When She Falls

by Jez Strider

  “Works for me.” His hand went into the popcorn bowl and he put nearly a whole handful into his mouth. The other arm casually slipped over the back of the couch and around her shoulders.

  The pizza arrived shortly and Candice snatched the first piece. After the initial bite, she spoke. “That is so good.”

  Logan didn’t seem as thrilled as he picked the mushrooms off his slice and dropped them onto her plate. “Extra for you.” He said after he’d cleared the pizza of the unwanted vegetable.

  “Sorry.” She said with a smile.

  “No, it’s fine. An easy sacrifice for someone I….”

  Candice froze. She held her breath, wanting and not wanting to hear it.

  “Someone I care for.” He said with a faint sigh when he noted her reaction and leaned back into the corner of the couch.

  “Next time we’ll order one with something gross I don’t like. Maybe the little fishies with the heads still on.”

  “I don’t like those either. What makes you think I want to eat nasty fish?”

  They looked at each other and broke into laughter. The tension in the room dissipated and after they had finished eating, she cuddle against him and rested her head on his bare chest. It was the perfect place, the perfect time, and the perfect person. Even with all her concerns, she knew it in her heart.

  The movie played on in the background, but Candice’s thoughts were completely on the man with his strong, protective arm around her. When she pulled away to look at him, he stared back with the same expression of not only desire, but something deeper, more lasting.

  “Don’t you like the movie?” He asked.

  “I can’t seem to pay attention to it when we’re so close.”

  Logan’s hand rested softly against her cheek and she closed her eyes as she turned her head against it. Her lips gently pressed against his palm before she slowly climbed into his lap.

  “I thought we were taking things more slowly.” He whispered as if what they were doing were a secret.

  “I want you to know that I’m not a slut.” She said as her hands ran up and down his chest.

  “I know.”

  “Really. I’ve been with like three guys.” She counted it out on her fingers. “This boy I dated my senior year. It was god-awful. My ex-husband. And… and you.” Her words trailed off delicately.

  Logan began slowly unbuttoning her pajama top. The fabric rested loosely over her breasts. His face pressed into her bosom and he inhaled deeply against her flesh before looking up into her eyes. Soft, barely perceptible kisses touched on her skin. These sent her entire body shivering. He didn’t say a word.

  “My… my kisses will taste like pizza.” She moaned out. He’d made her breathless in only a few moments.

  This time both hands went to her face and he pulled her in for a long kiss before moving deeper, thoroughly tasting her with his tongue. “Mm. You taste like love.” With that, he picked her up into his arms. Her legs wrapped around him as he easily carried her toward the stairs.

  They didn’t quite make it to the top. About halfway, Logan stopped and set her down. Without jerking or roughness, he tugged down her pants. After pulling them over her feet, he placed a few kisses on her toes. Then, he slid back between her legs before freeing his manhood from concealment. His mouth was on hers again, and with a perfectly placed push, he was inside.

  Candice broke away from his kisses only once to say, “I never knew love tasted so good.”

  Growing up a Harworth meant having everything he wanted handed to him. Even Candice had been placed in front of him as if a gift from God himself. He watched her sleeping beside him after he’d made sure he’d thoroughly given her the hottest night of her life.

  “I am one lucky bastard.” He said to himself, stretching with an air of arrogance and placing his hands behind his head as he leaned back against the headboard with a deep sigh of satisfaction. Soon after, he’d drifted off to sleep as well.

  A whimper followed by some strange sobs sent him sitting straight up. Candice was facing him and snuggled close, but in her sleep she was… crying.

  “Shh… please don’t cry.” The plea was faint and the stroke of his hand pushing away a strand of her hair was gentle. It seemed to soothe her and she continued sleeping without making another sound throughout the night. Logan himself barely caught an ounce of restful shut-eye afterward. He’d done something terrible to upset her. He knew it. I should have kept my dick in my pants for once.

  When Candice finally woke up late in the morning, Logan was already sitting up with his tablet pc in hand. “Wow, good morning. The best morning ever maybe.” She smiled at him.

  Instead of a return smile, Logan frowned. “You don’t have to pretend, I know I did something that bothered you.”

  “What are you talking about? You only did all the right things… in all the right spots.”

  “Then why were you crying? I should have listened and taken things slowly.”

  “How embarrassing.” She picked up her pillow, fell onto her back, and covered her face with it.

  Seeming unconvinced that he did nothing wrong and impatient to know the truth, Logan took the pillow away from her. “Tell me why.”

  She averted her gaze and sighed. “I’m crazy, that’s why. I have nightmares about things in my past. Strange, I don’t even remember having any dreams last night.”

  “I want to know exactly what happened to you. How you ended up living in a car and why your eyes hold such sadness.”

  Anyone else would have received a swift mind your own business and rude gesture. She was that private and unwilling to accept sympathy. Or worse, pity. “It’s probably important for our relationship, huh?”

  He nodded. “Kinda. I can’t understand you if you won’t let me in. That’s what couples do. They share the bad stuff.”

  “Fine, so long as we don’t get so close I have to pee with the door open.”

  “You’re doing the abrasive humor again, but it’s not going to distract me.” He said firmly.

  Candice pushed herself up and sat with her legs crossed. “Well, I used to be normal. Okay, not really, but I wasn’t as fucked up. I was in college when my parents’ house burned down. They didn’t make it. My sister had been out getting wasted so she was spared. I was living with some friends near campus.”

  Logan reached out to take her hand. Her first instinct was to pull away, distance herself from the painful emotions and memories, but she let him try to comfort her.

  “I had no idea.”

  “It’s fine. Been nearly ten years now.” She said, trying to shrug off the weight pressing down on her. “I ended up not being able to finish school. All their money had been dumped into my education. What little they had, anyway. That old house didn’t even have proper insurance.”

  “What did you do? Stay with other family members?” He asked carefully.

  She shook her head. “Nah. There wasn’t anyone that gave a shit. I stayed in the apartment and started working all the time to keep a roof over my head. Then, I met this guy a few months later. He was an asshole even then, but I was lonely. Marrying him was the worst mistake I have ever made.”

  “I don’t know how he was, but I swear to you I won’t be like that.” Logan promised.

  “I know.” She nodded and forced a smile. “He still lives over on the other side of town in my old trailer park. He was always yelling. When he was drunk he even threw fists.”

  The look of sheer fury that spread across Logan’s face shocked Candice and she regretted sharing too much truth. He spoke slowly. “He abused you.”

  “Sure, yeah, but I was the one too stupid to leave. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I left. We were fighting as usual and he….” She had to pause and look away to fight back the tears. Talking made it more difficult to do. After clearing her throat she continued, “He picked up my cat and slammed it into a wall. The cat… didn’t make it so I left and didn’t look back.” Her eyes lifted to Logan and a
few tears streaked her cheeks. “That cat was my only friend and I loved him.”

  Logan pulled her close against him. “No wonder you’re so fragile. I am going to protect you from anything terrible like that ever happening again. You’ll always be safe here and I’ll give you anything you want. I swear.”

  She sniffled and groaned. “Bleh, what a shitty start to the morning, but I’m glad it’s all out there now. Maybe I can finally move past it all.”

  “Together. We’ll make it alright together.”

  Breakfast had been finished and the dishes put away when Logan excused himself. “I need to run by the jewelry store, but I’ll be back soon.” He kissed Candice on the cheek and smiled.

  “What should I do?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  “Whatever I want.” She repeated, seeming to have to mull over the idea of that kind of freedom.

  Logan called his father’s assistant when he was outside and in his car. “James. I need to know the address of a man that lives in a trailer park in this town. Probably has a criminal record. He was married to Candice Brooks.”

  “What’s this all about, Mr. Harworth? Trouble?” His fingers deftly keyed in a few searches before finding the requested information.

  “No, no trouble. Business stuff. Don’t tell father.” He said.

  “Of course not, sir.” He rattled off the address and Logan input it into his GPS.

  “Thanks, James.” Without further discussion, he ended the call without realizing how similar it was to how his father had been the night before on the phone.

  The expensive community faded into middle-class suburbs, then cheap apartments, and finally a gravel road led to a run-down trailer park. This place had been in disrepair for a long time and Logan half expected a meth lab explosion at any moment. He parked his car at the appropriate lot and sat there for a moment. It would have been easier to hire someone to rough up the bastard, but this would be much more satisfying.

  Empty beer cans crushed under his feet as he walked toward the door. He gave a few bangs on the screen door which rattled as if it were about to fall off. When there was no answer, he opened it and, leading with his shoulder, knocked the door in.

  “Who the fuck is it? I have a headache and no money to pay whatever bill you’re collecting.” A voice preceded a man walking into the living room. He wasn’t ugly. Or at least, he probably hadn’t been when Candice had married him. Though, he looked like he’d been hung over for years. “You’re one of those people that deliver subpoenas, I bet.”

  “You wish. I’m your ex-wife’s man.”

  “Pfft. What do you want with that bitch? Better yet, what do you want with me? I finally signed the papers.”

  Logan stepped closer casually, pausing to pick up a nearly empty bottle of vodka. “I didn’t even know alcohol came in plastic bottles.” He lifted his eyebrows in amazement before setting it back down. “I want you to remember what this was like the next time you’re tempted to abuse a woman, animal, or anything else.”

  “Get out of here. I only teach them a lesson when they deserve it.”

  At that, Logan charged at the man and swung his fist. The drunk moved slower because of the booze in his system so he had little time to react. The impact of fist into his jaw sent him staggering backward against the dirty refrigerator. Slowly, he slid down to the floor and his head bowed forward.

  Logan wasn’t sure if he’d passed out drunk or been knocked out. “Get up and fight like a man. This is pathetic.”

  There was no response.

  “You are a sorry excuse for a human being.” He grabbed Candice’s ex by the hair and lifted him to standing.

  With effort, the drunk’s eyes fluttered open. “She ain’t worth the trouble. Candy is white trash just like me.”

  “No.” He shoved the man away causing him to trip over a chair and fall once more. “She’s a girl that turned to you when she was hurting and you almost broke her spirit completely. You’re lucky I’m letting you live. At the rate you’re going, you’ll be dead soon enough anyway.”

  “I figured she’d be running back to me by now. She probably still will.” He stayed sitting on the floor, looking up at Logan.

  This made a grin spread across Logan’s face. “She has the world at her fingertips now.” He turned to leave, decided against it, and instead sent another fist into the abuser’s face before exiting.

  “Was work okay?” Candice asked when Logan returned. She was reading a book while soaking in a huge bubble bath.

  “Fine.” He smirked. “Took me forever to find you.”

  “It’s because your house is too big. Well, not too big. Awesomely big.” The book was tossed aside when he came closer and sat on the edge of the tub.

  “Glad to see you’re enjoying yourself without me. I am feeling a bit left out, though.” His lips curled into the sexiest man pout she’d ever seen.

  Candice gathered up a handful of bubbles and blew them toward his face before breaking out into laughter. “Sorry, that was rude.” She told him before splashing him with water. “I wouldn’t leave you out.”

  “You’re in trouble now, little girl.” He took off his shirt, but jumped into the tub with the rest of his clothing on.

  Squeals and giggles long left unheard spilled from her as he tickled her underneath the water. “Oh god, you’re crazy. Stop it! Help!” She said, all the while laughing so hysterically it hurt.

  “I can’t. I love all the sounds you’re making too much!”

  “I love you, but I can’t breathe!” She screamed, not realizing what she’d said. Logan stopped and stared at her. “What?” She asked.

  “Nothing.” He said before planting a kiss on her lips without warning.

  The romance was a whirlwind mismatch of two people of different social status, but the truth behind their affection could not be denied.

  Those two full weeks had passed before the first real upset to their world. The deal had been for him to prove himself to her during those first fourteen days. Logan had done that way ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, in the thralls of love, he’d forgotten his father’s request to take his friend’s daughter, Maria, on a date.

  “Someone’s at the door, baby. Can you get it?” Logan called out. “I need to finish this call.”

  “Sure!” Candice said and opened the door without even checking to see who it was first.

  A tall woman with a perfect figure and long legs was standing on the porch. Her dress whipped in the wind, along with locks of flowing blonde hair. “Hi. You must be the maid.”

  Offended, Candice looked herself over. Sweatpants and a t-shirt hardly constituted maid, but she did feel very inferior next to the stranger. When she didn’t answer, the woman stood on her tiptoes and peered into the house.

  “Where is Logan? Surely, he didn’t forget about our night together!”

  Before Candice could compose her thoughts on the situation, Logan came downstairs. “Who is it?” He paused when he saw the woman and smiled. “Maria! It’s been like twenty years!”

  Candice took a few steps back and the woman walked into the house, immediately wrapping her arms around Logan and kissing his cheek. “I can’t believe it’s been that long.”

  “I guess you two have a date? Apparently, you forgot.” Candice said accusingly.

  “Date? Shit. Father set this up.” He carefully removed himself from Maria’s hug. “This is Candice, my girlfriend. Maria is an old friend.”

  Maria rolled her eyes. “Our parents are playing matchmaker. Wonderful. I should have known.”

  “It’s fine. I was just leaving anyway.” Candice said.

  “What the hell are you talking about? You live here.” Logan chased after Candice who was practically stomping up the stairs. He turned back and offered a brief apology to his old friend. “Sorry. Make yourself comfortable.”

  At the top of the stairs, Logan grabbed Candice by the wrist and she jerked away. “Leave me alone. I’m not here for your en
tertainment while you date hookers.”

  “Candice, stop it. Let me explain. It looks bad, but she’s a childhood friend. I swear. My father set this up. I’m not going out on a date with her.”

  “And why would your dad do that? I suppose you haven’t told him you’re dating someone else.” She said.

  Logan didn’t yell, but he couldn’t hold his tongue either. He did speak calmly, though. “You don’t understand. He wants me to marry a high class, rich girl. Not someone like….” His words trailed off and he shook his head to correct himself. Candice interrupted before he had the chance.

  “Someone like me.”

  “That’s not what I meant. You’re amazing. He’s just an idiot.”

  “So are you.” She turned her back on Logan once more and headed toward the room that had been hers the first night she’d stayed.

  He frantically ran past her and blocked the door, stretching his arms out wide across the wooden frame. Candice rested her hands on her hips and shot a hateful glare to hide the hurt behind it.

  “I’m sorry.” Logan said.

  “I need to be alone.”

  “You can’t give up so easily. I’m not going to let you hide in this room and cry over something stupid. I love you.”

  She bit her lip, trying to keep her composure. It wasn’t giving up. It was realizing that something would tear them apart, whether it was now with another girl or someday soon by his disapproving father.

  “Marry me.” He said suddenly.

  “We can’t get in a fight and you propose. Who does that? People don’t get married after two weeks.”

  His hands took hers as he fell to his knees. “Now that I’ve known you, I can’t live without you.”

  “You really are crazier than I am. Let’s just go talk to your friend like adults.” Candice gave a tug to urge him off the floor. “I forgive you, idiot.”

  They headed back downstairs hand in hand. Maria spoke first when they returned. “I’m going to call a cab to take me to the hotel. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

  “Maybe we could all do something together. Bowling, maybe?” Candice offered, still quite shaken by the unexpected visit and strange, impromptu proposal.