Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (17 page)

The job came first.

Kelli glanced at the clock. It was two and a half hours until the deposition. She wanted to be early because Nora was avoiding her. All her phone calls went unanswered. Kelli wasn’t happy, but she understood it. Nora had fallen apart in her arms, and she knew that Nora liked to play it cool. Kelli was honored to be there to help, but she remembered when the shoe was on the other foot. Kelli had been embarrassed and very cautious after the whole thing. It wasn’t a good feeling.

Kelli refused to take Nora’s lack of contact as a message to leave her the fuck alone. Kelli knew better. She needed to be there, but most of all, Kelli wanted to be there even if Nora was being stubborn about the whole thing. There were times, like their last meeting, when Nora’s actions and her words didn’t match.

Kelli swallowed and released a long breath as she remembered the softness and the heat of Nora’s body, and the way Nora fit perfectly against her. Kelli felt a familiar tug at her stomach. Her feelings for Nora were growing despite all the shit going on around her. Kelli had to remind herself that this wasn’t the time or the place to focus on the attraction she was feeling. She pushed the notion aside. Kelli got out of bed, pulled the ratty tank top over her head, and threw it on the floor. She yawned, stretched, and pushed boxers down her legs to the floor next to her T-shirt. Naked, Kelli headed for the bathroom.

* * *

Droplets of soothing, hot water rained on her from above. Nora lifted her head toward the spray. She wanted the shower to do far more than cleanse her of dying epithelial cells. She hoped to rid herself of the weariness. The final suds washed down her body and into the drain. Unfortunately, all she felt was clean.

Despite her intention to put herself back on even footing, nothing had changed. Hurricane Kelli came in and swept her up yet again. How dare she? Better yet, how…why did it keep happening? Instead of detaching herself from Kelli, Nora opened up even more, letting Kelli into places no one had ever been. The whole thing left her drained and overstimulated. Each tantalizing interaction peeled back new layers of herself. After their last meeting, her very core was starting to bleed through. In truth, Nora was terrified to learn what lay at the heart of her. Where had all this warmth come from? And she had never needed anyone. She liked being alone. Now she wanted more, and Nora wasn’t prepared to feel, to need, or to want. She wasn’t prepared for any of it. Nora leaned heavily against the heated shower wall and closed her eyes.

Her emotions were in disarray, which only added to the turmoil she was already facing. Nora didn’t sleep much, and when she did, she experienced nightmares. They were always the same. She was drowning, slowly, and when she took her last breath, she’d wake up gasping. Sheer resolve kept Nora from picking up the phone to call Kelli—the person who put her in dangerous waters in the first place—and beg her to pull her free.

Despite the heat of the shower, Nora shivered. She couldn’t hide in here forever. As soon as she stepped out, life would still be there waiting for her. It didn’t matter if she answered Kelli’s calls or not. She would be at the deposition. Kelli promised, and Nora saw the conviction in her eyes. She opened the stall door and stepped out of her makeshift cocoon.

She wrapped herself in a bath sheet, but water still dripped on the floor as she walked toward the sink. Nora wiped away the condensation from the mirror. She blinked, not liking the vulnerability reflected back at her. The dark circles beneath her eyes looked like bruises. Exhaustion and stress creased her forehead and caused lines around her mouth. Nora found the sight disturbing, as was the burning ache in her chest. No matter how hard she fought against the forces bombarding her, she ended up losing the battle. She had no choice except to try and hold on to what remained of the woman she knew. The only problem was she had no idea how to avoid the strengthening connection with Kelli.

Nora attempted to refocus her thoughts to the deposition, which threatened everything she knew, but for Nora, it was a more manageable situation. Drs. Rader and Fuller proved their ability to hurt her with their lies and thinking about them sparked a deep-seated anger inside her. They could taint her career, but Nora was sure that she would recover eventually. Kelli was a threat in a class all her own.

* * *

Kelli leaned heavily on her cane and waited patiently in reception at Thomas, Young, and Associates. The receptionist smiled in greeting as she hung up the phone.

“How can I help you?”

“I’m here for the Whitmore deposition.”

“Name?” She peered at her computer.

“Kelli McCabe. You won’t find my name on the list. I’m here for moral support,” Kelli glanced at the receptionist’s name plate: “Judy.”

Judy blinked, and her brow furrowed.

Kelli smiled. “I know I can’t talk to her lawyer or sit in on any meetings. I just want to wait in your lounge. It’s important she knows I’m here. If I could get some coffee and the paper, it’ll be like I’m invisible.” She deepened her grin. A little flirting never hurt.

Judy sighed. “Okay, I suppose that’s benign enough. How do you take your coffee?”

All right then. Score. “I was kinda kidding about the coffee, but if you’re game, I am too. Black with two sugars. Can you point me toward your waiting area?”

“Sure. It’s through those big double-glass doors in front of you. It’s well stocked.”

“Great. When Nora gets here, will you let her know where I am?”

“Well, you’re not asking for much, are you, Ms. McCabe?”

Kelli chuckled. “Message received.”

Kelli grabbed a copy of
The New York Times
and eased into a seat. She checked out the espresso maker and array of breads and fruits, but decided to leave it all for the paying customers. The lounge looked like it had been decorated by a cyborg or something. Everything was black, white, and gray except two oversized red vases that were big enough for Kelli to climb inside of.

As the minutes ticked by, she glanced again at the expensive-ass coffeemaker and wrinkled her nose. She didn’t like to chew her coffee or go through froth to get to it. She glanced up as the door swung open.

Judy grinned and handed Kelli a Styrofoam cup filled to the brim. Her fingers brushed against Kelli’s hand. “You’ll be glad you waited. I make great coffee.”

Obviously, the flirting hit its mark. Kelli pulled her hand away. She cleared her throat and uttered a simple “Thank you.”

Judy’s smile dimmed a bit. “I’ll be sure to let Ms. Whitmore know that you’re here.” At least she kept on being nice.

Kelli nodded.

Alone again, Kelli jumped slightly when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She fished it out and read the texts.

I think Tony’s about to run 4 it. Found him at one of his girls’ places. He’s been camped out there the past 2 days. Lots of traffic in and out btw. Somebody is planning something. Gotta get things goin tonite. Might have 2 be creative 2 get him out.

Kelli leaned forward. The weight on her shoulders seemed to physically increase, and shit was just getting started. She sighed and typed out her reply.

Yeah we waited long enough. I’ll make a couple of calls and get something lined up.

Sean responded almost immediately.

Ok keep in touch.

Kelli lifted the cup to her lips and took a small sip. Tony, Travis, Rader, and Fuller …she was tending to a big pile of shit that was just getting nastier by the minute. Just the thought of it all left her hollow. She swallowed down more coffee to fill the hole.

* * *

Kelli moved to a seat on the other side of the lounge. There was plenty of room. The other chair gave her the perfect view of the lobby. At least that damned part was easy. As she sat down, the door swished open and Nora walked in. Kelli smiled even though Nora didn’t.

“Hey,” Kelli greeted her.

“Kelli.” Nora’s tone was freeze-Kelli’s-ass-off cold. It went perfectly with her grey pencil skirt and snow-white blouse. Nora looked like a librarian…a very hot one.

Kelli forgot to breathe for a second. She was still getting used to Nora saying her name. It didn’t matter how she said it. “You knew I’d be here.”

“I did.” Nora nodded.

Kelli held Nora’s gaze and added, “You were tempted to just leave me sitting here.”

Something shifted in the Nora’s eyes. “I was.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No…I didn’t.”

This was turning out to be just peachy.

“I’m here because I wanna be, Nora. There’s no ulterior motive. I don’t want anything from you.”

“Yes, you do.”

A man cleared his throat.

Kelli forgot they weren’t alone.

They stared at each other.

Nora turned and left the lounge. Kelli followed Nora to an empty conference room. Now that they had privacy, she didn’t waste any time. “Is that why you didn’t answer any of my calls? You think I want something from you?”

“You said—” Nora started.

“I said I wanted to be your friend.” Kelli finished for her.

Nora looked so prim and proper sitting there, back straight, hands on the table. Kelli knew better. There was something behind the hoity-toity thing Nora had going on. Kelli had seen it, felt it.

“Yes…that’s something I don’t think I can do. I’m not equipped for this.”

Kelli stepped forward. “You coulda fooled me.”

Nora’s eyes widened. Her face flushed. “What do you mean?”

“Do you think that asshole Rader would have done what you’ve done for me?”

“Well, no,” Nora answered.

“Damn straight. Why did you do it?”

“I’m not sure. It…felt—”

“Yeah, I know. You saw me at my worst, Nora. And you came back. You weren’t my doctor. You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you did. I wanted you to.” Kelli took a deep breath. Her heart was racing, and she was trying like hell to catch up to it.

Nora’s expression softened. “May I finish a statement before this conversation is over?”

Kelli smirked. “Yeah, sure. Sorry.”

Several seconds passed as she waited for Nora to speak, but Kelli didn’t mind. She was happy just to look at her.

“I’m not sure what to say. I have no idea what I’m doing with you…or anything else, for that matter.”

Kelli sat down on the opposite side of the table and fought the urge to touch Nora. Kelli would do anything to make that lost look on Nora’s face go away.

“Just remember that I’m not the enemy. You don’t have to fight me so hard. Save it for Rader and his tag-along twat—”

“Kelli.”

Nora didn’t really sound upset, but Kelli decided to humor her.

“Bitch.” She held out her hands placatingly. “I meant bitch.”

Nora sighed.

Kelli continued to stare at her. She couldn’t look away.

Nora dropped her gaze. “My hesitation and lack of experience with all of this must be tiring for you.”

“You mean, why aren’t I screaming and running the other way?”

Nora nodded.

“First of all, I can’t run.” Kelli gestured toward her leg.

Nora smiled slightly.

“Second, no, I’m not tired,” Kelli said softly.

Nora’s eyes widened, and Kelli noticed a distinct hitch in her breathing. It was a full minute before she responded. “You will be.”

Nora spoke with confidence so Kelli took the statement as a challenge. “No, I won’t.”

Nora turned red and looked away.

There it was again—that urge to touch. It made Kelli’s palms itch.

“I can’t make you any promises about this…about us, but I’ll try this…friendship,” Nora said.

The door to the office opened. A tall man with white hair peeked in. “It’s time.”

Nora stood gracefully. “Thank you, Tom.”

Kelli smiled. “They’re full of shit. You’re gonna beat this.”

Nora nodded.

When the door closed, Kelli felt like she could breathe again. The more Nora pulled away, the harder Kelli pushed. It was worth it. She didn’t mind putting in the extra work. Kelli had a feeling that it would pay off big time.

* * *

Nora walked beside her attorney. She listened as he talked.

“Remember, this is the first of what will likely be many depositions. Her lawyer will try to rattle you almost immediately just to see if she can.”

“I understand.” She tried to clear her head, but it was useless. Regardless of what she was about to walk into, she couldn’t stop thinking about Kelli. Nora was torn more than ever. The constant push and pull that battled inside her throughout the whole “Kelli situation” was exhausting, but apparently, she wasn’t tired enough to make a decision and stay with it.

“I’m only allowing an hour with this first meeting, so it shouldn’t be too invasive. In the future, you don’t have to attend a deposition if you’re not testifying. The entire proceeding will be digitally recorded so I can go through the footage with you, as needed.”

Nora didn’t comment. As far as she was concerned, this whole thing was a disaster. Tom grasped her elbow. She pulled away, uncomfortable with being touched.

“Sorry, but you’re passing the conference room.”

As she stopped, Nora made an effort to concentrate on the matter at hand. She entered and sat quietly. Nora studied the woman across from her and assumed she was the opposing lawyer. She appeared to be in her mid-fifties and was attractive in a cosmetically enhanced way. Her smile was too perfect not to be veneers. It really was tragic what women did to themselves to keep from aging. There was probably a minute scar underneath the woman’s chin and one hidden in her hair line. Nora fought the urge to ask about them and expose the lawyer’s secrets. It seemed only fair, given what she was about to do to Nora.

“Ms. Whitmore. I’m Angela Perkins.”

Instantly perturbed by the common use of her name, Nora corrected her. “Dr. Whitmore.”

“Pardon?” The lawyer’s smile faltered.

“I would prefer to be addressed as Dr. Whitmore.”

Angela cleared her throat. “I see. Let’s get started then. We are now on the record.”

They all stated their names for the record, and Nora was sworn in.