Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Nell
I wake from the most rested night of sleep I have had in a long time.
I usually wake at the crack of dawn to get ready for deliveries at Comfort Cup.
I keep my eyes closed, and flashes of last night scroll through my mind. I stifle a giggle at the thoughts of what Romeo did to me.
Opening my eyes, I see that the sun is high in the sky. Turning over, I expect to see Romeo sleeping, and I frown seeing that his side of the bed is empty.
Disappointment rolls through me like a Mack truck.
I swallow the bubble of emotions trying to break free and sit up, pulling the sheet up to my chin. My hand smooths over the bright white sheet, feeling the coldness there.
He has been gone a while.
I can’t help but think that he got what he wanted. He said all the right things and acted like he wanted me, but his actions are like a wrecking ball to any hopes of a romantic island love affair.
Stupid me, I guess.
My stomach rumbles, making me sigh.
I may as well enjoy the free food that is here.
Climbing from the bed, I have a quick shower, making sure not to wet my hair because, hello, frizz bomb.
My mind wanders to Romeo, and what he is doing and who he is with. I can’t help but think that maybe he slipped away to go and see his ex, or do more work.
My stomach feels off, like it knows something is about to happen. My father always used to say trust your gut when it comes to certain situations.
Looking through my clothes, I settle on a pair of cream-colored shorts with a black floral design and a white cropped T-shirt. My brown sandals suit the outfit, so I put them on and add a little touch of makeup to my face, but not much as I will probably sweat it off anyway.
I’m swapping purses so that today I can use my little brown one with the long, thin body strap.
I make sure that I have my cell phone, money, and room key before I leave, checking that the room door shuts behind me, per the instructions from Romeo.
I see some of the family as I make my way downstairs to get something for breakfast. They greet me, and are happy to see me, which eases some of the uneasy feeling in my stomach.
Stopping at the front desk, I inquire about any excursions that I could possibly book Romeo and me on while we are here. There is some free time when no wedding events are happening, so maybe we could spend some time together.
As I think about us together, I think back to how I woke up alone. After the night we had, I thought he would be there when I woke up, and maybe gone for another round or two.
That man can fuck like every book boyfriend I have ever read.
My body betrays me when thinking of Romeo; I get turned on remembering what we did last night, but the disappointment mixes with it because of how he left me alone in bed with no note.
It makes me feel that I was right in thinking this connection between us is all one-sided.
As I am walking to breakfast, my phone rings. Pulling my phone from my purse, I smile wide seeing Simone’s name flash on the screen.
“Hey, Simmy.”
“Nelly, my bitch. How is Hawaii?”
“It is amazing here, Sim. So beautiful, and do not get me started on the food.” I moan. “So good.”
“What else is good?” I hear the humor in her voice.
“I do not know what you are talking about.” I sit in a chair in the lobby, not wanting to have this conversation while people are eating.
I am far back enough so that people do not need to walk past me and overhear us talking.
“Yes you do; how is your handsome date? Have you fucked him yet?”
I cough to cover my shock at her direct question, even though I know exactly what she is like. I have known this woman for years.
“Holy shit, you dirty book whore, you have slept with him.”
“Do you have to be so crude?”
“Yes. Now answer the question.”
I scan the area, making sure that no one is anywhere near me, and then I look again, paranoid that someone will hear me tell her what happened and report back to Romeo that I was bragging about banging him.
We have seen what rumors can do to a person, whether they are true or not. It makes me sick that people get away with falsely accusing innocent people of something they did not do, just to hurt them.
Taking a deep breath, I tell her.
“Yes, I slept with him, but only just last night.” I sigh.
“Details, girly.”
“It was amazing. He took care of me, and made me come before him. It was as if he actually enjoyed being with me.” Fuck, I hate that Keith has made me feel like this.
He told me over and over again once the divorce proceedings started that I was shit at sex, and that no man would want to be with me. Even his lawyer told him to shut up, grow a pair of balls, and admit that he was the one who fucked up.
“Okay, so why do you sound like he kicked your puppy? Did he hurt you? I can be on the next flight out. I swear to God, Nelly, that handsome rich fucker will be floating in the ocean by this evening.”
“Sim.” My voice drops, my stomach knotting again.
“What, Nell? Tell me?”
I wave her off, even though she cannot see me. “It is nothing, just me being dramatic.”
She huffs. “Nell Bana, you’re one of the most un-dramatic people I know, babe. What did he do?”
“He left before I woke up this morning. The bed was cold, so he had been gone a while. No note, nothing, just gone. He regrets sleeping with me; this was only supposed to be a week thing and no sex.”
She is quiet for a few seconds, and I bite my lip waiting for her to speak. Simone will always tell me to my face and is real about everything. No sugarcoating with her.
“Okay, I am not excusing what he has done, but could he be freaking out? You said that he does not want to settle down, which is why you are helping and pretending to be his date.”
“I know.” I close my eyes, running my fingers through my thick curls. “Last night, something changed, Simmy. He told me that he was feeling things for me. He asked what I was doing to him. I thought he felt…”
“Felt what?”
“The same as me.” My voice is meek and quiet.
“Oh, Nelly. Honey, I know that you fall fast and hard, but we talked about this situation with Romeo.”
“I know,” I say a little louder, making some people look at me from across the lobby.
“You need to talk to him before you let these thoughts swallow you up.”
“I know, but he is to blame for this, Simmy. He is fucking nice to me, saying all the right things. Maybe his ex is right, and I am a passing ship, and he will use me while I am here and then fuck off out of my life.”
“His ex is a cunt.” I nod; I have been updating her on what has been happening.
“That she is. Maybe I can sneak into her room, cut off all of her hair and shave her eyebrows.”
“Now that would be fucking beautiful, babe. Do it.” We giggle.
I snort, making us laugh harder.
“Romeo is with Asher by the pool; I will see if he wants to join us for the card game.” I hear one of Romeo’s uncles call out to another family member as they walk through the lobby.
“Simone, I need to go; I have tracked Romeo down. I will let you know how it goes. Love you.”
“Love you too, bitch. Go make that man squirm.”
Drying my eyes from my laughing fit with Simone, I gather myself and walk toward the pool where I now know Romeo is. He owes me some answers, that’s for sure.
Pushing through the doors, I come to a stop, seeing Romeo kissing his ex. His hands on her hips, her arms locked around his neck in an intimate embrace.
My heart cracks open. My nose burns as my eyes fill with tears, everything becoming blurry. Shaking my head, I dart away, almost colliding with a few guests but I need to fucking go. I need to leave.
I break through the front entry of the hotel and spill out onto the main street of Waikiki.
People look at me as I briskly walk, tears rolling down my cheeks. I must look a mess but right now, I have zero fucks to give about what people think of me. My heart is cracking open and it is all his fault.