Falling for Love

by Vicki Green

  He rests his elbows on top of his desk. His hands fold together as he places his index fingers over his mouth, like he’s trying to hide a smile. “I will admit, I may have not been completely honest in the ad and email.” Oh, here we go. “Thing is, we are small here in this city, but we are the hub to a much larger company. In addition to an extra tech support person, we also need backup for my secretary as well as handing calls and various other office duties.” Great. I’m ready to leave. “When I saw your resume, I felt you’d be perfect for this job.” My brows raise as my eyes widen. He picks up a piece of paper, holding it with both hands. “Your typing skills are outstanding and I see you took some web design classes, all with excellent marks.” His blue eyes are burning into mine and I’m uncomfortable again. He lays down the paper and clasps his hands together on the desk. “Miss Hadley. I believe with our fast paced office environment and tech support intermingled, you are more than qualified. I feel that you’ll find it very rewarding. I would love for you to take this position.”

  “Well. I….”

  He holds his hand up. “Don’t give me your answer right now. Go home and think about it.” He picks up another paper and hands it over the desk to me. I take it but don’t read it. “Have a look at our benefits and what all the job entails. If you need time off for your surgery, we can cope for however long you need. Just think about it and call or email me in the morning.” He stands so I bend down and pick up my crutches. When I sit back up, he’s standing next to me. I begin to stand when he grasps my upper arms, helping me. When I’m fully standing, I seem to bump right into his broad and very muscular chest. My eyes snap to his. They are lit up and sparkling again. “I’ll be awaiting your answer, Irish.” He’s but a breath away. Mint and something else. I try to give a smile but I’m not sure what it really came out as. I make my way to the door and get out into the open room. Miss Robot is there to meet me. I follow her down the hallway and out into the lobby. No goodbyes, no smiles or friendly nods as I go outside. Strangest interview ever, not that I’ve had that many.

  By the time I get inside my truck and start it, I check my phone and see a couple of texts. For just a little while, Caylan wasn’t in the forefront of my mind. Oh, he was still in there but I allowed myself to push him back a bit so I could concentrate on this interview.

  Caylan: I’m so sorry. Please, forgive me.

  Caylan: I don’t blame u for being mad and hurt. I promise none of this is intentional. None of it was meant to hurt you. Please, talk to me. At least let me explain. I feel like I’m already losing you. I’ll do anything to talk with you. Please?

  How is it I can read a couple of texts and feel my heart breaking, tears already forming? I hate this! I want to go back to when it was just him and me. Together, with no one else to worry about, in our own little bubble. Dammit! Quickly, I shoot off a text to Taren, tears streaming down my face. She responds quickly.

  Taren: Yes! I’ll be here!

  Thank God! I need my bestie more than ever!

  Chapter Fourteen

  Caylan

  I was given broth and jello for breakfast and lunch today. When Margie awoke, I told her to go back to the hotel and get some rest. She didn’t look very well and didn’t argue, saying she wasn’t feeling quite right. I told her to call me if she needed anything. Not much I’d be able to do though. I hate being hurt and unable to help. No texts from Irish and I’m beyond worried. On one hand, I’m hurt that she hasn’t been back up to see me, check on me. Makes me wonder if everything we shared together was a lie in her eyes. I know she’s hurt and confused but I could have died. Doesn’t she care at all?

  By evening they told me I was doing so well that they moved me out of ICU and into a regular room but only on the other side of the floor so they could still keep a close eye on me. They also said I could graduate to soft foods in the morning. Good. I’m starving! I’ve been flipping channels for over an hour. Nothing looks any good and I’m getting bored. Unfortunately, I’m still so tired again so I keep dozing off.

  My eyes open slowly, trying to adjust to the darkened room. My head turns to the left, only a small soft glow coming from the TV. I blink rapidly.

  “Irish.”

  Like a dream come true, she sits in the chair beside me, almost within reach. My dreams in no way captured her beauty. But my happiness to see her turns sad. She looks ill or like she’s been ill. She’s lost weight. Her face is sunken in slightly below her cheeks. She’d been a healthy weight before. Did I do that to her? Did I cause her so much unhappiness and stress that she’s become ill? Surely not. She’s a strong woman. I can’t believe that would weaken her this much.

  “Caylan, I….” Her voice is rough until she clears it. “I’m sorry I haven’t been to see you. I….”

  “You don’t have to explain to me,” I interrupt. I don’t want her to feel bad. She has no reason to.

  Her eyes lighten. “No, I…. I should have come. I have no excuse really except….” She looks down at her lap, her hands wringing uncontrollably. She stops and takes a deep breath. “I had a hard time seeing you this way. Injured. I feared the worst and then when I saw you…. Well, it’s not an excuse, really.”

  I reach over and cover her hands with mine. Her eyes snap to mine and I know she feels it too. Something radiates when we touch. I’ve missed that feeling. Missed her. “You look tired. Are you okay?”

  A small laugh bursts from her luscious mouth. “You’re the one that’s been injured and you’re asking if I’m okay? Seems like it should be the other way around.” She graces me with her beautiful smile, her eyes sparkling, and my heart beats again. I give her one back and hers widens for a moment only to turn sad once again. “I’m okay.” She looks away then down at our hands. “I will be,” she whispers. My heart breaks for her. I’ve really done a number on her, not wanting to. Not meaning to.

  “I never wanted to hurt you, love.” Her eyes move up to mine. “I only wanted you. Just you. I never thought my past would come into my present but it did. I can’t change that, Irish. I wish I could but I can’t. If I’d known you were out there, that someday you could be mine, I would have never gone out with another girl.” Her eyes fill with tears as mine plead. I grow serious. “I have to find out if the baby is mine.” Her eyes now soften. A tear slides slowly down her face. I take her hand in mine, holding onto it tightly. “If it’s mine, I need to do right by it. I won’t let it grow up without the love of its father. I will have a responsibility and I aim to own up to it.” She squeezes my hand. Hope against hope, I want her to understand.

  “I’m going to give you some time, Caylan.” No. “For both of us. You need to heal and take care of the stress in your life. I understand you want to take responsibility and I admire you for it. I really do. It’s says a lot about you. Keep me updated?” I nod but inside I’m screaming no! The corner of her mouth lifts slightly. “Meanwhile, I’m taking a new job. I told Pop I wouldn’t be working unless I feel I can later. I want to give this job my full attention. Even though it will be rough, I need to do this. For you and for me.” She leans in, her eyes now pleading to me. “Do you understand?” This time I nod a little more. Her smile spreads. “I’m not saying I’m giving up on us, just yet.” My heart skips a beat. Hope. “I just need some time to get my life back in order. You need that time to mend and find out just what your future holds. IF we were to get back together, we both need to be in a better place. Right?”

  Is she asking me? Because if she is, I want to yell out, “No! We can do this as long as we’re together! We can make this work. We belong together.” But I don’t think she’s really asking me. I think she’s telling me this is how it has to be, for her. And I’ll give her that because I love her. I’ll do anything to have a chance for us to be together. Even if I have to wait a bit to try. I will keep trying. I can’t let her walk out of my life completely.

  “I’ll tell you that I understand because I do. I can’t say I want or need the time but I’ll give it to y
ou. I already know what I want. I’ll do this for you because you need it. Whatever you need, you can have. Whatever I can do to help you, I will. Just please…. Don’t let go completely.” She stands, giving me a sad smile, and I just now notice her crutches leaning up against the foot of my bed. I hesitate to release her hand but she squeezes it once more and then I let go.

  She starts to walk out, a little easier using the crutches since the last time I’d seen her. My eyes brim with my own tears as I watch the best thing that’s ever happened to me walk out the door.

  I have the worst night trying to sleep. Since seeing Irish and having to now live with her decision, my heart is heavy. Between that and the reoccurring nightmare, I’m restless all night. By the next morning, I’m exhausted. Before they brought my breakfast, two nurses came into my room and helped me out of bed, walking me through the hallway. They said I was making such great progress that the doctor may release me earlier than they originally thought. My next issue is going home and having to deal with things alone.

  I’m halfway through breakfast and I have to say, even their food tastes great when it’s the only solid food you’ve had for days. Scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice, milk, and oatmeal. Perfect. I hear the door open and look up to see Taren and Brock walk into the room. Damn, it’s nice to see them.

  “Oh! It’s so great to see you eating!” Taren walks over and leans down, kissing my cheek. She sits down in the chair by the bed and smiles. She looks amazing. “Nice bags under the eyes though.” I can’t help but smile around my spoon filled with oatmeal. She places her hands in her lap and her smile widens. “So, when do you get to go home?”

  I swallow my mouthful and wipe my mouth off with my napkin. “They seem to think maybe in a day or two. Problem is, they’re a little worried about me going home to an empty house. And I’d have to start therapy on my shoulder and arm next week.” I’m a little concerned as well and don’t want Mom or Jen to think they need to come here to help me. They have their own lives to deal with, they don’t need to be babysitting me.

  “Well, you’re in luck!” My brows lower as I look at her. She looks up at Brock, who’s looking down at her affectionately, and then she looks back at me.

  “What are you talking about, Taren?”

  “Well….” She looks like she’s about to explode. “Brock and I want you to come to our house.” I open my mouth to speak. “Just until you can get back on your feet.” I shut my mouth, my mind racing with reasons why I shouldn’t. “Look. We want to help. It’s the least we can do and we have all those spare rooms. Brock said he could take you to therapy too so you don’t have to try to drive, which I think would be dangerous anyway. Please? Let us do this for you.” She looks so hopeful. It would really help me out a ton.

  “You don’t have to keep doing things because of what I did for you. You’ve already surpassed that a long time ago.” She smiles. I look up at Brock and he nods. “This would really help me out so much. I don’t want to have to call my mom or sis to come here to take care of me. They’ll want to anyway but they really don’t need to travel here and Jen has her job so….” I look back at Taren whose smile is even bigger, if that’s even possible. “I would love to. Thank you both so much.”

  She starts clapping and Brock pats her shoulder, smiling himself. “I thought if you want to give me a list and the key, I’d go by your place and pack a bag for you. Just tell me what all you want me to get.” He looks down at Taren and she starts rummaging through her purse.

  “Thanks, man.”

  She stands and sets down a piece of paper and a pen. I make out my list with all my necessities as well as my laptop, case, and power cord, having a difficult time since I’m right handed. I hand it back to her and watch her tuck it back in her purse. I finish my breakfast as Taren and Brock catch me up on work, their baby, and Pops Bar. I lay back, tired from a full stomach and lack of sleep, and let out a big sigh. “So, Irish came to see me last night.” Taren’s eyes widen, but I have a feeling she already knows what I’m about to say. “She wants to give us some time, think about it all and wants to be able to concentrate on her new job.” My heart hurts with each word. I didn’t even congratulate her on the new job or ask what it is. Now I’m even sadder. “It’s not what I want but I’m letting her do what she feels she needs to do.”

  Taren looks surprised but then her face falls into sadness. She lets out a long breath. “You’re a good man, Caylan Dorn.” I love Taren but that doesn’t make me feel any better. Her eyes light up in her excitement. “No, really! You’re one of the nicest people I know. You saved Kane and Brock and never ask for anything in return.” She leans in and becomes serious. “It’s all gonna be okay, Caylan. I know Irish. She’s confused and a bit hurt but I know she loves you.” My heart rate increases. “Just give her some time. Everything is gonna work out. You two are meant to be together.”

  I lean a little on my side but the movement only causes pain. “I love her, Taren. I don’t want to lose her.”

  She reaches over and places her hand on my shoulder. “I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe that you two are supposed to be together. And I believe what happened to us brought you all together. You spent a weekend together and didn’t kill each other, in fact, I think it ended up being amazing!” I raise my brows and she smiles wide. “Well, we are bestie’s. Don’t worry, I would never tell anything she says to me. You know how girlfriends talk.” She winks and leans back in the chair, an all knowing look covers her face. Great.

  “So….” Brock interrupts, knowing I’m getting a little uncomfortable with the conversation. “Yeah. You can come stay with us until you’re healed enough. Any update on Margie? What’s going on there?” Ah, moving from one awkward conversation to another, but I don’t mind. They are my best friends. My family.

  “Since I’m laid up, the doctor took a blood sample from me and is going to take one from Margie tomorrow. He said he’d have his lab run the DNA test. So, by this weekend, we’ll know. Either way, I’m just ready to get it over with. I just want to know for sure.”

  He walks over and pulls the extra chair up beside Taren then sits down. He puts his arm around her and I feel something I’ve never felt before. Jealously. I’m envious of their relationship. They both almost died for each other. Strong love in every sense of the word. I want that so badly. I want that with Irish. Pangs of longing sweep through me. “That’s great. I’m sure you do. Is she…. uh…. well. If the baby isn’t yours, is she okay with just moving on? She seems like she moved here with the intent on living with you. You taking care of her and the baby.”

  I reach back and scratch my head. “Yeah. I’m not sure. She’s been here a lot, acting all concerned. To be honest, I’m not sure if it’s really about me or if she has been worried about losing her place to live and the help needed.” My brows lower and an uneasy feeling creeps in. “I hope I’m wrong but if the baby isn’t mine, I’m not sure where she’ll go.”

  He nods and Taren looks worried. I hope I’m wrong and she’ll move back home. Thing is, I don’t really know that much about her. Does she have a family? Would they help her? Shit! I guess we need to talk. I’m not gonna just abandon her if she doesn’t. I wonder if she knows that and if it’s part of her plan?

  Irish

  After leaving Caylan at the hospital, I drove to Taren’s in a blur. How did my life get messed up so quickly? One minute I was so happy, finally thinking I was with the man I would love forever, hoping. Next, he finds out he could be a father, injured and could have died. Now I’m confused whether to trust him, stand by him, or wait it out and see what happens. I’ve never trusted easily, put a shield up over my heart. Everything I’ve endured in my young life has led to this. This all makes me want to find Jonas and Tiff, see if they’re okay. I wish they were with me now.

  My eyes are swollen, burning, as I knock on Taren’s door. As soon as she opens it, I’m in her arms, her loving touch comforts me a little. “Oh, Taren. What am I gon
na do?” I sniff.

  “Come on, hon.” She guides me into the living room, sitting down beside me on the couch. She pushes me back, keeping ahold of my arms, concern marring her beautiful face. “Tell me what happened.”

  “I went up to see him at the hospital. He looks pained and so tired. I wanted to comfort him, instead I told him I needed time to think about things. I told him I thought it was best for him to heal and deal with things then I’d see. My head is so mixed up and I got offered a new job. I really want to concentrate on that first and….”

  “Wait! You got offered a new job?” Her eyes light up. Shit! I forgot to tell her about that!

  “Sorry. Everything’s been happening so fast. Yes. A company contacted me about my resume and I went for an interview this morning. Seems like a great job. They offered it to me right away.”

  She pulls me back into her arms. “Oh! That’s great, Irish.” We move apart, a smile replaces her worry. “When do you start?”

  “Um. I’m not sure. He told me to think about it tonight and let him know.”

  “He?” Her smile turns into a mischievous grin.

  I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Yes. He. Not gonna lie – he is quite good looking but really? Why would I fall into that?” She nods, knowing I’m right. “Anyway, it’s part office duties part tech support so I think I’d really love it. It’s a small company and fast paced so it would definitely keep me busy and my mind off things.”

  “So, you’re gonna take it?” Excitement builds within me. I nod, eagerly. “I’m so happy for you. I think this is just what you need. Was he okay knowing about your knee surgery?” Yes, I finally told her the other night. I had to. Can’t keep things from my bestie. “Are you gonna work at Pops on the weekends?”