Chapter 4 #2
I could tell them I was offered a job, but the truth is, even though the lovely and gracious Octavia Abbot-Fritz told me it was legit, I’m not sure it truly was.
I have to investigate first. Then there’s the whole Kaplan side of that coin.
Would I see him again if I took this job with Octavia?
Would I eventually grow a set of lady lips and tell him who I am if I did?
Tell him how badly his ghosting me hurt?
Inquiring minds want to know.
I think I’ve officially had too much champagne.
But at the very least… “I’ve already rented forge and studio space here in Boston to work on my metal pieces.
Now that I know Tod won’t be staying in the area, I have nothing to lose by doing just that.
Besides, I like the snow. I’m a total ski bunny.
” I cheekily wink at that, annoying myself and dragging a new round of frowns from the rest.
Duke looks adorably confused. “Bunny, are you telling us you’re planning on staying in Boston?”
“There’s nothing for me anywhere else,” I admit.
“Your family,” Mitchell grunts.
“I’m twenty-five. I have two degrees. It’s time I use them.”
“You’re sure about this?” Ellis asks, coming over and sitting beside me on the floor, his blue eyes boring straight into mine.
“I get that the three members of Motley Crue are rough, but I’m your brother.
If you want to come and stay with Amira and me, you’re more than welcome.
Frankly, we could use a good babysitter. ”
My adorable nieces were set to be my flower girls this morning. “Can I plan a spring break out your way to do that? I just don’t want that to be my life. No offense.”
A satisfied grin hits his lips. “I think she’s going to be just fine,” he declares.
“Anyone who can turn down my monster angels isn’t letting the champagne run their thinking.
I have a friend here, you know. He was best friends with Forest. I was supposed to have brunch with him tomorrow, but we’re leaving early now.
I could get in touch with him again. Have him look out for you. ”
I blanch. He’s obviously referring to Kaplan. And I could tell him I ran into him just this morning. That he’s the one who gave me a lift back here. I know they kept in touch for a while after Forest died, though I didn’t know they still do.
“No thanks. I don’t need a babysitter.”
The thought of him calling Kaplan to watch out for me makes me stupidly scowl at an inopportune moment.
“See, she’s having second thoughts,” Duke jumps in.
“No!” I hold up my hand, reluctantly setting my glass down.
“I’m not. I want to stay,” I tell him. “Tell Mom I’m staying.
And that she owes me about six thousand apologies and that I will not speak to her until she’s ready to deliver them.
And I love you. All of you. So much. Thank you for coming.
A girl could seriously not want for better dads or a brother. ”
“Aw, Bunny, you’re our only girl.”
Sadly true with the exception of my nieces, but I’ll take it. I stand up, hugging and kissing and making promises for weekend trips and holidays and updates and yada yada yada. Who knew having three dads would require so much hand-holding? Not that I’m complaining. I’m not.
Instead of feeling heartbroken and despondent and self-loathing and venomous, I’m feeling light. Loved. Free.
I feel totally free and ready for my next obstacle.
I’d go check out my art space or do some work, but welding, fire, and champagne don’t mix so that will have to wait until tomorrow.
Flopping down on the bed, I close my eyes and blow out a breath.
If I’m staying then I have some things I need to do.
Like find an apartment. Furnish it. Maybe buy a car since the studio isn’t in an area accessible by public transportation.
I should also find a job. Something to keep me occupied when I’m not working on my art.
Sitting up, I grab the business card Octavia gave me and stare at it for a solid five minutes, debating my next course of action.
Do I want to do this? Risk opening a wound I should know better than to open?
It’s not just Kaplan. It’s Forest too since he was so closely tied to him.
I roll my eyes. If I’m working for Octavia, I’ll never have to see Kaplan and a job this good just fell in my lap. I’d be a fool to pass it up.
Call or email?
Email, I decide. I email her, telling her that if she was serious this morning, I’d love the opportunity to be the Abbot Foundation’s next executive assistant. I attach a copy of my résumé for good measure and hit send.
And with a huge, slightly deranged smile on my face, still ignoring my phone and the lingering messages I know are there waiting for me, I finish off my champagne and that piece of cake and wait for what’s to come next.
That’s when the pounding comes at the suite door. Again. And I don’t even have to check the peephole to know who it is. “How did you get up here?” I bark through the door, wishing my fathers and brother were still here.
Speaking of, now I do look through the peephole, anxious for a glimpse of his face.
“I snuck on the elevator with someone since you had reception cancel the original room key. I’m not allowed a key to my own goddamn suite, Bianca?”
Oh. He’s drunker than I am. “Your face looks fantastic. Is that a fist imprint on your cheek or are you just happy to see me?”
“Let me in, Bianca. We need to talk.”
I press my hands to the wood, glaring at him through the small hole. “The hell we do, Tod. Your stuff is packed and down with the bellhop.”
He collapses against the door. “I love you. I mean it. I love you so much. I was ending it with her, Bianca.”
I squint into the peephole, my fists balled up. “Uh-huh. Nothing says I love you like fucking my cousin and best friend for two years .”
“She’s been obsessed with me. I swear. Back in grad school she got me drunk at a party just after you and I got together, and I don’t know what happened.
I woke up and she was naked and on top of me and it was somehow morning.
She told me if I didn’t continue to see her, she’d tell you everything.
What you heard today was me trying to let her off easy.
Come back to LA with me. We’ll start over. ”
I shake my head, so tired and miserable. “Like you weren’t after my money?”
“My dad is, okay? That part was all him. I never cared about your trust funds. It’s why I signed the prenup, knowing I wouldn’t get anything from you.”
My hands press into the door, and I push myself back away from it. “Whatever. It’s over. It’s done. We’re not married, hooray for me. Now please leave and never come back.”
“Bianca—”
“I said leave and never come back!” I scream, smacking my hand against the thick wood of the door. “I don’t want your excuses. I don’t care about them. It’s over.”
Without waiting on him to say anything else, I run back through the suite and into the bedroom, throwing myself under the blankets, willing, pleading with myself not to cry. I just have to get through today. Because after today, it’ll get better. All of it will. I’ll make damn sure of it.