The Queen of England

Chapter 27 New York City Blues

I wake up in an unfamiliar setting. I'm not in the plane, where I fell asleep. I'm not in anything resembling a hotel room.

Yet a strange sense of comfort washes over me as my eyes search my surroundings. Then I start to realize where I am. This room, these walls, even this bed-it's mine. Or it used to be. This is where he brought me. This is my old bedroom. This is the house I grew up in.

Cody brought me home.

I leap out of bed and run to the window, throwing back the curtains.

Oh my fucking God. I can see skyscrapers, and down below I see traffic-loads and loads of traffic! And people! And hot dog stands!

New York City!

Squealing, I do the most insane little dance around my room and jump on my bed. Then the door opens and my husband is standing there, looking worried.

"Brittany what's wrong?!" He demands.

I squeal again and leap from the bed into his arms. He catches me, but stumbles back from surprise.

"I love you I love you I love you!" I scream. Before he speaks I kiss him hard on the mouth. He kisses me back a few moments before pulling away chuckling.

"I love you." I repeat, unable to stop smiling.

"I love you too, Britt. That's why I brought you here. I thought you'd like to visit." He says.

I kiss him again quickly and pull away. "Are May and Richard here?" I ask.

"No, I kicked them out of their own home." Cody says sarcastically with a roll of his eyes.

I smack his arm and run downstairs where I know I'll find May in the kitchen.

"Mom!" I screech, leaping into her arms.

"Brittany!" She cries. "You just saw me at your wedding!"

"It wasn't enough! I missed you so much and I'm so glad to be here!" I exclaim.

"I missed you too, sweetheart." She says as she hugs me back. Richard comes in and I hug him too, so happy to be in this kitchen, with these people. I love them so much. And I love Cody for bringing me here.

He comes downstairs now, looking slightly awkward. "Well? Are you happy?" He asks shyly.

"I've never been happier. Thank you so much, Cody." I say, hugging him again.

He holds me and kisses my hair.

"You're the best ever." I say.

"You're the best ever." He corrects me.

I smile and hug him really hard, then we eat breakfast with my parents.

I'm so glad I married Cody Landon.

****

I take Cody to see all the sights that day-of course with a fuck ton of security following us-and he seems to enjoy the city. Vaguely I wonder if he's ever been here and he's just pretending to be a first timer. But it doesn't matter because I lived here, I can take him to see all the good places that no one else would know about.

After our fifth hot dog and what must be a tenth cup of coffee, I have to pee for the umpteenth time.

Cody laughs at me as I dive into another bathroom. After I finish, I walk out and lead Cody to an old bowling alley I used to frequent.

I haven't been here in about a year or so, but I don't want to visit that time right now. I only want to share the happy memories with Cody today. It is our honeymoon after all.

The place is practically empty, and so we get to play a game. Turns out Cody never learned how to bowl, so I teach him. It's fun.

Its fun up until I hear the all too familiar voice that makes my blood run cold.

"My god, is that Brittany Berit?"

I freeze, the happy smile I've worn all day falling from my face. Security jumps up and surrounds us as the small group of people comes closer. Cody is at my side, hand on my back, calm but firm. I can't look at him. I can't move. I just stare at the end of the bowling lane.

"Britt?" He asks quietly.

"Whoa whoa. What's with the entourage Brittany?" He says again.

"Step back." Warns one of our security guards.

"Cody." I whisper. "Tell them to back off. Otherwise people are going to know the British Prince and Princess are here. And we don't want that. Let me handle these guys. I know them. But they don't know that I'm a princess. Id like to keep it that way."

"Carter, relax. It's alright." Cody says.

The guards back up a little, but don't move far.

I take a deep breath. I have to face them. Him. I turn and square my shoulders.

His face hasn't changed. Ice cold blue eyes, attractive features, and the suggestive smirk that doesn't mask his clenched jaw when he sees Cody's hand on my back. The only thing that's changed is that now there's a long scar down his left cheek, the result of my own hands.

Cameron. Cameron Houston, the worlds most jealous, most controlling, most violent, most hypocritical person New York City has to offer.

My ex.

The ex.

I don't think I can do this.