Staying on Course

by Ahren Sanders

  “Okay, fine! I won’t pry, but will I get to meet her while I’m here?”

  “I’m not sure. We’ll have to see. Bryce is the only one who has met her, and that was briefly.”

  His privacy doesn’t surprise me but not meeting the others is a little odd.

  “If her brother’s in the Navy, why hasn’t she met the crew? They’re awesome… well, most of them. They’d be welcoming to her.”

  His silence makes me uneasy. “Nate, what’s the problem?”

  He shrugs and doesn’t say anything else. His phone rings, and he answers, sighing. His side of the conversation is brief with only a few words, ‘yeah’, ‘no thanks’, and the ’okay, bye’.

  “Was that Bryce by any chance?”

  He looks at me with confusion. “No, why?”

  “I haven’t spoken to him since after the game last night. I texted him that I was going to bed and not out with Quinn and Dean. Never heard back from him. Then, this morning, he never called. I avoided calling him today because he thinks I’m shopping and getting ready to fly here tomorrow. I didn’t want to slip and spoil the surprise. I’m curious to what he’s doing.”

  “You haven’t heard from him at all?”

  “Nothing, but I knew he had to work second shift today. Figured I’d make us dinner and have it ready when he got home. That’s why I asked you about the plans.”

  “Last I knew, Tommy had a party at his place last night. I stayed with Jamie, so I haven’t heard from any of them. Saw Bryce a few minutes this morning, and to be honest, he looked a little pale, almost sick. I didn’t question it because the parties at Tommy’s can get wild.”

  “Really? With a baby in the house?”

  “Yes, you’d be surprised.”

  “How so?”

  He changes the subject before I can prod further. “My plans tonight are pretty low key because of my schedule tomorrow. Taking Jamie to a nice dinner and then to a bar for a few drinks. Nothing big or out of control.”

  “That sounds romantic.” I tease him and watch his lips fight a grin.

  “That’s me, Mr. Romance.”

  We pull up to a grocery store for me to run in while he waits in the car. When I get back, his attitude has shifted, and he’s tense. I try to lighten the mood by prying about Jamie, and he deflects every question. By the time we drive up to his place, he’s barely answering me.

  Once we unload, he heads to the shower to get ready for his big date, and I prepare everything for dinner. An hour later, he comes out, and I whistle loudly, causing him to blush.

  He’s wearing the deep green thermal Mom gave him for Christmas with worn jeans. The black leather jacket completes the whole ‘rugged’ look.

  “Is it too much to ask for a picture of the two of you tonight? I swear not to share with Mom or Quinn, but I’m dying to get a visual of this woman.”

  “Don’t hold your breath,” he tells me, grabbing his keys.

  “Damn,” I mumble. “No fun.”

  He leans down to kiss me on the cheek and lifts my chin to his. “Good luck with your big surprise. Call me if you need me for anything.”

  “I’ll be fine. Have fun.”

  A look of worry crosses his face, but he nods and walks out. I settle in and get ready to see the look on Bryce’s face.

  *****

  At nine, I’m starting to get nervous. When I finally felt it was safe, I started trying to contact Bryce. There was no answer to my voicemails or text messages. It crossed my mind to call Nicole, but I quickly dismiss the idea. The food in the oven has now been done for an hour. The aroma of Italian fills the townhome.

  By nine-thirty, I’m no longer nervous. I’m totally edgy, and my head is pounding. I pace the living room then get my phone, determined to find him.

  The phone rings three times before he finally picks up. But there’s no one on the line but the sound of music and laughter. It dings in my hand, and I see it has changed to Facetime. No one appears on the screen, but there is the blinding glare of strobe lights and then the shrill sound of Liza’s voice.

  “Woohoo, girls! Let’s shoot ‘em back!”

  I drop the phone on the couch and sit back, so no one can see my face on the screen. On the other end, arms raise with shots and then cheers.

  “What exactly are we celebrating?” Dani’s voice fills the line.

  “New year, new beginnings, throwing out the old, and embracing the new!” Liza practically sings.

  My stomach coils. It’s as if she’s speaking directly to me. I’ve heard this tone before.

  “I hate to rain on your parade, but I feel sorry for her. I truly didn’t see this coming,” Nicole says, slurring a bit. “Devon’s a cool chick.”

  Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow it back.

  “Nicole, not to be a bitch but I told you so. I knew this would be a process. It’s not like he could break up with her easily with Nate being his best friend. I’m a patient person, but after last night and this morning, even he can’t deny anymore…”

  My body starts shaking, but I stay glued on the sofa, watching the screen and listening.

  “Liza,” Dani says softly, probably unaware the phone is connected. “Think long and hard about this. Bryce loves her, and she loves him. They’re a great couple. Don’t go through with this. You know it’s not right.”

  “Oh, Dani! Give your fucking do-gooding a rest. It’s done. And where’s your fucking loyalty? Devon’s a blip on our radar. She’s been around what, a few months? We’ve been friends for years. Forget the little cheerleader and get over it. Bryce seemed to forget her pretty quick when I had my mouth on his dick this morning.”

  At this point, I can’t stop the vomit and reach for the trash basket by the recliner. I barely make it, almost throwing up all over myself. Tears sting my eyes and fall down my cheeks. This can’t be happening. She’s lying.

  “I’m getting us another round. Be right back. Hope to God you both are in a better mood to celebrate. I plan to be ready when Bryce gets here tonight.” Liza doesn’t end the call but pushes a few buttons, leans directly into the phone and then lays it back down, walking off.

  Dings sound from my phone, alerting me to new texts from Bryce’s number. Pictures pop up of Bryce and Liza. Shot after shot with them together.

  The last few cause my heart to plummet. He’s laying with a sheet pulled to his hips, wearing nothing. One arm is propped behind his head and the other wrapped around her shoulders. She’s grinning at the screen with an evil gleam in her eye. It’s obvious she is naked. His eyes are lazy and unfocused but directed at her breasts. She’s curved into his body.

  “I can’t believe this. This is slimy.” Dani’s voice comes back through the line and actually sounds sad.

  “Liza told me they were getting closer and she thought he was starting to have feeling for her. I’m personally sick about it, but Tommy told me this morning it’s none of my business where a man slips his dick. Told me to mind my own business. I saw it with my own eyes. Walked into my living room, both of them naked on the air mattress, and she was on her knees. I backed out quietly, and when I returned to the kitchen thirty minutes later, Liza was sipping coffee and Bryce gone. She was glowing.”

  The line is quiet for at least two minutes.

  “I’m not sure I can stomach this. I’m leaving.” Dani’s arm reaches across the screen, and I see her haul her purse over the table. “I can’t let this happen to Devon. Someone has to stop Liza. This has gone too far.”

  “Ggggiirrrl, you may want to wait to leave. Here comes Bryce, and he doesn’t look good,” Nicole slurs again. “Maybe Liza misjudged the effects of a blow job.”

  “Where the FUCK is Liza?” he roars, coming partly into view.

  “Right here, babe. What’s up?”

  The sweetness in her voice makes me throw up again, this time harder. I’m so shaken, I can’t even move to clean myself up. My eyes and ears remain glued to the
phone on the couch.

  “Did you switch my fucking phone?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This is not my phone.” He reaches out and shakes a phone over the table.

  “It’s possible they could have gotten mixed up this morning in the rush to get you to work. Remember, we weren’t exactly wearing a lot of clothes.” She giggles and someone hisses.

  “Where’s my damn phone? You’d know it’s mine because it has a picture of Devon on the screen.” He bangs something on the table.

  At this statement, I lose all control, wailing into the empty room.

  “Okay, big boy, don’t have a conniption. I haven’t even looked at my phone today. Let me get it.” She reaches around, and I watch his hand grab the phone off the table.”

  His face fills the screen and twists hard. His eyes slice to the side, and his voice fills with fear and fury at the same time.

  “Why in the motherfucking hell is the Facetime on Devon’s number for the last nine minutes?”

  “Oh my God, no!” Nicole screeches, and Dani yelps.

  “Bryce, what are you talking about?” Liza sidles up to his side, staring straight into the screen.

  “What have you done?” he asks her but holds the phone to his face. “Devon, baby, are you there? Please answer. No matter what you heard, I can explain.”

  “What the hell is that smell?” Nate’s voice startles me. He stops in the doorway and looks around. His eyes find mine and instantly cloud in fury.

  I reach over and hit the end button and then look back to my brother.

  “What the fucking hell is going on,” he yells, coming in.

  “B-b-b-ryce cheated on me with Liza last night.”

  “What? Who told you that?”

  “Nicole confirmed she walked into her living room with both of them naked and saw Liza on her knees. And there’s pictures of them in bed together.” I shake my phone in the air.

  The anger on his face turns furious, but what it doesn’t do is look surprised. He fists his hands and turns to the door. I notice for the first time a gorgeous brunette standing there. When she looks at me, there’s pity and sympathy.

  “Oh my God,” I jump up, realizing I have vomit on my clothes and in my hair. “Oh, God, I’m so embarrassed,” I sob then scream in frustration. In my rambling, I tell them about the call and all the things Liza’s ever said to me. The temptation on deployments, the on-ship trysts, comments about being a Navy wife… all of it.

  “Where is he?” Nate fumes when I stop to catch my breath.

  “At some bar with Dani, Nicole, Liza, and Tommy. Liza had his phone.”

  He starts shaking but takes a deep breath and looks at me with pure brotherly love. “I’m going to find him. Remember, he doesn’t know you’re here. If you want, I’ll keep him away and get you a hotel room.”

  “No, she can stay with me. No one can find her there. I’ll take care of her.” Jamie’s sweet voice breaks me apart even more.

  She walks over and takes my hand. “Let’s get you cleaned up, okay?”

  I nod. Before Nate walks out, he kisses both of us on the forehead and whispers, “I’ll take care of this.”

  Jamie leads me to the bathroom and helps me out of my ruined clothes and into a hot shower. If I wasn’t numb, I’d be mortified. Blindly, I go through the motions of washing, drying, and changing into my sweats. She starts to lay me on Bryce’s bed, but I whimper, and she seems to understand. Gently, she guides me to my brother’s room and pulls back his covers.

  I lay down, tears streaming down my face. She disappears and comes back with two shots of something dark, a glass of water, and an aspirin.

  “Here you go.” She hands me a shot glass and raises her own.

  The whiskey burns but helps the buzzing in my head. My stomach lurches in protest until she hands me the water to chase it down.

  “I can’t believe this is the way I meet my brother’s girlfriend.”

  Her cheeks turn pink as she gives me another sweet smile.

  “Don’t mention it again. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

  Suddenly, the past hour hits me, and my heart physically crumbles. I cover my face with my hands and scream until my voice is hoarse. She crawls in and cradles me to her, rocking us both as I fall to pieces. I don’t know how long she holds me, but I finally pass out from the pain and shock. My last thought is that Bryce has managed to crush me for the second time in my life.

  Chapter 27

  Warmth surrounds me, and I snuggle closer, breathing in the undeniable scent of Bryce. His arms tighten so hard that I start to take off my sweatshirt. Then it all comes crashing back to me, and I bite my tongue to hold back the tears.

  His hands rub up and down my back, and his chest vibrates against my cheek. He lowers his head and kisses my head over and over again. When he moves to my temple, his teardrops wet my skin. It kills me, but I remain still, faking sleep.

  “Please, baby, wake up and let me explain.” His voice cracks. “God, I need you to wake up. I’m dying here.”

  There’s a knock at the door, and he stiffens. I hear the muffled sound of my brother’s voice.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Not fucking now, Nate. I’m not leaving her until she wakes up.”

  “Jamie will sit with her. We need to discuss this now. You owe it to me and to her.”

  “No—”

  “Not gonna ask you again. I’ll drag your ass out of here, and that will definitely wake her up.”

  “Bryce, I’ll be right here,” Jamie says, laying her hand on my shoulder.

  Without another word, Bryce slides from under me and rolls me into another pair of waiting arms. A chill runs up my spine when he transfers me. The second the door shuts, Jamie speaks.

  “You okay?”

  I wipe my hair out of my face and roll over, looking up at her. “How’d you know I was awake?”

  “Woman’s intuition.”

  I recognize the pictures on the nightstand and realize we’re in Bryce’s room.

  “He moved you to his bed the second he stormed in the door,” she tells me without my asking. “Nate let it slip you were here when he found him. From what I heard, he broke every speeding law to get here, scared you’d left.”

  Loud voices come through the door, and I strain forward to listen. As if she reads my mind again, she goes to the door and cracks it open. We both crouch down next to the opening.

  “I’ve calmed down, but I’m going to ask you once again WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?” my brother is enraged.

  “Nothing!”

  “It doesn’t sound like nothing! You weren’t here. You didn’t see her. Saying she was a wreck is an understatement. Something was said, something fucking whacked. She not only looked tweaked, she looked dead, like she was literally dying.”

  “Jesus, what the fuck did I do?”

  “That’s what I keep asking. What did you do?”

  “Nothing, I swear. I was trying to be nice. I’m always trying to be nice. Liza took it the wrong way. I had no idea what she had planned. This is a fucking disaster.” Bryce sounds resigned, and I feel him hurting.

  “I’m waiting to hear, man, and losing the last shred of patience I have. It will suck, but I’ll knock your ass to the ground again if you don’t start talking.”

  There’s a loud sigh, and I can picture Bryce running his hands up and down his face. “I think I need to talk to Devon first. She deserves to hear it from me.”

  “Listen, you’re my brother. You know this. I’ve told you for months to shut that bitch down. It’s obvious to everyone but you, and now she’s caused pain to someone I love more than anything. You didn’t hear it, but from the first time that cunt spoke to Devon, she’s been planting seeds of doubt.”

  I suck in a deep breath while Nate tells him about my breakdown last night. Jamie holds my hand and gives me a weak grin I can’t return.


  “She told her she wasn’t cut out to be a Navy wife? She told her I’d cheat? Why the fuck didn’t Devon talk to me?”

  “She trusted you and didn’t want to let Liza think there were holes in your relationship. Now, Liza’s cut her deep, regardless of what you did or didn’t do.”

  A chair scrapes across the floor, then there’s the unmistakable slamming of a fist through a wall. Glass falls and shatters, and the anger in the room seeps through the whole house.

  “I’m handling this shit. Watch Devon. Don’t let her leave. I’ll be back in an hour.”

  The front door opens, and Nate yells, “Stop! Bryce, I’m coming with you. Furious or not, I’m not going to let you ruin your career.”

  At his words, I scatter to my feet and try to rush out to stop him. Jamie’s hands grip mine. “Nate’s got him,” she tries to reassure me.

  The door slams, and I slump down and fall back in bed. “What time is it?”

  “Five am.”

  “Nate is supposed to be at work.”

  “He switched shifts.”

  “What a mess. I’ve ruined everyone’s New Year’s.”

  “Not really.” She looks away, and her cheeks turn pink. “There’s something uber-sexy about a man who will drop everything for his sister.”

  I cough out a small snicker that turns into a loud laugh. After about ten seconds, I’m sobbing again. She leans in and lets me cry on her shoulder until I’m gasping for breath.

  “You don’t know me, but Bryce is the love of my life, and he cheated on me.”

  “I don’t think he did,” she says soothingly. “That man doesn’t strike me as a cheater.”

  “You should’ve heard what they were saying.”

  “I don’t have to hear them. I saw the devastation they caused.”

  “What do you mean?” I back away and catch her eyes.

  “I shouldn’t judge. I don’t even know them well.”

  “How is that? Nate mentioned you guys don’t hang out.”

  “I’m not sure. The one time we talked about hanging with his friends, he said we’d plan something soon. He was elusive, withdrawn about the whole thing. I assumed he got sick of being with the same people all the time. The only one he ever talks about is Bryce. That’s why we’ve met. And I’ve heard all about you.”