Time seemed to stand still as Aimee replayed what Windham said mere seconds before. Knowing full well, that even though she could still have children, her husband wasn't meaning them. Due to his drunken state he had mistaken her for his mistress and let their secret out.
As it resonated within her, Aimee started to feel nauseous. Windham told her that he was through with JoJo but with this news and the smile that was on his face when he said it, she knew deep down he truly wasn't done with the affair. She walked back to the room and watched the man she loved sleep.
Her heart and her mind were fighting a battle inside her, pulling her back and forth. What is she supposed to do? Should she stick by him and risk him choosing his new family or should she go ahead and make the decision herself and leave.
She changed out of her gown and into leggings and a T-shirt. Hoping the lounge was still open, she grabbed her keycard and headed out the door.
As she entered the dimly lit room, she looked around and noticed it was completely empty besides a man sitting at the bar. She walked up and sat down as the bartender came over.
"What would you like sweetheart?" The small blonde female asked.
"Gin and Tonic on the rocks, please." Aimee smiled softly.
"You got it." The bartender replied.
"Rough night, darlin?" A familiar voice said from the side.
Aimee smiled instantly when she realized the man sitting at the bar by himself was Jeff.
"You can say that." She replied as he moved closer towards her.
"Don't worry, it's just water." He laughed sitting his glass down, "I just couldn't really sleep."
"I can fully understand that." She smiled softly.
"So what's got this beautiful being all frazzled tonight?" He said as the bartender placed Aimee's drink down, "or you can tell me to mind my own damn business."
"Just marriage issues." She frowned as she took a sip from her glass.
"Darlin', I don't mean to pry and you can just tell me to get the hell away from you but coming out of a long relationship myself sometimes it's not worth loosing your happiness to stay. I haven't known you very long but I can tell you aren't truly happy."
"I don't know what to do honestly." She looked down as she tapped her fingers against the cup, "we have 10 years together and 2 kids. I just…"
"You don't want to seem like you are just giving up." He stated.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Beth and I were high school sweethearts and didn't marry til years later. We have two girls ourselves. We kept holding on for them but eventually it got to the point where I was like our girls will be better off where both mom and dad are happy instead of seeing us argue and fight all the time."
Aimee waved the bartender over for refill as she thought about what Jeff had said. It's what everyone has been telling her, that she is loosing her happiness, loosing her self. In all honesty, her heart is completely shattered and she doesn't know why she still loves him deeply.
"Your husband doesn't see what he has and that's a shame. Any man would be lucky to have you by his side." He said pulling her from her thoughts as he stood up from the stool. "How about I walk you to your room to make sure you get there safe?"
Jeff extended his hand out and Aimee accepted. As she stood, he told the bartender to put everything on his bill. Stepping into the elevator, Aimee giggled softly remembering what Catie said about Southern Gentlemen.
"Now there is that smile I haven't seen tonight." Jeff smirked, "what's so funny?"
"My best friend said I needed to find a Southern Gentleman to show me what real men are like."
"You never know what the universe is doing." He winked as the elevator doors opened up at her floor.
They continued down the hall, stopping at her door. She smiled sweetly at him as he brought her in for a gentle embrace. He smelt so good sending her senses into overdrive.
Jeff held on longer than he should have but there was something about this woman that sparked his curiosity. Something he hadn't felt since his divorce. He nuzzled slightly into her hair smelling her sweet scent. He knew she was married and very confused so he didn't want to step over boundaries but he couldn't resist kissing her cheek softly as they parted.
"Well goodnight darlin'. Try and get some sleep. I guess I'll see you around." He smiled.
"Good night and thank you for the talk." She grinned, "and yeah, I'll see you at the show tomorrow."
Aimee watched as he walked down the hall and stepped into the elevator. When he turned around he locked eyes with her and nodded his head slightly with a smirk on his face.
Walking into the room she sat down on the couch, looking at Windham still oblivious to his surroundings. Aimee played every scenario possible in her mind of how things will turn out. Emotionally and mentally exhausted she eventually drifted to sleep.
A few hours later, Windham rolled over in the bed reaching for Aimee and was startled to not find her there. As he sat up he looked around the room and saw the mess he had made and seen where Aimee tried to clean some of it up.
"Ames…." His voice trailed off as he tried to wake her.
Aimee's eyes fluttered open slowly, noticing him sitting next to her. He tried to kiss her but she pulled away and sat up causing him to arch his brow in confusion.
"We need to talk." She motioned for him to sit next to her.
"Look I'm sorry Ames. I just had really bad anxiety last night and I wanted to have a drink to settle down, well one drink turned to a lot more and I lost control." He tried grabbing her hands but she jerked them away making his temper flare up.
"Damn it, Aimee!" He yelled, "I'll fuckin' clean the shit up. I don't see why the fuckin' attitude from you."
"Why do I have an attitude…" she retorted standing to her feet and placing her hands on her hips, "maybe because my fuckin' husband has been having an affair with a fuckin' ring rat for who knows how long… and here is the icing on the cake, she's pregnant."
