Unexpected Chances

by A. M. Willard

  “That’s all any of us can do. Try and you never know you could stand next to that prince tomorrow.”

  “Oh no you don’t. Get it out of your mind, right now. I refuse to fall for Logan’s best friend. Not going to happen, chick.”

  “Never say never.”

  We chat a little more on how she’s not making a mistake and I swear to her that I would kill him if he ever hurt her or that baby.

  I know that’s never an option, as she is Logan’s life and soon their child will be his life.

  I slip into my emerald green cocktail dress and slide into my silver heels. I chose to go with a straight form fighting one this evening. You never know, I’m in a new city with some pretty interesting people around me. No reason to not dress to kill; it’s my new motto.

  Making it through some eventful interactions for the evening, things slow down as the night comes to a close. I’d persuaded Logan to sleep elsewhere, we needed some alone time with just us girls.

  “Its bad luck Logan, and you will not win this war with me.”

  “You and Angela will be the death of me; I’m glad to have a few states between us. Don’t take it the wrong way, I just know I’d never win with the two of you,” Logan states, as he grabs his overnight bag and leaves.

  “Come on little momma, let’s get some beauty rest. Tomorrow is a big day,” I say, as I pull her up from the couch.

  “It is and thank you for everything you’ve done to help me. Without you and the wedding planner, this never would happen.”

  “It would have happened, just not to his standards.”

  “True… thank you for being here, Tabitha. For everything you do, and always standing beside me. No matter what.”

  “No thanks are needed. You’d do the same for me, and plus now I get to be Aunt Tabby. What better gift could you ever give me than that? I will spoil it like no other.”

  Chuckling at me, “You will not spoil this child. Do you understand me?”

  “I hear you loud and clear, but you know I never listen.”

  “Lord help me, I know you don’t.”

  ****

  Carter

  I’m out of my mind thinking this was a smart idea. I never should have responded and agreed to attend this wedding.

  On my way to the lounge for dinner, I have to stop and brace myself against the wall. I can hear Tabitha laugh from down the way. It’s a sound that I’ve missed but at the same time it warms my heart.

  “You can do this, Carter. Keep your shit together,” I let out in a growl.

  Peeking around the column to make sure they don’t see me, I watch as she wraps her arms around Angela’s soon to be husband. It’s a brief encounter as they share another laugh. It should be me here with her, embracing her as she feels fit.

  Instead I hide out and wait.

  Seems like the same story over and over again. Tomorrow though will be a new day. A day I plan to approach and see if she will still give me a chance.

  For now I will wait and run over the plan for tomorrow. I just hope I don’t get the wrath of her fire.

  Chapter Thirty Nine:

  Tabitha

  The ceremony was beautiful, a fairy tale ending for a happy couple. I love my navy blue strapless gown and silver rhinestone heels. Anything I can make sparkle causes me to smile.

  Angela has this crazy notation in her head that Will and I will hit it off. He’s good-looking, but he’s not my Carter, the one I’d like to be cutting a rug with. For now I’ll allow Will, Cory and Seth to keep me company. I love the fact that Angela invited them all.

  The only thing that worries me, is Cory seems to be watching me like a hawk. Then you have Seth and Jessica going at it every five seconds.

  I march over to them, “Look if one of you ruins her special day you will die from the heel of my shoes. One spike for each of you,” I explain, as I point to both Cory and Seth. “If that happens, you better pray you live to buy me a new pair,” I continue to explain, as I lift my dress a little and watch them shine against my dress. They’re catching the reflection from the lights above and dancing.

  Bringing me out of my fog, “What are you five? They shine, it’s not like you’ve never seen it before,” Seth spits out at me earning him a death glare.

  I watch as he walks away towards the bar. That’s when I see him and to the right is Angela, waving me over.

  “Go fix it, Firecracker, You and I both know where your heart lies,” Cory whispers in my ear.

  I turn to give him my best smile, as I reach up and place a small kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for always being you.”

  As I march my way across the ballroom floor, I’m watching everything happen in slow motion. Confused to who’s just wrapped their arm into Carters.

  She looks familiar, but I’m not sure who she is.

  As I approach, Carter’s jaw is rigid and I immediately notice his fist in a tight grip next to him.

  “Tabitha, you know Carter and his wife, Bethany,” Angela says, and the room starts to spin underneath my feet.

  “Yes, I know Carter and it’s a pleasure to meet you Bethany.” As I extend my hand out towards her. I take this moment to cut my eyes up towards Carter. Pleading with him for answers to why I seem to be the last one on earth that knew this man was married.

  “If you will excuse me, I promised a dance to the best man.” I let out, turning as quick as my new heels will allow me. I’m still spinning and need a moment, but I know I have to fake that smile I’m accustomed to.

  “Come on, Will it’s time to show me your moves,” I instruct, as I walk past him. Cory gives me a look and I shake my head at him. He knows this means not right now.

  Just as my feet hit the wood dance floor, the DJ switches the song to “Dark Horse” and I’m instantly taken back to that night when Carter surprised me on the dance floor.

  I turn my head slightly and look back towards the bar, he’s talking with Angela, but his eyes are burning holes through my skin.

  “Can you keep up, Mr. Best man?” I ask, using my best slutty voice.

  “Oh I’m sure I can match it. Can you handle me?”

  “Just pay attention, big boy.”

  I let the music and words take over me, as I close my eyes I’m taken back to that night in the club. The night that he set every cell of my body on fire. The first time in forever that I was ready right then to hand my heart over. I know he’s watching. Carter knows exactly what I’m thinking and doing in this moment of time.

  I’m replaying that night step for step, hip sway for hip sway.

  Swinging my hips, I start to move down slowly until I reach the floor and then head back up.

  “Tabitha, I like you, but if you don’t want me to cause a scene right now, I suggest you stand up,” Will explains, in his scratchy voice. It’s sexy, but not what I need to hear.

  The voice I need is standing next to the bar with his wife on his arm.

  A tap on my shoulder brings me back to reality as I look around and realize that I’m on the dance floor attending my best friend’s wedding.

  “Not tonight. I promise I’ll explain soon, but not tonight. I won’t be able to hold it together if you make me.” I rush through it as I know in any moment she will cause me to break down in front of everyone.

  “Just tell me if he hurt you?”

  “He didn’t hurt me, but he’s a man and men break your heart,” I explain, as I feel the tears building in my sockets. “I will be fine. I have no desire to ruin your wedding day.”

  Angela embraces me with one of her hugs, the only kind I need at this moment in time.

  “If you’ll excuse me. I’m going to get some fresh air.”

  “Take your time and if you need me I’m here,” Angela says, as she rubs down the side of my arm to comfort me.

  I step off the floor and notice that Carter is still watching. I can’t look at him. I don’t even know what to say.

  ****

  Carter

  As Angela
approaches me, I feel someone grab onto my arm. I turn my head towards the person and I’m stricken with anger.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I growl out in a low voice so no one else can hear me.

  “I’m your plus one. You really need to start responding as a plus one, Carter. Now smile for the happy bride.”

  My blood is boiling to the point that if I could commit murder and get away with it, I would make it happen right now. She has no idea what she has just done, but then when I think about it Bethany has planned this down to the last second of the evening.

  “Congratulations, Angela,” I say, as I shake her hand briefly. It’s then that I catch Tabitha out of my peripheral vision and watch as she heads in our direction.

  I notice her brother and Cory starting me down as they watch her walk towards me. Her body is straight as a rod and I notice the fire in her eyes is doing more than burning.

  Angela introduces us and I’m shocked that she knows Bethany. Someone did their research.

  After we make it through the pleasantries, Tabitha darts off on a mission. She’s hurt and I want to go to her. Comfort her and tell her everything, but I can’t.

  “It’s a shame, she had to find out like this, Carter. You really need to pull it together. She’s nobody.”

  Bethany’s voice causes me to see red, “You’re wrong, she’s my future,” I lash out, as I get in Bethany’s face and lean down to her ear. “Remember this day, Bethany and remember it well. Today is the last day you will ever see me, do you understand me? I’m done with your sick twisted games. You won’t take me down with you, ever. I have enough proof to make it happen.”

  She stops me, “You use to have enough proof, but I took care of that problem.”

  “See my darling wife, that’s where you’re wrong. He wasn’t the only one that had access to the information. See he was a decoy, one that lead them right to you and your family. I suspect within a few months, orange will look nice on you.” As I finish, I hear the intake of breath, and I turn to locate Tabitha.

  “My work is done here for now. I’ll see you back in Seattle, Carter.”

  “I’ll see you in court,” I state.

  Tabitha’s on the dance floor with the best man, dancing to the first song we ever danced to. I have to fight back everything in me to not snatch him off her and pound his face in. To the left of them, is Cory and I’m pretty sure by the way he’s looking at me, that’s the same thing he wishes to do to me.

  Observing the interaction between Tabitha and Angela, I know I need to follow behind her as she leaves the ballroom.

  What do I say to the events that just took place? I can’t tell her the truth yet, all I can promise her is that looks are deceiving and nothing appears as they are.

  I can promise that changes are coming and they will be worth the wait.

  Chapter Forty:

  Tabitha

  Stepping out into the hall, I lean back against the wall and take a moment for myself. I just need a brief second to catch my footing and find that Zen I worked so hard on finding.

  I fling my eyes open and I’m faced with Bethany.

  “Hello, Tabitha. I’ve heard so little about you, but know so much.”

  “Excuse me? I haven’t the slightest idea who the hell you are, other than Mr. Northwood’s wife.”

  “Oh, did you know that before tonight, or were you shocked?”

  “I wasn’t aware he was married, but I am now. So, if you’ll excuse me I need to find the ladies room.” As I finish and push off the wall, I’m shoved back into it.

  “Listen here and listen well. If I were you, I’d stay far away from him. Your life could depend on it. I will not sit back and watch him make a fool of me in front of everyone. He knew what he signed up for ten years ago.”

  I push her off me, “Go to hell. I don’t take well to threats or someone telling me how to live my life. I’m not a home wrecker, never have and never will be.” My voice is laced with pure hate for this woman and I haven’t the slightest idea on how he ever married such an evil person.

  I don’t know much about Carter, but I do know he’s nothing like her. Why did he lie to me, though? He could have told me the truth, and I would have accepted it. What I can’t take, are the lies and the fact that I almost slept with him.

  I was ready to give my body, soul, and spirit over to a man I knew nothing about.

  With all my might, I push open the heavy door to the ladies room. My heart is beating out of control and I could use something to punch in this exact moment.

  I look under the stalls to make sure I’m alone, and relief swallows me when I realize I am.

  Alone is all I will ever be.

  The burn within me becomes too much for me to take, I allow the tears to slide down my face. I’m not worried with my makeup or anything at this time. All I can focus on is how I’ll be alone and broken. The metal trash can, is next to me and I reach for it. Thankful it’s pretty much empty as I launch it towards the mirror.

  The shards of glass crackle against the counter and the metal echoes around me.

  I hear something from the doorway and turn to see Carter staring back at me.

  Raising my hand, I point it towards the mirror,

  “Do you see that? That’s my heart!” I scream.

  “Tabitha, listen please. I never meant to hurt you.”

  “No! You do not get to tell me that generic crap. Hurt doesn’t even begin to explain what you did. I opened myself to you, it might not have been much, but it was more than any guy has received in years. I was ready to show you the real me.”

  “You still can. It’s not what you think, and I promise I never meant for you to find out like this. She didn’t arrive with me.”

  “She came on her broom, because that’s what she just left on after she threatened me.”

  “She what? When?”

  “Just a moment ago in the hall. I’m glad you live with her.” As I finish the sentence, it dawns on me why he pushed me away that night I surprised him. “She’s the reason you shut me out that night, and turned me away. What was she waiting for you in your bed?”

  Carter steps closer to me, “No, see you’re wrong. We haven’t lived together since we married ten years ago. Like I said, I can’t tell you now, but I will. You have to trust me, Tabitha.”

  “Trust is something that is earned not given and currently Mr. Northwood I’m out of tickets. So, if you don’t mind you need to leave now.”

  “Before I leave here, you need to see something,” he states, as he loosens his tie and starts to unbutton his skirt.

  “You have got to be out your flipping mind, if you think I need to see you undress.”

  “Shut up, and look.”

  I’m staring at his chest, nothing was in that spot that night when he opened the door in nothing but his gym shorts.

  I cock my head and stare in confusion, stepping up to him I run my fingers over the design that I draw every day of my life. “How do you know about this?”

  “You drew it on my file folder. I’ve always left this area blank. It was reserved for the one who stole my heart. Tabitha… The one that holds my heart is you. Always and forever. Just know I’ll be back, and I’ll prove to you that I’m the man for you.”

  Tears stream down more and more as I don’t know what to say. No one has ever shown this kind of devotion towards me. Who takes something and tattoos it on their chest? Something so small, but so precious. Small little circles and hearts intertwined into one. I draw this on everything, as it’s the design in my head that I want tattooed on my wrist.

  The door shuts quietly behind him and Carter is gone. Disappearing from my life as fast as he entered it.

  My head’s spinning with the information from tonight. I haven’t the slightest clue to what the truth is. He destroyed any future we might have had together. I’ll never trust another human being with my heart.

  Somehow I manage to pull my shit together and look somewhat put back
together. I’ll need to write Logan a check for the mirror remembering that I was the one who did that. I’ve never done such a thing. But after being threatened and broken within a short amount of time, a girl is going to break.

  I step out and look up to see Cory leaning against the wall waiting on me.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey, Firecracker.”

  “You been waiting long?”

  “Long enough, come here,” Cory says, as he opens his arms to me and I jump into them. It’s what I need right now, the comfort from a person that I know loves me with his whole being.

  “I’ll love you no matter what, but you still need to trust, Tabitha. I know it’s hard but you have to recover.”

  “I can’t, Cory. I thought I was broken before, but now I’ll never be able to repair it. It’s gone forever.”

  “You want to hear something that will take your mind off this?”

  Giving him a deadpan look, “Yes.”

  “You can’t say a word until you hear it from them. Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  “Jessica is knocked up, and Seth is the lucky winner.”

  My mouth hangs open in a state of shock. How is it that everyone around me is finding happiness?

  Seth and Jessica.

  Cory and Meredith.

  Angela and Logan.

  Where’s my prince charming?

  Who’s going to rescue me when I need to be protected?

  ****

  Bethany

  If that red-headed, just good for nothing thinks she’s going to ruin my chances at winning this game.

  She’s wrong.

  As I leave the hotel, I search for my phone and dial him up.

  “Dear, our little problem seems to still be a problem. Do I need to take matters in my own hands?”

  “No babe, I can handle this. You know I’ll get my way with Carter or the girl. Give me a little time and I’ll correct the situation. I took care of the other problem, didn’t I?”

  “You did, but Carter knows it was either you or me. Stay clean and don’t track anything back to either me or my father. Are we clear?”