Another Woman’s Man
Carrie-Ann Schless
Copyright © 2018 by Carrie-Ann Schless
Cover Design: GoOnWrite
Editor: Christine McPherson
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Crooked Cat Books except for brief quotations used for promotion or in reviews. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are used fictitiously.
First Crooked Love Cats Edition, Crooked Cat Books. 2018
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and something nice will happen.
To My Mum,
My Dad and
My Children.
For showing me
love is unconditional.
Acknowledgements
I wish there was room here to give a mention to every person who has supported me on my road to publication. I love you and thank you all.
I would like to give a huge shout out to my good friend Claire, who enjoyed the silly story I showed her and encouraged me to turn it into this Novel. You made what would have been another forgotten scribble into what it is now. Thank you.
To my Musketeers, Louisa and Chanelle, for your constant words of support and building me back up every time I couldn’t see the blue skies.
To all my other friends, for everything you have ever done for me. Especially Kelly, Katie and Brooke for being special Aunties to my children and putting that extra bit of love in their life.
My amazing friends at work for putting up with my constant waffling about book progress and our hilarious nights out.
My Teacher – Mrs Bradley – who fanned my love of English. Thank you for still being here so many years on.
To mine and my children's family for believing in me and never doubting that I could achieve great things, and encouraging me to use my “talent”. For helping to delete the doubt I usually have in myself.
To my Nan, I miss you and wish you could have seen me get published.
To my publishers, Laurence and Steph, for seeing something in my story and putting their faith in me. To my editor, Christine McPherson for her spectacular eye. Our Crooked Cat Authors Community for all their help and support – and might I add really improving my to be read list!
And finally to my Angels, just for being there.
About the Author
Carrie-Ann lives in South East England with her three children, her cats and her dog with her mum just a short drive away. She is never bored. She fills her time with reading, writing, tv series binge watching, amateur dramatics, dog walks, dinner with friends, the park, taking her children to clubs and the odd glass or three of something alcoholic.
Carrie-Ann is a self confessed Social Media addict who can normally be found somewhere floating around the World Wide Web. However, learning to use it for marketing has been a trying experience. She would love you to get in touch by connecting to her on Facebook or on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and other sites. All can be found at www.carrieannschless.com as well as her blog.
Another Woman’s Man
Chapter One
The Oxford English Dictionary defines adultery as ‘voluntary sex between a married person and a person who is not their spouse’. A married person. Perhaps I am wrong to be so black and white, but does that then mean a person who is not married cannot commit adultery? What happens when the man you lie with, or wish to, isn’t actually married? No law is broken. No vow has been made. Have you actually done anything wrong?
I am not a bad person. Well, I like to think I’m not. I volunteer. I give to charities. I always like to pay my way. I have never bunked the train, or left a restaurant without leaving the correct tip. I only ever use my credit cards in real emergencies. That is, of course, if you call buying a pair of killer heels and matching handbag an emergency. Even so, I always pay my bills on time. I have never been late with my rent payments, utility bills or loan repayments. I have savings. I have a TV licence. I have a clean driving licence. Yes, that’s right! I have never been pulled over for speeding or drink driving. In fact, I have never been speeding or drink driving.
Before I’d turned eighteen, I’d only tried one cigarette and one alcoholic drink. I hated both and vowed to never do either again. I do drink, on occasion. I am a typical ‘young person’. I like to work hard and party harder. As for the cigarettes, I only tried smoking once more and still hated it. I am one of only two people in my friends’ group who doesn’t smoke.
Takeaways are a treat for me. I don’t like to overindulge. I only eat chocolate on weekends, and always have my five-a-day. My body is a temple. A well marinated temple. I try to go to the gym at least twice a week, sometimes more, and my exercise dance DVD is done so often that I’ve just had to reorder it on Amazon as I’ve worn the disc out.
I visit my Nan every Sunday, and phone her on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Once a month, I drive her to visit Grandad’s grave. She used to go by bus, but once she moved into the home she was on a different bus route and it took over an hour. We have a twenty-minute drive, replace flowers, say a prayer, and still have time for a cream tea on the way home. She looked after me when I was little and Mum was working, now it’s my turn.
I have morals. I believe in rules. I would never steal. In fact, as a child I got caught shoplifting because I was taking back something the kids across the road had stolen for me! I believe in relationships. I believe love is love, no matter if it is between a man and a woman, or two men, or two women. I hate cheaters. If you love someone, why would you want to cheat on them? I have been approached by a few married men in the past and haven’t thought twice about turning them down. I would never, ever touch another woman’s man.
Until him.
Chapter Two
I was never looking for love; it kind of just happened. I was burned at a young age. Before my 17th birthday, I had already loved and lost. Funnily enough, even at that age I was traded in for a younger model. I loved Martin with all my heart. We had been friends all through school, but in our final year he suddenly went from trusty companion to all I’d ever wanted from life.
Yes, now when I look back I know I was naive. I think every girl has this fairytale idea that their first love will be their last love. We dream of weddings and honeymoons. I blame Disney! Giving us unachievable expectations of Prince Charmings on white horses, saving us from the evil witches of this world. In reality, they are all looking for someone younger, prettier, or just different. I swore I would never trust anybody with my heart again.
It was a few years before I even looked at anybody in ‘that way’. I had a few meaningless one-night stands. They served their purpose, passed the time. Took Martin out of my head, for a few minutes at least. Unfortunately, Craig became more than a one-night stand. To him, I was the love of his life; to me, he was just a someone. Someone who wanted me. We dated for a few months, and I will admit I grew fond of him. He was nice. Kind. But there was no spark. I was still hung up on Martin.
I feel guilty to this day about how I treated Craig. In the end, I broke it off. I had to. I was still in love with someone else, and Craig was falling for me more each week. It wasn’t a conversation I’d wanted to have. I missed the days at school where Lizzie would dump all my boyfriends for me. He took it well. Seemed to understand.
Two things happened that day. I set Craig free, but also set free a part of myself. I had let the rejection from Martin control my life for far too long.
Chap
ter Three
‘We have needed this night out for far too long!’ screeched Katrina, as we walked up to the heaving bar.
‘I don’t know if I can do this, Kat.’ My stomach was churning. ‘I haven’t been out for so long. Can we go somewhere quieter?’
‘No way!’ She spun in front of me, nearly knocking me off my five-inch heels. ‘You cannot blame anybody but yourself. You and Craig became hermits. It’s about time you were out again.’
She was right. It had been too long. It had become harder to pretend in front of company that Craig was the one, so I found it easier to hide away. I was finding this difficult, celebrating my newly-single status, not because I was mourning the loss of a relationship but because I was ashamed of the way I had behaved the last few months.
My mind drifted off to Craig and his sad little face the last time I had seen him. I hadn’t even cared, not really. Not deep down. After Martin, I had changed. I had become a horrible, selfish person. Uncaring. I hated that side of myself.
As we neared the pub, my shoulder was barged by a man walking faster than me.
‘Sorry.’ His head swung round to face me. I just smiled. His piercing blue eyes stunned me into silence. Wow. I felt strange all of a sudden. My stomach was flipping. As I stared after him, he disappeared into the crowd.
Suddenly, I wanted to race inside and find him. It was like Craig was gone and Martin had never existed.
‘You ready?’ Kat asked, digging in her bag to get her ID ready.
‘More than ever.’
I took a deep breath and slipped into the bar.
As soon as we stepped inside, we bumped into Kat’s usual crowd. I recognised some of the faces, but they were mainly strangers to me. I didn’t mind. That is what you get for hiding yourself away. Kat did her introductions.
‘This is the girl I’ve been telling you about.’
I felt a pang of guilt. There was me thinking I’d only been hurting myself, but I had let down my best friend as well.
Whilst attempting to learn their names and passing around how-I-met-Kat stories, I scanned the busy bar trying to spot the stranger who had caught my eye. Kat’s boyfriend appeared by my side, handing me a vodka and coke.
‘I hope I remembered right.’
‘You know me, Sean, as long as it is alcoholic.’
We clinked drinks and laughed, then he leant to whisper in my ear. ‘It’s really good to see you out again.’
As the night went on, my hopes of spotting the dashing stranger wore thin. Perhaps I had imagined him. Maybe it was my hope personified; it could even have been the bottle of wine we’d had before coming out, which had acted as beer goggles and made him seem more attractive at first glance. As if I was going to find someone I liked on my first night out!
I was enjoying being there, but I didn’t really have anything to talk about. I stood concentrating on my glass whilst Carly talked about her work colleagues, and Malcolm talked about his brother’s promotion. Katrina was in a full-blown conversation with Talia about her upcoming wedding, and Sean was teasing Steve about the plans for his stag night. I wasn’t really needed here. Noticing my drink needed replenishing, I slipped away to the bar.
Chapter Four
Taking a twenty out of my purse, I leant on the bar and prepared myself for a long wait. Holding it up to show I was waiting, I checked I was showing enough cleavage to get the male bartender’s attention but not too much to piss off the females. Saturday night at the Crown and Anchor was the place to be. Live music and cheap drinks, what more could people want? It was in the middle of the high street, and of equal distance to the best nightclub in town and the finest kebab shop for miles.
I scanned around and noticed I was probably about fourth to be served. Being only 5ft 2, I’m usually pushed around in crowded places, but tonight I was feeling extra claustrophobic. I didn’t need a drink. I needed fresh air. Tapping the shoulder of the leopard print dress to the side of me, I asked her to point me in the direction of the smoking area.
As I headed towards the door, I laughed at my own irony. I was actually going to a smoking area to get fresh air. Crazy, I know, but it was after eleven o’clock at night and I didn’t want to be a victim of the Crown’s one-in-one-out policy.
The smoking area was a fair size, as it was used as a beer garden during the summer months. Small clusters of rattan tables surrounding patio heaters were overhung with flower baskets and fairy lights. Pushing through the heavy double doors, I struggled to put my money back in my purse. As the air hit me, I felt drunk. It usually took me a lot, but maybe my nerves at being out had increased the alcohol’s effect on my brain.
I found a place to sit, trying to avoid the clouds of smoke billowing above my head. Around me, different conversations blended into one as I tried to focus on my mobile phone, checking if I’d received a text. Nothing. I wasn’t sure what I needed more. Water, food, or Kat.
Using both hands, I pushed myself up off the chair and staggered a couple of steps before remembering my handbag had been resting on my lap, and must have fallen to my feet. Walking back, I bent too quickly to retrieve my belongings. It was very Elle Woods, bend and snap, but the snap turned into a stumble and I fell straight onto someone’s lap.
‘Whoa there,’ his voice cut through whilst his hands steadied me.
‘Oh, my God, I’m so sorry.’
‘Hey, no worries. You okay?’
I wasn’t; I was mortified. I scrambled back to my feet, feeling instantly sober. How embarrassing. I turned, sweeping my hair out of my face, and came straight into contact with blue eyes.
‘Well, I never ordered a lap dance,’ he joked.
Feeling a little more confident, I managed a joke back. ‘First one’s free.’
‘Oh. And what would another one cost me?’
‘Oh, hunny,’ I teased, leaning closer to him, ‘you couldn’t afford me.’
I placed the strap of my bag over my shoulder and spun on my heels. I felt amazing. I knew he’d be watching me, and prayed to God I didn’t fall over again.
Making a beeline back to the bar, I found Katrina in mid-order.
‘Where’ve you been? What do you want?’
‘Anything, but make it strong.’
I needed to drink just enough to erase the memory of falling outside but not enough that I would repeat the experience.
After sinking our shots at the bar, we carried our drinks over to a booth near the front door.
‘You managed to get seats. Great.’
‘Thank Gemma!’ Katrina giggled. ‘A group of guys got chucked out for fighting, and she was in here faster than Usain Bolt at the Olympics.’
I guessed the blonde in the corner looking proud of herself was Gemma. She looked very young, or rather, looking at her made me feel old. As a very nearly twenty-one-year-old, the fresh face of a newly-turned eighteen-year-old stood out from the crowd.
Sean was looking around.
‘What’s wrong with you?’ I asked.
‘I’m looking out for my mate. I bumped into him in the Gents. Not seen him since college. I got him a beer.’
‘Oooh, single by any chance?’
‘As a matter of fact, yes.’ Sean stood up and gestured over to a group of guys, while I got my compact out of my purse to check my lipstick hadn’t rubbed off. ‘Kat, this is Max.’ Sean did the introductions as I rummaged through my handbag for my favourite lippy. I had five reds in my bag, but only one was the right shade.
Sean carried on around the table, reeling off names I hadn’t bothered to learn, and as I replenished my lipstick I heard my name.
‘We’ve met,’ Max said. I frowned upwards; it was blue eyes. I smiled. I felt confident around him. An instant attraction, but I had a good feeling it was mutual.
‘Hi.’ I held up my hand for him to shake it. ‘Shall I move up, or do you wanna sit on my lap this time?’
The rest of the evening flew by. I spent most of it talking to Max, swimming in his blue eyes as
he told me stories about himself. Turns out, we’d grown up three roads away from each other. He was a few years older, but we knew some of the same people. He was friends with Nancy Parsons’ older brother Jim, and I had dated his cousin’s best friend at school.
The conversation and the drink were flowing, and I couldn’t believe it when the taxi came to take us home.
‘See you around.’ I smiled at Max, kissing him goodbye on the cheek.
‘I hope so.’ He smiled back.
Chapter Five
Weeks passed before I saw Max again. It occurred to me, as I woke up on Kat’s sofa, that I hadn’t asked for his phone number. I hadn’t even heard of Facebook at this point, so I didn’t have the option of stalking through Sean’s friends, or friends of friends, to find him. Every time we went out, I looked for Max, hoping to bump into him again. He was my last thought at night and first thought in the morning. I was obsessed. How could someone that I’d met just once have taken such a hold on me?
Exactly five weeks from the day I met him, I was leaving the gym when my phone started to ring. I normally ignored unknown numbers, but something told me to answer it.
‘Casey, it’s Max.’
My heart leapt into my throat. Butterflies turned somersaults in my stomach. I had to try and play it cool.
‘Max, hi. How did you…’
‘Get your number? Yeah, sorry, I just bumped into Sean and I asked him for it. Hope you don’t mind.’
Mind? Not at all! If Kat wasn’t my best friend, I would have kissed Sean then and there.
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