Scattered Thoughts (Betrayed by Love Book 1) (15 page)

“Again… Geez, Izzy, I remember when you’d make time for your best friend.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll take a few days off after graduation and we’ll hang out, just the two of us.”

“What about Spencer?” Shit. I still hadn’t told her about the divorce but I wasn’t about to get into that on the phone, not with her pissy attitude that was for sure. I couldn’t bear the wrath of Val for keeping that news from her.

“Just us, no men allowed. Call me when you book your flight. I’ve gotta go.”

“Fine,” she snapped before slamming the phone down in my ear. I felt bad for lying to her but I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to deal with her attitude. She was clearly upset about something but she would’ve made me drag it out of her. It was the attention she really wanted. It wouldn’t matter that my life was spinning out of control. I powered off my phone, all hopes of a relaxing evening far out of reach.

The hotel was less than a mile from the scenic Bayshore Boulevard and a walk sounded pretty good after that call. Dr. Choi suggested  I  wait  a  couple weeks  before  resuming  my normal workout routine but luckily walking was on the recommended activities list. I changed into my running shoes and headed down to the lobby.

A tall man in a black suit and tie that looked remarkably similar to the one Preston wore approached me as soon as I got off the elevator. “Ms. James?” he asked.

“Yes. I’m Izzy James. Who are you?”

“I’m Frank, ma’am. I’m your new driver.”

Great, just what I needed right now. “It’s nice to meet you, Frank.”

He handed me a business card. “This is my cell phone number. I’m available any time day or night.”

“Thanks.” I put the card in my pocket. “I’m just going for a walk tonight but I’ll call you in the morning when I’m ready to go.”

“I’ll come with you.”

I held up my hand. “No thanks. I’d like to be alone.”

“Mr. Payne insisted I escort you if you left the hotel, ma’am.”

I rolled my eyes. I was starting to get really annoyed with this overprotective nonsense. I’d agreed to let Frank drive me, not babysit me. “Well, what Mr. Payne doesn’t know won’t kill him, Frank.” I walked past him through the automatic doors. When Frank followed me outside I knew that was one battle I wasn’t going to win.

Storming back inside the hotel, I headed straight to the bar where I ordered a bottle of wine to take to my room where I could sit on the balcony and watch the sunset, by myself!

• • • • •

The flight back to Pensacola seemed longer somehow. Probably because my head had been pounding since I woke up and the noisy plane was only making it worse. Alec called before I left the hotel but I’d been in the shower and missed his call. His message said he’d be tied up until after lunch. I’d been looking forward to hearing from him but all I could do now was wait.

Yesterday I left my car in the parking garage at my office and I planned to drive it home. I didn’t like the idea of being dependent on someone else. Alec wasn’t going to be thrilled about me driving but it was my car I didn’t like the idea of leaving it at the office all weekend. Besides, my ribs felt fine, as long as I didn’t run, or lift, or twist too fast. “I need to go to my office, Frank,” I said when he pulled away from the airport.

“Sure thing, Ms. James,” he answered, without question.

I offered him the address to my office but he already had it. I should’ve known. He probably had the address to my house already too.

“Pull the car in that open space near the elevator.”

“That’s a loading zone, Ms. James.”

“You’re just dropping me off. You can move the car into a space after I get out.”

He did as I asked. “Call me when you’re ready to go.”

“Okay.” I looked out the window, unable to look him in the face knowing that what I was about to do would likely get him in hot water with his boss.

Frank moved the car in search of an open parking space and as soon as he was out of sight I made a mad dash to my car and took off toward home. In no time I merged onto the highway and mashed down on the accelerator.

On the drive home I called Sara to find out if Spencer was in town. I was relieved to hear he’d left again and wouldn’t be back until the following night. I planned to move to a hotel in the morning but I was thankful to be in my own house for the night. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed, my own bed, and sleep this off.

Spencer and I would need to work out a schedule for staying at the house the next couple of months but I was still too mad to talk to him. He cheated on me and I was the one taking all the blame, and this blaring pink cast served as a constant reminder of the nightmares I’d been having as a result, the nightmares that resulted in two cracked ribs and a fractured forearm.

Drew and Anna were in the kitchen when I got home. Drew’s mouth dropped open when he saw the hot pink cast I was sporting. “Mom! What happened?”

Closing my eyes, I said a silent prayer he’d believe me. “I had a bad dream and must’ve bumped it on the nightstand or something.” Even though I knew that couldn’t be true it was the only explanation I could offer because there was no way I was going to suggest that someone actually did this.

Anna pulled me into a tight hug. I winced as she squeezed my arm but didn’t say anything. I was just happy she wasn’t still mad at me anymore. “Careful, Anna,” Drew admonished.

“It’s not a big deal guys. I just have to wear this hideous thing on my arm for a few weeks.” I held the cast up. Distraction deployed.

Drew kissed me on the cheek. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Me too,” Anna said, “but hot pink?” She threw her arms in the air making us all laugh, the way we used to laugh before all this craziness started.

“What time are you leaving for the photo shoot?” I asked, taking the spotlight off of me.

“The limo isn’t coming until four o’clock. I wanted to leave earlier so I could get ready at the hotel, but Drew won’t drive me.”

“You really need to get your license, Anna. What are you going to do when you leave for college and I’m not around?”

“Leave me alone, Drew. You know I don’t like to drive.”

“Too bad because I’m not taking you.”

Anna folded her arms across her chest, her bottom lip protruding. “Please, Drew.”

“I’ll take you, Sweetie.” Drew rolled his eyes but I didn’t care. Anna was talking to me again and that’s what really mattered.

She threw her arms around me again. “Thank you!” she screamed in my ear. “I’m gonna take a shower. Let’s leave at noon, okay?” I nodded my agreement and she ran off upstairs.

“You know you’re only enabling her.”

“Maybe,” I laughed, and Drew laughed too.

“I guess I better get ready, too. I still have to pick up Chelsea’s corsage.” He kissed me on the cheek and disappeared up the stairs.

It was only ten o’clock so I headed upstairs to lie down for a while, hoping to get rid of this awful headache. Every step I took was just another reminder of how much I drank last night. Sprawling out across my king sized bed, I closed my eyes. Thoughts of Alec raced through my mind. His email from a couple days ago, “PRESTON WILL DRIVE YOU,” he’d written. He was so controlling, too controlling. Mr. Control Freak, IDCF. The flowers, all the flowers, “
Do I make you smile
?”

And he does.

“Mom, wake up, we’re gonna be late.”

The sun shone brightly through the window when I opened my eyes. “What time is it?”

“It’s noon already. Get up!”

Twelve o’clock. Shit. I sat up in bed, my head still throbbing. “I’m up, Anna. I’m up.”

“Good, now hurry.” She stormed out of my room.

I swallowed two Advil then moved slowly out of bed and into the bathroom to wash my face, hoping the cool water might help rid my headache.

Despite my efforts to hurry it was almost twelve thirty by the time I made into the kitchen where Anna was waiting. She handed me a travel mug. “Here, drink this. It’s the ultimate hangover cure,” she said. She tugged at the elbow of my good arm and I followed her to the car, silently wondering what was in the cup, and more importantly, how she knew it cured hangovers.

It was a quick drive to the hotel. Chris was so excited to see me, despite me transferring his account to Kari, that he upgraded Anna and her friends to a suite, free of charge. His easy going nature was one of the things I’d really enjoyed about working with him.

In my haste to get Anna to the hotel on time I’d left without my purse.  Fortunately there was plenty of time before the shoot to drive home and get it. If only I could get rid of my screaming headache. Reluctantly I took a long drink from the concoction Anna gave me. I swallowed quickly, not exactly sure what was in the cup. It tasted surprisingly familiar. I took another drink. “Orange juice,” I laughed out loud then drained the mug.

I reached up to activate the gate remote when I turned into my driveway and almost rear ended the car that was parked in front of the gate.
Shit.
I slammed on the brakes barely avoiding the collision. The driver door opened and a man stepped out.
Double shit.
Preston. His narrowed eyes didn’t exactly say ‘happy to see you’ either. I climbed out of the car to see what was going on, my heart beating in my throat. But when he reached for the back door I thought for certain I was going to faint.

“
Alec
,” I gasped.

He glared at me with an intensity I hadn’t seen in his eyes before. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again. I stood still, frozen in front of him, not sure of the best way to proceed. I knew he wouldn’t be happy that I ditched Frank and drove myself home, but the thought of him showing up at my house to confront me about it had never crossed my mind.

Alec stepped closer. “Do you know what a driver does, Isabella?” Without waiting for me to answer, he continued. “He drives! I told you I didn’t want you driving yourself until your ribs healed, yet here you are.” He threw his hands up in the air. “The doctor said you should avoid driving and I expect you to follow his orders.”

Seriously?
I took a step back and folded my arms across my chest. I’d had just about enough of this third degree shit. “First of all he said driving wasn’t recommended, he never said I
couldn’t
do it. And second, I’ll drive
my
car whenever
I
feel like it.”

He pulled his hand through his hair. “I only want you safe, Isabella. Can’t you see that?”

“And I appreciate that, Alec. But I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” He rubbed his forehead again. His angst couldn’t only be about me driving. There had to be something else going on. It made me wonder if there was more to those break-ins than he was telling me. Cupping his cheek in my good hand, I said, “I’m fine, okay?”

Alec pulled me into a hug and held me close, until my stomach growled. “Have you eaten today, Isabella?” Great, just what I needed, something else for him to freak out about. I shook my head and hoped for the best.

To my surprise, Alec took the keys out of my hand. “Lunch it is then, but I’m driving.” He walked around the car to the passenger side and held the door open. I climbed in without argument, glad he’d stopped yelling at me, beyond happy he was here. Alec slid in behind the wheel and backed out onto the street.

“I have to be in Destin by four fifteen.”

“For the photo shoot?”

“Yes,” I said hesitantly. “How do you know about that?”

“Drew invited me.”

My head started to spin. “You talked to Drew? When? Why?” I fired the questions in rapid succession.

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Isabella.” Shit. I really needed to stop giving him ammunition to use against me. “Drew called my office this morning. He’s worried about you.”

“What’s he worried about?”

Alec looked over at me. “Let’s see, could it be that hot pink cast you’re wearing, maybe?”

“But why would he call you?”

“You’ll have to ask him that.”

Anxiously, I asked, “You didn’t tell him about my ribs, did you?”

Alec shook his head. “That isn’t my story to tell, Isabella.”

“Well what did you tell him?”

He looked over at me and smiled. “That’s between me and Drew.”
Seriously?
My son called him and he’s not even going to tell me what they talked about. Control freak!

• • • • •

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“What if Spencer decides to show up?”

“So what if he does?”

“It’s just,” I put down my fork and looked into his eyes. “Anna is so protective of him.” The memory of her anger when she saw the picture of me and Alec still haunted me. “Alec, she was so mad at me and—”

“Isabella, lots of people will be at the shoot. Anna will be too busy to notice who’s there and who isn’t. And besides, Spencer won’t be there anyway so stop worrying about it.”

“What, did he call you too?”

Alec’s jaw tightened. “Don’t be ridiculous, Isabella. Drew told me.”

I shook my head, still trying to wrap my mind around why Drew felt the need to call Alec. It wasn’t like we were even an item, not really anyway. We’d spent very little time together outside of the cruise, and that one night in his condo. But Drew couldn’t possibly know that, could he? “What else did you and Drew talk about?”

“I told you, that’s between the two of us, but I will tell you he’s not buying your ‘I broke my arm in my sleep’ story.”

Great. I’d really hoped I wouldn’t have to try and explain my injuries again because the only other explanation I had was the one the doctor offered, and I certainly wasn’t going to tell Drew that. Not until I was absolutely sure he was right. I mean, come on, someone broke into my house, without setting off the alarm, without waking me up, now
that
was crazy. “Do you believe me?”

Alec put his hand over mine. “No,” he said simply. I pulled my hand back but he caught it and held me in place. The lines on his forehead deepened. “I want to believe you, Isabella, because the alternative scares the hell out of me.” The look on his face said it all; Mr. Control Freak had found something he couldn’t control.

• • • • •

The Sandestin did an amazing job putting together the Paris inspired theme for the photo shoot. Dozens of teenagers dressed to the nines in designer gowns and tuxes ready to have the time of their lives. Anna in the Tony Bowls mermaid gown Spencer bought her, Drew in his custom tailored Vera Wang tux. Nearly every senior at Ft. Walton Beach High was there to preserve the memory of their special day.

Luckily, Spencer hadn’t shown up at the shoot. Drew assured Alec that Spencer wouldn’t be there but I had still worried about him showing up to surprise Anna. And just like Alec had said, there were so many people there I barely had a minute to talk to either of my kids.

Alec and I stayed long after the last limo left, walking along the shoreline watching the breathtaking sunset the clear night offered.  We shared an order of lobster ravioli at The Funky Blues Shack while enjoying the sounds of a local blues band. Alec tried to convince me to spend the weekend at the hotel but I was really looking forward to sleeping in my bed, even if it was only for one night. And besides, I didn’t even have my purse with me, or a change of clothes. Fortunately, he hadn’t pushed too hard.

A cool breeze picked up that had me shivering. “Let’s get you home,” Alec said. “I need to get back anyway.”

“You’re flying out tonight?”

Alec pulled me into his chest and kissed me softly on the lips. “I wish I could stay, baby, but I have to get back.” My lower lip protruded protesting the news. He bit my lip. “Don’t pout. I’ll be back on Monday.”

I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face against his chest. I didn’t want him to go. I wanted to stay there all night, wrapped in his arms.
What are you doing to me, Alec Payne?
I asked myself, surprised by my overwhelming desire to be near him.

When we pulled into the garage at my house I was relieved to find Spencer’s space empty. He wasn’t expected back until morning but that wouldn’t have been the first time he’d come home earlier than expected. I wasn’t sure if it was the wine, or the walk on the beach, or the drive home, but I was spent and couldn’t wait to get into bed.

“I’ll see you Monday,” Alec whispered before kissing me on the mouth, a kiss so full of promise it had my knees buckling.

Preston drove through the open gate and Alec took a step toward the car. “Travel safe,” I called after him, my equilibrium finally returning.

“No driving, Isabella. Don’t make me tell you again.”

A mischievous grin crossed my face. “And what if I do?”

Alec’s jaw tightened. “No. Driving,” he said again in a tone that made my insides tingle. “Are we clear on that?”

“Yes,” I breathed, my insides still tingling from the effects of that kiss. I would’ve agreed to almost anything at that moment. Alec closed the gap between us and sealed it with one last kiss before walking toward the car, leaving me wanting, again.

He climbed into the car and just like that he was gone. I reached in my jacket pocket for my house keys only they weren’t there. I checked the other pocket, no keys.
Control Freak!
my inner voice snapped. No, surely he hadn’t taken them. I fished out my phone and dialed his number.

“Payne,” he answered.

“Did you take my keys?”

“So what if I did?” he asked, using my words against me once more.

I closed my eyes and exhaled loudly into the phone. “How am I supposed to get inside the house, Alec?”

“Check the door, Isabella. It’s unlocked.”

“Seriously,” I snapped. “What if there’s an emergency? What if I
need
my car?”

“Frank will be arriving soon. He’ll take you anywhere you want to go, day or night.”

“What do you mean, Frank will be arriving?”

“Since you refused to stay at the hotel you left me no choice but to have Frank stay there with you.”

Had he honestly expected me to just accept that he’d made such a big decision about my life without talking to me about it? Who the hell did he think he was? “Yeah, I don’t think so, Alec. You can’t just decide who stays at my house and who doesn’t.” The idea of having some stranger staying with me was absurd.
I’m Izzy James, damn it. I’m a strong, independent woman
. And I sure as hell didn’t need someone looking after me. And I most definitely didn’t need a driver!

“Baby—”

“Don’t ‘baby’ me, Alec Payne! I can’t believe you decided this without so much as talking to me about it. I’m an adult, damn it.”

Alec sighed heavily into the phone. “I told you, Isabella. I just want you safe.”

“Whatever!” I screamed into the phone. “But don’t expect me to be happy about it.” Disconnecting the call, I stormed up the stairs, my head spinning. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this, whatever
this
was.

Sand clung to my ankles from our walk on the beach so I got in the shower to wash it off, still fuming about Alec’s lack of boundaries. And I was even more worked up after my shower when I came downstairs to find Frank sitting at the breakfast bar. This wasn’t his fault. He was just following orders, undoubtedly what Alec expected me to do as well.

I directed Frank to the spare room down the hall from Sara’s, then went back to the kitchen for a glass of wine. One glass quickly turned into two, my courage strengthening with every drink. Who did this control freak think he was? I poured a third glass and stormed upstairs to find my phone, determined to tell Alec Payne exactly how I felt about all his nonsense.

Damn it! The call went straight to voicemail. “You can’t control me ya know. I’m Izzy James. I don’t need a damn babysitter!” I disconnected the call and fell face down on the bed, disappointed I didn’t get to yell at him.

• • • • •

It was dark and I couldn’t see. Something was covering my eyes. I tried to move it but my arms were tied. That smell, not that smell; alcohol, cigarettes, and gardenias? My head was so heavy.