Why Romeo Hates Juliet (19 page)

With coffee mug in hand, Juliet sat on the beach watching the morning waves hitting the shoreline. She was careful to keep a fair distance away, as the water looked a bit dangerous today and she didn’t want any rogue waves to get anywhere near her - ever.

She gazed at the blue Prince Edward Island skies and the fluffy, marshmal ow clouds suspended up there, but instead of feeling joy at the perfect summer weather, she was frowning instead. Her thoughts were miles away, back in that hospital room - and back on him.

That kiss they’d shared had been amazing, but she still had no idea what had come over her. One second she’d been trying to pull away from him and in the next, she’d been the instigator - demanding, coaxing, pleading and surrendering to the passion she’d felt streak through her body -

and it was all for him.

And she couldn’t blame Romeo at all. He had amnesia and believed that she was his wife, so a kiss between them was something that was natural and good. In his own warped and wounded mind, he’d been clinging to the only person he remembered, which was her.

Juliet felt another stab of guilt at what she’d done to him. This must be such a scary time for him, not knowing who he was or what his life was like or who the people around him were. He was in limbo and confusion reigned supreme in his world now and the only person he remembered that he could grasp onto was her. And she would make sure that she would give that to him. Whatever she had to do to help him get his memory back, she would do. Whatever…

As Juliet’s mind wandered back to the previous morning’s events, she felt sick to her stomach again. Oh God - what if she had killed him?

What if he’d died? What if…? Tears welled up in her eyes as she mindlessly watched the frustrated ocean tossing the waves onto the beach, seemingly mimicking her own tumultuous feelings.

Quickly, she brushed her wet cheeks and made a decision, right then and there, to help Romeo Boyd in whatever way she could to regain his memory and get well again. Whatever he needed, she’d be there for him, and she wouldn’t squawk and she wouldn’t make a fuss and she’d put away her work on her book for now until he was all better. His health came first over any stupid writing project anyway, even if it would spell her financial doom if she didn’t deliver a completed manuscript by September. No - Romeo would come first with her from now on. It was the very least she could do.

“Juliet!”

She turned her head at the sound of her name being called and watched as Faith approached her from the back of their beach house. She waved at her friend and Faith waved back as she came closer.

“How are you doing?” Faith hugged Juliet tightly, as the latter stood up from her sitting position in the warm sand.

“I’m okay, Faith.”

“I’ve been so worried about you, but Sara…,” Faith pointed back in the direction of the house, “… just finished telling me that you’re feeling better today.”

“It’s not me you should be asking about, it’s Romeo. He’s the one who’s hurt and it’s all because of me.” Faith nodded. “The entire island is talking about nothing else and I had to crawl though dozens of paparazzi trucks up the road just to get into your property.”

“I know. They hounded Sara and I all the way home from the hospital last night.”

“You know what all the news media are saying, don’t you?”

Juliet nodded. “That Romeo and I are lovers and that I shot him because of a quarrel we had over his continuing relationship with Carrie Ann, but the police couldn’t prove that the shooting was intentional, so I got away with attempted murder. It’s all so disgusting.”

“Does he really think you’re his wife?”

“So he says. He doesn’t seem to remember anybody except me. But the press has no idea he has amnesia and I hope it stays that way for now because if they find out, they’ll go into another shark-infested feeding frenzy. Please don’t say anything to anybody.” Faith nodded again. “My lips are sealed and so are Brad’s; you can count on us.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that,” Juliet smiled at her friend. Her eyes wandered over to Romeo’s beach house and spotted Tommy walking over to one of the parked Escalade SUVs in the driveway, carrying suitcases. He opened the back and started hauling them in.

Juliet frowned. “Where’s he going, with his friend in the hospital?” she mumbled. “Excuse me, Faith,” she said and she began walking towards Tommy. “Tommy!” She waved at him and approached. “Are you leaving?”

He nodded. “I’m taking Carrie Ann and Kristen back to ll.A., but I’ll be back tomorrow with one of the top psychiatrists in the country who specializes in amnesia cases. We thought it best that he be brought in on Romeo’s case.”

“But - but - you can’t leave right now. What about Romeo?”

“I was going to ask you about that. Will you look after him today until I get back tomorrow afternoon? He’s being released then, so I’ll be picking him up at the hospital and bringing him back here. Until then, can you look in on him, please?”

“Of course. Anything. How is he, by the way?”

“The girls and I went to see him early this morning and the doctor told us his shoulder is healing nicely.”

“What about his memory?”

Tommy frowned and shook his head no. “He still doesn’t remember anything, but he was asking for you.”

“So he still thinks I’m his…?”

“Fraid so. Could you maybe visit him today when I’m gone?”

“Sara and I were actually going to go this afternoon but we - weren’t sure if we’d be welcome,” Juliet responded.

A smile hit Tommy’s lips, “Oh no, Romeo definitely wants to see you, that’s for sure.” Not realizing the true meaning of Tommy’s words, she gave him a warm smile. “You can count on me, Tommy.”

“Great!” He pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “If either you or Romeo needs anything, you can reach me at that cell number, okay?” Juliet nodded and he continued speaking as he hauled one more suitcase into the vehicle. “And can you do one more favor for me?”

“Anything!”

“Can you please get the hell out of here before Carrie Ann sees you?”

Juliet’s spine straightened, ready for battle. “Why? I’m not afraid of her.”

Tommy laughed. “No - but I am. So for my sake, please go.”

Juliet giggled, “Chicken?”

“Cluck, cluck, cluck,” Tommy squawked, as he shut the back door of the SUV.

~ ~ ~

Later that afternoon, Sara and Juliet were in their car driving to the hospital with a trail of paparazzi following them. Juliet nervously bit her lip and snuck a peek at her sister who was driving. “Sara, promise me that when we get there, you won’t leave me alone with him.” Sara took her eyes off the road to give Juliet a quick glance. “Why? Did something happen last night between you two?” Juliet had been very quiet on the way home last night after she’d come out of Romeo’s room, but Sara had initially put it down to exhaustion after having gone through such a traumatic day. But now thinking back on things, her sister had been pretty mum about what had transpired in that hospital room between herself and the actor.

“No, nothing happened. It was all very cordial,” Juliet replied evasively. What could she say? That she’d kissed the hell out of Romeo Boyd and had only stopped because she’d remembered that there was somebody else in the room, and now she was too scared to be alone with him in case there was a repeat performance?

She wasn’t afraid of Romeo trying anything or forcing her. The poor guy was oblivious anyway and completely innocent, but Juliet was afraid of herself. What if he made another ‘husband’ move on her and she couldn’t reign in her response to him? How far would she let it go this time, if there was no one else in the room to stop her?

“Then why are you afraid to be alone with him?” Sara questioned, breaking into Juliet’s thoughts.

“I’m not afraid! God, Sara, don’t read more into this, okay? I just feel awkward around him after what I’ve done, that’s all.” Sara stole another quick peek at her sister’s flushed face. Why were Juliet’s cheeks turning red? “Okay, if that’s what you want, I won’t leave you alone,” she agreed and then watched as Juliet breathed out a sigh of relief. Sara instinctively knew, at that moment, that something had indeed happened in that hospital room between them last night.

* * *

The paparazzi photographers had stationed themselves at all of the hospital entrances but were taking care to stay on public property. As Juliet and Sara walked silently through the pack, the photographers started throwing all kinds of taunting questions at them as their cameras began to click away.

“Juliet, how is Romeo doing? What does he think about you shooting him? Is he refusing to see you now? Where’s Carrie Ann? Are you jealous of her? Is that why you shot Romeo? Are you into threesomes? Oh, come on, Juliet, give us something.”

“Leave her alone, okay!” Sara shouted back, wanting to protect her sister.

“Sara, don’t!” Juliet grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled her towards the entrance, moving even more quickly than before. But the second that Juliet had spoken, the cameras began clicking at a more frenzied pace, with all the photographers angling to get a better picture of her.

On entering the building and as the doors closed behind them blocking out the pandemonium outside, Sara turned to her big sister. “I’m sorry, Juliet, but they’re awful,” she expelled.

“I know. Just try to ignore them like Romeo said.”

Sara nodded as they both took the elevator. Reaching Romeo’s room, they found his door closed. Juliet knocked tentatively and on hearing his,

“Come in”, she and Sara entered. He was sitting on the edge of the bed with a young nurse beside him who was helping him into a housecoat. One sleeve of the robe was resting gently over his injured shoulder and she was helping him tuck his good arm into the other one.

On seeing her, Romeo’s face immediately lit up. “Finally, you’re here,” he exclaimed. He turned to the nurse. “Liz, this is Juliet, my wife,” he proudly introduced.

Juliet came forward and awkwardly shook her hand, “Nice to meet you, Liz.”

She saw Liz give her a quick wink before she replied, “Nice to meet you too, Juliet.” It was obvious that all of the staff knew about his amnesia and had been told to play along, no matter what he said. “Okay, Mr. Boyd, you’re ready for your walk,” she stated and she helped Romeo stand up.

“Now that my wife is here she can take me, can’t you Juliet?” He turned expectant eyes to her and waited for her answer.

“Sure - of course I will,” she stammered.

Liz smiled, “Fine, but just up and down the halls a few times and it’s back to bed for you, mister. Don’t overdo it,” she instructed before leaving.

“Everyone’s so nice here,” Romeo smiled. He then turned curious eyes towards Sara who’d been standing behind Juliet. “Who are you? I saw you in here last night.”

“Oh - this is my sister, Sara,” Juliet introduced her as Sara came forward.

“hello, Romeo,” Sara said.

“So, I guess that makes me your bro-in-law, right? Come here and give me a hug,” he threw his good arm wide, waiting for her to come into it.

Sara giggled before falling into his grasp. Much to her surprise, he gave her a quick kiss on the lips followed with a hug, as best he could do with his left arm and shoulder being out of commission. She blushed. “Oh - well - that’s quite a welcome!” she gushed, as her heart started beating wildly. This was big-time, movie star Romeo Boyd after all and she’d just been hugged by him - and kissed smack on the lips! If she wasn’t supposed to be playing the sedate sister-in-law part, she would have jumped up and down, squealing like a giddy teenager.

Juliet rolled her eyes at the silly grin splashed on her sister’s reddened face. Sara certainly hadn’t acted this ridiculous the other times she’d met Romeo Boyd, but then again, this was the first time he’d kissed her - and he was definitely a terrific kisser. She certainly could attest to that, although their own kiss had been quite different from the quick peck he’d just planted on her little sister.

Romeo turned to Juliet with his right arm still open wide. “Your turn,” he slyly dictated.

Juliet froze. She couldn’t very well refuse to kiss her own husband who happened to be hurt and in the hospital, could she? But she certainly didn’t want Sara to see any hot kiss between her and Romeo and then have to answer a trillion questions on the way home either.

Covering up her trepidation with a tight smile, Juliet came forward and, before he could even wrap his good arm around her to bring her in for a kiss, she gave him a quick peck on his hairy cheek and stepped quickly back out of reach. He frowned and it was obvious by his expression that that wasn’t what he wanted.

“How are you feeling today?” Juliet asked, hoping to change the subject and the frustrated mood that had just enveloped the room.

“Much better; the doctor said I can go home tomorrow,” his eyes twinkled as he uttered the word ‘home’.

Juliet missed the twinkle.

“That’s good news, isn’t it?” she replied.

His eyes flashed again. “The best.”

She missed the flash too.

“Okay, let’s go for your walk and get your strength up.”

“Oh it’s been ‘up’ since last night,” he retorted, and this time she saw his eyes crinkling into a smile at the corners.

Juliet paused. Was he talking about what she thought he was talking about? No… it had only been an innocent remark on his part. She was just being overly sensitive because of that amazing kiss they’d shared the night before. Nonetheless, the thought he might have been talking about, well you know, made her blush.

Coming forward, she wrapped her arms around him to help him up off the bed, but as she did so, her heart started beating wildly against her rib cage. By being this close to him again, she instantly remembered every single, hot second when their lips had fused together. A rush of heat enveloped her and she felt her face turning even redder. Okay, the kiss had been mind-bending, but this was still Romeo Boyd, movie star jerk who’d made her life hell since he’d appeared on the island. Sure, she was being nice to him now, hoping to help him recover, and he was being nice to her because he thought she was his wife, but none of that changed anything. Or did it? It was just all too confusing and Juliet’s head was spinning with all of the conflicting thoughts.

Romeo’s heavy right arm came around her shoulders breaking into her musings as he gingerly rested his weight against her. “Lean on me more; it’s okay, Romeo,” she instructed.

His clear eyes blazed into hers and they narrowed. “Really Juliet? I can lean on you?” he asked her, in an almost sudden harsh tone.

Juliet paused again. Why was she getting the feeling that they were on two different wavelengths, talking about two different things?

Uneasiness washed over her, but she covered her apprehension with another bright smile. “I won’t let you fall, Romeo, if that’s what you mean.” He smiled then, changing his tone back to the teasing one from before. “Yeah, that’s what I meant. I’m a big guy after all and I might be too much man for you to handle.”

Juliet frowned again but then erased it quickly from her features. He probably didn’t mean anything by that either except that he was a heavy male compared to her female weight. She was just reading too much into everything and she needed to reign in her wild imagination. Still, her traitorous mind raced back to when she’d clearly seen ‘everything’ on him in the back of the police cruiser when his bathrobe kept parting and she felt a sudden surge of excitement ripple through her.

“Don’t worry, I can handle you,” Juliet coyly answered back.

Sara had been watching the two of them like a hawk. Oh yeah, she thought to herself, there was more going on here between these two than what her sister had led her to believe. You could power a whole city block for a month with all of the sexual tension in the room right now. She’d have to keep a closer eye on this situation.

~ ~ ~