When I hear her voice in my doorway, I cringe. I have successfully avoided her most of the last month, but I have no excuse to run from my office on a Sunday. Hardly anyone else is in the building, so I can’t say I’m late for a meeting.
“Yes, Amber?” I sigh.
“Why are you avoiding Charlie?”
I look up at her. Sometimes I wonder how it’s possible that we were raised in the same household. The only similarity we have is in physical appearance. Our hair is almost the same shade of blonde. Her eyes lean more toward brown than green, but they’re still a similar unique color. She’s a couple inches shorter, but we have the same lean build. It’s no wonder Charlie turned to her.
The biggest difference between us is that I run the company and have always been involved. We’re lucky if she graces us with her presence once a week at the office. Even though she inherited a large percentage of the ownership, she does absolutely nothing to help other than sit in on board meetings. She pretends to help on accounts, but I’m not naïve enough to believe she’s actually contributing anything of value other than her appearance at select events.
“Do I really need to justify that question with an answer?”
She moves into my office so she’s standing just on the other side of my desk. “Yes, you do. Just because we slept together one time doesn’t mean you should shut him out.”
I close my eyes before I respond. A couple deep breaths should help. “Amber, I’m not sure if you’re here because Charlie sent you or because you woke up this morning with a conscience. But either way, I don’t care what you think. You slept with my fiancé. I don’t know how much more black and white this can get. I’m not taking him back. Ever.”
“But I just think—”
“Amber. End of discussion.”
“Fine. He says you’re hiding something from him.”
I roll me eyes. “I’m sure there are many somethings I’m keeping from him because he is no longer my fiancé and not someone I choose to share things with.”
“He thinks you’re doing something to sabotage him.”
Shit. I’m going to need Advil after this conversation. I put my head down and circle my fingertips around my temples. “He works for me and his failure would mean a failure at the company. Do you think I’m that broken up over Charlie to sabotage something at my own company?”
“Our company.” She puts her hand on her hip and cocks her head at me.
“Seriously? Just because Dad left you a percentage of the ownership doesn’t make this company yours. Yes, you have a financial stake, but you don’t provide any value, so it’s my company. You just happen to own part of it.”
I’m convinced this company is what put a bigger wedge between us. She never felt like she was good enough in our dad’s eyes. She hated that I worked alongside him and he praised me when I did something successful at work. By the time she was old enough to work at the company, she didn’t even bother trying to prove herself capable.
She had already made the decision to hate both Dad and me. Even though you would think our parents dying the way they did maybe would have brought us closer, it did the opposite. At first I was so busy trying to make sure the company didn’t falter that I didn’t have time to grieve or to be there for my sister. She resented that just like she resented my success.
I do regret that I couldn’t be there for her at first, but I’m done trying to make up for something we’ve never had. Nothing I’ve done deserved my sister sleeping with my fiancé. I can’t continue to hold all the guilt or put the full blame on myself because she’s the one that intentionally lashed out. My focus on the company was a necessity for the stability of our future, and nothing I’ve ever done that’s hurt her has been intentional.
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes. “Either way I want to know what you’re doing that has Charlie suspicious.”
“I’m going to need some details so I can narrow it down. If I sat and told you everything I’m doing, we would be here until tomorrow. Somehow I don’t think you can find that kind of time in your social calendar.”
“We’re both keeping an eye on you, Ashley.”
I manage to hold in the burst of laughter that almost flies out. This girl is such a spoiled brat and doesn’t know a damn thing about the company. Anyone else, I mean anyone, could keep a better eye on me than she can.
I roll my eyes. “I hear ya loud and clear. I’ll be sure to watch what I’m doing now.”
She knows there is absolutely nothing she can say, so she turns and starts stomping out of my office. Yes. She really is stomping like a pouting spoiled brat. “Oh, and Amber. You might want to be nicer to your sister considering I control your monthly stipend. For example, sleeping with my significant other is not a wise decision.”
She turns and laughs, but I can see the fear in her eyes. She stares at me for a few seconds, probably deciding if she wants to push me or not. “Good thing for me you only ever had one significant other. It should be a while before you find time to let another one into your life, so I guess I’m safe for a while.”
“Consider this a fair warning either way. One more incident like that and you will be cut off.”
Her mouth opens, but she wisely chooses to close it. She whips her head around and continues storming out of my office.
At least the threat of no money will keep her quiet and out of my hair for a while. Charlie is another issue that I’m sick of dealing with. I’m not going to do anything before the launch party because the recognition we’re going to receive is too valuable to me. But after that I have to do something. I can’t have him harassing me anymore.
I call Mr. Roberts to reschedule my meeting. Thankfully he’s able to accommodate earlier in the week. I email the details to Lizzy so she can move around my flights and hotel rooms. Realizing it’s almost five, I pack up my laptop and the documents I’m going to need for the week. I’m flying out first thing in the morning and will not be back until Thursday evening. I plan on going to the home games later in the week and with the event on Saturday night, I know it’s going to be an exhausting week.
I stop to pick up take-out from one of my favorite Chinese restaurants so I don’t have to cook. As I pull up to my house I see a figure on my front porch. When I realize who it is, I try to keep my anger in check. I changed the locks on my house and the security code, but I still haven’t changed the gate lock, which means Charlie is able to get onto my porch. I keep driving and pull over a block later. I grab my phone out of my purse. Knowing he will eventually need to leave, I call Quinn so I can head to her place for a while.
“Hey, Ash. What’s up?”
“Can I come over to your place for a few hours?”
“Sure. No problem.” She hesitates. “Can you make it like an hour from now?” I want to roll my eyes at her but actually I’m happy for my friend that she seems to have found someone that has kept her hooked. “Johnny is leaving for the airport then.”
I sigh. Not because I’m upset with her in the least but because I’m annoyed Charlie continues to interrupt my life. “Yeah, I’ll be over in an hour. Thanks.”
She must sense the annoyance in my voice. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Charlie is sitting on my porch, and I don’t feel like dealing with him right now.”
“Ash, don’t you think you need to do something about this? He can’t show up at your house all the time. I know he just wants to talk, but you shouldn’t have to avoid your own home.”
“I’ll deal with it next week after the launch party.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
“Yeah.”
I hang up with Quinn and debate my options for the next hour. I could call Cam and see if he’s back from the beach house, but I don’t want to feel needy. Screw it. I’m going back to my house and dealing with this. I can’t let him control my life.
Before I pull away from the curb my phone rings. I know it’s Cam calling when the music starts playing. Slight
ly suspicious that he’s calling so soon after my conversation with Quinn, I cautiously pick it up.
“Hey,” I say with a little too much forced enthusiasm.
“Ashley.”
Even though I know I’m about to get scolded I can’t help myself. “Yes, Cameron.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“I’ve been at work.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
Damn Johnny and Quinn. “You don’t need to rescue me every time I have a little issue. I’ll be fine.”
“Ash, some guy sitting on your steps waiting for you to get home is not a little issue.”
“He’s harmless. He just wants to talk, but I don’t have the energy.”
He sighs loudly. “I can see we’re not going to get anywhere on this argument. Stay where you are. I’ll be there in twenty. You’re staying at my place while I’m gone. I can’t worry about you all week. I need you to be able to pack in less than thirty minutes because Johnny and I have to get to the plane. Can you do that?”
“Whoa! What are you talking about? I can’t pack for the week. I’m traveling Monday through Thursday, so I need time.”
“Do you honestly expect me to believe you don’t know exactly what you’re going to pack? Quinn can help you.”
“Wait! Why is Quinn going to be there? I just talked to her, and she asked me to give her an hour with Johnny. Don’t interrupt their time together.”
“Yeah, that was before she knew you had a stalker sitting on your steps. I’m hanging up now, and I’ll be at your house in less than twenty. Do not go to the house until I get there or Johnny arrives with Quinn.”
“Hey, you can’t—” I stop talking because he’s already hung up his phone and I’m talking to a dead line. Damn it! I appreciate him wanting to protect me, but now two other people are impacted by his need to take over. Quinn is going to be pissed. I throw my car into drive and turn the music up loud. I need to burn off some energy before Cam gets here or we are not going to be speaking after today.
Twenty minutes later I pull up to my house again, and I see Quinn’s car parked. She and Johnny are getting out as I park behind them. I jump out and try to contain my temper.
“I’m sorry, guys. You really didn’t have to come over. Cam is being a little overprotective on this one.”
“No, he’s not. This situation needs to be resolved.”
Ugh. Quinn is on Cam’s side and I don’t even need to guess which side Johnny’s on. He looks like he wants to rip Charlie apart limb by limb. Which, if I’m being honest, could be slightly entertaining.
“Am I allowed to go up there before Cam gets here?”
Johnny looks at me and then nods. Geez. If I didn’t know him, I would be scared right now. He’s almost as tall as Cam, and his dark hair and eyes give him a very menacing appearance. If Charlie is not scared off by that, I don’t know what would scare him.
I open my gate and they both follow me in. Charlie sees me coming and he jumps up from where he’s sitting. “Ashley, we need to talk.”
“No, we don’t.”
“Ashley, come on. You at least owe me the chance to explain.”
“I don’t owe you shit! You were having sex with my sister in my bed. What do you possibly need to explain about that?”
“Ashley.” He makes a move toward me, and I feel Johnny move so he is standing right behind me. Charlie’s eyes go wide, and if I wasn’t so annoyed with the situation I would start laughing. His face is priceless. Knowing what a wimp he is, he may actually wet himself if Johnny threatens him.
“You girls go in and pack. Charlie and I will have that conversation for you, Ashley.”
I could almost turn and kiss Johnny. He said it with a casual tone, but I know Charlie is still shaking.
“Thanks, Johnny. Let me know what he has to say.”
I hear another car door close, and I can’t decide if I should wait for Cam or head in to the house and let the boys have a conversation. I turn my head enough to see him out of the corner of my eye and the look on his face makes me opt for choice number one. He looks like he wants to kill someone, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for this side of him.
I quickly move up the steps to the door and unlock it with Quinn following close behind. I know she also doesn’t want to get caught up in the testosterone fest that is about to go down. I really don’t even care what they say to Charlie, so I don’t need to stick around for that.
“Let’s go at least pretend like I’m packing for the week. No matter how pissed he is, he can’t keep me from my house.”
“I know, but I think he’s right on this one. Let’s try to get you packed for the week if we can. If not, we can always go shopping and get you something new.”
She gives me a large grin, and I know nothing would make her happier. She loves to shop, but I just can’t bring myself to get as excited as her. She follows me up the stairs to my room.
“Are you heading to Boston?” I think twenty-four hours is the longest I've ever gone without talking to Quinn unless she’s on vacation, and I feel like I don’t know what’s going on with her right now.
She runs up two steps to be even with me. “Yeah, I’m going to fly out tomorrow after work. I have meetings that can’t be rescheduled but I’m going to stay through Thursday morning. I figure this is one month of my life that I don’t care if I do the right thing.” She goes quiet for a bit. “I mean assuming it lasts that long.”
I hook my arm in hers. “Hey, you guys seem very happy. Don’t worry about the future. Just enjoy the time you’re spending together.”
“Yeah. It’s just I’ve never been afraid of the guy leaving me. I don’t allow myself to get attached, and it scares me this time. I don’t want to know what it feels like to get hurt.”
I smile at my friend. I really don’t think she’s ever had her heart broken. While I think it’s great she hasn’t had to feel that pain, I think it’s more important that she experience the love and emotions that will lead her to the place where her heart could get broken. I hope she never has to experience heartbreak, but sooner or later, I think she’ll have to risk it if she’s going to find real happiness.
Maybe we both will.
“Q, you need to take the risk. You need to know what it feels like to love freely and with your whole heart. Even I need to do that. Yeah, Charlie broke my heart but not enough for serious damage. I never felt the way about him that would lead to permanent damage. But I want to feel like that about someone, and I want that for you too.”
She waves her hand to end the conversation for now. I can tell she’s nervous and she really likes this guy, so I don’t want to scare her.
She knows exactly where to go to find my luggage, and she brings back the bags I need while I’m grabbing stuff for the week. I lay my suits on the bed and she packs everything as I give it to her. I grab a few pairs of shoes and then go for some casual clothes. I head into my master bathroom and grab all of the cosmetics and toiletries I need.
I throw it all on the bed and then make one more round through my closet and bathroom, grabbing a few more items. Quinn has put everything in my suitcase as I set it down. I have to say, it’s pretty efficient to pack with two people.
I sense his presence, and when I look up Cam is leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. He has on gray dress pants and a light blue button down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. He’s not wearing a baseball hat and his caramel hair is styled in a messy look, making me want to run my fingers through it. He looks gorgeous. Maybe a little feisty right now but still gorgeous. My heart rate picks up, and I manage a small smile.
“Hey,” I say.
He nods his head toward Quinn first. “Thanks for calling, Quinn.”
She looks down, knowing that I still haven’t addressed this with her and because Cam looks like he’s ready to explode. I’m not frightened of him, but I can tell he’s angry and I know we need to talk.
“I’ll be downstairs waiting. Do you need me to do anything else?”
“No. What you’ve done is perfect.”
She walks out and pats Cam on the arm before she disappears down the hallway.
Cam doesn’t say anything but stalks toward me with a mixture of passion and fury in his eyes.
“Has this been happening since the weekend I met you?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. There’s no sense lying to him because I know he can read me plus I really don’t want to lie to him. “Yes,” I whisper. Afraid to meet his eyes, I study the buttons on his shirt as a distraction.
I feel his finger slide under my chin to tilt my head up. When I meet his gaze, I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m going to fall apart. I don’t want to have to deal with Charlie. I don’t want Cam to have to worry about me. And most of all, I want Cam to be able to give me what I need. I know he’s smart enough to know there’s more going through my head than just Charlie showing up at my house.
“Hey, we’re going to figure this out together, okay?”
With the slightest movement, I nod my head forward enough that he knows I’m acknowledging his words. I snake my arms around his neck, and he lifts me up into a hug.
“I don’t want to have to worry about you while I’m gone. I'm not mad at you, but it pisses me off that this guy is bothering you. I want you to tell me when these things are happening. I'm here to protect you now. Okay?”
I nod against his neck because I still don’t trust my voice. I feel it quivering inside me and all I need to do is hold myself together for another ten minutes.
“Quinn is going to stay with you at my place tonight, and I will be home Thursday night. Please tell me Charlie isn’t traveling with you.”
I pull my face away from his neck enough that he can hear me. “No.”
“Good. Then we don’t have to worry about anything until next week.”
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just promise me you will talk to me about it."
I nod, and he squeezes me again before setting me back on my feet. “Is your stuff ready to go?”
Here for You Page 10