His Love Shattered (Love Shattered #2) (12 page)

I have no doubt in my mind she will seek revenge. Courtney has told me all about the pranks they pulled on each other as kids and even since they have all grown up. It’s like some crazy competition to see who can out prank the other. I will be ready. I had already started thinking up prank ideas the second Courtney told me about the competition. I wasn’t one to sit back and enjoy the pranks from the outside. I wanted to be right up in the middle of that shit.

Bring it on little sister.

Bring. It. On.

Courtney

When I get to work Friday morning I am furious. Elizabeth came to me when I first got here telling me I have to work tomorrow on a Saturday. Putting in my two weeks’ notice was the best thing I ever did. I probably sound like a whiney child not getting her way but they reassured me several times when I took the manager position that I would always have Friday through Monday off and here I am this week working Monday through Saturday and possibly even Sunday if I don’t get caught up on everything tomorrow.

I was looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend at home with Dexter and the kids but looks like I will be working overtime instead. I probably could just walk out and not worry about it but that’s just not me. I am going to stick with it through the end. Plus I don’t want to leave them in a bind. Over all they have been really great to me here these past few months. Right now I am just letting the anger get the best of me.

Around lunch time Elizabeth calls me into her office. I head in there on shaky legs. Not sure what I am walking in to.

“Hello dear. Please have a seat.” Elizabeth motions towards the chair in front of her desk. I take a seat and wait for her to continue.

“I just want to start off by saying I am very grateful to you for agreeing to work this weekend. We have over booked weddings and I need someone here to keep things going at the office while the rest of us are trying to get all the wedding things taken care of. “

“It’s not a problem.” I tell her even though my voice doesn’t sound convincing.

“Well I know how important your kids are to you and I know we are taking time away from them and we do appreciate you being here. With that being said I wanted to let you know that we have a replacement for you lined up. It’s actually the woman who worked in this position before you. Turns out staying home just isn’t for her and she wanted to see if we could offer her the job back. Since you gave your two weeks it’s like it was meant to be. She is going to start back on Monday. So I am just letting you know your last day will be tomorrow.” She tells me this and you would think being let go early would upset me or make me angry but all I feel is relief! My heart just wasn’t in the job as much as I thought. I realize this now. Elizabeth continues on.

“You have been a great employee and we were happy to have you here but let’s just face it. I think we both knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I am just glad that you will be able to stay home with your kids once again like you always wanted to do any way.” Elizabeth stands up and walks over to me and takes me in a hug.

After a few more heartfelt words I get back to work and I realize I completely forgot to text Lillian after everything that had happened this morning. So I go ahead and send her a quick text.

Me: I forgot I was supposed to text you this morning and ask if it was okay if we came over for dinner. Dexter wants to cook.

She texts me back right away.

Lillian: I already saw your ding dong of a boyfriend this morning when he dropped off Rob. He already filled me in. I can’t wait to see you tonight.

Okay well good, with that settled I dig into my work for the rest of the day.

When I arrive home the house is once again filled with the wonderful aroma of food. All these gourmet meals Dexter cooks every night are going to send me running for the gym.

Dexter walks out of the kitchen wiping his hand on a dish towel. He throws the towel over his shoulder and saunters over to me with a sexy grin.

He takes me into his arms and lifts me off the ground hugging me tightly to him.

I let all the frustrations from the day vanish at his embrace.

“I have some bad news babe.” I tell him stepping out of his arms.

“Do I even want to know?” Is his reply.

“Probably not but I am going to tell you anyway. I have to work tomorrow but there is some good in this. Tomorrow will also be my last day. So after that I am all yours for the rest of the summer.”

“That’s awesome sweetheart. Well not that you have to work tomorrow but after you get through tomorrow we can have a great rest of the summer together with the kids. Then we can start working on getting you guys moved in with me.” He places his forehead on mine looking deep into my eyes. His love for me reflecting right back at me.

“Well we better start getting ready to head to Lillian’s.” I kiss his lips quickly and head to gather up all the kids.

When we arrive to Lillian’s everyone else is already there. Becky has brought a boyfriend, he is kind of cute in his own nerdy kind of way. He suits Becky well though and I can see why she would be attracted to him.

My parents are chatting with Sarah out on the back patio. Sarah is holding baby Faith and I immediately walk over and snatch her up into my arms and give her sweet baby cuddles.

Dexter and Rob head over to the grill and fire it up and stake their claim on being in charge of grill duty. Both already have a beer in hand.

Jason Caleb and Miley all run around the yard playing with a kickball.

As I sit here and l take in my family I know in my heart that I have made the right decision by staying and I know that I need to inform my family tonight of that choice. I can see the worry in their eyes every time they look at me. Scared they are going to lose me forever. I will tell them all over dinner when I can have everyone’s attention at once.

After everyone is sitting down and has their plates filled up with the yummy dinner Dex has prepared, I clear my throat to get their attention.

The kids are all eating on the back porch while we are all inside sitting at the sliding glass doors so we can still keep an eye on them while they eat. Plus Jason is old enough to know how to keep them all in order while the adults have some time to talk. So the kids aren’t inside to hear what I am about to say. Which is good.

All eyes turn to me and I take that as my cue to begin.

“So you all know that I have been faced with some decisions to make. I have finally come to a decision and I wanted to fill everyone in.” I look at Dex and he gives me a head nod, that’s all the encouragement I need to continue.

“I have decided that I am going to stay. I couldn’t stand the thought of being away from any of you and never being able to see any of you again. Also something in my gut is just telling me that it would be a really bad idea to go. So I am here to stay.” I pause for a second before telling them the rest of my news.

My family erupts in cheers and everyone’s faces look relieved and ecstatic. They take turns one by one getting up to give me a hug. When everyone is seated again I continue with the rest of my good news.

“I also have some other news to share. The kids and I will be moving to Alabama with Dexter. I haven’t told the kids yet but I hope that you will all support me and have my back in this decision.” Once again everyone erupts in happy chatter.

Dexter clears his throat next to get everyones attention. He stands up from his chair beside me. I am sure he wants to put his two cents worth in on all this too. What I am not expecting though are the words that come out of his mouth next.

“Courtney. I know we haven’t known each other long but the moment you stepped into my life I was a goner. I was overcome by your beauty and personality from the moment we met. You are one of the strongest women I know and you have showed me that over and over with everything we have had to endure the past three months together. I love you with all my heart. Would you make me the happiest man in the world by agreeing to be my wife?”

Dexter drops down on one knee taking a black ring box from his pocket. The room is completely silent as I stare down at Dexter through watery eyes. His eyes are also brimming with tears.

“What do you say Courtney. Will you marry me?” he asks.

“Yes, Dexter, I will marry you.” I drop down to me knees making myself eye level with him and he takes my face in his hands giving me a tender kiss full of love and adoration poured into it. We both pull back with shimmering eyes and brilliant smiles. He takes my left hand in his, he kisses my ring finger and then slides the ring into place. It fits perfectly and it is breath taking but not flashy or extravagant. It. Is. Perfect.

Celebrations take place as we pop open a bottle of champagne. My family is beyond excited to welcome Dex into our fold. Turns out Dexter had already talked to my dad earlier today. Such a charmer that he is, of course he did.

He also talked with Jason and Caleb about it too and they were both all for the idea. He said Miley was there as well but she really didn’t know what was going on but he wanted to make sure she was at least present for the conversation. I can just picture that in my mind. It makes me giggle.

The thought of him asking the most important men in my life permission first makes me fall in love with him even more if that is even possible.

Later that evening Dexter and I are getting ready for bed when he catches me off guard while I am in the middle of changing. He pins me to the closed bedroom door. Raw desire is evident in his eyes. He pins my arms above my head and begins kissing down my neck all the way down to my exposed breasts.

“You have no idea how happy you have made me tonight baby.” He says into my ear just before he takes it into his mouth sucking on it gently.

I let out a soft moan from the back of my throat and throw my naked legs around his waist. I grind myself into him seeking a connection with him.

“As sexy as you look up against this door this isn’t how I want my first night with you as my fiancé to be.” He carries me over the bed and lays me down gently.

“I want to show you how much you mean to me baby let me worship your body with mine. Let me show you what it will be like the rest of our lives. I can’t wait to make you my wife.” In one swift motion he removes his boxers from his body. I am already naked ready for him. He climbs over top of my body. Placing himself at my entrance.

“I love you so much Courtney.” He says while pushing into me in one long slow torturous thrust.

“I Love you too Dexter so much.” I cry out.

He continues to show me how much he loves me with his body until we are both sated in a tangle of sheets and sweat soaked skin.

Dexter

It’s Saturday and after last night with Courtney I was reluctant to let her leave the bed for her last day of work. I am so happy she agreed to be my wife. I know we just met only three short months ago and there are a lot of people who don’t believe that it’s possible to fall in love with someone so fast. Hell I never even believed in love at first sight. Not until I looked into her gorgeous blue eyes for the first time. Then I just knew and it seemed like the world had righted itself. I knew I had to make her mine and I would do anything to make that happen. The second our eyes connected I was a goner.

Tomorrow is the day Courtney is supposed to be seeing Dave. She will have to tell him her decision and I know that is going to be hard on her. She may have made her decision already but I can see that it is weighing heavily on her mind. I know it must be hard keeping the kids out of their father’s life for good but I can’t say that I blame her. They could be in danger if she went with Dave. Also having to uproot the kids out of a normal life and into one of solitude where they would have to pretend to be someone else, I just can’t imagine how hard that would be on children.

Courtney left for work about fifteen minutes ago and I am busy cleaning up from our breakfast that she made everyone before she left. I am hanging out with the kids this morning until Julie comes to pick them up to take them to the pool for the afternoon. Then they are all spending the night with her. The kids are super excited, that is all they have talked about the last several days.

When the kitchen is sparkling clean and the dishes are all dried and put away I head into the living room with my cup of coffee in hand. I stroll through the room looking at all the pictures along the walls and the mantle. I have seen them before but never took much time to pay attention to them until now.

Some are recent and some are from when the kids were little. I see one of Jason with his Dad when he was about one or two years old I can’t tell for sure. The picture is amazing. They are on the beach and Dave is holding a fishing pole helping Jason with a fish they must have just caught. Jason is looking up at Dave with such admiration that only a child could have for a parent.

There aren’t many pictures of Miley and Dave and that makes me sad. He has missed out on so much in her life. It makes me wonder if that is one of the things weighing on Courtney’s mind while trying to come to terms with the decision she made. I know it was a tough decision, one I would never want to have to make but I admire her for her strength. Just one of the many things I love about her.

The kids and I hang out and watch some television while we are waiting for Julie. Miley is curled up in my lap with her thumb in her mouth looking cute as a button. She is sleeping soundly. The kids have come to mean so much to me and it would have killed me to lose them if she had decided to leave. I still have fears that she will change her mind once she sees Dave again. That scares the shit out of me and I won’t rest easy until I know he is gone from town for good. I know she agreed to marry me, but I just won’t be content until he is out of our lives.

I look forward to Courtney and I having a few kids of our own together. Hell she may even be pregnant now with as careless as we have been about using protection. I see us together watching the kids grow up and going through high school graduation and then sending them off to college. I can see myself walking Miley down the aisle the day she gets married. I want to be there to teach the boys how to treat a woman and mold them in to the kind of man a woman deserves as a husband. There are so many other moments I want to be a part of in their lives. I look forward to the future.

I look down at Miley in my lap as tears fill my eyes but I won’t let them fall. I need to be strong for all of them right now. I hug Miley tightly to my chest and breathe in her baby shampoo scented hair. They are the best thing to ever happen to me.

I get up from the couch and place Miley down in the spot I just vacated and I head to the bathroom to regain my composure. When I exit the bathroom Jason is standing in the hall way with a concerned look on his face.

“You okay Dexter?” He asks. I think he has sensed the tension around lately but I don’t want him to know anything is wrong.

“Yeah Bud. I am fine just a little emotional today is all. I love spending time with you guys and having you all accept me into your life it just means so much to me and it just got me a tiny bit teary eyed. It’s about time for your Grandma to get here. Why don’t you go and get your stuff together for the pool. Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen.” I tell him. The distraction with getting everything together seems to have worked. He heads to the closet to get his backpack and starts packing it up with everything they will need.

Julie shows up a few minutes later to pick up the kids and before they leave Jason walks over and gives me a tight hug and whispers into my ear that he loves me. Damn if that didn’t put the tears right back into my eyes. I told him I love him back and then I tell the other kids the same and send them on their way.

After the kids are gone I decide to go pick up some lunch and surprise Courtney at work.  Over the past week I have noticed she is terrible about leaving her lunch in the refrigerator when she rushes out the door for work. I decide on barbeque sandwiches, hush puppies and potato salad from a local well known barbeque joint. I call in the order and it will be about forty minutes before it is ready so I straighten up around the house a bit from where the kids just left everything laying around in a rush to leave with Grandma.

When I have lunch in hand I head for the bakery which is only a few minutes down the road. The bakery is right in the middle of town and the town isn’t that big. I probably could have walked to the bakery from here but I didn’t want the food to get cold.

I walk into the Sweets and Treats Bakery the door chiming above me announcing my arrival. No one comes out front so I head to the back in search of my girl. Walking around the corner I suddenly hear

“Shit. Son of a bitch you have got to be kidding me.”

I would know that voice anywhere and it sounds like Courtney isn’t having such a good day.

I look up and I am stunned speechless for about two seconds before I burst into hysterical laughter. Before me stands Courtney and she is covered in white from head to toe with what I assume to be flour. Her eyes are blinking up at me and then a tear falls from her eye leaving a clean path on her cheek where the tear washed away the powder from her skin. I feel bad for laughing but she looks fucking hilarious all covered in that shit. I couldn’t help it.

“Aw Courtney baby I am sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh but if you could see yourself right now.” I can’t seem to reel in my amusement. She scowls at me and my laughter fades but my smile remains in place.

“I brought us lunch. A peace offering?” I question holding the bag of food in the air. That breaks her resolve and the anger starts to melt away.

“Let me just go try and clean up some if that is even possible right now.” She heads out the back door where I guess she went to shake off some of the flour. I see the mess all over the floor back in the kitchen so I sweep that up while she is cleaning herself up. When I am done there is still some flour on the floor. It probably needs a good mop job but it will do for now.

Courtney comes back inside and she has seemed to get most of the flour out of her hair. Her face is cleaned off and she has a change of clothes in her hand.

“Thank goodness for baby wipes and that I still had this change of clothes in the car. I will be right back. You can go ahead and start eating if you want to.” She waves the change of clothes in the air to show them to me like I couldn’t see them in her hands.

I go ahead and start setting the food out but I wait for her to get back before I start eating.

“Thanks for cleaning up that mess you didn’t have to do that. Thanks for lunch too I am starving and I left my lunch at home again.” She tells me coming up to the table and taking a seat across from me.

“Your welcome babe. I saw your lunch in the fridge this morning after you left so I decided to come and see you and bring you a nice hot lunch instead of just bringing what you packed. So you going to tell me how all that happened?” I pointed to the floor and then to her. I have to know how she managed to get flour over every inch of her body.

“I am not really sure how the hell it happened. One minute I was walking with the huge bag of flour to bring it to the pantry. We had just gotten our delivery in. I got the other four bags put away safely but the last bag must have had a hole in it because when I picked it up a cloud of flour puffed out and caused me to sneeze. When I sneezed I managed to trip then the bag hit the floor and busted open the rest of the way and I practically fell right into it.” I try not to laugh at her again so I am biting the inside of my lip to keep the laughter at bay.

By the size of that bag of flour that I picked up off the floor to throw away, I can just picture her falling into it. The bag was huge. I guess they go through a lot of flour here. It is a bakery after all.

“I am sorry that happened to you. You didn’t hurt yourself did you?”

“Nawh I am alright. It’s so good to see you though. Did the kids the get off to the pool okay with my mom? Did they behave for you this morning?” I knew she was nervous about having to leave the kids with me this morning. She feels like she is dumping too much onto my plate. I love it though. I tell her this all the time.

“Everything went as planned and the kids were perfect angels. I was thinking about cooking something special for dinner tonight since the kids are staying at your parents’ house and it will just be me and you. I wanted to cook something and have our own celebration for us getting engaged. I was thinking fresh lobster and steak. How does that sound to you? I can run by the seafood market by the pier on my way back home.” I suggest.

“That sounds wonderful. I have actually been craving lobster lately. It’s like you read my mind. Wait you can cook a lobster?” She looks surprised.

“Of course I can cook a lobster. Have I not shown you how awesome my cooking skills are this week? I will take care of everything. I want you to come home from work and be able to relax. What kind of sides do you want to go with it? I will go by the grocery store too.” She put her pointer finger to her chin and taps it over and over. Her engagement ring sparkling in the florescent lighting in the room. She is putting a lot of thought into picking a side.

“Oh I know. How about salads and loaded baked potatoes? That sounds really good right about now. I just ate lunch but I could sure go for a baked potato. Mm Mm” She says rubbing her stomach. My girl is being very theatrical today.

We finished up our lunch and I help her get the rest of the kitchen cleaned up before the other employees arrive back from a delivery they had been on. She said they only baked in a spotless kitchen so it took some effort getting the rest of the flour cleaned up. It had somehow managed to get onto every single surface in there.

When it’s time for me to head out I give Courtney a quick kiss on the lips since she is in her workplace after all. I can’t give her the kind of kiss I wish too but there will be plenty of time for that later tonight. We say our goodbyes and I head out to my car and head to the grocery store.

I pick up some steaks, stuff to make fresh salads and then grab the baking potatoes and everything I will need to load them up the way she wanted them. I pay for all the items and head back outside to make a quick trip over to the pier for the lobsters. On my way to the pier I see a florist shop and decide to stop in and pick up some flowers for Courtney.

I now know that lilies are her favorite flower. She has loved them since she was little and when her parents let her help name her baby sister she chose the name Lillian. That’s why she calls Lillian, Lily Pie, from time to time.

I avoid the roses this go round considering what happened last time I purchased them. The lilies would look great on the patio table where I plan on setting the table and having our dinner tonight. Something simple and sweet. Courtney is the type of girl who doesn’t need big romantic gestures. I have come to realize.

That is why I proposed to her the way I did last night. I wanted it to be simple and sweet with her family involved because I know how much they mean to her. I wanted my mom and dad to be able to be there too but they couldn’t make it to Lillian’s last night and I just couldn’t wait another day. The ring was burning a hole in my pocket.

After the flowers are purchased I make my way down to the pier picking out the best two looking lobsters that they have. It’s a beautiful day today and I am thankful everything I needed was right here within walking distance. I loved being outdoors just enjoying the sunshine. This small town also offers me a lot of peace and privacy. I have only been recognized once during my trips here and that was when we were at target and it was a younger cashier and she flipped out on me and had to have a picture and an autograph. That was the only time anyone approached me though other than the incident at dance camp and it was nice to just go about my day without people shoving sharpies and pens in my face all day long.

As I am walking back to my car to head home, I hear a deep familiar voice in a heated conversation at the park right around the corner. I take a left turn and loop back around to see if it is in fact who I thought it was and it turns out that it is. I would recognize that long ass beard and hair anywhere.