Max woke up and startled, she didn't recognize this room at all. The last thing she remembered was Jack stroking her hair while she'd cuddled into his bare chest.
She remembered being polarized while on one hand she was so aroused by the contact of his naked flesh she'd wondered if she could reach orgasm just having him stroke her hair, and conversely she'd been more relaxed and peaceful than ever. She must have drifted off. The idea of Jack carrying her to bed made her smile. She got out of bed still in her sweats and wandered out into the hall in search of the bathroom.
She then made her way down to the kitchen and noticed a note on the table.
Good morning gorgeous I hope you had a good night's sleep. I had to head in to work and didn't want to wake you. The coffee is ready to brew just push the start button and help yourself to anything you want. There is a key on the hook by the door so you can lock up. I'll see you at noon.
Jack
P. S. I'm glad you came over last night.
Max grinned as she pressed the start button on the coffee machine. She headed to her car and grabbed her bag bringing it back into the house. As she looked for a water glass to take her pill. She noticed Jack had a Vitamix, she had been coveting Kat's for a while now and decided to put it to work realizing that Jack was every bit the health nut he appeared to be. She grabbed some, kale, pineapple, chia seeds and coconut water and threw them into the blender. Within seconds it was perfectly liquefied, she needed to get herself one of these. She realized sadly that she didn't have a home to put one in at the moment. Grabbing her beverages she headed outside to explore and see if there was anywhere to sit.
She didn't need to go far as the long wrap around deck had a beautiful wooden swing that looked out into the woods. She sat and enjoyed her breakfast while watching the birds dance through the trees. After coffee she went back in and found Gumbo still sleeping on the loveseat, she woke him with a petting and found his leash so she could take him for a stroll around Jack's property.
They ventured around back and Max was awestruck by the beauty before her. There was an enormous meticulously kept vegetable garden. Her and Gumbo walked the rows the air was perfumed with heirloom tomato plants and rich earth. Noticing that there was a large raspberry bush along the edge of the woods she picked them and popped them into her mouth letting their tangy sweetness explode across her tastebuds.
If someone entered her mind and created the most perfect place in the world for her, they would have come up with this. It was heaven here. And Gumbo seemed to agree, his big goofy dog grin making her even happier.
***
Geoff opened his eyes feeling like they had razors in them, his mouth tasted like he'd been eating sand. As he rolled to his side to sit up his head throbbed. There was a nearly empty bottle of Appletons on his night table. He grabbed it and took the last couple ounces down in one gulp hoping it would dull the pain. It didn't.
He looked to Max's side of the bed and his chest tightened.
"It's over Geoff."
Max was gone. On this day just last week she had woken him with an earth shattering blow job.
Geoff walked naked to the bathroom to relieve himself. He had hoped Max would call him or come home. They needed to talk about this. After 6 years it couldn't just be done.
He grabbed his phone to check if she'd messaged him and discovered he had drunkenly sent her a half a dozen pathetic messages. Fuck. She hadn't even read them. Where was she? Was she over at Kat's crying and bashing him? He'd known Kat wasn't his biggest fan she was probably loving this. It was 11 am Geoff knew Max would head to the gym soon to work out with the fucking Adonis Jack. His face puckered at the thought.
Downstairs He went to the fridge noticing a few gym day passes held by a magnet. As he cracked a beer, he decided he might crash their session. He wouldn't approach them but he'd be there and be visible. His headache cleared as he took a deep pull from his beer.
He would see Max maybe she'd want to talk to him. His smile growing as he got himself ready.
***
An hour later Geoff used all of his wits to appear casual while he strolled into the free weights section. He saw them right away looking like spokespeople for the place. Jack was benching and Max was spotting him. Geoff stared at them, bile rising in his throat as he watched Max smile at Jack and chatting as though she hadn't a care in the world when her marriage was ending. She looked like she was having the best day of her life. As though sensing him she looked up and her face transitioned from carefree to stoney in seconds.
Geoff smiled warmly and nodded to her she continued staring until Jack noticed and sat up on the bench. Jack looked to Max and Geoff heard him ask her if she was ok or if she wanted to leave. Max shook her head and then deliberately set herself onto the bench and started her presses. Jack followed her lead and pretended Geoff wasn't even there. Soon they were back to smiling and chatting amicably. Geoff half assed his way through a workout before heading to the lobby.
He figured if he could catch Max on her way out alone maybe she'd be more receptive. He waited an hour before seeing her exit the change room looking flawless in black curve hugging shorts and a periwinkle sleeveless top, her hair was styled in a perfect blowout and all of her skills as a makeup artist showing on her face. His heart skipped a beat as he B lined for her. She didn't stop for him.
"I'm not ready Geoff. I promise I'll call you when I am. You need to give me room to breathe,"
Geoff matched her pace.
"Max," he pleaded "I'm a fucking mess without you, please let me make this right I'll do anything."
Max finally stopped no anger in her eyes not even hurt she was looking at him with pity. His insides boiled.
"There is no making this 'right' Geoff. I meant it when I said it was over. We will talk soon to arrange who gets what and a legal separation but you need to understand that there is no repair for this. We cannot ever move forward healthily after this. Move on Geoff," She said with as much compassion as she could but still it felt like she had poured acid all over him.
He didn't want her compassion he wanted her love, her trust, her respect and admiration.
Geoff smouldered as he stared at her unable to formulate a response to her bleak statement. With nothing left to say Max turned and left him alone in the lobby with his misery. How was she so ok with this? Geoff felt like there was a raging fire in his body chewing everything up.
He turned and realized Jack was looking at him from across the lobby. Wearing a crisp shirt and a badge Geoff stalked over to him and even at 6 feet he had to look up to him.
"Don't you fucking touch her," Geoff growled
Jack smiled,
"I guess that's the advice you should have given yourself with your mistress."
Geoff's entire body tensed.
"She's my wife!" He said through clenched teeth.
"I will not discuss the relationship Max and I have with you." Jack replied decently. As he turned away Geoff noticed the Dr. In front of his name on his badge. He almost groaned out loud. What bullshit was that. Of course the guy coming onto his wife is not only a herculean dream boat, but he's also a God damn doctor. A flash of brilliance came to him.
"She has gonorrhea!" He blurted almost to Jack's back.
"I gave it to her that's how she found out about Jess" it was humiliating to share this with Jack. But he knew it would turn him off. Keep him from fucking her. Jack barely paused before continuing away from Geoff.
