Page 94 of Constantine: Britain's Story: Part 2
“I don’t know,” I say, then think about Matthias and I together. There was something there. I mean, I don’t think anyone could fake all of it. Every word, every touch. I can see how some of it was a show. Maybe he hoped Constantine would just leave everything to him if we ended up together. Or maybe he was banking on the fact that I was just this meek, desperate woman and he’d end up with control of my shares. I don’t know, and I’m starting to feel like I don’t care if I ever know.
I have everything I’ve ever needed or wanted right here, at home. Which reminds me, we’re missing a few people.
“Hey, isn’t Carly coming today?” I ask Liam and he looks at the oven clock.
“Yeah, she’s not normally late. “His mouth slides to the side in contemplation.
“I thought she had the weekends off?” Jess says, confused.
“Monday and Tuesday are her days off. If she’s not here in an hour, I’ll give her a call, but in the meantime, who wants scrambled eggs?” Liam sets down his coffee and moves to the fridge. He still hasn’t put on a shirt, and Jess and I both ogle him, watching him work.
“How old is he again?” Jess whispers to me.
“He’ll be 50 in October.”
“And no brothers?” I laugh at her question.
“Sorry, babe, no brothers.”
“Damn, alright. I know we hate Matthias now, but do we hate his brothers, too?”
“Nope. Love Silas, still my doctor. Max just bought Liam out, so love him. And Niko, well he’s impossible to hate. Want me to set you up?” I ask excitedly. She looks excited, too, for a second before shaking her head.
“Nah, but it’s fun to dream.” I nod in agreement. I get it.
The sound of the sliding door opening pulls our attention. We all turn to see Caroline walk in through the door that leads to the back deck, freezing when she finds us all watching her.
“I, uh, couldn’t sleep. Just went and sat down by the lake this morning,” she says.
While mildly believable, the lie is obvious. I mean, I was a teenager once, too. I nod, but motion for her to come sit next to me, and when she does, I just lean over and give her a big hug.
“I love you, Caro,” I whisper in her ear. “You don’t have to tell me the truth now, but I’d love to hear it some day.” I pull away to see her cheeks turn bright pink then lean back, giving her a loving pat on her leg.
“I was wondering if we could have a big Sunday dinner here tomorrow night?” I look at Liam for his thoughts.
“Whatever you want, baby,” he says, turning back to the eggs in the skillet. “Caroline, what can I make you? Toast, scramble, fried egg?”
“Uh, scramble, please,” she asks hesitantly, at first. “You do the eggs, I’ve got the toast.” She slides off her stool to grab the loaf of sourdough on the counter and when I look at Liam, he shoots me a wink. He knows it was Caroline. We’ll probably have a dog by the end of the week.Damn. I laugh to myself.
“I’ll invite Alex, Sandy, and Jim, obviously, but I was wondering if I could invite Constantine, too? Maybe Max, Niko, and Silas?”
Liam doesn’t hesitate in answering. “Definitely,” he says, then walks around to slide eggs onto the plates Caroline’s laid out.
The mudroom door opens and Carly comes bursting into the kitchen, looking horrified when she sees us getting ready to eat.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Liam, give me the skillet.”
He laughs at her, and rebuffs her advances. “Carly, it’s fine. It’s just some scrambled eggs. We got up a little early today is all. Get some coffee.We’re fine,” he says again, when Carly just keeps standing there.
“My car wouldn’t start this morning,” she says in a rush, then looks to Caroline and then back to the floor. “And then I had to wait for James to give me a ride.”Ahhh. Time to have another “safe sex” talk with Caroline. She’s going tolovethat.
“We were just talking about getting rid of Britain’s SUV. You’re welcome to use it, if you need?” Liam offers it to her, and I don’t care at all. He doesn’t even need to get me a new car, I don’t want to go anywhere for the rest of the summer. I just want to sit by the lake and watch the girls enjoy the water, talk shit with my best friend, and love my man. And maybe have a couple Sunday dinners every now and again.
“Oh, um, that’s too kind, but I can’t really afford a BMW.” I don’t know Carly’s situation, but I know Liam is probably paying her out the nose for her to be here full time. I can tell Liam is thinking the same thing.
“I never said you needed to buy it, just use it. You know, until you get your old car fixed, or a new one. Or just as long as you need, okay?”
I know it’s going to take a lot for her to accept, but reluctantly she does. “Fine, but put down the cooking utensils and let me finish breakfast. Jiminy Crickets, Liam, you’re giving me a heart attack.” She throws her long brown hair up into a claw clip, then heads over to the sink to wash her hands. Liam sets down plates in front of our stools, and Caroline slides a piece of toast on each of them.
