Imperfect Consequences

by Piper Stone

  Sadly, overextending himself was the crux of his personal issues. He just hadn’t realized how damaging they were until tonight. He needed time to think and needed a friend. Resigned, he eased out of the car, slipping his hands into his pockets. Thank God, tomorrow was Friday. There were no appointments at the office, only contracts to finalize and a staff meeting.

  As he walked toward Bruce’s front door, he wondered what Shannon was thinking right now. He knew she’d found something. She’d discovered a blip in his world, a weakness, and now he would pay. Holding his hand up, the moment he knocked on the door, he sucked in his breath.

  When Bruce answered the knock, he shook his head. “Well, I can’t say I didn’t have an ugly suspicion.”

  “What does that mean?” David asked, unable to look his best friend in the eye.

  “Just come in and we can talk. Creative marks on your face there, buddy. Did you get into a fight with a cat?” Bruce raised his eyebrow.

  Cupping his face, David mumbled. “Amazing what damage roses can do.”

  “Ouch. We really do need to talk.”

  “What about Marcie?” David hated intruding on Bruce’s time with his girlfriend. The ugly divorce had taken so much out of his partner.

  “She’s with her mom tonight. Come in. It’ll just be us guys.” Closing the door behind David, Bruce chucked his jaw. “Big fight?”

  “Huge.”

  “Let’s get a drink and tell me about it.” Without waiting for an answer, Bruce walked into the kitchen.

  The sound of a basketball game blaring on the television set was comforting. He stood with his hands in his pockets as he watched Bruce grabbing two glasses out of a cabinet by the refrigerator. He had no idea what to say, how to start a conversation. David never thought he’d be in this predicament. “The fight was terrible,” he blurted out.

  “They usually are. Bourbon?” Bruce grabbed a bottle from the bottom cabinet, holding it out.

  “Yeah, sure. If you don’t mind, I… I mean, I…”

  “You need a place to crash tonight?”

  David brushed his hand across his mouth. “Yeah. I think we both need to cool off.”

  “My place is your place. Told you that a million times.” Bruce plopped ice in both glasses and unscrewed the top of the bottle. “What sparked the fight tonight?”

  “Hell, I don’t know. She was in a mood when I got home. I mean, a terrible mood. She was just not herself. Angry.”

  “You said you’ve both been in wretched moods lately.” Pouring two long shots, Bruce set the bottle down and handed David a drink. Holding his glass up, he waited until David nodded. “To good friends.”

  “Thanks. Not certain how good I am at anything any longer.”

  Shrugging, Bruce smiled. “God. You are in bad shape. Look, you saw me through the worst year of my life. I owe you one.”

  “You don’t owe me a thing.” He took a swig of his drink, enjoying the subtle burn siding down the back of his throat.

  “I think I do.” Bruce glanced at the television, a slight smile curling in the corner of his mouth. “Do you remember when we thought having a relationship was going to be easy?”

  “Was there really such a time?” David turned toward the television.

  Bruce snorted. “Yeah, there was. A hell of a long time ago.” Swirling his drink, he took a sip and turned to face David. “With Marcy, everything is a lot different than with any other woman. Easy. Comfortable.”

  “Why do I get the feeling it’s too comfortable?”

  “Well, because you’d be right. Don’t get me wrong. She’s a wonderful girl. We have a hell of a lot of fun together and I adore her.”

  “I feel about a million ‘buts’ coming on,” David interjected, as he studied his friend. Maybe the happy-go-lucky man wasn’t as happy as he thought.

  “The ‘but’ is, I like her a hell of a lot.”

  “But you’re not in love with her.”

  Bruce darted a look at David and sighed. “No. I want to be. I’ve tried to be. I’ve even thought about proposing, but I just can’t. We should have stayed friends.”

  David listened carefully, taking it all in. There were so many “what ifs” in his mind, and there had been for months. “Maybe like Shannon and me. Maybe we should have just stayed friends.”

  “Nope. I won’t buy it. I know better. You two have been in love since the day you saw her. Do you remember that day?” Bruce smiled, his eyes twinkling.

  David would never forget the afternoon he met Shannon. “Spring. She was wearing a bright red dress. The wind was blowing just enough that the breeze managed to tip the edge of her dress up her thighs.”

  “And we both caught a glimpse of her panties. I think I lusted to the point you almost punched me.” Bruce laughed as he shook his head.

  “I was going to do more than punch you. Trust me, big fella.” They laughed and David’s thoughts were all about the beautiful day and the girl who instantly had stolen his heart.

  “Do you remember what you said to me?”

  Heat rising in his face, David nodded. “I think so.”

  “Oh hell, you know.” In a grandiose moment, Bruce lifted his drink, clicked his heels together, and garnered a British accent. “My dear Bruce. I will issue you a wager. I’m going to have that very gorgeous woman fall in love with me and before the year is out, we will be engaged.”

  “Ugh. I did not say it that way!”

  “Well, maybe not just like that, but the meaning was clear.” Blowing across his knuckles, Bruce did a twirl in the middle of the kitchen.

  David groaned. “You are incorrigible.”

  “But I’m right. You were engaged on Christmas Eve and so passionate about her.”

  “Yeah, I was.”

  Taking a step forward, Bruce tilted his head. “You both were. You were in love. I’ve never seen two people more in love than you were. I was almost sick to death, every day, from your love and gushing.” Grinning, Bruce patted David on the arm.

  “That was then.”

  “What changed? I mean, really? What in the hell changed?”

  David wasn’t certain how to answer the question. “I don’t know. Maybe everything.”

  “And they say women are melodramatic.” Raising his eyebrow, Bruce chortled. “Don’t do that shit with me.”

  David exhaled slowly.

  “You need to tell someone.”

  “I was an asshole to Shannon. No, I was more than that.”

  “Then tell her just that and ask her to forgive you.”

  “Not that simple,” David replied. Nothing ever was.

  “You just don’t want it to be.” Bruce glanced up and down at David, finally settling on his friend’s eyes as he inched closer, flanking the island just opposite him. “Do you love her?”

  David shifted back and forth on his feet. Taking a sip of his drink, he hid behind the glass. “Do I love her?”

  “You ain’t deaf. You heard me. Do you love your wife, the one you said you would die to protect and love above all others, forsaking those who try and get in your way?”

  There was no doubt Bruce was issuing an edict. “I’ve had enough accusations today to send me reeling. What is it you want to know?” He realized there was a harsh edge to his voice.

  Bruce looked at him, inhaling deeply. He shook his head before finally speaking. “Nothing. I’m just your friend and one who knows you’re hurting. I’m here to help, but you gotta face whatever demons are buried inside of you. If you don’t love Shannon any longer, then by God, end it. That woman, the very beautiful woman who you professed to love and I know loves you, deserves nothing less than the truth. If you can’t do anything else, tell her the truth.”

  The conviction in his friend’s tone caught David off guard. For a few seconds, he stood shaking, his mind racing around trying to figure out what to do or if he could do anything. “You’re right.”

  “Good. Better. Maybe not good enough.” Bruce sucked down the rest o
f his drink. “You ready for another?”

  “Not just yet.” But David knew he wanted to get drunk tonight, feel numb for a little while.

  “I’m going to have a couple more. If you want, we’ll order a pizza.”

  “That’s fine.”

  “Fine,” Bruce reiterated.

  David watched him pour another drink, and for the first time in his forty-two years, felt like a failure. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to remember the last time Shannon had really laughed. When he couldn’t remember, a tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

  “Let’s go into the family room.” Bruce snapped off the television in the kitchen and walked away from him.

  “What if I don’t know anymore?”

  “Know?” Bruce asked.

  “Yeah, what if I don’t know if I can be the man she needs and deserves?”

  Bruce turned his head slightly, his expression reserved. “Then you need to tell her you can’t go on with your marriage. But you gotta be sure, buddy. I think if you end what you have now, the hurt is going to be too much for her. I think you’ll lose her.”

  “I’m already losing her.”

  “And you know why. Don’t you?”

  The answer wasn’t as easy as Bruce was making it out to be. There was no “easy” in any relationship, and David had been another man for a few months, one he wasn’t proud of. He had no idea how to atone for certain words said, the hurt caused, and he felt like a lowlife.

  “The question really is this simple, but one you have to know cold. Do you love her?”

  The tone of Bruce’s voice dragged him back to reality. He took a sip, then a swig of his drink, his heart racing. But he knew the answer. “I love Shannon more today than I ever have before. She is the light of my entire world and I need her.”

  Bruce studied his reaction, his eyes darting back and forth. “Then you have to figure this out before it’s too late.”

  David smiled. “You’re right.”

  “I know I am.”

  “What?” David could easily see Bruce had more on his mind.

  “Whoever she is, you gotta end it now and never think about her again. Do you understand?” Bruce exhaled slowly and held up his glass. “I think you do.”

  David had never felt so horrible in his life.

  Chapter 3

  Shannon rolled over and slid her arm across the bed. She didn’t need to open her eyes to realize David wasn’t beside her. Although she hadn’t waited up for him, sleep had only come in spurts. Her eyes were swollen from crying for hours. Her heart, as well as her head, was aching, remnants of a hangover making her nauseous. Drinking wine certainly hadn’t helped her mood and no doubt escalated the vile argument.

  Moaning, she glanced over at the clock, the understanding she needed to crawl out of bed and get ready for work, reminding her that life moves on. The alarm was still sounding, and for a few more seconds she listened to the soft music, the haunting strains of some love song. Closing her eyes, she did everything she could to shove back the uneasy feeling. There was no doubt in her mind, however, she’d gone too far this time by pushing David into a corner. Accusing him of having an affair was terrible, but finding certain e-mails on his computer had driven her over the edge.

  Jade. The name slid across her tongue and she was ready to vomit. Whoever the woman was, she certainly seemed to be in tune with David’s needs, his desires. From the tone of the e-mails, the blatant sexual overtures, she knew they were close. But just how close? She’d sat for hours poring over every message, trying to figure out when the emotional affair had started, and from what little she could find out, it seemed they had started their relationship almost six months ago.

  At least the first few e-mails were very much about business, given he’d obviously designed her home. They began to go down a more flirtatious path. The last few conversations were as close to sexting as she’d ever seen. Swallowing back bile, she finally eased out of bed and into the bathroom. Her reflection told no lies—she looked like shit. Shivering, she held her arm with one hand as she grabbed her toothbrush with the other.

  Had he gone to Jade’s house last night? Was he with her right now, lying in bed and talking about how ridiculous his marriage was? Were they fucking? Had they been fucking and for how long? The questions raced through the back of her mind and she blinked as tears welled in her eyes. Then again, what if they weren’t physically intimate, but carrying on just an emotional affair? The phrase made her want to break the mirror. Was an emotional relationship as bad as if he were sticking his cock into her?

  There were too many questions and no answers that would be right anyway, not until she managed to hear the truth. Would David tell her the truth? Well, maybe not after her nasty display. Shannon brushed her teeth with enough fury that she was spitting froth by the time she finished. Damn it, she had to know if their marriage was over. She had to.

  After taking a long shower, she brewed a pot of coffee and stood like a lost waif in her kitchen, staring at the flowers. A slight smile crossing her face, she walked closer and brushed her fingertips across several fallen petals. How many days had she longed to have her man bring her flowers or tell her she was beautiful? Sighing, she sniffed as a single tear fell.

  She glanced toward her cell phone and reached out twice to grab it before she pressed her finger against the on button. There were no missed calls and no voice mails. David was either letting her cool off, or he was finding his own place to live. The sun was streaming in the windows, birds chirping, and she was nothing but a train wreck. And she definitely wasn’t in the mood to face anyone today, especially at work.

  Shannon thought about taking a day off. What would it hurt? She hadn’t had a day off in months and was certainly due. Maybe she’d go shopping and spend a hell of a lot of money, something David loathed. Oh, what didn’t David find bothersome or troublesome about her?

  Trembling, she stood staring out at their backyard, sipping her coffee. A new dress and a new attitude would do her a little good, maybe spice up her life, her very lonely life. “Stop it.” The two words seemed to reverberate in the humid air. The day was going to be unusually warm as well as sunny, perfect for playing hooky.

  She grabbed her phone, dialing her office. She was positive the receptionist was already sitting at her desk, the little eager beaver. Sure enough, the chipper-voiced girl answered. “Hi Jennifer, it’s Shannon. I’m not feeling very well today and won’t be in. I’ll check my e-mails. If you don’t mind just letting everyone know? I don’t have any clients scheduled, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

  “Sure thing, Ms. Parker.”

  Jennifer hung up before she had the chance to correct her to “Mrs.” Shaking her head, she couldn’t help but question the state of her marriage. Well, she was going to have to deal with her accusations later, but right now, she had shopping to do. For the time being, she wasn’t going to dive into a bowl of ice cream to soothe her breaking heart—at least not until much later. As she walked into the bedroom to get dressed, she thought about going to a strip club tonight, instead of burying herself in frozen treats and booze. Snacking on men was a much better way to snap her heart and mind out of her private hell. There was nothing like lust to do just that.

  Shannon had walked around the mall at least three times and other than purchasing a new teddy at Victoria’s Secret, she had little to show for her efforts. She didn’t have the heart for shopping or anything else, for that matter. How many times had she checked her phone and almost dialed his number? No, he had the explaining to do, not her. As she stood in front of one of her favorite stores, she felt an overwhelming sadness. She wasn’t the kind of girl who handled opposition very well, and she avoided conflict. Slapping his face with the roses, after screaming at him, was the worst behavior she’d displayed in a long time.

  He’d expect an apology and she sucked at giving them. Maybe she’d demand one of her own. Yeah, wouldn’t that go over well?

  “Shannon, Shannon
Parker?”

  Shannon turned around and instantly grinned. “Tina! I can’t believe it’s you.”

  “How long has it been?” Tina asked, a smile crossing her face.

  “Too long. My goodness, the last time we even talked was at least a couple of years ago.”

  “I know. I can’t believe how much time has gone by. That certainly wasn’t my intent.”

  Tina had been one of her best friends since college, and she hadn’t even thought about her in almost a year. “I heard you moved out of town.”

  Tina sighed. “Well, I just got back into town, and I start a new job next week.”

  “What about Joe? New job, too?” Shannon asked, half expecting the sweet hunk to be standing right behind Tina.

  “Joe who? You mean, Asshole of the Year?”

  “Uh-oh. What happened?” The couple had been together since they were teenagers. Tina and Joe were inseparable, never able to keep their hands off each other for long.

  “Let’s just say I didn’t enjoy finding him with our next-door neighbor in our pool, very naked, and the position wasn’t just compromising. The act was more like animals copulating in the wild.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “I was upset and pissed off for a long time, but after some pretty good counseling and one too many bottles of wine, I realized I needed to live my life for me,” Tina stated defiantly. “So, I moved back here and was able to get a great job. I have a little place that’s all mine, with no men to bother me, and I can enjoy being me for the first time in years.”

  Shannon loved the take-charge edge in her friend’s voice, wishing she could manage to garner the same bravado. “You look great.”

  “I feel great. Just getting a few things for the new job. What are you up to? Lunchtime shopping?”

  “Took the day off. Needed some time for just me.”

  Tina grinned and raised her eyebrow as she pointed toward the Victoria’s Secret bag. “A hot night with that sexy man of yours?”

  Shannon could feel the heat rising from her neck, flushing her cheeks. She shivered and looked away. “Just something for me.”