Remember Me: Oakville Series:Book Two (26 page)

Pulling up to the bar, the only vehicle I see is Kyle’s truck. My stomach flip-flops as I slowly get out of the car and walk up to the front door. I pull on the handle, but it’s locked. Looking through the window of the door, I notice a wine glass and half-empty whiskey glass sitting on the bar. Even from this far away, I can see lipstick on the rim of the wine glass. Suddenly, I feel sick. I grab my keys and unlock the door. I don’t see or hear anyone. I go back to the kitchen and look to see if he’s in there, but it’s dark and empty. The poolroom and bathrooms are also empty. There are only two places left he could be — his office or the apartment upstairs. I look over at Jax who’s sitting calmly at the bar. How can he be so calm right now? I take a deep breath, trying to slow my breathing down a little.

I go down the hallway toward Kyle’s office, hoping that the scenario playing through my head doesn’t come to fruition. As I open the door and flip on the light, I want to throw up. He’s not in here either. This means he must be upstairs. Between the lipstick stained wine glass and the fact that he’s probably in the apartment, my mind can only come to one conclusion and it’s not a pleasant one. I gather my nerve and leave the office, taking my time walking up the stairs.

The apartment door is open just enough for me to hear the shower running. This is a little too familiar for my taste. I was wrong the last time, maybe I am again. I go to the bedroom first. The last time I found a naked girl in Kyle’s bed while he was in the shower. Only he didn’t know the girl was there. This time, I need to make sure I don’t jump to conclusions. I gasp as my stomach plummets to my feet. Kyle’s passed out in the bed, totally naked. Ignoring the array of emotions fighting to take precedence, I walk over and shake him. He doesn’t budge. I look around, taking in the scene. Clothes are strewn all over the bedroom and an empty condom wrapper is laying on the floor. The panic builds in my chest, taking the air from my lungs. I want to run, but my feet are cemented to the floor. In horror, I stare at the unbelievable scene before me. Why? Why would he do this to me? To us? I have to get out of here. I just buried my babies today, I can’t handle this too. It’s all too much at once. I finally get my feet to move and start running from the room, crashing right into a towel wrapped Leena.

Without any thought, I grab her by her hair and slam her face into the wall before throwing her to the floor.
Damn, that felt good!
I don’t say a word. I can’t. If I do, I’ll break down and I am not giving that bitch the pleasure of knowing she made me cry, let alone seeing it. Of course, she’s not going to keep her trap shut. I should have known. She can’t keep her legs closed, why would her mouth be any different?

“Would you like me to tell him you stopped by when he wakes up? I really wore him out, so he’ll be sleeping for a while,” she boasts with an evil grin on her face, like this is all some game and not my life. Like we’re back in middle school, fighting over a crush. She has no idea. No fucking clue what she just helped destroy. The kind of love we have is something you’re privileged to find once in a lifetime. We were able to have it twice and we blew it both times. I know how my luck runs; there won’t be a chance for a third run. This bitch, however, has pushed me for the last time. She’s not getting the satisfaction of thinking she’s won.

“You can tell him to get his stuff from my house. I’m going away for a little while and when I get back, he better be cleared out.” I take a deep breath because saying that out loud hurts like hell. “You should be happy to finally get what you’ve wanted since the day you laid eyes on him. Be careful though, a man who would cheat on his wife the same day they bury their infant triplets obviously isn’t a good guy. I have a feeling that it’s all about the chase with you, though. Once you get what you want, you’re done. Am I right?” I know I am. Why am I even still standing here talking to this piece of trash?

“I told you both that I’d get him and I did. He was so good, I just might keep him around for a while and have a little more fun. Maybe this will knock you off that high horse of yours. You entitled rich bitches are all the same. You think you’re better than everyone around you and you deserve everything. You’ll see you didn’t deserve half of what’s been handed to you!” she rants. What the hell is she talking about?

“I’ve never thought I was better than anyone. But you, my dear, I am a better person than you. I would never take or even try to take what’s not mine. I have self-respect, respect for others, morals, and most of all, I’m not a huge skank! As fun as our little chat has been, it’s done. Enjoy my husband.” With every single ounce of strength I can muster, I smile sweetly at her before turning away.

Walking down the stairs, I keep telling myself not to fall apart here, to wait to get home. I have to get away from here. At least this time I know I’m not running away. I just need some space to think, without distractions and reminders. Between the babies and now Kyle, I feel like my heart is in a million pieces.

“Let’s go, I’ll explain in the car,” I order Jax as I storm by him. I have to get out of this bar before the damn breaks.

We get in the car and head to my house. In detail, I spill everything to Jax. I’m a little thrown that he’s not more shocked to find out the girl is Leena. It’s probably because he knows her so well. I get through the whole story without breaking down. I throw up in my mouth a little, but not I don’t break down. I’m proud of myself. Maybe I’m stronger than I thought.

“Go ahead, say it,” I encourage Jax.

“Say what?”

“Say I told you so. Even though he didn’t do anything the first time, you said he’d hurt me. You were right. It doesn’t get much worse than this.”

“I wish I was wrong. I never liked the guy, but I want you happy. I get no pleasure out of being right if it means you’re hurting.” It’s nice to have my old friend back again. “I know the perfect place for you to go to get away. There’s this private island off the Keys. Not many people know about it. It has a house with a guest cottage in the center that’s completely hidden.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“I can go with you, so you aren’t all by yourself.”

“What about the center? I need someone to take care of it. Besides, the whole point of going away is to think and sort through my mess. I have to do that alone.”

“Chelsie is more than capable of running the center. I’m not going to get in your way. I know you need alone time. I’ll stay in the cottage and just be there if you need me.” It makes sense. I shouldn’t be all alone on an island. It would be nice to have Jax close if I needed him. Chelsie is most definitely capable of running the center and this is the perfect opportunity to see how she does.

“Okay, but nobody knows where we are.”

“Sounds good to me,” Jax answers with a smile.

Jax drops me off so I can pack and goes home to do the same. He says he’ll be back in an hour. I stay in my strong, no breaking down frame of mind even though that’s all I want to do. Being in our house filled with all these happy memories is too much. Quickly, I throw everything I’ll need into my suitcase and bolt down the stairs. I put the suitcase by the door and go to the kitchen. Sitting at the bar, I open the drawer and get a pen, some paper, and three envelopes. First, I write a letter to Beasley. I explain that I need some time away to clear my head. That I’m not running away, just taking some me time. I let him know that Jax is with me and I’ll call and check in so he knows I’m okay. The next letter is for my friends. It basically says the same thing, but also thanks them for all they’ve done to help me through this rough time. The third letter is the hardest. It’s Kyle’s. By the time I’m done with it, I’m in tears. Just as I seal it up, I hear a car horn. Jax is here. I take one more look around. How did my perfect life turn into this? Where did I go wrong? Walking toward the door, I say goodbye to my marriage and my family. In one short week, I’ve lost the two most important things in my life.

I
RUN
to my truck and haul ass to the bar. I can’t believe I have to leave her. Of all days, why today? I planned on making this all right today. Explaining as best I could why I’ve been such a jackass lately and begging for her to forgive me. One hour. I don’t care if the bar burns to the fucking ground. Nothing and no one is more important to me than Amber. She is my world and I haven’t let her know that these last few weeks. That stops today.

When I pull up to the bar, I see two cars from the security company that monitors the alarm system. I park my truck and start inside. Before I can get inside, one of the officers meets me outside the doors.

“Mr. Connor?”

“Yes. I’m Kyle Connor. What’s going on?”

“The alarm went off and when we responded, we found a woman inside. She has a key but not the code to shut down the alarm. She says she knows you, sir.” He motions for me to go inside. When I see who’s sitting at the bar, red tinges my vision. I’ve never hit a woman before, but this bitch just might be the first.

“What in the hell are you doing in my bar, Leena?”

“I need to talk to you. It’s really important,” she states.

“There’s nothing you have to say that I want to hear. I told you before to never step foot in here again.” I’m really starting to lose my temper. I should just let them arrest her ass and be done with it all.

“It’s about Jax. I know what he’s planning. I only want to help. To make up for my behavior from before,” she blurts quickly, gaining my attention. “At least hear me out. I don’t agree with what he’s trying to do. If you don’t believe me after I tell you, I’ll leave. I promise.” My curiosity getting the best of me, I decide to listen before kicking her ass to the curb.

“Fine. Thank you, guys, I’ll take it from here. You can go.” The security guys nod then leave. I’m in no mood to waste time or play games. “Okay, Leena, spit it out.”

“Can I at least have a glass of wine? My nerves are shot. Those guys had guns drawn on me and I’m about to turn on my own family.” This bitch is really pushing her luck. I could use a drink myself, though. Just to be an ass, I make mine first. I take a nice long sip of the whiskey before setting my glass on the bar then going to pour her glass of wine. I come back around the bar and put the glass in front of her. As I take a seat, I drink half of the whiskey in my glass. She’s taking her sweet ass time sipping her wine while watching me a little too closely over the rim.

“Start talking. I’m in a...” I slur as my vision blurs. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, then open them again. The room sways as my vision goes in and out. My stomach roils and I shake my head, trying to clear the static buzzing in my brain.

“Kyle. Kyle, are you okay? You don’t look so good,” Leena says with amusement in her voice as she comes closer to me.
What the fuck did she do?

Eyes still closed, I try to remember what may have happened to make me feel like I got hit by a truck and dragged for three miles. I flinch, my head pounding harder with each thought. Slowly, I open my eyes. Once they adjust to the dim light, I recognize the apartment above the bar.
What the fuck happened?
Amber. I need to get home to Amber. Jumping out of bed, way too quickly, I fall back against the wall, my head is spinning. I push back the nausea threatening to take hold and try to come up with some recollection. I know I didn’t drink that much. Or did I? I can’t remember anything. I look down and notice that I’m naked. Too afraid to look at the bed, I keep my eyes trained to the floor. Clothes are everywhere. Not only mine, but woman’s clothing. None that I recognize as Amber’s either. Bile rises to the back of my throat. I swallow it down just as I notice an empty condom wrapper on the floor. My head automatically snaps to the bed. Seeing Leena, naked in the bed, I rush to the bathroom and empty the contents of my stomach.
What have I done?