Forever Winter

Cory was so pissed that I kept tightlipped on who the man was, but I was hoping once he calmed down then maybe he could help me find Robert and not kill him. I had to at least try and find the man and tell him he was going to be a father. What he did with that news would be on him.

I just didn’t want Cory getting himself into some kind of mess because of my doing. He’s been working so hard these past few years to prove himself. The last thing he needed was to get himself thrown into jail for assault.

I close the ring box and put it into my purse. I know he told me to put it on for just this weekend, but it feels wrong. I can’t bring myself to do it. My phone starts to buzz across the counter. Cory’s name lights up.

“Hey,” I say when I answer, glancing at the clock. He should be home by now. He told me he wanted to be on the road before the snow storm moved in where we were headed. The estate is over an hour outside of the city.

“I’m running behind.”

“I’m shocked,” I say with a laugh. The man works too much trying to prove himself. I’m finally going to meet his brother this weekend and it’s going to be hard enough to hold my tongue on what I think of him. He pushes Cory so hard all the time. They’re family, but I don’t think they understand how special having one is. Not everyone’s got one. A real one. My hand goes to my stomach, reminded that I’m now starting a family of my own.

“I’ve sent a car to go ahead and take you. I’ll be a few hours behind.”

“I could just wait,” I try and reason with him. It would be so awkward to meet his brother without him when I already don’t care much for him. I’m not great at hiding my emotions. Everything always plays out on my face.

“No, I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’m likely going to hit the storm. I want you to get there safely.” I rub my hand protectively over my small baby bump. I don’t want to do anything to put my baby in harm’s way.

“I’m a terrible liar,” I remind him for the millionth time. I don’t know how I’m going to do this. He told his family that we’re engaged. I’m not sure if it was to help push me to say yes or because he thought it fit the image everyone wanted. He wants to lose the party image he thinks everyone has of him and is convinced this would benefit both of us.

“It wouldn’t be a lie if you just agreed to marry me already,” he sighs into the phone.

“We don’t love each other like that.” If only we could. It just isn’t there. There’s no spark. There never has been. From day one we’ve been more like brother and sister. I can’t even call him a best friend because it feels weird and gross to talk to him about what happened with Robert in detail. It really is like he’s my brother.

“I know. It wouldn’t have to be forever. Just for a while,” he tried again.

“Cory—”

“Just keep thinking about it. Your driver is there to get you. I’ll see you later tonight and we’ll talk about it more then. I need to get things wrapped up here so I can get on the road too.”

“Fine.” I give in for the moment. I don’t want to drag out the fight. The sooner he gets on the road the better.

“Relax. You’re going to love it there. It’s practically out in the middle of nowhere. Snow and trees for miles.” He’s told me about his family’s estate many times. It really does sound wonderful—a winter paradise.

“Be careful,” I remind him.

“Will do,” he says before he ends the call. The door buzzer alerts me that the driver is here like Cory said. I slide my phone into my purse and grab my small roller bag. It would be nice to get away from the city for a while. A whole week off work sounds wonderful. It would give me time to think and to figure out what I’m really going to do. It isn’t just me anymore. That thought is both terrifying and exciting all at once.

Chapter 2

Bo

I take a deep breath, trying to get my anger under control. I’ve broken too many phones already and it won’t be so easy to get another right now.

“Is there anything else you need, sir?” my assistant Stacy asks through the Bluetooth speaker on my desk. Yeah, there is something I still fucking need but apparently no one can find her.

“That should do for now,” I tell her, ending the call. It takes everything in me not to pick up my phone and throw it across the room to try and cool my simmering rage. Then I wouldn’t have a cell phone to obsess over, hoping with each second I was going to get a call with the information that I need, but that call never comes.