Magnificent Ruin (Everlasting Series Book 2) (8 page)

Now he’s losing patience with me. “Honestly, Taylor, why are you acting like this? I thought we were clear on what this was about.”

“I want to hear you say it,” I insist, unable to let it go. “What was this about?”

“My god, what did you expect? A relationship? Haven’t I spelled it out loud enough for you a million times? I’m a fuck-up and a professional con. This is what I live for. That’s my life, Taylor.”

“You said things,” I say, my voice trembling.

“Of course I said things. That’s what I do. How do you think I got into so many rich women’s beds?”

“So you tell all women that you wanted them from the first time you saw them? That they’re all you ever wanted in a woman? My god, what an accomplished liar you must be. “

His voice softens a bit. “We can still be friends, Taylor,” he says with a sigh. “Nothing has to change. We are good together exactly how we are. Why complicate things?”

“Maybe you should have thought of that before you fucked me.”

“I asked you, remember? I asked you if that’s what you wanted and you said yes.”

He’s right. He did ask. I just didn’t think that’s what he meant.

“Forget it,” I say.

“C’mon, Taylor.”

“No, seriously, forget it. You don’t owe me anything. You were pretty clear and I’ll survive. I’ve had worse. Much worse actually.”

“In time you’ll see it’s for the best. You deserve someone who can love you unconditionally.”

“Right. No problem. Let’s go.”

We walk up to the road to get back to the parked car. The sun’s beating down on me and my feet hurt already. The idea of driving back with Tomas for an entire hour with barely anything to say to each other is not exactly cheering me up.

But then I remember something. “I assume that was the same rich guy we ran away from? The guy who you thought wanted you roughed up?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you do. You said it’d be best if he didn’t know I was important to you. Is that what this is about? Are you trying to protect me?”

“No,” he says, speeding up his pace.

I hurry to catch up with him. I can’t control myself. “Did you hit on that Amelia girl or something?”

He looks at me extremely irritated. A bulged vein pulses on his left temple as he flares his nostrils. “Drop it, Taylor,” he says with a harsh tone. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about and you’re just making shit up because you’re pissed. Fuck, I should have known better than to let things get out of hand between us.”

“Won’t happen again,” I say. And that’s precisely how a lovely night can turn to shit. I’ve been there, done that. Only no night had ever been that lovely, that fucking Earth shattering.

“Asshole,” I hiss and walk faster to avoid being next to him.

Chapter 10

N
o matter what life throws at me, I’ve had worse. I wasn’t lying when I told him that. I’ve had worse and I survived. I actually survived against all odds. I’m strong and I will find a way to move on and get even stronger for it.

My pride might have taken a hit but nobody has died. I’m healthy and young, and my business is doing great thanks to Nathan and Grace. I’d be totally ungrateful if I focused on minor inconveniences.

Yes, I know that I’m one of the lucky ones but why does this hurt so bad? Why do I feel like the walls are closing in? Why have I lost my appetite and my enthusiasm?

Love is a landmine. No matter how carefully you tread, you can never be totally certain that your next step won’t be your last one. Lucky for me, I’m still standing on the perimeter, staring at the landmine fully aware of the perils ahead. I may be in love but the shock of rejection came soon enough to keep me on the outskirts of true emotional danger.

I’m also fully aware that I’m talking bullshit. Tomas dropped me at the house yesterday after an hour-long ride in total silence and then he took off. He returned late at night and disappeared again this morning leaving a message on the fridge that he’d be back for dinner.

I don’t know how to feel about him. What I do know is that I have to get my shit together and find a way to spend the rest of my time on the island independently of Tomas and the drama that we managed to create. Like he has told me a million times, I need to have some fun.

We were never meant to be. We have different expectations and he’s spoiled for life. I don’t think he’s capable of ever being happy in one place.

My phone ringing interrupts my thoughts. Grace, my eternal savior. I just have to stay focused when I talk to her and not let my emotions take over.

“Hey, Gracie, what’s up?” I say.

“Not much. Been binge-watching season two of
Orange Is the New Black
and thought of you.”

“Why? Do you think that because I’m on an island called Lesbos I’ll be turned into a lesbian?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not what I thought. Up until now that is. You’re not going to come on to me, are you?”

“Relax, you’re safe. That hunky watchdog of yours would cut me if I touched you.”

“His name is Nathan and he loves you.”

“He loves
you
and I’m so happy for that, Grace. So happy you’re loved.”

A short pause. “Taylor, is everything all right?”

Of course I had to go ahead and do it—I let my emotions take control. “Of course everything’s all right,” I say, keeping my voice as calm as possible. “You’re the one who called. Is everything all right with you?”

“I was just wondering… would it be okay if we came to visit?”

I should jump with joy at the prospect of Grace visiting but I feel worried instead. How would I ever be able to hide all that has happened? It was bad enough when she had to witness the mess I made with Cody.

“You want to visit me on the island?” I say.

“Yes, but we don’t want to put you out. We could stay at a hotel.”

Jesus, did she notice my hesitation? “Don’t be silly, of course you can stay here. I can’t wait.”

“Would Tomas be okay with that?”

“He doesn’t get a vote. But why on Earth would he mind? He’s barely here, to tell you the truth.”

“So you’re certain?”

“Yes, yes, I’m certain. I’m a bit jittery cause I’m hungry and excited.”

“You’re the one who’s always on my case about having breakfast.”

“Yep, got me. I’m getting into bad habits.”

Maybe that’s the answer I needed. Grace and Nathan being here will help me get over my damned problems without having to leave the island. The three of us could explore all the places I haven’t been to yet. Lesbos is a big island with all kinds of sites and hidden treasures to discover.

Lord, I so enjoyed my stay here before that stupid dream got in the way of simple arrangements between Tomas and me. It was all about discovery, relaxation and having a good time. I want to go back to that
pronto
. Falling in love can wait for when I’m not a complete wreck of a human being.

“What time is it in Greece?” Grace asks.

“Hmm, let me check. Nine twenty-five.”

“Go grab a bite already.”

“Will do,” I say, trying to smile for her. “So when are you coming? Do you have tickets?”

“No, I just wanted to check with you. We’re thinking mid-July.”

“Shit, I can’t wait now. Let me know as soon as you have the tickets. I might come and meet you in Athens and we can all take the boat to the island.”

“Yay, I can’t believe it’s actually happening!”

I’m about to tell her she’s the only person I want to see right now when the doorbell rings.

“Someone’s at the door, Grace. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Sure, take care. We’ll be talking face-to-face in like three weeks.”

By the time we hang up, I’m at the door. When I open, Adrian gives me a big smile and opens his arms as if to hug me.

He’s dressed in a fine blue buttoned shirt and linen pants. I’ve never seen him dressed like that; it’s mostly shorts, T-shirts or swimming trunks every time we’ve run into each other.

“Adrian, hi,” I say. “That’s a surprise.”

“Hey, lovely lady,” he says, finally giving me that hug.

“What brings you by?”

“Can I come in?”

After a short hesitation, I let him in. I’ll be damned if I’m going to lock myself in a gloomy tower of isolation to mourn a non-existent love.

“So, what brings you?” I say as soon as we enter the bright living room with all its windows open to create a soothing breeze.

“I come to see Tomas,” he says, “but I’m glad to see you, too.”

“Tomas isn’t here,” I say.

“Oh, where is he?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. He doesn’t inform me of his whereabouts.”

Adrian brushes back his styled dark hair. “You mean you don’t know where he is?”

“Yes, that’s what I mean.”

There’s disappointment on his face. “When will he be back?”

“I don’t know that either. Sometime tonight, probably. Is it urgent?”

He shakes his head. “Is it okay to stay? A little bit? To talk to you?”

“Sure,” I say. “Would you like a refreshment?”

His eyes get confused.

“A cold drink?” I explain.

“Ah, thank you. Yes, a cold coffee,” he says. “We call it café frappe.”

“Oh, I can’t make it. I’ve tried but it’s not good.”

“I make it for us,” he says, rolling up his sleeves and heading for the kitchen.

I try to remember if Adrian has been at the house before. He sure seems to know his way around. And I guess it’s too late for me to tell him that I really don’t like this café frappe thing.

He opens three cupboards before he locates a can of Nescafe coffee. Next comes the sugar and the milk and then he turns to me with a question he can’t quite articulate in English.

“I need a thing to put everything in,” he says, “and then I do this.”

He starts shaking his right arm up and down until I know what he wants. “A shaker,” I say.

He nods, excited by the successful communication.

So we know what he wants except I don’t know where to find it. It’s my turn to open cupboards and look through pots and pans.

“Here it is,” I say after a while, doing my best to fake enthusiasm.

“Great,” he says, taking the shaker from me. He blends in coffee, sugar and water and takes on the daunting task of mixing them up completely in the shaker like a cocktail.

“Tomas goes away often like that?” he says, smiling at me, as I quietly tidy the kitchen counter.

“You know that he writes, don’t you?”

“He writes?”

“I guess you don’t know.”

“What does he write?”

I don’t give him an answer. Instead, I ask my own question. “Why don’t you call him?” The possibility that Adrian might call and find out where Tomas has actually gone is more than intriguing. My pride is too hurt to allow me to ever ask Tomas that question myself, but I’m dying to know.

“I tried already,” Adrian says.

“And?”

“The phone is off.”

My hopes immediately turn into a sour mood. Tomas has his phone off because he doesn’t want to have to deal with me.

I nod and start closing the windows. “That’s odd,” I say. “Maybe it ran out of battery.”

“Maybe he’s with that horrible American friend.”

I freeze with my hands on the window frame, only halfway closed. I turn back to Adrian who’s pouring the coffee in a tall glass.

“What American friend?” I say.

“I don’t know,” Adrian says, handing me the glass with the frothy coffee.

All kinds of alarms go off in my head. The expression on Adrian’s face is not one I have seen before. He smiles nervously as he pours the rest of the coffee in a second glass. “You need a straw,” he says, looking around the kitchen as if he could magically locate the straws.

“Adrian,” I say, going to him and taking his hand. “This is important. Please, don’t try to cover for him. Does he have dangerous friends?”

I don’t know how else to put it. Adrian’s limited use of English means I’ll have to put things forward in the simplest manner.

“Tomas is a good man,” he says, “but—”

“But what? Adrian?”

“Never mind, Taylor. It’s not for me to speak.”

He brushes his hand against my cheek, still holding my hand. The intimacy he’s looking for throws me off completely. I wriggle away from him as delicately as I can. “I just want to know if he’s in trouble.”

“You care for him.”

“Of course,” I say, giving him my sweetest smile. “He’s my friend.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s not important right now, is it? Is he in trouble, Adrian?”

He lowers his eyes and then locks them on mine. “It’s wrong to tell you this. He has to tell you. But I must warn you because I care for you, Taylor.”

“Warn me about what?”

“Tomas has friends that do bad things.”

“Bad how?” This is not the kind of revelation I was hoping to hear today.

“They lie, they steal, they threaten people. I tell Tomas not to be with these people but this is how he lives. He likes it, Taylor. The danger, the play with fire. He’s not good for you. Or Sophia.”

Am I surprised? Yes and no. I mean, I know he’s lived a life of debauchery, drifting and gambling, taking major risks, avoiding emotional ties and getting himself in dangerous situations. But there’s also another side to him, a tender side. Maybe. He did take a spiritual trip to Tibet and he was there to save Nathan’s life and Grace’s, even mine.

I thought maybe he was changing for the better, that light was winning the battle with darkness.

“Did you tell Sophia this?”

He nods, then opens his arms wide. “She doesn’t want to listen. Like you. You see only your dream. You do not see Tomas. His life is not dream.”

“His life is tough. I know,” I say.

“He is a criminal,” Adrian says reluctantly.

“That’s taking it too far, Adrian. If you think him a criminal, why are you his friend?” Suddenly, I want Adrian to go.

“I’m sorry, Taylor,” he says. “I like him. He is good guy to me, but not good for a girl. He will tell you this himself.”

“Okay, Adrian, I know you mean well. I need to go now.”

“I will drive you.”

“Thanks, but I like to walk.”

He’s disappointed and makes no effort to hide it. “Don’t tell Tomas about our talk,” he says before he exits.

“It’s none of his business,” I say to reassure him but as soon as he’s gone, my first instinct is to pick up the phone and leave a frantic message for Tomas.

All my plans to move on from him crumble down at my feet as I dial his number and then hang up without waiting for a ringtone. I miss him with a hollow ache. I miss him so much I feel sick.

In my blood his hands still electrify my skin, my body still swells for his lustful touch. I close my eyes and feel his breath on my neck. I can hear all those little things he whispered into my ear. For a few hours, life was full of possibilities and the seconds seemed everlasting. When our hands met, the dark world exploded into the bright light of a super nova.

I take a quick look in the mirror. “I’m a mess,” I say as failed tears glisten faintly in my tired eyes.