Once In A Blue Moon

by Celia Stewart

  The more he watched himself slide in and out of her hot silky depths, the more turned on he became. Bettina had a fist in her mouth and clutched the headboard with her other hand, a frown of intense concentration on her face.

  He leaned over her and pushed her hair out of his way, wrapping his hands around hers. She panted, her eyes rolled back in her head while he danced, and stroked, and fucked her, nibbling on her shoulder as he watched her every reaction, searching for what would push her over the edge again.

  He wanted to feel her come on his cock.

  In return she crooned to him, her words music to his ears. She told him how good he felt. How he filled her. How close she was. She wore away that last inch of restraint and he thrust harder and deeper, spurred on by her encouraging cries and her hips bucking against his. She was so close he could taste victory.

  “Yes.”

  Just a little further.

  “Yes, Ty!”

  A little more.

  “Like that ... more.”

  There! Sweet Jesus! She gripped him like a vise as her own orgasm hit, dragging him down with her. “Yes, Bee!”

  She moaned something almost indecipherable into the pillow and shook with sobs beneath him.

  He shuddered, trying to shake off the fog of his climax while he silently eased over onto his side, taking her with him. Warmth pooled in his chest and spread outward. He thought she’d said she loved him, but maybe it was the beer. Or maybe she regretted her words.

  Her sobs turned to sniffles, and he propped himself on one elbow and smoothed her hair back from her face.

  “Bee, you okay, baby?”

  “I’m fine.” She gave him a watery smile that he didn’t buy for a minute.

  He pressed a soft kiss on her shoulder. She wasn’t fine. Before he could probe deeper, sleep claimed him.

  * * * *

  Bee woke him again in the middle of the night and they made love again. But there was nothing gentle about their second encounter.

  Then the alarm roused him at five. Ty fumbled around until he slapped the snooze button. As much as he didn’t want to, he had to get up. If he didn’t, Tim would come hunt him down.

  He threw on his clothes, brushed his teeth--twice to get rid of the beer taste--and took something for his headache, refusing to call it the hangover it most probably was.

  Outside, the early morning chill slipped beneath his coat and raised a shiver down his spine. He met Tim at the barn and after exchanging mumbled greetings they silently fed the stock. Frankly, Tim didn’t look any better than Ty felt. By the time the sun made its appearance they’d finished up and were headed to Ty’s to cook breakfast--Tim had forgotten to buy groceries again. As they crossed the back yard, they waved at Momma who smiled, shaking a metal spoon at them.

  “We’ll just leave Zander to Rene’s cooking,” Ty said as they passed Tim’s place.

  “Hah!”

  They slipped inside Ty’s darkened house and kicked their work boots off at the front door.

  “What the hell is all that?” Tim asked, pointing to a pile of women’s shoes.

  “Apparently, Bee has a really bad habit...”

  “I’ll say.”

  In the kitchen, Ty put on fresh coffee and set to work scrambling eggs while Tim made toast.

  “How're things going?” Tim asked from his position in front of the toaster. “Any better?”

  “Yeah. Things are good.” He knew Tim was referring to their last early-morning talk. But now he needed to vent and needed advice.

  The toaster popped. “Just good?”

  Ty thoughtfully pushed the egg mixture around the skillet so it wouldn’t burn. Tim would at least be straight up. Ty just didn’t want Bettina waking up and hearing them talk about her. He leaned against the stove, keeping one eye on the eggs and another on his brother. “She said she loved me, I-I think.”

  Tim turned around and eyed him, his expression solemn.

  “We were ... um, you know.” The sudden heat in Ty’s face had nothing to do with the stove.

  “Making love?” Tim asked softly, his expression serious.

  Ty slid the frying pan to a cold burner and dished up their breakfast. “I’m not even sure I heard her right after all that beer last night ... but I love her,” he softly added.

  “Is that necessarily a bad thing, Ty?”

  “I didn’t mean to sound like it was ... but I dunno. Is it too soon?” The only other woman he’d ever loved had done her best to prove what a poor judge of character he was.

  With a sigh, Tim threw buttered toast on both their plates. “Maybe you should just say a silent ‘thank you’ that this time you’ve got someone to love you the way you deserve.”

  “To love me? You think she meant it?”

  “Well, in my vast and superior experience, that’s not a time made for lying--even to yourself.” Tim’s grin returned as he grabbed forks from a nearby drawer and handed Ty one. “Call it what you will, but you have feelings for her. You love her. Stop and think for a minute. Betti’s not the type to act on a whim, so why did she marry you?”

  Ty nearly overfilled his coffee cup, then set the pot down with a thunk and a sigh. He’d never stopped to consider why Bee had married him.

  “What?” Tim nudged him with an elbow.

  “A year ago I never would have imagined being here, like this.” So maybe she did love him. But he still had to tell her about the abuse. The thought of that discussion made him consider skipping breakfast, but it couldn’t be put off much longer.

  “I suppose it all comes down to one thing.” Tim nudged him out of the way and filled his own cup.

  “What?” While he waited for Tim to continue, Ty added his usual three spoonfuls of sugar to his over-full cup. His eyes tracked the grains as they slipped off the spoon. As if sweetening his coffee was life altering.

  “Are you happy?”

  He didn’t even hesitate. “You know, what I had with Rhea...” he waved the thought away with his hand, “--fuck that. With Bee, we can talk. She makes me feel ... like I’m ... everything,” he finished softly, frowning up at his brother. “I can’t explain it. I just know it.”

  “She ain’t Rhea.” Tim nudged him and they took their breakfast to the table.

  “Absolutely not.”

  * * * *

  “Who the hell’s that?” Ty and Tim stood on the front porch watching a red sports car zip up the road.

  “Friend of Zander's?” Stepping off the porch, Tim recovered his sleep-mangled hair with his ball cap.

  “Did he mention bringing anyone?” Ty followed, wrapping his arms around himself and wishing he’d grabbed a jacket.

  The little car pulled even with them and the window lowered. Jet-black curls, a snug red turtleneck, pouty red lips and green bedroom eyes. The eyes clinched it. She had to be Angelina.

  “I’m looking for my sister.”

  Bingo. Her voice was even similar. But how two sisters could look so different and yet so alike was beyond him. “She’s asleep.”

  “You’re Ty Boudreaux, ain’t you?”

  “You learn to talk like that in college?” he teased. She didn’t look amused. “Park it and I’ll wake her up.”

  Ty and Tim said their good-byes while she maneuvered her Eclipse behind Bettina’s Mustang. Ty watched her climb out, smiling at her worn jeans and crepe soled boots.

  Definitely not his ultra-feminine, paisley-loving Bettina.

  He turned toward the house, pulling up short at the sight of his wife standing at the front door, one of his flannel shirts thrown over her nightgown. Judging by the frown on her pale face, she wasn’t a happy camper.

  “What the hell do you want, Angi?”

  “To talk.”

  “Coffee’s less than an hour old,” Ty threw out, hoping to distract the two very unhappy looking ladies. He was literally caught in the middle with Bettina at the door and Angelina behind him.

  “I could use some. I haven’t slept all night.”
Angelina drew even with him on the sidewalk.

  “Must have been that party I heard when I called you,” Bettina snapped.

  “I knew you’d act like this! Should’a saved my damn gas!”

  Ty silently climbed the steps and hugged Bettina. “Why don’t you bring her in the house and y’all can talk where it’s warm.”

  “I’ll handle my sister.”

  He drew back at her sharp tone. “Fine, I’ll be inside.”

  “You tell him, Mommy.”

  As Ty headed in the house he heard Angi say, “You look like shit, by the way.”

  Bee wanted to handle her sister, fine. But he’d stay close, in case things got too bad. The morning had turned very ugly.

  He left the door cracked and leaned against the wall, listening.

  “Did you come to gloat, Angi?”

  “About what? See! See! This is why I didn’t tell you!”

  “Why did you call him?!”

  Him who? Ty frowned at the floor.

  “Because he’s my dad!”

  “The hell you say! He’s not your dad. Your dad left us when you were still suckin’ your thumb.”

  Oh, hell! Ty winced again at the shouting and debated whether to step in or not.

  “No, your dad walked out. He’s still my dad and I want to know him.”

  “Why? He sure as hell didn’t want you when Mom died!”

  “That’s a lie! He said he wanted me and you said no!”

  “He’s the liar...”

  Ty flung open the front door, stepping outside. “That’s enough.”

  He held up both hands, hoping they’d stop long enough for him to get a word in edgewise. Both of them turned to look at him with blotchy, red, tear-streaked faces.

  “Come on, both of you, in the house.” Angelina opened her mouth and he pointed at her. “No. Enough! In the house.”

  “Fuck this. I’m outta here.”

  “Get your butt in this house, young lady!” He felt Bettina jump against him and tightened his grip. “You don’t disrespect your sister. Do you understand me?” He stepped aside, dragging Bettina with him, and pointed.

  Angelina stamped up the steps, her crepe soles reverberating on the wood porch.

  “Ty, I can handle this.” Bettina patted his chest, her words barely above a whisper. Sure she could. That’s why she had tears running down her face and a runny nose.

  “Yeah, like you handle everything else,” Angi snapped as she passed them, stepping across the threshold.

  Bettina lunged for her sister and he pulled her back against him. “What?” she huffed, her lip quivering.

  All her sass and snap was gone. Ever since the sonogram she’d been real touchy. He’d never seen her so upset, her eyes so sad--except for last night--and apparently Angelina had been the cause of it.

  He gently wiped the tears from her face while he scolded. “Don’t snap at me and calm your ass down. This ain’t good for you or the baby.”

  “Guess he told you.” A smirking Angelina stood right inside the door, arms crossed.

  “What did I tell you about disrespecting my wife? And get your boots off, you’ll ruin the carpet.”

  Bettina chuckled and leaned her head against his chest. One last squeeze and he led her in the house, shutting the door behind him. It’s a wonder his family hadn’t come to see what all the hollering was about. “Have a seat.”

  Angi flopped on the sofa and Bettina curled up in the chair-and-a-half. Where the hell was he gonna sit? He looked from one woman to the other, choosing the edge of coffee table, so he could see them both.

  “Alright, why are you screaming at your pregnant sister?”

  “I’m tired of her telling me what to do!” Angelina scowled, waving a hand at Bee. She reminded him of Rene having one of her fits.

  “Fine...” Bettina curled up even tighter, drawing her legs up beneath her.

  “Bee.” She stopped in mid-sentence at his frown. Being in charge--and caught between two headstrong women--was more nerve wracking than a session with Dr. Ritter.

  Ty slowly exhaled, counting to ten. He felt like a tennis ball, but he wouldn’t let Angi upset Bettina any more than she already had. “And you’re upset because she went to see her father?”

  “Not yet, I didn’t.”

  “You’re upset because she wanted to see her father,” he corrected himself.

  Bettina gave a little nod.

  “Because he didn’t help you with Angi when your mom died?”

  “He ... not really.” She sniffled, the last of her tears drying up.

  “What do you mean ‘not really’?” Angi snapped.

  “Angi.” Ty’s head swung around. “Did you see that big brand new barn when you pulled in? The one by the pink house?” She nodded, and he continued, “Would you like to clean it?”

  “I know my way around a pitchfork,” she sassed with raised eyebrows as she looked him up and down.

  Caught off guard, Ty barked with laughter, then turned back to Bettina, his tone much softer. “What did you mean by ‘not really,’ baby?”

  “I told him about Mom dying, and that I had a scholarship and asked him what he wanted to do with Angi. He said ... he had two kids of his own to raise. Then he just sat there behind his big, black, shiny desk in his big, fancy office looking at me.” She scowled down at her hands, then looked at her sister, more tears filling her eyes. “I never told you any of this, Angi, because I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  “That doesn’t give you the right to be a control freak and try to run my life!”

  “I am not a control freak!”

  “Yes you are!” Angi snapped, leaning forward.

  “I pay for your college, young lady. I think that gives me some say so.”

  She paid her sister’s college, too? No wonder she was so bent out of shape. Ty slowly ran a hand through his hair, trying to take it all in.

  “Daddy said he does.” With that, Angi pursed her lips and crossed her arms and legs. As if that settled matters.

  “Daddy? Daddy?! Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said about Daddy? He’s a sleaze-ball who kicked us to the curb for a trophy wife and a Benz!” By now Bettina had uncurled herself and leaned forward, shouting at the top of her lungs.

  “Hey!” He resisted the urge to duck, pointing at Angi instead. He could almost see the words hovering on the tip of her tongue. “One ... one more. One more word and you can trot your ass to the big barn.” He turned to Bettina. “Finish.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Bee, the truth, no matter how bad, is better than a lie.” Dr. Ritter strikes again. He swallowed a chuckle and a twinge of guilt. He had his own sins of omission to clear up.

  She took a deep breath and fiddled with her fingers before continuing, eyes raised to meet her sister’s. “He said he’d send me to some sort of trade school and give me five grand to start my own business.”

  “And,” Ty gently prodded. He knew there had to be more.

  Bettina sighed and continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’d only pay me Momma’s child support and only until you were thirteen. Then we were on our own. Sink or swim, no handouts, ‘cause he wasn’t the welfare office so don’t come knock on his door, even if hell had froze over. Those were his exact words, Angelina.”

  “You’re a fucking liar, Bettina! If this is all true, how come I didn’t know you had a scholarship?”

  “Because I never told you, Angi,” she said softly, her eyes locked with her sister's.

  “So you made the ultimate sacrifice for me.”

  Ty glared at Angi, angry at her lack of sensitivity.

  “I did what I had to!” She swiped away a tear. “I can’t believe I didn’t raise you better than ... why the hell would you think he was paying for your college?” Bettina demanded.

  “He said he sent you money for my school.”

  “He’s a liar, and you ain’t my sister. No sister of mine would be that damned gullible!”

 
“Bee,” Ty scolded softly.

  “Well! Why Angi? Why all the sudden did you feel the need to contact Mr. Blanchard?”

  Angi leaned back, as if to escape her sister’s temper. “I just thought it was time I got to know him.”

  “After twenty-two years?” she snapped.

  Bettina was jealous, he realized, and scared that she’d lose her baby sister, who was obviously more than just a sister. And to her father, of all people.

  Angi was her Kryptonite. Her weakest link. She’d given up her dream for her sister--because she had such an ingrained sense of responsibility. Not because it was any type of grand sacrifice. She’d done what her own father refused to do. No wonder she felt threatened. She’d raised a child when she was no more than a kid herself and run a business and sent that kid to college. Bettina was a survivor, and he realized just how lucky he was to have her as the mother of his child.

  His respect for and understanding of his wife increased tenfold.

  “Yeah. You’re married now, and you’re having a baby. You don’t need me hanging around.”

  Angi was jealous too. As his heart sank in his chest, he glanced at Bettina for her reaction. If anything, she was paler than before. All those two had in the world was each other--and him, he silently vowed.

  “Oh, Angelina,” she said softly, a frown wrinkling her forehead.

  “I’m gonna leave you two alone now,” Ty said, standing.

  “No!” Bettina lurched from the chair and pushed him back down on the coffee table, sitting beside him. “Angi-Sis, you’re my baby sister. I changed your diapers, I wiped your ass, for crying out loud. You cried on my shoulder when Dale Gruder pushed you off the jungle gym in the fifth grade, and I took you to the ER to get a cast on your arm. I told you about boys and sex. Sorry, honey,” she added, smiling.

  Ty leaned over slipped an arm around her, kissing the curls at her temple while she talked. “That doesn’t stop because I have a husband and a baby on the way. You’ll always be my sister! Hell, you’re practically my first born.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t need me hanging around.” Angi slumped forward, arms dangling between her legs, and looked from him to Bee, her face tight and anxious.