The second Alicia opened the front door she threw herself into his arms and kissed him on the mouth, but instead of returning the kiss as he usually did Brad pushed her away from him.
“We need to talk,” Brad said walking into the house past Alicia. He wasn’t going to be made a fool of a second time by her. Yes, he loved her but not enough to let her break his heart a second time.
“What’s wrong with you? Has something happened I need to know about?” Alicia asked, closing the door to join him in the middle of the living room.
Brad didn’t even know where to begin so he ran his fingers through his hair while he gathered his wild thoughts. This might end up turning out to be the worst day of his life after he got finished talking with Alicia.
“I had a talk with Richard about you an hour ago,” he said.
“You did,” Alicia said, touching him on the arm. “Is that what has you so upset? Do you need to talk about it?”
“Yeah, I do want to talk about it. That’s why I’m here with you.” Brad moved away from Alicia so he could think and not get distracted by her touch. “He told me that he saw something while he was out having lunch with Zack, but I told him that it couldn’t be true.”
Unconsciously Alicia’s brows furrowed as she stared at him with a perplexed look on her beautiful face. “Brad, I’m getting confused. What did Richard tell you that he saw that has you so upset and confused? Baby, tell me so I can help you.”
“Richard told me that he saw you there kissing another man.” The words were shouted in the room. “Is it true?”
Though Alicia didn’t answer him right away, her face spoke for her. Richard was right! Lee had been telling him the truth all along. Alicia wasn’t any good. She had been making a fool of him again and he allowed it.
“Brad, it isn’t want you think,” Alicia swore. “Richard misunderstood what the kiss on the cheek was about.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you weren’t kissing another man out in public when you’re supposedly my girlfriend?” Brad demanded, harshly.
“No…Yes,” Alicia sputtered.
“Which is it? Yes, you’re denying it. Or no, you weren’t kissing another man in public. What kind of game are you trying to pull? Do you think I’ll let you make a fool of me again like you did with Max?”
“Listen to me.” Alicia tried to touch him, but he brushed her hands away.
“No, I’m tired of your lies. I’m through with you. It’s over. I don’t need this anymore.”
He had made up his mind on the drive over here. If there was a small chance that what Richard had told him was true about Alicia, he was going to break up with her. He wasn’t going to let her use him. Hell, he was a good man not some love sick teenager boy in love with the popular girl.
“What are you talking about?” Alicia gasped. “How can you break up with me? You haven’t even given me a chance to tell you what really happened.”
“I’m not letting you tell me your side because it will just be more lies. I should’ve listened to Lee and never gotten involved with you. However, I thought maybe a part of you did care about me, but was too scared to admit it.
“I kept thinking I could help you break down that wall around your heart but I guess I didn’t accomplish what I wanted most.”
Alicia moved towards him again, but he stepped around her. “Brad, listen to me. I’m not that same woman who thought she was in love with Max. I have changed. Just let me tell you about my lunch date with-”
“No, I’m done with you. I hope you’re happy with this new man and don’t worry, I’ll tell Lee not to blow you off about the interview since he still has to redo his with Cherise. I’m a man of my word and I plan to keep it.”
Brad didn’t want to hear Alicia’s response. Instead, he walked across the living room and opened the front door slamming it behind him as he went out. He was halfway to his car when out of nowhere Alicia jumped in front of him.
“Brad, listen,” she pleaded. “You don’t know the whole story. Let me tell you about my lunch date and who it was with. You’re going to be impressed.”
“I’m not interested.” Taking her by the arm, he moved Alicia out of his way and continued on to his car. “Like I told you inside, it’s over.” He got inside his car and drove off without bothering to even look back at Alicia.
Later that night, Brad sat inside his dark living room wondering if he’d handled the situation with Alicia wrong. Did he take Richard’s side too fast after Alicia sort of admitted that she had kissed another man?
Taking another sip of his drink, he stared outside into the darkness. It looked black and lonely like his heart.
Shit! All day he couldn’t stop thinking about Alicia which had made him useless at both jobs. He had promised Lee two weeks’ notice and he was fulfilling it.
It was hard for him to believe that Halloween was tonight. He was supposed to go out tonight with Zack, Traci and Carter, but he backed out at the last minute and passed out candy for a couple of hours at home.
He couldn’t help thinking about how much more fun it would have been if Alicia had been here with him. He guessed today showed him that he shouldn’t plan ahead for his future.
Brad couldn’t stop his eyes from glancing down at the dark velvet ring box on the table No one else knew that he had been planning to propose to Alicia on Christmas Eve. He’d had everything planned out down to every last detail, but now he would be spending the day with only his family instead of his fiancée.
Why did I let her deeper into my heart? Brad wondered as he finished off the last of his beer. He was done with her messing with him. Now if only his heart would listen. It might take some time, but he would get over Alicia Hart.