Sherry: A Please Me Novella

by J. J. Marstead

  I make it to the back, put my purse in my little locker, and put my apron on. Now, I’m ready for work.

  It’s noon and the diner is busy today. It’s nuts how many tables I’ve worked; taken their orders and delivered said orders and cleaned up the tables. I’m wiping down my last table when a new customer comes in. There’s a little chime at the door indicating someone just came in. My head snaps up and the usual smile I use to greet customers plays on my lips. It droops slightly when I see who is standing at the door. Mike. Oh crap. Well, the avoiding him part will be a little hard with him here for lunch. Margret hops on over to him and smiles her little crappy smile. I just feel like smacking it right off her face.

  What the hell?

  That’s a new feeling. Am I jealous of her talking to him? No, I can’t be. I have no claim on him. I walk closer to them and pretend to wipe down a table that is already clean. What the hell am I doing? Oh, I know. I’m a curious fucker and I’m eavesdropping on them.

  “What can I do for you, handsome? Would you like a table for one?” she practically purrs.

  I pull back my lip and shake my head. Jesus, can she throw herself at him anymore? “Stupid bitch,” I mutter under my breath.

  Mike must have heard me because he grins when he looks at me. Shit! “Nope, I see the waitress I came to see,” he says and leaves her hanging, her mouth open wide in shock as she stares at him walking my way.

  I look up at him under my lashes and he smiles at me. God, his smile is mesmerizing.

  “Hi,” he says, his voice sounding like soft music to my ears. My body’s betraying me as I feel myself stand and lean towards him. I don’t know if it’s because Margret tried to stake her claim, but here I am doing the same thing. I’m going to show her not to fuck with him. I lean on my tippy toes and give his cheek a little kiss. He stares at me with a look of awe on his face.

  “Now, if you greeted me like that every time you saw me I wouldn’t complain. I feel special. Unless you do that with every customer.”

  I can’t help the laugh that escapes my mouth and I shake my head. “No, I don’t kiss most customers, no matter how cute they are. I just wanted to save you from the cougar over there.”

  He looks over at Margret and chuckles. “Well, I think she got the idea when I left her at the door,”

  Shit, he’s right. Did I just kiss his cheek to feel his skin against my lips? After last night’s dream, him showing up here is fucking me all up.

  “Umm… So, what brings you by?” I ask, trying to change the subject. The fact is that I just kissed him to stake my claim on him in front of Margret and he knows it. I can tell by the way he’s looking at me and I’m not sure how I feel about him knowing that. Hell, at this point I’m not sure how I feel about what I just did.

  “Well, I heard the food isn’t too bad here. I need to eat and it doesn’t hurt that I get to see your pretty face at the same time.”

  I can’t help the smile that spreads across my lips. I grab a menu and turn to face him again. Fuck, he’s one sexy fucker, that’s for sure. I’m worked up about him being here and thinking of last night doesn’t help the situation at all. I’m tempted to the point that I want to take a break and get myself off in the bathroom just to ease some of the sexual tension in my body right now.

  “I’m sure Margret will help you if you like,” I tease him and he quivers. I chuckle at him because it seems he’s quite easy to bug.

  “No. I’ll be good. I promise not to flirt or do anything to make you feel uncomfortable with me being here. But, let me remind you, that you’re the one that kissed me.” He looks at me with his eyebrow raised, daring me to say something. My mouth opens and closes a few times before I place the menu on the table. Mike takes a seat, still looking at me under daring eyes, and I squirm in my place. I take out my pad and pen and don’t bother looking at him. I don’t want him to see the embarrassment I’m feeling right now. I’m sure if he saw my face fully right now he would be able to tell. Easily.

  “What would you like to drink?” I ask.

  “I would like a root beer if you have it,” he replies and I jot it down.

  “No problem. I’ll bring it right over and I’ll take down your order then. Give you a little time to figure out what you would like.”

  I leave him to look over the menu and I tend to my other customers, smiling wide and acting like my bubbly self. It’s what I do with each customer. If you treat them like family, they’ll just keep on coming back. After taking down the drink orders of the customers that just came in, I back over to Mike, bringing him his drink.

  “So, did you figure out what you're going to have?” I ask.

  He nods. “Yeah, I’ll have the double cheeseburger and fries.” He closes the menu and holds it out to me. I write his order down quickly, grab the menu, and head to the kitchen to place the order.

  After I give Mike his meal, I try to stay to myself. I don’t want to be around him much right now, with how fucking horny I am. I see the way Margret is always looking over at Mike. It makes me want to walk over to her and tell her to fucking stare at her own man. My patience is wearing thin with this bitch. I thought she would get the idea that he’s semi-taken by the way I claimed him in front of her, but nope.

  She’s walking over to him right now and I grit my teeth. She stops beside him and he looks up. She giggles, swinging her hair from side to side. Ugh, seriously? Doesn’t she know she looks like a fucking stupid twat? I mean, like, come on, it looks like she’s desperate. He gives a little smile and I’m annoyed at the fact that he’s giving her attention. They talk for a couple of seconds before I snap. I can’t take anymore. I turn around and head to the back. I notice that my shift ends in ten minutes. I decide that I’m leaving early. I take off my apron, hang it up, and get my purse. I need to get home and figure out what the fuck is wrong with me. I’m getting pissed about this and I’m not even with Mike. This shit is all too real and different for my liking right now. I don’t like feeling this way.

  I leave out the back so no one will see me going. I don’t need to see them out front. My fists ball tight while I make my way outside. I take in a deep breath once I close the door behind me. I take a quick seat on the step and dig through my purse, looking for my pack of smokes. I finally find them. I take one out of the pack and put it between my lips, lighting it, inhaling deep, and blowing it out. It eases the tension a little.

  I’m getting more pissed off each minute I sit here, thinking about Margret and Mike in the diner, talking and laughing at whatever stupid fucking thing she said. I’m done. Fuck her and fuck him. I don’t need this fucking stupid fucking high-school bullshit of who’s prettier and who gets the guy. I’m a mother of a little boy who needs me to get my act together so he can come live with me. I’m not a high school girl who is fucking over some guy, trying to stake her claim.

  The heat from my cigarette snaps me out of it. I look down and notice that it’s burned right to the butt and I only took a few puffs from it. I’ve wasted enough time thinking about them. I sigh, get up from the step, and walk around to my car. I look through the window and notice that Mike is still there, but Margret is no where in sight. Mike looks out the window and his eyes widen when he sees me, confusion written all over his face. I shake my head and open my car door, closing it fast because I see Mike getting up from his seat. He throws a couple of bills on the table and heads towards the front door. I turn the car over, put it in reverse, and hightail out of there before he gets the chance to get out of the diner.

  I get home quickly. After parking the car, I run to the front door. When I make it inside I lock the door, let out a sigh, and throw my bag on the table. I don’t think he has a key to get in, so I think I’m safe from him barging in here. Unless April gave him her key. Then I’m screwed six ways to Sunday. I shake my shoulders and walk through the apartment to my room. I need a shower before heading to the club. It’s one thirty now and I should be there at six. I think I’ve got plenty of time to g
et ready. Jade isn’t home, which is a relief. I wouldn’t want to have to explain why the hell I blew into the apartment like there was a fire under my ass. As for April, well, she’s probably at class like always; the good little student. At least she’s making something of herself. Hell, I’ve been told a few times that I should be modeling but I never really thought about it much before. If it could pay more than both jobs I have now, I would consider it.

  Walking into my room, I notice that my bed is unmade. Well, hell, don’t judge me. I get up early every single morning. Does it look like I got time to make it? No, I don’t.

  I walk over to my dresser and get some clean clothes out, throwing them on the bed and grabbing my robe. I head to the bathroom to soak. I need to relax under the hot spray from the shower. I need to clear my head. Taking a shower helps me with that. I don’t know what it is about the water cascading over me, but for some weird reason the sound of it hitting the shower floor as I sit on the bottom of the shower works wonders for me.

  By the time, I get out of the shower my fingers are pruned, the water cooling enough to make me shiver. I guess I lost track of time. I grab my towel and wrap it tight around my body. I wipe the mirror and I stare at myself for a good minute, mentally fighting with myself about Mike. I shake my head, open the bathroom door, and head to my room. Before I make it to my room a male voice clears their throat behind me. I jump and scream, holding my chest.

  “Holy mother of fuck!” I shout and spin around. I see none other than Mike standing there looking me up and down with red cheeks.

  “How in the hell did you get in here? I locked the door.”

  He holds up a key that I’m assuming is Aprils. Of course, it’s like everyone is against me when it comes to him.

  “My sister gave me her key yesterday. She told me to come back at two and, well, she isn’t here yet. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” The sincerity in his voice almost undoes me.

  “No, it’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting to find you here when I just got out of the shower.” I wave him off and he turns his head slightly away from me, giving me privacy. Ah hell. Why does that give me a tingle between my legs? Shit!

  “I’ll let you get dressed,” he says. He turns around and heads to the living room.

  My body is screaming out “No. Don’t go. Fuck me!” The half of my brain that doesn’t have sex on the mind 24/7 is telling me to walk away. Fuck, I’m so damn confused.

  I open and close my bedroom door and get dressed quickly. I hope April is here soon, because I don’t want to be left alone with him for long periods of time. Hell, at this point I’m not sure if I’ll be able to control myself around him. I haven’t had sex in three weeks. I have an itch that needs scratching and he’s a perfect candidate for the job. If only he wasn’t April’s brother. Fuck my life!

  He’s sitting on the couch when I enter. He looks up and gives me a smile. I can’t help but give a little one back. That smile of his is something else, let me tell you.

  “Why did you leave the diner so fast earlier?” he asks, concern laced in his voice.

  I shrug my shoulders, what does he want me to tell him? That I fucking hated that he was talking to Margret and that I wanted to rip her eyes out for looking at him? Her hand off for lightly touching his arm? That’s not going to happen.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. I had to get home,” I answer him, leaving it at that. He nods swiftly and turns his head to the hallway when he hears the door open. Well, I guess I just got saved by April. I walk over to the hallway and see April standing there looking upset.

  I walk over to her. “What’s wrong?” I place my arm on hers.

  She shakes her head and gives a small smile. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. Just a long day.”

  I’m not buying it. She’s never like this. She’s usually a very happy, bubbly person. It’s rare she’s upset or down. Well, unless you count when it’s her time of the month. Then she turns into a whole other April altogether. She’s the April you should fear, especially if you eat her chocolate. Watch out. She bites.

  Poor Jade. April attacked her when she found out Jade was the chocolate thief. I’m not saying April’s nuts…umm… I guess I kind of am saying that. She didn’t beat Jade or anything. She and Jade just had a little wrestling match and, I’m surprised to say, April can hold her own.

  She walks past me to the living room and squeals lightly when she sees her brother. That’s my cue to leave. I need to head out anyway. I should go to the bank and deposit my check, then talk to the realtor about the house before I head to the club. Man, it seems I never have a second to rest. I’m always doing something. It’ll be nice to have a weekend away from everyone and spend time with Mason.

  “I’m heading out, April. I’ll see you when I get home,” I shout as I walk out the door.

  Chapter 3

  Leaving the apartment when I did was a good thing. I didn’t want April to see how her brother affects me.

  The realtor said it’s a done deal for the house. I’m buzzing with excitement. I couldn’t believe it. I have more than enough for the down payment and a little extra. I can’t wait to let the girls know. I’ll be talking to them Sunday when I get back from my parent’s place.

  When I get to the club for my shift I see that Jade’s already here. She’s never late, but then again, why would she be late when she’s pretty much fucking the stand in boss? The thought makes me chuckle.

  After what happened today at the diner and then Mike showing up at the apartment, tonight is going to be a long night. God, why do I have to be thinking about him more than half of the time? I shouldn’t be thinking of him this much. I barely know the fucking guy and here I am with my thoughts filled with Mike. Mike this, Mike that. Fucking Christ, I need to get a grip before I spiral down the rabbit hole with this whole Mike thing.

  I walk over to Jade and nudge her. She looks so happy now that things with Jared and David are working out. It’s good to see them happy, even if it’s a little fucked up that she sleeps with them both. Most of the time it’s both guys with her at the same time.

  “How are things you with and the two studs?” I ask playfully and she grins with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Oh, things couldn’t get any better. Both are fan-fucking-tastic.”

  I can’t help but chuckle at the dreamy look on her face.

  I get ready for my set as I text my mother to check on Mason.

  Sherry -: How was Mason today? Is he excited about me heading down this weekend?

  A few minutes go by before I get a reply.

  Mom -: Mason was a peach like always. Stop worrying so much. Of course, he’s excited about you coming down. He can’t wait to see you.

  I smile wide, knowing my son is missing me just as much as I miss him.

  Sherry -: I’ll be there early Saturday morning.

  Mom -: We’ll be here. Oh and by the way, Jeff stopped by yesterday and took Mason out to the park. He’s really trying Sherry. You should talk to him.

  I frown and shake my head. It’s just like my mother. She’s trying to push Jeff and I back together, but it won’t work. It didn’t work the last time we tried to be together and it won’t work now. My mother keeps saying that Mason needs a male role model in his life. Blah, blah, blah. I’m not stupid. I know he needs some kind of male figure in his life to help him with things I can’t. My father can only talk and do so much with him because it’s his grandson.

  My phone goes off again and I sigh reading the text.

  Mom -: Oh, I invited Jeff for supper Saturday.

  Why, oh why? I groan, putting my phone back in my purse. I can’t deal with this right now. I haven’t seen Jeff or talked to him in two years.

  “What are you groaning about?”

  I turn my head to see Jade looking at me.

  “Oh nothing, just my mother being my mother.”

  She chuckles because she knows damn well how my mother is. She’s never met her, but she’s heard plenty of st
ories and she’s heard my mother on speakerphone before.

  “Oh no, what is she trying to do now? Hook you up with the neighbour’s son again?”

  I quiver just thinking about it. That guy is the total opposite of what I find attractive. God, it was so embarrassing telling him I wasn’t really interested; that my mother told me it would be nice to get out. I shake my head and laugh as I remember the look on the poor guy’s face.

  “No, it’s not about that.”

  She raises a brow and puts her hands on her hips, tapping her foot.

  “It’s Jeff. Mason’s father. My mother invited him over for supper Saturday. He took Mason to the park yesterday and my mother was talking to him and she seems to think I should give him a chance and talk to him.” I sigh when I finish telling her and she gives me an apologetic look.

  “Do you want to give him a chance?” she asks curiously.

  I shake my head, sighing. “No, we had our chance to see how things went and it didn’t work for us. He was more worried about going out with his friends when being me with and Mason when he was a baby.”

  She mutters a ‘okay’ then drops it. I’m due on stage in a minute. My name is called by the announcer.

  “Good luck,” Jade says as she brushes her hair.

  I give her a smile. I’ve been doing this for at least a year or two longer than she has but she still wishes me luck every time I go on stage.

  “Thanks. Hopefully it’s a good night and there’s lots of people here. I hate it when it’s dead.”

  My legs go up in the air and I spread them, whirling them around in the air and the men are eating it right up, whistling and shouting for more. I lean closer to the bar and rub myself on it, then grab my breast. Most men love a woman who touches herself and these are no different. I take hold of the pole, lift myself off the floor, and spin around the pole, my hair swaying in the wind as I turn. I make sure my leg is hooked onto the pole before releasing my hands from it. I put my hands to my side and spin. The guys love it. Some of the girls are jealous, well not like bitch jealous, just jealous that they’re not able to do it. I’ve practiced this little routine like 100 fucking times. I wanted to have a little something different from all the others. I wanted to stand out on my own and I did that.