Beautifully Unbroken Page 18

  I threw a prawn biscuit at him which landed nicely in the corner of his eye. The table erupted into laughter.

  “Yep!” Casey cheered. “This is perfect.” She paused and then added, “So … we have some news.”

  Alex placed his fork down and wiped his grinning mouth on his napkin.

  “You’re pregnant,” Blake and I both said in unison.

  “No,” she said, “but maybe in a couple of months if all goes well.” She grinned.

  “But then won’t you be pregnant for the wedding?” I asked.

  “We have decided that there is no point in waiting,” Alex said as he grabbed Casey’s hand on top of the table. The love that was oozing out of them in that moment was mesmerizing.

  “We’re gonna book the wedding!” Casey squealed. “We’re gonna marry here in New York at Christmas.”

  “Oh my God, that’s wonderful!” I said. Blake and I both stood and rounded the table to where they both sat. Casey and I hugged while Blake and Alex did that macho man thing where they just patted each other on the back a couple of times and acted more manly than they had since they were in high school. I never understood why men couldn’t show affection to their friends the same way that women did.

  “So … that’s not all,” Casey said. “I was hoping that my maid of honour would help me check out some venues over the next few weeks. Alex has to fly back out to Vegas for a couple of days, but we don’t want to wait and miss the best place we can get.” She grinned.

  “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind,” I replied. “Have you asked her?”

  “I’m kind of asking her now,” Casey said, amused at my obvious ditzy reaction.

  It took a few moments to sink in.

  “Are you asking me to be your maid of honour?” I squealed in shock.

  “She got it,” Alex said.

  “So cute,” I heard Blake murmur.

  “Of course I’m asking you, dumb-ass!”

  Casey and I both screamed and started jumping up and down on the spot with excitement.

  “So where do we start? And when?”

  “First stop is a beautiful castle we’ve spotted. It’s like something out of a fairy tale.”

  “Okay then,” I said, lifting my glass to toast Casey and Alex. “Here’s to what’s going to be the maddest few months of your lives, but it will all be worth it.”

  Blake opened the door to let Casey and Alex out as I began clearing away the plates from the meal.

  “Well that was a really nice evening,” Blake said as he strolled slowly over to where I was loading the dishwasher.

  “It was,” I agreed.

  “Leave the dishes; we will do it in the morning,” he said, wrapping me in his arms.

  “You have work, and I have to play groom in a castle tomorrow; best to get it done now.”

  I laughed as Blake huffed and sulked off to continue tidying up.

  “I heard you and Casey talking in the bedroom earlier.” I didn’t look up; he was being careful with his words. “You have nothing to be scared of now, Jo, I promise.”

  “I know.” I nodded unconvincingly as I placed the last plate into the dishwasher, making sure not to meet his gaze.

  “This is it now. Me and you and this.” He gestured between us. “This is too strong for anything to break, I promise.”

  I nodded again before turning to face him “Is this the switch to the dishwasher, or do you have another two hidden somewhere for special occasions?” I teased.

  “That’s it.” Blake slammed the dishcloth down onto the table and walked over to me in two long steps. He crouched down, lifted me over his shoulder, and carried me screaming into the bedroom before throwing me roughly on the bed.

  He climbed over me and claimed my mouth, sucking, licking, and moaning against my lips.

  “I’ve wanted to do that to you all night,” he panted as he pulled away just for our eyes to focus.

  I smiled innocently. “I’ve wanted you to do that all night too.”

  Blake’s smile faded. “Are you gonna be okay tomorrow? I mean, I know that you want to go help Casey, and I think it will be fun for you both. But I know that what I did at the airport has brought a lot of attention to us, and I know that you hate attention. Will you be okay?”

  I reached up and pushed Blake’s hair away from his eyes “I do hate attention, yes, but I love you. And I love what you did at the airport, despite how embarrassing it was and how much attention it has caused us. But you also know why I hate attention.”

  “Sara,” he stated.

  “Yes, Sara,” I admitted. “But I know she can’t hurt me from where she is, so I think I’m gonna be okay.”

  12

  There were a few photographers hanging around outside Blake’s apartment when we drove out of the underground car park, but before anyone could see us, we had pulled onto the busy streets of New York and were heading towards my apartment building.

  “Vultures,” I said under my breath.

  “They’re just doing their job, Jo.”

  “They make a living by following people around, taking a random photo, and then selling it to a scumbag who will then make up a story to go with it.”

  “They made you see Michael for what he really was because of those photos,” he said.

  I didn’t reply as we pulled up at my apartment block.

  “I’ll see you later.” I leaned across and placed my lips to Blake’s cheek.

  “If you need me today, you call me any time. I don’t care if I have to walk off set, do you hear me?”

  “That really won’t be necessary, but thank you,” I said as I climbed out of the car and headed into the building.

  “Ah, Miss Summers, how good to see you back.”

  I smiled. “Hello, Peter.”

  “I was wondering” – he cleared his throat and leaned in closer to me – “shall we be needing extra security now that you are headline news?”

  Shaking my head, I laughed as I walked away. “Hopefully by tomorrow morning they will all be talking about someone else. But thank you anyway.”

  The lift opened, and I stepped in as Peter tipped his hat to me.

  I knocked on the apartment door, and Casey opened it almost immediately. “Welcome home!” she sang.

  “Thank you. I’ve got no keys, by the way.” I walked past her and headed into the kitchen, where I flicked the kettle on.

  “Everything is in your room, even the letters that you left for us all. It didn’t feel right opening them once I knew you were staying. You may have told me you secretly hated me for all I know.” She smirked.

  “Yeah. Good thing you didn’t open it,” I joked back.

  “It’s so good to have you back.” She hopped onto a stool and started spinning side to side, observing me. “Why don’t you look happy to be back?”

  “I am,” I admitted. “I really am, it’s just … Well, you know what it is. I’m scared again, aren’t I? And I don’t want to tell Blake, because he already thinks I can’t cope without him.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Can you?” she asked.

  “That’s something that I am going to try my hardest to do,” I said. “Why do I have to hold so much fear inside of me? Why can’t I just be carefree and not give a shit, like you?” I forced a smile.

  She smiled. “You will. In time. I just know it.”

  “Blake asked me to move in with him,” I said as I perched myself next to Casey and took a sip of tea from my cup.

  “Wow, that’s … fast,” she admitted.

  “It is, isn’t it?” I felt relieved Casey thought so too.

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I’ve told him no – not just yet anyway. Maybe when you move in with Alex it will seem the right time?”

  “You aren’t staying here just because you don’t want to abandon me, are you? Because if so, I’ll go and pack your bags for you right now,” Casey replied.

  “Partly, I suppose. But mainly because …”

&nb
sp; “Because?”

  “Because when I do move in with him, I worry that things will change; that we will change.”

  She smiled. “You are one confusing chick, Jo, you know that?”

  “Anyway,” I said, shrugging her off, “What time are we doing this thing today?”

  “We’re meeting at the castle at eleven thirty,” she replied, looking at her watch.

  “We’re meeting who?”

  Casey’s shoulders sagged as she sighed heavily. “Alex told Christina; she insisted on tagging along.”

  “Alex’s sister?”

  She nodded. “The one and only.”

  “So why the long face? You’re going to be related soon enough.”

  “She doesn’t like me, does she? She thinks I’m after Alex for his money. I mean come on, you’ve only got to look at him to know that isn’t the case. Channing Tatum has nothing on Alex; it certainly wasn’t his wallet I was attracted to, let me tell you.”

  I laughed. “It will be fine, I promise. Just do what you want to do; I’m sure she must like you now if she’s tagging along.”

  “Wants to know how much of his money I’m spending, more like.”

  “Well, he’s loaded and he loves you. Let’s go there and spend a fortune; give her something to talk about.” I winked. “I’m going to take my tea, go to my room and get ready for you to drag me around a castle all day and then tell me you don’t like it.” Stepping off the stool, I gave Casey a quick peck to the cheek and grabbed my cup.

  “I’m gonna love it; you’ll see,” she shouted as I headed down the hallway towards my room.

  Casey was right. Everything had been left in my room, including the flowers that Blake had sent me before my audition over two weeks before. Despite the slight smell of dying flowers, a few had survived; I removed them and placed them in a vase before discarding the rest.

  On my pillow were the letters that I had written, still unopened. There was also my keys, a handful of mail, and my phone.

  I plugged my phone in to charge and headed to the shower.

  After my shower, I wrapped a towel around my head, placed my nightgown on, and sat on my bed to catch up with any missed calls and messages I had received.

  There were thirty-five missed calls, one voicemail, and fifteen texts. My phone had been switched off for just four days.

  The missed calls consisted of twenty-five from Blake. Checking the call log, I found that he had called me every two minutes from when my mum contacted him until he arrived at the airport. My heart swelled with love that he had done that.

  There were two missed calls from Marcus and eight from Cooper. Ten of the texts I had received were from Blake.

  Don’t get on that plane, I’m coming please wait!

  He had sent the same message over and over again. The love in my heart grew even more. I couldn’t help the smile on my face.

  There was one text from Marcus:

  We must do lunch, something, anything, you have no idea what you are going to have done to our ratings! I love you already. Call me!

  The other four texts I had received were from Cooper.

  I’m so glad you didn’t go, hope we can go back to the way we were?

  Call me as soon as you can.

  Can I see you soon?

  The final text took me by surprise. I’m not sure it was even meant for me; Cooper must have sent it to me by mistake.

  You had better not be where I think you are, don’t ask for my help and then betray me, I will go to the police if I need to.

  After rereading that text numerous times, I came to the conclusion that it was obviously meant for someone else. But why would Cooper need to go to the police? I would ask him all about that next time I saw him.

  That left just a voicemail on my phone: “Jo …” Blake sighed heavily. “Please, please, I am begging you, do not get on that plane. Do not get on that plane! It’s not what you think; she’s my sister! The girl at the door was my sister! Your mom called; she knew I wouldn’t do that to you. How could you think I would do that to you?” The heavy noise of traffic filtered through, followed by Blake yelling at someone to drive quicker. “Skip the lights!” he yelled. “Change lanes!” It turned out that the person he was screaming at was his sister. I heard her tell him time and time again to calm down. It made me smile.

  The message continued. “I’m coming to get you, Jo, if this motherfu—”

  “Blake! Fraser is sitting right next to you!”

  “Sorry, I’m sorry.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at him.

  “Jo, look. I love you, oh my God do I love you. I can’t live without you, and if you get on that plane, I don’t know what I am going to do. Actually yes, yes, I do know what I am going to do. I am going to get on the next flight, and I will bring you back; that’s what I’ll do.”

  He started talking again, but the voicemail was already so long that he ended up being cut off. Happy tears started to roll down my face. I was crying happy tears for the first time in months. I felt overwhelmed by the love that had poured from him when he left that message. It was raw and pure emotion.

  Just as we were climbing into Alex’s car, my phone rang; it was Blake.

  “Hello,” I answered with a smile on my face.

  “Ah, good, you turned your phone back on.” I heard his relief.

  “I did. I also heard the adorable voicemail that you left me.”

  I heard Blake laugh. “I’d forgotten all about that.” I could sense the smile in his voice.

  “I certainly won’t forget it in a hurry; it was” – I took a deep breath – “beautiful. Apart from the language you were about to use in front of Fraser, of course,” I said, trying my hardest to be serious.

  “Of course,” he laughed.

  “I miss you,” I admitted.

  “I miss you too, beautiful. I just wanted to check that you are okay without me.”

  “I’m fine,” I admitted. “We’re just leaving now for the castle, so I’m going to have to go.”

  “How are you getting there?” he said, panicked.

  “Casey has Alex’s car while he’s away, why?”

  “Because I don’t want to hear that you have gotten into any more cabs, okay?”

  “Yes, boss,” I joked.

  “I’m serious, Jo; there are some real nut jobs out there. I want you safe.”

  I smiled. “I’m not getting into a taxi. We are in the comfort of Alex’s Audi, okay? So just relax.”

  “This weekend we’re gonna go get you a car.”

  “I will get a car,” I corrected him, “when I decide to.”

  “This weekend, no excuses. I need to get back. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  The castle was outstanding. Christina and I fell in love with it from the moment we stepped inside. Casey, however, didn’t agree. “It’s too … old,” she said, scrunching up her nose.

  Christina and I both laughed. “It’s a castle,” I said. “Castles are old, Casey. What were you expecting? The princess castle at Disney World?” Christina and I both sniggered, and Casey sighed, appearing defeated.

  “I really thought I would like it here,” she said, quietly disappointed.

  “It’s the first place we have seen; let’s go look somewhere else,” Christina suggested.

  “Fine by me,” I admitted.

  “I didn’t see anywhere else that I liked,” she moaned. “I wanted something different, something nice.”

  “How about the lighthouse?” I suggested. “That’s different and very nice.”

  “And very pricey,” Christina added, prompting me and Casey to give each other a knowing look.

  “Of course, the lighthouse.” She smiled and winked at us. “Let’s go.”

  “Nope.” She shook her head. “It just doesn’t feel …” Casey’s eyes roamed the room, looking for answers. “It’s too …”

  “Old?” I asked.

  “No.”

 
Christina piped up. “Expensive?”

  “No. I just don’t feel it,” she sighed. Christina appeared relieved.

  “Look,” I said, “let’s go get some lunch, then head home, and we can sit down and go through every single venue New York has to offer and visit some more tomorrow.”

  “I’m sorry, you guys; I’ve taken up all of your time today for nothing.” She frowned.

  “It’s not for nothing; I’ve enjoyed it.” I gave her a quick hug.

  “You want to come too, Christina?” Casey threw me a death stare but appeared relieved when Christina said that she had plans this evening so needed to go.

  “Maybe we can do dinner one night?” she asked.

  I smiled. “Definitely. I’ll get your number from Casey and call you.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We watched Christina drive off before getting into the Audi and heading to lunch.

  “See, she isn’t so bad. She seemed nice and was interested in helping.”

  “You saw her face,” Casey said, shocked. “She nearly fell through the floor when you suggested the lighthouse.”

  We both laughed. “It was funny, I have to admit. You should have booked it there just to see her reaction.”

  She frowned. “I’m never gonna find the right place, am I?”

  “Of course you are. They just haven’t built it yet,” I joked.

  We ate at our favourite bistro, and for a moment I had completely forgotten that I was the centre of a YouTube video sensation until I spotted two girls sitting not far from us pointing and whispering.

  “And now it begins,” I sighed as I took a sip from my latte.

  “What does?” Casey asked, confused.

  I nodded towards the young girls, who weren’t even trying to hide the fact that they were talking about me and Blake.

  “Ah sweet, you have fans,” she teased.

  “No. Blake has fans; I have haters,” I said in frustration.

  The girls decided to approach slowly, one pushing the other forward and then retreating, and vice versa.