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The Tessarae Inn |
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Suspicions In Scarlet Repose
CHAPTER 9
Heather watched her father through narrowed eyes. It was interesting how short “never” was. “You need to get yourself together, Number One. This mess is shameful. And look at you. You look like you are all puffy. Too much sugar and wallowing in misery. Treyscott is not now, nor has he ever been, worth your time and trouble.” “I don’t want to talk about Bryan.” “I understand why not. He’s a loser. Is he still dating Cassie?” Oh so that’s what this was about. Cassie. Damn her. She glared at her father then said, “I hear they're screwing on a regular basis.” He took a step back but then stretched his neck and locked his gaze on her. “That’s funny because I’ve heard Treyscott has a new woman all together. Gorgeous woman that knows how to fill out a dress and make a man’s mind go blank with a strategic sway. Kind of woman that makes a man weak and happy about it.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Just left them at the stadium and there was so much heat I thought they were going to burn the place down. A woman like that knows how to wrap a man around her little finger. He was all up on her and even I could see the fever.” “So what, you couldn’t wait to rush over here and tell me that? You went out of your way to hurt me.” “I came over here to remind you of who you are. You’re Carl Shuttlesworth’s daughter and nobody’s fool. You understand a woman like that. Hell, you used to be a woman like that. Now make up your damn mind. Let him go or get him back, but either way stop sitting up her eating and getting fat. You need to let that bitch know who she’s dealing with.” Who she's dealing with? Did she sound that stupid when she made statements like that or announced to people that she was Carl Shuttesworth’s daughter? Probably. Yet another insight. In some ways, these last few weeks away from him and had been like walking out of a fog. “What kind of father are you?” “The only kind you’ve ever known and the only kind you deserve. I didn’t raise some weak, mewling baby. You go get what’s yours or kick it in the ass, but don’t sit up here destroying yourself over some trash you lost.” “Is that what you tell yourself about Cassie?” He glared at her for a few seconds then abruptly turned on his heels and left the apartment. She walked to the window and watched as his limo pulled away then disappeared into the night. Had he ever really cared about her at all? Was that even a question? She grabbed her car keys. She had somewhere to go.
Heather decided that the problem with denial was that when you strip away all of the comforting delusions you are left ten times more vulnerable than if you had just faced up to the truth in the first place. She had spent so much time blowing off her feelings for Bryan, pretending that he didn’t really matter that now every time she saw him the intensity of her feelings caught her off guard. When he opened the door, he was dressed in well-worn jeans and a basic cotton tee shirt. He was barefoot and his hair was racing in ten thousand different directions as if he had just jumped out of bed. She couldn’t remember when she ever wanted him more. I
try to forget but you are all I want to do. “We need to talk,” she said softly. “I doubt that.” “Can I come in?” He exhaled. “Please,” she said and tried to keep her voice from sounding whiny or pleading, but she doubted she was successful. He blinked rapidly for a few seconds. “Yeah, sure. Got nothing to lose. You know the score and not a damn thing has changed.” She nodded and slipped past him into the apartment. He was right about the apartment at least. Not a damn thing had changed. His exercise equipment still dominated the room as if abstract metal sculptures. A wave of heat spread across her body as she remembered some of the things they had done on the equipment. She turned away and found he was standing almost right on top of her. He could say otherwise, but he missed her, too. He stepped back. “What do we need to talk about, Heather?” “It’s been some time. I thought maybe we’ve both gotten over the worst of the anger.” “What did you have to be angry about? As always you got everything you wanted.” “Except you. I miss you and I’m sorry about what Daddy Carl said. I hope by now you know it wasn’t true.” “It wasn’t your father that left me standing alone in a church full of people.” “Give it a damn rest, Bryan. I did what I thought was best at the time. I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you.” “What did you mean to do then?” “I thought we got past all of that?” “Why? Because you let me take my anger out on you sexually? Because you let me have you anyway I wanted to?” “No. That’s not why. It’s because whenever you put your hands on me, neither one of us can deny whose mark is on me. Do you think I don't know that? Do you think I’ve forgotten?” “You were with Travis.” “I thought you were with Robyn.” “You went after Manning.” “That was a mistake and you know what that was about. I didn’t know, but you did.” “So, what, I should have saved you from yourself?” “Yes.” He turned and looked out of the windows overlooking the skyline. “You know, Heather, I used to dream about us being together. I used to see you in that house I always wanted to build and two or three kids running around. What a laugh, huh?” “I just wasn’t ready. Needed to grow up some.” “I guess I should be grateful you walked out. Can you see you as somebody’s mother? What in the hell was I thinking? It would have been a disaster all the way around.” She tried to hold back but the tears seemed to burst forth of their own free will. He moved closed to her. “What is wrong with you?” She tried to calm down and answer him but the tears wouldn’t stop. He moved closer and pulled her into his arms. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, okay? Sorry.” Being in his arm felt so good that she cried harder. She knew he was going to step back in a minute and like before all she would be left with was her need for him. She forced herself to pull back. “I’m getting your shirt dirty.” He looked at her with a raised eyebrow then pulled the shirt over his head. He blotted her tears then threw it across the room. He pulled her close to him then kissed her. “What the devil is going on here?” Treyscott pulled away from her quickly then stepped back and turned toward the voice. “Carmen,” he said in a flat tone. Carmen glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and put her hands on her hips. “Right the first time. And I suggest you get this bitch out of here. Now.” Heather felt a rocket go off in her head. She stomped toward Carmen. “I’m sick of you. Who do you think you are?” Carmen held her ground, glanced briefly at Treyscott then focused on Heather. “Shall I tell her, Bryan?” He moved behind Heather quickly and pulled her back. “Heather, you better leave. This isn’t a good time.” Carmen threw her head back and laughed. “That’s right, rich bitch. Tuck your damn tail between your legs and limp on out of here. Now. And don’t let me catch you here again or I won’t be nice about it.” Heather shot a glance at Treyscott but he looked away. She grabbed her purse then cleared her throat. “I don’t even know how to spell the word nice. Consider yourself warned.” Carmen made a hissing sound. Heather lifted her chin, straightened her back and walked out of the apartment.
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Suspicions In Scarlet Repose FAN FICTION SLIDESHOWS
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