Under Contract (The GEG Series)
Page 25
Shaking my thoughts away, I feel around Purp with my right hand trying to find the magic rodeo buttons. Finally! “You got eight seconds, Purp. I’m gonna time this shit!” The rabbit ears are working a good rhythm at my clit. It’s time to disco, do the hustle, shake my groove thing—whatever! Let’s see what this bad boy can Holy ... mother ... of ... God!! “Oh hell fucking yeah!!”
Seven seconds flat.
You know what I’m talking about.
I may be whimpering a little as I come down from this. My toes are still curled almost as if they know just to stay that way cuz’ I ain’t done! I calm my breathing, gathering energy up for the next round. Everything is finally quiet in my head.
Then ... I hear it.
Brzzzjrrr.
I close my legs a little.
Bbbrrzzzzjerrrrzzz.
And suddenly I feel like Betty Cocker (Yes, I said Cock-er) getting busy mixing a cake in here. Why do they have to make these things so loud? I mean—oh ... oh, holy fuck of all fuckkkkerrrs! I’m not even holding it! Shhhhit! Yessss!
Ding!
Cake’s done!
I immediately turn Purp off, otherwise, I won’t be able to walk today! This thing is lethal! I love it!
***
I barely walk through the door of my shop and the phone is already screaming at me! “Bark Avenue, this is CiCi, how can I help you?”
“Did you lose your fucking cell phone again?” Julie asks. Fuck she sounds annoyed!
“No! I just don’t have it attached to my ass like some people I know. What’s the matter with you?” I glance down at my appointment book then up at the clock. This bitch has fifteen minutes for me to solve her problems.
“What’s the matter with me?” She does that sarcastic laugh that makes me want to throat punch her. I’m not really a violent person—just pms-ing. “Let’s see!” Oh boy. “My best friend, who tells me everything, forgets to mention a certain rich, hot as fuck, CEO-type dude she’s met. Same dude who ruffled her feathers so much, I’ve barely heard from her in three weeks since said event!”
“Dude,” I sigh.
“What?”
“I talked to you yesterday.”
“So?”
“I have hung out with you just about every other day!” Bitch just lost ten minutes! I’m not in the mood for this shit.
“So?”
“So ... what the fuck are you talking about?” I throw my free hand out before using it to shove the swinging door open to my back room.
“Just because you are here doesn’t mean you are fucking present. What is going on with you? What happened?” Her tone dials it up a notch.
“Julie, I can’t do this right now. I have a client coming in any minute.” I grab the shampoo bottles.
“It’s a dog—not a client!” she yells.
“Dogs are my clients and they’re people, too. Stop acting like they don’t matter.” I grab the brushes.
“They are dogs you Asswhore—not humans!”
“You know what I mean.” Nobody ever understands the way I feel about animals. They don’t suck. People suck. Well, except for Buddy, that dog sucks—the life out of me!
“Whatever. We’re going for drinks tonight and I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth or so help me God ...”
“Ok, Judge Judy. Now will you shut the fuck up and let me get to work?” I head back out to the front as I hear the bell.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m only doing this because I love you.” She claims.
“You’re only doing this because you’re a nosy bitch,” I say quietly and wave to my customer. “And I love you, too. Bye, bitch!”
“Bye!” she says in her usual carefree tone. I hang up. She thinks she’s won but there is no way in hell that I’m going to talk to her about Kyle. No way!
“Hey, CiCi, I hope you didn’t get off the phone on my account.” Addie smiles as she brings Pearl up to the counter. Pearl is a two year-old Pug and she’s just, well ... a pearl!
“Oh, no, not at all. You actually saved me from my medaling best friend.” I say with a sigh of relief. “Hello there, Miss Pearl. Are you all ready to get the royal treatment?” I lift her into my arms. She answers with an assertive licking of my face.
“She loves spa time with CiCi.” She gives Pearl’s head a little scratch. “How are the numbers coming along for the fundraiser?” she inquires and my heart sinks.
“Slow, but I’ve added more advertisement. I’m going to see if my sister’s boyfriend will help me out. I’m sure he’ll be able, too.” Bastard better after the way he fucking treated me!
“That’ll be good. I know I’ve been driving people nuts about it. They just don’t understand how much the shelters need their help. Most people think about people and not these defenseless little dolls.” Addie says sadly. She speaks the truth. I’d do anything for these little guys—all animals, really. Even Buddy—that little fucker! That’s why I’ve teamed up with Addie every year to raise money. Sometimes twice a year. I try to do as much as I can. Being a small business owner that curtails to animals does help in reaching the right people to get to our goals. However, with the economy being the way it has been; it’s been rough. Not only are people bringing their animals in less to get groomed they are actually giving them up to these very shelters that we are trying to help maintain.
“You look tired today, Addie.” I cock my head a bit to the side.
“I am.” She nods slightly. “I had to let go of another person and I’m just not getting the volunteers that I used to. I’ve been working more hours lately.” She holds back on her frown a bit. Addie never complains about nothing. She’s got the heart of gold, that woman. She’s one of the very few people I like. I suppose I could say she’s one of the very few people who like me!
“What day could you use me the most?” I ask.
“Oh, Ceese, I couldn’t—”
“You didn’t. I’m offering. I want to! What day?” I ask again.
“You are an angel. You know that, right?” Her smile hits her bright blue eyes as she grabs my hand and squeezes it. She really doesn’t know me that well. “Whatever day you find the time, dear.” She pats my hand.
“Ok. I’ll call you and let you know when I can head over.” I pull away slightly. I have a hard time getting compliments. It freaks me out. Maddie calls it Doxophobia. I told her ‘Well at least I don’t have Dicksaphobia! That would suck!’ She said, ‘Seriously, what would you do with your mouth then? You’d have to pick up a nasty habit like smoking or something!’
“CiCi? You alright?” Addie breaks me out of my thoughts.
“Oh yeah, sorry.” I smile. “Well, Miss Pearl should be ready for you by two but you know she can stay here with me till I close up.” I hug Pearl to me.
“Good, I’ll be back around five.” She smiles and scratches Pearl’s head again before heading out.
I head in to my back room again or le spa, if you will, and set Pearl down in the pen. I want to send Mitch a text before I get started on her. Fucking bastard owes me!
To the three little amazing people in my life who keep my head spinning and my heart and my mind growing—thank you! It’s an honor and privilege to be your mother. I love you.
Thank you to my family and friends who have supported and encouraged me on this crazy ride.
A huge hug and crazy dance for my street team (The G-Team), especially the room’s frequent flyers: Wendy C., Heather, Leeann, Tammy, Karen S., Christ, Debbie, Jen, Jamee, Jennifer, Anna, Amy, Nicola, Janet, Natalie, Wendy S and Claire!
Crap, I hope I didn’t forget anyone!
I hope you girls always know how much I appreciate your love and support! I cherish you and the friendships we have built! I hope I did you proud with this book!
I have been so blessed to not take this journey alone. Wendy Shatwell and Claire Allmendinger, you both have been my rock. You’ve helped me wipe away tears of frustration and have caused me many tears of laughter! Little did I know,
when I signed you on to do my promotions (almost a year ago), that I would gain two of the dearest friends I could’ve ever asked for! What a bonus! I love you ladies! :)
Speaking of friendships, there’s a few authors that I would love to thank for theirs!
Olivia Luck and Courtney Cross, since before the beginning, you both have been there, cheering me on and being the best sounding board whether about book life or real life. Thank you! I love you girls!
Fifi Flowers, sometimes the strangest things happen that end up unifying people into a friendship that may never had blossomed without it. Here’s to strange things, lady! I cherish you!
And finally ...
T.J. Tims—my soul sister, words can’t describe what your friendship means to me. Besides, you’re probably already thinking what I want to say (cuz’ that’s how we roll!). lol. Having you as a friend has been nothing short of a blessing!
Thank you to Jess Huckins, my editor, who has been with me since book one (brave soul). I wouldn’t be able to do this without you. Also, our side notes are epic and should have their own book! I love you and am so happy to add “friend” to your title.
Thank you to Robin Harper at Wicked by Designs for another kickass cover!
Stacey Blake is the lady who magically puts all my words in every book format out there. And yes, I do believe it’s some sort of magic at play here (I wouldn’t have a clue on how to do this!)! Thank you so much for your beautiful work and friendship! I can’t wait to see how pretty you make this one!
And last but not least ...,
I want to thank all of the fans (new and old) and bloggers! Your constant support and excitement adds so much fuel to my fire! I hope you know how much I appreciate it. A special thanks to Rebecca, Annette, Joely, Kaitlin, Lheanne, and Rae for all of the pimping you do for me! It brightens my day to put those three hearts in the comment section! ♥♥♥
I hope that you all will continue on this journey with me!
I am a domestic engineer (born and raised in New Jersey) whose sole responsibility is guiding three young, impressionable kids into becoming phenomenal adults. This challenging yet rewarding work requires a lot of love (coffee), patience (wine), and determination (periodic exorcisms). I work all of this magic from the beautiful state of New Hampshire.
Before becoming a domestic goddess (not really), I spent over a decade working in the medical field, where I wore more hats than the queen.
I have loved the written word and the great escape it provides since I was a little girl. When I wasn't reading about people and the places they lived, I created my own characters and adventures.
Having found myself again, through my writing, with The Lost & Found Series, The One, and The GEG Series, has been nothing short of a dream come true. Also, it makes people feel better when I laugh randomly or talk to myself, knowing it's my characters and not "the voices" . . . that would be creepy.
Want to see what I’m up to? You can stalk me here at these spots!
Twitter: @JacquelynAyres
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Spotify: Under Contract
Other Books by Jacquelyn Ayres
The Lost & Found Series
Goodbye Caution
Goodbye Secrets
Goodbye Uncertainty
The One