She picked up an extra shift at work.
She’s leaving for her trip to Turks and Caicos today and I offered to take her and Jasmine to the airport. I have practice this morning, but will be done in time to take her. This feels like the moment to show her that I can step away from my job to do something for her and that’s exactly what I plan to do. Surely, nothing can prevent me from taking my wife to the airport, right?
Fucking wrong.
Coach calls a meeting after practice. I send Avery a quick message that I’m running late, but not to leave. I can still take her. My knee bounces as I try to listen to what the coach says and keep my eye on the clock. The minutes tick by until we’re finally dismissed. I’m forty-five minutes late; when I finally check my messages, there’s one from Avery.
Avery: Figures.
I text her again, to let her know I’m on my way and not to leave. Hopefully, she’s not too pissed at me. I’m still going to be able to take her like I said; I’m just a little late. I’ve pulled into the driveway when I get another text.
Avery: Too late. We called a taxi. See you when we get back if you can actually make it to the airport to pick us up. Either way, let’s just not talk until my trip is over, okay? Bye, Jax.
Shit! This is not how today was supposed to go. And it sure as hell wasn’t supposed to end with not being able to talk to my wife while she’s on vacation. I feel like shit and at this point, I can’t say I blame her. She could have waited a bit longer though. I told her I was coming; she didn’t have to call a fucking taxi. I try calling her, not to give her an apology she probably doesn’t want, but just to say to have a safe trip, have fun, and I love her.
She sends me straight to her voicemail.
The only way to fix this is to make sure I’m waiting at the airport when she comes home. Without any hesitation, I make the necessary phone calls to ensure I have the entire day off. Avery will enjoy herself on vacation, hopefully lose a bit of anger, and I’ll make it up to her when she returns. I’ll spend that entire day with her, showing her how much I missed her, how much I love her, and how much she means to me. I just have to wait.
Chapter Four
Avery
This is our last day in Turks and Caicos. I have spent the last five days on the beach, drinking or crying. I feel horrible for Jasmine because this is supposed to be her vacation too, and I’m doing nothing but keeping her down.
Right now, I’m lying on a massage table, trying to enjoy the rub down I’m receiving and all I can think is that I miss Jax. On the other hand, I’m so damn mad at him, I could break all his hockey sticks. He promised he would take me to the airport. He gave me his word that he would be there for me. Just like everything else, he failed.
I really am the second love in his life.
Can I even say love?
Sure, he tells me, but he doesn’t show it anymore. It’s not just about the gifts or the wooing he did in the beginning. I want him to ask me about my day and actually care about it. I want him to make time for me. I want a date night that doesn’t involve a hockey event or charity ball.
“You’re all done, Mrs. Godwin.” The nice girl pulls the towel up around my back.
“Thank you.” I smile at her, sitting up on the table.
She leaves the room and I go behind the screen and get dressed. I check my phone again, but still nothing from Jax. I thought he would at least try, but I guess he’s too busy. After I’m dressed, I head back up to the room, where Jasmine is waiting for me at the door. She jerks on my arm, pulling me into the room.
“The hotel has a nice spa,” I tell her.
“I don’t care. Here.” She throws a white dress bag at me. “Get dressed. We’re having a girls’ night.”
“Oh, I don’t feel like it.” I shake my head, laying the bag on the bed. “We have an early flight.”
“No.” Jasmine bangs her hand on the dresser. “You have done nothing but mope this whole time; you owe me this.”
I sigh. She’s right. I do owe her this. I’ve ruined her vacation. I give in
and nod, taking the dress and going to the bathroom. I don’t even look at the dress, but knowing Jasmine, it’s going to be short and more revealing than I would pick.
But what the hell? Why not? I should totally have fun my last night here before I head back to the reality that is Jax Godwin, Vegas Gamblers, and work.
After an hour of showering, shaving, priming, and layering on the makeup, I look at myself in the mirror. The dress is a mid-thigh pink cocktail dress with soft beading around the top of the bust line. I leave my hair down in my natural wavy mess.
I wish Jax was here with me. This would’ve been something I would have worn for his eyes only. I grab my phone, take a quick selfie showing myself in the dress, and send it to him. I don’t say anything in it, just the picture.
A minute later: