Healing my Heart: Book 2 - My Heart Series

by Michelle, Aleya

  He texts back to me. Why would he cancel? Just go alone you idiot so many people in the world are single.

  Don’t be silly, just go. He is your friend. Honestly no one will care if you don’t have a partner with you Dylan.

  I reply kind of wishing I hadn’t. You should have just let him freaking cancel.

  It is a sit down dinner, table settings, five-course meal, all catered for. If I have a spare seat next to me it will stand out like a sore thumb.

  He texts me back.

  Fucking hell…

  You are too nice for you own good Roxy. You know he can be scary, what if it is some elaborate plan to get you alone. I decide that I will go on a few conditions.

  Okay Dylan you win. I will come as your FRIEND and only if I can meet you there and leave after two hours maximum.

  I message him back and feel sick. He is like a ghost that just won’t stop haunting me.

  You are amazing Roxy. Do you know that? Thank you and I promise two hours and friends, you might even have a few laughs.

  I’ll meet you in the car park of the Silver Jade Chinese Restaurant it’s on Worth Road, at around six-thirty for dinner. Is that okay?

  Dylan texts again.

  Yes I will be there as friends for your mates dinner, nothing more Dylan. If this is an attempt to get me back it will NOT work. Just letting you know.

  Friday morning I wake from the restless sleep that has returned, feeling anxious about the dinner tonight. But hey, two hours then you are gone.

  “Morning Jem,” I say cheerfully to my bestie looking adorable in her pastel pink singlet and boxer short pyjama set. Looking up from her phone while eating her cereal, she looks concerned about something.

  “What’s up?” I ask her now interested to see what has her on edge.

  “There is a random message on my Facebook wall from someone named Will Lewis. Check out what it says,” Jemma tells me now sounding pissed off and handing me her phone.

  Staring at her phone I see the post from this unknown guy.

  Will Lewis posted: Thanks for last night sexy, let’s do it again sometime.

  “What the hell Jem?” I say to her puzzled and pissed off right alongside her, this post is going to cause some drama. Jemma is in a relationship with Dan and a guy posting shit like this is not going to go down well that is for sure.

  “I don’t fucking know. Dan has seen it and messaged me but he trusts me and I was with him last night. But the thing that shits me is why would some dickhead post this? Obviously they wanted to start trouble. I checked his profile and it was created this month, with only a few pictures of bands, TV shows and no friends added. Obviously it’s a dummy account.”

  “And it is already starting to cause trouble, look.”

  I look on her screen to see a post from Georgina a friend from high school.

  Oh Jemma I didn’t know you and Dan split up, sorry hunny.

  “Fucking hell, I’m going to jump on the laptop and try to delete this post before anyone else sees it and comments,” Jemma states to me angrily and shaking her head.

  Hmmmm what a strange thing to happen. You know who better not have anything to do with this…

  I totally unenthusiastically dress in my black tight jeans and blue singlet top with sequins but cover it up with my black leather jacket, I really have no interest in looking too nice for the engagement dinner, but I am not the type to look bad when I leave the house either.

  “Jem what do you think? I don’t want to look too nice but not like a dog either out in public,” I ask her advice as she is the fashion guru if I ever knew one.

  “You couldn’t look like dog if you tried Rox. Well maybe a cute little poodle but not a fugly dog,” she tells me and pokes out her tongue playfully.

  “But yes your outfit is a good mix, it’s nice but not sexy or alluring to give Dylan the wrong idea. I would just keep your jacket on so he can’t see your puppies too,” she adds winking and it makes me giggle.

  “Okay I am going, two hours Jem. If you haven’t heard from me, check on me okay,” I tell her sounding and feeling slightly worried but we will be in a public place so it will be fine.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you there and pick you up Rox? Then I would know you are ok for sure.”

  “Nope that’s thirty minutes each way out of your night. Enjoy your dinner and movie date night with Dan the man, girlfriend. I will be home by ten easy,” I assure her.

  Giving me a hug, Jem tells me, “Okay love you. Now just make small talk and no eye contact with Dylan, looking into your gorgeous eyes will make him melt.”

  I pull into the car park and see Dylan leaning against his car waiting. He does look handsome all dressed up in jeans and a dress shirt, but there is definitely no spark there for me anymore.

  “Hey Rox, you look beautiful as always,” Dylan says to me and leans in to kiss my cheek. Nope, nothing, not even a slight tingle from his touches or kiss. Good.

  “Thanks Dylan. Just friends remember,” I tell him again to remind him not to try any silly business.

  “Yep, I will keep it to a platonic dinner. I am just grateful that you came, thanks again,” he tells me smiling and part of me can’t help but think what a waste of a man. If he could control that temper of his he would make another woman very lucky.

  “Let’s go inside and find our seats,” Dylan tells me and escorts me in putting his hand on the small of my back. It makes me feel uncomfortable so I turn to him and shake my head making him remove his hand.

  “Dylan and Roxy, you made it guy’s thanks for coming. This is Leisa my fiancée,” Charles welcomes us warmly with his down to earth demeanour and smile.

  “Lovely to meet you Roxy. You have done well Dylan she is very pretty,” Leisa says hugging me and giving me a great compliment.

  “Nice to meet you too Leisa and congratulations to you and Charles,” I say hugging her back and kissing Charles on his cheek.

  We make our way over to the two large tables that have been decorated in a pastel pink and purple array. Four large centrepieces are spread along the rectangle table with streamers and heart stems arranged lustrously.

  We casually take our seats. “Roxy do you want a wine or soft drink? I am going to the bar to order,” Dylan asks me sweetly just how I remember. Yet somehow it sounds sickly to me now.

  “White wine please,” I tell him. I definitely need a drink to keep up this happy couple façade that is for sure, if Dylan keeps his cool it might be much easier than I thought. This is Dylan you are talking about…

  I take a few large sips of my wine, it is delicious and fruity and by the end of the glass I am much more mellow and relaxed.

  The waitress brings out platters of starters spring rolls, dim sums, chicken skewers, prawn cutlets and then the traditional chicken and corn soup. I have never eaten here before but will be coming back if the main is as scrumptious as these entrees.

  “This food is delicious,” I say to Dylan making small talk. We can’t look too distant to his friends after all.

  “Sure is, I can’t wait for the main course. Do you think you could keep your moans to yourself though as I might not be able to control myself,” Dylan says to me inappropriately so I give him a head shake and eye roll. He just chuckles, obviously happy with his sly comment.

  Not realising there was a live band, I hear the music start so I turn to see a drummer, guitarist and singer on the stage, they are playing a cover of “Better Man” by Pearl Jam.

  What a fucking perfect song, talk about ironic.

  It makes me think of Jeremy’s band, and how much I’m looking forward to seeing them play tomorrow night. There is a large group of us going so it should be a blast.

  “I’m just going to the ladies, and then I might grab another drink. Do you want a beer?” I ask Dylan but thinking I may actually get him a lite beer, the drunken Dylan seems to be worse than the psycho sober one.

  The bathroom is down a dimly lit hallway and out the bac
k of the building where there is also another entrance. Not watching where I’m going and fidgeting with my phone trying to text Jemma to tell her I’m fine, I look up just in time to avoid a collision course with Emma. Pete, Kade’s best mate, his wife Emma...

  How could I forget Emma, we had so many dramas to start with but ended up friends.

  “Roxy, oh my god it’s been so long! It’s so good to see you,” a very pregnant looking Emma screams at me and hugs me, must be the hormones as even when we were friends she was never the touchy feely type.

  “Wow Emma, so good to see you too and oh my god you’re having a baby?” I say back to her cheerfully but really I’m thinking is Kade here?

  “Yep we are having a little girl in around eight weeks, can you believe it?” she asks me and it melts my heart. A little girl, a princess.

  “That’s wonderful, I am so happy for you and Pete,” I tell her and I really mean it, I can’t wait for the day where I’m at that stage in life again.

  “I’m just heading to the ladies can I come see you at your table a bit later?” I say to Emma not even asking who she is here with but now I really need to pee and I’m sure Jemma will panic if I don’t send this text and of course Mr. Dylan will wonder what is keeping me.

  “Of course we are just ordering so please come over later, promise?” Emma asks and I nod my head wondering if she has an ulterior motive but kind of wishing she does.

  “See you a bit later,” I say and rush off to the toilet, after relieving myself I

  message Jemma and I fill her in on seeing Emma.

  OH MY GOD IF KADE IS THERE YOU HAVE TO RING ME GIRLFRIEND!

  Is the text message she sends me back and it makes me laugh hard. I wish.

  I make my way back up through the hallway and walk over to the bar, looking back to see Dylan. I give him a wave to let him know I didn’t fall in the toilet bowl having taken a good fifteen minutes longer.

  “A white wine and a Tooheys extra dry schooner please,” I order our drinks smiling at the bartender, he is Chinese, probably early twenties and a little shaky with the glasses.

  “You are doing a great job,” I tell him to boost his confidence really hoping he doesn’t smash my glass in the process. He aint no Tom Cruise in Cocktail that’s for sure.

  With a drink in each hand I set off back to the table. I see Emma waving so I nod and smile, when I nearly trip and smash my glass.

  Kade is here and he is looking straight at me, smiling that glorious smirk of his and I can feel his gaze eating into my skin. His eyes wander over my body head to toe and it gives me goose bumps just to know he is checking me out.

  I glance to Dylan to make sure he isn’t aware of Kade’s eyes on me, and thank god he is busy eating what I can assume is our main course.

  I am drawn back to Kade, his eyes are still on my body and it feels as though he is the only other person in the room. I take a seductive sip of my wine and lick my lip for his pleasure. I see his lip dart out and lick his own lips.

  I feel so heated just from his gaze, this is crazy. Talk about connecting with someone, I give him one last glance as I arrive at the table and sit with Dylan.

  “That was some toilet break,” he says to me being the typical controlling guy that he is.

  “I ran into a friend from uni, she is here with her boyfriend so we were chatting, sorry,” I lie totally not wanting him aware of who is here.

  I feel my phone vibrate in my bag and assume it is Jemma wanting to know the gossip. Taking it out it is a random number not in my contacts.

  But wait I know that number, it is totally familiar. It is still etched deeply in my mind.

  It is Kade’s number!

  Is he really texting me from a few tables away?

  Why are you still with that loser?

  I read message and it immediately makes me smile and my heart skip a beat.

  I look up to Dylan who of course is watching me. “It’s just Jemma, checking on me,” I tell Dylan as he is always nosey as hell and I don’t need any fucking questions from him.

  Of all the freaking places in the city, I can’t believe he is here. Kade. Is this fate or what?

  We are here as friends. I broke up with him last week.

  I text him back while biting my lip, as I just realised how single I am and this is fucking Kade messaging me and in the same room!

  You have just made my night

  He texts me back and I smile. I made his night, well shit I think he has made mine just by being here and making me smile.

  Concentrate on something else Roxy.

  I need a distraction from him and my phone so I busy myself scooping the boiled rice, satay chicken, beef and black bean sauce and what looks like a seafood combination onto my plate.

  “So is the food any good?” I question Dylan as I can tell he is wondering what the hell I’m so happy about from his constant stare.

  “The food and the company are exceptional,” he tells me looking at me with a smirk.

  “Ha ha very funny Mr. Comedian,” I reply trying to make light of him flirting with me.

  I notice Charles rise from his chair and clink his glass to get our attention.

  “Hey guys, thanks to you all for coming tonight to celebrate with Leisa and I. I am so lucky to have found Leisa and I honestly can’t wait to make her my wife,” Charles announces to us all. I smile hearing his words, as he looks into his fiancées eyes and kisses her deeply.

  I feel Dylan’s hand on my leg. Here we go. I look at him and shake my head but he doesn’t move it so I push it off showing him the boundaries.

  “Come on Rox, for old times?” he whispers in my ear. “Just give me another chance, I swear I will be better this time,” he adds just putting more fuel on the fire.

  “Don’t do this Dylan. We are friend’s end of story,” I whisper back, putting him in his place but trying not to piss the guy off.

  He picks up his beer and downs it, then slams it on the table of course causing the rest of the guests to look our way. I smile at them as if nothing happened and pour water for myself and one for Dylan.

  “Drink this and calm down please. We are here for your friends Dylan, don’t make a scene,” I say quietly to him. He puts his hand on mine and squeezes it. I untwine it but smile at him. I am not a cold hearted bitch and if this guy needs a little reassurance, I’m not going to throw it in his face. He smiles back and I think it has done the trick.

  “Oh and guys dance floor in five minutes I have requested “Five Hundred Miles”, just like old times,” Charles announces and I know that will be my chance to visit Emma, before she makes her way over to me.

  I finish up my meal, definitely top-notch food and drink down my wine.

  “Let’s go, Dylan,” the guys chant to him and he stands to walk onto the dance floor with them. I am glad he didn’t miss out on coming, it looks like he does have a good friend network with these guys. They all huddle making a circle and scream at the top of their lungs, “I would walk five hundred miles and I would walk five hundred more.”

  I escape quietly from my chair while the women are watching the men and walk over to Emma who has spotted me and is grinning. “I’m glad you could get away,” she tells me and squeezes my hand.

  “Hey Roxy, good to see you,” Pete says to me as I lean in to kiss his cheek.

  “Hey Pete, you too and congrats on the news, a little girl,” I say back to him as the one and only Kade pokes his head out from next to him.

  “Hi Roxy,” he says to me in his deep husky sexy voice and if that alone can make me combust I think I’m in deep trouble.

  “Hey Kade, it’s been a while,” I say to him smiling and I bite my lip feeling nervous from being so close. I glance over to the dance floor and see the boys still in their circle singing and jumping around.

  “What date are you due Emma?” I ask her needing to focus on something else other than the handsome guy that has me in knots.

  “Our little princess is due on Februa
ry seventeenth. I am so excited, I can’t wait to see if she has Pete’s eyes or my nose. She’s our creation, just a miracle,” Emma answers me smiling largely then Pete squeezes her knee and kisses her lips with love. It’s such a sweet gesture, they seem so happy. I can’t help but feel awkward and my eyes lead me back to Kade, where he is intensely studying me.

  His rich chocolate eyes are boring into me - I can’t do this, not here and not now.

  “Well great to see you guys and congrats again. I just need to make a phone call, so if you’ll excuse me,” I say quickly smiling at Emma and excusing myself from the table and almost running out the back exit, I need fresh air and I need it now.

  The cold of the night air is inhaled into my lungs as I feel a tear escape my eye and run down my cheek. Fuck. Every feeling I ever felt for him has come back tonight.

  “Roxy, what is it? What’s wrong?” I hear Kade’s deep voice question me as he walks out the back entrance and over to me.

  “Shit, why did you have to follow me? I just need some fresh air that’s all,” I say to him angry that he is seeing me like this, all vulnerable and emotional.

  “You look beautiful Roxy. Just as you always do. I could never forget your beauty,” he confesses to me as his thumb lovingly wipes the stray tear off my cheek, his eyes never losing contact with mine.

  His touch makes my breathing increase and I feel my cheek blush. He is so close I can feel his warm breath on my neck.

  “Kade, not here, please. Dylan will see us,” I plead with him, more worried about Kade’s safety than anything else.

  “Fuck him Roxy. I want you here and now,” he informs me and in a flash his mouth is on mine, assaulting my lips with his own. His hands are in my hair caressing. He pushes his rock hard body into mine and walks me back until we are against the brick wall. Thankfully we are hidden out of sight.

  “Mmm,” I moan at the feel of his kiss and his touch. His tongue enters and finds mine and that’s all I need to feel our shared passion. My hands are in his hair, pulling it and I’m using my nails against his scalp.

  My tongue entwines faster with his and I push my body flush against his hard torso, his erection straining against my core, instantly wishing it was inside of me.