Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2) (20 page)

So, I accept her decision right or
wrong. And embrace my happiness, the life I’ve built with my own family. My little
girl is so smart, and funny, I encourage those traits, more than her beauty,
which is evident. I want her to know she’s more than a pretty face, she can be
whatever she wants to be, whoever she wants to be. She will be strong and
independent and live the life destined for her.

I love her more than my next
breath,

Mary.

“Mind if I join you?”
Holding a large pillow and setting it next to me.

I watch as he smiles
and gracefully settles next to me. “Any time, I just finished an entry of my
mother’s.”

“And?” Reaching for
the curve in my neck, rubbing the stress away.

“It’s a gift, and
there are things I never knew about my family, that make sense now.” Watching
him nod in understanding. “I was just informed I have a business trip Friday.” Pulling
off the Band-Aid.

“That’s not much
notice, where?”

His hands never
leaving my body, sending shivers right through me. “Texas.” And here it comes,
feeling my heart stop paralyzing me as I kill the trust, the lie. “It’s Jake’s
account and since I’m his supervisor, I need to attend.” Unable to meet his
eyes, I stare into the fire.

“How long, babe?”
Tilting his head in question.

“Not sure, I’ll know
more after the first meeting.” I’m loathing myself right now.

“I hope not too
long.” He kisses my lips tenderly while a smile curves against my lips.

“I’ll make sure it’s
not too long.” Although that’s an empty promise, I don’t have any idea how long
Cash will keep me there.

He pulls me into his
arms, pushes my hair aside to bury his face on my neck, kissing, licking, his
heated breath lavishing me. He kisses my cheek.

“Time for bed.” As he
proceeds to die down the fire.

I climb the stairs
with a weight of worry upon my shoulders.  I catch my own reflection in
the bathroom mirror and all I see is.

LIAR.

~Nathan~

This is a piss-poor
excuse of a day. First Bryer leaves early this morning for I don’t know how
long. Clayton just sent me a text, asking me to meet him at the gym, a problem
of sorts. John from M&M called and asked if I would stop by, he has
questions to be answered. And Stan and his right-hand man called and mentioned
Cash is on the move, and will get with me when they have new information.

Arriving at the gym,
I can see Clayton speaking with Graham, our newest addition, nice guy, good
trainer, but sometimes air-head. And let’s not forget God’s gift to women. If I
hear another word about his roguish good looks, I may have to hurt him.

“What?” Clayton asks.

“You called me,
remember?” Setting my backpack on my desk. I turn to face him, my hands on my
hips and a scowl on my face tells a different story.

“Bryer leave today?”
he asks.

“Uh huh.”

“Oh…kaaay.” He sits,
grabbing his pen.

I notice how annoying
it is when he starts to tap it on his desk, I stare at it, wanting to rip it
out of his hand.

“Stand down, Nathan.”

I guess he notices.
“Fine, what’s so urgent?” Taking a seat, attempting not to be such an asshole,
not meaning to unleash my stress on him.

“I want to make Graham
assistant manager, he would be helping me with the work load since you are
split between the two companies.”

“You think he’s up
for it?” Arching a brow.

“Abso-fucking-lutey.”
He stands. “He’s closed most nights for me, and the next step will be training
him how to order supplies and work up to more important things.”

“Fuck, Clayton, I
didn’t think I was dumping so much on you, I feel like a dick.” I humbly admit.

“That’s not it. I
have been busy with my personal life, and I want a little more time for that.”

“Fair enough, man. Do
what you need to do. Does this new
personal life
involve anyone I know?”

“I’m whipped, I admit
it, I couldn’t stay away even if I wanted to.” Drooping his head.

In what?
Embarrassment? I don’t think so. “Clayton, a real man doesn’t love a million
women, he loves one woman a million ways.”

“Wow, Oprah again,
Nathan?”

“I do what I can.”
Slapping his back. “Set her heart ablaze, Clayton.” An encouraging word as I
leave. The next stop may not be so easy. Looking over my shoulder, I throw out
an idea. “Do you want to meet later?” I suggest, “Since I’m a bachelor this
weekend.”

“Let’s hit the
karaoke bar like old times, have a few drinks.”

“Fine, but I’m
warning you, the consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.” I
laugh as I step out to the cold.

As I walk into
M&M the frequent visits have become second nature to me now, I’m finally
comfortable with the title and responsibility. I notice John in his office, a
frown on his face as he types diligently on his laptop. “Bad time?” I ask.

“Never,” he says,
looking up. “I received the paperwork from your lawyers and the patents Cash
has tampered with. This is quite the mess, Nathan, I want to go over our
options with you.”

I take a seat across
from him and study his face, the stress obviously taken its toll.

“Cash doesn’t own
them, according to the lawyers, but he can still control them,” John says.

“Exactly, and the
foundation, are we monitoring the funds? I don’t trust him.”

“Yes, I gave
everything to your personal lawyers, not the M&M team. I’ll keep them in
the dark and once we take back what’s ours, they’re gone.”

“There seems to be a
small window where the lawyers can step in and possibly crush the provisional
patents, once they run out, before the official patents are filed. They will
dispute the application before it hits the government offices.”

“I like your
thinking, we need to get his hands out of our pockets. I won’t allow it. Then
fire his lying ass. And submit any fraudulent accusations we can come up with.”

“That’s the goal, we
just need to be one step ahead of him. I’m having the lawyers file a patent
infringement lawsuit in your name in federal court. We can even involve the
Federal Trade Commission and make his life miserable.” He smirks. ‘Sign here.”

“Yeah, do it. I want
blood, his blood,” I say.

“I’ll go for the
jugular, Nathan. He won’t know what hit him, I’ll keep you updated as we go.
But this might get messy, he’s underhanded and has no scruples. Don’t be
surprised at how dirty he’ll play to achieve his goals.”

“No question about
that, I’ve experienced Cash at his peak. I know he has no limits, and would
love nothing more than to destroy me, and everything I have, including my wife.
John, I never thought I would say this, but if you have to stoop to his level
of deceit, do it. “

A surprised look
briefly flashes over his face, and it was gone with understanding. He nods.

Standing, I reach for
his hand as he meets mine. “Do whatever it takes to bring him down,” I say as I
leave, feeling numb. Once again playing the hand Cash has dealt me. What the
hell do I have to do to get this prick out of my life, out of Bryer’s life?

She warned me he was
poison, I didn’t believe her, not to this extent. Maybe if I had, I could have
taken a different approach, a defensive tactic, instead of offensive.

Half the day is gone,
and I still haven’t heard from Stan. That’s unlike him. As I dial his number it
goes straight to voicemail. I call Bryer and get the same, maybe she’s still in
the air. But that seems unlikely. A small part of me is fighting the inner
turmoil of her independence and the fact she doesn’t need me as much as I need
her.

Clayton texts me to
meet him at Koreana Karaoke and sports bar, I’ve never heard of the place. Once
home I head to my office to look it up, get directions and see what he’s gotten
me into. I’ll be the one up there singing, Clayton will be drinking and skirt
chasing women all night. Unless the Gen thing is way more serious then what
he’s let on. Tonight should prove to be interesting. I text him back.

Nathan: “I left bail
money on top of your refrigerator,” I say.

Clayton: “Thanks,
dude, you think of everything.” Smiley face icon.

What the…

I try both Stan and
Bryer once more while I drive to meet Clayton, each not answering, which is
peculiar, but not necessarily uncommon under their circumstances. I tuck my
phone away, promising not to obsess over it.

Meeting Clayton at
Koreana’s and notice him waiting for me by the bar. He waves and has a
mischievously wicked grin on his face. Hell he must have signed me up for
Muskrat
Love
or some bullshit like that. If he did it will be his fucking song.

“Follow me, oh and
watch my back.”

“What are we, the mod
squad?”

“That would be so
awesome.”

“Guess what I just
did?”

Clayton way too
excited is dangerous. “Hard tellin’.”

“Signed us up for a
duet, it’ll be fun,” he swears.

“Fuck, you didn’t.”
Waving the waitress over.

“Fraid so.” Clayton
smirks.

“Two beers. Oh and
possibly two shots, I’ll let you know.”

She winks and walks
away.

“Spill it, because if
it sucks ass, you’re on your own, Clayton.”

“
Stop Draggin' My Heart
Around
by
Stevie Nicks With Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers,” Clayton proudly
informs me.

“I call dibs on Tom,” I immediately say, Okay, not a complete
disaster, but I’m not singing the chick’s part. “In the future, I’ll be picking
out my own songs, and duets are now banned.”

“That’s just fucking great,” Clayton whines. “You know I
can’t sing, I need you to carry me.

“Well then, this is your farewell tour, enjoy it while it
last.” I laugh as I see the two beers coming.

She sets both down but doesn’t leave.

“Can we start a tab? Or do we need to pay as we go?” Assuming
this is why she’s still here.

“Oh yeah, you can start a tab.” She lingers. “You guys
singing tonight?” Resting her hand on my upper arm.

Who knew that wearing a wedding ring wasn’t like kryptonite,
I guess for some woman they just don’t care. But I do. And steer her Clayton’s
way. “Clayton, he’ll be making his final performance.” A hand gesture towards
Clayton, causing her to look his way.

“We’ll see, won’t we?” he replies.

There it is, Clayton
not
going after the bait, in
fact, he’s ignoring her. The Clayton I know would have her number by now, and
possibly dumping me for the night. I dare say he is smitten with Gen.

“You’re
not going to tap that?” I subtly ask with a shit grin on my face.

He looks confused. “The waitress?” Tilting his head in
question. I’ve learned sticking my johnson in someone else’s pussy pisses of
your girlfriend. “

“Well said, bro.” Slapping his upper arm.

“Plus, I have a low tolerance for clingy girls,” he says

“That makes sense. Gen is so far from Clingy, I’m assuming
you’re the clingy girl in the relationship?”

“Yeah no shit, Sherlock.”

I just lean back and laugh, in-love Clayton is definitely
going to be fun. My turn, pay backs are hell.

“Clayton and Nathan,” the announcer says over the mic. “Let’s
start this night off right.”

“First, Clayton? Fuck me.” I’m going to kill him. “Two
shots,” I yell, waving my hand at the waitress, she immediately notices and
shrugs the universal sign, what do you want? “Tequila, hurry.” We shoot them,
and slowly make it to the stage. I feel the heat of the shot start to take
effect, and give Clayton the fuck-you stare down.

He shrugs. “Wipe that ugly look off your face.”

After that nightmare is over, I order another round,
meanwhile I write on one of our used cocktail napkins,
Meet me at the Texaco
Station men’s room, ~Clayton.
And have the waitress deliver it to a table
of guys making certain they know who Clayton is.

He’s likely to kick my ass but whatever I get will be worth
it. I see the table of men, leaning in, fists balling and pointing at Clayton.

They roll up the napkin and throw it at Clayton.

He attempts to catch it assuming this is some male bonding
ritual, but misses it and it lands on the floor.

I wait for him to pick it up but he doesn’t. I’ll just have
to enjoy this one by myself. I actually do get one song in, by myself and it’s
fun, choosing something the audience would know and join in. Bon Jovi’s
Living
On A Prayer
. Switching to water as Clayton orders another. “So, Clayton,
tell me what’s going on with you and Gen?” Drinking Clayton has always been a
fucking show.

“We have great chemistry,” he starts. “She’s so damn
beautiful she drives me half mad.” Shaking his head. “She plays hard to get, or
she
is
hard to get, I’m not sure. But I want her to be mine.” Taking a
swig of his now almost-empty beer. “I guess I’ll have to work a little harder,”
Clayton says.

“You don’t have to be perfect, man, just a perfect man for
her.” His eye reaches mine and the crinkle in them shows me he’s a goner. “When
do you see her next?”

“Soon, it’s kinda’ up to her, I’m supposed to call her
tomorrow.” He smiles.

“Fucking –A. Go for it, buddy.” Seriously, I would love for
my best friend to find happiness, I know how it’s changed me for the better, I
want that for him.

“Why is there so much blood in my alcohol system?” Clayton
slurs.

“You’re coming home with me, bud.”

Four missed calls, Bryer left a message she arrived safe, and
Stan said he was working on something important and would call tomorrow.