Keeping Time

by Jamie Craig

  Keeping Time

  By Jamie Craig

  Published by JMS Books LLC

  Visit jms-books.com for more information.

  Copyright 2020 Jamie Craig

  ISBN 9781646563777

  Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

  Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

  All rights reserved.

  WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

  This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Published in the United States of America.

  * * * *

  Keeping Time

  By Jamie Craig

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 1

  Date: April 3, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Moon music

  Hey,

  Well. Here it is. It’s probably about time we moved things off the board, don’t you think? Only took us…*looks at calendar*…five months and eight days. Never pegged you for a woman that plays hard to get. But far be it for me to back off from a challenge.

  I’ve got the music, now all I need is your snail mail. Ball’s in your court.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 4, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: Moon music

  Hey Ben,

  Sorry it took so long to respond. Work has been crazy busy. I don’t even have a chance to get caught up on the board, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging! Anything interesting going on?

  *laughs* I’m not hard to get. You just never offered me gifts before. I’m still upset I missed that show! Too bad I don’t have concert days, huh? I could use those a lot more than sick days.

  Anyway, here’s my address. I’ll be more than happy to pay for shipping.

  685 Mountain View

  Altadena, CA 91001

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 4, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: Moon music

  Hey Ana,

  If I had known your company could be bought for a couple of bootlegs and some stamps, I would’ve made the offer months ago. You’re one of a small, select group from the board that doesn’t make me want to throw my computer out the nonexistent window of my office. If I have to hear one more post about how “hawt Travis is”…

  Please tell me you don’t think Travis is hot. This would blow if I pissed you off already.

  Music’s in the mail. And something a little extra for you. Because that small, select group is really a solo act.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 4, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: Moon music

  Ben,

  No, I don’t think Travis is “hawt.” He’s a bit young for me. Neil on the other hand…*laughs*

  I have to admit, I’m a bit flattered to see I don’t make you want to throw your computer out your nonexistent window. I’ve noticed your posts since you first registered on the board. Coherent, intelligent, actually interested in the music? I wondered if you took a wrong turn somewhere to find the board. I’m really happy you decided to stick around. I always make it a point to read your posts.

  I’ll let you know as soon as I get it. I can’t wait to see what the “something extra” is. I thought I was excited about the package before (I never get anything in the mail these days but bills, it seems).

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 4, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: Moon music

  Young, huh? I guess I probably shouldn’t tell you how old I am then, lol.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 4, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: Moon music

  Oh, no. Now I’m worried. You’re not younger than Travis are you?!

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: Moon music

  Nope. But I *am* younger than Neil. Have you lost all respect for me now?

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: Moon music

  Younger than Neil, huh? No, if anything, I’m more impressed with your ability to write complete sentences. Oh god, I probably sound like some sort of snob, don’t I? I don’t hate everybody younger than 30, I promise.

  So, what do you do in your office with your nonexistent window, besides read Internet message boards?

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: The scoop

  Spend too much time trying to get out of grading tests, lol.

  Actually, I teach freshman math courses at UCLA. The basics mostly—pre-calculus, trig, advanced algebra. They save all the really good subjects for the professors who have already lost all their hair and wear bifocals from squinting at formulas all day. So actually, I don’t spend a lot of time in my office/cubicle at all. I’ve just been looking for extra reasons to get online the past couple days to check my e-mail. *wink*

  So if I promise not to think you’re a snob, will you promise not to think I’m a geek? Not all number crunchers are virgins with Princess Leia fetishes, you know.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: The scoop

  Not into the gold bikini, huh? Too bad, because I was about to suggest I break mine out. But if you’re not into bikinis and chains…*laughs*

  Actually, I don’t think you’re a geek. I think your job sounds really interesting. I can’t help but be impressed with a man who teaches. I did one course as a grad student and realized it was not the job for me.

  Between you and me, I’ve been finding excuses to get online all day. Which isn’t good because I have a major project due in….twenty-two hours and 49 minutes.

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: The scoop

  I never said anything about not liking chains. It’s the whole damsel in distress thing that doesn’t do anything for me. Give me a strong woman over a wimp any day of the week.


  And yes, I’m a product of the Lara Croft generation. Sue me.

  Major project? You’ve never said what you do, though from the way you’re always coming up with all the best ideas for the Street Team, I’ll bet it’s something creative.

  Ben

  PS: I have zero problem being your distraction. The way I see it, you’re already distracting me. I think turnabout is fair play.

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: The scoop

  I work for a PR firm here in LA. Sorry, I can’t tell you which one. I’ve got to be super-careful, because if my boss found out I do some of this stuff for free, she’d have a FIT. A major, major client is launching a book in a few months, and I need to have an entire marketing plan for her. In twenty hours now.

  So you like strong women in chains? Or you like strong women to use chains on you? (I had to walk away from the computer for like an hour, and I just re-read that line. It seemed less inappropriate when I typed it.)

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: The scoop

  PR would definitely explain why you make the rest of us trying to promote Decrepit Moon look like morons. Now, if I’d known you were a ringer, I would’ve insisted on e-mailing you a lot sooner than this. As it is, I’m going to have to settle for being the one who knows your dark and dirty secret.

  *ponders that carefully*

  That actually works for me. *wink*

  You’re promoting a book? And you think *my* job sounds interesting?!? You haven’t slept, right?

  Speaking of sleeping, which answer about women and chains is going to convince you to chat with me instead of using e-mail? Think of it as the ultimate distraction. Real time instead of having to wait the hour or so for me to shoot an e-mail back.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 5, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: The scoop

  Actually, I haven’t slept. I’ll sleep when I get this project done. That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway. Barring that, I’ll sleep in May. My annual vacation just happens to correspond with the next Moon concert in LA. Funny how that worked out, huh? *wink*

  I don’t know if chat is such a good idea. The last thing I need right now is the ultimate distraction. But I might be more tempted (though I admit, I’m already pretty tempted) to chat with you if you like strong women to use chains on you. Just because I like a guy who can admit it. *laughs*

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Sorry

  Hey Ana,

  Sorry about bailing on being your distraction. The department head arrived after I got your last e-mail and pulled me into a meeting, and then Thursdays are my long days here on campus. I’m sure you don’t care about the mundane details of my life or how incredibly stupid I was with my scheduling this term, but I don’t want you to think you might have scared me off. Nothing could be further from the truth.

  How did your deadline go? And did the bootlegs arrive yet? I worry about these kind of things. Snail mail sucks.

  Crap. A student is here. It’s not even a pretty one. Gotta go.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Got it!

  Hi Ben,

  Guess what was waiting for me when I got home tonight?! I’m listening to the CD right now, and God, could they sound more amazing live? You know, I wasn’t even interested in the band until a friend dragged me to a concert. Then it was like a religious experience or something.

  And I’m afraid I squee’ed like travis’s_butterfly when I saw the autographed placard. *hangs head* I guess I’m a fangirl at heart. I should be too old for that by now.

  Anyway, the project went great and I got it in an hour before the deadline. The client loves it. Everybody’s really excited about it. So I’m celebrating with a glass (ok maybe a bottle) of wine. It seems fitting.

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: Got it!

  Too old? No such thing. If you’ve got a passion for something, why let something as superficial as age stop you from enjoying it to the fullest?

  Wine and Decrepit Moon playing in the background? Ah, a woman after my own heart. The only thing missing are chicken taquitos from this great little Mexican place around the corner from my apartment. I’m assuming you have the weekend off? Any plans? It has to be better than the stack of tests I have to grade.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: Got it!

  Well, I didn’t have any specific plans, but now I think they should include chicken taquitos. Or a chimichanga. Or nachos. Hmmm, now I’m hungry. Thank God for delivery, because I’m not driving anywhere tonight.

  Wait, I lied. I do have big plans for the weekend. I’m going to wash my car, weed my lawn, and clean up my office. Which does sound better than grading math tests, I have to admit. Will it be my turn to act as a distraction?

  Ana

  PS: You never answered my question.

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: Got it!

  What question? *scans through inbox* You mean, the chains? Using them on me, of course. I did mention I hated the damsel, didn’t I? lol

  Does this mean you’ll chat with me now? I’m told I give very good chat. *wink*

  Distract me. Please!

  Ben, waiting expectantly

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: Got it!

  Ben,

  I don’t think I can chat tonight. The keyboard feels very small and my fingers feel very big. Think it’s the wine? It is taking me forever to type this email. I’d drive you crazy in chat.

  I’ve tried to think of a polite way to ask, but I haven’t been able to work it into the conversation gracefully. Do you have a girlfriend…or a boyfriend? (Not that there’s anything wrong with that! But it wouldn’t be the first time).

  Ana, looking for another bottle of wine

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: Got it!

  Girlfriend? No. Boyfriend. Still no.

  How about we play our own version of 20 questions? So you don’t have to worry about whether it’s polite to ask or not. You ask me any 5 questions you want, and I promise to answer as truthfully as I can. Then I’ll ask you. I’ll trust you to play fair, lol.

  Ben, who’s really hoping you’ll play

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: 5 questions

  Or is it only four since I already asked you a question?

  Hmmm. Let me think of some good ones.

  Do any of your students have a crush on you? Youngish teacher, good sense of humor, awesome taste in music…

  Did you grow up in Los Angeles?

  What’s your favorite wine?

  How old were you when you lost your virginity?

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: 5 questions

  1. Yes. And you forgot, easy grader. Especially when I’m being so pleasantly distracted.


  2. Nope, I moved to LA to attend UCLA. Loved it so much that I stuck around to teach. I’m originally from Toledo.

  3. I like reds, but I’m going to let my age show here and admit I don’t know a whole lot about them. I’m always looking for a good teacher, though.

  4. I was 17. Her name was Megan, and we’d been dating since the beginning of junior year. We agreed to have sex, I made all these arrangements for a romantic night at my house a weekend my parents were away, and then the following Monday, she broke up with me. She said she’d been doing a test for herself, to see if her feelings really had changed for me. Turned out the answer was yes.

  My turn for questions…

  1. What’s your most prized possession?

  2. What color are your eyes? Sorry. This is a personal weakness of mine.

  3. What’s your favorite sexual position?

  4. If you could say anything to me right now, what would it be and why?

  And since that last question is technically two, I’ll stop there.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Re: 5 questions

  1. About nine years ago, Neil was in a band called Mango Quest. You might have heard of them, though they weren’t a band for long. It was sort of like a nursery for the Indie scene. Neil on lead guitar, Brock Jenkins on drums, Jack Bender on bass, and Johnny Jeffs singing lead (I still can’t believe they were all in the same band…) Anyway, they did one album together. I caught them on tour, bought their album, had them sign it after the show, and two days later, they broke up.

  2. Brown.

  3. Standing. From behind.

  4. I’d love to teach you about wine, because drinking alone isn’t that much fun. Also that Megan sounds like a bit of a jerk. But I guess she has the excuse of being 17. My husband pulled the same thing on me, and he did not have the excuse of being 17.

  Ana

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: ana_moon

  From: bj_scalia

  Subject: Re: 5 questions

  You mean ex-husband. Because if I find out that the brown-eyed woman I’ve been fantasizing about all week is married, it’ll be…well, it’ll be even hotter because of the whole wrong badness of it all, but still.

  Ex. Please tell me it’s ex.

  Ben

  * * * *

  Date: April 7, 2007

  To: bj_scalia

  From: ana_moon

  Subject: Ex

  He’s very, very, very ex. Though now that you mention the whole wrong badness of it all, I wish I met you two years ago.