Vision of Love by S. Moose Read Free Book Online

what that means since I’ve never had a happily ever after except with Emma. Although when she looked at me, really looked at me, I liked that feeling. I liked it when she smiled at me. It’s like she’s seeing the real me without the bullshit I put on. Regardless, I need to stay away.
    * * * * *
    Alexis’ plane lands at two thirty in the afternoon. Emma’s holding a ‘welcome back home’ sign for her Aunt Alexis.
    We spent the morning making breakfast and running errands. Karly wasn’t up yet. I wanted to knock on her door and have her eat breakfast with us, but I stayed away.
    “Aunt Alexis!” Emma squeals jumping up and down. Alexis comes running over to her, bringing her in her arms and twirling her around.
    “Welcome home sis.” I place my arm around her shoulder and pull her in. The bond I have with Alexis is strong. She’s been there for me through the highs and lows. I can honestly say she’s my best friend.
    “Thanks Nicky.”
    “Nicholas,” I mutter. She knows that damn nickname is annoying and I hate it, but she insists on doing it to spite me. I take her carry on and we head to baggage claim. “So I met Karly.”
    “I know.”
    That’s all she says while we’re heading to the garage. I wait for more, but she’s talking to Emma in a hushed voice. Alright she’s being weird. I shake it off and grab her luggage. Alexis doesn’t look at me, her focus is on Emma. When we get in the car they both look at me with a smile on their face.
    “Okay so what’s going on?”
    “Nothing,” they both answer at the same time. “Mom and dad want us to come over tonight for dinner.” Alexis states texting on her phone. “I’m inviting Karly too. You should bring Larry. They haven’t seen him in a while.”
    “Sure. Sounds fun.”
    We get back to the apartment and relax. My mind is going in every direction watching Alexis, Karly and Emma in the kitchen making cookies. Emma’s laughs fill the room. I need to get away and do something.
    Me: Gym?
    Larry: Already here…See you soon
    “Alright girls I’ll be back later. Gonna go work out with Larry.”
    “Have fun daddy!”
    When I get to the gym I hop on the treadmill, put in my ear buds, blast some Usher and start running. ‘Spotlight’ plays and the words hit me. Thoughts of Karly come to mind. She’s a roommate. Someone I just met. There’s no feelings or anything romantic between us. I nee d a distraction, preferably a brunette with nice boobs and a body to die for. I notice the wondering eyes on me. These women are shameless. I’ve been eye fucked before and it boosts my ego. Shaking my head I focus on my running and breathing. As soon as I close my eyes, boom, she’s in my head.
    Seriously what the fuck is wrong with me? I don’t have feelings for Karly. I don’t.
    I finish my five-mile run, wiping the sweat from my face. Damn that feels good.
    “You good Hayes? Damn that was hard,” Larry states out of breath.
    “Yeah that was good. C’mon let’s go lift.”
    Working out is my outlet to release my stress and frustration. When I’m at the gym or running through the park there’s a sense of clarity and I’m at peace. All the bullshit from my past stays with me, but I don’t let it take over. I have Emma to be strong for. She’s all that matters. I close my eyes and shudder from thoughts of the past.
    It was just me caring for a new born baby. I was twenty-four years old, working for an elite accounting firm. I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing. She’d lie in her crib screaming and crying. I tried calming her down and carry her throughout the house, but she wouldn’t stop crying. I placed her back in her crib and ran out of the nursery. I found a bottle of Jack and started chugging. Her screams were getting louder and I felt my anger increasing. I drank nearly half the bottle. My vision was getting blurry and I was stumbling around my kitchen. Emma kept crying. I couldn’t handle it anymore. I threw the bottle across the