by Taylor Love
He cut her off as she went to speak again. “I didn’t tell you because they don’t need our permission to...do whatever the hell they're doing. If Mika had wanted you to know, she would have told you.”
Her mouth had opened then snapped closed, her shoulders sagging in defeat. “I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you. I just don’t know why she wouldn’t trust me...share what was going on in her life.”
“Don’t take it so personally.”
“What other way am I supposed to take it?”
His wife had been sad and a little mopey ever since. Now it was Tuesday night as Cam closed the door to the spare bedroom downstairs and made a call. When Robert picked up he said, “It’s finally happened.”
“What did?”
“There’s been a girl fight.”
“Really? Andrea and Mika”, Robert asked.
“Yeah, who else would I care about? My wife’s been either angry or sad since Sunday.”
“Hmm.” Robert rubbed his temple.
“What did you do?” Cam asked.
“Me? I didn’t do jack.”
“I know it’s over you. She called me out on knowing about you two. Plus, Mika won’t take her calls or return her texts.”
“Damn, she’s that mad?” Robert would never understand women.
“Apparently.” Cam would never understand women either. He just knew his wife was unhappy and he didn’t like it. “You need to fix it. I don’t like seeing sadness in my wife’s pretty eyes.”
“Hell, I’m not a hundred percent sure I’m out the doghouse!”
“So you did do something,” Cam said sternly. “Find a way to make this right.”
“I’m on it. I’m supposed to call Mika tonight anyway.”
“Good luck.”
ROBERT HUNG UP AND shook his head. Women made everything more complicated. Getting up he poured himself a drink before calling the complication.
“Hey,” he said clearing his throat as she answered.
“Hey yourself.”
Silence from two people who normally never ran out of things to say.
Mika finally said, “We should talk about what happened after the party.”
“We def need to. I believe in addressing things head on.” He took a big drink. “I’ll apologize if you want me to. But deep down I’m not sure I’d change anything.”
“Oddly, I don’t think I would either. We needed a catalyst to have this talk.” Mika agreed.
He felt most of the tension leave his shoulders, he stopped pacing and took a seat.
“What set you off?” Mika asked. “I mean we both had dates. It shouldn’t have been that big of a deal.”
Robert hadn’t known this would be so uncomfortable. But he hated bullshit, even from himself. After a long silence he answered, “I didn’t like him touching you.”
“What? Him having his arm around me?”
“No. I saw him kiss you at midnight.”
“Oh!” Mika paused, letting his words sink in. “I didn’t even know you were close by.”
“When I saw that, I’ll admit I lost it. Gave in to irrational jealousy. That’s how I ended up at your house.”
A small part of her was thrilled Robert had felt the need to claim her. “Nothing happened with him except that kiss. He tried to get me to go to his room. I firmly declined and went home. Where I was confronted by an angry man, who had no right to question me like he was my father.”
“Oh I think we know I’m not your daddy. About these rights—”
“You don’t have any,” she cut him off crossly. “Remember? No obligations, free to see and do whatever we want with others.”
Damn women for remembering everything. “Look, you know we’ve progressed beyond that.”
“Do I? Just because you got jealous for a hot second doesn’t mean anything. That could be normal possessive man shit.”
“Be real. You were jealous too, until I set you straight about Evonne.”
Mika sucked her teeth before saying, “Whatever.”
“Look let’s modify the original agreement. Take off that last part.”
“So we take out the other people, but keep the no obligation part...really?”
“You right.” Robert was in uncharted waters, but he refused to sink completely. “I suppose we can upgrade our situation to ‘casual, exclusive dating’.”
“Oh, that’s real benevolent of you,” she said sarcastically.
“Okay, how would you like to phrase our current situation?” When he was met by silence, he growled, “Mika don’t ignore me.”
“I’m not! I don’t know either...this is...”
“Unexpected,” he finished for her. Softening his voice he continued. “Which is why I think we should take measured steps for now. No pressure, just casual exclusive dating.” He paused to let that sink in. Hell for himself as well. “You game?”
Mika bit her lip to stop a smile from spreading, even though he couldn’t see it. “Bet.”
“Also, you need to drop this beef with Andrea.”
The smile left her face as quickly as it had come. “You had to go and ruin it.”
Chapter Seventeen
AS THE FIRST SATURDAY of January rolled around, Mika was cautiously hopeful. Since their talk Tuesday night, she and Robert had communicated every day in some fashion. Often by text or even an email. Sometimes a short call. Nothing excessive but way more than before. They were currently on their way to lunch at a spot downtown he liked. She could add “day dates” to the positive direction they were moving in. It had been a good week, except for him pestering her to talk to Andrea. Talking to her best friend about this new development would be great, shame she was still pissed off.
When they reached the restaurant she thought it was odd he didn't wait to be seated but continued straight through the place. Until they rounded a corner and she saw Andrea and Cam sitting in a booth. Cam stood up while Robert pushed her stunned body down.
“You two, talk,” Robert said pointing at them both.
“And where are you going?” Andrea asked Cam.
“Away from here. Work this out.” Cam handed her the car keys. “I’ll text you where we’re at later, and you can drive over...together.”
“Let’s head out.” Robert said checking the time.
Mika spoke up for the first time. “I’m adding liar to your title,” she said peevishly.
“Nope. I said I was taking you to lunch and I’ve brought you to a restaurant at lunchtime. I didn’t lie,” Robert stated before turning and walking away.
Cam tried to suppress a smile at the interplay between the two. Leaning towards Andrea for a kiss he was rebuffed as she gave him her cheek. He took what was offered then moved on, giving Mika’s shoulder a quick squeeze. “Be nice, Trouble.”
“You should have told your wife to be nice, then maybe we’d be speaking.”
On that note, Cam hurried from the table.
“And you should have picked up the phone or responded to my texts instead of being childish,” Andrea flung back.
“Now I’m childish as well as being a cold-hearted bitch?”
“I never called you that!” Andrea huffed leaning forward indignant at the accusation.
“You might as well have. You insinuated that I’m some heartless chick just out for myself, randomly playing with men's emotions. That I was somehow taking advantage of Robert.”
“Are you ladies ready to order?”
“No!” both women replied at the same time. Watching the waiter drop off the two waters before backing away.
They sat staring at each other until finally Andrea broke the silence. “I said I was sorry about the way I handled things. You could have responded.”
Mika picked at a napkin. “You hurt my feelings, I was too mad to talk.”
“Well, you hurt mine too!”
“What? How are you the injured party?” Mika asked genuinely confused.
“Because you kept this from me! You’ve never kept a man you wer
e fooling with a secret. Hell you’ve overshared, sometimes even when I asked you not to. I mean I don’t understand why you suddenly cut me out of a big part of your life...for months!”
“I just...I didn’t think it would still be an issue down the road. I expected this fling with him to burn out quick.” Mika pushed her hair back. “I personally didn’t want you to get your hopes up that our little group would turn into a happy foursome.”
“You tell me about your flings all the time. What was different?”
“Yeah but neither of us wanted things to be super awkward if things went really bad. I didn’t even like him at first, we just have this crazy attraction.”
“Are you ready to place an order? Maybe some appetizers at least?” While the waiter’s tone was pleasant enough, it was clear he expected them to actually order some food. They both took a quick look at the menu and relayed their choices.
As the waiter left Andrea hesitantly asked, “You said you didn’t like him at first. Does that mean you do now?”
“Yeah, I guess I do.” Color flooded her face.
“Wow, is that the unflappable Mika Harrison blushing over a guy?” Andrea laughed in surprise. “I think you like him, like him.”
Mika held up a hand. “Hold your horses. I’m not admitting to that at this stage.”
“Whatever. It’s starting to make a little more sense. Start at the beginning. Tell me everything.”
Mika had missed being able to talk about this “relationship” with someone. “Okay. But you have to promise not to get upset.”
“Why would...” Andrea cut herself off. “Okay, I promise.”
“The beginning starts in Vegas. We slept together then.”
“You what!”
“You said you wouldn’t get upset,” Mika reminded her.
“I’m not upset but I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me,” Andrea whined out the question.
“You were on your honeymoon! Plus, I could barely believe I’d slept with a man I hadn’t even known for 24 hours.”
“But you can send me Karma Sutra poses? You thought crossing the line would be mentioning you’d slept with the best man?” Andrea quipped.
“What can I say, I’m not selfish. I didn’t want to make it about myself. The poses were for you and Cam. I know you used a few of my ideas though.” Mika naughtily smirked.
“Maybe.” Now Andrea was blushing. “I can’t believe it goes back that far. Is this serious?”
“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. We had no contact once we got back. Didn’t see each other again until you dragged me to that game at his house.”
Thoughtfully Andrea nodded. “So I wasn’t imagining the tension in that room when we found ya’ll?”
“No, then we slept together again a little after that.”
“And now?” Andrea prodded.
“We’ve recently upgraded to actually dating. Lord, help us both.”
“That’s a good thing right?”
“I’m cautiously optimistic.” Mika gave a small smile. “You pointed out before that I’ve never been in any true relationships.”
“I didn’t mean—”
Mika cut her off. “You were right. Thing is, I don’t think he has either at least not in a long time. I don’t think either of us knows what the hell we’re doing.”
Andrea smiled at her. “Feeling lost and confused sounds like the start of a relationship to me.” She reached out and grabbed Mika’s hand. “Don’t overthink it. I’m sure you told me that a time or two with Cam.”
Mika squeezed her hand back. “Try about a dozen times.”
The women shared a laugh, and over their meal all was forgiven. Mika brought her up to speed filling in the blanks of the last few months. Doing her normal oversharing which had Andrea alternating between covering her ears, and leaning forward for more. Andrea paid the bill as another way to show she was sorry.
Fanning herself, Andrea took a long sip of water. “I’ll say this...if nothing else you two seem to have a healthy sex life.”
“That’s one statement I can’t dispute.”
Just then Andrea’s cell beeped. “It’s Cam. He gave me the address. Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, I’m ready to go scold Robert for his deception.”
ROBERT AND CAM HAD grabbed a quick bite to eat at a drive-thru after leaving the women, before heading to the gym. It had been a while since they’d last went a round or two. Robert had been all for it when Cam had included it in their plan. Both men were looking forward to the hour they had rented the ring out for.
While getting dressed they talked about the odds of the women working it out. Both were stubborn when they wanted to be. At the end of the day they figured they had done their part, and now it was up to the ladies.
Robert was in blue gloves, while Cam wore red. The two men spent a good five minutes warming up with a few jabs and stretches. There was no one there to referee, but the ring had a clock you could program for up to twelve three-minute rounds. They could also program the standard one-minute break in between. Of course they were not professionals and could use the time in the ring however they wanted. Robert was looking forward to releasing a little aggression. The week had been stressful and dramafied—two things he detested.
“You ready to bring it?” Cam asked circling him, warming up his footwork.
“Everyday baby! Less talk, more action,” Robert responded.
Cam gave him what he wanted and moved in for a quick strike that Robert barely avoided. Robert refocused and before he knew it three rounds had passed. Trash talk was abundant during the brief breaks, in between guzzling water. They both seemed to be a little more out of shape than usual.
Women...a distraction on so many levels.
Is what Robert was thinking when Cam slipped under his guard and caught his jaw with a solid right hook that rocked him back and had him holding his face.
“Damn! That felt personal.”
“It was,” Cam grinned.
“What the hell for?” Robert was moving again, striking out but only landing a glancing blow to his opponent’s shoulder.
Cam shook his head and ducked under a powerful fist coming his way then got Robert with another good shot to the ribs, before saying, “You know you’re in it now.”
“If I didn’t know it before.” Robert caught Cam with a good jab to the jaw. “I know it now.”
“Don’t hurt her on purpose. Whatever ya’ll doing, whatever ya’ll got...even if it ends, do it right.” They both swung and missed. “Mika is a good woman.”
“I know, and I won’t.” Robert said tightly. Breathing hard from all the talking and moving. “Although, I’m getting really tired of folks teaching me lessons.”
“Ahh, Mika getting you together already?” Cam chuckled, forgetting to protect against the hard hook that landed in his stomach.
Luckily the timer rang, and both men had apparently had enough. They backed away and focused on breathing. Even ignoring the signal that their one-minute break was up. Eventually Robert took the first steps forward. He hated being schooled. At the same time he was glad to know Mika had someone solid and loyal in her corner.
He held out his gloves. “We good?”
Cam pounded gloves with him nodding. “Always.”
ANDREA DROVE THEM TO a rather large gym complex located downtown.
“What are we doing here” Mika let out a light chuckle. “Did they plan to make us fight it out or something?”
“With those two who knows?” Andrea joked. “But I think it’s more likely they’re here working out.”
Mika nodded, taking in the various stations as they walked through the place. She saw it had some work-out equipment, a corner where folks were doing kickboxing and a room that looked like a small class was practicing Judo. Interesting.
“How are we supposed to find—” Mika trailed off as they entered the second section of the building. “Holy crap, are they boxing?”
“Oh yeah, Cam mentioned they do that from time to time.” Walking closer to the ring Andrea frowned. Whatever she expected it wasn’t this full on fight she was seeing.
A delighted laugh bubbled out of Mika as she hurried to reach the ring, right as Cam landed a punch to Robert’s chin. “Good one Cam!”
Her shout startled both men who turned towards her as the bell rang, ending the round.
“You cheering him on?” Robert scowled down at Mika.
“Not exactly. However, I admit I got a little tingle of satisfaction when his fist connected.”
“What exactly are you two doing?” Andrea asked appalled.
“What? I told you we box.” Cam said confused, as he shuffled his feet.
“But I didn’t think you guys were literally beating the crap out of each other. He has a split lip and you have a bruise starting on your shoulder!”
Both men looked at each other and shrugged. They didn’t see a problem.
Mika waved away Andrea’s concern. “Oh let them fight. How much time do you guys have left?”
Robert looked at the wall clock. “We could probably get in another two rounds, if we weren’t standing here talking.”
“Camden...” Andrea sounded worried.
“It’s all good. In fact you come stand in my corner and cheer your man on.” He gave her his most charming smile, which had her laughing in defeat.
“I always got your back love, but I don’t want to hear any complaining tonight when you’re sore and aching.” Andrea admonished.
The two men went back to fighting. With the women encouraging them from the sidelines, wincing when extra-hard hits landed. If both men were being honest, they probably fought a little rougher with their women watching.
When the round ended Andrea entered the ring fussing over Cam, giving him water. Mika handed Robert a towel while hanging over the ropes.
“You want to know something?” She said so quietly he had to lean forward.
“What?”
“I am finding you extremely sexy right now.”
“Finally something I want to hear today.” Robert mumbled watching her eyes roam his body, instantly feeling a twitch of life down below.
