Smoldering

by Tiffany Aleman

  Todd’s eyes flit between Riley and me as he sticks his hand out to introduce himself. Riley returns the gesture. “I’m Todd Prescott. Governor of Virginia.”

  Riley forces a smile on his face because I know he’s worried about me and making pleasantries is not the top priority on his list at the moment. “Governor.” he nods. “Riley Jackson,” he adds introducing himself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope you and your date are enjoying yourselves this evening.”

  “We are. Please make sure to tell your mother that we said she has done a wonderful job putting all of this together and on such a beautiful piece of property, too,” Todd replies with a nod and a wave of his hand as he gestures the house and tent. “This is my date, Claire, by the way.”

  Riley nods in her direction in an attempt at being polite but his tone speaks volumes at how annoyed he’s becoming. “Ma’am, it’s a pleasure.”

  “You, as well,” she answers with that conniving smile that I’m half-tempted to slap clean off her face.

  Avoiding eye contact with the dynamic duo in front of us, I lean in towards Riley and whisper, “I’m going to go to our seats. I’ll meet you there?”

  He nods and just as I pivot and take a few steps, Todd says loudly, “Oh, Riley, I see you’re fucking my ex-fiancée, Kelsey Connor, Congressman Connor’s daughter.”

  I’m frozen in place as time literally stops.

  Audible, collective gasps can be heard around the tent. Somewhere in the background, the quartet is still playing, but all eyes are on Riley and me. A deep-rooted blush begins to take over, my heart thunders at a rapid pace beneath my ribcage, and my breaths become gasps for air. Then, as if things couldn’t get worse, my eyes find Lana’s. Recognition flashes as she stares back at me.

  “Kelsey?” Riley questions from beside me. “Tell me this is not the same Todd,” he begs as he takes hold of my elbow, forcing me to look at him. Tears of anger, hurt, embarrassment, and years’ worth of resentment begin to well up.

  “You didn’t tell him?” Todd taunts, my silence speaking volumes. He shakes his head.

  My eyes narrow and my lips form into thin, hard lines. I shake Riley’s hold off my arm as I step into Todd’s space. “Yes, I told him, you asshole. I didn’t tell him you were the governor because you are a narcissist and a misogynistic man that I would much rather forget than ever remember I was engaged to,” I seethe.

  “Why? Are you ashamed of me?” He clutches his chest as if I just wounded him.

  Claire snickers beside Todd, staring at him like he is a prize or something. “You? Who’d be ashamed of you?” Her steely blue eyes find mine as she tilts her head to one side and purses her lips. “Maybe if you had learned how to keep him satisfied, he would have been a better man to you.”

  If a mass of people wasn’t gathered around right now, I’d knock this bitch on her ass. Patience is something I have very little of in current supply.

  An amused look crosses his face as he throws his head back in laughter. I stand there completely embarrassed and appalled at the same time. “Oh, Kelsey, I’m not misogynistic. I just couldn’t stand you. So in turn, I treated you like shit.” He grins and winks at me.

  “Hey!” Riley shouts from beside me before taking a step forward. “I don’t give a damn if you’re a governor or not, but you’re about to get your ass knocked out,” he says in an eerily calm tone that leaves no room for debate.

  “Spoken like a true prick,” I whisper at Todd as the tears that had been building break free from their hold and spill over.

  Todd lowers his voice where only Riley and I can hear. “This little display between us might cost me my election, but it was completely worth it just to see the look on your face right now.” With a shake of his head, he whispers, “I told you you’d pay for what you did to me.”

  And that’s when I see red. Rage consumes me. My body starts to tremble. My breathing escalates and before I know it, without warning, my hand comes up and the sound of skin hitting skin resonates throughout the tent. Strong arms bind around my waist, yanking me back as a sob escapes me. “Let me go. I hate him. Let. Me. Go!” I shout.

  “You need to calm down,” Riley whispers in my ear, his words calming me.

  My body goes limp in his arms as I hiccup out in a whisper, “No… w… do you… se… e… why I… le… ft… him?”

  There’s no fight left in me and I know that Riley can tell as he sets me back on my feet.

  Todd chuckles like he’s watching a fucking comedy and not screwing up my life. “You have a winner there, Riley.”

  Riley lunges forward, his hands clutching the lapels of Todd’s suit jacket as he yanks him forward so that they’re nose to nose. A look of surprise crosses Todd’s face, but only for a moment until he smoothes his features.

  “You ever fucking talk like that to her or me again and I will kick your ass myself. Do I make myself clear, Governor?” he asks in a menacing tone, enunciating Todd’s title in a mocking manner.

  “That’s enough,” Ron barks out, placing a hand on Riley’s shoulder, silently asking him to remove his hands from Todd.

  Riley’s face is filled with fury. His eyes narrow into slits and his lips are pressed into a hard line. After a moment, Riley nods, shoving Todd back and away from us.

  As I stand there, taking in everything that’s just happened, my eyes scan the crowd. Some women have their hands covering their mouths in horror while others stand with their mouths agape. Most of the men stand there silently shaking their heads. As I look to Lana, my heart breaks for her as I watch silent tears fall down her stunning face, a place they don’t belong. And I’m sure she’s crying for her son and the relationship with me that I’m sure is now in jeopardy. Lastly, my eyes find Riley, his head hanging low as his father whispers in his ear. His hands are on his hips as his chest heaves and I can make out the subtle shakes of his head.

  Before my brain can catch up to my body, I’m moving. The crowd parts like the sea as I shove my way through and, just as I break free, I’m sprinting across the lawn, barely able to breathe, my shoulders and my body heaving as uncontrollable sobs assault me with a vengeance. Everything passes in a blur and before I know it, I’m climbing the stairs only to trip over my dress and shoes, my hands breaking my fall. I rip off my shoes, lift the front of my dress, and hurriedly make my way to the suite.

  Just as the door closes behind me, I stumble towards the bed looking for my phone. The pain lancing through my heart at the notion that Riley wouldn’t even acknowledge me shatters me to a million pieces. I grab my purse and fumble through the contents, retrieving my phone. My eyes blurred by tears, I find Jen’s name and press call.

  “Hey bitch! Thanks for letting me know you made it in okay yesterday,” she shouts into the phone, sarcasm evident in her voice.

  “Jen.” Her name, it’s a broken plea as my voice cracks.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks immediately on alert that something has happened.

  I tell her about mine and Riley’s fight last night, Todd, the benefit, and Riley’s reaction as I cry.

  “You need to go find him and talk to him,” she states calmly, always the voice of reason.

  “What?” My tone is full of disbelief. “Did you not hear a thing I just said?”

  “I did. But I also know you’re hurting right now and not thinking rationally. Kelsey, the man found out you were engaged not even twenty-four hours ago. Then douche bag shows up at the benefit and not only announces that he’s the governor of Virginia, but that you were his ex-fiancée. I love you and you know that, but you have to think about the load of shit Riley has learned about you since yesterday.” Jen sighs into the phone and I can tell she wishes she were here for me. “Not only are you embarrassed, he is too, especially since it happened in front of God and everybody. He wasn’t prepared for it. What was he supposed to do?”

  “Okay.” I use the back of my hands to wipe the tears off my face. “You’re right.”

  “Good. Now g
o find Riley and get all this worked out.”

  “I love you,” I whisper.

  “Love you, too, girl,” she replies softly.

  After I hang up, I stand and make my way into the bathroom to try and clean myself up. Black streaks run down my face, my lips are swollen, and for some reason, even though I’m no longer sobbing, the tears will not stop falling. I grab a piece of tissue and blot them away. With my hair still intact and one too many bobby pins to remove, I leave it be, deciding to change out of my dress instead. After what just happened, even if Riley and I do talk things out, there is no way in hell I’m going back down there. I throw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, slip my feet into some flip flops, and leave the confines of my room to find my heart.

  Walking back down the hallway towards the stairs, I’m halted when I hear my name come from behind a closed door. I press my ear against the thin wood and listen. If something’s being said about me, I should know.

  “I knew she was previously engaged.” It’s Riley’s voice. Even though it may be muffled, I’d be able to tell his voice anywhere.

  “Don’t you remember, son?” Lana asks. “I told you a couple years back about the woman who walked out on her wedding, leaving the governor of Virginia at the altar.”

  “Mom, I was deployed. Do you think I cared about that gossip?” Riley groans in frustration.

  “Remember, Ron? We were a part of the guest list. I knew she looked familiar,” Lana states. I’m sure if I could see her now, she’s probably in there shaking her head in exasperation. “But son, you have to go to her. If you love her, talk to her. It’s the only way to work things out.”

  I barely have time to register Ron and Lana telling Riley to go after me when it clicks that they were supposed to be at my wedding. I recall the publicity that followed after I walked out on Todd, but never in a million years would I have thought they were in attendance.

  “Son, we know you love her and we know she loves you, too, but you really need to think about this,” Ron advises.

  “I don’t know, mom. I asked her if there was anything else I should know about her and she didn’t say anything.”

  “She’s a nice woman that loves you, but I can see where you’re coming from too,” Lana starts with a soft voice. “If you want to work things out with Kelsey, we understand and we’ll support your decision. Your happiness means everything to us, but what happened here tonight will make headlines. You know the press is here and people will talk and rumors will be spread. Think about the legacy our family has left behind, think about everything we’ve worked so hard for, and then compare that to the love you have for Kelsey.”

  “The decision is yours and yours alone, son.” Ron states.

  Silence ensues and I’m left suffocating. They think I’ll destroy their image, their brand, their company—them in general. Numbness takes over me as I walk back to the room in a daze. The only thought that crosses my mind is I need to leave.

  My movements are mechanical as I toss my clothes in my suitcase. I grab my cell out of my purse and look up the numbers for local cab companies. After calling for a cab, I peruse the bus station site and purchase a ticket for home. I gently lay the beautiful dress Lana bought for me across the bed.

  It’s funny how one moment, I felt more alive than I ever have in my life and now, I feel empty, hurt—nothing.

  “What are you doing?” Riley asks from behind me, startling me.

  I snap my suitcase shut, lift the bag off the bed, and turn around to face him. Riley stands there, his hands braced against the doorway, with a look I’ve never seen from him before. Indifference. It’s heartbreaking and crushing at the same time. Our eyes lock and the only thing I can decipher is the eyes that used to hold a spark and so much warmth for me have been replaced with a vacant stare.

  “I’ve called a cab and bought a bus ticket.”

  Your family doesn’t think I’m good enough for you.

  “I think you need some space—we need some space,” I croak out as I shrug in defeat as a stray tear rolls down my face.

  I don’t want you to feel forced to make a decision between them and me like I had to. The only difference was I chose myself, my happiness, my heart over my family.

  Riley’s eyes flicker back and forth over my face for a beat, his lips pursed in thought before he nods. “You’re right,” he says with no emotion at all as he shakes his head and walks away.

  And all I can think is I’m not sure if he just walked away for some space or for good.

  The past week has been pure hell. After I left his parents’ house, something shifted in our relationship, and it wasn’t for the better. I knew the moment Todd called me his ex-fiancé in front of everyone, things between Riley and I would never be the same. I could feel it deep within my soul. It was like all the air had been sucked out of the room and I couldn’t breathe. Now, I’m suffocating.

  That was seven days ago.

  Seven days that my calls and texts have gone unanswered.

  Seven days since I’ve seen him.

  I’d like to chalk it up to he’s just busy but I know differently. Sleep has evaded me. My appetite is no longer existent. I stay holed up in my room, only leaving for work. I’m living like a hermit. I’ve become a shell of the person I was a week ago. Jen has exhausted all her efforts to make me feel better, but it’s no use. In a million pieces, I left my heart in a driveway in Alabama and, for the first time in my life, I don’t know how to cope.

  After deciding that I’m finished trying to get him to come to me, I make the decision to go to him. In a pair of sweat pants and a ratted T-shirt, I pull myself out of bed, not giving a damn how I look. He needs to see what his avoidance has done to me. I go into the bathroom and what I see in the mirror doesn’t surprise me at all. Bloodshot eyes, the tip of my nose and lips red and swollen, and my hair a mess, at least I look how I feel, like shit. For the first time in days, I brush my teeth and even the fresh feeling doesn’t improve my mood. I pull my hair back in a messy bun and decide that’s as good as it’s going to get.

  “Where are you going?” Jen asks cautiously as I pick up my purse off the bookshelf by the couch.

  “Out,” I answer in a monotone voice, the same voice she’s heard all week.

  “Kelsey, I don’t think that’s a good ide—,” she states, but I don’t let her finish as I walk out the door, promptly shutting it on her response.

  As I walk out into the humid summer air that the end of July brings, I make my way to my car. It’s pouring out, which causes me to laugh out sardonically. The irony of the storm brewing above matches the tidal wave of emotions happening within me. Realistically, I know, in the state I’m in, I probably shouldn’t be driving, but I’m to the point that I just don’t give a shit anymore.

  I’m not sure how I make it to Riley’s house in one piece. On a normal day, the drive would have taken me thirty minutes without traffic, but in a storm, it should have taken me longer. Magically, I make it there in fifteen. And here I sit, probably looking like a stalker, in the driveway parked behind his car. A silver Mercedes occupies the spot where I normally park. Thunder and lightning collide in the night sky, rattling the windows in my car. Rain pours down in sheets, soaking me to the bone as soon as I step out of my car to make my way up the walkway and stairs until I’m standing at the front entrance.

  On the other side of this door is the one person that can make all the hurt I’ve been feeling this past week disappear. Pain pierces straight through my heart at the thought of not seeing him again. I sniffle back the tears that I’ve been crying for days. My hands brace my weight against the doorframe as memories of us assault me. The night at City Market when we danced in the middle of Ellis Square, our first technical date, the Blackhawk, the first time we made love, the first time he told me he loved me. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly willing the memories, the happiest memories I’ve ever known, to stop. Tears mix in with the rain as they both flow down my face. Heaving a deep breath, I push
myself upright, square my shoulders, and hold my head up high. If this is it, if what we have is really over, then he better be man enough to tell me to my face. The unknown of what is about to come out of this whole situation scares the shit out of me, but I need to know. Slowly, I raise my fist to knock on the door when it suddenly flies open and what I see makes me want to vomit all over again.

  A tall, blonde pulls at the hem of her shirt as she rights herself. My eyes feel like they are about to pop out as my mouth opens and shuts as if I’m about to say something. Smeared lipstick stains her cheeks and I’m not sure who’s more shocked, her or me. When my wide eyes meet hers, it literally feels as if a knife has stabbed me in the stomach. If I thought for one second that this past week showed me what actual pain was, I was dead wrong. My knees feel as if they’re about to give way beneath my weight as I stare at the woman in front of me. She smiles at me and her eyes rake over my body, clearly deciding that I’m no competition for her. I look past her to see Riley sitting on the couch in just his jeans, his head in his hands. A tumbler filled with amber liquid rests in front of him on the coffee table.

  “Are you fucking serious right now?” I ask through a sob.

  The woman looks back at him over her shoulder before turning to look at me. She shrugs her shoulders and says, “Maybe you’ll do the trick. He couldn’t even get it up because he’s so drunk.”

  I storm past her, shoving her out of the way, as I make my way to stand directly in front of Riley.

  “Hey, bitch, watch it,” she shouts.

  When I look at her, she must realize that I’m about to release the hounds of hell in this house because she slowly begins her retreat out the door.