Until Then : Book 1 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  “I will. Don’t worry.”

  “Sophia, that goes for you too. Don’t you ever think you can’t call me or visit.” She smiled and hugged her.

  “Thank you. I will keep in touch.” Sophia returned her smile and walked out the front door. My Nan squeezed my shoulders one more time before I left. It’s always hard leaving her here alone.

  “Can you tell me where we’re going now?” I asked, walking over toward my rental.

  Sophia laughed, “Just follow me.”

  I drove behind her through town, and then down a long dirt road into a small neighborhood. We pulled up to a little yellow house that had seen better days, to say the least. The roof had patches, and was a little worn. The Front door had a screen that had started to peel away. Sophia’s eyes were watching me as she got out of her car.

  I walked up to her, “Where are we?”

  “This is my Mom’s house.” She said, still studying me.

  “Really? I love it.” I tell her, wrapping my arm around her as we walked toward the front door.

  She nudged me, “Don’t lie.”

  “This house made you, you. So, I actually do love it.”

  A small smile formed on her face.

  When we walked into the house, the walls were covered in wallpaper. The living room had a brown sofa with a blue recliner. The sun beamed through the windows, filling the house with light.

  “Sophia? Is that you?” A voice called out from another room.

  “Yes, Mom. I’m here.” Sophia yelled back, and walked into the living room.

  “Where did you...oh hello?” Her mom stopped walking when she saw me.

  I reached out to shake her hand, “I’m Stefan.”

  She squeezed my hand, “Oh my! You’re Stefan. The Stefan! I’m Lucy.”

  “Mom...” Sophia said dryly.

  “Sophie, you didn’t tell me he was so handsome.” Lucy jokingly whispered, and realized she was still holding on to my hand.

  “Thank you.” I laughed, as she pulled her hand away.

  “We’re going home today.” Sophia said.

  Lucy’s face slowly dropped. “Well at least let me make you lunch.” She turned and walked into the kitchen.

  “I’m going to pack my stuff.” Sophia yelled to Lucy.

  I decided to follow her mother. She was already pulling things out of the refrigerator. “Do you need help?” I asked.

  “No dear, thank you.” She smiled, and continued assembling sandwiches.

  She looked up at me, “Are you by chance part of the reason why Sophia returned home abruptly?”

  I sighed, “Unfortunately, yes.”

  She kept her eyes on me, “And you came here to apologize for whatever happened between you two?”

  “Yes.”

  She smiled, “Honest man. That’s a good trait.”

  I laughed, “Thanks.”

  “Sophia told me you run your own business?”

  “Yes I do. Most of it is done through our website. I work remotely the majority of the time.” I leaned against the counter.

  “Your grandmother lives here too right?” She asked, plating the sandwiches.

  “Yes, she has for a few years now.”

  “I would love to meet her.” Lucy smiled.

  “I can set that up.”

  “That would be lovely.” She walked around the counter, and set the plates on the table.

  The front door swung open, and Lucy’s face dropped. I turned to look. A middle aged man was standing there. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days. He stumbled over the threshold of the door, slamming the door behind him. He spotted me, and his eyes darkened.

  “Who the hell are you?” He bumped into the coffee table. “Why are you in my house?”

  “Mark, just lie down.” Lucy picked up a plate. “Look I made you something to eat.” Lucy and I both knew she didn’t make that sandwich for him and I was trying to figure out what was going on.

  He knocked the plate out of her hands, causing the plate to shatter onto the floor. She stepped back with her hands over her face, as if he was going to hit her. Oh hell no.

  “I’m with Sophia.” I tried to reassure him. I knew this type of man. I’m related to this type of man. I tried to keep calm, I’ve diffused so many fights between my parents since I was old enough to know right from wrong.

  “That girl is here?!” he raised his voice, shoving Lucy out of the way. She ran into the table causing it to move a few inches, panic crossed her face.

  I stepped in between Lucy and him, “Do not do that again.” If this wasn’t Sophia’s Mums house, I would have thrown this guy into the wall by now.

  He was staring me down, I could smell the alcohol on him. “You and that little girl are here for more money. She moved to that city and she can’t afford a damn thing. I told Lucille to not let her move. You won’t get a dime from us.”

  It was taking everything in me to hold my temper, “Money is not a problem, Sir. However you are beginning to cause one. ”

  “This is my house, I can cause whatever problems I want.”

  “Mark stop!” Sophia yelled, coming around the corner. “This isn’t even your house!”

  He whipped around to face her, “Look at you, bringing your little boyfriend here. What are you going to do?” He mocked.

  “Are you drunk?” I stepped up to him.

  He spit at my feet, “I don’t need to hear shit from you.”

  “Alright, you need to get the hell out.” I pulled him by the collar; he tried to swing at me, but missed.

  “Who do you think you are?!” He yelled.

  I slammed him against the wall near the door, “You’re about to find out, if you don’t get out of this house.” I said through my teeth. I was finally able to get one hand on the front door to open it. He stumbled as I dragged him outside, letting go as I tossed him toward the steps. He made it halfway down the steps, before falling to his knees.

  I walked to the edge of the porch, “I’m going to tell you this one time. Leave this house and never come back.”

  “What will you do?” He laughed, dusting the dirt off of his pants.

  “You don’t want to find out.” I walked back inside, locking the door behind me.

  Sophia and Lucy were sitting on the sofa. Lucy was crying into her hands. I pulled out my phone and told my Nan where I was. I walked up to them, and sat down on the coffee table in front of Lucy. “He won’t bother you anymore.”

  She looked up at me, “I’m so sorry you had to see that. I told him to leave me alone.” She said through her tears.

  “I’ve seen worse. Don’t be sorry.” I took her hand. “I want you to stay with my Nan tonight. Just in case he comes back.”

  “I don’t want you to worry about me.” She looked down at our hands.

  “You’re important to Sophia. So, you are important to me.” I squeezed her hand. A half smile appeared on her face.

  “I’ve already texted her. She will be here soon.” I assured them.

  Sophia mouthed Thank You to me and I gave her a sympathetic smile. I couldn’t believe that was the guy Sophia was living with. Lucy was not much bigger than Sophia. Even the two of them couldn’t have taken him if he tried to hurt them.

  My Nan and Lucy got along immediately. My Nan was going on and on about how they will be the greatest friends, and how she has a weekly painting class that she thinks Lucy would love. Sophia and I were getting ready to leave. Sophia’s bags were by the front door. I could see the worry in her eyes about her Mum. She tried to stay cheerful, as Lucy was tidying up the house.

  I rubbed her arms. “She will be ok.”

  “I know.” She smiled. “She’s just alone.”

  “My Nan will take care of her. I promise.”

  She sighed, “I know.”

  “We need to go, or we will miss our flight.” I reminded her.

  “Mom, we are leaving.” She called out. “Can you stop cleaning for five seconds?”

&nb
sp; “Oh come here.” Lucy rushed Sophia with a hug.

  We said goodbye to my Nan again, who was ecstatic over her new friend in Lucy. Sophia was already putting her bag in the rental. I started to walk out to the car, and Sophia’s Mum stopped me.

  “Stefan, I want to ask you something?” Lucy said quietly.

  “Ask away.” I said, standing a few steps below her.

  “Will you please take care of my Sophia? She’s my world, and I can tell she’s starting to become yours. That worries me.”

  “I will always take care of her,” I promised, and hugged her one more time. “She might be becoming my world, but you don’t have to worry.”

  She touched my cheek, and smiled. It’s a strange feeling when someone entrust you with their most important treasure.

  At the airport, Sophia stopped to grab a bottle of water. Even though I told her that they had drinks on the plane. She still insisted. Something about an article she read and how flying dehydrates you. I made sure she got a window seat, so she would feel a little calmer about flying.

  “Excuse me.” I said to her.

  She looked up at me confused, “What?”

  “Your bag is in my way.” I joked. “Déjà vu much?”

  “Not funny.” She gave me a small smile, as she picked up her bag.

  The first part of the flight went by pretty fast. Sophia fell asleep almost instantly, but after about 45 minutes I could feel her sleepy eyes watching my computer as emails came and went.

  She sat up from leaning on the window, “Who called you last night?”

  “You were awake?”

  “I woke up and you weren’t next to me. I heard you in the living room.” She shyly admitted.

  “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to wake you.” I couldn’t tell her about Joe’s until I talked to him. She would think it was her fault. I couldn’t do that to her.

  “Who was it?” She asked again.

  “It was Cam.” I lied. Fuck, why did I just say that?

  “It didn’t really sound like a Cam conversation.” Her voice trailed off, and she put her headphones back in her ears.

  She returned to gazing out the window as the clouds passed by. I’m just trying to protect her, I reminded myself. She doesn’t need to know everything right away.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Sophia

  Nebraska didn’t feel like home anymore. It was a weird feeling walking back into the brownstone. I was only gone for a few days, but it still felt like I was coming home. Stefan carried my bag up stairs to my room, and I walked toward the kitchen where it sounded like Keira was having a concert. She probably thought I skipped town. Which I guess I did, but it was only temporary.

  I turned the corner into the kitchen and there she was, dancing her heart out.

  “I’m back.” I yelled over the music.

  “SOPHIA!!!” She yelled, running over to me. “I thought you left me!” She wrapped her arms around me.

  I laughed, “No, just a last minute trip home.”

  “Well I'm glad you’re back.” She skipped back over to the pot she was cooking in.

  She looked at me as she stirred the pot, “So, are you two like dating now? Because, this whole back and forth stuff is hard to keep up with.” I noticed Stefan walk in behind me. I hesitated answering, because I honestly didn’t know.

  Stefan wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind, “Yes, but I don’t want you meddling.”

  I turned to look up at him, and he placed a kiss on my forehead.

  “Medaling? Me? Never.” Keira laughed. “What I told you still stands. You hurt her, I get to kick you in the balls.” She said waving the spoon toward him.

  “I’m going to go unpack.” I told them, and untangled myself from Stefan’s grip.

  My room remained the same, as if nothing had happened in the past week. I was still thinking about Stefan’s phone call from last night. I had this feeling in my stomach that I was being lied to, and it wouldn’t go away. I called my mom to check on her. Judith and her have hit it off, which eased my mind in that department. At least she’s not alone now.

  Stefan appeared in my doorway, “What are you doing up here?”

  “I’m just taking a moment.” I smiled, looking up at him from the sofa.

  “Do you want to go to the movies? Keira invited us.” He asked.

  “Yeah, that sounds great! I just need to change.”

  “I can help you get ready.” He said playfully, pulling at the elastic band on my leggings.

  “If you start that we will never leave.” I laughed, placing my hands on his chest in protest.

  He rest both his hands on my butt, “Second thought, we don’t have to go. I could do this the rest of the night.” He whispered, his lips hovering in front of mine.

  I could feel his erection up against me. It took everything in me to not give in to him. I could just melt into his arms at this moment. I felt his lips turn into a smirk, his eyes connected to mine.

  I pushed him away, laughing. “No.”

  “You’re no fun.” He bit his bottom lip, still holding on to my hand.

  “Get out.” I pushed him through the door.

  He turned to walk up to his room, “See you in an hour.”

  The theater was busy, due to some new movie coming out. Cam had joined us. The boys went to stand in line for popcorn. Keira and I walked over to the bathrooms.

  Keira walked up next to me to wash her hands, “Have you heard about Joe’s?”

  “Joes?” I looked at her strangely.

  “Joe told me the bar is closing.”

  I dried my hands off, “Closing? Why?”

  “You know Stefan’s brother? He basically bought it, I think? I didn’t want to say anything to Stefan earlier. I didn’t know how he would react.” She said, as we walked out of the bathroom.

  “Wait he did what?” The panic in my voice was apparent. They already bought my job as VAS now Joe’s? The words that Thomas said to Joe the night he showed up, came rushing back to me. I will ruin you. My heart sank.

  Cam and Stefan walked up to us, with a slow walking Leo following behind.

  I looked at Stefan, “Did you know Thomas bought Joe’s bar?” I demanded.

  Stefan stopped in his tracks; he started to say something, and then stopped.

  “Did you?” I asked again.

  “I only found out last night.” He admitted.

  Keira and Cam stepped a few feet away from us.

  “That was the call last night. It wasn’t Cam. Who was it that called?” My body was shaking from my anger. Cam’s face was instantly confused, which only proved my point that it wasn’t him on the phone.

  He exhaled, “It was Jess. She’s the one who told me about Joe’s.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I knew if you found out that way, you would think it was your fault.”

  “You hiding it from me only proves to me that it is my fault.”

  “You’re wrong, it’s Thomas being spiteful.” He tried to take my hand.

  “Don’t.” I snapped, and walked in the opposite direction of them. Stefan attempted to follow me, but I pushed through the crowd getting lost in the sea of people in the theater.

  I found my way outside. I didn’t even know where I was going at this point. After the last few days, the fact that he would keep something like that from me was insane. Joe’s bar was my job, and Joe had been one of the nicest people in the city to me. I didn’t even know if I could be fully mad at Stefan. It was my fault that Thomas bought his bar. If I had never got a job there, none of this would have happened. I started to recognize the street I was on, and I suddenly found myself standing in front of Joe’s.

  The front door had a white piece of paper that read CLOSING with a date that I didn’t want to even look at. Joe was standing behind the bar, chatting to a regular. He turned to look at me, and excused himself from his conversation.

  “So, it’s true?” I asked, as I sat do
wn on a barstool.

  He set a water in front of me, “Sadly yes.”

  “It’s my fault.”

  His eyebrows narrowed, “Don’t you ever think that.”

  “It is though. You know it, I know it, and Stefan knows it.” I said with exacerbation.

  “Thomas is a weasel. We are family here, Stefan included. When one of our family is attacked, it affects all of us. I will get another bar, don’t you worry.” He picked up a glass, and began to wipe it out with a towel.

  “Stefan lied to me. He said he kept it from me because he thought I would blame myself.” I ran my thumb along the glass.

  “Kind of like what you are doing now?” He laughed, setting the towel down.

  I wrapped my hands around the water, “Well...I guess, yeah.”

  “He cares about you. Don’t let his family drama come between you two.”

  “He lied to me.”

  “He had good intentions, just the wrong actions. Talk to him. Go home, apologize, and stop thinking this is your fault. This is not my first run in with his family.” He laughed. “I’ve known them for 15 years.”

  “But he literally just apologized for being a complete dick, and he turned right around and lied to me.”

  “Sophia, he’s trying to figure out your relationship just as much as you are. I will tell you one thing; he’s never flown across the country because he messed up for any other girl. Talk to him.”

  I left knowing Joe was right. When I got home, I found Stefan in his bedroom reading. He looked up at me like nothing was wrong. He didn’t seem worried in the slightest about where I was.

  “Hi.” I gave him a flat smile.

  “Hi.” He mirrored my smile, “Are you ok?”

  “Fine.”

  He stood from the bed, “Joe told me you went to see him.”

  I started to pull my shoes off, “I did.”

  “Are you done being mad?”

  “Yes, I'm sorry I ran off like that. I just don’t like being lied to. No matter how fragile you think I am. Because I'm not.”

  “Ok. I’m sorry too.”

  “Ok? Just like that?”

  “Yes. Will you just come here?” He laughed, reaching out for me.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.” He pulled me into a kiss.