Unexpected Chances (21 page)

Tabitha

Stepping out into the hall, I lean back against the wall and take a moment for myself. I just need a brief second to catch my footing and find that Zen I worked so hard on finding.

I fling my eyes open and I’m faced with Bethany.

“Hello, Tabitha. I’ve heard so little about you, but know so much.”

“Excuse me? I haven’t the slightest idea who the hell you are, other than Mr. Northwood’s wife.”

“Oh, did you know that before tonight, or were you shocked?”

“I wasn’t aware he was married, but I am now. So, if you’ll excuse me I need to find the ladies room.” As I finish and push off the wall, I’m shoved back into it.

“Listen here and listen well. If I were you, I’d stay far away from him. Your life could depend on it. I will not sit back and watch him make a fool of me in front of everyone. He knew what he signed up for ten years ago.”

I push her off me, “Go to hell. I don’t take well to threats or someone telling me how to live my life. I’m not a home wrecker, never have and never will be.” My voice is laced with pure hate for this woman and I haven’t the slightest idea on how he ever married such an evil person.

I don’t know much about Carter, but I do know he’s nothing like her. Why did he lie to me, though? He could have told me the truth, and I would have accepted it. What I can’t take, are the lies and the fact that I almost slept with him.

I was ready to give my body, soul, and spirit over to a man I knew nothing about.

With all my might, I push open the heavy door to the ladies room. My heart is beating out of control and I could use something to punch in this exact moment.

I look under the stalls to make sure I’m alone, and relief swallows me when I realize I am.

Alone is all I will ever be.

The burn within me becomes too much for me to take, I allow the tears to slide down my face. I’m not worried with my makeup or anything at this time. All I can focus on is how I’ll be alone and broken. The metal trash can, is next to me and I reach for it. Thankful it’s pretty much empty as I launch it towards the mirror.

The shards of glass crackle against the counter and the metal echoes around me.

I hear something from the doorway and turn to see Carter staring back at me.

Raising my hand, I point it towards the mirror,

“Do you see that? That’s my heart!” I scream.

“Tabitha, listen please. I never meant to hurt you.”

“No! You do not get to tell me that generic crap. Hurt doesn’t even begin to explain what you did. I opened myself to you, it might not have been much, but it was more than any guy has received in years. I was ready to show you the real me.”

“You still can. It’s not what you think, and I promise I never meant for you to find out like this. She didn’t arrive with me.”

“She came on her broom, because that’s what she just left on after she threatened me.”

“She what? When?”

“Just a moment ago in the hall. I’m glad you live with her.” As I finish the sentence, it dawns on me why he pushed me away that night I surprised him. “She’s the reason you shut me out that night, and turned me away. What was she waiting for you in your bed?”

Carter steps closer to me, “No, see you’re wrong. We haven’t lived together since we married ten years ago. Like I said, I can’t tell you now, but I will. You have to trust me, Tabitha.”

“Trust is something that is earned not given and currently Mr. Northwood I’m out of tickets. So, if you don’t mind you need to leave now.”

“Before I leave here, you need to see something,” he states, as he loosens his tie and starts to unbutton his skirt.

“You have got to be out your flipping mind, if you think I need to see you undress.”

“Shut up, and look.”

I’m staring at his chest, nothing was in that spot that night when he opened the door in nothing but his gym shorts.

I cock my head and stare in confusion, stepping up to him I run my fingers over the design that I draw every day of my life. “How do you know about this?”

“You drew it on my file folder. I’ve always left this area blank. It was reserved for the one who stole my heart. Tabitha… The one that holds my heart is you. Always and forever. Just know I’ll be back, and I’ll prove to you that I’m the man for you.”

Tears stream down more and more as I don’t know what to say. No one has ever shown this kind of devotion towards me. Who takes something and tattoos it on their chest? Something so small, but so precious. Small little circles and hearts intertwined into one. I draw this on everything, as it’s the design in my head that I want tattooed on my wrist.

The door shuts quietly behind him and Carter is gone. Disappearing from my life as fast as he entered it.

My head’s spinning with the information from tonight. I haven’t the slightest clue to what the truth is. He destroyed any future we might have had together. I’ll never trust another human being with my heart.

Somehow I manage to pull my shit together and look somewhat put back together. I’ll need to write Logan a check for the mirror remembering that I was the one who did that. I’ve never done such a thing. But after being threatened and broken within a short amount of time, a girl is going to break.

I step out and look up to see Cory leaning against the wall waiting on me.

“Hi.”

“Hey, Firecracker.”

“You been waiting long?”

“Long enough, come here,” Cory says, as he opens his arms to me and I jump into them. It’s what I need right now, the comfort from a person that I know loves me with his whole being.

“I’ll love you no matter what, but you still need to trust, Tabitha. I know it’s hard but you have to recover.”

“I can’t, Cory. I thought I was broken before, but now I’ll never be able to repair it. It’s gone forever.”

“You want to hear something that will take your mind off this?”

Giving him a deadpan look, “Yes.”

“You can’t say a word until you hear it from them. Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Jessica is knocked up, and Seth is the lucky winner.”

My mouth hangs open in a state of shock. How is it that everyone around me is finding happiness?

Seth and Jessica.

Cory and Meredith.

Angela and Logan.

Where’s my prince charming?

Who’s going to rescue me when I need to be protected?

****

Bethany

If that red-headed, just good for nothing thinks she’s going to ruin my chances at winning this game.

She’s wrong.

As I leave the hotel, I search for my phone and dial him up.

“Dear, our little problem seems to still be a problem. Do I need to take matters in my own hands?”

“No babe, I can handle this. You know I’ll get my way with Carter or the girl. Give me a little time and I’ll correct the situation. I took care of the other problem, didn’t I?”

“You did, but Carter knows it was either you or me. Stay clean and don’t track anything back to either me or my father. Are we clear?”

“Very,” he answers, as he disconnects the call.

Sliding into the back of the Lexus, I instruct the driver to take me to the airport. As I board the plane, I’m shaken to see my father waiting on me.

“Bethany, can you not control your husband?”

“Yes sir, I have it all within reach.”

“I see it differently, Bethany. I told you to finalize this marriage and make it happen years ago.

“I understand,” I let out, as I slouch into the leather cabin chair.

“Understand this, if you and I are going to climb that ladder of success; it needs to happen. I’ll not allow this to carry on for much longer. Fix it or he’s out of the picture.”

“Daddy, I said I have a plan,” I start to say, but I’m interrupted.

“No excuses. Handle it or I will.”

“Yes, sir.”

With nothing else to say, I look out at the tarmac and watch the runway pass by. I don’t understand the depth to why my father feels the need to ruin Carter. I’ve asked several times why he thought this was the best choice for me, and always the same answer was returned
“A father knows best, dear.”

If he knew I was in love with someone else, I’d pay the ultimate price. I just have to figure out how to make the cards fall in my lap or destroy the ones in my path.

Until then I have to play it safe, and keep myself from the destruction of my father.

To be continued

Unexpected Chances Playlist

Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys

Dark Harse by Katy Perry

Teenage Dream by Katy Pery

Stay by Rihanna

Only Girl (In The World) by Rihanna

Love The Way You Lie by Eminem

Sex on Fire by Kings Of Leon

Let Her Go by Passenger

Sail by AWOLNATION

Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake

Drink You Away by Justin Timberlake

Talk Dirty by Jason Derulo

Beautiful by Christina Aguilera

Lips Of An Angel by Hinder

Clumsy by Fergie

Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie

Try by Pink

Just Give Me a Reason by Pink

Glitter in the Air by Pink

Better Than Me by Hinder

Without You by Hinder

Bring Me To Life by Evanescence

Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus

I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz

Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

Patience by Guns N’ Roses

Dynamite by Tai Cruz

I’d Come For You by Nickelback

Fight For All The Wrong Reasons by Nickelback

Guinevere by Edwin McCain

Roar by Katy Perry

Love Me by Katy Perry

True Colors by Cyndi Lauper

Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

These Arms Of Mine by James Carr

Stay with Me by Sam Smith

Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice

Bed Of Roses by Bon Jovi

My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson

Please Don’t Leave Me by Pink

I See Fire by Ed Sheeran

It Will Rain by Bruno Mars

What an amazing journey it’s been over the last several months. I never imagined I’d have the readers that I have today. Thank you for your loyal support. I’m am forever grateful to each and every one of you.

To all the bloggers who have supported me, thank you. None of this would be made possible without you.

PIC (Partner in Crime) by the time this releases, you will have set your first book free to the world. WOW! I’m so proud of you for following your dreams. Congrats! Can I say not only have I gained a lifetime friend, you are the one that pushes me to be better with every story.

Author A.m. Guilliams, not sure which of us will order the special jacket first, but I know in the end we’llwear them together
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Thank you for pulling me off the cliff, and supporting me with everything I do. Just remember, we got this!!!! Stop giving me cliffhangers, lady.

To my ~A.M.’s Beauties~ Street Team, ladies you rock! Thank you for the love and support, but most all, thank you for believing in me. Every one of you pimp my teasers, share my links, and support me in your own special way. You have surprised me, and caused a few tears from your kind words. THANK YOU!

To my betas, Jessica Deirfield, Sandie Curney, Megan Fields, A.m. Guilliams, Katie Slater, Kelly Morin, and Jamie Sadler you ladies are awesome. I know you’reall mad from a few areas that were withheld, I hope it was worth the wait
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To the endless emails, text, and phone calls you all still have my back.

To the hubs, I’m sorry that you have to go without socks, and listen to the characters that pop into my head daily. Most of all, thank you for pushing me to follow my dream. Guess the years of my crazy talk was worth the wait. You’ve been the biggest support system I could ever hope for. I love you.

Last, but not least, my son, and hero. You make me the person I am today. You’re my miracle, and I’d never change a thing about you. Thank you for showing me the world through your eyes. I love you to the moon and back.