Urban Climber 2 (11 page)

Even though Mom told me to take my time, I’ve taken her suggestion to a whole new level. Why am I taking so long? Laura, get your New York hustle on! All I needed to do was get my suitcase out of the trunk. That’s it. One ugly suitcase—check. One giant heave and huff, and I would’ve been done. But there’s no check next to the task. And I’m still standing out here!

And don’t get me started on my mind. Mercy. The thing is whirring so fast, I feel like I’m in the middle of a major exam! Which, if I don’t nail, will result in instant flunkage of my entire life. But there’s no exam. Just complete bewilderment. I feel like I’ve been slapped across the face with a wet fish. A really
smelly
one. We’re talking stink city. Man, reality bites. How could Dad age so much in such a short amount of time?

The heart attack happened a week after I walked in on Hugo, and I was so caught up in myself, I hardly even noticed the effect it had on Dad. So what if my fiancé cheated? My dad just about died! Hello… Earth to Laura, anyone home? What was I thinking? I feel so stupid right now, like I missed everything that really mattered. Of course, I rushed into hospital the moment I got the call, and even though I sat next to Dad, I wasn’t there. I wasn’t conscious for any of it. I was caught up in myself. Stuck inside the walls of my mind.

They probably suggested I move to New York to give themselves a break from all my drama. They’ve always said I was a gift to them, but thinking back to when it all happened—I so wasn’t. I was pitiful, like a human vessel filled with endless tears, wasted on things that didn’t even matter.

Someone hand me the stinky fish! I want to slap myself for my past behavior, but there’s no time for that now. Right now, I have to get my stupid suitcase out of the trunk and heave the ugly bastard inside. There’s no more time to waste. I’ve wasted enough already. With a giant grunt and puff, I lift the case up and drop it to the ground. It’s heavier than I remember. A
lot
heavier. I drag it behind me through the gravel and up the back steps to the door.

Crunch-thud. Crunch-thud. Crunch-thud.
Phew, made it
.

“I thought I was going to have to send out a search party,” Mom laughs, her arms covered in soap bubbles.

“Same,” I gasp, resting against the doorframe as I watch the silly case wobble back and forth and then fall to the floor with a clunk.

She glances back over her shoulder, her eyes dropping to the offender. “What’s this all about?”

I smile weakly, giving a little shrug. “You shouldn’t be doing those. Let me.”

She raises her brow. “If you insist, honey.”

“I do,” I exhale. “I need to do something productive to slow down the monkey.”

“Still bothering you, is he?”

“He’s pretty furry,” I smirk.

“And the suitcase?”

I try to put on a brave face, but after seeing how slowly Dad walked up the corridor, I’m struggling to put on a show. I blink several times, trying to ease my stinging eyes, but the water pipes burst the moment I stepped out the back door, and the sting lingers on.

“Laura, honey, talk to me.”

“Do you mind if I stay here a few nights?”

She drops her head to one side and smiles at me. “No, of course not.”

“Then why are you looking at me like that?” I grizzle.

“I’m just curious,” she laughs. “Why would you want to stay with your old fuddy duddies, when you could be with Romeo?”

I throw my arms in the air. “Does there have to be a reason?” Oh great. Why couldn’t I keep it together? Now Mom will definitely know something’s up.

“Laura,” she sighs, picking up my case and leaning it against the wall, “there doesn’t ever have to be a reason. I’m just asking, that’s all—is everything okay with you and Hugo?”

“Of course,” I mumble, looking away from her eyes. “Sorry for snapping. It’s been a long day. I’m really tired.”

“I just thought you two would’ve been wrapped up in each other back at his mansion, that’s all.”

“
Apartment
.” I giggle, sticking my hands into the bubbly water.

“Same thing.” She smiles. “Well then?”

I shrug. “He’s getting a lot of renovations done at the moment, and I swear, there’s enough sawdust and drilling to drive a monk to insanity.”

“So … ?”

“Well, what with my sinuses and everything, I just thought it would be easier if I stayed with you for a little—if that’s okay?”

Her pale blue eyes narrow, and I know she doesn’t believe a word I say, but she lets it slide. “Of
course
you can stay, honey; your room is exactly how you left it.”

“Dark and full of tears?” I groan, shaking my head. “I know I was a drama queen back then. I’m really sorry for what I put you both through.”

“That’s okay, sweetie. Love is complicated.”

My insides twist. “It sure is.”

“But everything’s okay with you two now, isn’t it?”

I nod, busying myself with the remaining dishes.

“So tell me about the wedding. Are you excited? Have you almost got everything sorted?”

“Almost.” I roll my eyes. “But I tell you, if I had known what a big deal it was all going to be, I never would’ve started in the first place. I guess I should have hired a wedding planner like he suggested.”

“Cold feet?”

“Freezing!” I laugh. “I really should get myself some fur lined boots! All jokes aside, though, it’s coming together.”

“And how is Mel? Has she found herself a nice boy?”

“Hardly,” I snort. “She prefers boys—plural.”

Mom’s eyebrows shoot up to the ceiling, but she keeps her thoughts to herself.

“Well, with her looks and bust line, she can get away with just about
anything
. You know what she’s like.”

Mom frowns. “Mmm.”

“She’s not lacking confidence, that’s for sure.” I grin, pulling the plug out of the sink and listening as the water rushes down the drain. “It’s definitely been an experience, living with her.”

“I guess it would be,” Mom mutters. “And soon, you’ll get to experience what it’s like to live with a man 24-7.”

I pull a face. “Rather gross, I imagine.”

“Gross?” She laughs. “You’re not eleven anymore. Why would you say that?”

“You can’t even see his bedroom floor! It’s like his entire wardrobe exploded, and wherever his stuff landed is where it’ll stay for eternity.”

“For better or worse, remember?”

I groan, shaking my head.

“If it bothers you so much, you could always tidy things away. Your arms aren’t painted on, you know.”

“Oh ha-ha.” I roll my eyes. “I wouldn’t even know where to start. Seriously, it’s too big of a mess. And it smells.”

“Of what?”

“Feet, rats, moldy food … God knows! I’m scared to pick up anything in case a rat scurries out.”

“Sounds just like your room!” she laughs. “You’re like two peas in a pod.”

My heart sinks, hearing her words—if she only knew.

“How long do we have before you leave us?”

“I’m staying.” I smile, leaning my back up against the sink.

“No …” Her eyes widen as she sits forward on her chair “Really? I get to keep my baby?”

“Yes,” I nod. “Hugo’s connections are here, and I miss you both, and it’s just easier if we stay put for the moment. It probably won’t be forever, but it will be for at least a year, if not two.”

“Oh, Laura,” she coos, “you’ll be able to come over for dinner every week, and we can talk all about grandbabies.”

“Grandbabies?” I squeal. “I don’t know about that!”

“You don’t want children?”

“Not right away,” I giggle. “Let me try being a wife first. Looking after him is going to be a big enough learning curve as it is.”

She smiles, leaning back against the chair. “It’s all about compromise—you know, give and take. You two will figure it out.”

If she knew how much I was giving and how much he was taking, she’d dislike suits even more. “Enough about me,” I pause. “What about you? How are you getting on?”

“What with, honey?”

“Dad being home all the time? Finding a second job?”

Her clear blue eyes cloud over. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s okay, Mom. Hugo told me everything. I just don’t know why you felt like you couldn’t tell me. I know I’m only a student and all, but honestly, you mean the world to me, and if I could’ve done anything to help, you know I would have.”

“Laura dear, honestly, what are you talking about? Hugo insisted that he and his family pay for half the wedding, but we are happy to foot the bill. We knew our little girl was going to get married some day, so we’ve been putting money away since you were sixteen.”

“Since I was sixteen?”

“Yes, sweetie.”

“But what if I hadn’t wanted to get married?”

“Don’t pick at things that don’t need unpicking—you know what I mean.”

I smile. “Yes I do, and I’m so grateful to you both.”

“So what’s worrying you then?”

“It’s just that …”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I’m not talking about the wedding.”

“Well, poppet, you’re going to have to spell out exactly what you are talking about because I don’t have a clue!”

My stomach twists. Darn it. I should have gone to bed and slept on everything before trying to have this conversation. What would be wrong with tomorrow anyway? Right now, I can hardly keep my eyes open, let alone think straight, and yet I barged ahead, opened my big mouth, and now I’ve got to talk about it.

“Laura?”

“The house and …” I pause, trying to hold myself together, “the bank.”

“Why are you getting teary?”

“Because I’ve been so worried about you both.”

“I know the heart attack scared you. It scared us all—but your father’s okay. Honestly, if he weren’t, he wouldn’t be with us. Every day is a blessing, and the way science is going, he’ll probably out-live us both!”

“If you say so,” I sniff, wiping a tear from my eye. “But what about the house?”

“What about the house? If you don’t want to have the reception in the garden anymore, that’s okay. I know Hugo’s mob is a lot flashier than we are, so if you want to hire some extravagant venue, we’ll understand—it’s okay.”

I can’t take it anymore. It feels like I’ve been shot right through the heart. I cover my eyes, my chest caving inwards as I gasp and blubber into my hands.

“Oh, honey.” Mom rushes to my side, enveloping me in her arms. “Please don’t cry. Whatever is the matter?”

“The house,” I sob. “You and Dad and the house.”

“Laura, darling—
please
. Take a deep breath and try to tell me what’s worrying you because I can’t make anything better if I don’t know what’s wrong.”