Sunday (Timeless Series #7) (7 page)

Misery

Rose

When Kyle said he had plans later that night, did he have a date?

It was like a light had switched off in his head. He was one man, and then he completely changed the next instant. When we couldn’t work it out he turned cold—something I’ve never seen him do before. I understood his anger and frustration, but he didn’t seem to care about my feelings at all.

It hurt.

Seeing him flirt with that blonde woman and possibly ask her on a date made me sick to my stomach. I still loved him and missed him, and to see him move on from me so quickly was nauseating. I wish we could work out our differences and move on, but that wasn’t so simple for me.

Did he not understand that?

Florence called me one evening when I was sitting at home drinking a bottle of wine. “Hey, I heard about the trial in the paper.”

“Good news, isn’t it?”

“It is.” She didn’t sound too enthused about it. “Are you okay?”

“I’m glad he’s in jail. And I’m glad he’ll be there for the rest of his life. Of course I’m okay.” I refilled my glass and took another drink.

“Then why do you sound so miserable?”

For entirely different reasons. “Kyle and I broke up.”

“What?” she blurted into the phone. “I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay…”

“What happened?”

I told her the truth, from the beginning to end.

“Whoa, hold on.” Her attitude unleashed in full force. “He knew about Peter that entire time?”

“Most of the time.”

“And he never said anything?”

“No.” I was already halfway finished with the bottle of wine and I didn’t intend to stop.

“And then he was the prosecutor for the trial?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And he still didn’t think about mentioning it to you?”

“Nope.” I needed more wine.

“What kind of sick freak does that,” she snapped. “What an asshole.”

“He said he didn’t want to scare me off by telling me the truth.”

“Well, this is creepier.”

“And then I slept with him…”

“You’re serious?” she shrieked. “And even then he didn’t tell you?”

“No.” But Kyle was right when he pointed out I didn’t tell him either.

“Fucking asshole.” She seethed over the phone. “I’m going to murder him. Like, actually murder him.”

“Don’t bother.” Our relationship was buried six feet under at this point.

“I really hate that guy,” she said. “Will didn’t say anything to me.”

“I doubt he knows. Kyle wouldn’t tell anyone.” He wouldn’t even tell me.

“I’m so sorry, girl. I could hear your sadness through the phone.”

“I’ll be okay. I’ve been through worse.” There was one good thing about going through that trauma. I could take on everything else.

“There must be something I can do.” Florence could be temperamental, but once someone she loved was in distress she was the most compassionate person on the planet. When I was at my worst she stood beside me and helped me get back on my feet. Never once did she judge me or think less of me after that terrible night. She was stuck to me like glue.

“No. I’m okay.”

“I met this really great guy last weekend. I’m sure he has a friend I could set you up with.”

No more blind dates. “No, thank you.” The last time I went on a blind date, Kyle walked inside and changed my world forever. I’ll never forget that feeling at our initial meeting. The chills ran up and down my body, and even though I just met him I felt like I’d known him forever.

Every day after that was exactly the same. There was something pulling us together but I never understood what it was. Like magnet and steel, we were bound together. When I thought about our relationship I remembered all the inexplicable feelings that emerged between us. Something felt right the moment we met. He was the first man to make me believe in humanity again.

And I missed him.

***

I called Hawke and scheduled a meeting to go over the details of my design. He said he would be there in fifteen minutes. Part of me hoped Kyle would show up. But a different part of me, one deep within, hoped he would. We left things so awkward and I didn’t want it to end that way.

Fifteen minutes later Hawke walked inside.

And Kyle was with him.

“I’m excited to see what you’ve created.” Hawke rubbed his palms together greedily then sat down.

Kyle took the seat beside him, resting his ankle on the opposite knee and looking as stiff as his suit. He didn’t look at me. He stared at the bookshelves next to my desk.

As hard as I tried to not let it bother me, it did. Did he go on a date the other night? Did he sleep with someone? “I think you’ll like it.” I turned the designs over to him, showing the sketches of the outside of the building.

Hawke stared at it without reacting. His face was a stone, cold wall. He rested his fingers on his bottom lip, his mind cut off from the world. Then he rubbed his chin gently, his wedding ring glinting under the florescent lights.

Now I started to feel nervous.

“Kyle, what do you think?” Hawke asked.

Kyle turned his focus to the sketch, taking it in silently. “I really like the exterior color. It’ll stick out between the two other buildings and it looks sleek. The large ornate windows make it look inviting, but also prestigious. But the trimming around the windows and doors don’t work well. I think we should make them something else, perhaps gray.”

Hawke nodded. “I agree.”

“And I think we should remove the sign over the door,” Kyle said. “It’s too big and desperate.”

“Then how are they supposed to know what kind of business it is?”  Hawke asked.

“You can put a sign, but make it small—elegant,” Kyle said. “It says you’re big enough that you don’t need a sign.”

Hawke nodded in agreement. “True. Let’s make the changes.”

It surprised me Hawke relied so much on Kyle’s expertise. But then again, Kyle had been running a business on his own for a while.

“Can we see the rest?” Hawke asked.

“Sure.” I turned the page and showed him the sketch of the lobby. I didn’t show blueprints to customers because numbers and measurements wouldn’t mean anything to them.

Hawke and Kyle both examined it.

Hawke’s phone began to ring. “Sorry about that.” He dug it out of his pocket.

“It’s not a big deal,” I said.

He eyed the screen then took the call. “Hey, Muffin. I’m in a meeting with the architect.” His eyes still scanned the image. “Are you sure? I thought that was tomorrow?” He rubbed his temple and sighed. “Of course. My mistake. I’m on my way. Love you.” He hung up and stuffed the phone into his pocket. “I’m sorry. I have to go. Kyle, you have this?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Kyle said automatically.

“Great.” Hawke gave me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I forgot she and I had a meeting with our real estate agent.”

“Is your daughter okay?” I blurted.

“She’s fine,” he said. “She’s a fighter.” He walked out and disappeared.

Now Hawke had left twice in a row. Was that a coincidence? Or was I being paranoid? I eyed Kyle suspiciously, wondering if I was being played without even realizing it. If this was a grand scheme it didn’t seem that way. Kyle hadn’t mentioned our relationship once. And it was clear he resented me and no longer wanted me back.

Kyle studied the page then turned it. “I like the inside. It’s got a lot of open space.”

“I think that’s essential for a business like his. It’s not about getting down to work. It’s about giving his customers an experience of wealth.” As an architect, I knew a lot about design. They went hand-in-hand in my line of business.

“And I like the floor plan for the offices. It’s none of that cubicle stuff.”

“Well, the cubicles will be on the second story. This is just an elaborate lobby because Hawke wanted it.”

Kyle kept studying it with a trained eye. “The tile?”

“Hawke can choose that when they begin building. We don’t need to pick that out right this second.”

He rubbed his bottom lip as he continued to look at the drawing. He flipped to the last page, where the third story was mapped out. He took ten minutes to look at everything, to scrutinize it with stunning detail. “I think it looks good with the exception of the top floor.”

“What’s wrong with it?” I blurted, knowing I never messed up.

“I don’t think the main office should be spaced out this way. Also, the bathroom is clear on the other side.” He pointed his fingers along the hallway. “I think a break room should go here, alongside the bathroom. No one is going to be up there except Hawke and his workers.”

“I think it’s smart to have more than one bathroom…”

“That’s not what I mean,” he said with a laugh. “I just think this could be done better, frankly.”

I took the blueprint back and examined it. “Okay. I’ll make the changes.” I realized just how personally I was taking this. None of my clients were happy with the first draft, but knowing Kyle didn’t like it wounded me.

“Thank you.” He spoke with the same tension, like he didn’t like this conversation anymore than I did. “I have something I want to discuss and it may be awkward…”

Was he going to ask about our relationship? His silence confused me, but now I realized it’d been lurking around the corner the entire time. “I’m listening.”

“Since you already worked on the design to my beach house, did the design and the blueprint and everything, can we finish it? I could just start over with a new architect but that would be a serious waste of time and money. What do you say?”

That wasn’t what I was expecting at all. “Uh, I don’t see why not.”

“Thank you. It would really make my life easier.” He adjusted his cuff links without watching what he was doing. The movement was automatic.

That was all he wanted to say? Now that I was getting what I wanted, I realized I wanted it even less. “Did you want to work on that now? While you’re here?”

“If you have the time.” He dropped his sleeve then rested his hand on his knee. Most of the time he didn’t even look at me.

Now it was hard to believe we were ever in love.

I grabbed the file then opened it on the desk. Everything was exactly as I left it. The drawings were only halfway completed, stunted the moment our relationship picked up. Now I had to finish it—but under different circumstances. “Where should we start?”

Deeper

Kyle

“I’m cutting you off.” Will grabbed my Manhattan and pulled it away.

“Why?” Inexplicable rage clung to every word I said. “Dude, it’s mine.” I snatched it back and downed the rest of the glass. The migraine behind my eyes had dissipated because it was drowning in alcohol.

Will watched me warily, unsure how to stop me. “Everything okay, man?”

“Everything is fucking perfect.” I tried to wave down the bartender to get another drink. “She acts like everything is just fine. It’s like our break up doesn’t affect her at all. How could she tell me she loved me then turn her back like that?”

Will bowed his head slightly. “I don’t know, man. But I think we should get you home and talk about this there.”

“I’m not going home,” I snapped. “I’m going to live here—in this bar.”

“Where will you shower?”

“I’ll open a bottle and pour it over my head.”

Will nodded. “I guess that could work.”

I waved at the bartender again.

Will turned to her and shook his head.

The bartender continued to ignore me.

“Leave the nice lady alone,” Will said. “You need a break.”

“I’m thirsty.”

“I don’t see how that’s possible,” he said sarcastically.

“Alcohol makes you dehydrated. You didn’t know that?” Random facts I thought I forgot about came back to me when I was loose like this.

“No. Thanks for the enlightenment.”

I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling scorching hot everywhere. My skin burned and the collar around my throat was too tight. Sweat formed on my palms.

“Let’s go home,” Will said. “That tab is going to be too expensive for either one of us to pay.”

I rested my chin on my palm. “I just don’t get it…”

He gave me a sad look.

“I loved her. I loved her with everything I had. And she makes it look so easy, like it was so simple for her to walk away from me.”

“I’m sure she’s dying inside.”

“It doesn’t seem like it,” I said bitterly. Was Francesca right? Were we really soul mates? If we were, wouldn’t she feel just the way I did? Wouldn’t she be suffering every single day? How could she work with me and not blink an eye over it?

“It’ll be okay, man.”

“No, it won’t,” I hissed.

“You’re a catch. You can find someone else at the drop of a hat.”

“But I don’t want anyone else,” I snapped. “Don’t you get that?”

“Maybe you need to force yourself to want someone else…”

“You know what?” I pointed right at his face, making him flinch back slightly. “You’re a lucky son of a bitch. You could have ended up with Rose and she would have broken your heart. I saved your ass. That woman is a goddamn man-eater.”

Will grabbed my hand and gently pulled it away from his face. “Looks like I dodged a bullet, then.”

“You did, my friend.” I suck two fingers into my mouth and whistled loudly, making everyone in the bar look at me. “Sweetheart, can I get a drink or what?”

The bartender glared at me venomously before she continued her work.

Will ducked his head like he wanted to disappear.

“Stop your whining, you fucking pussy.” A built guy from the next table turned in his chair and gave me the bird.

I could take him with one hand. “What’d you say, asshole?” I jumped to my feet.

Will cringed. “Goddammit.”

“I said you’re a pussy.” He jumped to his feet and flexed his arms, ready to bash my skull in.

“I’m a pussy?” I asked incredulously. I grabbed the chair and held it up, prepared to use it as a weapon. “Say it again, bitch.” I came around the table, ready to bash his skull in.

The guy grabbed his beer bottle and shattered it on the table, using the sharp shards as a weapon.

That didn’t deter me at all.

“Whoa, calm down.” Will grabbed the chair and pushed me back. “Kyle, knock it off.”

“I’m going to kill this motherfucker.”

Will pulled the chair from my grasp and dropped it on the ground. “With a criminal record you could get debarred.”

“I don’t give a shit.” I tried to grab the chair.

“Kyle, come on.” Will grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out of the bar. “You’re such a pain in the ass when you’re drunk.” He shoved me through the front doors and out to the sidewalk.

“What the hell? I can’t just leave.”

“You can. And you will.” He kept his hold on my elbow and waved down a cab. “Let’s get you home so you can’t get into anymore trouble.”

“I can’t just walk away from a fight.” Beating the shit out of a stranger might make me feel better about losing Rose.

“Yes, you can.” Will got a cab and threw me into the back. “Now shut up.”

***

Will walked me inside my apartment then grabbed a bottle of water. “Drink this.”

“Yuck.”

“Stop being annoying and just do it.” He shoved it into my chest.

I took a drink then leaned against the counter, feeling my body loosen in control. My legs didn’t work the same anymore, and my brain didn’t either. It took more effort to make logical connections.

“You should get into bed.”

“It’s not even eleven. Hell no, I’m not going to bed.”

“Keep drinking.”

I threw the bottle at him. “Go away, mother hen.”

“I’m going to stay here for the night. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

“Don’t pity me.” I walked into the living room and fell onto the couch.

Will followed me, taking the seat beside me. “I’ve never seen you this drunk before.”

“That makes two of us…”

“Rose really fucked you up, huh?”

“I hate her.” The ferocity left my throat, maniacal and frightening. “I hate everything about her. I hate her for coming into my life, and I hate her for still being in it.”

Will stared at the blank TV.

My breathing increased and I lay back on the couch, feeling the room spin. I already knew I would throw up in just a few short hours. Tomorrow, I would have the greatest migraine known to man. And I’d feel like shit. “I don’t hate her…I hate that I love her.”

Will gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder.

“I’m meant to be with her. I just know. But she doesn’t realize it yet…she doesn’t know I’m her soul mate.”

It was a testament to our relationship when Will didn’t make fun of me.

“I don’t think she’ll ever realize it…” I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, trying to escape from my painful thoughts. Now all I wanted to do was fall asleep.

Will sat there, silent.

“You can go. I think my tantrum is over.”

“You’re sure? I can stay.”

“No. I’m just a pain in the ass anyway.” The room kept spinning and I tried to make it stop on my own. I hated myself in that moment, and I hated myself for not telling Rose the truth to begin with. How different my life could have been. I was so happy with her. And now I couldn’t imagine ever being happy again.