by Kam Carr
“I love you” his voice intense and full of passion.
“I love you too” I sighed. “Love isn't enough anymore. We have no trust.” I took his hands away from my face. My fingertip traced the wedding band still in place on his index finger. I blinked the tears away yet again. “We need to move on.”
I didn't want to discuss this anymore, I stood up and Maxwell followed. He began to walk down the stairs and I watched. When he got to the last step he looked up at me. My beautiful caring wonderful Mr Golden rule. He now looked broken, tired and defeated.
“Maybe one day,” he said softly. “Just maybe, I'll process you again. You will always be the woman I desire and crave, Mrs Thomas.”
Was I doing the right thing? I quickly looked away and when I looked back... He was gone. With the last strength I had, I walked back into the apartment. I closed the door and rested my forehead against it. The image of Maxwell in pain filled my head. I had done that to him.
My heart was now truly broken, I spun round and took in a deep breath. I couldn’t stay here with Riley and I couldn’t be with Riley. On the other hand, I couldn’t be with Maxwell either. My whole world had been smashed apart, all because my husband couldn’t keep it in his pants.
I had to get away. I needed space and a chance to think. I raced into the bedroom I was sharing with Riley. Grabbed the suitcase from the wardrobe and throw it down on the bed.
“Going somewhere?” said a voice making me jump. I looked over at Blake leaning against the doorway. “It won’t help you know.”
“And how would you know?” I snapped. “Didn’t you do the exact same thing?” I stood up straight and folded my arms. “Where’s your wife, Blake?”
He closed his eyes and I instantly felt guilty. He looked like I had just stabbed him in the chest. He let out a little air from his mouth and opened his eyes.
“That was low, George” he said softly.
“I’m sorry.” I sat down on the bed and placed my head in my hands. I was a horrible person. I just went around hurting people. First Blake, then Riley and Maxwell. Maybe I was like my mother and had never realized.
I felt the bed move and I could feel Blake sitting next to me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him. At first the thought of him touching me felt strange. Then slowly I began to relax and it felt comforting. The tears began to fall again and I cried into Blake’s chest.
“It will be okay” he sighed, running his fingers through my hair. It was something he would do when I was upset.
“No,” I sniffed. “My marriage is over and I need to get away.”
“Where will you go?”
I shrugged my shoulders. There was only really one place left for me to go. My father lived in Spain with my stepmother Caitlyn. I would just have to deal with his questions. My father didn’t exactly have a lot of faith in me. He thought I was a screw up and it was right.
“Spain” I answered, sitting back up and wiping my eyes. I looked over at Blake and into his Emerald eyes which were full of humour. His shoulders were moving and he was biting down on his lip. “What’s funny?”
“You’re brave” he smiled. He was right I was brave. My father was a scary man. He and Blake had never gotten along. Just like I had never gotten on with Blake’s mother. For the first time in a while I actually smiled
Blake laid back on the bed and rested on his elbows. “Why did he insist on calling me Ritchie?”
A laugh escaped my lips and I lay next to Blake. “After the movie Ritchie Rich.”
“Ahh” he laughed. His expression turned serious and he rested his head back on the bed. “When did everything get so messed up?”
“I have no idea” I sighed.
“I believed you were the love of my life. Then when I met Amy, I felt something I had never experienced. I couldn’t live without her. I craved her, she was my drug.”
“I know exactly what you’re saying” I smiled, remembering the first time I met Maxwell. I just knew in that interview I wanted him and I wasn’t going anywhere until I got what I wanted.
I looked over at Blake. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” he looked confused.
“For everything I did to you.” I reached out and grabbed his hand. “I never wanted to hurt you. You’re a nice man and I think there is someone perfect out there for you.”
He squeezed my hand. “The past is the past. I’m just glad we can be friends.” He brought my hand up to his lips. “You’re a good girl. You just have a funny way of dealing with things.” He gave my hand a little kiss and smiled. “You better go and book a ticket.” He stood up and walked out of the room.
I looked up at the ceiling, he was right I should book my ticket. I had to sort myself out and I had to end my marriage. Maxwell and I had to move on. Our romance was over and there was no repairing it. Before I went, I had to make sure Maxwell, Bailey and Olivia were taken care of.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Blake
Sat on the sofa and waited for Riley to come home from work. Georgina had left over an hour ago. I was actually relieved she was gone. Riley didn’t deserve to be stuck in the middle of her messy life.
I looked over at the note she had asked me to hand over to Riley. A note? She couldn’t even speak to him face to face. No, riley was better off without her. Georgina just caused problems, even though she never meant to. She couldn’t help herself, she never thought about anyone except herself.
The lock clicked and a few seconds Riley walked in, a massive smile on his face. You could tell he was a man in love, dumb ass! He could have his choice of women, but no, he had to choose her. I remember when Georgina left me. I was a mess; I didn’t eat, go out or sleep. It was thanks to Riley and Amy that I got my life back.
He looked over at me and the smile finally fell off his face. He began to walk towards me. “Where is Georgina?”
“She’s gone” I replied. I picked up the note and handed it over to him. “She wanted me to give you this.”
He snatched the note out of my hand and sat down. He quickly read it and shook his head. “She can’t” he mumbled. “She just can’t.”
I sat back on the sofa and just watched him read the note a million times. His eyebrows almost meeting in the middle and his mouth tight. It was as if he couldn’t grasp the words and no matter how many times he read it nothing made sense.
“This isn’t right” he hissed, anger now taking over him. He scrunched the note into a ball and threw it across the room. He stood up, walked over to a wall and started punching the shit out of it.
“Fucking bitch!” he yelled as he fist hit the wall, making an imprint.
He bowed his head and started to breath rapidly. I felt sorry for my friend. I also understood why Georgina had to go. Sometimes if you remove yourself from a situation, things look a lot different. Also, she needed to sort herself out. Forget about men and focus on her child.
Riley dropped to the floor and placed his head in his hands. “I knew it” he laughed. “I just knew it was too good to be true.” He ran his hands through his hair and gave a little sigh. “Seriously, how can anyone compete with Maxwell Thomas?”
I stood up, walked over and sat down next to my friend. “Look on the bright side” I said, trying to cheerful. “You’re now available to come out with me.” I nudged him. “Think about all the women.”
He looked up and narrowed his eyes. “Blake, women are off limits for me. Why didn’t she tell me this face to face?”
“I don’t know, she never said. What did she say in the note?”
Riley tilted his head to the side and rolled his eyes. “Same old shit. Its not you, it’s me. She needs to think and she’s sorry if she has hurt me.” He sighed again and sat up straight. “I should have known better. After all she does have a colourful history with men.”
“At least it ended now before it started.” I looked around the apartment. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my holiday stunk in these four walls.
I jumped to my feet, “Come” I ordered. “We’re going out.”
“I don’t think I can” he groaned. “I hate her” he snarled. “She has destroyed my life.” His fist clenched again and he looked up at me. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
What, now it was my fault? My jaw dropped open and I just stared at him. Seriously, why did I always get the blame? I told him a million times and he refused to listen. I told him this would happen. He couldn’t be this thick.
“I did” I snapped. “Right from the start…”
“I know” he sighed. He took in a deep breath and finally got to his feet. “Let’s go out.”
I threw my hands in the air. “About time” I laughed. “Forget her, Riley.” He just nodded. I rolled my eyes. He looked like a love sick puppy. Well, tonight I was going to make sure he forgot all about Georgina. In fact maybe it would help if I forgot she existed as well. After all this were my new start and my chance of happiness.
***
Maxwell
There was a knock on the door, yelled for whoever to come and a grey haired man in glass holding a briefcase entered.
“Mr Thomas?” he greeted, his voice sounded very professional. Instantly, he caught my attention and I stopped looking at the paperwork.
“Yes” I smiled. “How can I help you?”
He walked a little further into my office and placed his briefcase down on my desk. “I'm Mr Clarke, from Clarke's Legal Team.” He opened up the briefcase and pulled out some papers. “I am representing Mrs Georgina Thomas.”
My jaw hit the desk as I hesitated as he passed the papers to me. I leaned back as I started to read what was in front of me. I hadn't seen her since the incident in the hallway at Riley's apartment building. I had gone too far that day and I knew so. For fuck sake, I almost hit her!
I didn’t like feeling like this. I didn’t do out of control.
“Divorce… She’s filed for divorce?”
He didn't answer my question, just shut his briefcase and picked it up. “I suggest you read them and get yourself a lawyer, Mr Thomas.”
“She told you to do this?” I was in a state of shock, divorce? She wanted rid of me? Us? I started reading through them as quick as I could. The reason she wanted a divorce was unreasonable behaviour... She hadn't mentioned me being unfaithful. Why?
I looked at Mr Clarke. “When?”
“Mrs Thomas came into the office a few days ago, sir.” He looked like he was taking pity for me. “This isn't exactly my favourite part of my job. I just do what I am paid to do.”
“Of course, I understand” I was still stunned.
“I’m sorry again, Mr Thomas” he made his way to the door. “As soon as you get a lawyer, sign and it will be over. If we can keep this clean, it shouldn't drag out.”
Then he was gone and I was left alone with divorce papers. In black and white was my fate. My wife no longer wanted me. I took in a deep breath. I no longer wanted to be here. I wanted to lock myself away with whiskey and as many cigarettes my lungs could take.
***
Georgina
I felt the soft fresh breeze on my face. I looked out at the beach and finally I could breathe. I was away from Maxwell, Riley and all the hassle that came with my life. Also, I knew today he was being served divorce papers.
It had been days since the episode in the Riley's hallway. After Maxwell had left I had called his mother and asked if I could stay in the villa in Cannes. Of course, there were questions and I didn't hold anything back.
I really should have gone to Spain, but the thought of my dad telling me what a mess I was-- I didn't need that. I knew I had messed up my life. But him yelling at me wasn't helping! Also, no doubt he would try and compare me to my mother. Was I like her? Surely not! Or maybe I was in denial?
I watched the people on the beach down below. I hoped his mum kept her promise and wouldn't tell him where I was. I wanted to be alone and think. Think what I was going to do with my life.
I and Riley were over, well it hadn't started. It was not great timing and one of the worse things I probably ever done in my life. I couldn't bear to cause anyone else pain.
I was now free and alone. I couldn't remember the last time I had even been single. Wow, this was first, especially for me.
***
Maxwell
I walked into the house and it was quiet. The kids were still at school and Maddy must still be out shopping. I made my way into the living area and directly to the drinks cabinet. I grabbed the bottle of bells, unscrewed the lid and drank straight from the bottle. It tasted good.
“That’s not the answer” bellowed a voice. I glanced over my shoulder and my mother was standing in the doorway. Fuck! That was all I needed.
Her blue eyes were full of worry, love and sympathy. I placed the bottle back down and fell to my knees. The tears wouldn't stop. I could no longer pretend everything was fine and push my feelings for Georgina away.
My whole body ached, my heart torn apart and the agony was uncontrollable. I felt her drop to my side and pull me into her.
“Son,” she cried. “I know. I know” her voice was soothing. “Why didn't you call me sooner?”
I shrugged. “I didn't think it would get this much out of control.” Then it clicked and I looked at her. “You know? Who? How?”
“Georgina rang me about three days ago. She explained and I got here as quickly as I could. Georgina was worried about you and suggested I came to take care of you.”
The pain deepened at the thought that my Miss Dawson still cared for me. Although, not enough to come back and be my wife. I rested my head on her shoulder and she began to play with my hair, just like she did when I was a child.
“I was a cunt,” I sniffed.
“Please Maxwell, not that word” she said sternly.
“She hasn't been in work and today I got served divorce papers.”
“That's why I am really here” a light smile came to her lips. She knew something and I urged her on with my eyes. “Georgina is in Cannes.” Finally there was some hope, only a little, but enough to stop the tears. “You go to Cannes and you beg and you don't come home without her.”
She made it all sound simple. But what if I did go and Georgina slammed the door in my face. What if she was with him? Then again, exactly what did I have left to lose?
“Just do it!” She yelled, stopping my thoughts in their tracks. “I'll watch everything and your dad will be here in a few days.” She cupped my face in her hands. “Get your wife back, Maxwell.”
For the first time in weeks I actually smiled. There was no reason why I should try. I was going to Cannes, I was going to get my wife and I wasn't returning to LA without her!
CHAPTER TWELEVE
Maxwell
It was too quiet... Maybe she had already left? I entered the bedroom and looked at all her things scattered all over the place. A little smirk came to my face as I glanced over at the white four poster bed.
She was staying in the same room we shared when we sneaked away on our pretend business meeting. Also, it was the same room I had dumped her in.
The sound of water was coming from the on-suite bathroom. I sat down on the bed and gave a breath of relief. She was here and now the hard bit was about to follow.
The bathroom door opened slowly and she emerged wrapped in a towel. Her skin glistered and her hair was dripping wet. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met in my life. My Miss Dawson.
She looked at me shocked and kept blinking. What did she think I was? A fragment of her imagination. We didn't speak-- our eyes did all the talking. I wanted her more than ever. Especially when she was biting down on her lip.
I loved the way out minds were connected at times. She moved gracefully towards, the towel dropped to the floor. My hands reached out and pulled her towards me. I bowed my head and took her nipple in my mouth. Her back arched and her fingers locked in my hair, as my tongue circled the pink bud.
Her hands moved from m
y hair and she placed them on my shoulders, slowly pushing me back on to the bed. She straddled me and her hands got to work on jean buttons. Before I knew it, I was free and standing, ready for her.
“I like you like this, Mr Thomas” she smirked, as she lowered herself down on me. Inch by inch I filled her up. She let out a little groan and her hips started to rock.
My hands gripped on her hips and I moved with her. We were perfect together, always in sync and knew what the other liked. I couldn’t be without her. There was no one else in this world for me.
I head fell back on to the mattress and I allowed her to take over. Just for once I would let her be in control. That was something I was going to have to learn to do. Not just with sex, but with other aspects of my life.
We both lay on the bed in our post-orgasmic states. She was just staring at me with a massive smile on her face. I hadn't seen it in a while and had missed it. My fingertips glided up and down her bare back, she was soft and smooth.
“I had a funny feeling your mum would tell you where I was” she paused and moved closer to me, resting her hand on my chest. “Actually, I prayed she would.”
“You prayed?”
“Sort of” she shrugged.
“Sounds promising.”
“I take it you didn't just come to Cannes to get me into bed, Mr Thomas?”
“No. We need to work things out. I don't want a divorce, George. Do you?”
She sat up and brought her knees to her chest. “I don't know what I want or who I am?” Her voice full of sadness “That's why I came here to think.”
“We can think together.”
She looked down at me and the smile had gone. “What if we don't come up with a solution?”
I grabbed hold of arm and pulled her down to me. Holding her tight against my body and taking in her wonderful scent. “We stay forever.”
“How would your business survive without you?”
I placed a finger against her lip. “Shh, we have left business behind.” My eyes widened. “Golden rule, Miss Dawson, golden rule” I hissed through gritted teeth. “Let’s play a game?”