Forbidden Love

by Phillips, Laura

  If she got the impression that Brooke was interested, she would probably go for it. Before tonight, Kacey thought she was weeks away from being drawn to someone else, but the way Brooke was dancing was quickly changing her mind.

  Brooke caught her eye and smiled at her, placing a hand on Kacey’s hip as they got pushed closer together by the people dancing around them. Kacey felt a surge of confidence as Brooke held her gaze.

  Tonight could get interesting...

  Chapter 22

  Madison glanced down at the tumbler full of rum and coke in her hands as she waited for Ashley to pay the bartender. It wasn’t that long ago that she’d sworn off alcohol, yet here she was again, with Ashley, but at least this time they were at a gay club.

  After their last two nights out and all the unwanted attention they both received, coming to a gay bar tonight was an easy decision. Madison didn’t even know she was going out tonight. Ashley had come over for dinner and a few glasses of wine, but about an hour ago, Ashley decided she wanted to go out, and Madison was sufficiently buzzed, so she’d agreed.

  “All the couches are taken,” Ashley said after they left the bar.

  “Do you want to go upstairs? There’s usually seats along the balcony.”

  “Alright.”

  Madison followed Ashley upstairs, and pulled out two bar stools, both of them checking out the crowded dance floor below.

  “You know what? I think we’re both going to get lucky tonight,” Ashley said over the music.

  Madison rolled her eyes.

  “I’m serious,” she said, gently elbowing her. “This can’t go on forever. You need to get back out there.”

  “I know,” Madison said as she brought her tumbler to her lips. “I know.” Ashley’s eyes never left the dance floor. “Someone caught your eye already?”

  “Uh... No...”

  “What then?” Madison asked, following her gaze, and then she realized why Ashley didn’t want to tell her. In the middle of the dance floor, Kacey had her arms around another woman’s neck as they danced seductively to the music, and there was almost no space between them. Madison wanted to look away, but she couldn’t.

  “This is exactly why you need to move on,” Ashley said, still watching them.

  Madison waited for the light to shine on the other woman’s face, but when it did, she didn’t recognize her. She did notice that she wasn’t Kacey’s age.

  Was this her thing? Chasing after older women?

  “Madison, are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” she said, finally tearing her eyes away.

  “We could get back together,” Ashley said with a wink. “If you want to make her jealous.”

  “No. No way,” she said, giving her an elbow in the ribs. “If I didn’t know better, I’d have to say you wanted to be more than friends, Ash.”

  She laughed at that. “Well, good thing you do know better... What about her?” Ashley asked, glancing over at the woman seated on a bar stool a few feet away. “She was just looking over here.”

  “She was probably checking you out,” Madison said, taking another drink.

  “Why don’t you go find out? Ask her to dance...?”

  “I can’t complain about Kacey being immature and then go off and do something like that. I’m not playing games just to make her jealous.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m not like that,” Madison said with a sigh. “I don’t want to be that kind of person.”

  “It’ll do you good to get your mind off Kacey, and if you can make her jealous at the same time... Make her realize what she missed out on... Why not?”

  Madison looked past Ashley, locking eyes with the blonde woman Ashley was talking about. If she hadn’t been so distracted by Kacey, she probably would have gone over there at talked to her, but Madison knew her heart wasn’t in it. She wasn’t going to play games.

  “She’s pretty, okay?” Madison said, reaching for her tumbler again. “But I’m just not interested.”

  “You should give her a chance. She’s coming over.”

  “What?”

  Ashley didn’t have a chance to answer, and Madison felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see a woman with blonde hair that fell just to her shoulders, her blue eyes warm as she smiled at her.

  “Hi,” she said. “I was wondering if I could get you a drink...”

  Madison stood up so that this woman wasn’t looking down at her. She heard Ashley say that she was going to the restroom and then she was gone.

  “I’m Madison,” she said, returning her smile.

  “Grace.”

  “Why don’t we go dancing before we get that drink?” Madison asked, forgetting everything she’d just said.

  “Sure.”

  Madison followed her down the stairs, noticing her athletic figure and the way her black pants clung to her legs. The back of her top was cut out, revealing tanned skin, and as they made their way on to the dance floor, Madison wondered if Kacey had seen them or was she too busy dancing with that woman.

  Chapter 23

  Kacey couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun dancing. Brooke reminded her of Ashley, the way she danced and didn’t seem to take herself too seriously. She was so carefree.

  Kacey also liked how Brooke gave her all of her attention. From the second they started dancing, Brooke’s eyes had only been on her. She was glad Sherri had told her what Brooke’s story was. They were both in the same place. They just wanted to have a good time and forget about their exes.

  Well... almost ex. We were never together...

  Kacey pushed those thoughts aside, closing her eyes as she moved to the music, her fingers interlocked at the nape of Brooke’s neck. In the last few minutes the dance floor had become even more crowded, and they naturally ended up in each other’s arms.

  Kacey refused to feel guilty about this. Yes, Brooke was beautiful, but she knew that even if Brooke was interested in her, it wasn’t going anywhere, not right now at least. Kacey was just having a good time, and if at some point tonight... They happened to kiss... So be it.

  Kacey realized she was looking at Brooke’s lips and darted them away, only to feel Brooke’s hand on her arm, and Kacey dropped her hands from around her neck. She was about to suggest getting another drink, but Brooke brought her hand up to lightly rest on Kacey’s cheek, her thumb caressing the skin just above her jawline as she leaned in, parting her lips against Kacey’s.

  Kacey’s eyes fluttered shut. She was not expecting this to happen so quickly, but she didn’t stop and think. She kissed Brooke back, forgetting about the crowd moving around them. Her hand was on Brooke’s waist, their bodies pressed together.

  When someone bumped Kacey’s hip, nearly knocking her over, the moment was gone. Kacey’s hand was still on Brooke’s hip while her other hand wrapped around her waist, trying to keep herself upright.

  “Are you okay?” Brooke asked over the music.

  Kacey just nodded, glancing at Brooke’s lips before meeting her eyes. She hadn’t felt what she’d hoped she would. There was no spark, no chemistry, as gorgeous as Brooke was.

  “Let’s get a drink,” Kacey said, tilting her head towards the bar, and Brooke’s hand found hers, leading her off the dance floor.

  Kacey searched the crowd for Sherri, wondering if she’d come down to the dance floor or stayed by the couches or maybe she was at the bar. Kacey turned to check the dance floor one last time as they reached the edge, and she did a double take.

  There was Madison with a younger blond-haired woman that she didn’t recognize. She was dancing with less inhibition than she had at the wedding, and the woman she was dancing with had her hands on Madison’s hips. Kacey’s jaw clenched as she tore her eyes away, her hand still in Brooke’s as they squeezed their way through the crowd towards the bar.

  “Have you seen Sherri?” Kacey asked.

  “No... Is that her?”

  Kacey followed her gaze. Sherri was on the othe
r side of the bar. “Let’s order of there.”

  “I’m going to the restroom. I’ll join you over there in a few minutes. Okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Kacey made her way over to Sherri.

  “Hey, what are you drinking?” Sherri asked.

  “I’m okay for now.”

  “Are you sure? I saw you and Brooke,” she said with a grin.

  “She’s lovely... But-”

  “She’s not Madison,” Sherri finished for her with a sad smile.

  Kacey nodded. “She’s here...”

  “Madison?”

  “Yeah, with another woman...”

  “Oh, Kace. I’m sorry.”

  “I think I’m just going to go,” Kacey said, running her hand through her hair. “I know I should be over it by now, but I’m not... Brooke is amazing. I just can’t even think about anyone else right now.”

  “It’s okay. She’s still hurting too. I’ll tell her you weren’t feeling well?”

  “Tell her I have a shift early tomorrow.”

  “Okay.”

  “Thanks, Sherri,” Kacey said, giving her a hug. “And thanks for taking me out tonight. I did have a good time, despite seeing Madison with someone else. I guess, I shouldn’t be surprised really.”

  “It won’t always be like this.”

  “I know... Enjoy the rest of your night,” Kacey said before she moved through the crowd and left through the side door, not wanting to bump into Madison or Brooke on her way out.

  The muggy night air enveloped her as she stepped out onto the nosy street. Kacey wished she could enjoy herself, and she had, but it hadn’t lasted long enough. Seeing Madison again had dampened her mood. She’d seen her on campus before she graduated, but that was completely different.

  She seems to have gotten over her age difference fears though... That woman was my age.

  Seeing Madison with another woman was like being sucker punched, because Kacey knew that if she’d handled things differently, that could have been her out there with Madison.

  Kacey took out her phone and found an Uber nearby. She just wanted to go home and go to bed and forget about what she’d just seen.

  Chapter 24

  Madison sprinted the last few yards and slowed up to a jog as she reached the exit to the trail, her hands over her head, taking deep breaths. She’d committed herself to staying active over the summer. That’s what she told herself anyway, but it was really about staying busy. She was getting restless at home, and Ashley was working, so she couldn’t even bother her.

  Madison avoided going to The Beach House. She didn’t want to risk running into Kacey. Seeing her last weekend had been more than enough.

  Madison did enjoy herself last weekend. Grace was fun and a great dancer, but when she’d glanced over and seen Kacey dancing with that woman and eventually kissing her, Madison felt sick. She’d torn her eyes away, focusing on Grace, but she only lasted a few more minutes before she had to excuse herself and get some fresh air.

  Not only had she not expected to see Kacey, she never would have thought she’d react in such a visceral way. It wasn’t just about being jealous. What hurt the most was knowing that if things had gone a little differently, that could have been her dancing with Kacey.

  Why wasn’t she just honest with me?

  Madison crossed the parking lot, unlocking her black BMW and turning the AC on full blast, adjusting the air vents so they would blow directly on her face.

  I shouldn’t be filling so shitty. I’m the one who ended things. Why can’t I just forget about her?

  Madison closed her eyes and leaden her head back against the headrest. She never noticed Kacey before, at gay bars, The Beach House, or on campus, but she couldn’t seem to get away from her in the last few weeks. She’d seen her almost every day leading up to graduation, but Kacey either didn’t notice her or had chosen to ignore her.

  Now, she was even running into her at gay clubs. How was she supposed to forget about Kacey, when everywhere she turned, she was there?

  Madison started her car and put on her shades. She reversed and nearly backed into a pole when she saw Kacey stretching in the distance in her rear-view mirror. She looked like she was getting ready to go for a run, her blond hair tied back as she popped in her white earbuds.

  Unbelievable. At least Madison was leaving. She didn’t know what she’d say to her if they’d bumped into each other on the trail. She’d probably end up telling her how good she looked in that royal blue racerback tank top. Madison didn’t trust herself. She just needed to stay away from her.

  Chapter 25

  Kacey slumped into her mother’s office chair after a long shift at The Beach House. She wanted to blame the heat for her sluggishness, but she’d been inside in the cool air-conditioned restaurant all day.

  Kacey looked up when there was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

  “Oh hey,” Ashley said. “Sorry, I was looking for Elizabeth.”

  “She’s out running errands, but she should be back soon. Is it anything I can help you with?”

  “No. It can wait... Are you okay?” Ashley asked, leaning against the door frame, her white double-breasted jacket splattered with a few stains of red sauce.

  “I don’t know anymore,” Kacey said with a sigh.

  “Let me guess... Girl trouble.”

  “How’d you know?”

  “Because it always is. I saw you last weekend. She was quite the catch,” Ashley said with a smirk.

  “Brooke? She’s lovely. She’s a friend of Sherri’s, but it’s not her.”

  “Oh... I think I know what’s bothering you, and it’s okay to talk to me about her if you want to. We weren’t together long enough to even call it a real relationship.”

  “Yeah. It’s Madison...”

  “So, things were going okay? You know... Until she found out you were her student?”

  Kacey nodded. “I screwed up... I can’t believe how big of a mess I’ve made. I just didn’t want to lose her, and I should have known that’s exactly what would have happened if I wasn’t honest with her,” Kacey said covering her face with her hands.

  “Well, if it makes you feel any better, she hasn’t been herself lately.”

  “Really?”

  Ashley sighed. “She better snap out of it soon, because she’s no fun to go out with anymore,” she said with a smile. “But seriously... You guys obviously had something. Maybe it’s not too late to give it another go?”

  “I’d like that, but I don’t think she’s going to forgive me anytime soon, and that’s completely understandable. I got so caught up that I forgot about the bigger picture, about what it might mean if we were ever seen by anyone... I was selfish and that’s all there is to it. I wouldn’t expect her to forgive me.”

  “Stranger things have happened.”

  “I don’t want to get my hopes up,” Kacey said, pushing back the chair and standing up, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Are you heading out too?”

  “Yes, I’m starving.”

  Kacey left the office with her, not entirely sure how to feel about what Ashley said. She hated to think Madison wasn’t happy, but it did give her a glimmer of hope that maybe Madison might give her another chance.

  “Are you looking forward to Sunday?” Kacey asked her as they left the building. They were having their annual work party where they closed the restaurant for the day and had family and friends over to celebrate another successful year. Trent and her mother took care of the barbecuing, giving the staff a day off.

  “I can’t wait. It’s always such a relaxing day, for me anyway.”

  “It is for me too. My mom and Trent are run off their feet, but that’s the way they like it. They want everyone to enjoy themselves.”

  “Well, I certainly will.”

  “I probably won’t see you until then.”

  “Okay,” Ashley said, giving her a wave as she headed towards her car. “See you then.”

  Ashley�
��s news had given her a slight boost in energy. Maybe Madison could forgive her, if enough time had passed, or if they saw each other again. She wanted to tell Ashley she could invite Madison Sunday, but that was crossing a line. Everyone brought a friend or family, and Ashley would bring whoever she wanted to. It could be Madison, or it could be whoever she was seeing now.

  Kacey tried not to think too much about it. They’d run into each other eventually. They both went to the same gay bars, and they had a few friends in common. It would happen if it was meant to.

  Chapter 26

  “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?” Madison asked Ashley as they pushed through the rustic wooden doors of The Beach House, despite the ‘Closed’ sign that hung from the door.

  “Yeah. Of course. I always bring someone.”

  “Then why haven’t I been to this thing before?”

  “Okay, well I usually brought whoever I was seeing or trying to see at the time,” Ashley said, as she took off her shades.

  “Ah... Well, I just don’t want to be intruding.”

  “Everyone brings their family or some of their friends,” Ashley said as she waved to a few members of staff that Madison recognized.

  “Wait,” Madison said, her hand on Ashley’s arm. “You’re not trying to get me in the same room as Kacey, are you?”

  “What? No!”

  “Ashley... I don’t want to see her. It was hard enough running into her at the club. I don’t want to talk to her.”

  Ashley’s hand was on the small of her back, guiding her towards the bar. “Relax. Kacey might not even be here.”

  “What? Of course, she’s going to be. That’s her mother,” Madison said, nodding towards the windows that overlooked the deck where Elizabeth and Trent were barbecuing. “Has she ever missed one of these parties?”

  “No... Not since I’ve been here anyway,” Ashley said with a shrug.