My Once and Future Love

by Carla Krae

  ****

  I wasn’t really a party girl, but this one was kinda fun. Most of the revelers were also in their twenties and coupled-up. A waitress came by with another tray of pink slushy drinks, so I grabbed one, feeling hot in the evening warmth. I didn’t know where Jacob had gone to.

  It was fully dark now and the Tiki torches were lit. Everyone danced or played around in the pool. I searched for Jacob, feeling lonely. A pair of arms wrapped around me from behind; I rotated to see who it was.

  “Hey, baby.” Jacob kissed my throat, then lifted his head to smile at me.

  “Hey, yourself. Did you want to dance with me?”

  “You look beautiful tonight…and God, you smell amazing…”

  I titled my head to give him more access to nibbling on my ear. One of my hands played with the soft curls at the nape of his neck. His mouth reached mine, having kissed along my jaw to get there, and our tongues dueled and danced. I forgot anyone else was around.

  We only parted to breathe. He led me to one of the pathways and behind a tree to make-out some more.

  “Glad you found me,” I whispered, then giggled.

  “Come on, it’s too noisy here.”

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me willingly in the direction of our bungalow. We ran, then stopped and kissed against the railing, hands skirting on the inappropriate. He tried twice to unlock our door. I batted his hands out of the way and did it for him.

  We were inside in a flash, the door slammed shut with me pinned up against it.

  “Want you…” he growled.

  “Bed,” I gasped between kisses. We made it to his room and fell on the bed, giggling. “You’re drunk,” I teased.

  “Nuh-uh,” he said, tugging his shirt over his head. He tossed it to the floor, then tackled me.

  “Yes-huh. I can s-smell it. Ooo, you’re pretty.”

  He nibbled on my ear again, his breath hot against my throat. “You’re ssslurring your S’s, so you’re one to talk.”

  I turned my head and shut him up with a kiss.

  “Mmmm…”

  No hurry. I could practically get off from him sucking on my tongue and we had all night. He trailed kisses along my jaw, down my neck, across my collarbone…brushed the straps of my dress off my shoulders. I felt every place he touched me after he moved on, my skin on fire. He reached the edge of my bra and…

  Stopped.

  “Jacob?” I wiggled. No response. “Ja-cob…”

  I managed to shift and roll him onto his back. He snorted and started to snore.

  “Oh, my God… Jacob.”

  He passed out. I was offering myself to him after years of celibacy and he…passed out?

  “You’re lucky I love you, you big jerk.”

  I sighed, then re-adjusted my dress, walked around the bed to take off his shoes, and got a glass of water to leave on his nightstand. I was horny and a little tipsy, and it would definitely be a while before I could sleep.

  “Bath time, it is, then!”

  The big tub had yet to be used…either big tub, and why should I walk all the way across the suite when his was right there? Bubbles, bubbles…ah-ha! I poured the stuff in and played with the taps, then started undressing, still hearing him snore in the bedroom.

  “And people s-say I can’t hold my liquor. Who’s the lightweight now?”

  The bubbles soon threatened to spill over the edge and I frantically turned the knobs to shut off the water. Stepping in, then sinking into the bath, I sighed. Bliss. The bubbles smelled like flowers and the beach.

  Three minutes later, I was bored. “Jacob…I’m naked and wet!”

  Nothin’.

  “Jacob, there’s a gecko on your pillow!”

  Still nothin’.

  “Jacob! Aaron broke your favorite Fender!”

  “Hmm? Wha’?”

  So predictable. “Jacob, are you awake?”

  “Where’d you go?”

  “In the bathroom.” Please walk in, please walk in—

  “You made bubbles.” His cute little drunk forehead furrowed in the middle.

  “I did. Come find what’s under them.”

  Understanding slowly dawned on his face. “Are you naked in my tub?”

  “Yep,” I drawled, popping the “p”. “Whatcha gonna do about it?”

  “Excuse me.” And ralphed in the toilet. Ah, hell…

  “And this is no longer sexy.”

  With him praying to the porcelain god, I reached for a robe, wrapped it around my wet body, and left. No sense in both of us hurling tonight.

  ****

  Jacob cringed at the sun shining through his window. His mouth felt padded with cotton and his whole head ached. Shielding his eyes from the light, he noticed he still wore his pants. Memories came back of the night before, of a party, and Beth…

  Beth! Oh, God…

  She came in, then, wrapped in a robe and carrying a mug of coffee. “Hey, how’s your head?”

  He took the aspirin she offered, then the coffee. “What happened? Did we…?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “No. You barely passed first base. Drink up. Breakfast will be here soon.”

  “Oh, my God… I’m so sorry.”

  She shrugged. “What did you drink last night?”

  He struggled to remember. “I had a beer, and rounds were being bought at the bar… Last thing I remember was… I think they called it a Mind Eraser.”

  She chuckled. “Guess it did its job. Just as well. I didn’t bring any, um, stuff with me.” A beat, then, “Did you?”

  There might be a condom in his wallet still, but… “No. I thought it might be presumptuous.”

  She took his hand and squeezed it. “I think that might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  He met her eyes, and they laughed. Just like that, the awkwardness dissipated. She got up to let him get ready.

  “I promise next time, you’ll be impressed,” he vowed.

  She grinned. “I’m sure I will be.”

  Jacob thought he had the best girlfriend in the world. She’d ordered the perfect hangover breakfast and didn’t mention his embarrassing performance again. He wouldn’t have blamed her for teasing him about it, either. Must have lost his tolerance. Months ago, it would’ve taken more than three or four drinks to make him pass out, let alone be really drunk. Not that he wanted to get drunk anymore.

  Beth’s bags were outside her room by the time he showered and dressed. She double-checked his room while he ate and put everything on the bed. Could have packed it up for him, but he realized she was letting him do it like he wanted to, instead of mothering him.

  It was a subtle shift in thought. Months ago, she would have taken care of all of it.

  They took the boat to the Bora Bora airport for the short shuttle flight, spent a little time in Tahiti, then flew in the jet to Los Angeles. As they waited to take off, he pulled a small jewelry box out of his pocket, opened it, and presented it to her.

  “A memento of our trip.”

  “When did you…? Jacob, you didn’t have to--”

  “I know, I don’t have to do anything, but I wanted to.”

  She took the box and examined the dainty white pearl studs.

  “Do you like them? I know they’re small, but you never wear anything large or fancy, so I thought--”

  “They’re perfect. Thank you.” She took the insert out of the box so she could put the earrings in her ears.

  He brushed her hair back once the earrings were in place. “Pretty.”

  She sweetly kissed him, mindful of the staff around them. “Thank you for this trip. I had a really good time.”

  “I’m glad. I love you.”

  “I know.”

  ****

  “CNZ has exclusive photos of Jake Lindsey on vacation. Looking good soaking up the sun, Jake. Question of the day: was he there alone?”

  “I just thought--how are we getting home?” I asked, as we walked off the plane.


  Jacob laughed. “All arranged, pet. Maria has my car.”

  Airport security helped us get to the parking garage the car was in without running into paparazzi. We got lucky, though, really, and tossed the bags in the trunk so we could say hello to Maria inside. Our time together would end at my house.

  “Dinner?” he asked.

  “Sure, if my dad’s not home.”

  Dad was home, so that meant a rain-check. We had a family tradition of reconnecting when one of us came home from a trip. Jacob didn’t argue rescheduling. People were clamoring to talk to him and messages had piled up.

  I went to see Celeste at the office the next morning, wanting to know if I still had a job.

  “You want the bad news first, or the good news…” she offered.

  “You have both? Uh, the good news.”

  “The client you worked with last month in New York called me for you. The bad news is you won’t be working through here. They consolidated to one staff photographer, paid less than the couple of you on freelance.”

  “Oh. I guess we won’t be working together anymore.”

  “Yeah, it sucks. But that guy wants to make you some kind of offer, so yay for money!” She handed me an index card with the info. “So, how was your trip?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Not like that. And it was great. Gorgeous, relaxing, fun… We spent a couple days with his mom, then the rest in Bora Bora. You have to go down there sometime! It really is paradise.”

  “Did the two of you get closer?”

  “Emotionally, yes.”

  “I have to say, you look the happiest I’ve ever seen you, Beth.”

  I smiled. “I feel like that, too. More so than in a really long time. I did miss you, a little.”

  “When you weren’t wrapped in the arms of your dreamboat?” Celeste teased.

  “Like I said, a little.”

  She took her lunch break and we hung around the office, sharing Chinese takeout. She tapped the card she’d written the contact number on.

  “Call that guy; see what he has to offer.”

  “I just got home yesterday.”

  “Hey, you don’t want it to go to someone else, do you? He called almost a week ago.”

  “Alright…” I dialed from the office number.

  “Talk to me.” Nathan picked up after two rings.

  “Nathan? This is Beth Lawson. I’m sorry for the delay. I was out of town.”

  I put the call on speakerphone.

  “Well, I hope you’re free now, as I have an offer. I need someone that can help me put my vision out to the world. You’re too talented to hide away at some obscure publication, Beth.”

  “Maybe, but that isn’t a job description,” I said.

  Celeste gave me a thumbs-up.

  “The proofs I got back from our shoot were fresh, innovative. I want your work to represent my company. Look, I’ll fax over a sample contract, but I’m going to be in L.A. on business this weekend. Have lunch with me and I’ll explain what I want.”

  Celeste was nodding “yes” repeatedly. I glared at her.

  “Fine, tomorrow at noon.”

  “Look forward to doing business with you, Beth.” He hung up.

  The fax machine hummed a minute later.

  “He was prepared,” Celeste said. “Don’t you dare turn this down. This guy is one of New York’s fastest rising stars. Mega bucks.”

  “I’m not accepting anything until I read the fine print. If he wants me to change coasts, for instance, I’m not doing that. And I’m not hurting for money, you know. I have time to shop for the right offer.”

  “Okay, okay… Shifting topics, I can’t wait to see your pics. I almost grabbed my bikini and a plane ticket when I looked at the two you sent me.”

  “I started going through them last night, but I haven’t printed any out, yet. I’m thinking of having another showing, though… I don’t know. I want to spend time with Jacob while he’s still on vacation.”

  “Yeah, that tour coming up puts a crimp in things, that’s for sure. Bob told me about it. We’ve been…hanging out, still. I think I kinda like him.”

  “You’re still seeing him, huh? Glad I didn’t bet on that.”

  She laughed. “You and me both! I don’t know…it’s just…easy. Fun. And the sex is still good…”

  I zoned out while she shared her story of the past two weeks.

  ****

  Beth was coming over for dinner.

  “Mr. Lindsey, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” Maria teased.

  He paused pacing, grabbed a chair, turned it backwards, and sat down. “Sorry.”

  She smiled, stirring the sauce on the stove. “Miss Beth is coming over.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I’m done with this, so I’ll get out of your hair. Serve when she gets here.”

  “Thank you, pet.”

  He was going to dig up a cigarette if he didn’t give his hands something to do, so he set the table for two. There was a knock on the front door as he put out the glasses, then it creaked open.

  “Hello?”

  He ran into the entry, sliding to a stop on the tile. “Hey. Missed you.”

  Beth smiled. “Thanks. My dad says hello, and thanks you for being a gentleman while we were away.”

  “You told him…?”

  “What…no! No, just the innocent details.” She shuddered. “Eww, no, my father can think I’m a virgin until my dying day, far as I’m concerned.”

  He grinned, relieved. “Storks deliver babies, huh?”

  “Absolutely. What smells good?”

  He took her hand and walked into the kitchen. “Just something simple. Made by Maria, don’t worry.”

  “Good. I was wondering if I should prepare for food poisoning, for a minute there,” she teased. “You burn microwave popcorn.”

  “Once. Sit, please.” He pulled out a chair for her, then started dishing things up.

  “So… I saw Celeste today.”

  “Oh? How is she?”

  “Same as always. Still seeing Bob, if you can believe it. She had a job contact name for me.”

  “That’s good…that you’ll have work still, I mean.” He set the plates at their places and sat down. “If you’re looking for more to do, obviously.”

  “Yeah. We caught up for an hour or so. She wants to see the vacation photos,” she said.

  “You wouldn’t believe how many messages were left for me. You’d think they’d never heard of time off. I have about a week before I have to get back to work.”

  “So much for ‘all of October’, huh? I’m not surprised. I’m expecting the day when they make musicians out of robots so they never have to deal with human issues again. How busy will they have you?”

  He tried to swallow the lump in his throat and gulped down some water, only to choke when some of it went down the wrong pipe.

  She got up and rubbed his back while he coughed. “Are you okay? Relax, try to breathe.”

  He nodded. She waited for him to be able to speak.

  “It’s better. I’m okay.”

  “Don’t kill yourself trying to talk to me,” she gently admonished him.

  He gestured for her to sit back down. “I was about to say, I’m going to be tied up a while. The last concert is New Year’s Eve.”

  “Oh.”

  “Just ‘oh’?”

  “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it, is there? You have commitments. That’s your life.”

  “You could come with me. I don’t care what anyone would say.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t miss the holidays with my family. And I still have to have income.”

  “I know the timing sucks. I looked into getting out of it, but the dates are sold out. I hate that I’ll miss Christmas with you, and every other day. This time away with you was--”

  “It was good for me, too.” She sighed. “I didn’t know the tour would be so extensive. You should have told me.”

 
“I’m sorry. I only learned the exact dates when we got home.”

  “Yeah…I’m sorry…I just didn’t think--” She set her fork down. “At least it’s not longer, huh?”

  “Sixty days across Europe and Asia. We’re playing in Moscow again.”

  “Exciting.”

  “Beth, we still have a week, and I’ll keep in touch. Please think about coming out to at least one city.”

  She poked noodles around on her plate. “Who planned this thing, anyway? You should’ve had a break in the middle for Christmas.”

  “We get the day off.”

  “Ooo, one day. Not long enough to see any of your family. When did you agree to the tour?”

  “March, I think.”

  “Oh.”

  “Are you going to be mad all night?”

  “Maybe I should go.”

  “Beth, you just got here. Maria went to all this trouble. Stay, please?”

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She placed her napkin on the table and pushed the chair back, then stood. “I can see myself out.”

  It drove him nuts not knowing what she was thinking right now. He chased after her and pushed the front door shut before she could walk through it.

  “Hey.”

  “You’re not running away.” He closed in until her back was pinned to the door.

  “I’m not.”

  “Aren’t you? You heard something you don’t like and you don’t want to deal. I call that running.”

  She glared at him. “Let me go.”

  “So you can avoid me until you get lonely again? Don’t think so.”

  “Stop putting words in my mouth.”

  “Make me. Be mad, hate my job, whatever, but we’re going to hash it out like adults.”

  “I don’t want to talk about your stupid tour.”

  “Fine. Then finish your bloody plate like a good girl and I’ll let you leave after dessert.”

  “Let me? Who do you think you are?”

  He bent and tossed her over his shoulder. “The man who loves you. Stop kicking me.”

  “Put me down!”

  Jacob set her on her chair. “Eat.”

  “Fine. But only because I hate wasting food.” She shoved a heaping forkful in her mouth and made a show of chewing it.

  “Fine,” he said, hiding a smile. She was a spoiled brat, too. She could fight kicking and screaming, but he wasn’t going to let her avoid and hide any longer.