Betrayed, p.13
Betrayed, page 13
Our eyes lock and I feel our bodies are in sync, like we’re on the same wavelength. We abruptly collide, closing the distance between one another as fast as we can manage. We’re a tangle of limbs, so fully intertwined I’m unable to discern where I end and he begins. Bare skin touches bare skin and I can’t even remember getting naked, it all happened so fast. Anxiousness seizes through my veins as I’m equal parts nervous and excited that this tryst, this... fantasy is finally coming to fruition.
His erection is pressing at my entrance. Bare.
“Um, I think you need a raincoat there, slick.”
“I had a vasectomy. Didn’t you hear?” He’s uncomfortable now, the heat of the moment briefly halted.
I know he was really saying didn’t Sage tell you? But I won’t let her stop this from playing out. “Must’ve slipped my mind.” I nibble on his lobe as I whisper the words in his ear, effectively moving past the discomfort.
I straddle his lap and take my time slowly easing my way down his length. The tight squeeze is heavenly, filling me to the brim. My husband is no small feat but of course Sage of all people would end up bagging Mr. Monster Cock.
“Holy shit, Sage, you feel fucking incredible.”
I still my movement on top of him. The room goes deadly silent followed by the stinging sound of a hard slap against Taylor’s pretty face.
“What did you just call me?” The fume exuding from my ears may be enough to set off the smoke detectors. “I am not her. This cunt belongs to me. You feel this way because of me. I’m the one who feels incredible. When you’re with me, she ceases to exist.”
I enunciate every word while I bounce, coming down on his cock hard. He can’t stand it for long as he finally takes over control, flipping me on the couch so I lie underneath his gorgeous body. He’s good ─ really good. He takes me where I need to go and more, my orgasm slamming through me violently, clenching down on him with no reprieve.
He groans at the sensation and it takes everything in my power to not scream out as he continues to hit my sensitive bud over and over again. The sex felt endless while simultaneously over too soon. Both of us are breathless, panting as we come down from euphoria.
He brushes the blonde hair out of my face swiftly and flashes me a boyish grin. “We have to do that again.”
Chapter 26
Kennedy
WE MAY BE HOME FROM that horrific ‘vacation,’ but the tension didn’t stay in Aspen. My world is crashing down around me. Logan is pissed I didn’t immediately tell him my suspicions about Caroline and Taylor. Sage confronted me at work first thing Monday morning after discovering I was the witness to the suspected adultery. Plus, both Caroline and Lexi are pissed I don’t trust them and furthermore don’t believe them.
But who am I to believe? Obviously one of them is lying right to my face.
It’s as if I’m the bad guy in this situation when I’m not the one fucking my best friend’s husband. So why is everyone turning on me? Why do I have to be the outlet for their irritation? Granted, they’re not speaking to each other either, but I digress.
By Friday I decide I won’t take any more of the cold shoulder from Logan. In the very traditional make-your-spouse-forgive-you move, I pull out all the stops, preparing his favorite dinner and dessert. I even have on lingerie under my clothes in case dinner and dessert don’t quite do the trick. I want to ensure this night is special so I can properly apologize and explain myself.
He wanders into the kitchen and catches my eye, really looking at me for the first time in days. “Something smells delicious.”
He walks over and kisses me on the cheek, a gesture I’ve missed lately. The simple, sweet show of affection combined with the stress of this past week is my undoing. I tear up, turning to face him full-on. I explain everything to him finally, the words pouring out of me as I clarify what I saw and why I didn’t come straight to him in the first place.
Looking slightly disappointed over the course of my confession, his expression softens before responding. “You can talk to me about anything, Ken, you know that. Especially the hard stuff. You didn’t have to deal with this alone.”
At his use of the word “alone,” my eyes instantly well up once more. Once the floodgates are opened by the first few tears, it’s nearly impossible for me to switch them off. Nearly breaking down, I fill him in on every one of our friends ostracizing me.
“I’ll call Parker.” He retrieves his phone from his pocket, prepared to call his brother and fight my battle; so chivalrous, my husband.
“No, don’t. This is my problem and I don’t want it coming between the two of you. I’ll figure it out.” He looks at me hesitantly, as if I’m testing him and he’s unsure if he should cave to my wishes or continue to call Parker. “Please.”
At my pleading, he puts his phone away in agreement. Although I’m sure he’ll still call Parker later anyway, once I’m out of earshot, to at least clear the air between them. And truly, I can’t fault him for wanting to protect me.
“AUNT CAROLINE!” IT’S Saturday morning and I’m upstairs getting dressed when I hear my children’s shrill of excitement. I’m throwing my hair into a messy bun as I descend the stairs to greet my unexpected guest. My nerves are evident as I tug at my sweater and fidget with my jewelry.
My kids are hanging off of her legs like little monkeys when I enter the room. “Hey, Care.” I attempt to stay cheerful, not wanting my kids to suspect anything and luckily Caroline follows my lead. She’s always been great with my kids – they wholeheartedly adore her. It’s a shame she’s never wanted any of her own.
Leaning down, she addresses them in the voice all adults reserve when speaking to children. “Hey kids, how about you guys go play for a while and if you behave maybe I can convince your mom to take us all to the movies later!”
The little vultures turn on me, a chorus of, “Please, Mommy?” and subsequent cheers over Care’s premeditated promise.
“Go play, I need to talk to Aunt Caroline.” They run off, the little balls of energy a match for the Energizer bunny.
Caroline follows me into my formal living room and we sit down on the couch a couple feet apart, but still face one another. Nervous energy bubbles through me, causing me to erupt with an “I’m sorry!” at the same time she says it as well.
We giggle nervously and she waves her hand, a sign for me to continue. I can’t grasp why we’re so tentative around each other this time. It’s not as if this is the first fight we’ve ever been in over the course of our twenty-plus year friendship, but something about this one is different. I just can’t quite put my finger on what that is. I don’t want to jump to conclusions and assume it’s because she’s guilty, but at the same time I can’t reasonably rule that option out either.
“Look Care, I know I should have come to you first, right when I suspected something was going on, but it all happened so fast. Especially since I know what happened with your parents. But I was shocked, and honestly, a little hurt you didn’t come to me yourself. I admit I jumped to conclusions, but then Taylor said you were together that night so I didn’t know what to do.”
She sits silently for a while, processing everything I’ve said. “Have you talked to Lexi yet?”
“No. She’s still pissed at me for accusing her too.” I make a mental note to reach out to her as well to smooth things over.
Her expression shifting from solemn to eager, Caroline brusquely clasps her hands together and smiles. “What do you say we take the kids to that movie I promised them? I miss the little munchkins!” She jumps off the couch and waits for me to follow suit.
I’m cautious with my response, but I can’t let this subject go. “But we really need to talk about —” If looks could kill, I’d be on the floor. Her demeanor silences me immediately and, just like that, she changes the subject, ignoring the still-present elephant in the room.
Still looking at me, she makes her point loud and clear. “Kids! What movie do you want to watch?” She goes to meet them at the door, squeals of excitement echoing through the house.
THE ROAD TO THE MOVIES passes by Sage and Taylor’s house and naturally, my mind wanders. I can’t help but wonder what is going on with them and when our feud will end, if ever. As we pass their house on the hill, we catch a glimpse of their driveway, where a black Mercedes I don’t recognize is parked.
I glance at Caroline and notice she’s also staring out her window at the car, her expression blank. She utters one syllable that is blatantly filled with confusion.
“Huh.”
AFTER THE MOVIE, I put the kids down for a nap and invite Caroline to stay for dinner since Parker is out of town again. I can only imagine how lonely she is at home and maybe that’s why she went after... no. Stop it, Kennedy, don’t think like that.
We hang out while she watches me prepare dinner and I ask the burning question resting on the tip of my tongue, itching to get out. “Whose car do you think that was? In Taylor’s driveway, I mean.”
“How would I know?” I know Taylor is a sore subject for her, but it’s something we’re going to have to talk about eventually. And we’ll all be together again someday I’m sure so she needs to buck up and stop being stubborn. If she really isn’t involved, then it shouldn’t be uncomfortable, right?
I give her a look and she rolls her eyes as a silent response. “I don’t know, Ken, maybe it was Lexi. Maybe she’s in full secret-slut mode and gets a rental car to bang Taylor.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes at her. I knew she’d be snarky, but she’s really sensitive lately. “Okay...when will Parker be home this time?”
Evidently, my follow up question is not a safe topic of conversation either. Conversations with Caroline have never been this uncomfortable or strained in all the years we’ve been friends. I don’t know what else I can do or say at this point to help mend the cracks by all this drama.
I thought being in your thirties meant you were free of drama. What’s the quote in that one movie? Thirty and thriving or something? Well, apparently the drama doesn’t stay in high school. I wish I’d known that growing up.
“Oh! God, this feels like ages ago, but what did Parker ever have to say about those gifts you found?” Once the question is out of my mouth I fear I’ve stumbled upon another touchy subject, but luckily she beams.
“It was so stupid. He intentionally bought all the stuff I don’t wear since he’s bought me all my usual stuff over the years. I guess Lexi and Grayson weren’t lying about the perfume after all.” She shrugs and before anything else can be said, her phone rings. “It’s Parker,” she says to me giddily before rushing to take the call.
As Caroline leaves the room to talk to Parker, I’m left in alone and in peace in my kitchen. Maybe now she’ll have good news so we have something to talk about.
Friendships shouldn’t be this hard. We’ve never let a guy come between us before, so why should we start now? I can’t let this situation ruin me and Caroline – I won’t.
If it is Caroline, then she and Sage are done being friends ─ that much is obvious. But then will Sage cut me off since I’ll stay friends with Caroline? Will this situation impact my friendship with Caroline even if I don’t want it to? And how will it affect my work relationship with Sage? Do we go back to hating one another?
As shitty as it sounds, right now I’m seriously hoping Lexi is the cheater.
Chapter 27
Sage
RIVULETS OF SWEAT BEAD down my head, neck, and back, thoroughly soaking me. I’m sticky and hot; I haven’t been this amped up in a long time.
“Come on, harder! Yes, that’s it!” My kickboxing instructor is the toughest in the city, but he knows my body and my limits better than I do. He knows when to push me hard and today I need it.
The workout is grueling, but I keep at it for another exhausting five minutes before I’m given a break. I wipe down my face and take a swig of my drink. I started my workout nearly an hour ago, and generally by this point I’d be wiped, but my energy isn’t dwindling today and Coach can tell.
“What’s eating you? You haven’t pushed yourself this hard since college.” I’ve known Coach through my family for years. If my workout ethic didn’t give me away today, my sour mood definitely would have.
“It’s nothing. Everything. It’s... her.” The shock is apparent in my voice and confusion clouds my face. Coach follows my gaze, landing on a slight, sprightly blonde, her ponytail bobbing to the rhythm of her gait.
She’s lucky I just expelled a ton of energy so I can’t march over there and kick her perky little ass.
It’s as if we’ve entered a time vortex that only works in slow motion. She spins around and that fucking blonde ponytail sways with her. She freezes as she catches my eye, her expression priceless. I can read her thoughts all over her face; the indecision of whether or not to come my way is weighing on her heavily. Her decision disappoints me as she makes her way over to where I sit beside Coach.
“Can we talk?” She’s toying with the lid of her water bottle, opening and closing it repeatedly with an irritating snap. When I don’t instantly get up to follow her, she glances nervously at Coach.
Sighing heavily, I roll my eyes and stand, following her only as far as the door through which she entered.
Meeting my eye, she stands tall and straightens her shoulders, preparing for what she’s about to say. Even at her full height, without her statement heels on, she stands a full 5 inches shorter than me. “Look, Sage, I’m sorry for the things I said and because everything got so out of hand between the two of us.” She glances down at my hand and I follow her gaze, my fingers flinching in response. “Pun intended.” She’s referring to the slap I gave her and the memory causes me to smirk. “I’m sorry for whatever is going on between you and Taylor, but I swear it has nothing to do with me.”
“So, what? I’m supposed to believe it’s Lexi?” As soon as her name leaves my lips, realization dawns – of course it’s Lexi. It makes so much sense. We have history because of everything that happened that night plus how close I still am to Gray. She tried her best to cut me out of his life, but I’m the kind of friend who sticks. We’ve been through thick and thin over the years. I wasn’t going to let his crazy girlfriend kick me to the curb. She’s always been jealous of my relationship with Grayson. That bitch has hated me for years.
“You know, I believe you Care. I think it is Lexi.” While I explain Lexi’s motives, Caroline can’t help but get caught on the one minor...okay, major detail.
“But what is this elusive night you all keep talking about? Obviously something happened between you guys.” I’m glad she can’t read my mind, because I’m taken back to what truly happened at Gray’s frat party that night in college.
The music is thumping from downstairs, though it’s muted in Grayson’s bedroom. His room smells of beer, textbooks, and dirty gym socks. The queen bed in the center of the back wall has a classic plaid comforter. Overall, the room is sparse and not as messy as I would’ve guessed for a frat bro in his final year. I run my finger along his desk and find a picture of his girlfriend he refuses to introduce me to. I –
My daydream of the past ends hastily and Caroline pulls me out of my thoughts as fast as they happen. “That’s not important now. What’s important is proving this and catching the bitch in the act. We need Kennedy.”
NEVER IN A MILLION years did I think I’d be on a stakeout mission in the backyard of my own freaking house. After I ran into Caroline at the gym last Sunday, I immediately made sure she and Kennedy were free to help me spy on my husband. Oh, how the mighty have freaking fallen.
To my right I have Caroline, on the lookout for approaching cars or people, guaranteeing we don’t get caught. On my left is Kennedy, a pair of binoculars in her hand matching my own.
Fortunately, it’s not snowing or unbearably cold today, considering it is mid-March in Boston. Still, we have hot chocolate and coffee in several thermoses, along with a battery-operated space heater plus hand and feet warmers.
The moment the sun started to set, we invade my backyard, setting up shop in the trees and bushes behind my house. While Logan is fully aware of our surveillance mission and Parker is still out in warm California, I had to come up with a story, claiming I was going on a last-minute medical conference all weekend.
Conveniently, I found out Lexi told Grayson she was going on a writer’s retreat for the weekend, which I’m sure is a ruse to spend all weekend fucking my husband.
Right around nine that night there are headlights pulling up the driveway. The binoculars are proving useless since my hands have become so clammy they keep slipping out of my grasp. If that weren’t enough, my hands are shaking so intensely, making it impossible to see out of them clearly. Even if I were able to get a good look, I don’t think this is something I particularly want to bear witness.
My stomach lurches and I’m suddenly overwhelmingly warm. My chest aches like I’m having a heart attack — or like my heart is breaking. Somewhere deep in my soul I still held onto hope this was all a crazy scheme or misunderstanding. Nausea rolls through me hard and fast, effectively knocking me off my feet. I stumble back, plummeting into my recently-vacated lawn chair.
Kennedy and Caroline are rubbing my shoulders. Maybe it’s the gloves they’re wearing causing the sensation to be diminished, or maybe it’s just me, because truthfully, I don’t feel anything. I’m numb.
