Only In My Dreams

By Lisa Faith Bragg

"Only in My Dreams" is the story of how a woman finds love just when she needs it the most. Beth's husband, Wayne, has been having an affair, but she is too embarrassed to discuss it, even with her friend, Chante. Beth blames herself for Wayne's infidelity. She has never truly loved Wayne. He has been a great father to her daughter, but for Beth, he is no more than a friend. An invitation from Chante is something Beth cannot resist-a whole summer vacation in New Jersey. That is when she meets Stephen, a musician whose band plays in one of the clubs in Sayreville. Beth is instantly smitten by Stephen and he feels the same way about her. But he is not the only one. Paul, Stephen's friend, is attracted to Beth as well. Torn between love and commitment, Beth is facing the hardest decision she has ever had to make. In the end, she knows she just needs to follow her heart."Only in My Dreams" might appeal to readers who are interested in stories of romance and friendship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781304831866

Book preview

Only In My Dreams

Only

In

my

Dreams

By

Lisa Faith Bragg

Printed By Lisa Faith Bragg

Lyerly, GA

Copyright  1997 Lisa Langston Bragg

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law. The character’s in this book are fictional, and a work of imagination of the author.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:

TXu000813952

ISBN:

Printed in the United States of America

InstantPublisher.com

P.O. Box 340, 410 Highway 72 W.

Collierville, TN 38027

Thanks

First and foremost, I would like to thank God for all the blessings he has given me in my life, and for the faith to believe that all things are possible with him.

Second, I would like to thank Richie Sambora. I don’t know him, but I pray one day the Lord will allow us to meet, and I can call him my friend. Thank you Richie for being an shining example that dreams do come true. Thank you for being real!

To my daughter Jani Renee’ Bragg and my husband Terry Bragg, I thank you for always believing in me. I love you both! Jani you are my heart, and my gift from God, and I am so proud to be your mother. Always believe in dreams, without dreams you can not achieve anything.

To my mom Rita, my sister’s Rhonda and Loretta, and my brother Ralph. I love you guys!

To my best friend Miranda, and her daughter’s Mystri, Grace and Ici. I love you. Mystri always remember the sky is the limit; if you only reach for your dreams.

Thank you Bret Michaels; you have inspired my writing more times than I can count. I consider you my friend, and I love you always.

Thank you Brynn Cline for helping me with my dream!

Thank you Dina Kaster; my rocking Bon Jovi friend for our Jazz Fest trip. It’s imprinted in my heart.

Preface

Dear Diary,

Hello again! Something very exciting has been happening in my life. Chante’ and I went to the beach with the girls today, and I met this guy named Paul. He was very sweet. He is about 5’8 and he has dark brown hair, and brown eyes. He invited us to go hear him play with this band tonight.

When we arrived, Chante’ met this guy named Frankie. He’s the lead singer of the band and has an awesome voice, and he puts so much feeling into their music. Chante’ thinks he’s the best thing next to chocolate. I can see it in her eyes. Frankie is about 5’10 and he has light brown hair, and blue eyes, and he wears his hair long, but just to his shoulders. Then there’s this guy named A.J. he plays bass, he is really cool. He stands about 5’7 and has brown hair, and blue eyes. Then there’s this guy named Bryan, he is about 6’ and has dirty blonde hair, and blue eyes, and he is also really cool.

The one that caught my eye is Stephen, the guitar player. I first saw him on the beach earlier today and then tonight while we were at the bar. He has brown hair, brown eyes, and stands about 6’1 and he wears his hair long to his shoulders. He was wearing a hat tonight, and it seemed to be his trademark. He has an amazing, sexy voice. I’ve never met anyone before in my life that has been able to bring me into the feel of the music, and touch me like he did in just one night.

This guy Stephen is so wonderful, but I know that I need to stay away from him. I am married, and I am only staying with Chante’ for a short time while I get myself together emotionally. I have to get Stephen off my mind…. I have to have time to really know what I need to do. The bible says that I should forgive Wayne, but I just don’t know if I can.

Beth

Chapter 1

Chante’ and I were at my house in Ohio, and we were talking about how our lives had turned out, and it wasn’t so great. I hadn’t told Chante’ that recently I learned that my husband of four years, Wayne, had cheated on me. Maybe I was just too embarrassed to let anyone know. Maybe the affair was my fault? Even though I knew that wasn’t the truth, the thoughts still ran through my head. I had always loved Wayne so very much and we were good at being married. We rarely had an argument and our life seemed like a perfect picture for all of our friends. Wayne was a doctor and we lived in the social world’s eye. The truth was that I only loved Wayne like a friend, and loved him because he had been the best Daddy in the world to my daughter Renee’ who I was pregnant with when I met Wayne. My marriage lacked passion and excitement and I often turned away from Wayne when he wanted to be close romantically. The affair was my fault and although Wayne begged my forgiveness, I was still so hurt because I had been true to him physically and I was committed (I thought) to our marriage even though I only loved him as a friend. How dare he to cheat on me? Forgiveness- I wasn’t sure I wanted anything to do with forgiveness.

Beth, I came over today, because I wanted you to be the first person that I told my good news. I am very excited about it. Chante’ said.

I just looked at her; I couldn’t imagine what she was going to say. Was she pregnant again? We both have a child. She has a little girl that’s four years old, and my daughter is six. I am married, but she isn’t. She had come to my house to tell me something very important and it was obvious that she was very happy with the news. I smiled because I loved seeing her happy.

What, Tell me! I asked.

The company I am working with is opening a new plant in New Jersey, and I’ve been offered a very important job as the boss over the whole department. Well, I am taking the job, and I am going to move to New Jersey! She said.

For a moment I froze. What in the world would I do without Chante’ here? She was my support. She was my voice of reasoning. She was my best friend and I had always taken her friendship serious. I was taken back by the news.

You are taking the job? No Chante’. What about me? I mean, don’t move. You are my very best friend in the whole world. I don’t want to lose you. I finished. Even as I spoke my words sounded so selfish.

I’m sorry Beth. I have to, it’s a fresh start for me and you know I really need this. I don’t want to leave you behind, but my hands are tied. I can’t say no now. Chante’ said.

She started crying, and I was already crying by this time.

You can come with me. She said.

I am married Chante’. I can’t move with you. I sadly spoke.

I didn’t mean move with me. Just go with me, and stay the summer, then you can come back home. I am sure Wayne will let you go with me for the summer. You have a very understanding husband. Chante’ said.

Yes, I do! I will talk with to him tonight. I just know he will understand, and say yes. Then we will have the whole summer together. I said.

You have to understand, Chante’ and I have been friends for a long time now, and I couldn’t bare the thought of her moving way and not having her here to talk to. That night I talked with Wayne and explained the situation. He was fearful that I had decided to leave him, but didn’t want to really tell him. I assured him that I was just going with Chante’ to spend the summer with her and to take some time to really think about the future. Helping Chante’ get settled in, seeing where she was moving, it would all help me have closure on this situation. Why was this happening now, just when my perfect picture life was fallen apart?

The drive to New Jersey was so much fun. The moving truck was already there and the movers had unloaded everything in the house for Chante’. We would have a lot of unpacking to do. Finally, we arrived in New Jersey. Chante’ new job was in a little town called Sayerville. The house the company had gotten for her was on Maple Street and was within the city limits. The first day there we rested and only did what needed to be done the first night. After we were settled in and Chante’ wasn’t working we would drive to the beach and let the children play in the sand. It wasn’t warm enough to swim, but still we enjoyed being there.

One day when Chante’ came home from work I was in the middle of fixing dinner. The children were running around and playing, and then we all sat down to eat. Chante’ was looking at the newspaper.

I always drive by this News Stand, and today I decided to buy a paper. I am glad I did. It says here that the town is having a meeting, and it’s open to the public, and its tonight. Do you want to go? Chante’ asked.

That would be great. You need to meet some good town people. Everyone is so nice here, and besides you need some other kind of focus other than work. I said.

Later that night Chante’ and I were at the meeting and were listening to the public speakers. They had some really good ideas about rebuilding the park for the children. Chante’ and I decided we wanted to help too.

On Saturday, of that same week, the summer sun had begun to shine bright and it was suppose to be in the high 80’s that day. Perfect weather for swimming and for getting a tan at the beach. It might sound funny, but we were really drawn to the beach. Today was going to be great, I was really enjoying this summer. I didn’t want it to ever end and the best was only yet to come.

Chante’ and I had gone shopping yesterday. We bought swimming suits. I picked out a blue one because I think I look good in blue with my long jet black hair, and my blue eyes. I also think I still have a very nicely shaped body and I weigh around 145. Before I had Renee’ I only weighed 135. How I wished to see those days again. At least I have my youthful looks.

Even though I am only 27 years old, everyone usually still thinks I am in my early 20’s. That makes me feel real good about myself. My husband is always telling me that I am beautiful. Well, I do feel I am pretty, but I am not sure if I would call myself beautiful or not.

Chante’ picked out a black swimming suit, because she has long blonde hair, and blue eyes. She weighs about the same as me, 140. She is also 27 years old.

We’ve been best friends since High School; we met our freshman year when we both became Cheerleaders. It was then that we made a pack that we would always remain friends, and sisters forever. Chante’ and I came from a family where we were the only child, so as we grew up through High School, we only had each other. We went on double dates together, and when I had my baby Renee’ she was in the delivery room with me, and when she had her baby Danni (that’s short for Danielle) I was in there with her. When I married Wayne she was right there beside me all the way. So why now was it so hard to open up and tell Chante’ my heart and my feelings and what Wayne had done to me? Maybe for once, I wanted to let her shine. I didn’t want to ruin her summer and trouble her with my problems. I imagined that after I got home that I would have forgiven Wayne in my heart and would be able to face my life there in Ohio and finally able to stand on my own, then and only then, would I be brave enough to explain everything to Chante’ that had taken place and why I couldn’t tell her before.

Today Chante’ had the girls down playing close to the water and they were having fun building sand castles. It was my turn to get to lounge up on