Recovery (7 page)

His aimless walking lead him to Cup of Joe where he ordered a large coffee, black, and took a seat at a stool in front of the window. It was when the weight of the world threatened to crush him that he missed cocaine the most.

His fingers tapped against the bar as he sipped from his cup and wondered why O had blown her stack. More than likely it had something to do with Aurelie and the comments she fed her. She had yet to warm up to him.  Her green eyes constantly watched him like a hawk as she searched for any sign of relapse. He thought it might have something to do with her nasty break up with Aidan, but he’d never really gotten all the details. The pained look in her eyes had kept him from asking when an explanation wasn’t offered. It took a lot to rattle Aurelie.  

Maxim raked a hand through his hair and finished off the rest of his mug. The best thing to do would be to go home and come clean.

“Max, how’ve you been man?”  

The all too familiar voice sent chills down his spine.

“Hey, Tony,” he said. His heart thudded against his rib cage as his ex-dealer made his way over to sit beside him.

“I haven’t seen you around lately.”

“Yeah, things have changed for me.”

“You sure? You look pretty damn stressed to me right now. I was on my way to make a delivery, so I have plenty to spare.”

He grew quiet considering the sweet release it would bring.

* * * *

What the hell was wrong with her? Covering her hands with her face, Oceane swallowed the sobs threatening to break free. Her time with Aurelie had put her on edge and she’d taken it out on Maxim. He had been acting strange, but he didn’t deserve to be unloaded on like that. She sank down on to the couch swearing as her mind ran rampant.

Their journey back to normalcy hadn’t been easy by any means. The counseling sessions had touched many raw nerves and forced both of them to take a hard look in the mirror. She had her issues, hiding behind Max to avoid dealing with things that had plagued her since childhood. She’d poured her heart and soul into her poetry and submission terrified her.

Even worse, her lifelong dream was within in her grasp and she’d become unable to write. She’d blamed it on the situation with Max, but it’d been so much more than that. A part of her had always felt like the family letdown. Eking a living doing what she loved had never earned her any brownie points in her father’s book. If she truly went for it and failed, he’d be able to say “I told you so”. It was amazing the things that oozed out when you were sitting on a couch in front of professional.

A shake of her head cleared away the cobwebs and she decided to do the one thing that would settle her mind. Fear only controlled you if you refused to face it. She searched to see if he’d hidden stash. Her investigation took her beneath couch cushions, into cabinets, drawers and behind paintings before she headed to the bathroom. When her search in the bathroom and bedroom came up empty, her heart soared.
All clear,
she thought as she walked back into the living room and froze.

The computer drawer was cracked. Her heart plummeted as she made her way over to the desk. Her feet felt as if they were encased in concrete shoes as she traveled across the floor. Wearily she sank into the chair, pulled out the drawer and gasped when she discovered the piece of paper with her name on.  She wrinkled her brow as her eyes read from left to right. Her stomach clenched as the gravity of the situation hit her. He’d sent in her book of poetry and it’d been accepted. Oceane bowed her head and let the tears of relief and shame flow. She’d been so wrong. She stood to her feet and rushed over to the door. She knew exactly where he’d be.

* * * *

“I’m sure, man,” Maxim said, clearing his throat as the door swung open and a disheveled O burst in. The large smile spread on her lips faded when she spotted him beside Tony.

The look on her face curdled his stomach. The joy and happiness that radiated from her crumpled into despair as her lips quaked and tears began to spill from her eyes. Her head shook in disbelief as she stumbled out the door.

“O!”

He dashed across the room, out the shop and gave chase. His legs pumped as he struggled to gain momentum. O had always been swift on her feet and since jogging was her favorite way to stay in shape, he was in for a merry chase.

“O, wait!”

Increasing his speed to a sprint he managed to catch the back of her shirt three blocks down, tumbling them both to the grassy area along the sidewalk.

“Get off of me, Max, I told you I wasn’t –”

His mouth silenced her words as he thrust his tongue inside her mouth. He wasn’t like her; he wasn’t a poet. The only way for him to express himself was with bold, physical actions like this.  He panted when they broke apart for air.   

“It wasn’t what it looked like, O, I was there having coffee and he just happened to come in. He offered me coke and I told him no.”  He cupped her face in his hands and forced her to meet his gaze. “I would never do that to you, Oceane, not again.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Her fingers brushed the hair from his eyes and she spoke.

“You submitted my book, you beautiful bossy man,” she said, as she punctuated each word with a kiss.

“I knew you just needed a little push,” he teased rolling on go to his back, entwining their fingers.  Gazing up at the stars he felt a peaceful calm seep into his bones. “I feel like we’ve been holding our breaths waiting for this moment to happen.”

“I’m sorry, Max; I shouldn’t have doubted you like that.”

“No, you had every right, this was the first time my dedication to my sobriety has truly been tested, but now that I’ve passed with flying colors I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind for the past couple of months.” He turned his head to face her, and lifted her hand in the air so the moonlight kissed her ring. The twinkle of diamonds was a beautiful testament to the depth and strength of their love. “I want to make this official as soon as possible.”

Her dark eyes widened and he found himself lost in their mysterious depths. Oceane was like a complex work of art, each time he looked at her he saw something new to admire.

“After all the leg work we did for the last one, we could do it this time inside of a month,” she said. Her answer was so swift and sure he knew they were going to be okay. Desire spread through him and his cock twitched with the need to mark her as his own.

“We need to get off the lawn before we’re arrested for indecent exposure,” he said, as he scrambled to his feet, pulling her with him before he scooped her up into his arms.

“What are you doing?” she squealed, throwing her head back and laughing as he began a hurried walk towards their apartment.

“I’m taking you home so we can have passionate makeup sex.”

“In that case, you should pick up the pace.”

Maxim chuckled, but complied.  They had been tested and come out victorious. It was time to leave the drama of the past behind, and move forward into the light.

Oceane and Max were quite ready to leave the drama of the past behind.

Epilogue

Snuggled up beside Maxim, Oceane beamed with pride and happiness as she took in the group of family and friends all gathered in her parent’s home. Their intimate wedding at the church where she’d received first communion had been the highlight of her life until now. Her hands slid up to caress the rounded bump that held the precious life they were currently celebrating.

“I can’t believe you guys still don’t know what you’re having,” Aurelie said, placing a plate full of fresh beignets on the table in front of her as she sat beside her on the couch.

“It’ll make the birth more special,” Max said with a shrug as Oceane reached to grab one of the mouthwatering beignet. Her mom would give Café Du monde a run for their money. Of course that could be the pregnancy hormones talking. Food had never tasted so flavorful!

“Of course you would want to know what you’re having, Aur. How else could you color coordinate the clothing and the nursery,” Henri said, making them all erupt with laughter.

“Like you wouldn’t do the same,” Aurelie replied.

The gentle ribbing continued as Oceane inhaled her coveted treat, smirking as Emile offered to refresh Aurelie’s beverage. The man had the tenacity of a bulldog. After being turned down by Aurelie once he’d refrained from asking her out again, but ever since he’d become a frequent addition to their close knit group; his eyes and actions showed his continued interest.

Oceane had sighed in disappointment when Aur declined his offer. If he was ever going to win her big sister over, he would need her help. Her pregnancy gave her a free pass to get away with eccentric behavior. It was time she used it for more than late night trips to random diners.

“I sense the little devil on your shoulder is working overtime,” Max whispered into her ear making her tilt her head back and wipe the powdered sugar from her lips.

“No.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Really, this time I’m using my powers for good,” she said as she cast her gaze toward Aurelie.

“You’re lucky you’re pregnant or she might strangle you,” he said with a shake of his head as she giggled.

“Exactly,” she said, wagging her eyebrows.

He chuckled, his eyes shining with an intense happiness that overrode the shadows that often lurked in their depths.  They could never go back and redo the past, but embracing it and moving forward had made them better people for themselves as well as each other.  

*The End*

About The Author

Shyla Colt is a Sound and Lighting Engineer turned Stay-At-Home Mom with two main passions, music and the written word. Her stories are a blend of the paranormal laced with humor, passion, and a “je ne se qua” that she’d like to call all her own.

Married to her marine, she currently resides in sunny California where she allows her characters to tell her their stories while feeding her music addiction and raising her wild child. She credits John Hughes, Marvel comics, punk music and the first paranormal romance novel she picked up at thirteen for creating the unique muse that drives her.

You can find out more about Shyla Colt at her blog:

www.Shylacoltsstraightshot.wordpress.com

Secret Cravings Publishing

www.secretcravingspublishing.com