Deceived by You

by Marilyn Williams

  Ava glared at him. “I didn’t ask why you remained quiet. I want to know the last time you had sex with her.”

  Justin leaned forward and cupped her face. He erased her tears with a swipe of his thumb above her cheekbone. “Lindsey and I were together the night before my trip, and the very next day, I met you.”

  She shoved his hands away. “I’ve done the math. So cut the evasive shit and be honest!”

  He lowered his gaze and clasped his hands. “It was when I’d left Atlanta to handle business here in San Diego.”

  “Which visit, Justin? You left Atlanta many times.”

  He stood and slid his hands into his pockets. What he will say next will slice through her heart, and he had no one to blame but himself. “Do you remember the night we fought after Tess and Scott’s dinner party?”

  She lifted her eyes toward him. “Yes, it began as a disagreement about Brandon, but ended with me questioning our relationship.”

  “Right, you were unhappy with its direction, and I couldn’t tell you what you wanted to hear.”

  “Then you left.”

  “It was a poor attempt to put distance between us and my growing feelings for you. It didn’t work because I thought of you the entire time I was away. You were unhappy I treated you as a girlfriend without the title, and you had every right to feel that way.” Justin rested his eyes on her to read her expression, but she sat with her face buried in a handful of tissue. “I don’t expect you to understand, but it was as if my heart and mind were in a battle. My heart wanted to give you what you wanted, but I knew it would end in hurt feelings when I had to leave.”

  Ava stood and closed the distance between them. “I don’t need a trip down memory lane. We know all about your reluctance at the start of our relationship. Let’s fast forward to when you slept with Lindsey.”

  Justin swallowed hard. “The day following the dinner party, I called you to inform you I’d planned to leave for a week. The second night after I landed, I was with her.”

  Ava smirked. “By that point, we’d dated for two months.” He reached for her arm. She snatched herself from his grip. “We had one disagreement, and you ran to her bed!” Her face was red and eyes full of anger.

  “It wasn’t like that.” He stroked his forehead. Shit! This coming out all wrong. “Allow me to explain. Please sit.” He patted the seat of the chair beside his.

  Ava sat with her arms crossed against her chest.

  “I’d gone out to a bar I frequented and had a few drinks. On my way out, I ran into Lindsey. Next thing I knew, we were in bed together. Afterward, I’d laid awake asking myself why I was here with her when I wanted to be with you. I realized then I couldn’t continue to run from what I felt for you. I knew at that moment; I’d fallen in love with you. So, I cut my trip short, and do you recall what I’d said to you the next day?”

  “Yeah, you wanted us to be together and your future included me.”

  “Once I uttered those words, I promise I never slept with her again.”

  She tousled her hair with both hands as she expelled a heavy sigh. “You didn’t cheat based on a technicality. We were seeing each other, but our relationship had remained undefined. You couldn’t give me the title I wanted as your girlfriend. So, I stuck it out and waited until we were both on the same page. Therefore, I can’t chastise you for sleeping with her. However, it doesn’t make it hurt any less.”

  Justin leaned forward to bring her into an embrace. She rejected his advance and rose to her feet. Her eyes were like daggers that punctured his heart. He tried reaching for her once more, but she brushed past him.

  “I’m pissed because you didn’t tell me about her pregnancy! You allowed her to blindside me. It’s made me wondered if I should’ve put more thought into moving here with you.” He watched as she retrieved her phone from her purse and moved her fingers across its screen. “I gave up everything to be here with you. I did so because I believed in us and our future together,” she continued.

  “What are you saying? You regret your decision?” he asked, standing to meet her gaze.

  “I can’t deal with your lies and omissions.” Her eyes moved towards her phone. “After everything we’ve gone through with Brandon, I can’t handle any more deception.”

  He moved closer to her. “I’m sorry, and I should’ve handled this better.”

  She backed away. “I’m catching the first available flight home. I need time to myself.”

  A sudden knot formed in his gut. “You’re leaving?!”

  “I can’t be here while you sort out this baby drama.”

  Justin exhaled sharply and ran his hand through his hair. “If it’s what you must do, I won’t fight you on it. At least take the family jet. I can call the pilot and arrange…”

  “No need. I’m capable of booking a commercial flight.”

  “Ava, why deal with TSA if you don’t have to? Pack your bags, and I’ll arrange to have the jet ready. How long will you be gone?”

  “Long enough to clear my head.”

  “But you are coming back, right?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what I’ll do. I just need to leave!”

  “Okay, I’ll make the call now.” He fished his phone from his pocket. “For the record, I don’t want you to go, but I don’t have the right to ask you to stay.”

  Chapter Six

  It was nine in the morning when Ava’s flight arrived at a private airport in Atlanta. She exited the jet and jumped into the waiting SUV Justin had arranged. Since Tess had a full house with her sister now living with her, Ava arranged to stay with her other friend, Meghan Dawson. At the moment, she planned to stay at least a week. That’s sufficient time away from Justin and his now complicated life.

  She reached for her purse and dialed Meghan’s number. “Hey, I’m outside.” Moments later, the door opened, and her friend greeted her with a huge smile.

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” said Meghan as soon as Ava exited the vehicle.

  She hugged her friend as the driver brought her bags inside. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t expect to see me so soon.” She placed her purse and phone down on the table before falling back on the sofa.

  “Thirsty? I just made a pitcher of fresh-pressed orange juice.”

  Ava shook her head. “I’m fine.”

  Meghan sat across from her on a chair. “You look like you’ve spent hours crying. What’s going on?”

  She looked away and bit down on her lower lip. “More than you can imagine. I needed to get away and gain some perspective.”

  “Well, you’re welcomed to stay as long as you need. Tess should be here soon.”

  “Tess?”

  “Yeah, since you left, we’ve been hanging out more. Once she gets here, you can tell us both why you left that gorgeous boyfriend alone in California.”

  Ava managed a weak smile. “I better text him to let him know I’ve made it here okay. I wouldn’t want him to worry.” She picked up her phone but before she could click on her contacts, her phone rang. It was Justin. She excused herself and stepped outside onto the porch.

  “Hey,” she said, answering the phone.

  “I know you prefer not to hear from me right now, but I called to make sure you landed okay.”

  “I was about to text you to let you know I’m at Meghan’s.”

  “Okay, well tell her I said hi.”

  “I will.”

  “Is there a reason you didn’t want to stay at our home while you’re there?” Justin had purchased the home he rented before their move to California.

  “I didn’t want to be alone. I rather surround myself with friends.”

  Justin drew a heavy breath. He sounded just as depressed as she felt. “I’m leaving for work in a few hours. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to get done.”

  There was silence between them.

  “You know I already miss you like crazy,” he eventually said.

  “Justin…”

&
nbsp; “I won’t push. You do what’s necessary and come home to me.”

  Ava turned around at the sound of a car engine. It was Tess. “I have to go.” She wiped a falling tear.

  “Okay. I love you.”

  “Talk to you soon.” She ended the call and placed her phone in her pocket. Ava stood silently on the porch as her friend approached. Tess placed her bag down and wrapped her arms around Ava. The embrace of her longtime friend was enough for the floodgates to open. She cried liked her heart had broken into a million pieces on her friend’s shoulder.

  “What happened?” asked Tess pulling away with concern in her eyes.

  “A lot.” She wiped her eyes. “What’s with the bag?”

  “Goodies. I have doughnuts, muffins, and bagels.”

  The ladies entered the house where they made a pot of coffee and munched on Tess’ treats. As they all sat in the living room, Ava shared with them about Justin, Lindsey, and the baby. They both sat in shock as they listened to the events that had unfolded the night before.

  “Let me get this straight,” said Tess. “You’ve been there a whole month, and he never told you about this Lindsey person or that she’s pregnant?”

  “He claims he just found out last week,” said Ava.

  “Was he was seeing her behind your back?”

  “He said no, and I believe him.”

  “Who is this girl? Is she his ex?”

  “He explained as they were sex buddies, nothing more.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  “I don’t know what to believe.”

  “How far along is she?”

  “She said thirteen weeks. She barely has a bulge in her stomach, though.”

  “Some women carry small. But does the timing sound right?” asked Tess.

  “It does. He last slept with her after the dinner party at your house.”

  “The one where Brandon behaved like an ass?”

  “Yeah, remember I’d told you he had gone out of town, but returned after three days.”

  “He was with her during those three days?”

  Ava nodded her head. “After he returned, Brandon held him for two months and after another month we left for San Diego.”

  “So, Lindsey realized she was pregnant when everyone thought he was on the run.” Tess shook her head. “I like Justin, but this whole situation is fucked up.”

  “Guys, I think you both are being too harsh,” said Meghan.

  Both Ava and Tess shot her a look. “No offense, Meg, but you have a soft spot for Justin,” said Tess.

  “All I’m saying is Ava should cut him some slack. He and Lindsey had a one-night stand, not a relationship. We all have had men we used for sex.”

  Tess smiled at the thought.

  “Well, maybe not you Ava,” Meghan blurted. “You always had those dumb dating rules.”

  Ava looked at Tess. “You told her about that!” She playfully hit her on the shoulder while they all laughed.

  “You should take a moment and breath and see the situation for what it is,” said Meghan. “Justin slept with this girl before you guys were in an exclusive relationship. There’s another tree you should climb?”

  “What?” laughed Ava.

  “You need to find out if this girl is lying. You and Justin have been in California for a month. Why is she just now telling him?”

  Ava shrugged and lifted her empty coffee cup for a refill. As she entered the kitchen, Tess and Meghan were right behind her. “I think you’re both missing the point of my anger.”

  Tess handed her the creamer. “Which is?”

  “Thanks.” She poured the French Vanilla creamer into the coffee and stirred. “It’s not that I believe Justin cheated or anything. I’m the first to admit, during that time I told everyone we were just friends taking it day-by-day.”

  “That was a cover, Ava,” said Tess. “You guys had dated for two months, and you wanted a commitment. You played the friend card, so you wouldn’t scare him away.”

  Ava nodded because Tess knew her well. “You’re right, and I’ll repeat, I’m not accusing him of cheating. I’m upset because he lied. Everything we had gone through before was riddled with lies, omissions, and betrayal.”

  “He didn’t betray you, that was Brandon.”

  “I know that, Meghan. It’s because of that situation, we promised to be upfront about every and anything. No matter how hurtful. It makes me wonder what else he’s hiding from me.”

  They both nodded their heads like they had finally understood.

  “See this from my perspective. I gave up everything to take a chance on him and his life. I sold my home, my car, left behind connections I made in the industry to further my career, to begin a new life with him in San Diego, because I love him.”

  Tess rubbed Ava’s shoulder in a sympathetic manner. “What are you going to do?”

  “I love him too much to break up. I’m here because I needed time away.”

  “How long are you staying? Did you buy a round-trip ticket?” asked Tess.

  Ava and Meghan glanced at each other.

  “Wait. What was that look?” She narrowed her eyes.

  Meghan smiled. “I guess she didn’t tell you she flew private.”

  “Like on a jet?” Her perfectly arched eyebrows lifted.

  Ava shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”

  “He has his own jet?” asked Tess.

  “No, it belongs to the family,” said Ava.

  “The family? Are you serious?”

  “That’s another thing I just learned. He just told me last night he’s an heir to a billion-dollar estate.”

  Tess and Meghan both stood bug-eyed with their mouths opened.

  Ava finished her cup of coffee. “Insane, right?”

  “Does he have a brother?” asked Meghan, with a sly smile on her face.

  The ladies spent the rest of the day catching up. That included lunch at their favorite burger spot. It was exactly what Ava needed. Time away with her two closest friends.

  Chapter Seven

  “Dad! Dad!” yelled Justin, his voice bounced off the walls of his father’s home. He blew off work to get answers about last night. He continued down the hall until his father met him outside the kitchen.

  “Justin, what are you doing here?” he asked.

  “To find out what the hell happened last night.”

  “What are you talking about?” His brows lowered over his eyes.

  “Lindsey.”

  “Follow me.” Chris tugged on Justin’s arm, and led him into his study. Justin sat with his head low in an overstuffed black chair near the fireplace. His leg shook, and his fingers fidgeted against the leather, while his father leisurely fixed himself a drink at the bar. “Would you like one? You seem to need it more than me.”

  Justin tried to calm the anger that had spread through his body like a wildfire. The feat proved to be much more difficult as he witnessed his father’s unapologetic demeanor. “Keep your drink and explain Lindsey’s ambush last night.”

  “She came here on her own fruition.” Chris stood over Justin with a whiskey in hand.

  “And why is that dad? Why are you smack dead in the middle?”

  “Because Tom and I are friends, and he wants you to do right by his daughter.”

  Justin leaned forward in his chair. “Meaning?”

  “Take care of her and the baby.” He sipped his drink.

  “It’s pure speculation I’m the father. This is insane!” He grimaced and rubbed the knuckles of his fist. He needed to release his rage with a punching bag.

  “Son, calm down and take it down a notch.”

  Justin exhaled sharply and sat back in the chair. He paused before speaking. “If the child is mine, I’ll take care of him or her. But Lindsey is a different story. We’ll never be a couple. I’m with Ava.”

  Chris took the last swallow of his drink before placing his glass on the table. He sat in the chair directly across from Justin. “I thoug
ht you sent her back to Georgia.”

  He narrowed his eyes and frowned at the assumption. “Ava is upset because I didn’t come clean about Lindsey. She’s in Georgia because she needed a breather from the chaos. She’s coming back home.”

  “In the meantime, you and Lindsey need to figure this out, because it’s in the way of my business with Tom. You know how protective he is of his daughter.”

  Justin stroked his chin and exhaled. “Until I know if she’s actually pregnant, and it’s mine, my priority is Ava.”

  “No son, your priority is fixing the mess you created.” He pointed his finger in Justin’s face. “I worked damn hard to get Tom where I need him, and I won’t allow your dalliances to fuck up my arrangement. Get your shit together!” Chris rose from his chair and stormed out of the room.

  Justin had no knowledge of the arrangement his father had with Tom, nor did he care. It was time he and Lindsey sat down and discussed her pregnancy. He scrolled through his phone’s contact list and dialed her number. She answered on the second ring like she had been waiting on his call. Justin asked her to stop by. Lindsey said she was nearby and could be there in twenty minutes.

  He and Lindsey met five years ago at a charity event hosted by his father’s then-girlfriend. They sat beside each other at a table along with her father, Tom. While Tom entertained everyone with his fascinating stories from the operating room, Justin found it hard to focus on his words with Lindsey’s hand massage between his legs. The moment the group disbursed from the table, he and Lindsey snuck off together. They exchange no words, as they had sex in a locked room. He wasn’t interested in her beyond seeking pleasure. Ten years set them apart and nothing in common except their fathers were golf buddies. He always found her attractive. Blonde, blue eyes, and the ability to fill out a tight dress perfectly. However, just like all the others, nothing held his attention beyond the visual and sex.

  Justin sat on the back terrace in deep thought. He had to make this right with Ava. He understood the importance of being there for his baby, but right now his thoughts were with the woman he loved. He swiped through pictures of her on his phone, stopping at his favorite. The one he had taken as she slept. She’d looked so peaceful he couldn’t resist. His lips formed a smile as he traced the outline of the picture with his finger. So beautiful. His eyes shifted when he heard the terrace door open, it was Lindsey. She wore a smile and her wavy blonde hair bounced with her every step.