The dress I was wearing at the moment was a slim black number with a plunging neckline. It was going so well until I saw the price tag-$1560? I felt sick.
My phone chirped in my purse, it was a text from David. “How’s it going? Did you find a dress?”
I quickly reply, “Not quite. I mean I thought so until I saw the price tag on this one. Yikes!”
“Send me a picture. Let me decide if you need it or not.”
I snapped a picture and sent it along with the price tag. I knew there was no way he’d go for it. My wedding gown was on a clearance rack, I didn’t shop frivolously. I glanced down at my phone as his reply came through.
“You’re going to need a pair of shoes to go with that. You deserve this and you never treat yourself. Let me get you some presents. Love you!”
I swallowed the bile in my throat. Oh David, if you only knew the treats I’d given myself when you were away. I deserve nothing, but hatred from you.
The feelings of unworthiness consumed me and I barely made it to the bathroom before vomiting in their very expensive sink. I heard a knock at the door as I splashed cold water on my cheeks. “Yes?” I called out a little shakily.
“It’s Jess. You okay in there?”
“Yeah, just a little price tag shock—this dress costs more than half my closet!”
She laughed, “Yeah, well someone seems to think you need it. I’m supposed to make sure you leave with that dress and a pair of heels. Get back out here, soldier.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Lauren came over and she and I were like a couple of teenage girls, as we put on our makeup side by side by side by side in the guest bathroom. It felt so good to have her here. She warned me to be serious as she lined my lips and I managed to briefly compose myself. “So, Mike. Is he hot?”
I grinned at her, “Oh, he’s the hottest and he’s a cop!”
“Well, in that case, I’m glad I’m packing!” She reached into her purse and pulled out a roll of condoms. We dissolved into a fit of laughter.
David’s voice carried down the hall, “Beth, c’mon. We have to leave no later than seven. You have five minutes.”
Lauren mimicked him and we dissolved into giggles again. She turned me toward the mirror and I was amazed. The dress, the hair, and the makeup had all worked together to transform me. I looked like I belonged on the cover of a magazine. “He’s going to flip out when he sees you. Girl, you look gorgeous!” Lauren gave me a quick hug and we headed into the living room to greet the boys.
David was in the middle of telling some story to Mike, but he stopped mid-sentence when we walked in. He stood with his mouth open, taking it all in, before giving me an appreciative nod. “Beth, you are just—stunning,” He kissed me on the lips before whispering in my ear, “I look forward to seeing you in just those heels later.” I hit him playfully and grabbed my purse.
Lauren came to a sudden stop next to me, her eyes glued to Mike. I’d never seen her speechless before. She stuck out her hand, “Hi, I’m Lauren.”
Mike looked just as shell-shocked as she did. He gripped her hand, “Mike.”
I looked over at David and winked. He was quite the matchmaker it seemed.
I’d expected the four of us to take David’s truck, but when I walked out through the garage there was a stretch limousine waiting by the curb. I turned to David, shocked, and he grinned from ear to ear. “Surprise, Beth. Happy Anniversary!”
Lauren began hopping up and down excitedly, “We pulled it off!”
Mike chuckled and I looked at the three of them, “You all planned this? How’d you keep it a secret?” The driver stepped out and opened the door for us as David circled his arms around my waist, “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. I can keep some things from you.”
His words made me uncomfortable as they hit a little too close to home. So can I, David. So can I. I shoved the thoughts aside and let him lead me into the limo. I squeezed his hand, “You’re awesome, David. I’m blown away.”
Lauren and Mike brought enough alcohol for a small army. There was champagne, beer, and flavored vodka chilling on ice. Country music blasted through the speakers and I found I didn’t even mind. “Lauren, do you really think we need this much to drink?”
“Are you kidding me? It’s the first time I’ve ever been in a limo, so we are going to take full advantage of that.” She popped the top off of two beers and handed one to me before raising hers in the air, “To young love and the best friends a girl could ever want.” We tapped our bottles together and settled into the leather seats, the multi-colored interior lights dancing across the glass.
We pulled up outside of Nick’s and David leaned over to me, “Thought it might be nice to go back to where we started.”
Several drinks in—I chose Malibu and pineapple for old time’s sake, I excused myself to the ladies’ room. Lauren and Mike were so into each other, I doubt they even noticed me get up. Afterward, as I made my way back out to the patio, my phone buzzed.
“Nice dress. What’s the occasion?”
Landon. My blood ran cold and my eyes began scanning the bar, looking for him. I stepped back into the small hallway and replied.
“You can’t text me anymore.”
“Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?” The voice came from behind me and I jumped. I turned around to find Landon leaned up against the wall, regarding me with a bemused expression.
“What are you doing here? Are you following me?”
He laughed without humor, “Someone thinks a little highly of themselves. I was here first and just happened to see you.”
I pushed the fear down and tried to make myself appear taller, “I’m here with my husband so I really don’t have time to chat.” I turned to leave and he grabbed my arm and roughly pulled me to him, he placed his other hand on my lower back.
“Not so fast, I’m not done with you,” He glanced around to make sure no one was watching before dropping his voice, “So Davey-boy is back, huh? Can he make you moan like a whore just by touching you?” His hand slid lower until he was cupping my ass.
I pulled back and turned my head to avoid his mouth. “Get your hands off of me.”
I was beginning to panic. His grip on me was tight and any moment now David was going to—
“You wanna get your fucking hands off of my wife or do you need some help?” David was standing there smiling, but his body language showed that he was ready to snap—it made that smile even more unnerving.
Landon quickly released me and stepped back with his hands up. “Sorry man. I’ve been drinking and she looked like someone I know.” I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
This was my worst nightmare come true. The man I loved and the “other man” in the same room. David pulled me to him and I saw that Lauren and Mike were directly behind him. Mike stepped forward in case David needed back up.
Landon turned his gaze on me, “I’m really sorry ma’am. I meant no disrespect.”
His voice dripped with sarcasm, but I didn’t think anyone else noticed until Lauren caught my eye. She was looking at the two of us as if she could see right through the lies. I felt like that narrow hallway was getting smaller by the minute.
I was afraid of what Landon would tell David if I left, but I could feel an anxiety attack coming on and didn’t really need a crowd to witness that, “I can’t breathe.” I left David and Landon to their stand-down and went back out onto the patio.
I stood by the railing, looking out onto the small pond and adjacent golf course, willing my body to relax. I felt movement to my left and saw it was Lauren. She reached for my hand, “He’s gone. Nobody had to throw any punches. Mike’s calming David down now—that was Landon wasn’t it?”
I reached into my purse and grabbed my anxiety medication. I popped one in my mouth before taking her drink and swallowing it down. “Lauren, I really don’t want to talk about it right now, but yeah, that was him.”
“What was he doi
ng here? Did he know you were going to be here?” She was starting to sound as panicked as I was feeling.
I rubbed my temples and sighed, “I don’t know why he was here. I didn’t start things up again if that’s what you’re wondering.”
I lowered my voice as I said the last part and glanced around.
She regarded me thoughtfully, “I believe you. I just don’t understand why he turns up here tonight and what—busts a move on you?”
I’m saved from answering when David and Mike walked back up. David embraced me, “You okay, Beth? God, you just looked so scared. It’s amazing that some guys have absolutely no respect.”
I nodded that I was okay and we just stood there holding onto one another, afraid to let go. A country song that David liked came one and we began slow-dancing. The male singer wanted to know who his girl was when he wasn’t looking—like I needed a reason to feel lower than I already did, and David quietly sang the words along with him.
Later that night as we made love, he said, “You are mine—only mine.” He repeated it several times throughout and I wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince me or himself.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
I snap back to the present with that memory and find that I am still lying on the hardwood floor in the living room. It feels like I’ve been lying here for days.
Landon is sitting close to me, looking at something on his phone. He glances up at me, his face an unreadable mask, “You decide to join the land of the living again? I was just searching Google for tips on getting someone out of an anxiety-induced stupor.” He laughs, but I can hear the worry behind his words.
I struggle to sit up and swallow, my mouth completely dry. When I speak, my voice sounds raspy due from all the crying, “It’s true, then. All of it’s true. You…and…me.”
He puts his phone down and slides closer, sighing as he does so, “Yeah, it’s true. It’s a fucked up way to go about things, but it is what it is.”
It’s as if I’m drowning right now, emotions threatening to pull me under completely. Landon runs his thumbs across the back of my hand as I try to work out the tangled web of feelings running through me.
“Do you love me?” I blurt the words out before I’ve fully had a chance to think it through. Remembering his actions at the bar that night makes me regret asking almost immediately.
He doesn’t even hesitate, “Yes, and you love me.”
“But, David…” I trail off, realizing I don’t even know how to finish the sentence.
Landon takes his free hand and massages his temples. “Fuck David. He’s the reason you’re in this mess in—” He stops talking and shifts gears almost seamlessly, “Have you slept with him?”
I don’t even hesitate, “No, I just got out of the hospital. I’m still trying to sort out who I am.” The lies slip so easily off my tongue and I feel like there’s still something I’m missing here. What am I still forgetting?
He strokes my face, “Good girl,” I’ve just managed to release the breath I’ve been holding when his hand slips down my face and rests it lightly against my throat, “You belong to—”
He’s cut off by the sound of the garage opening and he and I both freeze in horror. He stands up, pulling me to him. There we stand, side by side, awaiting our fate.
David comes in and tosses his keys onto the island. “Beth? I decided they could manage on their own and drove like a mad-man to get—” The words die on his lips as he takes in the scene in front of him, “What the hell is going on here? Who the hell are you? You’re that fucker from the bar that night aren’t you?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, “David, this is Landon,” I pause and feel a bubble of hysterical laughter threatening me. This cannot be real. Landon glances over at me questioningly.
“Landon?” I see the exact moment the confusion on his face is replaced by knowledge, “Landon Scott. The man you thought you were married to. So how the fuck do you know my wife?”
Landon balls his hands into fists, the veins standing out on his forearms. He looks every bit the fighter ready to step into the ring. I place my hand on his arm and turn to my husband. “David, I’m sorry.” My vision blurs with tears and I find that I can’t say anything further.
“You’ve been sleeping with him?” He’s running his hands through his hair and pacing. He looks like he wants to murder Landon. Or me. Perhaps both of us.
I open my mouth, my mind racing over what to say. Landon interjects before I come up with any sort of answer.
“What’s it to you, David? Why is she all of a sudden so important to you?”
David stalks towards him, “Did I ask you, motherfucker? Do I look like I want to hear a fucking thing from you? She’s my wife! I don’t share!”
Landon takes a step towards him and I’m now caught in between them. Landon laughs sarcastically, “What are you gonna do, David? You think fighting me will make you a good husband?”
David raises his fist, “Let’s find out—”
Landon doesn’t flinch, “I know, David. I know what you’re not man enough to tell her.”
I gawk at Landon and back over at David. What is he not man enough to tell me? “David?”
He takes a step back and sits on the arm of the sofa. All the fight is gone from his eyes, replaced by resignation. “Beth…” He reaches for me and I take a step back, “I fucked up.” I know this is the first time he’s ever told me this, but it triggers a memory.
I open the door to find Nate standing on the doorstep. He looks around for David.
“David’s at work, Nate. What can I do for you?”
“I’m sorry to drop by unannounced, but I thought he’d be here. I couldn’t reach him on his cell and I really need someone to help me get through this.”
I can tell that I am the last person he wants to see right now, but he’s been drinking and his resolve is weakening. I grab him a beer from the fridge and carefully place it on a coaster in front of him, before sitting back in my armchair with mine.
“You can talk to me…I mean, that is, if you want to talk.”
He tips the bottle back and downs almost half of it before responding to me. “I left Jess. She was having an affair,” He glares at me, “Did you know?”
My mouth hangs open and I shake my head. “Having an affair?? She said you cheated on her!”
He shrugs and chugs more of his beer. “Yeah, that sounds like something she would do. I’ve been with her for eight years—eight years—and I can’t tell you for how many of those years she was faithful,” He points an accusing finger at me, “You. You’re her best friend.”
I nod, not entirely sure if he’s making a statement or questioning me. He gets up and walks over to the fireplace, his hands holding the bricks for support. I silently will him to take deep breaths and to not break anything in his anger. “You know for someone who was so eager to start a family, she sure didn’t waste any time fucking it up.”
Okay, that came out of left field. I throw my hand up in a ‘wait’ gesture. “I—you—what? Hold on, you mean you and Jess were still…um, intimate, while she was cheating?”
“Yeah, twice a week. Nothing changed in that department. You can see how I’d be a little thrown to catch her cheating.”
He stares at mine and David’s wedding portrait hanging over the mantle. Fearing he’s about to start smashing things, I walk over and place my hand on his. He immediately pulls me to him, crushing me against his chest.
“I’ve been so awful to you, Elizabeth. I really don’t deserve your sympathy right now. I just didn’t see this coming.” He holds me tighter and I can tell he’s crying. I find myself on the verge of joining him…
“But, she said she found text messages on your phone… some woman wanted to know if she was asleep so you could go to her!”
He laughs bitterly, “Those were the texts I found on her phone. She was sending that to him!”
I make my way back to the present and both men are staring at me. David
looks like he’s waiting for someone to put him out of his misery and Landon’s jaw is set in such a line that I expect to hear his teeth shatter at any moment.
I spit the words out, “Jess. You’re the reason Nate left. She was sleeping with you.”
Landon steps closer to me, his arm around my shoulders. I shrug him off and step away. No way does he get to play the good guy in all of this.
David’s eyes fill with tears, “Beth, I swear to God. It was a mistake. I didn’t mean to hurt you!”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you! I swear to God! Wake up, baby. Stay with me, please!”
My eyes widen in horror, for what feels like the billionth time tonight, “Y-y-you caused the car wreck! It was your fault!”
David has tears streaming down his face now and he tries to make his way over to me. I recoil in disgust and Landon holds his hand up, “Give her some space, man.” His tone holds no trace of anger anymore.
I glare at Landon, “I can speak for myself.”
We’re sitting and enjoying dinner, but David’s phone keeps ringing. I tease him, “Can’t they give you even one night off?”
He laughs, “Beth, you know none of them know how to tie their shoes without me,” he hands the waitress his credit card and stands up, “I’m gonna run to the bathroom.”
I’m playing a game on my phone when he comes back to the table. His face is ashen. I stand up and grab onto him, “David? Are you okay? Is it your heart?” I have sudden flashbacks of his dad and I’m worried.
He shakes his head, “No, no nothing like that. I just got some bad news on a job. Let’s get out of here.”
He’s silent as we make our way home. He picks up speed and begins weaving in and out of traffic. “David, slow down, please. What’s the rush?”
He doesn’t answer me. It’s like he’s in another world. The light ahead turns red, but he shows no signs of slowing down. We plow through the intersection and I’m able to scream out his name just as we collide with another vehicle. The teenage driver has a horrified look on his face. Glass is flying and my head hits the frame before everything goes dark.
From This Day Forward Page 15