Top Love: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (Young Adult Stepbrother and Billionaire Romance Stories) (41 page)

***

Krystal

I can’t believe he’s loved me all this time. It’s unreal.  I have loved him for so long. We sit there looking at one another for what seems like eternity. I want to kiss him so bad.  Finally, I decide enough is enough.  I lean in and press my lips softly to his.  I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone in my life.  I can’t think of anything else.  God, he was perfect.  I know that he hasn’t had any of his I.V’s or anything put in yet.  He just got settled in.  I got up, and locked the door to the hospital room.  It really didn’t look like a hospital room.  It looked almost like a hotel, but the only difference was it was most definitely a hospital bed. 

Still, I can’t help myself.  I trail my hands up his arms and begin kissing him all over.  I can’t get enough of him.  Inside, I felt like a raging beast, but everything was soft and gentle.  I broke our kiss only to pull his shirt over his head as he did the same with mine.  It was the one single most beautiful moment of my life.     

***

Eddie

We lay there in bed calming our breath after the best sex I’ve ever had. I’m stroking her hair just listening to her breath. This is all I ever want in life, but I know now I have to tell her.  I hope it doesn’t change things between us, because I want her to be mine forever

“Krystal, babe, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Okay Eddie.  You know you can tell me anything.”

“Well, babe you know how I got diagnosed with cancer?”

“Yes, Eddie. That’s why we’re here laying in a hospital bed.” she says as she laughs. 

“This is so hard, but I actually don’t have cancer.  I have appendicitis.”

Silence fills the room dragging its thunderous friend, tension. 

“What!?  You lied to me about something as serious as cancer?  What could make you to do that Eddie?”

“I did it to get you to notice me Krystal. I did it so you would know how I felt.  I was tired of waiting for you to drop Jimmy. I wanted you to see you love me, too. I did it for us Krystal. I want to be with you forever, and I know you want me too, babe.”  Now that the words spilled from my mouth, I realized how stupid I was to have done this.  She was right, but I still hoped that she would see my intentions were to bring us together or at least define us for the rest of our lives.  I failed to realize how much it would truly do so.

“I do love you, and I did want to be with you.  But I just can’t forgive this easily. That was a low sick thing to do, Eddie.  You could have grown a pair and just told me instead of doing something like this.  Do you know how many people in this hospital have cancer and would
kill
to have just appendicitis?   You know what, don’t call me.  Don’t text me.  I really don’t want to see you anymore.  I can’t see you.  I’m a married woman, and I just made the biggest mistake of my marriage.”

“Don’t say that. I’m so sorry.  Please forgive me.”  I said as I reached for her.  She had stood up and began putting her clothes back on. 

“No, there is no way ill forgive you.  You are now dead to me. If you want forgiveness, Eddie, tell Jen what you have done.”  The door slammed behind her as she walked out of my hospital room and my life forever.  I believe I just felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.  I have royally screwed up.

***

Krystal

I get down to my car, and I am just so damn mad.  How could he do this to me I just don’t get it. He’s not the person I thought he was.  My heart is broken into a million pieces. I can’t believe I had sex with him. I feel so low right now.  Jimmy doesn’t deserve this and neither does Jen. I have to tell them both and move forward in life. Eddie is dead to me.

When I get home Jimmy is not there, which is good.  It gives me time to calm down and write Jen a letter:

Dear Jen,

       First off I need to tell you that I am so sorry. I have been in love with Eddie for years, and I think he knew because he played off my feelings for him. Eddie told me he had cancer and I was by his side through it all. One night while he was in the hospital he told me he was in love with me I was ecstatic so I told him how I felt. This lead to us having sex. He then decided to tell me he didn’t have cancer and that it was a ploy to get me to notice him. I am sorry for my part in this all I just thought you should know.

                                                                              Sincerely,

Krystal

I go put the letter in the mail box just as Jimmy pulls in the driveway.

“Hey baby.  What’s wrong?”  he says picking up on my frustration and heartbreak. 

“Come inside, Jimmy.  We need to talk.” I said as I turned and walked into our home.  I lead him to the couch and confess everything, but most importantly, I tell him I’m done with Eddie and am willing to do everything necessary he says. Inside Jimmy we need to talk. I lead him to the couch and I confess everything, I also tell him I am done with Eddie and want to move forward with him. After a long conversation, he looks at me and places his hands on top of mine.  I can see the tears he is fighting back.  I know I hurt him deeply, but he still forgives me. 

“Krystal, I knew he was lying, but I couldn’t prove it.  I’ve always had a respect of boundaries for your friendship with him.  I am more upset with him that he crossed a line.  I know you didn’t necessarily want to marry me.  I know your parents kind of forced you to, but I was hoping that in our year of marriage, you had come to feel a love growing for me.”

“Jimmy, I
do
feel love for you.  I loved you when we got married.  I only didn’t want to get married because I was struggling with balancing my feelings for Eddie, but that’s a moot point now.  I’m done with him.”

“Baby, I trust you.  Just don’t let that happen again.  It’s going to be hard for me to show you I trust you, but please just keep it in mind.”  I am so lucky that he has forgiven me and my marriage remains intact. 

***

Two months go by, and I hear nothing from Eddie.  Out of nowhere, I get this text:

Eddie: I don’t see why you would send her that letter to hurt her she never did a thing to you Krystal.

Krystal: it doesn’t matter Eddie don’t contact me again I am moving forward with Jimmy I just found out were having a baby

Eddie… a year later

I try to forget Krystal, but it seems to be impossible.  She’s all I think about and all I have thought about this past year.  I even tried moving up the wedding date with Jen and marrying her right away to give me someone else to turn my affections to.  But alas, the problem I have is that I don’t love Jen.  I never really did, but she’s been with me for a while.  I figured why not.  The last time I spoke with Krystal, she was pregnant with Jimmy.  That kind of announcement forces one to move on from unrequited love. 

With that behind me, or so I thought, I decide to try new things.  So, Jen and I start going to adult clubs together.  I need the spice in my life, but it still does nothing to fill the hole in my heart left for her. 

I know what I did was wrong. I hate this life I am living. I have no life without Krystal. I have to get this off my chest. So, I go for a drive.  Before I know what I am doing, I end up at Jimmy’s work. I get out of my car, and he must see me coming as he meets me before I make it to the door.

“Jimmy we have to talk.”

“Honestly, Eddie, I don’t see what we have to talk about, but say what you got to say and get out of here.”

“Jimmy I know you never liked me but I have to get this off of my chest.  After I do, I promise I’ll leave you alone. Do you remember when I was diagnosed with cancer?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Well it was a lie.  I never had cancer. I lied to get Krystal’s attention so she would know how I feel. Before I told her, we ended up having sex.”  Just as those words exit my mouth, I feel the force of Jimmy’s right hook land square on my eye.  

“I deserved that.” I said as I picked myself up from the ground. 

“Yeah, you did, but I already knew.”

“I did it because I love her.  Wait.  What?  You knew?”

“Yeah, I did.  And to tell the truth, if you really loved her, you wouldn’t have hurt her like that.  Now, you have said your piece.  Leave now before I blacken the other eye.”

***

Krystal

                   As I sit here at home with my two and a half month old baby, bouncing him on my knee, I am admiring his features.  He looks so much like me.  It’s absolutely crazy.  If it wasn’t for Gage, my baby, I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through what Eddie did to me.  It felt like he did that
just
to have sex with me.  I do miss him from time to time, but what he did was just unforgivable. 
                   It’s now Gage’s naptime.  So, I place him in his swing.  It doesn’t take very long before he’s out like a light.  I love that swing.  It has saved Jimmy and me from many sleepless nights. 

               I go to sit on the couch and turn on the television to watch my favorite show.  I pull the cover back off of the couch and get comfortable.  Just as I get settled, my phone vibrates.  Jimmy always usually sends me a text at this time of day, so I already figured it was him. 

Jimmy: Eddie came by my work and confessed everything, I couldn’t help myself I hit him I’m sorry baby

Krystal: don’t be sorry he deserved it. I just put gage down so I’m going to nap to ill talk to you in a bit love you.

Jimmy: love you too

I can’t believe that snake!  How could he just show up a year later and try to start trouble? I don’t get him. I try to take a nap, but I can’t. I’m just too pissed, so I pick up my phone and text Eddie.  I honestly can’t even say why I kept his number, but I guess at least now, it comes in handy. 

Krystal: Eddie I don’t know what you were trying to accomplish but I told Jimmy the night it happened.

Eddie: all I want is forgiveness Krystal I want you to forgive me.

Krystal: not going to happen if you want forgiveness confess to Jen

I turn my phone off because I don’t want to hear any more. I can’t believe him. He never ceases to amaze me.

***

Eddie

Maybe Krystal is right.  I know she sent a letter to Jen, but I did intercept it.  Perhaps I
should
confess to Jen.  She has never done anything wrong to me.   She’s been faithful, which is more than I can say for myself.  As I pull up to our apartment, I see Jen is home.  I decide today is the day.  Hell, I’ve already got one black eye.  If she hits me, at least I’ll match. 

I walk in, and she hollers from our room.   “Baby, is that you?” she asks. 

“Yeah, it’s me baby.  Hey, can you come in the living room?  I need to talk to you about something.”  I’m so nervous that even my palms are sweating. 

“On my way.”  She bounces into the living room.  I hate to ruin her good mood, but I’ll have to use that to my advantage.  I asked her to sit down.  That’s when I begin to spill everything.  I tell her every detail.  Well, maybe not
every
detail.  I didn’t describe the sex or how I felt. 

Her reaction was nothing less than what I expected other than I didn’t get hit.  At first, she was silent, but then, it all came out.  “I cannot believe you Eddie.  That is lower than low.  After all that I’ve done for you…all that we have been through…this hurts, Eddie.  It hurts in a way you’ll never understand.  I am disgusted and don’t think I can handle this.  You cheated on me and
then
still married me?”

“I know.” I say.  “I don’t expect things to be exactly as they were, but do you think you’ll ever be able to forgive me?”

“I don’t think so, Eddie.  There’s no going back.  I think—I think a divorce is best.  You obviously married me for other reasons than love, so this isn’t going to be as difficult for you.”

I’m in absolute shock.  I never saw it coming that she’d leave me.  She walks into our bedroom, packs a back, and tells me she is going to her sister’s.  She’ll be back for other things later, but she can’t stand the sight of me right now.  I can’t say that I blame her.  I can’t stand the sight of me right now. 

Now, the house is silent and empty—aside from myself.  I have nothing to do except wallow in my own self-pity, so I write out a skit for the gig I have coming this Friday.  This is going to be the best show I have ever done. 

After I complete the skit, I decide to see if Krystal will come.  Since she’s not taking phone calls from me, I leave her a text.  At least I know she will read it. 

Eddie: Krystal I am doing a skit at the coffee house I would like it if you came, it’s this Friday. Btw I told Jen and she left me.

***

Krystal

I can’t believe Jen left him, but at least she knows. I suppose since it is a surprise to her, he intercepted the letter I mailed to her.  I am not happy with the part I played, but at least the cat’s out of the bag. I can’t believe how we all ended up.  If you asked me a year ago if I thought this would happened, I would have told you that there was no way.  It’s crazy, but here we are.  I have a baby, married to Jimmy, and his wife just left him.  At one point, I thought that maybe, just maybe, I would have been his wife at some point, but Jimmy has been there through it all. 

It’s now Friday night and I’m sitting outside of the coffee house where
he
is supposed to be performing.   I have no clue why I’m here.  I shouldn’t be, but nonetheless, I’m here. 

I get out of my car and go inside.  I find a seat that is out of his line of sight.  I don’t want him to realize I’m here. 

  It’s only about five minutes before I see him step onto the stage.  I feel my chest tighten and my hands tremble slightly.  I have not seen him in a year, but that does not mean I was prepared to see him tonight—especially since he looks so gorgeous. 

“Hello, everyone.” he says.  “Tonight, the skit I’d like to perform for you is one I have written myself.  It’s about love—that four-letter word.  Not only that, but it is about unrequited love and what it does to a person over the years. 

The spotlight comes on and this soft tantalizing music comes on.  I am mesmerized by him and the words he says.  It hits me in the heart, bringing all the feelings I thought were gone back to life. I know the kind of love he speaks of because that’s the love I have for him. The love that is still there…the love that has shaken me to the core. The love that has changed me forever. When he’s done, the crowd goes wild.  There is not one dry eye in the house.  I stand up to allow him to see me.  Our eyes meet.  I feel that same connection I felt before he betrayed my sensibilities.  He bows to the crowd and walks toward me. 

“Krystal!  You came!  I didn’t really think you would.”

“Yes, Eddie.  I showed up.  I had to see you.” Before I know what I am doing, I grab his hand and lead him into the bathroom, locking the door behind us.  Something in me takes over.  It’s the same something from that day in the hospital.  I have no control.  It feels like a Jekyll/Hyde thing and he’s the target.  Everything I have held back for him for over a year explodes.

“Krystal, what are you doing?” he asks between my kisses. 

“Shut up.” is all I can say to him.  The next thing I know, he pushes me gently against the wall and removes my clothes.  It happened so fast.  By the time we’re done, I regain control of my sensibilities. 

“Eddie, we shouldn’t have done that.  I’m so sorry.  I don’t know what came over me.”

“I’ve missed you so much, Krystal.”

“I’ve missed you, too, but this isn’t right.  I have a son now and I’m married.  I have to think of what’s right.  I’ve got to go.  I’m sorry I came.” 

***

Eddie

What just happened? I am floored that we just shared passionate love-making, and she just leaves. I know she loves me.  There’s no way that could happen and her not have feelings for me. I don’t know what to do. I can’t go after her she made it clear she couldn’t be with me.

I head home in a stupor I am beside myself. That’s what I have been missing in my life this past year. Krystal is my earth shattering love and I don’t ever think that will change. She’s the kind of girl that gets under your skin and once she’s under your skin there’s no getting her out.

I go inside my apartment and every trace of Jen is gone her clothes furniture everything. I know I should feel bad but I don’t.  I actually feel relieved--relieved I no longer have to live a lie…that I am freed from the secrets I’ve kept for the last year. I take a shower and go lay in bed even though I know I won’t sleep because Krystal is on my mind. I pull out my journal and start to write. I vow to write every day until I have her by my side.

***

Krystal… four months later

Today has been a day! Gage was on it today. He’s six months old now, and he can crawl.  So, that means he gets into everything, which keeps me on my toes. Jimmy is at work like normal. He’s either working or out with his friends. I can feel us drifting apart, and I really don’t care. Gage is the only reason I am still with him. I don’t love him, and sometimes, I don’t think I ever have. The only good thing that came out of it was Gage. I can’t wait till the day I can get out of this marriage.

I start dinner because its 7 p.m. and Jimmy should be home by now.  He isn’t, which means he must be out with the guys.  This is good for me because he will come home, eat, and then pass out.  That means it’s less time I have to play the ‘loving wife’ role.  I’m really finding myself getting sicker and sicker of playing that role. 

Dinner is done, and it’s time for Gage’s bath.  It’s now ten o’clock at night, and Jimmy still isn’t home.  To hell with it.  I’m going to get a shower and get to bed. 

I turn on my box fan, crawl into bed, and take no time falling asleep.  Immediately, I begin to dream of Eddie.  I have one of the hottest fantasy dreams I’ve had in a long time about him.  It’s now obvious sleep is not in my future. 

I get up and get dressed. I check to see if Jimmy is asleep, and he is out.  He must have really tied one on tonight. I go in Gage’s room to check on him, and he’s asleep too.  Before I realize what I’m doing, I grab my keys and get in the car.  I decide to drive around for a bit until I’m sleepy.  The next thing I know, I’m sitting outside of Eddie’s apartment.  Decisions, decisions…