Forgotten Sweethearts: A Romance Novel

by Bender, Melissa

  Noah’s smile faded fast. “But he always works. We never get to do anything fun!”

  “Please, daddy! We’ll be good,” Lila begged, a pout appearing where he smile once was.

  Brody let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his still wet hair. “Sweetheart, I will try, but I need to check and make sure things are okay for me to leave work first.”

  “Can we call you later with our decision?” I asked, not liking their chances of us actually saying yes.

  A soft smile appeared, and Loraine nodded. “Of course, you can. How about you talk it over or even Google the resort yourself? There’s much more to see on there than this piddly little brochure.”

  “Thank you. Now, would you like a coffee?” I asked, glad to end that conversation.

  “Oh, no, we need to go and talk to your sister. She got another thing coming if she thinks we’re going to some high-end fashion show. She won’t be needing all those heels and dresses. We’re going to the beach, not Paris,” she chuckled and kissed the children on the cheek goodbye.

  When his parents left, I felt extremely rattled. We couldn’t go. It wouldn’t be fair for them. The swim in the pool never happened, so I set the kids up in the living room with a bag of popcorn each and some lollies to watch a movie after they’d finally agreed that they’d watch Frozen after Despicable Me. God bless them for actually getting along. I think it was more to do with “being good,” so we would allow them to go on this trip.

  Walking into the kitchen, I found Brody at the table with his head between his hands. “You look like you could use a strong drink or two.” I grabbed a bottle of wine for myself. I’m Italian. I can drink wine at two in the afternoon if I want. It was five somewhere.

  He laughed, rubbing his eyes and looking up. “Yeah, but I don’t want to drink when we need to talk.”

  I grabbed a large wine glass, sliding down into the seat across him. This was the dreaded conversation I didn’t want to have but was needed. “All right, let’s talk.”

  His hands sat on the table in front of him, and his ring caught my attention. He was wearing it still, a simple gold band. I also hadn’t taken mine off yet. I just couldn’t.

  Waiting until I had finished pouring the glass of red, he began, “Last night. I asked if you were sure you wanted it.” I think I should have grabbed the vodka for this kind of talk. “I’m just going to say it. It was the best sex that we’ve had, obviously. Or is that just the way I see it?”

  “No, you’re right. It was the best,” I agreed. “I don’t mean that every other time was awful, though. It’s just always rushed.” I was partially relieved that he had thought the same as well. “Last night was different.” I lifted the glass, about to take a sip but set it down again. “I don’t regret it if that’s what you’re asking.”

  He then grinned. “That is what I was trying to ask, yes as well.” His smile vanished, and he turned serious again. “The waxing? The new undergarments?”

  I nodded, not liking where this was going. “What about them?”

  “Is there a specific reason that you had done that?” he cocked his head to the side as he swept his thumb over his lip and bit his top teeth down. Memories of his mouth ravishing me flooding back to my core and heating up.

  Closing my thighs, I shrugged. “Is there a specific reason as to how you lasted that long, and I doubt you’ve been rubbing ten out a day?” I lifted my glass again and brought the cool liquid to my mouth. Oh, how I needed this.

  My question hit him hard. “I’m not having sex with anyone, Gabriella.”

  “I brought the underwear for me. Also, the waxing was for me too. I wanted a change.” Not to mention, I felt intimidated by that piece of ass he worked with. Why the hell did I care so much? I hated that she was under my skin. “But no, Brody, I’m not having sex with anyone or going out and trying to, either.”

  Smiling, he nodded. “We’ll go on the trip. It’s already paid for, and she’s not going to take no for an answer. I can’t just leave with a shit load of work. I have to shift meetings around and redirect clients.” Pushing himself up from his seat, he stood. “I’ll need to get a few things from town tomorrow. Was there anything else you want to discuss?”

  God, could he have been any more of an ass? I bit down the insides of my cheeks before I called him one and stood up instead. “Nope, nothing at all. Dinner is at six.” I couldn’t even look at him. Why would I expect anything different? I pushed him away, and this happened. I did this to our marriage. “I’ve got things to do,” I said, taking my laundry from the pantry and walked outside, the bottle of red still firmly held in my grasp.

  Screw the wine, I definitely didn’t feel like drinking anything except my tears.

  Letting the door slam behind me, I practically stomped towards the guest house. I was angry at myself. I wondered if that’s how things would be from now on, a quick catch up and back to separate ways. This was what we wanted, though. It was what I agreed to — a divorce.

  I was curled up on the sofa in the guesthouse, underneath a soft pink knitted throw blanket. A candle burned which kept my attention as I drank the bottle of red. About to go to bed, I heard a faint knock on the door. So he was knocking now.

  Brody stood there, still in his sweats and a long-sleeved shirt. His eyes showed exhaustion and sadness. I moved aside to let him in.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked softly. We hadn’t spoken at dinner. I purposely ignored him, and he made no intention to speak to me.

  Walking to where I sat moments ago, he took a seat with a shrug. I made my way over, unsure how this was going to end up or where it would lead.

  He just looked right at me, his eyes intensely watching as I took my seat beside him when he asked, “You hate me, don’t you?”

  By the sounds of things, it seemed as if we were in for a long night ahead of us.

  I hadn’t been quite expecting him to ask me that. There was still a gap between us by some distance. I reached over and refilled my glass.

  “I don’t hate you.” I hated we had come to this. “I know I’ve made you miserable, and I understand why you asked for the divorce.”

  “How did you give me a reason for the divorce?” he asked baffled. He looked down, shook his head and took the drink from me, taking a mouthful then continuing, “I work too much. That’s what did this to us! I put work first.”

  The alcohol was going to be blamed for my sudden confidence. “You work a lot, but I nagged you. I wanted you home more, but I just didn’t understand how busy you are there.” I sighed and rubbed my temples as I laid back on the couch. “I stopped trying. My insecurities made me not want sex and when I did…” I took a deep breath as I got this off my chest. “I felt so unattractive. You and I grew apart. All I’ve done is be a bitch to you.” Wiping my tears away, I said quieter, “I’ve never even thought about cheating on you, Brody.”

  Looking up, I noticed he was beginning to get tears of his own. “I know, and I hope you know that I never have done that to you. I’m constantly at work. I don’t have the time or energy to do that. I would never do that,” he said more forcefully. Reaching over, he took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. The simple gesture made my heart swell. “This trip could be good for us, no work, just us and the kids unless you don’t want to go,” he said, suddenly realising that I may not.

  “I want to go,” I admitted. I really did want to go. I wanted to have once last shot at this. “Do you hate me?”

  Shaking his head, he looked me in the eyes. “I could never hate you, Gabby, never.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I hate myself some days,” I admitted. I would never want him to hate me, and I couldn’t ever hate him. He gave me two beautiful children. “Your mother’s crazy, you know, plotting a trip and springing it on us with the kids around. She knew it’d make us go.”

  The last trip they offered, we said no. The time before that, we also said no and so on. She learned her lesson of calling and a
sking. If she was to show up in person with the trip already booked and paid, then what choice did we have but to go off on this crazy holiday with them all?

  “I’ll be working a lot until then, but that’s only so we can all go away. You understand that, right?” I could tell he was trying to make me understand, and I needed to lighten up about his job.

  Looking towards him, I nodded. “I do. Plus, it’s hard not to say yes when those two inside cleaned their rooms and ate all their dinner without complaining. They deserve to at least experience what a family holiday is all about,” I said, but my mind couldn’t stop wondering what would happen when we came back home.

  He smiled. “Yeah, they do. Do you, uh… want to come tomorrow? I understand if you’re busy, but I figured you might need a new bikini.” I couldn’t help but notice his not so subtly raised brow as he asked that.

  I scoffed lightly. “Pervert.”

  He let out a laugh, and it made me smile. I made him laugh. The sound was wonderful. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “I don’t even want to be thinking about a bikini just yet.” I was going to wear a bikini in front of them all, including both of my sister-in-laws who were perfection. Something else just hit me. “We’re going to be sharing a room.”

  He nodded. “It’s not like we’re strangers.” My eyes were on his hand as it reached up, moving towards me he ran his fingers through my straightened dark hair. “I like your hair this way. You never wear it out anymore.”

  I was leaning into the comfort of his palm. “It’s easier to tie it up and not have to deal with it,” I said softly.

  He pulled his hand away all too soon and checked his watch. “Uh, I should go back inside.”

  “Do you want to see Lila’s present?” I asked hesitantly when really, I just wanted him to stay in here for longer.

  He nodded, and we got up and walked into the bedroom. I went towards the closet and slid the door open, reaching up, and pulled down a pink box. “I think this might keep her quiet for a while,” I smiled, sitting the box down on the bed beside him. “Once she hears just how loud this baby cries, she’ll be happy it’s just a battery operated doll.”

  He chuckled. “God, and if this doll is anything like what Lila was as a baby, I think I’ll be hiding the batteries.”

  I sat down on the bed and agreed. “She just wanted attention constantly. I don’t think I slept for the first six months with her. Noah was so different as a baby.”

  “Speaking of babies,” he paused and lowered the box in his hand. “I didn’t use a condom, and last I knew, you weren’t on anything. I came inside of you.” Looking at me, he set the box aside and looked up.

  “I’m on something. Don’t worry, you’re safe from that,” I said, betting he was relieved I wouldn’t end up pregnant to him again. A baby would complicate everything so much more than things were already. “I really should get some sleep, you too. You’ve got a busy week.” I was now nervously glancing around the room.

  “Wait,” he held up his palm and shook his head, refusing to end the current topic. “You are? Since when?” If I didn’t know well enough, I would have said he looked slightly disappointed.

  I really didn’t want to get into it right now but needed to tell him. “A few months ago, my cramps came back, and they were becoming painful. I started on the pill which has helped a lot.”

  “Are you okay? I mean, how bad were they?” he asked, looking worried.

  “Oh, yeah, it’s better now. Nothing to worry about,” I assured him and leant back on the bed. “You don’t seem as stressed out. Was that account you had been working on really that stressful?” I honestly felt so awful that I didn’t support him with work. I just blamed him for never being at home.

  He moved closer and nodded. “Yeah, it was a major deal. It has made the company even more successful. John was pretty damn happy, and I feel great that I landed it. Now, it’s just getting things ready for him and keeping the money flowing in. Gaining capital, it’s going to make him lots of money, like millions, Gabby.”

  He was talking, and I was hypnotised by him. Completely focused on him but not his words, I vaguely heard him mentioning money, and his boss was extremely happy with him, but I didn’t know what I was doing until I pressed my lips against his.

  He shut up real soon, kind of startled but kissed back. My tongue glided against his, tasting the sweetness of sugar. We just kissed slowly until I pulled back to catch a breath. “I’m sorry.” I blushed. “I shouldn’t have done that.” What the hell was wrong with me? I kissed him. God, I actually kissed him in the middle of talking. I couldn’t stop myself. He was extremely gorgeous when talking about something so passionately.

  Brody just stared, probably wondering if that had really just happened or not. Oh, believe me, it did. “If you wanted me to stop talking, you could have asked. But then again, I liked the way you shut me up,” he smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. “Don’t be sorry. It was nice.”

  I laughed. “You can talk, I just feel awful that I had complained so much about you always at the office. If I had any idea as to how important that client is, then I wouldn’t have made you feel so bad about it.”

  He nodded, drumming his fingers together. “He is important, but I shouldn’t have let my family suffer from not having vacations or not spending time with you three.” He sighed and shook his head angrily. “I get that my job pays the bills, but fuck, I could have relaxed a little.”

  Shocked by his sudden outburst and realisation, I nodded and agreed. “Well, now, you’re getting time to finally relax just with your parents and everyone else,” I said with a laugh. “I know the kids will love having you around each day,” and me too. “We can just deal with the other things when we’re back home.”

  “What about you? Will you like me around every day too?” he asked, placing his hand over the top of mine.

  “Yes, and I will too.” My heart began to race from his skin on mine. “It’s going to be good to get away. Do you remember the last time we actually went somewhere?” I asked, laughing with a groan.

  Remembering that we told all our family we were going on our honeymoon and wouldn’t have any phone service when really, we were just downtown, staying in a hotel room. Even though it wasn’t anything exciting, we had the best time together.

  He laughed a full-hearted sound, and my heart almost exploded some more. He hadn’t laughed in so long around me. It was almost as if I was experiencing it for the very first time, and that made me incredibly happy. I wanted to hear it more often, to be the one who gives him that sound.

  Brody nodded and squeezed my hand. “It was fun although you deserved something better than Chinese or pizza every night.”

  “I have never complained about our honeymoon. It wasn’t like we were wanting to spend our days touring through towns,” I said with a wink. We spent most the time naked and in bed, watching cable and eating when we weren’t fooling around.

  Brody rubbed his chin, grinning. “I know, screw that. We would have ended up lost somewhere, anyway.”

  This trip down memory lane was going to lead us back somewhere familiar. Sliding my hand from his, I rubbed my thighs down nervously. “I should really get some sleep. Just let me know in the morning when you’re ready to leave.”

  We were getting a divorce. This was just us reminiscing and being sentimental.

  Standing up, he looked down at me as I sat still on the bed. My gaze dropped to my hands. “I will do. Night.”

  He walked out of the room without another word, and I sat there feeling like shit. I hated that we weren’t sharing a room. I hated that we weren’t together. I hated that we were getting a damn divorce.

  After laying on the bed for a while, I thought about what had happened between us, the kiss and how it made my cheeks flame with embarrassment. It broke me to think about him moving on with another woman, touching her the way he used to touch me, even thinking about another woman in my children’s lives.

&n
bsp; It was drowning me on the inside, but I knew what had to be done. I was trying to ignore it, and it wasn’t going to fix itself. This is what was meant to happen next.

  Pushing myself from the bed, I went outside and into the main house. I needed another bottle of wine. I almost went up those stairs to find him. But I didn’t. I grabbed the red, then walked outside and laid back on a lounge chair by the pool and stared up at the sky as I drank.

  As I almost finished off my second glass, I heard a thud coming from inside and assumed one of the kids must be up. I walked into the kitchen and found Brody trying to wrap his hand with a cloth. “Brody, what have you done?” I asked, rushing towards him.

  He just laughed. “I hit the bag the wrong way and heard a pop. It’s fine. I don’t think anything is broken, maybe out of place,” he said, looking into my worried eyes. “I’ll take that drink now, though.”

  “You’ve got to be more careful,” I said as I began to re-wrap it tightly. “Go sit outside. I’ll make you a drink.”

  He walked out without a fight, and I went to make his usual scotch on the rocks. Coming out to him, he was in my seat and laid back, looking in pain and uncomfortable. I sat his drink down and sat beside him. “I didn’t know you were using the punching bag again. When did you start that?”

  That punching bag probably had my face stuck to it many times.

  “I, uh, I just started not too long ago. It usually keeps me focused, but I guess it didn’t work tonight.”

  “Why not?” I frowned, then sighed. “It’s because of this trip, isn’t it? Of course, it is. I know this isn’t what you wanted, and it’s going to be weird. I mean, being around your family who have no idea about anything that’s going on here. I know you don’t love me anymore, but we just need to try to make this a good memory for the kids. They’re going to suffer when everything changes.”

  As I finished my rambling, I noticed he was just staring. “It’s not the trip. I’m actually excited about it, the time off, spending it with the kids and you. It’s just…” he trailed off. “I’m worried about things especially now, and I’m so damn confused.”