Frayed (Torn #2)(10)

“Thank you,” I murmured as my hand reached out for the tea. It shook slightly as I brought it to my lips. The nurse sat next to me as I finished the snack she had brought, silently giving me comfort with her presence. I had the impression it was mandatory to eat them since we were barred from eating anything the night before and because of the blood loss from the procedure.

Before I checked-out of the private clinic, the nurse gave me a year’s supply of birth control pills, condoms and was told to get myself checked three weeks later to make sure my uterus was intact and not scarred from the procedure. I bravely bid her goodbye before I left the place.

The driver helped me to get inside the car, once I was comfortably seated, I heard him clear his throat. “Ms. Stevens, I was told to give you this.” The driver handed me a letter.

I dared not to open it until I reached my place. I knew what it was, though. It was Harry’s goodbye. The idiot wasn’t brave enough to come and see me through this ordeal. He wasn’t courageous enough to face me in person to end our affair, either. The letter was the best he could muster.

After the three-hour jaunt, I was finally back at my place. My fingers were fumbling as I tried to open the small piece of paper that held my life, my love. My eyes scanned the letter, but all I could see were the words, I’m sorry to do this, but this has to end.

My fears were right. I knew it was coming and yet I couldn’t bring myself to really believe it. Now here it was, in bold lettering. With shaky legs and in a trancelike state, I sought the toilet. Something recoiled in my stomach and I tried to wretch all of it out, but nothing came. I sadly laughed about it as tears flowed. “I’m not even granted some release from the pain.” Torture me some more, karma. Give me all you’ve got until all the fight’s left me.





Chapter 4


Present


Trista



We arrived in Aspasia mid-afternoon on a Tuesday. Lindsey look well rested since she slept most of the flight from LA to London, and another few more hours from London to Athens. I was glad she was wide - awake during our short Cessna flight from Athens to Aspasia. I didn’t sleep a wink on either flight since , it had been impossible. I was left alone with my thoughts, which liberally played havoc with my sanity, so having Lindsey final awake during the last leg of our journey had been a relief.

I heard Lindsey make an excited squeal. “Man, Emma wasn’t kidding about these pimped out golf carts.” I saw her greet the driver and shake his hand. The young Greek male looked enthralled but a bit shy about it. I walked over to the cart and hopped inside.

Lindsey was busy talking to the man. How long have you worked here? How old are you? Do you watch when they start filming? She kept going on and on about everything. That’s Lindsey for you.

Okay, I admit that the island was absolutely gorgeous, and that I am a wee bit excited to be spending a month here. The beautiful Aegean Sea was breathtaking to look at. The soft clean breeze that went along with the view helped ease some of my tension.

From the looks of it, this private island was well equipped with everything. The lavish design and architecture showed understated elegance. It was modern-meets-old-school-Mediterranean-style.

When the driver stopped at the very last cottage on the lane, Linds and I immediately hopped out. “Your belongings will be delivered shortly. Miss Emma is still out filming, but someone is here to welcome you. Enjoy your stay in Aspasia. More importantly, have a lot of fun in Greece. You have never seen true beauty until you’ve seen Greece.” The young man grinned at us and gave us a nod before he left.

“Oh, God! I think I really love the idea of being friends with a celebrity now!” Lindsey announced gleefully before she strode towards the cottage and pushed the buzzer. I was about to respond to her statement with some smartass remark, but the door was yanked open by a guy who was only wearing beach shorts and nothing more. Ripped, tanned muscles , up close and personal was such a heady thing. His hazel eyes looked amused as he watched both of our faces. “I’m Taylor Montgomery, Bass’s friend. Come on in. They should be here in a couple hours or so.”

Lindsey held out her hand. “Lindsey, Emma’s best friend.” Taylor jovially shook it, smiling down at her. She then pointed her thumb at me. “This is Trista, second in command.”

I wanted to roll my eyes at her statement but refrained from doing so. “Second in command of what?” Taylor inquired as he smiled down at me . , H h is eyes twinkled mischievously.

Now, why wasn’t I surprised that Bass Cole’s best friend was another version of him? True, Bass rocked his own hotness planet, but this Taylor dude was not far off. He could be the moon of that hotness planet. Bass was… well, just Bass… but this dude was sculpted more and it was topped off with a pretty face. In what sense? You couldn’t find a singlefault with his facial features, that’s what. Not like I could find any with Bass, but there was just something more to his friend.

“Top secret girly protocols.” Lindsey started to stroll towards the living room, leaving me with Mister Pretty.

“Are you an actor, too?” I asked while I followed Lindsey inside.

Taylor gave a light chuckle before he shook his head. “Nah, nothing like that, though I model from time to time. I’m a law student, actually.”

I perked up from his response. Mister pretty boy is loaded with legal mumbo jumbo, interesting mix. I definitely didn’t see that one coming. He looked like he wanted to chat some more, but I wasn’t up for it. He and Lindsey could do that without me. “Do you know which rooms are available? I want to rest for now.”