Now I dropped my bags and looked around the room. A king-size bed sat in the middle. Across from it was a huge chair that used to belong to Granddad. He swore it was the most comfortable chair he’d ever owned. The rest of the bedroom was filled with over-the-top contemporary furniture that wasn’t my taste, but the guests seemed to like it, so that was all that mattered.
I made my way into the ridiculously oversized bathroom. There was a floor-to-ceiling closet system along one wall, and a large claw-foot tub in the middle of the room. On the opposite side of the closet sat his-and-her sinks, a vanity, and a spa. Light blue tones covered the walls, which reminded me yet again of Abby. She’d picked out that color—and had pretty much designed this whole bathroom.
“Jesus, Bishop, did you call and have them stock the fridge?” Hunter called out.
Turning on my heels, I walked back into the living area. The kitchen was just as extravagant as the rest of the suite. Marble countertops, a huge kitchen island, top-of-the-line appliances, a wine cooler, an ice maker…hell, you name it, this place had it.
“No, but I’m not surprised they did.” I peered around Hunter and looked into the refrigerator. It was stocked with my favorite beer and two large boards with cheese, fruit, and meat. There was also milk, orange juice, Cokes, and a dozen pepperoni rolls from my favorite Italian restaurant. “Wow, I’m going to have to give Henry a raise. He pays attention to every little detail.”
Hunter laughed, shook his head, and then pulled out one of the three six-packs of beer. He pulled one off and tossed it to me, then took the rest into the living room.
“When was the last time you were even here?” Adam asked.
I popped open my beer, walked over to the large windows, and looked out over the city. Abby was out there somewhere. Living her new life. I couldn’t help but wonder if she thought of me as much as I thought of her. If she’d slept with anyone and compared their every move to mine, like I had done with those other women.
I closed my eyes tightly and willed thoughts of her away before I answered Adam. “Not often. Only when I have to attend a board meeting or some bullshit like that.” I took a long drink of my beer.
The guys knew I played off this role as businessman I had been thrust into when my grandfather died. My father was a huge help, even though he could have been pissed my grandfather left nearly everything to me.
Dad and Mom had moved to Boston a little over three years ago, and Dad filled in for me when I wasn’t able to attend functions or meetings. He knew how much I hated it. I had learned a lot from him since Granddad died. He had, after all, gone to Harvard like Granddad. Gotten his degree in business, followed in his father’s footsteps, and moved back to his hometown of Boggy Creek after he married my mother. They loved Boston, but had wanted to raise me where Dad and Granddad grew up. I would forever be grateful to my parents for that.
“You ever run into Abby while you’re in town?” Adam asked.
I shook my head. “Never.”
“Pete and Crystal ever keep you updated on her?” Hunter asked.
Pete and Crystal Boyer had been just as caught off guard as I was when their daughter up and left everyone behind. They’d tried to understand, but I knew they had been hurt as well. I met Kyle’s eyes in the window reflection. He looked away as I inhaled, then sighed and turned to face the three of them.
“At some point, I stopped asking them about her. I just didn’t care anymore. After the divorce, they stopped talking to me about Abby altogether.”
That was a fucking lie. It was my goddamn pride that stopped me from asking. Crystal had told me Abby was working at a large nursery right on the outskirts of Boston. She also worked part-time at a florist in town. Manager or something like that.
“Can’t say I blame them. I was a little…”
“Crazed,” the three of them said in unison.
To say I had gone a little crazy when Abby served me divorce papers would be putting it lightly. I’d lost my goddamn mind. I had never been so angry in my entire life. After the anger, the hurt came. Then the sadness, before it swung right back around to anger mixed with a whole lot of confusion.
I laughed. “Yeah. They used to always let me know when Abby was home visiting. If only to warn me away from the house, I think.”
Hunter shook his head. “I know you don’t like to talk about it, Bishop, but I also know what today is.”