Leather & Lace

Chapter 21

Brett drove back to the hospital mad at himself. He wanted answers from Shondra. Was she really pregnant? Is it his? If it was then as a man, he would take full responsibility and raise his child. But that would mean that he would have to completely let Lacey go. He shook his head at that thought. He would never let her go. He would do what it takes for them to have a future. It felt right being with her. After all this time, it felt right to be in her arms again, but he was being selfish. If she was committed to him, he wouldn't expect her to cheat. She has every right to hate him right now.

He made it back to the hospital and gave the receptionist her information. The doctor told him that they performed a CT scan of her head. “So far, there are no broken bones and she seems to be adamant about being discharged,” the doctor said.

“Has there been any results about her labs?” Brett wondered.

“It’s been a while so I can go check and let you know as soon as they’re ready.” The doctor flashed a pleasant smile.

“Thank you, doctor.” Brett watched as the doctor walked down the hall and into another room before entering Shondra’s. She. He walked in, Eric and Shondra instantly stopped talking. “Did I interrupt something?” He frowned.

Shondra smiled at him. “No honey, Eric and I were just having a chat.”

Brett frowned at them, “Seems intense.”

“Nope, everything is fine, right E?” She glared at him.

“Everything is good,” he responded. “I’m gonna leave and get back to Lacey.” He dug in his pocket and grabbed his keys before walking out of the door.

Brett sat down and covered his face with his hands.

“Are you okay?” He looked up at Shondra when she spoke.

“Uhh, yeah,” he answered. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, just a little sore and tired. I’m going to press charges on that b***h when we get back to the states.”

“Sorry to break it to you, but that wouldn’t fly.” Brett responded. “First, it’s not in their jurisdiction so they won’t even bulge. Secondly, you’re not going to tell anyone anything because if you do, then I guess I’ll have no choice than to expose all of the infidelity on your part and the blackmailing.”

Shondra couldn't believe that he would go to great lengths to protect Lacey.

“Shondra you’ve changed since we’ve gotten married. I’m not sure what it was, but you are a totally different person than before,” Brett explained. “I don’t know why or how you became such a cold person. We were friends first and our marriage was a marriage of convenience. You and I both knew that when we agreed to do it, am I right?”

Shondra glared at Brett. She knew exactly what she was getting into. She played the sweet college girl next door. She wanted to bag a rich guy and that’s exactly what she did. She became this money hungry person who was obsessed with perfection. She started with the lip injections then came the tummy tucks, face lifts, Botox, and then the Brazilian butt lift. Shondra knew that if she divorce Brett she wouldn’t have anything. Taking over his father's companies was the biggest move of both of their lives. Little did he know, his dad was the reason she was even attending the same college.

“Right,” she whispered. “But then I started to fall for you, Brett.” She cared for him, but being in love was something she wasn’t capable of. At least not with Brett. It was only one man who could truly hold her heart. In order for them to be together, she has to make sure this marriage lasts the full five years.

“Sleeping with other men is not falling for me, Shondra. You can’t just make me fall for you. That has to be something I want and I don’t want it with you.”

“Right, you want it with Lacey.” She scoffed. “Well she’s with Eric now and there’s nothing that you can do about that.”

“You’re right,” he swallowed the lump in throat. The reality that she’s dating someone else hurts, but he vowed to protect her no matter what.

The doctor knocked on the door before walking in with a blank expression. “Mrs. Newman, I have your results.”

Meanwhile..

Eric walked into the house. He sat the keys down on the counter and realized that it was extremely quiet. He didn’t think anything of it. He opened the refrigerator to get some water when Lacey came out of the room.

“Hey you’re back,” she hugged him. She really couldn’t look at him without wanting to burst into tears. The guilt of sleeping with Brett really got to her. It wasn’t that because she cheated on Eric, it was, but it was more of her letting her guard down around Brett. No matter how cold she tried to be, he always found a way to break down her walls. She silently admitted to herself that Brett was right. She did love him, but she was scared to admit it. She didn’t think it was right to love him, but she does. She stayed in Eric’s embrace gathering the courage to look at him. When she did, she smiled although it didn’t reach her eyes. Eric leaned down and kissed her lips. The same lips that crashed with Brett’s hours earlier. She broke the kiss and stepped back.

“Umm,” she pushed her hair back and squeezed her eyes. “How’s Shondra?”

“She’s fine, but are you okay?”

She nodded her head. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m glad she’s okay.”

“Yeah, me too. Brett came by to get her insurance information. Did you see him?” Lacey’s heart raced. She didn’t want to lie, but if she told him that she saw him, let alone had s*x with him, he would lose it.

“No, I-I was in the room sleeping.” She crossed her arms over herself.

“Okay. Maybe you didn’t hear him.” He looked at her. He could sense something was wrong. “Lacey? Are you sure you’re okay?” He could see sadness in her eyes. It looked as if she'd been crying.

She smiled at him, but it wasn’t her usual bright smile. “I’m fine. I had a nightmare and I’m just a little shaken.”

He pulled her close to him. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

She leaned against his chest and listened to his heart rate. His voice vibrated through his body when he spoke. “You know you can talk to me about anything.” His comment made her want to cry again. How could she break his heart? He’s been nothing but nice and honest with her. Now she felt like Edward. A cheater and a liar.

“Can we just go to bed? I’m really tired.”

Eric’s chin sat on top of her head. “Of course.” He held her hand as they went into their bedroom. When she climbed in bed, she pulled the blankets over her and scooted in Eric’s waiting arms.

“Good night, Lacey.”

“Good night, Eric.” I’m sorry, Eric.

Lacey woke up to the clinking sound of the cabinet door shutting. The smell of the food was different. When she opened her door and walked to the kitchen, Shondra and Brett were standing there cooking and laughing together. Lacey watched as the man who had her on that same counter less than twelve hours ago wrapped his arms around his wife. His hands landed on her stomach. Shondra smiled, “Okay, Brett now move. I have to finish breakfast.”

Lacey was on the verge of tears again. Her heart crushed into a million pieces as she stood there. They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn’t even notice her. Okay Lacey, focus on your boyfriend, not the man you love. The tears fell when that realization crashed in. She turned away to go back into the room when Shondra called out to her.

“Lacey, can we talk?”

She never heard Shondra’s voice be so calm and gentle. She wondered if it was another facade. She slowly turned around. Shondra stepped out of Brett’s arms.

“I want to apologize for everything that’s happened between us. I just hope that you can forgive me and we can start fresh.” She placed her hand on her belly. Why did he touch her stomach and now she’s touching it?

Lacey took a deep breath. She wasn’t even prepared for the blow she was about to receive but she had a feeling it was coming.

“You want to start fresh?”

Shondra beamed at her. “Yeah. I now understand why I have been so..bitchy. Pregnancy will do that to you.”

And there was the bomb that blown Lacey’s heart to pieces.