Good for Now (Book One of The Now Series) (8 page)

Chapter 19

Julie

I was able to get a flight back to Miami, leaving in twenty minutes.

To pass time I get a coffee, sit and people watch as I drink, seeing all sorts of people as they walk by, imagining their lives. Wondering where there’re going and who they are seeing.

I especially like watching happy couples; when they’re holding hands or each other’s waist. Kevin and I hardly ever held hands, I should have taken that as a big sign that he really didn’t love me.

I can say that I gave him more than I felt comfortable in doing, I did things I wouldn’t have done because he asked me too, and because I loved him. I realize I wanted him to love me like I loved him. Stupid mistake.

Flight 25, now boarding to Miami.

I get up, thrilled to be be boarding, soon to be thousands of miles away. Please God, help me.

I sit next to a window, staring out to the city. I have the whole row to myself. This is not how I imagined how this trip ending. Looking around the plane I see mostly men in business attire, I hate thinking that more than half of them have cheated on their spouses or girlfriends.

“Captain has requested that all cellular devices be turned off prior to lift off.”

I look at my phone there is a text from Kevin.

My heart goes wild, I forgot I turned the ringer off.

A flight attendant comes my way, looking at everyone’s cellar device. I turn my iPhone off, on the verge of having a panic attack. I didn’t even look to see what he text, maybe it is better that I don’t read it until in the air, far away from him.

But once she leaves, I can’t help but turn my phone on and read Kevin’s text.

“Where are you? The BBQ starts soon.”

I look out the plane window seeing Los Angeles become smaller and smaller as the planes flies higher in the sky.

"I love you," he texts.

As we ascend to the clouds, I can’t helping the tears streaming down my cheeks, doubting if I did the right thing.

“You may now use your cellular devices,” the captain says over.

“Julie, where are you?”

I don't respond.

My hands start to shake, my heart wants to text him back but it is easily fooled. Instead I call Amanda and tell her about catching Kevin and the young cleaning lady in the act.

"Good God, how the heck are you not in prison, because if it were me, I would’ve cut his penis off into little pieces and would have fed it too him," Amanda says.

I crack a laugh in the mist of my misery, though, I know she isn’t kidding.

"I feel numb, not sure what to do. I’m so hurt. I can’t even explain it.”

"Well, you have about five hours to think about it."

"I am so scared Amanda, I don't know what to do. Maybe I’m doing something wrong? Maybe I drove him to cheat. Maybe she seduced him like the others.”

“What there are others? You never mention this before.”

She was right, I never told her about the interns he cheated with, because I wasn’t ready to. I knew she would have told me to end it with Kevin.

“Well, he did, but it wasn’t his fault…I mean they made it hard for him to say no.”

"You did nothing wrong, men cheat because they are bastards,” Amanda says.

"I still think I love him..." I say, feeling so stupid, but at this point I don’t care.

"No you don't, you just think you love him," Amanda says.

"Isn't that the same?” I ask.

"No, it isn't. I think you are afraid of letting go because Kevin is the only guy you've dated."

“Still, I don’t know."

"Julie, you got to break-up with him for good this time or you are going to drive yourself crazy. I’ve heard of women who drove themselves to the mental ward, come on, take this time for you. Have you thought about getting a job?”

I look down at my ring finger, still wearing the engagement ring I got yesterday. I realize I didn't tell Amanda about the engagement. Tears start fogging my vision as I try to focus on the ring.

"I know, you’re right. I got to go, I just can't take this," I say.

"Hey, before you go, a wise woman once said to me, The wrong man can screw up your life. Don't let Kevin do that, move on."

I hear a click on the other line, it’s Kevin. At this moment we are connected, by him calling and me holding the phone. I want to answer, but if I do, it will seem like all is forgiven. If I don’t, will he call again? Thinking I have two more rings before the call goes to voicemail. The call ends. In a panic I wonder if I should call him back?

With my phone still in hand, I see Kevin has left a voicemail. I look at his name on the voicemail list, all I need to do is push the listen button. I take a deep breath and press it, pressing the phone to my ear.

"Julie, I’m so sorry. I know I hurt you…its just I need help.” Then there is a pause, “Fuck, I am addicted to sex. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, give me another chance. I will get help."

Tears of happiness rush down my cheeks, finally he has admit to his cheating problem. Finally he is going to get help. Thank you, God. If I could turn the plane around back to Los Angeles, I would. I shouldn't have left so quickly. I took things too far, I should have waited for an explanation. What did I do?

I text Kevin back, "I'm on my way back."

As faith would have it, there was a connecting stop in Chicago, where I was able to catch a flight back to California and be in Kevin's arms. We spent the night, renewing our love.

Chapter 20

Julie

"Have you thought about a wedding date?" Kevin asks.

"No, not really, I just thought you would get help first. You know therapy like you said," I say, as I take a sip of morning coffee.

"How about November? A month later so you can plan. We could always have it at the clubhouse at your father's condo. People would love to come down to Florida."

I shook my head, looking down at my coffee cup. Did he not hear a word of what I just said? My eyes start to burn, I could feel a wave of tears on their way. Then his phone rings.

"I have to take this call...its work."

I want to say, don't answer. You promised no work calls, but I keep quiet. There is no need to get upset again. I have to learn how to let Kevin be and trust him.

He returns happy as a clam, and says, "Julie, I've got good news. Your father has agreed to let us have the wedding at the condo clubhouse and he is graciously covering all costs. So today we are going to get you a wedding dress."

"But Kevin..."

“There's no buts here, we have got to get ready for a wedding my Julie."

I genuinely smile, seeing Kevin so happy. Maybe he is cured, maybe he has finally changed and the best part is, he did so in less than twenty-four hours.

"Now, lets get a dress. Nadine has made a wedding dress appointment for us at one of the hippest salons around."

"Really?"

"Yes, we are doing this right, you are going to have the fairytale wedding you always wanted."

I found the perfect dress. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it on the rack and Kevin loved it too. I had it fitted and it will be sent in two weeks. So thrilled with how things are going. I can't stop writing Mrs. Kevin Ward on paper. I am finally going to be his wife, and he finally only has eyes for me.

Chapter 21

Julie

Months have passed, wedding arrangements have been made and invitations are sent, and I am a month away from being Mrs. Kevin Ward. I still can’t believe I’ll be his wife. It’s a dream come true.

Sex has been good, too, and I especially like that he does not always call me Greta. However, there are times when he does and I just play along. I rather he cheat with Greta than another woman.

Kevin’s law career has been taking off; business has been good and according to him, he is on the brink of landing a big case. One as he put it, "Will make his mark with the well to do, and where I will never worry about money." He tells me that landing this case will move him to an elite bracket, where people will have to make appointments well in advance and pay big bucks to get them off serious charges, involving serious prison time. It has been good to see him so happy. It’s like he has found his purpose and I am happy for him. His love of law, has me thinking of going back to work full time.

This case he speaks about, involves a wealthy woman charged with murdering her ex-husband. She claims it was out of defense, thinking someone was trying to kill her. When I asked why would a wealthy woman would not have an alarm, Kevin became defensive shaking his head. He said, I needed to be more supportive, because he had his theory and evidence to back up her claim. So I did just that. I shut up.

Supposedly if he is chosen to be her defense attorney, she will give him a sizable retainer fee. Somewhere along the lines of a few hundred grand. I’d say that would be impressive, but Kevin has been known to over exaggerate. I hope I’m wrong for his sake. Money doesn’t impress me like it does to Kevin. One reason is I was born in a family that lived comfortably.

Speaking about family, tonight my dad is coming over, he wants to talk to Kevin and me. His exact words were, “I just want to ask a few questions about the wedding”.

He has been generous with paying for the wedding, and has left the planning to me and didn’t even restrict the budget. I feel mostly because he feels guilty about mom.

Dad and I have a formal relationship, I'm still trying to fit the pieces of Mom's death. Each time I start reading her journals, I stop, there is a part of me afraid of discovering something that may destroy how I think of my father and even her.

So far I have gotten to the part where she suspects my father of cheating. She gives her reasons like his shirts being too fresh when he gets home, and confesses how she is not hundred percent sure. I wonder if I get my paranoia from her.

Dad has always been a mystery, he can be the sweetest man, to only turn into the darkest of knights. I really shouldn't be reading my mother's journals but I want to get some insight and closure to why my mother was unhappy.

I rarely saw my father hug or kiss my mother without it looking forced. I wonder if they ever loved each other and why did they even get married. Shake it off, I tell myself. It is the past, but I do miss my mom. I miss her terribly, wish things didn't turn out the way they did.

Kevin arrives home unusually perky, needing no down time. He usually isolates himself upstairs.

"How about Greta come in the shower with me," he asks.

My stomach churns, it has been a while since he called me that name.

"Come on with me my Russian princess," he says as he holds out his hand, standing in the middle of the foyer.

I go to him, liking I am now considered a princess and not a slut. "You seem happy tonight."

"Yes, very much, and I'd like to celebrate with having a little loving with my girl Julie, come here."

I smile, there is a change to him, a change I like. Did I hear right? Did he just call me by my real name? I walk over and he grabs me, pushing me with authority against the wall, kissing me to the core of my being. I feel like the air is being knocked out of me, I can't even breathe. His kisses are pinning me down, my nose is my only source of air.

He reaches between my legs, "Yes, Julie, your pussy wants me, doesn't it?"

I moan.

"Say it, say that it wants me."

"It wants you," I manage to say as my breaths become labored, feeling excitement.

"Fuck me, Greta, fuck me," he says, as he pushes me down to the floor.

In a few seconds, I’m on top of him, his dick in me and I am staring down in his wild eyes.

"How does it feel to be on top of the world?" He asks.

I moan again, what has gotten into him? He has this energy that doesn't seem normal.

"Move that pussy, move it fast and hard," he says, then he slaps my ass, causing me to move faster.

"You like that didn't you? Move your pussy faster or I will have to give that tush of yours a harder beating."

I moan again, I am not sure where he is going with it, but I will go with it. I rock my hips, faster and faster, finally feeling my sweet spot being sparked. Yes, I am about to come, it has been a long time since I felt it. I had even thought it may have disappeared, but it didn't. It was just hiding. I look deep in Kevin's eyes, my emotions have been lit again, tears start to stream down. I’m happy once again, his dick has finally touched my heart. He is the man for me.

"Fuck, you were good tonight," he says.

I lay on him, feeling his heart racing, knocking against my chest. I close my eyes, feeling like a little child, safe in the arms of my mother.

"Julie, wake up," I vaguely hear Kevin say over and over.

I lift my head to see him staring at me, "What time is it?" I ask.

"I don't know, but it is getting dark outside."

I quickly get up, feeling my wet private, seeing Kevin's naked body on the floor.

"My Dad should be here any minute."

"What?" Kevin asks.

"Yes, he said he wanted to stop by and ask us a few questions about the wedding."

"He couldn't have asked them over the phone?"

"No, come on, he also wants to see us. I think he has a surprise for us."

"Oh, when is the wedding again?"

"You are joking, right?" I say.

"No, I am not. I have been so swamped with work that I forgot."

"November 18, remember you picked the month."

"Shit, have the invitations been sent?"

"Yes, a while ago. Where has your mind been?"

"Fuck, I can't do it."

"What do you mean you can't do it?" I ask, tears streaming down my cheeks. What I thought was going to a night to remember, was becoming a night of horrors.

"People have already made plans, hotel rooms have been reserved."

"Julie, dear the trial starts in November and I need to focus my attentions on it. I need to be on top of my game. People will just have to understand."