The drive into Seattle to the Ballyhoo Club felt oddly like a death march. This could go one of two ways, and boy did I pray it was the favorable one. I cruised the lot a few times until a convertible pulled out of a space and I darted in before any of the others circling could nab it. One point for me! Is this a good omen?
I walked past the line stretching down the block and up to Minnie and touched her shoulder. She turned and shot me a genuine smile, “Crystal! It's been months again! I was confused when Beverly went in before you with a group in tow.”
I grinned at her. “Yeah, I'm just running a little late.”
She smiled and offered her standard teasing, “Still straight?”
I wanted to start giggling when she almost fell off her stool when I replied, “No. Not so much.” I had to steady her.
She looked at me with a huge grin on her face. “About damn time! So who's the lucky girl?”
I blushed and looked down shyly. “Well me... if Jane will have me.” The name Jane just sounded odd coming off my lips any time I said it. But that's who everyone knows Riley as here.
“She'd be crazy not to, Crystal. Now get in there and find your girl.” She motioned with her head to the club with a big grin.
I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks, Min.”
She beamed at me as I timidly entered Ballyhoo alone for the first time. Girls in line were booing me for getting in before them until Minnie snapped her steely gaze at them. I suppressed a giggle.
I caught myself marching to the bar, it was ingrained into me after so many times being here with Bev. I smiled to myself and continued to it, knowing there was a good reason to this time. As I slid up to the bar, Maggie saw me and came running over, squealing with excitement, “Oh my God! Crystal! This is so exciting! Everything is all set up for 8:00pm. Just twenty more minutes!”
She stopped to look into my panicked eyes. “Aren't you excited?”
I shook my head. “No. Terrified. What if she doesn't want me, Mags?”
She just rolled her eyes and smiled as she responded while she poured me a shot and slid it over, “She'd be crazy not to, Crystal. Here, liquid courage.” I slammed the shot back and put the glass down and she took my hand.
“It's all going to work out fine, I can feel it. Oh hey, here comes Bev with those old folks she's been towing around. Good luck, I'll have the mic ready for you at 8:00” She tilted her head toward Beverly's approach.
I gave her hand a squeeze and released it with a smile. “Thanks, Mags. You're a good friend.” She winked and went back to her other patrons.
The band was kicking a fun cover as Bevi dove into a hug when they reached me. “Kru! You didn't chicken out!” I laughed at her teasing.
My dad, to his credit, didn't seem to look uncomfortable or out of place at all as he flagged Maggie down. “Three long-necks please, young lady.” Maggie came over and grinned at him and served them up. Dad handed one to Ariel and mom.
My mom was blushing at the attention she was getting, there seemed to be lots of cougar hunters around. Ariel seemed to really be soaking up the attention, she laughed and yelled to me over the music, “Maybe Ri-ri-girl has the right idea here.” Then shot me a toothy grin before turning her attention to a twenty something girl and biting her lower lip like I've seen Riley do and wandering off to the dance floor with her. I laughed out loud.
Bev looked at me. “Time for one dance before showtime, Kru! Let's hit it!” She grabbed my hand and dragged me out to the middle of the crush and we lit it up. Hands above our heads, swaying and bobbing. She knew this would loosen me up. I love my best friend! I laughed and pointed when I saw my parent's dancing on the edge of the dance floor.
My eyes were scanning everywhere for Riley or Takara, I couldn't find them anywhere in this capacity crowd. I yelled to Bevi, “Have you heard from Tak?”
She shook her head sadly. “Nothing in the past hour. She said it was a hard sell to get her out partying. I haven't heard from her since.” I started to feel the anxiety building again.
The song ended and the lead singer caught my eye and nodded as a slow song started up. We left the dance floor and made our way to the bar. The parents were already there. I checked my phone, 7:58... just two minutes. Where is she? I kept scanning the crowd for those familiar eyes, my panic was rising.
I motioned to Maggie and she fished out the wireless mic and slid it over. Bev yelled to me, “I don't see them! You still going through with this?”
I smirked at her. “Have I ever done anything half way? I finish what I start, Bevi!” She gave me a sad smile, knowing I was right.
I jumped up onto the bar and the band stopped playing instantly pointing at the bar.
“How's everyone doing tonight?” I yelled into the mic. It was like an ocean wave as I watched everyone's heads swing back to the bar, they cheered in response, not knowing what was going on.
“Many of you know me, I'm Crystal James. My friend Beverly and I are pretty much fixtures around here.” There was more cheering. I continued, “Most of you know two things about me... and no, I don't mean my eyes!” This got a laugh from the crowd. I elaborated, “One is that I value my network of markers above all else! And the second is that I'm about as straight as they come!” This got mumblings of agreement.
“I want to share a little story with you before we talk about those two things! A lot of you know Riley, well you all know her as Jane.” This prompted more cheers. “Well the last time I was here over two months ago, she tried to pick me up.” There was some chuckling. “I quickly explained I was straight and was just here to be Bev's wingman.” I saw a lot of nods, most people knew this about me.
“Well Riley happened to imply that means I'd be a bad date anyway then.” There were some chuckles. “So we made a bet! We'd each get a chance to date the other. And whoever organized the best date won, and the loser had to get up here on the bar and admit that the other made them their bitch!” This got some deafening cheers.
I waited for the cheers to die down a bit. “Well, we danced the night away after that. And you know, a funny thing happened then. I had more fun that night than just about any other night in my life. I was starting to doubt the theory that I was straight, and she laid a kiss on me that still has me weak in the knees today! If I were to base it off of that night I would have already lost the bet.” More whistling, clapping and cheering erupted.
I smiled. “Well let me tell you that first date, I couldn't keep my eyes off her. At that point I couldn't have cared less about the damn bet. I had already fallen head over heel in love with that woman! It was like a fairytale. We shared some kisses that melted my soul.” The crowd was going wild at this. “But then she reminded me it was just a game.” This elicited a shared “Awwwww.”
I took a breath. “If only I had not been such a coward. I would have told her right there how I felt. But I was terrified she didn't feel the same. We shared almost every minute of free time we had between dates together after that. I felt a relationship growing like none I'd ever experienced. Yet time after time she brought up the bet. Time after time I was a coward.”
“She took me on her date and shared part of her world with me. I fell deeper in love, and my heart swelled for her. Her date blew mine away. But I was afraid she'd move on after our stupid dumbass bet was over! So I said there was no winner yet, just so I could spend more time with this fascinating woman.” I was scanning the crowd, I still couldn't see her, I glanced down and saw thew supportive looks from Bev and the old'uns.
“I shared my life with her. I didn't care who 'won', I just wanted her to know... me... then maybe she wouldn't leave.” I saw more than one tear stained face in the crowd as I tried to keep my voice from wavering .
“In all my fear, I didn't once have the courage to tell her until it was too late. She had left my life, accusing me of making her fall in love with me just to win an asinine game... that's the last I saw of her two months ago.” My voice hitched and tears w
ere threatening. There were sympathetic mumbles from the crowd.
“Well, if you know me you know I always finish what I started. Well, about that straight thing? I'm as gay as any lesbian can get for that Riley McKay! I'm so totally, one hundred percent, head over heels in love with that magnificent woman!” The cheers finally returned with a vengeance.
I was so nervous and filled with anxiety. I was tugging at my ponytail with a vengeance. “And I brought my parents here from San Jose, and her lovely mother from DC, to profess that in front of them!” The ladies were going wild.
“Now these are just words. I believe in deeds over words, so that second thing you all know about me... my network of markers...” I held up my cell phone and my blood went cold as I hit send on my email, “I just sent a mass email to everyone that owes me, canceling all markers!” There was a collective gasp from the people who knew me.
“This is to show that there is nothing... NOTHING that I love more than Riley. Now I'm just an ordinary girl, offering only herself to the woman she loves.” I was crying openly now.
“I hide in my safety net all the time, this ponytail that you never see down, my own little psychosis. But I want to bare myself to the world for her, I pulled the barrette off and let my hair fall around my shoulders.” I was sobbing now.
I untied my blouse and tore it off, displaying the pink shirt that read “Riley's Bitch” and I choked out with a smile, scanning the crowd in vane... she didn't even come. “I lost. I lost the moment she said hi. Riley McKay, the love of my life, made me her bitch!”
Everyone was going crazy as I jumped down sobbing. Ariel and Bevi were hugging me as the music started back up. I just set the mic on the bar and Maggie slid me shot with a sad look on her face and sympathy in here eyes.
I tossed it back and slammed the empty shot glass on the bar just as my cellphone buzzed. I looked down at it and stopped breathing at what I saw. Blazing away on the screen was a text message from the girl I loved [ bored ]. I sobbed again and hesitated, not knowing what to do... I swallowed my heart that had somehow made its way up into my throat and slowly typed out [ call me ]. A moment later I got another message [ turn around ].
I steeled myself and turned around... and standing no more than three feet away was the object of my desire, of my obsession. Riley, who appeared to be sobbing as much as I was, standing next to a grinning Takara.
I put my hand over my mouth and let the tears continue to fall as I reached out to her and she ran the few steps into my arms and we sobbed into each others shoulders then pulled back and kissed with a passion that I have never felt in my life. We broke the kiss and I stuttered out, “Hey girl. Why you so bored?” There was cheering all around us and another passionate kiss from her.
I broke our kiss, gasping for air and held her at arms length. “I really love you, Riley! Please know that!”
She was nodding and crying still. “I know, Cryster. I was so stupid. I'm so in love with you, too!” I was shaking my head and crushed our lips together in desperation.
When we broke our kiss again, she released me and turned to hug her mother then grabbed my hand possessively and laced our fingers together like they should always be and said, “Mom... this is the woman I love, Crystal Melody James.” Ariel just grinned at her and nodded then pulled us into a warm group hug.
I followed suit with the introductions, “Mom, dad... this is the only true love of my life, Riley Winfred McKay.” We got more hugs. I glanced over and laughed through my tears and pointed at Bevi and Takara making out like their lives depended on it. Riley's eyes went wide for a second before she laughed, too.
She suddenly gave me a sad look. “You destroyed your network for me...”
I smiled, shaking my head. “But I have you, don't I?” She smiled and nodded vigorously. I smiled back. “Then I got the better end of that deal.” This got me a knee buckling kiss that left me warm and tingly in all the right places.
She got a sly grin on her face and whispered in my ear, her hot breath causing goosebumps to run straight down my neck. “My place?”
I was feeling light headed now. My goddess wanted me. It was my turn to nod vigorously. And we slipped out of the club... abandoning our friends and family and not feeling any guilt over it, our lust overriding all else.
That had to have been the longest ten minutes of my life, getting from Ballyhoo to Riley's loft. Our hands always connected as she drove. We may have run a few red lights, I'm not sure... all I could see was her dazzling eyes and those lips that made me growl in hunger. My arousal was almost unbearable! I've never felt like this in my entire life!
We may have already been shedding clothing as we entered the door to her loft. As soon as it closed I grabbed her and slammed her up against it and attacked her delicious lips and neck. Nipping, sucking and kissing every available inch of exposed flesh. Reveling in her scent and the taste of her flawless skin.
She gasped out in arousal, “Oh thank God! I was worried you'd wind up being a pillow princess.” I laughed as I tore her shirt off, literally, right down the center and started kissing and nipping my way down the luscious valley, while my hands worked on her bra clasp.
My voice sounded husky and filled with lust as I rasped out, “You're going to swear that's what you are by the time I get my fill!” Her shocked face gave way to a haze of pleasure as I claimed what I've wanted for so long.
Chapter 14 – Life as We Know It
I have never woken up so, invigorated, so... alive, in my life. I looked at the most beautiful person I had ever seen, lying naked with me, our arms and legs intertwined there on the throw rug at the base of her bed.
I stifled a giggle, well... we almost made it to the bed in our four hour marathon lovemaking session. I was delightfully sore in all the right places. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the things we did with each other last night. It was a combination of something animalistic and something too beautiful for words.
I still can't believe this is real. She really loves me... we're together! I gently stroked her hair as I lazily drew featherlight tiny circles on her stomach with my fingertips. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled softly. “What a wonderful way to wake up.”
Then she looked into my face and locked eyes with me, I was getting lost in her swirling browns as she whispered in wonder, “It was real. You really are here... I love you so much, Cryster...”
I gave her a gentle kiss on the lips and laced our fingers, “I love you too, Riley.”
Then I giggled. “We really should probably get to my place. I'm sure our folks are wondering where we disappeared to.”
She snorted. “Or probably not.” Then we both cracked up and helped each other to our feet.
She leaned in and whispered, “You sure you were a lesbian virgin before last night? The things you did to me... nobody else comes close.” I blushed at this and nodded.
She led me into the bathroom and we showered... oh God what a shower... this woman is insatiable! Then we dressed for the day between touches. I put on one of her shirts. I could smell her scent on them, it was doing naughty things to me. Now I know what Tak was saying as I purred, “Mmmmm... it smells like you, now I'll be thinking about you all day!”
I shot a quick text to Bev [ on way home. 'rents mad? ] I got a quick response [ ^>o<^ ]. I shot back [ wtf? ] To which she replied [ scrunchie nosed wiggling eyebrows... duh kru ] I laughed. Then she sent [ dunno, they no surface frm 201 yet ]
We hopped into Riley's car and she cued up some girl bands for me and we sang the whole way home at the top of our lungs. Bobbing and swaying to the music. Our hands always connected, with my thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.
It took over five minutes to walk up the stairs of the condo as we stopped every other step to remind our lips why they were meant for each other. Riley's tongue was taking my speech last night to heart as it made mine its bitch.
As we hit the hall of the second floor I swear that I saw the girl that Ar
iel was dancing with last night get on the elevator with a very satisfied look on her face. Riley and I shared an “OMG” look as we made our way to the door of the condo.
I opened the door and we walked into cheers from our friends and family. Our parents, with Bevi and Tak, were all congratulating us for “Not being stubborn dumb asses.” anymore. It wound up being a nice pleasant day, catching up with the folks and just soaking up “family”. I didn't speak much, just about every time I did, Riley would find a discrete way to touch me and I'd clam up. Damn, she already knows how to control me... swoon! It was her new game.
My parents flew out that night. They caught a cab from the condo, giving all of us girls hugs and kisses goodbye. Ariel would be flying home in the morning. She did something over at the intercom, then came over and said her goodnights early and retired to 201. Was that the girl from last night again, hanging around at the end of the hall?
Bev and Tak snuck off to 'their' room and I laced my fingers with Riley and brought her slowly to my room. No words were spoken, we just got in bed and cuddled, staring into each others eyes until we fell asleep. That was a whole new layer of intimacy for me. It felt... just... right.
Morning brought the present of staring into Riley's eyes again. It felt like this was how every morning is supposed to be. I whispered, “I want to wake up to your eyes every day.”
She crinkled her nose. “That's exactly how I feel.” We laced our fingers and just sat there for a minute before we knew the day would have to begin.
On cue the door swung open and a super-sleepy looking redhead shuffled in and fell face down on top of us in the bed. Moments later, a super-sleepy looking Asian girl came shuffling in and fell face down on top of us too. She mumbled into the bedspread, “Mornin' girls.” We all cracked up laughing then savored the last minute of silence.
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