Julie chopped the red bell peppers Simon had picked up from the store while he worked on browning the chicken and hummed something under his breath.

He was in his sleeping pants, his chest and back on complete display for her to see. Worry tugged at her about making a quick show of her feelings as their sex wound down, but it was simply the truth. She wanted to work through things with him. It wasn't going to be easy and where the divorce seemed like a good idea, it was stupid. The thought of spending money on something that would be tossed aside in the near future wasn't her way of doing things at all.

He glanced over his shoulder and gave her a sexy smile. "You know... if we fuck like that every night, I don't think there will be any worry of us ending up in the shit storm we've been in lately."

"You think it was just about sex?" She wiped her hands on her t-shirt and walked toward him, sliding her arms around him and pressing a kiss to the back of his shoulder. "I think it was more about not spending any quality time together that was away from the hospital."

"I think you're right, but making love for me is a way to reconnect, to feel like we're one and that you're all mine. It just lifts me back up no matter what's going on." He turned a little and kissed her from the side.

"I understand that." She let out a soft sigh. "Where do we go from here? I don't think I'm ready to jump back in head first."

"I get that." He tugged from her and walked to the fridge. "I'll get a small apartment in the city and we'll date and hang out until you feel like you're ready for me to come home."

"You'd do that for me?" Warmth rushed through her.

He chuckled. "Baby, I would do anything for you."

His expression shifted just a little and the concern on his face pushed her to question him.

"What's wrong?" She moved back to the counter and grabbed a tomato, turning to watch him before chopping it.

"I just need to work through some shit on my own." He shook his head and opened the bottle of wine. "Just know that anything I do from here on out is because I love you. Can you just rest in that truth?" He looked over his shoulder.

"I'll try, but if you do something that hurts me... I'm not sure how you expect me to believe that it was for my own good." She chuckled, but the sound fell flat.

"What's going to happen with you and Cade, Jules? Are you going to let the relationship continue to develop, because I'm not good with that." He turned and licked at his fingers.

"No. I don't think so. I need a little bit of time to myself to think through everything." She finished chopping the rest of the veggies and walked them over to the stove, dumping them in the pan with his chicken. "I've always wanted us to mend what happened between us, but that takes time. It's not an instant fix."

"You're not still wanting the divorce though, right?"

"I'm not sure." She shrugged. "I wish I could give you a definitive answer, but outside of the bedroom, I feel like finding myself might be the best thing for me to do. Once I do that, we can start rebuilding what we lost over a year ago."

"I think I'm okay with that. I wish it were an instant fix, but then again, I'm not looking for myself. I know who I am and belonging to you is the biggest part of that equation. If I lost you... well, then I think I would have to go in search of who I've become, but I can't even think like that. You're my best friend. The only woman I want in my bed or my future." He shrugged and turned back to the stove.

She felt the same, but kept her thoughts to herself. The feelings around Cade weren't easy to ignore, and where she would never find herself in bed with two different men, she wanted to set things right with the younger man and move back from them both. If she needed sex or a long conversation she would turn to Simon. He was safe. He was her future, or so she figured.

"You said you wanted to talk through some things?" She moved up beside him, turned and hopped up onto the counter.

He smiled as he reached over and ran his hand up her thigh, squeezing softly. "You're so damn hot. I'm not surprised that little shit is trying to get your attention. He'd be an idiot not to."

"He told me that he said something to you today. I'm sorry about that. He had no right." Julie reached over and brushed his hair back.

He moved and wiggled his way between her thighs, pulling her tightly against him. "He was trying to unravel me, which he did. He's smart. I'll give him that."

"Hmmm... almost too smart." She leaned down and pressed her lips to his as her fingers ran through his soft hair. "I want more sex."

"Me too." He licked at her mouth. "Dinner, movie and more sex? Shower sex."

"Dinner and sex. No movie needed." She kissed him again and rocked against him. “We could make our own.”

"You're just going to ride me and toss me out, I assume?" He asked in a way that didn't leave her on the defense.

"Nope. You’re staying the night. I’m going to need you all night.” She winked at him. “It’ll be nice to have you hold me while we sleep. I honestly can't remember the last time you did." She smiled and pushed at his chest. "Finish dinner. I'm starving."

"Worked up an appetite, did ya?" He squeezed her leg one more time and moved back over to the stove. "You know the event is early next week, right?"

"The hospital awards?" She hopped down and walked to the fridge to pull out everything else they would need for dinner.

"Yeah. You're getting several. I've seen the list." He turned and wagged his eyebrows.

She popped his butt and moved to pick up his phone from the living room. "It's the hospital."

He groaned and took the phone. "Dr. Paulk. Yep. Yeah. All right. I'll be there in ten minutes."

Grabbing a big platter from the cabinet, she turned and forced a smile. "Need me to go with you or are you good on your own?"

"No. Stay here and eat this good stuff while it's hot. There's been a large accident on the freeway. They need me. If I get there and they need you, I'll call. I'll be back in a few hours. Don't go to sleep without me. Promise." He pulled her close and gave her a long kiss.

"Promise." She watched him go and let out a long sigh.

He walked out a few seconds later, grabbed his keys and left with I love you on his lips.

"I think I love you too," she muttered to the emptiness of the kitchen. Why wasn't it a clear-cut line as to how she felt?

She picked up her phone and texted him to be careful before realizing that Cade had left her a voicemail. She hit the replay button and moved to sit down at the table.

 

"Hey. It's Cade. I'm sorry about earlier. Forgive me. I was out of line completely. Call me when you get this because even though it's none of my business... I care about you too much not to tell you about my conversation with Pam from HR this afternoon. Anyway... hope you're having a relaxing night and I'm around if you want to grab something to eat or just talk."

 

Sickness rolled through her and she slumped down into the chair nearest her, not quite sure what to think. Pam was a liar and was damn good at twisting everything to her own purposes. Whatever she had to tell Cade was probably a far cry from the truth, and yet Julie needed to know.

If there was any validity to it, then having Simon back in the house was a horrible idea. She pressed redial and got up, walking to pick up her wine in case she needed it.

"Julie. I'm glad you called."

"Yeah, I figured it would be rather rude of me not to." She let out a quiet exhale and took a sip of her wine.

"Right. Sorry about earlier."

"It's all good, Cade. Tell me about the conversation with Pam. You know she really can't be trusted. She's a horrible liar and just... nasty."

"I get that, but she told me that she and Simon had a long conversation and he agreed to still see her. She told me to keep it on the down low, but some part of me knows that she wanted it to get back to you. I think that bitch has it out for you."

Julie stiffened. "He's still seeing her? No. That's not possible. He's so broken over all of this. I promise he is."

"I'm sure he is, but she just texted me and put 'he's on his way' with a smiley face. No clue what she's talking about, but I'm thinking if you wanted proof of what he's up to, I'm still at the hospital. I'll see if they're here."

"No. That's ridiculous." Julie began to shake as she took another drink of her wine. "I have to go. I'll call you back."

She dropped the call and pressed Elijah's name on the phone, trying to still her beating heart. Surely Simon wouldn't still be cheating on her. If he was... she was a complete idiot for believing him.

"Julie. What's up?" Elijah sounded tired.

"Nothing much. Simon said there was a large accident. Do you need me up there?" She stood up and began to pace.

"No, we're good. I have everyone I need. Lots of broken bones and such, but no head injuries."

Julie's blood ran cold. "Do you need Simon to head that way?"

"No. Like I said, not your area of expertise. I'll call him or you if I need you."

"Right." Julie hung up and texted her husband.

Julie: Simon. Who called you to come to the hospital?

Simon: Elijah did. I'll be back soon though.

Julie: Okay.

A sob lodged in her throat. He couldn't have lied again. Cade couldn’t have been right. There was no way. She dialed Cade's number again and he answered immediately.

"Hey. You okay?" His voice was kind and caring.

"No," she mumbled through tears that rolled onto her cheeks. "He lied to me. He said Elijah called him in, but I just spoke to Elijah, Cade. He didn't call him. Who did?"

"Jules. I told you he's still seeing Pam. I'm not making this shit up."

"No." Julie let out another soft cry, her stomach souring at the fact that she gave him full access to every part of her only an hour ago. It was his ability to wrap around her heart that hurt the worst. She didn't know him at all. It was all a lie.

"He just pulled up. I'm watching from your window. She's getting in his car. Fuck, hold on." The sound of Cade moving around filled up the phone and she bit down on her fist, not able to hold back the agony that was forcing its way up her throat. "I'm sending you a picture and I'm headed over there."

Julie nodded and hung up, not caring that Cade couldn't see her response. She shook her head, not wanting to see the picture he sent and yet not being able to help herself. She sunk to the floor as a scream ripped from her chest.

It was Simon's car in the casted white lights of the parking lot. The shadows showed the two people in the car embracing, their positioning perfect for a kiss.

A kiss that sealed the future – forever.

 

 

The End

Saving Forever part 8 – Coming in Dec/January!