Top Love: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (Young Adult Stepbrother and Billionaire Romance Stories) (40 page)

I look up and suddenly, I’m home.  I have no clue how I got here, though logically, it’s obvious.  Jimmy is here.  As soon as I see him, I break down and run inside.  Right now, I just need him to hold me.  I know he doesn’t really care for Eddie, but he loves me.

“Baby?  What’s wrong?” he asks as he wraps his arms around me.

In between the sobbing, I reply, “It’s Eddie.”

“What’s ‘Eddie’?  What did he do?”

“They think he has cancer.”  I whisper. 

“Oh, my god, babe!  I’m so sorry.  I know he’s your friend.  Do they know how bad?”

“No, not yet, but apparently bad enough to show in blood tests right away.  They’ve just called him in to get some more tests done so they can figure out what stage it’s in.”

“Is there anything you want me to do?” he asks. 

“There’s nothing we really
can
do.” I reply.  “All we can do is just be there and that’s what I plan to do.”

He stiffens around me, but at this point I could care less.  If I have to choose between Jimmy or Eddie—it will
always
be my best friend, Eddie.

***

Eddie

              At noon the next day, I find it difficult to get out of bed.  I’m more aware of the pain and depressed on top of it, but if I lay there much longer, the pain will intensify.  So, I roll off of the bed and place my feet on the floor to head toward the bathroom.  I knew I had pain medication left over from getting my wisdom teeth removed.  I take a couple and then start my water for my bath.  I’m sure the hot bath will help me relax a little—at least enough to get me through until the pain meds work. 

I start to feel really bad for involving her like this, but something has got to give here.  I have been waiting to confess my true feelings for her for a long time.  I didn’t realize I had lost my chance until I found out Jimmy proposed to her. 

I look over at the caller ID and see it’s Krystal.  I decide to get it later.  I just need some time to process all of my thoughts.  You know that feeling you get when you do something really wrong, but can’t help it because you consistently rationalize the purpose for that wrongdoing?  Yeah, I think the pain is not just from my stomach issues, but from the guilt.   The ringing stops, but starts again.  I look over again and it’s her.  She’s just going to have to give me a moment.  I’ll call her back later and let her yell at me then.  Right now, I’m soaking. 

It took me a bit, but I finally relaxed.  Just as the meds began to take hold of me, I climbed out of the tub and dried off.  I walked into my bedroom to get some clothes on.  As soon as I placed one foot in one pant leg, there was a banging at the door.  It sounded like cops—and urgent.  I hurried through putting my clothes on quickly and ran downstairs to see who it was.

***

Krystal

The bastard is not answering my phone calls or returning my text messages.  My mind automatically goes to the worst possible scenario. 
Maybe he’s ‘praying to the porcelain gods’ and can’t come to the phone
, I think to myself.  That thought still does not ease my frustration, so I end up throwing my phone.  “Damn it, Eddie!” I exclaim as I throw my phone across the room.  That thing is resilient, I tell you.  It definitely takes a beating. 

After twenty more minutes, I’m going out of my mind.  I slip on my flip flops, grab my keys, and make my way to the car.  I keep flashing on a mental image of him huddled over the toilet puking blood and whatever else we ate today.  I’m certain I broke a few traffic laws, too, on the way, but I could care less. 

I arrive, run up to the door, and beat on it like a cop at a drug bust.  It seems like forever before he finally opens the door, and boy, does he look like shit!  I know he doesn’t feel well, but my temper gets the best of me for a moment as I begin to let him have it.  “Eddie, I called you twice!  Why didn’t you answer?  You had me worried!  Are you incapable of pressing the GREEN button?”  I stand there huffing and puffing from my rant. 

              Eddie just looks at me calmly as he always does.  “Are you done?” he said softly.  “Look, I was in the tub.  I took some medication and soaked for a bit to ease the pain.  I was going to call you when I got done, I promise.”

              “I’m sorry I lost my temper.  I know you’re in pain.  I was just worried.  Do you feel up to some company?”

              He looks at me quizzically for just a moment and then said, “Sure.  Come on in.  I’ll tell you what I know so far.  I’m sure it will do me well to tell someone.  I haven’t even told my parents yet.”

              You know, I’m glad I have Eddie in my life.  Sometimes, I often wonder what it would be like to be with Eddie.  He’s my best friend.  He knows everything about me and has never judged my mistakes—only helped me through it.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love Jimmy, but Eddie will always be first.  I don’t think Eddie is interested, but at least I have him as a friend.  That’s better than nothing. 
              As I start pondering these thoughts and walking through his living room, I start to wonder where his husband is.  Jen has not been mentioned or seen on the scene since this erupted.  I don’t know.  Maybe since he hasn’t told his parents, he hasn’t told Jen yet, either.  Still, he’s been in pain for a while.  I don’t particularly care for her.  I think she should be here. 

***

Jimmy

Krystal thinks I’m asleep, but I’m not.  I hear every curse word she says about Eddie not answering his phone.  To tell the truth, I’m kind of mad.  I mean, if that were me, would she get that worked up over me not answering?  I know he’s got cancer and I should be more sympathetic, but he’s been a thorn in my side since Krystal and I started dating.  I’m not stupid.  I see the way he looks at her.  She can’t see it, but I know I do.  I can’t tell her to stop seeing him because that will backfire horribly.  Besides, he has a husband for Pete’s sake.  He should be ogling her, not my wife. 

Thoughts of the possibility about Krystal feeling the same way creep in my head when she acts like this.  Does she
really
love me?  I can’t put my finger on it, but it feels ‘off’—the way she talks about how much he is her best friend.  God, I need to quit driving myself crazy.  I’ve got to be at work in an hour. 

***

Eddie

The doc called this morning and asked that I come to the office. They have all my results now and they know what is wrong.  I’m partially relieved, but still apprehensive.  I walk in and see Maggie.  I don’t really feel like flirting today, so I just tip my head in greeting.  Today I kind of went the lazy way as far as my clothes go. My stomach has been hurting bad, and I don’t want my jeans to push on my stomach.  So, I just put on a pair of sweat pants, a plain white t-shirt, and my surfer shoes.  I can’t even tell you if I brushed my hair or my teeth before I left the house.  As soon as they see me, they send me to Dr. Wilson’s personal office—not one of those exam rooms.  This can’t be good, but as I walk in, I opt for the love seat.  If I’m going to be told I’m dying, I might as well do it in style, right?  

Dr. Wilson walks in and he appears happy.  This is a bit weird that he’s coming to deliver my death sentence in such a chipper mood, but he’s always been odd. 

He lays my file on his desk and begins to talk.  “Listen, Eddie. I know this is isn’t easy for you, but I know we have to do something.  Not only that, but we have to do something now.”

“Why?  What’s going on?”

“I just want you in there for a few more tests and observations.  It’s normal to be anxious considering what you have been told, but your blood pressure was a bit too high.  Plus, some of these other test were not quite right.”  He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.  The happy-go-lucky attitude he had initially dissipated.  “Is there someone who could come stay with you at your house once I release you from the hospital?” 

I thought about Krystal once he asked that question.  My plan was coming together nicely, but did I really want to carry through with it? 

              The conversation continues.  I have some decisions to make.  Once I leave, I text Krystal. 

***

Eddie

I asked Krystal to bring me some clothes from my house and told her I was being admitted.  Once I clicked ‘SEND’ on my phone, I became overwhelmed with guilt, but had to shake it off.  “What’s done is done.” I muttered aloud.   She was coming, but at least I’d get to be near her.  

***

Krystal

I called Jimmy to let him know what was going on and that I was going to be at the hospital with Eddie for a few hours.  He offered to come with me, but I told him that I wouldn’t be long.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love Jimmy, but sometimes, I just need to be away from him.  Besides, I had to swing by Eddie’s house first to get him a few clothes. 

So, I pulled up in front of Eddie’s apartment building.  This building is absolutely gorgeous.  It’s a three story building with wide white French doors.  It’s not exactly cheap either, but Eddie was left an inheritance by his grandfather.  So, he moved out just prior to his eighteenth birthday.  He said I could stay with him, but with both of us having our significant others, it would be wrong.  That didn’t stop him from leaving me a room. 

The inside of his apartment is not what you would think an eighteen year old man’s apartment would look like.  It’s not the proverbial ‘bachelor pad’ you would think.  No, it’s actually nice.  Down his hallway, he has placed pictures—mostly of him and Jen—but there are a few of us in there.  We looked so happy.  Man, those were the days.  I’ll never forget those.   Though Jen doesn’t live with him, per say, it does look like it has a female’s touch. 

I can’t believe I’m this lost in thought when I need to hurry up.  I walked into his bedroom and stared at his closet.  I hadn’t seen this part yet.   I’m absolutely astonished.  It’s all color coordinated! 
This should be pretty easy, then,
I thought to myself. 

I reach in and grab the most comfortable looking clothes.  I have no clue what they’re going to be doing, but I know I’d want to be comfortable in the hospital if it were me.  I grab his toiletries such as toothpaste and toothbrush as well as his iPod.  Since he hasn’t called at texted yet, I decide to just sit and wait. 

***

Eddie

While I’m waiting on Krystal to get my things from my apartment, I am sitting here in this hospital bed just relaxing and waiting on them to come do my admitting bloodwork when my phone rings.  However, it’s not Krystal. 

“Hey, Jimmy.” I say.  “How are you doing?”

Silence.  Then, he begins to speak.  “Hey, Eddie.  Look, there’s not a way to really say this gently, but I hope you understand that I’m not trying to be an ass.  So, I’ll just come out and say it.  I know how you feel about Krystal.  I know how she feels in return.  I may be many things, but ‘stupid’ isn’t one of them.  I love her dearly, but I want you to know if you hurt her in anyway…Just don’t hurt her.  Got it?”

“Um, yeah.  I wasn’t…”  The line went dead before I could finish my statement.  I don’t quite get it.  I have no clue what happened, but I’ve got bigger fish to fry right now. 

I send Krystal a text message to let her know that it’s okay to come.  Now that she is on her way, I start thinking.  I don’t think I’ve given off any vibes about wanting to hurt Krystal in anyway.  How does he know how I feel?  What did he mean about he knows how she feels about me?  I don’t have as long as I think I do to mull over these things before Krystal comes bopping in my hospital room.  

                After my conversation with Jimmy, I decide it’s now or never.  Even if nothing comes of it, I have to explain how I feel.  As she sets my bags down near the fake wooden wardrobe in the corner, I ask her to come over to the bed.  I’ve got to tell her something now or else I may never get the chance or courage to do so again.  

“Krystal.” I said.  “I have something important to tell you.  I need you to listen, but please try to understand.”

She nods, but I shush her before she can speak.  I continue, “Over the years, I have found myself falling in love with you.  When you married Jimmy, I knew it was because your folks kind of forced you into it, but I’ve loved you even through then.  And Krystal, I mean I love you as more than a friend.  I’ve held it in so long that I just can’t anymore.  I’m not telling you this because of the situation I’m in, but I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I feel it’s right that I at least let you know.”  Her facial expression was blank.  I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, which is why the words she speaks next blow my mind. 

“You stupid boy!  Why didn’t you tell me a lot sooner?  I’ve always loved you, too, but always felt you thought of me as only a sister.  When you started dating Jen in junior year, I lost it.  I stayed home from school for two days because I couldn’t stand it, but at least now we both know.  Man, if only things were different…” she trailed off.  The next thing I know, her lips are on mine.  Oh, my god.  I can’t believe this is happening.  I would have never seen this coming, but I give in to it.  Nothing outside of this moment exists.  Nothing outside of this room exists.  It’s just us—frozen in time.