Page 6 of More Than a Fling
“Bradley, that was the least of it. I can handle conflict and even a good fight now and then, but with you it was constant criticism, the unpredictability of your emotions, your flying into rages for no apparent reason. I can’t trust that the minute you had me back you won’t return to your old ways. I’ve been slowly putting my life back together, I’m sorry,” she said gently.
A car came screeching to a halt a few feet away from where they stood, “What the hell are you doing here?” J.J. said shouting from inside of his car. He had decided to drive back around to check on Annie. Seeing Bradley there, he was glad that he had.
“It’s all right J.J., Bradley was just leaving. Weren’t you Bradley?” Annie said.” J.J. got out of the car and stood between Annie and Bradley arms crossed, eyes blazing mad.
“You heard her, she said she’s fine,” Bradley said arrogantly. “You can get back in your car and drive off to yourPartner,” he said condescendingly using his fingers as quotation marks.
“Fuck you Brad, get out of here or I’ll call one of your buddies to come and get you,” James replied.
“Go Bradley, this conversation is over,” Annie said.
“I’m going, but please, think about what I said.” He shot a quick glare at James which immediately morphed into a long-suffering look towards Annie as he departed.
“You need to file a restraining order Annie,” James said.
“Why, so he can lose his job and become more desperate?”
“That’s on him not you,” he said.
“I can’t do that. He would lose everything, and honestly it would probably make things even worse for me.”
“That guy is a nut job, and I’m afraid of what he’s capable of,” he said.
“I’m tired, I want to go home,” Annie said. “He won’t bother me any more tonight, and as an added bonus, he doesn’t know I’m staying at my sister’s. Plus, he’s trying to prove that he is a changed man, I’ll be fine,” Annie said firmly. “Go home to William, please, I’m not scared, a little rattled is all.”
“I can come over for a little while,” James said.
“No, I promise, I’m good, thanks anyway.”
“Are you sure”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“I am going to follow you home, I’ll call William and tell him I’ll be a couple of minutes late, no arguments from you,” he said.
“That is an offer I’ll gladly accept.”
3
Friday finally arrived, and the excitement ran high as everyone piled out of the rental van to gape at the beautiful view of the lake. The six women had brought enough luggage for their two-night stay to clothe an army. They had stopped at the local grocery store and loaded up on food and beverages.
“Oh my God. This view is incredible. You did good Annie,” Abigail said.
“Wait until you see the inside, it’s spectacular,” Annie replied.
They all grabbed grocery bags and the ice they had purchased and began unloading the van.
“It’s got four bedrooms so a couple of us will have to share,” Annie said. “Since Abbey is the bride, she gets the master suite. I’m happy to share a room with someone,” Annie volunteered.
“I’ll be your roomy, if you aren’t already sick of me,” Zoey said.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Annie said giving her a quick reassuring hug. “I could never get sick of you. That’s settled then.”
They all explored the lake house, then unloaded the luggage into their respective bedrooms. When Annie returned to the main living area, she opened the sliding glass doors that extended over the entire wall and showcased the spectacular lake view. Water as far as the eye could see. They had a deck, complete with a hot-tub, lounge chairs, and a dining table with a bright orange umbrella. Linda and Ava had returned to the kitchen and began putting groceries away while Evelyn opened a bottle of wine.
“This is truly heaven on earth,” Linda said appreciatively. “I could park my ass right here and never leave for the entire weekend,” she claimed.
“Too bad, you are going to go out partying with us whether you want to or not,” Ava threatened.