Chapter 7
Juliet raced into her bathroom and vomited in the toilet. Weakened by his deceit, she sank back on her knees. She’d been reduced to sitting on the bathroom floor by a man who’d lied to her. When he promised not to. When he said she could trust him. The thought made her retch again.
A knock on the door. “Juliet, are you all right in there?”
Disoriented by the pounding in her head, she managed to eke out, “No.”
Her mom walked in then rushed over to her. “Oh, baby. Come on, let’s get you up.”
She put her arms around Juliet and helped her to stand. Juliet shivered badly and grabbed onto the sink with both hands. Her mother smoothed her hair back. “You should brush your teeth.”
She obeyed.
“What do you want to do now?”
“Sleep.”
“Don’t you want to tell me what happened? It might make you feel better.”
Her eyes moistened but she wouldn’t cry over him again. She was furious at him. “Can’t talk about it yet.”
“Then let’s get you to bed.”
Once in her bedroom, her mom asked, “Do you want to change into some other clothes?”
“No.”
“Honey, you smell.”
“I don’t care, Mom.”
After her mother drew back the covers, Julie sank into the mattress and pillows and closed her eyes. Every bone in her body hurt. She felt the covers slide over her and a kiss on her forehead. She heard the blinds close, then the door.
And she was alone.
She couldn’t face what had happened to her life.
Luckily, the world went blank soon.
* * *
Ryder said into the phone, “I don’t care why you made the mistake. You revealed my fucking identity. No, shut up. You’re fired.” He disconnected, slapped down the phone then gripped the edges of his desk until his temper cooled. Even the next morning, he was wrecked.
He supposed it wasn’t wise to fire the woman who handled all of his PR and dealt with the press, especially now. Rice Prescott was going to need her. Shit!! His life was about to change hugely. Already, Martha had been fielding calls for Rice Prescott.
He summoned the good sense to buzz Carter, who he’d heard come in earlier. He hadn’t seen anybody yet this morning. His associate came into the office, smiling broadly. “Pretty big deal what was revealed today.”
“Don’t be mad. I didn’t tell another soul.”
“Of course I’m not mad. You’re entitled to your privacy.”
“Do me a favor and call Martha Halton back and apologize for me.”
“What did you do to her?”
He explained his tirade. “Tell her I’m having personal issues.”
“Will do. Do you want to talk about it? I’m a friend too, Ryder.”
“Not now. I need to drown myself in work so come in when you’re done with her. I have some ideas on more mergers.”
When Carter left, Ryder dropped down on his desk chair and put his face in his hands. Juliet’s image swam before his eyes.
I never want to see you again.
His stomach clenched and his head began to pound.
* * *
Juliet awoke to bright sunshine peeping through the blinds. She tried to sit up but she fell back into the pillows. She was as weak as a kitten from not eating all day yesterday. And from throwing up.
From her peripheral view, she saw a note next to her bed and grabbed it.
Dear Juliet,
I’m sorry but I had to go out. I’m having some routine medical tests and I had to wait months for an appointment. I got the boys ready for school and onto the bus. I’ll be back this afternoon. Dad should be there soon.
Love you bunches,
Mom
PS Eat and drink something.
Toast and a banana accompanied the note, along with a big glass of ice water.
Once again, she tried to sit up. And couldn’t. What to do? She heard the front door open and close, and soon, her dad appeared in the doorway to her room. “Hi, baby.”
“Hi, Dad.” Damn it, her voice was so weak. “I—I need to eat and I can’t manage to sit up by myself.”
He frowned deeply but hurried to the bed. He drew her forward, fluffed the pillows and helped ease her up then lean back on them. He held the glass to her mouth. “Drink first. You’re probably dehydrated.”
The water was too cold but she managed half the glass. Then, her dad peeled the banana and held it to her mouth. She took several bites. Did the same with the toast. Finally, he insisted she drink more water, and afterward said, “Just lay there, honey. You’ll feel better in a few minutes.”
He held her hand as she laid back. “I’m free all day, Jules. I’m going to stay with you.”
“I’ve got to be better.”
“Not today. Mom told me you left Pace’s house furious.”
“He’s Rice Prescott.”
“Yeah, I heard the news. That’s kind of cool.”
“No.” Her eyes teared again. “He promised he’d never lie to me and he did.”
“You’re so honest, but most of the world isn’t.”
“I feel like a fool.”
He pushed her hair out of her eyes. “No, Juliet. He’s the fool.”
* * *
Ryder went out for a run. He’d been working his ass off with long-range planning for the business, making deals, and scouring his work force for possible promotions and purging.
And still, she was there, on the edges of his mind, angry and hurt. He hadn’t tried to call her but did have someone posted to watch her house and she hadn’t left it in three days. At least her parents had come to take care of her.
He stopped short. What if she was really sick?
What if she had a breakdown? Nah, not his Juliet.
She had kids to provide for and protect.
She’d bounce back by sheer force of will.
He ran faster, then returned to the house exhausted.
It felt…empty. He’d spent most of the time in the business wing, but he had to come back to the private rooms at night.
Everything reminded him of her and those memories hurt like hell…
Their first kiss…
He turned fully to her and tipped her chin. “Man, I want to kiss you.”
She whispered, “That would be okay.”
Him playing with the boys, who he’d lost too…
“You’re kidding, Monopoly? With a finance mogul?”
“What does that mean, Mommy?” Tommy asked.
“It means I work with money.”
Her defending him to the collective…
“I love you all but you’re not entitled to question me about this.”
And the promise not to hurt her…
“You—you can hurt me, Ryder. Promise you won’t take advantage of me, lie to me or lead me on.”
“Trust me. I’ll do my damnedest not to, love. I promise.”
But he’d done exactly what she feared.
Fuck! For the first time in a long time, in he couldn’t remember when he felt his eyes mist. What was he going to do without her?
* * *
As Juliet drove to the collective, her phone rang in the car. Her parents. Jaquie and Jim were worried about their daughter, and their son Joey, who no one had seen in weeks. “Hi, Mom.”
“You sound better, honey.”
“Yep. I’m done reacting to what Ryder Pace did to me. I’m excising him from my mind as we speak.”
“If that’s what you want.” Her mother’s tone was skeptical.
“I’m on my way to work.”
“That’s good.”
“Are you sure you don’t need anything?”
“I don’t Mom. Honest. I’m taking care of myself and the boys, though I appreciated you and Dad stepping in when I…couldn’t.”
A hesitation. She could hear her dad say, “She’s an adult Jaquie. Let her make her own decisions.”
“All right. I’ll stop hovering.”
Juliet drove into the parking lot of the collective, glad to be here. The protective measures were all still in place. She parked and waited for one of the guards to come over.
“Juliet,” Ellen said after she opened the car door. “It’s great to see you.”
She’d only been gone a week but after she exited the car, she let Ellen hug her.
When they parted, she shivered in the early November chill in the air and tugged the sides of her unbuttoned coat closed.
They made small talk all the way inside.
Once in her office, she breathed in the scents and space around her. It felt good to be back.
When she turned around she saw her version of The Road was no longer there. In its place was a beautiful Renoir painting.
After hanging up her coat, she opened the door to the common room for the staff meeting today. Oliver, Daisy and Scarlet were seated in a circle of chairs.
“Hi, everyone.”
They all stood when they saw her. Rushed to her. And hugged her. She felt…loved. And they all talked at once, making her smile.
Finn said from behind her, “Hey, girl.” He put his arm around her and led her to a chair.
As they sat, she asked, “Heath coming?”
“I’m right here.” He strode across the room then stopped to kiss Juliet’s cheek. “Welcome back.”
When they were all settled in, she said, “I’ve been gone a while.
I know you’ve called and Mom talked to Finn.
Let me clear up what happened.” Briefly she told them about her time with Ryder, and the boys and their final blowup Halloween morning.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t come back to work until today. ”
Oliver said, “Everything’s cool, Juliet.”
“No it’s not.” This from Daisy. “Ryder Pace, or Rice Prescott or whoever the hell he is doesn’t deserve you.”
“I notice his painting is gone from my office.”
“I wanted to smash it to smithereens but the group wouldn’t let me,” Daisy continued. “It’s in my closet.”
“Who got the Renoir print?”
Heath said, “I ordered it. But it’s from all of us.”
“It’s lovely. And thank you. Now, I’d like to close down this topic for good, but know I’m done with him.”
No one cheered with joy. No one offered trite platitudes. Instead, they went on to cover a few topics of staff concern, got updated about the person stalking them—nothing new—then ended the meeting. Finally, Juliet rose and went to her studio to get ready for class.
* * *
“What’s wrong with Mom?” Tommy asked him. “I thought she was getting better.”
“I did too.”
“She never laughs.”
Billy sighed. “I know.” And she looks like she’s going to cry all the time but holds it in. But he didn’t tell his younger brother that.
“So what are we going to do about it?” Tommy asked.
“I don’t know but something.”