The Upside of Love (9 page)

Lily

Just as I parked the Explorer and grabbed my suitcase from the back, Luke’s Jeep pulled up. Shit. I pulled up the handle on my suitcase and began rolling it to the door. I heard his car door shut and, suddenly, his hand was grabbing my suitcase.

“Let me help you, Lily,” he said.

“I can do it myself,” I snapped as I jerked the suitcase away from him.

“Hate me! Hate me all you want because I’m sorry for everything!” he yelled. “I’m sorry for what I said to you. I want you, Lily. I want our relationship back. I love you!”

I stopped walking when I heard his words and let the rage build inside me. I turned around in a fit of anger and looked at him underneath the bright street light.

“You think you can just come back to town when you’re ready and expect things to go back to normal? You broke me. You shattered me when you stood there and said you blamed me for Callie’s death. You crushed me into even more tiny pieces when you walked out and left me. You, Luke Matthews, did that to me!” I screamed.

By that time, I was a sobbing mess and that was when Gretchen and Sam pulled up. “We needed each other for support, and you turned your back on me. You wouldn’t even listen to me, and for that, I hate you! Do you hear me? There is no ‘us.’ You broke us way beyond repair!” I screamed.

Gretchen came running over and hugged me as tightly as she could. She grabbed my suitcase, the keys out of my hand, and led me into my apartment.

“Who the hell does he think he is?” I cried.

She walked into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of wine from the cabinet. She poured some in a glass and handed it to me, then went into the bathroom and grabbed some tissues.

“Here,” she said as she handed them to me.

I sat down on the couch and brought my knees up to my chest.

“Lily, I’m really worried about you.”

“Don’t be. I just exploded. He had it coming. You better get back to Sam. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

“Go. Please. I love you but I need to be alone.”

She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “You better call me first thing in the morning.”

“I will. Thank you, Gretchen.”

“I’m so happy you’re back,” she said as she hugged me.

****

Luke

She made it very clear that she didn’t want anything to do with me. I fucked up in such a way that I didn’t know how the hell to fix it. Gretchen walked into the apartment and looked at me. She stood there with an angry look on her face and shook her finger at me, but the words wouldn’t come out of her mouth.

“Don’t, Gretchen. I already know,” I said with a tear in my eye as I looked down.

Sam was sitting at the table, not saying a word. Gretchen walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me.

“I love you, Luke. You’re my friend just as much as Lily is. You’re both hurting in such a way that I feel so helpless.”

“I need her back. I want her back. She won’t listen to me and I don’t know what to do.”

“I think the best thing you can do is slowly try to rebuild your friendship. She can’t hate you forever. I know she won’t. I think it’s just the shock of seeing you again after so many weeks. She’ll calm down and, when she does, she’ll need you. I know Lily and you’re the best thing in her life and she’ll come to realize that once she calms down.”

Sam walked over to us and wrapped his arms around both of us.

“Yeah, what she said.”

I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. Gretchen was right. It was time to focus on winning Lily back and that was what I was going to do, no matter what the cost was. And now it wasn’t only Lily I needed to win back, I also needed to win back Charley.

****

Lily

The next morning, I got up at the crack of dawn and was going to go to the studio before I headed to the hospital to see Giselle. I had just finished getting dressed when my phone rang. I picked it up and saw Lucky was calling.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Lily, Giselle is in labor and the doctors say she has to deliver the baby. She’s asking for you. She wants you in the delivery room.”

“Tell her I’m on my way.”

I put on my shoes and grabbed my keys. As soon as I got in the Explorer, I inserted the key and turned it. It wouldn’t start. FUCK!
Come on, come on
, I said as I tried multiple times. I started pounding the steering wheel with my fists when I saw Luke walk out of the building. I got out of the SUV and had no choice but to ask him if Sam and Gretchen were still home.

“Is Sam or Gretchen still home?” I asked with an attitude.

“No. They went to breakfast.”

I was fidgeting again and a nervous wreck, but I had to put Giselle and the baby first.

“Lucky called and Giselle is in labor.”

“I know. He just called me. I’m heading there now. The Explorer won’t start, will it?” he asked.

“No.”

“Get in my Jeep. I’ll drive you there.”

I took in a deep breath. This was not supposed to happen. I had no choice but to go with him. I climbed in the Jeep, fastened my seat belt, and looked out the passenger window.

“Lily—”

I put up my hand to stop him. “No words. Just get me to the hospital.”

He sighed and sped off out of the parking lot. The ride there was silent. I wouldn’t look at him. I couldn’t look at him because, if I did, I’d break down again. He dropped me off at the door and I ran up to Giselle’s room. When I walked in, she was yelling in pain. Lucky was putting a cool cloth on her head and holding one hand, while Gretchen was holding the other.

“Lily,” Giselle cried. “It’s too early. I can’t have her yet. It’s too early.”

“Shh. It’s going to be all right. I promise,” I said as I ran my hand across her hair.

I looked at Gretchen. “Why did you and Sam have to go to breakfast so early? The Explorer wouldn’t start and I had to get a ride in with Luke. Do you know how uncomfortable that was?”

“Sorry, but we were hungry,” she said. You really need to get a new car.”

Giselle yelled with another contraction. The doctor walked back in the room and told her that it was time to start pushing. She was crying and telling the doctor that it was too early. Lucky was trying to soothe her and make her comfortable. Finally, after talking to her and helping her through it, she delivered her baby girl.

“We need to take her to the neonatal unit right away,” the nurse said with sympathy as she held the baby to her.

“Can I just touch her?” Giselle asked as she cried.

The nurse brought the baby closer to her and Lucky. He kissed her lightly on the head and Giselle touched her tiny hand. The nurse took her out of the room immediately and Giselle began to sob uncontrollably. Lucky did his best to calm her down. We thought it would be best for the two of them, as parents, to be left alone. Gretchen and I walked out of the room and saw Sam and Luke sitting in the waiting room across the hall. Gretchen went over to them and I walked down to the coffee bar.

I took my coffee outside to the courtyard and took a seat on a wrought-iron bench. I looked at my phone. I had a text message from my mom.

“Just checking in and making sure you’re okay.”

“I’m as good as I can be. Giselle had the baby about thirty minutes ago and we’re not sure what’s going to happen.”

“I’m sorry, Lily. Girls are strong. That baby of hers is going to be just fine.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll talk to you soon.”

I took a sip of my coffee and then looked down at the ground.

“Hey,” Luke said.

I closed my eyes and was ready to lash out at him and tell him to get the fuck away from me, but I didn’t have the strength. So I just looked up at him with sad eyes.

“The baby is going to be okay,” he said.

“You don’t know that for sure. There are so many complications for a baby born prematurely.”

“Do you mind if I sit down?”

I put my hand out, signaling that I really had no choice because there were other people in the courtyard and I didn’t want to cause a scene. He sat there with his elbows on his knees and his face cupped in his hands.

Lily

“I can take a look at your car and see what’s wrong,” Luke said.

“Nah. I’ll have it towed again. I don’t need your help,” I snapped quietly.

“I know you don’t, but I want to help.”

I turned my head and looked at him. “You really want to help me? You can do that by leaving me alone,” I said as I shook my head and tears stung my eyes.

I got up from the bench and walked back into the hospital. I couldn’t escape the pain that constantly flowed throughout my body, the gut-wrenching pain that was such a huge part of my life. I walked into Giselle’s room and sat down next to her, grabbing her hand.

“The doctor said that her lungs aren’t fully mature yet and they have her on a breathing machine. He said the next twenty-four hours are critical, but he’s optimistic that she’ll pull through.”

“Of course she’ll pull through. She’s a girl. A strong girl who comes from a line of strong women like her mom.” I smiled.

“She is strong, isn’t she?”

“She sure is,” I said. “Have you picked a name for her yet?”

“Yeah, we did.” She smiled as she looked at Lucky.

“Isabella Grace Chambers,” Lucky replied.

“That’s a beautiful name. You look tired, Giselle. You better get some rest. I’m going to head out unless you want me to stay.”

“No. You go do what you have to do. I’ll see you later.”

I kissed her and Lucky on the cheek and walked over to the neonatal unit. Luke was standing there, looking through the window. I took in a deep breath as I walked up and stood next to him.

“She’s so tiny,” he said.

“Yeah, she is. She’ll be okay. I know she will.”

Luke looked over at me and then back at Isabella.

“Look, I’m sorry for snapping at you today. Last night, no. Today, yes.”

“I don’t blame you. How are you getting home or wherever you have to go?”

“I was going to catch a ride with Sam or Gretchen, but I can’t find them.”

“They left already. Sam said he had to go to work and Gretchen had something to do.”

“That’s great. I’ll call a cab then.”

“I can drive you home, Lily,” he replied as he still stared straight ahead.

“Don’t you have to get to the bar?” I asked.

“The bar can wait.”

“Thanks,” I softly said.

“Are you ready now?” he asked.

“Yeah. I guess I’ll go home and call a tow truck.”

I followed behind him out of the hospital and into the Jeep. A part of me wanted to reach over and hold his hand, but the bigger part of me wanted to hit him.

****

Luke

As soon as we pulled into the parking lot of the apartment building, Lily got out and climbed into her Explorer to try and start it one last time before she called the tow truck. She looked at me when it suddenly started.

“What the hell!” she exclaimed.

I shrugged my shoulders. That was weird that it just started after it wouldn’t turn over this morning. I climbed back in my Jeep and drove to the bar. I decided that I had no choice but to respect Lily’s wishes and leave her alone. I could see the pain that resided in her eyes because it was same pain as mine.

“Hey,” Maddie said as I walked in the bar.

“Hey. Giselle had the baby.”

“Is she okay?” she asked.

“The next twenty-four hours are critical, but I think she’ll pull through. How’s Charley? I sent her a couple of text messages and she won’t respond.”

“She really wants nothing to do with you.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “She’s not the only one.”

“Have you talked to Lily yet?”

“You mean have I been screamed at and been told that she hates me and that I broke her? Yes.”

“Aw, Luke. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” I said as I walked to my office.

Cody was sitting at my desk again and it looked like she was going over the books.

“Hey, Luke. I’ll be done in a second.”

“Hey. I really need to have another office built,” I said as I turned and walked out.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent Lily a text message.

“Hey, I’m really sorry to bother you, but do you still have the phone number for that contractor you used for your studio?”

A few minutes later, her reply came through with only his name and phone number. What the hell did I expect? I dialed the number and waited for him to answer.

“Hello, Cameron Cole here.”

“Cameron, my name is Luke Matthews. I got your number from Lily Gilmore. You did some work on her photography studio.”

“Hi, Luke. What can I do for you?”

“I own a bar and was looking to have a small office built for my assistant.”

“Sure. I can come by later this afternoon, take a look, and give you an estimate if you’re going to be around.”

“Sounds great, Cameron. I’ll be here.”

I gave him the address and he knew exactly where it was. I walked behind the bar and started drying off the rack of glasses that were sitting there.

“Cameron, a contractor, will be stopping by later to look at building an office for Cody,” I said to Maddie.

“Oh. So you plan on keeping her around?”

“Don’t start with me, Maddie. She’s a good employee.”

“I have a feeling that we’re going to see how good she really is,” she said as she walked away.

I rolled my eyes as I placed the dry glasses on the shelf. I looked up and saw Cody walking across the bar in her short skirt and tight shirt. She perched herself on the barstool and showed me some figures on a report.

“See these numbers? This is your profit and this is your loss. They almost equal out. So technically, you really didn’t make any money last month.”

“That’s nice to know,” I sighed.

“Don’t sweat it. We’ll get you up there so you’re rolling in the dough. I remembered that you mentioned bringing in other bands to play on the weekends. I think you should do Friday, Saturday, and Sundays.”

“I know. I’ve already thought of that and I’m going to do it. I just haven’t had the time to contact any bands or listen to them.”

“I have an idea.” She smiled as she placed her hand on my arm. “I’m going to place an ad online. I know of a few sites that a lot of bands visit and the ad will grab their attention.”

“Thanks, Cody. I’m sorry that I haven’t been here much for you since you started. It’s just with Lily and all the shit going on—”

“Luke, I understand. Don’t worry about it.” She smiled. “Remember, I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

I gave her a smile and looked up when the bar door opened.

“Luke Matthews?” the guy asked as he walked towards me.

“Yep, that’s me,” I answered as I held out my hand.

“I’m Cameron Cole.”

“Great to meet you, Cameron. Follow me and I’ll show you where I was thinking about putting the office.”

He followed me to the back and I showed him the space. He looked around, stood back, took out his measuring tape, and nodded his head.

“Okay. This will work.” He smiled.

We stood and talked for quite a while. Lily had told me how nice he was and she was right. He was a great guy and he knew his stuff.

“I have a job that’ll be finished up in a couple of days. I can start then.”

“Sounds good, man,” I said as I held out my hand. “Thank you for coming out.”

“No problem. Tell Lily I said hi. She’s a great photographer.”

I gave a small smile. “Yeah, she is.”

As he left the bar, Cody walked over to me with a smile on her face.

“What’s the verdict?”

“You’ll have your own office soon.”

She looped her arm around mine and laid her head on my shoulder.

“Thanks, but I really don’t mind sharing with you. You can tuck me in a corner and I’ll be just as happy.”

I looked up and noticed Sam walking towards me. Cody immediately let go of my arm and walked away.

“What the fuck was that, Luke? Are you already giving up on Lily and moving on?”

“Hell no. She was just thanking me for the new office I’m having built so she doesn’t have to share mine. Jesus Christ, man. You can fuck off for even thinking that.”

“Really, bro, because what if it was Lily who walked back here instead of me?”

“Well, I don’t have to worry about that, do I? She won’t even speak to me, let alone walk into my bar,” I said as I walked away and punched the wall.

“Are you going to the hospital later?” he asked.

“Yeah. I want to bring Giselle some flowers.”

“Good idea. I’ll talk to you later,” he said as he started to walk away.

“Sam,” I called. “Why did you come by the bar?”

“Oh, I was going to talk to you about something, but it can wait.”

“Are you sure? You’re already here.”

“I’m sure. We’ll talk later.” He smiled.