Текст книги "Until I Met You"

Автор книги: S. L. Scott

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

TAYLOR SAT INSIDE a hotel ballroom at a round table for ten. August 18th. His parents were on one side and Katherine on the other. The band played as the two-thousand-dollar-a-person plate was taken away. He ate two bites, but had no appetite. Katherine smiled watching the band, then put her hand on his arm. “You’re not hungry? You should eat. You need food to keep up your energy.”

He didn’t reply. Taylor had discovered weeks ago that conversation existed around him whether he participated or not. And ever since his parents found out about the marriage and the annulment, the court case, and restraining order, they were determined to help him get over the loss of his heart, but failed to notice he was dying a slow death without it. Without her. Some people were more persistent than others.

Like Katherine. “Did you hear me, honey?”

This time he did respond, “Yes.”

“What’s wrong? Do you want to dance or get another drink?”

Wordlessly, he stood up and started walking. Away from Katherine and his parents, away from the table and two-thousand-dollar-a-person plates of food, away from this fundraiser that besieged him—all the things that were smothering him with their laughter and happiness. It was all too much.

Too much pain.

The architect walked right through the double doors of the ballroom and down to the lobby. He made it out onto the sidewalk and took his first deep breath all night.

“Taylor? Wait.”

And then his breath stopped, strangling his lungs.

His hands began to tremble. He took one step to get away and his legs gave out on him. Gasps were heard as he fell to his hands and knees to the concrete. Pandemonium surrounded him as two men righted him. Katherine was directing them to a nearby bench, and Taylor let them drag him, unable to make the move himself. When he was secured, they left, but Katherine remained until the ambulance arrived. Worry marked her face quite nicely. Maybe she really does care about me.

The chaos that engulfed him that night was not the chaos he craved. He was hooked to monitors. An IV was next to his bed, dripping straight into his veins. Nurses flitted about, as Katherine fluffed his pillow, and sat next to him gossiping about mutual friends of theirs, friends he didn’t consider real friends.

He wanted ice cream in the middle of winter and jellybeans in baked goods that had no business being there. He missed the element of surprise. He missed the curve of her waist where it meets her hips. He missed those damn blue-green eyes that stayed the same when her clothes changed. He missed Jude. He missed her and that pain was far worse than any his body could inflict. As long as his mind was intact, the image of the girl in the chartreuse dress and snow boots would haunt his memories, his dreams, his waking hours, and his dying days.

Instead, he was offered blue gelatin as if he should be happy. Katherine said, “I told them you didn’t eat much at dinner. That might be causing this. I told them. Just a sugar dip. They suggested you eat this.”

He turned his head in anger, his voice tight. “This isn’t a fucking sugar dip. I’m not a diabetic. I have Parkinson’s.” He paused to stare at her. “Isn’t that your cue to leave?”

“Don’t get snippy with me, Taylor. I’m only trying to help.”

He huffed, wanting to throw something or punch a wall to get this pent-up aggression out somehow. Taking it out on a woman who was clueless wasn’t satisfying his need. He turned away from her, blocking her out of his mind and getting her out of his sight.

She got the hint… finally, and went to the coffee shop down the street. Once the last nurse left the room, Taylor stared out the window. It was larger than the last hospital room’s and it faced the city instead of the roof of a dilapidated structure. The lights were off except a small lamp on the wall near the bed, but he reached up and turned it off too. The buildings outside were the only lights he wanted to see. They reminded him of Jude sitting in the chair by the window at his place. She used sit there for hours staring out. And he used to sit nearby for hours staring at her. She once called herself broken. She was this small angel with huge wings wrapped around her. She wasn’t broken. The world around her was.

His lids grew heavy and he let himself go…

The overhead light flicked on and Taylor was startled awake.

“Oops,” Katherine announced unapologetically. “Sorry.” She turned the light back off and walked to his bedside. “It’s not even ten. I didn’t expect you to be asleep. I brought you coffee.” When he made no effort to take it from her, she set it on his hospital tray. “I’ll leave it here so you can reach it.”

He kept his eyes focused outside, outside where Jude lived, and asked, “Have you ever wondered what you would do if you had nothing?”

She laughed until she figured out he was serious. “Why do you think about such horrid things, honey? You should be thinking positively. That will help you heal.”

This time he laughed, and turned to her as she sat in a chair by the window. She was beautiful. Any guy would find her attractive—on the outside. Vapid on the inside. But he preferred the unpredictable nature of the little brunette with wide beautiful eyes. He preferred Jude. His reality didn’t include her though, so he was trying to make do with those who did want him. “Horrid? There are worse things in life, Katherine, than having a clean slate.”

“No money. No job. No family or friends. That sounds horrid.”

“You don’t have a job now.”

“I do too. I’m the head of three fundraisers this year. One of which is being held at the old theatre down in Soho. We’ll be the first allowed in there since it closed twenty-six years ago.”

“Oh,” he said, withdrawn from this conversation already. “Sorry for assuming. I was thinking about how you would support yourself if your parents didn’t.”

Her eyes flashed at him. “Taylor, we both come from money. Can you stop acting like we’re so different? You and I are alike in so many ways. A perfect match.” She perked up. “Hey! There’s one thing I would like a clean slate on.”

Taylor actually perked up in response. Maybe there was hope yet. Maybe her soul ran deeper than a puddle after a light rain.

She said, “If I hadn’t had my dalliance, we would be married right now and I’d have my first little one on the way.” She rubbed her stomach.

Besides questioning if the baby would even be his, all he heard was “I. I. I.” Not we. I. She will never change. It will always be about her.

How did he end up here, back with her? They were never good together. It was an illusion that everyone had convinced him of. He was sold a bill of goods that was past its prime. He thought if Jude was gone for good that he could return to his old life like she hadn’t rearranged all the pieces. The puzzle that was his life was missing corner pieces and important ones that made up his core. How could he foolishly think dating Katherine would fit… could fill in those gaps?

He had tried. But after three dates with her, the sight and sound of her made him cringe and his heart clenched, so he turned away from her. He turned away from the window he wanted to look out. And he turned away from the thought of Jude out there in that city somewhere. “I’m going to rest now.”

She stood up. “I should go. The visiting hours are ending soon and I feel dirty being around so many sick people. I want a hot bath and a good night’s sleep. I’ll be back in the morning. I’ll bring you fresh coffee.” She walked to his bedside and leaned in to kiss his cheek. With a pat to his shoulder, she added, “I’ll see you in the morning.” She walked toward the door and he watched her go.

Thankful for the peace, he began to roll over and try for sleep, but an unwanted visitor walked in. Taylor took one look and said, “Go away, Rufus. I’m not in the mood to fight with you.”

Rufus made himself more comfortable in the chair by the window, a regular hotspot tonight. Taylor decided he’d ask the nurse to remove the chair when Rufus leaves.

Rufus looked at Taylor, but his normal agitated expression wasn’t there. He looked—humbled, as if that was even possible. “I came to apologize.”

Now this Taylor wanted to hear and lay on his back to watch and listen. “Go on.”

“I’ve been a real asshole to you. You know why, jealousy, whatever the fuck with that, but that doesn’t make it right. I’m sorry.”

“How’d you know I was here?”

“Some friends of mine were at the fundraiser and you know how gossip gets around.”

“So you’re apologizing because you think I might die?”

“Something like that, but I owed you one or fifty, anyway. Just thought it was a good time to say it.”

“To clear your conscience?”

“Hey, Taylor,” Rufus sounded serious, “this is hard for me. I don’t apologize. Ever. But I am to you.”

“Again, this is hard for you? It’s hard for me, Rufus. I understand you feel entitled to people and things, but you aren’t entitled to be a martyr in this situation. I get to own the whole I’m a victim thing because when you go home tonight, I’ll be stuck in this hospital bed for who knows how long. So as much as I can appreciate you apologizing for years of bullshit, don’t do it to make yourself feel better. That’s not a real apology. Say it because you mean it. And say it to make things right.”

Rufus stood, his gaze out the window. Taylor hoped Rufus was absorbing what he just said. When Rufus turned back to him, he said, “I’m sorry, Taylor. I really am. You’ve lost a lot.” Taylor realized Rufus had heard about Jude. “And have more on the line to lose. So I’m genuinely sorry for everything I’ve done to you that made your life more difficult.”

Now that, Taylor could appreciate. “Thank you.” It didn’t mean he wanted to grab a beer with him anytime soon, but the effort he made was nice.

Rufus turned to leave and said, “Take care, man. I wish you the best.”

“Thanks.” He said the word, but he wanted to punch Rufus for the bastard he was. What was the point? The. Ass.

As soon as he left, he rolled completely over being careful not to agitate the IV. The hospital became quieter over the next few hours as all the visitors left and the night staff started their shifts.

His parents’ brief visit earlier in the night still irked him. He wished he could start over with a clean slate and go far away from here. His values weren’t aligned with the people who were aligned with him. When he thought about it, they never had been. Glancing down at his IV, he had images of escaping in the night, going to his place, packing a suitcase, and disappearing. He could start over. The money was nice, very nice, but he could make a living. He could make a life.

But that damned IV was a strong reminder that he didn’t have the luxury of living a life on the run, a life without healthcare, or his trust fund. His body had betrayed him just like Jude.

He couldn’t care about Jude anymore. Or where she was. What she was doing. She had betrayed their love by leaving him to drown in it. She had betrayed their future by abandoning it. She had betrayed him, his hope finally faded. Like the windows in the buildings across the way, his bright light for a life went out and he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

A nurse with gray hair pulled back in a bun tiptoed into the room. He opened his eyes and saw her checking the IV. “What time is it?” he asked, his voice still rough with sleep.

“Sorry. Did I wake you?”

Her voice was kind enough for him to want to reassure her. “It’s okay.”

“It’s just after three in the morning. How are you feeling?” she whispered. Touching his head, she smiled at him. “I think you’ll be released tomorrow if you’re up for it.”

“I’m up for it now.” Taylor sat up.

“Slow down.” She angled the bed up to support his back. “You’re here for the night, so settle back in. I brought a fresh pitcher of water a little while ago.” She pulled the tray closer. The coffee Katherine had brought him was gone. “Can I get you anything? Are you comfortable?”

“I’m fine,” he said, returning her kind smile. “Do you know anything about my results?”

“You’re not worse. That’s good news. The doctor will be here in the morning to go over everything with you.” She leaned against his bed and said, “You know, my mother has Parkinson’s disease. There are many reasons to what causes severe symptoms, but with her, stress brings it on. Have you been stressed?”

He didn’t lie. “I have.” Something about her compassionate eyes made him confess, “I lost the love of my life. And even though my life may not be long compared to some, she made me believe we would be together forever.”

He gulped. Suddenly feeling he shouldn’t have admitted that to himself, much less to a stranger. He poured himself a cup of water and avoided the sadness he could see in her eyes.

When a few awkward moments passed, she covered his forearm with her hand, and said, “I don’t think you’ve lost her. I saw her in here earlier. It’s obvious she still cares about you, and deeply.”

“Katherine doesn’t care about anything that doesn’t revolve around her salon-filled, socialite-anointed existence.”

She sighed, but gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry.”

Nodding, now he felt embarrassed.

The nurse moved to the other side of the bed. “Would you like me to close the blinds? When the sun rises, it will wake you if I don’t.”

“Leave them open. Thank you.”

“Get some rest, Mr. Barrett. You’ve had an eventful night that I’m sure you don’t want to repeat in the new day.” She walked to the door, but as if she had forgotten something, she returned to his bedside. “I shouldn’t be doing this…” She looked over her shoulder, then back to him. She had his full attention, but his grief lingered. “I know you said she doesn’t care about you, but she wanted to leave these for you. I checked your chart to make sure it was okay, to err on the side of caution. But it’s fine. You can have them.” She pulled a small bag from her pocket and placed it in his palm.

The nurse left, but Taylor’s eyes never left the bag in his hand.

Jellybeans.

TAYLOR FLIPPED THE sheet off him and stood up, slowly, making sure his legs were steady, ready to support his weight. They were, though his knees were damaged from the earlier fall. He grabbed his IV and wheeled it with him toward the door.

The gown was breezy in the back, but he had on his boxers so he didn’t care. He only cared about finding that nurse again. Walking into the hall, he could hear the sound of monitors, coughing coming from a room nearby, and the soft voices of nurses discussing a file. He walked down a bit and saw a nurses’ station. The same one who gave him the jellybeans looked up and was surprised to see him, but then worry creased her forehead. “Mr. Barrett, is everything all right?”

He held out the jellybeans. “Who gave these to you?”

When her gaze left his hand and reached his eyes again, she looked perplexed. “The young woman in your room earlier.”

“Which woman? What color hair did she have?”

Her eyebrow rose. “How many women visitors have you had, Mr. Barrett?” she teased.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Was she blonde or brunette?”

She glanced at the other nurse, then laughed, very lightly. “Brunette.” Her hand went to a spot on her arm. “About here. Very sweet girl. We spoke for a few minutes about how you were doing, but she couldn’t stay since it was after visiting hours.”

Taylor stared at her in disbelief. “Sundress?”

The nurse smiled. “Yes. Cream colored with tiny flowers all over. You do know her, right? She seemed to know you very well.”

His fingers closed around the baggie. “Yes. I know her very well, too… or I thought I did. How long ago was she here?”

She checked her watch. “At least three hours ago. It was late.”

Disappointment set in, and Taylor dropped his head forward, hoping the nurse couldn’t hear the pounding of his heart.

“If it makes a difference,” she started. When he looked up at her, she came closer. “She asked how long you would be here at the hospital and said if you were here tomorrow night, she would come again. I joked with her that next time she needed to come during visiting hours.”

“What did she say?”

“She said she would try, but no promises.” The nurse laughed as if that had been the most charming answer ever.

“That sounds like her.”

“Who exactly is she? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“For too brief a time, she was the one who made forever seem possible.”

The nurse’s expression softened, and she gently patted his shoulder. “You need your rest, Taylor.”

He agreed. His body was tired just from standing here. “Okay, but if she returns when I’m sleeping, will you wake me and please let her visit?”

“Of course, I will.”

“Thank you.”

When Taylor returned to bed, he ate the jellybeans. He always hated the popcorn ones, but tonight, they were the best things he’d tasted in a long time. Looking out the large picture window, he slowly chewed and savored each candy, then lay back.

Jude had been here.

She had left the candy for him. To Taylor, that meant Jude wanted him to know she’d been there. Out of the blue, like his forever, hope felt possible again. There was no way he was going to get any rest now. So he just lay there smiling.

Three hours earlier, in a large single-family brownstone ten blocks away from the hospital where hope was growing, Jude snuck back into her room. The door had been oiled and didn’t make a sound. This was just the way she liked it. She would have to thank Roman in the morning.

After getting ready for sleep, she climbed into the posy-covered bed and rolled to her side. She smiled in the darkness of the room. She couldn’t help it. Seeing Hazel made her happy, even if he wasn’t hers to be happy over anymore. The nurse had been kind to ease Jude’s worry, reassuring her that he would be fine, or at least not worse.

She probably shouldn’t have left the jellybeans, but it was all she could give him to show she cared, would always care about him. She closed her eyes and snuggled into her covers. Tomorrow she might try to stay away… or she might try to see him again. Eight weeks and two days had been far too long. He might not want to see her, but either way, she knew at some point she would reach out to him again.

In the brightest morning hours, Jude had already dressed for the day and finished breakfast before leaving just after eleven for her eleven thirty appointment. Her mother was living in a different bedroom and if she wasn’t there, she was out. Three weeks ago, she had asked her why she stayed. When she answered that she’d stayed for Jude, her heart had felt a little lighter. She would stay to serve her sentence alongside her. Jude hugged her that day. It was the first of many to come and she no longer felt so alone.

Isla had rented an apartment in Tribeca. She occasionally came over to take Jude to lunch or out for coffee, but she was trying to separate herself from the others. Jude understood. Distance often seemed the only way to survive.

Even Nadia had flown the coup. She took a job in Brooklyn, not even entertaining a counter offer from Brewster Boehler.

Jude rarely saw her aunt, which suited her just fine. And her stepfather worked longer hours, making the house a much more peaceful place to live. But Jude still had Roman. Her friend. Her confidant. He welcomed her with a smile and she hugged him. “Thank you for staying.”

“I stay if you stay.”

“I’d go if I could go.”

He chuckled and walked to the door with her. “Busy day?” he asked with delight in his eyes.

Her confidant knew all.

“Very busy. I should get going.”

He always looked at her as if it would be the last time he saw her. She rubbed his arm, and said, “I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll see you soon, Hummingbird.”

Twenty minutes later she entered the doctors’ office and took a seat in the waiting room. Lacy walked in, the wind blowing her hair and covering her face until the door closed. The two ladies had become good friends, allies even, and Lacy spent her days off in the city visiting her. They hugged before Lacy sat down and asked, “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready,” Jude replied, smiling so big. “So ready.”

They were called into Dr. Robert’s office and sat on the other side of the desk from him. He greeted them, happy as always. “Your system has been clear of the meds for two months now. We completed more than enough sessions together for me to give an assessment. I’ve typed my professional opinion and emailed your lawyer. As of today, there is no medical basis for your family to retain conservatorship over you.” He sighed. “I’m afraid there probably never was, but we can’t fight the past. I just hope you get the justice for your future.” He stood up and held his hand out. When Jude took it, he clasped his other over it, and added, “If you need anything, a witness on your behalf, I’m here for you.”

Jude was in shock. Freedom. The doctor had just confirmed what she knew already, but to hear the words come from his mouth… it hadn’t sunk in, but she felt grateful. “Thank you so much.”

Lacy picked up the letterhead and stood. “Thank you, Dr. Robert, for helping her. I know you don’t normally take on cases free of charge, but I thought you’d understand once you met Jude.”

From the moment Lacy had introduced Jude to Dr. Robert, Jude felt at ease in his presence. He was an older gentleman with gray hair and a clean-shaven face. He had always spoken to her with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. He restored her faith in doctors because he never treated her like a pawn to be used and manipulated. He came around the desk to open the door for the women, but stopped and said, “You’re a remarkable young woman. Promise to do great things with this life of yours.”

“I promise.” She walked to him and hugged him. Was it professional? No. But she didn’t care. This man was helping to get her life back. A hug of thanks felt necessary. “Thank you so much for believing me.”

“I believe in you.”

Lacy and Jude left the psychiatrist’s office and walked with purpose a few blocks farther to a tall glass building. Lacy hugged Jude, and said, “I think you’re ready for this.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“Nope. You’ve got this!”

Jude had come to rely on Lacy for so much, but she was right. She needed to stand on her own by taking these final steps on her own. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it. Call me later though and fill me in on the plan.”

Jude hugged her once more, grateful for her support, but even more so for her friendship. “I will. Thank you for everything, but especially for being my friend.”

Lacy embraced her just as tightly. “Thank you for being mine. Now go. I want to save my mushy tears for when you walk out of that courthouse. Then we’ll go celebrate.”

Nodding, Jude stepped toward the door. “I’ll call you soon.” She turned from her friend and walked inside the building. Excitement built as she took the elevator up. When she was led down the hall to her lawyer’s office, her nerves kicked in.

Caleb Monroe had taken Jude Boehler on pro bono. He had worked with Taylor Barrett a few months back, and taken an interest in her case. After his client had previously lost and the appeal was denied, Caleb was determined to right things for the both of them. He and Jude sat at a small round table piled high with files. She set the letter down and he smiled. “This is a victory. You understand, Jude? Take everything else we’re fighting for off the table, and this doctor’s letter alone can get your rights back. Don’t get me wrong. We’re still going to take them for everything they own, but this will be enough to get your freedom back.”

Music to Jude’s ears. A sense of amazement came over her and her heart filled with joy. Jude sat on her hands to help contain her eagerness. “I don’t care about the money. I just want…” She stopped to gather her emotions—happiness, hope, faith. She was just given a gift of all of those. But wanting to know his intention for her family, she asked, “What will the final petition say?”

He grabbed a thick file and set it in front of her. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but there’s no way the Boehlers can fight against this much evidence. At the forefront, we want you to be able to make your own decisions regarding your well-being. We want no ties to them in any way—financially, medically, or emotionally. They will pay you all monies owed, in full, from your inheritance that they stole from you under duress from the estate of Merwyn Boehler, your step-uncle. Or all monies that remain in their accounts currently, if less than the overall inheritance.”

Jude would normally feel sympathetic for purposely hurting others, but not them. She would hurt them where they would feel it the most—their bank accounts. If only she would have meant as much to them as money did, things would be so different. Her life would have been so different.

“Dr. Conroy will be charged with extortion of a patient as well as medical misconduct.” He pulled another large file across the table. “The staff has been more than happy to help the case. He’s a hated man. He’ll lose his medical license, everything he has, and spend time in jail if we win.”

“When are you filing?”

“I was only waiting on Doctor Robert’s counsel and recommendation. Now that we have it, there’s no reason to wait. I can start the paperwork today. It can be filed tomorrow morning.”

“How long do you think it will take to get a court date?”

Caleb tilted his head in thought. “I wouldn’t think more than two weeks. I’m listing that it’s a concern to be under their care any longer. We could luck out and get something early next week. You have your private phone still?”

She pulled the phone that Lacy had bought her from her pocket and set it on the table. “I do.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything. Until then, you should be prepared to leave the premises of that home. Get anything you want to hang on to and get out before they’re served. It won’t be safe for you to stay there.”

There was nothing left. Hazel had everything of hers that mattered—a picture of her brother, a smattering of clothes. The rest was replaceable.

Caleb dropped his shoulders and got personal. “I’m not sure if I should tell you or not, and that always means I should. I’m going to be straightforward with you. Taylor is in the hospital. I thought you should know.”

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but what’s the worst that can happen anymore? I saw him last night.”

The lawyer looked surprised. “You saw him?”

“I did, but I didn’t speak to him. He was sleeping.”

Caleb processed what she was saying, and added, “I got word he’s okay and will be released today.” He stacked the folders and then turned back to her. “How’d you know he was in the hospital?”

She didn’t want to admit that she had done a bit—okay a lot—of stalking, but how else would she know? “I was at the same fundraiser.”

He raised an eyebrow and asked, “By invitation orrr?” He stamped down the folders to align them. “You know what? Don’t tell me.”

Laughing, she replied, “Probably best.”

He stood and she followed. His smile was comforting and gave her courage. “Prepare yourself. Once this is put into motion, there’s no going back even if you do drop the case. Are you up for this?”

“I am,” she said without hesitation. “I’m ready.”

“Let’s do this.”