Room for More

by Beth Ehemann

  “Holy shit, Brody. Hurry. I need you.” She moaned, tossing her shirt on the floor.

  “Hey, that was my job,” I teased, kissing my way down her chest.

  She whined, “If you don’t touch me soon, I’m going to explode—and not in the way I want to.”

  I slowly took her bra off and massaged her breasts for a second before pushing them together and bringing her nipple to my mouth. She fisted her hands in my hair and grinded harder as I took turns licking and sucking each nipple. I stood her up just long enough to unbutton her jeans and slide them off of her. My pants weren’t halfway down my legs when she was pushing my shoulders back and climbing on top of me again. I could feel how warm she was even through her panties.

  “Wow.” I laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so needy. I kinda like it.”

  “Less talking. More touching, Murphy.”

  I had no idea why, but when she called me Murphy, it really got my motor running. Considering I was already sitting at the starting line when she said it right then, I went from zero to sixty.

  Quickly leaning over to my nightstand, I pulled out a condom and lifted her just high enough to put it on. I grabbed the side of her lace panties and looked up at her. “Sorry.” I growled, pulling hard until they ripped right off.

  I pressed my palm against her belly and used my thumb to test how wet she was. “Fuck. You’re wet already.”

  “I haven’t seen you in days. There was probably a puddle under my chair at the stadium.” She pushed my hand away and positioned herself over me. Watching her face twist in pleasure as she slowly slid all the way down my cock was one of the most erotic things I’d ever seen.

  She put her hands on my chest, balancing herself as she slowly started lifting up and down, riding me at a deliciously torturous pace. I was so close to blowing that I had to resort to ole trusty to take me away for a couple seconds.

  Polar bears. Ice skates. Pizza. Dog leash.

  Fuck. It wasn’t working and she was grinding into me even faster.

  I dug my fingers into her hips and pulled down, thrusting up into her just as hard as she was into me. Her pussy pulsed tight around me and I could tell she was close too.

  “Come for me, Kacie.” I groaned, plunging deep into her. “Come all over me.”

  “Shit. Brody!” she squeaked, trying so hard to be quiet. “Oh, God. Yes!”

  As bad as I wanted to watch her unfolding right on top of me, no amount of words were going to stop my own release at that point. I squeezed her hips tight and pumped into her one more time, grinding my teeth so I didn’t wake the girls—or the neighbors.

  “Jesus, Kacie. Fuck.” I came so hard, I thought I might lose consciousness. Pushing myself into her slowly a couple more times, I started the descent back to planet Earth. After a second, Kacie rolled off me and lay flat on her back next to me.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered, still slightly out of breath.

  “I second that.

  “You think we woke them?” She turned on her side and leaned on her hand. The way her breast rolled on top of the other one almost made me hard again.

  “No. I think we were fairly quiet, considering.”

  She blinked a couple times and frowned at me. “Considering what?”

  “Considering that I came so hard, if I didn’t have a condom on, you’d already be pregnant with quadruplets.” I got up off the bed and went into my bathroom to get rid of the condom. I grabbed a T-shirt from my closet and tossed it to Kacie while I pulled my pants up. I’d forgotten that my cell phone was in my pocket and pulled it out to set it on my nightstand, noticing I had a text.

  I opened my phone and laughed.

  “What?” Kacie asked as her head popped up through the T-shirt. Without saying a word, I turned my phone to show her the text from Viper.

  V: DUDE, YOU STILL THINKING JOE’S FOR BREAKFAST? I’M MEETING YOU THERE AND I’M BRINGING KACIE’S FRIEND DARLA. SHE’S SLEEPING OVER. ONE TIME WAS NOT ENOUGH WITH THAT CRAZY, FLEXIBLE BITCH.

  “Stop!” Darla walked into work and I held my hand up before she could say a word. “Before you say anything, Viper is Brody’s best friend and I do not want to hear any stories that you would not tell your mother, got it?”

  “I have been dying to talk to you!” She was practically shaking with excitement.

  It had been two days since the game and she still couldn’t wipe the ridiculous grin off her face. Brody, the girls, and I had breakfast with her and Viper the next morning, but she couldn’t exactly gossip in front of them and I knew she wanted to give me all the disgusting details about her night with him.

  “I know you have, but please don’t give me too much, okay?” I begged.

  She tossed her jacket in her cubby and spun around to face me. “Did you know his dick is pierced?”

  I groaned and sank into my chair, covering my face with my hands. “Like that. That’s too much.”

  Darla let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, my dear Kacie, that’s only the beginning.”

  I spent the last hour of my shift following Maureen from room to room, performing all the procedures she’d allow, no matter how big or small. When I wasn’t with Maureen, I was dodging Darla and her wicked stories.

  Four o’clock rolled around and I was done. Darla was sitting at the desk, updating a chart and munching on some Cheetos.

  “So, still no details, but are you gonna see him again?” I asked carefully.

  “Not sure.” She spun the chair to face me, licking her orange fingers. “He wants to, but he might be a little too spunky for me. I like a good lay every once in awhile, but he was tossing me around the room and doing me on every piece of furniture he could find.”

  I closed my eyes and shook my head, trying to dump out the mental pictures I was having.

  She stood up and rolled her shoulders, stretching her back out. “I think I pulled a muscle and I’ve been sleeping for two days straight.”

  “Okay. On that note, I’m out of here.” I tossed my hoodie on and grabbed my lunch bag. “See you tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be getting off just about the time you come in. What are you up to tonight?”

  “One of my best friends has been home from Italy for a week, but I’ve been so busy with Brody and everything else, I haven’t even seen her yet; I’m having dinner with her and my other girlfriend.”

  “Sounds like fun. Have a cocktail for me.” She waved.

  I said good-bye to a few other nurses I’d become friendly with and was almost to the door when I heard my name being called. I spun around and saw Zach jogging toward me. “Hey.” He grinned when he caught up with me.

  “Hi.”

  “I’ve been meaning to give you something.” He dug around in his coat pocket and handed me a piece of paper.

  “What’s this?” I asked, unfolding it.

  “My cell number.”

  “Oh.” My head snapped up. “Why do I need this?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Just in case… the girls, you…whatever. I don’t know.”

  “Okay. Well, I’m late for dinner. I’ll talk to you later.” I smiled and rushed out into the parking lot.

  Traffic sucked. By the time I got to the restaurant, Alexa and Lauren were already sitting down.

  “Sorry I’m late,” I said, sliding around the table to hug Lauren. “You look fantastic! I’m so excited to see you.”

  “Me too!” Lauren squeezed me tight. I didn’t realize how much I’d really missed her until she was right in front of me.

  “What’s up, asshole?” I winked at Alexa as I sat down.

  “You tell him yet?” she responded in a snotty tone.

  “Oh my God, could we please sit and have dinner and then we’ll talk about all that?” I glared at her.

  She pursed her lips together and turned toward Lauren. “That means no.”

  Lauren gasped and her mouth fell open. “You still haven’t told him?”

  I dropped my head in my hands an
d shook it back and forth. “I know, I know. I tried. I really did, but then we got interrupted by the girls and he made them a fort and I didn’t want to ruin the mood.”

  “What are you waiting for?” Lauren asked.

  Alexa scoffed, “The girls to graduate high school.”

  “Stop it.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “I’m going to tell him. I feel absolutely awful about it, but he’s had so much going on lately, I don’t want to stress him out any more.”

  The waitress brought over spinach-avocado dip, which they must have ordered before I got there. Lauren smiled as she walked away and popped a chip in her mouth. “What’s going on with him?”

  I finally took my hoodie off and put it on the back of my chair. “Well, his contract is up this season, so the pressure is on to play well. Obviously if he knew this was going on, it would mess with his head. Also, his mom just had her scans and they haven’t gotten the results yet. He hasn’t said it out loud, but I know he’s freaked out about it.”

  “That’s understandable.” She took another bite and reached over, smacking Alexa’s arm. “Cut her some slack, Lex.”

  “I understand that he’s got a lot going on. I even think it’s slightly adorable that Kacie loves him so much, she doesn’t want to make it worse.” She sighed. “I’m just worried. I don’t see this ending well.”

  “It’ll be fine.” Lauren waved Alexa off. “These two are so crazy in love with each other, Brody will totally understand why she waited. And then they’ll ride off into the sunset on a Zamboni.”

  “Yeah, well hopefully Kacie is on that Zamboni with Brody instead of sitting in the penalty box, crying.”

  My stomach hurt and Alexa’s jokes about Brody leaving me were not helping. I wasn’t lying when I said I felt awful about not telling him. I felt beyond awful, but I really didn’t want to stress him out.

  “Stop it!” Lauren slugged Alexa in the arm again.

  “Listen,” Alexa warned her, “if you don’t stop hitting me, I’m going to hit you back—pregnant or not.”

  Wait, what?

  “What?” I exclaimed.

  Lauren shrugged and grinned at me. “Surprise!”

  “Oh my God, Lauren! How could you not tell me?” I jumped up and rushed to her side of the table to hug her again. “Congratulations!”

  “How could she not tell you? That’s a good question coming from you, huh?” Alexa teased sarcastically.

  “Listen.” I spun toward her, unable to hold my frustration in anymore. “I get that you don’t agree with the way I’ve handled this situation, but seriously… kiss my ass.” Tears welled up in my eyes and my voice started cracking, but I didn’t care. “You have no idea what I’ve been going through. None. Zach walked out all those years ago and I never expected to see him again—ever. Then on my first day of work, boom! There he was, in my face. Things with Brody had just started getting serious and selfishly, I didn’t want to mess anything up. Hell, I didn’t even know if it was worth it to say anything because I had no idea if I’d ever see Zach again after that day.” Lauren reached for my hand and squeezed it, but I didn’t stop. “I have two kids, I’m trying to finish my degree and keep my still new relationship alive, all while juggling this huge pimple on the face of my past that is my ex. Stop looking down your nose at me, damn it! You have no idea how hard this has been for me.” At that point, tears were spilling out of my eyes and people were staring.

  Alexa’s cheeks flushed as she sat frozen, staring at me with her mouth open. She blinked a few times and shook her head back and forth slowly. “Kacie, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “Just… forget it.” I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hands and bent down and hugged Lauren. “I’m sorry, Lauren, but I have to go. I’m beyond exhausted and need a break. Call me tomorrow. Maybe we can have lunch before you leave?”

  Lauren stood up and hugged me so tight, I almost started sobbing right there in her arms, but I just needed to keep it together long enough to get to my car. “It’s okay, Kacie. I understand.”

  I pulled back and cupped my friend’s face. “I really am so happy for you. You’re going to be a great mom. Tell Tommy I said congrats.”

  I grabbed my hoodie and left without saying good-bye to Alexa. By the time I got to my car, I was in a full-on sob. It felt good and awful at the same time.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Son.”

  “Dad?” My dad never called me. I hardly recognized his voice. “What’s up?”

  “Nothing. Just wanted to call my champ and say hi.”

  Champ? He hasn’t called me that in years.

  Instantly I was ten years old again…

  “Hey, Champ. I can’t make your tournament this weekend, but good luck.”

  “Heard you played great tonight, Champ. Sorry I missed it.”

  When it came to my father, calling me Champ was a way to soften whatever blow was coming.

  “Hi,” I said cautiously. “Everything okay?”

  “Everything is great. What are your plans this coming weekend?”

  “Uh, we’re home this weekend. I have a game Friday, but then just practice Saturday morning. Probably heading to Kacie’s after. Why?”

  He hesitated. “Saturday after practice, can you head up here for awhile before you go to her house?”

  I didn’t like the tone in his voice. Not even a little.

  “Dad, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing. Mom and I just have a few things to talk about with you and Shae.”

  Dad, Mom, me, and Shae? SHIT! Her scans were a couple weeks ago.

  No, no, no, no.

  “Dad, is this about mom’s scans?”

  “No. Mom is okay, we just need to talk to you guys.” He sounded tired.

  Exhausted. Stressed.

  “Fuck that, Dad. I’m coming now.”

  “Brody, that’s not necess—”

  I hung up on him, grabbed Diesel’s leash, and out the door we went.

  I wouldn’t say I had an out-of-body experience, but when I pulled onto the long dirt driveway at my parents’ farm, I didn’t remember any of the drive from my house to theirs. My heart raced the whole way there with the worst scenarios playing over and over in my head. If her cancer was back again, I would not break down at their house. I would remain strong. She beat it once, she could do it again. We would do it together. What if Dad was sick this time? Fuck. He’s her rock. Should I retire early? It’s not like I couldn’t afford it, but could I live without hockey?

  I marched up to the house and through the front door as Diesel sprinted around back to find something to play with.

  Closing the front door quietly, I listened for voices or crying. Nada. That was good, right?

  “Brody?” Mom called out as I walked into the kitchen. She came right over and embraced me. “You didn’t have to come up here tonight.”

  “Dad never calls me. What’s going on?”

  Mom’s eyes shifted over to my dad who was sitting at the kitchen table, looking ten years older than he did the last time I saw him. He was staring down at the large oak table, picking at the fingernails on his weathered hands.

  “Come. Sit down.” She went over and pulled a chair out for me.

  I groaned and stubbornly followed my mom over to the table, sitting across from my dad.

  Mom cleared her throat while dad looked everywhere except at me.

  Looking back and forth between the two of them, it became apparent that neither of them wanted to talk. “Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on?” I barked, causing my mom to jump slightly.

  “Honey, it’s really no big deal.” My mom tried to reassure me with a fake smile, but I was growing increasingly more pissed off with each second that passed.

  “Great. Fine. Please fill me in on this ‘no big deal,’ then.”

  Once again, Mom looked at Dad. He met her glance this time. She reached over and put her hand on his as she looked back at me. “Brody, your
dad and I are getting divorced.”

  For a moment, there was absolute silence.

  I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. “Not funny. What’s really going on?”

  Dad glanced at Mom, who never stopped looking at me. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open in surprise. “We’re not kidding, Brody. We’ve separated.”

  I pulled my hands up over my mouth and looked back and forth between the two of them, waiting for someone to tell me they were joking.

  When no one said anything, my pulse started to race. “When? How? Why?”

  “It just happened, Son,” my dad mumbled.

  “Ending a thirty year marriage doesn’t just happen, Dad. Cut the crap. Why are you guys doing this?”

  Mom looked down at the table and back up at my dad as if she were waiting for him to explain himself.

  I lowered my eyebrows and glared at my father. “Is this your fault? Did you cheat on her? Not that I would be surprised. You were a shitty father, you’re probably an even shittier husband.”

  “Now you calm the hell down,” my father ordered, pointing at me from across the table. “I know this can’t be easy for you, but it’s even harder for us.”

  “Let’s all just calm down please.” My mom rested her hand on top of mine. “Brody, your dad didn’t cheat on me, nor is this his fault. It’s no one’s fault. We’ve both been feeling this way for quite awhile, but we were waiting for Shae to finish up her education and for both of you to be secure and independent before we made any final decisions.” She quietly looked down at her hands. She was spinning her wedding ring around and around, something she always did when she was nervous.

  “I can’t believe this.” I rubbed my eyes with my palms. “It’s been thirty years. After thirty years, you’re just going to give up on each other?”

  Neither of them responded.

  They just sat there, wallowing in the failure of their marriage.

  “What about counseling? I’ll pay for the best marriage counselor in the country.”

  My dad look at my mom, but she just shook her head.