Why Can't I Be Happy?
Chapter 4
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Every since Brock found out about Brad and Reba, he was like a ticking time bomb. He had a very short fuse. He couldn't stop himself from thinking about the possibility of Reba moving on with another man. He was hoping that Brad turned out to be a complete loser and she'd leave him alone. He was sitting in bed deep into his thoughts, when Barbra Jean walked in. She was talking to him but he was paying no attention.
"Hello, earth to Brock." she said rather loudly.
"Huh…Oh I'm sorry honey I was just daydreaming." he lied.
"Yeah tell me about it. But like I was saying, I can't wait to meet this Brad that has caught Reba's attention."
"Barbra Jean please, we both know that Reba can't keep a relationship for long. He'll be out of her life before the week is up." Barbra Jean was a little surprised at Brock's comment.
"Brock how can you say that? I mean Reba deserves somebody too."
"Yeah right." he scoffed.
"Brock if I didn't know better I'd say you would be happy seeing Reba all alone." Brock just looked at her and tried to figure out something he could say that would sound convincing. Barbra Jean had stated exactly what he was thinking, he loved the thought of Reba being alone. He was threatened by the thought of another man pleasing Reba the way he had.
"No honey that's not true. I'd love for Reba to find someone but I just want it to be the right someone." he forced out a reassuring smile. Barbra Jean was so simple minded and hung on his every word.
Saturday had crept around pretty quickly. Reba was happy about seeing Brad again. He was the type of person who you can meet for only a few seconds and feel completely safe and comfortable while with him. Reba prepared supper a little early than usual. She wanted to have enough time to get ready.
"So mom where's Brad taking you?"
"I don't know he didn't say too much about it, except that I'd love it."
"Oh mom this is so wonderful. I mean he could be the one."
"Cheyenne I think it's a little too soon to be thinking about that. I mean we just met. Right now were taking our time getting to know each other. Nothing more or nothing less."
"Mom your so old-fashioned." Cheyenne said while tasting a little of the meal her mother was preparing. Reba just rolled her eyes at her daughter's statement. Once Reba was sure all the kids were eating, she went upstairs to get ready. Brad hadn't told her too much about where they were going, but did tell her that it would be okay to dress casually. So she decided to wear a short-sleeved hoodie that fit close to the body, causing her curves to show, her favorite blue jeans and cow girl boots. Reba was still upstairs getting ready when Brad arrived.
"Hey pumpkin butt keep your pants on." Van yelled as he opened the door. Brad tried hard to hold his laughter in. "I guess Reba was telling the truth." Brad thought to himself.
"Hi, I'm Brad. I'm here to pick up Reba for our date." he said so innocently. When Cheyenne heard him say his name, she quickly jumped off the couch and towards the door.
"Oh please come in, she'll be down in a second." Cheyenne couldn't believe how sexy Brad was. Usually the men her mom dated were kind of old, and middle-aged looking. So she never thought they were attractive. But he was different. He was in shape, nice smile, white teeth, and hot lips. Cheyenne had to catch herself and remember that she was married.
"So Brad, if that's your real name…Tell us something about yourself." Van said trying to take authority.
"Well I have no children. I've never married and I just moved to Houston about a month ago." Before Van could say anything else, Cheyenne quickly jumped in.
"What exactly attracted you to my mom?"
"First off she's gorgeous and second she was on her lunch break when I noticed her sitting all alone. I wondered why such a beautiful woman could be alone. I took a chance and asked her out." Cheyenne was a sucker for romance, so of course she was completely alright with him dating her mom. Van wasn't too convinced.
"So, what kind of work do you do?" Van asked while trying to look serious.
"I'm CEO of Johnson & Company." That was all Van needed to know. Van loved rich people, so to know a rich guy was dating his mother in law was alright with him. He asked Brad endless questions about the secret to becoming rich. Brock and Barbra Jean had just walked in when they noticed the handsome man sitting on the couch. Barbra Jean quickly went into his direction.
"Hey there hot stuff." Barbra Jean said. Brad stood and from the way Reba described her he figured she was Barbra Jean. He also figured that the guy with her was Brock. He couldn't help thinking that Brock was a complete ass for leaving Reba for a beanie baby lover.
"Hi I'm Brad MacIntosh. Nice to meet you." he extended his hand to Barbra Jean. He did the same for Brock but was rejected. No one had noticed. Just as Barbra Jean was about to ask her round of questions, Reba came downstairs. She was surprised to see every one there and Brad. She had hoped they hadn't scared him, but who was she kidding they were nuts.
"Brad I see you've met my family."
"Yeah, we were just talking and getting to know one another."
"Well if you all don't mind, we must be off" Reba said trying to get out of there. She grabbed Brad's hand and got out of there. Everyone just stared as they left. They couldn't believe how awesome he was. Brock just spitefully stared at the two going out the door. It took everything in him not to yell out.
Shortly after driving away Reba broke the silence.
"So now do you believe me when I say their insane?"
"Well I'll admit they're a curious bunch. But I can tell they really love you and only want to make sure your safe. Van even gave me the typical father, date talk." Reba just giggled to herself. It always made her laugh when Van tried his best to intimidate her dates.
"So where are you taking me?" she asked curiously.
"Uh well it's sort of a surprise. Noting too fancy, just one of the many places I go to relax." Reba took his word for it. They had been driving for about twenty minutes. Reba cut on his radio and turned to her favorite country station. She subconsciously sang along with the song. Brad smiled to himself when he heard her mindlessly singing. She had a beautiful voice. Reba saw him smiling.
"What's so funny?"
"You. I didn't know you could sing."
"I can't. I just really like the song."
"No really you have a great voice." Reba just smiled at his compliment. After a while they arrived at what seemed to be a stream of trees. But past the trees you could see a body of water. Reba was a bit confused.
"Brad where are we?" she asked a little concerned.
"Don't worry I'm not kidnapping you. We're at the Houston State National Park." He pulled into the parking lot where tourists park. No one else was there. Reba took Brad's hand as he led her towards the water. After a few minutes, Reba noticed sand and a picnic table. The table was nicely set with wine glasses and two candles. There was also soft classical music playing. The water sparkled under the moonlight. In the distance beyond the water, you could see all the tall skyscraper buildings in downtown Houston. They twinkled from the lights that came off of them. Reba was in awe. Her mouth dropped. She couldn't help tearing up a little bit.
"Oh my God Brad this is beautiful." she said.
"It's nothing really. I like coming here at night. The view and atmosphere is so much better." He gently escorted her to one side of the table while he went to the other.
"I hope this isn't too much. I just really wanted to show you a nice time."
"It's perfect. Nothing beats the calmness and patience of the natural attractions that earth has to offer." They had ate and drunk some wine. Reba couldn't help her curious eyes from looking everywhere. She wanted to see everything. She wished she had a camera.
"How about we take a walk along the beach." Reba nodded in agreement. They both took their shoes off and left them at the table so they could feel the sand in between their toes on their walk.
"Brad I want to thank you for doing all of this. I've never been on a date like this before."
"I'm happy to do it. You're a really special lady Reba. It only makes sense to give you nothing less than a perfect date." Reba smiled and looked to the ground. They had walked a ways and wanted to rest their legs. They picked a nice spot in the sand, still with a great view of the downtown Houston skyscrapers.
"So Reba if you don't mind me asking, what happened between you and your ex?"
"A lot of things. It started after my son, Jake, was born. We started having petty arguments. He would stay gone to the golf course and he wouldn't open up to me that much anymore. After a while we really started arguing, until we finally determined that maybe we needed some time apart. I had signed us up for couples' therapy but he rarely showed up. Little did I know he was running around with Barbra Jean. When I finally told him it was time to end the separation, he told me that he had to marry BJ because she was pregnant." Brad listened to her so intensely, not wanting to miss a word.
"How did you handle the affair?"
"When I first found out, I was in total disbelief. Maybe not too shocked I mean I guess in the back of my mind I knew he was fooling around. But when I found out she was pregnant, my heart ached. I couldn't believe that after all I had done for him and trying hard to save our marriage, he disrespected me in the most horrible way. I didn't think I'd ever get over it, but I slowly did and when I realized that he truly was leaving me, I took all those painful feelings and pushed them aside."
"I just find it hard to believe that a man who has the opportunity to be with you, screws up that badly."
"I guess it's for the best. I'd rather be alone than in a loveless marriage. But what about you? I mean why do you seem to hook up with gold-digging cheaters?"
"I'm an idiot I guess. When I was younger all I cared about was dating supermodels and making more money. But as I got older I realized that life is more than materialistic things and women. It's about being able to be with the one you love. I really do want to settle down. But when I find someone I can be with she proves me wrong. I guess it's my fought for being all about looks."
"So what exactly do you look for in a women?"
"I look for someone who radiates calmness, classiness, and respect for herself. A woman who can get down and dirty as easily as getting pretty. Someone that loves me for me and not my money or power. A woman who enjoys the simpler things in life." Reba couldn't help smiling at him.
"What about you, what do you look for in a man?"
"Someone who treats me well. I want a guy who will never ask more than what I can give him. I want to be able to look at him and tell that he loves me without him even saying it and finally a man who will always love me and never put me through what my ex-husband did." They both stared deeply into each other's eyes. Both of them in awe of one another, they both wanted little but important things out of their future loves.
The wind slightly blew, causing a piece of Reba's hair to fly in her face. Brad slowly lifted his hand and gently placed the piece of hair behind her ear. He then softly moved his hand to her cheek, smoothly caressing it. Reba looked at him with her blue eyes sparkling from the moon. Brad thought she looked so amazing. She had a look of innocence and vulnerability, but with the strength of a warrior. Brad slowly brought his thumb to her bottom lip. Reba was nervous because she knew he would dive in for a kiss. He slowly leaned into her. Before kissing her lips, he looked into her eyes to see if there was any objection to what he was about to do. When he saw that it was okay, he sweetly kissed her lips. He did it a second time before making it more sensual. Reba closed her eyes and allowed herself to get caught in the moment. She placed her arms around his neck and he placed his hands on her waist. The kiss intensified. Reba felt a spark that she had never felt before. Not even Brock gave her this feeling; this was different. She could feel her body wanting to give in to more but just as she thought they would go further, Brad slowly pulled himself out the kiss. Planting one last kiss on her bottom lip.
Reba slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. Disappointed that the kiss ended, Reba knew it was probably for the best that they didn't go further. Brad didn't want to stop but he knew that he and Reba better take it slow. He didn't want to rush her into anything. They got up and made it back to the table. The entire car ride back they held hands. Once they reached Reba's house, Brad walked her to the door.
"Thank you so much for a wonderful time Brad."
"Your welcome. You deserve it." They pulled each other into a sweet embrace. He planted one sweet kiss on her lips before letting her retreat into the house. He waited until she went in before going back into the car. He looked back at the door one more time and drove off.