Tough Love (Hidden Secrets) (21 page)

“Oh
damn…”

She
laughs and walks away to get ready for bed. Just as she walks into the bedroom her phone vibrates on the counter. I look at it seeing she’s got a text.

You’re
days are numbered bitch! I’ll get you and there’s going to be hell to pay!

Chapter Twenty-Six

The Stalker

Sitting outside Jackson’s office, I waited to see my love. I’m hoping to see him in better spirits today. He’s been so sad lately. The urge to run to him and make him feel better was strong. There were a few times there that I had to restrain myself to keep from doing just that. It was made easier when a pregnant woman started showing up.

I
didn’t see him much this past week. He’s been holding himself up in his apartment, only coming out to work. It was hardly worth climbing the fire escape all the way to the top floor to find him not in his room. I couldn’t see him at all. His bed was a mess so he must have been in his bed at some point, but I never saw him.

Now,
I sit here and hope for my short glimpse of him so I could make it through and be able to focus. I miss seeing him all the time. He’s just not himself anymore. This little bitch has something to do with it and I know it. She’s no good for him and yet he still stays with her.  He could have the best life with me. All the happiness he could ever dream of could be found within my arms, but he doesn’t see that.

How
could one person want to suffer so damn much? He seemed to want to suffer. If he didn’t he’d be in my arms right now. This man was extremely frustrating. But I can’t help but be pulled to him. From the first moment I laid eyes on him, I knew, I knew he was meant for me. Jackson was all I saw at that restaurant, even over my date.

“Are
you sure this guy is for me?” I asked.

“Of
course I am. He’s liked you since he saw you at the bar. Actually even asked about you to Derek. Just calm down. It’s time to spread your wings.” Tracy said.

Nodding
my head, we started walking toward the table where Derek and my blind date sat. I was one of those girls that were never allowed to date. Even through college, my father had me tailed so I couldn’t even date then. My father was strict on the purity of marriage. He’s no longer around so I’ve decided to see what my father was keeping me from. With the help of my friends Tracey and Derek, they were helping me find quality and not quantity.

When
we got insight of the table, the guy looked up at me and froze. A smile spread across his face as he stood from the table. I watched as he wiped his hands on his jeans, licked his lips and reached his hand out to me.

“Hi,
I’m Michael Jones. It’s so nice to finally get to talk to you.”

“Hi.
Um, it’s nice to meet you too.” I said standing there awkward.

“Hey
babe, can you…oh hell just come with me Derek so these guys can be alone for a moment.”

Michael
was a good looking man. He had dark blonde hair with dark blue eyes, a beautiful smile. My friends chose well. He definitely stirred things in me. He smiled softly at me.

“You
are so beautiful. I hope you aren’t too freaked out by me asking about you to Derek.”

“No,
not all. I’m actually kind of flattered to be honest. No one has ever been interested in me like that.”

“Seriously?
No one? Well they’re stupid, but can’t say I’m not happy about it,” he winks at me.

After
some conversation, basically small talk, I couldn’t help but ask. “What about me made you want to find me?” I couldn’t look him in the face.

Taking
my hand in his, “First thing that caught my attention were your eyes. You were sitting at the bar talking to Derek. They were sad, but God were they beautiful. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from you. Your hair, face, and yes even your body. When I finally got up the nerve to walk over to you, you ran from the bar.”

“Yeah,
it wasn’t a good night. So why bother hunting me down?”

“Hunting
you down? That sounds so scary,” he laughs. “When I couldn’t quit thinking about you, seeing you everywhere, even when I closed my eyes. I knew I needed to know you. Then when I finally learned your name, it suited you and made you real and not just this dream I felt like I was living in.” He pauses, giving me a skeptical look. “Do I sound corny?”

Shaking
my head, “No not at all,” I blush.

Looking
down at my hands, I looked up to say something when my eyes caught the vision of a man walking in. The light almost seemed to be carrying him in on its rays of light. He was beautiful. Dark hair, kind of messy, a smile that took my breath away, and a body that set mine on fire, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

“I’d
really like to take you on an official date if you’d agree.”

Just
as quick as this guy had entered he was gone. Turning to look out the window, I couldn’t see where he went. Was he a sign that the guy before me was not meant for me? Looking back at Michael, I just didn’t know. Michael brought me to life too, just not like this stranger did.

“Yes,
I’d like that,” I smile shyly, but my vision goes back out the window searching for this stranger that just crossed my path.

It
wasn’t until a few months later I found out who this guy was. It was by pure accident when I had come in for a job interview and saw him sitting there behind the desk. His warm smile greeting me and telling me to take a seat, it was then that I knew I would have him. He was mine even if he didn’t know it.

It
took me a long time to get his routine down, but when I finally did I was able to see him every day. The only time I couldn’t see him was when he was at home, but that would be changing soon because his home will soon be mine, as will his heart.

Jack’s
car came into view and my heart jumped in my chest. It will only be a few minutes now and I will be able to see him. Today I plan to talk to him. After careful recon, I found out this morning that she was no longer with him. Kind of anticlimactic for me because I sent her a text last night that I just know sent her running to those little freaks of hers. Oh well. She was away from my Jackson and that is all that matters.

I
watch as he parks his car and climbs out. He looks happy today. Better than happy, even.  Then I watch him hurry around to the passenger door as it opened.

“No
fucking way!” I screamed to the inside of my car.

Jackson
kisses her, presses the button for his car alarm and they walk into the office together, hand in hand. What the fuck is he doing back with her? Looking around to make sure no one was looking, I made my way over to the building. Carefully I peered around the corner to see them at the desk. He’s running his hand up and down her arms. Anger boils deep in the pit of my stomach. I’m sure if someone could see me now there’d definitely be steam coming from my ears as I watch him lean down and kiss her.

This
little bitch was pissing me off. How was it that he still wanted her. She obviously hurt him and he’s still standing there like she’s the only girl in the world. Those are supposed to be my looks. Those are supposed to be my kisses.

Why
is this little tart getting everything that is supposed to be mine! I stormed back to my car and took off. I guess I have planning to do after all!

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jackson

“Wow,
it is just weird having you here and not for an appointment.”

“Hey
I was here more than that, just didn’t stay long,” she winks at me.

Shaking
my head, I needed to keep focus on getting the office back in running order.

“Okay,
Kayla’s tried to make heads or tails of most of this stuff, but even she doesn’t know what Rachael has done. So whatever you can come up with that allows me to work effectively and efficiently have at it.”

She
nods her head looking around, “Okay you go do whatever it is you need to do and I will handle the front. You called Mary, right?”

“Yes,
Princess. The boys are good.”

She
nods her head again. “Okay, go do your thing now. I’ve got it covered out here.”

Kissing
her on the head, I head into my office. There really was still one hell of a mess to clean up. It makes me wonder how long Rachael has been doing this. Again I’m kicking myself in the ass for not firing her before. She should have been fired when she walked in on me and Shannon kissing.

Staring
down at the pile of files on my desk, I just couldn’t believe how long it’s taking to get this shit under control. I had called all morning patients and canceled yesterday. This morning was about trying to get some functionality back in the office. I worked on the files for a while before I needed to stretch. Walking over to my office door, I watched Shannon work away on the computer. She’d glance down at something, then frantically type away. She was just so damn beautiful and I can’t believe she’s all mine. Her face changes and she starts shaking her head.

“What?”
I asked concerned.

“She…She…,”
she looked at me scared.

“What,”
I asked alarmed and moving to her side quickly.

“She
was researching me, my family, my brothers, everyone. Why…Why would she do that?”

“I
don’t know baby. I don’t know,” I stared at the screen as if it would tell me the answer.

“That’s
not even the half of it. She had installed a tracking program to all computers on this network. Jack,” she says turning to me with a sad look, “she was stealing from you as well.”

“What?”

“And it wasn’t just you. From what I’ve found, she’s padded bills and taken directly from your account linked to the office. Jackson you’re looking at a lawsuit or chance of losing your license if the insurance companies find out about this.”

I
stumbled backward, sliding down the wall and dropped my head to my hands. It was hard to breathe. My livelihood was at stake here. How long had this gone on? Shannon’s warmth filled me as she wrapped her arms around me.

“I’m
sorry, babe. Maybe you should call Eli or your dad and see what your options are?”

Lifting
my head, I smile at her. “That’s a great idea.”

“Good
because I already called them and they should be here…” She says as the door opens.

I
kiss her on the lips and stand.

“What’s
going on? Shannon called and said you need some legal advice about something?”

“Uh,
yeah,” I look at Shannon.

“Let’s
take this into Jack’s office,” Shannon says taking charge.

We
all walk into my office. We all sit down in the sitting area. My father and Eli are looking real nervous. Can’t say I blame them right now. I’m scared myself. This will ruin me. Everything I’ve worked so hard for will go up in flames. Honestly, I don’t know how I was going to get out of this.

“Okay
guys. Jack asked me to come in and help him get things under control. Well when I sat down at the computer, I notice some strange flashes. This caused me to run some checks…”

Shannon
starts running on about all the things she did about check some system thing and talking about Trojans (no not the condoms) and a bunch of other stuff. She was turning me on with the brainiac talk. I never knew she knew all this stuff about computers. Have to remember to talk to her about this later.

“…so
that’s when I called you guys. She’s really got his nuts in a sling here. Is there any way that he can get out of this with his name still intact?”

“There
might, but someone is going to have to be held responsible. If we can prove that this wasn’t going back to Jackson or anything related to him then we might be able to get this on Rachael rather than him.  Can we get the proof?”

“Hold
on a sec.”

She
walked out of the room and my dad and brother stared at me dumbfounded. “Hey I’m just finding out about all this too. I’m so grateful for it though.”

Eli
sat back, his breathing was increasing and sweat beaded his forehead.

“Son?
Are you okay?” My dad asks concerned.

“Yeah,
just haven’t eaten yet. I think my blood sugar is low.”

Just
then Shannon walks back in the room with a folder, handing it to my dad. “This is all the information I can get for you. The money was deposited into an account in Rachael’s name. I think she was overconfident that she wouldn’t get caught. My gut is telling me this is part of something bigger.”

“I…agree.
You’re…amazing, Shannon.” Eli pushed out, his face pale and his arm heavy to his side.

“Eli?”

“Get him some sugar son. He needs something to raise it.”

“This
isn’t because of his sugars…” Shannon said running to the phone. “Yes, my brother is having a heart attack.”

“Fuck!”
I shout.

Quickly
I run to my cabinet, struggling with the keys to get it unlocked. Finally opening it, I hurriedly searched before I finally found the aspirin. Heading to Eli, Shannon has Eli lying down on the couch.

“E,
I have some aspirin for you. You need to chew them up and swallow, okay?”

Eli’s
eyes are big, but he nods his head and opens his mouth. Giving him the aspirin, Eli starts to chew them up. Shannon’s talking to him softly. My father almost seems frozen in his chair.  Few minutes later the EMTs arrive. Moving Eli to the gurny, then wheels him out to the awaiting ambulance.

Locking
up, Shannon and I rushed to my car while Dad got in his. We all head to the hospital while Shannon called everyone to tell them to get to the hospital. The drive seemed like forever, but the wait to hear how he’s doing was even longer. I paced the damn waiting room.

“How
did I not see that? I’m a fucking doctor!” I roared.

“Hey,”
Shannon wrapped her arms around me. “My grandma had heart attacks and we had to take a class to know what to watch for and all that. I could see the early signs. It has nothing to do with you failing, Jackson. You got the aspirin. That right there probably saved his life. All I did was call 911 and lay him down on the couch.”

“Son?”
My dad says.

“I’m
sorry,” I started but my father pulls me into a strong hug.

“Don’t
you dare apologize for anything son. Don’t you dare.” My father choked out.

Just
then the waiting room doors burst open. Everyone comes running in at once. Everyone is seeking answers, hell I wanted answers. No one knew what the hell was going on. I worried that because of my lack of focus that my brother might be in serious danger. Looking around the room, everyone was broken. This was Elijah, first born and leader of the pack. He wasn’t supposed to get sick. My attention then fell to my mom. Seeing her in tears breaks the anger in me and I move to her immediately. She sobs into my chest. Hugging her tighter to me, I have to work real hard not to cry. My father took my mother from me and I hugged my brothers and sisters tightly, but noticed Shannon sitting over in the corner with her head on her lap. Walking over to her, I squat down in front of her lifting her head softly in my hands.

“Hey?”
I ask softly.

She
sits up and wipes her face. “Sorry” She leans forward hugging me. “How are you doing?”

The
doors to the waiting room open just as I’m about to answer her. In walks a nurse.

“Elijah
Williams’ family?”

We
all stand up and look at her with hope in our eyes. “Is…Is my son okay?” My mother sobs.

“He’s
stable. There are only two visitors allowed at a time,” the nurse states flatly looking at all of us.

Mom
and Dad leave to go up first and we all just stand there and wonder what’s happening. The wait seems horrendous though none of us would ever rush mom and dad, but it was killing us not knowing what was going on. Shannon was acting funny, I couldn’t put my finger on why. She just wasn’t acting like herself. I don’t know if it’s because of Eli or the Rachael mess or something different entirely, but she just wasn’t as bubbly as my beautiful Princess was only hours earlier.  Few minutes later she excused herself to go to the restroom. Even the others noticed a change in her.

Mom
and Dad walked in a few minutes later. “He’s asking for you and Shannon.”

I
nod my head then my parents give me the room number and floor. As I walked out of the waiting room, I saw Shannon walking.

“Shannon?”

She spun around and looked at me. “Yeah?”

“Eli’s
asking for us.” I walk up to her and cup her face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m
fine. Let’s go see Eli.”

Taking
her hand, we walk toward the elevator. The whole ride in the elevator and walk to Eli’s room, she didn’t say a word. We walk into the room, I wasn’t prepared to see my brother look so fragile. It caused my feet to freeze in spot. Shannon squeezed my hand tightly, but I couldn’t move.

“Jack,
I’m okay. I look worse than I feel. I promise,” Eli rasped out.

“How…How
are you feeling?”

He
laughs making him take a deep breath. “I’ve been better, I won’t lie.” He takes another deep breath. “I want to thank you guys for what you did for me today. The doctors say you guys saved my life.”

“I
didn’t…” I started, but Eli glared at me.

“You
did a lot Jackson.” Another deep breath. “I’m here because of the actions you guys made. Dad told me you’re blaming yourself for not seeing it, but Jack the fact of the matter is that whether you noticed right away or not, your actions saved me,” he turns and looks at Shannon. “I’m never going to be able to repay you for this. Thank you.”

“You
don’t have anything to repay Eli. You’re family.”

“Thank
you.” He held his arms open looking at both of us.

I
leaned down and hugged him. The minute his arm came around me, the dam broke and I started crying.

“You
have to get better. I can’t continue on without you. You’re the fighting force in all of us kids. You have to get better. Please.”

“Jackson…”
It was all he said but it was said so sadly that I cried harder.

“You’re
not going to get better are you?” I pulled back looking down at him.

“I
don’t know. They tell me that I have Congestive Heart Failure.”

“What?”
Shannon gasped. “No,” She breathed.

All
I could do was shake my head back and forth, unable to form any words at all. My brother, my strong brother was not telling me that. There’s no way. This is a damn nightmare. A huge fucking nightmare that I’d give my last fucking breath to wake up from!