Authors: Patricia Isabel
“You didn’t have to throw them out” Penny still felt guilty for the absence of Greg and the kids and didn’t like the fact that it was because of her. Although it had only been an hour since her arrival, Cathy dispersed them so that they would have some time alone. “They’ll be back. Well, Greg will anyway. I
asked my mom to take the kids for the weekend. Thought it would be easier dealing with your crisis without the kids getting in the way. Besides, it’s been awhile since we actually spent some time together.” Cathy always knew how to make her feel better. “Ah, well then in that case, beer me will ya. Lord knows I can use one right about now” Cathy opened the fridge, pulled out two, popped them both open and handed one to her. She was still waiting on Penny to tell her what happened, her curiosity was killing her. “So? Are we gonna sit here and drink all night or are you going to tell me what the hell happened?” If the world was a perfect place, Cathy would be dead right about now. Thank God for imperfections… and beer. Penny chuckled at her friend “Well, drinking all night does sound good right now. I’m tired of hearing myself describe what happened. Solitude and alcohol is what I’m gunning for”
Penny took a sip of her beer and let out a sigh, she was so tired. “Well, you can gun for it all you want but I didn’t get rid of the kids so I can just sit here and watch you get hammered. Start talking.” Cathy wasn’t about to let it go so Penny began to regal her with her experience beginning at the start and ending with the last several hours.
When Penny was about to commence with her meeting Lynesse, Greg walked in the door with a box of pizza and another case of beer. “Thought you guys might be hungry and I also took the liberty of picking up some more beer seeing as how whenever you visit, Penny, Cathy seems to drink more.” Greg got a plastic apple thrown at him for his last comment and they all laughed. ‘
It feels good to be among friends
’, Penny thought. She watched how Cathy and Greg were together and felt envious. She so badly wanted the same thing. Is that why she didn’t see the signs? Penny sighed and took another sip of beer and a bite of pizza before she continued her story at Cathy’s command. “So to make a long story short, he’s engaged and I’m a fool” Penny wanted to cry again but kept them back. She was tired of feeling overwrought about someone who only used and played with her feelings. “Honey, you’re not a fool! He’s the fool, the jerk. What kind of man does that? Seriously!” Cathy looked towards her husband demanding an answer and poor Greg didn’t have one. “I can’t tell you, babe. Not all men are like me. Some guys are just assholes” with a grin, that was the only insight Greg could and would give about the subject. “I say forget about this asshole and move on. There are other men out there who would be grateful to have a wonderful and amazing woman, such as yourself, in their lives. He’s the loser, not you” And with that fervent statement, Cathy took a bite of her pizza, finished her beer and made a line to the fridge for another one. “Want another one or are you good?” Penny finished off hers and made the sign for another one. Greg made the same gesture and Cathy pulled out a few more. Once opened, she handed them out and sat down. “Well, I’ll say this, at least it happened now and not several months down the road. Can you imagine? If he’s that good at keeping his engagement a secret, how good would he have been when he got married? It’s a good thing I never met this guy or I’d….don’t you waste another moment on this loser, do you hear me?” grabbing a hold of Penny’s hand, Cathy left it at that. Penny’s purse began to vibrate as her cell phone rang. She reached in and picked it up noticing that it was Shane calling… again. Putting the phone down, she took another sip of beer. She wasn’t ready to talk to him just yet. “Him calling?” asked Cathy “how many times has he tried so far?” “I don’t know. Fifteen, maybe twenty. He’s left messages but I really don’t want to listen to them right now.” Penny was beginning to feel the weight of how she felt for him. Normally when she broke up with someone, or vice versa, life went on as usual. But this time, it actually hurt. It really, really hurt and she felt like it was never going to end. Her phone vibrated again indicating another call was coming in and Penny looked at the number. It was Shane. Penny took her phone and put it in her purse and asked Greg if he wouldn’t mind putting it in the living room so that she wouldn’t have to hear it. “Sure. No problem, sweetie. If you want, I can flush it down the toilet so you never have to hear it again” with a wink and a smile, he took the purse and headed to the living room. “Sure, why not. Only it’s gonna be more work for you once the toilet backs up” and she smiled. Not having to hear that phone go off had put her in a mild mood, then again, it could be the four beers she had as well. Cathy got up to get herself another beer and Penny called dibs on another bottle, if she was gonna get trashed she was gonna do it with a vengeance. “Well, all this emotional crap is beginning to give me a headache. Greg, can you bring the bottle of aspirins on your way back?” Cathy yelled while looking at her friend who was sitting there, trying to hold it together. “Pen? You okay?” she asked, beginning to become worried. She knew it was a stupid question to ask but it was the only one she could think of. “Yea. I was just thinking through everything, you know? How we met, things we said, how I feel about him. I never thought it would hurt as much as it does. And the more I think about it all, about him, I’m beginning to realize that I…” Cathy cut her off before she could finish “Don’t say it” was all she said. She knew what Penny was going to say and she didn’t want to hear it. “Greg! Aspirins!” She could feel the vein trying to break through her forehead. “Say what? That I’m in love with him?” Penny surprised herself at how easy it was to say and how truthful it felt to say it. “Greg!” Cathy put her head in her hands and began to shake her head. “How can you be in love with this person after what he did to you?” Looking up at Penny, she saw it. She saw it in her eyes that there was no way her feelings were helped. She was lost in love a long time ago. “For the love of rainbows, where is that man? Greg!” As Cathy began cursing Greg for taking his sweet time with the aspirins, Penny sat back in her chair to come to terms with her feelings. It was going to be a hard road but it was one she knew she had to take. Forgetting about Shane Somers was going to be the hardest thing that Penny would ever have to do.
CHAPTER 15
When
Lynesse left Shane’s a couple days ago, her ‘Welcome Home’ seduction didn’t quite go as planned. She couldn’t understand how it backfired as badly as it had. Lynesse had ran the scenario over and over in her mind and she knew she had everything perfect. So why didn’t he fall into line? That was the burning question she couldn’t answer. She did, however, believe that the woman who showed up at his house did have something to do with it. When Lynesse reached home, she dropped her bags and headed straight for her rooms. Being married to one of the richest men in the world had its perks, one being her own suite of rooms. Her rooms were decorated in the French Victorian style. With Chantilly here and chintz there, it was the epitome of an era from France. Every possible shade of blue was in this room. From the gilded furniture to the drapes, right down to the rugs, this was Lynesse’s haven, her escape from the people she had no desire to deal with. The windows overlooked the gardens and had a peaceful setting that Lynesse found rejuvenating after a hellish day. Picking up the phone as she made her way to her favorite chaise lounge in the room, she began to think. She was wondering who she could call to help her with a little problem that was niggling at the back of her mind. She needed to know who that woman was that showed up at Shane’s and what she meant to him. She needed to know everything. She couldn’t have someone interfere in her plans to get him back and Lynesse believed that this person may end up throwing a wrench into her plans. With a tiny smile, she began to dial a number. ‘
If anyone could get information, it would be him
’ she said to herself and waited for the voice on the other end to answer.
It had been two days since the fiasco with
Lynesse and still no word from Penny. Shane was becoming more haggard as each day passed. He kept calling and leaving messages but still, she didn’t respond. Gabe had told him to give her some time that she will call him when she felt she was ready but Shane didn’t believe it. While lying in bed, he tried to think how he would feel if the roles were reversed and he was to find another man in her house. He didn’t like that feeling one bit. Checking, once again, to make sure his phone was working someone rang his doorbell. Shane wasn’t up for any company so he ignored it, hoping that whoever it was would go away. They wouldn’t. Whoever was at the door was persistent and it seemed that they weren’t about to give up. Groaning, Shane got up and slipped on a bathrobe, grumbling as he made his way to the door. When he reached for the handle, his mind shot a thought ‘m
aybe it’s her
’ and quickly opened the door. Well, it was a ‘her’ but not the one he wanted. Lynesse made her way past Shane like as if she had always been welcome there, Shane’s mood just got darker. “Baby, you look horrible” she looked Shane over with a fake look of concern “I hope you’re not coming down with something. Well, no matter, I’m here to take care of you if you do. Do you want a tea? I know that always makes you feel better when you’re unwell” Lynesse made her way into the kitchen to put the kettle on the stove. She was willing to, once again, forget about what happened two days ago and let him get over his shock of seeing her. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy but she was positive that Shane will come around to his senses soon enough. She would wear him down, she had no concerns about that. Shane stood in the doorway not believing what was happening. He wanted to take his head and pound it into the door so as to make it go away but quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen. Was this woman insane? He still couldn’t believe she was there when Lynesse appeared in front of him, taking his hand and leading him up the stairs to his bedroom. Shane was in shock so he let her lead him. “Now you just get yourself into bed and I’ll be back with your tea” and she tucked him in like he was a child. As he watched her leave the room, his senses began to return and the shock had subsided. “You have got to be kidding me”. Not knowing what to do, he picked up his phone and called Gabe. “You need to come over right now” he said with a strained voice “she’s here…again!” Being just woken up, Gabe had no idea what he was talking about “who’s there? Penny?” Gabe didn’t see the reason for him to be there if that was the case. “No!” Shane said “Lynesse!” “I’m on my way” and Gabe hung up the phone and got dressed. As he was driving to Shane’s, he was trying to remember if there was any mention of psychological problems with Lynesse that he had heard in passing once. Unfortunately, he couldn’t come up with anything. There was something definitely wrong with her, that was a given. He knew Shane wasn’t leading her on or giving her any kind of hope of reconciliation, so what the hell was she up to and why? Today was the day Gabe was going to find out, come hell or high water. As he pulled up to the house, he recognized the car that Lynesse drove. Shaking his head, he walked over to the door and walked in. He can hear Shane yelling at her about something or other as he made his way up the stairs and she was giving as good as he gave. “I don’t want the damn tea! I want you out of my house! NOW! How many times do I have to say it, Lynesse? You are not welcome here…ever! I don’t want to see you…ever! Get out!” Shane made his way to the bathroom, slammed the door and locked it. That was one way of keeping her away from him. “Stop being so grumpy, damn it! I came here to see you and to make amends. I know we’ve had our problems but I’m willing to work them out! Stop being a baby! Shane!” Lynesse was yelling at the bathroom door, frustrated that he wasn’t in front of her so that she could make the moves that he had always liked. “There is nothing to work out!” Shane yelled through the door. Gabe can hear the exasperation in his voice and decided it was time for him to step in before Shane really did get sick. Clearing his throat as so to announce his presence, he walked into the room and headed towards the door. Lynesse turned to see who it was and, it seemed to Gabe, that she actually had a look of relief etched on her face. “Gabriel, thank god. Maybe you can talk some sense into him and get him out of that bathroom and back into bed. I made him a tea, he’s not feeling well” Believing that Gabe would surely take her side, she stepped aside so as to give him room. “Hey, Shane. Are you busy in there?” Gabe tried to make the situation as light as possible until he heard Shane’s response. “Yea, I’m busy. Trying to slit my wrists since death seems to be the only way of keeping that bitch away from me” Gabe didn’t like to hear that, even if he wasn’t serious. Looking at Lynesse, he motioned with his head for her to leave the room. “I’m not leaving until he’s in bed! With all this excitement the past couple of days, it’s no wonder he’s sick. I’m not leaving him, Gabriel so forget it” and with that, she took a stance and dared Gabe to move her. He took on her dare and carried her out of the room, screaming. Once he got her in the hallway, he closed the door and locked it. Lynesse began to pound on the other side, yelling at how unfair he was treating her. “You can come out now, she’s out of the room” Gabe heard the click of the lock and breathed a little easier when he saw him walk out. Shane looked like hell ran him over… twice. “You gotta get her out of here before I do something sensible, like throttle her. I’m not going to jail because of that woman” Shane ran his hand through his hair in exasperation and sat on the edge of the bed. “She hasn’t called, has she” Shane looked at his brother and shook his head. Gabe had never seen Shane so bent outta shape because of a woman. His heart went out to his little brother and tried to help think of ways of getting this woman back into his life. “Why don’t you take a trip out there? See her in person? She may be able to avoid your calls but she can’t avoid you personally” Shane looked hopeful for a split second and then it was gone. “I only know her work address” Shane felt it was hopeless and he was showing it. He had no idea on how to find Penny aside from showing up at her work and he didn’t want to do that. When he did see her, he wanted it to be a private affair. “Man you are hopeless, aren’t you” Gabe sat next to him on the bed “there is a thing called the internet. Look her up and if you can’t find her that way, take that priceless plastic thing from your wallet called a credit card and pay to find her. What’s the point of having all this money if you don’t use it? And if you still have trouble, I’ll look into it” Gabe patted him on the back and gave his brother a smile. “Seems to me this Penny means a whole great deal to you and since that is the case, I’m here to help in any which way I can” Shane looked at his brother and not only felt relief but also hope. He gave Gabe a huge hug “Thanks, Gabe. I knew all that already, I just wasn’t thinking clearly.” Gabe returned the hug “No worries. That’s what big brothers are for, helping you little guys to think clearly” They both laughed and patted each other on the backs. Shane was feeling better about the situation and that was thanks to Gabe. “Now, do me a favor will you?” Gabe said as he started to rise and head to the door “Go take a shower. I was able to smell you from the driveway. And while you are delousing yourself, I will deal with her” and he motioned his head toward the pounding on the door that had resumed mere moments ago. Shane got up and headed towards the bathroom “Hey Gabe?” he said before walking through the door and Gabe turned around to look at his brother “Yea?” “Thanks for everything, again” and with that, Shane gave his brother a huge smile and walked into the bathroom and closed the door. Gabe waited until he heard the click of the lock and made his way to the door to which Lynesse was doing her damnest on breaking down. “You’re welcome” he said more to himself and prepared himself for a fight.
Once Shane was in the shower, he began to feel human again. Having Gabe around not only made him feel better but he also helped him think clearer as well. He still couldn’t understand why Penny disappeared on him like she did. Without her returning his calls, he could only speculate and that was never a good thing in his mind. After his shower, he would need to find a way to figure things out and the first thing he’s going to do is find Penny. It shouldn’t be too hard, Gabe was right, the internet is full of information for the right price and price has never been a factor. As Shane stood under the shower, it hit him like a bolt
of lightning… ‘
e-mail
’. He had been so down in his own despair he completely forgot about e-mails. ‘Maybe she sent an email!’ he said and rushed out of the bathroom only slipping a towel around his waist and went straight for his computer. As he logged on, he couldn’t help but feel a bit dismayed. ‘But why send an e-mail unless it was bad news?’ he was beginning to panic as he opened his e-mail. Scrolling through countless of spam and crap, he came across a name he recognized and clicked on it. His heart dropped into his stomach as he read what Penny had to say.
Dear Shane,
I am writing to wish you congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You can imagine my surprise at the news. I’m sure you understand that our relationship, as it stood, can no longer continue. May you both be happy in the years to come. Best wishes and good luck.
Penny
P.S. Please respect my wishes and do not contact me.
Shane sat there and read and re-read what was said. What the hell is she talking about? What wedding?
and then it hit him like a pail of cold water. Lynesse. She had something to do with this. She would be the only person Penny could have met when she came here. A cold chill ran down Shane’s spine as anger began to well up from inside. “I’m going to kill her” was all he could say as he calmly stood and headed towards the door. “Lynesse!” he raged as he picked up speed and hurled the door open.
Once Shane was in the shower, Gabe opened the bedroom door to find
Lynesse ready to pound on it some more. The surprise on her face told him that she wasn’t expecting it to open and she was ready to argue. “Save it” Gabe said as he gently took her by the arm and led her towards the front door. “Where are we going?” she asked, not happy at the turn of events that have recently taken place. “
We
are going nowhere, but you are” he replied. Opening the door, he continued to lead Lynesse by the arm to escort her to her car. Lynesse had no intentions of leaving, not now, now when she nearly had Shane broken down and ready to accept the fact that they belonged together again. She dug in her heels and began to struggle “I’m not leaving! He needs…” Gabe turned so swiftly around on her that she was startled “Are you daft, woman?! He doesn’t
need
you! He doesn’t
want
you! He wants nothing more to do with you! What the hell makes you think he will
ever
go back to you after what you did?! I want you to leave him alone, Lynesse. Leave him and never contact him again or I swear, here and now, I will bury you myself” The venom in Gabe’s voice made Lynesse shudder. She had never heard him speak in such a tone before that it made her re-think her actions towards Shane. Just when she was about to defend her actions, they both heard her name being yelled out. “You see? He
does
want me!” and Lynesse struggled herself free and turned to go back but stopped dead as the front door slammed open. Standing in the doorway in only a towel, she saw Shane with a look that she had never seen before and suddenly she got scared. “You lying, conniving little bitch!” Shane screamed as he began to make his way towards her. Lynesse was so taken aback, she instinctively began to back away. “Um, Gabriel?” was the only thing that she could say and began to get closer to him. “Get behind me” was all she heard and she didn’t argue as she quickly hid behind him. Gabriel had never seen his brother in such a rage and he knew he needed to quickly calm him down before things got out of hand. Meeting him, Gabe put his hands on Shane’s chest to slow him down. “Shane, she’s leaving and she’s never coming back. There is no need for this” Shane saw his brother but didn’t hear him, his only intent was to throttle the brunette hiding behind Gabe if it was the last thing he ever did. “You evil whore! You told her we were engaged?!” Shane was shaking so badly he felt he was about to fall apart. Gabe thought he heard him wrong and turned to look at Lynesse. “You did what?” he asked her, surprise written on his face. “She told Penny we were engaged!” Shane said in an exasperated tone, “That’s why she hasn’t returned any of my calls! She thinks I’m getting married! To that!” On that last statement Shane pointed his finger at Lynesse. Gabe turned to look at Lynesse and saw her face go red “You’re kidding right?” was all he could say. This was beginning to become a soap opera and Lynesse was the star. “Well, it wasn’t really a lie. We
were
engaged once. I just didn’t elaborate” was all she could say in her defense. “You really can’t be serious about that tramp?!” Lynesse looked directly at Shane, “I mean, she’s not even wealthy. She’s never been in society in her life. She was raised poor, Shane. She only wants you for your money, to live in luxury only you can give her. She will do nothing but embarrass you, you know that!” Lynesse was happy with her information, Shane would see her as a gold-digger and the one thing Lynesse knew Shane disliked were gold-diggers. “You had her investigated?! Oh my god! Gabe, step aside. I just want to bury her, right there, in the driveway so that whenever I come and go I can continuously run her over!” and he lunged for Lynesse but Gabe was quick. “Leave! Now!” was all Gabe said to her. Lynesse was about to argue but seeing the look in Gabe’s eyes changed her mind, she ran for her car and locked herself in and drove away. They both watched her leave. Gabe turned to Shane and saw the pain in his eyes “Don’t worry, we’ll fix this. I promise” Shane took an exasperated breath “It’s over. She never wants to see me again. She said so”. and with that, Shane turned and headed for the house. “You’re not going to try and get her back?! You’re just going to give up?!” Gabe said, waiting for his brother to show some sign of life. “You don’t understand, Gabe. She had problems in the past with men being dishonest with her. She wouldn’t believe me if I told her the truth. She asked me to respect her wishes and that is what I’m going to do” and feeling beat up, he made his way to his bedroom, closed the door and laid in bed. Gabe just stood and watched his brother walk away, feeling defeated. Lynesse had done a lot of stupid shit over the years but he never would’ve believed this unless he saw it first. As Gabe walked towards his own car, he began thinking of ways to help his brother and get him back to the man he once was before all this happened. With a grin, he came up with a plan. Shane wasn’t going to like it but sometimes medicine never did taste good. With that notion, he got in his car and drove away with a feeling that things were going to be just fine.