Payback and a Bottle of Merlot: Like Sisters Series Book One (3 page)

Chapter Three

Mia wanted to rekindle some of the romance she thought was there when she and Jack began dating. She wasn’t going to give up without giving her relationship everything she could, and then some. Tonight, Jack’s testosterone would be put to the test. Mia found some sexy blues to download onto her MP3 player.
This smokin’ hot bra and panties set under my silk robe, and a pair of heels should do it
. The tee shirt and shorts normally worn to bed was stashed in the dresser drawer.
I’ll have wine ready and candles lit when he comes home.
The problem was, she had no idea when that would be.

“I know this isn’t going to work. He’ll have some lame excuse that he’s tired, and why can’t I understand how hard he works to advance his career. He’ll turn everything around to make me look like a selfish horn dog, only thinking of myself, like usual. Damn it! I’m going to give it one last shot, even if I fall asleep until he gets home.”

Curled up on the couch, Mia woke to the sound of the overhead garage door opening. She tried not to doze off while mindlessly watching TV, but obviously lost that battle to the sleepyhead gods. She looked at the clock and realized it was past midnight. Reggie was sound asleep, snuggled up, and lying across her legs.

“Shit, my legs are asleep. Reggie, get in your kennel,” she said, as she limped across the living room. She wanted to wake up and appear sexy before Jack walked in. Mia quickly lit the candles and hit the play button on the MP3 player. She leaned against the wall for support until the pins and needles in her legs subsided. Sexy blues began to flow throughout the surround system located in every room.

Jack entered through the kitchen service door, surprised to see her waiting up for him. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“I’ve missed our time together, Jack. I want you to make love to me,” she said, offering him a glass of Merlot while showing off her sexy bra and panties.

“Really? What brought that on?”

“Jeez, can’t you even try to be romantic? Why don’t you ever seduce me?”

“Yeah… whatever. I’m going to hit the shower first. I’ll be done in ten minutes.” He wandered off toward the bathroom, chugging the glass of wine as he checked the text messages on his cell phone.

“Great… that really made me feel wanted,” Mia said, as she turned off the music and put her wine glass in the sink. “He didn’t even notice what I was wearing, damn him.”

In bed, Mia leaned in toward Jack, kissing him softly at first, and then more passionately as she straddled his belly. She knelt over him, her kisses lingering on his chest as she stroked his manhood. Mia wanted to feel something from him, possibly a rekindled spark. She hoped that moment would turn into Jack making wonderful love to her, wanting her, as much as she wanted him. Instead, he flipped Mia over on her stomach and entered her roughly from behind. No intimacy, no love, only raw sex. His act lacked any semblance of love, being only a primal need on his part. Within minutes, he moaned, spilled his seed, and rolled over on his back. He made himself comfortable and fell asleep.

Mia lay on her side facing away from him, as tears dampened her pillow. She was alone, and unable to drift off.
I have to fix this, somehow.
The green illuminated numbers on the clock read two o’clock before she dozed off. She woke to the sun peeking in through the bedroom window. She turned over to find Jack’s side of the bed empty. A note lay on his pillow written in pencil. “Thanks for the romp. I guess I needed that. I’m staying in the city tonight. Be back sometime tomorrow.” The words angered her even more than they hurt. “You needed it? What about me, Jack? You’re always thinking about yourself, asshole. That wasn’t even lovemaking, you jerk.”

Mia wanted to be in love, to be happy, and have a family. In her heart she knew precious years were wasting away. She felt robbed of happiness. She wondered if Jack would he ever treat her like a wife instead of a simple possession.

***

To be completely alone Friday was what Mia needed. She didn’t have any appointments set up, and she already had lunch with Vic a few days ago. The last thing she wanted to do, was drive her friends crazy with her relationship issues anyway. She decided on a bike ride through the trails. It would clear her head. Her backpack was filled with snack bars, binoculars and a digital camera. She inflated the bike tires, threw the backpack over her shoulders and pulled her bike out of the garage. The day was beautiful. There was abundant sunshine, and the temperature was a beautiful seventy-five degrees. A few hours to spend at Riverwalk Park seemed like the perfect idea. She planned to ride for a while, bird watch, and take great shots of the May flowers blooming. Mia wanted to enjoy her day, and decided not to give Jack a second thought. From her house, it took fifteen minutes to get to the park. She locked the bike, reciting the combination in her head like she always did, and started down the path. With her binoculars and camera dangling from her neck, she set out looking for migrating birds and colorful flowers. She snapped a dozen or more pictures, then sat at a picnic table to look through the photos. A couple pushing a baby stroller walked by, laughing with each other. Mia sat and watched.
That’s what I need and want. Is there someone else out there better suited for me?

She took more photos, making sure to get one of the family after they passed. Mia wanted this snapshot as a reminder for herself.
I’m not giving up on a family. I have to tell Jack again how much this means to me.

She went home to find the box of china sitting on her front porch. The UPS man was pulling away from the curb.
Oh cool, the china is here. Organizing the china cabinet and placing the pieces where they look the best will be a great distraction. It will give me something to do for a few hours.
“Am I pathetic or what?” Mia asked herself out loud, then chuckled. “Whatever… these are the things that make me happy.”

Mia knew she wouldn’t get a phone call from Jack. He was too preoccupied with his daughter’s piano recital to give her any consideration.
He could have at least texted me when he left work
. She had no idea when he would return home on Saturday.

***

She packed her equipment Saturday morning for the photo shoot in the city, knowing it would be a sitting for a family portrait. Family sittings were her favorite, being able to capture the individual personalities through her lens. This shoot was an all afternoon job. Mia planned to shoot outdoor candid pictures in Central Park by the pond, and then several structured family poses in their home.
This should be fun. I can relax and enjoy the day
. She looked at her watch, knowing she had to catch the eleven-fifteen train, arriving at Grand Central Terminal just past noon.
Time to get going
, she thought, as she scribbled out a brief note to Jack, then tore it up. She felt guilty doing it, but she was in a snarky mood toward him anyway.
Let him wonder where I am.
She locked the door behind her and left.

Mia loved taking the train. She observed people as they sat, and wondered what their lives were like.
Have they got secrets and skeletons in their closets? Are they happy with love filled lives, or not so much?
Time passed quickly as she wondered about everyone else. The momentum slowed. They were approaching Grand Central Terminal. As the train halted to a stop, Mia grabbed her purse and slung the backpack of camera gear across her shoulder. She waited for the doors to open in a hypnotic stance, similar to everyone else riding into the city with a multitude of thoughts in their minds. Mia stepped down to the platform and caught an unexpected glimpse of Jack in the distance, waiting for the outbound train to Tarrytown. He wasn’t alone. Taken aback, Mia stepped away where she wouldn’t be seen. She was stunned, and couldn’t help but stare at them. He sat, stroking the hair of an olive skinned beauty. His arm rested on the back of the bench and over her shoulder, keeping her pulled in against his side. Her hair draped halfway to the ground, as she sat with her head resting against his. His fingers stroked her arm, over her bare, golden skin, moving slowly, up and down, from shoulder to wrist. Mia was mesmerized by the slow, sensual movements he displayed. These were movements she hadn’t seen from Jack. She realized now that he was capable of sensuality, but saving it for this woman.

So it’s not your ex-wife and daughter consuming your time. It’s this mystery woman, you son of a bitch!
Caught completely off guard, Mia’s heart thumped triple time in her chest.

As she stood against the wall, Mia watched as the Tarrytown train began boarding. They rose together from the bench, the mystery woman wearing nothing more than a spaghetti strapped, clingy red sheath, and rhinestone studded sandals. He took her face in his hands, and engulfed her mouth with his own. There was passion and fire between them, with their kiss lasting for what seemed like an eternity. Jack was the last to board as Mia stared, frozen in place with her knees ready to buckle.

“Damn you, Jack, you two-timing son of a bitch! How could you do this to me? I’ve never given you a reason to cheat on me. I don’t deserve this, you bastard!”

Mia waited for the train to depart, then found the nearest restroom and went inside. She felt nauseous and needed to splash water on her face. She wet a paper towel and held it against her forehead, taking several deep breaths for composure. As she stared at herself in the mirror with tears streaming down her cheeks, the stall door behind her opened, and the woman in the red dress stepped out.

The concern on her face was clear as she watched Mia at the sink. “Excuse me, are you alright? You seem pale. Should I call someone for you?”

Mia stared in disbelief. “What?” was the only audible word she could utter.

“Would you like me to call someone for you? Why don’t you sit down over here for a minute? I’ll wait with you, if you like. I’m Sasha, by the way.”

“Um… I’m fine. Don’t let me hold you up. I have somewhere to be anyway.” Mia couldn’t think, her head was spinning. She damn well didn’t need this Sasha woman being nice to her. G
o away and leave me alone, you home wrecking harlot. You have no idea who I am, or that I’m married to your lover.
Mia grabbed her gear and ran out of the restroom, leaving Sasha in her wake. She would have called Vic or Tina, but she knew how busy they were on Saturdays at the salon.
I have to get through this photo shoot without going off the deep end. I’ve got to get a grip, if I can.

***

The photo shoot proved difficult after what Mia just witnessed. The family consisted of the grandparents, parents and three children, ranging from a toddler to a ten year old.
What a beautiful family, if only that was my life
, she thought. Just seeing them together made Mia miss her parents more than she imagined. Mia’s mom and dad moved to Palm Harbor, Florida seven years ago. Their leaving broke her heart, but she understood how they wanted to get away from the cold winters. She missed them now more than ever. Mia only had one sibling, Matt, and they weren’t close. He had long since moved to Los Angeles with his wife and kids. The distance and age difference between them was too great to form a solid bond. Their parents called Mia the accidental angel in their life, since she was an unplanned, but much loved surprise. With an eight year age difference between Matt and Mia, their lives never really connected.

Mia made a mental note to check into the cost of an airline ticket to Tampa when she got home. She needed time with her mom and dad, and the sooner the better.

The fifty minute ride back to Tarrytown gave her a lot of time to think.
Should I fight for my marriage, or just give up? Jack is a two-timing jerk. Why would I even want him after the shock of what I saw earlier?
She wondered if she did something to initiate his behavior.
Aren’t I pretty enough, successful enough, or smart enough for him? Why did he marry me in the first place?
Mia couldn’t turn off the questions in her mind. The headache coming and dread of going home was taking over her body and soul. She would be home by eight-fifteen.
Will Jack even be there, or will he be having dinner downtown at Johnny’s like he usually does? He’s never been one to consider anyone else, but then there was the different Jack I saw at the train station. It was like watching a stranger. He displayed a side of himself to this woman that I never felt from him.
Who is he anyway? Why can’t he be like that with me?

Mia arrived home and noticed the house was dark when she pulled into the driveway. No note inside saying where Jack was, just empty loneliness.

“I should be used to this,” she grumbled out loud. With a Diet Coke in hand, she headed into the office to check airline schedules and fares to Tampa. It surprised Mia to see Jack forgot to close out his email before leaving the house.
I’ve never been one to snoop, but the hell with him. I want to know what he’s been up to.
Mia’s heart pounded in her throat. She didn’t know if she really wanted to see what Jack had been doing, or accept the idea that there was some merit to being blissfully ignorant.
Too late for that. I’ve already caught him in the act.
She began scrolling through his in-box to find numerous messages from Sasha, the “other woman” in his life. The late night emails went back and forth for years.
How is this possible?
As tears rolled down her cheeks, Mia read the messages he received, and the messages he sent, as well. She went back to the beginning and started to read. He wrote how he loved Sasha and dreamed of her every night. He went on to describe how his body ached for her and how he couldn’t wait to make love to her again. When the remodeling was completed on his parent’s house, he would move back to the city and into her waiting arms. Living together with his brother in New Rochelle had been difficult, but necessary. The house belonged to their parents, but they died in a car accident. There was so much red tape to deal with, and the house needed remodeling before they could put it on the market. Living with his brother and pitching in on the remodeling and legal issues was the right thing to do. Now, with the house finished, people were showing interest. All the parent’s assets were sold, and the house was on the market.