Intractable Souls : Book 1 of the Bound for Ireland Series (4 page)

“It was a last minute thing. I’m sorry. I
left you a message. Didn’t Olivia come to the game?”

“Yes, she was there.” He tugs off his soccer
shoes and tosses them in the front hall cupboard. His footsteps are
heavy on the hardwood as he heads down the hallway and into the
kitchen.

“Awesome!”

“What do you mean awesome? What were you
thinking?” His voice is a low angry growl.

Rachel wrinkles her nose. Rats! He figured
it out. There’s no point in even trying to hide her intentions from
her husband. She takes a breath and comes clean. “I was thinking
that she and Ethan might hit it off.”

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” He blurts out in
anger. “Rachel... Ethan is my BOSS!”

“He’s ALSO your friend. Why are you so upset
about this?” Flipping the channels on the TV she remains unaffected
by his angry tone. Climbing into the oversize bed she falls back
against the abundant pile of pillows, trying not to be swallowed by
them.

Scott tries to calm his voice. “Do you
remember what happened the last time I introduced Olivia to
someone?

Now she understands his concern. “I hardly
think that will be an issue. Is that why you didn’t want me to tell
Olivia that he was going to be staying with us?“

“Rachel, you don’t know him at all.” The
conversation is really starting to stress him out and he is almost
yelling again.

“Seriously, Scott? I think you need to
relax.”

Scott rakes his fingers through his short,
black hair. “Rachel, honey. Please stay out of it. She doesn’t even
like him.”

Despite his efforts, she’s only paying half
attention to him. “So, did you introduce them?”

“Did I introduce them?” He repeats her
question shocked and annoyed that she is still pursuing this
conversation. “NO! I didn’t introduce them… I didn’t have to! The
minute she stepped out of the car he was drawn to her like a moth
to a flame.” He shakes his head.

“Really?” Rachel sounds excited. “What was
she wearing?”

“Are you kidding me? Are you listening to me
at all?” He paces back and forth in frustration, his footsteps
thumping heavily on the ceramic kitchen floor.

“Stop with all the negative thoughts.” She
snaps. “You’re going to undo all the positive energy I got at the
spa this afternoon!” She dismisses his concerns as a moment of over
exaggerated drama.

Scott has heard rumors about Ethan’s
indiscretions in his personal life. He was sent to the Canadian
office to avoid the press and publicity. “Rachel, please trust me.”
He pleads. “I don’t want him anywhere near Olivia.“

“Scott, I have to go. I have another call.
She hangs up before he figures out that she’s lying. The truth is
that she just doesn’t want to talk about it anymore.

“Rachel?” The dial tone hums loudly, making
him hold the phone away from his ear and look at the receiver in
frustration.

Olivia is happy to be home and finally get
off her feet. Her thoughts race back and forth between the sexy men
outside her office window and the evenings events at the field.
Taking out her cell phone, she sends Rachel a text.

From Olivia: There is something wrong with
Scott

From Rachel: That’s not a secret lol

From Olivia: I mean he’s angry about
something

From Rachel: I know. Just ignore him

That’s it? That’s all she’s going to say?
Needing a distraction she looks around the living room and decides
a tidy up is in order. Noticing a piece of fluff on the area rug,
she makes her way towards it. She loves this carpet, mostly because
she got it on sale marked down to only $40. The square patterned
designs in pastel greens and blues on a background of creamy beige
make her feel calm and centered. She decorated the rest of the room
around it, painting the walls in a warm earthy tone and choosing
curtains and accents in the same green and blue hues. This is the
room she goes to when she’s feeling anxious... it makes her feel
like Mother Nature herself envelopes her in a soothing embrace.

Heading to the kitchen with the dirty dishes
from a few lonely dinners in front of the TV, she grimaces as she
smashes her foot on a box of paperwork that she left on the floor
in the hall. On her way back, she picks it up and tries to push the
box back onto the shelf in the cupboard. Stretching as far as she
can on her tippy toes, she’s reminded by the searing pain, about
the cut on her thigh. With one final push, the box twists sideways
knocking an old photo album off the edge and making it crash to the
floor. Jumping, she tries to avoid it from hitting her toes and
looks down to see that the front cover has fallen open, revealing a
picture of her and Sam.

Despite the sadness that stirs inside her,
she picks up the album and makes her way into the living room,
studying the picture as she walks. Sitting down in the oversized
chair, she rests the album open on the armrest and sits sideways,
tucking her legs underneath her and making sure that she puts no
pressure on the injured thigh. She sighs as she turns the first few
pages and stops at a picture of her and Sam together with Rachel
and Scott on the night of her 27th birthday. Everyone looked so
happy posing for the camera and holding up their beer.

That was the night that he told her that he
loved her for the first time. Emotions start to bubble and churn
inside her as she continues to turn the pages. At first they it’s a
reminder of a happier time and she manages a slight smile. In every
picture his arms are wrapped around her, holding her close. She
likes those memories, but flipping forward in the album her smile
fades. Birthdays, barbeques, concerts. Pictures taken later in the
year show a noticeable change in his body language. His eyes are
dark and serious and he no longer looks at her with adoration. His
expression is often stony and troubled. She wonders why she didn’t
notice it at the time. Maybe it was because she thought she was in
love with him. She’s often troubled by the thought that she will
likely never know what happened to cause such a drastic change in
his behavior.

Her thoughts are interrupted by an incoming
phone call. Leaving the album open on the arm of the chair, she
answers the phone.

“Hello.”

“Hi! Is everything ok? I’ve had the
strangest feeling all day, that I should call.”

Olivia’s eyes start to well up with tears.
Only a sister would pick up a distress signal from half way across
the country. Her sister Megan has always had a very strong
connection with her; similar to the bond between twins even though
Megan is 3 years older. Hearing her voice gives those emotions the
encouragement they need to finally bubble to the surface. She tries
to hide them from her sister but her sniffling gives her away.

“Olivia? Are you ok?“

“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve just been feeling
really emotional these past few days.” She wipes her nose with a
tissue. “Hormones I guess.”

“Maybe you should go see a doctor?”

“No, that’s not necessary.” She starts to
laugh through the tears. “I know what’s wrong with me and it’s
nothing a doctor can help with.”

“Ah… I see. Sounds like it’s time to get out
of that house and start dating again.”

“Geez, you sound like Rachel.”

“Well Rachel is right. You need to start
looking after YOU. When you start getting out and doing things
again, your soul will start to heal. You need to start increasing
your vibrations in the universe.”

Olivia smiles. She’s all about her logical
mind. Her sister is all about the Universe and self-healing.
Sometimes she finds it hard not to tease Megan about her spiritual
side, even though she does adore her for it.

“Yes. You’re right, Megan… I need to
increase my vibrations, all right. Now would be a good time to buy
stock in Duracell.” She smiles at her joke knowing that her sister
is probably speechless.

Ignoring it all together, Megan’s tone turns
serious. “Olivia? Have you been with a man since Sam?”

“No.” Her answer is void of emotion.

“Sweetheart, why not?”

Her voice is soft and maternal.

“How could I possibly?” The tears welling up
in her eyes are threatening to flow again.

Hearing the anguish in her voice makes her
heart ache for her little sister. Megan’s husband was transferred
to the East Coast forcing her to leave town, and her only sister,
to start a new life hundreds of miles away. She misses her dearly
and she’ll never forgive herself for not being there the night she
needed her most.

“Olivia, I know that it’s hard to trust
again. Is there someone you feel safe with that you could be with?
Someone to help ease you back into the game?”

“You mean someone to have sex with?” Olivia
wipes away her tears.

“Yes, someone you’re comfortable with.
Someone that you could have an intimate relationship with, where
you can control the limits?“

“I don’t know. I haven’t given it much
thought.”

“What about your friend Noah?”

“Noah? He’s a dear friend but we don’t have
that kind of relationship. I mean, we have had a few naughty
conversations over email but we have never taken it past that.”

“Do you trust him?”

“Yes, I’ve known him for a very long time.
He would never hurt me if that’s what you’re asking. I’m not sure
he would be interested in more.”

“How do you know for sure? Maybe he’s
totally in to you. Call him. Offer him more. You control what you
want and don’t want, until you feel comfortable. It’s a chance to
look after your needs, both emotional and physical, in a safe and
caring environment.”

Only her sister, with many years of
counseling experience and the desire to solve all the world’s
problems, would think of it that way. Olivia likes the idea because
it’s a logical solution. It’s brilliant in fact, and it sounds much
more appealing than Rachel’s advice to find a fuck buddy. There is
only one problem…

“I’m not sure if I can bring myself to talk
to him about that.” She confesses.

“Why not? You’re a strong, confident woman.
Since when are you afraid to ask for something that you want?”

Olivia stares down at the album and traces
the edges of the photo of her and Sam with her finger. “I used to
be that woman. I’m not anymore.” Her words are solemn.

“Oh Olivia, I’m so sorry…”

Olivia cuts her off there. “I know.”

“I wish I could…”

“Megan, STOP!”

There is a brief silence on the phone and
then a muffled voice. Mumbling a few words to someone else in the
room, Megan puts her hand over the phone to prevent her sister from
hearing what’s being said. “Sweetie I have to go. Come visit me
soon! That’s an order, not a request.”

“OK, I’ll try to get there soon. I
promise.”

“Promise me something else?”

She hesitates, knowing better than to make
promises before she even knows what they are. Especially to her
sister. “Ummm, maybe… tell me first.” She laughs.

“Promise me that you’ll call Noah as soon as
I hang up. Ask him over for dinner. Talk to him about your
needs.”

“Ok, I’ll call him.” The thought of making
that call makes her nervous.

“I’ll call you later in the week when things
aren’t so crazy around here. Sending big hugs!”

“Hugs and kisses back.” She prepares to hang
up when she suddenly begins to feel a huge wave of anxiety.
“Megan?”

“Yes?”

She’s relieved that she hasn’t hung up yet.
“Megan, I miss you sooooo much!” Her voice cracks.

“I miss you too! Baby sister, please believe
me… you did absolutely nothing to deserve what happened to you.”
She says it with conviction hoping that Olivia will eventually
believe that too.

“I know. I love you.” Giving her sister the
answer that she needs to hear, she hangs up the phone.

Keeping her promise, she dials Noah’s
number, and holds her breath when it starts to ring. She has no
idea what she’s going to say to him. Hey, do you want to fuck? Just
doesn’t sound very appropriate. On the third ring, he answers…

“Ello… Darling.” Noah puts on his most
exaggerated British accent, just to make her laugh.

“Hi.” Olivia tries to sound happy but she
doesn’t do a very good job of hiding her emotional exhaustion.

Sensing something in her voice, he drops the
accent, concerned. “Olivia, what’s wrong?”

Beginning to feel a little unnerved by
dialing his number without a plan, she tries to pull herself
together quickly. How exactly is she going to approach the subject?
Pacing nervously back to the kitchen, she bangs her leg on the door
frame. “Ouch!” She had forgotten about the gash on her thigh.

“Olivia?”

“Sorry.” She panics and starts to ramble.
“The chair fell, and my leg is cut and it’s bleeding.”

“Are you ok? Do you need to go to the
hospital? I’ll be right there.”

“No, I don’t need to go to the hospital.”
Brilliantly, a plan unfolds. “It’s not life threatening but you
know me and blood. I hate to ask but could you pop over and help me
get it cleaned up and bandaged?” She closes her eyes in shame. How
desperate was that?

“Sure, I’ll be right there.”

“Ummm. Noah?“ Knowing of her lack of
first-aid supplies, she starts to laugh.

“What?”

“Can you bring some bandages? I don’t have
any.”

Hanging up the phone, she walks over to the
door and unlocks it. Noah lives on the next street over so when he
says he’ll be right there he’s not kidding. She can already see him
coming up the street, his silhouette unmistakably tall and broad
through the shoulders. When he passes under the gentle glow of the
streetlight, she can see his short, jet-black hair.

She sighs, thinking about the crush she had
on him when they first met. Noah has that kind of charisma that
makes all the girls swoon. In fact, beautiful women are his
specialty. Olivia considers herself a small town girl, lacking the
style and polish of the women that keep Noah Thompson company. She
thinks she’s average looking at best, with short little legs and
way too many curves for her liking. She begins to wonder if this is
a bad idea. He has never offered her anything other than a little
dirty talk on the phone or by email. What makes her think he’s in
any way interested in adding benefits to the friendship?