by TIFFANY
Kevin grabbed my arm as we walked passed him, “Do you always do whatever that kid tells you to do? That’s not my Mandy,” I glared at him with as much venom as I could muster, “I’m not your fucking Mandy anyways asshole. Get over yourself and move on. I’m sick of all these games you like to play.” He yelled over his shoulder, “You will be my Mandy again and the games haven’t even begun. See you in New York baby!” Sick sad bastard; when was this gonna end?
Chapter Seven:
The end of September was almost here. I was sitting in the airport in Atlanta with my head on Cam’s shoulder waiting for the call to board. “I wish you could come with me baby! I’m going to miss you so much.” Cam squeezed, “Least you’ll have Latonya. I bet ya’ll can think of some fun stuff to do!” I smiled, “Of course we could!” I must admit I was really gonna miss him. “Cam you sure you can’t come. We could even take a bus!” He smiled, “Hey if I could I would but I can’t take that much time off work. Baby you better miss me!” He said kissing the top of my head. I giggled I don’t know how I survived this long without Cam and his positive look on life. “Geeze you ought to know I’ll miss ya, but pray there’s not any hot bag boys at my hotel. Because you know I love me some hot bag boys!” That got a laugh out of him and a slap on the butt. One more hug and I headed off into the wild. Well New York is pretty damn wild.
With no problem we landed on time and as promised there was a car waiting for me. I sent everyone a group text stating I’ve made it safe and promised to call each one of them later after a nap; flying always makes me tired. In full smartphone email checking mode I slid into my car not thinking twice. After a few moments I heard a person clear its throat. I threw my head up started so fast my neck cracked and my phone hit the floor board. “What the fuck is wrong with you asshole? You scared the hell and high water out of me!” He chuckled, “Did your phone survive the projectile launch?” I evil eyed his stupid ass. “Mandy I thought you saw me sitting here. But I guess you were all into your phone. Cam I suspect. We both were landing around the same time so I figured we could share a car. No sense in spending more money than need be!” So true but his presence still bothered me since Georgia. I never let it show how hard that project was for me. It was way worse than trying and his presence was still a little intimidating and familiar. “Well other than scaring the shit out of unsuspecting woman what have you been up to?” I’ll play nice till I can run out the door. Since we were in motion I’d prefer to run when it stopped at the hotel. He grinned that playful mischievous grin I loved, no use to love so much, “I went to Florida to see my family.” He shook his head, “They all thought I was dying or something; I missed them just didn’t fly. ‘Ole well I still had fun. Karen had another kid; a girl named Gabriella. She is a really cute and happy baby.” Wow Kevin never liked kids enough to get all caught up like that. “Wow that makes five now. Is she bald headed?” He really laughed then, “God no she loves it; me on the other hand after a few days I had to get away from the craziness. I swear changing a diaper is scarier than filing taxes.” Now that was funny only Kevin would think that way.
The city buzzed by the window in an odd fashion after the pace I had grown accustomed to. Sometimes I wonder what I saw in the fast paced, eccentric, Jimmy Cho wearing life I had here. It lacked a lot. My phone buzzed and my heart leaped at the picture of the beautiful man on my screen. “Hey baby I already miss you and I’ve only been in New York for thirty minutes.” He chuckled, “But you been gone for hours and I miss you more!” His voice was a much needed comfort. We talked for a few minutes and then he had to leave for an employee meeting at work. “So ya’ll still together! That’s good I suppose!” It’s too early for this shit! “Yes we are thanks!” I repeat it’s gonna be a long couple of days stuck here with him. “Hey I figured we could grab dinner before they drop us off at our destinations. You game?” If I wasn’t so hungry and the air didn’t smell so good from the street venders I would say no. “Yeah I’m about to starve!” He nodded, “How about the old Italian restaurant you like so much.” Damn I missed their calzones and homemade wine. “Yeah I sure could go for some Italian!”
The place was packed but the owner was the hostess and he had us seated right away. After all we were his favorite customers. But the odd look he gave us didn’t go unnoticed. I was too tired and hungry to explain what was up. “Man it smells good in here!” Kevin said as he breathed in the air. “Ohhh man yes I’m ready to eat and get some wine!” Kevin waved the waiter down and told the boy we needed a bottle of wine. We were both dressed in jeans and shirts; really casual. Our old favorite elderly waitress Mona brought the wine to us with a huge smile. “You guys look really good, haven’t seen ya’ll in here in forever; apart let alone together.” She smiled like she was witnessing our return to each other. “I’m here for business so I decided to grab some grub. Kevin suggested here so here we are!” Her smile died some but was still wide. “It’s still good to see you all!” She left the wine and took our orders.
We ate, but we drank more than we ate. I relaxed and so did Kevin; next thing I know we both were laughing and joking. He was telling me about Florida; his commentary had me rolling. God he was extremely attractive when he was happy and smiling. He was wearing a tight ass caramel brown colored t-shirt; that I just noticed. And it really made him look all so sexy. For a moment I had a flash back of how those sexy ass arms felt entwined with mine on our king sized bed. I blushed at the thought. Kevin raised his eyebrow at me with a grin, “Care to share what you are thinking?” Wow hell no! “Nothing too much!” he eyed me again; “You’re totally lying! Does this shirt make me look sexy?” Holy shit was he reading my mind? “What,” I choked out! “The sales girl in Florida said and I quote ‘That shirt totally freakin’ makes you look sexy’ I kinda think she was over doing it a bit, must really need a sale!” Damn when did we wind up so drunk? And how did we go thru two bottles of wine? “You want the truth or a lie?” He tweaked his eyebrows. “Seriously, it does make you look hot and it goes GREAT with your chocolate colored eyes!” His smile was freaking huge and his face was relaxed from his non-soberness. “You really think I look hot? Girl you look hotter than any woman I’ve ever seen. The way you look in jeans should be illegal!” I giggled like a drunken teenager at a high school senior party. For some reason I found his flirty quips flattering.
“Well I just bought my shirt in Georgia; so how do I look in it?” Lord I was playing with fire! Why was I so loose lipped? Maybe stress and wine doesn’t mix. There was that sexy grin again. What’s up with my loving sexy grins? “Mandy I can’t answer that without crossing a lot of lines! But let’s just say it fits extremely well!” My face heated and he laughed. What the hell was wrong with us? We were acting like we were on a date or together or something. The place was clearing out. “Hey you wanna go for a walk or something? I’m tipsy but not that drunk. NO! Hey wait let’s go to the pub on the corner and play pool. It’s been a while for sure. Please, Please, Please Mandy!” He looked like a little kid begging for the last piece of candy. “Hey sure just don’t cry when I beat your ass okay Kevo!” Geeze I use to call him that back in the day. “Hell yeah!” He reached out his hand and I took it and walked out the door a tad bit wobbly.
The place was just like it used to be and damn it was pretty close to full. We got a table in the corner where the pool tables were. And to my surprise Jason and Evan where there shooting pool; they work for us. “Hot damn! Where have you been hiding out at Amanda?” He looked tipsier than me. “In Georgia Hunnie!” Jason smiled, “I did always love your accent. It’s a bit stronger now!” He added a playful wink. “And I believe the water helped too!” Now it was Evan’s turn to flirt. “All right fellas I didn’t come here to flirt, I came here to whoop some ass! Who’s game?” That got their attention.
After about ten games later and way too many beers Kevin and I stumbled out the corner pub towards our car. “Fuck I can’t remember my hotel name,” I giggled. The driver noted my state w
ith a smile, “Miss Hanson I got that covered for you!” I nodded, “You’re a damn good man Jorge!” He’s been our driver for hire for years. Kevin pulled me next to him, “You’re so beautiful baby! I miss you!” God he was gorgeous; seriously! I spotted my purse in the corner. I must have left it when we went to dinner. Wonder if I missed any calls? It was really late anyways! No use in calling anyone this late!
Kevin was so close to my neck I could feel the heat of his breath on my neck. I couldn’t concur up a clear cohesive thought. Hell I could barely remember my name. I’d probably been eighteen since I was this drunk. “Baby come sit in my lap and let’s talk sweetheart!” Mmmm my husband is majorly sexy! I hopped up in his lap and let him snuggle me to his chest. He rubbed small comforting circles on my back like I always loved. “Mmmmm that feels so good babe!” He leaned into my ear in a hardly audible whisper, “Why don’t you let me make your whole body feel good baby? I love you Mandy and I miss you!” His lips were in my neck and the fire inside was lit with his kisses. What did he mean he missed me?
Ohhhh shit! I jumped off his lap. I wasn’t his wife anymore. I had someone else in my life. “What’s wrong baby?” If looks could kill he’d be bursting into flames right now. “I’m not your baby so stop calling me that!” Finally shit was making sense and the fog was lifting. Cam, I love Cam not Kevin. I had to check my phone maybe he called. The car stopped and Jorge opened the door and headed to the trunk to get my bags. Kevin jumped out of the car, “Wait Mandy don’t go I’m sorry!” He gave me a nervous smile, “I’m not sure what just happened but I’m sorry if I upset you. I just forget when you’re around! I mean I still love you and I forget you don’t love me anymore!” Damn he looked like a sad puppy. “Kevin I’m too drunk to talk about us! And there is really nothing to talk about. You gave up on me years ago and broke my fucking heart. I don’t owe you anything; no talking and defiantly no pity party for Kevin fucking Eakes. You broke our marriage vows not me. I never did anything but support you and love you. And all you ever did was try to break me down and change me to be your perfect wife. But looks like you did yourself an injustice, because obviously you like me the way I am. I just can’t let you ruin my life again. I won’t let you ruin it!”
By this time we were off the elevator and standing in front of my door. “Just let me come in and talk please! So we don’t wake up the whole hotel!” I nodded, “Whatever! Don’t get too comfortable because you won’t be here long!” Damn I hated this sexy ass man. “Tell me how I can make it right Mandy! Tell me what I have to prove to show you I will and have changed. I just want my wife back. I love you! Can’t you see how hurt I am? And it’s my entire fault alone. You’ve never been anything but perfect! I fucking love you! How many ways can I say it before it sinks in? I know it’s hard to believe me but I’m dead serious. You want me to sale the company, I will. Want to move back to Georgia, we can relocate and work from Atlanta. We can help Mitchell with his business and pay for Devin’s college. Even open your Momma that thrift store she always wanted. Please Mandy seriously think about it.”
I can’t believe my ears he never begged for a thing in his life. “Kevin no amount of verbal diarrhea is gonna make me believe you. The way to hell is paved in good intentions. And I’ve already lived thru hell once. What makes you think I want to rekindle the hell I survived? You have never once asked me if I wanted you back. You just assume it will be so damn easy to get me back. Newsflash dude I already have a man that’s willing to fight for me; and goes out of his way to make me happy. He snorted, “Yeah that man isn’t a man. When did you start liking kids anyways?” I grinned, “Around the time my husband turned in a sleaze. Grow the hell up Kevin and move on. Yes I love you but not enough to ruin my life again.” He sighed, “I’m not that bad of a person am I? Was I really that horrible the whole time we were together? I can’t make up for the past, but I can set things into motion that proves I want to change. Is there not one little part of you that wants to know if we can make it right this time? Mandy we are perfect for each other when I’m not being stupid. Please think about it. See you tomorrow at noon!” He walked over and kissed me on the cheek; then walked out the room without even a look back. The tears fell silently. Maybe he was right?
My cell was dead; I dug out my charger and powered it up. Damn over thirty-five missed calls, eighteen voice mails, and fifty text messages. Damn! Everyone must be worried. Just then Cam called!
“Hey!”
“Ohhh my God I’ve been so worried Mandy!”
“I’m sorry baby! I went to dinner and shoot pool at a pub. I left my purse in the car. I just noticed my phone was dead and dug out my charger!”
“It’s fine I was just worried. I love you! You sound upset baby! Are you okay?”
“Babe I don’t even know where to start. I try to be nice and Kevin tries to take advantage of it. I don’t wanna talk about it. I have a headache and I want to go to sleep. Baby I love you so much and I miss you! I wish you were here!”
“Well I love you too baby. Let me see what I can do. I might be able to make things better for you. Now go get some sleep and call me tomorrow. I love you! Goodnight!”
“Okay goodnight baby I love you! Bye!”
“Bye!”
He never gets worked up over anything. He can talk with me and figure things out. I really wish Kevin would back off. I don’t even remember him coming on this strong before. He’s making me feel like a business deal. I just don’t trust him enough to believe that all he really wants is me. Maybe I’ll pass out soon.
The nine o’clock wakeup call from the hotel was hell. Why again did I drink so much last night; maybe because Kevin makes me nervous. A shower and forty five minutes later I was pulling up to get some breakfast at my favorite diner. Maybe this meeting wouldn’t last all day. This one today was an employee and business owner one; where we go over the profits and future direction. Tomorrows will be with the stock holders and potential investors; both very long and equally very boring. With breakfast done I was making my way in the back of the super nice town car to the office building.
Cam sent me a ‘good luck’ text message, which I thought was majorly sweet thing to do. I just got to stop going back and forth in my mind. I will always tell Cam the truth but he doesn’t deserve the heartache that goes with the truth. I just need to leave Kevin totally alone. After these meetings I plan to go back to Georgia and forget all about him. Maybe he could buy me out of the business. Hell I don’t know what to do anymore. Dumbass had that way over me.
Sadly the first face I saw stepping off the elevator was Kevin’s. He was smiling and chatting nicely with Evan from last night and Latonya. “Hey Mandy; babygirl I have missed you! I forgot how much I missed ya till I left Georgia! It was ruff!” I wrapped her in a tight hug, “I know babygirl I missed you so much. So when you plan on coming back to Georgia? Devin said he missed you too.” She chuckled, “Well that playboy has a woman already. All the good looking ones are taken. Just like your Cam. Now that’s one hell of a find!” You could see Kevin tense up with jealous or whatever it was. He didn’t like Cam; he made that much known a while back. “I see you’re not too hung over this morning!” Evan said with a little winkle in his eyes. “I’m good baby. How did you like having ya butt handed to ya by a chic?” He really laughed loudly, “Well since the chic was as pretty as you it didn’t really bother me! Watching you make your shots was the best part of the game!” Latonya was enjoying this. “Ok pimp juice! Stop talking shit to your boss!” She was in a good mood today.
“Let’s get the conference room ready Mandy,” Kevin said. I be damned; I didn’t really come here to work. “Long as Latonya comes with us to referee.” He shot me a wicked grin, “She has to man the phones in case someone needs directions or something!” Latonya looked at me and mouthed ‘what’s going on?’ Lord help me survive this crap and get back home to my family. I filled the coffee makers, set out disposable cups, and trays of doughnuts. Someone usually, other than us, doe
s this. So I figured it was a play by Kevin. “Hey Mandy how are you doing today?” He smiled; he looks damn good in dress clothes. But honestly he looks good in anything; last night was proof of that. “I’m okay! You know how mornings can be for me. I prefer to be up for a while before I have to deal with people!” He winked, “Ahhhh so really you need more coffee and the diner isn’t as good as your Momma’s breakfast!” Damn he had me; my thoughts exactly. “Ahhhh well I guess you know me too well. Soon as this shit brews I’ma drink half a pot; the alcohol was not kind to me this morning!” He was laughing at me, the jerk. “Same here, I guess we really unloaded on each other last night.” I laughed; a real actual laugh. “Yeah we did. I admit honestly it was quite funny how I kicked those two pricks ass last night after all the shit they talked. I hate to tell them they don’t look as good as they think. And the blonde one hero worships you by the way. He was like Kevin this and that!” He laughed so hard his eyes were watering. “I wish you could have seen your face when you said that!”
We were both laughing so hard when Latonya came in and gave us a ‘what the hell’ look. “I was just saying I wanted to be like Kevin when I grow up.” We laughed the times harder then. Kevin put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me up to his side as we sat on the conference table laughing. “Well if you keep eating your Wheaties you may one day be like me squirt!” I rolled my eyes, “I like my boobies better thank you very much.” He whispered in my ear, “Ahhhh I do too. You’re more attractive than I am!” He pulled away only after his nose grazed my ear and sent a shiver up my spine. He hopped off the table and headed towards the coffee. Latonya and I looked at each other in surprise. Kevin fixed a cup of coffee, brought it to me, and then walked out the door. “Damn he is so much nicer since he talked to you in Georgia before the seminar. I am one hundred percent sure the ass is still in love with you. Every time his old chic calls he just blows her off! Has he said anything to you?” Damn I’m so sick of talking about him I could freakin’ scream. “Latonya I’m so sick of his damn drama I can’t fuckin’ stand it; seriously. Last night he tried to maul me and begged me to come back to him. Offered to buy Momma a shop, set up Mitchell’s business, and even pay for Dev’s college. Here is the shocker: Said we could open an office in Georgia and move there.” Latonya’s jaw was on the floor. I know that’s a lot from Kevin. “Do you believe him?” Geeze I don’t know. “I’m not sure I am willing to risk it all to find out if he is. I love Cam, he is a good man and deserves more than this tug of war bullshit Kevin keeps me in lately!” She nodded in agreement.