Chapter 4

I received an urgent message from my secretary saying that I must return as soon as possible. There are problems in the company that need my attention. I wasn’t gone for two whole days and here I am back at my house.

Can’t these people do their fucking jobs?

I wanted to escape this place for a week, telling everyone I had business to take care of in England, but in reality, I wanted to get away from her.

I walked into the house and I noticed how quiet everything was. That’s strange? I thought as I walked in further. Where could Brooke be?

I quickly ran to her bedroom, thinking she ran away. Please let her be there.

Opening the door, I saw all her stuff still there. I walked to her closet, opened it, and saw her clothes still neatly in there.

I took her room in and saw how perfect everything here looks. Not one thing out of place. I smiled, thinking about her.

Yes, I like her.

She is beautiful, smart, funny, and talented. She has a big mouth on her, not backing down from a fight, and if she gets mad, she has a potty mouth on her.

She challenged me from the first day I saw her. She’s the first girl to do so—well, except for my sister, of course.

There is a reason why I treat her like this. I can’t let her fall in love with someone like me. I don’t want to ruin her life as I did with the last person I loved.

I knew she loved my brother; any idiot can tell that, but he only uses her because of her popularity. My brother is an idiot for doing that.

She was ten years old when we met her and her family. I was fifteen years old. I think it was that day that I knew I liked her, but she was young, innocent, and already had a temper on her.

I smiled as I recalled how I would tease her about everything just to see her spitfire. She wasn’t and still isn’t scared to say what’s on her mind.

I know she deserves better than an asshole like me, but she was stuck with me because of an agreement between our grandfathers.

I quickly snapped out of my trance and dialed Jackson’s number.

“Hey Marty,” Jackson screamed into the phone, making me scowl, and he laughed.

“I thought you would have grown up by now,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Hey, I can be a grown man if I want to,” he gasped, feigning hurt.

“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that,” I told him, making him chuckle.

“Now what can I help you with?” he asked, and I knew she was there with him.

“I want to ask Georgia something,” I told him, pinching my nose.

“How?”

“I know the two of you are getting it on, so hand me the phone to her,” I growled.

“Yes, Mr. Grumpy,” he said as I heard whispering in the back.

“Mr. Taylor?” Georgia asked carefully.

“Georgia, do you know where my wife is?” I asked, getting straight to the point.

“Yes, she went out with a girl named Payton,” Georgia purred in my ears, making me wince.

“Thank you. I want to talk to Jackson,” I told her rudely.

“What do you want now?” he whined.

“Get somewhere private!” I ordered him.

“Yes, boss,” he said, and I heard him telling her he has to take the call privately.

“What do you think you are doing?” I asked him once I was sure he was alone.

“I don’t know; you tell me,” he retorted back.

“Jackson, I told you not to get involved with her, and yet there you are fucking her at least twice a week!” I said, shaking my head.

“She’s good, man, give me a break. Besides, she knows it’s only fun and that I don’t want something serious,” he said.

“I hope for your sake, Jackson. I know how emotionally attached she gets to the men she sleeps with,” I informed him.

“Don’t tell me you fucked her?” he asked.

“Are you crazy?” I shouted out.

“I was only asking because how would you know this?” he asked.

“She always gets weird whenever a new guy sleeps with her. It’s almost like she’s stalking them. I bailed her out a few times for breaking and entering,” I explained, hoping he would listen.

“Thanks for the heads up. Anyway, why are you back?” he asked curiously.

“Something came up that needs my attention,” I shrugged.

“And why didn’t you take your lovely wife with you?” He asked again, making me groan.

“I was going on a business trip,” I told him.

“No, you were trying to hide from her,” he laughed, as if it was the funniest thing he ever heard.

“Fuck off, I’m going now,” I said, ready to end this call.

“Wait! Look, all I want to say is try making this work. I know how much you care about her, Martin. Don’t you think she also suffers from the arrangement? She also sacrificed, maybe even more than you did,” he said, all jokes aside.

I sighed, “I know, it’s just that I’m scared. What if I lose her or she doesn’t feel the same way?”

“Look, I can’t say that she loves you or cares for you, but I do know that for the next five years she will be trapped in this marriage, and the way you are treating her now isn’t fair, man. I’m not saying make her fall for you, but the least you can do is make it work, at least for her own peace of mind,” he continued.

“I will try,” I finally said. Who knew that my childish best friend could talk like this?

“Sure, if you will excuse me now, I have some business to take care of,” he said, chuckling lightly.

“You are going to catch a disease one of these days,” I said, shaking my head.

“I always use protection,” he yelled as I hung up the phone.

I walked over to the sofa, sitting down. I will wait here until they get back.

I thought about what Jackson said. Maybe he is right; I should stop treating her like trash, but the voice inside me is telling me not to let her get too close to me.

I ran my hands through my hair. Fuck, I need a drink. I was just about to pour myself some scotch when I heard the front door open.

“Come on, Brooke, work with me,” I heard a voice and quickly walked towards the door.

I noticed Brooke asleep and her friend trying to carry her inside. “Fuck, woman, will you wake your drunk ass up and help me?” She whisper-yelled at Brooke, who just nodded.

“Here, let me help you,” I finally spoke up.

The blonde girl looked at me with a frown. “What are you doing here?” she asked rudely.

“I live here,” I responded, helping her with Brooke.

“Oh, so now you want to be the caring husband?” She resorted to a snort.

I helped her put Brooke on the sofa when Brooke opened her eyes. “Payton, I think I see an angel,” she said, giggling.

“Alright honey, just go back to sleep,” Payton said, patting her back.

She turned towards me, and the next thing I knew, her hand connected with my cheek. “That’s for being a shitty husband to my best friend!” she said, glaring at me.

“I admit I did deserve that,” I told her, rubbing my face.

This girl can throw a punch, dammit.

“Why are you back anyways?” she asked, looking over at her friend.

“Business,” was all I said.

“Great, and here I thought you realized what a dick move you made two days ago, going to England alone and leaving your wife at home,” she snorted, shaking her head.

“I had business to take care of,” I lied to her.

“Business, my ass! What I know is you are lying, because you went away in the morning hours and came back two days later. I don’t think so, mister,” she said, pointing at me.

I just stared at her.

“Look, I know both of you are being tortured by this whole marriage thing, but just so you know, it isn’t just you in this but Brooke as well. Yes, she can be a bitch if she wants to, but under that tough exterior of hers is a sweet girl. She’s hurting even though she doesn’t show it. She tries to act like the way you are treating her doesn’t affect her, but it does, so please get your head out of your fucking ass and make things right with her,” she said, with tears in her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” was all I could say.

“I’m not the one you should apologize to,” Payton said, pointing to a sleeping Brooke.

“I will,” I nodded, looking at Brooke.

“Oh, and one more thing. I am sure you know that she’s in love with Daniel, but that bastard you call a brother is only using her, and I’m sick and tired of that bullshit! I saw something today that will break her if she comes to know of this, and I want you to be ready for when that happens. That is why I am asking you to stop your bullshit and treat her better,” she said, making me frown.

What the hell is she talking about?

“Let’s talk in the kitchen while you make me some coffee,” she said, smirking at me.

This girl! The nerve of her to demand me in my own house.

I walked out of the room to the kitchen while Payton followed me.

“You must be confused?” she asked, making me nod.

She laughed lightly. “You see, Brooke has been in love with Daniel since I can remember, but she never told him because she is, or was, afraid of what will happen to their friendship. And I know you have always had feelings towards Brooke,” she said, making me look up at her.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” I denied.

“You can deny all you want, but I know for a fact. Anyway, our other friends Katherine and Daniel are both working together. I don’t know what it is they want, but one thing is for certain—they want to break her,” Payton said, taking the coffee.

“Doesn’t Katherine work for Brooke?” I asked her.

“Yes, she works as a secretary for Brooke,” Payton said.

“I see. Why would she want to hurt Brooke if they are friends?” I asked, not understanding.

“Let’s see, there are two reasons I can think of, and correct me if I’m wrong. One, her family has a lot of money, and Brooke makes triple what the two of them put together. And secondly, they are afraid she will find out that it was you and her that were best friends first,” she said, watching my reaction.

“How?” I was speechless.

She laughed at my reaction. “Oh, come on. I know Daniel isn’t your real brother. I know your parents took him in when your father’s brother and his wife died in a plane crash. I also know it was Daniel who tried to drown her when all of us went on vacation that first year we met. You were the one who saved her, but Daniel told everyone it was you who tried to kill her,” Payton revealed, making me shocked.

The only ones who knew the truth were Jackson and me.

“Don’t look so surprised. I was there,” she said, sipping her coffee.

“It’s getting late; please take care of my friend,” Payton said, standing up.

“I will, I promise,” I told her as I walked her out.

“I know you will,” she winked before walking to the waiting taxi.

I closed the door, not believing what I just heard.