by Hart, Cary
I’m not going to feed into this conversation. Any time his mom is brought up we fight. That woman has such a hold on him and he can’t even see it.
He’s still struggling with the dog, so I decide to take matters into my own hands and put him out of his misery. “Come here Putter. Come here boy!” I bend over, clapping my hands.
Perking up his ears, Putter looks me, then Doug, then follows my command and comes straight to me. Jumping up and down, wagging his little tail, excited to see me. “That’s my boy.”
“See! The dog listens to you.” He pulls out a stool in the kitchen and sits down, making himself a little too comfortable here.
“Dogs are like babies. They can feel what you feel. So if you are a little annoyed, chances are he is going to react in a way that will annoy you even more.”
Actually, Putter doesn’t listen to anyone, but I don’t want to tell him that. If he wants to think I’m the dog whisperer then so be it. The truth is, Putter is a bad-ass dog and not in the protector of his house kind of way. He doesn’t listen. Like ever. He fooled us that day. We thought we bought a calm dog that just puttered around. Nope! He was far from the dog we thought he was. Apparently, they had just given him a valium, to clip his nails. Wish we would have known. Putter should have been named Taz, short for Tasmanian devil, because he is the destroyer.
“Speaking of which, I need you to keep him. He is destroying the house, pissing everywhere.”
“Doug! I didn’t even want a dog. It’s bad enough I have him three-fourths of the time.”
“You are the one that got him.”
“Because you and your mom forced me to.”
“She simply suggested it. Why do you always want to blame her for everything?” He says the words he has repeated more than a million times.
“You know what? I’m not going there—”
“Mom! Putter has my swimsuit!” Reece drags Putter behind her down the hall.
“Baby girl, he thinks you are playing tug-of-war with him. Drop your end.”
She’s still pulling when I hear fabric ripping.
“MOM! Look what he did!” Now she drops her end.
“Great! What a wasted trip. Come on Reece. Let’s go, we won’t have time to swim today.” Doug comes up behind us, not realizing he spoke the words that will set her off in three...two...one...
“Daddy! You promised me! You said we could go swimming all day.” She runs up to him and pulls at his shirt with sheer panic plastered on her face. “I didn’t even like that swimsuit. Let’s get a new one like you said.”
Not being able to hide my smile, I turn my head, hoping he doesn’t see.
Doug is a great dad, but he just doesn’t get to spend as much time with her as I do. He got played today as usual. She has him wrapped around her little pinky finger. Whatever she wants she usually gets.
Maybe spending all weekend with her every other one will be good for both of them and Doug will learn he can’t always be a Disney dad, that he has to say no every now and again.
“Kid, you’re killing me.” He bends down and hugs her. “First let’s go pick up GiGi and have her help us find you a new suit, lunch and then swimming.”
“How about you go with me to get the swimsuit...”
“I’ve done that before, doll, and we are—”
“Daddy, please?” Reece makes her best pouty face, lowering her eyes and sticking out her bottom lip.
“Fine.”
“Yay! Thanks daddy you are the best!” She smacks him on the lips. “But first let me grab a tote of things I want to take back to your place.”
“Our place.” He corrects her.
“Yes, home. I get it. I’ll hurry. I promise.”
Home.
Divorcing is never easy. Actually, it’s kind of like a death. You never get over it, you just manage to deal with it. Each day is a little easier than the last. Today is a good day. Well, it was until I heard her call his place home.
Pulling a stool out, I take a seat and start going over the list of things I need to accomplish in the next week.
“You know, she’s just like you.” Doug turns toward me and rests his elbow on the counter, giving me his million-dollar smile.
“Spoiled?”
I hated when he called me that.
“No, determined.”
He rests his hand on mine.
Our eyes meet.
Nothing.
I look down, just as he does the same.
“So, you a club whore now?”
“What the hell, Doug?” I yank my hand back, glaring at him.
“One weekend without my kid—”
“Our kid,” I correct him.
“Whatever, Aubrey. Your first free weekend and you’re out whoring around.”
“You know what?” I stand up and brace myself for a verbal smack-down. “We are not married and what I do or don’t do on my weekend is none of your business.”
“How you live your life affects our child. You need to get a grip and realize just because you wanted a divorce your responsibilities to Reece don’t become part-time.” Pushing away from the island, Doug grabs his keys, stuffs his hands in his pockets and heads for the door.
“Fuck you Doug Harris! I’m one hell of a mom and I’m not going to let you make me believe otherwise.”
“Mommy?” I turn around and see Reece standing there with her personalized rolling suitcase. Tears are streaming down her face.
Shit!
Shooting Doug a look I rush to her side. “Baby girl. Don’t cry. Mommy’s sorry.” I wipe the tears from her innocent face with my thumb.
“Mommy, are you mad at Daddy for bringing Putter back?”
“Of course not. Reece, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten mad and I certainly shouldn’t have said those bad words.” I try to explain without bringing her into this. I turn toward Doug, desperately looking for help.
“Very bad words Mommy. Did you not have your coffee today?”
Laughing I grab her sweet little cheeks. “Yes, Mommy had some coffee. Maybe I should have had more?”
“Yes, that would have been a FANTASTIC idea and remember...” She pulls away to mirror my movements, bringing my face into hers. “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all.”
“Absolutely. I’ll be better.”
“Pinky promise?” She holds out a pinky.
“Pinky promise.” I lock our fingers together in a silent agreement.
“Reece, we need to go if you want to spend all day swimming.”
“Coming Daddy!” She heads for the door, pulling her bag behind her. “And Mommy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Don’t let Putter chew up my toys. He’s been really bad at Daddy’s.”
“On it boss.”
I wink.
She smiles.
And then they are gone. Again. Taking in a deep breath. I turn to put Putter in his kennel, but he has disappeared.
Oh shit!
“Putter? Come here boy!” I holler for him, but silence fills the air.
Walking down the hall I peak into her bedroom. Good. The toys are still intact.
“Putter? Where are you?” I call out.
I know he can’t be too far. We are living in a one bedroom pool house. Dread fills my head at the disaster that is around the corner. I’m sure toilet paper is torn up and trash is everywhere.
“Putter, you are in big trouble.” I flip on the light and the site is almost hilarious. He’s in the tub with a dirty towel draped over the side.
“Whatcha trying to say, boy?” I ask the dog who obviously can’t speak. Instead he looks at me, blinks and then looks at the faucet.
“You want a bath?” Again. He is still a dog that can’t talk.
Is this what my days are filled with now? Conversations with a dog? I bet there is a book out there about this. Found in the section between dinosaur erotica and “1,001 Ways to use a Fidget Spinner.”
“Come on Putter, time to get
out. Reece can give you one tomorrow night,” I say, reaching for his collar. Except I’m met with a growl and nip.
“Fine. A quick one. Then it’s off to your kennel for the day.”
He barks.
I laugh.
Sign me up for the looney bin. I’m officially going crazy.
It was only supposed to be a quick shower, but with Reece’s new Shower Wow attachment, streams of water beating down in a lighted rhythm, my quick wash-n-go has turned into a light show party of one. Bringing back memories of the night before, making me wish this Shower Wow had a detachable wand.
Why didn’t I get his number?
Why didn’t he ask for mine?
Last night was one of the best nights I have had in a long time. Niki was right, I needed to get out of the house and just forget who I am for a while. Dinner, drinks and dancing was my cure-all.
I felt sexy, confident even. I’m not going to lie. At first when the spotlight beamed down on me, blinding me of my surroundings, I wanted to hide. Feeling out of my comfort zone, I wanted to run, but once my eyes adjusted to the column of light, I saw the eyes. They were on me. Wanting, curious to what I was going to do.
Getting out of my head and into the moment, I let myself go. Feeling the pulsating of the bass, I moved my hips, touching myself how I would want to be touched. Inviting someone to join me, replacing my hands with theirs...
Then he was there. Taking the lead, moving us to the seductive beat. Turning in his arms, I felt it. It’s everything they say it is. An electrical current pulling us together, a nervous feeling causing my instincts to kick in and run, but he notices. He sees me, pulling me in tighter, securing me to him. My arms tighten around his neck, waiting for his next move, but it doesn’t come. The music ends, the spotlight turns off and just like that he pries my arms free, his eyes speaking so much. Doubt, regret...everything I should be feeling, but don’t.
I wanted him, but he didn’t want me.
Confidence gone.
“Screw him!” Grabbing the towel, I get out of the shower, dry myself and text Niki to see if she wants to meet for a little afternoon coffee.
Me: Hey Skank! Where did you go last night?
Me: Coffee?
Niki: How about a nooner, our spot?
Me: Perfect! See you then.
Niki: Fo-sho! <3
Screw this day! I’m taking it back. Viva-La-Vida baby.
Condensation is dripping from the mirror so I wipe it clean with my towel before securing it around myself. Then something amazing happens. My playlist rewards me with a classic girl power song, “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls.
Yo, I’ll tell ya what I want, what I really, really want.
“So, tell me what you want, what ya really, really want!” I respond, singing the lyrics.
Skipping down the hall I head to the laundry room that is hidden in a closet in the kitchen. Singing at the top of my lungs, “IF YOU WANT TO BE MY LOVAH. YOU GOTTA GET WITH MY FRIENDS...” Stopping to do a little dance here and there, I bask in the moment. Mentally forgetting everything and living the moment.
In my world, big mistake.
“Damn it dog!” Putter is licking the inside of the pizza box from two nights ago and trash is everywhere.
“I never really understood that song. Is she inviting her wannabe lover to an orgy with her friends?” The deep timbre of his voice startles me.
I scream. “OH MY GOD!”
He smirks.
The dog goes crazy, excited at seeing a stranger in the house. Running around he looks for something to play with. A present for his new wannabe friend. Jumping up and down, he begs for me to help him.
On the way down, he grabs the end of my towel, yanking with a growl.
I’m naked.
The dog wants to play and I have a stranger, who isn’t a stranger but maybe a stalker, in my kitchen.
He laughs.
The dog gives him the towel.
“GET OUT! NOW! Before I call 9-1-1!”
Drew
HER!
I never thought I would see her again, but here she is, adorably angry and embarrassed.
Quickly turning, I pretend I didn’t see every single curve of her body I had dreamt I’d seen last night. Refusing to blink, I imprint the image of her standing there naked and raw.
“Here.” I throw the towel over my shoulder in her direction. “Cover up and we will talk.”
“Thank you.” Her voice is quiet and unsure. “I mean, get the hell out! This is beyond crazy. How in the hell did you even find me?” she spits out.
“You covered?”
“Umm yes.”
“Good.” I turn around and instead of seeing her dressed she is still wrapped in a towel, beads of water dripping down her back from her shower-soaked hair. This girl is pure torture. “I believe we have a meeting today. To go over the plans for your add-on?”
“Oh.” She suddenly becomes flustered. “You’re Kyle?”
“No, not Kyle, Andrew Williams, but everyone calls me Drew.” I reach my hand out, “and you must be Aubrey Harris?”
Gripping her towel tighter, she opts for a head nod, ignoring my hand. “Ummm...nice to meet you...again?”
“Yeah, it is.”
Again. That one word takes on a new meaning, one of equal levels of regret and hope.
Leaving her on the dance floor was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her, but my life is crazy fucked up right now and she is the type of girl you wouldn’t just want around for one night. No, she is the type that consumes you. Every second of every goddamn day.
“So, what happened to Kyle?” She slowly begins to relax. Leaning her hip against the table, she settles in for a conversation.
“He was the one who suggested we hit Spotlight last night. Apparently, his night didn’t end when we left.”
“Oh?” She begins to tense up again.
Not sure what I said, but if I could take it back I would.
“Can I ask you a question?” Her voice is soft and barely audible.
“Sure.”
“Why did you run off? I mean, did I do something?”
Her voice is hesitant but curious.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention to make you feel that way, but to be honest...it felt too good and if I would have stayed, I would have taken you back to my place and showed you exactly how well I wanted to get to know you.”
“Oh?” She blushes.
“That was my first weekend without my daughter and I didn’t want to make you a victim of circumstance.” I wince at my words. Not exactly what I wanted to say, but if I bring attention to them she may catch on.
“Oh!” She stiffens.
Shit!
“I totally understand.” She begins to fidget. “This was my first full weekend without my daughter as well. It’s a good thing you had your morals in place and stopped us both from doing something so reckless and irresponsible.” Sarcasm laces her voice.
“Aubrey, that isn’t what I meant—”
“I totally knew what you meant,” she interrupts me. “So, how about we get down to business and I’ll give you a tour and fill you in on what I already explained to Kyle.”
“Aubrey—”
“Drew, please, let’s put last night behind us and move forward. Strictly business.”
“I was going to suggest maybe you would be more comfortable if you changed.”
“Oh! Umm...yeah.” She backs slowly down the hallway. “Good idea. I guess that is why you are the brains of the company. I mean not that your guys aren’t smart or that I’m not, I mean...” She huffs out a breath. “Give me five.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I reassure her, pulling out my notebook to go over the notes Kyle jotted down from their phone conversations.
“I’m sorry, just another moment.” She comes out of one of the bedrooms in just a pair of yoga capris and a red sports bra that is causing everything to co
me to life. The smooth silky skin on her shoulders is lined with the tiniest amount of freckles, which makes me wonder where else they may be hiding.
“I just need in here.” She points, but I don’t move.
When she was naked, I looked, but didn’t stare. Now, I can and I am. Her body causes me to lose myself in a trance.
“I just need to squeeze through.” Aubrey doesn’t wait for me to move. She just wedges herself in between me and the door. “Drew, ummm, can I get through?” Her breathing picks up, chest rising and falling drawing, my attention to her breasts.
I could move, but instead I lift my hands up so she can fit through and when I do, I graze her sports bra which isn’t very sportsy after all, but more of a T-shirt material, allowing me to feel her nipples. My touch causes them to harden to peaks.
“Th-thanks.” Her eyes are hooded as she finally breaks free. “J-ju-just one more second,” she stutters. “I just need to get a shirt.”
“Please do.” I catch myself saying out loud but not for the reasons she thinks. Again, open mouth insert foot.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She covers her face.
“No! It’s fine. It happens all the time.” Making a fist, I bring it up and hit my forehead. “That’s not what I mean. I just mean sometimes when we have projects where we find ourselves in unfortunate circumstances.”
“I see.” She tugs a shirt over her head.
“No, no you don’t. Yours isn’t an unfortunate one, it’s fortunate. Very, very fortunate.”
Drew, shut up man!
“OK?”
“How about this? Show me the house and afterward let me take you out for coffee. You do drink coffee, right?” I don’t give her a chance to say no. “We can get you a little caffeine and maybe me not so much since my mouth is obviously working faster than my brain and maybe just maybe I can make it up to you for being an idiot today.”
“Coffee is needed, but I already made arrangements to meet my friend. Maybe some other time.” She walks past me and into the family room. “Follow me and I’ll show you exactly what I hired you to do.”
Grabbing my work belt, I follow her from room to room listening carefully to her visions for her new home. Something simple. Expand the kitchen and add a master bedroom suite.
“Well, I guess I’ll leave you alone and let you do your thing.” She slides on her flip-flops and grabs her purse.