Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
KEELEY
Istare at the patterned wallpaper in my apartment, my eyes blurring as the lines all swirl together. Anger consumes me. I thought I loved this apartment, but everything about it is driving me crazy.
It’s like a prison in here.
It’s been two days since I got home, and as predicted, I’m bored out of my mind. Nothing on TV is holding my interest. I don’t want to read any of my books.
For an hour, I had free rein over my phone until Sal realized what I was doing and confiscated it. “For your own good,” he claimed, getting a big fuck you in return.
When it hits hour forty-nine, Sal comes in from the kitchen, handing me a salad and a bottle of water, doing all that he can to ensure I stay still.
And I love him for it. Even if I do want to punch him in the face.
“Don’t hate me,” he begins and I stiffen, knowing exactly what’s coming.
“You’re going to the office.”
“I am.”
“I won’t hate you if you take me with you.”
“You know I can’t.”
“Didn’t your teacher ever tell you there’s no such thing as ‘can’t’? It’s ‘won’t try.’” I stare at him deadpan and he chuckles wholeheartedly.
“Keeley, you have so many things here to keep you entertained.”
“Oh, yeah. What would you be doing if you were me?”
Sal glances longingly at his laptop bag, and it’s my turn to laugh.
“Okay,” he concedes. “Point taken.”
“So I can come?”
“No. I promised the doctor I’d look after you. I wouldn’t go into work if I didn’t have to, but it’s important.”
“What is it?”
“A meeting.”
“What’s the meeting about?” I sound like a jealous girlfriend, when in reality, I’m trying to gauge if it’s something I can help with, and Sal sees right through my plan.
“Do you need anything before I go?” he asks, ignoring my question, making me pout.
“No. I’m fine here, all by myself, in this tiny apartment.”
Sal grins and I shake my head, trying not to smile back.
I’m being a brat, but I’m going insane here.
Other than my sister’s wedding years ago, when I was busy every day, this is the longest I’ve been off work, and I don’t like it.
I’m anxious and uncomfortable and…one hundred percent addicted to working.
“I might need to see a psychiatrist. I have a problem.”
“You and me both.” Sal chuckles. “I think you’re currently in the detox stage. It will pass.”
“Easy for you to say. Off you go.”
“Are you sure you don’t need anything?”
“Are you sure you won’t tell me what your meeting is about?”
“I’m sure.”
“Me too.”
As though me becoming his girlfriend meant he can’t walk away without kissing me, Sal presses his lips to my forehead, and I take comfort in his warmth.
He’s trying, and I’m making his life difficult.
He turns to leave, walking straight past his laptop, and a thought hits me.
“Wait. You’re not going after Vance, are you?”
“What? No.” Sal turns, surprised. “If I was going to do that, I would have done it already, probably while you were still in the hospital. I promised I’d let you confront him, and I’m keeping that promise.
It’s all set for tomorrow. Though I will say, you’re killing me by asking me not to do it myself. ”
“Good, now you know how I feel.”
“It’s definitely not the same. I want to hurt someone that hurt you. You’re recovering from an injury.”
“Neither of us get to do what we want to do. That feels the same to me.”
Sal chuckles again, this time under his breath, before he walks back and grabs his laptop, waving before he heads to the door. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Have fun.” The sarcasm drips from my tone, and Sal shakes his head with the suppressed smile.
“I’m going to be just as bored as you are. I promise.”
“Good.” I throw him a smile of my own, this one full of sass.
“God, I… I’ll see you soon.” Sal’s smile turns awkward for the briefest of moments, and a warm glow runs through me. He was going to say I love you. I know it. Only like me, he knew it wasn’t the right time.
From the outside looking in, I’m sure people would call us hopeless, but they’re wrong. Sal gets me more than anyone else ever has.
And I think I’m finally ready to show him how I feel.
When the time is right.
It’s just ticked over to two hours and thirty-seven minutes since Sal left—yes, I’ve been counting—when someone knocks on my door.
I immediately call out for them to come in, not even bothering to ask who it is.
I gave my concierge a list of people they could let up unannounced, at Sal’s request, so I didn’t have to try and get to the intercom.
Which means it’s either Sal returning, because he still insists on knocking despite practically living here, Paige, or my mom.
I figured Easton wasn’t going to come on his own, so I didn’t bother putting his name down.
And I’m not good enough company for anyone else.
Paige walks in, and I hate that I’m a little disappointed.
A part of me was hoping Sal was home with a surprise laptop in hand. Wishful thinking.
“Good afternoon, sunshine,” Paige jokes and I roll my eyes. “Why is it so gloomy here?” She points to my closed curtains and I point to my ankle. I’m not going to admit I’m the one that got up and closed them after Sal left. I don’t want to sound too tragic.
“You’re allowed to move around, Keeley. You just have to stay off your feet for most of the day.” She walks over to the curtains, her eyes dropping to my cast.
“I want to heal as fast as possible. The more I laze around, the quicker I recover.” I fold my arms over my chest.
“You sound grumpier than when I came by the other day. I will never question if you and Easton are related again. I don’t need proof. This personality right here is doing the trick.”
“Wrong.”
“Wrong?”
“Yes. I have a reason to be grumpy. He’s just an ass.”
“Wrong.” She laughs as she opens my curtains, momentarily blinding me.
“How is that wrong?”
“Because you should be happy about having some time off. You’ve been working your ass to the bone. Don’t look at your injury as though it’s taking something away from you. Look at it as though it’s giving something back. Time.”
I blow out a breath and lay my head back on the couch.
“I wish you were right. But time can be dangerous. I can’t stop thinking.
About everything. I’m replaying my fall, the assault, the various assholes that made me despise athletes—apart from the Storm guys—and my pregnancy.
Every damn thing. And on top of that, I’m supposed to be confronting Vance tomorrow. ”
“Have you told my dad any of this?”
“Some. Though I haven’t mentioned that I’m continuing to relive it. And I can’t exactly tell him that if he’s not here.”
Paige’s nose scrunches, and I swear I see the hint of a grin before she turns away.
“What was that?”
“What was what?” She looks back toward me, her expression now the picture of calm.
“Never mind. I’m sorry I’m so grouchy. I just?—”
“Hate not being able to work? You sound like someone else I know, and think about how well that turned out.”
“I’d say it turned out great. Sal’s work obsession was the beginning of everything that led you to San Francisco. Without that, you wouldn’t have met Easton and Isaac.”
“And you wouldn’t have met my dad.” She raises an eyebrow and I huff out a laugh. “Though, that’s not what I’m talking about. Yes, he’s happy now; you both are. But for a while there, he wasn’t in a good place. He lost his wife and his kids.”
“I know. And I promise I’m not making light of your pain. I’m sorry you went through that. All of it.”
“Thank you. That’s not the reason I’m scolding you.”
“I know. I suck at being bored.”
“Why don’t you watch TV or read a book?”
“I tried that, but I can’t get into anything, I just want to work.”
“Oh my God.” She face-palms before groaning. “The two of you were made for each other. I’m calling Dad. He needs to come home so he can entertain you.”
I bite my lip to suppress a laugh just as Paige’s eyes widen. “Wait. That came out wrong.”
“Did it? I thought it was perfect. We could?—”
“Do not finish that sentence or so help me God.”
“I love you, Paige.”
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I come bearing gifts.” She rummages around in her bag and pulls out a bar of dark chocolate from Hamilton’s. My favorite. “This is from Isaac. If you’re feeling up to it, I’ll bring him over this weekend, before I head to New York.”
“You’re still going?” I frown. I’d been secretly hoping she’d changed her mind. “Aren’t you worried about what they’ve been doing to D’Angelo Construction and your mom?”
“A little. But I have to go. What if I don’t and they somehow get a lighter sentence? I’ll always blame myself.”
“I understand that. I do. But you need to tell your dad. I’m sure he’ll want to set up a security detail and?—”
“That’s why I haven’t told him yet. He already has one guy following me around.”
“He does?”
“Yep. I was annoyed at first, but we’re actually friends now. He’s nice.”
I laugh, until the seriousness of the matter comes back to mind. “I don’t want to have to do this, Paige, but if you don’t tell him, I might have to.”
“I figured. And if I’m honest, maybe it’s better coming from you.”
“Whatever you need. I’m here for you.”
“Likewise. Now let’s eat this chocolate and forget about our worries for a few minutes.” She produces a second bar and waves it around like it’s the most wonderful gift in the world, and right now, it is.
“That sounds perfect to me. Thank you, Isaac.”