Complications

by Mj Williamz

  “You taste like cheeseburger and salt,” she said.

  “And you taste like beer.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” Susan said. “I like it. You taste like you.”

  “So, what now?” Mel said as she nuzzled Susan’s neck.

  Susan gently pushed her away.

  “I think it’s time for me to get ready for my night.”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s right.” Mel acted like she’d forgotten. “Okay. Come on. I’ll get you home.”

  *

  Susan was sad to say good-bye to Mel. She’d had so much fun with her. But she had to believe she was going to have fun with Dorinda that night. Except she was so tired. She wished she had time for a nap. Maybe a quick nap in the tub, she thought.

  She ran a bath and sank into it. It felt so good. She was surprised how sore her muscles were from holding onto the surfboard. She relaxed in the warm water, and the next thing she knew, her phone was buzzing.

  She checked and it was Dorinda calling. It was time for their date. Shit!

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, you. I’ve been knocking on the door and there’s no answer. Are you home?”

  “Yeah. Sorry. I fell asleep in the tub. Let me get dressed and I’ll be right out.”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Sure. Give me a sec.”

  She grabbed a robe and put it on then went to the front door.

  “You didn’t have to put a robe on,” Dorinda said. “Not on my account.”

  “Very funny. Wait here and I’ll go get dressed.”

  She slipped into a skirt and blouse and walked out to meet Dorinda.

  “You look great,” Dorinda said. She pulled Susan to her and kissed her lips. “I almost don’t want to go out. Staying in sounds like a lot more fun.”

  “Come on. Let’s get out of here before you do something you’ll regret.”

  “I won’t regret anything, baby. Trust me on that.”

  “Seriously. Let’s go.”

  Dorinda released her grip on Susan and pouted as they left the house.

  “So, what do you have planned for our night out?” Susan said.

  “Dinner and a movie.”

  “Sounds romantic,” Susan said, though she was still stuffed from lunch. She’d do her best to eat something light for dinner.

  “I hope so,” Dorinda said. “And then back to your place for a nightcap.”

  “Dorinda. You know the rules.”

  “I also know she won’t know if we break them.”

  “But I will.”

  “We’ll see how the night goes,” Dorinda said.

  Susan was pissed. She felt like Dorinda wasn’t going to give up, and that really set her off. Rules were rules. And if she wasn’t going to sleep with Mel, she certainly wasn’t going to sleep with Dorinda. She bit her tongue though, as she got in Dorinda’s car.

  “So, what’s for dinner?”

  “A steak. I know how you love them. There’s a steak house here in town. Have you tried it?”

  “I’ve been a couple of times. Their food is really good. Wait a minute. What happened to being a vegetarian?”

  “Oh, I’m so over that. I’ve been craving a thick steak.”

  “Well, you won’t be disappointed.

  Dinner went well, but Susan could barely eat any of her steak. She was simply too full from lunch with Mel.

  “What’s wrong? Don’t you feel well?” Dorinda said. “I’ve seen you eat a half a cow before.”

  “I just had a big lunch,” Susan said.

  “I don’t believe you. I think you’re nervous about later on tonight.” Dorinda took Susan’s hands and looked her in the eye. “Don’t worry. It’s just like riding a bike.”

  Susan gently took her hands back. She didn’t say a word.

  Dorinda drove Susan to a movie theater in Somerset for a romantic comedy. Susan tried to relax and enjoy the movie, but all she was aware of was Dorinda’s arm wrapped possessively around her.

  They left the theater, and Susan’s stomach was in knots. She was hoping she wouldn’t have to fight with Dorinda. It had been such a pleasant night. She hoped Dorinda would just leave it at that. But when they got to Susan’s house, Dorinda turned the car off.

  “Thanks for a great night,” Susan said.

  Dorinda had one hand lazily draped over the steering wheel and her other arm on Susan’s seat. She leaned forward, and Susan sat still, ready for her good night kiss. Instead, Dorinda pushed her against her door and kissed her hard. She ran a hand over Susan’s breast and clamped down on it, hard.

  “Ouch,” Susan said. “You’re hurting me.”

  “Hurts so good, don’t it, baby?”

  “No,” Susan said. “Let me up.”

  Dorinda sat up. She opened her door and went around the car to open Susan’s.

  Susan didn’t like her being out of her car. She wanted a kiss good night and to be left alone.

  “Thanks,” Susan said as she got out of the car.

  Dorinda took Susan’s hand and led her to the front door. She kissed her again. It was a powerful, almost painful kiss.

  Susan did not have her usual response to a kiss. She was afraid, not aroused. And that wasn’t a good thing. She fought to push Dorinda off, but Dorinda was strong. She finally bit her lip.

  “What the fuck?” Dorinda said.

  “I wanted you to stop.”

  “No, you didn’t. Now open the door and let’s get down to business.”

  “No,” Susan said. “No sex. What part of that do you not understand?”

  “Come on. You know you want it.”

  “No.” Susan wondered how she would get out of the situation she was in. She needed to get rid of Dorinda, who clearly wasn’t taking no for an answer.

  “Look,” Dorinda said. “The only reason she wants that as a rule is because she knows she’s not as good as I am. She’s intimidated. She doesn’t want you to remember what real sex is like.”

  “That’s not true,” Susan said. “The rules are there for everyone. No sex means no sex. Not with you, not with her, not with anyone. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

  “No I won’t. I’m coming in. You’re not going to stop me.”

  “What are you doing, Dorinda? Do you really think this behavior is going to charm me into taking you back?”

  “Please, Susan.” Her tone softened. “Please, I need you.”

  Her hand was on Susan’s breast again.

  Susan brushed it away.

  “Stop it!”

  Dorinda seemed to come to her senses.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. It’s just that I need you so bad, Sus.”

  “Well, you’re not going to have me. Now go to your car. You can see me get inside safely from there.”

  “I’ll wait here.”

  “No, you won’t. You need to leave. Now.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m leaving. I’ll see you Monday?”

  “I’ll be there,” Susan said.

  “Maybe I’ll stop by Kindred Spirits to see you tomorrow.”

  “That would be fine.”

  Susan watched until Dorinda was in her car before letting herself into her house. She turned on the light and sat at the kitchen table. What was Dorinda’s problem? Why wouldn’t she take no for an answer? Susan buried her face in her hands and cried. She didn’t want to battle like this. She wanted to be able to have a nice, easygoing time with each of them. Dorinda didn’t want to play fair and that wasn’t right. She was also mean-spirited when she didn’t get her way. It brought back memories of when they were together. It had her questioning whether or not she really wanted to be involved with her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Mel woke up alone in her bed, and at once wondered how Susan’s date with Dorinda had gone. She hoped it hadn’t gone well at all, of course. She wanted this business with Dorinda over sooner rather than later. She really didn’t think Susan would go back to Dorinda, but she had to admit,
there was a little niggle of fear inside her that it just might happen.

  She got out of bed and poured herself a cup of coffee. She texted Joey to see what her plans were for the day. She was taking DJ to the playground, did Mel want to come along? Mel said sure. She’d meet them there in an hour.

  She took a shower and put on some nice shorts and shirt, since she planned on going by the bar to see Susan after playing with DJ. It wouldn’t matter if she got a little dirty. She was sure Susan would understand. Susan thought DJ was adorable. She wouldn’t mind a little sand on Mel if it meant she’d been playing with DJ.

  Joey and DJ were already playing when Mel showed up.

  “How you doin’ today?” Joey said.

  “Okay.”

  “Just okay? What’s up with that?”

  “Susan had a date with Dorinda last night.”

  “Ah. How did it go?” Joey said.

  “I don’t know. I won’t know until I see her at the bar.”

  “And you’re worried?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Look,” Joey said. “I’ve seen her with you. She’s crazy about you. I don’t know what she sees in a crazy ex like Dorinda, but I know she’s going to choose you. She’d be a fool not to.”

  “You’re my best friend. You’re supposed to say that.”

  “It’s the truth, Mel. Trust me on this.”

  Mel played with DJ, chasing him around the play structure and climbing through tunnels. She lifted him up so he could go down the slide. They played hard and finally DJ started getting whiny.

  “I’d better get him home for a nap,” Joey said.

  “Yeah. I’m going to head over to the bar.”

  “Good luck. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See ya.”

  Mel knew Susan still had four hours left on her shift, but she didn’t care. She wanted to see her and would gladly be a barfly for that long. She hoped to take her out after her shift, as well. She’d love to take her home, but knew the rules. Damned rules. She laughed. She’d made the stupid things up. And she didn’t want Susan sleeping with Dorinda, so it was worth it. Pretty much.

  She walked into the bar and her heart sank. There sat Dorinda, chatting amicably with Susan. Susan looked over and saw Mel. She came out from behind the bar to give her a hug. Mel hugged her tight and wanted to say “neener, neener, neener,” to Dorinda.

  “What have you been doing today?” Susan said.

  “Playing with DJ.”

  “Oh, how fun. I really want to spend some more time with him. He’s such a little cutie.”

  “Yeah, he is.”

  Mel took a seat close enough to Dorinda so Susan could talk to both of them, without having to actually sit next to her. When Dorinda excused herself to use the restroom, Mel took advantage of her absence.

  “So, has she asked you out for tonight?” Mel said.

  “No.”

  “Would you like to go out with me tonight?”

  “I’d love to.”

  “Great,” Mel said. She felt immediate relief. She didn’t know if she’d be able to get through another night of Dorinda alone with Susan. Yes, realistically she could, but she didn’t like it.

  Dorinda was back. The conversation was stiff among the three of them. Susan was clearly uncomfortable, but Mel wasn’t going to leave. There was no way she was missing out on any time with Susan.

  The bar got busy, and Susan had to waitress.

  “You know she’s going to choose me,” Dorinda said. “You may as well give up.”

  “We’ll see how tonight goes,” Mel said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, we’ll see how our date goes tonight.”

  “I’m taking her out tonight,” Dorinda said.

  “How do you figure?”

  “I just assumed. It’s one of my free nights. She’d rather go out with me.”

  “Well, I asked her and she said okay.”

  “She’s confused. Clearly, she didn’t realize I already had plans for us.”

  “Did you tell her that?”

  “No, like I said, I assumed. She’ll change her mind when she hears, though.”

  “I doubt it. She and I are going out.”

  The look Dorinda gave Mel chilled her to her bones. Not because she was afraid of her, but the depth of anger was unhealthy. And Mel knew it had been directed at Susan in the past. She’d kill Dorinda if she hurt Susan again.

  Susan’s shift finally ended. Susan took her apron off and joined the women on the other side of the bar.

  “You ready?” Mel said.

  “Sure.”

  “I actually made plans, so you’re going to have to take a raincheck with Mel,” Dorinda said.

  “Mel asked me out. You didn’t. I had no idea you had plans.”

  “Well, I’m telling you now. So, say good night to Mel and we can get going.”

  “And I’m telling you. I’m going out with Mel. Sorry, Dorinda. Next time, let me know and I won’t make other plans.”

  “That’s bullshit,” Dorinda said. “You should have known I would want to take you out.”

  “How?” Susan said.

  Mel stood watching the exchange. She didn’t know what to do. It was really up to Susan to stand up for herself, but Mel wanted to step in and put Dorinda in her place.

  “Because I sat here all day with you. You had to have known I wanted to take you out.”

  “Not if you didn’t ask her,” Mel said.

  “Shut up. This is between me and her.”

  “Actually, I’m involved, too, because I’m taking her to dinner and I’m starving. So, say your good nights so we can get going.”

  Susan went to hug Dorinda, who instead kissed her hard on her mouth. Mel watched in disgust. But it was when Dorinda’s hand closed over Susan’s breast that she refused to stand around and watch. She walked over and broke them up. Dorinda’s gaze bored into hers, while Susan pulled away fighting tears.

  “Look what you did to her,” Mel said.

  “That’s the thing about that one,” Dorinda said. “She doesn’t always know what’s best for her.”

  “I think she does.”

  “You don’t know her,” Dorinda said. She turned to Susan. “I’ll see you tomorrow night?”

  “I’ll be there,” Susan said.

  They watched as Dorinda left.

  “Are you at all hungry? Or is your appetite gone?” Mel said.

  “No, she’s gone. I could eat. Can we have crepes?”

  “We can have whatever you want.”

  “Thanks, Mel. I appreciate it.”

  Mel took her hand and walked her out to her car.

  “I’ll meet you there?” Mel said.

  “Sure. And, Mel?”

  “Yeah?”

  Susan pulled her in for a kiss. It was gentle at first, but soon grew more passionate. Mel had to pull away.

  “That was nice,” Susan said.

  “Yeah, it was. We should get going now.”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you there.”

  *

  Susan was happy to be with Mel again. She was really not sure about seeing Dorinda anymore. She was showing signs of the woman Susan had left. She was scaring Susan. But Susan had made this decision to see both of them, and she would see it through until she was sure one woman owned her heart over the other.

  She arrived at the restaurant, and Mel was already there. She opened Susan’s door for her and took her hand with a questioning look in her eye. Susan smiled at her to let her know it was okay to hold her hand. In fact, she really liked it. It made her feel safe and secure.

  They went into the restaurant and the hostess smiled at them in a knowing way. Mel blushed and Susan smiled. Mel was so cute when she blushed. They were seated at a table.

  “What are you all smiles about?” Mel said.

  “You blushed big time when the hostess smiled at us. And you’re so damned cute when you blush.”

  Mel blus
hed deeper then, and Susan smiled wider.

  “You’re proving my point.”

  Mel grabbed her menu and hid behind it. Susan reached out and lowered it.

  “I’m just teasing you, you know.”

  “Oh, I know. I’m okay with it.”

  “Oh, good. I’d hate to offend you.”

  “Nah. Don’t worry about that. I’m pretty thick skinned.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  They ordered dinner and talked pleasantly. Susan was careful to keep the subject off Dorinda, and Mel seemed to be fine avoiding her as well. They talked about DJ and Samantha and Joey, and soon dinner was there. They ate and talked and laughed, and Susan was sad when the meal came to an end. She really enjoyed her time with Mel and hated that it was over. Mel walked her out to her car.

  “I had a great time tonight,” Mel said.

  “Me, too.”

  “I guess I should be going.”

  Susan’s stomach was in knots. She knew what she wanted, but was she strong enough not to jump Mel’s bones?

  “Come over to my place?” she said.

  “I don’t know,” Mel said. “Would that be wise?”

  “Sure it would. We’ll just have another drink and then you can go.”

  “Susan, I don’t know…”

  “Please? I don’t want this night to end.”

  “Okay,” Mel said. “I’ll see you there.”

  Susan was excited as a girl on her first date. She was so happy to have the night continue. She really didn’t want it to end. She pulled up in front of the house, and a few minutes later, Mel was there. Susan opened the door and walked in. Mel closed the door behind her and Susan was in her arms. She kissed her softly, tenderly, then passionately. Mel fought the urge to respond, but it was too strong. Without breaking the kiss, she walked Susan back to the couch. She sat down and pulled her next to her.

  Susan seemed to float out of her body and stare down at the two of them. She came back to herself and slowly disengaged from Mel. Mel turned to face forward and grabbed her knees. She closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Susan’s voice shook with desire. But rules were rules, right?

  “Yes, please. I’d love a beer.”