Vision of Destiny (Infinity Book 2) (18 page)

Slowly getting out of the car, I head inside and find Jamie waiting for me. She gets up from the chair, loops her arm through mine, and we walk to her doctor’s office.

“You okay?” She nods, not saying too much. “Dr. Toscano wants to up my meds, so today shouldn’t be too bad.”

“It’ll be all right. We’ll get through this together.” She kisses my cheek and lets out a sigh.

Stepping into Dr. Toscano’s office, my mouth drops.

“Jensen?”

“Nicholas?”

“You two know each other?” Jamie asks, looking at the both of us.

“He was dating Karly.”

“Was?” He looks at me incredulously. “Still am.”

I scoff, “Okay. You should look into that.”

“Can we focus on me, please? Hello, the one with cancer!”

“I’m sorry,” we both say. I pull out the chair and Jamie sits down. We listen to Jensen talk about different options of medication and a few trials. Jamie doesn’t want to risk her health anymore and opts for the higher doses of medication. He reviews her test with us and estimates a matter of months, like Jamie said.

“Jensen? I thought you were a surgeon? Are you specializing in cancer now?” I look at him, waiting for an answer. I may not know about medical shit, but I know that if you’re a surgeon, you focus on that.

“You’re right, Nicholas, but I was contacted to see if we can remove the cancer and, since we can’t, we’re exploring different options to prolong her life. Isn’t that important? Shouldn’t we focus on that and not my credentials?”

Fucking cocksucker. “I was just asking.”

He looks at Jamie and goes on about the different options. This is real. I knew she wouldn’t lie about having cancer.

JENSEN’S ASLEEP NEXT TO ME. I want to wake him up and yell and scream. He’s Jamie’s fucking doctor and didn’t tell me. I think about the grocery store when he saw her and he acted as if he didn’t know her. What the F is going on?

Nicholas isn’t happy that I haven’t broken up with Jensen. To be honest, I’m not sure how to.

When he came into my room this morning, I made an excuse and told him I wasn’t feeling good, so I made my way to the living room and lay there, thinking. I had to break it off with him, but after hearing that
he’s
Jamie’s doctor really pisses me off. Before I do anything, I need to know the truth.

I poke his side and keep poking until he wakes up. He stirs in his sleep and slowly opens his eyes.

“Babe?”

“When were you going to tell me you were Jamie’s doctor?”

“Really, babe? It’s confidential.”

“And?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not doing this at,” he looks at his watch, “nine in the morning. Babe, I just got back after pulling a seventeen-hour shift. I’m exhausted, all right?”

“Don’t get snippy with me!”

“Don’t,” he snaps at me. “You’re getting mad? Because I find it funny that you’re always with your ex. Do you not want to be with me?”

Oh shit. Cheating on Jensen wasn’t in the plans. I look down at the ring resting on my chest. I told Nicholas I can’t wear it around anyone else except our family, not yet. This ring means everything to me.

Taking a deep breath, I realize I have to tell him what’s going on. “You’re right. We always are. And things are getting complicated. Since you know what’s going on anyways, Jamie’s dying and Nicholas asked me to marry him. I said yes.”

“Really?” I nod. “And you weren’t going to tell me?”

“I’m sorry.” Feeling like an idiot, I can’t look in his eyes. I’m hurting him just like Nicholas hurt me. “I’m sorry. I know you wanted more. I know you wanted to be exclusive. But Nicholas is my whole life.”

“I see.” Jensen gets up from the bed and stalks to the bathroom. When he shuts the door, I grab my phone and text Nicholas.

Me:
I told him about us.

Nicholas:
And?

Me:
Obviously, he’s pissed, Nicholas.

Nicholas:
Who cares? You’re my fiancée and I’m tired of having you be with him. Break it off with him.

Me:
Can you stop being a dick for two seconds? I’m not sitting here asking you to divorce Jamie.

Nicholas:
Different situations, baby.

Me:
Hardly. Anyways, I think he’s coming out of the bathroom. I’ll text you later.

Nicholas
: What do you mean, he’s coming out of the bathroom. Does he spend the night?

Well, looks like that’s a conversation I’ll be having with him later. Oh, fuck my life.

When Jensen comes out of the bathroom, showered and in a pair of shorts and a shirt, he walks my way and sits down on the floor in front of me.

“So I take it we’re over?”

I sigh. “I hate that this is happening and I am sorry. You’re a great guy, Jensen. You made me smile.” I sit down on the bedroom floor next to him. “You’re going to make a lucky girl so happy. I wish it could’ve been me, but my heart’s with Nicholas.”

Pushing himself against the wall, he slowly falls down to the ground. “I was starting to fall in love with you. I wanted a future with you, Karly. How can you do this to me? What did I do wrong?”

Running over to him, taking him in my arms, I feel like an asshole. I know what it’s like to have your heart pulled out of your chest and I’m doing the same thing. “I’m so sorry, Jensen.” I kiss his forehead. “You’re a good man. One of the best men I know. But I can’t keep doing this to you. Cheating on you and lying about where I am. You deserve someone who can give their all to you. Someone who appreciates you.”

“I get it. I hope we can be friends?” The look of fear shows in his eyes. Jensen, powerful and sexy Jensen, always so confident and in charge, now looks like a child waiting for an answer.

“Of course.” I lean over, kissing his cheek.

“All right, well, get your ass up. Time for a work out!”

Today’s Nicholas’ and Emma’s birthdays. Sitting in my car outside their house, I have another internal battle – whether I should go inside or not. Throwing my head back against the headrest, I close my eyes and get the courage I need to head inside. Nicholas wants me here and said if it’s too much, I can leave. I want to be strong and stand my ground. He loves me and he’s with Jamie to give her peace. Everything’s going to work out.

Slowly, I take my time to walk to their backyard where the party is being held.

My stomach starts twisting and turning. I place my hand on the side of the house and take deep breaths. I’ve been feeling sick for the past few days. I’ve been throwing up every morning and staying in bed. The sickness is on and off, but it’s getting worse. I’m not sure what’s going on and figure it’s the stress and exhaustion that’s getting to me.

After a few minutes, the pain subsides and I’m walking again. The deck is filled with balloons and there’s a bounce house on the far side of the house. There are kids in the pool and people mingling around. The yard is decorated with pink balloons. I look over at the table and see it is full of presents and two birthday cakes – one for Nicholas and one for Emma. I hate that I wasn’t part of their birthdays. I wish it were me planning the parties and decorating.

Nicholas was supposed to come over last night, but was tied up with Jamie. She was sick and he couldn’t leave her side. I texted him at midnight, wishing him a happy birthday, but he never responded. I lay in bed, staring at my phone, wishing he said something…anything.

This is my life now. I have to go around Jamie’s schedule and whether or not she’s feeling good. I shouldn’t be this cruel. I mean, the woman is dying, for goodness sakes. A part of me can’t help it. Honestly, it’s sad that she’s dying, but she’s the dagger in our lives.

“Karly!” Lexi and Patricia come over to me and we hug. “You got this, okay?” I nod. I can do this. Lexi holds my hand as we walk into the crowds of people. There are so many familiar faces and I’m starting to feel better.

His eyes are on me. I can feel him. My breathing quickens along with the beating of my heart.
You can do this, Karly. Keep a smile on your face and hold it together.

Turning around, I see Nicholas and Emma walking towards me. Everything freezes and our eyes are on each other. It feels like home again, standing before the two people I love with all my heart. Her smile meets her eyes as Nicholas keeps his eyes on me. The love grows and my heart beats faster with each second that passes. We’re here, together, and I’m not sure what to say.

“Happy birthday, babe.” I take his hand and quickly look around. This is for us. I’m here for them. “And happy birthday to my Princess.” Placing my hand on Emma’s cheek, I say, “I have your presents on the table. I hope you like them.”

“Thanks, Mommy. I’m glad you’re here.” She places her hand on mine and reaches out for me. I bring her in my arms and hold her tight. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I look at Nicholas as the words come out from my mouth. He smiles, knowing I meant those words for him too because, no matter what, I’m always going to love Nicholas Landon Hayes. He’s going to be my husband and soon we can move on from the mess that’s been plaguing our lives.

“Hi, Angel.” His deep, husky voice resonates through my body. I take a few calming breaths and remember I have Emma in my arms, so launching into his won’t be a good thing. I look into his eyes and smile.

“Karly, you’re here. Welcome.” And there’s the voice that’s tearing us apart. The knife that’s pushing deeper in our hearts and won’t let go until everyone’s miserable.

“Hi, Jamie,” I coolly respond.
I got this
, I think. “The party looks great.” She wraps her arm around Nicholas’ waist and I see the pained look in his eyes. I slightly tilt my head to the side and study him. He doesn’t want her touching him. He wants me.
ME!
It takes so much of me not to freak out, but I have to remember this is his wife. I’m really the other woman in their eyes, but I’m not. Jamie’s for show and I’m the real thing. I’ll always be the real thing.

“Anything for my family.” She smiles, excusing herself and pulling Nicholas away. The way she says “my family” makes me sick. Crazy ass, ugh. “Jensen’s over there. You should go see him.” She turns and winks before leaving me alone.

I watch her making her rounds, her arm never leaving Nicholas’. She’s marking her territory and pushing me away. 

“I love you,” I whisper, watching him walk away. I turn around and Jensen’s behind me with an unreadable expression on his face.

“You’re an amazing woman, Karly.” He leans in and kisses my forehead.

The hairs on my arms stand and I know Nicholas is watching us. I slowly turn my head and see his heated stare. Oh shit, he’s not happy. We still haven’t talked about Jensen and his sleepovers. Let’s add another argument to the never-ending list.

“Come on.” He pulls me to our friends. The conversation is light and comical. Everyone’s having a great time and I’m focusing on my best friends and Jensen. I need to ignore Nicholas and Jamie or else I’ll never have a good time. I have to bite back my emotions and put on a happy face. As much as this is killing me, I know I’m the one he’s thinking of and the one he truly wants.

“Karly!” I turn around and see Stephen and his sister, Lisa, striding over to us.

“Hey, Stephen!” I raise my hand, waving. Lisa and I hug and it’s great to see her. We only talked a few times, but she’s a sweetheart and a female version of Stephen.

He picks me up and spins me around in the most ridiculous manner. “How are you?”

“Ahhh shit girl I’m good.” He puts me down, look at me. “Damn you look good,” I slap his arm throwing my head back laughing. “Oh side note, I’m Team Karly all the fucking way, babe. Don’t worry; he’ll realize how stupid he is soon.” I hug Stephen tighter, resting my head on his shoulder. A fit of giggles releases from my lips.

“Thanks, Stephen,” I tell him, “you look good!”

“Thank God you’re back, though. Dealing with Nicholas and his broken ass wasn’t fun.” Larry’s head pops up and he nods.

“He was a raging bitch on his period,” Larry says. “Girl, you cannot leave ever again.”
Everyone at the table raises their glasses and chants my name. My face is turning red, but I can’t help but smile. It feels good knowing I didn’t screw up too badly by leaving the first time.

Lisa pushes my shoulder. “Way to disappear and
not
tell me!”

Lisa and I met a few months ago when we were at the bar. We hit it off and she’s really awesome. It sucks she’s still in school and is gone most of the time. We haven’t talked in a while.
I feel bad for not keeping her up to date about Nicholas and me. “Ahhhh, I’m sorry! I know you’re busy with school and I didn’t wanna bother you!”

“Please, you’re fine. But it’s good to see you! Team Karly.” Lisa raises her fist and we bump. “So, Jensen,” she looks at him then back at me, “are you two done?”

What! No! Lisa and Jensen?

“Go for it.” I wink. “Everyone deserves a chance to be happy.”