The Beginning of Us (209 page)

“Stop worrying,” he whispers. When I open the menu my eyes pop out. I haven’t seen these kinds of prices in so long. Yes I’m comfortable, but I’ve invested wisely and don’t go on any outrageous shopping sprees. “You’re worrying again.”

“Am not.”

“Sweetheart stop worrying. Let’s enjoy this evening together.” He leans over and kisses my cheek.

“Ok,” I smile.

Our waiter comes over to take our drink order. “Sweetheart what would you like?”

I look at the drink menu again trying to make up my mind. “A
Grey Goose
dirty martini with extra olives please.”

“Bulleit neat.” Nicholas orders. His eyes stay on mine and I can’t help but feel the ache between my thighs. I try and get my mind off him. It’s impossible. Nicholas invades my mind every second of every day whether I want him to or not.

“Right away, Sir. Miss.”

I study Nicholas and take in his beautiful features. He seems so mature in so many ways, but also young and carefree.

“You keep looking at me? I know I’m a sexy man,” he wink. “I can’t tell you enough how beautiful you are this evening. I’m truly glad to have you with me tonight. I enjoy spending time with you. And if I can be brutally honest, I think about you a lot.”

With those words I melt. Holy shit! Everything feels right when we’re together. I don’t care that we just met.

He pops some fruit in his mouth and I can’t help but stare. He pops another piece of fruit in his mouth and suddenly I’m incredibly turned on.
What the fuck is wrong with me?

Nicholas laughs and looks at me. Suddenly I’m a little embarrassed, but at the same time I feel like getting out of this place, go back to the apartment and give Nicholas what I think he wants. He doesn’t say anything and I sit there feeling nervous. Nicholas tilts his head to the right and looks at me. “What are you looking at?”
Ah shit.

His eyes grow wide and a sexy ass smirk comes on his face. He moves closer to me and I can smell the fruit on his breath and musky cologne on his skin. “Am I making you nervous Karly?” He whispers, drinking me in and studying my reaction.

“Absolutely not Mr. Hayes.” I set the menu down and look back at him. “So what should I expect from my boss?”

His body relaxes, although the smirk on his face remains on his face. “I’m a very hard man to work for. I like things my way and expect the best for Emma. Do you think you can handle me, Karly?” The way my name leaves his lips make me crumble. His suggestive tone gives me a little chill.

Oh dear Lord. Please! Please I beg you just kill me now.

I nervously laugh. “I can handle you.” I respond back straightening my body and leaning in closer to him. “And for the record you aren’t making me nervous,” I wink moving away from him. My eyes go back on his mouth and face.
Oh my God I’m eye fucking him and he’s right in front of me.

“You keep shifting in your seat and staring at my mouth. Do you like what you see? Am I making you nervous being this close to you?” He moves closer to me and his face is close to mine.

I flash Nicholas a smirk, “Trust me, you
aren’t
making me nervous.”
It’s not like he’s gonna devour me.

"Don't underestimate me sweetheart. I'm sure I can make you nervous," he pauses bringing his lips closer to my ear. "I know I turn you on just by the sound of my voice." The ache between my thighs is back with a vengeance as he touches my hand and pulls me closer. "I'm a very protective man and I'm used to getting what I want," he whispers as his hot breath travels down my neck. "And I want you, Karly."

Chapter 8
Bradley

I watch Karly get in her car and drive away. The pain in my heart never left. Even after all these years she’s still the one I want. I guess it’s true what they say; you never forget your first love. She’s always on my mind and in my heart. As girly as it sounds she’s the one that got away. I let her go and each day I fucking regret it.

I still remembered the night my mom told me to break up with the love of my life.

“Bradley you are to break up with that that...” her voice faded.

“Karly! The love of my life. The girl that has my heart! Mom this is fucking bullshit!”

“Watch your language young man. Scott,” she sighed walking towards my dad. “Please talk some sense into your son!”

My dad looked at me. He doesn’t say anything for a few minutes.

“Scott! Ugh, this is why Bradley is this way. You’re so weak Scott and you call yourself a man!” She hissed at him. “Bradley this is for your future. She has nothing. She IS nothing. She’ll just take your money and ruin you.” She came and gave me a hug. I couldn’t give her one back. “If you don’t break up with that trash. You will be disowned. I’ll take away your trust fund and you’ll have nothing. Do I make myself clear?” She let me go and kissed my cheek. “You’ll make the right decision.”

The next day I went to the hospital to see my girl. My sweet and beautiful girlfriend. We had plans to take on the world after high school. I was going to propose to her and make her mine. Forever. But now I’m going to have to say goodbye to the only girl that held my heart and knew me inside and out. I walked into her room and her eyes found mine.

“Bradley? What’s wrong?”

Her soft and sweet voice played in my head. How was I supposed to say bye to her. I slowly walked over to her and sat down on the chair beside her. The tears were threatening my eyes but I had to do this. “Baby, you know I love you.” She took my hand. Fuck I can’t do this. “I’m so sorry, Karly. We can’t be together anymore. Maybe someday down the road we can be friends, but I can’t be your boyfriend.” I paused and looked at her. “Maybe one day I’ll find my way back to you.”

She doesn’t say anything. Instead she lets go of my hand and told me to leave. It broke my heart hearing her
shattered voice. I broke her. I broke everything. How was I going to move on?

I slam my fist against the steering wheel of my car. “Fuck!” I yell. She’s beautiful. How can I still hold on to her after all these years? I’ve been dreaming of this moment for so long and that’s not the welcoming I was expecting. I know she isn’t going to come willingly.

Karly’s back in my life and now all I have to do is prove that I can make her happy. I’m not sure if she’s dating anyone and I hope I’m still in her heart. It’s selfish to want these things, but I don’t want to go another day without her.

When I got home, I sent a text to her.

Me: I’d love to see you again.

She doesn’t reply right away. I put away my phone and get some paperwork done.

* * * * *

Hours pass and there’s still no response from her. Maybe the damage is too deep. I let out a stressed sigh and turn off my laptop.

“Bradley!” My dad calls for me.

“Coming.” I go down the stairs and find him in the kitchen putting together our dinner. “What’s up?”

“Dinner, son.” It’s our daily routine. I like spending time with him. He’s getting older and his health isn’t too good. The doctor’s have him on medication for his heart. It kills me knowing that he’s not feeling well. I hate thinking about what could happen.

“Looks good!” We both sit down at the kitchen table. He tells me about his day and the doctors are hopeful that they can get him healthy again without surgery. “You’ll never guess who I saw today.”

“Who?” He asks between bites of his dinner.

“Karly Erikson.”

He drops his fork and his jaw opens wide. “Get out.”

“Nope. She’s living here and is a nanny. Dad, she looks great. It’s like fates giving me a second chance, you know?”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, son. I wish things could’ve been different with your mother.” He says looking down and playing with his chicken. “I only hope it’s not too late for you two.”

“Me too, Dad.”

I head back to my room after dinner with my dad. I check my phone and still nothing from her. What the hell do I have to do to get her attention?

Me: Hey do you wanna get lunch sometime soon?

Okay I think I’m border line stalking her. Shit. I can’t get her out of my head though. Those eyes will always stay with me.
My Karly.

Chapter 9
Nicholas

I wake up with Emma taking up the entire bed. How can someone so small take up so much room? I get out of bed and head out to the kitchen. Karly’s sitting at the table with a cup in her hands. Her sad eyes are staring out the window and I wonder what’s wrong.

“Morning,” I say, prepping my own cup of coffee.

“Hi,” she softly responds not taking her eyes off her cup.

I have to know what’s going on. I head to the table and sit down next to her. “What’s going on?”

“Oh nothing. I’m okay.” She gives me a smile, but I know she’s lying by the way she’s avoiding my eyes. I hate that she can’t trust me enough to tell me what’s on her mind. Why’s it difficult to be honest instead of beating around how you feel. Women are the most complex people on this Earth. When they tell you “oh nothing,” you know something’s wrong. Women have a second language they expect men to understand, well sorry not sorry we don’t speak “women” and a clear explanation is appreciated.

“Come on you can tell me.” I lay my arm around her shoulders and watch her.

“It’s just um ugh my ex-boyfriend is living here. He’s the assistant coach for the UNC Wilmington basketball team. We ran into each other yesterday and he’s been texting me wanting to get together.” Her eyes are looking everywhere but at me.

Her ex? Everything in me is up in flames. I want to punch this kid in the face and then hide his body in the swamp. “I’m sorry. Are you gonna get back with him?”

She looks at me with her sad eyes. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. I need to move forward with my life you know? What’s the point in going backwards? What Bradley and I have is over.”

“Good. No one deserves to get a second chance with you.” I brush the strand of hair away from her face. “No guy is worth your tears, Karly. You’re too beautiful to be dwelling over him.” What the fuck am I saying? Damn Alexis and her stupid books she’s been making me read is messing with my head. “Maybe you should fuck him and leave him,” I laugh trying to break the tension.

“What?” Damn, probably not the best thing to say. “I’m not that type of girl.” She pushes back her chair and looks as though she’s about to leave the room. Wow I’m a fucking dick. “I don’t mean it like that,” I quickly tell her.

“Is that how you see me?”

“Of course not.”
Shit how do I make this better
.

“You know I
wanted
to be with you but now ugh,” she turns around and stomps out of the kitchen to her room. The door slams shut leaving me standing alone wondering how the fuck I’m going to fix this.

Instinctively I run to her door and rush in. When I walk in the sight before my eyes sends daggers to my heart. She’s on her bed wrapped up in blankets as soft cries come from her tiny body. I sit down on her bed, rubbing her back and wishing I never said that. Her rigid body relaxes and I hear an uneven sigh slipping through her lips.

“You don’t have to be an asshole you know?” She mutters refusing to look at me.

“I’m not sure how to be the nice guy.” Karly sits up facing me. She dries her tears and attempts to smile.

“You do know how. You think you don’t know how so you block people out and keep to yourself. Try and open up to me.” She pauses stroking my hand. “Why’s it so hard to show me who you really are?”

“It just is. I’m not used to talking about my feelings and feeling vulnerable. I have a lot of shit on my plate and I don’t need to drag anyone down with me.”

Karly gets up from the bed and walks to me. She’s holding her cell phone and presses a button before wrapping her arms around my neck. The song we danced to the other night plays.

“Dance with me.” She rests her head against my chest and lets out a sigh. My body instantly relaxes and I feel her heart beating with mine. This girl doesn’t know the hold she has on me already.

* * * * *

I stare at the email from Larry.

Valentine’s Day Gala to help benefit the children’s cancer hospital.

When: Saturday February 12, 2011

Time: 6pm-Midnight

Location: The Terraces of Sir Tyler

RSVP: January 31, 2011

All proceeds will go to the hospital. We hope to see you there

Eyes so beautiful come to mind. This girl is breaking down my walls and putting me in the right direction. Sometimes I wonder if I should give in and make her mine. She wants me. I want her. Although playing it safe is what I’m used to. I don’t need to put my heart on the line again. Yet with her I’m willing to let her in all the way.