Dancing With A Stranger (GH Series Book 3)

Carmen

Carmen

I feel physically sick. Coming home after serving my last tour, I decided that I would surprise Tammy by turning up at our home, roses in hand, desperate to see the woman I love.

But returning home, it was strange to see two cars in the driveway. Obviously, I recognised my girlfriend's but the other, I've never seen before. Grabbing the flowers and my bag, I got out of the taxi after paying it and went to my front door. My heart should be bursting with excitement, but now full of dread, not knowing who is in my home, apart from Tammy. The door was unlocked so I let myself in and they weren't in the living room, nor the kitchen. My heart then sank.

Taking the stairs slowly and quietly, I made my way towards our bedroom and my suspicions were confirmed with the noises I was hearing from behind the closed door. Opening the door slowly, my eyes taking in the scene before me and then my body starting to fill with hurt and anger. I was watching my girlfriend being eaten out by another woman. They were so lost in their passion; they hadn't heard me entering the room. It wasn't until Tammy placed her hand on the woman's head, encouraging her to eat her out more when she then opened her eyes to look at the woman and mid eye roll, she spotted me watching her having her damn carpet munched out. "Carmen?" The woman who was eating her out stopped and looked at her.

"You know that is not my name, Tammy." Tammy shook her head and went wide eyed and then the other woman looked at her and then looked over her shoulder and seen me standing there.

"Shit."

"You should go..."

"Too damn right I'm going." I dropped the flowers and walked away from the two women and made my way downstairs.

"Carmen, wait!" I heard Tammy call out after me and I really just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I could hear footsteps and them flying down the stairs. I was busy picking up my bag when I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

"Do not touch me."

"Please babe, can we talk about this?"

"You don't get to call me babe, you are a slapper."

"Let me explain." My heard turned as the other woman came downstairs, thankfully, fully clothed.

"Uhm, I'm gonna go." I shot her a look

"I think that's for the best." I couldn't believe the audacity of Tammy saying that and the internal rage inside was burning bright. Then, whatever her name is, left and I heard her car start up and leave the driveway.

"Well?" I looked at my girlfriend and was waiting on an explanation. You know how in movies when the cheater starts explaining and the person hurt, aka me at this point, zones out? That's what I did. I realised I wasn't willing to listen to her excuses. Once she had finished talking, I looked over at her, tears streaming down her face, begging for forgiveness. "Pack your shit up and get out."

"Wh....what?"

"We are done. I've been out fighting for our country and you just slept around with whoever. You disgust me."

"It was just the once." Sure. Just the once my ass.

"Don't fucking lie to me. I can tell when you are lying. You seem to forget that."

"But babe..."

"I've already said to you, you don't get to call me that anymore. You need to pack your shit up and get the hell out of my house. You are no longer welcome here." Tammy's eyes dropped to the floor and she mumbled.

"But, I have nowhere to go."

"You made your bed, so you can lie in it." Tammy went to protest again, and I shook my head and held up my hand. "Just do as I ask before I lose my shit."

I watched Tammy stand up and head back upstairs and I heard her rummaging around. I paced the floor. I don't usually lash out, I'm more viscous with my words than my fists, but know how to use them should the occasion arise. After about two hours, Tammy came downstairs with her bags and I got up off the sofa and opened up the front door. "Please...don't throw this away."

"I didn't, you did Tammy." Six years. Six years we were together, and she gave it up for whatever reasons. Obviously, I don't know them as I zoned out. Now I have this pent-up rage that I need to dispel of. Grabbing my gym gear, I left the house. I'm quite sure I seen a new gym on my way home earlier. It will be handy to have one close by. Walking into the gym, I can tell that it is relatively new.

"Welcome to Callie's. How can I help you?"

"I'm looking to sign up." The woman let out a chuckle.

"It looks as though you already did." She quirked her eyebrow and I looked down. Shit. I was still in uniform.

"Okay, got me there. I've just come back from tour and... well I won't go into specifics, but I have some pent-up frustration that I need to expel."

"Well soldier, go on through, try out the gym and if you like it, come and find me after and we will get you signed up."

"Thank you...uhm I didn't get your name."

"I'm Callie. I own this place. Normally my receptionist would be here, but she's ducked out for lunch just now." So, I've the proprietor of the gym, good first impression that is for sure. Good on the eye as well. But I'm not a silly girl, I see the wedding band on her finger.

"Ah okay. I'm Carmen. Thanks Callie. I will let you know."

"No worries. Have a good workout Carmen."

"Thank you."

"The changing rooms are down to the right." I smiled at Callie and went to get changed for my workout.

Three hours later

Dripping of sweat, beating up the boxing bag with as much force as I could do, I heard a throat being cleared. "Still here?" I took my headphones out of my ears and looked over at Callie.

"Yeah. Sorry. I've probably overstayed my welcome."

"You haven't. But if you bust my boxing bag with the way you are hitting it, you will be buying me a new one." Callie's comment made me laugh and I started to unstrap my hands.

"Fair enough. I think I'm done. So, get your paperwork ready and I will sign up after I shower. How does that sound?"

"Great to have you on board soldier." I shook my head and laughed again. Callie is something else and I can see us becoming good friends, in time.

"See you shortly."