Chapter Eight
Bree
Her second day at Allie’s was much like the first. Bree figured it would take a solid week to get the house back to where Allie wanted it. Unfortunately, by the time Bree got it there, Allison would be into her chemo and probably wouldn’t care. But for now Bree would keep going. Clean clothes and kitchen floors weren’t much in the grand scheme of things, but the gratefulness in Allison’s eyes made the toil worth it.
During Allie’s afternoon nap, Bree called Adam from the house line. She still wasn’t willing to give him her cell number. This time he answered.
“Bree? Are you okay?”
The question sounded so innocent, but it shocked her. Eric’s desertion had broken her heart, but Adam’s had taken her breath away. He was her brother, her blood, and he’d sided with her ex. He’d also taken her parents with him. It ate at her that she still didn’t know why.
“I’m fine.” It was an acceptable lie.
There was some muffled arguing before he spoke again. “Can we meet?”
Bree intended to say no because there was nothing left to say. But the Marcus Forrester situation took away her options. Besides, maybe ripping off the bandage and facing her fears head-on was the better way to go. “Where?” she asked.
“Hardy’s Bar.”
“I am not meeting you in a cop bar. I’ll be arrested on sight. They all hate me.”
“Not all of them.” It was not a comforting reply.
“Pierson’s Pub” Bree suggested.
“They’re stuffy and serve overpriced drinks,” Adam said.
“Perfect. Seven thirty?”
“I’ll be there. And, Bree?”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.”
Bree hung up on him. She didn’t want another useless, half-assed apology.
She still didn’t know why he’d done what he’d done. She and Eric had been heading into rough water for a while, for no discernible reason as far as she knew at the time. Bree knew she was under stress because of the translating she was doing for the RCMP, but she wasn’t the one pulling back. Eric was. He’d gotten moody over cases he couldn’t discuss before, but this time she’d been unable to break through.
Then he came home and announced he thought it would be best if they took a break.
Out of nowhere. He wanted to end two years of dating and a two-year engagement. Over. Done. He refused to discuss it and wouldn’t hear a word she said. It hadn’t been something she could confront him about either, because he’d moved out immediately, telling her he’d covered their last two months of rent since he wouldn’t be re-signing the lease.
Eric had cut her off at the knees.
And Adam was the one who let her fall. He’d known what was going on. He all but admitted it. But her brother insisted Eric’s actions were for the best, and he refused Bree’s pleas to talk to his partner. Then he’d pulled away from her as well. The pair of them had almost broken her. If not for Allison, Bree didn’t know what she would have done.
Now Adam was promising answers, and Bree didn’t know if she’d survive them.
****
Pierson’s Pub was a downtown establishment. It had started as a yuppie bar, back when the Winnipeg Commodities Exchange was the Winnipeg Stock Exchange. Decades later, it was still a favourite after-five destination for all the business types who worked downtown. Lawyers and financial advisors and CEOs, oh my. Bree had spent her fair share of time sitting in the formal lounge, rehashing cases she’d worked as a translator. They had the best brands of alcohol in the city, and their prices reflected it.
Eric had hated it. He was more jeans and Jack than suits and scotch. Bree had found herself going less and less as their relationship progressed. It was one of the few places that welcomed her back after their break-up. Cops and lawyers were not always on the same side of the line, and the bankers didn’t care.
She’d timed her arrival carefully, sitting in her car until she’d be right on time. Scenarios ran rampant in her head as she tried to prepare for all possible outcomes. Adam showing up early to ambush her. Her brother making her wait to put her in her place. The unlikely but potential event he’d arrive exactly on time because he truly wanted to talk.
He was early, but not obviously so. Adam’s waitress was bringing his drink when he saw her.
