An Unexpected Love (Complicated Love Series #2) (4 page)

Four months into our college life and being with Beth things were going really well. I loved Beth, but I hadn’t told her yet. I didn’t want to freak her out with saying it too soon, and I’d feel foolish if she freaked on me. For our tenth date, I bought Beth a diamond drop necklace. It wasn’t really a diamond as diamonds were too expensive, but Beth loved it and she wore it everywhere. It was the first time I’d ever bought a girl jewelry, and I was really nervous when I purchased it, so I was relieved when she loved it.

Beth was so excited when she found out from Taylor, that Katherine and Kieran were an item. She kept going on at me about going on a double date with the two of them. I was happy to do whatever Beth wanted, so all four of us went to dinner at the local restaurant down the road from campus. It wasn’t a large restaurant and it only served Pizzas. We all had a great night, we laughed and joked for hours while eating pizza and chips. Beth kept glancing at me all night and she was acting kind of shy. I wasn’t really sure what was going on, but there was a lot of whispering happening between Katherine and Beth. It was really strange, and confusing me. Kieran didn’t really seem to notice anything was happening. We all finished our meals and Katherine made an excuse and they both left. Beth was still looking at me shyly.

“Shall we go back to my dorm? I thought we could hang out there…alone?” She flushed red and shakily took my hand. I was still slightly confused as to what she was getting at and why she was acting so weird. We walked back to her dorm in silence again. I was not quite sure what to say and was really confused with her behavior. I stopped outside her dorm building.

“Beth are you okay?” She smiled at me and crushed her lips against mine. I staggered back with the force, but I kissed her back just as hungry as she was. We broke away panting and trying to get our breathing under control.

“Wow…”

She giggled and smiled at me. “Yeah…wow…Karl.” She leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “I’m ready.”

It took me a moment to understand her meaning. We’d been taking our relationship slow and I hadn’t pressured her into having sex at all. It was my first time as well as hers, and I was happy to take it slow and do it when the time was right. We had waited, and I couldn’t help but feel nervous that this was the right time. I kissed her again. She pulled back and took my hand before leading me into her dorm room.

Seven months into our relationship and Beth and I were still going strong. It was getting a little bit harder to see each other because Beth was studying hard for her exams, so it didn’t give us a lot of time together. I went out quite a lot with Kieran when he could prize himself away from Katherine. They were like two lovesick puppies. It was disgusting to look at half the time. Jase wasn’t around much. I always called him and invited him out too, but he was busy or sometimes he didn’t even pick up the phone.

It was a Friday night and Kieran rang to invite me to a party at Wesley’s house. He was this rich kid who always dressed impeccably and didn’t live far from the college. His parents left him in this big old mansion they lived in when they went away on business trips. So Wesley took that as an opportunity to have a party. These parties were massive, and nearly everyone in the dorms got invited to them. I agreed to go, so I phoned Beth to see if she wanted to. She told me she wasn’t feeling well and she didn’t feel up to going. I was really concerned about her because she never got ill. She was one of those women that just never seemed to get a cold, a virus, nothing. I asked her if she wanted me to come over, but she was adamant that I should go to the party.

Kieran rang and told me that Katherine was coming. I called Jase, hoping that he’d be up for a party. Usually he always was, as long as there were plenty of girls to choose from. I didn’t get how he could be so arrogant and treat girls the way that he did. I was a one-woman guy, and I couldn’t imagine flitting from one girl to another. I loved Beth, and I couldn’t imagine not being with her. I still hadn’t told her at that stage that I loved her, but I was sure she knew and I showed her every chance I got.

We headed to the party and it was really packed inside the house. I wasn’t really feeling the vibe especially with Beth in her dorm, sick. Kieran went off with Katherine as soon as we entered the house, and I was left standing there on my own watching all these people making out and dancing.

Instead of hanging around, I decided to pay Beth a surprise visit. I would rather see her than be stuck at the party. I felt guilty that I’d come out when she wasn’t well, and all I wanted to do was to see her and take care of her. I made my way over to her dorm, trying to call her countless times, but she didn’t pick up. So I had to wait for one of the other girls to enter before I could go up because you needed a code for the main door. I had to wait outside for about twenty minutes before I was finally let in. I made my way up to Beth’s room on the first floor. I knocked on her door and waited for her to answer. She didn’t and I was beginning to get worried.

What if she was seriously ill and couldn’t get out of bed? I twisted the door handle and entered. I was so worried that I just had to find out if she was all right. The first thing I heard was soft music playing and soft moans were audible.

What I saw couldn’t be happening. Beth was in bed with a guy. The guy was thrusting into her as she laid under him gripping his shoulders. I couldn’t see much as the cover was over the guy’s ass, but I was not stupid. I could literally feel my heart breaking, but I couldn’t make myself leave. I wished I had, though, as Beth opened her eyes and they locked with mine. She gasped and the guy stopped and looked over at me. My world literally stopped spinning and I was not sure if I was more angry or hurt.

“Sir…Would you like another?” I’m jerked back to the present. The bartender is looking at me and I’m not sure what he’s just said.

“Sorry?”

“Would you like another drink, sir? You’ve been staring at your empty glass for a while now.” I look at my glass and can’t even remember drinking it. Looking around, I notice that the staff are busy cleaning up. The chairs and tables are being stacked and all the tables are being cleared.

“No mate, I’m good.” I get up and decide to call it a night. Thinking about Beth and what she did all those years ago always hurts. I haven’t thought about her for years, and it’s because of Tracy that I’ve started thinking and feeling again. I trudge up to the guest bedroom passing by the room Tracy is in. Stopping outside the door, I can imagine her supple body lying under the lovely cotton cover. Her blonde locks spread all around her head. I shake my head to clear the thoughts. I treated her badly earlier, and it was a shitty thing to do, but I’m not going to dwell on it.

Entering my room, and stripping down to my boxers, I settle under the covers. First thing in the morning I’m going back to Oxford and I’m going to forget ever meeting the gorgeous, feisty woman that is Tracy.

What a miserable morning, I couldn’t sleep at all. I had too many thoughts running through my mind, and Tracy was at the forefront of every one of them. At 6.30 a.m. I couldn’t take it any longer. I need to get as far away as possible from Tracy and away from here. What the hell is wrong with me?  These crazy thoughts involving Tracy are really doing my head in. Grabbing all of my things off the dresser, I chuck them into my case and follow with the clothes from my closet. I don’t care whether they’re folded or not, all I can think about is getting out of here. I call a Taxi and the Taxi driver informs me he will arrive within thirty minutes. I’m feeling relieved that he will be here early and I don’t have to wait around for long. Seeing Annabelle and Joshua this morning would be slightly awkward. I’ll call Joshua when I’m back in Oxford.

I especially, don’t want to see Tracy. I just want to forget about her and having to make small talk over breakfast is not my idea of fun. I’m making my way downstairs and I can already smell the fresh aroma of coffee wafting from the kitchen. It stops me in my tracks.

What if it is Tracy or Annabelle?

Oh, God…I really don’t want to see them. I’m not sure whether Tracy has mentioned anything to Annabelle about what happened between us. I can’t believe I’m being such a dick about the whole situation. I take a deep breath and slowly walk toward the kitchen. I’m relieved when I notice it’s Joshua sitting at the table with one hand nursing his mug of coffee and the other massaging his temple.

“Looking a bit rough there, mate.”

He doesn’t even look up, so I chuckle and walk over to the coffee pot to pour myself a cup, taking a seat opposite Joshua.

“I didn’t think anyone would be up so early.” I take a sip of my coffee and close my eyes. Coffee always feels like a miracle after a heavy night of drinking. I see Joshua still hasn’t moved. He looks awful.

“Ugh…I think I’m getting too old for this shit. I can’t believe I managed to drink so much.” He puts his head in his hands while still massaging his temples. I chuckle and take another sip of my coffee.

“You had every reason to…it was your wedding day, after all.” I laugh and gulp the rest of my coffee down. “I’m gonna get going…it's back to Oxford for me.” Joshua’s head snaps up and he clutches his head from the sudden movement.

“You’re leaving now? It’s really early.”

“I know, but I have to check in at the office and sort a few things out.” It’s a lame excuse, but I’m clutching at anything to get me the hell out of here. I get up and rinse my cup out before placing it on the draining board.

“When are you off on your honeymoon?” I look over at Joshua and he still looks terrible and it’s rather amusing seeing him looking such a mess. Usually, when we went out – when we first met in my second year of college – I was the one who’d be wasted before even half the night had passed.

“We are heading to Jamaica in a couple of days. Annabelle doesn’t know where we’re going, but now I’m freaking scared of flying.” I raise an eyebrow as I’m confused by his comment.

“Why would you be freaking out about flying?” I notice he looks slightly twitchy, but he does have a broad smile on his face.

“Annabelle’s pregnant!” Staring at him, I’m trying to absorb what he’s just said. “She’s only a few weeks along so we haven’t told anyone yet. I think Annabelle was going to tell Tracy, but we want to keep it hush for now especially from Sylvia. I’m really pissed at her for drinking last night, especially considering she’d just found out she was pregnant.” He’s right there, Annabelle’s Aunt Sylvia is not good with secrets, and would probably be too excited to care who she told. And after what Annabelle went through with the miscarriage, I’m surprised she drank when she knew she was pregnant.

“Congrats Mate…that’s brilliant.” I feel slightly awkward, I’m not quite sure what to say really. I could never see myself having kids, I don’t have it in me to be all sappy for babies. Looking at my watch, I notice the cab should arrive any minute so I pick up my suitcase from the floor beside me.

“Taxi will be here in a minute so, I’m heading off.” Joshua doesn’t seem to hear me.

“I’m worried about Annabelle flying while pregnant…maybe we shouldn’t go?” He looks at me and I’m not sure what to say.

“Um…I’m not sure, mate. Maybe take her to the doctor and ask whether he thinks it’s fine for her to fly, and tell her to stop drinking while she’s pregnant. I’m pretty sure that’s not exactly safe either.” Before he can say anything more, I make my way to the front door. As I step outside, I look over my shoulder and call out to Joshua. “See you, mate. We’ll catch up again when I’m in town.”

The Taxi pulls up and I open the door and slide in, I’m appreciative that the taxi driver didn’t beep his horn. I give the driver my details and I’m on my way home. When I agreed to be Joshua’s best man I was supposed to drive up, but my car had engine trouble the day before I was due to travel. I have no idea what’s wrong with it, so I took it to my local garage before making the journey in a taxi. It’s costing me a fortune, but it was worth it to see my best friend get married. You can tell they really love each other, and it’s great seeing them together. You’d never see me wanting to get married. It’s crazy, and I would never settle down with just one woman, especially when there are so many to choose from. A thought crosses my mind, but I push it back as far as it will go. I can’t think about
her
like that. I rest my head against the window and sigh. I still can’t stop thinking about Tracy even after I’ve left that house. I thought it would be so easy, and distance would be the key. Yeah, right. As I close my eyes, I try to think about something else, anything else, but the only thing that comes to mind is Beth. Beth…the love of my life that broke my heart…

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing in front of me. Beth in bed with a guy. She had her head thrown back in ecstasy. She opened her eyes and they locked with mine. She gasped and the guy she was clearly having sex with turned and looked at me.

Jase…my best friend was in bed with the love of my life.

Beth tried to scoot out from under Jase and all I could do was stare. I thought I’d spaced out as I could see Beth running at me and she stopped in front of me, taking my hand while Jase was trying to pull on his boxers quickly.

“Karl…look at me, please. I’m so sorry…I never meant for this to happen.” She placed her hand on my cheek and I winced and stepped back. Focusing on her, I could see tears spilling from her eyes. “Please…Karl.” She tried to take my hand again, but I snatched it out of her grip.

“Don’t…” I barked out and she backed away from me. Anger was suddenly replacing my heartbreak and it wasn’t helping when Jase made his way over to stand next to Beth. He placed his hand on her hip and whispered in her ear.

“Are you okay?” I heard him say and she nodded her head while wiping her eyes.

“Look, mate…I’m sorry, but it just happened. We’ve been spending time together recently…studying for exams, and it just sort of developed…I’m sorry, mate.”

I glared at him. “I’m not your mate…you asshole!” I stepped forward and pointed my finger in his face. “You’re supposed to be my best friend! You knew how much she meant to me.”

“Oh, come on, mate…I’m sorry, okay—”

I cut him off before he could say anything else. “How long have you been screwing her then?” I got right in his face. I was so angry and I wasn’t sure what to do with all this built up frustration. Beth just stood there sniffling.

“Only a month,” she whispered.

That was it. Before Jase could say anything else, I swung my arm and punched Jase hard in the mouth. He tried to retaliate, but Beth pulled him back. I looked between the two of them and I couldn’t take it anymore, so turned on my heel and hightailed it out of the building. How could she do this to me? How could he? I felt like my heart had disappeared and in its place was a hollow vessel that kept me alive. No, that was wrong, I didn’t feel alive at all. I had lost the love of my life. I always thought we would be together forever. I imagined our life together and even though we are young, I thought she loved me as much as I loved her. I was so angry that I just wanted to forget. She was nobody to me anymore, and I didn’t want to see Jase ever again. He was my best friend, we did everything together and he goes and screws my girlfriend? How fucked up is that?

Love was not worth the shit I was going through. It sucked and I was stupid to open myself up to the torturous heartbreak.

I would never let it happen again...ever!

I was done with this shit.

I’m abruptly awoken when the taxi bounces, and we seem to be going down a winding, bumpy road. I look out the window and I’m not sure where we are.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I can’t stop thinking about Tracy, so I decide it’s better to fall asleep and have a nightmare of the day Beth blackened my heart.

I’m such a joke sometimes. I’m pleased to be going back to Oxford, I have my business and a load of drinking and women to catch up on which will help me get through this mental breakdown I seem to be having. Hopefully, it will rid all thoughts of Tracy from my mind once and for all.