Fate Interrupted Book 3 (7 page)

In some ways, things felt better between us. I was charged up with passion again—finally back on the streets and hustling to make things happen. I thrived on the high pressure, anxiety fueled nights of meeting bands and club owners and trying to sway them to take a chance on Conquer. Remy was convincing as hell and had worked his way through his list of contacts, and after a few solid weeks of work, we had a firm promotion strategy set in place and turned our attention to filling our talent roster.

After eight straight nights out, I finally allowed myself a day off to regroup and tackle some of my ever-growing personal to-do list filled with tasks that got shoved aside when things were so busy. Remy was out getting drinks with his friend JJ, whom I’d yet to meet, and I sat down at the kitchen island to go through my personal email box, catch up with friends, and balance my bank account.

After making myself a small salad and a warmed-up portion of the baked ziti Remy had prepared the night before, I went into Remy’s office in search of envelopes to send out some overdue credit card bills. I hadn’t let Remy know about the credit cards, instead opting to scrap together the money from my final paycheck and drained my paltry 401K to pay everything off. Remy had been covering all the bills since the day I'd moved in. He showered me with expensive gifts, new clothes—he paid for the penthouse and all expenses, meals, travel, and had even paid off my car loan without my knowledge. Although I was deeply grateful for his help, it still didn’t fully sit right to have someone else taking care of me so intimately. There were some things I wanted to do on my own.

Remy’s office was immaculate and tidy. Everything had a place and I figured it would be a quick in and out to find the envelopes. I stepped inside, feeling a slight twinge of guilt. It wasn’t that Remy had forbid me from entering the room, but it was his private space—his man-cave—and I felt like an intruder as I tiptoed across the plush carpet to the large built-in section of cabinets on the far wall. As suspected, the envelopes were all lined up and organized by size. Seriously, it was like shopping in an office supply store.

I was turning to leave when I spotted a pile of rolled up papers lying on the desk. I don’t know what came over me, but an intense curiosity drew me closer, and I unrolled the edge of one of the tubes to reveal blueprint-type paper. I set down the envelopes and unrolled the first tube entirely. It was definitely a blueprint, sketched out by hand, with notes on the edges that were clearly Remy’s handwriting.

I studied the pages, opening the others to reveal more of the same. They were all different scaled variations of a restaurant floor plan. His notes were a long list of different contacts, brand names, and even a few menu ideas and what looked like name considerations.

He’d been spending quite a few nights locked away in his office, and more often than not, it was where I found him when I got home from my late-night club scouting missions. I’d never asked what he was spending so much time on—possibly wrongly—assuming it had been something to do with Conquer, but now, it looked like it had more to do with his lost dream.

Was he planning to leave me, and pull his support from Conquer for this? I mean, why else draw up the blueprints and start picking out faucet designs? I’d known since the start that his heart wasn’t in the entertainment business, and that he was only hanging in there for my sake, but he’d been so adamant the last time I’d questioned him that I hadn’t dared to bring it up again.

I sank down into his office chair, my eyes slightly glazed over as I stared at the plans, wondering what it all meant for him, me, Conquer, and most of all, for our new relationship.

What else was he hiding in here? I wondered, looking around at the space, feeling more like an alien than ever.

I told myself to get out, before I found something I really wasn’t supposed to see…
Oh, screw it
.

It was like breaking a diet.I’d already had a taste of the chocolate cake, and now I wanted to eat the whole damned thing. Before I could pump the brakes, I’d rummaged through some type of informal daily schedule. It looked like he had a list of appointments booked for the next day. None of which I’d been told about, so they weren’t in regards to Conquer.

Which really could only mean one thing. He was leaving me.

He was biding his time, putting plans into motion, making sure he created a soft spot to land before jumping.

Shit.
I buried my face in my hands and tried to breathe normally. “Don’t panic,” I whispered to myself.

The front door shut and I jolted out of the chair. I rolled the pages back up, left them in a heap that I hoped was similar enough to how I’d found them, and then bolted from the room. I shut the office door as softly as I could.

“Hey,” Remy said, rounding the corner just as my fingers slid from the knob.

“I was just getting some envelopes,” I said, holding up the small stack in my hands as proof.

Remy’s brow wrinkled. “Okay. Did you find everything you needed?”

“Yes.”

“Livvie, is everything all right?” The concern was growing on his face and I knew I needed to get it together.

I nodded and gave him my best false smile. “Uh huh. Just have some bills to pay, that’s all.”

Remy took the lead and went into the kitchen. My bills were scattered all across the kitchen island where I’d set up my temporary office station with my laptop and notebook. I tried to sweep the papers out of his view, but it was too late.

“What is all this? Is it for Conquer?” he asked, studying one of the statements.

“No, it’s nothing. I got it,” I said, swiping it away from him and stuffing all the pages under my laptop.

“Liv, you should have told me about these. I would’ve handled it,” he said, a slight hint of scolding in his voice. He hated when I didn’t let him do everything. Our relationship seemed like it was constantly on the verge of a battle of wills.

“I need to do things for myself, Remy. I can’t just put on blinders and pretend that nothing matters. That life is all about shopping trips, expensive dinners, and sex!” I raved, flinging my arms in the air.

“What’re you talking about? Livvie, why is it so hard for you to let me take care of you?”

“Ugh! Remy, I cannot—” I cut my glance away, not able to take the confused puppy eyes he was giving me. “I just need my independence. It seems like ever since I met you, everything has been out of control. The business, things with Tessa, my job. It’s like you’re pulling all the strings, and that’s not really what I want.”

Remy came around the counter and stood in front of me but I kept my eyes trained down the hall. “Livvie, look at me.” His voice was gentle but firm. I flicked my eyes back up to his. “I told you I’d take care of you. All of you. I’m not doing it because I don’t think you can do it on your own. It’s because I don’t want you to
have
to do it on your own.” He ran a finger down the side of my face and I melted under his soft touch.

“I know, Remy, but you have to understand that’s not how I was raised, and it’s definitely not what I’m used to.” I paused, wondering if I should bring up what I’d seen in his office. He’d practically caught me red-handed. Did he think I’d missed the extensive stack of blueprints on his desk? “If this doesn’t work, I need—”

“Wait. Stop. If this doesn’t work? What do you mean?”

I hesitated and dropped my gaze.

“Livvie? What do you mean?” he repeated.

I sighed.
Might as well let it all hang out.
“If we end, break up, or however you say it. I have to be able to take care of myself.”

Remy nodded and my heart broke at the sad look on his handsome face. I instantly wished I could take it all back. That I hadn’t let my own doubts, insecurities, and fears shadow over him.

“You know what, forget it,” I said, hoping it would help. I took a step back and he let me go.

I wasn’t sure what he was thinking—and too chicken shit to ask—but something had shifted and I wasn’t sure we would ever get back to how it used to be.

Chapter Eight — Remy

“She’s going to leave me.”

There, I’d said it out loud. The fear had been building, rattling inside my mind for weeks, but I hadn’t yet brought myself to outright say it.

“What do you mean?” JJ asked.

I took another hit off the whiskey glass in my hand. I only drank whiskey when I was good and miserable, and tonight certainly fit that criteria. I’d made reservations at a new restaurant in West Hollywood, and was going to surprise her with a night in the most exclusive suite at the Four Seasons, complete with an in-room couple’s massage. We both needed the relaxation. But, at the last minute, Kaylee called and told her that one of the bands we had an eye on was filling in for another act, and she bolted out of the penthouse like her heels had rockets attached to them.

“She’s not happy,” I told JJ.

I’d bumbled around the apartment, feeling like a complete idiot before giving in and calling JJ to go out for the night. We ended up at our usual bar downtown that was close to JJ’s office.

JJ took a sip of his own drink. “You gonna cut her loose?”

His question was so casual, almost like he thought it was the obvious solution. Every nerve in my body prickled at the idea. It was the absolute last thing I wanted to do. “Naw, dude. I want to make it work.”

JJ’s eyebrows shot up. “Man, this one’s really got you.”

“You know I’m not really the advice type, and I don’t want some Dear Abby bullshit answer, but tell me, what am I’m supposed to do now?” I gritted my teeth, hating that I sounded like a complete pansy.

JJ shrugged. “Did you try flowers?”

I groaned and threw back the rest of my whiskey. The burn hit the back of my throat and I winced at the flicker of pain. “Not helping.”

“You said no Dear Abby! What’d you expect?”

“All right, fine.What else ya got?”

JJ had been with the same girl for as long as I could remember. They weren’t married, but they might as well be. Hell, by now it was probably a common-law marriage.

“I need more info. What do you think is wrong?”

I didn’t know how to explain it. Since the night she came home with news the two bands dropped out and went to Christopher’s new management branch, we hadn’t had a full-on argument, but something was off. There wasn’t anger or tension, but still, I was on red alert and I couldn’t shut it down. With each passing day, Livvie was getting more and more distant, and I couldn’t find a way to get her back. I’d already tried everything I could think of. Or, maybe it was just everything that romantic movies had taught me over the years.

“Things have changed.”

JJ laughed. “Well, yeah! Welcome to the world of relationships. See, you’re used to a hot hookup and then see ya later. With that arrangement, there isn’t time for people to change or room for mood swings—well, unless she’s super drunk—but in a relationship there are a million things going on at all times. Who knows, she could be upset about something else and you’re taking it personal.”

“Which is exactly why I’ve avoided relationships for so long.”

JJ shrugged at me. “Maybe so, but I think it’s good for you, Remy.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Livvie was good for me. I only worried that maybe I wasn’t good for her.

“Things will get back to normal after the business takes off again,” I said, hoping it was true.

The game we were watching on the big screen came back from half-time and all relationship talk ceased as we tuned back into the main event for the rest of the night.

When I got home, Livvie was already asleep in our bed. I undressed and slid in beside her and she automatically snuggled up to me. I smiled and breathed her in.

“Remy,” Livvie’s voice was soft and sleepy.

“Hey, gorgeous.” I kissed her temple. “How was the night?”

She rolled over and I could see her face, shadowed by the moonlight streaming in from the open window. “I talked to the band for a little while. They took my card, but I don’t know—” She cut off and bit her lips. “I just don’t know anymore, Remy.”

“Don’t know what?” I took her face and kissed her deeply before she could answer.

We broke apart and her eyes opened slowly. “I think I need to go back to the drawing board on the entire thing. Christopher has way more pull in this town than I could’ve ever imagined. He’s constantly one step ahead of me—us—and I'm tired of feeling like I’m chasing my tail.”

So, that’s what it was. Maybe JJ had been right. All the time I’d been worried that she wasn’t happy with me—or our relationship—she was really stressed and stewing over the bullshit with Christopher and getting the business launched.

“Something is going to work out,” I reassured her. “Think about it.A few weeks ago we didn’t have any clubs lined up or any local contacts, but now we have an entire tour lined up for new bands we sign. The rest will come, you just have to trust the process. We’re working hard and it’ll pay off.”

She nodded and closed her eyes again. I could tell she was exhausted, so no matter how much I wanted her, I needed to let her sleep. I kissed her again and wrapped her up close to my chest, willing her to have peace-filled dreams.

While she slept, I formulated a new plan, and left early the next morning before she woke up to start putting it into action.

***

Two fifty-hour weeks later, and everything was in place. All I had to do was get Livvie downtown without tipping her off what I had in store.

I’d never been the family party planner. Madge had always hired a horde of staff and event coordinators for that shit, but I had to say—standing before my work—I’d done a damn good job. I’d rented out one of the city’s newest restaurants. I’d mapped out every detail on blueprint papers, from furniture and décor, to the menu and the seating arrangement. None of it had been left to chance, it was all meticulously arranged.

I stepped outside and dialed Livvie’s phone. “Hey, pretty girl, whatcha doing?” I asked when she picked up.

“Working through the list of club owners again.”

I pictured her alone in the penthouse, poring over the list and wondering when she was finally going to catch a break. It twisted my heart, and for the hundredth time, I sent up a prayer that the night would be a huge hit. She needed it to be—we needed it to be.