Rekindled

by Nevaeh Winters

  REKINDLED

  by

  Nevaeh Winters

  Acclaim for Nevaeh Winters:

  “Great job Nevaeh on your first story!”

  —Charlize Bennett, Savor’s Pleasure: The Complete Erotic Novel

  “It was a roller coaster ride. Loved it. Keep up the good work.”

  —Mary Richards, soccer mom extraordinaire

  “Keep them coming.”

  —Brad Lalkner, Helpless Romantic Reader.

  REKINDLED

  Copyright © 2012 by Nevaeh Winters

  All rights reserved.

  Ebook Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to your favorite ebookstore and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  REKINDLED

  I sprinted down the shoreline, feeling the cool surf gliding over my feet and the grainy texture beneath them. The extreme contrast represented my emotions: happy one minute and sad the next. I suddenly came to a screeching halt, “Damn him!” I screamed as loud as I could. The sound of the fierce oceanic waves drowned out my cries.

  It had been one year and eleven days since the course of my life had changed. The ring that was heard around the world; the phone call that ended my fairy tale romance will not escape my memory any time soon.

  I still remember the conversation as though I just hung up the phone.

  “Hi is this Veronica?”

  “Yes it is—Who’s calling?”

  “I need to tell you something important about Roman.” The sultry voice shared.

  “Who is this?” I repeated.

  “My name is Karin. Please I have to tell you about Roman,” her breath was wary.

  “Veronica, Roman is not hurt but things are not good.”

  “What is going on? Is he in trouble—did he do something wrong?” I begged.

  “I don’t know how to say this—I mean I am not sure—what I am trying to say,” her voice vibrated.

  “Just tell me. Please! If he is not dead or hurt, then I can handle anything you have to say to me.” I regretted my next words. “I promise, I can take it, just tell me.”

  “I am not sure you can handle this because it’s tearing me apart.” her voice cracked.

  “Please I can take it.” The silence that followed was painstaking.

  A ripple in my stomach rose and sank in my heart. I knew what she was trying to say.

  “Are you saying he cheated with you?” I swallowed hard.

  “What? No he cheated with you?” Her voice squealed. A tone of anger leaked out. “I have been in a relationship with him for four years.”

  “What the hell! I have been in a relationship with Roman for five years. What kind of a sick joke are you playing on me? I’m hanging up! ” I shrilled.

  “Hold on a second—Roman there is someone on the phone for you.”

  I could hear a familiar voice in the background. “Who is it, angel face?” It was Roman I could recognize his voice even through the static of the phone. I felt my soul shutting down.

  He always called me angel face. My stomach began to twist into knots. I wanted to hang up, but I held the line, gripped with a sensation to hurl.

  “Hello, this is Roman, how can I help you?” I heard his smile through the phone. I felt like I was stuck in a bad dream.

  “How could you do this to me? Why? What kind of a man are you?” I sobbed.

  “Veronica? Holy shit! Wait babe, I can explain,” He stammered.

  In the background, I heard Karin explode: “You two timing son of a bitch. Get out!”

  “Damn you?” She screamed. I heard the wrestling of the phone.

  “Karin, calm down. Give me a minute with Veronica, let’s stop the screaming and solve this as civil adults.” He spoke to her while speaking into the phone. I tried to speak but they were not listening.

  “There is nothing civil about what you have done!” She ranted loudly.

  “No, Roman you can’t explain your way out of this one. Good-bye…” I softly whispered.

  “No, Veronica. I can—“he spoke loudly into the phone.

  Click. I stabbed the End call button and fell to the ground. The betrayal, the lies, and his double life came to an end; at least from where I was standing. A five-minute conversation shattered my five-year relationship. My eyes became instant water faucets, my lips quivered and my body trembled.

  For weeks he tried to call, to text and to email me. He sent flowers, hand-written cards and presents, but I knew he was a liar, a cheat and a lowlife.

  Time seemed to drag on; it had been about six months since my break-up. I felt bad for Karin, as well. I decided to contact her and thank her for calling me and letting me know the truth. I could tell she was probably a good woman; we were both victims.

  When I called her, we actually spoke for about two hours, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly in regards to Roman. I learned he had tried the same exact strategy on her; some men never learn. Unfortunately, for her, she took him back. Ironically, I had heard through the grapevine that our most recent conversation ended their second go around.

  Learning about his duplicity had re-opened many old wounds. I knew it was a mistake to call her, but the urge was so strong. I am glad for her sake that I did. I, however, had not expected to feel the surge of pain and misery that followed that second call.

  I had really thought I was over him. Another six months and ten days had passed. I was still crying over this two timing piece of shit. Why? What was wrong with me? I didn’t want him back. I never wanted to see him again, and I knew that for a fact.

  He actually had the nerve to try and rekindle our relationship the same day that I had spoken with Karin. What kind of a monster had I loved so deeply? How would I ever love again after being betrayed so cruelly?

  On day three hundred seventy six, a year, I decided it was time to free myself. I had to re-find my inner woman and a piece of mind to move on. I needed the ocean, and I knew right where to go. My cousin, Lexi, owned a condo in Naples, Florida. Her home was three long hours from my house, but three miles from the beach. It would be the perfect get away.

  “Hey cuz,” I said with a fake smile. “How have you been?”

  “Veronica, I am doing wonderful. I am actually leaving for Paris this evening. I finally made it—I’m an internationally acclaimed author. Have you seen my work?

  “Yes of course; who hasn’t,” I lied.

  “I have a book signing at the Louvre. Can you believe it? I have always known this day would happen. And today is that day. Hooray for me!” Her voice pierced my ears.

  Lexi was my favorite cousin. After my failed relationship, I purposefully avoided talking with her. She was always so cheerful, and I was dismally depressed. I found myself being jealous and angry at her happiness.

  “That is awesome. I am so happy for you.” I managed to smile. I was happy for her—my heart ached for myself. We talked at length. I caught her up on Roman and the break-up; it was inevitable and a matter of time before she would hear it in my voice. I had to unload. She listened patiently and of course said she never liked him for me in the first place. I told her I needed to get away, and, of course, she came to my rescue as best cousins do.

  “Veronica, I think you should stay at my condo while I am off chasing my fame. I will leave the key under the mat for you. I know that is why you called me.”

  “No. Lexi, I called to check in on you,” I half lied.

/>   “My dear cousin, you know I can feel your energy. Who are you kidding? You haven’t called me in over six months; and the news you just delivered explains it all. Come down immediately to the condo. Stay here for two weeks. Besides, I dreamt you would call me today. I already filled the fridge with your favorite organic food. I love you.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” I whined.

  “Don’t say anything. Come down here and free yourself from that son-of a-bitch—I mean no disrespect to his mother, but really he’s a toad.” She giggled and it made me crack a smile. She had a way with words...which explains her success.

  “Thank you so much, Lexi.” Tears filled my eyes.

  “You are my favorite cousin Veronica. I want you back in my everyday life. I love you so much. Oh, I have one rule while you are down here.”

  “Sure, what is it?” I hesitantly asked.

  “You have to have fun. Promise me!” Lexi giggled into the phone.

  “Yes, I will make sure I have fun.” I laughed, a smile beginning to form.

  “Well, I have to run. I am going to Paris the city of lights! I can’t believe I am going to Paris my love.” The phone clicked and she was gone. Boy, she was something else.

  As I hung up the phone, I began laughing out loud. My cousin was so full of life. I felt inspired to reclaim mine. She didn’t even let me say good bye. Lexi had always been funny about good-byes. She didn’t like them and always hung up suddenly.

  Bouncing up the stairs like a gazelle, I burst into my room. I ravaged my dresser, stripping it of panties, bras, swimsuits and t’s and shorts. I grabbed my favorite outfits from my armoire and threw them into my Louie suitcase and then into the small trunk of my red 328i BMW convertible. It took the law-abiding driver about four hours to get from Orlando to Naples. I planned on getting there in two in a half.

  When I made partner at Brooks and Morrison Law firm, I bought myself the convertible which I promptly named, Lola. I had always driven her like an old grandma. But today, I was going to let her purr…

  Two hours and forty-five minutes later, I pulled into my cousin’s condo. True to her word, she had stocked the fridge: sirloin, chicken, avocados, grapes, romaine lettuce, spinach, carrots, Swiss cheese, brie, bottled water and a twelve pack of Michelob Ultra. On the marble counter rested four bottles of 2007 Pinot Noir, Domaine Serene Willamette Valley; it was my absolute favorite wine.

  A pink envelope leaned against a beautiful bouquet of pink roses. A giant V graced the cover. Of course, beside the card, there was an ivory letter opener. Lexi was such a classy lady that she never over looked the small touches. I smiled as I grabbed the opener, inserted it into the corner, slit and pulled up on the paper.

  I carefully slipped the delicate Hallmark out of the envelope. My eyes scrolled the cover of the card. It was a little girl on the beach with her toes in the sand. The entire photograph was in black and white. The only color in the photo was the girl’s pink toenails and her pink cloche hat. The child had a huge grin that looked hauntingly familiar.

  I slowly opened the card. Inside, Lexi had penned a sweet and short note:

  Veronica. I love you so much. Find the inner siren. Let go of the past. Live for today. Love Lexi. PS Enjoy the food, wine and let loose, and most of all have a blast!

  Having fun is exactly what I planned on doing. I couldn’t remember the last time I let my hair down literally and enjoyed myself, save for the car ride down here; putting the top down, getting behind the wheel and gunning it down to Naples felt exhilarating. Thank God the police didn’t catch me or my vacation would have turned into incarceration.

  “Hmmm, what is a girl to do at seven pm. on a school night,” I mused aloud. I knew exactly what to do. I was going to the beach to purge. I was going to scream at the ocean, stride down the beach, drink two bottles of Domaine Serene and slumber on the beach. Maybe it’s not the most wild of things that I could do, but it’s a start.

  So here I am on the beach. “Damn him, Damn him,” I laughed feeling the warm gulf breeze blow through my hair and tickle my face. I was buzzed on my first bottle of wine. I had another one chilling in a cooler. And yes, I know that you are not supposed to drink Pinot Noir chilled, but I am rebel. So yes, it’s chilled.

  I raised my hands in a V and shouted, “I am Woman. I am free and alive.” Deeply inhaling, I tasted the salt in my mouth and loved it. I felt so wild, so free. My heart pounded, my lungs opened and my mind raced.

  A collage of thoughts flooded my mind. I began to think of Lexi. She was a saint. Come to think of it, she was kind of a psychic. For example, earlier today, I decided to go to the beach. Before leaving, I went into the master bath to view my tangled locks. On the vanity mirror was a yellow sticky note:

  So you decided to go to the beach. Be sure to grab the baby blue cooler sitting on the granite table in the veranda. Love L.

  How could she possibly know what I was going to do? Am I that predictable? Sometimes I felt as though I was one of the characters in her novels.

  After reading her note, I quickly went out to the screened-in patio. There in the center of the table was an elegant wine and cheese cooler. Lexi had already packed it with two bottles of my favorite Pinot Noir. “Really, Lexi,” I protested aloud. “You bought me 6 bottles of fifty dollar wine.” Looking through the cooler I found Swiss, cheddar cheese, sesame seed crackers, and a bag of grapes and two small plates. Two small plates? Why did she pack two plates? What did Lexi know that I didn’t?

  The rift of a giant waved knocked me down, splashing water all over my face and bringing my thoughts back to the present. I tripped landing on my side, laughing hysterically. Another wave shot up sending water into my mouth. I sat up coughing, giggling to myself and spitting up for the next few minutes.

  “Great job Veronica, your cousin gives you her condo, and you drown yourself the first night that you arrive.” I cough and laughed.

  I stumbled back to my towel far enough from the danger of the surf. As my coughing subsided, I looked upward toward the sky. The light from the moon smiled down upon me. It was a majestic white hue that filled the heavens, lightening up all of Vanderbilt Beach. As I lied on my beach blanket, my mind reeled back to my days as a little girl.

  My mother and father used to take me to the beach every weekend. My mom loved to dress me in quaint little outfits and painted all ten toenails different shades of color. Her favorite color was pink. My mother loved everything and anything that was pink. She instilled the love for the color pink in me.

  My father and mother would take pictures of my brother and me. We were all so happy. We would build sand-castles in the sand and dad would do a bond fire, as mom sang, and would always join in with her. My father was a successful corporate lawyer, but his true love consisted of simple yet important things.

  “My beloved Veronica, do you know why I love coming to the beach.”

  “Why daddy?”

  “You don’t know, Boo Boo?”

  “Well, I think—I mean—because you love us so much!”

  “Yes, I do love you so much. I love my family, and I love music. When I am on the beach, I get you both.”

  “Who is your family?”

  “You are a silly Girl; you know the answer: You, Mommy and James.

  “What about Lola? Doesn’t she count?

  “Daddy, Lola is not stuffed; she is real.”

  “Yes, your right, my love, Lola is real. She is as real as all your dreams, hopes and desires. Promise me two things.”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  “Promise me that no matter what happens in life that you will never stop singing and that you will never stop dreaming.”

  “Yes, Daddy, I promise. I promise.”

  My father had held me close, kissed me on the forehead and whispered, “We are blessed.”

  The crack of thunder jolted me back to the present. I fished my compact from the wine bag, I looked at my tear stained cheeks. My image looked pale in the lunar light.” I fixated on
my eyes, looking deep into my soul.

  I had stop singing, and I had stopped dreaming. I had broken my promise to my father the day a semi-truck driver killed him on I-75. The day I heard the news, the happy and loving me died; the practical and cautious me emerged. No longer would I sing, dance or laugh. My hero, my one true love had left me without even saying Good-bye.

  Still holding the compact in front of me, I closed my eyes squeezing them tight. I silently prayed for my father’s forgiveness. I wanted him to forgive the seventeen year old who broke her promise and stopped believing.

  “I forgive you,” the surf whispered in the wind.

  My eyes shot open. “Did I just hear that?” I gasped. “Am I going crazy?” Looking into my compact, I said the words aloud. In the reflection of my hand mirror, I look past my tear stained eyes, noticing a large bond fire.