Heartbreaker Breaks (A Bittersweet Lottery Love Story) (Tangled Hearts & Broken Vows: Tales of Infidelity Book 1) (3 page)

   “…And they pulled us off the train.” Adam leaned back into his chair and viciously shook his head as if reliving the moment.

  “And your father screamed out, you’ll never take us alive back to the sirotiste, as if he were the star of one of the American films we watched at the group home.” Adam’s brother, Dario, held up his glass to the table, crowded with the enraptured audience of Faye and Adam’s family and friends.

  “Sirotiste? Group home? It was a prison.” Adam interjected as his eyes met Faye’s.

  “But they did take you alive…” Faye added gently. She had always thought the story of how her husband had come to America was too much for the children to hear, “And we found our way to each other, now we have a beautiful family, and our girls are so grown.” She held up her glass of wine to Dario’s, “And that is what I’m most thankful for this Thanksgiving.”

  “Your husband was right to a certain extent,” Dario clinked his glass with hers, “The Catholic Society had us on a plane the next day to Los Angeles. The family they placed us with wasn’t as promised,” Dario solemnly glanced at Adam, “And your husband didn’t get to live out his dream of being the next Bruce Springsteen but we did avoid the Serbian war, and we have a better life here than ever would have back in Croatia. That is what I’m thankful for.”

  “I’m thankful for my boots.” Faye and Adam’s eldest daughter, Anja, held up her long lean leg to the table to show her thigh-high silver snakeskin boots.

  Faye pushed her daughter’s leg down as a wave of nausea ran through her body. The jokes from her family about her recent generosity, and her false explanation of the windfall of money from a big sale to Bergdorfs made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to being dishonest.

  “I’m only going to be grateful if we go to Croatia this summer,” Faye and Adam’s youngest daughter, Ines, crossed her arms and said with an exaggerated pout, “I’ll be nineteen soon and I’ve never been to my fatherland. I want to see the trains you and Uncle Dario snuck on. I want to run through the fields the two of you ran through…”

  “We were running away, something you’ve never and will never have to do,” Adam reached across the table and ran his hand against his daughter’s cheek, “Do you want to know what I’m thankful for? Your mother… Her patience with me, and for giving me two beautiful daughters.” Adam’s eyes met his wife’s and the butterflies she had felt upon first meeting him returned to her heart.

  “Adam…” Faye sighed and opened her mouth to tell him the truth of her good or cursed fortune. A high-spirited ringtone rang from his phone, destroying the moment. Faye leaned back in her chair and looked away.

  “Well…” Cassandra threw her napkin on the table and ruefully shook her head. She was as familiar with Adam’s changing ringtones as Faye was. They had been friends since they were young girls, and there were no secrets between the two of them, “I’m thankful for the beautiful dinner all of you prepared. In fact I’m stuffed, and will fall asleep if I don’t get up right now.” She turned to Faye, “Let me help you clean up.”

  “I’ll be back…” Adam's face filled with a glow and he left the table, a shamble in his stride.

  “Thank you…” Faye unsteadily stood up.

  “Shall I help?” Dario stood up and rubbed his thick hand against his full stomach. Faye stared at her brother-in-law, unable to reply.

  She wondered how two brothers could be so different in every way. Adam was tall and broad, a lightening strike of virility ran through him. Dario was small, his shoulders slightly hunched. Both were handsome, but Adam was fierce with his dark and swarthy good looks.

  They were both loyal and kind but Adam had a streak of devilishness, always taking chances. Faye knew the quality had come from savagely protecting his younger brother when their mother had abandoned them as children in Croatia. She could never hold Adam’s infidelities or rash spending against him. Still, those qualities did make her life harder, and his scampering out of the dining room to take a call from a woman Faye was sure was not much older than their daughters only strengthened her resolve to keep her financial plan hidden.

  “We’re fine, Dario,” Cassandra spoke for her friend, “Stay with the girls, tell them the stories they want to hear. That’s as close to Croatia as they’ll probably ever get, if Adam has anything to do with it…” Cassandra gently laughed, stood up next to her friend, took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

  “Tell us about the time you ran away to Dubrovnik,” Ines excitedly demanded.

  “We did that several times,” Dario laughed.

  “But did you ever make it there? To the beach?” Anja asked

  “No…” Dario replied as Faye and Cassandra closed the dining room door.

…

   “Are you okay?” Cassandra asked as she picked up the roasting pan from the stove and carried it to the sink, “I can’t believe he did that… Why does he always give them such zingy ringtones? Doesn’t he know that gives him away?”

  “The ringtones…” Faye sat down at the small, round breakfast table and picked up a folded napkin and refolded it, “I’m fine, I knew what I was getting into the day I met him… Classic attachment disorder… I feel like I could write a book about it at this point... He’ll always pushes me away as he pulls me closer. He’s never been that way with the girls though, perfect father.” She threw the carefully refolded napkin down.

  “Anyway, that’s not important…” Faye continued, “Same old story… My money plan however, is working out perfectly. Serge is brilliant, and so attractive… Thank you for referring him to me… I was so silly in his office and when we went to the Valley to turn in the ticket, behaving like a little flirt. My emotions have been all over the place since I won… It feels like a curse, but I’m not going to let it be one. And the cigarette cravings haven’t helped either…”

  “You’re still off of them? That’s great! You know what would take your mind off of all of it? Having an affair with Serge,” Cassandra turned off the water and turned to face her friend. “Two birds with one stone. Get back at Adam and have a little fun for yourself.”

  “I could never do that,” She picked up the napkin again and twisted it in her hands, “I wouldn’t even want to do that. Adam and I are happy. It’s a different relationship than I ever imagined I would have, but it works and I do love him.”

  “He does have that enchanting European charm… Okay, tell me about your plan. How’s it going to work if you keep buying gifts for Anja and Ines? I know how much the leopard coat you bought for Ines cost. Bergdorf’s would have to fill their main floor with your handbags to allow you to afford that.” Cassandra laughed and sat down at the table beside Faye.

  “I’m done with the shopping… the boots, the coat, more than enough for them. Anyway, I rented the cutest little pretend apartment on the beach, just a short walk from here. I would love to live on the beach like that.”

  “Well, you know you could do that now.” Cassandra shook her head and smiled to her friend.

  “You’re a bad influence on me,” Faye placed the napkin on the table, “Three blocks up from the beach isn’t so bad. I’ve always liked living here. Although… I really don’t like renting... I’ll definitely buy a house, something small, nothing too expensive, probably far from the beach. It’s so expensive to buy here.”

  “Faye,” She placed her hand over friend’s hand, “You’re thinking as if you don’t have any options, as if you’re still scrambling around for scraps to save for your future. You have options now. You can do whatever you like.”

  “I do have options,” Faye took her hand out from under her friend’s hand and patted her on the shoulder, “And I have thought about them. But first I have to pick up the check… Six weeks, right after the New Year, and I’m going to take you shopping…”

  “Mom,” Anja swung open the door with the point of her shimmery boot, piles of plates balanced in her hands, “Ines and I are going to clean up because we’re thankful for you.”

  “Barneys it is, and a day of beauty,” Cassandra whispered to her friend and turned to Anja, “Here, let me help you with that.”

  “We’ll meet you at the coffee house around the corner,” Serge whispered in Faye’s ear, “This shouldn’t take more than half an hour. Oh, and good work Faye, the suit looks very nice on you, very attractive.”

  “Thank you,” Faye purred with relief that her silly romantic feelings for him had faded, “Do you really think this will work?”

  Serge had instructed Faye and Laura to wear matching outfits and their hair loosely around their faces. The resemblance between the two women wasn’t strong and Faye was a decade older than Laura, but their height and general look of fit California blondes was more than enough to get the job done.

  “You’ve already filled out the paperwork, the picture is just a song and dance for public relations. They won’t be double-checking your ID from the register’s office to the photo room. Worst-case scenario, we feign confusion at you having wandered off and call you in. Keep your cell phone on. Go now Faye.” Serge walked purposefully away from Faye, Laura by his side.

  Faye stared after them for a moment, a little nervous about their deception but overall trusting in Serge’s outlandish plan of having the big check picture taken of Laura instead of her. She knew his confidence and easy charm would smooth over any troubles should they be found out. The idea of her newfound fortune worried her far more.

…

   “Black coffee please,” Faye said as she reached the front of the line at the coffeehouse, “No… A cappuccino,” She laughed to herself, coffeehouses had always seemed the biggest waste of money to her. Spending five dollars for something you could make at home was not something she was capable of doing, but now she was rich, even if it was only a temporary condition to her. “And a croissant, no I would like…” She gazed into the glass display of muffins, scones and assorted pastries and ordered one of each as a mad laugh escaped her.

  She paid, leaving a generous tip of more than her actual order and walked outside to a communal picnic bench-style table. The bench was empty other than a young man who sat playing on his phone. She sat away from him and took a sip of her expensive caffeinated beverage.

  “Traffic tickets, you know?” The young man said.

  “Hmmm?” Faye looked up from her cup and into the eyes of the boyish man and sighed deeply as if she had been punched. His hair was a golden red, tousled, framing his angular face, accentuating his masculine bone structure, the square set of his jaw. His green eyes bore into her and she felt faint.

  “They booted my car,” He smiled and Faye put down her coffee cup and looked away. She considered whether or not to consult a psychologist for the heightened moods she had been experiencing for the previous two months. “Hollywood, the street signs, who can read them? I don’t even know why I paid the tickets. The car’s in impound and won’t even start.”

  “Oh…” Faye wished he would stop talking to her, “Maybe you should find a parking lot, pay a monthly fee. I’m sure it would be cheaper than the parking tickets.” She wondered why she had responded to him, encouraging conversation. The boyish man appeared to be only a few years older than her daughters.

  “I don’t have money for that,” He laughed again. The sweet trill of the high notes sent shivers of happiness through her.

  “You found the money to pay the tickets.” She gave up on wishing him away. Laura and Serge would be coming for her soon. She would never see him again, why not have a moment of fun. “Plan better,” she shrugged and a smile larger than his filled her face.

  “Yeah, that’s easy to say when you can afford half the bakery,” He gestured towards Faye’s tray filled high with every imaginable pastry. “You going to eat all those? Carb loading, I didn’t know L.A women did that. You’re too tiny to eat all of them. Your stomach will explode. Here, I’ll help you out.” He scooted down the bench close to Faye, his hip against hers and took a croissant from the tower of baked goods.

  “You’re a cheeky one,” She thought of scooting away from him, not too far, the electricity running through her was pleasing, but far enough that their bodies weren’t touching. She decided against it.

  “There’s no way you can eat all of them,” He ravenously tore off the edge of the croissant with his teeth.

  “I was going to take a bite of each…”

  “That’s wasteful,” he said through a mouthful of food.

  “I’m planning on having a very wasteful day.”

  “Wasteful, huh?” He laughed, “Well then lady… You take your bites, and I’ll take the leftovers back home with me. I live in a shithole-converted garage… No refrigerator, bad plumbing, no heat in the winter. Your leftovers will last me a couple of days.”

  “You can’t live on pastries. That’s not a balanced diet,” She turned to him and their eyes met again. A mistake. She felt the breath leave her body as he jerked backwards, a surprised expression on his face. She was sure whatever silliness she was feeling, he felt too. She looked down at her hands and wished Laura and Serge would come get her already. “Why don’t you move?”

  “I’m broke,” he replied.

  “You’re young, all young people are broke,” she shrugged, “What do you do for a living?”

  “I’m not that young. I do as little as possible.”

  “But what is it you do, when you do as little possible?” She tilted her head up but avoided looking directly at him. She didn’t want to risk another rush of the crushing joy.

  “You ask a lot of questions, but I’ll answer them because I’m taking these muffins home with me. Mostly film production, a set runner, get the coffee. If I’m broke, like I was this morning, I’ll answer a Craigslist ad, deliver a package. Big money in that, got my tickets taken care of…”

  “Have you considered what’s in the packages?” Faye scooted away, not much at all but she did successfully make her displeasure with his choices known, “Drugs, what else could it be? You could go to jail for that, and you shouldn’t be telling strangers. I could be a police officer on lunch break.” She pointed down the road towards the municipal building they had both just come from.

“I don’t ask what’s in the packages… And I don’t take drugs, well not too many. Club drugs when I’m out… And you’re not a cop. I get people and you’re not a narc.” He shoved the croissant in his mouth.

  Faye watched him chew with gusto. There was something so familiar to her about him. Adam had the same reckless quality when she had first met him but he had been ambitious. He had been driven, wanting to make money, grab all he could, and he did. Holding on to money was Adam’s problem.

  “You’re cheeky and amoral,” she laughed gently.

  “If it’s not me, they’ll hire someone else. The drugs are going to get where they’re going. They always have, and they always will. I don’t do it that much anyway. Only when I’m stuck like this.” He took a scone from the high pile.

  “Aren’t you worried about getting arrested?”

  “Me?” He laughed, his body rocked against Faye’s. She resisted the urge to curl up onto him, “I’m a white boy. I look like an angel. Cop’s aren’t going to stop me.”

  “You do look like an angel,” Their eyes met and for the briefest of moments Faye was sure the boyish man was going to kiss her.

  “Faye,” Laura’s voice boomed through the outdoor seating area of the coffeehouse, pulling Faye out of the dream-like moment, “There you are…”

  “Just having some coffee,” Faye held her cup up to Laura as if she needed to provide proof.

  “You could easily buy the coffeehouse,” She held a check out to Faye, “You’re a very rich woman, Ms. Petrov.” Faye took the check from her and felt the heat of the boyish man look over her shoulder.

  “Lottery? I thought you were taking care of parking tickets like me…”

  “Maybe you don’t “get” people as well as you think.” Faye stood up and didn’t look back at the boyish man.

  “Serge is going to meet us as the bank…” Laura said to Faye as they walked away.

 “Hey rich lady,” He called out, laughing, “Be my benefactor. I’m starving out here.”

  “A benefactor suggests that you as the benefactee, have a goal, usually artistic. Do you have a goal? What is it you want to be?” She turned to him, a smile stuck on her face.

  “Lady, I’ll be whatever you want me to be.” He tilted his head and stared deeply in her eyes. She wished he would stop doing that. Her insides turned to jelly.

  “I don’t know what you mean by that… But I think I can help you.” She dug into her handbag and pulled out a set of keys and the checkbook for her new identity. She tore the check, leaving only the address of her imposter apartment on the beach.

  “A one bedroom apartment overlooking the beach in Venice. It’s fully furnished, so no need to bring your, I’m sure highly questionable, furniture with you. It’s quite nice, refrigerator, a heater that works, air conditioning, secured parking for your car that won’t start. There’s ten months left on the lease, more than enough to pursue your “art”.” She dropped the keys and scrap of paper on the table and turned back to Laura.

  “Are you serious?” He asked.

  “Yes, I am.” Faye glanced back at him, “Don’t make a mess of it. Don’t make me regret this. No loud parties, blaring music and no club drugs. I’ll call the building manager and let him know my nephew will be staying there. My nephew would be you.” She felt a shiver of shock, lying was coming far to easily for her.

  “Lady,” He looked down at the deposit slip, “Faye, I was just kidding but if you’re serious—

  “I am serious about you not destroying the apartment.”

  “I’ll be good… Don’t you want to know my name?”

  “Not really. This will be our last communication.”

  “It’s Nick, Nick Andrews, and thank you.” His eyes met hers again, and she forcefully shook her head away.

“All the heartbreakers are always named Nick.” Faye said as she walked away with Laura.

  “What did you just do?” Laura asked.

  “I’ve allowed myself the privilege of making one frivolous mistake with the money. I assumed the mistake would be me buying a couture dress better suited to an evening at the Met than my quiet life of dinner parties with friends but this is fun too.”

  “I’m sure it is… That kid was gorgeous… Be careful, money does things…”

  “Believe me, I’m aware of all the dangers. I’ve been binge watching lottery horror stories… But thank you for the reminder.”

  “You have planned well… You’ll be good,” She patted Faye’s arm, “We have to rush. Serge has a meeting later in the day and we want to take you to a celebratory lunch first. The Ivy, so good… I love it there.”

  “I haven’t eaten there in years. Thank you.”

  Faye was relieved that Laura’s mention of Serge’s name didn’t send the familiar butterflies to her heart. Happily relieved. For the briefest of moments, she fiercely craved Adam’s company. But not the present-day Adam, the Adam she met as a girl. The powerful feeling overwhelmed her, and she felt faint again. A psychologist was definitely in order, she thought to herself.

  Nick, the boyish man, left her thoughts completely.