by Amy Brent
“I didn’t want to miss out on someone great for the sake of a few years. Life is too short for that. Losing Sarah taught me the truth in that.”
She nestled closer, and I held her for a while until it was time to go relieve Mia. I would call Melanie as soon as I got home and be done with the clients for good. I had Tori, and she was all I needed.
Chapter 24
Tori
I had never felt so safe and secure as I had with Ross, and not because he’d pummeled Kevin. I wasn’t sure if it were that whole fatherly vibe, or the animalistic thing in him that protected me, but I had been beaming all day just thinking about the other night. Even though we hadn’t spent an entire night together yet, I had a feeling it was coming. He’d even mentioned seeing if Mia would take on an all-night job for him to do it.
It had been nearly a week since we last had sex and I was half-starved for him. I had gone to work after an early morning date with my vibrator while Ross sent me dirty texts. It was so much fun the way we played, and I was so excited about our relationship starting that I hadn’t thought to ask him if he’d mentioned it to Katie yet. I’d waited all week for her to walk in and tell me how excited she was, but so far, she hadn’t.
It wasn’t my place to say anything, but I was bursting at the seams for him to tell her. We did our reading studies, and the children went to the library to choose another book. I had assigned them to each read the books and then tell me a little about it. Katie was bouncing with excitement when we walked into the library, and she headed straight for the chapter books, which were a little more challenging for her, especially when she read out loud.
I looked over to Jackie who was waving me over with a frown.
“Are you still seeing that old man?” The way she phrased the question rubbed me the wrong way.
“His name is Ross, and yes. But that’s his daughter right over there so I can’t talk about him right now.” I narrowed my eyes and shrugged.
“I need to talk to you about him. Come back on your conference hour.”
“Are we going to lunch?” I turned to check the students, and each was selecting a book from the shelf or making their way to the colorful rug where they were to sit and read.
“I’m not sure you’ll be hungry, I know I’m not.” She turned away and shook her head.
“Jackie, what is it?” I touched her arm, and she took a deep breath. “You’re scaring me, is it something terrible?”
She glanced out at the kids and then back at me. “Find me.” She turned around and walked out, and I was left to wonder, feeling sick inside.
I thought about what it could be and after worrying if she’d heard something about one of his exes, or perhaps that dreadful Mia. I didn’t want to think it was anything bad, so I figured it must be a misunderstanding.
Hours passed, and I finally found myself with enough free time to return to the library. I found Jackie talking with one of the other faculty members, and so I waited out front and looked at the shelves. I saw some of my favorites and decided to take one to read to the class during their afternoon rest period.
“Hey,” I turned around and saw Jackie approaching. “I’m sorry if I freaked you out, but I’ve got something really important to tell you, Tori. I’m afraid it’s not good news.”
“I’ve been terrified, so it better not be something stupid. What does this have to do with my relationship with Ross?”
“Tori, how well do you know this guy? I mean, yeah, his daughter is in your class, but what about his private life?” She turned and led me into the back office where she could still see her counter.
I took a seat in the chair across from her desk and slumped down, already tired of the whole conversation. “I know him, all right? I’ve been to his house, him to mine; we’ve had sex a few times—I don’t get why you’re so upset.”
Her hand clutched her collar. “Did you use protection?”
So, that’s what it was about. She must have heard something like Kevin had and thought that Ross was a cheater. “If this is about that girl the other day at lunch, she’s practically his boss, and he’s admitted that he’s been seeing other women, but now that we’re making things exclusive, he’s severing those ties.” She shook her head, but I interrupted before she could speak. “Look, before you try to villainize him, let me just say, I’m okay with his past, and it’s in the past.”
“Do you know what kind of work he’s been doing lately? What his boss hired him to do?” She put her hand on her hip and gave me a narrowing glance.
“He said it was security work, and that’s why it was at night.” Panic struck me, but I was determined not to think the worst. He could have been doing security. Why would have to lie if he wasn’t? “Just tell me what you know, because you obviously believe it’s true.” I was so upset with her for not giving him the benefit of the doubt.
“Tori, I was talking to my friend Angela who used to be my old roommate. She was always the wild type, and well, she’s the one I’ve told you about that goes to sex parties and conventions.”
“Right, so what? Did she see someone she thought was Ross?”
“She recently went to a bachelorette party with some of those friends, and we were talking. Well, she kind of shares too much, and showed me a few pictures from the event that she’d taken on the sly. She didn’t think her boyfriend would believe she’d been to that kind of event and it’s kind of a thing between them, they like each other messing around, but anyway, she was telling me how this party had a live entertainer. An attractive, older man.”
My heart pounded so fast it was hammering in my ears. “I don’t understand.”
“At this party, the man is passed around like a toy and used orally. Then he had sex with the bride. She took the pictures because he has an impressive penis.” She glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot.
“You’re mistaken; it’s not Ross.” Even though I knew his cock was impressive, I wasn’t about to give up on him so easily.
“I had her forward me two photos. You look at them and tell me I’m wrong. But if I’m right, Tori, you have to get away from this man. He’s bad news.” She took out her phone and found the images and then leaned in to let me get a better look, before passing me the phone.
I knew in a heartbeat that it was him and my face burned with anger and embarrassment so hot that I thought I’d pass out. Even though I wasn’t standing, I gripped the desk in front of me to steady. “What kind of party was this?” I wanted to make sure things were clear, and that I had all of my information so that I could confront Ross. I had to be absolutely sure there was no mistake. In my heart, I wanted it to be, but the photograph didn’t lie and not only had he been stark naked in front of a crowd, but there was women touching him. All of him. And worse of all, he had a big smile plastered on his face.
“She said that she gave him oral with about twenty other women and then he had sex with the bride. She didn’t say if it was protected.” I met her eyes as my stomach lurched and I covered my mouth and ran to the nearest bathroom and heaved.
Jackie ran in behind me and knelt down to help. She put her arm around me as I hugged the toilet and when I didn’t throw up, only because I’d skipped breakfast and lunch, she lifted me up. “I’m so sorry, Tori. I wanted it not to be true. I made her show me all the shots to be certain, and I took the best two to show you. If there was any doubt, I’d never have said anything. I didn’t know how to tell you. I knew you’d be devastated.”
“Thank you for being honest with me. I’m just glad someone was. I can’t believe he did this. He said that he saw other people, but I didn’t think he meant in groups.”
So many thoughts went through my head, and I couldn’t help but think he’d only wanted me for my virginity. His attitude had changed about me then, and the more I thought about it, I was certain I’d just been another cherry to pop, a virgin to deflower, a notch in his belt. I broke down and cried some more, and Jackie stayed with me the entire ti
me rubbing soothing circles on my back and offering advice.
“You need to stay away from him. I wouldn’t say a word. You never know how he might react. You said he beat the hell out of Kevin, which means he’s got a violent streak. I say just stay away.”
“I can’t just stay away. He’ll expect me to talk to him and want to know why I’m not. I can’t walk away and pretend that nothing happened. I have to confront him.” I stood up and went to the sink to wash my face and saw how horrible I looked. My mascara had smeared around my eyes and what little eyeliner I had put on with it, was gone.
I couldn’t go back to the children looking this way. All I could do was set up a substitute for the rest of the day and go home. I looked as sick as I felt, so it shouldn’t be any problem. “I’m going home. I can’t stay here.”
“I think that’s a good idea. You don’t want the kids to see you this way. I should have waited until you were home, but I knew I had to tell you before you got in any deeper with that man.” She said that man as if she wanted to strangle Ross Reed more than I did.
“Yeah, I have to go home and try to figure out what I’m going to do. He always calls me at lunch, but I’ll tell him I’m not feeling well.” It would be believable that I’d picked up a nasty flu or cold from the school and being contagious could buy me a little time until I figured out how to confront him and where.
I would give it a day or two and perhaps meet him in a public place—a nice restaurant; somewhere he couldn’t make a scene. “Could you forward those images to me, please. I’d like to have them, so there is no denying it. If he’s lied, he’s not going to admit it that easily.”
“Yeah, I’ll send them now.” She thumbed her phone’s screen, and in seconds I heard a ping from my phone. “Don’t be alone with him, Tori. He’s some kind of deviant.” She glanced around the room and leaned in closer, even though we were alone. “Did he ever get rough with you, violent, or do strange things?” Her nose wrinkled as if she didn’t want to ask.
“No, nothing I’d consider out of the ordinary, but he was really good at what he did do.” I let out a long sigh.
Jackie shook her head. “Yeah, well, he’s had a lot of practice.”
I couldn’t believe I’d never be with him again. I already missed him, and it was strange to think that the sweet, loving man I thought I knew, wasn’t at all what he said he was.
Chapter 25
Ross
My week couldn’t have been any better, and I was so excited that with the weekend, I’d get to see Tori. I’d started my new job the day before and so far, things were going great. Claire had started me out at a higher rate of pay than most of the other workers, and I knew it was her way of asking me to be discreet. I’d take it. I wasn’t ever planning to talk. Discretion was key with the type of work I’d done before, and I surely didn’t want the things I’d done getting back to anyone I loved or cared about.
I’d always made sure that there were no pictures and no cell phones with the bigger crowds, and knowing most of the clients I had weren’t new to the game, I had faith that they understood the way it was played.
Melanie had taken the news of my early retirement well and was proud of me for landing the job, but she wasn’t as understanding about me ending our sessions. I sat with her on the phone during my lunch commute trying to explain to her why I didn’t want to have a secret affair.
“I didn’t mind the play when I was single, but it’s not fair to Tori or to myself while trying to start an honest relationship to see you, or anyone else for that matter, on the sly. Tori deserves better and now that we were together, and I’ve promised her commitment, I have to honor that.”
“I understand.” Her voice broke. “I’m going to miss you.”
“You’re a great friend, Mel. That’s not going to change.” She’d be fine. I had no doubt and she probably already had someone lined up to take my place. I just hope he’d treat her right.
“Everything changes, Ross. And if it ever changes for you again, I’d love to see you.”
“If you ever need me, you know how to reach me. If any of those men get out of line you know I’ll come straighten them out.” She giggled, and it was quiet enough that I had a feeling it was mixed with tears.
“I will. It’s bittersweet, but I’ll be okay. I’ll catch you later, Ross.” And with that, she hung up the phone. I exited the freeway but still had a way to go. I had one more call to make before I called Tori to nail down our evening plans.
Mia answered the phone with a growl. “What? I’m sleeping.”
“And I’m on my way to work, which means one of us is a slacker.”
“Funny. What do you want?” I could hear the rustling of covers on the other end of the phone.
“I’d like for you to watch Katie tonight—overnight if possible.” I waited for her to ask why and I was going to have to explain to her that I needed an entire night with my girl. I wanted to hold her all night and wake up next to her.
“Let me guess; you’re going out with Tori?”
“Yes, the girlfriend you pushed into the kiddie pool and nearly ruined my daughter’s birthday party, that Tori.”
“I didn’t ruin it.” By the tone of her voice, she was biting back laughter.
“Those kids weren’t happy seeing their favorite teacher fall down and you’re lucky she played it off so they wouldn’t be upset.” It was quiet a moment, and I could tell by her huffing through the phone that she was about to protest. “You owe me, Mia. Though all of your stunts, I’ve kept you employed, even when I could barely afford you.”
“That’s because you don’t pay me shit. If I do this, I want a raise. Besides, you’re working now, so you can afford to pay me more, right?” She had me cornered.
“Fine. We’ll work out the rates later when I see what I can swing.”
“A dollar more an hour.”
“Mia, don’t push it. Just tell me you’ll do this for me, I’ve got to go back to work.” I turned into the parking lot of Richard and Associates and knew I was wasting the time I had to talk to Tori bargaining.
“Fine. But you can’t take up half my day tomorrow spooning her at her place. I want you home early because I’m going to the beach.”
“Sounds perfect. I’m planning on us coming to get Katie and taking her out for the day.”
She made a horrible sound, and I knew she was mocking me, but she hung up before I could respond. She was a brat, but she was all I had that would put up with me.
I found a parking space and sat there a minute to call Tori. As the phone rang, I thought about the night before and how I’d spent the evening in, counting up the money I’d saved from all of those hook ups, and I still couldn’t believe that in that short of time, I’d replenished my savings back to what they’d been when Sarah was alive, and still managed to pay my bills and feed my daughter.
It was a good run, but I’d known that I couldn’t do that sort of thing forever.
Tori wasn’t picking up, and I waited as long as I could. I had to return to work, and that meant I’d have to keep off my cell phone. I turned down my phone’s volume and stuck it in my pocket as I got out to go inside. When I hit the door, Claire walked up and gave me a knowing grin, and I said hello and continued on my way. As gorgeous as she was, she had nothing like my Tori.
On my second break of the day, I decided to try and call Tori again. I stepped outside and dialed, and it rang forever before voicemail picked it up. “Hey, baby. I wanted to talk to you about tonight. I’ve lined up a sitter till morning. Call me.” I could have texted, but I always thought it wasn’t personal enough. Besides, I wanted her to hear how excited I was and hoped she would be too.
Moments later I had a message. I glanced down and read the words I’m sick, and my mood switched to genuine concern for her.
Call me, I responded.
I waited, and she didn’t message me back, and I figured it must be bad. I would have to go by and see her. I waited until my tim
e was up and returned to work. Being training I couldn’t call, and I was distracted by my worry for her.
As soon as I got off work, I got in the car and called. Still no answer. Damn kids today wanting to text instead of calling. I typed out a message asking if she felt any better and if she’d been home all day.
Minutes later I got another response, but I was already halfway to her house. I didn’t want to bother her, but I wanted to make sure she had everything she needed. If I had to go to the store, I’d have time, and maybe I could fix her something light to eat.
I pulled up into her driveway and stopped to read the message. I’m fine, going to get some rest.
I thought she might be sleeping, so I was about to back out of the drive when I saw her living room curtain pull back and changed my mind. I threw it in park and headed to the door. I stood there knocking a while, and grew more concerned when she didn’t answer. It didn’t make sense.
I took out my phone and texted: I’m at the door, checking on you.
When she didn’t respond right away, I grew concerned that maybe Kevin had shown back up. I wasn’t sure that asshole wouldn’t try and hurt her to get back at me for pounding his face.
I banged on the door and looked through the window. I could see Tori pacing the room, holding her stomach. She didn’t look sick, but rather sick over something. She might have had bad news about her aunt or something. Something that had upset her and she didn’t want to share. It still didn’t put me at ease. I needed to know she was safe and I didn’t understand why she wasn’t reaching out to me.