Lessons of the Past Read online

  Lessons of the Past

  Chloe Maxx

  Lessons of the Past

  Copyright © 2015 by Chloe Maxx

  Cover Image Copyright © AS Inc 2015

  Used under license from Shutterstock.com

  Editor: Monica Black, Word Nerd Editing

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission.

  Lessons of the Past is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, business establishments, or locales is purely coincidental. The author recognizes the copyrighted or trademarked statuses of all established companies and brands mentioned in this work.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  (Present)

  Yes, karma is definitely a bitch. A vengeful bitch.

  A month ago, I was happily married...well, I was married. Caleb and I had what everyone wanted on the outside: good jobs, a beautiful home, even a cute little dog named Buster. But on the inside, we were just existing together, not actually living and enjoying life as a couple.

  When I walked in on Caleb fucking his secretary on his desk, I couldn’t really be angry. It had apparently been going on for six months and I had been none the wiser. I guess that’s what happens when you say “I love you” and you aren’t actually in love, if love even exists.

  I had once thought I was in love with someone, but maybe it was just lust. I had been ready to give him every little part of me, but he couldn’t reciprocate. He had been married during our relationship and never intended to divorce his wife. I should have guarded my heart better, never acted on my feelings for him, but I had. I hadn’t thought, just felt, and it left me shattered.

  That’s why karma was such a bitch.

  You fuck someone’s husband and someone will eventually fuck yours. Or, at least, that was my case.

  Trudging into work, I gripped my coffee in one hand and typed out an email with the other, using my phone. Work usually started as soon as I woke up and followed me home each night. It worked well for me, during my marriage, and now, during my separation. I loved the fact that I was always busy.

  Setting my coffee down on my desk, I rolled my eyes and smiled as I heard, “Alex!”

  I took a deep breath and walked into my boss’s office. “Yes, Mr. Bradford?”

  He greeted me with a warm, genuine smile. “As you know, I have a meeting all morning. Around ten, could you go down to Raymond and Raymond on the twelfth floor and pick up some documents for me? I told them to be expecting you. I hope that’s okay since it’s of a personal nature.”

  “That’s fine. Anything you need before the meeting? Coffee?” I asked. Mr. Bradford was a good guy, and easy to work for considering most of the executives were complete assholes. He had allowed me extra time off while I was visiting with my lawyer about my impending divorce and seemed to actually care about me as a person.

  “Coffee would be great. Thank you.”

  I nodded and exited his office. “Alex! You have to come with us this weekend,” Jessica yelled from her cubicle. “You’re one of us now.” She grinned.

  I smiled back. “Nothing is final, so not yet,” I said, stopping in front of her. As was their ritual, Jessica and a few other single girls from the office went out every Friday night for drinks, but the thought of clubbing sounded awful. Jessica had been asking me for the last two weeks to come with them—since she found out about my divorce—but all I wanted to do was eat popcorn and ice cream while watching Netflix.

  “Is the asshole making it difficult?”

  Jessica and I had been friends for a couple years, so I didn’t mind elaborating on my divorce. “No, not really. He feels bad about the situation.” I sighed. “He still cares about me, and I still care about him, but I’m really not that upset. He loves her, and I think that’s great that she makes him happy. Obviously, I couldn’t do that.”

  Jessica nodded. “I’m sorry. I’m sure it still hurts.”

  I sighed. “Yeah, it still does.” But it wasn’t necessarily Caleb and the divorce. Or his affair. I couldn’t exactly blame him for falling for someone who would actually love him back. I was more upset about the mess I’d made out of my life. It hurt so much when I actually thought about where I was, and where I thought I should be. At twenty-six, I was getting divorced and living with my sister—it wasn’t what I had planned for my life at all.

  “Jessica!” boomed from the office behind her. She rolled her eyes and stood. “Well, you’re still coming this weekend. It’s just drinks and some innocent flirting.”

  I nodded, but it was more so Jessica would stop asking, and headed toward the breakroom as she went into her boss’s office. Pushing the door open, I found Mason Smith leaning against the counter, sipping coffee.

  His eyes lifted to meet mine. “Morning, Alex. How are you?”

  “Good, thanks. You?” I asked, walking toward the coffee pot. Mason was a very attractive man with dark green eyes and light brown hair that always looked like he had just crawled out of bed.

  “I can’t complain. I mean, I’m standing here talking to you.” He smirked.

  I couldn’t help the small giggle that bubbled out. “That’s slick. Does that usually work with the ladies?” Mason wasn’t a whore by any means, but I was positive he didn’t spend many nights alone.

  “Sometimes. Did it work now?”

  Shaking my head and pouring the coffee, I replied, “No. Sorry. But it could just be my current mood.”

  “Yeah, I heard. I’m sorry.”

  I paused, setting the carafe down. I hated knowing my marital problems were now office gossip. It was one thing for me to tell my friends, but it was another for every single co-worker to know.

  “That’s okay.” I hurried and filled the mug, placing the pot back in place.

  Mason stepped closer and pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “For what it’s worth, he’s really stupid. Anyone who would do that to you isn’t worth keeping anyway.”

  I nodded, picked up the mug, and exited the breakroom, almost running.

  After delivering Mr. Bradford’s coffee, I sat down in my chair and got busy. I checked my voicemail first, then began going t
hrough the paperwork sitting on my desk.

  I finished off my java, then looked at my watch. It was nine fifty-five. After saving all my work and logging off my computer, I strolled to the elevator, lost in thought, and went down to the twelfth floor where Raymond and Raymond was located.

  I walked up to the receptionist’s desk and greeted the older lady. “Hi, Holly. Mr. Bradford asked me to pick up some paperwork for him.”

  “Hi, Alex,” she greeted, knowing me for the last couple years, and because Raymond and Raymond was handling my divorce. “Let me go grab it. Just a minute.”

  “No problem,” I answered. I backed up to a chair and sank down with a sigh. I was so tired and drained, I felt like I could nap for two days straight if I was given the opportunity.

  “Here you go, Alex,” Holly announced as she walked back to her desk.

  “Thanks,” I said, taking the sealed envelope. “You wouldn’t happen to know if Mr. Crawford has a date for me or anything?” I questioned, regarding my divorce.

  She smiled sweetly. “I can certainly call back to his office and ask.”

  “Thanks. That would be great.”

  She picked up her phone and connected to Mr. Crawford. After a minute, she set the phone back in its place. “He doesn’t, I’m sorry.”

  “That’s okay.” I got up. “I better get back to work. Have a great day.”

  “You, too,” she said as I let the door swing shut behind me.

  Pressing the down button on the outside panel for the elevator, I heard, “Alexandria? Is that you?” The voice was familiar, raspy. I froze as my heart stopped, then accelerated. The open floor plan suddenly felt too small, claustrophobic, the walls caving in.

  Slowly, I turned, coming face to face with the man I thought I had once loved. The man who ripped my heart out and walked all over it.

  “Javier.”

  “Oh my God,” he said, coming closer, and I took a step back. He still looked sexy as hell, maybe a little older, tired. “How are you?”

  My body began to tremble and my sex clenched a little. “I’m great.” I hated that my body was reacting to his closeness. I needed to get away from him. Fast. The elevator arrived and the doors slid open. “I have to go, but it was great seeing you,” I said, stepping inside and turning to face him. He was so damn sexy.

  Chapter 2

  (5 Years Earlier)

  The sun rose higher in the sky as my feet pounded against the sand, propelling me forward. Early morning runs on the beach were my stress reliever. The splashing of waves and the salty air had always given me a sense of peace, which was why I chose to attend Southern University at Beach Center, or SUBC.

  I slowed before coming to a complete stop and took a few deep breaths. I stretched out my muscles, then, with my mind at ease, dropped to the sand. After crossing my legs, I was able to listen to the waves, calm my thoughts, and just breathe.

  Fifteen minutes later, I was relaxed and ready to kick the day’s ass, along with the first day of fall classes. I strode back toward my apartment, entered the back door, and climbed the flight of stairs. Unlocking my door, I texted my best friend, Courtney.

  Me: I’m going to be at the coffee shop in 45 minutes.

  I dropped my phone on the kitchen counter and made my way toward my bathroom. While in the shower, I washed all the sweat off my body and thought about my day. My first class was Calculus II, which was going to suck since I sucked at math. Lots of suckage was going to happen there. My other two classes were business related courses for my major. They weren’t the most fascinating, but they would be a lot easier than calculus.

  I climbed out of the shower and dried off. Wrapping the towel around my hair, I walked back to where I left my phone and checked it for messages.

  Courtney: See you there.

  Taking the phone with me, I went to my bedroom and got dressed.

  I settled on a V-neck, black t-shirt, and ripped jeans. I dried my long, brunette hair and applied a dash of mascara to set off my hazel eyes. Grabbing my wallet from my purse, I tossed it in my bag and set off for my day.

  I only lived four blocks from campus, which made my old apartment even better. I didn’t have to bother with parking or public transportation. So, for the most part, my car sat in the apartment parking lot.

  I walked into the coffee shop, immediately spying Courtney sitting by a window. Her blonde hair was cut in a bob style and streaked with purple and pink, making her easy to spot.

  I stood in line and waited my turn before ordering a vanilla iced latté. Sitting down at Courtney’s table, I tossed my bag into the empty seat and took a long sip of my latte.

  “Hey, girl. Are you ready for classes?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “As ready as I’ll ever be I guess. Although, I’m freaking tired.”

  “Maybe if you didn’t wake up at the ass crack of dawn to run, you wouldn’t be tired.”

  I sipped on my straw, letting the icy drink cool my body from the walk. “Whatever. That’s not why. Lane came over last night. He’s almost positive Beth is cheating.”

  “What a slut,” she replied.

  I nodded. “I know. Even if she isn’t cheating, he’s better off without her. She’s such a bitch.”

  “Why does he think she’s cheating?” she asked as she took a sip of her piping hot coffee. How people could drink hot coffee in the summer, I had no clue.

  “She’s suddenly busy all the time,” I said. “And she’s always texting someone when they are together. I told him to just come out and ask.”

  “Or follow her ass to see the evidence in person. You know she’ll deny it if he just asks.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t understand how someone could cheat. Just end the relationship.”

  “Speaking of relationships…okay, not really. Who was the hottie in the hallway yesterday afternoon?”

  “Yeah, not really. That was my neighbor, Stephen,” I answered, twirling my cup around on the table, acting nonchalant.

  “You need to run out of sugar. I’d be making up all kinds of excuses to go over to his apartment. And with your slim build and curves, you could have him in a second.”

  I smiled and bit my lip. “He did ask me out.”

  “Ahh!” she squealed as her feet bounced. “You said yes? Tell me you said yes!”

  “I did. Well, I told him to give me a couple weeks because I needed to adjust to my classes.” I glanced away and then back to her. “He’s nice, and understood. I hope he remembers. He is really good looking.”

  “Agreed,” she remarked as she stood from her seat. “I better get going if I want to make it all the way to Hickman Hall before class starts.”

  I glanced at my watch. “I guess I better, too. Ugh. I’m so not looking forward to this calculus class. I’m horrible with math.”

  “I still can’t believe you’re a business major. I’m pretty positive math will be needed.” She laughed.

  “Yeah,” I said before I grabbed my bag and we started walking out the door.

  We both put our sunglasses on as the morning sun blared down on us. “I don’t know how you run in this heat.”

  “That’s why I get up early.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Get up early? Yuck. The only reason I’m up this early is because I have to take this class and it’s only offered at the ass crack of dawn.”

  I laughed and shook my head.

  “Looks like trouble!” I heard from beside us. I looked over to see Lane approaching. Lane was a good looking guy with short brown hair and gentle eyes the color of caramel. He was built, but had the heart of a teddy bear.

  “Yep, here you come,” Courtney replied.

  “Morning, Lane,” I offered as a greeting.

  “Morning. It’s shocking to see you out and about before noon, Courtney.”

  She groaned. “Don’t get me started. I’m already angry about being up.”

  He laughed and rolled his eyes as he looked at me, causing me to laugh as well. “You ladie
s have a great day. I have class in there,” he said, pointing toward a lecture hall.

  “Bye, Lane,” we both said in unison as he walked away.

  Courtney looked over at me. “He didn’t seem too sad. Seems like his same old self to me.”

  “Yeah, but I think he’s pretending.”

  “Pretending she’s not cheating or pretending he’s happy?”

  I glanced in Lane’s direction. “Both.”

  “That’s what I think, too,” Courtney said with a sigh. Lane and Courtney were close, just not as close as Lane and I.

  I looked up at the old, brick building housing the dreaded math department and sighed as my eyes landed on the door. “I guess I better go in,” I said. “Get this over with.”

  “You’ll be fine.”

  “I have to pass this class. I’ve put off taking it, and now, I don’t have time to fail it.”

  “I’ll help if I can.”

  “Thanks,” I replied, turning toward the steps. “Text me and we’ll have dinner tonight.”

  “Sounds good,” she called back.

  I trudged into the building before locating the classroom. Walking inside, I found a seat in the back row and sat down.

  I pulled out the textbook and a notebook while the rest of the class filed in. I hated that I had to take this class. I realized I was majoring in Business, but I still didn’t like it. I had strong suits and math was not one of them. Reading, yes, but I had no idea what I would do with a literature degree. To be honest, I had no idea what I was going to do with a business degree either. I may have been twenty-one and a junior in college, but I had no clue what I wanted to do when I “grew up”.

  The door closed, causing me to glance up, and my breath caught. The sexiest guy—man—I had ever seen was placing his messenger bag on the desk in front of the classroom. He had on a custom-tailored, dark suit with a blue dress shirt. His hair was floppy and dark and there was a day’s worth of scruff on his face.

  He turned his back and began writing on the whiteboard, displaying the most incredible ass I had ever laid eyes on. That’s when I realized this calculus class was going to be even more difficult than I had originally thought. How would I ever be able to pay attention now?