Stirring Up Trouble(55)
Braden dragged a hand through his dirty hair, not having showered. “I don’t know.”
“Well, do you love her?” his father asked as if it were a simple question.
And yet, wasn’t it a simple question? Had he ever smiled as much? Ever felt as complete as when she cooked by his side and slept in his arms?
The simple question required a simple answer. “Yes.”
“Then you have your answer.”
Where did he go from here? How could he get her to forgive him? “It’s not that easy. Even if I misunderstood the situation between her and my competitor, she might have a record deal in California. She deserves to follow her dream and I don’t want to keep her from it.”
“Son, does she know you love her?”
“No,” he said, regretting he’d pushed her away.
“Life is short. You need to tell her and then let her make her own decision. Yeah, she might choose to go to California and break your heart. Or she might decide she’d rather stay in Michigan with you. Or there might be another option that you haven’t even considered. Love knows no boundaries. It survives even after we’ve long passed. Your Grandma died twenty years ago, but I still love her. Just because you pretend you don’t love Lola and she moves to California, doesn’t mean your love will end. If you love her, you need to swim against the raging seas for her.”
Raging seas. Demetrius fought for Euterpe, hoping that one day, they’d be together again. Braden didn’t know how the story ended, but he had faith they’d overcome their obstacles. He’d fight for Lola. He had a lot to do before tomorrow. “You’re right. I do. Thanks, Dad.”
“Glad I could help. It’s the least I can do,” he said with sincerity.
His father had offered the olive branch. Now Braden would accept it and make it into olive oil. “I’d love it if you and Rose would come to Acropolis tomorrow night. Lola’s giving a concert for a record producer and she could use all the support she can get in the audience.”
His father swallowed. “I’ll be there. Thanks for the invitation. Mind if I bring Patricia and her kids?”
“No. I’d love to meet the woman who gave me my father back.”
He gave a nod to his father and left for Acropolis.
He had a lot to do to win back the woman he loved. He only hoped he wasn’t too late.
CHAPTER 19
Be that though know’st thou art, and then thou art
as great as that thou fear’st
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act 5, scene 1
Demetrius swam closer, determination etched on his face even as the waves crashed into him. Every thirty years he came for her, battling the raging waters to save her from her eternal punishment. Euterpe had long given up hope they’d find a way to end their torture.
Her tears flowed warm on her cool cheeks, dripping into the salty sea. Each tear seemed to make the waves fiercer, more deadly. She couldn’t lose him again. So many drownings—hundreds, possibly thousands—always ending with her lover at the bottom of the ocean. So close, yet so far away. Her throat burned and her chest ached from the incessant sobbing.
If only she could join him.
“You can,” came a booming voice from the heavens. “You only need to hope and you shall break your father’s curse.”
She startled and tipped her head toward the sky. She hadn’t heard that voice for thousands of years, but she’d never forget the deep melodic sound of Zeus commanding the Immortals. She thought he’d forgotten her.
“How?” she asked. “No matter what I do, my siren call brings him only death. I’ve tried staying mute, but he does not heed my silent pleas either.”
“Hope, my child.”
Easy for the one with all the power to say.
She thought about the last time she’d made love with Demetrius. His calloused fingers caressing her between her thighs until stars exploded behind her eyelids. His promises to always love her. He’d proven it time and time again, for each reincarnation he had come for her. He’d never given up hope. If he could cling to that thin thread of hope, why couldn’t she?
She ceased the useless crying. Tears wouldn’t help her lover. Only strength would suffice.
The rough seas gentled. Demetrius’s arms sliced through the water effortlessly, bringing him within reach. She didn’t speak. Didn’t dare make a sound as she offered her hand. He grasped it, their fingers entwining as sparks of light shot from their hands. Breathing heavily, he climbed her rock and took her other hand in his.