Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (17 page)

"Nathan, what's up man?"

"I'm having trouble with women," Nathan said.

"Damn," Steve said. "That's not good. What you need is to talk to your sister. Hang on and I'll get her."

"Thanks man." While Nathan waited for Jill to come on the line he moved to the living room and plopped down on the sofa. He propped his feet up on the coffee table and crossed his legs at the ankles.

"What kind of trouble did you get yourself into now?" Jill asked.

"Well, it's nice to talk to you too," Nathan said dryly.

"Sorry," Jill said. "What's wrong?"

"Connie was here," Nathan said. Making it as brief as possible he told her what happened between him and Connie.

"She'll get over it," Jill said when Nathan was done. "You did the right thing by not telling her you kissed Kate."

"It didn't feel like the right thing," Nathan said. "I felt like I was deceiving her." He heard her sigh.

"You're too kind hearted for your own good, brother dear," Jill said. "If you think about it, you really don't have the right to tell Connie you kissed Kate."

"What do you mean I don't have the right to tell her?"

"You weren't the only one doing the kissing. Kate should have a say in whether you tell Connie or not," Jill said. "I know Kate well enough to know she is not going to want you telling Connie. If your conscience is going to bother you then don't kiss Kate anymore. It's hard for you to love two women, isn't it?"

"Yes," Nathan said, laying his head back against the sofa. "Everything was going smoothly for me and Connie and then Katie walks back into my life. Feelings I never knew I had for her suddenly hit me. I know I don't have a future with her. With Connie I do, but-"

"How do you know you don't have a future with Kate?" Jill interrupted. "You said yesterday that you're going to do all you can to get her away from Edward. Without him in the picture you would have a shot."

"Katie doesn't have feelings for me," Nathan said.

"I wouldn't bet on that," Jill said.

Nathan's heart skipped a beat. "What does that mean?"

"I'm not saying another word," Jill said. "Look, Nathan. You have two choices. You marry Connie and give her children, or you break it off with her and follow your heart. We both know who really has your heart, who has always had your heart. I will see you in a few hours."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Clara asked Kate several hours later. "It's not too late to back out. Dr. Holden isn't due for another ten minutes."

"I'm not backing out," Kate said. "I need to go upstairs and get Gaby ready to go."

"Leave her here with me," Clara said. "I enjoy spending time with her. She reminds me of my granddaughter."

"How old is your granddaughter?" Kate asked.

"She's six months," Clara said. "I don't get to see her as often as I would like."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Kate touched the older woman's shoulder. "When Gaby is with you, I know she's safe and cared for. I'll leave her here. You have my cell number. Call me at any time. I don't-" Just then the doorbell rang.

"If that's Dr. Holden he's early," Clara said.

Kate hurried from the living room and into the foyer. Reaching the door, she unlocked it and opened it to find Nathan standing there. "You're early."

"Is that all right?" He asked.

"Yes, come in." Kate moved aside and Nathan stepped into the foyer.

"Hello, William," He said.

Kate turned and found William standing near the stairs. His dark beady eyes were filled with disdain as he gazed at Nathan. "You may go, William," she said, dismissing him. "Your services aren't required." She closed the door. "Let's go to the living room, Nathan."

"Has he done something to upset you, Katie?" Nathan asked, following Kate to the living room.

Yes, he locked me in the closet
, she thought. "No, I just don't like him. He rubs me the wrong way."

In the living room, they took a seat on the sofa. Nathan cleared his throat. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," Kate said. "You ask me that question a lot."

"I worry about you," Nathan said softly. He brought a hand up and caressed her cheek. "You look tired. Are you getting enough sleep?"

His touch made Kate's skin tingle. She swallowed hard and tried to concentrate on his question. "N-no not really. Gaby wakes me up off and on throughout the night. It's not easy to go right back to sleep."

"Have you tried lying down during the day?"

"I take a nap occasionally."

"Rest when you can," Nathan told her. "Don't skip a meal, and it wouldn't hurt to take a multivitamin once a day."

"Should you be giving me advice?" Kate said. "You're not my doctor."

"I'm not prescribing you anything, or diagnosing anything," Nathan said. "I'm just giving you advice. You either listen to me or you don't."

"I will take your advice into consideration." Kate tried to think of something to say and drew a blank. She glanced at Nathan and saw he was staring intently at her mouth. "Don't do that."

Nathan blinked. "Do what?"

"Stare at me like that," Kate said. "Like you want to kiss me. I should have never asked you to kiss me yesterday."

"I'm not sorry I kissed you, Katie." Nathan shifted on the sofa. "It was the sweetest kiss I-"

"Don't say that," Kate whispered. "It can never happen again. I'm a married woman and you're with Connie. Does she know you kissed me?"

"No," Nathan said. "I've been debating if I want to tell her. Would you mind if I did?"

"Yes I would, but she has a right to know. Whatever you decide to do is fine by me." Kate checked her watch. "We should go."

"I'll wait here while you get Gaby," Nathan said.

"Gaby is staying here," Kate said, standing. "Clara wants to spend some time with her."

"Then I guess we can go."

Kate led the way to the foyer where she picked up her purse and keys. She was making sure, she had her cell phone on her when William spoke from behind her. "Have a nice time, Mrs. Lewis. When you return home, there is something you need to take care of in the closet upstairs. It shouldn't take more than an hour of your time."

Chapter 14

Stopped at a red light, Nathan glanced over at Kate. She was gazing out of the passenger side window, lost in thought. A strand of hair had escaped her ponytail. Nathan removed his hand from the steering wheel and reached over to tuck the silky lock of hair behind her ear. Kate turned her head and smiled at him shyly. Nathan returned the smile and then looked ahead just in time to see the light change to green. He began moving once more. As he drove, he thought about William and the words the old man had said to Kate just before they left.
There is something you need to take care of in the closet upstairs. It shouldn't take more than an hour of your time.
What did Kate need to take care of in the closet, and why did William's words fill her eyes with fear?

"What are you thinking about?" Kate asked quietly.

"William," Nathan said. "Before we left, he said there was something you need to take care of in the closet upstairs."

"I-it's n-nothing important," Kate said.

Nathan found he didn't believe her. "If it was nothing important then why were you afraid when he told you."

"I wasn't afraid," Kate muttered.

"Katie-"

"Nathan," Kate sighed. "I don't want to talk about William, or Edward. I want to forget about them for a few hours."

"All right," Nathan said. "I won't mention them again."

"Thank you," Kate said. "Tell me about Matt. What is he like?"

"He's like any normal four year old boy," Nathan said, slowing down as he turned on his signal. "He's rambunctious, full of energy and always dirty. Jill has a hard time keeping him clean."

"Does he look like Jill, or Steve?"

"He has Jill's red hair and Steve's blue eyes," Nathan said, turning on to a side street. "Poor kid has red hair and freckles."

"I think red hair and freckles are adorable," Kate declared. "You have freckles."

"Don't remind me." Nathan pulled up alongside a two-story brick house and killed the engine. "Let's sit here for a minute and enjoy the peace and quiet. Once we step foot in that house it's all gone."

Kate grinned. "It can't be that bad."

"You shall see," Nathan said, "or I should say you shall hear."

They got out of the car and made their way up the front walk toward the door. The minute Nathan opened the door Kate knew what he meant when he said the peace and quiet would be gone. The sound of screaming was deafening. Horrified, Kate looked up at Nathan who was grimacing. "What is-"

"He's throwing a temper tantrum," Nathan said loudly. "He does that when he wants something and Jill tells him no. The only thing to do is wait him out. Come on, let's find Jill."

Kate followed Nathan through the living room and into the kitchen. Jill was standing at the counter tossing a salad. "How long has he been screaming?" She asked.

"Five minutes," Jill answered. "He wanted a cookie. I told him not before lunch. Sorry about the noise. He'll calm down in a few minutes."

The back door opened and Jill's husband, Steve walked in. Hearing Matt's screams, he grimaced. "Man he's got a set of lungs. Sweetheart, just give him the damn cookie."

"No," Jill said. "I give into his demands he'll think he can get his way every time."

"She's right." Nathan placed his hand on Kate's back. "Steve, this is Katie. Katie, this is Steve."

"It's nice to meet you," Kate said.

"You too," Steve said with a smile. "Nathan, why don't we leave the ladies alone to talk, and you come outside and keep me company while I grill the food?"

"I'll send your son out after he's done," Jill told Steve.

"I don't know why he's my son when he's being bad, and yours when he's being good," Steve said, opening the refrigerator door. He took out a platter of raw chicken and a package of hot dogs. "Get the door."

Nathan opened the back door and moved aside for Steve to pass him. "Hang in there ladies. I'm sure his lungs will give out on him soon."

"Get out," Jill said.

"I'm going," Nathan said. He stepped out on to the patio and closed the door behind him.

"Ah, peace and quiet," Steve said, placing the food on the patio table. "I'd give Matt a cookie if I knew your sister would never find out."

Nathan chuckled. "She would be furious."