Bookish (23 page)

“It is her, you should say hello,” somebody said so I turned around.

Ethan and Jane, Isaac’s friends, were standing there arguing over who had to say hi to me. My stomach sunk even lower, they must think I’m a monster. They must not realize what had happened. They could potentially tell Isaac what happened if I could convince them.

I fought my urge to crawl into the nearest hole and hide and held up my hand. “Hey guys,” I said in an overly bright, fake voice.

They looked nervous, as if they’d just been caught…well…arguing over who had to say hello to me. “Hey Aubrey,” Jane said. Looks like she lost the bet.

“How are you? What have you been up to?” I asked and walked to where they were trapped by a huge group of fellow art lovers. For once social convention worked in my favour and they couldn’t be rude or run away.

“We’re good,” Ethan said and took a nervous sip of his champagne. I knew how he felt. “How about you? How are you keeping?”

“I’m okay I guess, considering,” I replied. I could feel tears starting to sting the back of my eyes and forced myself to hold them back.

“Yeah,” Jane said, looked at Ethan, and added, “Still blogging?”

It wasn’t exactly what she said, or the way she said it, I think it was the combination of the two, plus the sense of isolation I’d been feeling since returning from Paris.

I did something I hated doing. Something I’d rather be doing hiding out at home under the covers.

I broke down bawling my face off. Like an oversized toddler, I choked on my tears and sniffled my misery.

Jane and Ethan were frozen in horror, as I’m sure I would have been if this had happened to somebody else.

Finally Jane said, “My god, Aubrey, are you going to be okay?”

I wailed, “No,” and rubbed my eyes.

“Can we get you a cab?” Ethan asked.

“I’m here with a friend,” I said.

“Where is she? Is it Chloe?” Jane asked. I forgot that they had met Chloe at my birthday dinner. It felt like a lifetime ago.

“It’s a he,” I said and saw them exchange a knowing glance. “It’s not like that,” I quickly added, “he really is just a friend.”

Jane smiled and nodded, “Sure, sure.”

I took a deep breath and looked them in the eyes, “It really isn’t. I know how it looks, I must look like a monster to you two, but it wasn’t me.”

Jane looked sharply at Ethan and said, “I told you it couldn’t have been her.”

Ethan looked more sceptical, “So who did it?”

“Chloe,” I said and Jane echoed me.

“I knew it,” she said, “I could feel her jealousy coming off her in waves at your birthday.”

Ethan still looked a little sceptical but Jane elbowed him in the ribs, “Ouch, what was that for?” he asked.

“For not believing me,” Jane said and smiled. She turned back to me and asked, “Now how are we going to get you back with Isaac?”

I blushed, knowing she had guessed my intent from the first moment. “I don’t think that’s possible, but I can’t stand the idea of him thinking it was me. All I want at this point is to clear the air, then he can traipse around and bang as many hot models as he wants.”

They looked at each other again, then looked back at me and laughed.

“Are you joking?” Jane asked, “He’s been miserable since you left Paris. He’s barely left his house beyond work and photo ops.”

“She’s been reading the blogs,” Ethan told her, “and we all know how trustworthy they are.”

“Yes, I get that,” Jane replied, then turned to me, “you have to understand how powerful Isaac’s family is, how influential they are. They were the ones who discovered the source of the…you know, information. They were the ones who sent his sister over to block you from returning, and they were the ones who have barred any contact. They’ve also circled their wagons, so to speak, and have had him in public acting as if nothing is wrong. It’s all an act though, you have to remember that.”

I couldn’t help it, I felt a little thrill of happiness that Isaac might be as miserable as me. Even if he were half as miserable, I’d probably be okay with it.

“So what can I do?” I asked, “How do I respond to his family’s accusations?”

“Well there’s nothing you can do right now, Isaac is in Belize on some sportswear shoot. His mother has been dousing media fires all over the planet, they have a powerful PR team. Things have settled down, but not completely though, so she’ll still be waiting for you,” Jane advised, “I don’t want her to have a reason to go after you, legally. Why don’t we stay in touch, and when Isaac gets back in three weeks Ethan and I will talk some sense into him?”

“You would do that for me?” I asked.

“God yes,” Ethan said, “you’re the only girl we’ve liked! You’re real, and an actual human being, we’re thrilled that Isaac found you and we think you’re meant to be together.”

“We just have to catch Isaac up on the plan,” Jane laughed and we toasted to our plotting.

I really hoped they’d be able to talk to him, but my heart already felt lighter than it had in weeks. With them on my side, I’d have a fighting chance.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Drake was silent on the drive home as I babbled excitedly about Isaac and Jane and Ethan.

He didn’t say much when he dropped me off, and he even turned down a chance to come in for a late night tea and cookie session with Auntie Abby. Something was up, but I didn’t have the focus to figure it out.

He’d have to wait, I had Isaac on the brain and nothing could derail me.

I could see Auntie Abby’s face go sour as I started to talk about running into Jane and Ethan and possibly getting back together with Isaac. She wasn’t pleased with the idea either.

“Why aren’t you pissed off?” she said, interrupting me at one point.

“Why would I be?”

“I’ve been keeping quiet about this part of the whole thing, but Aubrey…he turned his back on you!”

“He was hurt, imagine it from his point of view. He thought I shared his most intimate secret with the entire world. Of course he’d be upset.”

“If he really cared for you, nothing in the world would keep him away.”

“He more than cared for me, he loved me!” I knew I shouldn’t yell at Auntie Abby, she was just looking out for me, but she didn’t understand how all consuming my need for Isaac was.

He wasn’t just somebody I’d dated. He was the one. And I believed that now with all my heart.

“I suppose I’ll never be able to convince you otherwise, but I’m concerned that you’re going to live your life in a fantasy instead of finding somebody to love you,” she said, concern painting her eyes.

“It’s not a fantasy. I really believe he feels the same way, and once his family gets over the shock of his secret coming out, they’ll support him coming back to me.”

“How can you be sure?” she asked.

“Doesn’t every family just want their kids to be happy?” I smiled broadly at her and watched her slowly give in.

“Fine,” she said, “I’ll support you in whatever dang fool scheme you have to win him back.”

“Thank you,” I said and stood up. I yawned and stretched and decided to head for bed. “Love you, good night!”

“Good night to you too,” she replied, “And I love you too! Never forget it.”

“How could I?” I laughed and bounded up the stairs so I could meet Isaac in my dreams.

***

A few days passed with nothing said of my renewed interest in Isaac. Drake didn’t come by for his usual Sunday stroll in the park, and he hadn’t returned my texts ever since that night.

I guess even friends had their limit of how much Isaac talk they could handle. Or he’d been secretly crushing on me the entire time.

Sylvie believed it was the latter, Marta the former.

“There is no way he was hanging around with you just to be a friend,” Sylvie said as she was rearranging some books on the shelf.

“Men and women can be friends, but maybe he got sick of hearing about Isaac the wonder pony,” Marta suggested.

“Ha,” Sylvie retorted, “would he have run away if Aubrey was talking about a problem with a female friend? No, he would have stuck around a listened and hoped that one day she would lift her skirt and let him have some fun.”

“Sylvie, there’s no need to be crude,” I said, my face blushing at the thought of anybody but Isaac being anywhere near the underside of my skirt.

“Nonsense,” Marta said, “Drake seemed like a nice guy. Maybe nice guys just want to hang out and talk about the weather, not some model who happens to be the ex boyfriend.”

“Just agree to disagree and move on!” I yelled with a laugh, “Seriously, we’ll never know unless Drake suddenly texts me an explanation.”

“Fine,” they both grumped and we continued on our day.

***

A couple days later I had enough of Drake’s pouting, I stopped by his uncle’s store.

The bell jingled as I opened the door and walked in. Robert was at the counter reading a magazine, nothing had changed except a thin layer of dust on the shelves. They weren’t a very busy store apparently.

“Aubrey, how are you?” he said as I walked in.

“I’m good,” I replied, “but I’m here about Drake. Is he around?”

“No,” he said, looking confused, “I thought he was spending some time with you.”

“I haven’t seen him since Friday night,” I said slowly, “Have you not heard from him at all?”

“He told me you two were going to an art show, when I woke up my car had been returned and he’d left a note saying you guys were going to be spending time together,” he said.

“And you didn’t think that was strange?”

“Why would it be, you’re dating.”

A shock raced through my body. Dating? “No we’re not,” I exclaimed, “Oh my god, what’s going on here?”

“Shit. He might be using again,” Robert said, his eyes darkening as he spoke. “I really thought he was going to stay clean this time, but he’s back to his old ways. Lying every time he opens his damn mouth.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, shifting from one foot to the next, “Is there anything I can do?”

Robert sighed, ran his hands through his hair and said, “No. Not a god damned thing. Drugs rule his life now, and I just hope he knows to stay away.”

“Me too,” I replied and left the store.

Driving back to Auntie Abby’s, I tried to think about the last few times I’d hung out with Drake. Nothing had seemed off, not even at the art show.

He had spent a lot of time with his friends, but that didn’t seem out of the ordinary. What had triggered his relapse?

I just hoped it had nothing to do with me.

Chapter Thirty

Three days after the visit to Robert’s store, I still hadn’t heard from Drake. I had to force myself to forget about him, to let it go. I wasn’t going to be able to save him from drugs, not if he was hell bent on being a junkie.

It hurt, but I couldn’t help him until he decided to help himself.

“I’m sorry you got wrapped up in his life,” Auntie Abby told me at the kitchen table during our morning tea and toast breakfast.

“I’m not,” I replied, “everybody comes into your life for a reason, right?”

“Yes, I have said that many times over the years, but sometimes those reasons suck.”

“I know, but I’m trying not to dwell on the negative. I have Isaac to win back and the future to focus on.”

“You’re bloody obsessed with him still, aren’t you?” she spat. “Aubrey, please, promise me you’ll let it go if he doesn’t respond once he’s back in town. Promise me you’ll move on.”

“I promise,” I laughed, “But don’t worry, true love always wins. That’s the one thing I believe in this world.”

“You are the eternal optimist, and I will confess that I secretly hope you will get your happy ending with him. I do like his fine ass,” Auntie Abby grinned and winked at me. “But never forget it. It’s easier to make it through life with a positive attitude. Be happy, and be open to let positivity flow through you.”

“You’re the reason I am such an eternal optimist, and I thank you because you’ve taught me to see things in a bright light. And he does have a fine ass,” I replied and grabbed her hand. We giggled together and after a moment I added, “I know I don’t thank you enough, but thank you.”

“Pfffft You have nothing to thank me for. I should thank you for putting up with my cranky old ass.”

I laughed and finished my tea and toast.

We spent the morning in the garden, she showed me a few things to help me get over my black thumb, and I went to work in the afternoon.

It’s funny how a simple day can become so significant in your life that you’ll never forget it. The day I met Isaac, the day I left Paris, and that day with Auntie Abby. So powerful that they’ll be etched in my memory forever.

During work I got a text from Jane. She had the news I’d been dying for. Isaac was back in town, his plane had gotten in this morning.

I squealed, showed Sylvie and Marta the text, and listened to their exhaustive plans to win Isaac’s love.

Jane then texted to meet up after work, for dinner and drinks and to go over our plan of attack. I agreed and couldn’t wait to see Isaac again.

We met at a simple pub, Ethan was out of town on business so he didn’t join us.

“Okay,” Jane said as soon as we ordered, “I think we need to accidentally meet somewhere. Ethan and I will drag Isaac out and run into you. Make it seem like we didn’t plan it”

“Oh, that’s good,” I replied, “We need somewhere kinda sexy but nothing too crowded. Maybe a restaurant?”

“Too fussy,” she said, “Maybe a concert?”

“Too loud,” I replied, “Oh, I know, how about at a park? One of those outdoor movies they play near the water in the summertime?”

“Oh, perfect!” she said and started looking on her phone for a time and place. We settled on one the following weekend, and spent the evening chatting and gossiping about Isaac.

She reassured me that he had been truly miserable since the blog incident, and had barely been able to go out in public. Everything that I’d read had probably been manufactured by his PR team to take away from the Baby Charlie story.