Page 9 of Kayden: The Past
4
The Plunge and Fall - Bridget
Our lives became intertwined.We were a unit, and it was time to take the next step. All of my friends were planning weddings or having babies, and it felt right. Bridget had all the qualities I wanted in a woman. She had a heart of gold, was beautiful, funny, ready to party, fucking mind-blowing in bed, sucked cock like a pro, and never judged me.
Her father was the only obstacle that stood in my way. I thought that someday I’d ask for a girl’s hand in marriage, but I knew with Bridget, it would be pointless. Her father would never give me the green light. He’d never welcome me with open arms. I knew Bridget loved me and told me time and time again that nothing her dad said could ever change that fact. I’d skip asking his permission and ask the one person who mattered in the actual decision, Bridget.
I couldn’t make the proposal simple. Most girls would be happy with simple, but Bridget would require a grand display of affection and commitment. Her family and friends would judge me based not only on the way I proposed but also by the ring I bought her. I spent weeks looking at diamonds, learning the ins and outs. I learned about the four C’s, color, cut, clarity, and carat. I knew as a salesman that the price on the item wasn’t final, and I’d be able to get her a decent ring based on the amount of money I had to spend.
I found a ring that would suit her, please her, and not make her embarrassed to show her friends and family. I would spend over four months’ worth of pay on the clear little stone, and I wanted it to be drop-dead gorgeous, just like Bridget. The one point five carat princess-cut diamond with only slight imperfections would be stunning on her long, thin fingers. I didn’t opt for the traditional yellow gold but had it set in a white gold band. I wanted the diamond to be the showstopper, nothing else to decorate or draw the eye away from the main attraction.
I spent more time thinking of how to propose than I did on picking out the ring she would wear for a lifetime. Every time I thought of the perfect setting, I always talked myself out of it, deciding it wasn’t good enough. The only thing that kept popping in my head was our upcoming trip to New York City. We’d be there for New Year’s Eve to watch the ball drop in Times Square. We were leaving tomorrow, New Year’s Eve morning, and I couldn’t wait any longer to ask her. I didn’t want to waste another moment as just boyfriend and girlfriend. I wanted to call her my fiancée.
I barely slept. My mind was tormented by the thought of flying and proposing to Bridget without fucking it up. You only get engaged once and can’t ever take that moment back. I crawled out of bed as soon as the sun peeked over the horizon. Our flight was early, and I dragged our bags outside and threw them in the trunk of her car. I had the little black box in my coat pocket, not wanting to take the chance of my bag getting lost with the precious cargo inside. I waited on the sofa for Bridget to finish making herself perfect. She was naturally beautiful and didn’t need to put on as much makeup as she did. I love her for everything she is and not her false beauty. Time ticked away slowly. My palms were sweaty, and I felt flushed.
“Bridget, come on, babe. We’re going to miss our flight,” I yelled from the living room.
“One more second,” she yelled back.
I walked around, making sure all the windows were locked and everything was off in the house. Bridget finally made an appearance, looking as beautiful as she always did. Her hair was fluffed just perfectly. She wore a long, clingy cream-colored sweater and tight blue jeans with boots. “You look beautiful, Bridget.”
She approached me with a lopsided grin and stood on her tippy-toes, reaching up to kiss my lips. “I love you, Kayden.” My heart skipped a beat with her words.
New York City greeted us with its crowds, noise, and a party atmosphere. The taxi driver had a hard time navigating the streets with the sea of people and street closures for tonight’s festivities. We checked in and threw our bags down, both falling onto the bed in exhaustion. “Just five minutes,” she said as I stroked her hair. I closed my eyes, relishing the feel of her warm body pressed up against mine, not looking forward to the hours in the freezing New York winter air.
Fingers running through my hair woke me from my dream of a beach with rolling waves and Bridget at my side. “Wake up, sleepyhead. We have to get ready and head to Times Square. Come on, baby.” Her words made my heart jump and start beating at a feverish pace, remembering where I was and what the night held for us both. “I love your hair,” she said as she played with my hair that had fallen across my forehead.
“Let’s go, beautiful.” I crawled off the bed, grabbed a beer from the minibar and waited for Bridget to winterize herself.
We stopped at a liquor store and grabbed a bottle of champagne to crack open at midnight to celebrate the New Year and our engagement. I held Bridget’s hand tightly as we walked through the endless mass of people gathered in the streets, drinking and celebrating hours before the ball dropped. At times, I only had a grasp on her fingertips, but I made sure never to lose her. I’d never fucking find her in this mess.
“Stop here, Kayden.” She yanked on my hand. “I want to be able to see the ball and the screens with the Dick Clark performances. I don’t want to go any farther.”
I held Bridget by the waist, watching the countdown clock tick away. With every hour and minute, my pulse grew faster, and my palms sweatier. The cold had no effect on me at this point. I was burning up inside my winter coat and hat. My mouth went dry, and I felt like I was swallowing sandpaper.
“Oh my God! I can’t believe we’re here on New Year’s Eve.” She almost jumped up and down in my arms, filled with excitement.
“There’s no place I’d rather be than here with you, love.”
“One minute, get ready. Hurry, open the champagne.” I quickly worked the contraption that held in the cork and pointed the bottle away from Bridget, aiming it high in the air. Other people around us were readying their drinks and watching the clock with urgency. “Thirty seconds.”
I reached into my pocket and grabbed the ring. Bridget didn’t see anything as I moved because she was focused on the ball. She started to yell the countdown with the crowd. I sank down on one knee and waited for her to look at me. Fucking hell, thank God I only had to wait a few seconds. Any more than that and I might have had a panic attack. She looked in my direction, and a terrified looked flashed across her face before she looked down. Her eyes became as big as saucers, and her mouth opened in shock.
“Kayden.” I could see her mouth moving, but I couldn’t hear a damn thing.
Fuck. I didn’t anticipate the noise and her not being able to hear my words. People began to cheer and kiss all around us. I held the ring up, not wanting to waste another moment. “Will you marry me?”
She nodded her head yes and crumpled to the ground in front of me. I gently grabbed her hand and slid the ring on her finger. Tears began to form in her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. We looked into each other’s eyes as the world around us disappeared. Bridget and I were engaged, and we’d become man and wife. I kissed her hard, demanding entrance, marking my territory. She would be mine forever.
Bridget wasthe first great love of my life. The details about our relationship or the engagement aren’t important. Our downfall is what changed my views on love and fidelity. When I’m in a relationship, I’m in it one hundred percent. I only have eyes for my partner. I never will be a cheater.
Our wedding was a month away. Bridget’s father still grumbled under his breath every time I walked in the room. Her parents had booked the Cleveland Botanical Garden as the venue for our vows and reception. It was beautiful and way out of my price range. Everything was purchased, and we were just counting the days until we’d become husband and wife.
I went for my final tuxedo fitting and decided to go home early to surprise Bridget. She’d been so stressed with all the planning. She and her mother didn’t see eye to eye on the dresses, flowers, and just about everything. She needed some downtime—a night filled with fun—and I knew just how to help her to relax.
I walked through the front door and followed a trail of clothing. It led me to her, but she wasn’t alone. I heard the noises coming from the bedroom. The sounds weren’t those of sadness but of lust and passion.
“Fuck me. Harder!” My heart broke in that moment. Shattered. I pushed the door open, and a naked male body filled my vision. He was standing up, thrusting into her as she kneeled on the bed like a bitch in heat.
