By the Sea Novel – The love of my life was screwing his boss. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. How her sleek ponytail moved up and down as she rode him faster. Her blouse hanging around her waist, her skirt hiked up. His jacket was thrown on the floor, not a hair out of place as he tangled his hands into her hair. “That’s right babe, screw yourself with my manhood.” He growled, his words spurred her on and she let out a throaty moan. “I’m going to come.” She panted. My throat tightened as she let out a gasping moan. “Traci.” He groaned, and I could tell from the way his eyes twisted shut and his face had scrunched up that he’d finished too. I stood, grabbing the potted plant off his desk, the cheery little cactus I had bought him, and threw it at his face. It crashed through the window, glass shattering all over the floor.
Sarah You know those times where you suspect someone is cheating on you, or the times when it’s so in your face that you can’t ignore it? The coffee cups fell from my hands, the warm liquid spilling onto the plush carpet of his office. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. How her sleek ponytail moved up and down as she rode him faster. Her blouse hanging around her waist, her skirt hiked up. His jacket was thrown on the floor, not a hair out of place as he tangled his hands into her hair. “That’s right babe, screw yourself with my manhoood.” He growled, his words spurred her on and she let out a throaty moan. The love of my life was screwing his boss. My trusted words had fled me as my mind went blank. His breathing was becoming labored and I knew he was close as he moved his hand between their bodies. “I’m going to come.” She panted. My throat tightened as she let out a gasping moan. “Traci.” He groaned, and I could tell from the way his eyes twisted shut and his face had scrunched up that he’d finished too. “Are you kidding me?” Seems like my words returned.
My heart hammered in my chest as I looked at the two of them. Traci didn’t even bother trying to cover herself up as she caught her breath from screw my boyfriend. The man, no, not a man. He was scum, and I had thought I was ready to spend my life with him. “Seems like your girlfriend finally found out how you got promoted.” “For screw’s sake, Sarah, I thought you weren’t coming til later.” He said, helping Traci stand up. Leaning down, he grabbed his jacket off the floor to wrap it around her. My eyes widened and it felt like I’d taken a knife to the heart from the tender way that he was treating her. “What are you doing here?” “What am I doing here?” I asked, my voice raising as I tried to keep from screaming at him, I flopped down into the chair in front of his desk. “How long?” “Oh don’t act like you didn’t know.” Traci sneered at me and I felt dizzy. “All those late nights where he worked late.” “Traci—” “Don’t Traci me, she’s the one too stupid to see.” “How long, Micheal.” I asked, my voice flat as I looked at the beige carpet. Unable to look at him as he tucked himself back into his charcoal slacks. Slacks that I’d bought for him last week and woken up before my early shift to press.
“Since the Christmas party, the night you worked a double.” He said. That was my snapping point. I stood, grabbing the potted plant off his desk, the cheery little cactus I had bought him, and threw it at his face. He ducked as it sailed towards him. It crashed through the window, glass shattering all over the floor. “You psycho.” Traci shrieked at me as Micheal turned to look at me with wide eyes. “You’ll pay for that.” “You mean the night that I worked a double to pay for your Christmas gift?” I picked up his mug and tossed it at him. He dipped to the side, narrowly avoiding it as the window shattered further. “The night that I worked a double to help you buy your mom’s Christmas gift?” “Yeah, that night.” He said, moving closer to me. His hands outstretched as if I were a wild animal. “Stay away from me Micheal.” I panted, all I could think about was the simple gold band that was in my purse. The one I’d saved for, the one that I’d hoped to give him on our anniversary weekend trip. Turning away from him, I stumbled towards the door. The carpet slick with the spilled coffees that I’d bought for us. Just like everything else in our relationship. Walking quickly to the elevator, I fumbled with my purse, trying to pull my keys out.
I could hear him moving out of his office. Ducking into the open elevator, I pressed the button, closing the doors before he could reach me. I didn’t want to hear his excuses, I’d caught him red—handed and nothing he could say could make this better. I let out a sob as I finally pulled my keys from my bag. Stomping out of the elevator, I made my way through the lobby with my head down. All but running to my car, I pressed the key fob, unlocking the doors as I slipped in. Tossing my purse into the passenger seat as I closed the door behind me. This wasn’t how today was supposed to go, we were supposed to already be heading to the airport. The tapping on my window pulled me from my thoughts, I put my key into the ignition starting my car. I needed to get away from here. “Sarah, come on.” He said with another tap and I looked over at him. “Listen—” “I’m done.” I said, as I shifted the car into reverse. “I didn’t mean it.” Micheal shouted through the window, his hand pulling at the door handle. “What didn’t you mean?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level as I pressed my foot on the brake. “I’ll see you at home, yeah?” Michael dragged a hand through his messy blonde hair.
He pulled his hand away from the door and I moved my foot to the gas, backing out of the parking spot before navigating the car onto the street. There was nothing left for me to say, I was done. I wouldn’t be seeing him at home. He’d get the message, eventually. My phone rang and I leaned over, pulling my purse closer. I looked at the screen, Kane’s face flashing above his number. “Hey.” “I threw a plant through the window.” I say, putting the phone into the cup holder as I pressed the speaker button. “What, why?” Kane’s voice rises from his normal deep tremble. “Micheal cheated on me,” I scrubbed my eyes, trying to hold back my tears. “His boss wants me to pay for the damages. Kane, he was screwing her.” “Oh baby girl,” He says and I have to pull over to the side of the road. My tears nearly blinding me, the scumbag had broken loose, and I didn’t know if it would stop. “I’ll take care of any costs, you don’t need to worry about it.” “Kane, it hurts.” “Where are you?” He asked, and I could hear his keys jangling as he picked them up. “N, n, no don’t.” I said, trying to get my sobs under control as I took a deep breath. “You’re off for the weekend right?” “Yeah, I was planning to stay home and veg out. Want to join me?” He asked and I smiled at his next words, “I’ll even let you pick out the cheesiest chick—flicks, Hallmark ones. Or we can go slit his tires. Fun stuff, just tell me what you want.”
“Come with me?” I whispered, a get away with my best friend sounded like the perfect thing to take my mind off of what I’d seen. Plus, there was no way I could get a refund on the room and the swanky hotel I’d booked. “Where are we going?” “The beach,” I say, worrying my lip. “I, I, I have a ring and I’m so stupid.” “Let me pack a bag and I’ll meet you at the airport. You can text me the gate number.” I nodded my head before realizing that he couldn’t see me, “Okay, I’ll text you when I get there.” Looking at my phone, I let out a sigh. Kane wasn’t here yet, and they’d just announced the flight was now boarding. I’d texted him the gate number, Micheal had called three times now. When Kane gets here, I’ll turn it off and give it to him so I can’t check it. A small part of me wants to know why? I plan to drown that part out with lots of mini bottles of alcohol. That part can’t be trusted, she’s the one who would drunk dial him to find out the reason, if I let her.
Stupid brain, I picked up my carry on and walked towards the boarding gate. Looking around for Kane, I don’t see his tall figure anywhere. I handed over my boarding pass and walked down the temporary hallway towards the plane. Once I boarded and let out another sigh as I moved past a couple happily taking selfies with each other. My heart twisted in my chest at the sight of them. I wanted that, to just be happy being with someone. Looking towards the empty seat where I’d be sitting, where Kane was supposed to be, I worried the inside of my cheek. What if something had happened to him? I didn’t want to think of something happening to my best friend. He was kind and generous. I longed to find someone like him. Putting my carryon in the overhead compartment before falling into my seat. Tilting my head towards the small window.
The sun painted the sky with soft shades of orange and purple. My phone chimed and I pulled it out of my purse, swiping the screen open. It was a text from Kane. Kane: Trixie quit, I’ve got to cover her shift. I want you to have a good time babygirl and an extra drink for me. I’m arranging a surprise for you 😉 My fingers moved over the cracked screen as I typed out a quick message. I pressed the button on the side, turning it off before tossing it into my bag. I’d call him once I’d landed and checked into the hotel. Maybe I’d order room service? I wondered what Kane’s surprise would be. I knew he’d come from money. He didn’t like to talk much about his past, but I got the feeling that he only worked at the bar to keep himself busy. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, alone in that big hotel room with the large bed that I knew would be like sleeping on a cloud. The pictures online made it seem like I’d be able to swim in the tub. I closed the blind on the window, buckling my seatbelt as the pilot’s voice filled the cabin. The airline attendant walked past me as she pointed towards the exits. The thrill of excitement shot through me as we ascended up into the clouds.