Page 74 of Earl
“I am a model. My face is all over the world, on billboards and magazines. I have been to palaces and several chateaus and have been to more places than I can count.” He turned then his hands going around her shoulders.
“But you are home. I always come back to you. Now you are getting married and I…” He shook his head. “I am afraid of losing you. I can deal with anything, bad breakups and losing all my money, but I cannot bear losing you.”
“You never will.” Tears brightened her eyes. “And if you don’t know that by now, then I am sorely disappointed in you.” She stared at her quizzically. “All your money?”
He smiled shakily. “Well, maybe half.”
“Sounds more like you.” Framing his dear face, she kissed him on the lips. “Getting along with Earl is important to me.”
He nodded. “As long as he never hurts you.”
“He won’t. Not intentionally. He loves me, Jus.”
“I can see that.” Wiping a tear that had trickled down, he hugged her. “My Cathy.”
*****
He was quiet for the time it took them to head on upstairs. He had brought a change of clothing with him and was spending the night. Justin had apologized, albeit grudgingly and gave his blessing, but there was still tension between the two men, something both she and Teresa had tried to get rid of.
Cathy had seen the way Earl tensed up when Justin pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. He had not said anything to her as he helped her put the dishes into the dishwasher and now, they were inside her bedroom, and he was taking off his clothes with the intention of going to bed.
“Would you like some brandy?”
“No.”
“Wine?”
“No.”
She had changed into a slinky lime green nightgown and had brushed her hair until it shone. Leaving it loose, was a trial, but she knew he loved it like that.
He slid in next to her and folded his hands behind his head as he contemplated the ceiling.
“Earl…”
“Yes?” He did not look at her as he continued to stare at the ceiling.
“Will you please talk to me?”
“Have you ever slept with him?”
“No. I already told you that there is nothing romantic between us.”
He turned his head to stare at her. “You two have a very strong bond.”
“We do, and you know why.”
“You had to look out for each other.”
“Yes.” Propping her face in her palm, she gazed at him, begging him to understand. “I am all he’s got.”
“And he is damned possessive, so am I. That apology was just a way of appeasing you, he did not mean it.”
“I love him.”
He turned his head away, but she caught the tormented look on his face. “And if I said anything against that, I am going to sound like a son of a bitch. I cannot compete with the years you spent with him, and I know he is gay, know that he is just looking out for you, but I have only known you for weeks. I feel as if I am coming between you.”
“Please don’t say that.’ Her hand on his chest had him turning to look at her. “He is family.”