Crystals (20 page)

With his drink
delivered, his choice of meal given, and the discussion of the weather exhausted,
Crystal supposed it was up to her to ease them into some form of real
communication. But her mother beat her to it

“Can I take it
that as you are here, you and my daughter are together again?”

“Not yet, but
we’re working on it.”

“I suppose you expect
some form of apology from me?”

“Why do you think
that?”

Crystal heaved and
internal sigh as she realized Shane was firmly set in stubborn mode. As far as
she was concerned they were as bad as each other. Therefore, they would have to
find their own convoluted way toward what needed to
be said
between them.

“Because I believe
one is due.”

“Really, why’s
that?”

“You’re not going
to make this easy for me, are you?”

“Nah, I don’t
think I will.”

“Very well. I
apologize.”

“What are you
apologizing for?”

“Shane–”

“Stay out of this,
Crystal. This is between me and your, mum!”

His only
stipulation when agreeing to attend this lunch was that she allow him to deal
with Gwendolyn in his own way. So, against her better judgment, she gave him
the benefit of the doubt.

“I’m saying, I’m
sorry for interfering in yours and Crystal’s life. While I felt it was
necessary that she know about your family—the way I went about it was wrong.”

“Go on.”

“When Finn…”

Trailing off,
Gwendolyn looked over at Crystal seeking confirmation that Shane knew about his
son.

“He knows
everything, Mother.”

With a nod, she
resumed speaking. “When Finn died, I had to take a long look at who I had
become. During that time, my daughter needed her mother and I tried to be there
for her–”

“You were there
for me. I wouldn’t have coped without you.”

“Thank you for
saying that, Crystal-Grace. However, we both know that, if not for me, Shane
would have also been there for you.”

“Yeah, I would
have been, but you just couldn’t mind your own business.”

“Shane!”

“I swear to God,
if you butt in one more time, I’m leaving!”

The look he shot
her way told her she was on shaky ground, and reluctantly she nodded her
agreement.

“As much as I want
to, I can’t change the past. I don’t know if I’ll ever really like you, but I
accept your apology.”

“Thank you.”

When the first
course of their meal arrived, Crystal could tell Gwendolyn still had
misgivings. “Mother, you look as though you still have something on your mind?”

“As a matter of
fact, I do. Don’t you think you also owe me an apology?” Gwendolyn asked
looking at Shane

“You’re joking,
right?”

“As a matter of
fact, I’m completely serious.”

“Why don’t you
tell me what you think I should apologize for?”

“At the very
least, for the way you’ve spoken to me in the past.”

“Please don’t take
this as rudeness because
it’s
how I honestly feel. I
don’t regret a thing I’ve said to you, or the way I’ve said it.”

“Shane, you’re not
helping the situation!”

“I’m not trying
to,” he replied before turning back to the older woman. “You hated me from the
moment we met, and I’m not going to apologize to you for that. You didn’t take
the time to get to know me, you did that—not me. You wanted to control your
daughter and you didn’t care who you hurt in the process. So no, no apology coming
from this end!”

By the end of his
monologue, Crystal was biting down on her bottom lip because she agreed with
all he said. She just wished he had chosen his words with a little more care.

“I see. So where
do we go from here?” Gwendolyn asked.

Not knowing what
to expect, Crystal’s chin slowly lowered until she was peering at her lap. It
was only then that she realized her fingers had intertwined with tension.

“I’m not
finished.”

Her head popped up
and her shoulders stiffened in the sure knowledge he was about to say something
even more cutting than before.

“Crystal told me
what you did for her and my son. She said you looked after the both of them.
So, for what it’s worth—thank you, Mrs. Buchanan. I will forever be grateful to
you for that.”

Gwendolyn looked
so stunned she didn’t immediately respond. Crystal couldn’t stop the smile that
spread over her face. Shane might be difficult to deal with at times, but his
willingness to offer her mother the thanks she deserved made her proud. Crystal
didn’t care that her mother sat across from them, she took him face between her
hands and kissed him.

“Thank you for
saying that, Shane. It means a lot to me. And please call me, Gwendolyn.”

“Bloody hell,
Crys, is ya mum sucking up to me?”

Tears had begun to
gather in Gwendolyn’s eyes while he had offered his appreciation of her care.
They disappeared half way through his flippant rejoinder and Crystal laughed.
It was so typical of Shane, but she was glad she didn’t have to cope with a
crying Gwendolyn. In all honesty, if she had, she wouldn’t have known where to
begin.

“See, that’s how
you deal with your mum, keep her wrong-footed. And if that doesn’t work—say
something outrageous.”

The remainder of
the meal didn’t pass without a hitch. In fact, there were many tense moments
where either Shane or Gwendolyn said something that shot up the other’s
annoyance level. But thankfully it seemed they were each giving the other a
little leeway.

To her surprise,
when they were ready to leave, her mother sent them on their way alone. Cilla
and Lindsey had been so attentive during their meal, Gwendolyn decided to stay
a while to talk about old times.

Crystal was so
pleased with her mother’s decision, she wanted to do a fist pump. Her usually
standoffish mother had just taken another step towards regaining the woman she
had once been.

Chapter 17

Finally back in England after an extended trip to
Switzerland, Shane was looking forward to his date with Crystal. As she was
running late, he ordered another drink while he waited.

When she arrived
he couldn’t stop the grin that split his face. It had taken him six weeks of
negotiations to tie everything down, but finally all was in place. Crystal knew
something was going on, but he chose not to fill her in on the details of what
he had been doing in Switzerland.

He had arranged
for her to fly out and spend a weekend with him at his home in
Gstaad
. Although their time together had been special, they
both knew they still had a long way to go in reviving the relationship they
once had.

Even though he was
seated in the VIP area, his waiter had been giving him pitying looks for at
least one of the two hours he’d been waiting.

“I’m sorry, I’m so
late,” Crystal said as she came abreast to him.

Giving her a kiss
before holding out her chair, Shane retook his seat before he addressed her
apology. “No problem.”

“I’m truly sorry,
but this was a final property inspection and my client has more money than
sense. I couldn’t get the woman to shut up. Then it seemed like every cab that
passed me was already occupied.”

“Forget it, Crys.
I was serious, I didn’t mind waiting.”

“I’m so happy to
see you,” Crystal said stretching out a hand across the table to clasp his. “I
missed you.”

“Yeah, how much?”

“So much that I
went shopping and bought an outfit I know you’re going to love.”

“Oh yeah, describe
it to me.”

“Not a chance. All
I’m going to say is that you won’t be disappointed.”

“Are you really
hungry, Crys?” Shane asked wanting to leave immediately. Wanting to make love
to her in the worst possible way.

“Starving. I think
I’m going to have three courses and finish it all off with Irish… coffee. How
about you?”

“You’re a tease,
do you know that Crystal Buchanan?”

“Really, you think
so?”

Shane felt it
then, one of her bare feet, rubbing against his groin, rotating and massaging
his growing erection.

“You’re going to
pay for this.”

“I can’t wait. But
first I need food.”

Their waiter
arrived just as she finished speaking and Shane expected her to withdraw. She
didn’t. If anything, she redoubled her efforts and his cock jumped in reaction
to how close they were to
being discovered
. Wanting
nothing more than to close his eyes and enjoy the sensation, instead he gritted
his teeth and stared her out.

“Sir, Madam, are
you ready to order?”

“Well, I know I
am. How about you, Shane?”

Her foot still
played him and Shane couldn’t have responded if his life depended on it. It was
taking all his concentration not to give in to the demands she was making on
his dick.

“Don’t you just
love these tall silent types,” Crystal smiled at their waiter. “He’ll have
whatever I’m having.”

She was relentless
and he wanted to grab hold of her talented foot to stop her but what she was doing
felt way too good.

“You are going to
pay for this,” Shane warned the moment the waiter walked away.

“I can’t wait,”
Crystal smiled as she lowered her leg.

Shane used the
time leading up to the delivery of their starter to get his body under control
and to study Crystal. For some reason he just couldn’t stop looking at her.

“I missed you,
Shane.”

“I missed you too,
love.”

By the completion
of their meal, Shane was amazed at just how much she had eaten. And true to her
word, she concluded her meal with an Irish coffee.

Placing her empty
cup on the table, Crystal smiled at him so sweetly that if they weren’t in full
view of others, he would have kissed her. “I’m glad you’re back, Shane, but now
that you are, what are we going to do about, Ollie?”

“We’re not gonna
do anything.”

“Are you telling
me that we’re going to allow him to get away with meddling in our lives?”

“I didn’t say
that, Crys. What I said was,
we’re
not doing anything. If I’m not making
myself clear, I mean,
you’re
not going to do anything.”

“This is my life
too.”

“I know, love,” he
attempted to placate her by gentling his words and giving her hand a squeeze.
“Ollie is my concern, not yours. I allowed you to deal with Dara. I want you to
do the same for me with Ollie.”

“I’m not about to
let you decide what I should or shouldn’t be involved in. Allowing people to
control my life ended years ago with my mother.”

Shane wasn’t about
to let her change his mind, but he was sympathetic regarding her comment about
Gwendolyn.

“And, for the
record,
you
do not
allow
me to do anything!”

Shane wasn’t
stupid. There was no way he was touching that comment. Casting a surreptitious
look at his watch, he called for the check.

Outside the
restaurant, as they had arrived independently, he began walking Crystal to his
car with every intention of driving her home. So, when she hailed a taxi he was
a little surprised but mostly relieved. At least this way he wouldn’t have to
make small talk when he had so much on his mind. Plus, it was getting late and
he had plans that didn’t involve her.

Inside the taxi,
Crystal wound down her window and gave him a sultry look. “On second thoughts,
why don’t I pay the cab and get in with you, so you can come place? I want to
give you your present.”

“As good as that
sounds, I’m going to have to turn you down.” Sure she knew he was up to
something, Shane leaned in and gave her a lingering kiss to stop any further
questions. “Call me when you get home.”

~~~

Shane disconnected
Crystal’s call and extended his legs as he relaxed back into his car seat.
Crystal knew nothing of the confrontation that was about to take place. There
was going to be hell to pay when she found out, but he could live with that.

This was their new
beginning. After tonight, his intention was to ensure that the last five years
would have more meaning than heartache. He wanted the years to carry only two
regrets. Not being a constant part of each other’s lives, and his never having
met his son.

With that final
thought, his musing came to an abrupt end as the sound of a car engine broke up
the silence and filtered into his consciousness. Recognizing it was just the
heavy rumbling of a taxi, he rotated his shoulders that had tensed at the
sound.

Moments later,
Shane turned as someone rapped on the window of his car. Somehow he wasn’t
surprised to be looking at Crystal. Her being here was almost inevitable. One
dirty look later and she was heading for the passenger door.

“It’s freezing in
here, Shane. Turn the heating on please.”

“If you’re cold,
go home!”

Crystal didn’t
respond as she pulled her collar tightly around her neck and burrowed down in
her seat.

Shane supposed he
should feel sorry for her, but he didn’t. It was her choice to follow him and
he was pissed off. So, she was just going to have to suck it up. All that
I
want to give you your present
, had probably just been to gauge his
reaction.

~~~

It was the start of a new year and Ollie was going to
ensure it was one of the best of his life. He had finally won the championship.
He was on the top of the pile and he felt as though he ruled the world.

That was how he had felt until he had contacted his
father. Buried deep inside him had been a longing he hadn’t felt for years. All
he wanted was for the old man to exhibit some form of pride in his
accomplishment. To say well done. Instead, all he got for his trouble was
mockery.

“Happy New Year, Father.”

“It’s the middle of January!”

“I know, but I wanted to call all the
same.”

“Well you should have saved your time and
breath. If you had wanted me to believe your sentiments, you should have called
earlier.”

Ollie stiffened at his father’s tone and
bit back the words he longed to say in response to his offhanded manner.

“Did you see the final race?”

“No, I was out for dinner. I heard about it
though. You should thank God, Tierney crashed and Santiago’s car failed him.
Otherwise we wouldn’t be having this useless conversation.”

“What is the matter with you? Can’t you
just be pleased for me, must you try to destroy everything that makes me happy?”

“You sound like a child. Is that why you
phoned, so that I could pat you on the back for something you don’t even
deserve.”

”Why are you such a fucking bastard to
me?”

“Grow up Oliver! The only one who cares
about you winning a title that should have been Tierney’s or Santiago’s, is
you!”

Just before the phone went dead, Ollie
heard the sounds of his father’s laughter. The old man hadn’t even bothered to
say goodbye before he hung up the phone.

~~~

Their conversation had taken place earlier in the
evening, yet it played endlessly through his mind. As he emerged from the
shield of the surrounding trees, Ollie pulled out a pair of leather gloves and
slipped them over his hands.

For long moments Ollie walked through the darkened
rooms of his childhood home. Images flashed through his mind. Each step a
reminder of the child he had once been.

Since his parent’s divorce, his father had been
married four times, with each wife being younger than the one she succeeded. The
décor and wives wasn’t the only thing that had changed since his last visit.

Disgust illuminated and contorted his features. While
a portrait of his father had always held pride of place above the fireplace,
this was the first time one of his much younger wives was also depicted. Not
even his dead mother had been given such an honour.

After moments of staring at the image, Ollie only just
managed to suppress his laughter. Who was the old man trying to fool, the
artist had eradicated at least thirty years from his face. It was then he
realized that he was looking at an image of himself. The irony wasn’t lost on
him. His father had all the money, but his youth was gone. He on the other hand
now had both.

Walking up the stairs with measured treads, he brushed
his clad fingertips against the aged banister. At the top, he turned right and
continued on. Pressing his ear against the wooden panel of the door he
listened. Even through its thickness he detected the loud rumbles of his
father’s snores. He turned the handle and slipped inside.

Abbott Sinclair slept on one side of the huge bed and
his young wife on the other, her back turned to the much older man. And he felt
nothing but disgust for the both of them.

Without hesitation, Ollie crept over to the woman and
eased his hands around her throat. Her eyes snapped open. Before she could
register fear, he twisted her neck sharply to the left. She hadn’t even
twitched.

As he removed his hands, he brushed back her golden
locks. She was so like his mother—even in the way she had died. Without a
struggle. Without any real fight for
him
. Moving around the bed, the
inconsequential woman was already forgotten.

His weight depressed the mattress as he sat down
beside his father. The sleeping figure didn’t stir. Ollie used the opportunity
to study the man he had once idolized and now hated.

In slumber, his father’s features lost some of the
ravages of age. The lines of his face seeming to have smoothed away so that
they more resembled the portrait hanging downstairs.

“Abbott! I can’t believe how your young wife can
possibly sleep through the noise you’re making.”

His father‘s eyes opened and attempted to focus in the
darkened room.

Unwilling to take any chances that a sleeping member
of staff might hear him, Ollie placed a knee in the middle of the old man’s
chest and muffled him with a gloved hand. Once he had him subdued, he reached
over and switched on the bedside lamp.

“Better?” He asked with a smile. “Yes, it’s me. After our
conversation, I couldn’t seem to stay away.”

His father struggled for breath and he realized he was
applying too much pressure to Abbott’s chest. Leaving his hand in place, he
removed his knee.

“Is that better, Father? I wouldn’t want you to expire
before your time. Now, if you’re good, I’ll remove my hand. Do I have your
word?”

Abbott nodded his consent.

Ollie slowly began to withdraw his hand. He knew it
would happen. The old man drew in a breath to shout. But the sound never
reached the air as he clamped it in his throat.