Second String (In Too Deep #3)

by McMillin, Casey

  "Eli the black guy?" I asked.

  "He's half, but yeah, that's him," Josh said. Why? You think she'll care?"

  I just gave Josh a shrug. I certainly didn't care. I liked Eli a lot, and I was fairly sure the girl wouldn't argue much since the Eli I remembered had an easy time with the ladies.

  The club was fairly new. I'd heard good things about it, but had never been. I figured we'd have a good time, so I agreed to go along, telling Josh to leave me alone while I got cleaned up.

  I was changed and out the door within twenty minutes. We were headed to a new, little underground dive where you literally had to have a password to get in. Apparently, the password is subject to change without warning, but Eli, the guy Josh knew through his fancy job, was hip to what was going on. He promised to text us everything we needed to know.

  Josh told the girls they could meet us at the nearest street corner so we could go in as a group. There were three of them and only two of us, but Eli was planning on meeting us there.

  The girls all looked hot in miniskirts. The toned, muscular body of a swimmer was just the thing to go with a miniskirt and heels. I checked Sabrina out, but only found myself comparing her to Emily. I had to remind myself that having a little fun with Sabrina was okay as long as I didn't sleep with her.

  The girls must have planned who was going to pair up with whom before they got there because they each went to their respective guy and gave us a hug. The third girl just stood there, looking around. I felt a little awkward, myself, since I wasn't expecting Sabrina to mark her territory right off the bat like that. "We're meeting one of Josh's friends inside," I said to the girl without someone to hug. Lena or Layla was her name, I thought.

  "He better be cute," Zoey, Josh's girl, said to Josh.

  "That's him right there. Josh said, pointing up the sidewalk. Eli was walking towards us. He had an easy confidence that people were drawn to. Being smart and having a great job were just bonuses with him.

  "Looks like I have perfect timing," Eli said with a smile as he approached. The girl swimmer whose name starts with an L moved in for a kiss on his cheek. "I'm Layla," she said in a sultry voice.

  Apparently, she was happy with her date.

  "All right then, Layla…" Eli said, smiling at her and taking her arm. "How about we go find a nice, comfortable booth to sit down in?"

  She smiled and blushed, but didn't hesitate to follow him inside. The rest of us all fell into step behind them. Eli talked to the guy at the door for a few seconds in private before we all walked in. It was an upscale gentleman's club with card games and barely dressed hostesses. I wondered for a second why we'd brought girls to a place like this, but as I looked around, I could see that there were nearly as many women here as there were men.

  Eli said hi to a few people on our way to the table. Layla's grip on his arm tightened with each encounter. You could tell she was proud he knew everybody. I actually saw someone I knew as well. It was the son of my father's lawyer. He and I were close in age, and his dad had gotten me out of a few jams in college. The six of us made our way to one of about ten large, round booths that surrounded the main floor. It was the only one open, and it had been reserved for Eli. One of the employees tried to kick us out until they realized he was with us. That too, made Layla snuggle up closer. And to think I was worried. Eli told us to order whatever we wanted. He said tonight was on him. I knew the place would be expensive, so I told myself I'd pick up part of the tab once the check came.

  Now, I'd never been one to have problems holding my alcohol, but Eli and Josh were succeeding in drinking me under the table. My training regimen didn't really allow for a nightlife, and I couldn't possible perform at full strength if I let myself drink on a regular basis. All this to say… I was wasted within two hours of entering the bar. I talked a lot when I got drunk, and I knew this about myself, so I figured I should slow down when I caught myself having a detailed conversation with Sabrina about my training schedule compared to hers. I knew when I started rambling about specific drills and techniques that I should probably slow down a little.

  Sabrina was all over me. She made it perfectly clear that there would be happy endings if the night went as planned. What exactly did I have planned? She had on a loose top that showed a lot of skin, and the more alcohol I had, the more I forgot why I'd ever thought it was a bad idea to sleep with her tonight.

  "Do you want to spend the night at my house?" she whispered close to my ear. "Josh told me you had the day off tomorrow."

  Emily. Emily. She was the reason I couldn't… shouldn’t sleep with Sabrina. I wanted to just say screw it (no pun intended) and blame any indiscretion on the alcohol. Oh great, you know you're wasted when you say the words "no pun intended" in your thoughts, I thought. I need to just get out of here before the temptation becomes too much to handle. "I think I might head on to, my house, apartment, place." I said. I hoped that was the first thing in the last few seconds I'd said out loud. My head was spinning. The room was spinning. "It's nothing against you," I told her. "You look amazing. I love how you look. I just wasn't planning on spending the night."

  "Aww, why not?" she asked, hurt. " I thought we had such a good time in Austin."

  "We did. I had a great time. You're amazing. Like I said, it's nothing about you."

  "Who's it about?" she asked.

  I was surprised by the question. I had such a buzz that I almost forgot who I was talking to and answered honestly—that it was about a girl named Emily. But I thought a simpler explanation would probably do the trick.

  "It's about me," I said. "I'm training like crazy and I'm tired. Exhausted. I really should be getting back."

  She begged a little bit before finally accepting the fact that I was leaving. I wondered why I seemed to be getting myself into situations where I thought I'd maybe mess around with a girl, only to find out that I can't follow through. The answer was obviously Emily. Sabrina could see I'd checked out. She regarded me with a disappointed but resigned expression. "I know it's something more than your training holding you back," she said. "When you get over whatever it is, you should give me a call."

  I promised her I'd give her a call next time I planned on going out. I hated to leave her hanging, and hoped I didn't embarrass her or anything, but I just couldn't go home with her knowing I wouldn't be sleeping with her in the end.

  I gave Sabrina a ride to another club to meet some of her other friends since Zoey and Layla were both content with their current situations. They were all fairly understanding of my decision to leave since I wasn't a hundred percent convinced about going out in the first place.

  I'm not ashamed to admit that I jerked off that night. I had to do it. I had all sorts of frustration simmering with the whole Emily thing. So yes, I spanked the monkey while thinking about a girl, just like I did in middle school. I did that, and then I had shot of bourbon before falling onto the bed.

  Seconds later, my phone lit up on the nightstand. It was just a reminder from a random app that needed updating. When I first heard it, I thought for a split second that it'd be Emily, and I was a little disappointed when it turned out to be a bunch of meaningless words on my screen. I was pissed that I'd been reduced to jerking off when I had a bangable chick ready to come home with me. I was suddenly mad enough to text Emily and tell her my thoughts on the subject.

  Chapter 17

  Emily

  My phone vibrated on the nightstand at exactly 12:43AM. I know that because I was sleeping soundly until the sound startled me awake, making me instinctively check the clock on the bedside table. I figured it was Jeremy. He was still at college in Tucson. We were trying a long distance relationship until he finished, which could be a while, since he was only in his first year of medical school.

  One glance of my phone told me it wasn't a text from Jeremy as I anticipated. It was a number with a 619 area code, which I immediately identified as Ethan. Knowing Jeremy would go ballistic if he ever saw Ethan's name on my phone, I del
eted his contact information… but I'd know that number anywhere. It started with 619 and had 007 at the end. The first time he'd given it to me, we laughed about it. I asked if he requested it, but he told me it was just a coincidence. I stared down at the bright screen, blinking as I read the words.

  Ethan: "You better not be fucking sleeping with that guy. Are you? This is Ethan."

  Me: "I know it's you. And why are you texting me with demands after I haven't heard from you at all in three weeks?"

  Ethan: "Fuck. You're the one who told me to leave you alone."

  Me: "Stop. Please don't be mean. I wasn't trying to mislead you. I told you not to wait for me."

  Ethan: "Screw that. I can't stop thinking about you. I want to be inside you again. I didn't get my fill."

  Reading the words sent a shiver of sexual awareness up my spine. I was tingly all over. The night I spent with Ethan was the first time I'd had an orgasm, and I have to say, it's something I intended to continue on a regular basis. I knew I shouldn't be having those feelings about Ethan when I was with Jeremy, so I made myself focus on a way to put an end to the conversation.

  Me: "Are you okay?"

  Ethan: "I would be okay if you'd break up with captain underpants and get over here and show me some pleasure. A girl was all over me and I took her home because I didn't want to sleep with anyone else till you figured shit out."

  Did he just tell me he wanted me to show him some pleasure? And, geez, why did I feel so tempted by the idea? I read it again.

  Me: "I didn't want you to wait for me. I can't ask you to wait."

  Ethan: "Did you sleep with him?"

  Me: "God, Ethan. I don't have to tell you that because I already told you not to wait."

  I wanted so badly to tell him to wait. I sent another text before he answered that one.

  Me: "We're not sleeping together. You're the last guy I was with."

  I don't know why added that last part. I knew it probably made me a tease, but I just couldn't bear the thought of letting go of Ethan completely.

  Ethan: "Thank God. I'm better than him, you'll see. Imma wait for you. But fuckin hurry."

  I read the text three or four times, all with a huge smile on my face. I'm waiting for you? How was I supposed to believe he was going to be loyal while I was testing the waters in another relationship? I hadn't even expected him to be loyal when I was sleeping with him, much less now that I'm not. I didn't know what to make of his promise. He didn't strike me as the type of guy who made empty promises, but then again he also didn't seem like the type of guy that went very long without having sex. I should have written back insisting that he not wait for me, but instead I wrote:

  Me: "Thanks for being patient with me. I think about you."

  I pressed send, and then slapped a hand to my forehead knowing what a freaking tease that made me. I wanted Jeremy and Ethan both, and yes, I knew that made me a bad person.

  Ethan: "You are a bad girl for tempting me like that."

  I sucked a breath in through my teeth when I read his words. He was calling me out. Yikes. I had to face up to it.

  Me: "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have."

  Ethan: "Sure you should. I love knowing you're thinking about me."

  Me: "I guess we should leave it at that."

  Ethan: "I guess so. Unless you want to leave it at you sitting on my cock on a regular basis."

  Me: "OMG Ethan. You must be faced."

  Ethan: "A little, but I know what I'm saying."

  Me: "Get some sleep. We'll talk later."

  Ethan: "Choose me."

  Me: "Get sleep."

  Ethan: "Night."

  Me: "Night."

  I told myself I was going to delete that conversation, but I couldn't bear to do it. I knew it would be a while before I got to see Jeremy. I'd be fine as long as I deleted it before then. I read the whole string of texts again before falling asleep that night.

  ****

  A few days later, I found myself on a lunch date with Gretchen. It was something we did regularly. Technically, it was for work since we discussed The Center, but we also just enjoyed each other's company. Gretchen was a few months pregnant, but she wasn't showing at all. She was hungry for spicy food, so we went for Mexican as usual. We sat in a booth, and Gretchen got out a binder full of ideas and sketches she'd been putting together.

  "Oh, before I forget," she said. "Rachel's friend Brit agreed to do the art for Trey and Tonia's restaurant. She's coming in this weekend to take measurements in the space and have a consultation with Tonya. I'm sure she'll want us all to go out while she's in town and everyone would want you to come if you can." She smiled at me, as she scooped a mountain of spicy salsa onto a chip.

  "I'm off Friday, but the Lakers play Saturday night. I'd like to hang out with everybody, though. Just let me know what you guys decide. And, hey," I added. "Did you ever ask her about working at The Center?"

  "I did, and she said she'd consider it. She told me she wanted try to do art full time, but if she ended up needing a day job, she hoped I'd still want to hire her."

  "What'd you say?" I asked.

  "I told her she'd always have a day job to come home to if she needed it." Gretchen said.

  We talked about The Center for another hour before Gretchen couldn't take it anymore, and asked me about my very intriguing personal life. "So, are you still seeing the football player? Jeremy?"

  I smiled, reluctant to try to explain my very complicated feelings. "Yeah we're seeing each other… though we technically don't ever see each other in person. We Skype a lot."

  "A little sexting never hurt anybody either," Gretchen said. The conversation I texted with Ethan the other night was closer to sexting than Jeremy and I ever got. In fact, we'd never gotten dirty on Skype, or the phone, or even in person.

  "No, no, no. We don't do anything like that," I said. That drew a slightly concerned look from Gretchen, but she didn't say anything. "Jeremy and I have a wholesome relationship." I cringed a little, knowing how dorky that sounded. "I don't really know how to explain that other than to say that he'd probably have me admitted into a mental hospital if I tried to talk dirty with him."

  "Really?" Gretchen asked, surprised. "I just assumed you guys had been together, well, with you having a past in high school and everything, I just thought—"

  "You're right. I was with Jeremy in high school, but it was so long ago, I hardly remember what it was like. I thought I remembered, but it seemed so pale by comparison with the way Ethan—" Holy moly. I might have just inadvertently told Gretchen I'd slept with Ethan. I prayed she wouldn't catch it while at the same time trying for a verbal recovery. "I just don't really remember—"

  "I didn't know you were with Ethan," Gretchen said. "Oh geez, what'd Ethan say when… " Gretchen trailed off. "God, that must have been really awkward when Jeremy showed up at the house."

  I was relieved to realize that I didn't care if Gretchen knew Ethan and I had been together. In fact, part of me might have even been glad she knew. Maybe that's why I made the slip in the first place.

  "Which one do you prefer?" she asked.

  I hadn't let myself slow down long enough to ask that question. Maybe I felt too guiltily, like having options was too arrogant for me to even think about. I regarded Gretchen, and she seemed to genuinely want to know what I thought.

  "Jeremy's everything I want in a husband. I've dreamed about marrying him since I was a little girl," I said. "He's super smart, and sweet, and talented, and handsome. I'd be crazy not to want him."

  "He does seem nice," Gretchen said. I knew she wouldn't speak poorly of Jeremy if she thought he made me happy.

  "But Ethan has somehow weaseled his way into my brain, and I'm having trouble making myself stop thinking about him."

  Gretchen's eyebrows rose slightly.

  "I know I'm a terrible person for saying that since I'm with Jeremy now," I said. "I'm not supposed to be having those feelings about someone else. I'm sorry. I shouldn't h
ave said anything."

  "I'm the one who asked you. Plus, if you can't say something to a friend, then who can you talk to?" she asked.

  That made me feel slightly better, but I still tried to change the subject. "Don’t forget to let me know what you decide with Brit this weekend," I said.

  "Yeah, you getting to hang out with us this weekend is probably not going to work out for more than one reason," she said.

  What's that supposed to mean? I gave her a questioning look.

  "For one thing, it'll be Saturday night, since Brit isn't even going to be here until Saturday morning. I didn't know you had a game that night." She paused to eat another bite of chips and salsa before continuing. "On top of that, I'm sure you wouldn't want to hook up with us anyway—since Ethan's going to be there." Gretchen winced a little as she smiled like she had absolutely no idea what was going to come out of my mouth.

  "Ethan's coming to town?" I asked. "How do you know that? Do you know for sure?"

  "As far as I know, he and Josh are both planning on coming up this Saturday afternoon. Ethan has off this Sunday. I only know that because they have plans to play golf with Joel on Sunday before they go back home. I told Joel to text and let them know they should go out with us Saturday night. It's rare that we go out these days, and I figure I should do it while I can." Gretchen patted her still-flat tummy. "I'm the perfect designated driver. The only bad thing is... I'm pretty sure I can only handle a few hours of driving you guys around before I get bored and want to go back home."

  "You should just have a get together at your house," I said. "That way you can just crash in your own bed when you feel like it." I could see the wheels turning in Gretchen's head. She was totally considering the idea. That little scenario would work for me as well. If Gretchen had everyone over, and if Ethan showed up, I'd have the option of seeing him after work. On the other hand, if I ended up doing the right thing and avoiding him, my place was totally separate from Gretchen's. I could just sneak in after work, and no one would even know I was back there.

  "That's not a bad idea," Gretchen said. "I might see if Brit's okay with hanging out at my place. We just put a new pool table and dart boards in the game room."