Loves Deception (6 page)

Tracy’s head snapped up, she nearly dropped her plate. “Bryan? What. What are you doing? Tracy was confused. She felt like this was coming out of nowhere. “This couldn’t have anything to do with why he showed up at my house this morning. Could it?”

Bryan pulled out a picture frame with a picture of the two of them taken on the very day they met. Tracy dresses has Bryan had described. Bryan was dressed in a white polo shirt and a pair of jeans. He had his arm around her and they were both laughing. “Do you remember?”

“Yeah Bryan, of course I remember.” Tracy laughed thinking about what Bryan said to her all those years ago. “You said, I was saving this seat for the most beautiful women in the world.” Tracy smiled.  “Then you got down and helped me up. You told me to order whatever I wanted and then we talked for hours.” Tracy was warmed by the memory, but she sensed she was close to the rabbit hole. “I see you found the box I kept of us. Sure we can go through it. Maybe you want a few things back.” Tracy inched closer to see what else was in the box.

Bryan reached for her hands, taking them in his. “Tracy, I want you back.” Bryan rushed to say, “On your terms this time and at your pace.” Bryan pulled her to her feet and brought her up against his body. “Can we talk, really talk, about us.

Tracy tried to pull back her hands but he held them firmly. He her up to her feet and quickly pulled her to him. She felt swept off her feet. Bryan always had that effect on her. Tracy looked up into his eyes and saw what she’d hoped for. He saw her, really saw her. There were no distractions he didn’t look occupied. His attention was trained on her and he waited for her to answer. “Yes, I would entertain the conversation. If that will help you with this mid-life crisis you seem to be going through. Tracy laughed. It was all she could do. This was new for her. She’d only really had his attention completely the first day they’d met. Now he was offering her what she wanted. “What do I want,” she thought to herself.

Bryan looked down into her eyes. “I overlooked her for so long worrying about the wrong things and people. I have to do what makes me happy.” 

Kevin spoke first, “I’m sorry for not calling first. I need to know what you have decided. Will you help me?” Kevin stood in the foyer for what seemed like forever. He had rushed over after speaking to his mother. Things didn’t look good. He needed to speed up the plan.

Gianna adjusted her robe and tried to fix her hair as best she could. “Why did you let him in? Why is he even here so early? He said I had time to think about it.” Gianna’s mind was racing. Bryan was still here and his most hated person in the world right now is in my house. “Kevin come into the dining room. We can talk there. I have company so let me tend to them and get dressed. Do me a favor stay here, I will bring us some coffee.”

Kevin heard company and perked up. Somewhat excited to be breaking up her little date, he couldn’t help but smirk. He sat down at the table. “She has to go along with my plan. I’ll only tell her what she needs to know. My Dad won’t get away with this. I’ll make her fall in love with me again and then we will get married. Even if I have to exaggerate the truth little bit.” Kevin thought of a millions ways to approach Gianna without alarming her. He wanted to keep it light and simple until he could get he into the car. “Getting her to into the car is half the battle won.”

Kevin looked around the room. He knew it well. They’d spent numerous dinners there and plenty of argument happened there too. Kevin knew how to get out of the dog house though, he always had. Gianna had a bleeding heart, and it was her weakness. “She’ll help me, I just have to make sure good ole’ Dad played his part. Kevin took a seat at the head of the table. He smiled pleased that the beginning stages of his plan was finally coming together.

Gianna searched the entire house but Bryan had gone. She quickly showered and dressed. She made a mental note to call Bryan as soon as she got rid of Kevin. She couldn’t help it but a sinking feeling was telling her that Bryan saw Kevin. “No, if Bryan had seen Kevin he would have tried to kick his ass, not leave.” Gianna rushed to the kitchen, straightening up as she moved through the house. She mustered up some coffee and a couple of muffins.

Kevin stood as she entered the room. He noticed that Gianna thought this was a social call. He had to be quick. “Gianna we really don’t have a lot of time. I got the call from my mom this morning. Angela and Martin will be here this afternoon. Donald and Renee will be here this evening. We should be there before they arrive. Uncle Ralph, Diane and the kids will be here tomorrow. Angela and Donald will stay at the house and I thought we should too.” Kevin kept talking. He knew that if he left an opening Gianna would catch her breath and he would have to beg. It was much better to overload her with information to build the momentum and then get her body moving. Kevin started walking toward her and ushering her out toward the hallway. “We really need to get you some clothes packed and gather up all the things you’ll need for a few weeks.”

Gianna was flustered she found herself moving and trying to listen at the same time. She had questions and she needed them answered. Gianna dug her heels in and stopped all motion. She whirled around and put up her hands. “Wait a minute. What are you talking about? I spoke to you two weeks ago. You told me that I had time to decide what I wanted to do. I am not leaving my house to live for however long at your parents’ house. I am not in this that deep. Now start explaining. What you are talking about?”

Kevin expected this but he’d hoped he could at least have gotten her in the car first. “Gianna you know my father’s condition. He has stage four cancer and he isn’t doing well. I don’t have time for this. Grab somethings and I will go into greater detail on the way.” Kevin moved her along. He pulled the suitcases from the hall closet and lugged them into the bedroom.

Gianna was wrapped up in Kevin’s movement. She watched him remove things from her closet and pack them away. She watched as her designer dresses and slacks went into the suitcases instead of a garment bag. She cringed. “Move Kevin, you’re wrinkling my clothes. I can’t even believe I am going to help you. You have to be the biggest ass hole I’ve ever dated. If it wasn’t for your mother I wouldn’t have even taken your calls.” Gianna was irritated now. She wasn’t sure how Kevin wanted her help, outside of moral support, but she was sure he had an ulterior motive. She would find out soon enough.

They finished loading the luggage into the car “Kevin I forgot something and I need to set the alarm. I’ll be right back.” Gianna headed back into the house. She wanted to call Bryan. “Voicemail, shit. Hey Bryan it’s Gianna. You left without saying goodbye. I wanted to have that talk with you but you won’t believe who showed up. Anyway call me. I’m heading out of town for a few weeks so call my cell. When I get back we need, to have that talk.” 

Gianna didn’t mention Kevin, as her reason for leaving town. She knew she would need to see him face to face to explain that she is helping Kevin. So she left him out of the message. She called Charlene next to check in with her. She left her with the same vague information just in case Charlene sees Bryan first. “I feel bad that Mr. Sims isn’t doing so well. I just don’t know how I can help. I mean Kevin and I aren’t even together anymore.” Gianna picked up a sweater, set the alarm and headed for the car.

Kevin pulled out the drive way and turned onto the street. Gianna watched as they drove past her house. Kevin turned on the radio and put his hand on hers. Gianna didn’t move it. In fact it comforted her in some way. She was worried about Bryan. Charlene was still with Miles and they hadn’t heard from him either.

“Don’t worry Gianna, I am going to make this right.” Kevin squeezed her hands and smiled at her. Gianna looked into sincere eyes with worry lines of concern etched around them. Gianna was in trouble because just looking at him, she could see that he meant every word. “Boy it only took his father on his death bed for him to get his shit together,” Gianna thought to herself.  Kevin’s gesture did offer a bit of comfort and Gianna was able to relax and settle into the 3 hour ride to the Sims’ Mansion. “Plenty enough time to get the real deal out of him.”