Beneath It All (Beneath #1) (31 page)

“Yes and no. You were so wrapped up in Noah’s world—he was your everything. I don’t think you were ever his, and that’s the difference. Subconsciously, I think you knew his career came first and you were second to that. However, I don’t think you ever imagined that you were third behind another woman.”

She stood up and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed with me. “Is this okay?” she asked, seeming concerned about being on the bed next to me.

“Totally okay.” I moved over and patted the spot beside me so she could recline next to me.

“I know you loved him, Victoria, I truly do. But I feel that it was a premature love and that he wasn’t the ‘forever’ man for you. I think deep down you felt it too.”

“Hmm,” I said as I considered what she said. I never really stopped to look at it like that. She was right. My love for Noah was young love, and we were both wrapped up in each other and getting through school. When it came time to grow up and be adults, we started to drift apart and go our separate ways. We
were
like roommates with benefits, as Noah had said. She was right. How did I not see this?

“My ‘forever’ man, huh? The sex was great. We got along well. We had fun, but we never really talked about a future. Our life was always scheduled and businesslike after college. I just can’t believe that he actually cheated on me. That’s what hurts the most. It’s not the loss of him . . . it’s
how
I lost him, and to that bitch. That hurts.”

I continued, “In the beginning, our marriage was about paying the bills, studying, and going out on the rare occasion we could afford it. But after his success, everything changed, and we only really went out for business dinners and when we traveled together. How did my marriage turn into a business arrangement?”

“It just did. I don’t think anyone plans for it. I only wish it wouldn’t have come crashing down like it did and when it did. I’m shocked at how cruel he was to you. Does that man have no empathy?” she asked in disgust.

“His job has hardened him over the years, and I’d like to say I was surprised with how he handled it, but looking back on it, honestly, I’m not. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree; he’s just like his parents. Cold-hearted.” I shook my head remembering their comment when we told them we were getting married. “Do you know his parents sent us a note after we got married that said we were irresponsible and would regret our decision?”

“You’re kidding me!”

“Nope, and surprisingly, they were right.” I actually smirked at this because I’d despised them for saying it at the time. “I’m sure they won’t be smiling when they meet Stacey either.”

Dana let out a laugh and offered me a monster brownie loaded with caramel and dark chocolate chunks.

I took a huge bite just as Dana added, “They’re in for a ride with her and her broomstick. Payback is a bitch.”

*

I woke the next morning to a commotion downstairs. Looking at the clock, I saw it was already eleven, so I pulled myself up and out of bed to investigate what was going on.

As soon as my feet hit the floor, all was quiet. It was almost like the devil was thinking,
Oh shit, she’s up
, and ran for cover.

“Hello?” I called out when I opened my bedroom door.

There was no answer, so I proceeded down the stairs slowly. While this chemo treatment didn’t hit me as hard, I was still wiped out, but felt like I could function.
Bonus.

As I made it to the bottom step, the smell of coconut and tangerine hit my senses and woke me up. The smell of the tropics was always a favorite.

I walked into the kitchen and noticed a plate of fresh tropical fruits, croissants, and several types of juices in crystal decanters, with a note sitting on the breakfast bar.

Good morning Victoria,

Please sit down and enjoy your breakfast. We have a relaxing day in store for you, and you don’t even have to leave the house. We are bringing the tropics to you.

XO Dana, Jen, and Bobbie Jo

Just then, I heard the sounds of waves fill the speakers in the house. It was a soothing sound on its own, and then the soft sound of steel drums started to echo throughout the house.

I grabbed a croissant, some mango slices, and a glass of pineapple juice before sitting down at the kitchen table. A silver bucket of bright colored gerbera daisies sat in the middle. I ate in silence, enjoying the peace, but I had a sneaking notion that I wasn’t alone.

I finished my breakfast and heard a soft and unfamiliar female voice call my name from the foyer.

When I turned the corner, there was a petite young woman dressed in black yoga pants and a soft green polo-style shirt. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had a friendly smile.

“Good morning, Victoria. My name is Kim, and I’m here to give you a massage. I’m set up in the study and would like to begin your ninety-minute massage as soon as you’re ready. You have a few other appointments scheduled today.”

I’m sure the surprised look on my face was pretty damn funny alongside my appearance. Here I stood in the foyer wearing a pair of Caribbean blue plaid boxers and a pink T-shirt, and I was as bald as the day I was born, not to mention my mouth was hanging open.

The girls had arranged for a spa day in my house the day after chemo. My emotions started to bubble to the surface as I thought about how thoughtful they were and how much I needed this.

“Thank you,” I sniffled as I smiled at Kim. “Let me step into the bathroom first, and then I’ll be in.”

She nodded with a smile. “Take your time,” she said and disappeared back down the hallway.

When I arrived a few minutes later, the study was warm and the muted natural light streaming through the window was perfect. I noticed the massage table set up off to the side and more soft music playing.

“Come in,” Kim said as she pulled back the top blanket on the table. “I’m going to step out so you can change. Undress as much as you’re comfortable with and lie down on the table, face up.” I nodded, and she stepped out of the room.

The massage table was heated, and I melted into it the moment I laid down.

Kim’s hands felt magical as she massaged out every ounce of stress that was knotted throughout my body. I had finally let my body relax for the first time in months, but as she neared the point where I would need to roll over, I got nervous. The thought of lying on my front worried me, since I hadn’t laid on it since before surgery.

“Let me help you roll over. I have a few bolsters that I will place under your shoulders and tummy that will help keep the pressure off your chest.”

Relief washed over me as she got me situated. The bolsters made all the difference, and the next forty-five minutes passed by far too fast. I was beyond relaxed and was sure it would take a crane to get me off of the table.

“Take your time getting up. It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.” And with that, she disappeared.

A short time later, I peeled my body from the table and threw on my boxers and T-shirt. When I stepped out of the room, I found a path of hot pink and white rose petals leading upstairs.
Strange.

The path led me through my bedroom and into the candlelit bathroom, where a warm bubble bath was waiting. I quickly tossed my clothes on the floor and sunk in. Once the water turned cool, I reached for a towel and heard a knock at the door.

“Yes?” I called out.

Dana poked her head in. “Hello, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

“Like a limp noodle, thank you.”

“You bet. I’ve laid out some pajamas for you to put on when you’re ready. The girls and I will be downstairs waiting. Take your time.” She gave me a wink before leaving the bathroom.

Lying on my bed was a hot pink Victoria’s Secret pajama set and a pair of soft pink sandal slippers that were beaded and had a pink ribbon across the top. I smiled to myself. The name was correct, but I didn’t have any secrets. Not anymore.

I arrived downstairs to Dana, Jen, and Bobbie Jo all in the same pajama set, just different colors.

“There she is, looking relaxed and as beautiful as ever,” Bobbie Jo said as she walked over to me with a tropical drink. “Don’t worry. It’s a mango smoothie, no alcohol. We wouldn’t want to mess with your already drugged-up body by getting you drunk too.”

Dana and Jen were both sitting on the floor of the living room. It was covered in blankets and pillows with a low table set in the middle with seashells, tropical flowers, and white sand. They brought paradise to me, and I didn’t even have to leave my house. It was just what the doctor ordered.

“Pick a spot and sit your ass down,” Bobbie Jo said as she led me to the two open spots on the floor.

I plopped down next to Dana, who had a sneaky smile covering her beautiful face. Tropical music began playing in the background, but it wasn’t the soothing music from earlier. It was reggae music; Bob Marley was singing “Three Little Birds,” when I heard the sound of a male voice.

“Are you ladies ready for the first course?”

I whipped my head around to see a man standing in my living room with nothing but a sexy smirk and pair of board shorts on.
Gulp.
He had spiky light brown hair, blazing green eyes, and his body was . . . I had no words. The boy was gorgeous.

“Yes, we are,” Jen said, trying to suppress her shit-eating grin.

“Who the hell is that?” I asked after he stepped out of the room. I was suddenly feeling hot and bothered.

“That, my dear, is one of our cabana boys,” Dana said with a devilish twinkle in her eye. “Wait until you see the other two.”

“Oh. My. God,” was all that I could say before Cabana Boy Number One appeared with a tray of tapas.

“Here you are, ladies. Can I get you anything else?”

“No,” I said quickly, as I could see the wheels in Bobbie Jo’s head kick into high gear. “We’ll let you know when we are ready for the next course.”

“Very well. Enjoy.” He smiled before turning to leave. All four of us focused on his tight ass as it sauntered out of the room.

“What the fuck did you do that for?” Bobbie Jo sulked. “I wanted to see if he would lie down on the table so we could eat off of him. Nice job ruining all my fun.”

Rolling my eyes, I filled my plate, as I was surprisingly hungry after the last few hours of relaxation.

Cabana Boy Number One returned a short time later with Cabana Boy Number Two, who had a similar look, but with dark black hair and a deeper tan. I swear they must have picked them up at Hollister. They cleared our plates and refilled our drinks before disappearing again.

I was pretty sure I was the only one with the nonalcoholic version, but I wasn’t going to tempt fate by drinking. Someone had to stay sober, even though I was still highly medicated.

We made it through dinner, barely, without seeing Cabana Boy Number Three. My guess was he was the chef and we wouldn’t be ogling over him. Oh well, the other two were easy on the eyes, and I definitely wasn’t complaining. Hot barely dressed men were in my house . . . life was good.

Cabana Boy Number Two stepped toward me and offered me his hand. “Dessert will be served in the dining room.”

Taking his hand, he helped me up, and the ladies were right behind me. The dining room was dim, but I could see candles flickering as we got closer.

Holy mother of all that is right in this world . . . thank you!

The dining room table was loaded with cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cheesecake, and other sticky, gooey treats. The crowning glory, however, was the platter they were served on . . . Cabana Boy Number Three.

Number Three was lying on my dining room table in a pair of snug swim shorts. He had shaggy blonde surfer-style hair, baby blue eyes, and lips that were made to suck on.

“Dig in ladies,” Bobbie Jo said while assessing the situation. “I’ll take the leftovers when you’re done.”

“I’ll lick up the crumbs,” Jen chimed in while wetting her lips.

I quickly grabbed a few sweet treats from an arm, ab, chest, and thigh before looking up at the sexy smirk on the man who surprisingly didn’t have a tent in his shorts. Scratch that, there was suddenly a little movement in the area and I wasn’t the only one to notice. Actually, upon further inspection, there was nothing “little” about it. I quickly turned on my heel and headed back to the living room . . . and noticed that nobody else followed.

When I arrived back in the living room, the other two cabana boys were straightening up the pillows on the floor.

“How are you doing?” Number Two asked as he helped me sit back down.

“I’m good, thanks.” I put my plate down and looked back up at him. “Can I ask you a question?”

“You sure can,” he said as he sat down next to me. Number One followed suit and sat on the other side of the table.

“How the hell did you get roped into doing this?”

“One of your friends called in a favor from a friend of ours, and here we are,” he said with a laugh. “He warned us about Bobbie Jo, but said it would be good fun, and he was right.”

Number One chimed in, “You ladies are quite entertaining, and we couldn’t help but overhear your dinner conversations.” He was blushing. “I can only imagine what would happen if you were all out on the town.”