One Mistake(8)

CHAPTER THREE

Once I spent about twenty minutes with William’s family, I was pretty sure he still owed me, even including his advanced shower deposit. They were some of the most miserable people I had ever met.

“Oh, William. You are looking so thin. Have you been eating properly?” His mother, Jean Connor, hadn’t stopped nagging William since we walked in the door. She turned to me. “Have you been making sure he eats three meals a day?”

We were gathered in the Connor family kitchen, staring at one another over coffee. William was seated to my right, while Jean and William’s father, Bill, were seated across from us. William’s younger sister, Toni, was seated at the head of the table and hadn’t looked up from her phone in ten minutes. William’s older brother, Bob, had yet to make an appearance with his wife and kids. Jean was staring at me with hatred and I could feel my eyes bugging out of my head. William’s hand shot over and he squeezed my leg.

“Mother, I’m eating plenty. Stop harassing Olivia.”

“Humph.” Jean grunted into her coffee. “What I don’t understand is why you would bring this young lady to our family Christmas but not bother to even mention her name on the phone. I take it this relationship has been going on for some time for it to be this serious?”

“Jean. Leave the boy alone. If you keep this up, he won’t even come to next year’s Christmas.” Bill Connor shot an angry look at his wife. “Olivia, tell us about yourself. What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a lawyer.” I felt William’s hand tighten on my leg again.

“A lawyer? Very good.” Bill gave William an appreciative look. “What type of law do you practice? Do you work at a firm in the city?”

My mouth opened and closed several times but no words came out. William sighed deeply and said, “She works at Gravity, father. On the legal team.”

Bill blinked and clenched his jaw. “Is that so?”

“William, honey. Should you really be dating an employee?” Jean shot me another hateful look. “I don’t picture this ending well.”

“Good to know that you are already picturing it ending,” William spat. His leg was shaking furiously and now it was my turn to give him a squeeze.

“I have to side with your mother on this one. You lack of good judgment could jeopardize your company.” Bill smiled stiffly at me. “No offense intended, dear.”

“Of course not. Why would that offend me?” I muttered.

“You’re out of line. Both of you.” William’s body had gone rigid and a fire burned in his eyes.

“Maybe we should go,” I whispered to him. He looked like he was about to snap and I didn’t want him to say something he would regret later.

“I would if I were you,” Toni said, looking up for the first time. “This is as good as it’s going to get right here.”

“Close your mouth, Toni,” Jean commanded. Toni shrugged and went back to her phone but William wasn’t as accommodating.

“She’s not wrong,” he said. “Unless you plan to keep your thoughts about my relationship to yourself, we should leave.”

William pushed back his chair and neither parent made any attempt to stop him. He pulled my chair out as I stood and I followed him from the room. “Are you sure you want to leave, William.”

He whirled on me. “Were you listening in there?”

“Don’t yell at me,” I said, stepping back. The only other time I had seen him this angry was when he had threatened to kill my ex-boyfriend, Paul. “I’m on your side, William.”

He flinched when he saw the fear in my eyes. “Christ, Livy. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”

“It’s okay.” I let him take my hand, which was shaking.

William’s stepped closer. “Are you scared of me?”

“Not exactly.” I couldn’t really explain it, but ever since Paul had lost it on me, I found myself cowering anytime a man around me became angry. I explained it the best way I knew how. “It’s more like post traumatic stress.”

William’s face fell. “I’m so sorry, Livy. Come here. Please.”

I stepped into his arms and the shaking stopped for both of us. My fear vanished, and his anger faded. Just as we both began to relax, the front door flew open.

“Uncle Will!”

I pulled away in time to see two tiny bundles of energy fly down the hall and tackle William around the legs. He laughed and bent to scope them up in his arms. They both looked to be about three years old to me, but I wasn’t good at guessing kids’ ages.