Chapter 26 Religion Changes The Game #4
“I was just outside in the hallway when they had that conversation. She loves you also Billy. If you love her, then tell her. Don’t wait for an opening. Just tell her. Then she can make her own mind up, but she needs all the information.”
“Wow, Erica. But I don’t think I stand a chance competing against a guy like Greg.” He shook his head. “What can I offer her compared to him?”
“BILLY!” Veronica sternly reprimanded him. “You don’t ever compare yourself to him or any other man. You need to ask yourself, ‘what can I offer her of myself that she will want.’ I’m going to let you in on something. You are a wonderful man, and if there wasn’t a Greg, I’d be looking your way.”
“You?” Billy said and collapsed into the chair beside the bed. “I’m not in your league.”
“Billy, what did I just say? You’re wrong about being in my league.
We’re all trying to catch up to you. Your faith is so unique, and it brings joy and peace.
That’s why I started going to Synagogue with you.
I’ve learned so much. Now, I know which way I want to move my career and with this event, I’ve got an explanation I can finally offer my fans that they’ll understand. ”
“You better listen to Veronica, Billy. You are a catch. Just believe in yourself. If Greg Garrelson approved you to Veronica, that means you are something very special indeed,” Erica added. “I’ve got to check on some more patients. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks Erica. Would you mind me calling you a friend?” Veronica asked.
“Only if you let me call you mine.” Veronica smiled and nodded. “Alright. I’ll see you later then, before I go off shift,” she said as she left the room.
“Okay, Billy. So, tell me about this Sabbath plan you have? How are we supposed to worship without the Synagogue?”
“We gather together as a group and watch services online. Rabbi Steve will be starting his services in about fifteen minutes, so we need to get you down to Greg’s room.”
“Why?” she asked. “Can’t they come here?”
“Greg’s room has a sixty-five inch screen. Yours is just a forty.”
“Oh,” she said with a mocking voice. “Mine’s bigger than yours,” she continued, laying the false envy on extra thick.
“Stop. It’s just easier for everyone to see.” He shook his head when she started laughing at him. “Alright. You got me on that one.”
“Good. Now get me in that wheelchair so we can head to his room.”
“Right, V. James said to give you his regrets, but he’s still up in D.C. dealing with the Aarie situation.” He brought the wheelchair over and helped Veronica in.
“What Aarie situation?” Veronica asked, quite puzzled.
“His Visa is under review, because they think he was an accessory to Wendy’s actions in revealing the security plans to the Family for the hit.” Billy shook his head.
“If that’s what they think then let them ask me why I shared that information with Wendy. Aarie had nothing to do with any of that. He’s too young and gullible.”
“And completely in love with Wendy. He still thinks she’s being railroaded.”
“Only Aarie would be so wrapped up in Wendy to not see the truth now.”
“I still feel sorry for Wendy though, V.” He tipped his Stetson back and nodded. “Watching your dad get gunned down in front of your own eyes like that.”
“That is really sad. Hopefully she learns something from it,” Veronica sadly said.
“Greg,” Carry called from the door. “May I have a few minutes alone with you before the girls come in?”
“Girls?” Greg asked. “What girls?”
“Cassie and Katie,” she said softly. “They’re here in the hallway, but I wanted a moment alone with you first.”
“Sure. I’m happy the three of you are visiting. I was getting a little lonely in here since David and Tessa had to go check out a third location for The Resort.”
“I just wanted to tell you about something we were keeping from you during K1.”
“What? Who was keeping what from me?” Greg asked, surprised.
“We needed real raw emotion from you, so everyone except Tessa and you knew that Billy and I were acting like we were dating.”
“You mean, that whole thing was just part of K1?”
“It started that way,” she said and then her eyes betrayed something else. “I always knew Billy was a special guy. What I didn’t realize was that playing the part made me start thinking about actually being the part.”
“I’m slightly lost here Carry.” He pushed himself up on his pillows. “Are you saying that you don’t like Billy the way I thought?”
“No, Greg,” she admitted somberly as she got next to him. “I’m saying that I have found myself in your shoes. I thought it was impossible to be in love with two people at the same time, until I started to fall for Billy while we were pretending.”
“I told you to date him,” Greg admitted candidly. “And if you are in love with him, then I’m happy for both of you. I just don’t know that I’m ready to walk away from you.”
“I’m not asking you to, Greg.” She leaned down and kissed him softly.
“Maybe we’d be married right now if I had not been so scared of losing who I am by taking that step with you.
I know that I love you, but he’s here too,” she said pointing at her heart.
“Now, I just don’t know who I need to be with. ”
“Carry,” he said slowly then looked into her enchanting green eyes. “I’ll always love you, no matter what until you tell me to stop competing for your heart.”
“What about Veronica?” Carry asked.
“I am so drawn to both of you,” he admitted as he dropped his eyes. “But I can’t tell if I’d have been with her without us being setup or not.”
“Setup?” Carry asked.
“Grandma Graciella, Aunt Janet, Aunt Willamina and even Fred Davis conspired with Carlo over at Club Euchre to set Veronica and I up to meet.”
“Wow. That’s something else,” she started. “So, how does that change things?”
“I’m not sure. I just,” he paused. “I don’t even know what words to use.
I just wonder if you’d have been able to put me back together on your own before Erica came back and told me about the miscarriage.
” He shook his head. “Carry, you are just completely irresistible to me, because you are available. But Veronica is right. You need to determine your own heart without any regrets, like I do. I’m not ready to walk away yet, but I’m not stopping you and Billy either. ”
“That’s what I was going to ask you about. Would you tell Billy that?”
“Let me think about this,” Greg said and ran his hand through his hair. “I have told him all this before.”
“He’s holding back, Greg,” Carry complained. “He’s holding back because of you.” She glared into his eyes. “It’s not fair to me or to him. And it’s also not fair to you either.”
“Alright,” Greg said putting his hands up in front of his face. “I’ll talk with Billy about this. But not during Sabbath Services.”
“Just promise that you will talk with him.”
“I will. He needs to understand that it’s your decision to make, not mine. I won’t get in the way, Carry. I just want you to choose me if that is where your heart really wants to be. If not, then we will always be good friends.”
“You’d really remain friends with me even if I choose Billy over you?”
“I’m friends with Erica now, and I’ve even set her up with Keith Dankard.”
“What?” Carry asked somewhat excited. “Keith and Erica are dating?”
“Who’s dating who?” Cassie said as she and Katie entered the room. “We heard you from the hall and thought you’d finished,” she said cautiously.
“Keith and Erica are dating,” Carry said excitedly. “I’m happy that Erica and Keith are finally together.”
“Wait! What?” Greg said dazed.
“I’ve known Keith liked Erica since I went into Witness Protection.
Danny Blaine and Roddy Keates kept cracking jokes about how Keith could face a hundred armed men in the jungle, but was a pussycat around Greg Garrelson,” she said and started laughing.
“I can still see the funny looks on their faces.” Her laugh was so infectious that everyone joined in.
“You knew?” Greg said slowly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because we had our own problems, Greg.” Carry looked seriously at him. “Besides, it wasn’t my place to say anything.”
“Touche!” Greg admitted as there was a knock at the door. “Come on in.”
“Boss,” Mark called as he stepped in with Tina, holding hands and looking very excited. “I need your approval.”
“My approval for what?” Greg asked, confused.
“Fred and David have already signed off, and IF you will too, then Tina and I can get married today.”
“Why do you need my approval?” Greg asked.
“Because I made them,” Alice said as she stepped in. “We still have rules Greg. And this protects Pimico from the conflict of interest.”
“Yeah, but he’s already got Fred’s approval,,”
“And David’s she corrected. He just needs the third partner to agree,” she said. “And that means you have to agree and sign off for them to be allowed to get married while Mark works for Pimico and Tina is a model for our client, Veronique.”
“Alright, Alice, give me the pen and document and may God bless this union.”