Holiday Second Chance Romance

3 I Can't Lose Her

Trevor POV

F**k I scream and bang my hands on the steering wheel. This was not meant to happen. I know I was wrong, and now I need to figure out how to make it right. I can't lose my wife. I meant what I said to Clarice. There is a part of me that loves Loretta, but it's nothing compared to what I feel for Clarice. There is no choice if I have to choose. I can't lose my wife. I'm halfway to my parents when my phone rings.

I sigh in frustration when I see Loretta's name on the screen. I press the hands free, and her sobs fill the car. "Trevor, what's going on? Is Clarice alright," she asks. "What do you think Loretta? She found out we have been f**king," I say harsher than I mean too. "I can't lose her, Trevor. I love her. She is my family," she says. "We can't talk right now. The first question she asked me when I agreed to give her space was if I was going to your place. I love my wife Loretta. I made that clear when all this started."

"I know you do, Trevor. I love you both. I can't lose either of you," she says. "I can't promise you that, Loretta. If she forces me to choose, I will." "I know you will, but if she forgives you, then she can forgive me," she says. "Loretta, I have to go. I'm almost to my parents' house. Don't call me again. I'll call you if Clarice wants to talk," I say, and cut the call. Everything is such a f**king mess. Now I have to go into my parents' house and act like nothing is wrong. They love Clarice and I have no doubt they would choose her over me.

She is the most amazing woman. My heart aches when I think about how angry and hurt she was when I stepped into the foyer. She looked like I ripped her heart out. I fight the tears that threaten to fall and wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. I make my way up to the house and knock twice. My mother opens the door and smiles. She hugs me before she looks around me. "We weren't expecting you, Trevor. Where is Clarice?"

"She is meeting with her editor and doing some writing in that little café she likes so much." "Well, come in. Is everything alright? You are usually at work at this time of day," she says. "Everything is fine. I just wanted to see you and dad." "Well, that's a nice surprise. Come to the kitchen and I'll get you some coffee. I can't believe Clarice is starting a new book already. My daughter-in-law is quite impressive. Having five of her ten books hit number one is quite the accomplishment," she says.

"Number one," I say like a question. "Don't tell me that you don't know your wife has been number one several times. What the hell, Trevor," she asks, her voice laced with irritation. "I knew she was good, I just thought it was more of a hobby mom. I didn't realize she was doing so well until she told me this morning how many books she had written over the last two years." "A hobby my butt. She has sold more copies than any other first time writer in the history of her publishing company. How do you not know this about your wife," she asks.

"I guess I've been a sh*t husband." She has no idea and, hopefully, she never will. I just have to find a way to get my wife to forgive me. "Well, you better get your head out of your a**. That girl deserves better," she says. "I promise I will, mom." I spend a few hours just talking about anything and everything with my parents, but my mind is focused on Clarice. I just pray she really is willing to talk. I kiss both my parents on the cheek and head out to my car. The entire ride back to our home my stomach was in knots.

' The minute I get close to the house a feeling of dread fills me. Clarice's car is gone. I grab my phone, dialing her number, but it goes right to voicemail. I park and rush into the house praying she left me a note, but instead all I find is her wedding rings. I fall to my knees in the foyer. She has never taken off her rings since the day I put them on her finger. She left and she isn't answering my calls. The container of cupcakes a few feet away has my brain recalling what Clarice said this morning.

She wanted me on time today because she had a surprise for me. I scurry across the floor and turn the container over. My heart sinks when I see the tag has the word Daddy written on it. Why the hell would she have the word daddy spelled out on cupcakes? My hand goes to my mouth and bile rises in my throat. No, it can't be. Could my wife be pregnant? She intended to tell me, but instead she found out I was f**king her best friend.

"No, no, no, god, please don't let that be true." I dial her number again and this time it doesn't even ring. She turned her phone off. My wife is pregnant, and I have no idea where the hell she would go. She has friends but none she would feel comfortable talking to about the sh*t that happened to. She has no one but Loretta she would confide in. "F**k," I scream. I start to google hotels near us. I swear I call twenty and none of them have Clarice Banister as a patron.

She has no family. I mean her parents are alive, but she refuses to acknowledge them. Panic rushes through me when the weight of what I've done truly settles in my chest. She is going to believe I'm like her father. I am nothing like that ba**ard who constantly cheated on his wife. I need to make her understand that I have never looked at another woman and I never will. Loretta proposed this arrangement and it made sense. I could share my wife with her. I should have known she would see it as a betrayal. I have to find her. I can't lose Clarice.

Clarice POV

Thankfully, I only had to hang out in the airport for an hour to catch the next flight to Colorado. I was just stepping into Colorado's airport when my phone vibrated and Hubby lit up my screen. I'll need to change that. I rejected the call and powered down my phone. The only person I would need to talk to was Judy and I won't have to check in for a few days. I collect my luggage and head out of the airport. I notice a familiar red head standing near a large red pick-up truck.

I never expected her to answer the phone when I called the Inn, but I guess I should have. Chrissy Kringle went to high school with me and Loretta. I push the thought of her out of my mind. Chrissy and I weren't really friends in school. She was a year younger, but she was always nice. She took a lot of teasing in school about her name but it never seemed to bother her. When I spoke to her on the phone earlier, she told me that they had one room left. I was shocked at my luck. The town is popular at Christmas because the whole town gets involved. There isn't a house that isn't decorated.

There is a tree decorating contest in the middle of town square. So I was thrilled that I could still get a room. She even offered to pick me up. Despite me telling her I would Uber, she insisted it wasn't necessary. She smiles when she notices me. I pull my bag toward her, and she rushes to take it. "Chrissy, I've got it." "No, you shouldn't be pulling such a heavy bag," she says. I look at her confused. "I just mean that you should be relaxing while you are here," she says.

Once we are in the truck, she pulls out into traffic. "Chrissy, I'm actually surprised you remember me. We weren't in classes together." "I remember how kind you were. You were the one that always organized every food drive. You encouraged others to donate to those in need, especially around Christmas. You were hard not to know, Clarice," she says. "Well, I'm glad I made a good impression. I can't tell you how much I appreciate picking me up. I'm still shocked you had a room."

"Truth be told, we didn't, but I have an extra bedroom in my apartment out back of the Inn. You sounded like you needed a place and I thought what would Clarice do, so I offered you the room," she says. I open and close my mouth repeatedly, not knowing what to say. "Thank you, Chrissy. I'll do my best to get out of your hair as quickly as I can. Actually, maybe you can help me find someone who can help me fix my grandmother's cottage."

"I'm sure if I don't, my brother does," she says with a strange smile. "I don't think I've ever met your brother. Is he a lot older than you?" "You could say that. He was away when we were in high school learning to take over the family business. Don't be offended when you meet him because he can be a grump, but he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He is a really good guy. He is just rough around the edges, so don't take offense," she says. "What's his name?" "Nick," she says, and I giggle. Her eyebrow rises in question.

"Your parents must really love Christmas. They named their kids Chrissy and Nicholas. I mean it makes sense since your last name is Kringle to anyone who lives in town." "They do love Christmas. You could say it's their favorite holiday," she says. "Normally it's mine too, but I'm not feeling very much Christmas spirit right now." We pull up in front of the Inn I remember from when I was a kid, but my eyes aren't focused on the building.

The only thing I can see is the biggest, hottest man I've ever seen standing with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. What the hell is wrong with me? Why the hell am I checking out a stranger when my marriage is imploding? Nothing wrong with looking my inner voice says, but I blame it on these damn pregnancy hormones. "Don't worry, he is all bark and no bite," Chrissy says, bringing me out of my thoughts. "I'll be fine," I say, trying to convince myself more than Chrissy.