Chapter Ten
Stacia
“You’ll have to come back in the summer for our Fourth of July fundraiser. That one is much more fun because we get to be outside with the children,” Kelly Zerlinger insisted.
“I’m sure it is,” I responded, not knowing what else to say. Who knew if Ian and I would see each other past this very night. But I liked Kelly. She seemed more down-to-earth than many of the other people at these events. And the way she and Bruce kept throwing glances at one each other from across the room, it was easy to tell they were still smitten with one another.
That thought had me lifting my head and looking around the room for Ian. The last I’d seen of him, he been exiting the room, followed by his public relations head, Jamie. That was quite some time ago, and for some reason I was starting to feel unsettled. Call me crazy, but part of me felt as if Jamie had it out for me. She wasn’t overt in her dislike, but her subtle eye rolls whenever Ian wasn’t looking, the snarky tone she’d take with me if it was just she and I, all led me to conclude I was definitely not on her gift-buying list.
“The kids really love that picnic we have for the fundraiser. They get to invite all their little friends and—”
“I need to speak with you.”
The sharpness in Ian’s voice as it sliced through Kelly’s and my conversation was more than a little jarring. She and I both looked up, stunned to see an angry looking Ian staring down at me. I had the urge to shrink back, feeling as if I was being scolded for doing something wrong by just the expression on his face.
“Excuse us, Kelly.” Ian didn’t wait for Kelly nor I to respond, as he wrapped a hand around my arm and began walking away, leaving me to keep up with his quick steps.
“Wh-what’s wrong?” I asked as soon as we were behind closed doors.
“Bryant Jones.”
My eyes ballooned at the sound of a name I’d never thought I’d hear again. Nor did I ever want to.
A muscle in Ian’s jaw ticked. “I wanted to see your reaction to hearing his name.”
“Wh-why are you asking me about Bryant?” I had no idea what had changed between Ian and I, but something had definitely changed. The way he was looking at me. It was worse than the first time I had met him. At least then he seemed to disregard me with the same level of contempt he held for just about everyone else. Right now, he was looking at me as if I were the worst person on Earth.
“He’s an ex of yours, right? You met through work?”
I swallowed and nodded, my heart began racing. “Bryant’s and my relationship was complicated.”
“Complicated? I’ll say. Must be hard sleeping with a man, convincing him you care, and then using everything you learned about him to turn his world upside down and betray him.”
My head jutted backwards at the accusation that was akin to a slap in the face. “What? No. That’s no—”
“It’s not what happened? Spare me,” he growled, stepping closer.
I took a step backwards but Ian followed.
“You can save all your bullshit lies and manipulations for someone else, friend,” he spat.
I flinched at the way he tossed the word friend in my face.
“Keep your phony ass friendship as well. You may have gotten one over on Bryant Jones, but I’m not him. I promise you, if even one more deal of mine is put into jeopardy, if one more reporter calls snooping around about my company’s dealings because of meetings and discussions you were privy to, I will destroy you.”
My mouth fell open but I remained speechless. I had no idea where any of this was coming from. Yes, Bryant was someone from my past, and unfortunately, I had met him through my job. But betraying him? No, Ian had the story all wrong.
“I-Ian, wait.” I jumped backwards when I reached for Ian’s arm as he pushed past me, but he swung around, wildly ripping his arm free from my hold, as if he couldn’t bear to be touched by me.
“Don’t even fucking say my name again.”
His tone was so sharp it literally stole the breath from my lungs. My entire body began shaking. Without another word, Ian looked me up and down with disgust marring his face before he completely dismissed me by turning his back and yanking the door open. I jumped again by the loudness of the slamming door.
I hadn’t even felt the first tear escape my eye until it dripped onto my hand. I was still running the previous five minute conversation with Ian through my head, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened when Kelly entered the room.
“Honey, are you all right?”
Her voice was so sweet and so full of care. I wanted to give into the tears that threatened to escape and fall into her arms, sobbing. But I wouldn’t let that happen. Ian wasn’t the first person to disappoint me and he likely wouldn’t be the last. I could cry all on my own, at home, in my own place.
With that decision made, I straightened my spine, pushed my shoulders back, and lifted my chin.
“I’m fine. I just need to catch an Uber to the airport.” I was going back to Atlanta.
“That won’t be needed,” a male voice intervened.
I looked up to see Ian’s brother, Bruce, standing next to his wife.
“I will gladly take to you the airport.”
I shook my head. “No, that’s not necessary.”
“It is, and he’s more than happy to do it,” Kelly insisted. “Honey, take my car. The gas tank is full and the other cars aren’t blocking it in.”
Bruce nodded and placed a kiss to her lips. I lowered my gaze upon seeing the sweet exchange between the pair. It made my own heart ache in jealousy and the feeling of loss.
Clearing my throat, I smoothed down the sides of my dress. “T-thank you, Bruce.”
He nodded. “My pleasure.”
Within ten minutes we were pulling out of his driveway in a white Range Rover that was apparently Kelly’s vehicle. I barely took notice of the beautiful, cream leather interior. I felt too embarrassed to feel much else or to take in my surroundings.
“My luggage,” I suddenly said, remembering that my suitcases were still at the hotel I’d stayed at with Ian.
“Where is your luggage?”
“The Joule, where Ian and I were staying.” I fidgeted with my hands in my lap at the thought of having to see Ian again that night in the hotel suite. I didn’t think I would be able to get through that. At least, not in a civil way.
“I will go get it for you if you want me to.”
I pushed out a breath, feeling relieved. “I don’t know why you’re being so nice to me but thank you,” I blurted out.
A small laugh escaped Bruce’s lips. “I know how touchy my brother can be.”
I turned to Bruce. “According to Ian you’re the one who’s touchy and an ass … his words not mine,” I reiterated.
To my surprise, Bruce laughed, heartily.
“In Ian’s defense, he wasn’t entirely wrong. If he told you about me, I’m sure he also shared a little about how we grew up.” Bruce turned to me, questioningly.
“He did.”
“Then you know we both got it honest.”
I sat silent for a moment, just thinking about what Bruce had said. “That doesn’t explain why you’re being so friendly to me now. Especially, considering your brother swears I betrayed him and your company somehow.”
Bruce sighed. “Yeah, he’s pretty pissed. I suspect it’s not one hundred percent due to whatever betrayal he thinks you perpetuated.”
I raised an eyebrow. “So you don’t think it’s true? You don’t believe whatever Ian thinks I did?”
Bruce raised a shoulder, shrugging. “I have no idea. I don’t know you, but my instincts tell me it won’t hurt for me to at least be a friendly face until you get on that plane. Hang on, while I go up and get our belongings.”
I realized then that we had reached the hotel. I waited patiently as Bruce went up to grab my things. By then, I had half a mind to carry myself up to the hotel’s top suite and find Ian Zerlinger and tell him off, even worse than that first night we’d met. However, I simply remained in the car, nursing my hurt feelings, barely forgetting that fact that it was the night before Christmas.
“Where to?” Bruce questioned once he’d placed my suitcases in the back of the Range Rover.
“DFW,” I stated with a steadiness in my voice that I didn’t feel at all.
“Are you sure you want to chance the airport on Christmas Eve? Kelly and I would have no problem putting you up—”
“No.” I shook my head vigorously. “I need to get out of this city. If it’s too much of a hassle, I can grab an U—”
“No,” Bruce insisted, grabbing my arm as I had already started to open the door. “The airport is fine. Next stop, DFW.”
Closing the passenger door once again, I relaxed back into my seat. I was leaving Dallas. I’d have to report in to my employer once I landed, since technically, I was still on the clock. And that was if I still had a job once I landed.