Broken In Pieces: Billionaire Stepbrother Romance (Wounded Hearts Book 1) Page 5

  Its noon and everyone’s headed into the dining room for lunch. Mother motions me toward the dining room, “Sheridan, it’s time to eat darling.”

  “I’m not hungry. You guys go ahead without me,” I insist.

  “Sheridan Paige Stollings, you will join us. I’ve only seen you eat once since you’ve been home. You were thin before and you have lost weight since moving to New York,” she chastises me. I don’t want to make a scene in front of Mr. Hawthorne….Blade. I’m already embarrassed as hell. Even though I want to bitch slap my mother, I say nothing and head into the dining room.

  Carter and Blade are talking about the stock market, but Blade keeps looking at me like he expects me to say something. Hell, I don’t know anything about that shit. “Sheridan, I wish you had come with me yesterday,” Mother slices through their conversation. “I think you’re going to love the colors in the centerpieces, they’re red, white and blue roses.”

  “I bet they’re gorgeous. I didn’t even know you could get blue roses,” I try to sound interested.

  “I think they dye the white ones. Oh, and Johnny asked about you. He said to give you a hug from him.”

  I nod as I shove the food around on my plate, taking a bite from time to time so Mother thinks I’m really eating. Everyone’s almost finished when Mother decides to be Mother, “Sheridan, dear, I’m so proud of you. You’ve done so well since moving to New York after the incident.” Motherfuck, she did not just say that!

  Blades eyes shoot up from his plate and lock on mine, “The incident?” he questions.

  “Oh it’s nothing, Mother’s always overly dramatic,” I shoot my Mother a shut the fuck up stare. I rise from the table, “I’m going for a walk,” and exit the house before my anger can take over.

  I walk, almost run, down to the gazebo and slump down on a seat inside. I can’t believe she just did that. I knew coming back here was not a good idea. How the hell did I let her talk me into this? I’m such a fucking idiot. I’m so lost in thought and anger that I don’t realize Blade has come down to join me. He steps inside the gazebo and startles me. “Sorry baby girl. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says as he sits down beside me.

  “It’s fine. I’m just a little jumpy.”

  “So, I sense a little tension between you and your mom,” he says almost questioningly.

  “I don’t remember a time when there hasn’t been tension between me and Mother. It’s the norm as far as our relationship goes,” I answer, “but I’d rather not talk about that.” He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear. I wince at his touch, even though I try not to. I look down trying to hide my flushing face.

  “Oh no, baby girl. I told you, eyes up here,” he lifts my chin and locks eyes with me.

  “Why do you call your dad Carter and you have a different last name?” It’s my turn to question him.

  “It’s a long story and I’d rather not talk about that,” he responds.

  “I guess we both have our stories,” I smile back at him. We sit and talk and laugh for an hour. He seems almost normal. The stern, harsh and demanding Blade is gone. It’s so strange. He confuses me beyond belief.

  The workers have arrived to begin setting up for tonight’s event so we decide to go back inside. Blade heads out front to put his bike in the garage so it’s the perfect opportunity for me to speak with Mother. I find her and Carter in the family room. “Mother, I need to ask you something,” I begin. “I have to know if you’ve invited Jarrod Davis or any of the Davis family to the celebration.”

  “Sheridan,” Mother gasps as if someone just told her that her $3000 handbag is a knock off. “Of course I haven’t invited them. I would never put you through that. I can’t even believe you would feel the need to ask me that. You have wounded me.”

  My blood begins to boil, “You’re wounded?! What the fuck?! All three of us know that if inviting them would further your social stance in the community, they would be here. And I would still be in exile in New York, none the wiser. Don’t play the poor pitiful me card with me Mother, dear! It’s never been about me. I honestly don’t think you have ever cared about anyone but yourself.” By now the tears are streaming down my face.

  “Sheridan Paige, how could you sa…” she begins but Carter jumps in.

  “Shut the hell up, Sophia Lorraine. Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage here? I knew this was all a bad idea from the beginning. We should have gone to the authorities about Jarrod like I wanted to and Sheridan should have been here, at home, surrounded by people who love her. People who could help her through it. I should have set my foot down but I let you have your way as usual. Well, no more.” Mother is flabbergasted and just looks at him with her mouth gaped open but she is quiet for the first time that I can remember. I knew it. I knew Carter had more to say. I thought he was disappointed in me but he was actually disappointed in Mother.

  I stand there, looking at Carter and crying even harder. I’m stunned at how much he really does care for me. Blade appears in the doorway and his eyes immediately shoot to mine. “Is something wrong?” he asks and there’s so much hurt in his voice that I could swear he was feeling my pain. Carter walks over to me, hugs me and tells me he’s sorry then exits the room. Blade comes over and takes me by the hand. “Come on baby girl,” he says as he leads me from the room to the front of the house. He places his hands on each side of my face and brushes my tears away with his thumbs. “Tell me what’s wrong,” he whispers.

  “I can’t,” I close my eyes, “I don’t want to.”

  “Okay, later then. Have you ever been on a motorcycle?” he smiles. I shake my head no.

  “Well baby girl, you’ve been missing out. Come on,” he leads me to the garage. He picks up a helmet and straps it on me snuggly, “You gotta be safe, baby girl.” Then he puts on his helmet and sunglasses. He climbs on the bike and I get on behind him. “Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight,” he orders but in an almost caring way this time. I hesitate, I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t want to be touched and I don’t want to touch anyone either. He breaks into my thoughts, “Come on baby girl. You have to hold on to me.” I slowly put my arms around him and it’s not as bad as I had anticipated. It’s not an intimate thing so I think I can do this. I tighten my hold and we’re off.

  He takes us down some back roads. There’s hardly any traffic. The trees are gorgeous and the wind seems to be carrying all my troubles away. I feel free. Free from all the chaos. Free from all the pain. We ride for an hour or so when he pulls over at a spot with an exquisite view. We stand looking out over the scene, captured in its beauty. He turns to me, pulling me into his arms. His eyes look so deeply into to mine, he’s searching my soul again. No, no, no, no! We can’t do this. I can’t do this! But I’m paralyzed by his stare. He leans down and his lips touch mine. They bring soft, feather light kisses at first. Then I feel him inhale deeply and his tongue begins its voyage inside my mouth. I have lost all control of my faculties. Our tongues start caressing each other, devouring each other and craving more.

  Even though his kiss is nothing like the kisses from the monster of my nightmares, flashes of that God forsaken night run through my head. I jerk back so his mouth has to release me. He searches my eyes, “What’s wrong baby girl?”

  I feel myself shaking. I have to get a grip. “I ca…I can’t do this,” I stammer.

  “Sheridan, you’re shaking. What’s wrong?” I shake my head and look down at my shoes. He strokes my hair, “Baby girl, there’s no pressure here. You’re safe.” He takes my hand and leads me back to the bike. We climb on to head back to Mother’s.

  The celebration is going strong when we arrive. Blade sticks close by my side most of the night but not so close that it’s uncomfortable. Mother and I barely speak but when we do it’s civil. Donna finally arrives and I’m so glad she made it. I introduce her to Blade and explain he’s my boss and that we just found out we’re step siblings. “Holy shit, Sher. Why didn’t you tell me that your b
oss…or your step brother is hot as hell,” she swoons. Blade erupts into a huge grin but this time I think he blushes a bit. The three of us talk and laugh most of the night. I’m glad they get along well. I even convince Donna to come to New York and spend a week with me before school starts back.

  The fireworks begin shortly after dark. We watch until the very last one explodes. The guests are thinning out and the cleanup is beginning. Donna is preparing to leave. She says her good-bye to Blade then grabs me and hugs me tight. “I like him,” she whispers in my ear.

  “I think I’ll turn in. It’s been a draining day,” I say as I rise from the table.

  Blade stands, “I hope the day held some good things too.” I smile shyly and give him a positive nod. “Good night baby girl. Sweet dreams,” he smiles back at me.

  “Good night Blade.”

  The next morning is a flurry of packing, visiting a little more with Donna and saying goodbyes. I walk Blade out as he’s leaving. He brushes my hair back with his fingers and gives me a chaste kiss before riding off. When I return inside, Mother is waiting to talk with me. She tells me how much she loves me and how wrong she has been. She’s so apologetic that I actually believe she means it. Sophia Lorraine Stollings-Stephens is actually pouring her heart out to me. She asks me to come back home but I let her know I have a life in New York now. I usually run from conversations with my mother but this one is different. This one is healing.

  On our drive to the airport, I think about all the ways this trip has enlightened me. I learned that Blade is my step-brother and he’s not the awful prick he comes off as at work. I’m beginning to realize that Carter cares for me deeply. I knew something was going on with him but I couldn’t figure out what. Now I think my mother just might love me but doesn’t know how to show it. There’s been so much packed into one weekend that it makes me tired just thinking about it.

  CHAPTER 5

  Shattered

  I arrive at the apartment late. It’s funny but this place is starting to feel like home and I’m actually glad to be back. I unpack and get things ready for work in the morning. Then I’m lying in bed trying to put the weekend out of my mind. The motorcycle ride through the mountains was like therapy. I think about the kiss, how I didn’t want it. I didn’t want him to touch me. I would love to be normal, to be able to accept that kind of affection. I fall asleep hearing those words, ‘you’re safe’ running over and over in my head.

  The next morning, Blade’s his usual office self. Business like, demanding and controlling. He’s somewhat gentler where I am concerned but not like he was over the weekend. He bewilders me. It’s like he’s two different people and you never know who you’re going to encounter. Wondering what makes him tick makes my head swim.

  On Tuesday, Caroline has stopped by my desk to chat. The elevator opens and out steps a gorgeous blonde woman. She could be a model. She struts toward us and heads for Blade’s office. “Ma’am, can I help you?” I say as I walk toward her but she doesn’t stop. “Ma’am, may I ask your name?” I become more forceful. She still doesn’t answer. She opens the door and bounds right into Blades office with me on her heels. “I’m sorry, sir,” I apologize, “I tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen.”

  Blade gives me a slight smile, “It’s okay, Sheridan. I’ll take care of it.” I excuse myself and leave the room.

  I get back to my desk and Caroline giggles, “You’ll get used to it.”

  I question her, “Is that his girlfriend?”

  Her giggle goes to a chuckle, “Not quite. Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t have girlfriends, just different flavors of the week. Bridgette is just one of the flavors of the week from time to time.” Bridgette. Hmm, I feel a sudden pang of jealousy. Why? I really don’t understand this. “I don’t think Mr. Hawthorne will ever be tamed by one woman,” she adds before heading back to her office.

  I muddle through the week, trying to keep the weekend and my strange feelings toward Blade and Bridgette off my mind. On Friday, Caroline says everyone is going out again and invites me along. I’m thrilled. I could really use a night out. Having this to look forward to makes my day more bearable. But it does leave my mind reeling with thoughts of the last time we went out. I decide tonight there will be no dance or intimate little exchanges with him. He’ll be just another guy in the bar. I can’t handle anything more.

  That night, I arrive at the Sip & Fly and most of the gang is already there. Blade’s not, but that’s probably for the best. I can enjoy my night without all the tension. I join the others and Caroline orders me a Long Island ice tea. We’re all submerged in conversation when he sits down at the table. Shit, he showed after all. He immediately starts trying to lock eyes with mine but I don’t allow it. No more games. I’m not playing.

  I wait a few minutes so that it’s not so obvious then excuse myself from the table and head for the bar. I order another drink and prop myself on a stool. The guy on the stool beside me strikes up a polite conversation. “Your new around here,” he says.

  “How’d you know?”

  “Well, I’m here a lot and I’ve never seen you. But mostly it because of that accent. Not many New Yorkers have a southern drawl,” he laughs and it makes me laugh too. “I’m Styx,” he says as he reaches out to shake my hand.

  “I’m Sheridan. I’ve only been here a few months. Are you from here?”

  “Yep, been here all my life. I have a band and we’ve played this club more times than I can count,” he explains.

  I catch Blade staring at us with fire in his eyes but I just ignore him. All of the sudden, Styx is bombarded by two men and a woman telling him something about being screwed. I listen to the rest of the conversation and realize why. From time to time the Sip & Fly have a local band come in and play for an hour set. They’re supposed to play tonight but the keyboard player had an accident and broke some fingers.

  “I can help you out,” the alcohol in me speaks up.

  He looks at me totally confused, “How’s that?”

  “I play the keyboard. If you have the music with you, I can play and get you through your set,” I explain.

  “You’re fucking kidding me,” Styx says and the other two guys start smiling ear to ear. But the girl looks a little put off. “Hell yes! Come on!” he says as he leads me on stage and the rest of the band follows.

  Styx introduces me to the lead singer named Jade, the guitarist named Aces and Shaft, the bass player. They all give me a warm, friendly welcome except Jade. “Keep it simple. We don’t need anybody show boating.” Look bitch, we’re helping you out here! Shove your attitude up your ass until you choke on it, my inner witch barks. I just give her a nod and take my place behind the keyboard for our sound check. Then, over the loud speaker comes the introduction for the band ‘Shattered’ and the crowd goes wild with applause. I can’t help but think how the name of the band fits my life.

  I look back at my table. Everyone is shocked and several are pointing, but Blade has a huge smile on his face. We play cover songs, no originals. I’m okay with that because I know most of them so it makes it easier. We’re rocking the place and the crowd loves it. Styx looks my way and gives me a wink as if to say good job. I feel an instant sense of pride. When Jade announces that the next song is our last, I see Blade start making his way to the stage. I don’t acknowledge him and when the set is over, I head back stage with the band.

  “That was awesome,” Styx almost shouts. The guys chime in with more of the same but Jade just stands there giving me shitty looks. Styx gives me his number and I give him mine. He wants me to play if they have more shows before Jax, the keyboardist, recovers. I’m more than willing. I didn’t realize how much I had missed playing music with other people. I agree to meet them for practice next week. Jade’s not amused but she doesn’t say a word.

  I wander back out front and most of the club goers have cleared out. The members from my table seem to be gone as well. Then I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, “That was awesome, baby girl. You
’re full of surprises.” I turn to see Blade standing behind me with a proud look beaming from his face. He had waited for me. This man is crazy and he’s beginning to make me crazy.

  I wander back out front and most of the club goers have cleared out. The members from my table seem to be gone as well. Then I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, “That was awesome, baby girl. You’re full of surprises.” I turn to see Blade standing behind me with a proud look beaming from his face. He has waited for me. This man is crazy and he’s beginning to make me crazy.

  He insists on walking me to my car to make sure I’m safe. “Blade, I really don’t think that’s necessary,” I say.

  “Listen, Sheridan. I’m not leaving you to walk to the parking lot, in the middle of the night, in New York City.”

  I throw my hands up in exasperation, “Okay, okay. Let’s go.” The walk is quiet. We barely speak. I keep my arms crossed because I’m not going to let him hold my hand or touch me in any way. Blade opens my door and says good night.

  I’m so pumped the whole drive home. The set was awesome and I lost myself in the music. I like that kind of lost. The kind of lost where you become somebody else and step outside your life for a brief time. You forget your pain, your nightmares and you don’t feel as broken as you are. The music consumes you and courses through your veins as though it’s your life’s blood. You never want to come down off that high.

  Once in the apartment, my adrenaline is still running high. I can’t sleep so I play and write. The music washes over my body and floods all my broken pieces out onto the keys of the piano. It’s the wee hours of the morning when I finally go to bed. This time, my nightmares are replaced by strange dreams of music and Blade.

  The weekend passes way too quickly and I’m into the work week again. On Tuesday, as I am preparing to leave work, Blade comes to my desk. “Sheridan, I was hoping you could stay a little late and proof these contracts. Legal has to have them first thing in the morning.” I explain that I have practice in an hour but I would be more than glad to take them home to proof. “Practice? Sheridan, you don’t know these people. New York is a different world and you can’t just blindly trust people. I’ll take you to your practice,” he says with real concern in his voice.