Heaven With You (14 page)

I drove to Reed’s house, trying not to think about my baby brother having surgery and praying that all of the things that could go wrong would go right instead.  After all of the surgeries on his leg over the last few months, you’d think I’d gotten used to the drill, but I hadn’t.

Turning onto his street, my gaze landed on Ellie’s car in Reed’s driveway. My stomach slid to my toes. At first I thought something was wrong since Ellie was his nurse, but in the back of my mind I knew that Amber’s suspicions hadn’t been totally crazy after all.

I knocked on Reed’s door, but no one answered. Using the key I had, I let myself in and flipped on lights as I walked through the silent house and headed for Reed’s bedroom. That’s where I found them. They were curled together in bed, clearly naked, beneath the covers with Ellie’s back nestled against my brother and his arm draped over her middle.

My keys dropped to the floor and hit the hardwood floor with a loud clatter that echoed in the silent room. I stepped back in shock. Ellie stirred, opened her eyes and stared at me.

“Morning, Isabelle.”

I turned at the sound of my brother’s calm voice and saw that, he too, was awake.

“Can you give us a moment? We’ll be right out.”

Turning, I hurried out of the room. Guilt washed over me because I hadn’t taken Amber seriously lately because I thought she was obsessing when all the time my best friend was stealing her boyfriend.  My emotions were as scrambled as eggs. Was it possible that I’d misunderstood what I’d seen back there in my brother’s bedroom?

I made a beeline for the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee I didn’t need because I already had a major coffee buzz.  Fortunately, I didn’t have long to wait before Ellie and Reed joined me. My brother looked completely at ease, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, but I noticed that Ellie’s expression was etched with unease.

“What’s going on here?” I demanded.

“I think that’s obvious. You want some coffee?” Reed asked, picking up the carafe.

 “No. I don’t want any damned coffee.” My eyes darted from Reed to Ellie. “Did you sleep together?”

“Ellie and I are seeing each other. We wanted to tell you, but you were upset that Amber and I weren’t getting back together so we decided to give you some time.”

“Isabelle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you or Amber.”

My heart twisted because I could tell that she was genuinely upset, and I reached out to comfort her, but stopped. I needed answers. “How long has this been going on?”

“It was two years ago but—“

“Two years! That night you drove Reed home from the cemetery?” This was even worse than I’d imagined. How could they have kept this from me for so long?

“I never meant to upset you.”

“You never meant to upset me?” I shot at her. “Because you’ve been lying to me for the last two years, Ellie. Does Cora know?”

“Yes.”

I covered my face with my hands feeling hurt, betrayed and foolish for not realizing something that apparently everyone knew about but me.

“Isabelle,” Reed said gently, putting his arm around me. “This is my fault, not Ellie’s.” I brushed off his arm, not wanting to hear him protect her. We haven’t been hiding this from you for the last two years. I took advantage of her two years ago. It wasn’t until she came to see me last month that we got together.”

“He didn’t take advantage of me,” Ellie said quickly.

“So before last month you and Reed hadn’t spoken before last month?”

“No, not in person. We sent a few emails.”

“Unbelievable.” I knew I was being a bitch, but I was hurt and not thinking clearly. “Is this because Davis is marrying Brooke? What, is Reed your rebound guy?”

Ellie looked as if I’d slapped her.  “No! It’s not like that at all. Reed is everything to me.”

Later, I knew I’d feel terrible but I could not get past the betrayal churning inside of me.  “I don’t know if I’ll ever believe anything you say again, Ellie.”

 “That’s enough, Isabelle,” Reed said sharply. “I know you’re angry and hurt, but don’t take it out on Ellie. She doesn’t deserve it.”

“She’s why you aren’t with Amber.” My eyes fastened on my brother. “Her family took us in and treated us like their own. After all they’ve done for us, doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“Of course it does, but being grateful doesn’t mean I have to sleep their daughter,” he replied evenly.

“Fine. We don’t have time for this anyway. You have to be at the hospital in half an hour.  Do you still need a ride or are you going with her?”

Ellie winced. “Isabelle, I am so sorry,” she pleaded.

I felt tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I wasn’t ready to deal with this. “I guess you don’t need a ride after all,” I said to Reed.

Reed sighed, clearly upset, and I felt like the worst human being in the world for doing this to him. “Look, I’m sorry. I love you, Reed. I’ll be at the hospital when you wake up.”

I turned and fled but not before I heard him say, “I love you too, Isabelle.”

The rest of the day was a blur. Amber met me at the hospital and we waited together while Reed had his surgery. Ellie was there too, but we didn’t talk. If Amber sensed anything was wrong she didn’t let on.

As soon as I knew that Reed was going to be okay, I went to see him and then I left the hospital. It was one of the worst days of my life. When Amber asked if I wanted to get a drink, I quickly agreed and we went to Shooters, where I attempted to drown my bad day in a pitcher of beer.

Even though I drank, I rarely ever got drunk. Growing up with an alcoholic dad and witnessing firsthand what could happen if you lost control, I’d never wanted that to happen to me. Tonight I wasn’t thinking. I was only feeling and what I felt was pain, deep and raw.

Listening to Amber talk about Reed was killing me. I was torn between wanting to confess that Reed was sleeping with Ellie and remaining loyal to Ellie, who, despite everything, I loved like a sister.  Already, I regretted what I’d said to her this morning, and I wished that I could rewind the day and start again.  I was such a hypocrite to get mad at Ellie for keeping things from me when I’d kept my feelings for her dad a secret since I’d found out that she was Hunter McAllister’s daughter.

Amber threw her slender arm around me. “You okay Isabelle?” she slurred.

“Awesome. I just need another drink.” That was the last thing I needed, but Amber grinned.

“Right! We both need another drink!” Her arm swung out and knocked over the empty pitcher.

I tried to catch it but it fell to the floor. Bending to retrieve it, I felt a wave of nausea swim in my stomach and I fought it back. Okay, so I needed to sober up. I’d driven and Amber was depending on me to get home. If I had to, I’d call someone.

“Baby, don’t you worry about that. I got it,” came a smooth voice behind me. A thickly muscled arm reached around me and picked up the beer pitcher.

Feeling the male body behind me, I tensed and tried to focus so that everything would stop spinning. Straightening, I turned and my gaze smacked into a hulking guy that looked as if he lived in the gym. My eyes crawled up all those bulging muscles and met his dark eyes.

“I’m Mike. What’s your name baby?”

Looking past Mike, I saw Amber giving me two eager thumbs up. I reached out to grasp the table so that I wouldn’t sway. “Isabelle,” I told him and nodded toward the pitcher. “Thanks.”

“Well, well, Isabelle.”

For some reason his unintentional rhyme made me laugh. Misinterpreting my humor for interest he stepped closer, and I got a strong whiff of his cologne. “You want to dance Isabelle?”

“She’d love to dance!” Amber answered for me.

I turned around and shot her a silencing look, but it was too late. Mike and his too-big muscles were already taking my hand and leading me out on the dance floor. Dammit.

He took me into his arms and I felt as if I was suffocating against his hot, smelly muscles.

“I’ve seen you here before Isabelle, but some guy had already claimed you for the evening.”

Something about the way he said that made me feel sleazy. I didn’t know what to say so I just pasted on a smile and prayed for the song to end.

“Are you taken for the night?”

“Actually, yes. I am.” I tried to look disappointed. “Thanks for the dance, though.”

“Now, you’re not getting away from me that easy,” he said, pulling me closer. “I haven’t seen you with any other man tonight.”

He’d been watching me. That made me uneasy. I frowned, trying to come up with something believable. “I’m sorry, Mike. I have a boyfriend.” I glanced back at our table where Amber was talking to a guy. “He’s meeting me here.”

Something flashed in his eyes. “You wouldn’t lie to me, would you Isabelle?”

“Of course not,” I lied quickly, slipping out of his embrace and walking off the dance floor.

Mike did not take a hint. He followed me. Sheesh. I turned, hating to be blunt but apparently I was going to have to spell it out for him. “I’m not interested, okay.”

The expression on Mike’s face might have been comical, if I’d been sober enough to enjoy it. Clearly, he was not used to women telling him no. He frowned, causing a deep crease between his thick brows, as he seemed to mull over what I’d said.

“I don’t get it.”

Oh, no. He was slow. I immediately felt bad for him. “You seem like a real nice guy Mike. If I didn’t have a boyfriend, I’d love to hang out with you.” I flashed him an apologetic smile.

I stepped away, but his arm snaked out and caught mine. Leaning down, he said, “I don’t believe you have a boyfriend, Isabelle. Come on, give me a chance.”

“Look, he’s going to be here any minute.” I glanced around nervously. “He’s insanely jealous. The last guy he caught me talking with ended up in the ER. You really should let me go.”

Mike gripped me tighter. “You don’t have a boyfriend,” he snarled.

“She has me,” came a deep, familiar voice that kicked up my pulse. “I’d appreciate it if you’d take your hands off my wife,” Hunter replied easily. “Now.” There was no mistaking the command in his voice.

Poor Mike looked shocked and he let go of me, as he sized up Hunter. Worriedly, I compared the two men. Hunter was slightly taller, infinitely sexier and far more appealing than Mike’s beefcake physique, but if Mike wanted to fight… I sent up a prayer that I hadn’t gotten Hunter into more than he could handle.

Stepping in front of Hunter, I leveled a pleading look at Mike. “My husband has been drinking a lot tonight.” I glanced back at Hunter to find him watching me curiously. “He’s really drunk, so let’s just forget this ever happened.”

To my surprise, Mike seemed almost pleased at my comment. He was watching Hunter with a satisfied smile. “Drunk, eh?”

Hunter glanced down at me patiently. “Sweetheart, you know you’re not supposed to drink while you’re taking your medication.”

What? I frowned at Hunter, but he’d already turned to Mike.

“You’ll have to forgive my wife. She gets confused when she mixes alcohol with her meds.”

I started to say something, but Hunter shot me a silencing look. Trying to get between the two men, I moved but stumbled, giving credence to Hunter’s comment about me mixing alcohol with meds.

Leaning down he whispered in my ear, “I’d rather not get into it with this guy,” he told me looking completely at ease.

I was relieved that he and I were in agreement. “That’s why I told him your drunk.”

His slow smile turned my insides to mush. “Don’t help me okay? I’ve got this.”

Stepping beside me and placing his hand on the small of my back, Hunter looked down at me and smiled, completely at ease.

“I-I’m sorry, man,” Mike stuttered nervously, backing away.

Hunter nodded, accepting Mike’s scared apology before turning back to me.

“Thank God,” I breathed when Mike was gone. “I was only trying to help you out. I didn’t think he’d beat you up if he thought you were drunk.”

 His lips twitched. “You thought he was going to beat me up?”

I almost winced at my blunder; men were touchy about things like this. Wondering if I’d offended him, my gaze flew to Hunter and found him watching me with amusement. “I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

Hunter’s smile was warm. “I know, Izzy. But after your ‘drunk boyfriend story’ he was thinking he could take me.”

Something about his simple confidence and lack of pretention had me thinking Hunter might not have been in danger of getting hurt after all. “I’m sorry.” I glanced up at him and stumbled.

Hunter’s arm slid around my waist, and he cast a measuring look down at me. “How much have you had to drink?”

“A lot.”

“I’ll give you a ride.”

Relief soured through me. I glanced over at Hunter, knowing I’d never been happier to see anyone in my life. “Thank you. I have to get Amber though.”

Convincing Amber that it was time to go home turned out to be a lot like telling a child it was time to leave the amusement park. She’d been entertaining three guys when Hunter and I found her, and Amber was in no hurry to leave her admirers. I sympathized with her because I’m sure she was only reacting to Reed’s rejection.

A half an hour later my sympathy for Amber had been replaced with frustration. After my attempts to cajole her out of Hunter’s SUV had failed, he finally picked Amber up and carried her to her apartment with me tagging along behind them.

Despite her drunken movements and laughter, Hunter held on to Amber easily. Once inside he glanced over at me. “Where’s her bedroom?”

“Yes, take me to my bedroom Hunter,” Amber giggled into his neck.

Jealousy sank its bitter teeth into me and I frowned. Did Amber just lick his neck? “First door on the left,” I answered tightly.

I watched as he tried to lower her onto her bed, but Amber clung to him, wrapping her legs around his waist and entwining her arms around his neck.

“Amber,” I snapped.

“You’re so strong,” she purred.

Hunter plucked her off of him.  “You need to sleep it off,” he told her patiently.

Amber flashed a lopsided grin. “Your gorgeous and hot, and hmm, bet you’re good in bed. I see why Isabelle has had a crush on you all these years.”