Page 1 of Married to the Boss

Chapter One

“Say,are you not going to answer it?” Cass asks as she hands me a cup of decaf coffee.

I glance at the screen and see Everett’s name flashing, I shake my head. “Not just yet, I’m trying to get my composure together.” This is the fourth time he’s called this morning, I’m angry, I’m hurt, and I’m confused.

It’s been two weeks and I hadn’t heard a single thing from him, and now he’s calling? I need to make sure that I’m able to get through the call and figure out what he wants. I know that I’m not over him, I’m just hoping that I can get through a call without breaking down and crying.

I’ve yet to make it through a day without tears, I don’t know what I’d do without Cassie, she’s been my support system. She’s even sleeping in bed with me, holding me as I cry myself to sleep as the reality of being without the man I love hits me hardest at nights.

“Take deep breaths and answer it. It’s best to get it over and done with now. See what the asshole has to say for himself.” She’s glaring at the phone as though it’s a ticking time bomb. She was firmly on team Everett, but as the days passed by her anger began to grow, as did mine. “He has some explaining to do.”

I smile. It’s good to have her on my side, when she came and got me from Everett’s she told me I was wrong to leave. Her exact words were, ‘I’ve seen it, Say, I’ve seen the love he has for you. There’s no way he agrees with what that old bat thinks. You and this baby are his life.’ She’d begged me to call him, to tell him everything that was said by his mother, but as the days turned into a week and then into two, she’s firmly against any reunion between us. I doubt there’d ever be one, if he loved me, he wouldn’t have waited two weeks to get in contact.

“What does he want?” I ask her, confusion has taken a hold of me and I have multiple scenarios running through my mind. Most of them involve him telling me that he wants nothing to do with me and that he’s marrying Zara.

Cassie shrugs. “Only one way to find out,” she says as she reaches for my cell.

All the air whooshes out in one breath as my cell stops ringing. “Maybe he’s given up,” I say with a little hope. I’m not ready to talk to him, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be ready to talk to him. My heart hurts, as does my pride.

Cass’ eyes narrow when my cell rings again. “Nope. Answer it, Say, tell that asshole that unless he’s apologizing and then groveling, he can shove his calls where the sun doesn’t shine.”

I tentatively take my cell from her hands, my heart is beating faster than it ever has before. Fear has me in its chokehold as I swipe the screen to answer. “Hello?” I answer and I’m proud that I’ve managed to keep my voice even. Cassie immediately reaches for my hand and holds on tight, giving me a comforting, supportive squeeze.

“Saylor,” Everett says in a whisper.

I blink, hearing his voice hurts so much more than I thought it would. “Hello, Everett,” I reply, confidently. I’m not sure where this confidence is coming from but I’m glad it’s here.

“Say,” he whispers once again. “God, I’ve missed you.”

Hearing him say those words are everything that I would have wanted when I first walked away, but it’s been two weeks. “What do you want, Everett?” My tone is hard; I need it this way, if I don’t, I’ll cave.

I hear his sharp intake of breath. “Say, I know that I’ve fucked up. I promise you that I wanted to come to you as soon as you were gone, but I needed to fix things. Make sure that no-one would ever hurt you like my mother did again.”

I close my eyes as tears threaten to fall, but I don’t say anything, I don’t trust myself right now.

“Christ, Say, I love you. I’ll always love you. You are it for me. I need you to believe me that I’m going to do whatever it takes to show you just how loved you are.”

I close my eyes tighter, he’s killing me, but I have to be strong. “Words, that’s all they are, Everett, words that I have heard a hundred times over.” Cassie grips my hand tighter as my tears begin to fall.

“Say.” My name is like a prayer on his lips.

“I’m sorry, Everett, I have to go.” I end the call as my body begins to buck and the tears stream down my face. I’m no longer able to keep the sobs in.

Cassie pulls me into her body and holds me tightly. “You did so good, Say, I’m so proud of you.”

“It hurts, Cass, it hurts so much,” I say through my sobs.

“I know it does.” She kisses my head as I cry against her. “We’re going to get through this.”

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