Love War (Battlefield of Love Book 1)

by Cary Hart

  “Ms. Harris, we have a problem.” Kyle, the foreman who took over for Drew, walks up, grabbing my attention.

  “Kyle, call me Aubrey,” I instruct.

  “Sorry, I have orders to show you the utmost respect.” He winks.

  I know Kyle is just being polite and doing what he’s told, but seriously? If Drew doesn’t have the balls to finish this job, what makes him think he can control what goes on when he’s not here?

  Because he owns it.

  Whatever. It’s stupid. Men are stupid.

  “Fine. What’s the problem, Mr. Lewis?” I give it right back to him.

  “The painters we contracted will be delayed because the flooring is on back order. Either we choose a new flooring or you are looking at...” He looks over his clipboard. “A three-week delay before the house is completely finished.”

  “I love that flooring.” I pout. “But I guess if I want it I’ll have to wait. Are we sure it will be here in a couple weeks?”

  “That’s what they are saying, ma’am.” He smirks, knowing he is irritating me.

  OK so maybe it’s a little funny. I smile back.

  “Well then, kind sir, I think I will wait for the wood.” I wink.

  Shaking his head. “Aubrey, you’re a pretty alright chick.” He laughs and walks away.

  Drew

  “SARAH, COME ON. WE are going to be late for the doctor!” I shout, standing outside her door.

  “How many times have I told you just use your key or better yet, why don’t you move back in?” She walks down the hall, taking her sweet time to answer the door. “Didn’t I tell you? I had to move the appointment.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? I rearranged a whole work week for this appointment.”

  “Geesh! Someone’s a little moody today. And I’m supposed to be the hormonal one.” She laughs it off.

  “So, when is your appointment now?” I get out my phone to plug it into my calendar, not wanting to miss the first appointment. With Andie, we were able to hear her heartbeat the first one, but she was further along than what we originally thought.

  “Apparently one doctor is on vacation and the other has a series of C-sections scheduled. So they said they will work me in.” She turns around and goes back in. “You coming?”

  “No, if you don’t have the appointment then I’m going to your parents’ to get Andie. It’s my night.”

  “Drew. Stop being mad at me. I didn’t do anything.” She tries to make me feel guilty for being upset.

  “Let’s get a few things straight.” I take a deep breath before I say some things I’ll regret. “You know what? Forget it.” I turn and walk toward my truck, opening the door to hop in.

  “Drew, I’m sorry,” she pleads, and for the first time I really think she means it.

  Damn it!

  “Do you want to tag along? I promised Andie pizza and ice cream.”

  “Actually, I’m meeting a co-worker for drinks.” She waves me on.

  I pause, not sure I heard her right. “Drinks? As in alcoholic?”

  Rolling her eyes, she says, “Drew, I’m pregnant. Decaf tea for me.”

  “Fine. I’ll drop her off later tonight.”

  “Actually, I packed her bag. Do you care to keep her all night?” She runs out, giving me a bag.

  “I’m not even going to ask why, but I’m assuming that you will take care of your health and the baby?”

  “Drew, if you care so much about my well-being, then move home. Be a family with us.” She throws the bag into the truck.

  I slam the door then roll down the window. “I’m trying.”

  It’s all I can say. I’ve tried to go to the doctor’s appointment. I’ve tried to include her in my nights with Andie. I’ve tried and tried and tried. I’m tired of trying.

  Backing out of the driveway I head to get Andie, but first I call Kyle to check on Aubrey’s renovation.

  Aubrey

  PULLING THE REARVIEW MIRROR down, I reapply my lipstick and pinch my cheeks to give them a little splash of color. Something had to give. I was running around with not a stitch of makeup on and a knotted bun in my hair. My new look screams lonely, single mom.

  Niki threatened me with another makeover and trip to Spotlight if I didn’t try to spruce up my appearance a little more. I reminded her that dinner was with Doug and it wasn’t a date, but her reply was, “Make the douche cream his pants.”

  So, now I’m running late, in a summer dress that is a little too short and heels that could sub as stilts. All for what? To impress Doug? To make him want me?

  I want none of those things. I guess I just want to feel normal and if that means I catch Doug’s eye then so be it, but in no way, shape or form do I want anything with him. No matter how hard he tries.

  “WOW! Look at you.” Doug looks me up and down as I approach the table. “Your legs are just—”

  “Bird like?” I answer.

  “Long. I seem to remember them wrapping around me quite nicely.” He tries to sneak in a memory.

  “Doug, this dinner is strictly about our daughter. Looking like this is just me trying to feel like a woman again,” I say to make things clear. I can’t take any more misconceptions.

  “Point taken.” He signals for the waiter. “You want a drink?”

  “Sure, but just one. I have to pick up Reece from your mom’s,” I remind him.

  “I’m sure if you wanted to have a few more, Mom would keep her all night,” he suggests, but I can’t shake the feeling he is trying to get me drunk or maybe even use this situation against me. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but right now my ability to trust is slim.

  “Another whiskey neat, sir?” the waiter asks, which makes me realize that Doug has already started drinking.

  Hmm, this is new.

  “Yes please, and she would like a Bourbon Manhattan straight up,” Doug orders for me.

  “I’m perfectly capable of ordering for myself,” I tell him.

  “I know this. Remember, married for 12 years.” He says it jokingly, but I still feel the sting.

  “So, tell me about this friend of hers and why she can’t see her anymore.” He leans across the table, giving me his full attention.

  “Andie.” I smile at the thought of her. That kid is amazing and it breaks my heart every day that I can’t see her. “We met her and her dad, by chance, at the park.”

  “When Reece fell off the monkey bars?”

  “Doug, let’s cut the crap. You know how they met and you know I was dating Andie’s dad. The girls became extremely close,” I remind him.

  His phone pings; he looks down to read the messages and then turns the phone to silent.

  “Having Andie as a support system was good for Reece and now...” I trail off as his phone lights up, notifying him of another text.

  “Yeah and now the support system is gone and her parents weren’t really divorced,” he says as he types out a new message. He seems more involved in his text conversation than with ours.

  “Do you need to take care of something?” I nod toward his phone.

  “No, I’m good. A situation came up with work. Apparently, my assistant is having issues with her daughter and she is calling off tomorrow.”

  “Would this be the assistant you had an affair with?” I can’t help but throw that in his face, since he wants to make little digs about my relationship with Drew.

  Leaning back, he takes another sip, watching me, daring me to say something. His phone springs to life once again. He glances at the phone then looks to me for approval.

  I’m not giving it.

  Doug was always on the phone when he was at home, either texting, calling or emailing during family time. My biggest pet peeve was him doing it during dinner. He couldn’t put it away for even a minute.

  It flashes again, but I ignore it and continue with our conversation. If he wants to text during our meeting then so be it.

  “You’re right. Her parents weren’t divorced—”


  “Here you two go.” The waiter hands me my glass. “A Bourbon Manhattan straight up for you ma’am, and a whiskey neat for you sir.” He sets Doug’s down in front of him, taking the empty glass in exchange.

  He takes a slow pull from his drink and I continue, “and come to find out he slept with his wife and now she’s pregnant.”

  Doug spits his drink out all over the table and me.

  “DOUG! Are you OK?” I rush to his side. Unrolling his silverware, I hand him his napkin and signal for a glass of water.

  “I’m fine.” He stands up. “Excuse me, I need to go get cleaned up.”

  As I return to my seat, the waiter brings a glass of water and a towel to wipe up the area.

  Noticing Doug’s cell phone still there I snatch it up so he can wipe up underneath. Just as I set it back down, Doug receives another text.

  Jojo: Are you with her?

  His assistant.

  Then another one comes through.

  Jojo: Answer me. You OWE it to me.

  What does he owe her?

  A picture is now coming through.

  If this is a nude picture, I’m going to barf. I should just put it down.

  The picture comes through and instantly I’m sick.

  “What the...” I’m looking at a picture of Sarah Williams flipping the camera off with Andie and Drew in the background building a playhouse.

  I scan the texts looking for anything that could explain this.

  Jojo: You told me we could be together.

  I scroll up further.

  Jojo: We can finally be the family we always said we wanted.

  Scrolling up there’s a picture of Andie with the caption, “She looks just like you.”

  A few more...

  Jojo: You tell her about us or I’ll make you wish you would have.

  Jojo: You were supposed to be with me. She stole you from me. Doug... Tell. Her. The. Truth!

  “What are you doing?” Doug’s face is void of color. “Give that here.”

  I hold the phone close. “No.”

  “I’m not fucking playing around, Aubrey. Give me the damn phone.” Furious, he reaches over the table to try to grab it, but I need answers and I can’t trust him to give them to me.

  Using my back as a shield, I turn around and view the contact.

  Sarah “JOJO” Williams

  How is this even possible?

  Spinning me around, Doug takes the phone from me. “Goddammit, Aubrey. You didn’t need to see this. It’s not exactly what you think it is. Well, maybe it’s a little what you think, but I can explain.”

  I hear him, but I can’t speak. My mind is overloaded with questions.

  How? Why? When?

  “Aubrey, don’t do anything stupid.”

  “Me? Are you serious right now? ME?” I begin to yell, causing a scene.

  “Calm down. People are looking.” He scans the crowd, looking apologetic.

  “I’ve got to go. Drew needs to know.” I grab my purse and head out the door. I’m almost to my car when I hear Doug behind me.

  “Aubrey, wait up.” He jogs across the street, trying to catch up.

  I need out of here. Drew has a right to know. Trying to hurry, I drop my keys.

  “Shit! Doug, I swear to God if you try to stop me I will go all Lorena Bobbitt on your ass.” I hold out my hand in a warning.

  “Aubrey, please. You can’t do this. Not until you hear the whole story. Please, I’m begging you.” His hand is on the car door, making sure I can’t leave. “Think about it. Drew is the only father Andie has known, for fuck’s sake. Think about them. Fuck, think about Reece.” He runs a hand through his hair.

  “Doug, please, don’t make me keep this secret,” I cry out. “Please.”

  “Aubrey, this story affects you more than you realize. Please, let’s just go for a drive and I’ll tell you everything, from the beginning.” He folds his hands together in a silent prayer, waiting for my answer.

  “Come on. Get in.”

  He lets go of the door and runs around to the other side of the car, getting in. Taking a deep breath, I slide in, scared of what I’m about to find out.

  Drew

  AUBREY SENT ME A text and asked if we could talk sometime. She said she needed to discuss an important matter, but I need to be alone. I tried to talk her out of it, letting her know seeing her wouldn’t be easy, but she was persistent. Resisting her was never my strong suit so I gave in, telling her she could come tonight if she was available.

  Surprised by my invite, she quizzed me on everyone’s whereabouts, shocked that Andie was at her mom’s for the weekend.

  Running around, I pick up the beer bottles and pizza boxes, quickly washing off my hands, excited that even if it’s for a brief moment I’ll be in the same room with her.

  Hearing the doorbell, I bolt to the door, stopping for a second to look in the mirror. My hair is longer from weeks of putting off a haircut, so I pull a ball hat off the coat rack and slide it on.

  “Hey.” She stands on the doormat, looking worried.

  “Hey.” I stare at her like some lovesick fool.

  “Umm...” She looks around. “Do you care if I come in?”

  “Oh yeah, I’m sorry.” I open the door wide. “Come in.”

  “Thanks.” She squeezes by, rubbing against me. My eyes close, remembering her touch. “Do you live here still?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought you would be at Sarah’s with Andie.” The million-dollar question.

  “That was never the plan, but I needed to make sure of what I was doing. I was confused and needed to make a decision without anything clouding my judgment,” I answer honestly.

  “I see. I didn’t mean to—”

  “Babe, that isn’t what I was saying.” I realize I accidently let the name I use for her slip.

  Ignoring my comment, she takes a seat and pats the cushion next to her. “Drew, what I’m about to tell you, it’s serious. Come sit.”

  “Aubrey, are you OK? Is something wrong?” I sit next to her, taking her hands in mine. “You can tell me anything.”

  “I was hoping you would say that, but this...it’s so huge, Drew.” Our hands switch positions, mine between hers.

  “I’m going to start from the beginning, 13 years ago.” She takes a deep breath and I wonder what her past has to do with me. “I was a freshman at the University of Illinois when I met Doug, who was a sophomore. When we met, everything happened so fast. He told me he was single, which he was, but apparently just before he met me, he had been in a very serious relationship with his high school sweetheart, the captain of the cheerleading squad, Sarah Jones. I never knew her real name, only that everyone called her JoJo and that according to his parents I would never be able to live up to her.”

  “So, you’re saying—”

  “Just let me finish, please. You need to hear it all,” she interrupts. “The rest you know. I got pregnant, Doug married me and then we lost the baby...stayed together, but apparently a couple times on and off during our marriage when life was too difficult for him, he turned to JoJo, a.k.a. Sarah Jones. Shortly before his five-year high school reunion, I found out I was pregnant, but since I had problems the first time, I wanted to see a doctor to confirm everything was OK and on track.”

  “Aubrey, I’m not sure how this pertains to me? Are you trying to say JoJo is Sarah Jones Williams, my ex?” I ask, aware that I called Sarah my ex. Even after finding out about the pregnancy I still can’t bring myself to move back in or refer to her as my wife.

  “Please, just let me get this out.” She flips my hand over, tracing circles in the palm of my hand, something she used to do when we were together. “The night of his reunion, he didn’t come home, said he stayed over at an old buddy’s house. Come to find out it was JoJo. A month later JoJo found out she was pregnant and was excited to tell Doug, hoping they could finally be together. The problem was, by the time she got to him, I had already told him I wa
s pregnant. That night he made a personal vow that he would put his family first. So, when JoJo called and said she needed to talk, he agreed. When he got there, he was afraid of caving so he told her that I was pregnant and what they had was over. It would never be again. That night, JoJo left without warning, never telling Doug.”

  I sit silently as her words sink in.

  “Drew, do you understand where I’m going at with this?”

  Yanking my hand away, I reply, “Just finish the story.”

  “OK, but if you need me to stop, I will.”

  “Just finish the damn story.” I flinch at the harshness of my own words. “Please.”

  “JoJo came from a very prominent family and having a baby out of wedlock would tarnish their image. She had been seeing one of her father’s employees and told him he was the father of the baby.”

  “WHAT THE FUCK, AUBREY?” I’m up and out of my seat.

  “Drew, I’m so sorry.” She comes up to rub my back, trying to reassure me that everything will be OK, but it won’t.

  “GET THE FUCK OUT!” I surprise myself with my reaction. “You think you can come in here and play these games with me? Seriously? Why? Jealousy?” Anger consumes me.

  “Drew, this isn’t a game.”

  “This can’t be happening.” I walk over to the bookcase and grab a picture of us. “You see this?” I show her the picture, pointing between me and Andie. “She. Looks. Just. Like. Me.”

  “Drew, please, just let me finish.”

  “There is nothing else I need to know. You coming in here spreading your lies...” I’m in her face. “You’re no better than her.”

  “FUCK YOU!” She shoves me back and I fall into the chair. “Sarah is a bitch who stole from me and lied to you. She kept Doug from his daughter and deceived you not once, but twice.” She holds up two fingers. “She wasn’t pregnant with your child then nor is she now.” She turns to grab her purse. “I’m nothing like her. What she did affects us all.” She leaves, slamming the door behind her.