Chapter 21: Forgot To Tell You Something: Chapter 21

Why is it that when you’re in a hurry, the elevator moves at a snail’s pace? I saw Owen’s car in his parking space. He’s home, and hopefully he won’t have a meltdown when I share my news.

I ride to the top floor, a small smile playing on my lips. Now that I’ve had a few hours to get used to the idea, I’m excited. Who knew that one day I would become a mom?

I knock on the door, my curiosity piqued when I hear the familiar clacking of high heels across the floor inside. When the door opens, every sense goes on high alert.

Judging by her finely tailored duds, she’s definitely not the latter. In fact, I wager her outfit is worth more than my entire wardrobe.

The woman possesses an exotic beauty that is breathtaking. She’s already tall, made taller by her four-inch designer shoes, and willowy as a sapling. Her dark hair falls in waves around a picture perfect face, with bright green eyes and caramel hued skin that I would kill to have.

I shift uncomfortably as she peers down at me, acutely aware of my ripped jeans, Iggy Pop t-shirt, glasses and fedora.

“Can I help you?” she inquires, her hand resting on the door, her eyes narrowing in my direction.

“I’m here to see Owen.”

“And you are?”

Who the hell is this? His new bodyguard? “I’m Tally. I saw his car in the lot, so I know he’s here.”

Her pupils dilate, but beyond that, her features are unreadable. “Tally, huh?” She gestures into the apartment. “Come in. Owen will be right out. He’s in the shower.”

I spin on my heel, my eyes bulging at her statement. “He’s in the shower?”

“Yes, a server spilled coffee on him.”

I release the breath I’m holding, willing my heart to settle.

“It happened during lunch.”

Heart rate speeding up again. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

She extends her hand. Her perfectly manicured hand, dripping with all manner of gemstone jewelry. “I’m Charlotte Auerback, Owen’s fiancée.”

My heart is pounding so loudly in my ears that I must have heard this woman wrong. “His what?”

“Fiancée. Well, until a couple of months ago. We’ve been on a break.”

I open my mouth to speak, but all I can manage is gasping like a fish out of water.

His fiancée?

A couple months ago?

They’ve been on a break?

“Charlotte, who are you talking to—” Owen strolls into the room, wearing only a pair of shorts, a towel slung around his shoulder. His face pales when he sees me, his hands dropping by his side. “Tally. You’re early.”

I’m the woman who knows what to say. A witty comeback or a biting remark, I’m always on point. But not this time. All I feel are the walls closing in as the reality of the situation slaps me in the face.

“Yeah,” I manage, my gaze on the ground, my stomach contents threatening to emerge all over Charlotte’s Louboutin heels.

“I see you’ve met Charlotte.”

“Yes. I’ve met your fiancée,” I spit out, my gaze finally rising to meet Owen’s. I will the tears to stay in my skull, but the sons of bitches don’t listen.

Owen’s jaw slackens. “No, she’s my ex-fiancée. Darlin, let me explain.”

He takes a step toward me, and I leap back. “Don’t touch me.”

“Charlotte, you need to go,” Owen bellows, throwing open the door.

“What about our arrangement? We need to discuss this project, Owen. It’s a tremendous opportunity for you.”

“Go. Now,” Owen repeats, the veins bulging in his neck.

My stomach can’t take any more. I push between them and dash into the bathroom, losing my lunch along with the last vestiges of my hope and sanity. I sink to the floor, leaning against the vanity as the tears stream down my face.

I’m such an idiot. A naïve fool.

Love doesn’t exist, at least not for me, and the gorgeous woman outside is proof of that fact.

“Tally, Darlin, are you okay?” Owen knocks at the door and I hear the panic in his voice.

Part of me wants to remain locked in the bathroom forever, until I cease to exist, never having to face the devastation of my reality. But, I also know that piece of shit owes me some answers and this time, I’m going to get them. I won’t let him walk on me like the last bastard I trusted.

I stand up, sucking in a lungful of oxygen as I stare at my reflection. I have to keep it together. I have a baby to consider now. A baby that Owen will never know about.

I splash water on my face, my hand pausing on the doorknob. With a last sigh, I throw open the door, pushing past Owen as I storm into the living room.

Screw explanations. Right now, I can’t handle being in the same vicinity as Owen.

Besides, do the reasons even matter? He betrayed me.

My trust.

My heart.

My God, my heart hurts.

Owen grabs me around the waist as I reach for the front door, pulling me against him. Wrong move. I’m in no mood for coddling, and certainly not by him. I push at his hands, locked around me, squirming like an insane patient.

“Let me go,” I wail, feeling his grip tighten around me.

Owen buries his head in the crook of my neck, as I desperately try to shirk his touch. “Please, Tally. You don’t know—”

“You’re right. I don’t anything about you. But I don’t have the energy to wade through your menagerie of stories, searching for the pearl of truth in your lies. My father is sick, and I need to focus my energy on him.”

“Did something happen with your Dad?”

I whirl in his arms, my eyes flashing with fury. “He had a rough night. I was going to call you to come with me, but I didn’t want to disturb your lunch.”

“Tally, you should have called me. I’m always here for you.”

It’s bizarre when the emotions become so overwhelming that you shut down, and a strange, detached sense of calm drifts over you like a wet blanket. You know you’re suffocating, but you cease to care.

“That’s just another line, isn’t it? You’re never here for me. Hell, today, you were busy tending to the needs of the fiancée I didn’t know you had.”

“Ex-fiancée, Tally.”

“That’s not what she said.”

He grunts, shaking his head. “Fucking bitch. She’s a liar.”

“So are you.” I push out of his grasp, standing there with defiant rage.

Owen smacks the door frame, his aggravation mounting.

“I’m not lying! Charlotte is not my fiancée. Not anymore.”

“That’s temporary, I’m sure. A business lunch. What a crock. Let’s just call it what it is—she wants you back, and she doesn’t seem like a woman who takes no for an answer. Nice outfit she had on, probably worth more than my entire apartment. Who says money can’t buy love?”

“I walked away from her. I left San Francisco because I was miserable.”

“Not so miserable that you would refuse lunch with her. If it was really over, you wouldn’t have seen her.”

“It’s about the robotics cath lab. That’s it.”

“Sure it is, Owen. Have you meant you’ve ever said to me?”

“I meant , Tally.”

I stamp my foot, releasing a howl of rage. To the outsider, I look like a crazy person, but Owen should thank his lucky stars. I’m holding back. “What is it about me that is so unapproachable you have to lie repeatedly?”

“That statement is so unfair.”

“That statement is dead-on balls accurate. I asked you why you left San Francisco, and you made up some bullshit answer that you were searching for your why. Your reason for everything.”

“I was, Tally. And I found it when I met you. Believe me.”

“You lied about being a doctor, even after I asked. You lied about your reasons for moving to Florida. You neglected to mention Charlotte, or your impending wedding. Why, for one second, should I believe anything else that you’ve said?”

“It’s the truth.” Owen takes a step toward me, but I sidestep him, shooting him a warning look to not come any closer. “Christ, I know how bad this looks, and I wanted to tell you everything, right from the beginning. But I figured if I told you I’d just broken off an engagement, and that I was in the one profession you won’t date, that you’d run screaming in the opposite direction.”

“You never gave me a chance. And now, I won’t give you another one. We have to work together, but beyond that, I don’t want to speak to you again.”

So much for personal space. Owen invades mine, grabbing my upper arms. “I won’t let you do this, Tally. I won’t let you throw us away. I was going to tell you about Charlotte at dinner.”

To think, Stefani believed Owen was going to ask me to marry him. Oh no, sweet friend, he was going to tell me about the woman to whom he already proposed. Talk about a knife in the heart.

“Really?” It’s all I can manage.

“Yes. I didn’t talk about her because I never thought I’d see her again. Charlotte means nothing to me.”

“I find that impossible to believe. You were engaged.

.”

“Charlotte and I haven’t had an actual relationship in years. I stayed because I felt—shit, this is going to sound even worse.”

I release a strangled laugh. “I doubt that.”

“I left Charlotte two years ago.”

“Two months, you mean.”

Owen shakes his head, his lips pursed into a thin line. “Two years. I told you, it was not a happy relationship. When her father found out my plan, he called me. He’s a powerful man with deep pockets. He knew that I needed an investor for the robotics lab, someone with connections within the government. Otherwise, it could take a decade for all the clearances.”

I shrug, uncertain of where he’s headed with this story, and whether I even want to hear more. “What’s the point, Owen?”

“He offered to front the investment money—all of it—if I would reconsider leaving Charlotte.” Owen rubs his brow, looking as nauseous as I feel. “I knew how many people we could save. I accepted his offer.”

If Owen expects me to thank him for his martyrdom, he’s got another thing coming. “I repeat, money can buy happiness.”

“I wasn’t happy, not with her. Charlotte was sleeping with another man. We slept in separate rooms. But her father wanted bragging rights, saying that his future son-in-law helped to spearhead the robotic cath lab. I was his prize pony. The funny thing is, the man hated me until the day he learned about the project.”

“Aww, you poor little millionaire,” I hiss, venom dripping from my lips. “Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?”

I know I’m being evil.

He deserves it.

Every last drop of it.

“No, Darlin, I only want you to understand. Charlotte and I have been nothing more than a paper tiger for years.” He runs his hand over his scalp, the muscle in his jaw twitching. “I never knew I could feel the way I feel about you.”

I hold up my hand. “Just stop with the lies—”

“No, you need to hear this. All my life, I assumed that relationships and marriage were more of an agreement. Crazy, passionate love didn’t exist. Then I meet you, and within seconds, I knew you were meant for me. You can be mad at me, but I swear on my life, there is nothing between me and Charlotte.”

“You act as if your life means something to me.” My voice is so calm, monotone. It’s as if all my feelings have packed up and vacated the premises. Good idea, actually.

“I know it does, because you don’t have a vicious bone in your body.” He picks up his phone. “I was in the shower when you texted. You said you had to speak to me, and that it’s important. Talk to me, tell me what’s going on, Darlin.”

I suck at lying. Always have, always will.

. “Perfect timing, actually. I came by to tell you I can’t see you anymore. But you apparently already made that decision. Beat me to the punch.”

“I did make that decision. Tally, please stop. You’re throwing up another wall, but I’ll bash through this one, too.”

“Why bother?”

“Because I love you more than I ever thought I could love another person. Tally, you that.”

I hate that I love him, too.

He has one last chance and his answer hinges on it. “Are you going to see her again?”

“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath. “I don’t want to, but she flew out here to discuss this business proposition—”

I wave my hand, stopping him mid-sentence. I’m finished with this conversation. And him. “No more. I’ve heard enough.”

There’s that flash of desperation in his face again. “I told Charlotte about you. About us. Here,” he grabs his phone, “call her and ask her.”

I laugh at the ridiculousness of his statement. “Wow, you never cease and desist, do you? Put your phone down, Owen. I have no intention of calling the woman who not thirty minutes ago claimed she was your fiancée. Not your ex-fiancée. Your fiancée. But Charlotte doesn’t have to worry her beautiful little head about us. There is no us. Not anymore.”

“Tally—”

My fury unleashes on him, every cell spewing rage in his direction. “You promised me you wouldn’t lie anymore. You . Owen, I’m not an unreasonable person. You’re thirty-eight years old, I know you had a life before me. I don’t hold that—or Charlotte—against you. I understand if you two have unfinished business. But you don’t tell me about her, or your past. You want me to trust you, but you withhold vital information. You can’t play both sides of the coin! I don’t know how life operates in your ivory tower, but that’s not how the real world works.”

His eyes fill with panic as he steps toward me, beseeching me to understand his predicament. Not happening. Not anymore. “I’m not lying, Tally.”

“You failed to tell me the whole truth, Owen. That’s the same thing.” I pull open the door to his condo, my tears making an encore appearance. “You’re a fucking bastard for doing this to me, after I was willing to give you another chance.”

“Please don’t leave, Tally. Let’s talk about this. I’m begging you.”

“You don’t have that right any longer. It’s over.”

I feel sorry for the cop if I get pulled over. He’ll be stuck listening to my story, as I sob in the driver’s seat, my shoulders hunched from the weight of another betrayal.

Stefani’s house isn’t far from Owen’s condo, which is a good thing because I’m not safe on the roads at the moment. I pull into the driveway and pound on my friend’s door. I’m not sure how many more rescue missions she’ll abide within a twenty-four-hour period.

“Lu? What in the world happened?” Stefani pulls me into a hug, rubbing a soothing hand along my back. “Is it your Dad?”

I shake my head and open my mouth to speak. Trouble is, every time I do, sobs fall out instead of words. I never realized how many tears one human could hold.

“Shh,” she whispers, leading me to the couch. “Sit down. You want some tea?”

I shake my head. It’s the only communication I seem capable of, beyond the ever-present crying.

She sits next to me; her face lined with worry. “I thought you’d be at Owen’s by now for that big romantic dinner.”

Nothing like turning the faucet on full blast. My sobs turn into wails, and I’m thankful her neighbors aren’t home. I sound like a damn banshee.

“What did the bastard do? I’m going to kill him.” See? That’s a ride or die. She doesn’t ask questions, just shows up with a shovel to bury the body. She grabs her phone, shaking it in my direction. “Do I need have a chat with Owen? Because I will. That son of a bitch. Did he tell you to get rid of the baby? Don’t you listen to him, Lu. That sorry sack of—”

“He doesn’t know about the baby.”

Her worry lines deepen into confusion. “Wait, what am I missing?”

“I stopped by Owen’s condo earlier. I couldn’t wait. I wanted to tell him,” I snuffle, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “You can imagine my surprise when his fiancée answered the door.”

My best friend blanches white under her golden spray tan. “His what?” she shrieks.

“His fiancée. She’s gorgeous and horribly wealthy and important. Her father financed Owen’s robotics cath lab. Single-handedly.”

Stefani claps her hand over her mouth, her entire body trembling with anger.

Have I mentioned how much I love this woman?

“Holy shit, Lu. Where the fuck has she been?”

I shrug, because I’ve no idea. Does it even matter she’s been? That she exists is what threw me for a loop. “San Francisco, I suppose.”

“I’d love to know how that piece of crap tried to weasel out of this one.”

“Owen told me he broke it off when he left San Francisco. But she informed me they were only on a break.”

“Which is it?”

“Does it matter?”

“Lu, it matter. If Owen broke up with her, then it’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal?” I shriek, deafening everyone within a quarter-mile vicinity. “He neglected to mention he was engaged! Eight weeks ago.”

“They broke up right before he moved here? Damn.”

I flop back against the couch cushion. “Yeah. Hi, I’m Tallulah, the rebound girl, who is also pregnant with the bastard’s baby.”

Stefani strokes my hair, her face awash in sympathy. “What are you going to do?”

“About the baby?” I croak.

“Yeah.”

“I’m not telling Owen about the baby. Chances are, he’ll be leaving for the west coast soon anyway, since his fiancée has come to fetch him. Did I mention she’s gorgeous?”

“You’re gorgeous, too, Lu.”

I shake my head so hard I’m shocked my brain doesn’t rattle. “Not like her. She’s pretty like you. She’s movie star elegant. I can’t imagine what he thought when he was fucking me.”

I admit that I’m hosting a pity party, but considering the week I’ve had, I think I’ve earned some wallowing time in my sea of sadness.

“Lu, you’re beautiful, and Owen is a tool for not telling you about his—whatever she is now. But he still deserves to know he’s going to be a father.”

“No, he doesn’t. Don’t you tell him, Stefani.”

“Sweetie, you’re furious with him for being dishonest, but now you’re lying.”

“Different scenario.”

“Not really. Look,” she adds, blotting my eyes with a tissue, “let’s just watch a chick flick and camp out on the couch with junk food. Sound good?”

I nod, but in truth, it sounds terrible. I want to be curled up in Owen’s arms, feeling him smile against my hair when I tell him he’s going to be a Dad.

But, like Mick Jagger said, you can’t always get what you want.