Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,118
to some function in New York with her parents. Her dad’s some hot-shot lawyer, so they get invited to all the big parties.”
“Well, it sounds great to me. We’ll see what your dad says, but I’ll look forward to getting to know her a little more.”
Matthew’s about to say something when Joe emerges at the top of the stairs. “Hey, kiddo, how are you?” he asks.
“Well, I would be better if it weren’t for the ton of homework I’ve got to do,” he grumbles.
Joe smiles. “Well, that sucks, kid, but if you work hard now, it all pays off well in the end.” Matthew smiles, and Joe points to the other rooms. “I’ll just go check the rest of the rooms upstairs.”
He checks the remaining bedrooms upstairs, and once he’s happy, he leaves, reassuring me he will be right outside if I should need or want anything.
Matthew then goes back into his room, so I follow Joe down the stairs. Once he’s out, I place the alarm on, and I stand there feeling very lonely. The urge to pull Matthew out of his room to watch a movie with me is quickly taken over by the fact that he has lots of homework to do. He’s also at that age where teenagers like to hide in their room a lot. I did the same, but that was mainly to get away from my mother and her overbearing boyfriends. I’m sure that isn’t the case for Matthew.
I sit on the sofa a few minutes, twiddling my thumbs, but boredom soon sets in. It also doesn’t help that I’m worrying myself over Jake.
Resigned to the fact that I’m on my own for a little while, I walk to the kitchen to fetch myself a glass of wine. Half way there, I suddenly stop in my tracks at the sound of the doorbell. It must be Joe. I feel guilty as I never offered him anything to eat or drink while sitting out there on his own. I shake my head, making my way to the door. I look through the peephole as Jake would never forgive me if I just opened the door to anyone. To my surprise, it’s Tony.
“Hold on a sec, Tony!” I shout as I quickly switch the alarm off to open the door. “Hey, how are you?” I look over to the car to wave at Joe, but he isn’t there. “Where’s Joe?” I ask, pulling myself over to the door to let him pass. I notice how much better he looks. The color’s definitely back in his cheeks now.
“One of your neighbors called him over to their house. Something about a lock on the back door being tampered with. I told him to go check it out, and I’d look after things here.”
I shut the door behind him. “I hope everything’s okay?”
Tony smiles. “I’m sure it will be fine. It may have been one of their kids or someone messing around, but better to be safe than sorry.”
I nod in agreement. “How are you feeling?” He still looks a little tired, but definitely better than he was.
“A little better, thanks. I just wanted to say sorry for the way I behaved. I really wanted to say it in person, so that’s why I’m here.”
I’m a little surprised, so I frown. “Apologize for what?”
He looks embarrassed. “You know, the way I was with you a couple of days ago, and how I reacted when you came out of Mr. Bennett’s office?” I nod and proceed into the kitchen. I get a bottle of my favorite Pinot Grigio out and pour Tony and myself a glass.
“It’s okay. There’s no need to apologize. There’s nothing to worry about. You shouldn’t have dragged yourself out of bed when you feel sick, just to tell me you’re sorry. I do appreciate it, but you could have just called or texted me.”
He walks over to me and takes my hand. “I just wanted to explain to you how I feel. You’re the one, always have been.” I smile a little uncomfortably as I retrieve my hand and make my way over to the sink.
I start washing some dishes just to try and escape the awkwardness when Tony speaks. “You have always been my English rose.”
I stand frozen, and the plate I’m carrying nearly slips from my fingers. My heart starts beating rapidly as the fear sets in.
No. Please, God, no.
The water’s still gushing, but I can’t move. I’m frozen, rooted to the spot.