Chapter Ten
ChapterTen
Brandt
It’s been a few weeks since Harold’s funeral, and I think Elissa has been holding up pretty well. I haven’t seen her cry, and, other than the weird funeral eulogy, that’s the only out-of-character thing she’s done. She hasn’t set foot on the twenty-second floor, where her father’s office is, since the funeral, when she destroyed everything. That day is still so fresh in my mind.
Riley and I are waiting anxiously for Elissa to return when she walks in. Her shoes are in her hands and her knees are scraped, with a trickle of dried blood running down her leg. Riley rushes toward her, face white as a ghost, and her hands wrap around Elissa’s wrists, dragging her to sit at the kitchen island.
Elissa slides onto the leather seat, her black polished toes wriggling as her feet dangle. Her shoes clatter to the ground where she drops them. She places her clutch on the counter beside her. Riley sprints back into the kitchen with a first-aid kit from the washroom. She places the white box on the counter and rummages through it, pulling out rubbing alcohol, some cotton balls, and bandages.
My hand finds Elissa’s and I slide her cold hand into my warm one, giving it a squeeze. Elissa winces as Riley dabs the cotton ball soaked with alcohol on her cuts, cleaning them carefully before placing bandages on them.
“How did you do this?” Riley asks with concern. Elissa winces again as she answers.
“I went to my father’s office on the way home, and I kind of lost it. I was throwing stuff around, broke some glass and accidentally fell and cut myself on the glass shards. I’m fine though,” she says, wincing again. “Oooh.”
Riley rolls her eyes at Elissa and mumbles something under her breath that’s hard to catch. I study Elissa to make sure she’s okay. Her eyes squeeze shut and her nose wrinkles as Riley pats the edge of the bandage on her knee.
“All done,” Riley mumbles, standing and collecting the wrappers and cotton balls and tossing them into the garbage. Elissa relaxes into the chair as she sighs, her grip loosening on my hand. “So, want to tell me why you destroyed your father’s office?” Riley’s voice is stern and wary. Elissa looks away, her gaze lingering on somewhere in the living room. She shrugs absently and shakes her head.
“I don’t know. Arthur drove me to the Black Wells tower and my subconscious took me straight to his office. I was looking around, trying to feel something. And something inside me broke and then I started breaking stuff.” Riley’s face twitches with concern. “But seriously, I’m fine.” Riley’s body slumps in relief, but her eyes are still vigilant, like she doesn’t quite believe what she’s hearing.
“Collette and the publicist were telling everyone that you were just distraught that your father is gone,” Riley says. Elissa bursts out laughing, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.
“Of course they did. They’ll do whatever it takes to save face, even if it means I’m speaking the truth. My little outburst probably worked in their favour, and I’m mad at myself for that.” Elissa shudders. Her hand slips from mine as she slides off the stool to stand, bending her knees one at a time to work in the bandages. “Thanks for taking care of me, Riles. You’re going to be an excellent mom.” Riley’s face blooms red as she packs up the first-aid kit and returns it to the washroom. Elissa saunters closer to me, wraps her hand around mine, and pulls me closer to her bedroom.
···
Since that night, everything has been fine. She’s been staying at my place more often now that we’re official, and let me be the first to say — it’s nice. I finally have her, and I can’t screw up and lose her again. It’s so nice having her lithe body next to mine when we wake up, and it feels good when my arm coils around her waist, tugging her in close so that her ass is snug against my cock. It feels nice being able to bury my face in her bronze hair and inhale the scent of her vanilla and coconut shampoo.
I was a little worried at first, when we found out her father died, that she would break, run away again. But she hasn’t. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive about her mental state — even knowing she wasn’t close with her father, there’s been little grieving. But honestly, she’s been fine. Elissa has been perfect at work, like always. Always professional, always focused. She mentions little things like “when Riley takes over the apartment…” and “not sure where I’ll end up…” it’s almost like she’s hinting at something. Hinting at moving in with me. But that couldn’t be what she means, because really, we just started actually dating. I would say yes in a heartbeat, but I know she’s just lamenting over having to find a new place. Right?
Regardless, for once, it feels like everything is clicking into place. Black Wells’ new division is operating well right now with Selena and Elissa at the helm, so well that I’ve been able to step back a little and make more time for my real company, Collins Global Collective. Elissa has even promoted Selena officially to her position as “Assistant Department Director.”
A wad of crumpled paper swooshes through the air and bounces off my face.
“Earth to Collins,” Rhys grumbles. I shake myself from my inner thoughts and focus on my best friend. Rhys Kessler and Liam West are sitting across from me in my office at CGC. They’re slumped in the chairs, feet wide apart, and arms thrown over the back of the chairs, looking like bookends. Liam has been avoiding me after the whole thing with Elissa. They slept together one night, nine months ago, and he acted like they were soul mates. We’ve hung out a few times since then, mostly when we all get together to play basketball, but we haven’t seen much of him since I started sleeping with Elissa.
My eyes dart to Rhys and I furrow my brows at him for throwing the paper.
“As I was saying…” Rhys continues, “Liam and I are going out tonight to have some drinks and hit on some girls. I know you’re not available, but you can still come with us. We need to get laid, and you can help entertain the other women for us if there’s a group of them.” Before I can say anything, Rhys claps his hands. “Great, it’s settled then. We’ll all go out tonight.” I huff, rolling my eyes.
“What about Riley?” I ask. Rhys’ breath catches and his body tenses. His hands slowly curl into fists, then relax. His jaw pulses, then he takes a deep breath.
“Man, why do you have to bring her up?”
“I just don’t see why you’re going out, planning on getting laid, when you have a baby on the way.”
“Might have a baby on the way,” Rhys snipes. I grind my teeth as my eyes narrow and fold my arms across my chest.
“You really think Riley would lie about it being your baby? C’mon man, stop being a pussy and own up to your shit. Be the goddamn man we know you are, not this scared little boy running away from his problems.” I glance at Liam and he just shrugs, as if he has no opinion on the matter.
“What?” Liam asks, when I stare at him expectantly, hoping he’ll weigh in on the conversation. “I don’t really know Riley like you two. I can’t say if she’d lie about that or not.” No fucking help. To be honest, I sometimes get the feeling that he doesn’t actually like me. Even before the Elissa thing. We’ve known each other for years — since high school — and he’s always been a bit closed off. Part of me wonders if it’s because I upset the balance between him and Rhys when I moved to their school in freshman year. They were best friends before I came along, then we became a trio of sorts. I mean, I could care less about his problems with me and my being friends with Rhys, but it still grates on my nerves whenever he seems to take Rhys’ side just because.
“Whatever. But I am not going with you two tonight, you’re on your own. If Elissa found out, she’d be pissed at me.”
“Be pissed at you? For what? Going out with your friends for some drinks? That’s some bullshit, man. We both know how Elissa parties — partied.” My teeth grit and my blood starts to boil from hearing him talk about her that way.
“First of all,” I growl, “Do not talk about Elissa that way. And you know as well as I do it’s not because of getting drinks with you two. She’d be pissed because I am enabling your fuckboy ways, even though you knocked up her best friend. And you know that I don’t agree with what you’re doing or how you’re choosing to handle the situation.”
My phone vibrates across my desk, tearing my attention away from the conversation.
Eli: Are you coming over tonight?
“Who’s that? Elissa?” Rhys sneers. I flip him off and text her back.
Me: Sure. The guys wanted me to go out tonight for drinks, but I’d rather pass anyway.
Three dots bounce on my screen as I wait for her reply.
Eli: Okay. If you want to come over tomorrow, that’s okay too.
Me: No. I’ll be there. I’ll bring dinner for the three of us.
“Sorry, Rhys. I’ve got plans tonight,” I say, tossing my phone back on my desk.