One Step Closer(75)

Wren’s skin flushed as she sat in the tub, her knees drawn up and her arms covering her breasts. “Get out!” she demanded again. “Or, give me a damn towel!”

Macy’s face split into a nasty grin. “Not a chance. You’re gonna listen to what I have to say. If you think you can come in here, bat your baby blues and have him on his hands and knees, think again!” Her tone was menacing and her nostrils flared.

Wren didn’t think she’d ever hate another woman more than she did her mother, but Macy was running a close second. However, if Caleb really did love her, Wren didn’t want to cause him problems, no matter her own feelings.

“I’m not mooning over him. It’s really not like that,” Wren said evenly, shaking her head. It wasn’t easy; Macy’s words cut her to the bone, but she’d be damned if she’d give her the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. “I want him to be happy.”

“How cute,” Macy leered.

Wren realized that if she just let Macy say what she came to say, maybe the other woman would leave her in peace. “Can you let me get dressed and then we can talk? I’m getting cold.”

Macy regarded Wren with guarded eyes, and Wren, now without the complete coverage of the water started to shiver.

“Boohoo.” Macy folded her arms around the towel, completely ignoring Wren’s request. “I see the way you look at him. He feels sorry for you, so don’t mistake the obligation he feels toward you for more.”

Wren bristled. “I don’t. Give me the towel!” she commanded.

Macy looked at Wren with pure, unadulterated hatred. “I’ll leave, but just one more thing… give his mother’s locket back! He’s too much of a gentleman to ask for it, but he wants me to have it. He told me some sob story about why he gave it to you, but it wasn’t supposed to be forever.”

Wren’s jaw jutted out indignantly as Macy’s vapid demand landed. Direct hit. Her eyes started to sting and she began to tremble, as the air in her lungs left in a whoosh. Caleb hadn’t asked her for it in all the years since he’d given it to her, and it never occurred to her to give it back. She couldn’t believe he would be so heartless in telling Macy the circumstances around it; not after their morning together. Her heart started to pound in her chest and she could feel the heat of embarrassment begin to creep into her cheeks.

Macy made no move to leave, and Wren had had enough. She no longer gave a damn about modesty. She stood up abruptly in the tub and the now tepid water rushed down her bare skin; some of it splashing onto the marble floor and the plush throw rug that lay by the tub. Lunging at Macy, Wren’s hands fisted around the towel as she yanked with all her strength. A corner of it dropped into the water, but she didn’t care.

She managed to pry it loose, but the momentum and the slippery floor sent her sprawling. She landed with a hard thud on her left hip and elbow. She’d be bruised for sure. “Uhhhh,” she moaned in pain.

“If this is how graceful you are on stage, it’s my advice to get a new job,” Macy said sarcastically. “Cale doesn’t like mewling little girls, so don’t go running to him. He wants a real woman.”

Wren’s heart seized in pain; the fact that Macy was calling him Cale only made her burn with jealousy. She managed to rise to her feet and face Macy. She was hurt and furious, her body was throbbing from her fall and the insults left her emotions raw. She held the half-dripping towel in front of her with her left hand, but it didn’t cover much. She pulled her right arm back and landed a full palm slap to Macy’s face with all her might. The contact of skin on skin made a loud pop in the confines of the bathroom that echoed off the marble walls.

Macy’s hand flew to her cheek as she stepped back in surprise. “How dare you!”

“You didn’t expect that, did you? Get the hell out of here, right now!” Wren was seething, and frustrated tears filled her eyes as she railed at Macy. “Cale has enough to deal with, so don’t you dare mention this to him, because if he asks me about it, I’ll tell him the truth! He’s had my back since I was fourteen, and he knows me better than he’ll ever know you. I’ve never lied to him and he won’t doubt me. Now get out!”

Wren whisked past the stunned woman into the attached bedroom, throwing down the towel and quickly pulling on some old grey sweatpants and a long sleeve T-shirt. She whirled on Macy, her chest heaving. “I might be smaller than you, but I promise I’m stronger! I said get out of here! Now!” she almost screamed.

Macy was still stunned by Wren’s unexpected bravado, and walked quickly from the room; still holding her face.

When Wren was alone, she bounded forward, slammed the door, and then fell to her knees as furious sobs overtook her. She couldn’t breathe and she couldn’t see beyond the tears raining from her eyes.

She was heartbroken.

Macy would make it impossible for her to have any kind of relationship with Caleb in the future. It would be more than distance that would separate them and that filled her with unspeakable remorse.

Could he really have said those awful things about her? Did he really want to give the locket to Macy? She was going to lose it; her chest and emotions were about to explode. She got up and ran from her room, down the stairs, and out the back door. The night was breezy as she ran to the pool house; praying it had been left unlocked. She needed to be alone so she could come to terms with the future, cry her heart out, and Caleb wouldn’t be the wiser.