Whatever You Call Me

by Leigh Fleming

  Annie wasn’t listening. She pushed her half-eaten hamburger from one side of the plate to the other, knocking some of the remaining cheese fries onto the table. With her elbow propped on the table and her cheek resting on her hand, she was lost in her own world, oblivious to those around her. She popped a gooey fry into her mouth and thought about what had happened last night and this morning at Starbucks.

  Last night had been so perfect. After Kip arrived, she had opened a bottle of wine and he told her about his trip across the bay. He talked about his meetings with Friends of the Bay and the extension agent, and running into Virgil and his friends.

  “I don’t see how I can go forward with this bill, knowing how they feel,” he said as she rested her head on his shoulder. “Oh, and I never thanked you for the information you put in my box. It just confirmed everything I’ve been hearing.”

  “I’m glad I could be of some help.”

  “You’re always a big help.”

  Annie sat up and looked into Kip’s dark eyes. “I want to be. But sometimes I feel like you don’t want my input. It’s obvious you’re under a lot of stress. Assign something to me. You don’t have to do all this on your own.”

  Kip wrapped her tight in his arms and whispered in her ear, “You’re the best, you know that? How did I get so lucky?”

  He had indeed gotten lucky last night—and again this morning—and everything between them felt right, like it had over the weekend. They walked hand-in-hand two blocks to the coffee shop on the corner and talked about the day ahead. Kip asked her to get copies of the petitions and other correspondence about the pipeline and brief him later that day. He treated her not only like his girlfriend, but a valued member of his staff. That is, until Tom had walked in.

  “Bro, glad I found you.” Tom shot a quick glance at Annie and grumbled, “Good morning, Annie.”

  “Good morning, Tom.”

  Tom pulled up a chair to their table and turned it so Annie was sitting behind his shoulder. He directed his words to Kip alone. “Listen, we have a meeting with the Energy Committee this morning to salvage this pipeline. I called it for ten.”

  “Considering I’m the chairman of the committee, don’t you think I should have been the one to call it?”

  “What’s the big deal? I’ve done it before.”

  Annie was sure when Kip looked at her he could see her anger toward Tom. She stared at Kip, waiting for him to stand up to him for once. “It would have been nice to be informed earlier, that’s all,” Kip said.

  Annie slumped back in her chair.

  “I asked Annie to gather the petitions and correspondence we’ve received about the pipeline. Can you get them for her?”

  “Really, bro? Are we back to that?”

  “Yeah, we’re back to that.” Annie couldn’t stay silent any longer. “I’m going to contact some of the names on the petitions to get their feedback.”

  Tom acted as if she hadn’t spoken at all and said to Kip, “Those petitions aren’t what we need to focus on right now. We need to get to the Hill and meet with the committee to talk about next steps.” Tom stood, keeping Annie behind him. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

  Kip stood and tilted his coffee cup, taking his last sip.

  “What about your car?” Annie asked.

  “Just leave it, I’ll get it later. I’ll call you.” Kip tapped a quick kiss to her forehead and turned to leave, but Annie gripped the sleeve of his jacket.

  “What about the petitions?”

  “Leave it for now.”

  “But, Kip—”

  “Let me handle this.” He lifted her hand from his sleeve, planted a light kiss on her palm and followed Tom out of the café.

  Kate had to repeat herself over the noise in the pub to get Annie’s attention.

  “Hey, are you playing or what? We’re already down one person since Gail bailed.”

  “Annie,” Derek said with a nudge to her elbow.

  “What?” Her head popped up and she looked startled at the intrusion.

  “I said, are you playing or what? Do you know the answer? Which decade saw names first appear on the backs of NFL jerseys?” Kate asked.

  Annie shrugged as Derek replied, “You know who we should’ve called tonight to sub? Kip. He’d know the answer.”

  “Ha…if he’s too busy for me why would you think he would have time for trivia?”

  “Thanks, Derek,” Kate muttered with an angry glare.

  “Wait, I thought you said he’s called you three times today. Am I missing something?” Derek looked back and forth between his teammates, confusion etched across his face.

  “She’s trying to prove a point,” Kate said.

  “And what point is that?” Kip appeared out of nowhere and towered over their table with his eyes riveted on Annie. “You’re a hard one to track down. Mind if I sit?”

  Simultaneously Kate and Derek said, “Not at all,” while Annie replied, “Yes.”

  Kip lowered himself to the bench seat beside Kate and reached his hand across the table to Annie’s drink, taking a long sip of her beer. “So, how’s trivia going?”

  “Actually, you came at just the right time. The question is—” Derek was cut off when Annie grabbed his arm and glared at him.

  “We don’t need his help.” Annie snatched her beer out of Kip’s hand and then pressed herself against the back of the booth. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at Kip.

  “Oh, my God, are you kidding me? Come on, Annie,” Kate said.

  “No? I’d be glad to help answer the question,” Kip said.

  “Nope. Don’t need you. Just like you don’t need or appreciate my help.”

  Kip flagged down a waiter and ordered a shot of Jack Daniel’s. He turned toward Kate and Derek and said, “I’ve had a hell of a week and for some reason my girlfriend refuses to answer my calls. And it’s obvious she’s pissed at me for some reason.”

  “I had my phone turned off,” she mumbled.

  Kip looked over his shoulder at her and sighed, returning his attention to Kate and Derek. “It’s funny she says that because I talked to Pam at the campaign office twice today and both times she said she’d just gotten off the phone with Annie.”

  “Cell phones just aren’t as reliable as they used to be.” Derek tipped his mug toward Kip and took a sip, hiding his smile behind the rim.

  “It’s my prerogative whose call I answer and whose I don’t.” Annie sat up and directed her response to Kate and Derek. “Besides, he lets Tom run things, so why should he even call me?”

  “That’s strange…I thought it goes without saying a person should always answer a call from her boss.” Kip tipped back his whiskey and it disappeared in a flash.

  “Oh, we’re playing the boss card, are we?” Annie leaned across the table at Kip, pushing her mug aside.

  “The last I checked, you’re still on the payroll.” Kip drew himself within inches of Annie.

  “Oh, shit, here we go again,” Derek said.

  “Maybe we should ask for some popcorn,” Kate said. She and Derek laughed and settled in their seats, ready to watch the action.

  “Forgive me, Congressman Porter. I didn’t mean to break protocol by not answering your calls. Sometimes I’m not sure why exactly I’m even on the payroll. Am I your campaign manager and a member of your staff? Or am I just the woman you sleep with from time to time?”

  “Yes to the first question and you’re more than that on the second question. One would think you’d want to answer regardless of the nature of the call.” Kip grabbed Annie’s mug and drank the last of her beer, slamming the glass onto the table.

  “I wasn’t looking forward to being rebuffed again.”

  “Rebuffed?” His brows pulled together and he looked to Kate and Derek for an explanation.

  Determined to remain a spectator, Kate looked up at the screen. “Next question. What famous spiritual leader said, ‘I never see what has been done; I only see what remains t
o be done’?”

  “Sounds like something I should have said.” Annie looked sideways at Kate and then glared back at Kip.

  “Man, it’s going to be a long night,” Derek mumbled against the rim of his beer mug.

  “Look, I guess I’m clueless because I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kip threw out his hands and cast a glance around the table as if seeking some kind of help. “All I know is I’ve been calling you and you refuse to answer.” Their waiter was collecting plates at an adjacent table and then turned toward them. “Bring me a bottle of Jack, please,” Kip said.

  “And an extra shot glass,” Annie added.

  “Getting drunk with me, Coach?”

  “I think I deserve it.”

  “Well, that makes two of us.”

  “Annnnd I think that’s our cue to leave.” Kate stood up and bumped her hip into Kip, forcing her way out of the booth. “Come on, Derek, let’s split a cab.”

  Annie and Kip sat in silence, each looking somewhere else in the pub while occasionally catching a covert glimpse of the other. When the waiter set the bottle on the table, Kip poured the dark liquid to the brim of their glasses.

  “Cheers,” Kip snarled, tapping his glass against Annie’s and swallowing in one gulp. She squeezed her eyes shut and threw back her head, pouring the burning liquid down her throat. She shivered violently. “Ugh, that’s awful,” she said.

  “Gets better,” Kip said as he refilled their glasses.

  “So…what’s your excuse?” Annie asked as she took another shot. This time she only quivered when the whiskey hit the back of her throat.

  “Excuse? Hmm…I don’t have one. And, frankly, I don’t think I should need one.”

  “Were you not at Starbucks with me this morning? I guess not, since you acted like I wasn’t even there. When you told Tom I needed those petitions, he shot you down and you didn’t even say anything. Why do you let him treat you that way? Why do you let him treat me that way?” This time it was Annie who reached for the bottle.

  Kip held up his finger while he took a shot of Jack. “First of all, I’m sorry.”

  “So you say, but nothing’s changed.” Annie took another shot.

  “There’s a lot going on with Tom and me.” Kip refilled his glass and then pushed the bottle toward Annie. “I can’t talk about it right now.”

  “Why?” After filling her glass, she let the bottle drop with a thump on the table. “Does it have anything to do with the Wentworths? What exactly is going on with them?”

  “It’s complicated.” Kip threw back the whiskey and blew out the fumes. “Listen, please.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Tom and I have been working on this bill for a long time and there’s a lot involved. When it’s all over, I’ll explain everything to you, but I just can’t right now.”

  “I don’t understand.” Annie took another shot, but this time her body didn’t react with a shiver.

  “I’m doing what I can to shut it down. You just have to trust me.” Kip gathered her other hand in his. “I meant it when I said you’re smart. And you’re more valuable to me than you realize.”

  That was all Annie needed to hear to knock the steam out of her fight. She could see the anguish on his face and the sincerity in his eyes. He was going through a tough time and she needed to do as he asked. She needed to trust him.

  “I don’t like fighting with you,” Kip murmured against her hands, which he’d gathered to his lips.

  “I don’t like fighting with you either. I’m sorry. I should have answered your calls today.” She leaned across the table and gave him a quick kiss.

  Kip kissed her hands once more and then laid them on the table. He reached for the bottle and refilled their shot glasses. “This damn pipeline…I’ll be glad when it’s over.” He threw back a shot and said, “Maybe then I can be a better boss—and boyfriend.”

  “Oh.” Annie took a shot and refilled Kip’s. She felt her cheeks growing hot and flushed. “Most of the time you’re a great boyfriend.”

  “One out of two…not bad, I guess.” Kip shoved the shot glass away and laced his fingers with Annie’s. “So, we’re good?”

  “We’re good.”

  “Come here.” Kip wrapped his hand around the back of her head and pulled her in close for a kiss. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better,” he mumbled against her lips.

  “I’m sorry, too. From now on I’ll always answer your calls and be a cooperative employee.” Annie cupped his face in her hands and plied him with kisses on his cheeks, forehead, and nose, before finally settling a long kiss on his lips, not caring who was watching. “I missed you today.”

  “Ah, babe, I missed you, too. That’s why I came tonight.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Annie refilled their glasses and held hers up in a toast. “To us.”

  “To us,” Kip said, tinging his glass against hers. They took their shots together and went back to holding hands across the table.

  “This bill…shit…I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Kip dropped his chin to his chest. “I should’ve never sponsored it. I’m screwed no matter what I do.”

  “How?” Annie refilled their glasses and then resumed holding Kip’s hand. She knew she was getting drunk—or was already drunk. She felt her head swimming and her tongue getting thick. Her watery eyes were set on Kip and she sighed contentedly. His lips were moving, but she didn’t know what he was saying. She was too busy looking at his gorgeous face and thinking how much in love she was with him.

  “…screwed no matter what. Don’t you think?”

  “Hmm? Oh…yes…seems like it.” Annie had no idea what she had just agreed to, but continued to admire Kip with dreamy eyes.

  “You weren’t listening,” he said.

  “No, I was.” It came out as wasth. Annie started to laugh. What began as a snicker broke into raucous laughter, though she had no idea what was so funny. Kip joined in and soon everyone around them was staring.

  “I think I better take you home,” Kip said as he rose from the booth, a bit unsteady.

  “Please do.” Annie plastered herself against him, wrapping her arms tight around his waist. As they walked between the tables, she reached up and tugged his head down, planting loud smacking kisses on his cheek as they stumbled out of the tavern. “I’m so glad you showed up tonight.”

  “Me, too, sweetheart.”

  “I love it when you call me sweetheart and babe and angel and honey,” she said between kisses.“I don’t think I’ve ever called you angel or honey,” Kip said, holding her face in his large hand.

  “Oh, fine. Potato, potahto. Whatever you call me—I love it.” He smothered her laughter with a kiss and flagged a cab without releasing his lips from hers.

  They made out in the back of the cab, catching angry looks from the driver, but Annie didn’t care. I’m in Kip’s arms and everything is rosy. Another giggle escaped her lips when she thought of the word “rosy.” It was something her grandmother would have said. For some reason she couldn’t stop laughing.

  “I think you’re drunk.” Kip’s hot breath brushed her ear and his hand slipped under her blouse.

  “Are you going to take advantage of me, Porter?”

  “May I?”

  “Please do,” she said.

  Kip pushed her down on the seat and locked his mouth on hers, plunging his tongue deep. The cab came to an abrupt halt, nearly throwing them to the floorboard. He handed the driver several bills and told him to keep the change as Annie tugged him out of the cab. They stumbled through the door, across the foyer, and into the elevator, where Kip pushed her against the wall and kissed her voraciously on her neck. She held his head with one hand and snaked the other inside the waistband of his trousers, pulling him tight against her. He unfastened the first few buttons on her blouse and trailed his kisses to her breast, nibbling through her lacy bra. The elevator stopped with a ding and they broke their embrace, hurrying through the doors. The hallway wa
s deserted as Annie fumbled with the key to her door. Kip kept up a steady onslaught of kisses on the back of Annie’s neck while cupping her breasts in both hands, rubbing her nipples with his thumbs through the lace.

  “If you don’t stop, I’ll never get this door open.” It came out as a whine. She couldn’t wait to get him inside and his touch was making it hard to concentrate.

  “Let me.” Kip spun Annie around, once more pressing her to the wall. He grabbed the key from her hand and plowed his tongue into her mouth, holding her hostage while he inserted the key in the lock. As soon as the door was open, he slid both arms under her rear-end and lifted her up, bringing her to his full height. She wrapped her blue-jeaned legs around his waist and locked her arms around his neck, kissing him with equal fervor. They collapsed on her bed and tore away their clothes, desperate to make up for the past few hours.

  A bulldozer slowly churned toward Annie as she lay helpless on the red clay shrouded in mist. She heard the clanging of metal and pressed her hands against the raw dirt, pushing herself to her knees. The clanging got louder and she felt herself lifting out of the fog. Her eyelids were heavy and she used all her force to open them, the grittiness making it hard for her to focus. After blinking a few times, she realized she’d been dreaming and the clanging was actually the obnoxious bell tower alarm she’d set on her phone. She reached over and turned it off, then rolled to the other side of her empty bed. Sitting up quickly, she felt a wave of nausea. Last night. Whiskey. So much whiskey. She dropped her head in her hands and waited for the spinning to stop when the alluring aroma of coffee touched her senses.

  “Thought you might need this.” Kip handed a steaming mug to Annie, fully dressed in the clothes he’d worn last night. She looked up at him smiling down on her and took a grateful sip of what might as well have been nectar from heaven.

  “Why are you leaving so soon?” she croaked.

  Kip sat beside her on the bed and brushed her hair away from her face. “I’ve got to go. I wish I could stay, but there’s so much going on.”

  “Tell me what I can do.”