Promises, Promises (2 page)

Lucky for me there was an ATM machine in the back of the coffee shop. I went ahead and paid the waitress with my debit card knowing HE was going to track it. It didn’t matter at this point because a limo kept driving by, so I was pretty sure HE already knew where I was. After deleting the history on the computer and receiving my card back, I went to the ATM to check my balance. Over $10,000? How the heck did I have that much? Hmm, bank, I needed my bank to withdraw as much of that as I could. To start, I withdrew the maximum the ATM would allow so I would have cash on hand as long as I could.

Next, how do I get out of here without the limo spotting me? Hmm, nice sympathetic waitress…I bet she would know.

After explaining that I had a crazy, jealous ex-boyfriend waiting outside, she took me out the back exit and explained that if I turned left, there was an alley on the right that would lead to the train station. My bank was also conveniently located near the train station.

Such crazy cloak and dagger stuff…who would have ever thought I’d have to think like this? I should have known HE would show HIS true colors two years ago, but I was blinded by greed and desire to be “the one” to change HIM.

I ran down the alley and turned the corner; just as the waitress said, there was the train station. I noticed my bank to the right and tried to blend in with the crowd and ran into the bank. I needed as much of that money as I could, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to touch my account ever again.

The person greeting people at the door signed me in and I waited in a chair until the next desk person was available.

I sat there trying to keep my leg from shaking. Each passing second I felt like HE would come bursting through the door and…what? Do what? What would HE do? I didn’t know and hoped not to have to find out.

If I weren’t so nervous, this actually might be a little funny. Running from limos through dark alleys and withdrawing large sums of money…It seemed so silly and a bit ‘cliché’ out of a movie.

Finally, it was my turn after what felt like an hour. I was led over to a desk behind a plexiglass cubicle wall. Mr. Bank Guy sat behind his desk with his hands folded and propped up. A smirk from his round, pink face and balding head made me feel like I was doing something wrong.
I explained to him that I needed to withdraw my full amount, but needed it in cash.

Martin Cannon, according to the name plate on his desk, had me fill out several forms with a smarmy smirk on his face the whole time. Finally, he got up and seemed to waddle over to the bank vault.

After a short period of time, he returned with that same smirk on his face. My heart picked up because I couldn’t help but wonder if he called HIM or something. To my relief, Martin Cannon sat down and slid a stack of bills toward me.

$10,000 in cash is a nice little stack; weighs a lot and luckily fit nicely into my purse. Or was it really HIS purse? I asked myself this as I shoved the stack of cash into my purse. Damn it. It keeps dawning on me – nothing is really mine.

I thanked Martin Cannon, stood up quickly with my heart beating out of my chest and left, realizing and hoping that this was the last place HE would know I’d
been.

I went straight to the train station and purchased my ticket, in cash, and went right to the platform and onto the train…and to my new life.

*******

The train pulled into the station four hours later and I was relieved to see HE wasn’t there. Rather, with a spark in both our eyes, I found Melanie immediately. She was just as I remembered her – gorgeous as ever with an amazing body, blonde wavy long hair and blue eyes to die for. Melanie always got attention wherever she went and had the bubbly personality to match. Even in a blue Henley shirt, faded jeans and her hair swept up in a ponytail, she was stunning. She pulled me into a huge bear hug and then introduced me to the guy standing next to her, Clark, her…well, now, my new roommate.

Clark looked kind of like Clark Kent, to be quite honest. He was tall with dark hair, but had brown eyes instead of blue, broad strong shoulders – and yes, had the dark rimmed glasses. I half expected him to pull his shirt open and show me his Superman shirt. Instead he gave me a warm hug and a sweet smile, of course after checking me out from head to toe and lingering a bit too long on my chest. He seemed to be looking around nervously and I kept wondering why. Suddenly, it dawned on me that he was probably looking around to make sure a crazy ex-boyfriend wasn’t chasing me down!

“I can’t believe you’re here and that I get to see you again after all these years!” Melanie exclaimed excitedly with a perfect smile (insert sparkle in her teeth just like a TV ad).

“Melanie, I’m so sorry about everything. Thank you so much for writing back to me.” I sighed, hugging her again.

Melanie hooked her arm with mine as we started to walk. “I’ve missed you so much. I don’t care anymore. We have so much to talk about and catch up.” She glanced at Clark with a weird quirk that made me arch my eyebrows. Melanie cleared her throat. “Let’s get going and you can see the townhouse and where you’re living now!” I wondered what that exchange was, but dismissed it quickly in hopes it was something between them and that it wasn’t about me.

As we left the train station, Melanie explained that they didn’t live far and that they have a great townhouse thanks to Flynn’s dad investing in the area early before it became the new trendy place to live. We walked down the tree lined streets with chic shops and restaurants for several blocks.

The townhouse was
brick with beautiful colonial type steps leading up to a wide inviting red door. It was just as charming inside. Flynn’s dad must have great taste or hired someone with remarkable decorating skills, because the inside of the townhouse looked like a comfortable bachelor pad out of
Better Homes and Gardens
. It was decorated in rich crèmes, blues and light green. The living room and kitchen were all open with high ceilings and brick walls exposed. A massive fireplace with a huge TV hung above it created a nice focal point for the room.

“I’ll show you your room upstairs. Lucy left all her furniture since she moved in with Max and he already had furniture. It’s like it was all meant to be, Izzy!” Melanie winked as we climbed the stairs. I smiled so brightly at hearing her nickname for me. “Isabella” is what I had been called most of my life and especially what HE insisted on calling me.

Putting a hand on mine lightly, she softly said, “When you want to talk, I’m here. I’ll let you get some sleep. The bathroom is right down the hall. Flynn has his own bathroom, but Clark and I share. There are some towels in the linen closet in the bathroom, so go ahead and make yourself at home.” And with that, Melanie walked down the hall, but turned again giving me a sad smile. “I missed you so much.”

Tears filled my eyes and I sighed, “I missed you too. I’m so sorry.” She nodded and blinked tears from her eyes before going downstairs.

I took a very hot shower thinking about how close Melanie and I had always been. She was as close to a sister as I would ever get. I met her as my roommate at orientation for college and we hit it off immediately. We did everything together and had most of our classes together.

After graduation, I met HIM at my first ‘real’ job and after only a month, HE absorbed my world. Melanie tried to caution me several times through several fights, but I didn’t want to listen to her. She knew HE was just a pompous asshole trying to control me, but I didn’t listen nor did I want to.

HE promised to take care of me and provide anything I could ever want. I agreed to HIS request to be with HIM and HIM alone, under HIS promise that HE could show me so much more.

I hadn’t heard from her after our last fight, yet here I am in her life again and she just welcomed me with open arms. With the water washing away my tears and shame, I decided I would make up the lost years of friendship and hoped I could be a better friend.

I wrapped myself in the soft towel and realized I only had my dirty clothes to put on. Frustrated, I balled my dirty clothes and held them to my towel wrapped body and went to “my” new bedroom.

The room was average size. A bed, dresser and mirror occupied most of the space. The closet was pretty good size, not that I needed much room with the one pair of jeans, t-shirt and sweatshirt I had, but I guess I could fill it with a couple more things soon. I realized the bed had sheets, a flowery comforter set on it and some clothes were laid out – a long sleeve football jersey and sleep pants. Cozy. And again, I was so thankful for my friend who I hadn’t been much of a friend to.

I put on my borrowed pajamas and climbed into the comfortable new bed and started thinking of my wonderful new life and my renewed friendship with my old best friend.

My mind wandered back to what I left. I began to wonder if HE was out there somewhere looking for me. Was HE upset that I left? Was HE going to come after me? Was I safe here or would HE seek retribution for me leaving? Did HE know the shame I felt and how disgusted I was after that? Of course HE did; I’m sure that’s why HE did it. After crying and tossing around for a little while, I finally fell into a deep sleep.

******

I awoke the next morning hearing voices downstairs and decided I might as well meet Flynn, my other new roommate. As I stood at the top of the stairs, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on their conversation.

Clark
: She’s gorgeous, but she looks pretty withdrawn. Is she going to be alright?

Melanie
: She’ll be fine. She went through some pretty horrible things before college, but she withstood that and had a great scholarship. I still don’t understand why she followed that jerk, but I’ve missed her so much over the years. She was always like the sister I never had. I’m just so glad she emailed me.

Another voice I assumed to be Flynn
: Well, if she has some psycho guy coming after her, we need to be careful. What do we know about him? Is he abusive? Is he going to try to kill her or something?

Melanie
: I don’t think he would. He has too much riding on the line. He’s rich and very powerful so I don’t think he’d do anything stupid to jeopardize that. I’ll talk to Izzy and find out more when she’s ready to talk. She just looked so tired and worn down, I wanted her to get rest before asking anything.

Voice that I think is
 
Flynn
: Well, I trust your judgment Mel. You’ve always talked about her and from the stories you’ve told us about her, she seems like she’ll fit right in.

Clark
: She’s hot. I mean, she didn’t look all that put together, but she’s smoking.

Melanie
: Hands off. Getting out of a bad relationship, she doesn’t need to get into something else right now.

Clark
(laughing): But I’m fuckin’ Superman baby! I’ll save her!”

All were laughing now at what Clark said.

Melanie
(still laughing): You’re such a dick wad sometimes! We don’t need you screwing anymore roommates. When you were with Bri, she wanted a relationship…remember, you don’t do relationships! Not to mention she left not too long after.

Clark
: Hey, I’m good! I didn’t try anything with Lucy.

Voice Assuming is
 
Flynn
: Only because Max would have kicked your ass! Give this one some space, will you?

With that comment, I started walking down the stairs. I might as well meet the voice I assumed to be Flynn. I walked into the kitchen and they were having coffee, gathered around the huge kitchen island. It seemed odd that I hadn’t noticed how large the island was last night.

Melanie and Clark were on stools and another guy was leaning on his forearms upon the island facing my direction. His eyes met mine and I instantly felt at ease. He had dark disheveled, wavy hair and deep brown eyes and a strong jaw line with a little stubble. He was wearing a faded grey t-shirt. His mouth quirked up into a smile showing perfect teeth and his deep brown eyes lit up. Wow…he was pretty easy on the eyes! He glanced at Melanie and with a deep, masculine voice said, “I think our new roommate is up.” Everyone turned to face me. I felt my cheeks heat up and I cleared my throat. “Morning.”

Melanie jumped up and ran to hug me. “How’d you sleep?” She asked cheerfully.

“Great, thanks to you making the bed so inviting. And thank you very much for the PJs.” I pulled at the collar of the jersey gesturing with both hands.

“Well, I knew something comfortable is what you needed. Want some coffee? Still sugar and tons of cream?” She asked as she pulled a mug from the cabinet while a choking noise came from Clark. I blushed thinking of what must have popped into his thoughts.

“Yes, please.” I replied ignoring his sexual insinuation.

“Sweet and creamy, just the way I like it!” Clark joked. Melanie threw a wadded up paper towel at him hoping to shut him up.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just a horny bastard and doesn’t THINK when he speaks!” Melanie chuckled while glaring at Clark.

I grabbed the bar stool next to Melanie’s empty one and sat down. Tall and gorgeous came towards me with his hand extended “Hey, I’m Flynn. Ignore Superman. He likes to tease a lot.” His hand was warm, soft and yet firm, making me feel sort of…safe? I smiled. “Nice to meet you. I’m Isa…Izzy. I’m Izzy.” I didn’t want to use the formal name HE used.

With a quizzical look, Flynn smiled back. “Very nice to meet you, Izzy. I hope you’ll like it here. Melanie has told us so much about you from your college days. It seems like you two had a lot of fun back then. Do you still bartend?” He asked referring to when I bartended at our favorite hangout “Smith’s.” It was a bar full of drunk college kids that seemed more like a huge party every night with dancing and tons of drinks. I made a killing off tips alone.

“I haven’t really worked for the past two years, actually. But I’m sure I remember how to bartend. Do you know of any place that has any openings?” Flynn and Melanie exchanged glances as if he was asking her permission. She shrugged and nodded.

“Well, my best friend owns a great club. It’s a bit upscale, but if you don’t mind that, I’m sure he can get you in there.”