Simply Complicated (27 page)

She didn’t mention anything about Candace so maybe Candace kept quiet. That’s a relief. I hope she comes around. I really need her
, he thought as he drove his car into the garage.

It took Camille only one week to make up her mind. She would marry Jake on Christmas Eve. Out of respect she decided to call Paul to let him know. She hated to tell him but she didn’t want to keep it a secret.

Paul was devastated. Although he knew Camille and Jake were engaged, he always hoped she would wake up and realize that he was not good for her.

Telling him was more difficult than she imagined. She cried for hours after talking to him. She wasn’t sure if she was sad because she wouldn’t see him anymore or because she realized that she was in love with both him and Jake.

Jake kept his promise this time. He planned everything. Camille just had to worry about her wedding dress and veil. She and Candace went to every bridal shop in Chicago until she found the perfect dress.

It took her two weeks to find everything she needed. Since they decided to have a small wedding it did not take long to get the details in place. Candace was going to be her maid of honor and Ken was going to be his best man. They were to wed on Christmas Eve. They only invited a few friends and family; her only family was her aunt and uncle.

Jake invited his father, whom he had not spoken with in nearly a year, and his stepmother. His father had left Jake and his mother when Jake was six years old; he was supposed to go south to find work and he never returned. His parents had divorced when Jake was about eight years old.

Jake’s mother passed away four years before from breast cancer. He and his mother were very close. He never forgave his father for leaving them but his mother made him promise that he would try to have a relationship with him. To honor her wishes, he had been putting forth some effort to stay in touch with his father.

As the wedding day approached, Camille started getting nervous. She began questioning her decision to marry Jake. She could not get Paul out of her mind. She had not moved any of her belongings into Jake’s house yet. She wanted to wait until after the wedding.

A week before the wedding, some of Jake’s friends decided to throw a last-minute bachelor party. To their surprise, he told them that he did not want to go to a strip club or have a party with a stripper so they decided to take him to the bar.

He was really trying to change and be a better man. While at the bar he ran into one of his old flames. She tried to convince him to go back to her place for one last fling. Although he was tempted, the thought of Camille and the baby and the threat of losing them both made him change his mind.

After his bachelor party he went home to start cleaning out one of his guest rooms for the baby. He and Camille had discussed it but since the wedding was planned so quickly, they hadn’t yet had time to work on the room.

His wedding was less than seven days away and he was very excited. For the first time in a long while, he was going to do the right thing and felt good about it. He had to admit that he would have to get used to settling down with one woman and being a dad. He hoped he would like being a homebody. Of course, he wasn’t sure if he was willing to give up his swinger lifestyle. This was something he knew he would have to consider carefully.

The big day had arrived. The wedding was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Jake’s house. It was a typical cold Chicago December. Camille awoke that morning contented. She convinced herself that marrying Jake was a good decision although she really missed Paul.

Candace and Ken arrived to the house at the same time, 1:00 p.m., as planned. When Jake opened the door, he and Ken gave each other a brotherly handshake and a hug. He and Candace barely said hello.

This was their first time seeing each other since she broke things off with him. He was still holding a grudge against her for that but he knew he had to play it off since Camille did not know about their affair.

He told her where she could find Camille and he and Ken went into his den for a drink. He wanted to pull her to the side to remind her to not talk to Camille about them but he didn’t want Ken to get suspicious.

“What was that all about?” Ken asked.

“What was
what
all about?” replied Jake.

“You know—with you and Candace. The two of you barely said hello to each other and I think she rolled her eyes at you. I thought since she’s Camille’s best friend that you would get along with her,” he asked, looking puzzled.

“She’s Camille’s friend—not mine. I just don’t trust her. I think she’s a snake but I won’t tell Camille. She’ll have to find out on her own,” he said, taking a sip of his Jack Daniels.

“Wait a minute. Did you sleep with Candace?” Ken whispered.

“Hell no! I didn’t sleep with her,” Jake looked down at his glass and took another sip.

“I know you, man. I can tell by the way you’re acting that you’re lying. You
did
have sex with her. What were you thinking? What were you both thinking? That is out cold.”

Ken shook his head in disbelief, “Now you have to stand in front of Camille while looking at Candace. How long ago was it? At least say it was years ago when you and Camille first met.”

“The first time was three years ago. We just ended it about a month ago. But it was nothing. It was just sex—that’s all. We got tired of the deceit and decided to stop,” Jake drained his drink.

“Hell no, man! You just stopped a month ago and now you’re standing here about to marry her best friend? So I take it Camille doesn’t know about any of this? That is just wrong—even for you,” Ken said, still in shock.

“I trust you won’t say anything. Camille is the woman I love and the one I want to marry, not Candace,” Jake glared at Ken as he walked out of the den to answer the door.

Meanwhile, Candace was in the upstairs bathroom helping Camille put on her make-up.

“You look so beautiful, Camille. You’re glowing. I wonder if it’s the baby or the fact that you’re finally getting married that is making you shine?” asked Candace, trying to sound supportive.

Camille took a deep breath. “Thanks. I’m a little nervous, though. I hope I’m making the right decision. What if he changes on me again? What if tomorrow he believes he made a big mistake? Do you think I’m being silly?”

“I am sure every bride has second thoughts and jitters. Calm down, girl. Everything will be fine. No matter what happens, you’re a beautiful, strong woman and you can handle anything,” Candace said, giving Camille a quick hug.

“I guess you’re right. Maybe I’m being silly. Before you help me put on my wedding dress can you do a favor for me? Can you ask Jake if my aunt and uncle have arrived yet? If so, can you have my aunt come upstairs?” she asked anxiously.

Candace really didn’t want to say anything to Jake but she had no choice this time. She couldn’t tell Camille that she did not want to talk to him because she would want to know why. Candace had promised herself that she would never mention her affair with Jake.

She went downstairs to look for the groom. He and Ken were welcoming guests in the living room so she asked if they could talk for a brief moment. He excused himself and they went into the foyer near the staircase.

“I hate to bother you, but your fiancée wanted me to ask if her aunt and uncle have arrived yet,” she said with an attitude.

“Oh so it’s like that—my fiancée? Why are you acting like you don’t know her name? You mean your best friend Camille?” he asked sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Jake. So are they here or not?”

“Why are you acting like this? You should be glad that I’m marrying your girl. If memory serves me correctly, didn’t you tell me about a month ago that I needed to focus on her? Besides, you’re the one who broke up with me and yet you’re acting as if I ended our relationship. I hope you won’t do anything stupid,” he said, trying to keep his voice down.

“I’m acting like what? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you suggesting that I’m acting jealous? If that’s what you’re thinking then that is the furthest from the truth. If anything I feel sorry for her,” she said angrily.

“You feel
sorry
for her? What’s that suppose to mean? Stop acting like the jilted lover. Admit it, Candace—you’re mad because I am marrying her and not you. The only reason you became her friend in the first place was to be near me.

“You were never her real friend because if you were, you would have never slept with me. You know you wish it were you marrying me today and not her. Don’t forget you came on to me after you knew she and I had become an item.

“So you need to get it together. Besides, there’s no need to get jealous—you have Timothy to keep you happy in bed. I’m sure you can teach him a few things. Does he know that you’re a swinger? Or is that supposed to be a secret?” he said sarcastically.

Candace hissed back, “I’m not acting like a jilted lover because
I’m
the one who jilted
you
. Honestly Jake, if I wanted you like that I could have had you. I may have come on to you at the swingers’ party but both of us mutually consented to keep it going for two years.

“So stop trying to act innocent. Maybe I should tell Camille about us so she can know the type of man she is marrying. A low-down, no-good backstabber that sleeps with whomever is willing to spread her legs,” she hissed.

For a brief moment they forgot where they were. Their voices started getting a little elevated.

Jake stabbed an angry finger towards her chest, “I guess you would know about that since you were more than willing to spread your legs as often as I wanted it. Calling me a backstabber is a tad bit hypocritical, don’t you think? Here you are again acting like the jilted lover. Jealously is ugly on you, Candace.”

“You know what, Jake? Your arrogance is amazing. Need I repeat myself? I’m not jealous of you marrying Camille,” Candace brushed him away as she furiously waggled her hand in defiance.

“Oh, I get it now. You are jealous that she’s marrying me. You’re in love with Camille, aren’t you? Oh shit. That’s why you became her friend. You were hoping to get close enough to her so you could get her to sleep with you.

“That explains why when she and I broke up, you stopped sleeping with me for that brief moment. You were hoping to get her into bed. Tell me, Candace, did your plan work? Were you able to get that special time with her like you had hoped?

“Never mind. You don’t have to answer that. I’ll answer for you because Camille told me everything. I know you didn’t get her into bed. She told me that the night we broke up that you came over to console her and that you were rubbing on her back, acting like you were being supportive.

“I know you tried to kiss her on the lips and she turned away from you. When are you going to get it through your skull that she likes men? She is not a swinger like you,” he said cruelly.

“You know Jake, every time you speak I think about slapping the taste out of your mouth but then I realize that it will be a waste of energy. Yes, I find her attractive but I’m not in love with her. She’s my best friend and nothing more.

“Just because your mind is warped doesn’t mean that mine is. You talk about me being a swinger like that’s something wrong. Now who’s being hypocritical? You’re a swinger too, or have you forgotten how we first met and how we reunited?

“Have you told Camille that this is your lifestyle of choice or is that one detail you’ve failed to share? If I were you I would be careful how you treat me. I’m just a few feet away from her and who knows...the truth may find its way into her ears.

“All I need to do is tell her that I think she’s making a mistake by marrying you and the wedding would be called off. She knows that you’re a liar and a cheat. You know you haven’t changed. If I asked you to come back and sleep with me again you would do it,” she said confidently, arching her back and pushing her ample breasts toward him.

“All I know is you better not mention anything to her about us. We both would lose out and I know you don’t want to do that,” he said, leaning in close to her.

The tension between them mounted as heat blazed between their eyes, now inches apart. They both leaned forward and began kissing passionately on the stairway. After a few seconds they pulled away, both surprised at their reactions. They murmured embarrassed apologies and rushed to leave the foyer.

They never noticed Camille at the top of the stairs. She was just about to call out for Candace when she heard their voices. She heard most of their conversation and when they kissed, she almost fell down the stairs. She stood in shock. She tried to say something but no sound would come out of her mouth.

Before they could notice her, she ran back into the bathroom, breathing heavily and trying not to vomit. She didn’t know what to do.
I don’t believe this. How can they do this to me? I feel like a fool,
she thought to herself.

She quickly had a flashback of the night when she first met Candace. She thought that night had been behind them. When she and Candace became close friends she never thought her confidant would continue to sleep with Jake.