was one thing when I was in control and the one leaving. At least I'd make the choice. I'd never considered he'd leave. Things were moving too fast. Travis was leaving me. He reappeared,carrying a small duffle bag, and walked to the front door.
"Travis, wait!"
He stopped and looked at me. "Maddie, you're right. For over a year our marriage has been a sham. We're only hurting each other. Let's give it a rest for awhile," he said quietly as he slipped out the door.
TIFFANY – 10
Tiffany Truesdale wasn't a prude, but watching two girls making out on top of a table in the center of the room while a crowd of guys hooted and hollered made her uncomfortable. She had no idea these kinds of parties got so…wild. Turning her gaze away, she searched the room for her friends.
Diana was outside on the patio gyrating to the latest hip-hop track from Zinful, a twenty-something up-and-comer from Inglewood. Windows shook with the beat of the throbbing music. Brenda stood off to the side in a circle of guys all vying for her attention. Each girl had a red plastic cup in hand and took long swigs from them.
Tiffany wondered who owned the sprawling ranch house and why they'd let hundreds of drunken teenagers trample the wide-plank wooden floors. Tiffany cringed as a couple of guys throwing a foam football upset a miniature windmill and sent it crashing to the floor.
"Tiff," Penny called out as she lurched towards her, "you've got to go check out what's going on in the back bedroom." As her friend plopped into the calfskin-upholstered chair next to her, the strong odor of marijuana wafted toward Tiffany.
"You smell like the inside of a bong," Tiffany said.
Penny slumped to the side and giggled. "Yeah, I hit a little bud while I was back there." Her voice dropped to an excited whisper. "They've got a big screen TV and they're showin' hard core porn. You really should check it out. I've never seen anything like it."
Tiffany noted Penny's red, glassy eyes and shook her head. "I think I'll pass. I guess I'm the designated driver tonight." She motioned toward the patio where Brenda and Diana continued to party. Tiffany watched with amusement as Penny tried to focus in the direction she'd pointed.
"Oh, look at how much fun they're having. Lez go dance with 'em." Penny staggered to her feet and extended her hand. "Come on."
Tiffany waved her off. "You go on ahead, I'm feeling a little tired."
Penny struggled to stand evenly and look sober. "Are you feelin' sick? D'we need to leave? Sho' I call a cab?"
Tiffany appreciated the fact that although Penny was in a highly altered state, she still was trying to take care of her. But she didn't want to ruin her friend's good time.
"No, I'm fine. You go ahead. I'll sit here and watch you three make fools of yourselves."
"Okay, Tiff. Don't forget to check out the back room. It's wild."
Smiling, Tiffany used her hand to shoo her friend away.
For a few minutes, she watched her three friends dance, but thought she might feel better if she had something to eat. Pushing her way through the throngs of young people, she made her way to the kitchen. The granite countertops and stainless steel appliances would catch any chef's eye. Guys and girls talked and laughed around a center island crammed with bottles of various alcoholic beverages. Against another wall was a long table filled with pizza boxes and catered sandwiches.
Selecting a turkey sandwich, Tiffany placed it on a paper plate. She filled another plate with a slice of cheese pizza. Moving down the table she spotted an array of deserts. Placing a couple of cookies next to a piece of chocolate cake, she wondered how she'd carry all three plates and get herself something to drink.
"Ah," said a baritone voice, "A damsel in distress. I've always wanted to play Prince Charming."
SECTION TWO (Chapters 11 – 20)
PRESTON – 11
"Want a nightcap?" Preston offered as he and Pilar entered the Governor's mansion.
"I'd better not. I had champagne at the dedication, and you know how booze puts the weight on."
Preston pulled the shawl from Pilar's shoulders and placed a kiss on the back of her neck. "Madam Mayor, you don't need to worry about your weight. Your body is smokin'," he murmured, placing kisses along her collarbone. His erection strained against his pants as goose bumps appeared on her upper arms.
She turned in his arms. "Have you heard anything new about the missing woman?"
His hard-on softened and he had to work not to sound irritated. "Just before I took the stage at the dedication, I got a text from Chief Fryer. They've put out a missing person broadcast all over the city, so every cop in L.A. is looking for her. Other than that, nothing new."
Pulling away from Pilar, he shrugged out of his jacket and motioned for her to follow him into the family room. "My guess is they'll get into high gear tomorrow morning."
"How quickly does she have to be found? I mean, when will Tiffany need the bone marrow transplant?"
Preston walked over to the bar and poured himself some scotch and took a healthy swallow. "The doctors aren't sure. Right now she's feeling pretty good; but her health could deteriorate suddenly and rapidly. They were planning to do the surgery next week, but now, since the donor is missing…"
Pilar made herself comfortable on a stool in front of the bar. "Well, at least it doesn't sound like this nanny has to be found right away — as long as Tiffany's health holds out."
"You know, after my wife, Monica, died, I only made it through that loss because I had to be here for Tiffany." Well, that and my 'therapy.' "If I lose my daughter too, I don't know what I'll do."
Pilar got up, came behind the bar and put her arms around him. "I'll be here for you, Preston," she said, laying her head on his chest.
While he appreciated Pilar's sincerity, Preston lived his daughter's illness like an open wound. From the time he'd found out Tiffany was sick, he'd done his best to keep the details to himself and a select few of his key staff. The stress of being the governor of one of the most important states in the union, a widower, and a single father took its toll.
Although Preston had been dating Pilar for several years, he didn't feel their relationship warranted open access to Tiffany's life as well as his own. In fact, after a while, she was nothing more to him than a convenient cover for the media, that and an always-agreeable sex partner. He needed to distract Pilar. It was time to shift gears. Thank goodness her attention was easily diverted. "Do you want something to eat?"
She lifted her head from his chest and a sexy smile spread across her face. She turned toward him and circled her arms around his neck. "Mm, maybe. What did you have in mind?"
"Um," he said, reaching around her and pulling down the zipper on her dress. "I think I might be able to find you something in my bedroom."
"You're incorrigible," she said, reaching down and caressing his cock under his tux. "But don't forget you owe me for the blow job in the limo."
"Oh, God," he groaned, pulling away and grabbing her hand. "Come on, let's get upstairs or I'm going to come right here."
TIFFANY – 12
Tiffany smiled up at the man next to her. He was tall, with light mocha skin and a shaved head. He appeared to be in his late twenties, older than most of the kids at the party. His clothes were in style and obviously expensive, yet they were sophisticated, not the baggy garments worn by many guys his age. Large diamond studs flashed from each ear.
He motioned toward the center island containing all the beverages. "What'll it be? Diet or regular? Or do you want something harder to drink?"
"Diet will be fine, thank you."
He reached into the tub containing various beverages floating in the ice water.
Tiffany noticed he was able to snag two sodas with one hand while holding his own plate laden with three sandwiches.
She glanced toward his plate. "Big eater, huh?"
The guy chuckled. "I've got to keep my strength up. I'm a dude who likes to dance. Maybe we can shake some tail later." He surveyed their surroundings. "I think our best
bet is to go toward the front of the house. We might get lucky and find a place to sit."
Following him, Tiffany noticed how at ease and in control the man seemed. With an athlete's grace, he led her to the front foyer where it was relatively quiet. He motioned toward the stairs leading to the second floor of the house. "Is this okay?"
"Sure," said Tiffany, sitting on the third stair. The guy eased down beside her.
Setting the two sodas on another stair, he extended his hand toward her.
"I'm Drejohn, and you have got to be the most beautiful lady at this bash."
Tiffany placed her hand in his and gave a firm handshake. "Thank you, and I'm Tiffany." She mentally appraised the studs in both of his ears, and figured he easily was wearing close to a Ferrari in diamonds. She'd seen a lot of fine jewels in her short life and was quite certain the man's jewelry was the real deal and not a manufactured imitation.
"What brings you to this party?" she asked.
He gave her a quarterback smile. "Beautiful ladies."
Tiffany didn't know what to say, so she took a bite of her sandwich. She hoped he couldn't see the blush she felt flooding her face.
"What about you, my damsel in distress? Why are you here?"
"Well, uh…" Tiffany had to think. Why was she here? This wasn't her usual behavior. In fact, she was extremely uncomfortable. She knew, because of her health, she shouldn't get wasted, and without booze or pot, these types of parties weren't much fun. But having fun was why she was here. And that's
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