Page 35 of Taking A Chance
It’s been three months since Petra ran, and I still get pissed when I think about it. I could have run after her, but what’s the point. I got the next flight back to Miami and threw myself back into my work. When I wasn’t concentrating on my current case, my mind would inevitably slip back to her. It was driving me crazy, so I spent most of my spare time pushing myself to the max at the gym. It’s not one of those high-class places you pay $200-$300 dollars just for the joining fee. It’s a seedy backstreet place that’s like something out of Rocky but with a lot of weights and a few treadmills. Axe, Isaac’s old friend, recommended it. Apparently, the old guy who owns it had been like a dad to him in his younger days. Even shown him how to box. After working out, if anyone’s about, I offer myself up for a sparring session. I’m shit at it, and even with the headgear, many a time I end up with a bruise or two. It sure as hell doesn’t look good when I’m due in court the next day. I’ve also got into a routine when leaving the gym, of going straight to the bar close by. One drink, I tell myself. But many a time I end up pushing the boundaries, ending up drunk, barely able to call a cab.
The liquor doesn’t stop me thinking about her, doesn’t stop her beautiful face coming to me in my dreams. Hot illicit sex scenes plaguing me in my alcohol induced sleep. But at least the next day, I don’t remember them. Not clearly, anyway.
I’ve picked up a few random women, had sex around the back of a few of the bars. Every fucking time that I do manage to get my release, it’s with the image of Petra firmly imprinted in mind. It’s cheap and nasty and it makes me feel like shit. Yet I still go and do it again.
I know I’m behaving like a jackass. Even Ben’s been on my case, telling me to get my shit together. And I tell myself every day that today is going to be different, that I’m going to go home, watch a game, have a beer and chill. Because when it comes down to it, I don’t do relationships; I don’t want commitment. I’m perfectly fine on my own. That’s how it has been and that’s how it’s going to stay. I don’t need anyone invading my world. But when the clock hit’s 19:00 hours, I slip straight into the same routine and end up in the same old sorry state.
My head pounds with every shrill that my phone makes, waking me. The sun hits my face and I curse myself for being so drunk last night that I didn’t even draw the blinds. Even the light of my phone is painfully bright. Screwing my eyes up, I try to make out who is calling me at such a God early hour. It’s Isaac.
I’ve been avoiding him like the plaque, giving him one excuse after another as to why I can’t make it over to Bath. Caught on the hop, I quickly try to think of a plausible excuse while hitting the answer button.
“What?” I bark down the phone, my voice as gravely as shit from the all the liquor.
“Woah! You got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?” Isaac’s deep and jovial voice makes my head pound even more. “Or was it simply the wrong bed in the first place?”
“If you must know I’m still in bed, do you know what the fucking time is?”
“Time to get your ass up, pack a bag, so you can head to the airport.”
“What the hell are you talking about, I rescheduled for next week.”
“And I rescheduled it back, so you better get your shit together.”
“I’ve got plenty of time.”
“Cade, are you shitting me? You don’t even know what time it is, do you?” My answer to him is a mumbled groan, as I push my head into the pillow to try to cushion the aching. “It’s 19.22 hours over here, so that means it’s around 14.22 over there. Your flight is at 17.10 so you better move it.”
“What the fuck Isaac, cancel the damn thing. I won’t make it in time, anyway.” I push myself up and move to sit on the edge of the bed.
“The hell you won’t,” he barks down the phone. “You should have been here weeks ago, so don’t you fucking let me down again.”
“You’re quite capable of taking care of business without me, Isaac. It’s not like you’ve not done this shit before.”
“Not this time. This time, it’s way above my head, so I need you here, brother. Otherwise, my business is in jeopardy.” There’s an uneasy tone in Isaac’s voice that I’ve not heard in a long while. I run my hand down my face, roll my head, albeit slowly, flex my shoulders before getting up, a little unsteadily to my feet.
“Send me the flight details and e-ticket.”
“Already done. I’ll be tied up at the office all day, so Amy will be there to pick you up.”
“I can grab a car, drive myself.” Don’t get me wrong, I like Amy a lot. But I’m not in the mood for nearly two hours of girly chat. That will undoubtable turn to subjects that I’m not willing to or want to discuss.
“Wouldn’t hear of it. Besides, it will be good for you both to spend some more time together, get to know each other a little better. See you in the morning.” In typical Isaac style, the phone goes dead before I even get a chance to plead my case.
Two hours later, I hit the airport running. The traffic in Miami is manic, so by the time I get there, it’s touch and go whether I make it to the check-in just in time. Isaac has me booked first class, so with a smile and a brief flirtation, I talk my way on to the flight. Security is a pain, but I understand that it’s necessary, it’s a shame that in the world we live in today, it’s come to this. As luck would have it, I at least have decent socks on when I had to remove my shoes, and miraculously, a matching pair.
With the help of a couple of Advil, I sleep through most of the flight. I kind of hope that it might help alleviate the blood-shot eyes and the shadows that have taken up residence below them. The flight is on time and my ride’s waiting. Amy doesn’t see me at first, so I take this rare chance to appraise her. Her stance is a little awkward. To be honest, it looked like her thoughts are somewhere else, probably on one of the kids, or Isaac. She seems oblivious to most of what is going on around here. If you wrote down on paper her general description, you would come up with nothing special. But she is so damn lovely in face, body, and soul, that I know exactly why Isaac has fallen truly, madly and deeply in love with her. I know I yank his chain sometimes, but he’s certainly got himself a real gem. If truth be known, I don’t just admire and respect Isaac. I’m a little jealous of him too. It’s clear that Amy adores Isaac, and he radiates because of it. Something that I doubt I’ll ever get to experience.
Amy catches sight of me and gives me an excited wave.
“Cade, you’re here. Oh, my God, you look like shit.”
“Nice to see you too,” I tut, before placing a soft kiss on her cheek. A soft blush covers her face, another endearing quality to add to her list. “I’ve heard of evil step-mothers,” I hold my hands up in submission before she hits, “of which unquestionably you are not.” She drops her partially raised hand. “But is there such a thing as evil sisters-in-law?” Slap! I don’t know when to stop sometimes. Seems like Ben’s not the only one that talks too much.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” I laugh in amazement when Amy stops beside Isaac’s prized possession, his Aston Martin Vanquish Ultimate Grand Tourer. The shine on the deep red paintwork is like a mirror. The windows, trim and even the wheels are spotless, as if it’s been driven off the lot. “You’ve definitely got him wrapped around your little finger, if he’s letting you drive this.”
“Don’t I just,” she replies smugly as she pops the trunk. When I go to lift my suitcase in, I can see empty tote bags, a pair of lady’s pumps and a rather tatty umbrella, leaving me stood with my mouth open. “You go for groceries in this?” I ask, when I get past my initial shock.
“Only if I haven’t got Sam with me, it’s not really made for baby seats,” she replies nonchalantly, as she closes the trunk and walks around to get into the driver’s side. Suddenly, she stops and turns to me. “Do you want to drive?” She spins the key chain on her finger.