Page 2 of Payback's a B!tch

My psychiatrist told me that I shouldn’t give any man the power, but it was difficult when Cameron made me question everything about my personal life. He took my heart and stomped on it without any regard for my feelings.

The letter was cowardly but I didn’t have the courage to approach him directly.

That was my first mistake.

It was lucky they didn’t fire me on the spot for my outburst and physical reaction. My contracts were worth millions. Everybody knew what kind of business I brought through those doors. They had agreed to give me some space but they requested that I work from home in a mobile location with internet access.

It was mostly consulting work and putting out fires with clients who didn’t want anybody else holding their hands. The stock market was a fickle business. It was all about trends and knowing which ones were going to give my clients the best bang for their buck.

A temporary office was set up in the back of the house, away from where the work was going to be done. The internet had already been hooked up before I’d gotten the keys. I was beginning to think it was better for my mental health to request a permanent change in location.

“I’m going to need some blocks in different colors for the walkway. We want that ‘wow moment’ when people drive by. I have great instincts when it comes to landscaping. You’re going to be pleased with what I come up with,” Bethany replied while on her knees taking apart the cracked stones leading to the front of the house.

They were an eyesore.

“I carry these designs around with me. A few alterations have been made over the last few days to capitalize on the view. The windows are in good shape. There’s room for improvement. The master bedroom needs an adjoining bathroom. Knocking down a wall will open the space up. The same thing can be said for the living room and kitchen.” I cringed when I thought about the kitchen and how I was going to have to gut the whole thing.

My parents thought I was crazy to pay for it outright with my savings. But it saved on a mortgage that would cost a pretty penny with only the interest paid off in the next five years.

This was going to be a labor of love. But there was a method to my madness.

I took a hold of my blonde hair and twisted it until it was secured in a ponytail. It wasn’t the same color in high school. When I got out, I needed a fresh start. The transformation included sitting down with a makeup artist, getting rid of the blemishes, and correcting an imperfection.

By the time I was done, the person looking back at me in the mirror was a stranger.

From the outside, it would seem that I had my head on my shoulders--but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Childhood trauma had followed me like a dark cloud into my uncertain future. It wasn’t something I wanted to talk about to anybody other than to a prescribed psychiatrist.

“It’s no wonder you got a great price. I still think you were crazy to consider it but maybe I’m wrong. This might be exactly what the doctor ordered. The roof is the first thing you should be addressing,” Bethany said, with her finger pointing to the way the asphalt shingles were curling in several different areas.

“I see what you mean. Maine is known for having some of the worst storms. I will make a mention of it when I hire somebody. I just hope it doesn’t take too long to wade through that list of candidates,” I said with the words barely out of my mouth when I heard somebody clearing their throat behind me.

“It looks like you have your hands full with this one. Sorry for interrupting,” His voice traveled across the driveway but there was no mistaking a blast from the past.

Glancing over my shoulder confirmed my worst fears.

Cameron Coleman was standing there looking like he hadn’t aged a day in the past 10 years. The same black leather jacket was open to reveal one of his customary plaid shirts in red and black.

My mouth got dry and parched but I managed to stand up on my shaky legs to greet him with my hand outstretched. That one touch sent a cold shiver of apprehension running down my spine.

“I’m…I’m Constance Nicholson,” I greeted him with my middle name and my mother’s maiden name.

Peering into his eyes brought everything back. Something came over me at that moment. A light bulb went off over my head.

He didn’t recognize me. He was the same, but his hair was shorter. He was still tall, a lot more muscular, and had those same eyes that could melt any woman’s resolve.

I had changed dramatically from the last time he saw me. This was my chance to exact some sort of revenge.

The best way to do that was to make him fall in love with me. It was a little devious but it put a smile on my face to think of sleeping with him and then kicking him to the curb with cab fare and a confused look in his eyes.

This was going to be fun.

---