A Complicated Summer of Love (Complicated Love Series #3)

by Midgley, D M

  What the hell was this all about?

  One minute he was all over me, and the next he was drained and going to bed. I didn’t know what to think and I was so angry at him. I opened the bathroom door and made my way to the bed, slipping under the covers. I turned over toward Joshua to give him a kiss, maybe I can entice him to give me what I want. What I didn’t expect was to turn over and find Joshua asleep.

  For a moment, I look at him and smile because he seems so peaceful. I love him so much and I hate sounding like such a needy woman, but I want sex with my husband. I want to have that intimacy with him again. It seems like forever since we’ve been together like that and I’m angry that he has shunned me like this. I roll over onto my back and face the ceiling. This is going to be a long night because I’m angry at him for the way tonight has played out. I just hope that the rest of the holiday goes better than today.

  The first day here has been epic. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending my time on the deck outside my bungalow reading a book. Karl has been off gallivanting with Joshua, Annabelle, and Tracy are on the beach and Lily and Maddison have been sleeping for most of the day. They keep complaining about jet lag. Karl has this stupid notion that he’s going to win Tracy over and I can’t help but find it amusing that he’s so loved up. We’re getting on better now, but I was shocked when he invited me on this holiday. In all honesty, I’m happy that he did because I’ve been very lonely for a long time. I don’t have many friends, and my work at the magazine keeps me busy most of the time. I thought being here around Tracy might be awkward, but it really isn’t and she’s been nothing but nice.

  Our friendship is like it always was, and that shows me that we’re more friends than lovers. It’s late evening and it’s so quiet out now, and as I look out to sea it’s pitch black, but the decking is lit up with tall lanterns which casts a beautiful light over everything. I’ve spent most of today on my own, but I do like my own time and my own company. I can hear Lily and Maddison giggling next door. They’ve only just met and they seem to be getting on really well.

  Things between Lily and I have been really weird. After that night when Tracy got so wasted that Karl had to take her home, which lead to me taking Lily home, we haven’t seen each other. We did speak a lot that night in the car and she seems like a really good laugh.

  She has a great personality, and naturally I can’t help but notice how beautiful she is. She is so tiny and her gorgeous red hair is shiny and looks so silky. Ever since that night I’ve had thoughts of running my fingers through her beautiful hair over and over again. I don’t know why I never asked for her number when I took her home, or why I never tried to see her again, but it’s too late now. I haven’t carried on a conversation with her yet, and every time we are in the same room, she ignores me. I see her glancing at me sometimes, but every time I look at her, she turns away. It’s only day one, and I’m confused by her attitude. I’m not into playing games, so I’m not really interested in trying to make conversation with her if she wants to be like that. It’s kind of immature.

  I hear footsteps on the decking and I look up to see Maddison coming towards me. Here’s another woman that blew my breath away when I first met her after getting off the plane. I don’t know much about her because she seems shy, and when I tried speaking to her, she didn’t really say much, basically just gave me one-word answers. She’s absolutely stunning with curly brown hair and this cute little button nose. She has an amazing smile, and I’d love to speak to her more. She dresses differently to other women. She doesn’t wear revealing clothes and she always looks classy and sophisticated in everything she wears. I can’t help but check her out as she’s walking toward me swaying her hips. She looks so stunning in the low light, but I’m feeling out of sorts when my mind starts picturing Lily. Her gorgeous red hair swinging back and forth as she walks toward me. They’re both entirely different women.

  “Hey, Brandon.” Maddison plops down in a chair next to me. “What are you up to?” She smiles shyly.

  “Nothing much. I just wanted to chill for a bit today. I’m still tired from the flight, so I thought sitting around with a good book was a great relaxer.”

  “Sounds bliss. What are you reading?” I smile and show her the cover.

  “It’s called The Accident.”

  “Oh, sounds interesting. I might have to check it out sometime. I’m reading The Girl on the Train and I’m so obsessed with it. I find it impossible to put it down.” She laughs a gorgeous laugh.

  “I can’t say I’ve read that, but I might have to check it out.” I smile and she smiles back at me. This is the longest we’ve ever spoken.

  “What are you doing tomorrow? Lily doesn’t seem to know what she wants to do, and I’m not sure what the two couples are doing.”

  “Two couples?” I laugh.

  “Yeah. You know…Annabelle and Joshua and Tracy and Karl. I know Karl and Tracy aren’t together, but I know it’s only a matter of time before they are as loved up as Annabelle and Joshua.” She does have a point I guess. We all know it’s going to happen, but I think the only person that doesn’t know is Tracy.

  “I’m not sure what to do tomorrow, really. Why do you have something in mind?” I ask. She bites her bottom lip nervously while she seems to be choosing her words carefully.

  “Well, I was wondering if you want to come on a tour with me? There’s one tomorrow and it’s for the whole day. We would have to get on a small boat to take us to Kuda Bandos, which is a small island where we could have a picnic and maybe do some sunbathing or water sports if you fancy it…”

  It sounds like it could be fun, but before I can say anything, she’s already trying to take back her offer.

  “You know what, it seems like a silly idea. We don’t really know each other, and maybe I shouldn’t have said anything…”

  I place my hand on her arm to stop her from babbling. “It seems like a great idea, Maddison. I would be honored.” She smiles a really dazzling smile and she appears to have relaxed a little.

  “Great…I can’t wait,” she whispers quietly so I only just hear her.

  “There you are, girl! I wondered where you scurried off to.” Lilly comes bouncing toward her before perching down on the arm of Maddison’s chair. “What are you two out here talking about?” I look at Maddison and she’s looking down twiddling with her fingers, so I answer for her.

  “We were just talking, mainly about the books we’re reading.”

  Lily huffs. “How boring! You are here in the Maldives and you're sitting around discussing the book you’re currently reading. My God…lame!” She fakes a yawn. “Let’s do something fun. Tracy has already gone to bed, and I’m not sure where Karl is. I think he went to bed too. They have been playing volleyball this afternoon. Annabelle and Joshua also headed off to bed, so it’s just the three of us.” Maddison and I glance at each other.

  “Okay,” I say. “What do you have in mind?” She looks at us both before she smirks.

  “Let’s play spin the bottle!” She squeals and claps her hands together. I can’t help but think she’s completely crackers, but utterly gorgeous. Her smile is infectious and she’s so upbeat that you could say she’s a live wire. She’s always ready to have fun. Maddison doesn’t look happy with Lily’s suggestion.

  “Come on…that’s a girly game for teenagers.” She crosses her arms and looks slightly embarrassed that Lily has even mentioned playing spin the bottle.

  “So what? It’ll be fun. Let’s have a few drinks and have some fun!” She bounces and I’m slightly concerned that maybe she’s taken something because this amount of energy can’t be normal.

  I sigh and decide one game won’t hurt. “Okay…I’m in.” She squeals and claps her hands before strutting off toward her bungalow.

  “Awesome. I’ll go in and get us some beverages and an empty bottle.” Lily’s gone before we can say anything more.

  “Well, this is going to be fun.” Maddison giggles and I smile at her.
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  “Yeah…” She looks down and won’t look me in the eyes. She’d finally relaxed around me when we were talking, but now she seems nervous again. Lily comes back with an empty bottle and two bottles of rose wine and some beers.

  “Are you ready, guys? Let’s play!” She places the bottle on the table and we all sit around it. “Right, if the bottle lands on you, you can choose either truth or dare. It will be much more fun than just kissing each other even though that would be fun too.” She bats her eyelashes but then laughs. “The person who spins the bottle will choose the truth or dare for the person it lands on. Does that make sense?” We both nod our heads and Lily smirks before spinning the bottle.

  This might just end up being a fun night.

  The night is going really well. I know I’ve had too much wine, but I’m trying to control my jealousy at seeing Brandon and Maddison chatting alone. They looked so comfortable together and they have similar interests. To find out that they have been talking about books of all things has me raging with jealousy. I hate feeling like this, but I can’t seem to reel it in.

  When we were back in Los Angeles and he took me home after Tracy got wasted, we spoke in the car and I loved talking to him about anything. He’s completely different to the men I usually go for because he’s quiet, nerdy, and I hate that he seems to know more than me. I feel like I don’t measure up, and sometimes he says things that I don’t understand or don’t know about. So I find it hard to carry on a long conversation with him. He was kind, though, even though he didn’t know me. He asked me questions about myself and made me laugh, he was so charming and I felt my heart skip a beat. He made me feel things that I never thought I was capable of feeling, and I’m not going to lie I love that feeling.

  Coming on this holiday was a chance to get to know the man that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since I met him. I never saw him again after he dropped me off at my place that night, but it didn’t keep me from dreaming and fantasizing about seeing him again. I didn’t realize that Maddison was coming on this holiday too. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the woman, but I hate she’s so like Brandon. We’ve only been here a day and they seem to be getting on like a house on fire. I hate it so much that my stomach is always in knots when I watch them together. This is why I needed to come outside and see if I could get them to participate in something. I don’t want them to get to know one another too well, so I racked my brain for something to do.

  I kind of feel stupid coming up with spin the bottle, but at least I put a spin on it with the truth or dare part. I go inside to get some beverages, I think I’m going to need some liquor in me for this game. We sit around a table on the decking and I place the empty bottle in the middle on its side. I fill mine and Maddison’s glasses with wine and pass a beer to Brandon, taking a large gulp from my glass. I see Brandon and Maddison sharing secretive smiles. I’m dreading this night now, and I’m not sure how it’s going to play out.

  SUNDAY

  It’s great being here, and I love just sitting on the decking outside my bungalow just watching the ocean. The ocean is so blue and it totally beats some of the beaches along the coast of England. I’m eating my breakfast and it's nice being alone for a few minutes. It gives me a chance to think about my plan of action to win Tracy over. I’m pretty sure the only thing I can do, is spend as much time as possible with her. I need to show her that we’re great together and that she can depend on me.

  It’s so frustrating that she loves me and I love her, but we’re not together. I have no idea why. I know it has something to do with her parents, but I need her to understand that we aren’t going to be like them. I know we won’t, because we love each other and I can’t see that ever changing. I just need her to take the risk. I’m lost in my thoughts when I notice someone sitting down in a chair across from me, so I come back to the present and see that Brandon has sat down.

  “Hey bro, what’s up?” I observe he’s nursing a black coffee and he’s looking a bit green. “You, all right? You’re not looking so hot.”

  He sips his coffee. “I have a banging headache. I think I might have drunk a bit too much last night.” I laugh at his wrinkled up face when he watches me eating eggs on toast. He dips his head down and concentrates on his coffee instead.

  “Must’ve been a good night then? Why wasn’t I invited to this little party?”

  “It wasn’t a party, and it wasn’t exactly planned. Lily talked Maddison and me into a game of spin the bottle.” I’m just putting a piece of toast in my mouth when he says, “You played spin the bottle?” and I end up choking on it while trying not to laugh.

  “Well, I didn’t want to really, but it was something to do, I guess. Lily wanted to make it more like spin the bottle, truth or dare kind of thing. There was plenty of drinking, that much I know.” I finish my breakfast and take a drink of my coffee.

  “What happened in the game then?”

  “I’m not sure really…I can’t remember much of last night. I don’t know if that’s a bad thing or a good thing.” I’m just about to ask more when there’s a commotion to our right.

  “Come on, baby. I don’t understand why you’re mad at me, but please just stop and talk to me.” Annabelle comes storming out of their bungalow with her fists clenched. She spins around and glares at Joshua as he rushes out onto the decking.

  “I have nothing to say to you! I just want some space right now!” She doesn’t say anything else before turning around and storming off, down the steps to the beach. I look back at Joshua and he slumps his shoulders and looks confused as to what’s just happened. He notices us and makes his way over and slides into the chair to my right.

  “Sorry, you had to see that.” He looks upset.

  “Don’t worry about it, mate. What’s up with Annabelle?” He looks as if he’s trying to come up with an explanation, but he sighs and looks defeated.

  “I have no idea. I woke up this morning and she was already up, but won’t talk to me. I’ve obviously done something to wind her up. I’m trying to rack my brain for something I’ve done wrong, but I’m absolutely clueless.” He shakes his head.

  “That’s women for you. Aren’t you going to go after her?”

  “Nah, I think it’s best to let her go. You heard what she said, she wants some space so I’m going to give her it.” He looks at Brandon. “What do you think?” Brandon holds up his hands.

  “Whoa, I don’t think I should comment, I don’t really know enough to give you advice.” I laugh at Brandon’s awkwardness. My thoughts turn to the vision in front of me when I see Tracy walking toward the table with a bowl, and her favorite, a glass of orange juice. She always tells me that she doesn’t understand how I can drink tea and coffee. She said she tried it once, and absolutely hated it so she sticks to cold drinks.

  “Hey, guys. Where’s all the others?”

  “I’m not sure where Maddison and Lily are, but it sounds like they had a late night last night so they might not be up for a few more hours.” I look up at her and she looks beautiful. “You look stunning today.” She blushes and I fist pump the air in my mind. I love seeing the effect I have on her. It gives me hope that maybe I can win her around.

  “I hope Maddison is up soon because we’re going on a boat tour today.” We all turn and look at Brandon and he’s shifting nervously in his seat.

  “Wait…are you and Maddison…you know?” Tracy looks at Brandon expecting an answer, but Brandon is looking anywhere but at her.

  “It’s nothing like that. She invited me to go and I said yes, that’s all.” He gulps the rest of his coffee down and pushes his chair out before walking off. Tracy sits down in his seat.

  “Well, that is interesting…” She’s smiling wide.

  “Don’t go reading anything into it, beautiful.”

  She smirks at me before replying. “Okay, okay, I was just saying.” She starts to eat her cereal.

  “Well, I’m going to leave you guys to it.” Joshua gets up
. “I’m going to see if I can find Annabelle and sort this mess out.” He heads down toward the beach.

  “What’s the story there?”

  “Annabelle’s mad at Joshua for something, but he’s not sure what.” She looks concerned.

  “Shall I go and find her?” She starts to get up, but I reach across and grab her arm.

  “No beautiful, leave it to Joshua. They need to sort out themselves.” I smile my megawatt smile and she blushes again. “How about we get out of here and do something?”

  She bites her bottom lip. “What together?”

  I chuckle. “Yeah together. We can do whatever you want to do.” She looks nervous and I like that reaction, to me it means she’s scared of what will happen.

  “Okay then.” She thinks for a moment. “I’ve been looking in the brochures we have in the bungalows, and I really want to go to the National Museum.”

  She wants to go to a museum? I guess if that’s what she wants, then so be it.

  “Okay beautiful…you’re on.”

  “I’ll go and get changed and meet you here in half an hour?” I smile at her excitement.

  “Sounds good, beautiful.”

  She bounces off and I can’t help thinking that she’s so adorable. I may not want to visit a museum, but I’m so happy to be spending time with Tracy and hopefully this will be one step closer to finally making her mine.

  I know that Karl isn’t that keen on going to the National Museum, but I’m pleased that he went along with my idea. Deep down I know I just want to spend time with him. I do love him even though we can’t be together, so it’s only natural that I’d want to be around him. We’ve arrived at the National Museum and I’m gobsmacked by the building. It looks so historic and so beautiful. I see a plaque on the wall which tells the history of the building. Reading it, I discover that it’s a three-story building located in Sultan Park in Malé. It forms part of the Maldivian Royal Palace compound which dates back to the seventeenth century. Reading on, I discover that it’s talking about the old building that was previously the National Museum. This building was presented to the Maldives by the Chinese Government. It sounds so interesting. The front of the building is absolutely stunning in white bricks, and I love how the glass paned windows decorating the doors, curves round. I’m so excited to be here, and I can see from the look on Karl’s face that we are complete opposites and that he isn’t exactly excited to be doing this.