Urban Climber 2 (2 page)

“So what, darling?”

“Sweet of you,” I whisper, looking into his dark brown eyes. “I can’t believe you did that for me.”

“I
love
you,” he whispers, leaning closer. “I’ve
always
loved you, and I messed everything up, doll. I screwed up then, and I screwed up tonight—but putting all that aside, I love you more than life itself. You know that, right?”

I swallow. “I guess. But I saw a side of you this afternoon that I’ve never seen before. You really, really frightened me.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, Laura. But you make me ga-ga. The thought of not being with you anymore pushes me to insanity.”

What a night. I mean,
god
, what a night. I’ve never felt so many emotions in my life. My head is throbbing, and my heart is pounding. I feel like I’ve been dragged backwards through the worst date of my life.

“Please, doll, just say something …”

“I’m in shock, I guess.”

“Why?”

“I can’t believe you cried. You never cry. And I can’t believe you told them everything, and they forgave you.”

“Do you think you can?”

I shrug. Months ago, I would have said yes—but now, after everything that has happened. How can I? Sure, I’m still attracted to him. He was a QB, after all. And not just any QB—he made all the other guys look like little boys in comparison. He was like a rock star out there. Every girl wanted him, but all he wanted was me. And when he made love to me the first time, I cried because he was everything I had ever dreamed of having—and
more
.

“Does a part of you still love me? Because if it does, don’t you think you should give it a chance?”

“Do you know how much you scared me tonight? I thought you were going to kill me.”

“Laura, please stop. Do you know how much it hurts me when you say things like that? You’re my life.”

“But you said you would never lay a hand on me, and now look at me. I’m a mess.”

“I lost my temper, and I’m sorry about that. It’s only because you scared me. I wasn’t thinking straight. I lost my head and my cool, and it was wrong.”

“But what if it happens again?”

“It won’t.”

“But what if it does, Hugo?”

“Tell me what do you want me to do, and I’ll do it.”

“I don’t know,” I mumble. “It’s not that simple.”

“I know. I’ll go and see a counselor. I’ll go and tell them what I did, and …”

“And … ?”

“I’ll go to church; I’ll ask for forgiveness.”

I pull a face. “You’ll be there a while.”

“Watch it.” He smiles, stretching out his arms. “I’m not that bad.”

I raise my brow. “Aren’t you? What about Mel?”

“I will apologize to her next time I’m in town.”

“I don’t think she’ll listen.”

“I’ll take us all out to The Plaza. She likes lobster, doesn’t she? Oysters? I could bring Harry—we could all go on a double date. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Harry?” I squawk. “He’s a bit toffee-nosed for her, isn’t he?”

“Precisely.” He smiles. “He may be able to give that girl a bit of class.”

“Hey!” I frown. “Leave Mel alone. She’s classy.”

“When compared to a burger joint, sure,” he sniggers. “So … ?”

“So, what?”

“Are we okay now? Can I have a hug?”

I wish I could forgive him as quickly and easily as my parents have. I mean, I know I have a tendency to overreact and all, but cheating is cheating. And that shouldn’t be okay in anyone’s book, whether you’re married or not. I mean, I know my parents have always been for love over war, but this is my relationship we’re talking about. My
future
. How can I just forgive and forget so easily? And how did they?

“Well?”

I drop my head to one side. “I don’t know, Hugo. After all the women you’ve been with and tonight’s violence, I’m sorry. I just don’t know if the wedding should go ahead.”

It’s like he can’t even hear me. I feel like I’m some plastic mannequin stuck in a shop window. Now he’s not even looking at me. Instead, he’s staring out the car window into the blackness, watching the planes take off. I wish I were on that runway.

“I should have gone and seen them sooner.” He pauses, his eyes fixated on the runway as another plane touches down on the tarmac. “I was just so embarrassed, that’s all.”

I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. He wouldn’t know the first thing about embarrassment. “Embarrassed?” I pause. “You? You make Mel look shy, you’re so full of confidence.”

“Not over this, Laura. I was embarrassed and shit-scared how they would take it. I know your father’s a loving man and all, but he’s still got a gun. Honestly, I was a little worried I’d leave his place with bullet holes through my dick.”

Now
that,
I wouldn’t mind seeing. “About that,” I giggle, “how
did
they react when you told them?”

“Much better than I’d thought. We had a very good talk. A long one, just like old times. I know it’s silly, but I kept expecting you to walk around the corner with a pot of tea.”

I pull a face. A really unimpressed one. “I’m not your maid.”

“Aw, come on, you know what I mean, doll. Like how you used to when we’d all sit around the table, talking and laughing. You remember those times?”

I sure do. I loved those times. Sure, my family isn’t dripping in gold like his, but the wonderful times we spent together made up for anything I went without as a child. I remember it all so clearly: soft music playing in the background, laughter, me sitting on Hugo’s lap as we all played cards together. I loved those times.

“You remember, don’t you? I can see it in your eyes.”

“Yes,” I whisper, “I remember it all like it was yesterday. What did I miss?”

“Where do I start? We talked about everything. Your mom’s vegetable garden, your father’s latest car project, and even some of the serious stuff.”

“Our relationship?”

“No, doll,” he shakes his head. “You know—your father’s health, the lack of work they’ve both had—that sort of thing.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Surely they’ve spoken to you about it? Jesus, Laura
please
tell me you haven’t disowned your parents like you disowned me.”

“Of course not,” I exhale. “They’re my life; you know that.”

His lips curl downwards. “I guess they were just trying to protect you, that’s all. Forget I said anything.”

But I can’t. Of
course
I can’t. They
are
my life. They were the ones who saved me from going from one foster home to the next. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I’d be. “What did they say? Please, you’re worrying me.”

“I’m so un-thoughtful,” he sighs. “Please just forget it. This was meant to be a magical night, and I keep messing it up. I’m really sorry, Laura.”

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “Just tell me what they said.”

“But it’ll just upset you. And I don’t want to do that again … ever.”

“Hugo, please,” I whisper. “I need to know what they said. I’m not asking for much.”

“Okay, baby, I’ll tell you,” he smiles, framing my face with his hands, “but I don’t want you to get upset. Promise me?”

“I won’t,” I whisper, pulling his hands from my face. “Just tell me.”

“There’s no easy way to say this, but after the heart attack, your father’s employers didn’t want to keep paying wages for a worker who may never get back to full health again. So they let him go.”

“What?” My voice splinters. “When? When did this happen?”

“At the start of the year.”

“But they never mentioned anything. They said he was on paid—”

“No,” he shakes his head, patting the top of my hand “that arrangement only lasted a month, and after that, they decided to let him go.”

“But how will they pay for—”

“Everything?” He smiles. “Exactly, doll. How are they going to do that? Your mom, bless her soul, is trying to get a second job, but so far, she hasn’t had any luck.”

“Why not?”

“Everyone is years younger than she is; she said so herself.”

“But why wouldn’t they have told me this? I could have gotten a part-time job. I could have sent back money.”

He shrugs. “I guess they didn’t want to worry you. They just want you to be happy. We all do.”

“But that’s who I am. I worry about my family and friends. I couldn’t not do that, even if I tried.”

“That’s because you’re a sweet girl, Laura. Under all this city crap you’ve gotten involved in lately, you’re a sweet girl.”

“I know that. I haven’t changed.”

He raises his brow at me. “Haven’t you?”

“No.”

“It’s just a shame that your father’s having to go through so much additional stress.”

“Because of his health?”

He smiles, bundling me into his arms. “No, if only. They’re very worried what’ll happen if the bank follows through on its threats.”

“What threats?”

“I knew it wasn’t a good idea to tell you this; look how upset you’re getting. Just forget all about it.”

“No,
please,
Hugo. I have to know.”

“They’re going to lose the house; it’s just a matter of time.”

“No.” I squeeze my eyes shut, burying my nose into his shoulder. “Don’t say such things.”

“I don’t make the rules, doll. All I know is if they don’t get money in the next three months, they’ll lose the lot.”

“But how could that be true? Surely they’ve got savings in place.”

He shakes his head. “College is expensive, Laura.”

“So it’s all my fault?”

“Of course not. That’s not what I said.”

“Well, what are they going to do? Did they say? This is the worst news ever.”

He shrugs. “Hug a few more trees, I guess. Hope that something comes up.”

“What sort of a plan is that?” I shriek. “They’ll be fucked if that’s all they’re doing.”

“Of course,” Hugo whispers, cupping my face in his hands, “but …”

“But what?”

“It doesn’t
have
to be that way. Everyone has options.”

“What?”

“Husbands like to give their wives very expensive wedding gifts, you know. They also like to look after their relatives. I can speak with the bank, Laura. I can make all their worries go away.”

“You’d do that for me?”