Barred Desires (The Deepest Desires 1)

There are somany people at this house.

It reminds me of a party straight out of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The house is massive, which is to be expected in Bellevue. It’s all very modern and stylish, with large bay windows in place of walls, and an outrageous fountain sculpture in the middle of the roundabout driveway. There is a beautiful pond located on the right side, and the property is built on a hill that overlooks the lake and the mountains. The view is immaculate, and with the sun setting, the sky is a brilliant symphony of color.

The valet greets us as we get out of the car, because rich people can’t be bothered with menial peasant tasks, such as parking their own vehicles.

This is my first time coming to Edward, Luca’s uncle's house, and he’s clearly loaded. I’m not sure exactly what he does, but I know he works for Microsoft. As far as I know, his wife doesn’t work, and he has two teenage stepsons, who I met at Thanksgiving.

We go inside and there are servers walking around with trays of champagne and hor d’oeuvres. Luca and I both grab a glass and begin to wander through the crowd. I don’t know any of these people, and I don’t think he does either. After a while, we see Edward, and decide to go say hi. His wife is beside him, looking positively sloshed.

“Boys! I’m so glad you made it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Luca says while taking a sip of his drink.

“You both look very nice. Clean up well, I see.”

We both smile and say thanks at the same time.

“Dinner will be in about twenty minutes, so have some fun until then.”

We head down the long hall, each grabbing a refill. I can’t imagine living here; there’s no way you wouldn’t get lost. We find a tiny alcove at the end that seems to be empty, so we head over. Luca rests against the wall, letting his head fall back.

“This is stuffy and boring,” he says before taking another sip. “I’m already ready to go home.”

I look around to make sure we’re alone, then slide my arms around him, inside his suit jacket. He’s warm and smells like the ocean. Burying my face in his neck, I inhale deeply. Before him, I never knew that a scent could be calming, but his is. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, placing his cheek on my head.

Placing soft kisses along his jaw and his neck, nipping at his ear, goosebumps decorate his body from the contact. His body is so responsive to mine.

We stay like that for several long minutes, finding solace in each other’s embrace.

“Boys?”

We both freeze at that one word, and slowly turn behind us to find mom standing there. She looks stunned, and her eyes are a little wide, but she schools her features beyond that.

Well, shit.

“Uhm, hi, mom.”

“Uh, hi.” She sounds about as awkward as I feel right now. “I know we just got here, but your father isn’t feeling well, so we want to head home. We couldn’t find you, but Edward said he saw you come this way, and…”

And you found us holding on to each other like lifelines.

“What’s wrong with him?” Luca, thankfully, interrupts my thoughts.

“He’s a little nauseous and has had heartburn all day.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s go, then.”

She looks between both of us curiously, before turning back toward the main part of the house. We follow behind her, giving each other an “oh fuck” look.

* * *

The car ride is quiet,and the tension is thick. I know mom hasn’t told Andrew what she walked in on, because she hasn’t had a moment alone with him since then, but I don’t doubt she will tonight. Luca and I should probably talk about it before it gets to that point, so we’re on the same page.

“Honey, what are you doing?” Mom asks Andrew. I look up and find him pulling off the highway to the shoulder.

“Honey?”

Looking at Andrew, his face is screwed up and red. He looks like he’s sweating. That can’t be good.

I look over at Luca, and he seems to be as confused as I am.

“Sarah, call 9-1-1.” He’s now stopped the car and is getting out.

“What?! Why?” Mom’s voice has elevated to a frantic level. She doesn’t handle pressure very well.

“Sarah, call an ambulance. Now, please. I think I’m having a heart attack.”

Luca and I get out of the car and go to Andrew right away while my mom panics and calls for help.

“Dad, where are you hurting?” Luca asks, his voice urgent and shaky, which is how I’m starting to feel.

“Chest. It’s, ah. It’s tight. My arm is numb.”

“Sit down over there.” We both take his arm and lead him to the grassy area. He’s visibly sweating right now, trying to rip his tie off. It’s clear he’s having trouble breathing, and I have no fucking idea how to help him or what to do. Luca looks as lost as I do, and I can see the worry in his eyes.

He already lost his mom, he doesn’t need to lose his dad, too.

I start to panic as the ambulance pulls up behind our car. They pile out of their vehicle and start moving quickly and efficiently. They have him lying down, with oxygen on his face, taking his vitals. One of them is asking us questions, but I don’t even know what they’re saying.

I am FREAKING out.

I need to pull myself together for my mom and Luca, but fuck, I can’t lose Andrew. Luca can’t lose him. My mom can’t lose another husband.

Breathe, Branson. Fucking breathe.

As they get him set up inside the ambulance, Mom lets us know she’s riding with them, and we’re to follow them in their car to the hospital. Luca is trembling when he takes the car keys and looks like he’s seconds away from tears.

“Hey.” I reach out and grab his shoulder, urging him to look up at me. “Let me drive. It’ll be okay. He’s strong, and he’s young. He’ll be okay, babe.”

A tear falls from his eye, and he nods. “Thank you.”