Domino Effect

by Kristin Mayer

“I had a nightmare. A horrible dream. I don’t want you to think I don’t trust you. I do. I don’t know why I dreamed it.” My voice was choked up, barely understandable.

  Brandt’s arms were soothingly rubbing my back and he let out a big sigh of relief. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. It was a dream. I know you trust me.”

  I pulled back, my lip trembling. “But, but, I dreamed you were using again.”

  He flipped on the lamp. Brandt’s blue eyes looked at me seriously as he pulled a cream-colored throw from the end of the bed and draped it over me. “I told you why I like you to sleep with me every night regardless of where you’re at.”

  I nodded. “To know I’m really there and haven’t left you again.”

  He continued, “I know you’re not actually leaving me, but I like to have the reassurance. We know what it’s like to lose each other. It’s only natural to be scared of losing that love. Time will lessen the nightmares. It has with mine.”

  I held him closer as I breathed his scent, comforted by it. Brandt laid us back on the bed and discarded the throw before pulling up our green duvet to cover our bodies. His arms pulled me closer. I needed his touch and the comfort of his embrace.

  “Do you think I’ll have that dream again?”

  Brandt kissed the top of my head. “You could. Or you might not. When I told you about mine, they lessened. I’ve only had two since then.”

  I hoped I never had that dream again. The gut-wrenching pain the dream caused me is something I hoped to never feel again. “I keep thinking something is going to take our happily ever after away.”

  “Nothing is going to do that. If anything tried, I’d kick its ass.”

  That caused a small giggle out of me as I took a few long deep, soothing breaths. “Thanks for not getting upset or thinking I didn’t trust you.”

  Brandt positioned me in a way that we could look at each other, inches apart. “You married me. If you didn’t trust me, you wouldn’t have said yes, despite how much you loved me.”

  A couple more tears came down my face. His thumb brushed them away.

  “I do love you. So much it scares me sometimes.”

  “Same here, baby. Same here.”

  I bit my lip. “Will you make love to me?”

  Brandt rolled me under him. “There’s no place I’d rather be than inside you.”

  He sealed his words with a kiss.

  My head pounded as the phone vibrated on the nightstand. I heard pots and pans in the kitchen—Brandt had cooked breakfast. From the sound of it, he was putting things away. I loved breakfast with Brandt. Gavin’s name flashed across the screen.

  I cleared my throat before answering. “This is Nikola.”

  “Nikola? Gavin. I hear congratulations are in order if what Ainsley said is true.”

  “It’s true. I got married.” I looked down at my ring and wiggled my fingers.

  A scooting noise sounded. “That was fast. I didn’t know you were serious.”

  I was silent as I didn’t know how to respond. Gavin and I had never had a personal conversation before. It had all been top line with no specifics. He finally spoke.

  “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. My girlfriend is pressuring me to tie the knot, and I’m not sure what I want to do. Please, accept my apologies.”

  “Apology accepted. Marriage is a big step. My only piece of advice is to follow your heart.”

  Papers shuffled. “I think that’s good advice. I’ll probably reflect on that for a bit. I wanted to let you know all the boards with the graphs you made are printed and the Executive Summaries have been bound. A meeting is scheduled for next week. Thanks for all your hard work. The third wire should come to you today. If the board accepts the proposal, I’ll get the fourth wire sent to you immediately.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate the update. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

  “I will. Have a good day.”

  “You, too.”

  He hung up. I was glad commitment was not an issue Brandt and I had. When I’d been talking to Gavin, I hadn’t wanted to say anything, but some questions he seemed to have were clear indicators that he wasn’t ready for that next step. I wasn’t his friend, so I’d kept my mouth shut.

  As I was about to lay the phone back on the nightstand, it vibrated. Ainsley’s name flashed across the screen. I opened the text.

  Ainsley: Hey, Adam told me Brandt was coming to Club Envy this morning to talk. Are you up for Nora and me coming over for some girl time?

  Me: I’d love that. Come on over whenever.

  Ainsley: Okay, we’ll be there in a bit.

  Me: Sounds good.

  I placed the phone back on the nightstand, stood, and grabbed my robe from the end of the bed. The stress from the nightmare started to ebb. Brandt had taken it well and believed me that I still trusted him. The panic and loss I’d felt still resonated in me. It was going to be good to have some girl time. Most of my girlfriends had left me as Brandt and I got closer. As I buried myself in work, I drifted away from the rest of my friends. All they wanted to do was hook me up with someone which was the farthest thing I had wanted. In the end, I was better off not having fake friends. For the first time in a while, I felt I’d found a true friend in Ainsley, and I was getting to know Nora better.

  I headed into the kitchen in my robe. On the table sat a plate of pancakes and a bowl of fruit. The aroma of cooked batter filled the air. Only one place was set.

  I looked at Brandt. “You aren’t joining me?”

  Brandt was in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. “Adam asked if I could come in early before the other employees got here for training. I was going to come in the bedroom and tell you but didn’t want to wake you.”

  I puckered my lips, and Brandt walked over to kiss me. I pulled back and smiled against his lips. “Have a good day at work, honey. Ainsley and Nora are going to stop by for some girl time.”

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Have fun with the girls. Don’t get into too much trouble. Enjoy breakfast.”

  He kissed me quickly then started toward the door.

  “Thank you. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck.”

  The door opened, closed, and then I was left alone. Hopefully, Brandt and Adam could come to an agreement. I put some butter on my pancakes and drizzled the syrup over them. The first bite was heavenly. I kept thinking about the big decision ahead of the guys and wondered if they would end up selling Club Envy. Before Brandt had mentioned it in the car yesterday, I had never imagined them selling.

  Ainsley, Nora, and I were all on the couch with our legs tucked under us. Nora’s black hair had bright pink pieces sprinkled throughout. She wore torn jeans with a shirt that fell off one shoulder. Ainsley had on jeans and a fitted, pale purple sweater. Spring was tempting to shake these cooler temperatures but hadn’t succeeded yet.

  We were reading an article about the top ten ways a guy should seduce his girl. Every time we read a tip, we’d end up in a fit of laughter. My sides were hurting.

  Nora grabbed the article from me as we were coming down from our last laugh. “Okay, I have to read the last one. I don’t know where these people got their facts, but I can sure as hell say if a guy ever gave me a kitty growl, I’d turn and leave immediately.”

  That was number two in the top ten. We giggled, and Nora continued reading.

  “The number one way to seduce your girl is, every chance you get, thrust your hips out to remind the woman there’s machinery in those pants. The movement will draw attention and make the girl think of sex. That third leg is there for a reason. Use it, boys.”

  Nora was barely able to finish as we became hysterical again. “Tears, I have tears.” I was barely able to get that out. Nora stood and started trying to imitate what had been described. It only made us laugh more.

  Ainsley was laid back, and she sputtered, “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.”

  This f
elt good. A few moments later, we were finally becoming coherent again. Ainsley asked Nora, “So, Jude never pulled any of those moves on you?”

  “Oh, hell no, he didn’t. They should have definitely used him as a source on what to do to seduce a girl.” Nora sobered for a second. “Jude took me to dinner last night and told me he’s got to head home for a bit to Australia.”

  Ainsley sat up. “Oh no, Nora. How are you doing?”

  Nora shrugged. “We’ll see. He says he’s coming back for me, but I don’t know. There’s no way I could leave my mom and sister. I told him that.”

  I knew from Ainsley that Nora’s mom was in remission from cancer. Ainsley watched Nora’s sister, Emilyn, from time to time. Nora helped her mom a lot as they tried to recover from all the medical bills.

  Ainsley gave her a hug. “Do you know how long he’s going to be in Australia?”

  Nora shook her head, then wiped a tear. “His dad is sick, and he has to go back and help him. I don’t know. Jude’s dad has always wanted him to take over the family business. Last night, Jude told me he loved me. I told him I loved him. It was the first time I ever told a man that. And now he’s leaving. I don’t know what to do.”

  I scooted closer. Maybe what I’d been through would help. “Brandt and I, as you know, broke up for a time. Eventually, we found our way back to each other. Nora, if it’s true love, you’ll find your way if you stay true to your heart.”

  She nodded and worked on clearing her emotions. “I know. The phrase ‘love will find a way’ hopefully rings true this time around, despite how corny it sounds.”

  “I do believe it will. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.”

  Ainsley squeezed her best friend as she said, “Maybe when you guys Skype, Jude can hip thrust you via camera to get you good and going.”

  All of us were holding each other as our laughter was all-consuming.

  Nora added, “And growl like a kitty cat. Maybe a long distance relationship will work if he has moves like that.” She stood then, as if something had come to her suddenly. “Do you mind if I skedaddle? I told him I didn’t know if I could do the long distance relationship thing, but I need to tell him I want to.”

  Ainsley and I both said, “Go!”

  Nora was out the door in a flash. I loved young, blossoming love. I had a feeling they would find their way back to each other. Somehow, they’d make it work.

  My phone rang from the kitchen. “Let me get it. It might be Brandt.”

  I ran into the kitchen and picked it up, seeing the word husband flash across the screen on the black granite countertop. Brandt must have been messing with my phone. “Is this my husband by any chance?”

  “Hey, baby. I see you saw the change I made.”

  Just hearing his deep voice caused things to happen within me. “I like the upgrade. How’s it going?”

  “Good. I was going to see if you and Ainsley wanted to meet us for lunch.”

  “Hold on, let me check with Ainsley.” I called in to the living room where Ainsley sat on the couch looking at her phone. “Do you want to meet with Brandt and Adam for lunch?”

  Ainsley laughed. “I was about to ask you the same thing. Adam texted me. Sounds good.”

  Our men were so much alike. I turned my attention back to the phone. “Yes, we want to do lunch. Want to meet at the Korner Kafé near the club?”

  “Perfect. We’ll see you there. Love you.”

  I would never tire of hearing those words from Brandt. “I love you, too.”

  We hung up, and I headed into the living room where Ainsley folded the throw and laying it on the back of the couch. Ainsley looked at me, “Nora brought me. Do you mind if I ride with you?”

  Bumping her shoulder in a friendly way, I answered, “Absolutely not. Thanks for today. I needed this.”

  Ainsley linked her arm with mine as we started leaving the living room. “I think we needed a laugh. I think we should start making it a monthly thing. We’ll make our men go hang out while we have a girls’ night.”

  “I think that sounds like a good idea.”

  As we left the house, I thought about how it was time for Brandt and me to make this a home. The house was still empty, with minimal furnishings. My place had been furnished with the necessities and a few extras. I think, subconsciously, we’d both been waiting to find each other again.

  We finally had.

  We were sitting at a wooden table at the Korner Kafé. The restaurant was eclectic. All the tables were different colors and shapes. None of the chairs matched, but it worked perfectly. Apple smells filled the air from the fresh baked pies that had been placed on the counter a few minutes ago.

  Adam and Ainsley were telling us about the resort where their wedding was going to take place. They’d finalized the details shortly before our wedding but hadn’t wanted to say anything to distract from our big day. Our mostly-eaten sandwiches were pushed to the side.

  I looked at a resort in a brochure with palm trees in front of the ocean and the sun setting, creating magnificent colors. Running my fingers across the paper, I said, “This is beautiful. I’ll book our tickets this week to go. I can’t wait. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

  Ainsley smiled. “I’d love for you to come with us to find my wedding dress.”

  Clapping girlishly, I said, “Oh, I’d love too. Let me know when.”

  “I will.”

  I was the matron of honor and Nora was the maid of honor. Brandt leaned back in his chair. He looked happy and at ease with himself. I felt his hand on my leg and placed mine on top. Adam and Ainsley launched into more details about the wedding. I glanced to Adam, he looked like Brandt did—at peace with himself.

  The bell to the door chimed and Adam muttered, “Fuck.”

  I turned to see what Adam was looking at. It was the spitting image of Adam with dark hair and a tall, muscular build. The only difference was his brother, Jake, didn’t have tattoos and had greasy, slicked-back hair. I glanced at Adam, and he looked fine.

  I asked, “Do we need to leave?”

  He shook his head. “Nah, not necessary. He’s an asshole. My sister told me he’d been caught cheating on Selena. It’s a mess, but Ainsley and I are staying out of it. Then it came out Selena has been cheating on Jake, too. I feel bad for the baby, but I can’t make them unselfish.”

  Selena was Adam’s ex, who’d left him for his brother. The Adam I’d known a year or so ago had been a jaded man. Jake was a miserable person for going after his brother’s girlfriend. Jake had always been jealous of Adam. I couldn’t comprehend being that way. But, in the end, it had led Adam to Ainsley.

  Brandt chimed in as he glanced back toward Jake. “Some people want to be miserable.”

  Adam picked up his glass before taking a sip. “Here. Here.”

  Jake got his drink to go, then left as he threw a slimy smile in our direction. Adam sighed. “I bet that fucker saw my car outside and stopped in here for the hell of it.”

  I stood. “Let me know if you need me to use my Kung Fu on him. I have a pretty mean crane karate move.” I posed in a way that seemed martial arts–like. Then I straightened and put on a serious face. “I will return in a second.”

  They were all chuckling. As I turned to head to the bathroom, Brandt called, “Kung Fu and karate are not the same.”

  I slightly turned my body back as I continued on my way. “Don’t focus on the details. Focus on the moves.” Swiping my hand through the air made them all shake their heads.

  On my way back to the table, I looked at Brandt and something was wrong. Adam and Ainsley looked somber. I couldn’t see Brandt’s face since he was facing toward the restaurant window. A rock formed in my stomach, and the lunch I had just eaten felt unwelcome. My steps slowed. Adam nodded his head toward Brandt. Ainsley was looking at me and biting her lip. The fingers of her right hand were messing with the light purple sleeve of the opposite arm.

  Brandt looked, as if he was
saying something, as he moved his head. Next, he stood and came toward me. “What’s wrong, Brandt?”

  His arm wrapped around my waste. “Let’s go outside so we can talk.”

  I wasn’t able to say anything but let him guide me out the door. My mind tried to come up with different scenarios that would cause a reaction like this. For whatever reason, I was coming up blank. Perspiration formed on my skin. As we pushed through the door, my face was greeted with a cool breeze I welcomed. It helped to focus on the cold sensation.

  Brandt took me to the passenger side of his vehicle. “Nikola, we need to get to Northside Hospital. Anne has been admitted. It appears she had a seizure. Anne is stable, but they are running tests to see what happened. You were listed as an emergency contact. I picked up the phone while you were in the restroom.”

  My lip began to quiver. “Gr-gr-grandmama is in the hospital. She has to be okay, Brandt. I can’t lose her. I’m not ready.”

  Brandt engulfed me in a hug. “I know, baby. I know. Let’s get to the hospital and see what’s going on.”

  Brandt opened the door helped me get into the SUV. I tried to be strong, but the tears broke free as I felt the cool streaks trail down my face. This had to be a dream. I prayed, Please let this be a dream. Please let this be like last night. I can’t lose her. I can’t. I’m not ready.

  WE WERE ALMOST to Northside Hospital. Nikola looked out the window and tapped the door’s arm rest. She’d asked me to repeat several times what the doctor had said, which I did without hesitating. We arrived at the hospital. Nikola got out of the SUV under the covered area before I had a chance to put it in park. I followed quickly and locked the vehicle.

  I caught up to my love and wrapped my hand around her waist. People were everywhere. It was a busy day at the hospital.

  “Brandt, you’ll get towed.” Even being stressed to the limit, Nikola was still thinking of me.

  “I’m not letting you go in there alone. If I get towed, I get towed. Anne’s on the second floor.”