Bittersweet Love

Chapter One: The Last Straw

Evelynn

“Thanks for coming over really quick.” June said as she opened the door and pulled me into her apartment with Aless behind me, yawning. My poor girl has been running around with me all day because her psychotic aunt kept asking for one thing after another. I can’t wait for all this to be over so we can finally relax. Just a few more months and then it’s all over and we can finally breathe. “I need your help desperately. Did you bring your computer?”

“Of course, you told me to.” I chuckled as I turned to my daughter, ready to tell her to run off and keep her little five year old self entertained. She was wearing this pretty yellow sundress that June got her for her birthday last month with her hair in pig tails. She loves looking like this, my little princess, but her father hates it. He’s been trying to get her interested in things he likes, sports and such, but she has no interest and it’s killing him, but he’s slowly accepting it. Just thinking about him makes me want to roll my eyes only because of his reaction when we found out our Aless was a girl.

I don’t think I have ever seen a man so pissed off.

It was ever since that day I’ve felt on edge around him for some reason. Things were not like they were but I stayed with him for her sake. I stayed with him to try to make it work because I do care but something is just…off.

Things have been tense for a while, putting a strain on our relationship. It doesn’t help that he’s been working long nights at the office and leaving really early in the morning, not including all the traveling he’s been doing to meet his clients. At least he has the decency to message me when he’s working late. At this point, I just assume he is because it’s been almost every night for the past month and even before that it was consistent.

“Let’s get set up in the living room and break out the wine because we’re going to need it.” She smiled as she walked into the kitchen, assuming to get us some drinks, or more importantly, wine, “Aless, in my room I have some Disney movies set up and some snacks. Leave the door open and we’ll be out here if you need us.”

“Okay.” She smiled before skipping over and hugging June. There was a flash of pain that went over her eyes. She tried to hide it but I know her, I know her all too well and my heart broke for her and when she’s ready to talk about it more, I will be here for her. Aless skipped away into the other room while June came out with two bottles of wine with no glasses, something we used to do in college.

“Am I assuming you want me to stay the night?” I c****d an eyebrow at her as I turned on my computer looking at the two bottles. It wouldn’t be the first time and it won’t be the last. At least Travis is perfectly cool with it, not like he has a choice.

“Oh, these are for me.” She laughed, “Planning this wedding is making me drink. There’s just too much to do in such a short amount of time and not enough wine to share but I guess I could if you wanted some.”

“That’s what happens when you decide to get married in one year and not hire a wedding planner. I told you last year when Travis proposed you should have hired someone or started planning sooner.” I sighed as I opened up some old documents that I saved from my time working in that field, “And what ever happened to that wedding book you had in high school? Didn’t that have everything you ever wanted? That would have made all this so much easier.”

“Well, about that. It got ruined in the flood when we were sophomores and well, why hire someone when my maid of honor used to be a wedding planner. You can use your voodoo planner magic and make things happen.” She grinned and I groaned. To be honest I miss it, every single day but that’s the past and I can’t change it, at least not right now. Maybe when Aless is a bit older.

“Not a wedding planner, an event planner, there’s a difference.” I pointed, grabbing my phone as it pinged.

“And well, you dabbled in other things too. Don’t forget I know about the sketches you keep doing which, I still want one.” She grinned and I just chuckled as I shook my head. Of course she would want one, that’s why I’m working on one for her to surprise her. As soon as I powered on my computer, my phone went off letting me know I have a message. I rolled my eyes as I read what he said.

Evan: Working late tonight to finish a contract. Don’t wait up.

I love how he has a way with words. I internally rolled my eyes as I sighed, turning my phone off and not bothering to answer him. It’s not like he answers anyways. So I kept busy and began pulling up some ideas I had for the theme June wanted. I know her style and as soon as she told me about her engagement, I’m not going to lie, ideas ran through my mind for her big day and it was nothing like she originally wanted in high school, thank god.

“Was that him again?” she asked.

“Yep.” I said popping the ‘p’ letting her know I was pissed.

“That’s the third time this week.” And it’s bad when she’s keeping track as well.

“I know. The only time he’s home is Sunday and he spends it with Aless. At least he’s attempting to be a good father to her even if the tea parties and dress up makes him cringe.” I mumbled as my chest tightened. I miss my husband, sometimes, but I think I just miss his attention more than him himself. It’s weird. We’ve been together for so long but it feels like right now, we’re just roommates who used to have s*x.

Used to because we haven’t touched each other in months.

Things were never great between us but they were never this bad. We used to talk and try to work it out but now it’s like we’re almost strangers.

“You don’t think…” she started to say but I just looked at her and glared, “Never mind.”

And with that being the last word, we started working, going through Pinterest to find ideas for the finishing touches on her wedding, shower and bachelorette party and writing down everything we needed to do and contact. But I couldn’t help but think about what she was about to say. Would he really cheat on me like that, after we build a life together and have a daughter? Why not just talk to me and tell me how he feels instead of sneaking around?

No. That’s not Evan. He wouldn’t do that.

Would he?

I met Evan Jones back when we were in college seven years ago. We were seniors and met at one of the parties one of the frats were throwing after the football team won their last game of the season before playoffs.

“June, I kind of want to leave.” I yelled over the music, trying to pull down the small dress she forced me to wear. It was cute, don’t get me wrong, but not my style. It was the cute little black dress with spaghetti straps and she stuck me in four inch black stilettos. My feet were sore and I felt gross, “We’ve been here for hours. I don’t think he’s here.”

We were looking for this guy, Travis, she likes but she was to chicken s**t to actually talk to him so she’s been on more of a stalker mode, “I know he's here or about to be here. The entire team comes to this house when they win a game.”

The football team just won their final regular season game before heading into the playoffs. The game was intense but exciting. I grew up around the game for years, my dad being the assistant coach to the college team here. I knew of most of the guys but I tend to stay away from them because at the end of the day, they are all the same. Manwhores who love cleat chasers and I stay away from crowd with a ten foot pole.

I’m more of the girl you find curled up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, a cup of hot cocoa and a good romance novel.

“Thirty more minutes then I’m leaving.” I yelled over the music as she nodded. We decided to kill some time and go to the makeshift dancefloor and started dancing together, getting lost in the music and each other.

She has been my best friend since kindergarden when she moved to town with her mom and dad. She became my neighbor and our rooms were facing each other so we were always able to talk over the yard. We quickly became friends and have been attached ever since she stood up for me against the cheerleaders at school who were making fun of my glasses.

I felt a pair of strong hands wrapped around my waist as I felt his waist push against my ass, moving with me as I ground into him. His hands rubbed a bit, feeling the fabric of the dress as he started to bunch it up in his hands. This was normal, dancing with drunk guys at these parties and I didn’t mind as long as they didn’t take it further than what I wanted. His head was in the crook of my neck as I felt his lips trail along my skin. I snapped out of the seduction of the dance and looked over my shoulder to see some guy.

A guy I didn’t even know but I recognized him. He’s on the team and he’s an overall playboy and an ass.

I tried to step away and grab onto June, but she was too into dancing with Travis who finally showed up and it was then that he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to his body.

“Don’t be a tease.” He whispered, “A girl like you doesn’t dance like that not asking for something in return.” He tried to wrap his arm around my waist to grip my ass but I pushed it away but that didn’t stop him.

“Back off.” I tried to shove him away but he wouldn’t let go. If anything, his grip got tighter around my waist, “Come on let go.”

“I can show you a real good time.” He whispered, trying to place his lips on my skin again as I was trying to pull away. I froze, scared. I wanted to push him away. I tried to see if I could see June but she wasn’t around me anymore. It was like this asshole slowly pulled me away from her to get me alone so he could try something.

Think again dickwad, I’m not like the cleat chasers around here.

“She said no.” I heard a deep voice and felt his hands get ripped off my body. I rushed out of the house, not bothering to look back to see who saved me from him. I had one mission in mind and that was to get out of there and get some air before I headed back to the apartment.

I pushed past people, not wanting to hear the fight going on behind me when I felt someone rush up behind me and grab my hand. I ripped it away so fast before turning around, bringing my hand to my chest, “Hey, it’s okay. I saw what the creep Logan was doing to you and wanted to come out and make sure you’re okay.” It wasn’t the same person who helped me, but at least he was checking up to see if I was okay.

“Thanks…” I mumbled, “I’m fine. I just want to go home.”

“I can walk you if you want.” He suggested as he looked over his shoulder, furrowing his brow at someone. I shook my head no as he turned back, his gaze softening, “It’s late and I don’t want you to be by yourself. I’m not saying this place isn’t safe, it is, but you never know.”

“I’m fine I promise, plus I don’t know you.”

“The name is Evan. Evan Jones.” He smiled, holding his hand out to me. I took a good look at him. I’ve seen him around campus. He’s hard to miss. He’s tall, almost six foot and has a muscular build. But the name sounded familiar as I squinted a bit, trying to remember him.

“Evelynn,” I mumbled, taking his hand, “Why do you look so familiar?”

“You’re coaches daughter, aren’t you?” and that’s when it clicked. He played safety for the

football team. I nodded in response, “Do you want me to call him?”

“No, the last thing I want is for dad to come save me.” I sighed, “Besides, it would be just another I told you so that I don’t want to hear.” And that made him chuckle a bit.

“Then how about we go and get something to eat? There’s a twenty four hour diner not far that has the best pancakes I ever had.”

I was wary. I didn’t know him but I also wasn’t one to shy away from meeting someone new. I took my phone out of my bra and send June a message letting her know where I was going and with who, hoping I don’t regret my decision to be with him. With a small bit a timidness we started to walk towards the diner, which surprisingly, was only a five minute walk off campus.

“So, what happened back there?” I asked him, “Who pulled the guy away?”

“Some of the guys and I came late from the locker room after talking to coach. We walked in and Logan beelined it to the dance floor like he always does and well, me and another teammate saw what happened. I pulled Logan off and chased after you because I just had to make sure you were okay.”

I narrowed my eyes a bit at him, not fully believing what he was saying. His voice didn’t sound like the guy that pulled me away but who am I to say otherwise? His voice could have gotten deeper because he was upset. I know dad’s does, “You probably did it because coach would kill you if you didn’t.” I laughed but he didn’t. He stopped walking and turned to me, grabbing my hand in his. I wanted to pull away from him but for some reason, I didn’t.

He did save me from a potential horrible night.

“You’re wrong Evelynn. I’ve known about you for a long time but I’ve been too scared to come up to you. It’s just…coach doesn’t want us around you but I’ve always been drawn to you ever since practice that first day of college when you showed up with cupcakes for everyone.”

I remember that day. it was one of the best days of my life and led to some of the best years until we were juniors. I shook my head, trying not to think about it. It's in the past.

“Well, I guess I should thank Logan.” I smiled up at him, a butterfly feeling coming in my stomach.

“For what?” he looked taken back by what I said, his hand squeezing mine a bit tighter.

“Well, if he didn’t do what he did, you wouldn’t have pulled him off me and well, we wouldn’t be on our way to eat the best pancakes ever.”

“Yeah…sure. Come on, lets go inside.” He smiled and for the entire rest of the night until the sun rose, we talked about anything and everything with the promise to meet up again soon and do it again.

A year or so later, I woke up in the hospital after a terrible accident. He told me what happened and so did mom, Travis and June and a few months later, we were married and happy and then our daughter was brought into this world about 9 months after that.

A notification popped up on my computer, a notification that I knew all too well. Dad insisted we get this new security system installed that was developed by one of his best friends. I didn’t want to. The one we had worked just fine but Evan was convinced when he saw the prototypes.

Plus he always had a hard time saying no to dad.

“What’s that?” June asked, looking at the pop up at that came on.

“Something tricked the alarm at the house. Hold on, let me pull up the cameras just to make sure everything’s okay. There have been a couple of break ins recently.” I mumbled as I logged into the website and pulled up the four main cameras.

And what I saw left me absolutely breathless. I was pissed. Livid. Angry.

He knew I wasn’t home. He knew I had plans with June to work on the wedding planning. He knew I wasn’t going to be home until later tonight.

And he told me he was working late.

And because he knew, he did this.

“Who’s the slut?” June glared into the screen.

We watched as they bursted through the door, their lips on each other as they devoured their faces like it was their last meal. It was kind of disgusting as we heard the sounds of their saliva mingling. He ripped off his suit coat as she tore off her sweater, revealing her in her bright red lace bra. His hands gripped her breasts as I watched my husband slam her against the door and rip her bra off.

“I don’t recognize her.” I mumbled. I couldn’t recognize her even if I wanted to. All we could see was the top of their heads. I wanted to tear my face away but I couldn’t. It was like watching a devastating car crash. Disgusted and the burning pain in my stomach didn’t help the nausea that was building up into my throat.

“Oh god, don’t stop Evan. Don’t ever stop.” she moaned to him. He fell to his knees and pulled on her leggings to reveal her in a matching thong.

“f**k, Talia, you’re fuckin’ gorgeous. How long do we have?” that’s her name? Talia. Talia. Why does that name sound do goddamn familiar. He started to stand up and he grabbed her waist and picked her up and started to carry her throughout our house, that house I helped make into a home, a home we raise our daughter in.

I was pissed. I was hurt. I gave up so much for him. He wanted to concentrate on his career in being a sports agent and wanted to spend more time in the office so with him asking, I stepped back from the party planning business my mom started so I could stay home and take care of Aless and the house.

I made sure his dinner was made for him when he came home. I made sure the coffee was on when he left for work. His laundry was always done and the house was spotless like he liked it. I thought we had a good life until recently.

He was spending more and more time at work and when he did come home, all he would b***h about was his competitors at the office. Even though it drove me crazy listening to him complain, I did, because I loved him.

Loved.

Right now, all the love I had for him flew out the window and I want to claw his eyes out.

Evan carried her to our bedroom, where June and I watched with wide eyes as he slammed her against the wall, kissing her neck.

“He won’t be home for another hour or so. He’s working late…again.” She moaned out. I slammed the computer shut after turning off the cameras. I couldn’t see anymore. I didn’t want to.

She was married. What a b***h. How could she do that to her husband? But how the hell could my husband do that to me?

“Evie…” June whispered, grabbing my hand, “I am so sorry.”

I sat there in somewhat disbelief. It hurts, it definitely hurts but something inside me told me something was going on. I just wasn’t expecting it to actually happen, to see it happen in front of my eyes. No one ever does. You’re married and it’s supposed to be for better or for worse…

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t kiss or f**k that asshole.” I mumbled, grabbing her bottle of wine and chugging it down.

“What are you going to do? Confront him? Fight for him?” She asked taking the bottle and taking a swig herself.

Just then, Aless came skipping out of the room with the biggest smile on her face and crawled into my lap with a big yawn. This is the hard part. The little girl we created together. She was going to be the one most affected by this.

I know I’ll be okay, eventually, but her? I don’t know…

“I’m not going to fight for him. I can’t. I can take a lot, sickness, losing a job, fighting over stupid things but the one thing I won’t do is infidelity, not again, no matter how bad things get between us it was the one thing I never thought of doing.” I mumbled, stroking Aless’ hair as she curled up, “I refuse to be with someone who would do that to me.”

“So, what’s next?”

I pursed my lips and opened my computer again, searching for a place to live because at this point, if I could never step foot in that house, I would be okay with that, “I get my life back in order. I’ll call my mom to get my job back and start the planning again. I’ll have to find an apartment for Aless and I and get out of the house but I know for sure it was going to take time. This is the push I need.” I sighed out.

I would be starting over. Starting fresh. I could do it, but the question comes to my mine, what is Evan going to do when he finds out I know and what is he going to do when I refuse to give up Aless?

Part of me hopes he’ll fight for her and try to be in her life, the other part doesn’t think he will even bother to try. The little time he does spend with her is forced. Anyone with eyes and a brain could see that.

“You sound like you were expecting this?”

“Maybe I was.” I said softly, “Things haven’t been great for a long time, you know this but still, all he had to do was talk to me.”

“I can help.” June smiled, “I can talk to Travis and see what we can do. If you need, you can stay here so you don’t have to go back to that house.”

“I can’t do that to you both. You have a wedding to plan but I love you so much for it. I would go back to mom and dad’s but I can’t, I just can’t.” I said grabbing her hand in mine.

“So, what do you do until then?”

I shrug, “I can’t let him know I know. If he finds out then he can start fighting now and I don’t have the means for it. I have to get Aless enrolled in a daycare or something while I work. I know mom wouldn’t mind having her at the office if she lets me work again but she needs to socialize with kids her own age. Once I start working, I can save up money for everything I need and have a fighting chance.” I mumbled, looking down at Aless. God, how could he do this to her?

“What about when you’re home?”

I shrugged, “It’s simple really. I keep doing what I do. I’ll tell him that I want to go back to work because I’m bored. I mean, it’s not a lie. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while this just pushed me in that direction. Half the time, he isn’t even home and now I know where he’s been spending his late nights with. I just…I don’t know. I feel numb June, numb.”

“And what about her husband?” June asked. Crap.

“The messed up part is June; I don’t even really remember her. I spent so much time avoiding people at the work functions I don’t know who even works there. Hell, I try not to go to them because of how boring they are. The only person I know is Zander Prescott.” Shivers went down my spine as I said his name but I ignored them the best I could.

“Damn, that name brings back some amazing memories from school.” She laughed and it does. I used to have a huge crush on him in college but I never had a chance. We had some history but it ended up working against us in the end. During college, he was the star running back on his way to the NFL plus with him in line to inherit the Prescott fortune, I knew nothing would ever happen between us so we stayed friends. From what Evan told me, he got hurt going pro and ended his career his first year, only to come home. He worked with his dad in the sports agent business and kept himself busy.

He wasn’t a normal playboy like the others. He always kept to himself and kept his head straight. He was the more silent brooding type with the bad boy aura.

And now he works with Evan at Prescott Agency as a lead agent. The funny thing about the two of them is that they used to be teammates but they always hated each other, they still do and I really don’t know why. Evan just says it’s some work crap.

I call bullshit. Something else happened.

“Well, I guess I’ll stay here tonight if that’s okay with you and Travis?” I asked, “Do you still have some spare clothes for Aless?”

“Yeah of course and its fine girl. You can stay here as long as you need.”

She got up and went to the other room to get some pajamas for my girl while I took my phone out and called Evan. It rang and rang and went to voicemail. Not like I was expecting him to answer while his d**k was four inches deep into someone else.

“Hey Ev, I’m staying at June’s tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And with the click of the red end call button on the phone, I let a single tear escape from my eye, because I can’t understand what I did to make him do this to me, to us. Have things really gotten this bad to where he would sleep with another woman? And how long has it been going on?