Never Look Back (Coming Home Book 2) (10 page)

I take my chances and walk inside the lobby ready to face Rebecca. To my surprise though, there’s no one behind the counter or in the lobby anymore. Other than the soft hum of the ceiling fan and a television that’s on low in the breakfast area, the room is quiet.

Suddenly, I jump as the sound of a nearby slamming door fills the room. In a matter of seconds, Rebecca comes walking around the corner with her arms loaded down with clean towels. She stops dead in her tracks once she lays eyes on me. All of the towels fall to the floor.

I instantly step closer to help her pick them up. “Here, let me give you a hand with those.”

Her gaze is cold as ice. “What the hell do you want?”

“Rebecca, we need to talk.” I do my best to keep my voice calm even though I’d like to get up in her face and tell her what I really think about her. “I really need to talk to you.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t know where Jennifer is and even if I did, you would be the last person I would tell.” Her tone is filled with anger in her defense. There’s no doubt, she is doing her best to protect Jennifer.

Just when I think I’m fighting a losing battle, a new idea quickly comes to mind. Rather than try to talk to Rebecca about the papers I received, I take a different approach and try to catch her off guard.

“I thought you knew, Rebecca. Jennifer hasn’t called you?” I look her dead in the eyes trying to sound as believable as possible. “Jennifer came home this morning.”

The look on Rebecca’s face is priceless. My plan is working beautifully.

“She and I are going to give our marriage another shot. I can’t believe she didn’t call you.”

“So where is she now?” Rebecca asks still not sure whether to believe my story or not.

“She was so exhausted from everything, she fell asleep on the couch. She looked so peaceful and at ease, I couldn’t wake her. I just needed to talk to you to see if you could offer me some advice so I don’t screw up again.”

The phone behind the front desk beeps indicating someone is calling for room service. Rebecca takes a step towards the counter then stops to look back at me. I can tell she’s still not convinced of my recent announcement. The phone continues to beep until finally she drops the disheveled towels down in the chair and answers the phone.

“Front desk, this is Rebecca speaking.”

I don’t know what the conversation pertains to, but I can tell the person on the other end of the phone call must be getting a little aggravated about something judging by the tone Rebecca has taken with them. I’m sure my news doesn’t help with her mood either.

“Yes, I have your towels.” She snaps. “I’ll be right there with them in just a few minutes.”

Rebecca looks back towards me. I just need to say a little more to have her convinced.

“You should see how much her belly has grown since she’s been gone. She looks unbelievably gorgeous now.” I’m trying to work my magic. “The pregnancy makes her glow.”

“Brian, how do I know you are telling me the truth?”

The phone beeps again.

Rebecca snatches the receiver up. I have her right where I want her.

“Yes, I told you I will be right there with your towels. Give me a moment, please.” She says to the caller then slams the phone down.

She turns to face me again. “Honestly Brian, I think you are full of shit.”

I try not to show any emotion from her remark. That, in itself, should be enough to convince her I’ve changed and that my story is true. The Brian she thinks she knows would be quick to challenge any negative comment.

“Why would I lie?”

“Do you honestly want me to answer that question?”

Okay bitch, I’ve had about all I can take. I grit my teeth, fighting hard to stay strong.

The phone beeps yet again. Instead of answering this time, Rebecca picks up the towels, straightening the few that became unfolded when they fell to the floor.

“Go take care of your room.” I tell her. “I’ll be waiting on you right here.”

“Alright. I’ll be right back.” She turns to head out the side door.

Once I feel it’s safe and she’s out of sight, I go behind the counter and begin pulling out desk drawers and looking inside the cabinets. I need to find it. Bingo! Right in front of me is Rebecca’s purse and just inside on the very top is her cell phone. I glance around the room to make sure it’s still clear and no one sees me. Headlights shine across the patio as a car pulls up and I jump. I try to tuck the phone in my front pocket as I scramble from behind the counter but it drops out of my hands, hitting the side of my foot and bouncing a few feet away across the floor. Thank goodness the phone is in a protective case or else it could have shattered. The front door opens just as I stoop down to pick it up. At the same time, Rebecca walks back in the side door. I look first at the man walking in, then over to her before I make a mad dash to the front door. I bump into the man sending him down to the floor. I could care less if I hurt him or not, I just need to get out of here fast.

“Brian, what the hell are you doing?” Rebecca yells, but I’m out the door heading for my car in a matter of seconds. Rebecca, rather than chase after me, kneels down to tend to the fallen gentleman.

I don’t look back. I pull my keys from my pocket, jump in the car and toss the phone over in the passenger seat. My hands are shaking uncontrollably but I manage drive away as quickly as possible.

I’ve been unable to fall asleep tonight, something I should be used to by now. I flip the television to another channel since I can’t stand to watch those info-commercials that come on late at night. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much all that comes on in the wee morning hours. I switch on the lamp that’s on the end table beside the sofa and pick up the book I had been reading earlier. I shift around to get comfortable, putting another pillow behind me and pulling the blanket around to cover my legs. I love sitting on the couch, the house nice and cool, but I wonder if I got in bed to read could I have a better chance of falling asleep.

Through the curtain I see headlights coming up the driveway. Even though the guest house is just off to the side of the main house, I still know when vehicles come and go at the Williams’ house. I glance down at my phone to see the time. Lately, Todd’s been coming home later than usual at night, hanging out at the library getting in some extra studying before his state test comes up in several weeks. I would love to be spending more time with him just to have some adult interaction, but I have to admire him for dedicating himself whole heartedly to his career. Todd has a goal for himself and will not stop for anything less.

When my parents were here visiting, they couldn’t help but like Todd and his parents, Rick and Beth. The more I think about it, my parents and Todd’s are very much alike in many ways.  I hated to see them go, but after getting better acquainted with everyone, they felt safe leaving me behind under their care and watchful eye. Mom and dad should be back again in a few weeks to check on me again and to follow up with the lawyer again.

Todd was true to his word about checking in with me, but the texts don’t come as often as I would like. I enjoyed hearing from him more but will settle for the occasional text.

From my position on the couch, I am able to see through the sheer curtain when the headlights shut off. In just a few moments, the front porch light is switched off as well. Todd is home, inside, safe and sound. I think about sending him a text before he goes to sleep, but I know he’s got to be exhausted. If he senses something is bothering me, then he’ll more likely come down to check on me and it’s really not necessary.

I glance down at my book trying once again to pick up with the story. My concentration is just not here tonight.

Suddenly, my phone rings and I just about jump out of my seat since I wasn’t expecting it. My heart beats rapidly, and I need a second to catch my breath. Being that it’s almost ten o’clock, I am definitely not expecting a phone call and I quickly think about my parents. I hope nothing has happened to either of them.

I pick up the phone from the side table and see Rebecca’s name light up on the screen. It’s been a few days since we have spoken, but I’m always up for a phone call from my best friend. I’m a little surprised she didn’t send a text first checking to see if I’m still awake, but I shrug off the thought and slide my finger across the screen to answer the call before it goes to voicemail.

“Hello.” I answer cheerfully always excited to hear from my best friend.

There’s nothing but silence.

“Hello?” I repeat again.

Still, nothing on the other end.

“Rebecca, are you okay? Are you there?”

Click. Dang it, she hung up. I hope everything is okay. Or, maybe a customer walked in at the hotel and she had to get off the phone quickly to tend to them. I’m sure she’ll call back when she’s done.

Another minute passes, then the phone rings again.

“Hey Rebecca.” I say this time. “Why’d you hang up?”

“It’s me Jennifer.” I hear the familiar male voice on the other end and fear immediately sets in.

Brian.

Why is Brian calling me from Rebecca’s phone? My hands start to tremble so bad I’m barely able to keep the phone from sliding lose and hitting the floor. A sudden ache takes over my body and my body cringes.

My mouth opens to say something, but I’m in such a state of shock, I can’t form any words.

“Jennifer, I know you are there. I know you hear me.”

“Noooo. I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Jennifer, please, hear me out.” Brian pleads. “We need to talk.”

I’m still having a hard time forming my words, much less getting them to make sentences.

“Why are you calling me from Rebecca’s phone?” I take a deep breath and try to regain my composure. Suddenly, I worry if Brian has figured out where I am. Did he pressure Rebecca enough that she finally gave in and told him? Rebecca promised me with her life she would keep my whereabouts secret. Under no circumstances would she give him any information. I have to believe my best friend is true to her word. There’s no way she would tell Brian.

“Look, just hear me out.” Brian begs. “Just give me a chance.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” I shout into the phone. I’m just about to hang up, I don’t’ have to listen to his pleas and demands.

“Please tell me you still love me, Jennifer. Just tell me we can try again. I need you, baby.”

“Don’t you dare call me baby! I am done with you. What part do you not get Brian? We are finished. Over! We are done!” I’m literally screaming into the phone now.

“Just tell me where you are. Let me come get you and bring you home. You know you still want me.”

I swear Brian must be crazier than I ever thought. When I sat down with the attorney my parents hired to handle the divorce, one of the questions she asked me was if I needed to put a restraining order against Brian. Had Brian done any physical harm to me? Was he continuing to threaten me? I explained to her about leaving town in hopes to avoid any confrontation with Brian. Had I made a mistake by not telling her about the bottle he threw at me? I’ve done a pretty good job of covering the scar up with makeup and my parents, either didn’t notice it, or decided not to ask about it. If I had put a restraining order against him, then he would know better than to call me.

“Brian, I’m going to hang up now. I’m asking you nicely, please don’t call me again. I have nothing to say to you. Ever!” Then it hits me. Brian’s outburst must stem from receiving the divorce papers. Several days passed without hearing anything from him, which was rather odd, and I could actually keep my phone on instead of on silent. Now, this little stunt with using Rebecca’s phone, was clever on his part.

“I’ll fight you to the end, bitch. Don’t think you can get away from me so quickly. You may not talk to me now, but you will before this is over. You hear me? It ain’t over!” Brian is screaming so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my ear. His sudden lashing frightens me. How can someone go from begging for forgiveness one minute, to rude and hurtful the next?