Twist of Love (10 page)

“Fine, let's talk.”

25. Losing Control and Liking It

Blake and Josie turned a dim corner of the corridor. It was dismissal for most of the students, so they had some privacy and a moment to themselves. They both just stood and stared through each other.

“Look. I'll get straight to the point. I was wrong. I messed up. I shouldn't have said the things I said. I shouldn't have shut you out.” Josie began.

Blake flinched. He was still frowning.

“What made you say those things anyway?”

“Who.” Josie said, bowing her head.

“Who? I don't...”

“Thaddie Rosenbaum. Your ex. She told me about your exes and your reputation.” Josie said with much shame.

“Thad? And you believed her?” Blake said. There was more than a tone of disappointment in his voice.

“I... I... well...” Josie was at a loss for words. With just 5 words, Blake had made her realize just how unreasonable she had been.

“Thad's a gossip-monger. She always loves to backstab people and make them look bad. But she's knee-deep in debt. She loves to look at other people's lives, but can't get her affairs in order. She left me with a ton of debt that I barely managed to pay off. That's why we broke up. How could you believe the words of such a snake?” Blake said.

Josie couldn't look Blake in the eye now. He was right and she felt so ashamed. How could she have ever completely trusted Thad so easily? Maybe she wasn't such a great and smart doctor after all.

“You're right, Blake. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have trusted Thad just like that. It's just that... well, ever since I met you, I’ve felt like I was losing control.”

Blake's eyes widened. He couldn't understand what Josie was saying. “What do you mean?” he said, softly.

Josie looked away. She turned her back on Blake and clutched the walls of the corridor. It was almost as if she were trying to hold onto something, anything for support. Blake pressed closer to Josie.

“Ever since I lost Trevor, I became something of a control freak in my life and in my career. I lost my husband to an unexpected affair. He cheated on me with my best friend,” she said.

Blake only nodded.

“That was why I didn't look for a new relationship for a long time. I didn't want to feel vulnerable anymore. Micro-managing every detail in my life was the most important thing.”

“Go on...”

“But all that changed when I met you. You were another unknown variable. Another strange factor I just couldn't control. I didn't know how to handle the sudden surge of emotions that you awoke in me, Blake.” Josie was beginning to cry.

“That's why I guess I fell so easily to Thad's lies. Sick as they were, they provided me with a fallback. A way back to the old life of control and normalcy that I had enjoyed for so long, without Trevor. A life without you.” Josie looked at Blake in the eye.

“But when I found that life, I realized that I wasn't used to being in control anymore. I actually wanted to be vulnerable to you, Blake Ingram. I missed you terribly. I regretted my decision to just shut you out. Blake, I fell in love with you.” Josie said.

Blake remained silent, trying to make sense of it all. Josie had finally admitted that she had fallen for him.

“I'm afraid, Blake.” Josie confessed.

Now the tears were falling from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks.

“I'm afraid of what I'm feeling. I'm afraid of losing control, but I also like it. And I don't want to lose you. But I also don't want you to hurt me, like Trevor did. Please don't hurt me, Blake. I love you...” she said.

For a moment, Blake said nothing. He then held Josie's hand and spoke.

“Ever since you left me, I've never seen anyone. I never even bothered to meet up with any woman. That reputation of me being a heartbreaker is a lot of hot air. Josie, I'm not that way. I never was, and I will never be that way with you. Those relationships just didn't work out, but I never set about breaking anyone's heart.”

Josie nodded as the tears continued to flow from her eyes.

“I never cheated on my exes. I never did them any wrong, intentionally at least. But come on, Josie. We're both adults. We've both played the game before and lost. You of all people should know that, sometimes, it just never works out. You try to make it work, but sometimes it's just not there. And that's the way it really is. It's part of the game.”

“I would never, ever intentionally break your heart. You're different from all of them. They're all just a part of my past. It's you I love now, Josie Steele.” Blake said.

The tears just flowed freely for Josie now. She wiped her eyes, but they just kept falling. She was so sorry that she had hurt Blake, but now she was happy that they had found each other again.

“I love you, Blake Ingram.” Josie said.

She hugged Blake tightly. And he hugged her. They held onto each other tightly, for a moment that seemed to last forever.

Epilogue

“Your presentation was well received by the students, Miss Steele.” Principal Pike told Josie.

“Thank you, Madam Pike. I just knew they'd love it. Medicine truly is an interesting field, and although it takes a lot of hard work to get to the top, the work is very well rewarded.” Josie said proudly.

“That's very true, doctor. Sometimes, I also wish I could've had the chance to become a doctor... but I'm much too old for that now.” Pike said.

“Yes, that's understandable, principal... we've all made our life decisions and we're all adults now. Well, you're contributing tremendously to the well-being of the next generation. You may not be in the OR saving someone's life, but you are helping to inspire young people to do just that.”

Principal Pike was pleased at Josie's remark. For once, she had finally met someone who appreciated the work that she has done for the children of today.

“Speaking of teaching and inspiring young people... My good friend, Blake Ingram, I'm sure you know that he's going to be taking a few days off?”

“Of course. He's explained his recent absences and we've discussed that he should take a few days off. Why?”

“Well, I was thinking I could fill in for him while he's gone. My vacation ends 2 weeks from now, and I'd love nothing more than to teach young people more about the interesting things they can learn if they would pursue a career in medicine.” Josie said.

“I appreciate that offer, Miss Steele... but Blake would teach English. I know you are proficient when it comes to medicine... but English might not be your field.” Principal Pike said. She didn't want to offend Josie. It was just the truth.

“Actually, before I proceeded to take on medicine, I took a 4 year course in literature as well. You can even check my background if you want, Principal. I'm sure I'll have no trouble teaching the kids English while still continuing my presentations in medicine.”

The principal paused for a moment. She weighed her options carefully. Here was a doctor who was offering her to fill in for Blake while he was gone. She wasn't sure about her background in literature, but she didn't really have any other choice at the moment. She was planning on having one of the college students teach the kids for a while, but the thought of a professional teaching them sounded better.

“Okay, Miss Steele. I can see just how passionate you are about teaching. You can fill in for Blake while he's gone.”

Josie smiled and nodded. She had actually developed a liking towards teaching. She never knew it could be so rewarding. She knew that she was directly helping the next generation to take the next steps in achieving their dreams.

“Thank you so much, Madam Pike. You won't regret this.”

“The students will be the judge of that, Miss Steele.” Principal Pike said. They both laughed, and after exchanging a few more stories with each other, Josie left the office and drove to Blake's house.

Blake told Josie that he'd take care of his mother while he was gone from teaching. Unfortunately, Blake's mother had become accustomed to ordering fast food because no one would be around to cook for her. And even though Blake didn't know a single thing about cooking, Josie had promised him that she'd teach him how to cook tonight.

“...And that's how you prepare fish. Just grill the fish if you want. That would actually be better, because grilled food is good for your heart, you know.” Josie told Blake. They were just about ready to cook the fish that she had bought from the mall on the way to Blake's house.

“This is tough work! Now I know why they pay chefs so much just to cook!” Blake said.

“You whiner!” Josie said jokingly.

With Josie's help, Blake managed to successfully cook the fish. Blake set up the table and told his mother to come down and eat with them. They said a brief prayer and then grabbed their respective spoons and forks.

“Dig in, guys!” Blake said.

“Blake, dear, did you cook this?” Mrs. Ingram asked.

“Yeah mom! And no, don't worry, this isn't undercooked, and this won't kill you.” Blake told his mother. Josie couldn't help but giggle at Blake's remark.

“You better be right! The last time you tried cooking some casserole, it was a disasterole!”

All three of them burst into laughter.

“Hey, it wasn't that bad!” Blake said, trying to defend himself.

Josie took a bite of the fish that she’d helped Blake cook.

“Mmm... this is pretty good! You should try it, Mrs. Ingram!” Josie said in approval.

“Why, don't mind if I do!” Blake's mother took a bite of the fish and paused for a moment. Blake felt nervous as to whether his mother would like his cooking.

“This... this is delicious! Blake, you can cook!” Mrs. Ingram said with joy.

“It's all thanks to Josie, mom.” Blake said proudly.

“Oh no, please... Blake was the one who did all the work.” Josie said.

“Josie, dear...” Mrs. Ingram took Josie's hand. “I'm so happy you and my son decided to fix your issues with one another. I had wished and prayed that Blake would someday settle down and find a good woman to have with him. I'm so happy for you and Blake. Please promise me...promise me that you'll take care of my son. He has a stomach problem and gases out a lot whenever he doesn't watch what he eats!” Mrs. Ingram said. Josie laughed.

“Mom! Stop that, you're embarrassing me!”

“Of course, Mrs. Ingram. I swear on my grave, that I'll take care of your son till the very end. I want to grow old and have a family with him. He'll get all the love he needs and deserves. I promise you that, Mrs. Ingram. And we'll take care of you as well. We're all one big family now.” Josie said. She meant every word.

Blake was starting to blush. He was used to all this mushy stuff, but not when his mother was around.

“Thank you, Josie dear. I can assure you, my son will also do his best to take care of you. He's a very good person, and I should know.” Mrs. Ingram said proudly.

Josie smiled and nodded and they continued to enjoy their evening meal. After finishing all of the food, Josie checked her wristwatch and saw the time.

“Mrs. Ingram, I have to go... I still have some work tomorrow and I need to sleep a little early today.” Josie said.

“Of course, dear. Take care of yourself now!”

Josie made her way to her car, and Blake and his mother were left in the dining area.

“Mom, I think I'm going to escort Josie home tonight.” Blake said. He winked playfully at his mother and smiled.

“Oh, my little baby...” She embraced Blake and closed her eyes.

“You be careful now... I know you're old enough to have children, but still! Be careful!”

“Yes, yes, don't worry, mom, I know.” Blake kissed his mother's cheek and rushed towards the garage area.

“Honey, wait!” Blake shouted. The car was just about to leave when it stopped upon hearing Blake's voice. Josie pulled down the window.

“Honeybun! What's wrong?” Josie said.

“I was wondering if there was room for another in your car.” Blake smiled at Josie. She knew what it meant and chuckled.

“Of course! Get in, you jerk!” Josie said. Blake sat in Josie's car and kissed her on the lips. They drove home together. The future was very bright for the two sweethearts. They had entered a new life, together.

Thank You Most Sincerely for Your Help

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Paige

Booklist

Links to the other books by Paige Powers:

http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Growing-Love-Paige-Powers-ebook/dp/B00MUEKFPY

http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Reflection-Love-Young-Adult-ebook/dp/B00NH192GC