Previously...

“All bets are off Téa. I want you and I’ll do everything in my power to make you Mrs. Cameron Alton,” he said looking into her deep brown eyes.
“I just want your word – and I mean it Cameron – your word!! I want your word that you will give Todd and I the space we need to work this out between us!” she insisted.
“You have it,” he said.
They walked back to the house in silence. She didn’t know how she was going to prove to Todd – how she was going to show him she was sorry but she was going to try her hardest to do just that. She was going to prove to Todd he could believe in her all over again.

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The Manning Home…

It was late in the evening as Téa walked into her house. The house she shared with Todd. She threw her overnight bag on the couch.

“Todd?” she asked in a normal tone of voice, “Are you here?”

No answer. She stood still and listened for sounds in the house. There were none.

“He’s not here,” she said. She glanced at her watch and made her way to the kitchen.

After Todd had left, Cameron brought her back into the house. At first it was awkward between them. Cameron broke the ice by producing a photo book of Samantha as a baby. Téa was extremely moved by her daughter’s baby photos. Finally, after a while, Samantha came down. They spent the rest of the day together, looking at pictures and grieving over “Arabian”. Not wanting to stay at the summer home, everyone agreed to go back to Llanview early and Téa had just left Cameron and Samantha. She was hoping Todd would be home. She didn’t necessarily know what to expect but she was hoping to find him.

She opened the refrigerator, looking for something to drink. Beer. There was Todd’s beer in the refrigerator. She raised her hand to her nose and sighed. She didn’t want to drink alone.

Rodi’s

Téa, dressed in a casual short sleeved red shirt and a short, black skirt walked into Rodi’s and up to the bar. She ordered a beer and took a good long swallow. She turned around and studied people in the bar. An upbeat, jazzy tune played on the jukebox. She sat there, in pain, hoping against hope Todd would walk in.

Suddenly, she guilty flashed back to her kiss with Cameron. Was she falling back into all her old habits? Was her mother haunting her again? Was she a tease? Was it something she couldn’t get out of her system no matter how hard she tried? She took another long swallow of beer. She liked turning on a man. She liked watching a man react to her sexually. She signed and ordered another beer. She liked to turn on Todd. Only Todd. He made her feel alive.

The bartender gave her another drink. And she gulped it down.

“Téa?” came a voice.

Téa turned around. Roseanne stood behind her seat, arms crossed, “What are you doing here?”

“Getting drunk,” said Téa.

Roseanne took a seat next to Téa, “Why?”

Téa ordered Roseanne a drink. Roseanne shot her sister a skeptical look.

“I screwed up again. Story of my life,” said Téa taking a drink.

“How did you screw up? You’re rich. You’ve got a great daughter. You’ve got a great job. You’re married to the man of your dreams. Todd is one hot guy Téa,” said Roseanne.

“I screwed up with Todd,” said Téa. She finished her beer and ordered another one.

“Maybe you should slow down,” suggested Roseanne.

“Is it going to bring Todd back?” muttered Téa.

“What the hell happened between you and Todd?” asked Roseanne sipping her drink.

“In a moment of weakness, I kissed Cameron and I liked it,” said Téa.

“You’re kidding me?” asked Roseanne stunned, “You got the hots for Cameron? When you got Todd??”

“I don’t have the hots for Cameron! I don’t! I want Todd. I love him!” exclaimed Téa.

“So what were thinking? Were you smoking dope or something?” asked Roseanne looking at her sister.

“Thanks Roseanne. You’re a big help,” said Téa drinking her new beer.

“Well?”

“Cameron was sad and I…wanted him to feel better…” said Téa, “Samantha’s horse had died and he was sad.”

“Let me guess, Todd found out?” said Roseanne.

“I told him. I wanted to be honest with him,” said Téa. She could begin to feel the alcohol effect her.

“Since when were you little miss honesty?” asked Roseanne, “You wouldn’t be in this pickle if you had kept your mouth shut.”

“I’ve always been honest with Todd. I won’t ever lie to him or deceive him…” said Téa sadly.

“Well, I don’t know what to say. You deserve whatever you get,” said Roseanne.

“I hope I get his forgiveness,” muttered Téa.

Just then a good-looking attractive Hispanic man approached Téa and Roseanne.

“I’ve been watching you for a bit – from the corner. Can I buy you a drink?”

“Sure, why not?” said Téa.

Roseanne just nodded her head. Téa attracted men like flies. Todd wasn’t going to forgive Téa if he saw this. Roseanne could tell the alcohol Téa had been drinking was beginning to take its effect. Téa flirted with her companion who had identified himself as Tomas.

Just then Blair walked up to the bar and was shocked to see Téa and Roseanne talking to a total stranger. She ordered her meal. Téa shot Blair a look of disgust and Blair could tell Téa had been drinking and the alcohol was affecting her. Tomas ordered her another drink.

“You, Téa. What are you doing?” questioned Blair.

“Making friends,” said Téa sipping her beer and flirting with Tomas. He smiled at her, enjoying her attention.

“What would Todd think of your trampy ways?” asked Blair crossing her arms.

“Whose Todd?” asked Tomas.

“Her husband,” said Blair rudely.

“You’re married?” asked Tomas.

Téa looked guilty, “Well, yeah.”

Tomas got up and left.

“Téa, do yourself a favor and take your drunk ass home before you make a big fool out of yourself,” said Blair. She got her order and left.

Roseanne tried to get Téa to leave but Téa wasn’t budging. She was hurting and alcohol helped to deaden the pain.

I can’t escape her…I’m just like her…just like my mother…

The Alton Estate…

Cameron Alton walked into his study and poured himself a scotch. He was dressed casually, worn out from the day’s events. Samantha was upstairs in her room sleeping. Cameron wanted to talk to someone. He hated being alone and after spending the day with Téa, he really wanted to be with her tonight.

Suddenly, he heard arguing and he walked back out into the living room. Todd Manning was giving his butler a hard time.

“It’s all right. I’ll talk to Mr. Manning,” said Cameron.

Todd walked inside and Cameron could tell he was upset. The butler left and the two men glared at each other, sizing each other up, like two predatory lions, each desiring the same lioness.

“She is my woman Alton,” said Todd full of authority and disgust. Even now, as Todd stood in front of him he couldn’t hide his contempt for the stalker in front of him.

“Keep your voice down. Samantha is upstairs sleeping,” instructed Cameron putting his drink down on the bar.

“You put your filthy lips on my wife Alton,” said Todd crossing his arms, “But I won’t tolerate it. Stay away from my wife.”

“Your wife is a good kisser Manning,” said Cameron goading his opponent.

“Shut up Alton!” said Todd furious. He was well aware of just how good a kisser his wife was.

“I enjoyed kissing her. Her lips are full and luscious Todd…” continued Cameron.

Todd lunged at him, furious at Alton’s taunts. His jealously was getting the better of him. And while he was upset with his lioness he was still determined to protect her – to work things out with her. To keep her away from him.

Todd’s fist connected with Cameron’s jaw. Cameron fell back, regrouped, and attacked Todd. They struggled against each other, Todd fighting Cameron as if he was fighting for his way of life.

“Stop it both of you!!” yelled Blair walking into the living room. She threw down her food order and separated Todd and Cameron.

“No doubt this is over Téa…” started Blair.

“I’m warning you Alton – stay away from her – if you don’t, I’ll make your life hell,” sneered Todd. And with that threat, Todd walked out.

Blair looked at Cameron and nodded her head in disgust, “You crossed a line with him, didn’t you? Todd means what he says you know. He will go after you…”

Cameron looked away from her, embarrassed, “I did,” he confirmed, “Téa and I…got closer this weekend.”

“Is that why Téa’s down at Rodi’s getting drunk? Did the two of you cross a line? Is that why Todd is angry?” asked Blair.

“Téa is where?” asked Cameron, rubbing his jaw.

“At Rodi’s, getting drunk and making a fool out of herself,” said Blair.

Cameron reached for a light coat, “I have to go to her Blair.”

“No, you don’t. She’s Todd’s wife and Todd’s problem – not yours,” said Blair crossing her arms. Her voice was bitter as she wondered just what line Cameron had crossed with Téa.

Cameron ignored Blair and yelled for his butler telling him to get the nanny up to watch Samantha. As he headed for the door, Blair grabbed his arm, “Don’t do this Cameron. Don’t go after Téa.”

“Sorry Blair, I can’t do that,” he said.

“You’re a fool Cam if you think Téa will choose you over Todd,” said Blair.

Cameron said nothing, shook Blair off, and walked out.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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