Meant to Be (Forever and Always #12)

by E. L. Todd

  She studied my face. “And what made you change so drastically?”

  That was a long story. “My younger brother, a bigger playboy than I’ll ever be, got married. His wife is amazing, a really cool chick. I saw how happy they were together, happier than I was with my line of different chicks, and I realized how hollow I was. I wanted what he had. A beautiful wife that was my best friend, a home I shared with her, a person to accept me completely. So I chased it.”

  “Well, Cassandra is very lucky.”

  That sounded like an approval. “So…we’re okay?”

  She shrugged. “I think so.”

  I smiled. “Should we hug or something?” I wasn’t good at this affection thing.

  “Okay.” She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a quick hug. I wasn’t attracted to Zeal, but I still felt weird hugging her, any girl for that matter. It was like I was cheating on Cassandra.

  I pulled away when I thought it went on long enough. “There’s something I’d really like your help with.”

  She laughed. “You didn’t wait long to ask a favor.”

  “Well, I’m desperate.”

  “What?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Cassandra told me she never wants to get married…because of what your brother did to her.”

  Her eyes flashed in emotion but she didn’t speak.

  “I really want to change her mind. She needs to be my wife, the mother of my kids. I want something more from her.”

  “I really don’t know how I could help with that…”

  “Tell her she can trust me.”

  “But I don’t even know you, Mike.”

  I sighed. “Then tell her to not let what her ex did ruin her life. Have a girl talk with her.”

  “Well…don’t you think that’s a conflict of interest?”

  “Are you telling me you want her to get back together with him?” That would make me explode in a rage.

  “I don’t know…they were together for a long time. He just made a mistake.”

  “A mistake?” I said angrily. “Where did he mean to put it? In her wallet?”

  She sighed. “Look. I’m staying out of it. But if they did get back together, I would support it. I know my brother loves her. He regrets what he did—even now.”

  I clenched my jaw tightly. I wanted to blurt what the motherfucker did to Cassandra but I held my tongue. If Cassandra didn’t want anyone to know, I’d keep her secret…even though it was killing me.

  “Well, she’s with me and I’m not a cheater and a liar. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I didn’t say you were.” She held her hand up and backed away, flinching at my hostility. “I’m just saying, my brother isn’t a bad guy.”

  I couldn’t argue about this anymore. “Just convince Cassandra that getting remarried wouldn’t be a mistake, whoever she ends up with.” Which would be me. No one else. Me.

  “I can try and talk to her.”

  “You should.”

  She shouldered her purse then headed to the door. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

  “Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

  “You really don’t have to be my best friend,” she said with a laugh.

  “With Cassandra,” I added. “And bring Veronica and Lana.”

  “Uh…they don’t like you very much.”

  “One down and two more to go.”

  “Hey. I never said I liked you,” she teased. “I just approve of you.”

  “And that means a lot more than you liking me.” I opened the door to my office then let her walk out. “How about at seven?”

  “Sounds good.”

  When she was gone, I sat behind my desk and pondered the conversation. We made a lot of progress in a single meeting, and I was glad Zeal didn’t vehemently hate me anymore. If I could win over her friends, then maybe she’d reconsider marrying me. Cassandra was my dream and I’d do anything to make her mine until the end of time.

  3

  Sean

  My dad started coming to work every day because he had nothing else to do. As soon as he walked into the building, everyone greeted him with warm smiles and affection. He was definitely popular.

  Word had spread about his separation from my mom. And I noticed the women paid more attention to him, bringing him lunch or innocently touching him on the shoulder. Even the younger women did it. And hot women. I wasn’t sure if my dad had game or they were after his money. But my dad seemed immune to all their advances. He didn’t break his stride or think twice about it.

  After work, my dad came into my office, a bag over his shoulder. “Want to hit the weights together?”

  I smirked. “You work out, old man?”

  He patted his flat stomach. “You think I look this good from sitting around all day?”

  “I figured you had a fast metabolism.”

  “Nope. We put a gym in the downstairs bedroom a few years ago. I tried to convince your mother to use it, but she preferred to do yoga with the wives of the country club. I’ve never cared for yoga.”

  He still spoke about my mom on a daily basis, like they were still together. When Scarlet and I broke up, I didn’t want to hear her name. It hurt too much. But perhaps it was different because my mom was still a part of our family, in a weird way. “Ready?” I asked.

  “Let’s do it.”

  We headed to the gym then changed in the locker room. Even though I never took off my wedding ring, the girls would still make passes at me. So I tried to look as unattractive as possible at the gym. I wore basketball shorts and a baggy t-shirt that hid my chest and muscles from view. It still displayed my swollen arms but there was nothing I could do about that. It was too hot to wear a long sleeve shirt.

  My dad wore black basketball shorts and a sleeveless top. My dad always wore a suit or classy clothes, so I didn’t see his body very often. So when I saw defined muscles in his arms and calves, I was surprised. I expected him to be all wrinkles.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “You’re surprised I look better than you?” he teased. “I’m not as old as you think.”

  “Apparently not.”

  We headed to the bench and spotted each other. I went first while my dad stood over me. His hands hung low so he could catch the bar if he needed to. I’ve never worked out with my dad before, and I was surprised how normal it was. When my arms started to shake, my dad immediately took the bar and racked it.

  “Good set,” he said. “Now it’s my turn.” He lay on the bench.

  I changed the weights, making it lighter.

  “What are you doing, son?”

  “Changing out the weights.”

  “Sean, I can do it.”

  “Um…let’s start light.”

  He gave me a firm look. “Sean, please return the weights.”

  I sighed then did as he asked. “There’s no reason to hurt yourself.”

  “I’m perfectly aware of what I can and can’t handle.” He lifted the bar from the rack and did his set. My hands hung low so I could catch the bar if I needed to. But surprisingly, I didn’t. My dad didn’t even break a sweat. After he did three sets of ten, he returned the bar.

  “I’m impressed, Dad.”

  He stretched his arms. “I can do more than play golf.”

  We headed to the leg press and took turns on the machine. My dad could meet my weight set and do the same number of sets. It left me baffled. I took a break and stood with my hands on my hips, catching my breath. My dad checked his watch.

  I spotted a blonde across the room. She wore skimpy shorts and a bra that pushed her breasts together. She was giving me the eye so I quickly looked away, not wanting her to bother me. I needed to wear a sandwich board that said, “I’m a married man.” So chicks would leave me the hell alone.

  When she headed our way, I cursed under my breath. I hated being rude but sometimes I had to be. The last thing I needed was a rumor about me cheating to get back
to my wife and get me in a world of trouble.

  She came to my side but didn’t look at me. “I love your watch.”

  Huh?

  “Oh, thank you.” My dad smiled then flicked his wrist, watching the Rolex move. “I’ve had it for many years and it still works.”

  “Money well spent,” she said with a smile. Her hands were on her hips and she had perfect posture. Her breasts were pushed out and her stomach was tucked in.

  “I like your…shoes.” My dad looked at the ground, unsure what else to compliment.

  “Thank you.” She pointed her toes then returned her look to him. “So, you work out a lot?”

  I can’t believe this chick was hitting on my dad. How did he do that?

  “A few times a week,” he said. “Whenever I have time.”

  “You sound like a busy man.” She gave him a smoldering look.

  God, she wanted to screw my dad. Gross!

  My dad started to turn red. “Well, I…have a lot going on.”

  “Maybe you could squeeze me in and take me out for a drink.”

  Hot damn. My dad has game.

  His cheeks were even darker. “Well, that’s very flattering…”

  She reached into the cleavage of her sports bra and pulled out a business card. “Call me sometime.”

  My dad took it with a shaky hand then she walked off.

  I was frozen to the spot, shocked that a chick that hot just hit on my dad. I snatched the business card away and read her title. She was a workout instructor and part-time swimsuit model. “Wow.”

  He walked to the next machine. “I need to work my quads.”

  “What? Are we not going to talk about what just happened?”

  “There’s nothing to discuss.” He adjusted the machine to his height.

  “You aren’t going to call her?” I asked, still holding his card.

  “No.” He seemed bored.

  “Dad, she was fucking hot. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  He gave me a firm look. “We’ve already talked about this, Sean.”

  “But…just get laid, Dad. When was the last time you got any?”

  He shook his head. “None of your business.”

  “Don’t be a goody-goody,” I snapped. “Just take her out for a drink. She’s like half your age.”

  “They are all half my age.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean they are all half your age?”

  He shrugged. “That’s not the first time I’ve been hit on.”

  Wow. “Why didn’t you show me your moves when I was in college?”

  “I don’t have any moves. I’m just a nice guy. And honestly, they just want me for my money.”

  “How do you know that? You’re just a guy at the gym. They have no idea who you are or how much money you make.”

  “Any girl who’s interested in an older man has father issues and needs money.”

  “That’s not your problem! Fuck her and be done with it.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Watch your mouth.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Just have fun, Dad. You’re single now.”

  “I haven’t even signed the divorce papers yet.”

  “Whatever,” I said with a wave of my hand. “No one would judge you for it.”

  “Maybe you can screw around with a bunch of girls but I can’t. I have to actually care about the person somewhat to do something like that.”

  “Don’t give me that,” I said. “I know you used to get around in college.”

  “Yes, when I was twenty. I’m an old man now. I play by different rules.”

  God, my dad was lame.

  “If you left Scarlet, hypothetically, would you be chasing tail right away?”

  Fuck no. I couldn’t even imagine being with anyone for the rest of my life. She could pass way, and ten years later, I’d still be alone. “Not the same thing.”

  “Yes, it is. Now, would you?”

  “No. But Scarlet is different.”

  “Your mother wasn’t always off her rocker,” he said. “She used to be an incredible woman. And I miss that person.”

  My heart squeezed for my dad. “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “That’s life.”

  I sat on the machine beside him then handed him the card. “You want this?”

  “Toss it.”

  I threw it in the garbage can next to me. “I know it’s hard right now, but you’ll feel better eventually. I love you and Mom, but I think this is best for you. Mom didn’t treat you right and you’ll find someone who does. You’ll be happy again someday.”

  “I just want to be married.” He released a deep breath. My dad was never sad or in a bad mood. Nothing could tear him down or make him feel weak. But now he was just a fraction of the man he used to be. And it killed me to see it.

  I patted his back. “You got me and Mike until the end of time.”

  He smiled slightly. “I know.”

  4

  Cortland

  I met Monnique for lunch during my break. We usually went to a café because I only had forty-five minutes. She was off today, so she already had the food ready at the table outside on the patio.

  She was wearing a yellow dress the fit nicely to her curves. Her hair was down and in slight curls. Her make up was light but her eyes still shined bright. She was a vision. Every time I saw her, I couldn’t believe she was mine. She was perfect.

  I cupped her face and kissed her when I reached the table. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” She blushed slightly.

  I sat across from her then kept looking at her. Her breasts were noticeable in the cut of her dress. I looked away then picked up my sandwich.

  “That wasn’t discreet,” she said with a smirk.

  “Don’t expect me not to gawk at you if you dress like that.”

  “No. That was the point.” She sipped her iced tea. “How’s work?”

  “Fine. Nothing too eventful to report.”

  “How’s Andrew?”

  “Sean and Mike try to give him things to do to keep him occupied, but he’s still restless. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.”

  Her eyes softened. “He’s such a wonderful man and doesn’t deserve to be in pain.”

  “I know.”

  I picked up my sandwich and took a few bites. Monnique picked at her salad, eating a few pieces at a time. Sometimes I worried about her health because she ate so little. Her back was perfectly straight and she ate with grace.

  There was something I had put off for a while, a conversation we needed to have. But there was so much going on that I didn’t think it was appropriate to bring it up. But I was running out of time. “Baby?”

  “Hmm?”

  “There’s something I want to discuss. I hope you don’t get angry with me.”

  She stilled and held her fork in her hand. “Yeah?”

  “You told me your ex…used to hurt you.” I hated saying the words. It killed me. It ripped me apart.

  She averted her gaze and focused on her salad.

  “And…I can’t just accept that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want to know who he is.”

  Monnique finally looked at me. “What’s done is done, Cortland. Just let it go.”

  “But I can’t. You should report him to the police.”

  She started to grow agitated. “It’s been too long, Cortland. I have no evidence at this point. I’ve recovered from that pain and I’ve moved on. Leave it in the past.”

  “No one hurts my girl and gets away with it,” I snapped. “Period.”

  She held my gaze, not backing down.

  “I want to know what happened.”

  “You already know what happened.”

  “No. I want to know how it started and how it ended. I need to make sure this guy won’t be a problem in our future.”

  “He won’t find me,” she said dismissively.

  “So he would try to f
ind you?” I didn’t like that at all.

  “Cortland, I don’t know what he’s thinking.”

  “Did he still come after you when you broke up?”

  She put her fork down. “Can we discuss something else?”

  “No.”

  “Now isn’t the time.” She eyed the table next to us.

  “Then we’ll discuss it tonight after work.”

  She sighed.

  “You can’t run away from this. I’m sorry.”

  “There’s no point in getting upset over something you can’t change,” she said firmly. “I got out of that relationship and I moved on—with you. I’m happy and know you would never hurt me like that.”

  “That’s not the point.”

  She stabbed her salad with her fork and scratched the plate. “I’m done with this conversation.”

  I finished my sandwich and backed off. I knew Monnique wouldn’t be thrilled to have this conversation. I knew how she was. But I needed to discuss it. I had to make sure Monnique was truly safe from that asshole. If not, I’d take care of it. I wasn’t an innately violent guy, but if something threatened the person I loved more than anything, I would tear them apart. And I would have my boys back me up, who would be just as pissed as I was.

  Monnique didn’t look at me for the rest of the meal. She finished half her salad then ate a few slices of bread. I finished my entire meal because I was starving. There were usually snacks in the break room but it was sugary, fattening foods, something that would ruin my diet. If my girl had a smokin’ body, I had to have one too so she’d stick around.

  Monnique looked at the people passing us on the sidewalk and glanced at the nearby tables. She suddenly darted her gaze away and focused on the surface. The movement was so sudden, it caught my eye. It was like she’d seen a ghost.

  Her eyes moved back to the original spot then quickly looked away again.

  “Baby, everything alright?”

  She turned to me. “Some guy keeps staring at me…”

  I didn’t see why that was weird. People stared at her all the time. “You want me to take care of it?”

  “No.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “But if he keeps it up, I’m going to slap him across the face.”

  “I can do that for you.”

  “Let’s just get the check and go.”