If You Only Knew (And Then Came Love Book 1) (37 page)

Everyone smiled at him.

He let out a deep breath. It was time for a change.

*****

Julian’s head rested against the window of Drew’s truck.

“Why don’t we stop and get something to eat? Somehow I doubt you’ve had anything substantial in a couple days.”

Julian’s stomach rumbled as if to answer. “And my stomach agrees with you.”

“It’s yelling at you to give it anything but alcohol.” Drew chuckled as he turned into a local restaurant. They climbed out of the truck and walked toward the restaurant. “I’m glad you’re getting help.”

“Dr. Marcus thinks it’s a good idea. He and Dr. Muller will be my doctors and he said they’d start me on the new drug when I get there. The trials have been promising and with the changes I made to the formula it should work even better.” Julian opened the door for his brother. A flash of red hair caught his eye. Liza? No, his mind was playing tricks on him.

“Wait, so you knew Vince and Dr. Marcus were working on this?”

The sign said please be seated, so they headed over to a booth and sat down across from each other.

“I didn’t know they were about to make it an actual prescription. I’ve been messing around with formulas and playing with genetics for the last couple months.  I sent the information to Vince. From what I gather, he got in contact with Dr. Marcus and together they took my research and found a way to formulate it into a pill. I guess it’s working pretty well.” Julian stretched and then yawned. “Every muscle in my body feels like it’s on fire.” Withdrawal had started already, he craved a drink. Everything he thought about led him to wanting another drink. His head ached. He’d popped two ibuprofen before he left Dad’s, but it hadn’t touched it.

“What did you expect? You tried to replace your bodily fluids with alcohol.” Drew rested his elbows on the table.

The waitress appeared and they ordered.

Julian leaned back in the booth. “Liza’s going to kill me. I can’t believe I forgot to pay her bills.”

Drew nodded. “She’s not going to be happy with you, that’s for sure.”

“You think she’ll be okay with the whole rehab thing?”

“She wants you to get help. Rehab is the best gesture you can make to prove you’re serious about getting better.” Drew shrugged. He scanned the restaurant. “Speaking of Liza.”

Julian followed his brother’s gaze to see Liza sliding out of the booth then stooped to pick something up off the floor.

A stocky, bald man with a bushy beard and dressed in leathers turned around. His friends pointed toward Liza’s ass and howled.

Julian moved quickly heading across the restaurant.

“Hey baby, you wanna knock boots with a real man tonight?” The bald man grabbed Liza’s ass.

Liza spun around her eyes wide.

“Oh shit, man, she’s pregnant.” One of Baldy’s friends said.

Julian caught Baldy by the shirt and slammed him against the wall. “You think it’s okay to grope random women, especially pregnant ones?”

The man held up his hands. “I don’t want any trouble, man. I didn’t realize she was pregnant.”

Julian’s fist connected with the man’s jaw.

Baldy’s eyes rolled shut and he collapsed.

Bringing up his fist, Julian smashed his fist into the man’s face twice, before Drew hauled him off.

“Cut it out, man.” Drew held his arms.

Julian struggled his eyes falling on Baldy’s friends. “You two want a piece of me, too?”

Liza moved in front of him. “Are you crazy? What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Julian blinked twice and quit struggling.

Ava thrust a chair behind him.

Julian collapsed in it and his gaze went to Liza. “Liza, I love you.”

She took a step forward.

“I’m so sorry.” He dropped his head into his hands. “I’m so sorry.”

“Are you okay?” She snatched another chair and sat down beside him.

Julian dropped his hands and met her eyes. “No, I need help.”

She squeezed his hand. “Then stop running and let me help you.”

Drew tapped him on the shoulder. “Not to interrupt, but the police are on the way.”

“I’ll take what I get.” Julian toyed with her hair. “I don’t know what I thought leaving you would accomplish.” He caught her chin, and rubbed his thumb over her cheek as he gazed into her eyes.

Paramedics rushed around him toward the man on the floor.

“I don’t want to be without you. I want to be a part of our baby’s life and your life if you’ll let me.”

Liza held his hand against her cheek. “You have one choice then. Get help.”

The police arrived. Every finger in the place — not related or in love with him — pointed to him.

“That’s the man.” Baldy’s friends pointed to Julian.

“Did you hit him?” the officer asked.

“Yep.” Julian pointed to Liza’s pregnant belly. “He assaulted my girlfriend.”

“You’ll have your chance to tell your story to the judge tomorrow. Tonight you’re going to jail.”

Julian rose and put his hands behind his back. He looked at Liza. “I love you.”

“We’ll be there to bail you out as soon as we can.” Drew rested a hand on Liza’s shoulder.

“Tell.”

The officers drug him to the door.

“Julian.” Liza yelled.

He turned his head.

“I love you.”

“Me, too.”

The officers tugged him out the door.

*****

Liza let out a heavy breath, trying to control her emotions, and the tears that threatened to overflow any minute now. “This is the first time I would have been okay with him using his influence, and what does he do? He lets them cart him away.” She held up her fists and suppressed a scream. “I have to get him out.”

“Don’t worry about it, Liza. We’ll handle it, you keep calm and think about the baby.” Drew rested his hand on her shoulder.

“He was protecting me, Drew.” Liza lowered her eyes. “What happens if they won’t let us bail him out of jail or if I go into labor while he’s in there?”

“Let’s not think about this right now. We’ll get everything figured out, don’t you worry.”

“How?”

“You know how our family rolls.”

Ava looped an arm around her friend. “Drew’s right. Just keep calm. Think about the baby.”

“The baby needs to have a father who’s not in jail for defending her mother.” Liza pulled away from Ava. “I’m going to the police station. He’s been through enough, I don’t want him to spend any time in jail.”

“He won’t.” Drew stepped in front of her.

“Tell her,” Audrey said.

“Liza, calm down, we’ll—”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, I . . . Oooh.” She grabbed her lower back and sank into the chair. She breathed out slowly and put her other hand on her belly and panted through the pain.

“Are you okay?” Drew knelt beside her chair.

Liza closed her eyes and counted to ten. She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. The pressure subsided. She let out one more deep breath and opened her eyes. “I’ll be fine. I don’t think Miss Abigail likes the stress I’m under.”

“Why don’t you come to my folks place? We’ll talk to Dad and figure something out.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “You’re in too precarious of a situation to deal with this much stress alone.”

Liza nodded. He was right and she hated it. “I guess that’s the best solution. Let’s go see Everett.”

*****

Liza stood outside the door. What would Jackie and Everett say?

“Liza, before we go in there, I need to tell you something and it’s pretty important.” Drew blew out a heavy breath. “Julian knows he needs help for his drinking. He talked to Dr. Marcus about going to rehab.”

“R-re-rehab?” Liza’s lips quivered. “As in being gone for thirty days?”

“Twenty-eight. If he leaves in the next couple day he’ll be back right before your due date.”

Liza bit her bottom lip. Twenty-eight days with no contact. But at least he’d be getting the help he needed. “What if he doesn’t get out of jail?”

“We’ll make sure he gets out of jail. He’ll be confined here until he goes in. I’d say with our connections we could have him a free man by Wednesday.”

“That’s two days closer to my due date, Drew. We need him out of jail as soon as possible.”

Everett pulled the door open. “Stop dilly-dicking around and tell me what happened.”

“Ava, Audrey, and I set Liza and Julian up to run into each other. However, some prick decided our lives needed more drama and the damn fool grabbed Liza’s ass. Needless to say, Julian went off.”

“Well of course, who wouldn’t?” Everett rubbed at his temples. “Okay, you two sit down and I’ll figure this out.”

Jackie came into the room and pulled Liza in for a hug. “Are you all right?”

“This whole day has been one roller coaster ride of emotion after the other.” She sank onto the couch. “Yesterday I was done, he could have begged, pleaded, and proposed to me and my response would have been fuck off. Today, I’ve been torn in every direction and I don’t even know which way’s up.”

“It’s been a pretty trying day.” Jackie agreed.

“More like a trying week. This has been going on since the baby shower. All I want to do is crawl under a rock and hide. I’m so mad at him I could scream, but I love him so much I can’t imagine my life without him. Why can’t this be easy?”

Everett chuckled and put his arm around Jackie.

Jackie met his gaze and smiled. “I think I’ve said that a time or two about you, darling.”

“Many a time.” Everett pressed a kiss to her forehead. “True love isn’t easy, Liza. Believe me, Jackie’s spent the last forty-seven years feeling the same way.”

Liza looked up at the two of them. She didn’t want to ask them for help, but how could she do it herself? The baby kicked and she rubbed her hand on her belly.

The front door opened and Gramps came in. “What in the hell is going on?”

Gramps! Perfect. Julian would have gone to him. She faked a yawn and stretched. “I’ll tell you the story if you’ll take me home. It’s been a long day and I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be even longer.”

“You’re more than welcome to sleep here, Liza. You’re moving in with us in a few days anyway.” Everett commented.

“I need to go home for tonight. My stress level has gone through the roof, sleeping in my own bed, in my own apartment will help me relax more.”

“I’ll drive you home.” Gramps pulled his keys out of his pocket.

Liza stood.

Jackie and Everett both gave her a hug.

Drew waved. “I’d give you a hug, but you know how my brother would take that.”

Liza laughed. “You know, I’ve been accused of being attracted to you, too.”

Drew nodded and let out a sigh. “Yeah, me too.”

“At least he’s an equal opportunity asshole.” Liza walked to the door.

Gramps opened the door and motioned for her to go first. “Ladies first.”

Liza stepped outside and waited while Gramps shut the door. “I need your help.” She bit her lip.

Chapter Twenty-One

November 12
th

Liza trudged up the steps of the courthouse with Gramps at her side. “Now we wait and hope the Judge agrees with Dr. Marcus.”

“I’m sure he will, Karl is a reasonable man. I talked to him this morning.” Gramps winked at Liza.

She shook her head and chuckled. Her phone rang and she answered when she saw it was Everett. “Good morning.”

“They moved the hearing up to ten this morning. We’re on our way over. Do you need us to pick you up?”

“Nope, I’m already here, they called me.” Liza smiled over at Gramps.

“Good, I’ll see you when I get there.” Everett ended the call.

“Do you think he suspects anything?” Liza and Gramps headed up the rest of the steps. She sat down on the bench outside the courthouse to wait for the rest of his family.

“He will when he sees me here with you.” Gramps folded his hands in his lap and leaned back on the bench. “I’m sure he has his own plan in the works to get Julian out.”

“I hope he didn’t spend any money on it yet.” Liza looked out over the street in front of them.

“For the record, I like your way of handling things a lot better.”

“Nothing illegal and everything should work out in our favor.” Liza stood as she saw Dr. Marcus coming toward them. “Is everything set up, Dr. Marcus?”

“It’s Jeffery. I’ve tried to get Julian to call me that for years, but it’s always been Doc.” He nodded to Liza and shook Gramps hand. “The judge said we’d find out at the hearing. I think he’s leaning our way, but he wouldn’t tell me.”

“Then he could still go to jail.” Liza sunk down onto the bench again. What would she do if he had to spend time in jail?

“I’m thinking positive. I have a couple of aces up my sleeve if there’s a problem.” Jeffery patted her on the shoulder. “Have faith, Liza. We’ll get through this.”

“Thank you for doing this. I appreciate everything.”

“If I didn’t think you had Julian’s best interests at heart, I wouldn’t be here.” Jeffery straightened his tie. “I’m going in before the family gets here.” He winked at her as he walked away.

“They’re pulling up now. I’ll head in with you.” Gramps stood and followed Jeffery into the courthouse.

Liza stood again and waited as Jackie and Everett climbed out of the car.

Everett buttoned the top button of his suit coat as he walked up the steps.

Jackie had her arm looped around her husband’s. Upon arrival at the top of the steps, Jackie moved away from Everett to give Liza a hug. “Everything will be just fine, dear. No need to look so worried.”

“I’m hoping for the best, but assuming the worst.” Liza let out a heavy breath. She tried to keep her answer vague so she didn’t lie to them.

“There’s something in the works, no matter what the Judge says, we’ll get him out of this.” Everett patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.”

Liza smiled and straightened the knee-length gray sweater she wore over her floor length black dress. “I’m trying not to worry.”

Drew jogged up the steps. “Everything's in motion, Dad.” He looked over and smiled at Liza. “We’ll make sure it all works out.”

“I’m sure it will.” Liza nodded. “Let’s go inside.”

*****

The four of them sat in the first bench waiting for the hearing to start. Liza looked behind her and nodded to Gramps who sat with Jeffery.

When his case was called, the bailiff brought him in.

Julian scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on Liza. He mouthed, “I love you,” to her.

“I love you, too.”

The man Julian hit entered the courtroom, pushed in a wheelchair. He wore a cast on his left leg and right arm.

“Julian never hit him anywhere but the face.” Liza told Everett.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle everything.”

The hearing started and the Judge turned to the prosecution desk. “Where’s the D.A.?”

The D.A. stood.

Liza chuckled. Who would have known, Julian’s brother-in-law was the DA?

Cornelius, Vivian’s husband, stood. “I can’t prosecute this man. He’s my brother-in-law. ADA Chance is related to him as well. Mr. Michael’s agreed to provide his own attorney.”

The judge nodded and looked over at the attorney. “This is a bail hearing, what say you?”

Mr. Michael’s attorney stood. “No go, he’s a flight risk.”

“How is my client a flight risk?” Julian’s attorney, another relative she assumed, stood. “His entire family is here and his girlfriend is eight months pregnant. He’s not going anywhere.”

“He has both wealth and privilege to fund any kind of departure. It’s not safe to release him on his own recognizance.”

“Your honor?” Everett stepped past Liza into the aisle. “May I speak?”

The judge met Everett’s eyes and nodded. “Mr. Vitalli, you have the floor.”

“I’m a rather respected member of this community. If you would release my son to my custody, I will make sure he is around for his trial.”

“While I appreciate your offer, Everett, I believe I’m going to take this one step further.” The judge looked from Everett to Julian. “Julian, it was brought to my attention you are looking to go to a rehabilitation clinic for an alcohol problem, am I correct?”

Julian looked back at Everett and raised his eyebrow.

Everett shrugged.

Julian nodded at the judge. “Yes, Your Honor.”

“I had an extensive talk with Dr. Jeffrey Marcus this morning. Dr. Marcus informs me you’ve been working with Steele Pharmaceuticals. He said you have made remarkable strides in advancing your research. But he believes your alcohol issues are holding you back. He thinks if you attended a rehabilitation program you’d be able to go even further with your research. It is because of that reason alone, I am granting Dr. Marcus’ request and sending you to rehab, starting today.”

Mr. Michael’s attorney jumped out of his chair. “Your Honor this is an outrage. My client deserves to have his day in court. He was beaten up.”

“Mr. Kauffman, I have two issues with this case. First, I have a copy of the hospital report and there is no mention about a broken arm or a broken leg. Second, according to eyewitness testimony, your client accosted Ms. Elizabeth Thomas. Mr. Vitalli defended her honor. And third, you’d be wise to shut up or I’ll filed my own charges for fraud.” The judge stopped and then turned to Julian. “Mr. Vitalli, you could fight this ruling, however, I believe you are ready to get help?”

“Yes, Your Honor. I appreciate your decision.” Julian started at Liza.

She nodded.

“Good. Twenty-eight days mandatory rehab for the defendant. I believe Dr. Marcus is here to escort you to the facility. Case closed.”

“All rise.”

The moment the Bailiff released his handcuffs, Julian headed to Liza’s side. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t tell you about the rehab thing. We had limited time and—”

Liza cupped his face and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I understand.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you for the next twenty-eight days.” He pulled her in for a bear hug.

Dr. Marcus joined them. “Julian, are you ready to go?”

“I guess.” He lifted Liza’s chin and brushed a kiss across her lips. “We’ll talk when I get out? I think we have a few things we need to discuss.” He twisted Gramps’ ring off his finger, caught her hand, slipped it on her finger, and kissed it.

“I love you.” Liza removed it from her finger and placed it in his hand. “We’ll talk — soon.”

Julian raised his eyebrow. He opened his mouth to say something.

Liza pressed her fingers to his lips. “Now’s not the time.”

He let out a heavy sigh before he turned to look at his parents. “Thank you, for getting all this straight.”

Everett shook his head. “I didn’t do any of this. I had something different in mind for getting you out of it.”

“Then who?” Julian looked around the room.

“We need to go.” Dr. Marcus motioned for him to follow him.

Julian gave Liza one last long kiss, before he turned to follow Dr. Marcus. He stopped to give Drew a hug, pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket, handed it to Drew, and whispered something to him. He whispered ‘I love you’ to Liza and then headed after Dr. Marcus.

Liza watched them disappear and looked at Everett and Jackie. A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to see Drew.

“It was you.” Drew cocked his head to the side. “Wasn’t it?”

“Excuse me?”

“You set this all up.” A smile spread across Drew’s face.

“How would she do all this, she didn’t even know about rehab?” Everett asked.

“I told her yesterday. Right before we came in the house last night.” Drew looked back at Gramps.

Gramps wore a Cheshire cat grin. “Played that one good, didn’t we?”

Liza laughed. “I guess we did. Are you ready to go?”

“Where are you going?” Everett asked.

“Julian’s official check in time is at three this afternoon. We have four and a half hours before no contact starts.” Liza and Gramps headed toward the door. Liza smiled at Everett. “Give me at least an hour before you all start coming to see him.”

Everett laughed. “Will do.”

“She’s a pro, Everett. And she did it without any money changing hands.”

Liza let a smile cross her face as they headed out of the courthouse.

*****

Julian sat in Dr. Marcus’ office, his elbows resting on his knees, his head in his hands. No contact for the next twenty-eight days. Damn, why couldn’t they have given him at least a little time to talk to Liza. There were so many things he wanted to say to her. No, he
needed
to say to her.

Dr. Marcus walked into the room. “You did the right thing by agreeing to this, right?”

Julian nodded. “It’s time for a change. I wish I had a couple hours with Liza before I ended up here. There are some things she needs to hear.”

“Write her a letter.” Dr. Marcus perched on the corner of his desk.

“That’d be a damn long letter.” Julian chuckled. “Not even a phone call?”

“Your room’s not ready and I have a client. I’m going to leave you in the conference room. You may find a phone there.” Dr. Marcus stood and motioned Julian out.

“Thanks, Doc.” Julian waited and then followed Dr. Marcus to the conference room at the end of the hall.

Dr. Marcus stopped, the door halfway open and turned to Julian. “You’re on camera, so watch what you do?”

Julian flipped his hands over. “What, do you think I’m gonna flip my dick out in the middle of a conference room?”

Dr. Marcus laughed. “You never can tell.” He held the door the rest of the way open.

“Thanks, Doc.” Julian chuckled as he walked through the door. His gaze immediate came to rest on Liza seated at the conference table. He rushed to the table and hauled her into his arms. “Woman, I don’t know how you did this, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

Liza threw her arms around his neck and snuggled against him.

Julian looked at Dr. Marcus. “Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

Dr. Marcus shrugged. “She’s responsible for all of this. I believe making amends is part of your recovery process.” He pointed to the clock. “You have until three.”

“Thank you.” Liza nodded.

Dr. Marcus nodded at camera. “Behave.” He left and shut the door behind him.

Julian turned so Liza faced him. “What happened? How did—”

She pressed her lips against his.

Julian cupped her cheeks and slid his tongue between her parted lips.

She shoved against his chest. “Let’s not get too carried away here, Romeo. We have to talk.”

“I’m glad you’re willing to listen.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms.

“You need to listen first.” She took a step back.

“I love you.”

“Stop that. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m pissed as hell at you.” She winced and arch her back.

“Are you okay?” Julian rested his hand on her belly.

The baby kicked against his hand.

He smiled when she moved some more. “Feels like she’s doing somersaults in there.”

“She’s doing something.” Liza stretched and rested her hand against his.  “I’m glad you’re getting help.”

“I’m doing it for you and Abigail.” He rubbed his hand over her belly.

“No! You need to do it for yourself. Otherwise, you’re not going to succeed.” She sat down in the chair.

Julian grabbed a chair and pulled it in front of her. “Give me your foot.”

“No, I won’t let you distract me from what needs to be said.” She scooted her chair backwards.

“I’m sorry about the bills. I had every intention of paying them, but . . .” He looked down at his hands.

“But what? Am I that easy to forget?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Then why were you able to forget something so important? Do you have any idea how much I’ve lost?” Liza stood and began pacing the room. “No one is going to hire me in my condition. I’m homeless—let me clarify, no home of my own, dependent on others—again! With a baby due in a month.”