Fool For You

by Megan Noelle

  “We’re over, Corey. I’m going home, just as I planned to do all along.”

  “Are you telling me that you have found absolutely nothing to make you stay?”

  “No.” I whispered out.

  “Say it, Danielle!” He yelled. “Tell me this meant nothing. Tell me that I am nothing to you.”

  My eyes locked onto his; my throat burned with the pain of holding back my sobs. “This was just sex, Corey, and now it’s time for me to leave this black hole of a place, and return to my life!” Corey didn’t move for an immeasurable length of time, before he finally found something in my expression that made him choose his path.

  “Go ahead, run away. It’s all you know how to fucking do! Go find some foolish little prick to treat you like shit, because I sure as hell can’t make you happy!”

  Thankfully I didn’t crumble to the chilled ground in a mess of tears until after Corey stomped away from me. I tried to convince myself that what I was doing was the right thing. This was never going to work and it was better if Corey moved on starting now. At least that’s what I made myself believe.

  The truth was—I already regret letting him walk away but going after him was not an option.

  Destruction

  The next week was worse than the previous one. My roses were slowly wilting away, losing the prominent beauty they had when they first came in. Sadly, they symbolized exactly what Corey and I now were. A beautiful thing can’t last. It has its shining moment, leaving everyone breathless but in the end it fades away, becoming nothing more than a memory. That was the fate Corey and I were destined for… a beautiful moment in time, never meant to last.

  On Wednesday I had to leave work early because of an email I received—from Karly.

  -----------------------------------------------------

  From: Karly Preston To: Danielle Hamilton

  Hey Dani!

  So Corey has been acting weird lately and I need to know if you’re still coming up north with us this weekend (Leaving early Fri-Sun). As you promised you would! : ) We miss you and I hope to see you both up there. Also, I attached some pictures from the night we went to the club! Hope you like them!

  Love you!

  -Karly.

  -----------------------------------------------------

  From: Danielle Hamilton To: Karly Preston

  Karly—

  I can’t make it this weekend. Corey and I broke up, but I hope you have fun! Say ‘hi’ to Abby and Lainey for me!

  -Dani

  P.S. Thank you for the pictures—they’re wonderful.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  There were ten different pictures; some of me with each of the girls, a couple group shots and a few of just Corey and I. My favorite among them was the moment when Corey surprised me by pressing his lips to mine before the flash went off. Since I apparently enjoy torturing myself; I printed off each of the images. When I returned home, I curled onto my couch and proceeded to stare and cry over every one of them.

  Man, I really was pathetic.

  Gabby called in the middle of my sob fest but I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. Besides, I knew crying to her over the phone wouldn’t compare to being there with her.

  Soon enough—I would be.

  Friday morning I drove to Corey’s place then parked in an adjacent lot—so I could watch for him but not be seen. I wasn’t sure what possessed me to do this but now that I was here—I couldn’t turn away. My fingers began to shake as the half hour mark of pathetically stalking Corey hit. The windows fogged up and my teeth were chattering; as much as I feared the sound of my engine would blow my cover, I had to turn my car on. Thankfully I managed to get it on and the heat blowing without being noticed. Lucky for more frozen body, I didn’t have to wait much longer for his appearance, but nothing prepared me for the sight I came across.

  Corey emerged, dragging his feet and carrying a single duffel bag. Even from afar, I could see that he was scruffy and unkempt. The whites of his eyes were now completely bloodshot and I wondered if he was not sleeping and possibly drinking more than usual. This was certainly not the Corey I’ve known; proving to me (even more) just how much I hurt him. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t look like the destroyed man he does now. More tears spilled from my eyes and froze to my cheeks, as I watched the sight until he pulled away. For a minute I let myself imagine what it would be like if I were there with him.

  We surely would have had a sleepover the night before, and then I would have complained about him waking me up at such an un-godly hour. He would have teased me back, while both of us looked for excuses to brush against each other. When I couldn’t take the cold and memories anymore I put my car into gear and returned home.

  That weekend I frequented different bars in the area (avoiding The Underground at all costs—even though I knew he wouldn’t be there). There was no prep into getting ready—no slinky tops or cute high heels. Instead I wore jeans, a sweatshirt and my furry boots with my hair usually pulled into a ponytail or messy bun. Beer wasn’t strong enough for what I was trying to cure, and my other favorite (tequila) brought back far too many painful moments. This time I did nothing but down shots of whiskey until my brain and heart were numbed from the inescapable agony.

  Occasionally a random stranger would hit on me but eventually my lack of interest, mixed with bitchy comments were enough to send the idiots away. On the cab ride home, I would call either Gabby or Bailey and blubber away about the predicament I got myself into. The next morning I told myself I wasn’t going to be that girl anymore. I made my choice and now it was time to live with it. This of course, proceeded until Monday morning when I managed to get myself dressed and into work on time. A small miracle really, if you saw the shape I was in Sunday night.

  The first thing I noticed on my calendar when I sat at my desk—this Saturday is Karly’s wedding. With the sheer volume of guests attending, along with the 5-course dinner meal Karly wanted—everyone on staff had to be there. That included me. I spent the week dreading the event to come. Every day I prayed Erik would call me and request I be back by Friday, so I would have no choice but to miss the wedding—this of course didn’t happen.

  Then part of me wanted to see Corey, to at least make sure he was okay, since I was still worried after the way he looked leaving his apartment Friday morning. The very childish side of me wanted to call my Grandmother and tell her there was no way I was working one more day. Of course I couldn’t/wouldn’t do that either.

  Which left me with no other choice except—to be at the wedding.

  * * * *

  The banquet hall looked absolutely incredible. Flowers, candles and tulle covered every surface making it look like a winter wonderland. I threw myself into the party planning for two main reasons. The first being, it distracted me from everything else that was creating distress in my life and second because Karly deserved the absolute best. A few times she called or stopped by the Inn to check up on me . I both loved and hated that she did this. Every time she showed up, all I had to do was see her and I broke down into a freaking mess. Sometimes it was exactly what I wanted; to just cry my heart out and other times I was just so tired of being the blubbering mess. Gabby was already stocking her house with plenty of liquor and ice cream and the promise to help me drown out my broken heart.

  Bailey agreed to deal with the main reception area, catering to everyone’s needs the way I did for Emily’s wedding. That was already a nice relief to calm my mind.

  The second guests started to arrive I burrowed myself away in the kitchen. No one questioned why I was helping prepare plates of food, chop vegetables or wash dishes. We were serving up the last course for dinner and everything was going well so far. I tried to convince myself that the people on the other side of the door weren’t the same group that was now a huge piece of my heart. After the final course had been returned to the kitchen, I decided to brave the party. My plan was either to mak
e myself seen by Karly so she could come join me— away from her brother— or I could at least wave so she knew I was here.

  Except the moment I stepped into the party, Bailey bum-rushed me, blocking my entrance into the room.

  “What are you doing?” She asked in a single, hurried breath.

  “Going to try and get Karly’s attention.” I answer, completely dreading the look of hesitation behind Bailey’s eyes.

  “You can go back into the kitchen and I can bring her to you.”

  Before I asked why she would prefer to send a bride in a very white gown into a crowded kitchen—it hit me. Corey. Bailey wasn’t protecting me from running into a saddened man; she was preventing me from something she knew I didn’t want to see. Well, now there was no other option—I had to see what was going on. After pushing past Bailey, it took me about ten seconds to find what she was keeping from me.

  Seated at the round table, with the bride and groom were the sisters, their dates, a couple that I assumed to be Corey’s mom and stepdad. That wasn’t what made my heart plummet to the pits of my stomach though. Seated next to the cleaned up man I spent the past two weeks crying over, was a total bombshell. From the side view I caught a look at her dazzling smile, Victoria’s Secret big sexy curls in her hair, a painted on red dress showing off her long legs and big boobs. Already I hated this girl but the second I saw Corey’s arm reach out and drape along the back of her chair—I saw red.

  Sure, I said we were over but I sure as fuck didn’t expect to see him here with another. Not just that, but this chick was obnoxiously gorgeous and the smile on Corey’s face said he knew he scored the hottest female here.

  My teeth ground together and my fists were clenched together at my sides, when I felt Bailey’s hand cautiously press against my shoulder.

  “Dani, if you want to go home, I think you should. There’s no reason to be here now that dinner is over, the staff and I can easily take care of the rest of the night.” Going home is probably what I should have done, but now I was a woman scorned and leaving to cool off was the last thing on my mind.

  “Okay, I’m officially off duty.” I told her. “But I’m not going home.” Bailey’s jaw dropped to protest but I stepped away from her, when I saw a server carrying a tray of champagne exiting the kitchen.

  “Hold on a second!” I called to him, making the nervous server stop in his tracks.

  “Yes, Danielle?” He asked politely.

  “Hang on here for just a moment, okay?” He nodded; I grabbed a glass from the tray and downed it. His eyes bulged wide as I did the same thing with the second and third glass I took hold of. The lack of food in my stomach gave the bubbles and alcohol free reign in my system. The devastation that filled every part of me was slowly lifting; replaced with a fuzziness that was doing a damn good job to cloud out the pain. What I needed now was hard liquor, to drown away the rest of the shit I didn’t want to feel.

  “You can go deliver the rest of those now.” I said with a smile after setting the drained flutes on an empty table next to where we stood. “See you around, Bailey.” She tried to stop me but I was having none of it.

  The only thing I knew right now was I needed to get to the bar—and quick. My eyes shot over to Corey once again to see his date lean in close to his ear and whisper something that caused him to drop his head back in a rich laugh.

  Yes—liquor—that’s what will make this better.

  My face pulled into a smile as I saw Sanders mixing and serving drinks. When he looked my way a sympathetic attempt at a smile brushed his lips. Apparently he knew that his dick of a boss was at my place of business with another woman. Yippee.

  “How have you been, Dani?” Sanders finished the drink he was mixing and pulled my shoulder into his side. “I’ve really missed you.”

  A snort escaped me. “I can see you’re the only one.” Sanders immediately shook his head.

  “No—not by a long shot.”

  “I need a drink.”

  Thankfully there were no other guests waiting for a beverage; as most of them seemed to be enjoying the champagne and wine being passed around on trays.

  “Well what can I get you?”

  “Tequila and keep it coming.” He was hesitant but I fixed him with a glare.

  “Don’t forget who you are working for tonight, Sanders. If you were to be fired tonight from this gig, that would make your boss over there,” I pointed to Corey continuously flirting and cooing with his replacement. “Have to leave his date and come serve the guests. That probably wouldn’t make him very happy.”

  Sanders huffed out a sigh and pulled out a shot glass. “At least make me a promise, Danielle.” My arms crossed over my chest as I waited. “If you need to go home, please come tell me and I will take you.”

  This made me soften my harsh attitude, marginally. “I promise but I’ll probably just end up crashing in one of the empty rooms tonight.” This seemed to make him feel a little better. Well, until he set my shot down and readied the lime.

  I waved my hand to stop his progress. “That takes too long.”

  With that I took the shot straight and replaced it in front of him, indicating I wanted more. Sanders poured another and then another before someone walked up needing a drink. While he was distracted I poured myself another couple of shots, I finally started to forget about the pain. I didn’t care that the only person I wanted in my life, was the one I kicked to the curb. It didn’t bother me to see him here with another and I sure as shit didn’t care about my life in Serenity Cove anymore.

  I poured myself another shot and was inches away from letting it add to the rest of the magical liquid surging around inside; when a hand reached out and stopped me. The firm hold and way I felt my arm ignite by the touch told me it was Corey.

  “What the fuck are you doing, Danielle?” His voice growled into my ear from behind me. The heat from his furious voice tickled my neck and made my hair on the back of my neck rise. Damn—definitely not the response I was hoping for.

  I turned to face him and couldn’t help my wandering eyes as I took in his black on black suit. It was tailored to fit his muscular body and brought out the beautiful thick lashes that surrounded those deep blue pools glaring back at me.

  “I’m taking a shot. If you want one you’ll have to get it yourself, because this one is mine.” Just as I tried to take it, Corey wrapped his hand around mine and poured the shot down his own throat.

  “Why are you standing over here drinking enough tequila to give you alcohol poisoning? And why is my fucking employee letting this happen?!” The second question was shot at Sanders, who held up his hands in defense.

  “Don’t yell at him! He’s my employee tonight too, and he is just following orders.” Corey’s icy glare shifted from Sanders back to me.

  “Yes, but he already had orders of what I expected from him tonight.” My mouth gaped open, incredulously.

  “So now you get to decide if I get to drink or not!? You know what, why don’t you leave me the hell alone and go back to your girlfriend. I’m sure she’s getting lonely without you there to keep her warm.”

  This time it was Corey that stared at me in disbelief. “She isn’t my girlfriend and I definitely didn’t invite her here.”

  “Right.” I sneered.

  His arms crossed over his chest as he eyed me down. “I’m fucking serious, Danielle, my mother didn’t want any open seats at our table. So when I told her the girl I’m in love with dumped my ass and would not be joining us this evening, she asked Simone to come. Simone is a family friend and is getting married to her fiancé in a few months.”

  “Whatever Corey, go back to your family and leave me alone.” I turned away from him to get another shot but his hand clamped around my upper arm.

  “Don’t you pull that jealous shit on me right now, Danielle. Not only did you let another guy give you a bath with his mouth in front of my face, but then you tossed me out of your life without blinking an eye.”

 
; “I’m not jealous! Don’t mistake me feeling nauseated by the high-price hooker you brought with, as jealousy. Do whatever the hell you want, because you’re right—I did toss you out. Now get away from me!” My hands shoved against his chest, before I whipped back around to down the next shot waiting for me. Sanders gave me an apologetic look, which I responded to with a reassuring smile. When I turned back to face Corey, I shoved my shoulder against his as I stumbled past him.

  I lost count of how many shots I’ve downed but from the wobbly feeling in my legs, to the numb tingly sensation coursing through my veins, told me—I’ve had a lot. There was no real destination in my mind when I stomped away from Corey, mostly I just hoped he’d give up and go back to Simone so I could return to the bar. During my lap around the room, I was stopped by an absolutely stunning Karly. Her long hair was pulled up into some intricate design with jewels strategically placed over the bobby pins. Then I looked down to her mermaid style white dazzling dress, speckled with jewels. For a brief moment I saw her and realized I would never get the kind of happiness that now found Karly.

  “Oh Dani, are you okay? I just saw you and Corey fighting.”

  “Karly, this is your big day, don’t worry about us for even a second.” Her white gloved hands took hold of my forearms as she leaned in to me. My vision was blurring from the copious amounts of tequila I sucked down, but I tried to pay attention.

  “I don’t care what day it is, Danielle. You’re family to me and I absolutely hate what’s happening between the two of you. This needs to stop, you are both absolutely miserable apart but when you’re together its absolute magic.”

  An emotionless smile tugged against my mouth. “Magic isn’t real, Karly. Heartbreak and break ups are.”

  “Don’t say that, because I know that the love between you and my brother means the world. It is absolutely something to hold onto and I truly believe it will work out for you both in the end.” My arms felt heavy as I lifted them around her shoulders, to give her a tight squeeze. In just a few months the Preston’s have become more of a family to me than my own has ever been. And I was going to miss them more than I could express in words alone. The carefree attitude I acquired during my liquor binge now turned to grief, as Karly’s arms offered me the comfort I was so desperate for. Before I could even process the thought and think about what I was saying, the words came out.