Unexpected Changes (3 page)

Tabitha

ARRIVING BACK
AT
Angela’s house, I notice the place is empty. Secretly I prayed that Graham would be awake and needing his mother. That would have bought me more time, but now I have to spill it.

“Let me check on the guys and I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable and get ready.”

“Can’t we do this tomorrow? I’m tired and would love to get some rest,” I whine.

“Would you like me to call your brother? I will and you know it.”

“No … I’d rather leave him out of my mess. He has enough on his plate.”

“That’s what I thought,” Angela says as she climbs the stairs.

With my phone in my hand, I tuck myself into the sofa, grabbing a blanket from behind to cover my legs. It’s now or never, I guess.

“Logan has Graham under control and is aware that we need some girl time. Are you hungry or need a drink before you let it all out?”

“No, I’m okay. Let’s get this over with.”

“Start from the beginning and don’t you even try to leave anything out.”

“Fine, but I’ll warn you that you might not be happy with me when this is all over.”

“I love you like a sister and I promise nothing you could ever tell me would change that.”

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and release it all in one exhale.

“Carter made my heart stop beating the very first time I laid eyes on him. I’d never seen him before, not until I did that teleconference for you. It was one of those instant attractions that you see in movies. You know, the boy meets girl and instant flutters. Shit, that doesn’t happen to people like me.” I stop to look over at Angela before I continue. She’s focused on every last word I’m saying.

“We finished up the conference, and then the next thing I know, he’s at The Hill one night and comes to dance with me. I didn’t know it was him, I thought it was Cory. It wasn’t until he spoke that all the hairs on my body stood up to attention. It was crazy, Cory was ready to fight and Carter was willing to go head to head. Things settled down and then the next day, he surprised me at the office. Of course, I was fighting with the copier and then knocked everything off my desk. You had seen the place after he left, and I passed it off as my fault.”

Angela interrupts me. “I remember. I blew it off as you being clumsy like always.”

“That’s the way I wanted it to be seen,” I respond.

“Why didn’t you tell me then?”

“Let me finish before you ask any questions. I’ll never get it out if you ask.”

“Okay, but I feel like I might need to take notes.”

With a little chuckle, I continue. “He’d call a few times, and I’d turn to mush with the sound of his voice. Then you promoted me and sent me to Seattle. God, the attraction I had for him was off the charts, Angela. I mean, I have never been so on edge around a man before. He demanded that I stay with him and then he left me for some function. When he came back, he slowly undid his suit and tie, and made out with me up against his window. Carter pulled away from me and stopped before anything could happen. I pretended to go to sleep and left when I knew the coast was clear.” I stop for a moment to gather my senses. Just the thought of Carter touching my body has the flutters starting up in my chest.

“Continue … You know you’re not done, lady.”

“You’re killing me Angela. Why do you need to know everything?”

“If you don’t tell me, I can’t help you. I’m worried sick about what’s going on. Let’s not even begin to think what Logan will do; he loves you like a sister as well.”

“Fine … anyway, we have contact off and on then he comes back to see me, invites me to dinner and my stupid ass forgets it’s sushi night, and well you can imagine how that went over … not well, let me add. The next night, we had our first date and I have never had anyone be so sweet and demanding all in one. His pattern is to swoop in and leave. Here one day and gone the next. Then he showed up at the banquet. Needless to say, this is when Cory let go. That night Carter was at my house waiting for me. I slept in the guest room with him and the next morning we made out, even heavier than before but no intercourse. Some crap about not being able to be with me fully … I don’t remember. Then off once again.” I stop to ask Angela for some water; I’m tired and my throat is dry. Plus, I need to gather myself before I tell her the rest.

“Hold that thought, I’ll be right back.”

While I wait, I open my phone to look at the text I heard come through. It’s a dreaded thing these days. Usually, it’s a quick something from Seth, Cory, and of course, Carter.

Carter: Will you call me, please? I just want to hear your voice.

This is what I get from time to time. Debating if I should at least text him back, I choose to close my phone and wait for Angela to return.

As I place my phone down next to me, I watch as she heads back towards the living room. “When did she become this person?” I ask myself.

“Here you go,” Angela says as she hands me my glass, and I take a huge sip.

“Thanks.” Turning towards her, I ask, “Do you think we can continue this tomorrow?”

“No … Get back to the story.”

“You aren’t reasonable, but I guess I can finish.”

“Good,” Angela says, motioning for me to continue.

“So, the next thing I did, was show up at his house. He turned me away and I ran off like a dog with my tail between my legs. We had some communication, but I didn’t see him again until the wedding. Angela, I was ready to hand my heart over to him. How do you recover from that?”

“Oh Tabitha, come here,” she says as she pulls me to her. I finally let the tears flow and let her comfort me. It’s the first time I really let it all out.

I cry for the empty feeling I have.

I cry for it all.

“So let me get it straight: you never slept together but didn’t lead me to believe otherwise. Am I correct?”

“You are,” I shamelessly admit.

“Why? Why not just tell me the truth? You know, I would have never judged you.”

“It was easier that way. I didn’t have to explain it, and if I just passed it off as a fling, I could avoid the deeper issue.”

“Are you leaving anything out?”

Looking down at the blanket across my lap, I start to pluck the fuzz from it as I avoid the question.

“Tabitha, what are you leaving out?”

“That bitch of a wife threatened me, and then Carter is being weird and told me that he would protect me from her, but I don’t know what that means. I feel like I’m being watched and it’s freaking me out.”

“Watched? What do you mean?”

“You know that feeling of someone always around? Like today when I passed out. I felt it. Then I blacked out and don’t remember anything, but the guy seemed familiar before everything went dark.”

“Can I have Logan look into it?”

“No … Maybe … I don’t know.”

“Well, we will figure it out. I promise. How are Seth and Cory taking this?”

“Seth is in his own world with Jessica and Cory is, well, Cory. He’s dating Meredith but still checks in with me. I withdrew from them since I try to avoid the happy bubble of them all.”

“I don’t know what to say, Tabitha. I’ve only ever seen you upset like this once, and then I still think it was different. You love with all your being and I know you’ll find the one. Just give it time.”

Listening to Angela, I think that I did have the one and I know there’s not another out there for me.

It’s always been Carter.

Carter

After checking with Kelly and the office, I head to my condo. It’s time to confront the bitch behind the master plan. I learned that the fire started in a small conference room next to my office. The security tapes just happened to stop working fifteen minutes before the alarms rang out.

I know who’s behind this.

Slamming the door behind me, I scream, “Bethany! Where the hell are you?” I don’t hear her response as I move through the condo, but I spot her right away perched on her stool near the bar.

“Carter, dear, you’re home early.”

“Cut the shit, Bethany. You know what happened. Why cause a fire in a building that you own?”

“You need to calm down, and back away so we can talk.”

“I will not calm myself and I have nothing to say to you. What I need are answers. I swear I could wrap my hands around your neck right now and strangle the life out of you. You want to bring me down so fucking bad? I promise you right now I’ll take you down with me.”

“Please put me out of my misery. You think it’s so bad, having your life? Do you think I want to be here with you? No, I am tired of this game, Carter.”

“Then why? Answer that. You might say you’re tired of it, but your actions say different.”

“You have it all wrong. I don’t have a choice.”

Just the sound of her voice is making me see red even more. “Don’t worry your little head; I’ll find my way out,” I say as I move away from her. I’m so worked up that if I plan to not kill her myself, I have to release this anger.

Tabitha’s okay and everyone at my office seems to be untouched. The one who’s not okay right now is me.

Now, if she would only return my text, or pick up the phone to call me—I just need to hear her voice. Not being able to physically check on her is about to kill me. Mark has stated several times that she’s okay and I don’t need to worry.

Knowing she’s in New York makes things a little better since her best friend will take care of her.

After I change my clothes, I head back out. I need to clear my head and blow off some steam.

The best place for me right now is the gym. This has become my go-to place—somewhere I can let it all out, release the tension and the anger that’s pulling at me from within.

Rage is knocking to come out tonight. It’s either hit the gym or Bethany at this point, and since I need to be the best man I can be for Tabitha, I choose the gym.

Tabitha

ANGELA
AND
I FINISH
talking for a little while longer, and then she ventures upstairs to tend to Graham. I’m happy she avoided asking me where and why I was in that building today. This is something I’ll handle once I’m home.

I’ve also informed her that I plan to go back home tomorrow. Things need to be done at the office, and I miss Cory. Angela has voiced her opinion that I need to explain everything to him and let Cory be there for me.

Now that I have decided, the less Cory knows, the better off we all are. He will only end up nagging me to death about every little thing possible.

Heading towards the guest room, I stop outside of Graham’s room. Angela’s singing softly to him, and it causes my heart to restrict. I push off the wall and continue the rest of the way down. Closing the door behind me, I lean up against the wall and open my phone.

I debate with myself as I look at Carter’s text again. If I could only hear his voice tonight, it might help ease the pain and allow me to drift off for a few hours.
Would it really help? Or will I lay here awake going over everything, like I do every night?
I ask myself.

Tossing the phone onto the bed, I head off for the bath. After the events from today and the stress that’s built up in my shoulders, I need to relax in a hot bath and let the water wash away the day’s and month’s events.

As I step down into the hot water and slide myself down, it’s a relief to feel the heat rush over my body. I welcome the tingle from the temperature. Leaning back, I close my eyes and remember how I thought I was happy all these years, only to find out that I was living a lie, and I was fine with that. I blame Carter for coming into my life and wrecking it.

I’m so paranoid that I can’t even think straight. I constantly look over my shoulder and second guess everything. It’s become part of my life now, and most days I don’t even realize I’m doing it.

Then again, I’ve perfected the fake smile and happy attitude. No one ever asks, so I don’t indulge them with answers.

I slide deeper into the water and let it wash over me. Holding my breath underwater for just a little bit, I then rise up and take a deep inhale as I open my eyes.

My phone’s ringing in the other room and my hands look like prunes. I haven’t the slightest idea who would be calling me. A part of me wishes it was Carter, but I know one text or call a day from him is all I’ll receive unless I state otherwise.

Stepping out, I grab a towel and wrap it around myself as I saunter over towards the room, looking to see that my missed call was from the one and only Cory.

I type out a quick text, explaining that I’m tired and headed to bed. Not waiting to see if I receive a response, I flip my phone to vibrate.

Tomorrow is a new day, a day in which I will have to deal with my internal demons alone. Tonight was a lot for me to release, and something I don’t plan to relive with Cory or my brother.

That perfected smile and charm that I continually have will be plastered on this face when I step off the plane tomorrow.

As I slide myself down into the bed and close my eyes, it’s Carter who stares back at me. My body hums with the need for him to touch me again. Months have gone by since the last time a man has satisfied me.

It doesn’t take long until I feel my hand slide down underneath the covers towards my mound. Just thinking back on that morning with Carter between my legs causes my knees to jerk with anticipation.

Just as I remember the way his mouth felt, I’m startled by my cell vibrating across the nightstand. It’s late and I’m not expecting anyone to call, which is alarming in itself.

I notice it’s my Mom and panic sets in as I answer the call.

“Mom, is everything alright?”

“Hello to you as well dear, and yes everything is fine.”

“You gave me a heart attack calling so late.”

“I’m sorry, dear, but it’s not late here and I forgot to call you this afternoon. I have two things before I let you go to sleep. A package arrived for you today, and it doesn’t have a return address. Also, don’t forget the banquet that’s coming up.”

“That’s odd, but I’ll stop by tomorrow when I get home. Oh, do I have to go to this one? I actually would rather sit this one out.”

“Nonsense, we will discuss it tomorrow. Night, and I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom, and tell Dad as well,” I say as I hang up and flop my frustrated body down onto the mattress. I’m so worked up that I know if I don’t release this pent-up energy soon, I might combust.

Leave it to my mother to mess up a perfectly good moment. Maybe Angela was right: I need a boyfriend to tuck away in a drawer and share my travels with.

Off to the store when I return home. No sense in dealing with pent-up frustrations when all I have to do is hit a button.

Carter

I sent Jack home yesterday, as I need to deal with this mess myself. After sneaking out of my condo this morning, I head to the bank where I’ll retrieve the safety deposit box alone. On the drive into town, I mentally pray that the answers lie within that metal box. This could give me answers to everything.

Striding in, I head right over to the teller and announce what I need.

“One moment, sir,” the young teller responds, as I watch her glide over towards a balding older man.

“Mr. Northwood, it’s a pleasure to meet you. If you would please follow me,” he says as he points to another room.

I watch as he pulls a cream envelope out from a drawer and turns towards me. “I was instructed to personally deliver this to you when you came in. He was a good friend to me and confided in me to handle this for him. You need to empty the box into this briefcase, and only open it when you are alone. Protect this information, as these are the only copies left,” he explains and heads out of the room, leaving me confused and ready to get this over with.

I search my pocket for the brass key that I’ve been holding onto for months. Taking my time, I walk over to unlock the gray steel door and slide the box out. After setting it on top of the counter, I pop the lid and stare at the contents.

It’s full of papers, pictures, and various other items which I can’t imagine the importance of. Bending down, I pick up the briefcase and set it next to the box. As I reach in and start transferring the paperwork, a small ultrasound picture falls to the floor.

Scooping it up, I take a moment to look at my child. It’s when I look to the right that I notice a different name listed. My heart feels as if this is the same picture I’ve hidden away all these years and claimed as my child. Now, I’m not sure what this is. My copy doesn’t have a name, or any of this pertinent information.

Was it never my child to begin with? Did Bethany lie to me from the start?