We pull up at my apartment block and share hugs and sister kisses before I mutter “thanks” and head off. As I am getting out of her jeep I hear her say, “It’ll all be OK.”
“I know, how about coffee in town later? I’ll call Flo and Lottie, get the first public appearance out of the way.” She agrees and we go our separate ways.
As I’m putting the key in my door, Ross’s door opens and he follows me into my apartment not waiting for an invite or giving me the chance to refuse him access.
“I’ve been worried about you. How’s your face? Does it hurt? It looks better than I thought it would.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll live.”
“I’m sorry you got caught up in that. I need you to know I’m not normally that guy, the one that fights in clubs when he’s on a date with a girl.”
“Good to know, although I’m not sure one dance, a beer and a brawl could be classed as a date,” I tell him.
“You’re absolutely right. Let me put that right and make it up to you. How about we get together tomorrow? It’s Sunday and there will be no night time date pressures, we can just get to know each other,” he asks
“Ok. Yeah, that’d be nice,” and it’s said with sincerity.
“First though Neely, I have to ask, even though I don’t want to. Is there anything between you and Chris? Am I stepping in the middle of something?”
“No, nothing. A little unresolved nothingness that became totally resolved last night.”
“Great,” he smiles and we swap cell phone numbers and agree as I’m the local I get to decide what we should do. He then turns to leave and I follow him to my apartment door, at the last minute he turns round and leans in to kiss my cheek and says, “Looking forward to it already Neely.” The kiss felt warm with a hint of promise, but what feels better is that I have something fun to look to forward to.
I grab my cell and shoot out a text message to the girls.
Me: Coffee @ Mudjoe’s. 3pm. Date location help required.
Replies come back almost immediately.
Dolly: Ok see you there xoxo.
Lottie: See you there, I’ll bring a head guard for your next bout!
Flo: Sure. Hope you’re OK. See you there.
I go to put my cell phone down and it beeps in my hand indicating I have another text message.
Chris: I’m sorry.
Yeah. I bet you are.
Tough shit.
Too little.
Too late.
Chapter Seven
I went by the office for a couple of hours, even though it was Saturday I was still facing a lot of research myself and I needed something to occupy my mind. I’d taken most of the research material home because Steven was making it obvious he was keeping a watchful eye on my progress with the case and it was pressure I could well do without. Fortunately, working from home and checking in with the office periodically was proving more productive than I expected.
Earlier in the week I’d fired off an email to some land registry departments and needed to check and see if they’d been returned, doing this from the office also helped me avoid calls from the girls. I knew they’d be blowing up my cell phone trying to check if I was OK. If I didn’t answer I didn’t have to lie to them, problem solved.
The office was quiet, it usually was at weekends because most people take them off, but I notice that Steven’s car is in the parking lot as I’m locking the door on mine. Getting in and out with the information without being discovered is going to take some fast foot work.
I shuffle quietly to my desk and dump the reference books I’d finished using and gather up the new ones I wanted to take home. As I switched on my computer to check my email I could hear talking in Steven’s office, his door was open a bit and the talking was not the friendly kind.
“The information will be ready in due course. I will not rush it, just to meet some ridiculous timescale you’re trying to impose on me and my team.”
“Steven, you don't understand. I need that land and I need it quickly.” It was Henry Vans and he didn’t sound angry, he sounded flustered and desperate.
“As I’ve already explained, if the information we provide is inaccurate or not thoroughly vetted then any purchase you make, hostile or otherwise, could be null and void. I don’t appreciate being called in here on my day off to explain my job to you and things that we’ve already been over.”
“I know you don’t, but I also don't think you appreciate the pressure I’m under,” replies Henry. This sounds like pleading which is interesting, it also sounds like Steven’s attempts at reasoning are falling on deaf ears. The voices turn to a hushed whisper for a moment until Steven starts to talk again.
“Henry, I don't understand the pressure you keep talking about because you won’t share what it is. I also don’t understand the actual reasons behind this work that my team and I are undertaking because we are working blind. If you give me something to assist and narrow the scope of our work then maybe I could pinpoint the research more specifically and it may speed things up.” Steven is good, he’s spinning Henry along, I know it won’t speed up the research but Henry doesn’t.
“I’ve told you I can’t discuss this further. Things at the ranch are precarious and the less you know the better. Now just do the job I’m paying you to do and get me enough to force Chris Hales into a fucking sale.”
I sense the conversation is over so I shuffle backwards away from the door and jump out of my skin when I bump into someone.
Oli Hart. I don’t remember seeing his car in the parking lot outside. His family are partners in the firm so he uses one of the offices. Oli has a lot of town projects on the go and it’s not unusual for him to be putting in extra hours over the weekend.
“My office,” he whispers and turns with a quiet stealth that I had no idea he possessed, he’s a big guy who looks lush in a suit, only it’s the weekend, so he’s rocking casual clothes today and it turns out he does this as good too. I walk into his office and he waits for me to enter before shutting the door quietly behind me.
“Eavesdropping on your boss? Why?” he asks very directly.
“I could ask you the same question.” We’re both looking at each other, not giving anything away and not letting the other get ahead in this verbal tussle. It shouldn’t be fun, but it is.
“I’m here most weekend morning’s, I’m a busy guy, I have an office here and I usually grab a coffee from the machine by Steven’s office. You’re not usually here at weekends. So I’ll ask again. What are you up to?”
I’m not ready to give in yet and tell him because I haven’t forgotten he was listening too, I also have no idea how long he was behind me and giving away details might not go in my favor.
“That’s a great answer, with lots of evidence based information to place you with a great alibi at the scene, but it doesn’t explain your motive or tell me why you were eavesdropping too.” I bat the proverbial ball back at him with a smile.
“I only got interested because whatever it’s about is something that had you totally distracted, so distracted that you didn’t even notice I was behind you.” Damn. He’s right and it’s also a great answer.
“Oli you know I can’t tell you, professional confidence and all that. I’m just working a case and I heard hushed voices. Hushed voices and Steven together usually equals more work for me, I was just trying to get ahead of the game.”
“An excellent answer Neely, one that I will accept, for the moment. Now sit. Let’s catch up.” I do not like the sound of that.
“OK Oli, you go first, how are you?” I ask.
“Cut the bull, what was all that shit last night with Chris and that rancher? Are you OK?” My shoulders tense at his tone. I exhale because I knew people would ask, but I never thought going over it again would piss me off as much as it is doing.
“I’m OK. I don't know what happened, how it escalated so quickly and how I found myself in the middle of a caveman brawl.” It’s a semi h
onest answer.
“I’ll admit I was fucking shocked that the night ended the way it did and I suppose if I want more details I can always go and ask Chris, but I did want to make sure that you were OK. Lottie says you haven’t been yourself for a while.” There was a lot to cover in this sentence. He said “more details” which means he already has some and he must have got them from Chris or Jonas and he then referred to Lottie noticing I’ve been different. My mind can’t comprehend that the guys gossip and dissect everything like we do. I’m also struggling with the fact that his fake relationship with Lottie is more than just being seen together and smiling, clearly it includes chatting.
“I’m OK,” he raises his eyebrows at me in an I don't believe you way, so I change the sentence to, “Alright then I will be OK, my jaw isn’t too bad. Look.”
“I wasn’t talking about your jaw, I meant you. You put on a brave face, but I can see you’re hurting. I’m here for you, always,” he says with sincerity.
“I’ll be OK,” I whisper.
“And for the record, you’re not the only one who’s hurting. Maybe you two should talk?”
“Oli we’re not talking about this and we both know what this is, so let’s just drop it.” The determination has returned to my voice, he accepts it when he’s convinced that he will get no more out of me. He knows me, if I don't want to talk then I won’t.
“Alright. I’m always here, at the end of this corridor, remember that.”
“I do and thanks.”
“Oh and Neely, you need to stay out of what we just heard, sounds like things are going to get nasty, real nasty between the Vans and the Hales. Fulfill your remit and I’ll make sure Chris is in the loop when it’s time. You’re not part of my decision to do that so there’ll be no come back on you with Steven.”
I nod and slow blink my eyes in relief and head back to my desk, having Oli do that task saves me from making what could be a career changing decision.
I retrieve the information from the land registry that I came in for and shut my computer down. Steven’s office door is closed, I can’t hear anything so I assume his dubious meeting has ended and he’s left to carry on with his weekend. I put the documents in a non-descript folder and then head to my car, placing the information in the trunk of my Prius because it’s not to right to take confidential work files out for coffee with the girls.
Heading into Mudjoes, our regular meeting place, I notice I am the last one to arrive. The girls are already sipping and munching on something that my mom has probably made at a table by the window. I wave at Jo who knows my usual coffee order and she shouts that she’ll bring it over when it’s done. My soul sisters go quiet when I get to them, it’s clear that I am the topic of conversation.
I pull the chair out from the table and say, “Let’s have it then, let’s get it out of the way.”
“Neely are you OK? Your jaw looks a little bruised but not too bad,” says Flo with genuine concern.
“It’s fine and I don't look like the elephant man so all is good.”
Dolly is quiet but I trust that she hasn’t shared the reasons behind last night’s drama. Like me, she’d want to decide how much to share and whether to go into gory details about that night, or rather ten minutes that has turned my life upside down.
“You did didn’t you? You totally got it on with Chris. I knew something was wrong and his reaction last night only confirms it.” Lottie may be our group’s privileged princess but she is far from stupid.
“I did, but let’s keep this real. Chris and I did something that I totally regret and he’s refused to acknowledge it for some time. It’s done and over. It shouldn’t have happened and I’m sorry for not trusting any of you with this before. Now can we all move on and discuss something far more important. I have a date.”
“Didn’t look done and over to me last night though Neely,” says Flo.
“Well it is.”
“When exactly did this regrettable event occur? We’ve not had any big nights out in a while and you’ve hardly been anywhere or out at all and definitely nowhere with Chris.” Dolly asks.
Seriously, what the fuck is she doing?
Oh. I get it. She’s trying to get me to spill the key details to the girls myself, this is one of my tactics and she’s using it on me. The cow is pretending she also doesn’t know but by being all lawyerish and asking the right questions she knows they’ll want specific answers to. I attempt to cut her off with “That’s not important Dolls” and as predicted my non response in a sharp tone sparks the interest of Lottie.
“Clearly it is, so when was it?” she asks.
“Around a year ago,” I mumble quietly.
Flo nearly chokes on her mouthful of cake, “A year ago, but he’s been with Polly for ages.”
“Forget that tart, Chris’s not interested in her. He got all property righteous over Neels necking with Ross last night which proves it is definitely not over and done.” Lottie says this to me in the voice she reserves for stupid people and Dolly’s twins. Dolly starts laughing and sits back with a satisfied smile. She knew what she was doing when she threw that hand grenade and she is happy with what she has accomplished. Bitch.
“Dolly, you will pay for this. I don’t want to talk about that. That is not why I arranged this meeting. I have a date with Ross tomorrow and need some ideas of where we can go. We have agreed on a day time date so there is less pressure and more chance to get to know one another,” I explain.
“You can’t date him! What about Chris?” Flo interjects.
“Flo, get your head out of a Jane Austen novel. Chris and me, no, but Ross and me, maybe if I can keep you people on track enough to freaking help me!” I am starting to feel exhausted again.
“How about doing a photo shoot by the lake? I hear all sorts of things happen when people go there.” Lottie is beside her with laughter until Dolly snaps, “Not funny and don’t let my man hear you bring that up, he’ll bust a fuse.”
“No. Dolly’s right, that’s been done.” The glare I get off her for that comment is only a small amount of what will come her way if she doesn’t drop this Chris shit. Dolly’s pre-Jonas fun included seducing Tommy Sevens on a photo shoot at the Hawkstown Lake, unfortunately she got busted, mid fun, by Chris and Jonas. It provides fun and hilarity for the rest of us, but apparently it’s still not so fun for Dolly and Jonas.
“How about a picnic and walk up Chesters Mountain?” Flo suggests, “The weather is scheduled to be good, you’ll be away from the crowds and get a chance to talk. He can see the beauty of the place and you could even take him to one of the old “make out” spots,” she jokes.
“Perfect, I love the way you’re thinking. Done. That’s exactly where we’re going,” I decide and I’m just about to pull out my phone and text him when he walks through the door. “Hey Ross,” I say shyly and he approaches our table and nods in greeting to the others and then crouches down by my side.
He takes hold of my jaw, “How’s it feeling?”
“Alright, a lucky escape, a little higher and you could have been having a date with the elephant man by this time tomorrow.”
“You’d still be the prettiest elephant man I’d have dated.”
Lottie and Dolly laugh at his response, but Flo just stays mute. I know she’s gutted that her joke about making out on the trail is something I am considering. She doesn’t look impressed and I know it’s because she thinks if Chris feels enough to fight over me then there must be something between us. I make a mental note to have words with her about that.
“Tomorrow I thought we could take a walk up Chesters Mountain with a picnic, is that OK with you?”
“Sound perfect, just knock on my door when you’re ready. I’ll let you get back to your coffee and chat. Catch you later ladies,” and with a nod he gets up and leaves.
“Flo, whatever you’re thinking, stop. Chris and I are not going to happen.” I hope I’m direct enough to get through to her.
“Sorry
Neely, I’m struggling to keep up and really after last night, don’t you think you should sort things out with Chris?”
“No. I don’t.”
“It’s your decision, as long as you’re sure,” she finally concedes.
As we get to the end of our drinks Dolly is the first to suggest leaving. She’s left A and B with Jonas which could mean either chaos back at home awaits her, or he’s used his navy skills to tie the kids up somewhere and keep them out of mischief. As quickly as she stands up though, she sits back down mumbling, “I’ll just wait, this is gonna be good.” I glance in the direction she’s looking in and see Polly Vans approaching our table. I must have missed her arrival whilst I was talking to Ross.
“Neely I just wanted to come and see how you were after last night and say no hard feelings.” This woman puts my teeth on edge, she comes across all sweet and virginal but in reality she is the worst type of game player. Even if I hadn’t heard her shady conversation with her dad at the BBQ, I would still have the same opinion.
“No hard feelings about what? It wasn’t you that hit me. Mind you, had it have been, the night would have ended a whole lot differently.” I hope she picks up the implied threat in my response, I would have kicked her ass.
I wait.
Yep. She’s got it.
“Oh really, well it won’t come to that. I was referring to no hard feelings about Chris and I. We’ve talked and sorted everything out.”
Now she’s really getting on my nerves. “Well thanks for coming all the way over here to tell me that. I was just hanging on the edge of my seat desperate for the fucking information. I can go about the rest of my life now content in the knowledge you and Chris have talked and sorted everything out.”
“Polly,” Lottie says, “I’m confused, I thought I heard Chris telling you ‘he was none of your concern’ last night.” The look of wonderment and confusion on Lottie’s face is brilliant and if I didn’t know her I’d totally think she was sincere.
Forgiving Love (The Soul Sisters Series Book 2) Page 6