Redemption (Book 3) The Fixer Series (11 page)

"Yes, everything is great," I said, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"I'm glad to hear that.  What brings you here, then?"

"Oh, I just thought I'd stop in and see if you wanted to have lunch with Tristan and I?"

"Well...I'd love to, but I need to finish going over this paperwork with Luke before he leaves tonight.  Can we reschedule for another day?"

"Of course
, we can.  It was just a spur of the moment type of thing, I didn't realize you would be so busy."

"I'm sorry, babe.  I really am."

"Oh, I know you are.  But it's not a big deal, really.  Tristan and I will just go and grab a bite and hang out.  Maybe we'll check out the pretty lights against the window later, too."

His eyes became dark and angry,
"Well, I guess if you feel that's what you need to do, then you should do it.  Tell Tristan I said, 'hello'."

"I'll relay that message,
Cowboy," I said, giving him a loud, wet kiss on the lips.  "See ya later."  Then I turned around and looked straight at Misty, "Oh...and by the way, I'd just like to announce that I'll be returning to work next week.  Have an nice day, boys."  Then, I turned and walked out.

CHAPTER 11

Brooke

There was no sense in being angry with Dylan, when I knew he was less than pleased to be around Misty. 
However, it didn't mean that I wasn't feeling insecure or angry about the situation, because I was.  I was fighting the urge to run back in and throw the bitch to the ground and give her the beating she deserved.  But this was the real world, not Brooke world. Dylan was running a billion dollar business and it just so happened that Misty was a part of it. 

I supposed he and Luke needed her assistance while looking through all of the legal documents.  After all,
she would know where all of that information was located.  That thought didn't make me feel any better, either.  I hated her violently, and Dylan needed to understand that. 

I dug in my purse for my over
sized sunglasses before I exited the building to the car.  I put them on and walked out as confidently as I could.  Tristan got out and opened the door for me, and I slid in the backseat. 

"Well, how did it go?" he asked, turning to face me.

"Fine," I said, trying to keep my composure.

"What's with the sunglasses?"

"It's bright outside.  Do you have a problem with that?"

"Whoa.  Where's that attitude coming from, Brooke?"

"Why are you asking me twenty questions?  If you wanted to know what was going on, maybe you should have gone up with me."

"I'm not the enemy here, I was just asking a simple
question."

"That's a bunch of shit and you know it.  Why don't you just ask what you really to know."

"Well...alright.  Did you catch him in the act?"

I rolled my eyes
, "No, dumbass, I didn't.  And I didn't figure I would.  I know Dylan wouldn't cheat on me, but that bitch was in his office, helping him go over some documents."

"Oh...now
, I get it.  You're pissed off because he's working...with her."

"Ding, ding, ding!   You're a sharp one, Tristan.  Can we please just drop it?"

"I'd love to, Princess, but you managed to bring me into your little problem with your husband."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to play dumb.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," he snickered.

"He called you?" I asked, surprised.

"He did."

"I'm sorry, Tristan.  I was trying to keep it together without going off on everyone in that room.  So
, I said something to Dylan that only he would understand.

"I kind of gathered that, when he threatened to kill me if I touched you."

"Really?  He can't honestly think that either of us would do that to him."

"Hey, Brooke.  You're not the only one that feels insecure
, right now.  Have you thought about how he feels?  I'm not good with this 'feelings' shit, but he loves you.  Dylan's been through a lot over the past year and the last thing he needs, is this."

"
Okay, I get it, but how can he think that we'd do that?  You're with my sister for crying out loud.  That would just be...gross."

"I don't think he really thinks it will happen, but whatever you said to him...hurt."

"I feel bad.  I'm sorry I brought you into the middle of our problems, Tristan.  And thank you for pointing out how he's feeling.  I'm a real asshole."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much.  You could probably make him a nice dinner, and he'd forget all about it.  You see, Brooke, we men are simple creatures.  As long as you stroke our egos a little bit, feed us and fuck us...we're happy.  It's as simple as that.  And if you ever tell anyone I told you that, I'll deny it."

"Got it," I said, leaning back in my seat.  "Do you mind stopping by Suzi's Hair Salon for me?"

"Do I mind?  Yes.  But I will go there if that's where you want me to.  I'm on babysitting duty with you
, all day." 

I giggled
, "Perfect!  Then, I'll be sure to take full advantage of your services while I have them."

The last time I had stepped foot in a salon
was when Kristof had insisted that I'd be given a new look.  Today was no exception, except now, it was my choice to make the changes
I
wanted.  I was greeted by a young, blonde with short hair and the biggest fake boobs I'd ever seen.  "Hey, doll, do you have an appointment?"

"No.  Actually, I don't.  I was wondering if
Andrea was around today?"

"She is, but I think she's with someone
, right now.  Let me take a look her schedule."

"Okay." 

I waited as she checked the computer to see if my girl had any openings.  I could've gone to any salon in town and thrown my name around, and got in right away, but I liked how Andrea did my hair. 

"It looks like
Andrea's available in about ten minutes if you want to wait."

"Sure," I said.

"Alright.  What's your name, hun?"

"Brooke Prescott."

"And what are we doing for you today, Brooke?"

"Cut and color
, if she has time."

"Sure thing,
hun.  Just take a seat and she'll be with you shortly," she said, smiling and walking back to her station. 

Hun? 
I was surrounded by cheesy bitches, everywhere.  I could just imagine Misty saying that word, and I suddenly wanted to strangle her, again. 
Keep calm, Brooke.  You have a plan and you need to stick to it.  Soon this will all be over. 

I sat back in the chair and picked up a book with hairstyles.  My hair had grown a lot since it had last been cut and was in desperate need of a new style. 
I flipped through the pages and stopped.  There it was, jumping off the page at me, screaming sophisticated, sassy and fun. 

"Brooke?"  I looked up and saw
Andrea waiting for me.  I walked over to her and gave her a quick hug. 

"Hey,
Andrea.  It's been a long time."

"I know.  What have you been up to?" she asked. 

"Not much really, just been busy working," I lied.  No one had known about my kidnapping and it wasn't a path I was ready to travel down, especially with my hairstylist. 

"I heard you married that
hottie, Dylan Prescott."

I looked down at my finger and realized that I wasn't wearing my wedding ring.  And the more I thought about
it, I hadn't worn one since I'd been back. 

"You heard right.  We've been married for almost a
two years, now."

"Wow!  That's amazing.  What's it like being married to someone like that?"

I raised my brow, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what's it like being married to a guy that good looking, and that rich?"

Here we fucking go,
I thought.  "Well...it's wonderful, actually.  But not because he's gorgeous and has money."

"Oh, come on.  It has to be nice not worrying about how much something costs.  And how do you deal with women swooning over your man?  Because you know they do."

"The money factor is nice, but that isn't what attracted me to him, so I guess I don't pay much attention to it.  As for women swooning?  Well...I'm getting use to it, but he's mine and so again, I don't really think about it."

"You can't tell me that you weren't attracted to his looks.  That man screams...sex!"

"You do realize that you're talking about my husband, right?"

"Oh, Brooke, I'm sorry.  You're right.  Please accept my apology, I just got a little carried away."

"I forgive you, Andrea.  He is pretty amazing if I do say so myself."

"So, what are we doing with this today?" she asked
, lifting my uneven, shoulder-length hair."

"I'm thinking I want it cut in an a-line and then colored with that auburn
-brown color that we've used in the past."

"Sounds good.  I'm
gonna go mix the color first, and then I'll be back."

I sat there
, looking at myself in the mirror, contemplating what Dylan saw in me.  Younger women, hell even older women, threw themselves at him every chance they got.  Was I jealous?  Hell yes, I was jealous.  What woman wouldn't be?  Imagine going somewhere with the man you loved and having strange women eye-fuck him every chance they got.  Pretending that you didn't even exist.  It was maddening, but that was part of the package when you married to a man like Dylan. 

Andrea and I spent the remainder of our time talking about the wedding and how Dylan had proposed.  "You're so lucky, Brooke," she said
, cutting the last bit of hair. 

"I am," I smiled.  "Very lucky."

When she finished styling my hair, I took one last look in the mirror and loved the woman I saw staring back at me.  I looked like myself, again.  "Do you like it?" she asked.

"No.  I love it," I responded.   "How much do I owe you?" 

"It's one hundred and twenty for the color and thirty for the cut."

I handed her my credit ca
rd and gave her a fifty dollar tip in cash.  I hope she enjoyed the money, because it would be the last time I would be visiting her.  I was no longer Brooke Stone, but Brooke Prescott, and somehow taking on that name, meant that I was a different person, even though, I wasn't.  I was still me, the girl that liked the simpler things in life.  My life was more complicated now, and yet it was simple in the fact that I would never have to worry about money again. 

I was just about to walk out when my phone chirped.  I pulled it out and saw a text from my best friend, Mandy.  I hadn't spoken to her since my wedding day,
and I had so much going on, that I honestly hadn't even thought about her until I saw her name pop up on my phone. 

Welcome home, Brooke.  I've missed you.  Can you meet for lunch tomorrow?  Let me know.  ~ Mandy

I responded back, quickly.

Hey Mandy!  It's been a long time.  I'd love to catch up, and tomorrow is open.  Where do you
wanna meet and what time?~ Brooke

My phone chirped
, again.

How about
Manuels?  They have the best Mexican food in town.  I'll see you around eleven-thirty.  ~ Mandy   P.S.  Bring some man candy with you too, if you can.  LOL

I laughed. 
Same ol' Mandy,
I thought, shaking my head as I responded back.

I might be able to arrange that for you.  Tristan has a friend name Alexi that 's pretty good looking.  I'll see what I can do. ~ B

Another notification.

Woo
Hoo!  Even better ~ Mandy

I locked my phone, got in the car and had Tristan take me home.  I was tired and needed a nap, so I decided to send Lucy, our housekeeper, out to get the ingredients for dinner.  I wanted to surprise Dylan by making him homemade lasagna and apple pie. A sort of peace offering for what had happened earlier at the office.