Chapter 11 Physical Therapy
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Eli
She’s gone. I feel it immediately. Still, my stomach drops when my eyes land on the empty space beside me, then the ring on the nightstand, which is sitting on top of another… fucking… note.
Eli,
I’m sorry for finishing what should never have started in the first place.
Please don’t hate me. You are such an amazing human and deserve better than someone who can’t give you more.
Don’t give up on finding love a second time. Then you’ll have your answer.
Cici
Was there anything I could’ve done? Something more I should’ve said?
Had I told her the truth, would she have said yes?
Probably, but at what cost? It had to be her decision and her decision alone.
Anything else would’ve been a thorn in our marriage.
Fuck. I roll over onto my back, resting my arm over my head, not ready to face the day. Happy fucking New Year.
I have less than six months to find a woman, propose, and marry her. I have no idea what world I’m living in where marriage can still be forced upon someone in this day and age. Fuck my life.
Other than Cici, I can’t think of a single woman I would ever consider spending two years with. Yeah, I’ve had some great sex, but the women themselves, fuck no. And that leaves me two options: leave it to fate or contact a professional matchmaking service. Neither sounds appealing.
That I’m even thinking about this the day after the only woman I’ve ever wanted in life left me is a testament to how fucked up I am.
The problem is, it’s all I can think about since discovering three weeks ago that I needed a wife, and now my one hope is gone.
She flies out early this afternoon, so technically I could try one last time, but it would be a wasted effort.
Her mind is made up for some illogical reason, and there’s nothing I can do to change it.
That leaves me at square one, and a sudden desire to get fucked up.
Sadly, it’s nine in the morning, and drinking is not on the agenda this early, so I need an alternative for now—a brutal workout should do it. Before that, though, I need to get my sorry ass out of this room.
When I arrive home, the first thing I do is change after walking through my door, then head straight next door to Sebastian’s and my private gym between our penthouse condos. After entering my code to unlock the door, the sound of the treadmill fills the room. Of course, Sebastian is here.
In no mood to talk, I grab a towel and head straight to the bike, ignoring him completely. Setting the machine to the highest level, I close my eyes and hunch over, pushing my legs as hard as possible, getting into a zone.
Sebastian’s voice breaks my trance. “Dude, take it easy. You’re gonna wreck yourself.”
I lift my head and realize an hour has passed already. I’m dripping with sweat, creating a large puddle under the machine. I sit up to wipe my head while slowing down the pedals. “I’m fine. A little cardio never killed anyone.”
“Not so sure about that, especially at the pace you were going. Come do a few reps and tell me what happened. I figured you two leaving together was a good sign, but clearly not since you’re killing yourself on the bike,” Sebastian points out during a set of curls.
“Nothing to tell. She was gone when I woke up this morning and is flying home today.”
“I’m sorry, man. I still think you should have told her what was going on.”
I shake my head. “So she’d marry me out of pity? No thanks,” I scoff. “Look, it’s not like I couldn’t see this coming from a mile away. That I was delusional enough to think she’d change her mind is on me. It’s time for plan B. I’ll contact an agency this week to start searching for someone else.”
I have no choice.
“Christ, Eli. Give yourself some time to recover instead of jumping right in.”
“Time is a luxury I don’t have. You know that as well as I do.”
Two weeks later, after a rough day in the office, I pull the note from my pocket that I’ve memorized by now.
It never fails to calm me down. Fuck, I really need to get a grip.
Maybe it’s time for a night out like old times.
Might as well begin my own hunt for a wife and have some fun while I’m at it.
After texting Braden and Jackson, even though Jackson still won’t leave Mia’s side, I head into Sebastian’s office just down from mine.
“Hey, I’m headed to the club tonight. Since the agency hasn’t found any suitable candidates, I figure I’ll start searching for Mrs. Dubree myself.”
“You sure that’s the best place to do it?” The doubt is loud and clear.
“Don’t see why not. You can join us if you want. See the pro back in action.”
“I would, just to make sure you don’t do anything stupid, but Lily and I have plans. You’ve been off the market for a while now… sure you remember what you’re doing?”
“Dude, I don’t have to do anything. The ladies come to me,” I say, wiggling my brows.
Sebastian smiles and shakes his head. “Listen, I know how it feels to be rejected. It’s okay to lie low for a bit. But whatever you do, don’t forget I’m around if you want to talk.”
“Thanks, but I’m fine. The quicker I move on, the better. Otherwise, I’m just prolonging the inevitable. Have fun with Lily tonight.” I turn around to leave.
“Yeah, you too,” he says on my way out.
I’m planning to.
Here’s the thing… if you fall off your bike, you’ve got to hop right back on before it’s too late and fear creeps in to immobilize you.
That’s what I need to do, go out with guns blazing, so this shit doesn’t bring me down.
I don’t have time for wallowing. I don’t have time for regrets.
And I certainly don’t have time to waste.
It’s a new year, a new day, and soon, whether I want one or not, a new woman.
I might as well jump right in since waiting won’t change a damn thing.
When I return to my office, a text from Braden confirming tonight and a missed call from Jackson are waiting.
Jackson picks up on the first ring. “Hey, man, I have to pass tonight. I’m not ready to leave Mia after getting her back.”
“Yeah, I figured. Not sure I would either.”
“Also, you haven’t brought it up, so I haven’t either, but I’m sorry about Cici.
I always suspected, but seeing you at New Year’s confirmed it.
She told me the bare minimum after I mentioned kicking your ass for hurting her, but it sounds like the opposite is true.
I don’t have all the details, nor do I want them, but I feel bad for not warning you in advance.
She’s not the relationship type, which frankly, I didn’t think you were either, but she takes shit next level.
She never had a boyfriend in high school—not one—and it was the same in college.
Not sure why, but it’s definitely a thing with her. ”
“I’m aware. I picked up on it before she left but thought it was circumstantial with her relocation back then.
Don’t worry, she made it loud and clear this time around.
” It is nice to hear it confirmed from someone who’s known her their whole life.
At least I know it was a lost cause and not something I failed at.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out. For the record, I would have approved. I’d offer to kick her ass for you, but (a) she’s my sister and (b) you’re a big boy, which I’m assuming is why you’re headed out tonight. Liquid therapy?”
“You got it. And possibly some physical therapy, too, because why the fuck not?” If I think it enough, maybe I can fool myself into wanting it.
“Whatever you need to do, man.”
“Thanks. Enjoy your woman. We’ll have to plan a night out with all of us soon. I’ll have Braden for a date.”
“Not likely. That guy always has a different woman on his arm. You better snag one before he runs through them all.”
“Fuck, no kidding. Better make haste. See ya, buddy.”
Contrary to my big talk, it’s not likely I’ll be jumping in the sack right away, but who’s to say I can’t take my mind off things with a willing woman on her knees?
Hell, we’ve got plenty of those at the club.
That’s why it was a weekly ritual for us back in the day.
Then Mia came along, followed by Cici, so Braden had his pick of the crop.
Well, I’m back. Time to prove I’ve still got what it takes and give him a run for his money.
Because fuck it, if I’m getting engaged soon, I might as well go balls to the wall until then.
“You sure you’re ready for that, dude?” Braden asks when I tell him my idea for a little friendly competition.
I’m unsure if it’s because it’s so soon after Cici or because I’ve been out of the game for so long, and I don’t ask, since it would emphasize the doubts already in existence.
The more I suggest it, however, the more I’m convinced it’s the way to go.
The two old-fashioneds I had before switching to beer could very well be aiding that thought process.
So my answer comes out confident. “More than ready.”
“That’s the attitude. Like they say, no better way to get over someone than under someone else.”
“Cheers to that.” I raise my bottle in salute, then swig it down.
Damn straight. My decision is cemented, and it’s time to act before I waver for the millionth time. Maybe incentivizing it will give me the encouragement I need.
“How about a little wager? First one with a woman on her knees gets first dibs on Mia’s maid of honor,” I suggest.
He laughs. “Dude, you know her best friend is gay, right?” He shrugs nonchalantly. “I’m game, though.”
“Shit. First dibs on all the women at the wedding, then. And win or lose, we’ll at least enjoy the fruits of our labor.”
“It won’t be our labor that’ll be working our cocks, unless you’re already giving up.”
“Shut up, man. Let’s go.”
“Game on. May the best man come quickly.” He winks as we clink our beers and finish them off to seal the deal before walking away in separate directions.