Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter
Thirty-Nine
Beulah
Cars were everywhere as I slowly pulled into the small parking lot outside Stone’s apartment. There was a single parking spot beside Stone’s Rover. That was lucky since cars were parked on both sides of the brick-paved road that led to the front of the building. Several were blocking the other cars that had been parked here yesterday when I arrived.
I pulled into the spot, turned off the car, and heard the sound of music pumping through speakers. I reached over to grab my purse from the seat beside me and climbed out of the car. I hadn’t been expected this.
Walking toward the door, I heard someone yell then let out a loud shout and I glanced around not sure if I should go inside or not.
“Did we order him some entertainment?” I glanced up to see a guy smiling down at me with a beer bottle in his hand from the rooftop. I wasn’t sure what he was talking about or if he had been talking to me.
Wanting to get away from any more attention, I went inside the building. The door on the first-floor apartment was wide open. I could hear more of the party coming from inside and figured this must be their crowd and why Stone hadn’t mentioned it.
This was very different from the quiet building I’d left earlier today. I’d not met the other residents yet, but I did remember Stone saying two guys lived on this floor. I wondered if they threw parties like this often.
A guy with black hair that brushed his shoulders and dark brown eyes walked out into the hallway. His gaze locked on me, and I paused. I wasn’t sure if I should introduce myself or just keep walking. I wished I’d hurried on up and not stood out here so long.
“You must be Beulah,” he said as a slow, easy grin spread across his angular face.
“Yes,” I replied slightly relieved he knew who I was.
“I’m Mack.”
Stone had said Mack and Marty lived here. “It’s nice to meet you.”
His response was a deep, low laugh, and I wondered if I’d said something funny. Although, I didn’t know what that could be.
“When things get too hectic with the crazy bitch upstairs, you’re welcome to come hide out here. She hates you. And now I’ve seen you I know why.”
“Thanks…um, I think.” I wasn’t sure what else to say to that.
He was grinning at me again. “She’s jealous. Presley would hate any woman Stone let move in but one that looks like you,” he smirked. “It’s gonna make her feral.”
I shook my head. “Oh, no. It’s not like that. Stone and I, well, he barely tolerates me. We are not and will not be an issue for her.”
He continued to look amused. “Is that so,” he drawled. “Well then by all means. Our door is always open.”
I started to say thanks, then thought better of it because it seemed redundant. Instead, I gave him a little wave before I continued up the stairs only to find the second-floor door open. The party had spread out at least it sounded like it.
I quickly hurried up to the third floor only to find the door open to Stone’s apartment as well, although the voices weren’t as loud, and no music was coming from inside. It seemed this was an entire building party. Anxiety began to spring up inside me as I thought about walking inside to that. I couldn’t stay out in the hallway all night, but I didn’t know any of these people. Stone’s words last night about me not fitting into his world taunting me.
Forcing myself to move, I went to the doorway and stepped inside. Silver balloons filled the entrance, and a Happy Birthday banner hung from the ceiling. The entire building was celebrating someone’s birthday. I could hear laughter coming from the great room and kitchen. Since I hadn’t been told there would be a party, I assumed I wasn’t invited.
Hiding out in my temporary bedroom sounded like a more appealing idea anyway. Turning I started toward the hallway then immediately halted. Stone was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes locked on me.
When he didn’t speak it only made things awkward. Why was he alone in the hallway with a party going on in his building?
“It’s someone’s birthday, I see,” I said as I slowly approached him.
He scowled and glanced at the decorations at the entrance of his apartment then replied, “Unfortunately.”
He was clearly unhappy about it. “I guess you didn’t plan this.”
His jaw clenched and his eyes cut back to me. “Most years, I leave the country. Alone. Check something off my bucket list.”
What? I stared at him a moment then glanced around.
“It’s your birthday?” I asked feeling bad that I hadn’t even wished him a happy birthday although how would I have known. He hadn’t said anything about it. Not even Geraldine had mentioned it.
“No. My birthday is in two weeks. However, Presley assumed I would leave again, so she did this early.”
I let out a small sigh of relief. It wasn’t his birthday yet. Not that I would normally care about that but seeing as he had helped me so much, I wanted to acknowledge it. I could make him some cupcakes.
“I’m sure she means well,” I said although I didn’t mean it.
He raised his eyebrows. “Is that what you really think, Beulah? Or are you just being nice because that’s what you do? I’d like to know what you really think. Not what you think you should think.”
He was asking for my blunt honesty. I wasn’t sure anyone had ever asked me that. Who would? But it was real, the truth, and that was something I had very little of in my life.
I opened my mouth and readied myself to say what deep down I truly thought. It wasn’t nice—zero sugar coating, just as he’d requested. “Presley is selfish and spoiled. She may have some childhood issues I don’t know about, but that doesn’t excuse her behavior. She had a party because she likes the attention. She isn’t worried about anyone but herself.” My mouth snapped shut, and I had to fight the urge to cover said mouth in horror. Had I ever said something so incredibly blunt?
Stone grinned. “That’s better. I respect honesty. Brutal, harsh, but fucking real. There’s enough bullshit in my life.”
He pushed off the wall and came to stand in front of me. His body towered over mine. I inhaled and realized my mistake because I instantly wanted to do it again. If alluring warmth could be a scent, it would be this- cedar, tobacco, with a light trace of mint.
“Even when you’re honest, it’s not cruel,” his eyes drifted over my face as if he was searching for my flaws. I on the other hand fought not to grab his shirt and bring it to my nose.
“I won’t ever get close to you. We will never be friends. Understand?”
His words snapped me out of my momentary obsession with how he smelled. Did he think I wanted him to get close to me? Had I given off that vibe? Other than wanting to smell the man I had never acted as if I liked being around him or wanted to be his friend.
“Not something I expected or wanted,” I replied tightly.
The corner of his lips quirked slightly. “What did I say about honesty?”
I glared up at him. Angry that he would accuse me of lying just because what? He thought all women wanted him? That he was irresistible? Cocky asshole.
“I am being honest. I’m grateful for your help although I didn’t ask for it. Seeing as how I was in love with your best friend and fate ripped that away from us, we have been forced together because you help Jasper. It’s apparently what you do.”
He leaned down, making sure my eyes locked on his. “You weren’t in love. You didn’t even know him,” he informed me before straightening and walking down the hall toward his room. I stood there until his bedroom door closed behind him.
That man thought he knew everything. He had some God complex. He believed he had the answers to it all. Well, his need to be brutally honest wasn’t always acceptable. Especially when he didn’t know what he was talking about. He couldn’t tell others what they did or did not feel.
I spun around, walked into my room, and closed the door behind me with more force than necessary. It seemed that the one person who could get under my skin was Stone. No one else had ignited my temper like he always seemed to, and he did it so easily. With so few words.
And my brutal honesty was that man was forcing me to question my feelings. He was right that I hadn’t known Jasper, not like I thought. Jasper hadn’t been exactly what I’d built up in my head. But I had needed the affection and security. I had thought it was love. Who was Stone to tell me it wasn’t.
Dropping down onto the bed, I laid back to stare at the ceiling. Every moment I had with Jasper had felt magical. He’d made me feel wanted and special. As wrong and twisted as it had been for a short moment it had been real. Hadn’t it?
The next morning, I woke up to the sounds of shouting before my alarm went off. I glanced at the clock—it was only five. Sitting up in bed, I listened. The thick walls and doors made it difficult to understand what was being said. A few words were clear, but I wasn’t sure what it was about. Going back to sleep wouldn’t be possible now.
What if it was Jasper? Would he come here this early?
I climbed out of bed and glanced down at my pajamas considering changing into clothes before going to open the door and listen. Deciding that was silly since they were not only modest, but I didn’t plan on seeing anyone. I was just checking to see if it was Jasper.
If he had come back, then I needed to talk to Stone about my finding somewhere else to live. Stone had been helpful, and he shouldn’t have to fight with his best friend over my staying here. Hiding from Jasper forever wasn’t possible but if he didn’t know where I was living, I’d not have him showing up and disturbing my attempt at moving on with my life.
Opening the door, I listened and heard nothing. Frowning I glanced back toward Stone’s bedroom door to see it was open. He was awake. Easing quietly down the hallway hoping this wasn’t a mistake I debated turning and running back to my room to hide from whatever was happening. I didn’t want to face Jasper yet.
“You’ll respect my home, Presley,” Stone’s voice carried through the thick walls. I paused. I’d thought I heard two male voices. I shouldn’t have left my room. If they were fighting again this wasn’t my business.
“Jesus, Stone, relax. You’re always so fucking wound up. She threw you a party. Everyone left late. It’ll get cleaned up,” another male voice replied angrily.
“I don’t recall asking you what the fuck you thought about it,” Stone shouted.
“Stop it! Just stop it! Why can’t you be nice? You’re always so mean!” Presley wailed loudly.
Then there was silence.
“You live here for free. When your bitch of a mother wanted nothing to do with the spoiled brat she’d raised, I took you in. He didn’t. Don’t forget that.”
“That’s an unfair statement. Do you two always fight? I need some fucking caffeine and an aspirin to deal with this,” the other man said.
I started to tiptoe back to my room.
“Unfair? You were married to her mother. Your wife caught you fucking her daughter and kicked Presley out. You weren’t asked to leave, and you didn’t.” Stone’s words had me pausing. What had he just said?
“Let it go, Stone! Half the damn country has been married to her mother!” the other guy shouted back.
“Get out of my house, Wesley. If you want this, then go with him. But don’t fucking have a party in my home, trash it, and use it as a way to sneak this bastard under my roof.”
“You did this! You moved in that, that girl! Trying to hurt me!” Presley cried.
“She needed somewhere to live. I gave her a place. The same as I did for you.”
“And did you fuck her like you did me?” Presley shot back.
I should walk away. Stop listening. But I couldn’t. Not after hearing that.
“It was one time. We were drunk. You came onto me naked in the hot tub. I am a man, and you were straddling me, rubbing your pussy on my dick. Trust me, I’ve regretted that lapse in judgment since the moment it happened.”
“You’re a cold bastard just like your dad,” the other man said.
“Says the man who was living off a woman and fucking her daughter behind her back. What happened, Wesley? She catch you fucking the neighbor’s kid and finally get rid of you?”
“Stop it! I can’t stay here with you! You’re nasty and cruel. I’m going with Wesley. He loves me. He cares about me,” Presley spat out.
I backed up slowly, praying no one heard my footsteps. This was not my drama, and I shouldn’t have heard any of it. Staying here this long had been wrong.
“Please, go with him. You have no money. His profession is to live off wealthy women. Good luck with all that,” Stone replied, and I began to ease quietly back to my room.
“You don’t know him!” Presley yelled.
There was no response.
I slipped back into my room breathing a sigh of relief. That was all worse than a television drama. I leaned back against the door to close it, but it stopped just before the latch clicked. A hand was holding it open.
“I trust that answered your curiosity.” Stone’s voice was businesslike. I didn’t have time to decide if he was angry or if I should respond. His hand was gone, and the weight of my body caused the door to slam shut.
I stared at the bed not moving. He’d caught me. But he hadn’t been upset. At least I didn’t think he was upset. That had been rude and intrusive of me to listen. I owed him an apology. I shouldn’t have stayed out there like that.
Several other doors slammed shut with more force than mine had. I didn’t stand there to listen. I hurried to the bathroom to shower and dress for the day. I’d have to face Stone and apologize.
I needed to think of how to explain myself.
As the water ran down over my face, the image of Stone naked in a hot tub popped into my head uninvited, and I tried to push it away. I didn’t want to think about Stone naked, but the image wouldn’t leave. His description of what he and Presley had done seemed to want to play out in my head regardless.
Frustrated, I hummed my mother’s favorite Elvis Presley song and tried to focus on the lyrics. I struggled to picture anything, but the image my mind kept displaying. When my body tingled as I unwillingly remembered Stone’s description of being straddled naked, I covered my face, horrified by my reaction and thoughts. How did that turn me on? Was I sick in the head and only now realizing it?
“I am not a sicko, I am not a sicko,” I repeated quietly to myself until the water turned cold.