Catch Me (The Winters Family Series: Book 1) (18 page)

Somehow Chad weaseled his way next to Izzy.  They all tried to stay polite to him, make him feel welcome.  Except Isabel of course, who was still nursing that bottle.                When they finished with dinner, Chad actually put his arm around Isabel.  "Isabel, did you start drinking more in the last few months?  I'm concerned you may have a problem."

Problem?  Was he joking?  Isabel wanted to hurt him, and badly.  She looked at her bottle, which unfortunately was empty.  She briefly fantasized bashing him over the head with the empty bottle. but bless her father who walked in at that moment with a fresh new bottle for her.  "Problem Chad?"  She took a big gulp.  "What on earth gave you that thought?  I thought drinking from the bottle was totally normal?"  She was shaking from rage, possibly turning red.

Chad rubbed her arm and pulled her closer to him, "You're shaking, are you cold?"

Drew finally made it to Philly, this day was beyond tiring.  He went from the airport to Isabel's place.  The drive took about an hour.  Of course there was a fender-bender on the freeway, making his day even better.  When he finally arrived at her house, he could see several lights on.  He was hoping they would be home.

When he was walking up the walk-way, he could see they were all seated, having dinner.  When he noticed Isabel his heart started racing.  God, he missed her so much.  Then something seemed off, there was a guy sitting next her.  She was drinking straight from a wine bottle, and the guy had his arm around her shoulders.  Then her father handed her another bottle?  What the hell?  The guy then pulled her in to him more, and rubbed her arm.

Drew was unable to move.  He came all this way to see her with another man?  This couldn't be happening.

When Jack handed Isabel another bottle, he glanced out the window.  There was a man standing on their walk-way.  Then he registered who it was.  He looked at Dane, "Son, I need you to help me with something.  Come with me, please."

Dane looked at his dad curiously, "um... okay."

In the kitchen, Jack grabbed Dane, "Come outside with me, quickly."

Dane was just about to protest, but noticed the concern in his dad's eyes.  When they stepped outside, Drew was just walking back to his car.

Jack quietly said, "Drew, wait."

Dane looked at his dad, "That's Drew?  Oh, thank God, are we happy to see you."

Drew looked between the two men, a little hurt. "I don't understand?  You all seemed cozy in there, especially Izzy."

Dane covered his mouth and let out a muffled laugh, then said, "We're far from cozy."

Drew looked confused, "Why are we whispering?"

Jack spoke up, "Did Isabel tell you about her boyfriend she had before she left Philly?"

"Yes.  She said he was a jerk, tried to make her be someone..." His voice trailed off, "That's him, isn't it?"

Jack and Dane answered, "Yep," at the same time.

Drew now looked pissed, "Why is he here?  Why is his arm around her, and rubbing her arm?"

Dane then filled him in more on what a horrible person Chad was.  He shared about Chad calling and inviting himself to dinner.  "Basically the guy does not listen to her.  Still thinks they are together.  Plus, he has no clue she declined the position."

Drew started heading that way, "May I just enter your home sir?"

Jack and Dane just laughed.  Jack immediately said, "Please, our home is your home."

Camille tried to find things to talk about, but talking to Chad was like talking to a wall.  She was starting to get frustrated that Dane and Jack left without a word.  If they didn't get back soon, Isabel would finish that second bottle.

Isabel felt her insides hurling, she pushed away from him.  She hated that he actually touched her, a second shower was now necessary.  She had the bottle to her lips when at that moment her skin started to tingle, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose.  Camille casually looked up without letting Chad see.  Isabel felt a flush rise up her, her heart rate start to increase.  She sat her bottle down, and turned in her chair to see Drew.  She couldn't explain it, but the moment he entered the room she felt stronger.

Isabel took in a deep breath and slowly let it out.  "Okay, I have had just about enough of this charade."

Chad was taking a bite of food, he put his fork down, "What are you talking about?" Laughing, "Has the wine started to affect your head?"

Drew went to say something, but Isabel casually raised her hand to stop him.  Chad still did not know Drew was there.  She stood suddenly, frustrated, "Chad, seriously, one might think you have been drinking too much.  You sit there trying to look all innocent, but continue to ignore me.  We were together almost two years..."  under her breath, "and how I survived those two years is beyond me."

Chad looked angry now, "I was kind to you Isabel, I gave you anything you wanted.  This is what I get in return?"

Isabel let out a laugh, "Really?  So tell me, Prince Charming, what was my favorite flower?"

Chad looked confused, "You didn't have a favorite.  You liked many different flowers."

"Well, if you took the time to listen, instead of ignoring me.  You would know I actually dislike receiving flowers.  Anyone that knows me, knows that one fact about me."

Chad just rolled his eyes, "Isabel, what is this all about?  You are ruining a nice dinner."

"No Chad you did that all on your own.  Here's the thing, I didn't take the job..."

Chad suddenly stood, and cut Isabel off.  "What the Hell, Isabel?  With real anger in his voice, "This is bullshit, you know how much this job means to me.  If you don't take the position, I could lose my job."

Isabel was fuming.  She pushed the table away from him.  Now almost screaming, "How is that my problem?  You never bothered to ask me what I wanted.  Just like always, you just assume you know what is better for me."

Chad looked stunned, "Why would you want to stay away?  You have always said you wanted to be an anchor.  What you move to North Carolina and immediately you change your career?"

"You really are dumber than I thought.  No numb-nuts, I still want to be an anchor, just not in Philly.  Chad, tell me something.  What is the one thing I love to do in the comfort of my own home?"

Chad looked momentarily confused, "What is this Isabel, a trick question?"

She just shook her head, "No, no trick question, if you really knew me, you would know the answer." Glancing side-ways, and into those baby blues for some strength.  "How about, walking around the house naked."

Chad just looked at her with a blank stare.  "Isabel, we talked about that.  You know you don't have the body to be doing that."

Drew had finally heard enough.  He charged up behind Chad, grabbed him by the shirt and said quietly so only Chad and Isabel could hear, "you son-of-bitch, you better fucking apologize, and quickly." He had grabbed Chad's collar and held it tightly around his neck.

Chad was in between gasps, trying to see behind him, "Who are you?"

Dane and Jack grabbed Chad by each arm.  Jack just calmly said, "I believe you have over-stayed your welcome son, it's time to go."

Isabel lightly touched Drew's hands, "Baby, let him go.  It's okay, I promise." Drew looked at her and immediately let Chad go.  She never let Drew's hands go, "Chad, you really have over-stepped your boundaries.  I don't give a shit about your job, or your future.  You should've thought of that before you put my name in the hat for the job."  Looking into Drew's eyes, he looked furious still.  She softly touched the side of his face to calm him.

Chad straightened, pulled his arms free of Dane and Jack's hold and righted his collar of his shirt.  "This is bullshit and you know it Isabel.  My ass is on the line now.  You just wait till I talk to Jane on Monday."

Isabel let out a laugh, "Honey, you can't threaten me, especially in front of my family.  Now, I believe I would like to enjoy dinner with my family.  Minus the weasel trying to take up space in a place where he's not welcome."

Chad tried one more tactic, he was desperate.  "Isabel you know you liked our relationship, you said more than once I was nice."

Isabel just laughed, "You really are delusional.  Nice?  Well let me tell you, nice is when my brother and my parents dance and sing.  When they laugh and share stories.  What sucks is you, sleazy Chad trying to weasel your way back in my life.  I am not taking the position and it looks like you will have to work-out your own mess.  I will be staying in North Carolina with this man, MY Handsome Drew."  She then reached up, fisted her hands in Drew's hair, pulled him in and kissed him passionately.

Drew was a bit stunned, and then he was melting from her kiss.  When they finally surfaced smiling at each other.  Drew looked at Chad, "That, I believe, is your cue to get the hell out."

Chad looked mortified, "This is not over, you just wait."

Izzy never looked at him, her eyes were glued on those gorgeous baby blues.  "Blah, blah, whatever, goodbye Chad."

Chad stormed out of the house.  Isabel was beyond happy to see her man.  "Oh my God, Drew, What? How? Why?"  She started laughing and crying at the same time.

Drew just pulled her in for a very much needed hug.  "I decided to surprise you on Friday.  I missed you so much."

Camille and Jack just wrapped their arms around each other.  Camille smiled, "This girl doesn't function well without you, Drew."

Drew laughed, "Oh really?"  He then turned and looked at Dane, "Sorry, I didn't get to officially introduce myself.  It's great to finally meet you, Dane."

Dane looked at Isabel, "Yeah, I already approve."  He shook Drew's hand, "it's great to meet you too."

CHAPTER 13

Jack then declared, "okay, now that that's over, let's celebrate!"

Izzy was holding both of Drew's hands, she then turned to her dad, "what are we celebrating?"

"Life without Chad.  Drew's surprise visit.  Dane and I saving the night from complete disaster."  Jack then held up two more bottles of wine.  "and a case of wine and cheesecake."

Isabel starting laughing and hard.  In between fits of giggles, "Thank goodness you came when you did, baby.  I think mom was about to grab another bottle for me."

Drew pulled her in for a kiss, "My gorgeous little lush.  Did I hear something about cheesecake?"

They all went into the kitchen.  Dane, Drew, and Isabel sat on the bar stools at the island.  Jack looked at Drew, "What's your poison?  Beer, wine, or something harder?"

Drew smiled, "Beer if you have it."

Camille grabbed the cheesecake, "Izzy, this smells amazing."

"Thanks."  She had her legs draped over Drew's legs.  She grabbed his hand, "Let's call it Please-Forgive-Me-Cheesecake!"

They all stopped what they were doing.  Drew looked confused, "Forgive you?  Baby, you didn't do anything wrong.  I owe you an apology.  I seriously thought you and Chad were together.  I started leaving when Dane and Jack caught me.  So, my Sweet Izzy, will you forgive me?"

Dane looked at his mom, "Were they all mushy like this when you were there?"

Camille just laughed, "Worse."

The Please-Forgive-Me cheesecake was a hit.  They were all full and sitting in the living room.  Dane was comfortable in the lazy boy, with his legs up and relaxing.  Drew was sitting in the large over-stuffed comfy chair, Isabel snuggled on his lap.  Jack and Camille were sitting together on the couch, sharing stories about Isabel.

Jack took a sip of his wine, and pulled Camille closer to his side.  He looked at his wife, "Camille do you remember when Izzy was five, and decided to take her clothes off at a family dinner.  She was in the bedroom watching tv, and declared she was just too uncomfortable."

Drew just started laughing, "So it started when you were five, huh?"

Isabel looked shocked, "I did not really do that, did I mom?"

Camille and Jack just laughed harder.  Camille said in between laughing, "Honey, you were never a fan of clothes.  When you were a teenager, we managed to keep things on you longer.  You were shy about your body as you got older."

Drew bent down and kissed her temple, "I can guarantee she is not shy anymore."

Isabel looked at him, "You did not just say that out loud?"  Then she started laughing, and playfully tickled Drew.

Dane looked at Izzy, "All I can say Isabel, T.M.I."

They enjoyed the evening sharing stories about Isabel with Drew.  About 11:00 PM Isabel found herself yawning.  Drew pulled her closer, "You ready to crash?"

Jack looked at Drew, "You can stay with Isabel in her room.  Unless you were going to go get a hotel?"