“It already has,” I replied.
The stripper told Ian that he needed to finish unwrapping her by pulling down the zipper in the back. She turned around and he did.
“Now that you’ve unwrapped your present, it’s time to see what’s inside.” The stripper smiled.
She shimmied out the box only to reveal a black baby doll nightie that was fully opened in the front with a matching string up her ass. I looked over at Andrew and he was smiling at me. I shook my head as I glared at him. He threw back the rest of his drink.
The stripper gave Ian a lap dance and when she turned around, she grabbed his hands and planted them firmly on her ass. Ian looked at me and he knew how pissed I was. He immediately removed his hands from her. After her little dance, the stripper slowly stripped out of her nightie and shoved her tits in Ian’s face. That was the last straw as I bolted up from the couch and walked out of the room. I heard Ian yell my name. I was in tears as I ran down the hallway. I found the ladies’ room and stepped inside. A few moments later, the door opened, and when I looked over, Andrew was standing there with his hand on the knob.
“Get the fuck out of here!” I yelled.
“Rory, calm down. I came to apologize to you.”
“Where’s Ian?”
“I told him I’d come find you and bring you back.”
“You are an asshole. Now get the fuck out of here!” I yelled.
Andrew smiled at me as he started walking towards me. “Come on, Rory. We’re friends. You always forgive your friends.”
“WE.ARE.NOT.FRIENDS! I would never be friends with a scumbag like you.”
“Now, Rory. That’s not nice,” he said as he grabbed my hair. “I like you, and I want to fuck you. I’ve wanted to fuck you since the first day I saw you in Ian’s basement, punching away at that punching bag. But then Ian had to go and fall in love with you. I warned him you were trash and only using him for his money,” he said as his grip on my hair grew tighter.
I was scared, but I needed to remain calm. I could handle him. Suddenly, I heard Adalynn on the other side of the door.
“Rory, why is the door locked? Are you okay? Are you in there?”
“Adalynn!” I yelled as Andrew put his hand over my mouth.
“Rory, what’s wrong?” she asked.
I struggled as Andrew had me tight in his grip. “Just let me fuck you one time. Ian will never know. I have to know what it feels like to be inside you.”
I bit his hand and he yelled as he removed it from my mouth. I turned around and kneed him in the balls. He grabbed himself and fell to the ground. I ran to the door and unlocked it, but as I tried to turn the knob, Andrew grabbed my leg and pulled me down. He threw me on my back and pinned my arms above my head with one hand while the other hand covered my mouth. I was trying to kick, when suddenly, the bathroom door flew open and Ian grabbed Andrew off of me and threw him up against the sink, punching him and then throwing him to the ground.
“What did you do?” Ian screamed at him.
“She’s a fucking whore, Ian. Ever since she walked into your life, you’ve given up everything, including our friendship,” he said as he punched Ian in the mouth.
Adalynn ran to me and hugged me. She helped me up and I stood there and watched Ian beat the shit out of Andrew.
“You piece of shit. You were like a brother to me!” he screamed with each punch. “How could you do this to me and to the woman I love?”
Andrew didn’t say a word. He couldn’t. Daniel went over and pulled Ian off of him.
“That’s enough, Ian. I think he got the message.”
“Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, come near me or Rory again. Do you understand me?!” Ian yelled at Andrew. “Our friendship is over forever!”
Ian wiped the blood from his mouth as he turned around and looked at me. His breathing was rapid. He walked over to me and placed his hands on each side of my face, checking to see if I was hurt.
“Are you okay?” he asked with sadness in his eyes.
I couldn’t cry. Normal people would cry in a situation like this, but I couldn’t. I felt nothing but rage. The rage I used to feel growing up. The numbness was back and it took over my body as if it never left.
“I’m fine,” I whispered as I looked at Ian.
“See, she’s fine,” Andrew said as he stood up.
The rage inside consumed me and I pushed Ian out of my way. I stared at Andrew as I began to walk towards him.
“Rory, what are you doing?” Ian asked.
I approached Andrew and, for a moment, we just stared at each other. I hated him. I hated everything about him. The words that kept going through my mind were “Focus all your energy into your hands. Let it build and then focus when you’re ready to strike.” And that was exactly what I did. I threw a punch across his face and broke his nose. He fell to the ground and held his nose. Blood spilled everywhere. I looked down at him and then I spit on him. “Go to hell, you asshole,” I said and then turned and looked at Ian. “I want to go home.”
Ian put his arm around me and I moved out from under it.
“I’m still pissed at you about the stripper,” I said as I walked ahead of him and out of the bathroom. “Someone needs to call 911 for that asshole in there,” I said to the line of women that were waiting to get inside.
Chapter 23
Ian
“Rory, stop!” I commanded. But she didn’t listen. She kept walking ahead of me and acted like I didn’t exist.
“Ian, now’s not a good time to have an attitude with her. She’s been through a horrible ordeal tonight and, if anything, she just needs you to be calm and take care of her.”
“I do take care of her and I will continue to do so, Adalynn.”
We both said goodbye to Adalynn and Daniel and we walked to the car. I opened the door for her and she climbed in, grabbing the handle and slamming it shut. After I climbed in, I looked at her and she wouldn’t look at me. After I slammed my hands on the steering wheel, she turned her head and looked at me.
“You have no right to be angry with me,” she said. “I’m the one who has the right. I’ve been hurt and humiliated on all levels tonight and I just want to go home.”
The only thing I wanted to do was grab her and hold her tight. But I knew if I tried to touch her, she’d either slap me or she’d get out of the car.
“I’m sorry about the stripper. But that wasn’t my fault. I had no clue that Andrew had hired her. I know now the only reason he did it was to hurt you. Sweetheart, please talk to me. We are not leaving this parking spot until you talk to me.”
She turned her head and looked at me. Her eyes were full of sadness and hurt. I slowly reached for her hand and she let me hold it. “Andrew is out of our lives for good. In fact, tomorrow morning, I want you to press charges against him.”
“No, Ian. I think he learned his lesson. I just want to forget about tonight and go on with my life. He isn’t going to come anywhere near either of us anymore. Can you please drive us home now?”
“Can I have a kiss first?” I asked hesitantly.
She leaned closer and I gave her a warm, loving kiss. As I ran my hand down her cheek and stared into her eyes, I whispered, “I love you and only you.”
“I’m still mad about the stripper,” she said.
“Ugh, Rory. I’ll tell you what. I’m going to get you a male stripper, then we’ll be even, okay?”
She finally gave me her beautiful smile. “The only stripper I want is you.”
I let out a breath. Finally, she wasn’t so pissed off at me anymore. “You got it, sweetheart. I’ll strip for you every night.” I winked.
I started the car and, as I drove us home, I held her hand the whole way. I still couldn’t believe the events of tonight. I knew Andrew was a little emotionally fucked up. But I had no idea he would do something like this. Every time I thought about it, I wanted to go and kill him.
When we arrived home, Rory went upstairs and started th
e bath. I walked over to the bar and poured some bourbon for me and a glass of wine for her. I took them upstairs and into the bathroom. I set the glass on the edge of the tub as Rory lay back and looked at me.
“Join me,” she said.
“You really want me to?” I asked in disbelief because I thought she wanted to be alone.
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have asked.”
I gave her a smile and stripped out of my clothes. She scooted up so I could climb behind her. I wrapped my arms around her and she rested the back of her head on my chest. “We have so much to talk about, Ian. So much has happened in the past few days between my father, your father, douchebag Andrew.”
“I know, sweetheart,” I said as I kissed her head.
“I want to go back to Paris where it was peaceful and quiet and just the two of us.”
“We’ll go back there soon. I promise. Let’s deal with one issue at a time. We’ve already dealt with Drew, so we can cross him off our list.”
“I wish you’d talk to me about your dad,” she said.
“What’s there to talk about? I’m obviously upset and I’m pissed that he hasn’t told me. It’s hard to take it all in, you know?”
“I know it is, babe. I didn’t tell you earlier, but I love you too,” she said as she turned her head and kissed my lips.
Those words, at that moment, meant everything to me. I kissed her back passionately and we made love in the bathtub before heading to bed.
****
“I was so worried about you all night,” Adalynn said as she stormed into the dining room and hugged Rory.
“I’m okay, Adalynn. Thank you for your concern.” She smiled.
“And him? The two of you?” she said as she pointed to Ian and me.
“We’re fine, Adalynn, and good morning to you,” I said.
“Whew, thank God. I thought maybe Rory was going to kick you out on your ass or something because of that stripper whore.”
I looked at her and cocked my head. “That stripper was not my fault, and Rory and I already discussed it and we really don’t want to discuss it again.”
“Fine,” she said as she waved her hand at me. “Coffee, I need coffee.”
“You know where it is. Go get some,” I said.
Adalynn looked at me and rolled her eyes. “Can you believe I was married to this guy?” She winked at Rory.
“Why do you keep bringing that up?” I asked as I walked to the kitchen.
“Because I think it’s funny and I know it bothers you.” She laughed.
I poured her a cup of coffee and set it down in front of her. “Speaking of marriage, yours is coming quick and you’ll be going on your honeymoon, which means I’ll need to be at Prim to oversee things.” I smiled.
“The business end of things, Ian. Not the creative side of it,” Adalynn responded.
“Oh, but, darling, I’m very good at the creative side of things. Ask my beautiful girlfriend over there.”
“Ian, I’m warning you. Just the business side. I’ve got the creative end covered.”
“We’ll see.” I smiled as I finished my breakfast and got up from my chair.
“Damn you, Braxton. If I have to worry about my company on my honeymoon, I’m going to have your head.”
“Our company, Adalynn. Our company.” I smiled before I walked out of the room.
I knew it was mean to tease her like that, but it couldn’t be helped. The truth was that I could have cared less about the creative side of things over at Prim. As long as it was making me money, I didn’t care. I went upstairs, grabbed my briefcase, and kissed Rory before I left for the office.
“I’m only going to be there a few hours. I’ll be back in plenty of time before your dad gets here. I don’t want you to worry, sweetheart.”
“I’ll be okay. Have a good day. I’ll see you in a few hours.” She smiled.
I headed for the limo with worry on my mind. I’d told her not to worry, yet I was consumed with it. I was worried about the effect the meeting between Rory and Jimmy would have on her long term. Then there was the worry about my own father.
Chapter 24
Rory
I was nervous, very nervous as I sat on the bed and folded my clothes. I needed to keep busy to keep myself from going crazy. Was I ready to hear Jimmy out? Was I ready to accept the reason he’d abandoned his children? Was I ready to talk about Stephen? I wasn’t sure of anything anymore after what had happened over the past few days. I just wanted to escape. I didn’t want to deal with reality anymore, at least for a while. I finished putting my clothes away and went down to the beach. I stood down by the water and thought about Stephen. He would have loved it here. There were so many things he would have loved to have seen and done, but now, he wouldn’t be able to.
“What are you doing out here?” Ian asked from behind.
I smiled. Every time I heard his voice, I felt a sense of peace and protection. I turned around and saw him standing there with a bouquet of flowers in his hand and a smile on his face. I walked up to him and gave him a kiss as he handed me the flowers.
“They’re beautiful, Ian. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. They’re for a beautiful woman.” He smiled as he pushed a few strands of my hair behind my ear.
He put his arm around me and we went back up to the house.
“Those are beautiful, Rory,” Mandy said as she sniffed them.
“Thank you. Do you know where a vase is?” I asked.
Ian grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and, as Mandy handed me the vase, the doorbell rang. Instantly, I felt sick to my stomach. My reaction must have said it all because Ian kissed me and rubbed my back before answering the door.
“Just come into the living room when you’re ready, sweetheart.”
I nodded my head and filled the vase with water. I could hear them talking in the foyer.
“It’ll be okay, Rory. You can do this. Keep your head up and be confident. You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met.” Mandy smiled.
I took in a deep breath. “Thank you, Mandy.”
I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. Jimmy was sitting on the couch and Ian was sitting on the loveseat across from him. Ian looked at me and gave me a small smile. Jimmy stood up and turned around.
“Hi, Rory,” he said nervously.
“Hey,” I replied.
I sat down next to Ian, feeling as awkward as shit. I picked up the glass of wine that was waiting for me on the end table. I took a sip and a deep breath.
“The only thing I can do right now is apologize, Rory,” Jimmy said.
I sat there and stared at him. God, he looked so much like Stephen. I wanted to burst into tears, but I refused to do it in front of him, at least for now.
“Why? And how did you know that my mother had twins? From what Aunt Nancy told me, you took off the minute you found out she was pregnant.”
“There’s a lot more to it than just that. Things Nancy never knew about,” he said as he sipped his water.
Ian took hold of my hand and held it, trying to offer me some comfort and reassurance. “Do you even know what kind of childhood Stephen and I had? Do you even want to know? If you had stuck around, things could’ve been different. We were raised by an alcoholic and drug-addicted prostitute after my mother died. I was the one who had to take care of Stephen and me. I raised both of us because Nancy couldn’t even look at us, and I never knew why until I went and paid her a little visit. That’s when she told me about you. Do you know that her drug dealer cared more about me and Stephen then she did?”
He sat there and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t stand listening to his apologies anymore. I bolted up from the loveseat and got in his face. “You’re sorry! Sorry doesn’t cut it anymore, Daddy!” I yelled.
Ian got up, grabbed my arm, and led me back to the loveseat. “Sweetheart, keep calm.”
Jimmy reached into his pocket and
pulled out his wallet. He smiled as he looked at a picture and then handed it to me. It was a picture of my mom. Tears started to fill my eyes when I looked at it. Ian rubbed my back as I tried not to cry.
“Your mother is beautiful. You look just like her,” Ian said.
“When I came out of the storage room that night and saw you sitting at the bar, I almost had a heart attack. It was like your mom was sitting there. I wasn’t sure at first, but then when you came into the bar the other night, I knew. I could feel it, especially when you played the piano.”
He reached into his wallet and pulled out another picture and handed it to me. It was a picture of me and Stephen as babies. I gasped and the tears I tried to hold back fell down my face, one at a time.
“Your mom sent that picture to me after you were born.”
“She knew where you where?”
He nodded his head as he looked down. “Yes. Your mom and I had a relationship together.”
“But you were with Aunt Nancy,” I said.
“She’s what made everything so hard. I left because your mom asked me to.”
“What?” I asked as I cocked my head.
“She said we could never be together because of my drinking. She gave me a choice: her or the booze. At the time, as much as I loved her, I didn’t think I could give it up. And then there was Nancy. I gave everything serious thought and the best thing for your mom and you kids was for me to leave. I would have been a lousy father. I was messed up back then. Your mom agreed. She was the most caring and selfless woman I’d ever known. It was hard to believe her and Nancy were sisters. She let me go because of you and Stephen. Once I left and got settled, I sent her my address and told her that if she needed anything, to let me know. I received this picture seven months later with your and Stephen’s names on it. I cried that day because I couldn’t believe I had two beautiful children.”
“Spare me the bullshit and the lies. Nancy told me my mother got pregnant after one drunken night with you!”
“That’s what she wanted Nancy to believe. She couldn’t tell her that we’d been seeing each other for months behind her back. I didn’t love Nancy and I wanted to break it off with her, but she was a mess. Finally, after your mom told me to leave, I told Nancy I was sorry, I left, and I never looked back. It took me seven years to get sober.”