach chick?”
“No, me and Dianna.”
Tucker dropped his chin to his chest. “God, my head hurts now.”
“I’ll be there soon, I’m sure.”
“So why can’t you be friends? Shit got too weird?”
“She’s in love with me.”
Tucker shot up in his seat. “So what’s the problem then? You feel the same way!”
“Yeah, but what difference does that make? You told me yourself, we’re not the settling down type. She needs someone who will always be there for her.” He stared at the ceiling, his eyes burning.
“That fucking sucks, dude.” The grief in Tucker’s voice reflected what Sean felt in his soul.
He kept his gaze on the ceiling, not wanting to see the dismay on his brother’s face. “Would you mind if I slept in one of your bedrooms? I don’t want to go home.”
“Sure. Is there any way to work—I dunno, something out?”
“I doubt it.” Sean sighed deeply. “She left. I texted her and she told me not to contact her again. No responses after that.”
“Maybe she just went for a drive?”
He shook his head. “No, I know her. She took off. I checked her closet and her suitcase wasn’t there. I broke her heart twice in a matter of weeks. I’m worried about her.”
“She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.”
Yes, she could. That thought at least gave him some peace.
Tucker finished his tea and stood. “I’m going to bed, unfortunately alone.”
Sean grimaced. “I’m sorry, Tuck.”
“Don’t worry about it.” His brother waved away his apology. “There’s always tomorrow.”
“She seemed nice. What’s her name?”
Tucker stared at his brother, his expression blank.
“Tell me you at least know her name.”
“I do. It’s honey or baby or sweetheart. Something like that. I met her at that self-defense class I’ve been taking. I told you it was a good place to pick up women. You should come with me.”
“You’re impossible.” He stood. “After everything I just told you, and you want me to pick up chicks?”
“You need something to purge those feelings making you drink from your ridiculously expensive stock. Maybe come to the shooting range with me tomorrow. That really helps you get the aggression out.”
“Yeah, that’s the perfect place for a guy with a hangover.”
“You’re never happy.” Tucker shook his head and turned to leave the kitchen.
He smiled and followed. “Hey, bro. Thanks.”
“No problem.” Tucker walked with Sean to the floating steps in the impressive front foyer. “Just do me a favor.”
“What?”
“If you’re gonna throw up again, please make it to the bathroom.”
Sean smiled. “I’m okay.”
“Of course you’re okay. You didn’t drink enough.”
“Oh don’t start.”
“Well, honestly, how can any self-respecting Irishman get as drunk as you from only five shots…”
Sean smiled to himself as Tucker’s ranting faded away as he walked across the foyer bridge connecting one side of the second floor to the other where the master bedroom was located. At least he’d helped get Sean’s mind off Dianna. But he knew, as soon as he closed the guest bedroom door, he would be lost again.
That was his life now.
***
Adriel paced in front of the four custodios, each a very dark shade of gray, and shook his head toward Jude. “Things are not working out as we’d hoped.”
Jude watched him pace, his broad shoulders showing a slump. “This is not acceptable. It is times like this I wish we could abuse their trousers.”
Adriel could not find it in his heart to correct him. “Indeed times would be better if we could keep our children safe forever, but that is not His will.”
“What will happen to Sean and Dianna?”
“Their lives will be an endless search for happiness they will never find.” His own sorrow was so great he garnered the attention of several of the other guardians. “Mercifully, they will probably die young.”
“Should we call Angie and Jack Home?”
Adriel swallowed hard. “I don’t know. I fear this time they will not make it.”
“So their destiny is to become ghosts?”
“No!” He turned from his superior and slammed his clenched fists against the clouds until they flickered and shook.
“Stop that at once or you will cause an earthquake!” Jude stood straight, his wings poised for flight. “If that is their destiny, then it is so.”
Gripping the edge of Angie’s custodio, Adriel pulled himself under control. “I’ll never let that happen. Even if I have to go to the top floor of Heaven myself.”
Jude relaxed his stance and jutted his chin in the air. “Then it is time for drastic measures.”
Chapter Twenty- Four
THE NOISE SURROUNDING Dianna was such a contrast from the last few days; she feared she’d lose some hearing.
The majority of the guests arrived two days ago. Sadly, Trish and Josh couldn’t make it with Trish being sick all the time. But Dianna was still happy to be surrounded by loved ones.
Yesterday she’d feigned a headache and spent the day in her room so she wouldn’t have to face Sean. She needn’t have worried though. He was as eager to avoid her, as she was to avoid him.
Her brothers, Jake, the Donovan men, and her father, sans his wife, sat around the outside patio arguing over who would cook dinner. Kate, Loraine, and Ellen sat in the kitchen drinking wine and taking bets on who would win the argument. Dianna stayed with iced tea.
“They should just let Jake do it.” Kate took a sip from her glass. “God knows the man knows how.”
“So, the young doctor can cook?” Loraine saluted her. “Where was this guy hiding when I was looking?”
“Please
, Mom, you would’ve scared Jake half to death.” Dianna thought for a moment. “Wait, was looking? Are you leaving the dating game?”
“Let’s just say I’m going in a different direction.”
Dianna was about to question further when the voices outside grew louder. Now the men were fighting over the large spatula. Sheesh, what was it with men and grilling?
Well, not all the men. Sean sat in the chair tucked into the corner of the deck, staring out at the massive front lawn. He looked so lost. In the past she would have gone out there and talked to him until he was laughing.
But those days were over.
“You know we’re just going to end up cooking in the end,” Kate said.
“Ha!” Ellen grabbed a cookie Dianna had baked from the platter on the table. “I’m not falling for that again.”
Loraine reached for the bottle sitting on the kitchen counter and refilled her glass. “Well they better hurry up. There’s a nasty thunderstorm heading our way and I’ll be damned if I’m going to get stuck grilling in the pouring rain.”
Dianna noticed her mother was beginning to slur her words somewhat. Maybe it was time to cut her off. “I don’t know why you put up with them.”
Kate winked. “He’s good in bed.”
“I put up with Cain because he can fix my car.”
“Oh, bullshit, the lot of you.” Loraine stumbled a bit as she sat her bum in the dining room chair. “You put up with them because you love them and you know loving someone is never easy, but it’s worth it in the end.”
Ellen rolled her eyes. “Says the woman who has, what? Two boy-toys at the moment?”
“Three.” Kate raised her glass. “She brought a new beau to Trish’s end-of-summer barbecue.”
“Oh, you ladies have no idea how lucky you are. At least you fought for the love of your lives, I let mine go.”
Dianna looked at her mother, shocked. “Whoa, Mom, how much have you had?”
“Don’t be fresh, young lady. I’m serious. I should’ve fought for your father, but instead I just let him go because it was easier than fighting for what we had.”
Angels in Seashore Cove (Love and Laugh in Seashore Cove Book 2) Page 27