Kellan
My hands drag down my face in frustration. “What do you mean you’ve discovered bones?”
“What else could they possibly mean, Kellan?” Felicity huffs from beside me. “And no matter how many ways you say it, it is still true and a situation we have to deal with immediately.”
Easy for her to fucking say. It won’t be her bones they find next…
“Because they’re human, we’ve alerted the proper authorities,” the site supervisor, Jerry, informs politely. “They are sending a team now, but both of you should really be there for the answers they discover.”
I run a hand through my untamed blonde hair.
It’s not like I can say no, I have somewhere very important to be. Which I do. Somewhere not just mildly important, but single handedly the most important career milestone Brie has had of her time here. But discovering human remains can mean two very detrimental issues that could completely tank Hannah’s Hope. This is officially my greatest horror come to life.
“We’ll ride together,” Felicity sighs, motioning towards her and I. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Jerry nods and dismisses himself without another word.
Another heavy sigh leaves me as I pull my cell phone from my sweat pants pocket.
See. It truly was an unexpected middle of the night problem that needed to be dealt with immediately. I didn’t even have time to put on more than these and a t-shirt. In my defense, I thought whatever was waiting for me could be wrapped up with enough time to not only return home, but stop for the promised hot chocolate. Fuck…She didn’t set an alarm! I have to call! I have to-
Felicity covers the screen with her hand. “Do you have any idea what we could possibly be up against?”
“I do.”
“Do you really?” She snips. “Because if you did, your previous panic would rapidly be increasing.”
“You think I’m suddenly too calm?”
“I think you’re trying to distract yourself from the reality that Hannah’s Hope is about to receive a blow it might not be able to bounce back from.”
My lips press together to prevent voicing my resentment towards her for that comment.
“Those bones, most likely do not have a pleasing path for us. They are either less than fifty years old, making the digging space a scene of interest in an active criminal investigation, shutting it completely down for months at minimum or they are over a century old making the site an archeological opportunity shutting it down for years if not permanently. On the very, slim odds those remains are somewhere in between? We are still looking at weeks of downtime as they deliberate in the court what to do with them.”
Hearing my thoughts actually spoken out loud causes my head to fall forward. Trepidation tightens around the nape of my neck. “Bloody hell…”
Why me? Why does this shit keep happening to me? Am I just not meant to make a difference? Am I not meant to create this? Is this God or the Universe or fate’s way of declaring MINOH is enough, stop trying to aim higher?
Her hand reaches out for mine, instantly lifting my eyes to hers. “Let’s hope for weeks and start brainstorming alternatives for years.”
Unsure of what else to say, I whisper, “Alright.”
“We should get going.”
I thoughtlessly nod and tuck my phone back into my pocket.
Do me a favor? Hope or pray or send out smoke signals to whatever it is you believe in that this is not the end of my future. That whatever happens next we can work through it.
I lean against the rear passenger door and fold my arms tightly across my chest. “They have to test the bones in a lab?”
“Just to ensure they are indeed as old as he’s predicting, Kellan. I tried to talk Aprille out of it, given that we’re old friends, but she wouldn’t budge. She refuses because it could cost her her job. Apparently it’s indisputable protocol.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
“It’s only ridiculous because you can’t have the answers you want the minute you want them.” Felicity positions her body in front of me. “Patience, babe.”
“Please do not call me that,” I practically growl.
She glances at her heels for a moment before looking back up to state. “If those bones are not in the historical time frame, then we can keep the property, but for the sake of the children it would probably be wiser to purchase more land and build the sports facility there.”
“Can we even afford to do that?”
She sighs, “If we make budget cuts elsewhere.”
“Like what?”
“Perhaps the nutritional structuring?”
“No.”
“The humanities department you are dead set on?”
“No.”
“There’s always the cultural departments. Perhaps music. Or theater. Or-”
“Do not say it.” I point a stern finger. “Do not even think it.”
Felicity presses her red lips together.
“My wife is taking that fucking three hour test specifically to work at Hannah’s Hope!” All of sudden I feel completely winded as if someone punched me in the gut. “Fuck!” Scrambling to pull my phone out, I mentally start preparing for the annihilation I more than deserve at this point.
I didn’t even fucking text her!? Why didn’t you remind me on the ride over?! Do you want me to get divorced?
A look of distress settles on my face at the sight of numerous missed calls from palace security.
“What?” Felicity questions with a cocked head.
“I don’t know,” I barely state and hit the button to return the call.
Clarence answers to the phone. “KPS.”
“You called?”
“Yes, Prince Kellan. It’s in regards to Princess Brie.”
My heart wedges itself in my throat. “Is she…is she…is she…”
“We honestly do not know, sir.”
“What?!”
“Why are you yelling?” Felicity interrupts.
“Shut. Up.” I bite viciously. With my heart racing, I command, “Explain. Now.”
“Kage called Vincent to confirm the testing situation of this morning. When Vincent informed him you two were not together, he insisted we try to get a hold of her. After consistently calling her only to receive no response, we sent him to the penthouse. There was no answer. There has not been an answer. I’ve tracked her phone to a parking garage about a block from the testing center. I sent two agents to do a sweep of the area, but could not locate her. I had footage pulled from traffic cams, but again, could not locate her on them. There’s a possibility she is there, but unfortunately due to the busy downtown morning, if she is, we could not locate her in the footage. I’ve been in contact with the administration of the testing center; however they are not legally allowed to disclose whether or not she checked in.”
My entire body tenses as I force myself to ask, “Did anyone try Guy?”
“He has not been answering either.”
“And his phone?”
“Off.”
“Him on the cameras?”
“No.”
I lied. This is my greatest horror come to life….
“I’m headed to the teaching facility now.” Vincent doesn’t question my declaration. He relocates to the front of the vehicle and climbs inside. “I will let you know what I find.”
“Yes sir.”
Quickly ending the call, I rush to open my car door when Felicity’s hand grabs my bicep. “Where are you going?”
“To find my wife.”
“She’s missing?”
“Possibly.” I snatch my arm out of her grip. “But I need to go.”
“But-”
“I’m not asking permission, Felicity. I am politely informing you I’m fucking leaving.”
Her mouth falls.
“Verified results are not in until tomorrow and even if they get them sooner, I don’t care. Even if she could spout them off this very minute, I. Do. Not. Care. The only thing and I truly fucking mean, the only thing that matters right now is finding my wife and verifying her safety.”
I slide into the back seat at the same time she says, “I’ll call a cab. I’ll message you the change if there is any. Find your wife.”
Nodding, I shut the door and Vincent begins to drive.
What the hell is wrong with me? How could I let this happen? How could I do this? Not a single text or call or anything? What if she’s just as worried as I am? What if she can barely breathe for fear the worst has happened to me?
With my attention devoted to watching the passing car, I try to assess how I let my life spiral this far off its axis.
One minute I had everything and within the span of mere hours I may have absolutely nothing…
Vincent makes what feels like record timing downtown. He valets the car at a trusted parking center and escorts me closely to the education center I’m hauling ass to. Thankfully because of his size, rather than have to shove people out of my way, they veer to one side to automatically make room. At the rate I’m moving they hardly even have a moment to note my face let alone who I am.
When I finally arrive outside the doors of the glass building, I’m equally relieved and irate to see Guy sitting alone in the lobby.
Chances are if he’s here than so is she…Fuck. You have no idea how much I hate that that’s the case nowadays.
I swing the door wide open, prepared to rip him a new one for not calling, not communicating about my wife, when the woman behind the front desk, clears her throat in warning.
Guy turns his face towards mine. He doesn’t bother smiling or entertaining me with kindness in his greeting. “Kellan.”
My shaking hand runs through my hair. “Can I have a word with you? Outside?”
He gives me a curt nod, stands, and puts the book he was reading in his seat as a place holder.
Can you see the title? Is it 101 ways to steal someone’s wife from right under their nose? Probably not a catchy title but I’m sure that’s beside the point.
On a sharp spin, I exit the building with Guy just a step behind me.
The instant we’re both on the sidewalk I do something unexpected to both of us. My hands grab him by the collar of his baby blue polo shirt and thrust him backwards against the brick wall. “What the hell is your problem?!” He starts to speak when I push him against the wall again. “What the hell are you doing here?!”
He gives my body a good shove away in return, which prompts Vincent to step forward. I lift my hand for him to stand down at the same time Guy replies, “Supporting my friend. The very thing you should be here doing.”
His words taste so sour I can barely stomach it.
I know I should fucking be here! I don’t need him of all people to remind me of that.
“Well, I’m here now,” I state firmly.
“Late. As is your only ability it seems.”
Unfortunately I can’t even argue with him.
“You can go.”
Guy gives me a belittling chuckle. “You think that’s how this works? You think that’s what I am? Your…place saver?”
The combination of his tone and defensive stature curl my fist unconsciously.
“You are highly mistaken.” He tips his head a little higher. “Besides, even if that’s all Brie believed I was, let’s be honest, I still wouldn’t leave because chances are your phone is going to ring with a call from Felicity like it always does and you’re going to go running.”
His implication stifles my breathing.
“It’s the same story every bloody week, Kellan. Your wife needs you, but your ex gets you. How is that right? How is that fair? And on the record as well, I couldn’t be your place saver for several reason, with the most important being because I’m better than you. I actually give a damn about Brie. I’m not just some bloody prick who only seems capable of making time for his wife when he needs to get his rocks off.”
My fist lands on his nose with the force of a freight train. Guy’s head bobs backwards bumping into the brick wall.
“Kellan!” Brie’s voice shrilly squeaks as she rushes over to the situation. “What the hell is wrong with you!?”
“He needs to stay the hell away from you!”
She brushes past me straight to him.
“I mean it!”
Her hand winds through the back of his hair at the same time she gently examines his face. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“No!” I shout louder, well aware of the crowd we’ve drawn, but too wound up to care. “He is! He’s been after you since day 1!”
“No he hasn’t,” she calmly shuts me down and softly says something to him.
“Yes he has!”
Her displeased expression finally meets mine. “No he hasn’t!”
“Yes-”
“He’s gay!” She screams loud enough it stumbles me backwards.
No….No. Absolutely not. You’ve seen the way he looks at her! You heard what he said to me! He can’t be gay! I didn’t get this…wrong…It’s a lie! A bloody lie!
“He’s not gay!”
“He sure the hell is!”
“It’s a lie!”
“He has a fucking boyfriend!”
“And now that that’s ringing from chapels, do you mind if we move this conversation to the hospital?” Guy says, blood dripping profusely down his neck. “I’m fairly certain my nose is broken.”
“Of course! Oh my God, of course!” Brie quickly insists. “Isn’t the hospital just a block up?”
“Yes.”
Her arm moves to help guide him that direction when my hand wraps around hers. “You’re not leaving with him, Brie! He’s not the man you married!”
She snatches herself away from me. “Yeah, well, neither are you.”
My mouth hits the pavement and my knees wobble.
I motion to follow them when Vincent’s large palm prevents the action. “With all due respect, sir, it might be a better decision for your safety and her sanity to let her walk away at this time.”
“My safety?” I bark.
He roams his eyes around the sizeable crowd that now have their phones out, snapping photos, recording videos, and documenting what is easily the worst day of my life. Seeing his valid point, I nod, and wave a hand for him to get us the hell away from here.
I….I…I can’t right now. I can’t deal with this. Or them. Or you. None of it.