Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies (28 page)

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Authors: Trice Hickman

BOOK: Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies
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Chapter Sixteen
You Need Some Tough Love....
V
ictoria sat at her desk, thinking about the roller-coaster ride she'd had the night before. After barely escaping what could have been a catastrophic scene between Ted and Parker, she shuddered when she thought about the bullet she had managed to dodge. She knew it was proof that God had been watching over her in spite of her poor decisions and careless behavior. She was grateful she had been spared, and she knew it was time to get her act together.
She'd put all that she loved on the line the night Parker came to her office and she followed him to the hotel. When she thought about what she had nearly lost, she almost cried. She remembered how happy Alexandria had been when she dropped her off at summer camp an hour ago.
“You're the best mommy in the whole wide world,” Alexandria had said out of the blue.
“My, my, young lady. What did I do to deserve that honor?”
“Just 'cause I love you, Mommy.” Alexandria smiled back.
Victoria gave her a big hug and a kiss on her forehead before watching her skip away toward her group of friends, who had already gathered in their classroom. She looked at her daughter and thanked God for second chances.
She thought about the love she and Ted had made after they returned home from her office last night, and about the passionate declarations they had whispered to each other in the dark. She knew she had been given a blessing that eluded most, and now she had to step up her game before she squandered it.
Morning slipped into lunchtime, keeping Victoria busy as she worked on new projects. Then, out of the blue, an unsettling thought came to her, breaking her concentration and twisting her mind like a ball of twine dangling loose and frayed. She heard the words that Parker had spoken echoing in her ears.
Every good-bye's not gone.
It had been his way of telling her that he wasn't giving up and he wasn't going away.
Suddenly, Victoria's optimistic mood took a 180-degree nosedive. The more she thought about what Parker might do, the more nervous she felt. She was fearful before, but now she was terrified. As she pondered her fate, she heard Denise walk through the door.
“You ready to go to lunch?”
Victoria looked up at her friend, startled and anxious, doing her best to mask her emotions. She'd forgotten they had planned to have lunch outside the office. “Sure,” she said, grabbing her handbag.
Maybe a good meal will calm my nerves.
Fifteen minutes later Victoria and Denise settled into a booth at Houston's restaurant. They each ordered a salad and the soup of the day. Denise took a sip of her Coke before she started in. “All right, girlfriend. What the hell's goin' on?”
“What do you mean?”
Denise pursed her lips. “Tell me what's got you looking like you just stepped into a room full of fog. I know it's been rough since Ted's mother died, but there's something else going on.”
Victoria shifted in her seat, not sure that she was ready or that she even wanted to involve Denise in her complicated drama. She thought about the advice that Tyler had given her—the fewer people who knew about her indiscretions, the better.
Denise leaned forward. “A few weeks ago Parker was calling like a bill collector. Then, all of a sudden, he stopped, and that's when you started acting strange. I'm not stupid.... Whatever's going on with you, it has something to do with Dr. Brightwood,” she said, twisting her mouth.
Victoria could only nod her head, confirming Denise's suspicions.
“Girlfriend, tell me what kind of mess you've gotten yourself into behind that fool.”
Victoria couldn't keep it from Denise any longer. She spilled out everything as she told her friend from beginning to end about her encounters with Parker, right up to what happened in their very office last night.
Denise shook her head. “Well, I'm not even gonna lie. I knew this was gonna happen.You're sittin' in the middle of a serious shit storm.”
“
Really?
I didn't know that. Thanks for your astute observation.”
Denise craned her neck. “Don't get snippy with me. I'm here to help you.”
“You could've fooled me. I don't need to hear ‘I told you so' right now.”
“What else do you want me to say?” Denise said, doing her best to keep her voice low. “Listen, you messed up.You risked everything you have for some dick, and now you want sympathy? Uh-uh.” She pointed her finger in Victoria's direction. “I thought Debbie had lost her mind, but you managed to top her.”
“You didn't have to go there.”
“But I did.You know I love you, but I'm not gonna coddle you. And you know I'm not one for all that pretending and bullshit. I'm gonna be honest with you because you're my girl. You need some tough love and real talk, not some hand-holdin', sugarcoated mess that'll have you in worse shape than you're already in.”
The two friends quieted their conversation when the server came back with their food.
“For the record, again,” Victoria reiterated, “I didn't sleep with him. But as much as I hate to admit it, I've always had feelings for Parker, and a part of me probably always will.”
Denise paused for a moment, letting out a long, heavy sigh. She nodded her head, acknowledging what she also knew was the truth. “I know ... and I'm sorry. I guess I just wish that you didn't.”
“Me too.”
Victoria picked over her salad, while Denise dug into her soup.
“Parker basically told me that he's not giving up. He's not going away easily,” Victoria said.
“Do you think he's bold enough to start popping up on the regular?”
“After the stunt he pulled, showing up at the office last night, I really don't know.”
Denise moved her bowl to the side and wiped her mouth with her napkin, carefully assessing the situation. “Parker's an arrogant bastard, but he's not crazy. If he wanted to show his complete ass and make a scene, he could've done it last night, but he didn't.”
“So you think he'll just fade away?”
“I didn't say that.”
“Yeah, the chances of that look slim,” Victoria said.
“When does school start?”
“Next Monday.” Victoria desperately wanted to switch Alexandria to another school. The only reason she hadn't was that she knew she would have had to explain the move to Ted. They had spent a year searching for schools before deciding on Peachtree Country Day. They both loved the school, and she knew if she told him that she wanted to move Alexandria, she better have a damn good reason why.
Denise rubbed her chin. “My guess is that he'll try to start some mess at the first school event, if he gets an opportunity.”
Victoria shook her head. “I don't think Parker would cause a scene in front of his son. He loves PJ too much to do something ridiculous like that.”
Denise raised her brow. “You love Alexandria more than life, but you risked your family for the excitement of a thrill, so don't tell me what people won't do.”
Victoria couldn't say a word.
“Girlfriend, I'm not tryin' to be a bitch about this. I just want you to see the light.”
“You're right. If I'd been thinking with a level head, I wouldn't be sitting here, unable to eat, worried as hell right now.”
“If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle. You can't worry about what you can't change. The important thing is that you're thinking on the right track now, and you need to make sure you stay there.”
Victoria rubbed her temples. “Ted's going to eventually find out that Parker's son goes to Alexandria's school, and he's bound to find out about Jack and Jill, too. I have to figure out a way to explain why I haven't said something before now,” she groaned. “This is such a mess.”
“But it's one that you can dig yourself out of. The next time you take Alexandria to a Jack and Jill function, tell him that Parker's son recently joined.... It's not exactly a lie. In the meantime, you need to find a way to tell him about the school situation, because that's more immediate.”
“You're right. I'll just tell him that I needed to stop by the school to drop off some last-minute paperwork, and that while I was there, I ran into Parker, who was registering his son, too.”
Denise smiled. “Now you're thinking. You need to work this out before it works you.”
Just then, Victoria's cell phone rang. “It's him,” she said, looking at Parker's reversed initials, BP, which appeared in bright letters across the screen.
“Don't answer it,” Denise said. “From this point forward don't answer any of his phone calls, and don't respond to his e-mails or text messages.You need to cut off all forms of communication with him. If he conveniently shows up anyplace you're at, leave immediately, and tell him that you'll call his chief of staff at the hospital if he does it again. You've gotta back his ass down.”
Victoria nodded her head, regretting the situation she was in, but knowing she was the only person to blame.
This World Is Too Damn Small ... !
Two weeks had gone by, school had started, and Victoria and Ted were attending their first PTA event at Alexandria's school.They were pleased that she was adjusting so well to her new environment. She loved her teacher and had already made a group of new friends.
While Ted held court beside Victoria, listening to the PTA president outline their goals for the coming year, she tried to steady her nerves. She was on pins and needles at the thought that Parker might walk through the door at any minute. She still hadn't told Ted about seeing her ex-lover at the school, because he had been in and out of town so much on business trips that they'd barely seen each other at all.
Victoria knew that she couldn't break the news to him as she had planned on doing, because now that he seemed to be back to his old self again, she was sure he would be able to see through any attempt to cover up the truth—and she would have to come clean and admit that she had known for nearly two months that Parker's son was a student at Alexandria's school. But the fact that PJ was a student at Peachtree Country Day wasn't the problem—Parker was.
She knew for certain that Ted wouldn't be pleased that Parker was back on the scene, but more important, he'd be pissed that it had taken her so long to mention it. That alone would raise his suspicions about their involvement. Her only saving grace was that he had yet to tell her the full details about his mother's secret. She knew she could use that as ammunition to back him off if she needed to.
And to make matters worse, just as she'd feared, PJ was in Alexandria's class. She hadn't been caught off guard when she ran into Parker and his son on the first day of school. She had been prepared for it. But her blood pressure rose a notch when she found out that PJ was in Alexandria's class. As soon as the two kindergarteners saw each other, they bonded again like Siamese twins. Parker was delighted, but Victoria was more than a little nervous about their children's instant connection. She could see where it was going, and all roads led straight to trouble.
Since that first day of school, all Alexandria could talk about was PJ, and the dog she wanted, because he had one. And to throw Victoria's nerves into overdrive, Alexandria had practically begged for the two of them to have a playdate. “Mommy, can PJ come over and play? Please, please, please,” she'd asked just two days ago.
Luckily for Victoria,Ted had been gone so much lately that when he made it home, coming in late after business trips out of town and long days at the office, Alexandria only briefly mentioned her new friend to him, because she was too engrossed in the bedtime stories he read when he tucked her in.
Outside of seeing Parker at school a few times when she dropped Alexandria off in the morning,Victoria had managed to avoid contact with him since his surprise visit to her office. He'd called her several times and sent texts and e-mails, but she hadn't responded to any of them. She was thankful that he hadn't done anything crazy so far, but she knew it was only a matter of time before Ted found out that her old flame had reentered their lives.
Victoria tried to relax and enjoy the PTA meeting, but her mind wouldn't allow it.
Ted eyed her with concern. “You keep looking around, like you're expecting someone. Are you okay?” he asked.
“I'm fine. Just checking out the room.” Victoria gave him a quick smile, trying her best to ignore the intense stare of his piercing eyes. She could see that Ted was studying her, noticing every little detail, every little nuance, and every move she made. Even though he had been traveling on business for most of the week and this was his first night home in several days, she knew that he had begun to notice signs that something was wrong with her. She was jumpy, nervous, and distracted.
The next hour went by without incident, and to Victoria's great relief, Parker hadn't made an appearance. After the school principal made the final remarks, the PTA president adjourned the meeting.
Minutes later Victoria and Ted mingled with a few other parents. She was feeling a little more at ease until she felt a small tap on her shoulder. She turned around so quickly, she almost gave herself a case of whiplash.
“Hi,Victoria. It's good to see you again,” Roberta Stevens said, smiling.
This world is too damn small!
Victoria hadn't seen Roberta since the Jack and Jill meeting nearly two months ago. “Hi, Roberta. It's good to see you, too.” She smiled back. “I didn't know your son was a student here.”
“Yes, this is Al Jr.'s second year, and he loves it.” Roberta beamed as the short, heavyset man beside her nodded with enthusiasm. “This is my husband, Alvin,” Roberta said, introducing him as she exchanged glances with Victoria and Ted.
Victoria and Ted greeted him with warm smiles and strong handshakes. The two couples made pleasant small talk, which mostly centered around their children.
“Victoria, I don't know what your schedule is like, but we sure could use your help planning the Jack and Jill holiday social this year. We're having a meeting at Hilda's house next weekend. Think you can make it?” Roberta asked.
Victoria purposely hadn't mentioned Alexandria's membership in Jack and Jill since the disagreement she and Ted had ironed out, and she was glad that he had forgotten about it in the wake of all that had recently happened. But now Roberta was reopening the can of worms. “No, I'll be tied up with an event next weekend. And actually, my schedule ... our schedules,” she said, looking at Ted, “are so busy that I'm not sure how involved we'll be.” She wanted Roberta to know that Jack and Jill wasn't a household topic, and she hoped the chatty woman would drop the line of conversation.
“Oh, I completely understand,” Roberta squeaked in her high-pitched voice. “Well, since you're so busy, I'd be more than happy to pick up your daughter and take her to the library for their field trip this weekend.”
Victoria wished she could slap a piece of duct tape over Roberta's big mouth. “Thanks for the offer, but that won't be necessary,” she said and smiled.
Roberta opened her mouth, ready to make another suggestion, but Victoria interrupted her. “Look at the time,” she said, glancing at her watch. “I've got an early morning meeting, so I think we're going to call it a night.” She looked at Ted, giving him a stare that said, “Back me up.” He nodded in agreement.
“Okay,” Roberta said and grinned. “We'll have to get together soon. I'll give you a call next week.”
After they said their good-byes, Victoria and Ted turned, heading toward the door.
“V, I know we had our disagreements about it, but like I told you, I'm fine with Alexandria being in Jack and Jill.”
“I know, but I think Alexandria will have enough things to occupy her time between the ballet lessons she started this week and the piano lessons she'll start next week. Not to mention homework and all the new playdates she'll have coming up. I just don't want to overload her.”
“You're right. I've been so busy and preoccupied, I don't even know my own child's schedule.”
“That's what you've got me for.” Victoria winked.
Ted took her hand in his as they prepared to leave. They were nearly out the door when Alexandria's teacher walked up to them.
“Hello, Mrs. Thornton,” Emily Snow greeted with a perky smile.
Victoria smiled back, giving her a quick hug. “Let me introduce you to my husband.” She made the introductions, glad that the two were finally getting a chance to meet. She liked Alexandria's teacher, who was a twentysomething, young black woman with a progressive and interactive teaching style. They'd had a nice chat on the first day of school, when Victoria discovered they were both Spelman graduates. She appreciated the woman's eclectic quirkiness and fresh innocence. She was bohemian meets elegance, with a hint of Southern charm sprinkled in. Emily Snow had not yet been jaded by years of institutional bureaucracy or the politics that often came along with being a tenured teacher at a top-tier private school. She was a genuinely sweet person, and Victoria also appreciated the young woman's dedication to her family. She was the primary caregiver for her terminally ill mother.
“Alexandria loves you,” Ted said, giving Ms. Snow a warm smile. “She talks about how much fun she has in your class. When kids think learning is fun, it's a sign that somebody's doing their job.”
Ms. Snow beamed, flattered by the compliment. “It's a joy to have a bright and inquisitive student like Alexandria. She makes teaching easy.”
“Thank you,” Victoria said.
“You two have done a great job with her. She's so smart and outgoing, she gets along well with her classmates, and the other teachers adore her.” Ms. Snow nodded from Victoria to Ted. “She's a regular little Ms. Congeniality.”
Ted slipped his arm around Victoria's waist. “She inherited her charm from her mother.”
“I can see that.” Ms. Snow smiled, looking at Victoria. “That's a great quality to have.”
“Thank you both,” Victoria said.
“Yes, Alexandria is a leader among her classmates, and she's made lots of friends already, especially PJ. The two of them are inseparable,” Ms. Snow giggled.
Victoria felt a cold rush slide through her veins.
“I believe she's mentioned his name a few times,” Ted said and grinned, not surprised that Alexandria had already learned how to steal men's hearts—she was, after all, her mother's daughter.
“PJ is a joy, too. His father couldn't be here tonight, because he had surgery.”
Victoria felt another jolt rush through her body.
“Oh, I hope he's going to be all right,” Ted responded with concern.
Ms. Snow waved her hand in the air. “Forgive me. That came out all wrong. Dr. Brightwood isn't having surgery. He's performing surgery. One of his patients took a turn for the worse and—”
“Did you say Dr. Brightwood?” Ted interrupted.
Ms. Snow nodded her head with enthusiasm. “Yes.”
“Dr. Parker Brightwood?”
Victoria's knees locked in place.
“Why, yes. You don't know PJ's father?” Ms. Snow asked, looking at Ted and then back to Victoria. She had seen Parker and Victoria interact during the first day of school, and Parker had even told her that they were old friends. Now, seeing the uncomfortable look on Victoria's face and the uneasy look on Ted's, Ms. Snow knew that he was old friends with only one of them, and that the history wasn't good.
Then another thought came to Ms. Snow's mind. She quickly connected the dots, and the picture became crystal clear. Her best friend, Samantha, had told her about a new guy she had met when she came to town last month to attend a coworker's wedding. She was head over heels for him, and he happened to be best friends with the woman who her cousin Parker used to date and still loved. Ms. Snow had known Parker for years. They'd met when she went home with Samantha for school break during their freshman year of college, and just like Samantha, Parker had become like family. She was the reason he had enrolled his son in Peachtree Country Day.
Samantha hadn't gone into specific details during their brief phone conversation, because she wasn't one to gossip, but she was worried about her cousin. She mentioned that Parker was going through a rough emotional time. The woman he loved was married to someone else, but he still had hopes that they would get back together, because there were unresolved feelings between them.
Looking at the pained expression on Victoria's face, and the tension that gripped her husband's jaw, Ms. Snow knew that Victoria was the mystery woman whom Samantha had spoken of.
The three stood in awkward silence before Ms. Snow politely excused herself and made a quick departure, saying that she had to greet other parents.
Within minutes Victoria and Ted left the school auditorium and headed to their car. No words were spoken between them. But as soon as he closed the car door,Ted turned on the engine and faced his wife. “So, that's who you were looking for?”
Victoria buckled her seat belt and prepared for the bumpy ride that was about to come.

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