Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(60)

“Trust,” I mumble.

“Exactly.”

“Yeah, but that’s crazy. I could have lied.”

“I don’t believe you did. I’m not someone you know. You have no reason to lie to me. Most guys would fabricate a story to impress me, but not you. You can be angry at Shayla, but she did this for you as much as for herself. Don’t you get it, Brandon? This is your ticket home.”

“Why don’t I feel happy about it?”

“Because she betrayed your trust in order to prove hers.”

She’s right.

“Jesus, she went to extremes.”

“Yeah. You’re telling me. You should have seen my face when she asked me to try to seduce you. None of that was comfortable for me, by the way. I have a boyfriend who can never find out about this.”

“I don’t know if I can forgive her for this.”

“If you want your wife back you’ll find a way. The ball is in your court now.” She waves again. “It was nice meeting you, Brandon. I think your wife is a special person. Don’t f*ck up.”

I catch her before she gets too far way to hear. “Hey, Char.”

She turns. “Yes?”

“Have you called her yet?”

Her head shakes. “No.”

“Don’t. Make her sweat it out. Ignore her calls. Whatever you do, don’t talk to her. I want to be the one to talk to her first.”

“Seriously, that’s cruel. She’ll think the worst.”

“Exactly. I get off early today. She won’t have to wait that long.”

“Okay, but only because I put you through hell. I’ll turn off my phone and ignore her calls.”

When she walks away I know I’m in control of when Shayla hears the truth. Making her suffer is payback. I can hardly contain myself from driving directly home to see her.

After a quick call I know she’s home. It’s time to clock out and pack up my things from my parents.

Daddy is coming home.





Chapter 29




I’m on edge. Char has never ignored my phone calls. I know something is wrong. It’s been an hour since Brandon called me. He’s going to come home and pretend nothing is wrong. I’m worried and scared.

When I hear a car door shutting I know I’m not alone. I think it might be Char, but I see the top of his head as he climbs the porch stairs. He has a bouquet of flowers in his hand and my heart races. Did he buy them out of guilt?

He comes in and kisses me on the cheek while handing them to me. “Hey, beautiful. I got these on the way home. Can you put them in water while I grab the groceries out of the car?”

He doesn’t wait for me to reply before turning around and flying out the door.

I’m standing at the sink when he comes back in. The vase is full but I remain in the same position. I’m full of worry and can only assume I’ve been deceived by my two closest friends.

I feel his arms wrapping around my waist and his lips on my cheek. “I thought about you all day.”

I close my eyes and do my best not to think the worst, but it’s impossible. When he spins me around tears are falling down my face. He brushes them away with his thumbs. “What’s wrong, babe?”

“Nothing,” I lie.

“Are you upset I hooked up with your friend earlier?”

My mouth drops. “What did you say?”

He chuckles. “She had me going. She looked the part and her acting was on spot. I didn’t see it coming. I still can’t believe it happened.”

I feel betrayed and powerless. My head is shaking but words won’t come out. He’s trying to touch me as I struggle to move away from him.

Then he’s laughing again. “You can imagine how surprised she was when all her efforts failed.”

“You said you hooked up.”

“I say a lot of things I don’t mean. It got your attention didn’t it?”

“What happened then? Why won’t she call me?”

“I asked her not to.”

“Why? Something did happen didn’t it?”

“Not a damn thing. I don’t know whether I’m mad you expected it to, or for the simple fact that you had your friend try to seduce me for your own personal gain.”

I’m shaking as I reply. “I had to be sure.”

He backs away and seems disgusted. “Now you know. I’ve never cheated on you, Shayla, and I never will. I’m only one man. I’m not perfect, but I’m damn sure going to do my best to be. Text your friend and tell her I’m home. She’ll tell you what you want to hear.”

He walks into the bedroom leaving me alone in the kitchen. I stare at the flowers while sitting them down and grabbing my cell phone. I shoot her a message that Brandon is home now and say to call. I watch my phone light up.

“What happened?”

“Didn’t he tell you?”

“Not exactly.”

“Nothing happened. I practically took off my shirt in front of him and he didn’t even flinch. He flat out said he was married from the start. I even tried after he first turned me down and he refused a second time. He also said he’s never cheated before. Shay, I believe him. That man loves you. You’re a fool if you don’t take him back. Whatever problems you have, it’s not because he’s been unfaithful.”