CHAPTER 7

ABBY POV.

My mind is swirling with what just occurred. I can't believe I spent the night with a stranger, and yet… I felt like I knew him for a very long time. It's late morning and I was getting ready to go to my parent’s house for their anniversary dinner. I found Audrey getting out of her car just as I pulled up in the driveway and she hurried over to me. “What happened to you yesterday? You had me worried sick.” Audrey spoke. She looked relieved to see me but also concerned as she watched me get out of the car.

"Yeah, well I didn’t fancy watching Kate suck Josh’s face off so I went for a walk.” I said as I got out of the car and my mind immediately went to Marcus and the amazing night and morning I had. Audrey looked at me strangely and curiously. “I went to the woods, but I wasn't alone.” I said I couldn’t help the blush that crept up on me. Audrey looked at me with wide eyes. “Who was it?” She asked and I could practically feel her curiosity trying to burst out of her. “I was sitting at this beautiful waterfall when this guy appeared out of nowhere, I'd never seen him before.” I said and sighed. Audrey watched me, eager for me to continue. “He was the hottest guy I have ever seen he is built like a God… there was just something different about him. The way he moved, the way he spoke, the way he looked at me like… like I was the only thing that mattered.” I said dreamily and my heart fluttered and Audrey squealed girlishly as she jumped up and down which made me laugh. “OMG! You fucked him, didn’t you?” She asked as she looked at me in excitement and I nodded.

"You what?" a male voice sounded behind us and we both jumped around to see my brother James coming up the driveway in his running clothes. He was holding his earphones in between his fingers and was staring at me in disbelief.

“I know you are taking this heartbreak pretty hard but It's not like you to sleep with some random guy, Abby," James says sternly. “Who is he?” He demands and I roll my eyes at him. “He is none of your business and besides, I thought you would be glad that I wasn’t moping over Josh last night.” I said and started for the front door of my parent’s home. Josh lived in a little flat behind the house that they built here a few years ago. It was close to his job so he never opted to move out and I think our parents liked the idea of having one of their children close. I on the other hand… I did live with Josh for about a year before he left me and I was too ashamed to move back in with my parents so I started looking for my own place. Luckily, I didn’t have too. Josh moved out and I was able to have the place to myself.

My brother leaned into Audrey and gave her a kiss before opening the front door and standing aside to let us in. James closed the door behind us and before I could say anything, James announced out loudly in the house. "We're home, Abby too and she slept with a stranger!” James s said and I groaned internally as he snickered. Audrey slapped him on the arm for his anticks before trying to hide her laughter.

“WHAT?!” Came the simultaneous voices of my mother and father and I gave James a glare to which he only winked at me. “This would be my cue to leave, yeah?” he said jogging off into the house, no doubt sprinting out the back to his little hideaway to get cleaned up from his run. Footsteps revealed my mother turning the corner and glaring at me with hands on her hips and my father stuck his head out from around the corner.

“You did what?” My mother demanded and I sighed. “I’m not a kid anymore mom, I am allowed to have some fun you know.” I said and my mother just looked at me and sniffed disapprovingly. My dad made his appearance fully and looked at me, but shook his head. “You are right Abby; you are not a child anymore but you have to be careful who you meet.” My father said. I gave him a kind smile before I nodded. In this household we didn’t grow up by keeping secrets from each other. We were all open-minded, just with limitations for example, we didn’t want to know any details… that was just gross.

My mother sighed. “Well, at least you are alright.” She said and came over to hug me. “I was worried when Audrey said that you just disappeared from the party.” My mother said before releasing me. there was a moment where my mother looked at me strangely and her eyes roamed over my clothing. She drew in a breath through her nose as though she wanted to say something but she didn’t and I was so glad that I took a shower and changed into fresh clothes before coming here. I especially picked a high-neck top to wear to hide the love bite that Marcus gave me.

“Mom?” I asked questionably as she kept staring at me for a little longer. “Are you okay?” I asked and this seemed to snap her out of it. “Yes, I’m sorry, it’s just… I was worried about you and I‘m glad you are safe, honey.” She said and smiled at me and I smiled back. “Why don’t you two go and set the table while your father and I finish up in the kitchen.” She spoke as they headed back to the kitchen.

“Do you want us to help you? It is your anniversary today.” I asked but I knew my mother, she preferred to do things on her own whilst my father was the one to carry the dishes to where she wanted them. “No, we’ll be fine.” I heard her answer but there was a giggle in her voice as though she was being tickled. I caught Audrey’s eye and we both suppressed a laugh. My parents were still madly in love and I envied the relationship that they had.

"Explain to me how you just slept with some random guy in the woods?" Audrey asked as we started to set the table outside. It was a lovely afternoon; it wasn’t too hot and there was a gentle breeze that tingled the skin.

"It wasn’t really in the woods.” I said and she raised an eyebrow at me, “He took me to his house, a very nice little cabin in the woods.” I said and Audrey’s mouth dropped open. “You mean that he actually lives there?” She asked and I nodded. “On the grounds of that gated community that Kate belongs to?” She asked and my stomach twisted when she mentioned the other woman’s name. “Yes, Marius knows her well and doesn’t like her very much.” I said as I started to put down plates. “Huh? Why do you say that?” She asked as she started to put down forks and knives. “From what I surmised between the talks with him and his father this morning. He doesn’t like her at all.” I said as I thought back to the dislike on his face when they spoke about Kate this morning. “His father?” Audrey asked and looked at me funny. “Wait! Please don’t tell me that his dad was in on this little sleepover too?” She asked and her eyes grew wide and I laughed at her. “Of course not.” I said and I saw her sigh with relief. “His dad came over this morning to let him know that he had to be present at breakfast for something that… Kate wanted to tell everyone.” I said and I swallowed as the bitch’s name left a sour taste in my mouth. “Oh.” Audrye said and made and made a very round O with her mouth.

“Well anyway, it’s not like you to just go sleep with a stranger, but I am glad that you did.” She said and I looked at her strangely and she continued. “Josh has been screwing this Kate anywhere and anytime since it came out and I’m glad that you got back at him by doing a little nasty on the side for yourself.” She said and I snorted in laughter. “The nasty?” I questioned and she wiggled her eyebrows at me and I laughed again. “Just imagine Josh’s face when he realizes that you just slept with a random stranger to where he had to wait for it for months before you gave him any.” She said and that had me thinking. “You think he would be angry?” I asked and she nodded. “Definitively.” She said and I grinned. “Good. I want him to start realizing that I can get on with my life without him.” I said and Audrey held up her hand to high-five me and we laughed. I haven’t felt this good in weeks and I wanted it to stay that way.

I made a promise to myself that I was going to move on with my life and make the best of it.