The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) (18 page)

Twenty-Five

Drew had been back in L.A. for almost two weeks. I stayed busy with work and graduate school applications. Despite our tiff, Drew’s words had lit a fire under me and I barely made the deadline. I’d only applied to three colleges: NYU, UCLA and Iowa State, just for fun. I figured one university in each state was a good bet. I may not get into any, but if I did get into one, it might help me decide where Drew and I would end up. And if all of them rejected me, then I’d have to rethink my whole plan. Either way, I had to decide soon.

I was tired after a long day. I’d edited five stories plus I’d sat in on a meeting with some of the producers. I didn’t play a part in the meeting at all, except to make sure the coffee was fresh. Still, it was interesting to listen in on their conversations as I learned more about the way the industry worked. After the meeting, Ava and I sat in with Mitch as he edited a segment he and Kara had done about a string of robberies in Chinatown so when it was time to go home, I was beat. All I could think about was curling up on the couch for a night of TV and junk food binging. My sweet tooth had been exceptionally strong lately, which was good because the sugar helped keep me awake since I’d been more tired than usually lately. It seemed no matter how much sleep I got, I was always groggy with no energy to speak of, so a night of doing nothing sounded ideal.

I was already half way through an episode of my latest obsession, a British import called
Poldark
that I couldn’t get enough of, when the intercom buzzed. I sat on the couch, staring at it, wondering who it could be. I rarely got pop-ins, especially since Drew had been away.

“Can I help you?” I asked once I’d made my way to the door.

“It’s Christina. Can I come up?”

I felt my jaw drop to the floor. That was the last name I expected to hear.

“Yes,” I said after a few seconds of noticeable silence.

I waited anxiously for her and I was nervous when I heard the knock. I opened the door and was greeted by Christina and her fake smile, looking as sheik as ever in a pair of tight jeans and a high-end green blouse that nearly matched her eyes.

“Aren’t you going to let me in?” she laughed, brushing by me and not waiting for an answer.

She stood in the middle of the living room, looking around the apartment.

“I forgot to tell you what an excellent job you did redecorating this place. All that gray and black was starting to make me feel like I was trapped in an old
I Love Lucy
episode,” she laughed again and I forced myself to crack a smile. This woman was seriously unstable with her different personalities. “You’ve certainly dug your hooks deep into my brother.” She chuckled again, but I wasn’t stupid enough not to catch the bitter tone in her voice she was trying unsuccessfully to hide.

“What are you doing here, Christina?” I asked and she cocked her head, smiling that way she did that intimidated me so much.

“I’m in town visiting a friend and since I was in the city, I thought I’d stop by and see how you are since my brother’s away and all. I hope it’s all right. I mean…I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” she asked looking around. “You don’t have a secret fuck buddy hidden away, do you?” My mouth was trying desperately to form some words, but I was so shocked, nothing would come out. “Lighten up, Natalie,” she laughed again. “I was only messing with you. Any woman sleeping with my brother wouldn’t be stupid enough to hook up with anyone else.” Her eyes were giving me a subtle warning look. “I mean…we already know you don’t mind fooling around. That’s how you and Andrew hooked up in the first place.”

“Christina…” I began, but she cut me off.

“We all have to own our pasts, Natalie. We can’t hide from it no matter how badly we wish we could, so I wish you wouldn’t get so testy when someone simply brings up the truth.” Her voice was still as sweet as sugar, but it was all a façade and my heart pounded, waiting to see what she’d come out with next. “Do your parents know about how you and my brother met?” she asked and then started shaking her head. “Poor Ethan. So devoted and so in love with you and you just crushed him, screwing my brother in the bathroom while your poor Ethan was left all alone, wondering where in the world his precious Natalie had disappeared to. He didn’t stand a chance though. I mean, who would choose that hovel you shared over this?” She gestured to the grandeur of the apartment.

“I think it’s best that you go now,” I said through gritted teeth, desperately hiding how much she was affecting me.

“I just got here though.” She tossed her purse on the coffee table and went straight for the wine refrigerator. “Would you like a glass?” she asked as she poured herself one. “Drew always has the best stuff.” She took a delicate sip and then swirled it around her glass for a moment before taking another drink.

“I don’t drink on weeknights.”

“Oh, that’s right,” she said with feigned enthusiasm. “You have that job now. Proof reader or something, right?”

“I’m a non-linear editor.”

“Whatever the hell that is,” she said, taking a drink. “At least you’re making an attempt not to be a complete gold-digger, trying to convince everyone that you’re not after my brother for his money. It seems like a pretty good ploy, but you’ve got a pretty good gig going on here regardless of your paycheck.”

She was openly glaring at me now and I wished I could find my voice instead of standing there paralyzed from shock.

“Why do you hate me so much?” I finally managed to get out and I knew my voice sounded timid and unsure.

“I don’t hate you, Natalie,” she said, a snide grin on her face.

“Then why do you hate your brother so much?”

She set the wine glass down and stared up at me with hostile green eyes.

“You think he’s so perfect, but he’s not. And he thinks you’re so goddamn perfect. Perfect Drew and his perfect life. It’s always been that way. He’s such an asshole.”

I was angry now. I’d held it in for too long, listening to Drew tell me not to worry about his sister, but this was too much. She was out of line and I was done trying not to let her bother me.

“I think you need to leave. I won’t have you insulting your brother or me.”

I waited for her reaction, but she didn’t say anything. She continued to sit on the couch, head cocked to the side, eyeing me harshly.

“Please go, Christina,” I said softly. I was determined to give her no more reaction from me than that. She didn’t move right away. She took a long sip of her wine and then breathed in deeply.

“If you want me to go, I’ll go,” she finally said, standing up and taking her glass to the sink before slinging her purse over her shoulder and walking towards the door. “Drew always comes to his senses when it comes to women. You’ll be no different and I, for one, hope it comes sooner rather than later. Drew’s only concern is himself.”

“Get out,” I whispered and then the door opened and she was gone.

I stood in the middle of the apartment, trying not to overreact. No matter how much Drew told me not to worry about his sister, I’d concluded she was nothing but a vile, heartless witch and when I married Drew, I’d be stuck with her for the rest of my life.

I sat down on the couch, resting my head against the back of it and sighing, trying to fight the tears that were threatening to fall. Finally, I picked up my phone, staring down at it for a few seconds as I debated whether or not to call him about his sister. My finger hovered over the send button for a few more seconds before I finally pressed it. I waited for it to ring, but it went right to voicemail, which was so unlike Drew. I debated on what to say or if I should even say anything.

“Call me, please,” I said softly and then hung up the phone. I suddenly wasn’t feeling very good as my stomach started churning as a million crazy thoughts ran through my mind.

~~~

The phone ringing startled me. I’d fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for him to call me and when I opened my eyes, I could see it was him. The nausea I’d been feeling since Christina’s visit got worse as I prepared to speak to him, not quite knowing what to say to him.

“Hello?” I said softly.

“Natalie,” he greeted me. “Sorry I missed your call earlier.”

“Where were you?” I asked.

“I went to lunch and then had a long teleconference in my hotel room with the office back in New York. How was your day? You sounded distraught on your message.”

“Your sister paid me a visit,” I told him and I could feel the line grow quiet. “Christina, just to clarify.”

“Are you okay?” he asked protectively.

“No, I’m not.”

“What’d she do?”

“I don’t want to relive it, but I’m done with…” I said, but he cut me off.

“Done? What do mean done?” he interrupted quickly.

“I don’t need this from her. I don’t understand why she hates me so much or why she hates you enough to be so terrible?”

“Natalie,” he said, pausing for a few seconds. “Please don’t worry about her.”

“Don’t tell me not to worry! Stop saying that to me!” I shouted into the phone. “I’ve done nothing to deserve this except love you,” I said, my voice cracking, a tear I’d been fighting, finally falling. He was quiet for a few long moments and then I heard his voice again, softer this time.

“I’ll take care of this. She won’t treat you like this again,” he assured me, but I wasn’t going to hold my breath on that one.

“I’m tired of this,” I said, finally giving up as my voice cracked.

“It’ll be all right,” he whispered and I closed my eyes, imagining him here, stroking my cheek as he looked in my eyes to comfort me. “Please try and understand. She’s just…she doesn’t mean it,” he stammered.

“Are you defending what she did?” I asked quietly.

“No. Not at all,” he said quickly.

The tears started flowing freely now as I hung my head. Why was I so emotional all of a sudden? He loved me. I knew he loved me, so why was I making such a big deal about this?

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’ve just got so much on my mind and she caught me completely off guard tonight.”

“Please don’t apologize,” he said in that calming voice he always used when I was upset, the one he knew would settle me down. “This is hard, Natalie. Being away from each other is hard and emotions are high. I love my sister, but I love you more and I will not allow her to speak to the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with with any form of disrespect.”

“Thank you,” I said softly and it was quiet for a few seconds as I tried to imagine what it would be like if he was here, sitting beside me, taking my hand and reassuring me that everything would be okay.

“I wish I was there to tell you everything will be okay. I wish I could touch you,” he told me and I felt myself smile.

“Me too.”

“Soon, baby. I promise.”

“I hope so,” I said and we both knew how true we needed his words to be.

Twenty-Six

I’d been tired the past few weeks and I hadn’t been feeling the best. I chalked it up to long hours at work so when the weekend came, I was ready to relax and try and regain some energy before doing it all again next week. Just as I was getting ready to leave for the weekend, Ava popped her head in.

“Did you hear?”

“Hear what?” I asked.

“Kara’s big news?”

“No. What’s going on?”

“She’s anchoring this weekend.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “Seriously?”

“Yes. She just found out an hour ago.”

“That’s great! I’m so happy for her.”

“We’re going out for a drink to celebrate. You game?”

“I don’t know. I was just about to head home.”

“And do what?”

“Sleep or watch TV. I’m exhausted.”

“C’mon! You’ve gotta come. Just for a little bit. It’d mean a lot to Kara,” she said and I knew she was right. Kara had been so good to let me tag along with her and answer every question I had, no matter how stupid it was. This was huge for her and I should be there.

“Okay. I’ll go.”

“Great. Grab your stuff and meet us in the lobby.”

“I’ll be right there,” I said, shutting down my computer as she turned and left.

I got my purse and then headed to the lobby where Kara was already waiting along with Mitch. She was all smiles and I went over to congratulate her.

“I’m so happy for you,” I said as we hugged.

“I can’t believe it. I’m still reeling from this.”

“You deserve it.”

“Let’s just hope I don’t blow my chance.”

“You won’t.”

“I wish I had your faith in me. Now, let’s go get drunk before I have to sober up and focus,” she laughed and then she took my hand as we walked out.

The bar wasn’t far from the studio and soon we’d made ourselves comfortable, ordering drinks around. I chose a Shirley Temple, which garnered curious eyebrow raises from everyone.

“You don’t drink?” Mitch asked.

“I do, but I’m already tired enough. One drink and I’ll probably pass out right here,” I laughed.