If You Only Knew (And Then Came Love Book 1) (30 page)

The baby kicked. Glancing at the dash, she read eighty-five mph. Her heart dropped into her stomach. What was she doing? She had a baby to think about. Liza’s sobs increased as she dropped her speed. What the hell was she doing?

Prying her fingers from the wheel, she turned on speaker phone, and dialed Julian’s number.

“What’s going on?” Julian asked the moment he answered the phone.

“I-I can’t do this.” She sobbed, blinking back the tears so she could see the road in front of her.

“Can’t do what?”

“This job.” The tightness in her chest returned and so did the pressure on the accelerator. “I’m miserable. I don’t know what to do.”

“Call your boss and tell her you quit.” Julian said, matter-of-factly. “You don’t need the job.”

“I’m terrified.” A tremble ran through her body. Glancing down at the speedometer. Eighty-five again. She let her foot off the gas pedal.

“Where are you? I’m on my way now.”

“I don’t even know.” Her phone beeped. It was Kate. “I need to go, Kate’s on the other line.”

“Liza, don’t hang up on me. You need to calm down and find a place to stop. I’ll pick you up, okay?”

“I have to go.” Liza hung up, only to see Kate had ended the call. “Shit.” She dialed Kate.

“You’re not answering your phone again,” Kate reprimanded.

“I’m not answering, because I can’t do this anymore,” she blubbered. “I’m done, I quit. I’m fed up with your bull shit.” Calmness washed through her as she said the words she had longed to say for months. Her fingers unclenched the steering wheel, her foot eased off the accelerator, and she slowed down to the speed limit.

“Is there somewhere we can meet to talk?” Kate asked. “Calm down a little bit and I’ll meet you at the Subway over off Highway 69.”

“Fine.” Liza took the nearest exit. She had to turn around to go to meet Kate.

“Give me thirty minutes. I’m in the middle of something now.”

“That’s fine.” Liza hung up the phone.

Julian rang in as soon as she hung up. “I’m on my way to the Subway off highway 69.” She turned the vehicle around and headed onto the highway. “You can meet me there.”

“I’m bringing someone with me, you don’t sound to be in any condition to be driving.”  

“I’m not.” She hung up the phone, tossed her phone on the seat, and headed toward her destination, this time at a much more reasonable pace.

*****

Julian raced to get to Liza.

Blake cursed next to him as he took a curve faster than expected. “Dude, slow down, you’re no good to her if you have an accident.”

Julian ignored him. He had one mission to get to Liza as fast as possible.

He pulled into the parking lot thirty minutes later, despite being forty-five minutes away. He hurried over to her vehicle, sat in the passenger’s seat and reached for her.

She cried against the steering wheel.

“What’s happened?”

“I don’t know.” She tried to lean across the console to hug him, but her belly stopped her. “Damn it.” She clenched her fists and slammed them against the steering wheel.

Julian got out of the car, came around to her side, opened the door, and tugged her out into his arms. “Talk to me.”

“I can’t do this anymore, Julian. I hate the thought of not having a job, but I can’t do this one anymore. I’m mad as hell. Kate did it to me again.” Her voice was muffled against his chest.

“Don’t worry about the job.” Julian rubbed his hands over her back and peered at Blake. “I brought Blake with me. He’ll take your car and meet us at home. Are you ready to go?”

“I have to meet Kate. She should be here soon.” Liza looked down at her feet. “I quit my job.”

“Not to butt in here, but if you’re having a panic attack this may not be the best time to be making decisions like quitting your job.” Blake leaned on the other side of the car.

“I’ve wanted to quit for so long,” Liza stated. “I couldn’t do it.”

“I’ve been telling you to quit since we met. I’ll make sure everything’s taken care of.” Julian lifted her chin so she was looking in his eyes. “Whatever you need.”

Liza tightened her grip on Julian as the tears flowed down her face

Blake rested his hand on Julian’s shoulder. “She’s afraid and trying to be logical. If you leave her again or if things don’t work out between you where does that leave her?”

“I guess I understand.” Julian cupped her cheeks. “I’m not leaving you. Even if for some unforeseen reason I did, you’re the mother of my child. I wouldn’t leave you high and dry.”

“I’m done.” She buried her head against him.

“I think her boss is here.” Blake motioned to a woman standing near a car.

“You want me to go in with you?” Julian brushed her hair behind her ear and swiped away a tear.

“No.” Liza yanked her bag out of the backseat of the car. “I need to finish this on my own.”

“She looks scared out of her mind.” Blake faced Julian.

“I don’t know what to do. This can’t be good for her or the baby.” Julian rubbed his chin.

“Forget the baby right now. You need to take her home and make sure she spends the rest of the night relaxing. She is terrified she’s doing the wrong thing. She knows without this job, she’s not going to be able to provide for the baby. You need to make sure she’s taken care of this evening.”

“I’m worried.” He glanced at the restaurant. If Kate did anything to upset her further, he’d kill her.

“You’ll do fine and she’ll be fine. Keep in mind tonight needs to be about her.”

Julian ruffled Blake’s hair. “When’d you get so smart, little brother?”

Blake fixed him with a glare. “I’ve spent the last thirty years watching the rest of you screw up your lives.” He sneered. “Did she leave her keys?”

“Nope.” Julian peaked over at the ignition. “We can all have lunch together on the way home if you’re interested.”

“No, I think I’ll bring her car to your place and leave you two to figure things out.” Blake leaned against the car.

“I’m worried about her, Blake. I’m more worried than I ever have been in my life, about anyone.”

Blake smiled. “If you hadn’t already admitted it, I’d say you were in love with her.”

“I am and it terrifies me.” Julian shook his head. “I’ve been married twice.”

“No, you’ve been used twice. There’s a difference. Feels like you got hit by a bus, doesn’t it?” Blake chuckled.

“Yeah.” Julian nodded. “You always hear people say you’ll know when you find the right person. I never realized how true it was until I found her.”

“I’ve known Lindsay for ten years, but didn’t have that experience until recently. It hit me out of the blue. Came right in like a Mac truck.” Blake crossed his arms.

“I’m scared I’m going to end up doing something stupid and losing her.”

“Liza loves you, man. You’d have to do something seriously dumb to get her to leave you.”

“I’m notorious for seriously dumb behavior.” He laughed.

Liza came out of the building and headed their way.

Blake straightened.

“You ready to go, babe?” He met her halfway across the parking lot.

“Yeah.” Liza nodded. “She told me to keep my stuff and I could bring it in on Monday.”

“We’ll get you here if it’s what you need to do.” Julian pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You have your keys?”

Liza tossed her keys to Blake. “Thank you, sorry to drag you away from your girlfriend.”

“She’s working. No harm done.” Blake tossed the keys in the air and climbed into her car. “I’ll drop the car at Julian’s and you can deal with it from there.”

“Thanks, man.” Julian rested his hand on the small of Liza’s back and led her toward his vehicle. He opened the passenger’s side door. “Do you feel better now that you’ve quit?”

“I’m feeling rather numb about it right now.” Liza slid into the vehicle.

He pushed the door closed. “I figured we’d stay at my place tonight. I can give you the royal treatment better there.”

“I didn’t know quitting my job warranted me the royal treatment.”

“You’re going to be pretty emotional right now, so I’m trying to provide you with what you need.”

“If it’s what you want to do okay.” She yawned. “I’m exhausted and have a helluva headache from the crying and emotional outbursts I’ve had this morning.”

“When we get to my house, go upstairs, take a hot shower, and then a nap.” He started the car and drove the car out of the lot. “When you get up we’ll go out to dinner.”

“I can make dinner.”

“Nope, you get rest. Let me take care of you for awhile.”

“That does sound wonderful.” Liza rested her head on the seat.

“What happened?”

Liza shook her head. “I don’t wanna talk about it. It’s been a rough morning.”

“Are you going to go and see the counselor next week?”

“I don’t know, my insurance will be out by then.”

“You’re already on mine, so don’t worry about the money. I think you need to see her.”

Liza nodded, but didn’t respond.

Julian glanced over a few minutes later to see her fast asleep. He smiled and headed to Bryton.

*****

August 4
th

Liza pushed the cart through the store. Now, three days after she quit her job and she still jumped every time a phone rang. Her own cell phone put her into a panic attack. She hated having it. She’d fought Julian when he put her on his contract, but he didn’t listen.

She glanced around. Gone again. Where did he say he was going? She shook her head and looked over at the stack of oranges.

“Liza?”

She stiffened at the sound of Monica’s voice. Why did she have to run into her now? No way she could hide the pregnancy. She forced a smile. “Hi.”

Monica’s jaw dropped at the sight of her belly. “You’re pregnant.”

“Very pregnant.” Kaitlyn stood next to Monica.

“Just past the halfway point. Twenty-two weeks yesterday.” She bounced on her heels.

Monica scoffed and a smile crossed her face. “I knew he was no good. Left you pregnant and alone. Of course, it was bound to happen.”

Liza cocked her head to the side and popped her lips. “You never give up. I should have known.”

“You know, Liza.” Monica looked over at Kaitlyn, rolled her eyes, and then turned her attention back to Liza. “We’d be willing to forgive you and if you need help we’d be glad to offer it.”

Ava appeared out of nowhere and gave her a hug. “Imagine running into you here.”

“I texted you and told you we were going shopping half an hour ago.” Liza shook her head and laughed.

“I know, I’m stalking you. I have something fun to tell you.” Ava squealed.

Monica cleared her throat.

Ava turned to see the two of them standing there. “Do we know you?” She flipped her hair out of her face.

Liza motioned to them. “Ava these are two of my former friends, Monica and Kaitlyn.”

Ava’s eyes grew wide and she smiled. “Oh the bitches, how lovely to meet you two. Jealous and ill informed. What a wonderful reason to end a friendship.” She looked over at Liza. “And I thought I was shallow.”

Liza bit her lower lip to keep from laughing.

Monica’s face reddened to the bright red color of her shirt. “Fine, don’t take our help, but don’t come crawling to us when your so called perfect man doesn’t come for you and the baby.”

Liza snapped. “First of all, Julian on his worst days is better then you on your best. He was right. Looking back, I can see it. Every time I was in a relationship, you two could never find anything good to say about the guy. It was always, he’s going to break your heart or he’s not good enough for you.  And the moment I find the guy I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with you two turn tail and run. True friends stick by each other through thick and thin. Evidently, you two weren’t true friends.”

“And what about this guy you’re supposed to be spending the rest of your life with?” Kaitlyn rested her hands on her hips. “You told us you two broke up.”

“We did.” Liza shrugged. “We have our differences. We fight at times. Things aren’t always perfect, but we love each other, and for us that’s enough.”

“You’re going to end up getting your heart broken again.” Monica shook her head. “She’s hopeless, Kaitlyn.”

“Maybe for you, but in my mind. I’m right where I’m supposed to be and with the people I’m supposed to be with.”

Julian rested his hand on her shoulder.

Liza threaded her fingers with his. “There’s always room in my heart for people who care. But fake friends who run out on you when the going gets tough don’t belong there.” She looked over at Ava and squeezed Julian’s hand. “You two played an important role in my past, but you’re not in my future.” Liza released Julian’s hand turned to the cart and walked away.

A weight lifted off her shoulders. There was a freeing sense in letting go of the lost friendship. A friendship she’d mourned for too long. Her future was with Julian, the baby, and her newfound friends. The past was a fading memory of her old life.