CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (52 page)

“Definitely wedding jitters,” Joyce says rising to her feet.
“But unfortunately I have to get over to the office darling, collect a few
things.”

“Ok,” I whisper, deep in thought. Then I panic. “Isn’t
Tristan supposed to be in today?”

“No darling, we managed to get everything finalised
yesterday. Didn’t he tell you?”

“Didn’t really get the chance,” I mutter – No wonder he was
laughing with Edith in the kitchen when I got back, he must have been so
excited to tell me –
Oh I’m such a fuck up sometimes!

I get to my feet and hug Joyce. “Everything will be fine
sweetheart, you’ll see,” she says smiling warmly at me – But I’m still not
convinced.

“I’ll see you out,” I say not bothering to put a fake smile
on, not now she can see straight through them –
Great!

“No, you stay here darling. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Joyce
says, her eyes sparkling brightly.

“Ok,” I breathe. “Tomorrow.” I watch Joyce walk away then
sit back down letting my mind drift over the conversation we just had...

I
AM SITTING IN EDITH’S BATHROOM WAITING FOR CARLOS TO FINISH.
I don’t
want to disturb Tristan, so we are here, instead of our en-suite upstairs. I
thought I would feel more relaxed after my little chat with Joyce, but I don't
– at all. I just want Tristan to wake up so I know either way, what’s going on!
Concentrate Coral!

We have done my make-up trial, and Carlos is now doing my
hair, and as promised, I have kept my eyes closed for half an hour now. Carlos
knows what I’m like, and knows I would have been protesting every five minutes,
instead of waiting to see the finished result, which would have driven him mad.

“Finished!” Carlos says excitedly.

I open my eyes and look at my ‘wedding hair’ he called it.
Wow!

Carlos has curled my hair into big soft tendrils, loosely
scooped the crown back and pinned it into place with what looks like a very
old-fashioned hairpiece. It’s a beautiful looking piece, silver, very shiny and
has blue sapphires entwined within each delicate flower.

“It’s antique,” he says smiling at our reflections. “Our wedding
present to you.”

“Carlos, you...” I stop unable to articulate anymore. Earlier,
when I tried to the dress on, I had to fight so hard not to break down and
confess my fears to Carlos, and now this? I blink my eyes rapidly, trying to
stop the tears from forming.

“Don't you like it sunshine?” He asks.

“Yes, of course I do,” I manage to choke out.

He kneels down next to the chair, and takes my hand in his. “What’s
wrong?” he asks, gently squeezing my hand.

“Oh Carlos,” I croak. “I think the wedding maybe off,” I
sniff.

Carlos gasps. “Why?” I shake my head I don't want to tell
him. Then I think, maybe he can give me some advice? He and Rob have been
married for years now, I’m sure he can tell me something that will ease my
fears.

“Don't tell Rob,” I whisper.

“I won't, I promise. Now come on, let it all out sunshine.” I
take a deep breath and start at the beginning, when I’m done Carlos looks a
little mystified. “Is that it?” He says.

“Um...yeah?” I frown back at him.

“Coral, you’re over analysing it. Look, I get his point of
view, but I get yours too. And as for what he said, we all say things we don't
mean when we’re mad sunshine.”

“Yeah I know that Carlos, Joyce said the same thing. But I’m
pissed at him, he really upset me last night, I’m not even sure if I should be
doing this!” I squeak in a high pitched voice.

Carlos sighs sorrowfully at me. “You know he’s right for you
Coral. I know you know that.” I shake my head and fight back more tears. “Look,
if there wasn’t any wedding and he just walked out, you wouldn’t be thinking
the two of you are through, you’d just be pissed at him and the two of you
would sort it out when he woke up!”

“Maybe,” I mumble.

“Coral, do you know how many times I have told Rob it’s over
and stormed out?”

“You have?” I gasp.

Carlos titters at my shocked expression. “Yep, loads of
times, we are not as perfect as you think we are,” he says.

“But’ – “Hey, I’m not complaining, the make-up sex is really
great!” He interrupts, his eyes glinting wickedly. I think my chin actually
hits the floor. “Now, what you need to do is make him one of those fabulous
hangover Smoothies of yours, take it up to him, make him drink it, then shag
his brains out!”

I burst out laughing. “Shag his brains out?”

“Yes. Now let me get this out of your hair so you can do
exactly that!”

“Oh Carlos,” I sigh. “I really do love you. And thank you
for the gift, it’s beautiful.”

“Just like you.” He blows me a kiss. I smile back at him,
feeling a little better. I watch Carlos taking his time as he carefully removes
the hairpiece.

“Right, all done! Come on, this is defcon five! We need to
execute this plan immediately, we can't have you worrying like this.” Taking
hold of my hand, he marches me out of Edith’s bedroom...

Ten minutes later, I am stood in the
kitchen, with my coffee in one hand and Tristan’s Smoothie in the other. I look
up at Carlos, feeling very apprehensive – I’m not sure this is a good idea!

“You’ll be fine,” he tells me. “Now go on, go do what I told
you!” He adds, his eyes glinting wickedly. I sigh heavily and head back up the
stairs. Reaching our bedroom door, I silently push it open. Then I tentatively
walk across the large space and place both our drinks down on the bedside
cabinet.

Tristan is in exactly the same position I left him in
earlier. I pick up the chair, place it next to the bed, and just stare at him
while I drink my coffee. I wonder if Carlos is right? That I am over-reacting?
Or maybe Joyce is right and I’ve got wedding nerves? I sigh inwardly, pull my
leg up and gently shake him with my foot.

“Tristan,” I coo. “Wake up it’s time to drink your smoothie.”
I get nothing.
Hmph!

I take another sip of my coffee, I’m about to shake him again
when his one eye flutters open.

“Good morning,” I say, trying to sound confident.

“No need to shout.” He groans, his face contorted in pain.

It makes me want to laugh at him. There’s no way any
shagging is about to commence, besides I’m not sure I do want to shag him!

“Sorry,” I bluntly say. I put my cup down, and pick up the
Nurofen and his Smoothie. “Tristan, I promise you if you drink this and go back
to sleep, when you wake you won't even feel like you had a drink last night.”

He looks so sorrowfully at me, I thaw a little. “Ok,” he
croaks. I hand him the glass.

“Want these too?” I ask, showing him the Nurofen in my open
palm.

He nods once, his eyes half closed and drinks the rest of
the Smoothie back with the tablets. His head hits the pillow the moment he’s
done, and he’s out cold again. I smirk at him. He reminds me of me when I’m
hung-over. Taking the glass out of his hand, I pick up my coffee cup, and walk
out of the bedroom, softly closing the door behind me.

AT
TWELVE NOON, EDITH CALLS US ALL INTO THE KITCHEN
. She has made a
wonderful spread of food for everyone. There’s cold meats, pork pies, boiled
eggs, lots of salad, bread rolls and my favourite – Jacket Potatoes that have
been cut in half and have cheese melted on them – my stomach rumbles in
appreciation. Carlos, Rob, and I are sitting at the breakfast bar, whilst the
four chaps from Rob’s team are sitting round the breakfast table. I’ve never
met them before, but they all seem like a jovial bunch.

I wonder for a moment if I should take something up for
Tristan, but quickly decide against it. I’m still mad at him and worried. I have
no idea what he’s going to say to me when he wakes up, or what my reaction will
be to it, and that has my stomach fluttering with nerves, making it so hard to
eat. I put down my fork and stare into space. The radio is playing in the
background. Edith must have it on some lovey-dovey station because they keep
playing lovey-dovey songs, which is not helping!

“Knew you’d have wedding nerves!” Rob titters. Eyeing my
half eaten plate of food.

Carlos kicks his foot. “Leave her alone Rob!” I bob my
tongue out at him and try to eat some more, but it’s just not happening! Kodaline’s
All I Want starts playing. It’s sad and haunting so of course I know it. I
close my eyes and try not to listen, it’s too poignant. It reminds me of Justin
leaving, and the pain I felt back then. I try not to think about how I’ll feel
if this is over between Tristan and I. But all I can hear are the words...

‘So you brought
out the best of me. A part of me I’ve never seen’

‘You took my soul
and wiped it clean. Our love was made for movie screens’

I blink back tears as I try to block
the rest of the song out, but it’s just not happening. I instantly feel like
throwing up. I launch myself off the stool, dash down the hallway and run down
the stairs, not stopping until I’ve reached the garden –
Holy fuck!

I take several deep breaths trying to calm myself down...I
suddenly realise that losing Tristan won't feel like it did when Justin and I
split, it will be something else entirely. Something I can't even put into
words, something that I think will feel like death, like he’s dead and I’m
dead, only I‘m not dead. I’m just this empty shell of a person, walking around
in a body, not thinking or feeling anything anymore. And in that moment, I
realise I’m not angry with Tristan anymore, the fear of losing him, of really
thinking what it would feel like to not have him in my life has overtaken that.
I sink down onto one of the sun loungers, and hang my head in my hands.

I feel him before I see him. My breath catches in my throat,
I slowly turn around and watch Tristan’s tall figure walking over to me, I stop
breathing and try to work out his demeanour. Is he mad, sad, happy? I have no
idea! But I do notice that he’s dressed only in a pair of baggy, light grey
pyjama bottoms, that are hanging low on his hips, his torso is bare and
beautiful, and his hair is all messed up, he looks sexy as hell! I bet Rob
enjoyed the show –
Coral!

Then I notice it, the little note I left on the bedside
cabinet is in his hand. Reaching me, he sinks to his knees in front of me and
takes my hand in his and just stares down at it.

“I think it’s me that should be sorry, not you.” He sighs
heavily and looks up at me with his wide chocolate eyes, then swallows hard. Then
he stares down at the floor, his eyebrows pinched together. I stay silent. “Coral,
if you want...some time...to rethink us, I can understand that. My behaviour
last night was...unforgivable. I never should have said those things to you.”

“Why did you Tristan, why did you react like that?” I ask in
a not so nice manner. He shakes his head and stares down at our entwined
fingertips. “Spit it out Tristan!” I bite.

He looks up at me all wounded and broken. “I...I don't know
why I said those things. I was angry at you, angry at myself for being angry
with you. I was pissed as hell with Susannah for doing that to
herself...mortified you’d seen it...” He breaks off for a moment. “I’m so sorry
for reacting that way, for shouting at you, and for walking out on you. I
wasn’t very supportive, I should have been comforting you after what you’d
seen, not shouting at you and walking out.”

“I don’t believe this!” I hiss, my leg jigging up and down
with anxiety. The hell this man has put me through over the past twenty-four
hours!

Tristan tentatively reaches up, takes my face in his hands
and gazes up at me, his eyes red and bloodshot – Has he been crying? “Coral, I
will spend the rest of my life making it up to you for my appalling behaviour
last night. I am so, so sorry, but if it’s any conciliation they’re just words
baby – You have my heart, it’s yours, forever.”

I swallow hard. I seemed to have lost the power of speech.

Tristan squeezes his eyes shut for a moment, then he gazes
up at me again. I can see the pain, the apprehension, he’s not sure what my
reaction is going to be. “Can you ever forgive me?” He asks, swallowing hard
again.

I sigh heavily. “I don't know,” I whisper. His eyes dart up
to mine, his face panic stricken, his hands slide down from my face and rest on
his thighs. “You said some pretty harsh stuff Tristan’ – “I didn’t mean a word
of it,” he interrupts, his breath coming in sharp gusts.

“Tristan, you said the wedding was off, that I was making
you doubt us, and that I’m self destructing us!” I say scowling at him.

“I know, I know,” he says, his eyes wider than I’ve ever
seen them.

“And you’re right, if we can't talk to one another, be open
and honest with one another without it turning into a fight, then we don’t have
a chance in hell at working out. I needed you last night, and you let me down,
completely! I know what I did was wrong, that I should have told you I was
going to see...” I shake my head, I can't say her name. “But I would have
thought that after she did...what she did, it would have made the fact that I
didn’t tell you about it insignificant! I watched her die Tristan! And where were
you?” I get to my feet and start pacing.

I can't believe I’m angry again, but I am, and I know I’m
right. He’s got to learn, well we both have, but he’s got to learn that he
can't do that to me, no matter how mad he is.

“Coral...did you...do you want me...to leave?” He can barely
speak, he’s breathing like he’s been running up a hill and looks completely
beside himself.

I walk back over and sink down in front of him. “Tristan, I
love you. But you have got to learn that you just can't say stuff like that to
me, whether you mean it or not. And if you ever walk out on me again, we’re
through.” I say, my voice firm.

He inhales sharply and locks eyes with me. “I am serious,” I
say with one eyebrow arched.

“I know, I can see that,” he says, swallowing hard again. “I
promise you I won't,” he adds, his eyes screaming sincerity.

“Good. Just...if you feel mad just...walk into another room!
Don't walk out the house and then come back at god knows what time, leaving me
hanging without even so much as a call or a text.” I say shaking my head at
him.

“Coral, I won't’ – I hold my hand up to silence him. “The
worst part, is that I thought you knew me, I thought you knew that...that you
just,” I take a deep breath. “You can't say things like that and not expect me
to believe you Tristan! I thought that’s at least one thing you really did know
about me.” I bite.

“I do know that,” he whispers.

“Then why Tristan? I mean, I get you have this need to
protect me, and I love that side of you. I just don't understand your reaction?”
Tristan winces at my words. I swear there’s something...something he’s still
keeping from me. Something that’s playing on his mind. Ever since we found out
about Simon and Kane he’s been acting a little off, only slightly. Just every
now and then I catch him drifting off. “What?” I snap.

He frowns and shakes his head. “Nothing, I just...I just
lost it and I’m sorry. And you’re right, part of it is because I want to
protect you, but not just physically. I want to protect you emotionally and
mentally too. I think your heart and mind have been through enough. I will do
anything to ease that burden. I just wish you’d have told me yesterday and I’d
have gone with you, then if Susannah had still...Point is, I would have been able
to protect you from that, but I couldn’t because you didn’t tell me.”

We both sigh heavily, which makes me want to smile. I have
to try so hard not to show it.

“You can't protect me from everything Tristan,” I whisper.

“I know,” he murmurs looking down at the grass. “Doesn’t
mean I’m not going to try,” he adds sardonically – We are going round in
circles.

“I guess...we still have a lot to learn,” I say.

“Yes, we do,” he says looking up at me with those big puppy
dog eyes.

“You better be a good husband Mr Freeman.” I say. I am
teasing, but he doesn’t know that yet because I’m keeping my face deadpan.

He inhales sharply. “You...you still want to’ – “Tristan, we
had a fight, well not so much a fight as you shouting and walking out, but I
think we’ve resolved some issues because of it. And even though I wavered, and
really did think for a moment that you were not the man for me, I soon changed
my mind.” I look down at him.

“Coral, I’m so sorry I didn’t call or text you. I did go to,
loads of times, but each time I did I chickened out. I knew you’d be mad,
really mad, so mad in fact that I didn’t expect you to be here when I got back.
I thought you’d head over to Rob’s.”

“I nearly did,” I say.

“I’m so glad you didn’t,” he says, taking both my hands in
his. “I really hope you can forgive me, because the thought of not being with
you...I can't even put into words.”

We just gaze at one another. I’m not sure I can forgive him
yet, I still feel pissed at him. Tristan breaks eye contact and stares down at
the grass, looking very sorry for himself.

I sigh inwardly. I don't like seeing him in pain. “Ask me
again,” I say.

He looks up at me. “Am I forgiven?” He asks, his eyes wide
with trepidation.

“Kind of,” I say, finally smiling at him.

Tristan smiles his shy smile. “I would really like to kiss
you Miss Stevens,” he says. “May I?” He adds.

“Be my guest,” I whisper.

He takes my face in his hands, and just hovers there for a
moment, millimetres from my lips, then he leans in and kisses me passionately,
his tongue lapping against mine, turning me on, big time! He moans and gasps,
then grabs me by the waist and pulls me down off the lounger so I’m straddling
him. I kiss him back with every inch of passion, love and desire I have for
this man, my hands gripping his hair, my breath coming in sharp gusts.

Mmm...He tastes of toothpaste and Tristan, and the way he’s
kissing me is making me question...
Are we about to have sex outside?
We
are rudely interrupted by whoops and cheers coming from the upstairs balcony, I
bury my head in Tristan’s neck, feeling embarrassed.

“Get back to work Rob!” Tristan shouts but I can tell he’s
smiling.

The he cups me under the chin, making me look up at him,
takes my face in his hands again, and kisses me for what feels like an
eternity. We get a bit overheated, our hands all over each other, the kiss
intensifying, only this time there is no interruption.

When he pulls back, we are both breathless, and I can feel
his erection digging into me, he wants me – and the feeling is mutual!

“Thank you for looking after me last night, I didn’t deserve
it,” he says, his face morose.

“Are you kidding!” I squeak. “Tristan, no matter how mad I
was with you, I would never want to see any harm come to you. I think...well,
people should always look after each other like that, you know get the drunk
one safely to bed.” I smile shyly and laugh at myself.

“I agree baby, and I will always, always get your drunken
ass safely to bed.” He chuckles.

“Tristan Freeman! How dare you say such things!” I retort,
laughing along with him.

He smiles up at me, then his serious expression returns. “How
are you feeling today darling? You know,...I mean about what happened with....”
He can't say it, and I don't want to talk about it either. It was a shockingly
horrible thing to witness, and I can't do anything about it, so I need to put
it behind me, like everything else.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll make you a deal?” I say, feeling
as though I’ve just hitched a ride to cloud nine – We are still together, so
all is well in the world.

“A deal?” He smirks.

“Yes.” I smile a ridiculously happy smile.

“I’m all ears.” He teases. His hands playfully squeezing my
butt cheeks.

“Well, I think we are both sorry?” I question, Tristan nods.
“So the deal is we don't talk about it, what happened I mean. We put it behind
us as a lesson learned, and enjoy today, after all this is our last day as
singletons!” I giggle.

Tristan rolls his eyes at me. “We are not singletons!”

“We’re not married yet either!” I snort. “So do we have a
deal?” Then I remember. “Actually, before you say deal, and this isn’t me
thinking the worst, I’m just curious...where did you go when you left Joyce’s?”
I ask light heartedly – He was so drunk, I wonder if he’s hung-over?

“How do you know I went to see her?” He asks, surprised.

“You told me,” I giggle. “And she came by today,” I add.

“Joyce was here?” He says, surprised again.

“Yeah...” I look down at his chest. “I was in a bit of a
mess, I stayed up all night watching you sleep, running things over in my head.
I’d missed her call that was telling me that Gladys was mad at me and on her
way over’ – “Gladys has been here too?” He interrupts.