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This felt like a scene out of a movie, except she didn’t know the ending or whether she was guaranteed a full resolution of her problems. She was outside the small pub that she and Kyle used to frequent, and it was unexpectedly quiet. Years ago, it had always been teeming with people. But this was a weeknight, and the crowd she’d expected to help keep Kyle in check wasn’t there.
Kyle had wanted to meet inside the pub, but Blake had insisted he’d go in with her if that were the case. Kyle hadn’t responded to her last message, but he wasn’t inside yet—she’d checked—so she knew she could finish this outside in plain view of any passersby.
It had been in her mind, when she insisted they meet, that this would be a quick exchange. She had two checks: one that would pay off all her debts to him, while the other would be an incentive to stay away, to never get back in touch.
She knew she might be pouring money down the drain. There were no guarantees that he wouldn’t try for more. But this was her red line. She would make sure he knew that.
“Why the hell are we meeting out here?”
The voice came from behind her. Neela inhaled deeply then turned slowly, keeping her hands in her pockets so he couldn’t see them shake. “The last time we met somewhere inside, you didn’t know how to behave.”
Kyle sneered. He threw his cigarette on the ground and crushed it with his boot. Then he looked Neela over, slowly and deliberately. He transferred his attention to over her shoulder. “Your boyfriend’s in his brother’s car, is he?”
She resisted looking behind her. “What makes you say that?”
Kyle spat and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. He continued to stare past her, his eyes hooded, cold, and dark. How had she ever found him attractive?
“Only one like that in all of New Zealand. I know my engines, and that has a sweet one,” he said.
Neela raised her chin and held out the envelope. “Here you are. It’s the last of what I owe you. We’re done.”
“Aww, baby. Why does it have to end like this? Didn’t I show you a good time?”
“I don’t want to hear from you again.”
“You told me you’d love me forever. I remember that moment clearly.” Kyle stepped forward, and it took everything inside her for Neela not to step back. “You were naked, on top of me, and those sounds coming out of you...”
“Do not try to contact my family or me again, do you understand?” A fierce grip dug into her shoulder as she turned, causing her to cry out in pain.
A door slammed in the distance.
She looked up frantically. Blake’s large body was sprinting toward her, anger palpable in his movements. She knew what Kyle could do. She didn’t want Blake hurt because of her. Not again.
She swiftly elbowed Kyle, channeling all her force into the motion, and turned just in time to catch Blake as he reached her side. She pulled his arm, holding him back, with a desperation born out of fear.
“You’re dead, Kyle!” Blake bellowed to the figure who was still doubled over.
Kyle cursed loudly. He knelt on all fours as if trying to regain his bearings. Then he suddenly got up and charged. He flung himself at Blake, throwing them all to the ground. Neela fell backward when she lost her grip on Blake, and the force of her body hitting the hard surface caused her to groan.
The sound of punching compelled her to move. Another shot of adrenaline— and something else— kicked in. She knew the force of Kyle’s fist, a man who fought with a viciousness honed by life on the streets.
Kyle rolled himself on top of Blake, straddling him. He raised his fist above Blake’s head, ready to strike. Neela didn’t think twice. She launched herself at him, knocking him off Blake.
She rolled away from Kyle but landed awkwardly. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Kyle slowly getting up from the ground, but Blake was already there.
Neela gasped at the sound of Blake’s fist hitting Kyle’s jaw. Blake pulled the semi-conscious man off the ground and lifted him off his feet by his neck.
A few people had started to come out of the pub. The darkened street might keep them anonymous, but she couldn’t risk it.
She scrambled quickly to Blake’s side. “We need to go.”
“He needs to be taught a lesson.”
She held on to Blake’s arm. “We’re done. This is done.”
Blake released Kyle suddenly. Moaning, Kyle curled into a fetal position, breathing hard.
Neela knelt next to him. “Don’t contact me again. I’ve repaid my debt to you. Fair warning: I am going to the police for a restraining order. If you contact my family or me, I will go to the press. You will have nowhere to hide, and nowhere to run.”
Then she reached for Blake’s hand. “Let’s go.”
When they got into the car, she could see blood oozing out of the corner of his mouth and nose. “Oh, God, Blake, you’re really hurt!”
“I’m fine. No worse than playing South Africa.” He wiped his face with the back of his hand then angled the overhead light slightly so he could look at her. Apparently satisfied with what he saw, he quickly sent a message on his phone.
“Who are you messaging?”
“A friend of my brother’s.”
“Andrew’s?”
“No, Robbie’s. She’s a doctor I’ve used before. She’ll be discreet. Please come back with me so she can check you out. I saw you hit your head on the ground. That’s two head injuries in less than a week.”
Neela reached for the back of her head. “I don’t think I hit it, Blake. I’m sure I’m all right, but you need to get checked out too.”
“I’m not hurt. But I’ll have her check me out if you will.”
“Blackmail?”
“When a man’s desperate...”
She paused then nodded. He returned her nod, relief in his face. They drove back to Andrew’s penthouse in silence. She should call his bluff, she thought, but he was right. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and he was stubborn enough to ignore his own injuries.
Her heartbeat was finally starting to feel normal again, but she felt far from calm or relaxed. The moment she’d seen Blake being thrown to the ground, she was no longer afraid of what Kyle could do to her. She only wanted Blake to be safe.
When they entered the penthouse, Blake went straight to the fridge. He reached for a beer and showed it to Neela, who shook her head. He then pulled out a couple of ice packs from the freezer and handed one to her. “Put it on your head, just in case.”
“This might make the news,” Neela said as she took the pack. “A couple of people came out of the pub during the fight.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“It won’t help your chances with the captaincy.”
Blake took a drink. “I already have it.”
“What?”
“I’m the next captain. RugNZ is going to make the announcement next month.”
He got it! Pride swept through her. He was a worthy successor to those who had come before him. He’d be a great captain.
Their plan had worked. Two things had been settled tonight.
She felt his gaze as she studied her hands.
“Darl?”
This was different from the car, where no words had been needed. The silence that followed was pregnant with unasked questions and unknown answers which will eventually define their future.
They could be friends. It was better this way. He would now inherit a responsibility few outsiders would ever understand. She understood it, though; she was part of that world. And she wouldn’t be swayed by sentimentality. Letting him move on was the logical thing to do.
She looked up at him. She braved covering his hands with hers, hoping to convey the sincerity behind her intentions. “Congratulations, Blake. You deserve it. I really mean that.”
But he knew her too well. “You owe me one more date, Neela. You’re not backing out of it.”
“There’s no reason for it.”
He opened his hands to engulf hers, surrounding them with his strength and warmth. “We said five dates.”
“We don’t need five dates. This was all about giving you the right kind of publicity. It was about me returning a favor. Your promise to Mano has been fulfilled. Kyle is no longer a problem.”
“Kyle might show up again.”
“He won’t. He’s like most bullies. Once he’s been confronted, he’ll stay away. And if he’s stupid enough to, I have my brothers. It’s time I trusted them again. You don’t need to be a part of this anymore.”
“Darl...”
Unwanted tears that had begun to well up. But she’d promised him honesty. “Thank you for helping me face my past, Blake. I wanted to do it alone, but knowing you were there gave me the courage to follow through with seeing Kyle again. I used to run, but I didn’t tonight. For the first time in over a year, I know I don’t have to anymore. But it’s time I walk away from you.”
Neela tried to reclaim her hand, but Blake didn’t let her. Instead, he kept his grip firm.
“There’s something between us that only comes once in a lifetime,” Blake said. “You’re the face I’ve thought about since I was ten. I’ve always needed you in my life. I don’t like why we started this, but it’s been the best two months of my life, knowing you were a part of it. I love —”
She couldn’t let him say it. She pulled her hands away from his, desperation made her shout, “Don’t! Don’t say it, Blake. Once you say it, I’ll have to hear it in my head and feel it in my heart forever.”
“Would it be so hard to hear it?”
“Only because I can’t say it back to you.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
She aggressively wiped away at traitorous tears. “I hope we’ll stay friends. But I need to go now.”
“Stay, please. At least until the doctor comes.”
She heard his pain. To know she was causing it sent her to a place of previously unknown anguish.
“I’m seeing one tomorrow. I’ll be fine.” She walked toward the door, then paused. “Make sure you get checked out. Please. Do that for me. I need some time by myself. To be independent again. Please, don’t call.”
He didn’t follow her.
She was both grateful and disappointed.