Scarred Beauty(21)

Wiping her tears away, she gave him a laugh. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Talk to me, Elle.”

“Do you take this much care of all your clients?” she asked. The cruel words were not intended to hurt. She cringed when she thought about what she’d said. Bringing up his choice of career wasn’t the smartest or the nicest thing to do.

“You’re special to me. Tell me what’s wrong.” His words commanded her to respond to him. With a sigh she relented.

“I’m missing you.” She wouldn’t give him the whole truth. Allowing Isaac to have that much control over her would be a mistake.

“Can I see you?” he asked.

Her heart kicked out of her chest. The wants and needs she’d been upset about rose closer to the surface at the mention of seeing him.

“When?”

“Tonight.”

Biting her lip she thought about Brad. He hadn’t been getting home ‘til late. She could leave early and avoid talking to him. He never looked chatty anymore.

“I’d love to. Same time?”

“Yes, and, Elle ... wear something nice.”

“I wear something nice all the time.”

“I know. What I meant was wear a skirt or a dress. I’ll drive you home and make sure you stay warm.”

She nodded her head and then realised he couldn’t see the action.

“I will. I promise.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Okay.”

Isaac hung up the phone. In the small amount of time he’d been on the phone her whole world had picked up. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was only three hours until she’d be able to see him. She went straight to the bathroom and began running herself a bath.

The lemon scent of her bath salts soothed her as she undressed. Minutes later she was climbing into the tub and soaking her body in the water.

She jumped as she heard Brad slam the door when he entered the apartment. There was no way of knowing the time. From the curses she heard, she knew his encounters with Ben were not going so well. She felt like a bitch for not knowing everything that was going on in his life.

He knocked on the bathroom door. She made sure her body was covered by the bubbles in the water before calling out to him to come inside.

“You’re taking a bath early.” Brad walked in and closed the door before sitting on top of the toilet seat.

“I’m going out to meet a friend later.”

“Do I need to meet this friend?”

Noelle shook her head. She knew he wasn’t in the bathroom to talk to her about whom she was seeing.

“What’s the matter, Brad? You haven’t been the same for a while now, and you’re starting to scare me. You’re not drinking again are you?” She’d never thought about him falling off the wagon. He’d been sober for so long, falling off now would be disastrous.

“Nothing like that. I can’t get Ben out of my mind. Something happened between us when I was drunk and full of the drugs. I don’t know what it is, but I feel it’s bad.” He let out a sigh of frustration. She saw how annoyed he was at himself. Sometimes, she could read him like a book.

“Have you thought about talking with him about this?”

“He doesn’t want to talk about it. All he says is that I’m not ready to hear. What did I do? Is it possible for someone to forget something so horrible?” he asked. He wanted answers, but she couldn’t give them.

“Brad, I don’t know. Maybe. I guess.”

“Could I really hurt someone that badly in drink?” he asked.

She saw the tears forming in his eyes. They were two fucked-up people.

“You need to talk to Ben.” Noelle grabbed her towel and stood while he had his head in his hands. She wrapped the towel around her body, got out and went to him. She pulled him into her arms. They’d never had a physical relationship, of course. Neither felt anything for the other besides the love of friendship. “Don’t do this to yourself. You deserve better.”

She stroked his hair as he let go. The tears poured out of his eyes as he sobbed out his grief, the pain of so many mistakes coming out at once.

They lay on the bathroom floor until his tears stopped, and then he pulled away from her arms. Noelle stared at him. Her friend was more important than her paid-for date.

“You’re right. I’ve got to get him to talk to me.”

“Yes. The sooner, the better. You can’t live your life guessing, Brad.” She kissed him on the head and stood up with him. “Are you using some kind of plant food? You’re getting way too tall.”

The joke had the desired effect as he began to laugh.

“I’m sorry to unload on you. You’re right. I’m going to head out and try to catch him at the club. Have a good night, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kissed her cheek and left.