I reached into my pocket and grabbed the ring. Bridget didn’t see anything as I moved because she was focused on the ball. She started to yell the countdown with the crowd. I sank down on one knee and waited for her to look at me. Fucking hell, thank God I only had to wait a few seconds – Any more than that I might have had a panic attack. She looked in my direction and a panic looked flashed across her face before she looked down. Her eyes became as big as saucers and her mouth opened in shock.
“Kayden.” I could see her mouth moving, but I couldn’t hear a damn thing.
Fuck. I didn’t anticipate the noise and her not being able to hear my words. People began to cheer and kiss all around us. I held the ring up, not wanting to waste another moment. “Will you marry me?”
She shook her head yes and crumpled to the ground in front of me. I gently grabbed her hand and slid the ring on her finger. Tears began to form in her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. We looked into each other’s eyes as the world around us disappeared. Bridget and I were engaged, and we’d become man and wife. I kissed her hard, demanding entrance, marking my territory. She would be mine forever.
Bridget was the first great love of my life. The details about our relationship or the engagement aren’t important; our downfall is what changed my view on love and fidelity. When I’m in a relationship, I’m in it one hundred percent; I only have eyes for my partner. I never will be a cheater.
Our wedding was a month away. Bridget’s father still grumbled under his breath every time I walked in the room; that someday we’d hoped for when I first met him still hadn’t arrived. Her parents had booked the Cleveland Botanical Garden as the venue for our vows and reception. It was beautiful and way out of my price range. Everything was purchased, and we were just counting the days until we’d become husband and wife.
I went for my final tuxedo fitting and decided to go home early to surprise Bridget. She’s been so stressed with all the planning. She and her mother didn’t see eye to eye on the dresses, flowers, and just about everything. She needed some downtime – a night filled with fun and I knew just how to help her to relax.
I walked through the front door and followed a trail of clothing. They led me to her, but she wasn’t alone. I heard the noises coming from the bedroom. The sounds weren’t those of sadness but of lust and passion.
“Fuck me. Harder!” My heart broke in that moment. Shattered. I pushed the door open and a naked male body filled my vision. He was standing up thrusting into her as she kneeled on the bed like a bitch in heat.
“You’re my slut,” he said as he smacked her ass.
There are only two options in this moment. Option one involved screaming, making a scene, and beating the f**k out of him. Option two would be to wait for them and let them squirm when they realize they’ve been caught red handed. Option two was the winner. I was too devastated in this moment to do anything else but drown my sorrow in a bottle of Jack. Fuck it! The damage was done; Bridget and I were over.
I should have picked up on the queues that I missed or overlooked because of the stressful nature of planning a wedding. She seemed distant at times, not as into sex, and was often out ‘shopping’ for the big day. I didn’t pay attention, too wrapped up in the dream of what we were going to become instead of clutching what we are.
I left the door ajar and walked into the kitchen. I quietly opened the liquor cabinet pulling out the bottle of Jack. I didn’t wait to get a glass; I popped the top and took a large gulp. I walked to the couch facing the hallway and waited. I sat there watching for the adulterer and her boy toy to make their grand entrance. I downed half the bottle before they emerged from the bedroom.
Bridget turned paler than I thought she ever could and came to a dead stop as he slammed into her back, causing her to lurch forward. I sat there with my leg over my knee, hand across the back of the couch, gripping the bottle of Jack and void of expression.
“Kay-den,” she stuttered, adjusting her bra and panties, the rest of her clothes were still all over the house.
“Save it. Who the f**k is he?” I placed both feet on the floor and leaned forward on both my elbows.
She looked at him, but I didn’t need an answer. Now that I was able to see his face, I knew exactly who he was. Jim or Tim, something bland and boring, worked for her father. He was an executive in his office and made large bank. “Lemme explain,” she said.
“Explain what? That you’re his slut?” I could almost feel my blood boil in my veins. I watched as he gathered his pants, dress shirt, and tie off the floor as he headed to the door almost entirely naked. “I should have known you were a whore. I f**ked you the first day I met you.” He stopped dead in his tracks.
“Shut your mouth, ass**le. That’s not how you talk to a lady,” he said as he turned around.
“A lady? I thought she was your slut, just a f**k toy. She used to be just that to me, too.”
“Tom, just go. Kayden and I need to work this out.” She pointed towards the door. Tom, I knew it was some short boring ass name that fit him to a tee.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay with him? Don’t let him talk to you that way. No one should talk to you that way, ever.”
“Go f**k yourself, Tom. Get the f**k out.” I stood up moving towards him. If he wouldn’t leave willingly, I’d gladly show him another way out.
Bridget jumped in front of me placing her hand on my chest. I moved my body out of reach; I couldn’t stand the thought of her fingers that were just touching his naked body now touching me. “No, Kayden don’t.” She looked hurt, but I didn’t buy the look on her face. “Just go, please Tom.”