Chapter Five #2
Maybe it was the cool wind that brought tears to my eyes. It had picked up a bit since I walked outside, but I welcomed the chill. Rip insisting I should talk about my family had resulted in this, and I resented him for it. Not everyone needed to spill their guts, especially when it led to pain.
Just then I heard, “Time for me to leave this lovefest,” and saw a solitary figure walking toward me. Sterling. I quickly wiped my face of all traces of wetness, but he turned sharply to the right and took out his phone, clearly oblivious that he had company.
My interest was piqued. Who was he calling? He had his car, so it wasn’t a ride. With zero remorse, I crept up behind him to listen.
“You did? Listen, I’m not in the city, but I can be there in two hours. Where are you?”
A male voice on the other end rumbled loud enough for me to overhear, “There’s a diner on the corner of Columbia Street and Congress in Brooklyn. Meet you there.”
The conversation finished, Forest slipped the phone into his pocket.
“A news story?” I asked, watching him jump at the sound of my voice.
“Are you spying on me?” he sputtered, eyes blazing blue fire. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
“I was out here first. And it’s a free country. Or yard. You don’t own the air space.” It was fun to make him mad. See him lose that icy front.
Without another word, he turned and walked away. I trailed after him up the stairs and into the kitchen. He found Lisa and apologized again.
“I do have to leave. I’m sorry. Thank you very much for putting up with my appalling behavior.”
“What? No, Sterling. There’s nothing to apologize for. Are you sure you’re all right to drive?”
His smile was thin. “Yes. Totally. I drank tons of water, took aspirin, and had something to eat. The sleep did me good and—”
“And nothing,” I interjected. “There’s no way your blood alcohol is normal. If you get stopped by the police, you’ll get a DUI, and that wouldn’t look good for your sterling reputation.” I smirked. “Pun intended.”
His jaw hard, he pinned me with that defiant gaze. “You’re involving yourself in a conversation that has nothing to do with you.” But his expression turned doubtful, and he chewed his lip. I could see my words had hit home.
Lisa’s worried eyes met mine. “Do you think so? You did have a lot to drink, Sterling. I’m afraid for you. The troopers up here are no joke.”
“I only had three, and that was hours ago. Can I please have my keys? Neil took them earlier.”
“It was more like four. Maybe even five. I’ll drive you,” I offered and said to Lisa, “I’m fine, and even if the police stop us, I’m a hockey player with a bad reputation. One more strike won’t matter.”
She shook her head. “No, Denis, that’s not a good solution either.”
“But it’s the best one. Can you ask Neil for the keys?”
“What’s wrong?” Adrian approached us. Lisa explained the situation, and Adrian looked agonized. “I should go with you. If you’re after a news story, I should be there.”
“It’s not a news story. And it’s your honeymoon,” Sterling insisted.
“There’s no way I’d allow you to leave. You’re not coming with me.
” Frustrated, he pulled out his phone. “You know what? Forget it. I’ll call a car service and have them take me.
” He tapped the screen. “They’ll be here in eight minutes.
Lisa, thank you for everything.” He held out a hand to Lisa, then Adrian.
“Thank you so much for the beautiful wedding and the aftercare. I appreciate it, and I’m horribly embarrassed.
I’ll have someone pick up the car later in the week, if that’s okay.
Are Rip and Neil inside? I need to say good-bye to them. ”
She nodded. “Of course it is. Everyone’s just having cake and coffee now.”
I followed them all, and from the doorway, watched him make the rounds, so proper, as if he were at a formal dinner.
“You like him, don’t you?”
I gazed down at Adrian at my shoulder and laughed. “Beauty, brains, and a fabulous sense of humor. Rip was smart as hell to scoop you up.”
An annoyed expression marred his normally smooth brow, and he pursed his lips as if he’d bitten a lemon. “No one scooped me up. See? That’s what I think your problem is.”
I allowed a smile because he was a newlywed and cute, so I’d humor him. “Tell me, Dr. Hunt. Analyze me.” Better men than him had tried and failed. Mostly because I had zero desire to talk about a past that held little beside ugly memories.
“You think love is a game to be played and won. But it’s not.”
I snorted. Cute only went so far. “Love? You’re wrong, mon ami. Your boss is annoying as hell, uptight, and obsessed with rules and appearances. He’s fun to play with to see his reactions. Like a cat with a mouse.”
“You’ve been obsessed with him since that comment he made about hockey players. And tonight you were with him every moment from the ceremony onward. Why? From what I know of you, which, granted, isn’t much, Sterling’s not your type.”
Adrian knew nothing about me, but it was obvious he still held a grudge over my threesome suggestion to Rip. That had to be the reason for this overprotective behavior toward his boss.
“Obsessed?” This was growing tiresome. “I hate to tell you, but I don’t get obsessed with anyone.
It’s usually the opposite. People are obsessed with me.
Matter of fact, both you and your husband seem to be more interested in me and my personal life than your own.
” I bared my teeth in a semblance of a smile.
“Now, I’m going to collect my clothes, make my rounds, and leave you to your family celebration. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
I left him standing there and made a beeline for Rip. “Thank you for inviting me. It was a wonderful time.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”
While he was most likely sincere, the last thing Rip needed was his old lover hanging around on his wedding night. I knew I certainly could find something better to do.
“I’m positive. Félicitations pour ton marriage, mon ami. I am very, very happy for you. I am truly glad we’ve become real friends this time.”
“I am too.”
We shared a smile and clasped hands.
I waved farewell to the rest of the guests and went to collect my things. I noticed a car had pulled up front, and through the large bay window I observed Sterling sliding inside. The car pulled away, and I took out my phone.
My car showed up in less than ten minutes, and I sank into the back seat. “Long drive, huh?” the driver commented.
“Yes.” And hopefully you won’t talk the whole way, I wanted to add but held my tongue, considering he was speeding down the Thruway at seventy miles per hour.
“Columbia Street and Congress? They got a good diner there.”
“So I’ve heard. Wake me up when we get there, please.”
I closed my eyes, wondering whom a pompous, stuffy guy like Sterling Forest was going to meet in the middle of the night.