Heaven With You (23 page)

I had no idea I’d been holding my breath until I exhaled in relief. Only now I was more confused than ever. Lifting my chin, I met his questioning gaze. “If you’re happy with the way things are between us in bed, then why are you sleeping with someone else?”

He froze, his expression blank. For a long moment, he said nothing just simply stared at me. “What are you talking about?”

“The woman that texted you this morning. You saw her tonight, didn’t you?”

“No.” Understanding registered on his face. “That’s what this is about.” He looked irritated and shook his head. “You should have just asked me to explain.”

That’s what Cora had said. “You didn’t sleep with her?” I asked carefully.

He stepped back, away from me. “No. Jana is someone I used to date. She was in town for a couple of days and I’d agreed to meet her before you and I got together. I didn’t even remember it until I read her text.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“I told her I was seeing someone.”

I swallowed, feeling guilty for doubting him. “That’s why you’re home early.”

He was angry with me. “I’m home early because my meeting wrapped up quickly. I never met Jana.”

I’d made a mess of things and had no clue how to go about fixing them. “I know I shouldn’t have read your message. I didn’t mean to. You weren’t there and the phone was ringing—“

“I don’t care that you read the message. You should have told me then what was bothering you.” He raked a hand through his hair in frustration, his eyes narrowing on mine. “I can’t believe you thought I slept with someone else tonight.”

“I’m sorry.” I felt terrible, guilty and confused. How had everything gone so wrong when all I’d wanted to do was try to keep him in my life? I reached out to touch him, but he turned and strode off.

“Hunter, please,” I cried, following him.

“Not now, Isabelle.”

Knowing I needed to give him some time, but desperate to make things right I took hold of his arm and he spun around. I saw the flash of anger in his eyes, saw him lift his arm, and I flinched.  Closing my eyes, I waited for the blow.

It never came. The still rational part of my brain knew that Hunter would never hit me. Ever.

Opening my eyes, I saw him staring at me in shock.

“I’ve never hit a woman in my life.” His voice was soft, laced with an unmistakable note of sadness. “I’d never hurt you.”

“I know that. It was a reflex.”

I saw shadows in his eyes and the pity. “The ex-boyfriend, he hit you?”

“Once.” I couldn’t stand the way he was looking at me, as if he felt sorry for me. “I really am sorry about tonight,” I told him.

Then I turned and ran to Ellie’s bathroom, wishing I’d listened to Cora instead of making a fool of myself.

After washing my face I felt a little better, but I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he wouldn’t forgive me. I’d have to spend the night with Reed tonight. There was no way I could stay with Hunter tonight, knowing that he didn’t really want me here.

While he was in the shower, I gathered as many of my belongings as I could from his bedroom and took them to my car. There was a chill to the air that seemed to seep into my bones, and I shivered. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted. Sensing someone watching me, I spun around and my gaze scanned my surroundings, searching the source of my unease.

The night was quiet. No one was out and yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t alone. For some inexplicable reason my gaze kept coming back to a black car parked across the street and to the left of Hunter’s house. I don’t know what it was about the car that bothered me. Maybe it was because not many people in this neighborhood parked on the street, so the sight of the car was out of the ordinary.

I was probably losing my mind. It had been weeks since I’d heard from Scott, and that had been before my arrest. Dismissing the peculiar feeling as part of the backlash from a day that had sucked from beginning to end, I went back inside to tell Hunter I was giving him some space.

Opening the back door, I ran into a rock-solid wall of muscle and I gasped. Hunter reached out to steady me, and I tried to relax but my heart was pounding against my chest like a jackhammer. I really had to cut down on the caffeine.

“You’re shaking.” Hunter peered down at me, frowning. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I tried to smile. “Like you said this morning, I need to cut down on the coffee.”

His expression was pensive. “What’re you doing outside?”

“Just putting some stuff in the car.” I thought I felt him tense.

 “Are you going somewhere?”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “I thought I’d spend the night with Reed.”

“You’re leaving.” He sounded surprised as if he hadn’t expected me to say that, and I was suddenly confused.

“I didn’t think you’d want me to stay here. You seemed so angry with me.”

“Yeah, I was, but I never wanted you to leave. Izzy, you can’t run away every time we have an argument.”

“You don’t want me to go?” I asked, unable to keep the hopeful tone from my voice.

“No.”

“Good,” I breathed in relief. “Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

He pulled me against him, stroking my hair and back. “Ah, Izzy. If I’d known that’s what you were thinking when you ran to Ellie’s room, I’d have set you straight then.”

Closing the door, he lifted me into his arms and took me back to his bedroom. He set me down and my body slid along his.

“If you need some space, I can sleep in Ellie’s room.”

“I want you to sleep with me.” He sighed, his eyes locked with mine. “I love you.”

It felt like my whole world had been shattered and was magically put back together again by his words.

“I’ve only said those words to two women. One of them was Ellie’s mom.” He paused, his expression intense.  “And you.”

He brushed a tear from my cheek, his eyes still hot with emotion and burning into mine. “I loved Anna.” Taking a deep breath he continued. “But Izzy, what I feel for you is much stronger. God help me, I felt it that first night we met. You were too young for me, and I’d never have touched you then but I couldn’t forget you.”

I wanted to say ‘me too’, but I was too choked up to speak.

“I don’t have a lot of experience with relationships, but I know this won’t be our last fight. Just so you know, I’m not going anywhere. I fight for what I want, and I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than I want you.”

I’ve no idea who moved first, but we were suddenly kissing. “Are you going to make love to me now?”

“If you don’t mind boring, vanilla sex.”

I laughed. “It’s my favorite.”

Chapter Twenty

I’d just finished up at the hospital when I received the text.

Unknown: I have your Christmas present.

Figuring it was the wrong number, I ignored it, but a minute later another message from the same unfamiliar number popped on the screen.

Unknown: I know how much you hate this time of the year. Thought I might give it to you early.

This time I replied.

Me: Leave me alone Scott or I’ll call the police.

Unknown: LMAO…I’m not scared of your boyfriend

I stared at the screen, but before I could decide what to do another text came in.

Unknown: HE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF ME!!!

A chill trickled down my spine. I put the phone in my backpack not bothering to respond. This was going to end now. I couldn’t keep living in constant fear. Leaving the hospital, I got into my car and drove straight to Scott’s house.

I rang the doorbell once and didn’t have long to wait before he pulled open the door, a wary expression on his face. He exploded. “What, are you fucking crazy?”

Startled at his attack, I hesitated.

“This shit has to stop. I know I screwed up when I reported the car stolen, but enough is enough. If you don’t leave us alone, I’m going to file for a restraining order.”

“What?”

He stepped outside, closed his eyes a moment and when he opened them his expression was a mask of regret. “Look, I’m sorry Isabelle. I know I’m to blame for what went wrong with our relationship, but you’ve got to move on. You have to let go,” he implored, his tone lined with desperation.

I had no idea what to say. “What are you talking about?”

Scott’s eyes met mine, and I saw the blatant fear in his eyes. I froze, my blood icing over. Scott was afraid of me.

“You’ve been following me. Sending me texts. That’s why I’m here, to tell you to stop.” I watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction.

“No, Isabelle. It’s the other way around. I think you should see someone about this. You need help. The dog…” He broke off, suddenly looking pained.

“What about the dog?” I asked, frightened of his answer.

“Abby started barking the other night when Deana was home alone. Deana let her out thinking it was a squirrel, but Abby never came back. The next morning we found her bloody collar on the welcome mat by the door.”

My chest tightened and it was suddenly difficult to breathe. I remembered the feeling of unease I’d had the other night when I was alone and Jack had started barking like crazy.

“Scott, I swear to you I would never do what you’re suggesting. Someone is following me, sending me texts.” I pulled out my phone and handed it to him. “I thought it was you.”

He inhaled a shaky breath, scrolling through my texts and I thought he relaxed a little. “I know. That’s what I told Deana.” Scott looked up. “I didn’t send all of these texts Isabelle. Who the hell would be doing this?”

I shivered. “I don’t know.” Searching Scott’s face for signs that he was lying, I found none. He still seemed wary, as if trying to decide if I was telling the truth. Finally, his shoulders sagged with relief.

Looking as if he’d had an epiphany, his eyes widened. “You really haven’t been sending me messages or following Deana.”

“No. Someone has been following Deana?”

“She hasn’t seen anyone, but she’s been spooked a few times.”

“I swear I’m not doing this. I’ve gotten the strange feeling that someone has been following me. I thought it was you.”

Before I knew what he meant to do, Scott yanked me to him for a hug that caught me off guard. I stiffened. He pulled away just enough to lean down, and his gaze locked on my mouth. “I’ve missed you, Isabelle.”

“I’m in love with Hunter. The words tumbled out.

He didn’t look surprised, but he did let go of me. “When I saw you with him that day in court, I knew. You never really loved me. Considering what an ass I was to you, I don’t blame you. Not anymore.”

“I’m sorry.” Hearing his heartfelt confession, I was floored. Scott seemed regretful, and I sympathized with him.

I think that it was good that I confronted him. As I was leaving I heard him call my name and I turned.

“Be careful Isabelle.”

“You too,” I told him. I glanced around uneasily. Hurrying to my car, I got in quickly, needing to find Hunter.

His SUV wasn’t in the driveway when I pulled in. Checking my phone for messages, I saw a shadow fall over me and I fell back, crying out and dropping my phone.

“What’s wrong Isabelle?”

I looked up and met Amber’s icy stare. Why exactly I was afraid, I couldn’t say. “You startled me.” I started to bend down to pick up my phone, but was astonished to realize I didn’t want to take my eyes off of her.

Amber glanced down at my phone, frowning. “You’re acting really strange,” she said, scooping up the phone and handing it to me.

“It’s been a long day,” I replied vaguely. “What’re you doing here?”

“Duh, I came to see you. Why have you been ignoring me?”

“Amber, you’ve been causing trouble for Reed and Ellie. I’m sorry you got hurt, but you have to move on.”

“She told you, didn’t she?” Amber snapped. “Bitch.”

“Yeah, Ellie told me that you asked her to stay away from Reed so that you could have a chance to win him back. I can’t believe she actually listened to you. Ellie isn’t the one that’s a bitch.”

Amber looked stunned. “How can you side with her when I’ve been your best friend since we were kids?”

The hurt in her voice tugged at my heart, and I softened my tone. “It’s not that I’m taking her side or even Reed’s side. What you did to Ellie was wrong, and she’s too nice a person to tell you to go to hell, which is what most women would have done in her position.”

“You don’t think I know that?” Amber cried. “That’s the only reason I asked her was because I knew that she’d want to help me. It didn’t work out. Reed is still in love with her so I don’t know why you’re still not taking my calls.”

“I’m sorry Amber, but I can’t be your friend if you’re going to keep trying to hurt Reed and Ellie.”

Nodding, her eyes filled with tears. “I know.” Amber sank against the car and dropped her face into her hands. “You’re the only real friend I have, Isabelle. I don’t want to lose you.”

Unable to stop myself, I reached out to her and she hugged me.

“I’m so sorry, Isabelle,” she sobbed. “I’ll do whatever it takes to save our friendship. Just please say that you aren’t giving up on me.”

Amber’s big, tearful eyes met mine and my heart broke for her. She’d really loved Reed, and even though she had made some mistakes, I could never hold them against her when she was offering such a sincere apology.

“We’re still friends,” I assured her. “Do you want to come inside? I can make coffee.”

Amber’s hopeful expression made me feel guilty for not talking to her sooner. “I’d love that.” She turned and her smile faded. “Maybe another time.”

Following her gaze, I saw that Hunter was pulling into the driveway. I looked back at Amber and saw that her gaze had hardened.

“I don’t think I can face him now. He probably hates me for what I did to Ellie.”

“He’s important to me. You’ll have to face him eventually.”

“Not today,” she said nervously. “Thanks for talking to me. I’ll call you.”

“Sure. You don’t have to run off,” I told her, but Amber was already walking off.

I watched her leave, and saw that she’d parked across the street. I wondered if it could have been Amber’s car I’d seen that night and immediately felt disloyal for the thought.