An Unexpected Love (Complicated Love Series #2) (5 page)

I wake up in the guest bedroom feeling fully rested, surprised I slept so well. I hop out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. I rummage through my suitcase for my clothes and change into them, thinking about last night. Suddenly a knot forms in my stomach and thoughts of Karl come to the forefront of my mind. I need to speak to him and clear all this up. It’s ridiculous feeling like this and thinking that what we did was anything other than sex. Obviously Karl thinks it meant nothing, so why should I make more of the situation? We had sex that’s all. Boy was it good sex…good doesn’t even cover it…it was mind-blowing, fantastic and everything in between, but it was just sex.

I’m dressed in a pair of blue skinny jeans and a purple three-quarter length top. I comb my hair and tie it up into a ponytail to keep it out of my face. When I’m ready, I make my way out of the guest room. I wonder if Karl is already up? Maybe he might be still in his room, so I make my way to the other guest room and find that the door is wide open. Stepping into his room, I notice that there’s no luggage lying around and that the bed has been made. Everything looks so neat. I turn on my heel and make my way to the kitchen to find Joshua cooking breakfast. He’s standing at the counter wearing his denim jeans and a white polo shirt. He appears to be frying eggs in a pan, and by the side of him is a plate of bacon. I look over at the kitchen table and see Annabelle nursing a glass of water with a packet of Tylenol lying on the table. She’s still in her blue silk dressing gown and she hasn’t done anything with her hair because it’s sticking up in all sorts of places. She must’ve gone to bed with her makeup on as her mascara has run and smudged all around her eyes. She’s wearing the raccoon look very well this morning. Smiling, I shake my head at her appearance, but my smile falls when I notice that Karl is nowhere to be seen.

“Hi Tracy, um…you’re just in time. Breakfast is nearly served. I have coffee in the pot if you want some.” I smile at Joshua and go and pour myself a cup then sit opposite Annabelle. She hasn’t looked up yet.

Joshua appears at my side and places a plate of bacon and eggs on the table. Then he puts tomatoes, mushrooms, sausages and fried bread down as well. Annabelle takes one look and her face turns green. She races out of the room with her hand over her mouth. Joshua watches his wife running from the room, but doesn’t get up and go after her.

Something’s definitely going on between those two if he isn’t concerned that she’s unwell.

“Aren’t you going to go after her? I ask as he loads his plate up.

“Uh…nope. It’s her fault she got into that mess, especially when she’s…” He trails off and I’m confused by his reaction. He seems upset about something, but I’m not sure what.

“When she’s what, Joshua?” I wait for his reaction, but he doesn’t say anything more. He sits there sipping his coffee before shoveling more food into his mouth. He doesn’t seem to want to talk about it, so I make a start on my breakfast.

I wonder where Karl is and I want to ask, but I don’t want to seem overly interested so I try to play coy and ask Joshua.

“Um…where’s your best friend this morning?” I’m attempting to act like I’m not hanging on his every word.

“Oh, he left early this morning and was acting rather weird, but I’m not sure what was wrong with him,” he mumbles before tucking back into his breakfast.

I, however, have suddenly lost my appetite.

He’s left?

Already and never said anything.

What a jerk.

I suddenly feel sick, so I get up and tip the rest of my coffee down the sink. I go to the refrigerator and pull out a bottle of cold water. I’m hoping a few sips will get my stomach under control. I can’t believe he’s left already. It shows what a complete asshole he really is. I never should have gone near him, and Annabelle told me what he was like.
What an idiot.
This is twice now that he’s run away.

Twenty minutes later, Annabelle returns to the kitchen.

“Tracy?” I whip my head around to the kitchen door and see Annabelle. She’s looking a lot better than she did when she left. She’s gotten dressed in a faded pair of blue jeans and a red T-shirt. Her hair has obviously been brushed and hangs beautifully down her back. She looks at me and smiles, but when she looks at Joshua her smile falters and she looks slightly unsure. I don't understand what’s going on, but I can feel the tension thickening in the room.

“Joshua…I’m sorry…I wasn’t thinking. I was just so happy…I got carried away.” I wrinkle my forehead in confusion.

Is he really this upset because she got drunk?

“Annabelle…I know, okay? But I’m disappointed, especially after what we have been through.” He hangs his head and takes another sip of his coffee.

“Joshua…please. It was stupid.” Her eyes are welling up and I’m standing here looking confused as hell, but I don’t want to interrupt them. “I won’t be drinking from now on. I can’t believe I thought it was a good idea. I was so happy that we were married and now this…” she trails off and rests her hand on her stomach, and it doesn’t take me long to understand what’s actually going on. “When someone offered me a drink, I just took it and I didn’t think.”

I hold my hand over my mouth, I can’t believe she’s pregnant.

“You’re pregnant?”

Annabelle turns to me with a watery smile on her face. “Yeah, just a few weeks.” She turns back to Joshua and I can tell she’s going to crumble. “I’m sor...” she doesn’t finish her sentence before she’s sobbing hysterically. Joshua pushes his chair back and rushes to Annabelle.

“Sssh baby, it’s okay. I’m sorry for being pissed, but I 'm worried. It's all right.” He wraps his arm around her and comforts her. I feel like I’m intruding on a private moment, they love each other so much and they’re going to be fine. Annabelle made a mistake, and I can tell that she hates herself for doing it and letting Joshua down. Thinking about it, though, I do know a few moms that drank while pregnant. I’m not saying it’s right, and if I were pregnant I wouldn’t drink, but it was a mistake and Annabelle won’t do it again. She just got caught up in the excitement of her wedding. I look at my watch and notice that I better get a move on and pack my stuff. I need to head to the airport soon. Scooting past Joshua still hugging Annabelle, I climb the stairs to my room. Packing my suitcase and all my bathroom accessories, I make my way back downstairs to say goodbye to the happy couple.

I walk into the kitchen, but they’re not there, so I move into the living room and spot them both snuggled up on the couch. It looks like their disagreement is behind them. Annabelle spots me and jumps up from the couch.

“Are you leaving for the airport?”

I dump my bags on the floor. “I just have to call a taxi…I’m hoping they won’t be too long. It was silly of me to forget to order one this morning.”

Too busy thinking about that asshole.

“Let me give you a ride. I’m feeling fine now, and I could do with the fresh air.”

“Are you sure because don’t you have packing to do for your honeymoon?”

She waves her hand at me before replying. “I have plenty of time to come back and pack. We don’t need to be at the airport until later tonight.” She picks up my suitcase and makes her way past me while calling out to Joshua.

“Be back soon, Joshua…love you.” They are so sickly sweet sometimes that it drives me nuts. Shaking my head, I turn to Joshua.

“See you, Joshua, have a nice honeymoon.” I wave my hand goodbye. I feel awkward sometimes with Joshua, as I don’t know him very well. I used to see him occasionally when they were dating, but then I moved out to Los Angeles and hardly saw them, so sometimes I never know what to say to him.

“See you, Tracy.” He comes over and wraps me in a tight hug. Tensing at first because it’s so strange to be hugging him, I finally relax and wrap my arms around him. Annabelle is very lucky to have him. We break apart and he steps back. I give another little wave before exiting the house. Spotting Annabelle already in the car with the engine running, I slide into the passenger seat, and we take off for the airport. The journey is mainly passed by with us singing to the radio and talking about random topics. We always used to do this when we went on road trips in college, which we often did before life happened. While we’re halfway through a song, Annabelle turns down the radio, so I stop my singing or screeching which is probably a better word for it and look across at Annabelle.

“Tracy…you gonna tell me about last night?” All the air is sucked straight out of my lungs at her words. What is she talking about? Evidently she doesn’t know anything about me and Karl?

“Uh…What do you mean?” I try to play it cool, but I’m not sure whether I’m convincing or not.

“Well…I saw you at the bar talking to Karl. Then you both disappeared for a long time. I don’t really remember much after that, but I do remember seeing Karl all over some other girl.” She furrows her brows while thinking. “You both looked quite cozy at the bar, and it looked like you were flirting. When you both just disappeared, I thought that you….” She raises her eyebrows and I know what she’s suggesting. My God she is spot on, but I don’t tell her that.

“Oh my God, you think I slept with Karl? Are you kidding me? No, way!” I fake a loud laugh that sounds more like I’m hysterical. She giggles at me.

“Okay, okay, sorry for asking.”

Snorting at her. “Yeah, well, you’re so far off the mark, it’s not funny.” To take the heat off of me, I ask her about her disagreement with Joshua. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant…I’m glad you and Joshua are okay, though.” She glances at me from the corner of her eye and I see her smile turn into a frown.

“Yeah, me too. I’m stupid for getting carried away especially after what we went through with the miscarriage. I’m sure we’ll be okay…as long as I look after myself.” She smiles.

They will be okay, I’m sure of it.

We arrive at the airport and I tell Annabelle that it’s not necessary to stay with me until boarding. Giving her a hug, I tell her that I hope she enjoys her honeymoon and to take care of baby bean. She seems to like that name for the baby and she says she’s going to start using it until they have some names picked out. Before either of us start crying, I get out and make my way to check in. After checking in, I go through the departure lounge to wait for the call to board. Sitting in a metal chair I wait feeling exhausted, I’m looking forward to getting home. Being in Los Angeles for months now has made it feel like home, and I’m enjoying being there. I don’t have anything left here for me now. Annabelle is embarking on her new life and my parents…well, let’s just say that I’m glad I’m in a different country.

I hear the boarding call for my flight, so I grab my carry on and make my way to the gate. After handing the flight attendant my boarding pass, she checks my passport and waves me through. I’ve always wanted to fly first class, but it’s so expensive so I’m flying coach. I find my seat and settle down for my long flight home. I’m looking forward to getting back to my life. Joshua and Annabelle’s wedding was amazing and she looked beautiful in her white dress. Simply stunning. The only part I really want to forget is meeting that asshole, Karl. Every time I think about him, it makes me feel so foolish for falling for his charms. I can’t stop kicking myself for giving in to temptation. It was a mistake, and luckily I won’t have to see him ever again. I just want to forget him and the way he made me feel. I still can’t believe he ran from me twice. He made me feel cheap after having sex with me and then he does a runner before confronting me in the morning. Resting my head back on the seat, I close my eyes and vow to get some sleep and forget that I ever met Karl Stanford.