One Way Ticket Read online

  One Way Ticket

  Tricia O’Malley

  Lovewrite Publishing

  One way ticket

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  Copyright © 2021 by Lovewrite Publishing

  All Rights Reserved

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  Editor: Jena O’Connor

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  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any means without express permission of the author. This includes reprints, excerpts, photocopying, recording, or any future means of reproducing text.

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  If you would like to do any of the above, please seek permission first by contacting the author at: [email protected].

  “If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

  Chapter One

  The door was locked.

  Paige jiggled the handle, confused, because her boyfriend Horatio subscribed to an open-door policy. This welcoming attitude and willingness to trust others was what had originally drawn Paige to him. Sometimes she felt like his mother, trying to caution Horatio to protect his interests, but he’d just laugh, pat her on the head, and tell her she worried too much. If she pressed an issue, Horatio would pull her to bed and make her forget what had ever bothered her to begin with.

  Maddening at times? Sure. But fun? It certainly was. It made the responsibilities that weighed heavily on her shoulders each day seem less of a burden and more a badge of honor. Especially when the other yoga students at the studio gazed her way, envy in their eyes, when Horatio wrapped his arms around Paige and insisted his students defer to her for all their scheduling needs. “In time, my goddess, in time,” Horatio would say, soothing her worries away.

  Finally finding her key, she unlocked the door and pushed it open, hanging her tote on a hook by the door. The front door opened directly into a small main living area, with a tiny but efficient kitchen done in white on white, tucked to the side. Two doors led from opposite sides of the main living area, each leading to generous sized bedrooms with attached baths. One of the rooms they’d converted into an office and Paige poked her head in there first. A sigh escaped her as she surveyed the mess of papers that had been dropped onto her desk while Horatio’s remained immaculate except for his sleek little computer, a bowl of crystals, and a large framed photo of himself in warrior pose. Turning, Paige left the room and opened the door to their shared bedroom.

  “Oh my god!” Paige gasped, her hand to her mouth, as she took in the tangle of limbs and…so much nakedness…on her bed. Their bed.

  “Paige, my goddess, you’re home,” Horatio smiled to her from where he leaned against the cushioned headboard, one she’d picked out, and sliced a sliver of an apple with his ritual knife. He handed the slice of apple to one of the current teachers-in-training, Lily, who was curled at one side. On the other, Nadia, also an instructor in the same class, stretched languidly and smiled at Paige like she’d just inked the deal on a well-padded prenuptial agreement.

  Everyone was naked.

  “I am home. The…the door was locked…” Paige said, feeling stupid as they all stared at her like she was the intruder. Nobody made a move to get up or even exhibit any type of chagrin. If anything, Lily looked annoyed at Paige for interrupting.

  “It was? That’s odd,” Horatio mused, stretching his tanned limbs out – a spray tan, at that – and offered a slice of apple to Nadia.

  “I locked it, Horatio.” Nadia batted her eyelashes up at Horatio while Paige tried to breathe through the murder fantasies currently playing out in her head.

  “Now, Nadia, you know that’s unacceptable. Having an open-door policy is very important to me,” Horatio said, his voice stern, and turned to hand her piece of apple over to Lily instead. Pushing her lush lower lip out, Nadia picked at a wrinkle in the sheet.

  “I thought it was for the best.”

  “I’ll have to punish you, as you well know,” Horatio sighed, and laid his hand across her bum, spanking Nadia enough to make a small squeak emanate from her perfect doll-like mouth but not enough to leave a mark.

  “Excuse me,” Paige said, drawing their attention back to her, “but what the hell is going on here?”

  “What does it look like?” Lily giggled, winding a leg around Horatio’s and smiling up at Paige. It hurt to see them so casually wrapped around Horatio, but Paige couldn’t decide if it was because they were younger and bendier, or because Horatio was cheating on her, which probably said something about the current nature of her relationship.

  Paige filed that thought away to examine more deeply on another day when she wasn’t confronted with a smorgasbord of boobs and butts on her favorite sateen sheets.

  “Both of you…out!” Paige ordered, pointing to the women, and it was a credit to her patience that she didn’t grab for Horatio’s ritual knife when they both looked to him for guidance instead of listening to Paige’s command first.

  “You look tense, my goddess. Why don’t you join us?” Horatio asked.

  “I’m sorry…what?” Paige stood there, mouth hanging open, feeling like she’d walked into a play that she didn’t have the script for.

  “Join us, please,” Horatio said, his blue eyes crinkling at the corner as he smiled at her and patted the bed. “It will relax you.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Paige said, heart hammering in her chest, as her world tilted on its axis.

  “Please, my goddess, join us. You’ll feel wonderful after. I’m certain we can loosen that dark energy in your third chakra. I can feel it from here.”

  Paige’s eyebrows almost hit her hairline.

  “My chakras? You’re concerned about my chakras right now?”

  “Seriously, Paige, we’ve been meaning to talk to you about them anyway,” Lily sniffed, and Paige zeroed in on her.

  “I’m sorry…what?” Paige said, feeling like a parrot squawking the only phrase it knew.

  “Your chakras. They’ve become a bit of a problem at the studio.”

  “It’s bringing us all down,” Nadia confirmed.

  “I think I’m going to take a shower.” Lily yawned and reached for a pink robe next to the bed. Paige’s pink robe. She’d saved for weeks for that robe and was pleased when she finally decided to splurge on herself.

  “You and you,” Paige said, finally jumping into action and grabbing each of the women’s arms, “get out!” Pulling them unceremoniously from the bed, she bent and picked up discarded clothes, tossing them into the living room, and shoved the astounded girls from the bedroom before slamming the door in their faces.

  “Hey! My iPhone’s in there!” Nadia yelled.

  Paige turned and locked the door.

  “Not feeling like sharing? That’s fine. You only had to say so, my goddess. No need to get rough with the girls.” Horatio stretched before standing and turning toward the bathroom.

  “Nope,” Paige said, blocking his path and forcing him to step back until his butt hit the bed again. Looking up at her, he pinched his nose and sighed.

  “Paige, I guess it’s time I talk to you about this. It’s something I should’ve brought up earlier…”

  “This being the fact that you’re cheating on me?” Paige crossed her arms over her chest and glared down at him. His golden hair was tucked into his usual man-bun and what she’d once thought was cute now looked like a good handle to grab and smash his face into something. Something hard, preferably.

  “No, about your chakras… and your attitude. It’s really bringing a cloud to the studio,” Horatio said and to Paige’s shock, he reached out and patted her arm. “I think you need to get some help. I’ve done what I can, but there’s only so much you can work out during yoga. It might be best for you to find a
counselor.”

  “I…what? You’re saying this is my fault?” Paige’s mouth gaped as she pointed from Horatio to the bed.

  “There is no blame here,” Horatio said, using his soothing yoga voice as though he was trying to calm an unruly dog.

  “Yes, Horatio, there is blame here. On you, specifically, for cheating on me,” Paige enunciated clearly, her body almost vibrating with anger.

  “How can there be cheating? I don’t cheat. I’ve always had an open-door policy,” Horatio said, shrugging a shoulder and once more reaching out to run a hand down her arm. Paige pulled away from his touch, her mind scrambling as she tried to take in his words.

  “Open-door policy to your teachings. To your classes. To your home for rituals or meditation sessions,” Paige clarified.

  “Yes, for that too.”

  “But not to your bedroom. Our bedroom.”

  “I never said that.”

  “Wait…are you telling me that all along…” Paige gulped a breath as her mind flashed back over the past two years. The other students eying her. The whispers. She’d always thought it was because they were envious of her relationship with Horatio. He was a charming man and he’d gathered admirers with ease. Paige had never begrudged any of his students for looking up to him.

  “Paige, my goddess, you know I don’t believe we’re meant to be monogamous.”

  “I do?” Paige asked, incredulous. She most certainly did not.

  “Of course. It’s too restricting for our carnal nature. We’re meant to come together with others, to enjoy the beauty and union that can come from sharing in physical pleasure together. It’s important to our chakras that we remain open and welcoming to all.”

  “I’m fairly certain our chakras can be healthy without my bed being a revolving door of partners.”

  “That’s coming from a place of judgment, Paige. What did I say about that?”

  “Judgment comes from fear,” Paige said automatically and then clamped her mouth shut. How easily was this man leading her to his side in this argument? What a fool she’d been.

  “Exactly. And we shouldn’t judge others on their path. This is my path, Paige. I’m meant to share my love and my expertise with the world. It’s what I’m here to do. Don’t you see? That’s why I’m so at peace with myself.” Horatio smiled blissfully up at her, assuming Paige would understand.

  “I suspect it’s the multiple orgasms that have brought you calm, not some higher calling,” Paige bit out.

  Horatio recoiled as if slapped. “This is what I mean, Paige. Your attitude…well, it needs adjusting. I’ve tried, but I think it’s best if you seek your help elsewhere. I’ve done all I can here.”

  “I’m sorry, what? You’re…breaking up with me? Even though you are the cheater? And the liar?”

  “I never cheated or lied. I’ve always been honest about having an open-door policy.”

  “A little clarification on what that meant might have been nice before I moved my entire world into yours!” Paige shouted, hands on her hips, fury raging through her. No way was he going to deny her the righteous indignation she was due.

  “I don’t think I could have been any clearer. Open-door is pretty self-explanatory.”

  Paige’s mouth fell open as she struggled for words. Had she been that blind? Was he in the right about this? Or was he just twisting it for his own benefit? Confusion raced through her as she stared down at him.

  “You’ve a good soul, my goddess, but you need more help with clearing your chakras than I can give. It’s time for you to move on. Your path will be lighter for it.” Horatio nodded as though he was giving her a roadmap to happiness. He was so sold on his own guru status that he couldn’t see he was being a condescending prick. Luckily, Paige wasn’t so far gone that she couldn’t.

  “You’re a fake,” Paige said, and a storm cloud washed over Horatio’s face. “A fake. A liar. A user. A manipulator. And you’ll never get what you want, no matter how much you seek your path, Horatio. I’ve never seen dirtier chakras in my life.”

  Not that Paige could see chakras, but she enjoyed the anger that roiled across Horatio’s face.

  “It’s time for you to pack your things and go,” Horatio said.

  “Oh, trust me, I was on my way.”

  “Most of your stuff is packed for the retreat anyway. It shouldn’t take long. I’m going for a swim in the meantime.” Horatio stood, his tall lanky body hovering over hers before he bent to press a kiss to her head. “Be well, my goddess.”

  Chapter Two

  Frozen by what had just happened, Paige didn’t even lash out as Horatio tried the door, annoyance flashing over his face when he found it locked. He turned the lock before he strolled out toward the pool. He would swim naked, Paige knew, and now she better understood why he got such a killer deal on this house from their female landlord.

  His landlord. She wasn’t even on the lease.

  Paige railed at herself as she began to pace the room. What an absolute idiot she’d been. She’d let herself get swept away and now she had nothing. No job, no place to go, and no partner to help her. No family, either, for that matter. Which was maybe how she’d landed in this mess, but that was one particular wound she wasn’t willing to open today.

  “Breathe,” Paige repeated to herself, over and over, like a mantra, as she collected her things and dumped them into duffle bags. One bag, already packed for their upcoming retreat to Poco Poco Island, held most of her workout gear. There wasn’t much else to add. For years now she’d been carefully saving her meager salary and living as a minimalist out of respect for both the environment and for the restraints of her budget. Now, looking at the two duffle bags and a hastily packed backpack, her stomach did a weird little dance. Was that all there was to her existence in this world?

  “The office! Right,” Paige said, refocusing on her breath before she did something stupid like taking Nadia’s iPhone and smashing it against the wall. Reaching for her favorite sheets, which she had purchased, her hand paused as she took in the stains on the bed.

  “Ew. Nope, nope, nope. Let them go, Paige.” Though it killed her – those sheets had been procured from a sweet online sale at Neiman Marcus – Paige hauled her bags to the main room and stopped by the office to go through the stack of papers. Realizing she didn’t need to take the work stuff with her, she paused for a moment and plopped into the chair, staring down at the itinerary for the upcoming three-week retreat on Poco Poco Island.

  A tear dripped down her face and landed with a little plop on the glossy brochure that promised a retreat where one could get in touch with their inner yoga goddess. Since her inner goddess was currently contemplating ways to inflict excruciating pain in a slow, measured, and deliberate manner on Horatio, Paige didn’t think the retreat was really up to the monumental task of sorting out the current mess of her life. Sighing, Paige buried her face in her hands and forced herself to breathe deeply for a moment before she committed several federal crimes and ended up in prison.

  She was fairly certain that a jail cell would wreak havoc on her chakras.

  Paige had met Horatio at a particularly vulnerable point in her life – when she’d found herself out of a job and with no family to rely upon – and she’d moved almost effortlessly into Horatio’s life. Her own fault, really. Paige swiped the back of her hand across her cheek to stop another tear from dropping onto the brochure. While there had been a gazillion red flags, Paige had studiously ignored them as easily as she ignored the serving size recommendations on a bag of Doritos and had seamlessly moved her way from yoga student to girlfriend, homemaker, and business manager for Yoga Soulone. From day one, Horatio’s needs had consumed her, and just like that, they were gone as fast as leaving an unattended bag in the subway.

  Her eyes fell on the brochure again. Images of sunny skies, sandy beaches, and pretty striped umbrellas dotted the brochure that guaranteed a relaxing stay at Tranquila Inn on little Poco Poco Island in the Caribbean. Before s
he could second-guess herself, Paige picked up her phone.

  “Tranquila Inn.” A woman’s voice, with a faint hint of a British accent, answered the phone.

  “Yes, hello, this is Paige Lowry from Yoga Soulone in Santa Cruz. I’m calling about our upcoming retreat next week.”

  “Yes…about that…” the woman said, but Paige cut her off.

  “I’m afraid we’ll have to cancel the retreat.”

  “Oh really? Well, that’s just silly.” Paige pulled the phone back as laughter tinkled through the phone’s speaker. “But I suppose that’s typical for the day I’m having.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Paige said, not sure what this woman was going on about.

  “Yes, well, these things do happen,” the woman agreed.

  “I’m sorry…with whom am I speaking?”

  “This is CeCe Alderidge, owner of this lovely establishment. And I’m having a bad day.”

  “Ah, well, that makes two of us,” Paige said, pulling out desk drawers to see if she was missing anything to pack.

  “Oh really? Do tell! I so love a good story,” CeCe insisted.

  Paige raised an eyebrow but decided to go for broke. “Well, you see, CeCe, I’ve been in a relationship with the owner of Yoga Soulone for the last two years, and I run his business for him. I also live with him. Today I came home and found him in bed with two of our yoga trainees.”

  “Oh dear,” CeCe sighed.

  “Oh dear, indeed.”

  “And so now you are canceling the trip? I hope you don’t let him take this away from you.”

  “I am canceling the trip. You see, CeCe, he told me my chakras were out of line, that we’ve always had an open relationship, unbeknownst to me, and then he broke up with me and asked me to pack and leave.”