CHAPTER FIFTEEN - CHANCE
Things had been a disaster since leaving Ireland. I had gotten caught up in a delay on Proctor’s end and ended up finishing out the week in New York. I had tried to talk to Carrie a few times to apologize and check in, but her distance didn’t have anything to do with the miles between us.
I had just tried to call her again when there came a knock at the door. I crossed the room, listening to the endless series of rings as I let Nate in. He was going to fly over to Nebraska and meet with the environmental team.
I gave up the call and tossed the phone to the couch where it bounced off and hit the rug. “She’s not answering. The deadline is close, and by the time I get there, I’ll only have a few more hours with her. Not that it’ll matter.”
“I’m sorry, man. Proctor’s an ass. All of that jumping through hoops and he’s still threatening to back out on the deal.”
I had to face facts that the deal might fall through. I put my team to work, but that is what took all my extra time.
“Right now, man, I’m more concerned with Carrie. If I don’t get back to her, I may never see her again.”
“Just go to the diner,” Nate offered.
“I signed a contract saying I wouldn’t go after her at the end of the deal.”
“So what, man? You’re in love with her, right? You have to be if you’re more concerned about her than your business deal. You’ve never let anyone get in the way.”
He was right; I hadn’t. I had lost relationships before over business, and I’d never gone after one of my contract women. I was content to let them all go, as there had been nothing special about any of them, until Carrie. I wouldn’t lose her.
“She’s different. She’s smart and caring and has her priorities in line. She’s been through a lot too, and I want to make life better for her. She deserves it.”
“Isn’t that what the hundred thousand will do?”
“It’s not enough. Not for me. I want her.” I gathered up my things, and we headed down to the car. I tried to call her again, still to no avail.
Minutes later we arrived at the airport. Nate clapped me on the shoulder as the driver took our luggage out of the trunk. “I’ll make sure this deal goes through, my friend.” His plane was leaving twenty minutes after mine, so we walked toward my plane only to be cut off by the pilot, Lou, who came out to meet me.
“We’ve got a delay. There’s a huge storm over the Atlantic.”
“How long are we looking at? I have to get to Ireland before midnight.”
“You won’t make it there before tomorrow morning, and that’s if you’re lucky. This is a big one.” Lou scratched his head and walked away.
“Dammit.” I grabbed the phone and dialed Carrie. It rang and rang.
Nate shook his head. “Wish there was something I could do, man.”
“I will call Rick. He’s the one who will meet her when it’s time to leave. Maybe he didn’t get his flight either.” I dialed Rick who answered with a chipper tone.
“Hey, Chance. How’s it hanging, buddy? You’ll be glad to know I’m in sunny Ireland looking for rainbows.”
“Fuck!” The word flew from my lips and Nate made a face and turned away. “No, I’m not glad to hear it. I was hoping you’d be delayed. I’m still in New York. I was going to try and be back in time to see Carrie, but I can’t get her on the phone. Can you contact her and ask her to answer? Or can you would just keep her there until I get there?” I was desperate, and I hoped it was apparent in my tone.
“Ah, you want me to break the agreement?” His voice lowered, and he whistled. “May I ask why?”
“Because I don’t want her to leave before I get a chance to talk to her.” I didn’t know why it mattered to him either way.
“Yeah, um, about that. I’m not going to be able to help you. It’s not my place to break the contractual agreement, and it’s your obligation to follow through on your end of the bargain.”
I knew all of that, but he was missing my point.
“No shit, but I need your help. I have to be able to talk to her, and my plane is not going to be there in time, so I want you to stall her.” I’d paid Rick thousands of dollars to work for me and set up these arrangements, not to mention I’d known him since he was a kid and had given him a leg up when no one else would. He owed me.
“No can do, friend. It’s legal and binding. I’m not getting sued or being charged with unlawful imprisonment. But, I will tell her you called and give her a message. If she then chooses to reach you, I’ll have her call, but if not, there’s nothing else can do, I’m sorry.”
I knew what he was saying was right, but I was growing increasingly desperate. “Look, just do me this one favor, man. I’ll take the heat.”
“Do you know how many times one of your women have begged me for info on you? What if I had given in? Where would you be? There’s a reason I play by the rules, and I’m afraid that you have to as well. It’s only fair.”
“Just tell her it’s important!” I slammed down the phone and kicked my suitcase, sending it skidding across the tarmac.
Lou walked up with a frown. “I checked the weather; I can probably get you there by four a.m.”
“That’ll be too late. I may as well stay here in New York and hope that she calls.” I looked at the driver who was standing by the car with his hands resting behind his back. “Could you please take me back home?”
“Fly out to Nebraska with me. We’ll meet her at Angelo’s,” Nate offered.
I thought about it for precisely one second before nodding. “Yeah, I’ll do that.” This way, Rick was not on the hook for breaking the contract.
Nate and I boarded the plane and I spent the whole flight thinking about how to make things right with Carrie. I knew that she was pissed and hurt when I left and that was why she had lashed out. It had only proven to me that she had feelings for me too. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so angry. It gave me hope that I could get through to her and find a way to make this work.
I could see us together for the long haul. Each leaning on each other for comfort and strength, and having the best sex on earth in the process. I had lots more tricks up my sleeve all for her.
Every time I thought of how rough I’d gotten that last time, I cringed. I wasn’t so sure she’d been playing along, and even if she had been, I wanted more than someone playing a part. I hated that I’d made her do that. Role play was only good when both parties expected it.
I had never considered that I’d fall for her, but it wasn’t so terrible now that I was pretty sure she was feeling the same way. I just had to convince her that I wasn’t damaged goods, and that I could make her happy.
I hated to wait days to see her, but I knew she was due back at Angelo’s first thing Monday morning, so I would go there if I had to. Money or not, she wouldn’t quit her job, not when she was using the bulk of her payoff for hospital expenses. I just had to bide my time until she went back to work.
As we landed on Nebraska soil, I called her one more time, hoping against hope that she’d answer, but she didn’t. By the time we got to the hotel and checked in, I’d hoped to hear something, but I didn’t. There was nothing I could do but watch the clock and hope for a miracle.