Lone King, page 20
She marches out of the kitchen, and as I walk behind her, I look back and see Eleanor give me the crossed fingers sign. I have the sense I’m going to need more than luck in the next few minutes.
I follow Ava out to the patio, and when she sits down at the table, I take a seat across from her. She folds her arms across her chest, a distinctly bad sign. I don’t have a choice, so I ignore her body language and launch into what I have to say.
“You’re still angry with me, and I get that, but I need your help to get Eden back.”
That seems like a good start, doesn’t it? You’d think so, but the stony look on Ava’s face says no.
When she doesn’t say anything, I continue. “I’d like you to have a party here tomorrow night. Just the family. Matthias told me he thinks Kellen and Ronan are free, and you guys are always here, so—”
That’s as far as I get.
Sitting up straight in her chair, she glares at me as she says, “What would make you think I want to help you get my best friend back?”
Damn. I wasn’t expecting that response. I don’t exactly know what to say to that.
Ava doesn’t wait for me to answer before she adds, “I spent hours with her, and I’ll tell you what. I don’t like seeing my friend sad, hiding under the covers, and watching that show she loves just hoping to see a guy she has to have a crush on since her husband isn’t taking care of business.”
Ouch.
My first instinct is to defend myself, but I get the feeling that would only irritate Ava more, so I focus on what’s important for the moment.
“I want to make things up to her. I promise. I hate the idea that Eden is sad and I’m the reason for it. I swear, Ava, I’m going to make things right. I love her. I can’t imagine my life without her.”
Those aren’t merely nice words, but my sister-in-law isn’t impressed. Her arms still crossed, she says, “If you loved her so much, why did you hide her like someone you’re ashamed of for two years?”
Okay, that’s harsh. True, but harsh.
“I know I was wrong for what I did, Ava. I didn’t want to hide Eden or anything like that, and I wasn’t ashamed of her. I just loved having her to myself. I didn’t have to share her with anyone, and you have no idea after being one of five all my life how great that was.”
“So you got what you wanted while she was left sneaking around like some mistress nobody can know about. Do you have any idea what that must have felt like for her?”
Hanging my head, I nod. “I didn’t, but I know now.” I look up at her and add, “That’s why I want to make things right.”
Ava doesn’t say anything to that, but I see by the serious look on her face that she’s thinking of how she wants to respond. I know what I did was shitty. All I want to do is fix it.
“I remember Theo telling me that you did something like this to that Maia girl you were dating. He couldn’t figure out why you pushed her away when she was so crazy about you. Have you considered the idea this is a problem you have, Marius?”
She could have mentioned anyone else’s opinion, and I’d be fine, but that brother’s? No fucking way.
Before I can stop myself, I snap, “Oh, Theo told you that? Did he happen to tell you that he knew I was still in love with her and he made a point of sleeping with her? Probably not. That would have ruined your opinion that he was perfect. Well, he wasn’t. Maybe the problem I have is the last time I thought I was in love, one of my damn brothers thought it would be a good idea to fucking sleep with her, even though he knew I still was crazy about her.”
All those words come out like some kind of manic train of thought, and when I finish talking, all I see is a look of horror on Ava’s face. Fucking terrific. I guess I’m going to need a plan B.
Slowly, she slumps in her chair, shaking her head. “He wouldn’t do that.”
The words coming out of her mouth should sound defiant as she defends him, but there’s doubt in her voice. Maybe Ava does know that her best friend Theo wasn’t the person she thought he was.
“Yes, he would. You know it. You don’t want to admit it, but Theo was always like that.”
Sadness fills her expression, making me wish I didn’t say anything. I just couldn’t stand her thinking that the reason I did what I did is because of a reason so meaningless like I just want my freedom.
Ava stays silent for a long time, but finally in a low voice like she doesn’t want anyone to hear her admit it, she says, “I had no idea, Marius. Theo never told me anything about going with Maia. When did that happen?”
“Less than two weeks after we had our fight and broke up. He knew I was still crazy about her. That’s what hurt the most.”
“But he’s gone. Matthias, Kellen, and Ronan would never do anything like Theo did.”
I have to smile at how she doesn’t understand. I’m not even sure I do. All I know is the first thing I thought about when Eden and I got together was how I needed to make sure to keep her to myself.
“He’s gone, but the memory of how that felt isn’t.” I pause, and even though I know I shouldn’t say what’s on my mind, I don’t stop myself. “Your buddy Theo wasn’t the person he made himself out to be.”
Ava blows the air out of her lungs and nods. “I know more than you think. Remember, I was the one he refused to talk to after he left. He never answered any of my texts or my calls. You have no idea how devastated I was that he could cut me out like that.”
It’s been years since that happened with Matthias, Theo, and Ava, and still she tears up talking about him. He never did deserve Ava.
“Probably about as devastated as when I found out he slept with the girl I loved. There’s no deep answer to why he did what he did to you and me. It’s simple. Theo was selfish.”
Again she nods. After another minute or so of silence, she smiles and says, “Well, I wasn’t expecting this today. I guess we better start talking about that party you want us to have.”
My mind races with all the ideas I have for getting Eden back, but before I start asking Ava to help with them, I say, “Thank you for being in my corner on this. I know it isn’t easy, but I only want to make sure Eden knows how much I love her. I hope you believe that.”
Ava reaches across the table and tenderly touches my hand. “She loves you. I know that. I want her to be happy, so whatever it takes, let’s do it!”
I rub my hands together as I start telling her what I want to do. This is going to work. I know it.
This plan has to work.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Eden
My day at work included enough frustration for me to want to scream, so I’m happy to be back home by just before six. I barely have enough time to shower and change for Ava’s little get-together that I suspect is some effort by Marius to make me forgive him. She wouldn’t tell me what the party is about, so I figure she’s hiding the real reason we’re getting together on a Monday night.
It's so typical of Ava to want to play Cupid this one last time.
So Marius has convinced my best friend to help him. He really is quite the charmer. Not that Ava is a tough customer. She’s a pushover when it comes to those King men. She has to be to let them crash at her house whenever they feel like it.
I pour myself a glass of wine and head up to the bedroom to get ready. It’s nearly October, but Mother Nature still thinks it’s summer. Ava should have put off that end-of-year party for a few weeks.
Setting my glass down on the dresser, I wonder if I should bring a bathing suit tonight. It will certainly be hot enough to swim, but I don’t think I want to. If the party moves outside, I’ll hang out on the patio while everyone else takes a dip.
I wish I knew what Marius had planned so I could know what to wear. Since I don’t, I walk over to my closet and start choosing from my favorite outfits. I should probably just go with a sundress since in warm weather they’re always a good choice, but I decide to check with Ava just in case what’s going to happen tonight doesn’t call for a dress.
Grabbing my phone out of my purse, I call her, and she answers almost immediately. “Eden, you’re coming, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, of course. I wouldn’t miss one of your parties for my life. It’s just that I’m unsure what I should wear. I’m not going to be doing anything strenuous, am I?”
She laughs at my question, which I guess gives me my answer. “Strenuous? Not that I know of, but if you and Marius make up, then what happens after might be considered strenuous.”
As she giggles at her comment, I think about sex with Marius. I should correct her about that description. Strenuous would be the least of what happens with us. Exhausting, mind-blowing, and intense would be better descriptions.
I don’t tell her that, though. I might not want to hide my marriage to Marius King, but I guess I’m a little like him in that I don’t want to share everything about us, even with my best friend. That’s the reason I can forgive him.
“Okay, so if I wear a sundress, that will be okay? This isn’t a formal to-do, is it?” I ask as I lift my teal blue dress with the cute black bows where the skinny straps meet the dress off the hanger.
“Yeah, that will be great. Wear the diamond necklace. I love that on you. You’ll be here in time, won’t you?” Ava asks, and I have the sense she’s hiding something big from me.
“You know that was a gift from Marius.”
She chuckles and says, “Now that I know you’ve been together for two years, I could guess that.”
As I hold the dress up in front of me and look in the full-length mirror, I ask, “Hey, you don’t have anything you want to tell me, do you? Ava, you know as well as anyone else in the world that I’m not a fan of people springing things on me. Marius isn’t going to do anything like that, is he?”
“You mean like jumping out of a cake and surprising you?”
“No, like he’s going to do something that scares me. I can handle a person surprising me, but I don’t want to feel like I’m blindsided.”
She doesn’t answer for a few moments, which makes me worry even more, but then she says, “Oh, Eden, it’s not anything like that. Marius just wants to make you see he loves you. That’s all.”
“So now you’re a big fan of that King? What happened to the woman who slapped him across the face?”
Again, she hesitates to answer, so I add, “It’s okay, Ava. The man is very persuasive.”
“I was going to stay mad at him, but then he told me about how Theo slept with his girlfriend right after they broke up. He was heartbroken because he still loved Maia. He made me see why he was so insistent about keeping you a secret.”
I toss the dress on the bed and head for the bathroom to freshen up my makeup. “No worries. As I said, Marius is very persuasive.”
“That really happened, though. Eleanor told me she heard the two of them in the game room the day Marius found out what Theo did, and she told me Marius sounded devastated.”
Normally, I’d ask Ava how hearing something like that about Theo makes her feel, but I can hear in her voice how sad she sounds simply telling me about it. She always did have a huge blind spot when it came to that particular King brother.
“Okay. I’m not angry you’re being nice to the man I love, Ava. He’s not a bad man. He just made some mistakes. In fact, I’m happy you’re back to being one of his biggest fans. I don’t know what I’d do if my best friend hated my husband.”
“Oh, good! So you’ll be leaving soon to come up here? I want to make sure the food we’re making will be nice and hot.”
I check the time on my phone. 6:22. I’m going to have to leave in the next few minutes if I want to reach the King estate on time.
“Let me go so I’ll be there by just after seven, assuming I don’t hit traffic. I’m sorry I might be late. Work was a bear, and it took forever to get back home. I swear everyone and their brother was in the city today.”
“It’s okay. Just get here as soon as you can. I’ll keep everything waiting for you. See you soon, Eden!”
The call ends, so I set my phone on the vanity and get busy redoing my makeup. When I finish, I tip my head down and then stand up to give my hair some body. Just about ready for whatever awaits me tonight, I smile at myself in the mirror.
“Ready to forgive that husband of yours?” I ask my reflection, but I’ve known the answer for days.
Of course, I am.
After getting my dress and my favorite necklace on, I look in the mirror one last time and grab my purse before walking downstairs. As much as I love this penthouse apartment, I wish we lived closer to Ava and Matthias. Maybe I’ll mention that to Marius after the party tonight.
Just as I reach the kitchen, the doorman calls from the main floor. I answer it, even though I really don’t have time to spare right now.
“Mrs. King, a woman named Samantha is down here. She said you’d know her. She’d like to come up and see you.”
He drops his voice to barely a whisper and continues. “She seems upset. I think she may have been crying. May I send her up?”
For a few seconds, I silently debate whether or not I should make time for Sam. I’m in a hurry, but she was sweet and I’d hate to abandon her if something happened. I haven’t had a chance to mention the whole situation to Marius yet, so I should talk to her.
I’m sure Ava and everyone else will be fine with me being a few minutes late.
“Sure, Ernest. Send her up. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
I don’t have to wait long before the elevator doors open and Sam steps out. I can immediately see her eyes are red rimmed like she’s been crying for a while. I don’t know how I might be able to help, but the least I can do is listen if she wants to talk.
Sam hurries over to me, sniffling. “Thank you for letting me come up.” When she notices I’m dressed and ready to leave, she adds, “I’m interrupting. I’ll leave. I shouldn’t have come here. You’re a busy woman. I’m sorry for bothering you.”
She turns to walk back toward the elevator before I can say a word, so I reach out and grab her hand to stop her. “No, it’s fine. My friends know I’ll be a little late. I can talk for a few minutes. What’s wrong?”
Without turning around, she says in the saddest voice I’ve ever heard, “I texted Marius about if I have a job or not, and he never got back to me. I think he’s ghosting me, and I don’t know why.”
The poor thing. That husband of mine can be such a piece of work. What is he doing that he’s too busy to answer a text from this girl?
“Oh, honey, I’m sure he’s just being his absentminded self again. He gets like that sometimes. You know how he is.”
Every word of that is a lie. Marius King never forgets anything. It’s actually one of his most impressive personality traits. He’s attentive to details occasionally to a fault, almost as if he’s single-minded. If he’s not answering her texts, she’s right. He’s avoiding her.
Sam turns around and sniffles again, wiping her tears away. “Do you really think so? He’s never been like this. Every other time I’ve texted him about a shoot or anything else, he’s always answered within a few minutes. I was sure he was ghosting me.”
I slip my arm around her shoulders and gently guide her into the kitchen. “Men do silly things. You just have to roll with the punches. At least that’s how I handle things like this. I didn’t get a chance to speak to Marius yet, but when I do, I know you’ll hear from him and things will be back to normal. I’m sure of it.”
“Thank you so much for being willing to listen. I’m just so worried. I can’t afford my rent if I lose my job, and when I talked to my roommates last night about what’s going on, they were nice but they said they can’t give me any extra time. I’m barely hanging on.”
After giving her a sisterly squeeze to show I sympathize with her, I walk over to the refrigerator. “How about a drink? I have iced tea, soda, and water.”
“Is it sweet tea?” she asks, and I swear I hear the hint of a southern twang when she says the words sweet tea.
I shake my head. “No, just regular unsweetened. I have sugar, though, so you can make it sweet.”
“Okay. Thanks!” she says, and although I listen for the twang again, it’s gone. Odd.
As I pour her a glass of iced tea, I ask, “Are you originally from here, or did you move here from somewhere? I ask because when you said sweet tea, I was reminded how my grandmother says that. She’s from Virginia, down near Richmond.”
She smiles, but it’s half-hearted. “I grew up in South Carolina, but we moved up here when I was sixteen. I guess when I’m upset, my southern comes out.”
I nod as she explains why I heard a twang, wondering why I didn’t hear it when she was really upset earlier. It doesn’t matter. People can’t control a lot about themselves when they’re crying over their life falling apart.
“Well, you don’t have to worry. Everything’s going to work out. I know it.”
My attempt to be a supportive big sister type seems to work, and as Sam drinks her tea, she says, “Where are you going? Do you need to leave?”
I wave away her concern with a smile. “My friend’s house. Ava’s, the house you were at for that party. She’s having another one, and I think the whole thing has been set up for Marius to convince me I should forgive him. Between you and me, it’s going to work.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
Instantly, I feel bad for rubbing my impending happiness in her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that.”
“It’s okay,” Sam says with a smile, but I see tears in her eyes. “You and Marius make a great couple. I hope I can find someone like him.”
God, I could use a drink. Then I remember I left my wine glass upstairs.
“I’ll be right back. I just want to get my drink from the bedroom.”
“Sure!” Sam says, suddenly less weepy than before.
My grandmother always says a nice glass of iced tea can make anyone feel better. She usually means sweet tea with enough sugar to rot a person’s teeth out of their head, but I guess regular unsweetened tea works too.
