by M. C. Cerny
“What just happened?” Lia asked examining us. I couldn’t reconcile it either.
“The feud between Kristen and Becky is legendary.” Taylor explained going on to give Lia the cliff notes version. I only knew part of this story and hadn’t been around to see its conclusion until now. “Becky dated Chase off and on for a while. She’d play it up when she thought Chase was going to play pro but he got injured right before college and then switched majors.”
“The ball bunny dumped my brother right after his surgery when he said he wasn’t going to do the physical therapy and additional surgeries to play again.” Kristen huffed taking a sip of her drink.
“That’s terrible. What a bitch.” Lia slapped her hand on the bar and then winced waving her palm in the air. I was with her on that one.
“Well, karma got her back because Chase is a successful veterinarian and he’s so in love Winnie. They are going to make amazingly cute babies if she gets over childbirth.” Kristen cooed.
“She really likes Remi’s baby and she’s over there a lot helping.” Taylor nodded encouraging.
“Chase isn’t getting younger and I know he’d love to be a dad someday.” Kristen sighed and I had a feeling if anyone was going to be an auntie she’d make it happen.
“How about us wee younglings get a break?” Lia held up her glass and I toasted with her.
“Here, here. I’m all for that.” We drank more leisurely as the girls included me in their conversations. I couldn’t say I had real girl friends like this before.
Having learned to be alone most of the time and wary to trust did things to a person. I wasn’t normal in my eyes, but I concluded that this was nice. This feeling of belonging and getting invited to morning yoga and brunch. Texting Louisa for a spa day and finding out if Carmen would have her bacon maple cupcakes on her seasonal menu soon. Taylor had home design appointments lined up all week, but she was more than happy to carve out some time to visit the vineyard with me and see what we could in the cottage space I occupied.
The night ended on a positive note for a change and my phone had little calendar dates in it that made me smile. David returned to his table and hid behind his computer doing spreadsheets and whatever else he was responsible for. Andy breezed in and kissed me on the forehead saying he’d be with me in a minute and I felt like I could actually do this. I didn’t have to tuck tail and run. There was more than enough here and if I left myself just accept the uncomfortable parts I could do this.
“A little bird told me there was an incident earlier. What happened?” Andy leaned over the bar, his hands catching mine.
I peeked back at David’s table, but he was gone. “A little bird? More like a bald eagle.”
“I’m glad he was here then. What did Becky want?”
“Just to embarrass me. Or humiliate me. Take your pick.” I mumbled over my glass of ice water sucking on the ice and letting it melt in my mouth in an attempt to cool my temper.
“She isn’t worth it.”
“I had fun with the girls.” I deflected the conversation. I didn’t want to talk about Becky boob face or her ginormous ring that probably compensated for her man’s tiny dick.
Andy nodded knowing exactly what I was doing and we both accepted it.
“Let’s go upstairs.” He suggested holding out his hand and I was all for that.
23
Sierra
“Behind the bar. Now.” Andy growled directing me around the polished bar top and down the hallway that ended with four magical options. The kitchen. The office which was christened last week. The doors that led upstairs to the apartments and lastly the broom closet where they kept actual cleaning supplies and brooms. It wasn’t a euphemism but I had a feeling that’s exactly what it would be once Andy got me in there under lock and key.
“Okay. Okay.” I shuffled leading the way and was correct when we bypassed the first two options. No kitchen. No office.
“Move it Occho.” He tapped my ass and I jiggled the door to the closet. Clearly, we didn’t have time to be climbing stairs and I was fine with that. It wasn’t the worst place to have sex nor did I think it’s be our only encounter this evening. Andy had the stamina of a bull like he’d been saving his spunk for the apocalypse, aka me.
“I got it Easton. Don’t get your briefs in a twist.” I snapped back opening the door to be shoved inside. I heard the lock engage and backed up. Not that I had far to go, but still. You can’t tell me a woman isn’t slightly intimidated, trauma history or not by an alpha male who is extremely interested in her stalking her backward in a dark closet for some clandestine sexy times.
“Something’s about to get twisted.” He muttered spinning me around.
Hate fucking came naturally to us like breathing air and drinking water when thirsty. Andy’s gentleness vanished and my need to have him fill me with something other than heaps of regret made me beg him for more.
“You sure you want to do this?” He asked hotly grinding his dick into my hip. There was no hiding his arousal and I wanted my hands jammed deep into his jeans rubbing my thumb over his slit and spreading his precum down his thick shaft. If he played his cards right, I’d sink down to my knees uncaring of what was on the dark floor and I fit my lips over him hollowing out my cheeks to suck him deeply.
“Are you playing chicken with me right now?” I asked biting the edge of his sharp chin. Playing chicken was a game we played as kids daring each other to go further and further until one gave up as the supreme winner. Andy might have called uncle a few times to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid because he was my shiny knight like that.
“Considering we haven’t had a proper game of chicken since we were sixteen or seventeen, I’m not sure what the limits are Sierra.” His chest backed me further into the corner as his arms wrapped around me preventing me from falling or hurting myself. To be honest, I didn’t know what my limits were either.
“How about we go with the good old stop lights for direction.”
“Very fifty shades, but I’m game to play if you are.”
“Cute Andrew.” I mumbled between his lips nibbling on my neck and his fingers popping the buttons on my blouse like candy dots on those paper sheets. He kept at it until he got to his favorite color of naked.
My hands fumbled with the buckle of his belt, unlooping it and having my very own tug of war until he grabbed my hips out of frustration to pump against me. I cried out far too sensitive to the friction against me.
“Shhh, Firefly.” He kissed my lips until I whimpered. The heat raged between us as if he’s stoked the fire and we liquefied all the chocolate for our s’mores. I melted against him stuck like a marshmallow with nowhere to go.
“I don’t remember you teasing my like this.”
“I don’t remember you being so desperate.” He growled against my ear licking the skin and biting my neck. I didn’t have to worry about going home later because no one would be there to see the love bites except for me in the mirror.
I tore at his jean button and scraped my finger pulling the zipper down. I would have cut myself up just to get at him. Feel him. Take him inside me and never let him go.
“Lift your leg, baby.” Andy propped my foot against the shelf across from us and pulled my hips closer to his heated flesh. I felt myself blush in the dark, something I didn’t think I was capable of after my past history. None of that mattered now, in the moment, with the one person I wanted to share this connection with. Sure we could go back to snapping at each other after the climax chilled but for now I would take whatever Andrew Easton was willing to dish out.
I rocked against him, the dark carrying a chill in the air that swept between the space of my legs. Exposed flesh damp from arousal and keen to meet together like glue finding its mate.
I jerked my hips up and down as he slid his cock between my lips. “Andy.” I panted, frustrated with the delay.
“Now you know a fraction of what I felt feels like.”
“What
are you talking about?” He pinched one nipple through the satin cup of my bra and then the other leaving a sting that’s addicting. I’m not wearing anything super fancy, just some big box brand of polyester lace and silk, but it’s new and mine and I didn’t have to dance in some shit hole night club to earn it. Andy is the only one whose seen me in it, and it feels special in a strange sort of way.
“I waited for you. I waited years for you to come back to me.” He’s burying his head in my neck. His chest heaved and I swear his cheeks are damp against the crook of my shoulder. This isn’t some sweet reunion. This is Andy’s version of a come to Jesus and while I’d like to come hard and scream out the Holy Trinity, I don’t think it will generate the reaction from him I’m hoping for.
“I had to leave. I had to go. I couldn’t stay.” I repeated the old mantra that’s haunted me for years.
“But you could have taken me with you. I would have done anything for you.”
“I would have ruined you.” I looked up into pain filled eyes ruining things all over again.
“You already had. I married you. I made you my fucking wife and promised a lifetime with you.”
And there it was. The ultimate slap of guilt laid at my feet with the softest tap. I let him down. I lied to him. I kept secrets from the boy who became a changed man because of my reckless negligence. His cock was mere centimeters from my cunt that pulsed for him and only him, and he pushed me back slowly. His hand caressed my thigh and dropped my foot down from the shelf.
“What are you doing?”
“You refused to be a wife and fight for us back then.” His voice is devoid of the warmth and the urgency from moments before.
“I was eighteen and terrified.” I also had a baby in my belly that wasn’t his, but I wasn’t about to drop that bomb tonight. I’d already detonated enough damage on the both of us. I made Chernobyl look like a walk in the park.
“You’re allowed to make mistakes, Firefly, but sooner or later all your running away catches up to you.”
“Has it caught me, yet?”
“I don’t know.” Andy’s hands rested on my hips as he pulled my blouse closed leaving me to deal with popped buttons and loose threads.
His hand reached for the door and he turned the knob. It grinds against jam but doesn’t open.
“Motherfucker.” He whispers bumping his head against the wood.
“What’s happened, Andrew?”
“Would you believe the is locked?” He spit out a curse in Greek even I can’t make out. I left my phone in my purse which isn’t with me. Now when we need space more than ever to process the Grand Canyon’s chasm between us, fate has decided to fuck us over Vegas style.
“I don’t have my phone to call anyone.” I said resting my hand on his tense back.
“I don’t either.” He mumbled. We could hear the commotion outside the tiny closet from the interior of the bar. Live music was starting to play and the place was likely packed on the Saturday night. Last call wasn’t until 2:00am. It looked like we were stuck in here after all.
“What are the odds?” I turned around and started pushing cleaning supplies around to make myself comfortable on a spot on the floor. Andy turned and even though I couldn’t see his face, I patted the ground and he slouched down to join me.
“We’ll be here awhile.” Andy looped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me against him. I relaxed against him and tried to make the best of it. If the sale of the winery went through, it wasn’t like I had a lot of time left here anyway.
I played with the button on his dress shirt and I felt him kiss the top of my head and it felt a little too much like goodbye.
24
Andy
Now was probably not the best time to tell Sierra I had my phone in my back pocket. It was turned on silent so I wouldn’t hear any pings or feel the vibration of any messages come through. It had been that way since the start of tonight after my fight with David. Call it kismet or whatever that the door was jammed. It had a habit of doing that I had yet to get it fixed. I hadn’t planned on getting locked in here with Sierra, but like most aspects of our relationship. Things were pretty messed up.
This might be one of the few chances I had left to get actual answers out of her instead of excuses. I had paperwork burning a fire in my filing cabinet because I hadn’t filed it with the court yet. Another half-truth I gave her because I felt like she was still lying to me.
Sooner or later Pedro, David, or any of the other staff would find us at the end of the night. For a broom closet that almost because a sex den it wasn’t half bad.
“What should we do.” She turned her head into my shoulder and I played with her shoulder length curls letting them bounce and twist around my fingers.
“Right now? Relax and enjoy the music. Even if we scream no one would hear us.”
Her voice sounded droll when she said, “So we are literally waiting for the clean-up crew?”
I chuckled.
“Basically.”
“I don’t exactly find any of this funny.”
“Don’t worry. I find it even less humorous given it’s my fault to begin with.”
“Why do you say that, Andy?” Her fingers continued to play with my clothes and I let the feeling of her closeness seep into me. It’s rare that’s she’s so hands on like this and I won’t trade it for the world.
“Because I could have done the responsible thing months ago when I knew the knob was sticky and get it fixed. I didn’t because I got busy with other things and now here we are stuck until someone ventures down this hallway.” I could turn my phone on and call David or Pedro but that would defeat the purpose of spending time with her like this in forced proximity.
“How likely is that to happen?”
I shrugged. I don’t tell her it could minutes, hours, or tomorrow morning when David gets back and sees I haven’t been in my office.
“Pedro is personing the bar. David is out with Kiara, and Remi hasn’t lived upstairs in forever.”
“Hmm.” She hummed and the vibration made my heart flip in a funny somersault.
“We could play twenty questions dancing around topics until then or you could just ask me whatever it is you want to ask me.”
“I’m not used to this forward version of Andy. You used to be so…” She trailed off and it guts me to know what she might say next. Passive? Weak? A boy when she needed a man? It’s all true and while we were young back then I could have been better prepared, I could have fought harder for her in my own way. That was my mistake and I paid for it dearly.
“I know I said things earlier that were hurtful.” I want to apologize but I’m still angry and she hasn’t said anything remotely remorseful about leaving. I’m not really in the state of mind to be completely vulnerable when I know n a matter of days or weeks she’ll end up crushing me again.
“Let’s both agree we were equally hurtful though I think we’re comparing apples to oranges.”
“More like vintage grapes and Myer lemons, but sure.”
“I don’t know if I’m surprised, impressed, or irritated you want to quibble about tartness palates.” She said into the dark and I squeeze her tight against me.
“I said that because it’s what we grew up eating, drinking, and comparing everything too.”
“Did my Nona keep the greenhouse operational?”
“Only for a few years. She asked me to take over and there’s one lemon tree left. There’s an herbalist in town, Callista who makes essential oils. She comes to harvest the lemons and lavender.”
“Isn’t she the girl who suns her asshole?”
I snort.
“I wouldn’t know anything about her asshole and I definitely wouldn’t mention her name in front of Whit or his jailbait girlfriend.”
“That sounds like a story I want to hear.”
“Of course you do.” I rubbed my fingers over her shower and she pokes me gently with her boney elbow.
“Tell me, oh maste
rful storyteller.” Sierra’s voice becomes wistful and I missed this about her.
“I don’t know. That’s kind of what you get for skipping town.” I shrugged teasing.
“Low blow Andrew and if you want my mouth on your dick in the next ten years you’ll spill the town secrets.” Her grumble was joking so I know she isn’t serious but still–we seem to be really good at zinging each other.
“Ouch, Firefly.”
“I’ll ask Taylor and Kristen next time they come in the pub.”
“Don’t do that. Kristen will get homicidal and Whit’s girlfriend is still navigating new relationship territory. You remember what first love is like, don’t you?” I asked curious but also a glutton for her answer.
“You know I do. Despite everything…” She paused breathing deeply before starting up again. “I always loved you. I think I’ll always love you.” She said this like it’s in the past instead of hovering on the surface like I am, bruised and battered. We might be in the eye of the hurricane right now bracing for bad weather, but at some point, the storm has to end and the cleanup has to begin. I wished it hadn’t been a ten year process, but it is what it is.
Relenting, I tell her the story of how Whit dated the tantric herbalist and how a story got out about her sunning her asshole during her spiritual trips to Arizona once a year. No one could verify the story and Callista never denied it, so it stuck. The part that had Whit in a bind was his past sexual relationship with the pretty botanist who Lia had immense jealousy toward. We knew it was her age and insecurities more than anything making this an issue, but out of respect, we all played along ignoring it. Poor Callista ended up getting the short stick in the deal.
