Love Without End (5 page)

Once my laptop is in hand, I set the alarm knowing Brie can disarm it when they are ready to leave the house, and slide into my black Audi Q5 to make my trek to downtown West Palm. Listening to the news on the way in to work has become a habit for me; it gives me time not to think about my past, about Carter. So many times, I will hear a song and smile at the memory just for it to be washed away by the pain and anger that so quickly replaces it. That’s the bittersweet of life, the good and the bad. I look over at the illuminated display and see I am over an hour early, even after the 25-minute journey down the I-95 and through the city. Making a hard right, I turn into Java Bean and Bakery just a few miles from the office.

The small tabletop in Java Bean is now covered by my tablet, notepad, and file folders I brought home last night, but didn’t mind not working on for obvious reasons. I can see it now, Ms. James please explain what this says and why it reeks of alcohol and sex. I laugh to myself over the disaster that could have been, just as my phone chimes for a text. I cautiously pull it from my purse like someone or something is going to attack me or give me devastating news, I need to not be on edge – he doesn’t even have my number anymore. I shake off the feeling of insecurity and see Brielle Dawn – message display.

Brielle – Heya, what’s Carter Jacobs doing in your bed?

Well how nice of her to just call me out on my shit without a good morning. I am sure she was only checking on me, but damn for serious, we may need a boundaries chat. She hates those, when she followed me down here that chat ensued because she wouldn’t stop pushing me to be the “old Hannah”. I consider ignoring her, but that will lead to phone calls and office visits for lunch and with the two she has in tow that would NOT be good.

Me – Good morning to you too. Don’t meddle Brie, it isn’t very becoming of you.

Brielle – not “meddling” but Mr. Jacobs is in your bed, not the guest bed I assigned. Just checking on
you, like a BEST FRIEND does.

Me – How sweet, last I knew he was sleeping.

Brielle – LOL funny. I’ll just wake him and ask…

Me – NO. I’ve made enough issues resurface as is. I’ll call before I head home tonight. G2G for a meeting
mwah

I put my phone back in my purse, pack up, and head to the office. I am almost certain she has woken him up or he is awake by now. The girl doesn’t do quiet. I should have made sure she cleans the pool and hot tub today, God knows it was abused last night. Some things never change… for either of us. Upon arrival to my office, I rummage through my pile of notes and mail that were left by Ruthie, my new assistant. She is a spunky ‘lil thing, maybe five-foot even with long curly auburn hair, a fireball full of energy; NOT someone I want to deal with today. I pick up a message slip – time stamped 4:47pm yesterday – “Mr. Jacobs requests a call back - 573-586-5555.” Perhaps I need to discuss with Ruthie the importance of me receiving my messages timely, last night could have been avoided seeing as I didn’t leave until about twenty minutes
after
that call.

I had a feeling Hannah would try to slip out of the house with me still asleep this morning, and to give her credit she tried hard, but you just don’t go that long without the love of your life and sleep soundly knowing you’ll wake up and it will likely be gone again. So, I did what every man in my situation would do, I didn’t sleep at all. I stayed awake and memorized every feature of her face like it would be the last time I’d ever lay eyes on it. When I felt her stretch, I released my hold but closed my eyes to make it seem as if I were sleeping. I watched her at every given opportunity, moving room to room, from naked to adorning her brown pant suit. She looked breathtaking and that professional get up of hers had me ready to take her right there in that walk-in closet.

About an hour after Hannah left, Brielle came bounding through the bedroom door, bright eyed and bushytailed with a knowing grin. “Sleeping, go away Brie,” I mumble as I throw a pillow in her direction. She jumps onto the bed bouncing.

“You are totally NOT sleeping,” she laughs and smashes the collected pillow into my face. “I know what happened in here last night, which is clearly why I took your hottie BFF outside last night and showed him a great time. So, why did my BFF run away this morning? Were you not up to par, Sparky?”

I push her shoulder and she falls off the side of the bed, “I am not discussing anything with you Brie, so scatter! I swear some things never change.” I scoot out of the bed and walk into the bathroom, locking the door to avoid another fun morning encounter from no-boundaries Brielle, do my business, and exit to see her back on Hannah’s bed texting. “Brie, leave her alone, crazy! Let’s go have breakfast.” That’s all it takes to distract her and she follows me to the kitchen. I maneuver my way around the kitchen and find the ingredients to make French toast and bacon, as Brie pulls out all the utensils and pans from the cabinets. “Holy shit, since when did Han actually start cooking?”

Brie sighs as she sweeps her hair to a messy knot on the top of her head, “Um, she grew up a LOT, Carter. She was ready to be your wife and make a career, then the accident happened and everything changed… who knew a car accident could make someone’s life so different?” She stares off for a moment then jumps back into her conversation when I fail to respond. “I mean, her life changed, three months of practical seclusion from everything, then graduation and she moved over 1200 miles away.” I just shrug. She knows I refuse to tell Hannah’s story, to this day, I don’t know who or what has been shared beyond the walls of that hospital room. As far as I know only the hospital staff, Hannah, her parents, and I are aware of the loss that occurred on February 14 two years ago.

“Brie, I love you like a sister I never wanted, but you already know this topic is not going to be discussed.” I give her a smile as I transfer the cooked French toast from the pan and add more in. She nods and starts a pot of coffee. “But thanks for keeping me in the loop on how things have been going lately, I mean I always say thank you, but especially lately with me getting down here. I know she would have flipped if she knew you were helping me and feeding me information all this time.” I give her a wink and a sly smile just as Braydon comes strolling into the kitchen. “Hey Bro, how’d ya sleep?” I ask trying to contain my laugh. I know good and well there was very little sleeping going on with those two last night. Brielle is NOT a quiet person in any form or fashion.

Braydon clears his throat and rubs his face, “Yup, slept great. Hannah’s bed comfy?” Here we go, now I got his smartass mouth to deal with. I plate our breakfast and Brie giggles as she pours the coffee. “What are we doing today?” he asks through a stuffed mouth. I shrug and Brielle pulls out her phone and starts texting again, to whom I can only assume is Han. I am sure she has other friends, she isn’t socially inept or anything, and shouldn’t she be working or something? “Earth to Ellie… hello?”

My brow raises in question to his choice name for her. Ellie? I haven’t heard her called that since high school. Her shoulders pop as I stare at her trying to form the thought and recognition of the moniker.

“Ugh, okay you two, enough.” I pause, deadpanning as I look between them, both eyeing each other trying to pass the buck of blame. “Yeah, you both, enough. I don’t want to know what happened last night, I heard enough of whatever the hell was going on last night to last a lifetime, and I sure as fuck don’t wanna see what provoked it.” I push my plate away just as the cackles ensue. Walking around the corner and up the dark cherry staircase into my assigned guest room, I notice it’s very Floridian, I didn’t pay much mind to it last night as I didn’t have much comprehension space available. It is a saltwater nautical theme with white furniture, bright blue accents and a massive marlin displayed above the knotted post bed. I check my cell for messages and reply to a few work emails before taking a quick shower. I can’t help but wonder what Hannah is doing, I doubt she is going to text or call me, but fuck if that prevents me from replaying last night.

Once out of my shower and prepped for the day, I throw on some khaki cargo shorts, a sky blue polo shirt, and my flip-flops, and head downstairs to find Brie and Braydon already dressed and ready to go. “Awesome, let’s get the hell outta the house. I need a rental car and Brie you can be our tour guide.” I smile bright at her seeing as she is beaming at both Braydon and I, already seeming to have a plan. I reach the front door, turn the knob, and immediately regret it. The house alarm system is blaring. I kid you not, if it is possible to jump out of your skin, I just did, and Braydon just stands there looking at Brielle as she slowly meanders to the panel to disarm it. “Wow, thanks assface, a little warning would have been nice,” I smart off sarcastically.

Brielle doubles over laughing trying to regain her composure a few times before finally responding, “Your face was priceless!” She continues to laugh as she resets the alarm and mimics what she claims my face and reaction looked like. We all load into a burnt orange Nissan Murano adorned with a Fox racing emblem and the number three cut out on the left back window.

Brie’s Bluetooth connects just as a call rings through. The screen illuminates and flashes “Hannah Banana - Calling” and I instinctively hit answer then put my finger to my mouth to indicate we are not with her; Brielle rolls her eyes but goes with it, and Braydon and I listen.

Brielle answered cheerfully, “Hannah Banana, what’s shakin’ bacon?”

“Just finished my divisional meeting…
”
Hannah sighs, “What are you doing today?”

“Uuugh, the boys are getting ready now then we are going to go into town. I’m the tour guide. Why? Do I need to ditch them so you can tell me the deets on your hookup last night?” Brielle laughs.

“Brielle Dawn, NO, NOT HAPPENING! Fuck!” Hannah sighs loudly this time, clearly not wanting to talk about our night together.

“Chill, I was kidding, Han, what do you need? Why are you strung so tight?”

“I have a quick mixer tonight, so I will be a little late,” Hannah replies, ignoring Brielle’s question about why she’s so clearly at odds right now.

“Who with?”

“Chase and Brody.” Hannah quickly responds with no other insight. Who the fuck are these guys?

“So you are going for drinks, not a work event…”

“Don’t start Brie, I need space.”

“Whatevs, gotta go!”

Brielle abruptly ends the call and I look at her skeptically. She puts the car in drive and we head out of the gated community. I didn’t realize last night how astonishing the homes in this area were; they must be price registered in the higher eight hundred thousand range for a bottom line model. As we zoom in and out of traffic, I catch the speedometer and figure I might as well see what’s up, “So, speed demon, the two guys… co-workers or more?”

Brielle side glances to me and grimaces before turning my words against me. “Not my story to tell, Carter.”

I stare at my phone for a while after Brie disconnects, how weird – she never acts that indifferent. If anything, she asks to tag along. There are only two plausible conclusions for her behavior, either she is peeved I won’t be hanging out with her and the boys all evening or the boys were with her and listening. My work e-mail pings reminding me of my next meeting, leaving me no time to dwell on what ifs.
Hannah, brush it off let’s go.
I recite my pep talk internally as I make my way to the next meeting, passing Ruthie in the hall; I remind her I will be out of the office until 4pm then out until Monday. She nods in understanding and moves towards her desk to finalize the project assignments I had emailed to her this morning before leaving the coffee shop.

Around 5:45 I arrive at The Watering Hole, I immediately spot Chase and Brody at a corner table with their drinks half empty and engaged in what seems to be a debate with a phone being passed between them both. This is what I need, some wind down time, and no pressure entertainment. I stop by the bar on my way to the table and order a Corona then join my guys. Their babble stops abruptly when I come into hearing range, I cock a brow of suspicion causing a hearty laugh from Brody. “So clearly that whole convo was about yours truly,” I say as I slide onto the tall stool. They both stare at one another, neither speaking. Oh, this shit is not happening. “What the fuck, assholes, we don’t leave Hannah out! Now spill it!”