Heart & Soul

Episode 51

Back For More

By Allan Craig

 

Thanks, Kristen,” Greg smiled, knowing that she was breaking all kinds of sisterly rules to help him out.

 

“For what?”

 

“Being on my side through all of this,” Greg looked fondly at her, “I mean I know you’re Carrie’s sister and all, but you’re the only person looking at this objectively and seeing that what Carrie’s doing is wrong.”

 

“I know,” Kristen and Greg’s faces moved close to each other, so close they were almost touching, “I just want what’s best…for everyone.”

 

“Me too,” their faces were so close Greg could feel Kristen’s breath on his face. Their eyes locked, and it was clear they were thinking the same thing. As their lips began to touch, everything else went out the window. It was just the two of them, and that was all that mattered.

 

Kristen sat bolt upright in bed, confused…she and Greg’s kiss had left her seriously torn up inside. On the one hand; he was her sister’s ex husband, ready to sue Carrie for custody of their son and quite possibly tear her sister and her nephew apart…but on the other, he was Greg. He was polite, charming, intelligent…sexy…

 

“No,” Kristen told herself, shaking every thought of an attraction to Greg out of her head, or at least trying to. “This isnt right. Nothing can happen.”

 

But Kristen wanted it to happen. More than anything else right now, Kristen wanted Greg.

 

Marc and Megan’s Apartment

 

Megan sat on the sofa sipping her morning coffee and reading the newspaper, but not really taking anything in. It was far too early in the morning for her to be concentrating on anything other than the heavily caffeinated liquid in her mug.

 

She looked up to see Marc emerge from the bedroom in track pants and a black wife beater vest, carrying a zip up sweater on one hand and his gym bag in the other.

 

“You’re ready early,” Megan managed a half hearted smile, still half asleep.

 

“Yeah I thought I’d go to the gym for a while,” Marc set his gym bag down on the coffee table, “I’ve not been in a while and I thought I’d better get a workout in before I lose my abs completely.”

 

“You know as well as I do that your abs are going nowhere,” Megan laughed.

 

“Still, there’s only so much you can achieve by doing sit ups and press ups in this place,” Marc zipped up his sweater, “These walls are driving me crazy, anyway.”

 

Megan couldn’t help but feel happy…Marc was finally perking up….far more than she was so early in the day. She hoped this could only mean one thing…he was starting to get over everything that happened with Ally.

 

The Sterling Mansion: John’s Study

 

“What can I do for you?” John stood aside to let Will into the room, taking a seat behind his desk as Will sat down on the sofa.

 

“Well I’ve been thinking,” Will leaned forward, “If I really am your son, then why aren’t I seeing the same benefits as the rest of your kids?”

 

“What do you mean?” John raised an eyebrow.

 

“Don’t play dumb, John,” Will rolled his eyes, “My mother has shown me the results of the paternity test she had done on my when I was a baby that proves you’re my father. I presume you know about this considering your DNA was used on it?”

 

“That’s correct,”

 

“So then I think we can both agree I’m owed something,” Will folded his arms.

 

“Are you blackmailing me?”

 

“Not at all,” Will laughed, “But think how much you spent on the rest of your kids over their lifetimes…allowances, trust funds, college funds, you get the drill…where’s mine?”

 

“You were hardly deprived growing up,” John couldn’t believe the cheek of Will…a few weeks ago he wanted nothing to do with him and now he’s after money…it was just too much.

 

“But that’s not the point. The point is, you knew I was your son…you have done for decades. So why haven’t you been making provisions for me? Where’s my multi-million dollar trust fund? I know the rest of your kids got them…so where’s mine?”

 

“I don’t believe you,” John laughed, “You have to be having a joke.”

 

“I just want what I’m owed,” Will insisted, disgusted that John could make a laughing matter out of something so serious, “If I really am your son, I want the same benefits of the rest of your kids…even if that means this secret gets out in the open.”

 

The Bungalow

 

Kristen walked into the empty restaurant to see Valerie sitting at the bar mulling over a mountain of paperwork, magazines and cookery books. She rested her purse on the bar and took a seat at the stool next to her mother.

 

“Someone’s busy,” Kristen smiled, sliding her leather jacket off and draping it over the back of her stool.

 

“Well that’s all the deeds signed and officiated, so the restaurant is all ours,” Valerie grinned, speaking at around one hundred miles an hour, clearly flustered, “But your father’s disappeared off on a business trip so I’ve got to sort through all this stuff for the re-opening and meet with the chef later for some ideas for the new menu in a few hours. What do you think about a kind of old school Hollywood glamour idea? You know, T Bone steaks, ribs, seafood…real good food…none of your nouvelle cuisine rubbish.”

 

Kristen’s mind had wandered by the time her mother had finished her rant, leaving Valerie to wave her hand in Kristen’s face.

 

“Earth to Kristen, come in Kristen,” Valerie clapped, “You’re meant to be managing this place…you could at least pay attention!”

 

“Sorry, mom,” Kristen blinked, “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

 

Valerie knew her daughter…and she knew something was up, “So go on, who is he?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Well I know you,” Valerie explained, taking a sip of her coffee, “And the only thing that makes you act like this is a man.”

 

Jazz & Co

 

The role of Detective Rex Davis will now be played by Kristoff St. John.

 

Jessica and Rex sat at their table eagerly awaiting their lunch. Jessica tapped her fingers on the sleek wooden tabletop as Rex read the menu for the umpteenth time, not letting the fact that they’d already ordered stop him from having another browse.

 

“So Valerie thinks it would be best to throw it at the house, but the last thing Carrie needs is to spend even more time at home,” Jessica deduced, chewing on the straw that came with her water.

 

“I don’t think Carrie will care where it is, Jess,” Rex reassured her, although he knew that his words wouldn’t make a blind bit of difference to his stressed out girlfriend, “She’ll just be touched that you’ve all gone to the effort to throw her it.”

 

“I know, I know,” Jessica sighed, “But we never got the chance to throw Carrie a baby shower when she was pregnant so everything needs to be just right. I cant believe how fast this year’s gone in. This time last year…Carrie had just gone missing, I was…”

 

“…still with Josh?” Rex really didn’t want to bring Josh into their conversation, but ever since Jessica accidentally called him Josh, he hadn’t been able to let it go, “Do you ever wish you were still with Josh?”

 

“Of course not!” Jessica insisted, “You’re not still hung up on me calling you Josh, are you?”

 

“I’m not hung up on it,” Rex lied, “But I haven’t forgotten it, Jess. I need to know that you’re over him.”

 

“I was over Josh a long time ago. It was over months before it actually ended. We’re just not compatible and things just weren’t meant to be. I’d be lying if I said he means nothing to me, but the only man for me is you, Rex, and you need to get that into your thick skull.”

 

A smile broke out over Rex’s face, leaning in to kiss Jessica.

 

Pulse Gym

 

In a workout induced daze, Marc pounded the treadmill, the music from his mp3 player pumping into his ears, so loud that he didn’t even notice Kimberley approaching. Kimberley tapped Marc on the shoulder, causing him to jump.

 

“Kimberley, you scared the shit out of me,” Marc grinned, removing his headphones, “I didn’t know you worked out?”

 

“You don’t get featured in Him Magazine’s Hot 100 Beach Babes the last three years in a row sitting on your ass,” Kimberley joked, getting on the treadmill next to Marc and beginning to run, “Do you read Him Magazine, Marc?”

 

“Not really,” Marc increased his speed on the treadmill, “Those kinda magazines are for teenage boys and sad old men.”

 

“Suit yourself,” Kimberley didn’t know if that was an insult or a backhanded compliment, so she just ignored it, “You sure do like to keep in shape, huh Marc?”

 

“Well I like to look my best,” Marc explained, not wanting to divulge his ‘fat’ past, “Besides, Megan always looks good for me, so I like to return the favour.”

 

“So you know how to please a woman, then?” Kimberley teased.

 

“I guess you could say that,” Marc was beginning to feel really uncomfortable with Kimberley’s innuendos, “But it makes me feel good knowing I look good.”

 

“Well you’re definitely a pro at looking good,” Kimberley’s heart began to beat faster as she increased her speed and focused her gaze on Marc’s muscular legs in his long shorts, “Maybe you could give me a few tips sometime…you know…on a one on one session?”

 

Marc smiled awkwardly, quickly changing the subject, “So, um, I was thinking of getting Megan a little something just to say thanks for being there these last few months…do you have any ideas?”

 

”I dunno,” Kimberley shrugged, not quite sure of what had just happened, “I’m sure whatever you give her she’ll love.”

 

“I hope so…if she hadn’t been around after Ally…well, you know…I don’t know what I’d have done. She’s really made my life better and I want to get her something just right to say thanks and let her know how I feel.”

 

“Okay, Kimberley,” Kimberley thought, “Back off of him, he’s taken…although, there’s no harm in looking…”

 

The Bungalow

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kristen shrugged off her mother’s suggestion of a man in her life, even though all she could think about was Greg.

 

“Kristen, I’m your mother,” Valerie rolled her eyes, laughing; “I can tell when you’re loved up…so who’s the lucky guy?”

 

“Seriously, mom,” Kristen got up and put her jacket on, eager to get out of the restaurant before Valerie pried anymore, “I’m just tired. I’ve been super busy getting my apartment sorted and moving in, starting to decorate and all that…not to mention the fact I’ll be managing this place for you when it opens. Settling into Oakridge has just taken it out of me. I gotta run, I’ve just realized I have to stop by Carrie’s to talk to her about something.”

 

“Unless you’re going to apologize for setting her up like that with Greg the other day, you’ll probably be talking to the door,” Valerie joked…her girls were always fighting as teens and she couldn’t believe they were both in their thirties and still fighting just the same.

 

“Yeah, well, whatever,” Kristen tried her best to defend herself, “She was being difficult and I just let her know that not everyone’s going to take her shit. Greg’s a good guy, he doesn’t deserve to be treated like that.”

 

Kristen gave her mother a hug before walking towards the door of the restaurant.

 

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about this man of yours, Kristen,” Valerie smiled, “I know you’re lying and I’ll get to the bottom of this whether you like it or not.”

 

Jazz & Co

 

Rex took a seat at the bar following Jessica having to leave to meet with Valerie and discuss the baby shower. He smiled as the bartender handed him his beer and began to drink it…just as Josh walked in.

 

Josh paused before heading to another seat at the bar and ordering a beer, tapping his fingers on the bar anxiously as thoughts of Amber ran through his mind…he felt like they were just going around in circles, not getting anywhere no matter how much progress they seemed to be making. And now all this stuff with John…it was just getting too confusing for him.

 

“Hey,” Rex tried to break the ice.

 

“Hey,” Josh nodded, paying the bartender as he handed him his beer, “Not on duty I take it?”

 

“Nope,” Rex cleared his throat, “Day off today.”

 

“I’m surprised Jessica isnt dragging you around the shops then.”

 

“Well we had lunch but she has a lot of stuff on just now,” Rex explained, “She’s throwing some sort of surprise belated baby shower for Carrie.”

 

“Oh right,” Josh took a drink from his glass, “Look, Rex, I don’t want you to feel awkward about any of this. Jessica and I share a lot of mutual friends so we’re bound to run into each other every now and then.”

 

“I know, I just don’t want you to think of me as ‘the bad guy’ who stole your girl away.”

 

“I don’t….not anymore,” Josh managed a half smile, “Jessica and I weren’t going anywhere…we just weren’t meant to be. We’re not gonna be together again…I’m happy for you guys.”

 

Kristen’s Apartment

 

Kristen stepped off the elevator, fumbling in her purse for her keys. By the time she reached her apartment she noticed Greg standing outside it.

 

“Um, hey,” Kristen smiled awkwardly. They had quickly shrugged off any hint of romance following their kiss last night, and Greg had made a quick exit, until now.

 

“Hey, I think I might have left my wallet here?” Greg lied…he knew fine well that his wallet was in the back pocket of his jeans.

 

“I haven’t seen it,” Kristen unlocked the door, “Come in though and see if you can find it.”

 

They both walked into the apartment, and Kristen shut the door. Greg pretended to scan the apartment while Kristen took off her jacket and draped it over the couch.

 

“Any luck?” Kristen placed her purse on the kitchen counter and perched herself on the edge of her sofa. Greg, who had already removed his wallet from his pocket, waved it in the air and smiled.

 

“We need to talk,” they both said in unison.

 

“About last night,” Kristen continued, “It was a mistake…we shouldn’t have done it.”

 

“I couldn’t agree more,” Greg walked closer to Kristen, “It shouldn’t have happened…not with everything that’s going on just now…”

 

“It just wouldn’t be right,” Kristen stood up again, her face close to Greg’s.

 

“Things can’t go any further,” Greg leaned in closer, the tension between he and Kristen was enough to drive any man crazy…having the woman you’ve been fantasizing about right next to you and not being able to do anything about it…

 

“You’re right,” Kristen agreed, eager to kiss him just one more time, but holding back, knowing that she couldn’t…but knowing she couldn’t have Greg simply made her want him more.

 

All the attraction, all the tension, it just couldn’t be controlled…their lips touched and again they were kissing passionately, letting out everything they had been holding back. Greg ran his hands down the front of Kristen’s sweater as she pulled his white t shirt over his head, revealing his built, muscular physique.

 

Her fingers roamed his impressive torso as he ran his hands through her hair, their lips not parting for more than a split second, as they fell back onto the couch. This was intense, heat, passion personified. Greg took off Kristen’s sweater as she began to unzip the fly of his jeans.

 

Something so wrong had never felt so right…

 

The Sterling Mansion: John’s Study

 

“I can’t believe you’re actually blackmailing me,” John was taken aback…he had never seen this side to Will before, “You have to understand…”

 

“What? That you knew I was your son all this time and you never even thought to set anything up for me, the same way as you did the rest of your kids?” Will folded his arms, “I mean you didn’t seriously think I’d never find out I was your son, did you? And yet you expect me to just forget about everything I should have got.”

 

“You don’t understand, Will…”

 

”No, you don’t understand,” Will insisted…

 

…

 

Megan closed the door to the mansion, carrying a small gift bag. She had seen the most adorable little outfit for Adam whilst shopping and just couldn’t resist buying it, so she had stopped by to give to Greg. The mansion seemed quiet, so Megan began to look around to see if she could find anyone.

 

Hearing voices, she walked down the corridor to her father’s study. She recognized one of the voices as her father, and the other one was oddly familiar…suddenly it clicked, it was Will. But what was Will doing in her father’s study? Megan tiptoed towards the doorway and began to listen to their conversation.

 

…

 

“I’m not going to settle, John,” Will demanded, “I want what I’m owed. I think that’s an easy enough concept for you to grasp.”

 

“Oh sorry, I’ll just write you a check here for a billion dollars, that should cover it,” John had to ridicule Will, it was the only way to make sense of this bizarre situation.

 

“Don’t take the piss,” Will snapped, “You’re the one who decided to tear my entire family apart. You’re the one who slept with my mother all those years ago…you’re my father…so start acting like it.

 

“Wesley Abbot is your dad, I may be your biological father, Will, but Wesley is the one who’s given you everything you’ve needed,” John leaned on his desk, “Why should I cough up money for you?”

 

“Because I’m your son,” Will’s eyes narrowed, “So I want what the rest of them got.”

 

…

 

Megan’s jaw dropped to the floor…was she really hearing this? Will, her ex boyfriend, was, in fact, her brother? No way, no way, it couldn’t be, it just couldn’t be true. She felt a sinking to the pit of her stomach, she just couldn’t believe it.

 

Suddenly it hit her…if Will really was Johns’ son, then she’d slept with her own brother! Megan wanted to be sick. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. She could feel the colour draining from her face…

 

TO BE CONTINUED…