Twisted

by Christa Simpson

  "Hunter Wight. How's it going?" she said. Aliah left my side and walked right up to the attractive man, with dark hair and even darker eyes. She jumped into his arms like they were long lost lovers and his bulging biceps wrapped around her.

  When Aliah finally released his hard, muscled body, and lowered her legs to the floor, I checked her reaction unsure how to read this unusual situation. They stared, dazed, into each other’s eyes, ridiculous smiles on their faces. I came up blank. Aliah never talked about Hunter, so who knows where this guy fit into her life.

  "So when did you get so buff?" Aliah said, finally giving me a hint.

  He smiled arrogantly, acknowledging his accomplishment, but I didn't get the impression that he was an egotistical ass, like most of the muscle heads who worked out at the Westmount.

  "Come on now, I've always been buff."

  She snickered. Yes Aliah snickered. Then a huge, honest grin formed on her face. Oh, she had it bad.

  "I work here you know. Have for like six months now. I'm a personal trainer in my spare time," he said.

  "No way! I've been coming here for years. Can you believe I've been coming here for the past six months and never ran into him?" Aliah asked me, superficially shocked, but not expecting an answer. She couldn't remove her eyes from him.

  He poked her in the belly jokingly. "Maybe you should come here more often then," he said, teasing.

  Aliah absolutely had no need to be at the gym, being blessed with a petite frame and slim build. Now feeling the awkward silence, as they gazed all starry-eyed at each other, I turned toward the classroom, just as the door began to close. I know how mad Jasmine gets when someone comes in late and disrupts her class, and it looked like class was starting without us.

  "Well… I'm gonna go to class now," I said, interrupting their trance.

  Aliah huffed. "Yeah, I better go too, but it was nice seeing you Hunter. We should get together and catch up real soon," she said, batting her eyelashes.

  "Absolutely. Here, let me get you my card." Hunter swiftly headed for the reception desk and pulled a card from a hidden compartment. He scribbled a number on the back and reached it out to Aliah. “I put my cell number on the back. You can get me on there anytime.”

  Aliah flipped over the card and smiled, then turned it face up. It read: Rose Arbour Fire Department, Rescue Division. Aliah stared at the writing then flashed him an even more seductive smile. She was absolutely glowing. "I'm impressed," she said.

  I knew she was only saying what he wanted to hear, since she had a handful of hot firefighters waiting on her doorstep, but he didn’t know that. Her attraction to him was blindingly obvious and there was no doubt in my mind that their previous relationship was nothing more than friendship. Regardless, I was sure I’d be seeing this guy around again, if Aliah had anything to do with it.

  "I'm Abigail by the way."

  "Good to meet you Abigail."

  "It's nice meeting you too, and I do apologize, but I really have to go. Sounds like maybe I'll see you again soon."

  "Looking forward to it."

  That comment was blatantly meant for Aliah. He smiled at her once again and she wiggled her fingers in a cute little wave as we paced quickly to our class. Late.

  The warm-ups were in full swing and Jasmine flashed us an evil eye when we interrupted their count. "Nice of you ladies to join us," she exclaimed, scowling into the mirror for the whole class to see. We joined in at the back of the classroom, and stretched out our tight muscles.

  I knew I should wait, but I had a bundle of questions for Aliah. "What was that all about?" I finally asked her with a whisper.

  "I know right? Damn he looks good, eh? I haven't seen him in years. He’s really filled out."

  "Ladies," Jasmine called, raising her voice. She raised one eyebrow at us in disgust.

  We took the hint and zipped our lips.

  After class, Aliah told me that Hunter was a long-time friend of hers. Apparently they hadn’t seen each other in six or seven years. I didn't have to ask Aliah to know that she was attracted to him, now that he was all grown up and in his physical prime. By the time we had our yoga mats rolled up, I was convinced that Aliah was officially on a mission, and she wasted no time putting her plan into action.

  She exited the classroom ahead of me and came to a dead freeze in the hallway. "What is that bitch doing with Hunter?" Aliah’s eyes were red with rage.

  Of all people to interrupt her game, Maddison Walker was chatting Hunter up in the weight room. It was obvious to me that Hunter was only giving Maddison a private session, but Aliah didn’t seem to care why she was with him, only that she was. If it were physically possible, daggers would have been blasting from her eyes.

  "Maybe we should go," I suggested.

  "Yeah, let’s get out of here. I can't stand to watch that girl another minute," Aliah snorted. She pulled out the business card that Hunter had given her and looked it over carefully as we moseyed to the door. She flipped it over to make sure the cell number hadn't disappeared. I struggled to keep up with her as she heatedly rushed to her car. Sure enough, before she even got the key in the ignition, her cell was being drawn from her purse. I watched her feverishly press his number onto the keypad and wait impatiently as it rang off the hook.

  "Hey Hunter, it's me Aliah. I was actually calling because I have this party coming up. It's just a little promotion party for Abby's boss and I was thinking that maybe you'd want to come. It could be the perfect chance for us to hook up; I mean catch up. Anyways, give me a call back. Talk to you soon." She ended the call and slapped herself on the head. "I have serious issues. He is so going to see right through that message."

  "Transparent? Yes. But honestly Aliah, I don't think it's gonna be a problem. He seemed pretty happy to see you too."

  "You think? I hope so. He's so hot. I can't believe how much he's filled out. And that growly voice. It's so sexy." As I laughed at her obsessive remarks, she motioned her hands back toward the club. "I just have to invite him to the party before that witch does!"

  When I looked up, I saw Maddie already making her way toward us, her bag slung from her slim shoulder. I put the window down to be friendly.

  "Hey Maddie. What's going on?" I asked, though I knew exactly what was up.

  "Oh I just got done a really tough workout session with my new trainer. Did you see him? Damn he’s fine."

  I ignored the ghastly remarks Aliah made under her breath and nodded my head at Maddie smiling. "Yeah I saw you in there with him. He is cute.”

  "Cute doesn't even begin to explain it. I just wanted to touch his muscles. It's so distracting. Isn’t he gorgeous? I tell you, it's hard when you're trying to work out without sweating.” Her smile was wicked.

  Aliah’s narrowed eyes left no room for question. She was getting more annoyed by the second.

  "Well we have to get going,” I said. My car’s still at the office and we haven’t even eaten dinner yet. See you tomorrow?"

  “Kay, laters,” she said.

  Aliah put the car into gear and sped off rudely, before I even got my window up. "Ugh, can you believe her, ogling my man like that."

  "So he's your man now is he?" I teased.

  "You know what I mean. Besides, if I have anything to do with it, he'll be my man before the summer is over," she stated unmistakably.

  "Don't be the crazy lady, calling Hunter a million times. He will call you back."

  After a few minutes of bantering back and forth, I was getting tired of hearing her many ideas for plotting against Maddie. For once I was happy that Aliah was a wild driver. Before long, she pulled up to the office where my lonely car sat in the empty parking lot.

  "You really need to consider taking some anger management classes or something," I said, as I got out of her car.

  "Don't you start on me…" Suddenly her phone began to ring. She lifted her cell and a massive smile instantly formed on her lips when she saw the number. “Hah! He'll be mine sooner than you kn
ow!" she cheered, proud and buoyant. She answered her phone in a sweet tone, all too sweet for Aliah.

  Good luck, I mouthed leaning into the car. I nudged the door shut and retrieved my keys from my bag. She was busy and I’d give her some privacy.

  It was a cool night and so I zipped my pink yoga jacket to my chin the second I stood up. The sun had decided to disappear behind the clouds, making it feel even cooler yet, so I hurried inside my car and sped off toward home.

  At home, Edwin was hanging out in living room listening to music, already out of his suit. What a shame. I tiredly plopped on the couch next to him to hear about his first day. "And so?" I asked.

  "What?"

  "How was your day?" I asked. Obviously.

  "It was alright."

  "That's it? It was just alright?"

  "What do you want me to say? I had so much fun researching the Ontario Corporations Act today," he said sarcastically.

  I laughed and smiled. "Okay, okay.”

  "No it was good. Jake seems like a good guy to work for."

  "Jake? Nobody calls him that," I teased.

  "Well get used to it, because I do. He told me to call him that."

  "Whatever you say Eddie." I smirked at him as I undid my fitted jacket.

  Edwin, easily distracted, quickly changed the subject. "Look at you all sweaty."

  "Hey, I worked hard. What do you expect?"

  "Oh, don't get me wrong. It's hot," he said smiling. "I have to come check out your class some time and see you all shaking your asses. I hear your teacher is pretty hot too."

  I narrowed my eyes into a scowl that spread across my face, as Edwin humped the air, mocking our sassy dance class. "You're such a perv!” I got up from the couch and made my way to the fridge.

  Edwin followed me casually to the kitchen. "So I'm not getting in your way at work?"

  Oh, he’s suddenly concerned with what I think? "Please. I saw you for like two minutes. Besides, I like having you there."

  "Yeah, it’s hard not to like this,” he said, groping his own hard body.

  I rolled my eyes and guzzled a bottle of water.

  “No, I think I'm going to like it there too. My office is huge. At least it will be, once they get those damn boxes out of there."

  "Yeah, that room was originally built for an associate, but it's turned into more like a storage room. I don't know where Owen's gonna to put all those files."

  "What about that empty office near yours?"

  "Well, it may be empty now, but it won't be vacant much longer. Ever since Connor Stevens left, we're drowning in work. Owen has to hire on another lawyer like yesterday."

  "No shit. That sucks."

  "Yeah, especially for my social life. That's why I've been working so late these days."

  "I see you had time to hit the gym tonight though."

  "Hey, be fair. I need some me time. I haven't even eaten dinner yet!"

  "What are we having?"

  "What d’ya mean we? You're on your own Eddie boy.”

  "Come on. I haven't eaten either. We might as well go in on something."

  "Why don't you get us Chinese then?" I demanded, pressing my finger on his chest to poke him as I passed.

  "Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of your exercise class?" he teased, following me again.

  I twirled around instantly to face him and pushed him back. “Do you want to eat or not? I went to that class for fun. Now go order the damn food."

  "I'll order it, but why don't you come with me to pick it up?"

  "Aw, is Eddie feeling lonely?" I teased, flattening my hands on his chest and gently brushing my fingers across the solid muscles. It’s fun to play.

  His blue eyes darkened and his mouth widened with excitement, much like another body part awakened by the trickery. “Very,” he growled.

  "Too bad. You’ll have to go it alone. I want to get in the shower," I said, as I pulled away from him and peeled off my jacket. I started toward the bathroom and Edwin followed me like a lost puppy.

  "Okay. If I order the food now, we'll have time for that," he said, vulgar and certain. He stripped of his shirt in one swift motion and chased me up the stairs.

  "Has anyone ever told you you're obsessed?" I seriously wondered if he ever thought about anything other than sex.

  "Um, yes. You do all the time," he reminded me, looking up with dark dazzling eyes. His chest muscles flexed, capturing my attention and testing my resolve, but he made no move to continue up the stairs.

  Phew! “Not gonna happen,” I said, regaining my composure. I walked away, tearing my eyes from his delicious hand-out. Yes I want to touch. I am alive. "I'm having a shower. You're gonna get me some Chinese."

  I slipped into the bathroom and listened carefully. I was satisfied that he finally gave in when I heard him stomping down the stairs.

  "You're no fun!" he hollered, scooping up his shirt and pulling it back over his head.

  Good boy.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ~

  “TO CELEBRATE EDWIN JOINING the firm, I thought we could take trip to the beach,” Aliah had said.

  I suggested we make a weekend of it. As far I as I knew Edwin didn’t have anything planned for the long weekend and I could use a little R&R. She was all game, but another week passed before we found a free minute to do some planning.

  Finally, one night after work, we sat down in the office kitchen, sipping on iced cappuccinos and brainstormed ideas.

  "Grand Bend...Wasaga Beach? How far do we want to drive?" I asked, looking for Aliah’s input.

  Just then, Joshua Bailey hurried into the room and went right for the fridge. "Ladies," he greeted, with a nod.

  I smiled back and he yanked open the fridge door. Joshua Bailey was Aliah’s boss, one of the Partners at the firm. He was an interesting individual, comedic, not particularly handsome, but very dark and convincing. He was likely the man in his day, but that day had certainly passed.

  "What keeps you ladies here on such a lovely night?" he asked, once he escaped from the frosty depths of the fridge.

  "We were actually just talking about this trip we're planning for the long weekend. You and Emily are welcome to come along?" Aliah suggested, in an obvious attempt to play the goody-goody.

  It's true, his wife was youthful and amusing, but I couldn't fathom the thought of having them around for our entire weekend.

  A deep throaty laugh came from Bailey in response, instantly relieving my worry. "Thank you for the offer, but I think we're a little too old for that. You young ones go and enjoy yourselves. You don't need us old folkies slowing you down." He laughed again as he tossed his apple high into the air and caught it above his shoulder. "Have a good night ladies." He promptly stepped away and disappeared into the hall.

  I waited enough seconds to be sure that Bailey was a safe distance away before letting Aliah have it. "Are you kidding me Aliah, Bailey?"

  "What? I knew he would say no."

  "Ass kiss."

  Aliah didn't care. She shrugged her shoulders, unconcerned with what I thought of her.

  "So who all’s coming anyway?" I asked, anxious to hear the short list.

  "Let's see. Me, you, Hunter, Edwin and TJ," she said, tapping all of the fingers on one hand.

  "I thought we were making it six, three to each cabin. We've got room for one more."

  “Right,” she said hesitantly. The look on Aliah's face told me she was hiding something.

  “What is it?”

  "Hunter and TJ think we should invite Maddison. I think it's a bad idea," she said, unimpressed.

  "Please tell me you're joking."

  "Afraid not. You said it. We need another person to put three to a room. It'll be cheaper that way."

  "Or we could split the difference and save ourselves the suffering," I mumbled.

  "She can stay in the other cabin. It'll be fine," Aliah said. “We don’t even have to talk to her.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure that’ll go over we
ll.” I knew better than that.

  "So now that we have our six, we just have to work out the where. What are you doing for dinner?”

  "Why don’t you come to my place. We can Google it before making our decision."

  "Alright. Let’s get up out of here then. I’ve had enough of this place."

  Aliah decided to drive her own car over to my place, which is too bad for her because I was suddenly in a wicked good mood. She rode right on my tail most of the way home, until she couldn't handle five over the speed limit any longer. She pulled out into the traffic and passed me like the psycho that she is.

  I accelerated a little, just enough to keep Aliah's car in my sights, until I hit a red light. She was leaning against her car when I pulled up to my house, her arms folded over her chest.

  "What took you so long?" she called out impatiently, as I clambered to the front door.

  "You're a maniac," I said.

  She only smiled.

  AFTER A COUPLE OF hours of serious research, we were certain that we had found the place for us. With one more click, the Southwind Inn was as good as ours. It wasn't too far away and they had only two cabins left. It was meant to be.

  "This is going to be awesome," Aliah squealed with excitement.

  I was nodding my head at her when Edwin walked in the room.

  "What's up ladies?"

  "We just booked the trip," I said.

  "Right on." He slipped up behind me and glanced over my shoulder at the image on the computer screen. "Is that the place?"

  "Yup, the Southwind Inn."

  "You done good. I've heard good things about that place."

  Ali and I slapped hands in the air smiling.

  "So I was thinking," Aliah said, looking to Edwin, "since we had to get two places, what if the girls share the two bedroom and the guys share the other cabin?"

  "What?" What happened to getting Maddie far, far away from us?

  "That's good by me," Edwin said.

  "Why would you do that?"

  "I was just thinking: Do you want the guys pissing all over our toilet seat and farting up the whole place?" Aliah asked.

  She would know having lived with a family of four brothers. I guess Maddie wasn’t that bad. She was at least clean. "Well, you're in my bed then, because I will not share a room with Maddison."