SEX Unlimited: Volume 3 (Unlimited #3) (6 page)

AFTER AN AFTERNOON BEST FRIEND therapy session, I feel better having gotten a lot of my thoughts off my chest. Janette is amazing even with all of her antics. I honestly don’t know what I’d ever do without her. I sit down at my computer to catch up on backed up emails and work. As soon as I open my email account, an email from Dawn catches my eye. I’m scared to even open it but it’s inevitable that I’ll have to communicate with her sooner or later. I click it and begin reading.

Dear Candace,

I’m emailing you because no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop thinking about all the things I want to say to you in light of everything that has happened. You already know my past with Brisban—you read him as Brian in my book. Many thoughts have rolled through my mind since finding out you’re involved with the only man I’ve ever loved. I’d be lying if I said I don’t still love him and miss him, because I do. Something tragic and out of my control happened that tore us apart, but my love for him has never gone away. I realize he has moved on. I’m going to try and do the same but I know it won’t be easy. We will finally be legally divorced soon and my last thread of connection to him will be severed. He tells me he loves you. I don’t know how you feel about him but I can’t help but worry about him falling for someone he hasn’t known for long at all. He seems to be one that falls fast and hard. We moved fast in the beginning as well. But, of course, you already know that from the story.

I guess what I’m trying to say is please be careful with his heart. He has been through such heartbreak and pain. And, although it has taken me a very long time to finally come to grips with our marriage being over, I never want anything for him other than happiness. Finally, I have to say that I don’t think I can work with you any longer. I’ll pay you for the time you’ve already put into this manuscript but I’ve decided to go with someone else to complete it.

I wish you all the best.

Dawn

I let out a sigh and lean back in my chair. Nothing about any of this is easy. I have always adored Dawn. Dropping my head back, I close my eyes and exhale. As soon as my eyes close I see him, images of him consume my thoughts. I can’t remember ever feeling so intensely about anyone, not even James. Thoughts of Brisban’s lips pressed against my neck, his hands on my body, and how he looks at me like I’m the only woman in his world are on repeat in my mind when we’re apart. When we kiss it feels like one thing and one thing only; falling in love. I laugh out loud. The laughter carries through the silence of my empty house and I shake my head at myself. I’m in love with him; so damn in love with him. I’ve gone and fallen for a man I only ever intended on having sex with. How does that even happen? I never bargained for something like this. I’m not ready for a serious relationship. I told myself I wouldn’t ever allow myself to be vulnerable to a man again, though here I am. I’m hopelessly in love with this man who has come into my life like a tornado and rearranged every carefully organized plan I had for myself.

I’ve spent the day doing laundry and cleaning house. Housework never ends, even when you’re single and live alone. I can’t imagine how women do it that have kids and husbands and work full-time. The moms who stay home and clean up after kids all day and do mountains of laundry daily get all of my praise because I can’t imagine it. I missed a few days of doing laundry and cleaning and feel overwhelmed just cleaning up after myself. As I fold the last load of laundry I smile, thinking how amazing it would be to fold his shirts and wash our sheets after being wrapped up in them together. I’ve definitely lost my mind. I’m sitting here fantasizing over his dirty clothes and sheets. I’m certifiably nuts. As I stand up and grab the laundry basket a bout of dizziness hits me and I drop back down onto the sofa. Whoa. Blinking my eyes a few times I try to compose myself. Little white dots dissipate from my vision and I take a deep breath. I know I haven’t been eating well lately and I’ve been under some stress with everything that’s going on, but I wouldn’t think it would make me so off kilter.

After centering myself, I attempt to get back up slowly. No dizziness this time. Maybe I just got up too fast. I pass the hallway clock on the wall and see it’s later in the evening than I thought. I figured he would’ve called me by now. I hate how I’m acting like the teenage girl waiting by the phone for her latest crush to call. Rolling my eyes at myself, I sit the laundry basket on my bed and start putting my clothes away. Placing the last shirt away I check my phone again. Still nothing from Brisban. I don’t know why I’m feeling so much anxiety over him calling or not calling yet.

I decide to go eat something. Maybe I should just get out of the house. My reflection in my bedroom mirror tells me to stay in because I look like crap, but I need to get out of for a little bit. I pull out a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt, brush my hair up into a messy bun, and put on a little lip gloss. I decide to go to my favorite local café and have something light to eat and unwind some. My purse is hanging on a chair at the kitchen table and I drop my phone inside it before slinging it over my shoulder. Once I lock up and start my car, I already feel better being out of the house. I have the urge to check my phone again but I don’t. I want to call him but I won’t. He said he’d call and he will. I’m not going to start being this needy girl. That’s not who I am.

Making my way downtown to the square I soon see why I miss coming down here. It’s full of life and laughter. I roll down my window as I drive through the center street where it seems busiest. The cafes and little street side bistros are lit up with fun, colorful lights and you can hear the sound of live musicians floating through the air. James and I use to come down here often on the weekends. I miss doing couple stuff. The thought of Brisban and I possibly coming here together makes me smile. He would love this atmosphere.

I park and make my way over to Jake’s, my favorite of all the cafes here. The bell chimes when I open the door and, as always, Jake greets me. I wonder if he ever takes a moment off from work because he always seems to be here.

“Good evening Ms. Candace, please have a seat and I’ll have your regular right out to you.”

I smile and nod. “Sounds perfect, Jake. Thank you.”

I like sitting by a window so I can people watch, so I choose a small two-top by the big window. Jake brings me a Cherry Coke with three fat cherries on top.

“Just the way you like it.”

“Thank you, Jake. How’s Anne? I haven’t been in here in a while. How’s she doing?”

His shoulders slump and I instantly feel bad for asking. “She has her good days but they just aren’t as many anymore.”

“Awe, I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll be sure and have you guys in my thoughts.”

He pats me on the shoulder. “Thank you, dear. Your food will be out soon.”

I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager. Jake’s a part of my life that I can remember far back to when I was just a kid begging my mom for cherries in my Coke. I rest my chin in my hand and gaze out the window. Couples are walking hand in hand, smiling and flirting I can’t wait to have moments like that with Brisban. We’ve spent so much of our time together behind closed doors. It’ll be nice to do normal couple stuff together. Right before Jake brings out my Italian Grilled Cheese, I get a text. It’s him. The corners of my mouth turn up and I smile from ear to ear.

Brisban: Hey beautiful. How was the rest of your day?

Me: Uneventful. Yours?

Brisban: What are you doing now?

Me: Eating…well, I’m about to eat. I’m downtown.

Brisban: Oh, well don’t let me interrupt.

Me: It’s just me. I needed to get out of the house for a bit.

Brisban: Come over.

Me: Now?

Brisban: Yes, now. Get it to go. I’ve thought about you all day. Come over, please.

How do I argue with that?

Me: Okay.

Brisban: Great, see you soon.

“Jake, I’m sorry but can I get this to go. Something’s come up.”

He comes around from behind the counter. “Sure, you want your drink to go, too?”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

He takes my plate and drink and disappears into the back.

I leave a twenty dollar bill on the table for Jake and he comes out with my to-go bags.

“Thanks, Jake.”

“Don’t wait so long before you come back in to see me.” I wave and tell him I’ll definitely stop by more often.

The smell of the food fills my car and my stomach rumbles. I reach over and try to untie the sack and figure I’ll just eat it on my way to Brisban’s house. After a little finesse, I get the sack open but I can’t seem to get the container to flip open. I take my eyes off of the road momentarily to open the box and the blaring sound of a horn honking brings my eyes forward. I came up on the intersection and the light is red. I’m going straight through it. Before I can react, I hear a loud bang and see my drink flying through the air, soda splashing onto everything. My head jerks forward then backward and something hits me in the face, nearly knocking the wind out of me. Soon I realize it’s my airbag. I finally feel the car stop. My foot is practically one with the brake pedal now. My heart’s racing a million miles a minute. The first thing that comes to my mind is to get out of the car in case anything is on fire. I’m in flight mode. I look down at myself to make sure there’s no blood coming from anywhere but I seem to be fine. I try to push open the door but it won’t budge. I climb over to the passenger door and try to open it; as soon as I’m out of the car I remember to grab my purse. When I reach in to get it I hear someone yelling at me from behind. I spin around and see a man yelling at me.

“Are you crazy, lady? You ran that red light. We could’ve been killed. Are you okay?”

“I’m so sorry, sir. I know and I’m sorry. I looked away for just a minute. I think I’m okay. Are you okay? Is anyone else involved?”

I hear sirens and can see a scratch on the man’s forehead, a small trickle of blood coming down from it. My head is pounding and I feel nauseous.

“It’s just the two of us, thank God. It sounds like help is on the way.”

I walk over to the roadside and sit down because my legs won’t stop shaking. Rummaging through my purse I find my cell and call Brisban.

“Hello”

Before I even get a word out I start crying.

“Candace? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“I ran a red light…car hit me.”

My words are short and clipped in between sobs.

“Where are you right now? I’m on my way.”

“Wallace Avenue and Vine Street intersection.”

I sniffle and wipe my nose with my arm and I see blood. My nose must be bleeding.

“Okay.”

“You’re going to be fine. I’m not far from there.”

He hangs up and I try to find some napkins in my purse. I only have a couple tissues so I blot my nose carefully. If all I get from this is a bloody nose then I consider myself very lucky. Two cop cars pull up, along with an ambulance and fire truck.

Medics rush over to me and start asking me all of the typical questions. I try and explain that I think I’m okay but they recommend I go and get checked out at the local hospital just to be on the safe side. When I stand up they guide me to the ambulance and I see Brisban’s car pull up. His door flies open and he runs for me.

“Are you okay?” He looks at the medics. “Is she hurt?” His eyes are distraught as he scans me up and down.

“I’m okay. They just want me to go get checked out to be on the safe side.”

He exhales. “Thank God you’re not badly hurt. I’ll follow behind the ambulance and meet you at the hospital. Is there anyone you need to call? Janette?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t want to worry her and I know she’s working right now.”

“Alright.” He leans over and kisses me on the forehead. “See you as soon as we get there.”

I give him a little smile, even though my head is pounding like crazy. I reach up and massage my temples. The medics help me up onto the gurney and they hoist me up into the ambulance.

“Are you in pain anywhere?”

“Just my head and lower back.” I tell them, still rubbing my head.

The ride to the hospital isn’t that long. As soon as we arrive and they open the back doors of the ambulance, I see him standing right there waiting on me. The look of pure concern etched on his face makes me feel loved deeply.

“Sir, you’ll have to wait in the patient waiting area while she’s examined by the ER doctor.”

I reach out my hand for him and he grabs it, giving me a gentle squeeze. “I’m fine. This won’t take long at all.”

“I’ll be here, however long it takes.”