“Fine,” he yelled, unlocking the door. “You want to talk, let’s talk. Why don’t we start with why you never want to have sex with me anymore? It’s been two months Annabel. Two fucking months.”
“I don’t know Keith,” she shook her head back and forth. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just. I don’t. Want to anymore.”
“You don’t want to anymore? Am I supposed to just be okay with that?”
Annabel didn’t answer and instead lowered her head like a reprimanded teen. Like she knew she was in the wrong, but had no words of defense.
“When did this happen? When did we get here? I feel like the past two months have been a nightmare. You go on vacation and when you come back you’re a different person. We’re different. We were perfect and now, now I don’t know what we are. Strangers? At this point I feel like friends is even too strong of a word.”
“We weren’t perfect Keith. We haven’t been perfect for a while. Maybe before,” she trailed off, blinking out a tear.
Old Keith would have consoled her at the sight of tears. Would have put aside his feelings to make sure she was okay, but that person he used to be no longer existed, or if he did, was buried under too much shit to come out now. “You act like I didn’t lose a baby too! Well I did, and never once have you asked if I was okay. It was all about you and how you were feeling and that was okay because I got to hold you, I got to make everything better, and in that solace I felt better too, but now I can’t touch you. I can’t make love to you. You don’t confide in me, you don’t cuddle with me. How is that okay? How am I supposed to feel about that?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
Her apology was nice to hear. It had been a long time, too long since she uttered any words of remorse for her actions. He was beginning to think she really just didn’t care.
“Is there someone else Annabel? Are you sleeping with someone else? If you are, tell me now. I deserve to know.”
“What?” She looked up in shock. “No. No of course not.”
“So it’s me then? You’re just what, not in love with me anymore?”
“Of course I love you.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
After a heavy breath and lack of response, Keith stormed out of the bathroom leaving her standing on the cold tile alone and devastated. She couldn’t do it; tell him she was still in love with him when she so obviously was not. It would have given him hope and she didn’t want that, not when she was already one foot out the door, but seeing the wounded expression on his face made her wonder if she made the right choice. She didn’t want to hurt him, yet it’s what she was inevitably doing, and it was only going to get worse. She couldn’t decide if it was better this way, pushing him away slowly, or if she should rip off the Band-Aid and end it now. She already knew who she was choosing. At this point she was only prolonging the inevitable.
Why did Keith have to be such a good guy? This would be so much easier if she had a reason to leave him; one beyond falling in love with someone else. Sometimes she hoped Keith would have an affair himself. Would fall for another woman and they could leave each other amicably, but then her stomach would twist and she knew she didn’t want that either; a voice in her head whispering, be careful what you wish for. She was being selfish, but it was all happening so fast.
Before New York she thought she was happy. Life had thrown her a bump in the road, but she was okay, was getting through. Then, when she was on vacation, everything changed and her life turned into an emotional roller-coaster, filled with lust and love, but also fear and intimidation. So different from her life with Keith. What if she was making the wrong choice? Giving up something great because her judgment was clouded. Deep down she knew that wasn’t true. What Brax had to offer was everything she ever wanted. Every morning since their weekend at the cabin, Annie would have a mental debate over who to choose, would think about the pros and cons of each man, each life, but even this debate was a testament to her perception of what she should be doing and not what she wanted to do. If she cleared her head and said the first name that came to mind, the person she instinctually wanted to be with, it was always Brax. Hands down, every time, but she still loved Keith, he had been her best friend for years, she felt she owed it to him to at least think about her choice.
After a shower and letting her mind continue to run at full speed regarding the decision she had ahead, Annie finally ventured downstairs to notice Keith had already left for work, his briefcase and keys gone from the counter.
Collapsing on the couch she heaved a heavy sigh, knowing she was going to have to talk to him, she just didn’t know what she was going to say. No way was she telling him about the affair. He didn’t need to know. It would only devastate him that much more. Maybe she could tell him she was offered a job in New York, it’s the truth after all, but would he want to go with? He moved with her to Arizona, why not New York? Or maybe she should just stick by the fact that she’s not in love with him anymore and insist on moving out and separating. It would crush him, but not as bad as the truth.
Annie switched on the television and sent her normal good morning text to Brax, waiting for his response while she poured herself a bowl of cereal and curled up to watch an episode of Sex and the City, a show she’d never seen before, but now had the spare time to catch up on.
Four episodes later she hadn’t heard one word from Brax, but received two phone calls from her mother, sending them both to voicemail. Annie didn’t want to talk to her mom. She was probably calling to invite Keith and her to some sort of community function in support of her father and Annie didn’t want to have to tell her no. Her parents were going to be so disappointed when they found out, especially since her father was running for office. So much for his stance on family values. She was going to ruin that for him. She hadn’t told them she was fired yet either. That would be the icing on top.
The Blu-ray switched over to another episode and Annie found herself connecting with the show in a way she never had before. This was going to be her life soon, living in New York with a wonderful collection of shoes, a high rise apartment and her very own Mr. Big, you know, if Big sold drugs and guns on the side.
Her phone rang once more and she almost silenced it, thinking it was her mother again, but looked down in time to see the name she was hoping for.
Quickly reaching for the controller from the coffee table, she paused the show before answering. “Hey sexy. I was just thinking about you.”
“Oh yeah? What about?”
“How many shoes you’re going to buy me when we move back to New York.”
“I didn’t realize you were a shoe kind of girl.”
“I’m not, but I could be,” she told him, relaxing back into the couch. “Where have you been today? Why didn’t you call earlier?”
“Trust me, I wanted to. I just had some things to take care of.”
Annie assumed Brax was referring to Emmo things. He was always so stressed out about what was happening in New York without him. “Are you done? When am I going to see you today? I’m at the house, but I could be at the office in twenty minutes.”
They always met at her office. Never once had they fooled around at her house. It was too risky. Keith’s schedule was all over the place. One day he’d work till nine at night, though Annie suspected he was really just hanging out with Carter, and another day he’d be home by four, or stop in at noon for lunch.
“I can’t be there that soon. Probably not until later tonight.”
“What?” She sat up from her laying position in shock. “I can’t do later. I need you now.”
“Why? What’s happening later?”
Annie didn’t want to tell Brax. Didn’t want to get his hopes up if she didn’t go through with breaking it off with Keith. “Nothing really. Keith and I just have plans to talk.” Not plans per se, but it was bound to happen.
“About?”
“About nothing. Just. About me a
nd him. I don’t know.”
“Are you going to tell him? About us.”
“No, I’m not going to tell him,” she defended a little too strong. “He doesn’t need to know. I can get out of this without him ever knowing. I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Okay. I understand.”
“You do?” Her eyebrows raised in question. Brax didn’t understand anything when it came to Keith. He wanted him gone and out of the picture from day one. “Why are you letting this go so easy?”
“Because it’s not worth a fight. I trust you. I trust your judgment. You tell him what you think is necessary.”
“Really?”
Brax laughed. She loved the sound of his laugh. Could listen to it all day. “Yes. Really. I’ve learned how to pick my battles with you. Plus, I didn’t call to fight. I called to hear your voice. I miss you. What’d you do today?”
“Sat around watching TV. Nothing too exciting.”
“Sounds nice though.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I guess that’s the upside of not having a job.”
“Don’t worry B. You can have any job you want soon enough.”
The door bell rang and Annie glanced around the house, wondering who could possibly be stopping by.
“Is that someone at your door?”
“Sounds like it,” she told him, walking toward the living room curtain to check who it was. “I got to go babe.”
“Why, who is it?”
“It’s uh,” she hesitated telling him, knowing full well he wasn’t going to be happy. “It’s Sara.”
“Don’t you dare fucking answer. You promised.”
“I know what I promised, but she knows I’m home. My car’s in the driveway. I have to answer.” As she told him the doorbell rang again. “Text me later okay?”
“Damn it B. Yeah, fine. Okay. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Annie opened the door, remembering too late she was still sporting the sweats she wore to bed. Sara looked at her and grimaced. “God. Are you sick or something?”
“No, I just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. Figured I’d take the day off.”
Sara must not have gone to work either as she was dressed too casually for a weekday afternoon in cut off jeans and platform heels. “Are you busy? Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
Annie stepped out of the way and Sara wandered in, letting her focus drift over the pictures and paintings hung on the wall like it was her first time being there. Annie silently followed, allowing her perusal and waited for a proper time to ask her old friend what she was doing there.
“Is Keith at work?”
“He is. Or with his friend Carter. I’m not really sure.” That was too much information. She didn’t need to tell Sara anymore than what was necessary. It looked bad if she didn’t know where her husband was, and yet it just sort of slipped out. These days she never really knew where he was, but the same could be said for his perspective of her.
“So you’re here alone?”
“Yes,” she responded annoyed. “Why are you asking?”
“Can we sit down?”
Annie’s gut clenched at the request. Nothing good ever came after being asked to sit down, but she did as requested, and took a seat on the edge of the cushion, legs stiff, hands in her lap. Sara sat down as well. She looked nervous too. “You’re starting to freak me out Sara. What’s going on?”
“I saw him Annie. I know he’s in town.”
Fuck. “Saw who?”
Sara tilted her head condescendingly. “You know who. I saw him. His head might be shaved and he’s not as big as he used to be, but I know it was him. Are you still with him?”
Annie didn’t know how to answer. It’s not like she could continue pretending she didn’t know who Sara was talking about.
“I’m not with him. He was in town on business and we met for coffee. That’s it. He knows I lied about everything and doesn’t want anymore to do with me.”
“I don’t believe you,” she shook her head as tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. “I don’t think you’d tell me the truth. Why would you? You wouldn’t want it getting back to Keith. You probably haven’t told anyone, have you? You’re living this fantasy life and no one knows about it. You’re going to get hurt Annie. We might not be close anymore, but I can’t let that happen.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Annie stood from the couch, fists clenched. “I think you should leave. Don’t you dare come into my house accusing me of these things. Are you trying to get me to admit it? For what? To tell Keith what a terrible wife I am? That’s it, isn’t it? You’ve always been jealous. Always wanted what’s mine.” That was a low blow, but Annie was feeling defensive. Her blood boiling.
Sara stood from the couch as well, wiping away her tears, her eyes now cold. “I was coming here to warn you, to tell you to stay away from him, but you deserve what’s coming to you. And for the record, I can get what’s yours, I have already.”
What the fuck was she talking about? Who did she get? Keith? That’s a damn lie. “Whatever you need to think to help you sleep at night.”
“You want me to prove it to you? You think you’re the only one he fucked while we were in New York?”
Annie’s breath froze in her chest. She couldn’t move.
“I know he has tattoos all over his chest. I know one is a snake, right on his heart. I know his cock is a fist full,” she curled her hand into a c to emphasize her point, “and I know he likes it hard and rough.”
Annie screamed, it leaked from her mouth unexpectedly and she shoved Sara back into the couch. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not lying. Ask him Annie. Ask him face to face what happened at the house party after you left. He’s a player. If he’s not getting it from you, he’s getting it from someone else.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Annie should have been crying, should have been breaking down on the floor in the middle of her living room. It’s what her heart wanted, but her brain was too pissed off. Her arms shook at her sides and she yearned to hit something. Someone.
“I’m trying to be a good friend. I may have done a shitty thing, but I’m saving you now. You don’t know him like I do?”
“Like you do!” she yelled, too frustrated to move or she would have slammed her face into the fucking coffee table.
“He’s not a good person Annie. He’s evil. Dangerous. I saw it. Why do you think I left New York so quick, why I didn’t wait around to make sure you were okay? I had to get out of there. He hit me Annie. Made me swear never to tell you or he’d kill me and I believed him. I was terrified. When I saw him leave the restaurant last week I almost had a breakdown. He walked toward me and I thought for sure he was there to finish what he threatened. And then I saw you walk out and it all made sense. I wanted to tell you right then, but I was too scared. I couldn’t risk it getting back to him, but I’m telling you now. I’m doing the right thing and telling you.”
Sara’s tears began flowing again. She would have made a wonderful actress, though the tears were the only thing fake about her performance. Annie knew what she said about Brax was true. She couldn’t possibly be making it up. She knew too much; too many details. And not just about his body, but his personality as well. She felt betrayed. It was something she expected from Sara, but never from Brax. They may not have been in a good place after that party, but Brax slept with Sara just to hurt her. A form of his own trigger pulling and it worked. She was dead inside. “Get out,” she closed her eyes and whispered. Needing to be alone. No wonder Brax didn’t want her to see Sara. He was worried about what she would find out, and that pissed her off even more. How dare he try to control her. And like a dim-witted woman, she almost let him.
Sara didn’t waste any time leaving. She readjusted her purse on her shoulder and stood from the couch, heels clicking on the wooden floor as she made her way back to the front door. “For what it’s worth, I
am sorry Annie. If I could take it back, I would.”
Annie didn’t respond and Sara walked out, closing the door softly. She was finally alone and sank down to her haunches, letting out a sob. The pain coursing through her so intense she could no longer hold herself up. Her knees hit the floor, followed by her hands and she curled up into a ball, allowing herself to mourn. Purging every tear from her body until the sadness was gone and all that was left was an overwhelming desire for revenge.
Braxton Cage:
Miss you baby. 4:24pm
I’m sure you do.
Are you still with Sara?
No. She just stopped by.
What’d she want?
Nothing. Just a friendly visit.
I want to see you tonight.
I told you. I can’t tonight.
Yes you can. After you leave him. Come stay with me.
I never said I was leaving him.
You’re not?
Not tonight.
Oh. Okay.
Soon babe. We’ll be together soon. I’ll just have to cum without you tonight ;) 4:28pm
Both Keith and Carter stared ahead in bewilderment and frustration. It’s not like they ambushed the poor guy, but Jason was certainly acting that way. He wasn’t thinking reasonably.
“No. I don’t care if it can get me off. We’re not using the tape.”
“This doesn’t make any sense,” Keith told him. “If you’re not planning to let us use the tape, then why did you agree to help in the first place? We’ve been working all week on this.”
“Because I wanted to know, okay? I had to know if he really did it. What does it matter to you if we wasted a week? You still get paid.”
Keith stood up and began to pace Jason’s living room, lacing his fingers behind his head. He didn’t care about the money. That was not why he became a lawyer, but try explaining that to someone who’s paying you two hundred dollars an hour. In monetary terms, the past week cost him ten thousand dollars, more if he were to factor in Carter’s fee. “Money aside, we care about you Jason. We don’t want to see you go to prison for something you didn’t do.”
Caged Page 53