Promises Forgotten
Chapter 41

I chuckled at the venom in his voice. “Sandwich first.”

Standing up, I reached out to him and helped pull him up. I used a little too much force and he wasn’t quite ready. He nearly fell forward and caught himself on the counter.

“Jesus. How much strength do you have?”

“I deal with a lot of bags of flour on a daily basis.”

I pulled a stool out of the closet and set it up for him. Putting the sandwich on a plate, I cut it in half and slid it over. He smiled and took a half. Watching him take the first bite, he looked slightly surprised. Another bite and he narrowed his eyes.

“This bread…”

Chuckling, I leaned against the sink. “Took me two years to get the ratios right. Three different types of flours. Tried different butters, different techniques for kneading, baking, and even resting. I managed to find it.”

“Even France can’t compete with this.”

“Have you been comparing everything you eat here to France?”

He took another bite. “Maybe.”

Shaking my head, I sighed. “You’ll lose weight like that. French cooking uses a lot of whole ingredients. Even if it doesn’t taste richer, it alters your palette. It probably will take a couple months.”

Zach picked up the second half of the sandwich. He ate in silence, and I didn’t rush him. There was a lot swirling around us. Questions, emotions, energy. I wanted to allow it to dissipate for a moment.

“¿Mija?”

My eyes snapped up from looking at my shoes to Ron, standing in the entry to the kitchen. His eyes weren’t on me, though. They were locked with Zach, sitting on the stool.

“Papá, espera. Por favor.” [Dad, wait. Please.]

I stepped forward, but Ron already had Zach by his collar, slammed up again the cabinets.

“Te lo advertí, maldito idiota. Te advertí que no la lastimaras.” [I warned you, you f*****g idiot. I warned you not to hurt her.]

“Tienes razón. No tengo nada que decir aparte de que nunca quise lastimarla. La amo. No fue por elección.” [You’re right. I have nothing to say other than that I never meant to hurt her. I love her. It wasn’t by choice.]

Ron narrowed his eyes. “So you learned Spanish in three years? So f*****g what. Did you learn how to change diapers? How to test a fever of a kid? Did you learn how to help stop panic attacks? Where were you all this f*****g time?”

“Papá, por favor. Él no lo sabía.” [Dad, please. He didn’t know.]

Putting my hand on his shoulder, he just growled at me. “¿Solo lo dejaste entrar? Alimentalo? No se lo merece. Él no te merece.” [Did you just let him in? Feed him? He does not deserve it. He does not deserve you.]

“He knows, Papá. He already knows that. Let him go.” I pulled on Ron’s shoulder and slowly his grip lessened. “Let me handle it. Sé el dolor que me causó. Sé el dolor que nos causó. Él no. Solo sabe lo que siente. Está buscando pelea porque cree que lo perdoné con demasiada facilidad.” [I know the pain it caused me. I know the pain it caused us. He doesn’t. He only know what he feels. He’s picking a fight because he thinks I forgave him too easily.]

“You did. You always have.”

Ron stepped back. Suddenly though, his fist shot out, punching Zach in the face. My hand went to my mouth to muffle the cry. Ron didn’t move from his spot, staring down at Zach, who was knocked to the ground. His nose was bleeding, and you could see the slight red mark around his right eye.

“Nunca te perdonaré por lo que has hecho.” [I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done.] He turned and walked out the front of the cafe, slamming the door behind him.

I winced as I heard the door slam, the little bell at the door ringing out as the glass vibrated. Turning, I grabbed a towel and ran it under some cold water. Going down on my knees in front of Zach, who was still a little rattled, I gently wiped down his face and the b***d coming from his nose.

“I’m sorry. I would have had you step out if I knew he was going to be back so early.”

“He’s right. About it all.”

I shook my head, pressing the towel gently on his face. “He’s not right.” Moving the towel, I placed the cool towel on his eye. “You are only saying that because it’s the reaction you wanted.”

Pulling the towel away, I held it in my hands before I continued. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. You can’t blame yourself for something you never knew, something you wouldn’t even have fathomed doing. There are a lot of people to blame, Z. But you aren’t one of them.”

“Neither are you.”

I smiled slightly. “No. I’m to blame as well. I had all the memories. I also knew of Elliot. As soon as I got back from Greece, I should have talked to you. Gone to you. Receptive or not. Forgotten or not, at least Elliot would have had you in his life earlier.” Taking a deep breath, I went back to wiping the b***d off his face. “But I didn’t. I was hurting. I was in pain and angry. I was a fool. I waited until it was too late, and your announcement of the engagement was when I realized that.”

“What you must have thought of me…seeing that photo and those announcements.”

I snorted. “You want the honest to god truth about the first thing I saw when I looked at those photos?”

He hummed.

“Damn, you look good in a tux.”

Zach snorted. “Liar.”

“Nope. The f*****g truth. Then I saw the bitch on your arm and I got upset.”

He laughed. “Jennifer was indeed the ideal trophy wife.”

“I think what made me the most angry was that you didn’t even look happy. There was no smile, no light in your eyes. It was so stoic and cold. I thought if you’re going to marry someone else, at least be happy.”

“I may not have remembered you, but my heart knew it had loved before. It knew the feeling. It knew something was missing. My heart and soul weren’t with me. I could never love her or anyone else. I had accepted that. It was a business proposal by our fathers.”

I threw up my hand and rolled my eyes. “You’re f*****g father, of course it was. You know what. F**k him. He’s a prick. One day, he’s going to wind up in a ditch for picking a fight was the wrong f*****g people.” I snorted. “And when he dies, I’m declaring it a f*****g household holiday and we will spend the entire day on the beach having a bonfire and celebrating.”

“I’ll bring the beer and the f*****g fireworks.”

My eyes widen. Nearly as much venom coming from his words as mine. “Z…”

“I didn’t lose my memories from hitting my head, Evie.” I saw the pain in his eyes as he looked at me. “I woke up in the hospital. The first thing I asked for was you. I remember getting pissed, f*****g irate with the nurse. She had no idea what I was talking about.”

My hand covered my mouth, tears forming. “You were already in New York.”

He nodded and continued. “Once I realized you had been left behind, I was livid. You saved my life. You were the love of my life. My f*****g wife. They left you.”

“Z, they didn’t know.”

“They knew you saved me, Evie! That should have been enough! Nothing else should have needed to be said. Even if we were strangers, they should have given you a reward. Or something. Not f*****g left you in Greece. Alone.” His chest was heaving, and his hand combed through his hair. “I was taking IV’s out and getting up. But I was angry, too. I yelled at my father. I told him…I told him that I would take over the company and I would ruin his legacy. I would remove all his shady dealings. His Mafia related business. I would tear down everything he built.”

I swallowed. “He was upset.”

“More than that. He matched my anger. Evie, he paid a doctor and a nurse to provide an overdose of muscle relaxant in my IV. Knowing it would cause me to pass out and lose memories.”

I started to shake my head. No father could do that to his son. His own flesh and b***d. If Zach had had a bad reaction, he could have easily died right then and there.

“I didn’t know what it did…what it would do until too late. I couldn’t move. I tried to beg. Beg him to bring you back and I would do anything. But he didn’t. He said I would do what he wanted because I wouldn’t remember the attack.” His voice could no longer hide his pain. “Six months I lost. I still removed his entire legacy, though. Brought the whole company above water. He was pissed. Until now, I could never understand the whole reason why.”

“You could have died. He gambled your life for his f*****g legacy?”

Zach looked down. “I did die. Three times, but they were able to bring me back. I was also in a coma for three weeks.”

My heart broke. The tears fell one by one. I almost lost him after I had saved him, and I didn’t even know it.

“When I finally came to, I broke down. They associated it to just the medication, but Jason said it was heartbreaking. I knew I had lost something. I knew, but I didn’t remember.” His head leaned back on the cabinet behind him.

“And you still think you deserve…” I sighed and shook my head. “If we don’t get some ice on your eye, it’s gonna look bad tomorrow.”

He chuckled. “It’s fine. I expected worse. From both you and him.”

“It can be arranged.”

I looked over to see Mike standing in the doorway. He was frowning at the scene before him. Walking over to me, he looped a hand under my arm and hoisted me up.

“Mike.”

“I don’t want to hear it, Ev. I really don’t. Because my opinion isn’t going to change.”

I started to say something, but I turned my head to the side, listening to movement upstairs.

“Mommy!” Elliot was crying from upstairs, and I looked at Mike.

“No more hitting. Not in my kitchen. We need to open the back. Mic night starts in 10 minutes.”

Turning, I headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I opened the door and I saw Elliot, sitting up in our bed, tears down his face.

“I can’t find Fitz.”

Smiling, I went over and kissed his head. “Lay down. I’ll find him for you.”

He nodded and laid back on the pillow. Getting down on my knees, I lifted the blankets to look under the bed.

“Fitz! Fitz!” I whisper yelled. “Really. This isn’t funny, you stinker.”

I heard Elliot hiccup and giggle. Humming, I narrowed my eyes and went over to the closet. Swinging it open, I poked my head in.

“Fitz? Dang it. He’s good tonight.”

I turned and put my hand on my h*p. My eyes narrowed as I swept over the room. Striding over to the bathroom, I peeked my head in and zeroed in on the white, fluffy unicorn sitting on the towel rack. Tisking, I reached out and grabbed the stuffed animal. Elliot did the grabby hands signal and I gave the unicorn to him.

“Bad Fitz!”

“I don’t think he did it on purpose, El. It looks like he fell asleep brushing his teeth.”

“Still. It’s rude.”

I smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, running my hand through his hair. “It is. But he’s back where he belongs. Now go back to sleep. You have school in the morning.”

“Night, Mom.”

“Good night, El.” I kissed the top of his head.

Turning, I saw a figure looming in the darkness. He was leaning against the doorframe of the bedroom, not entering, but watching.

“Mom?”

I hummed and turned back to Elliot.

“Can you sing tonight?”

Shaking my head, I gave him another k**s. “Not tonight, kiddo. I still have to work. Tomorrow though, I promise.”

“Two songs?”

“You’re asking for it.”

His childish laugh came out from under the covers and I smiled. “You’re lucky if you get one with those giggles, young man.”

“Okay. I love you. Goodnight, mom.”

“I love you, too. Goodnight.”

Getting up, I adjusted the nightlight on the side table and headed out of the room. I got to the door and I looked up at Z, now inches apart from him. He was still looking in the room, lost in thought. Placing a hand on his chest, his eyes snapped to me. Those bright blue eyes swirling with emotion. Motioning out with my head, he backed up and headed down the stairs. I followed him down, but he stopped at the base of the stairs. Stopping a few steps back, I watched him.

“Vine aquí egoístamente. Vine aquí para hacerme daño. Dondequiera que miro hay amor.” [I came here selfishly. I cam here to hurt myself. Everywhere I look, there is love.] He whispered.

“Are you leaving?” My voice cracked as I asked, keeping my voice low.

He looked up at me. “I should. I have a meeting at 4 a.m. your time.”

I swallowed and walked down a step toward him. “Then you should.”

He didn’t move. His eyes focused solely on mine. “I should.”

I took another step down the stairs. He was already at the bottom and with our height difference, I was looking at him face to face. Zach didn’t move, his body blocking my way.

“Evie…”

My chest hammered and I felt the pull to him. It almost hurt to fight it. We were frozen. I felt my hand move, but my mind wasn’t doing it. My mind was blank, drowning in the blue of his eyes. Brushing my thumb against his cheek, my hand slid into his long hair. He slightly leaned into the touch.

“Evie…” Him saying my name took my breath away.

Before I realized it, my lips touched his. I felt his body stiffen in shock, before his lips moved against mine. His hands snaked around my body and pulled my body flush with his. It was barely a few seconds, but once I disengaged, I felt lightheaded. Our foreheads touched and I closed my eyes.

“I will be back. I promise.”

“I don’t believe your promises anymore, Z.”

He let out a breath. “Then I will spend my lifetime earning your trust. Eres mi corazón y mi alma, mi amor.” [You are my heart and my soul, my love.]

“Siempre has tenido mi corazón y mi alma, gilipollas.” [You’ve always had my heart and soul, a*****e.]

Zach chuckled and kissed my forehead before his touch disappeared. Slowly, I opened my eyes and he was gone. As though he was never there. Sinking to the floor, I wrapped my arm around my knees and cried. Arms wrapped around me and held me tight.

“Sorry, Mike. I wanted to be strong. I thought…I thought…”

“Don’t, Ev. I won’t ever understand. I can’t pretend to understand. I just hate seeing you hurt. Hate watching you continuously fall apart over one f*****g guy.”

I chuckled. He’s right. I could never explain it properly. No one else would understand. I’m sure Zach’s friends felt the same. I couldn’t image their reaction to all of this, as well. At least my friends had three years to adjust to the idiocy. They barely had any time to adjust to half of it. Now, he had everything back.

“We need to get ready.”

“We do.”

Sighing, I allowed him to pick me up off the stairs.

“Will he be back?”

I shrugged. “I don’t believe him enough to say.”

Mike threw his head back and laughed. “That’s my girl.”