Ask Me Something (The Something Series Book 2)

by Aubrey Bondurant

  “Are we agreed on the first one?”

  “I think so, but I have questions.”

  “Ask me then, honey.”

  That term of endearment had my heart beating faster. “Are we monogamous?”

  He chuckled, and I could hear him shifting the phone. “Very much so. I don’t share, and I would hope you wouldn’t want to, either.”

  I definitely wasn’t into sharing, especially since the image of Jamie’s hand on his thigh remained fresh in my mind. “Brian, we bicker all the time as it is. You’re not worried this change in relationship will add more tension?”

  “I think it may help with it and that brings us back to rule number one when we do fight.”

  “How many women have you done this with?”

  “That brings us to rule two: you don’t ask about my past, and I won’t ask about yours.”

  “Considering my history isn’t as colorful, that’s hardly fair.”

  “All right, see this is where the negotiation is important. What if I give you five questions to ask?”

  “I want unlimited questions.”

  “That’s hardly a compromise.”

  “Compromise isn’t something I do very well and neither is capping off my curious nature.”

  “There are some questions I won’t answer, Sasha.”

  “Good, I feel the same.” Not that he’d ever ask about my anxiety, but it was a relief to know that we could both have some things in reserve.

  “What do we do then?”

  “Maybe we could preface if we’re going to ask something sensitive. Almost like testing the waters. We’ll say we have a question and allow the other person to decide if the subject is something they’ll answer or not.”

  “So we’d have to agree to have the question asked?”

  “Sure. We could even set a threshold. You get however many questions on a topic, and then I do. Whatever works, I guess.”

  “I’m okay with that, but all responses need to be truthful. I’d rather you not answer than to lie to me, Sasha.”

  “I would never be anything other than honest.”

  “Oh, you mean like you were honest about the number of guys who wanted your number for speed dating? What was the deal with that, anyhow?”

  Of course he’d picked up on that. “I’d gotten the same number as Catherine, and for the life of me don’t know why. I hated every minute of it and couldn’t get out of there fast enough.”

  Brian laughed. “Speed dating not so much?”

  “No, not so much.”

  “Are you comfortable so far with the rules?”

  The first two sounded reasonable enough and he’d already compromised. “I think so. Did you have them with Jamie?” I had to ask.

  “What happened to prepping me with asking if I’m willing to answer this question?”

  “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

  “Why is this thing with Jamie bothering you? I came over to your place instead of going home with a sure thing.”

  The way he phrased that instantly pissed me off. “Right, sorry to have ruined your evening, Brian.”

  “That’s not what I meant. I’m only pointing out that you shouldn’t be jealous because I chose you, even knowing it would be much more complicated.”

  “Wow, you definitely know how to make a girl feel special. You know what? If you wanted easy, evidently you picked the wrong girl.”

  “This is coming out all wrong. Shit, I’ve gotta go. Colby is waiting on me. We’re heading out.”

  “Out where? Everything is closed on Christmas Day.”

  “Uh, well, not everything.”

  It dawned on me. They were heading to a strip club. “Of course. Perhaps you’ll find something less complicated there.”

  He muttered a curse. “I’m tempted to say, ‘maybe I will’ because you’re seriously pissing me off to imply that I’d want to.”

  My stomach knotted with the thought. “Maybe I’m tempted to say that I’m interested when my sister sets me up with my ex-boyfriend tomorrow night.”

  “Good thing neither of us are interested in doing that sort of thing.” His annoyance was obvious in his tone.

  “Right. Good thing. Night Brian.”

  “Night Sasha.”

  And now I was back to feeling all out of sorts again, thinking about Brian heading out on the town with Josh’s younger brother, who was known for his wild nights.

  ***

  The next evening I decided to go to Ernie’s Oyster Bar with my sister because I was bored, and Ernie’s did have the best oysters in town. Plus there was the fact that I’d yet to hear from Brian today. My sister tended to get less bitchy when she had a cocktail in her hand and no baby at her boob, but unfortunately I found out shortly after arriving that she didn’t mix the two.

  “I’m breastfeeding, and although some women think it’s okay to pump and dump, I don’t,” she proclaimed self-righteously.

  “Don’t you worry, I’ll drink for you,” Ryan toasted.

  My brother-in-law and I clinked glasses, which pissed her off even further. We continued to trade barbs until Eric came in the door.

  Addison had been accurate; he did still have his hair, and he’d aged well. He came over with a smile.

  Being accustomed to a man kissing me on the cheek; I was a little taken aback at being hugged like a rag doll.

  “Hey, Sasha.”

  “Hey, Eric,” I said, smiling.

  He pulled up a seat. “You look great. So I know you’re in New York, what do you do there?”

  “I’m the vice president of the Gamble Advertising office.”

  “Wow that sounds important.”

  Addison interrupted before I could respond. “Sasha only thinks it is. I keep telling her there is more to life than a title and paycheck.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t mind her. She’s extra cranky because she can’t drink.”

  “I’m breastfeeding,” she stated.

  Eric was clearly uncomfortable with the turn of conversation. “Well I’d hoped to stay longer, but my plans changed tonight with my son coming over. So I’m getting dinner to go. He’s fourteen and in the car playing his video game.”

  I was a little stunned to think of someone my age having a fourteen-year-old. But considering that having a kid at age eighteen wasn’t unheard of, I shouldn’t have been too surprised. “What’s his name?”

  “Devin.”

  “I’d love to say hi to him if that’s all right.”

  His face brightened.

  Meanwhile, I thought it ironic that I’d be willing to meet someone new in order to escape my sister for a few minutes.

  “He’s a flirt, and he’d love to say hey to a pretty girl. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

  After meeting Devin, I complimented Eric on having a teenager with good manners outside of the truck in a whisper so I didn’t embarrass the kid. “Devin is very polite and definitely going to be a looker.” He had dimples and blue eyes very much like his father.

  “The manners I can’t take credit for, that would be his mom. But the looks, well, maybe I can take half credit.”

  I gave him another hug and Devin a little wave. There might not be a spark with Eric, but there was something heartwarming about seeing the first boy I’d ever been with, all grown up into a man and father.

  After heading back inside the restaurant, I went straight for the ladies’ room. I was almost finished in the stall when the sound of my sister’s voice stopped me cold.

  “Why do I bother to make the effort? My sister thinks she’s better than everyone in this town.”

  “I don’t know why you try, either. And why did she go out there to meet his son as though she likes kids?” Leslie, her best friend, replied.

  I held my breath, waiting for Addison to defend me to her friend. Explain to her that I had been here for the birth of every one of her four children. That the kids loved their Aunt Sasha. Point out that I was only being friendly to go out
and meet Devin. Polite to meet the son of the man I’d dated sixteen years ago.

  “Seriously she’s like the worst aunt in the world. I had to practically shove the baby into her hands yesterday and I have to force the older kids to spend time with her. She hates coming home. It’s like I’m the failure for finding love and being a stay-at-home mom with four children.”

  “Some people aren’t cut out to be mothers. She can’t even hold a man for any length of time. And by the way, I think she’s gained some weight since summer. Her ass looks bigger in the pants she’s wearing.”

  It took me a few minutes to realize it was now silent, and they’d walked out. Any scenario I had in my head of slamming the door open and telling them both where to go was now lost. I concentrated on my breathing and forced myself to relax. The thing about having anxiety is that I already had a complex that people were talking about me. To have that fact confirmed wasn’t exactly conducive toward believing it was all in my head.

  In pulling out my phone, I realized it was still early, only seven o’clock. Since I wasn’t sure I could trust my voice, I texted Brian, figuring he would talk me down.

  “Overheard my sister tell her BFF that I’m the worst aunt in the world. In the bathroom stall, ready to embarrass her in front of everyone. Please tell me I’m being irrational and should go straight home!!”

  “Leave no prisoners SBF,” he replied.

  I smiled at the Sasha-B-Fierce acronym in spite of how upset I was. I needed a few minutes, and then I’d get it together.

  “Thanks for not talking me down, gotta go.”

  “Call me after.”

  After making my way out of the stall, I reapplied my lip gloss, smoothed my hair, and headed back to the table.

  “Where were you? Your food is getting cold,” Addison commented, already shoveling down some oysters.

  I took a moment to deal with her friend Leslie first. Considering the woman had at least thirty pounds on me, it was unbelievable that she would say something about the size of my ass. “Hey, Leslie, Addison didn’t tell me. When are you due?”

  Addison’s eyes got big, and Ryan almost spit out his drink.

  “I’m not pregnant,” Leslie stuttered, instantly horrified.

  “But I thought you were having a baby, or was I wrong?”

  She appeared relieved, thinking I had the timing wrong. “That was last year. Chelsea is almost a year old now.”

  “I guess it’s true what they say, then. Some women never lose that baby weight.” I got some satisfaction watching her about choke on her food and faced my sister who was glaring at me.

  “That was cruel. You have no idea how hard—” Addison started to say.

  I cut her off. “You’re right. I don’t have any idea. After all, I’m clearly not cut out to be a mother. I think I’m better than everyone in this town, and I’m evidently the worst aunt in the world to your kids, too? You have to shove the baby on me.” She paled considerably.

  Ryan spoke up and looked between the two of us. “What’s this about? Addy?”

  At least my sister had the decency to look embarrassed.

  “You know what? I’m probably going to skip the fried food. Evidently, I’ve gained a few pounds since summer and my ass looks kind of big in these pants. Right, Leslie? But it’s okay; I’ll be the cruel one.”

  She and my sister exchanged looks but neither knew what to do.

  I wouldn’t give them the opportunity to try to figure it out. “Ryan, it was nice to see you again. You tell my nieces and nephews we’ll have to take a rain check on our movie day tomorrow. According to your wife, she has to force them into spending time with me, and I’d hate to do that to them.”

  My voice almost cracked on the last word, but I kept my composure and left a stunned Ryan, flushed Leslie, and pale Addison with the aftermath of Sasha-B-Fierce.

  ***

  Home was only ten minutes away. My parents were in the living room watching television when I came through the door.

  “Oh, you’re back early. Everything all right?” my mother asked.

  Plastering a smile on my face, I went over to give them both kisses on the cheek. “Yes, everything’s fine, but I have to leave tonight. I was hoping to get through the week without a client crisis, but turns out I have to be in Charlotte in the morning. So I’m driving over now.”

  My mom looked disappointed and then inadvertently made me feel guilty. “I thought you were spending tomorrow with the kids. Kylie will be especially disappointed. She loves spending time with her Aunt Sasha.”

  “According to Addison, she doesn’t. I don’t want to get into it. I’m just going to get my stuff. I’ll be back down.” The very last thing I wanted to do was force my nieces and nephews to spend time with me. I was barely in their lives. To expect them to be excited about a seeing someone they hardly knew was selfish on my part and I didn’t blame them for their lack of enthusiasm.

  A few minutes later, I was ready to go, suitcase in hand.

  “It’s awfully late to be driving,” my dad commented. The policeman in him was always worried about my safety.

  I squeezed his hand. “I’ll be in before midnight and send you guys a text when I arrive.”

  It was tempting to stay the night with them instead, but I knew my sister would be over with the kids in the morning, and I’d be trapped. No way would I make this easy on her.

  My mom got up and moved towards the kitchen. “I wish you didn’t have to work so much, but we understand. Let me pack up some pie and stuff to take with you.”

  It was futile to argue and, hell, maybe I would need some pumpkin pie for the road. I hadn’t touched my dinner.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The city of Charlotte was a five-and-a-half-hour drive west from coastal Carolina. I stopped twenty minutes out of Beaufort to fill up the rental car with gas and called Brian.

  “Well, how did it go?” he immediately asked.

  I relayed the details, then hopped back into the car and let the phone transfer to the Bluetooth while I continued driving.

  “Wow, you didn’t take any prisoners, did you? Your brother-in-law said nothing?”

  “Oh, I don’t doubt he had plenty to say later. I think he was stunned for the moment. Anyhow, I’m done and heading west as we speak.”

  “What do you mean heading west?”

  “I’m driving to Charlotte, coming in a night early. I know if I’d stayed in town, Addison would have brought the kids over first thing in the morning, forcing them to spend time with me and trapping us all into an afternoon none of us would end up enjoying.”

  “Wait, you’re heading to Charlotte now?”

  I loved the way that I’d taken him completely off guard. “Yes, driving as we speak.”

  “Shit, I’m still in Virginia. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

  “I’d hardly expect you to drop everything. It’ll be past midnight by the time I get there, and I’ll get a hotel room. I might even go into the office to work tomorrow.” I was full of adrenaline and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at the moment.

  “Can I call you right back?”

  “Sure.”

  It was ten minutes later when he did so.

  “I’m sending you my address, so you can input it into your GPS when you’re closer to Charlotte. My place is twenty minutes north of the city,” he said.

  “You’re with your family for the holidays, Brian, and even if you weren’t, I don’t know that it’s the best thing if I stayed at your place.”

  “I’m about to leave for Dulles airport. I should arrive before you do if I can catch this nine-thirty flight.”

  “You’re joking.” I had hardly expected him to drop everything.

  “I’m not.”

  “It’ll be late by the time I get there.”

  “I don’t care if it’s three o’clock in the morning. I want to see you.”

  Brian wanting to see me made me warm and tingly. “I should still be annoyed with you f
or calling me complicated last night.”

  “I should be ticked that you implied I should find someone else at the strip club and made that crack about your ex-boyfriend.”

  “But you’re not?” I tested, smiling.

  “The ex-boyfriend bit made me crazy jealous if I’m being honest.”

  “The Jamie comment set me off. No woman needs to hear that you have a sure thing any time you’d want it.”

  “I know and I’m sorry it came out that way. This is probably a good time to bring up rule number three, I think.”

  “Which is?”

  “No dating or going out with anyone else.”

  “I thought we went over that, we would be monogamous. I get it.” Considering I wasn’t exactly doing a whole lot aside from working, it wasn’t an issue for me. Besides this ensured he wouldn’t be seeing Jamie, which was a relief.

  “No, this is different. Our arrangement won’t be known by a lot of people; however, we aren’t dating others or taking anyone else to events in the meantime, either. Not even as a cover.”

  “Wait, but what if Catherine asks me to go speed dating with her or double?” Not that I sought to do either, but I also didn’t want to abandon her if she needed me.

  “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. No.”

  I didn’t mind not dating other people, considering I hadn’t done it in quite some time; however I couldn’t make my friend feel like she was now on her own. “I can’t hurt Catherine’s feelings, and more importantly, I don’t want her going out alone with some stranger. Plus what would I tell her?”

  “Tell her you have other plans, then come home and fuck me.”

  I sucked in my breath with that vision now firmly implanted in my mind. “I can agree in general, but not with Catherine. I need to be available to go out with her. I’m her wingman, or whatever you guys call it. She’d be hurt if I wasn’t.”

  “Okay. I get it. Can we agree to discuss it ahead of time? Maybe I could meet you ladies out like the last time and assist with the mission.”

  I laughed thinking he’d probably make a much better wingman than I would. “All right, agreed. I’m assuming this doesn’t apply to clients?”

  “I would think it should. If there’s a male coworker or client who wants to get into your pants, what’s the difference from a date?”