by Amy Baker
I walked back into the kitchen to retrieve my mug just as I heard my phone begin to sing. I had barely had a chance to take a sip of coffee when I placed the mug back on the counter and ran to get my call.
“Hello?” I asked expectantly unable to wait to hear his voice.
“What are you wearing?” The deep voice rumbled and a shiver ran down my spine.
I giggled at his question. “I miss you,” I whispered wishing I could wrap every limb around him.
“Oh, Baby, you have no idea,” he answered.
“What are you doing on this fine Saturday in New York?” I asked trying to feel like I was a part of his new life.
“Other than trying to understand how you and I ended up in different cities again?” I could tell by the way he formed his question that he wasn’t wallowing. He was just stating reality. Our reality.
“Yes, other than that,” I matched his exuberance.
“I just got back from the supermarket. I bought some deli meat and I just made myself a sandwich. Not terribly exciting,” he admitted. “Have you heard back from Norstride?” He asked with the first bite of his lunch garbling his question. “They have to know they made a mistake.”
Since I was still hoping to surprise Hugh with my return to New York, I hadn’t shared that I had spoken to Charles or to Steven. So I had to continue with the charade if I wanted my plan to work. “No,” I sang trying to convey surprise. “Weird, huh?”
“Maybe Monday,” he offered. “Don’t worry. I’m sure it was just a mistake. It will all work out in the end. You’ll see. You up for some phone sex later?” He asked out of the blue.
I couldn’t help but smile at his question. Although Hugh couldn’t see me, I shrugged my response. “It might be late. Julia has a hangover. So I’m thinking dinner is going to be pushed back a couple of hours since she is just having breakfast at…” I checked my phone to see the time, “1:15.”
“I can wait,” he revealed and my smile grew wider.
“I’ve never had phone sex,” I admitted sheepishly.
I heard an exaggerated inhale feigning surprise. “What! A virgin?” He jested with another half mouth full.
Another giggle erupted at his dramatic reaction. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you shouldn’t talk with your mouth full?” I joked.
Hugh laughed out loud in response and it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. “Call me when you get in later,” he responded through a chuckle.
“I will.”
“Love you, Babe,” he said clearly.
“I love you, too,” I whispered back.
I had spent the better part of the day packing all of my things. Julia spent a better part of the day jumping from her chair fearing she was about to vomit. When she wasn’t scrambling for a toilet, she sat at her computer hopping from one social media page to another looking for dribs and drabs to build a story on. This was accomplished with a lot of belching, salivating and audible swallowing. After a whole lot of nothing she decided a nap was in order as her head was beginning to hurt her again. She retreated to her bed while I retreated to her coffee pot.
I poured a fresh cup and sat on a stool at her kitchen counter. As I waited for the caffeine to invade my blood stream, I heard a faint knock on Julia’s front door. It was so delicate, I thought maybe I was hearing things. I stood slowly and made my way to the front door expecting to see absolutely nothing outside. But instead I found quite a surprise. Ryan.
My chin tucked back at the sight of the unexpected visitor and I opened the front door to see what brought Ryan to Julia’s doorstep.
“Hey, Ryan,” I said with a hint of a smile as I tipped my chin up to look at him.
“Hey, Delilah,” he slid his hands in his pockets. “Can I come in?” He asked.
“Uh, sure,” I said a little surprised. I pushed the door open wider so Ryan could pass. “What’s goin’ on?”
I heard him swallow loudly. “Is Julia here?” He asked while his eyes wandered her home.
“She’s not feeling great. She went to lie down. Is there something I can help you with?”
Ryan looked pensive. Clearly something was bothering him and I was having trouble figuring out what it could possibly be. Was he still holding a grudge about what Stacey did to his daughter and wanted to share his dismay? Was I totally off base and he was curious about Julia’s presence because he wanted to tell me something completely unrelated but in private? Or was he actually looking for Julia?
“Um, no. There’s nothing you could, um…” Then, clearly unable to contain himself, he changed his mind. “Was Mason here last night?” he asked instead.
Oh, man. I was wrong. Way wrong. Ryan’s visit had nothing to do with me. He was jealous. Didn’t see that one coming.
“You know, Ryan, I am not comfortable talking to you about Julia’s friends or their comings and goings, for that matter. But if you’d like you are welcome to hang out with me and wait for her to get up. I could get you a cup of coffee,” I gestured toward the kitchen.
Ryan was conflicted. I knew this because he demonstrated the exact same mannerisms that Hugh did when he was conflicted. It was one of the few things that solidified any doubt that they were related. “I, shit, I wish I could but I can’t,” he stated hesitantly confirming my suspicion that he was in fact conflicted. His hand went to his forehead to try to rub the frustration away with the tips of his fingers. “Just, uh, tell her I stopped by, um…yeah.”
I pressed my lips together waiting to see if he was going to change his mind. When he nodded once and seemed confident in his message I nodded my understanding and walked with Ryan towards the door. I was a little confused by this exchange. If Julia hadn’t slept with Ryan in three years why would Ryan care if Julia was starting something with Mason? He seemed awfully invested for someone who got laid on a torrid one-night stand three years ago and then never called again. Or so Julia said. Or was it me who said? Then it occurred to me. Did I read into what she told me? I mean, she definitely inferred it was a one-night deal. Of that I was certain. But it was me who said she hadn’t had sex in three years. And she didn’t confirm that little tidbit of information. She avoided it.
Holy crap.
Could Julia and Ryan’s little affair have been more than a one-time deal? That’s when it occurred to me. Maybe, just maybe, I had gotten it wrong and their tryst had been ongoing.
As I closed the door behind Ryan my head turned toward Julia’s bedroom door as if it had the answers to all the questions that were dancing around in my head. But it wouldn’t be for a few hours that I would get my answers. And when Julia and I finally had the Ryan conversation I was shocked.
I’m not quite sure what I was more upset about. The fact that Julia allowed herself to be in a no win situation or that she was stupid enough to think that it could possibly work out in her favor. “What did you think? He would leave Darcy for you?” I yelled at her. “They have three children together.”
“No. I didn’t,” her tone betrayed her. That’s totally what she thought. Julia sat on the couch with her elbows to her knees and her hands cupped around her eyes. Argumentatively, Julia knew she didn’t have a leg to stand on. I could tell by her inability to exercise her customary level of hostility.
“Well then can you explain your reasoning to me, Jules? Because I can’t seem to understand how you determined that carrying on a long term affair with Ryan Rowen was a good idea.” I didn’t share with Julia that I didn’t understand how she determined having a one-night stand was a good idea, but for some reason, in my mind, this was far worse.
Apparently I’d pushed too far because Julia finally snapped. “I fell for him, Dee!” her hands jerked from her forehead to outline her loss of control. “It wasn’t my intention. I was lonely. I’m all alone here,” she gestured with her eyes and showcased the room with her hands. “If you hadn’t noticed my phone isn’t ringing off the hook,” she paused to try to calm herself. After she gained a modicum of control she
started again. “I told myself it was one time deal and no one would know. I wasn’t planning on falling for Ryan, Delilah. It just happened,” there was another pause but this time when she continued I thought my head was going to explode. “Anyway, it all started because of you.”
Holy shit. Was she blaming her affair with Ryan on me? “I beg your pardon?” I asked not begging her pardon at all.
She pointed her pointer finger at me accusatorily and squinted her eyes before she scolded me. “Ryan bought me a drink that first night as a peace offering. He said he was sorry that Darcy was such a bitch to you and me when we were younger!”
I inhaled an audibly outraged breath. “You have lost your ever loving mind!” I barked back at her. “I am not even going to respond to that ridiculous accusation!” I countered. Then I remembered Hugh’s words on our first date back in New York. ‘Ryan says thank you.’ I had assumed he was referring to my tossing my tits at Hugh and Darcy’s wedding, which we all knew was the catalyst that ended their big day. But he was referring to my pseudo introduction to Julia. I subconsciously shook my head unable to believe the irony.
There was a bit of silence while Julia intertwined her fingers and pondered her next response. For her sake I was praying that she said something rational. Because blaming me for her affair with Ryan was beyond absurd. The entire mood in the room slowly changed as the silence between us loomed. I could see Julia’s expression change. She was becoming more remorseful (about time) and subsequently I became more sympathetic. Julia continued her explanation more calmly. “I’m sorry, Dee,” she shook her head. “That was a ridiculous comment,” she admitted. Well at least she said it or I would definitely have to throw that in her face later. “I know now he is never going to leave her,” she admitted. “It’s time for me to move on. I guess that was why I made a play for Mason last night.”
“In front of Ryan,” I reminded her. There was a purpose to my delivery. She was still trying to get a rise out of Ryan. So, mission accomplished.
I stared at her judgmentally, realizing she had yet to apologize for her part in the whole affair. So far everything was everyone else’s fault but hers. But this time, with regard to making a play for Mason in front of Ryan, there was no way she could deny her motives. There was no one else to blame. No excuses she could employ. She had to accept responsibility for her actions.
“You’re going to have to deal with Ryan before you start anything with Mason. You do realize that, right?”
As if on cue Julia’s phone started ringing. She reached for the end table where the phone was in its cradle and looked at the caller ID. Her mouth formed a straight line before her eyes found mine. “Mason,” she stated.
“Well, there you go. He called,” I slapped my own thigh. I gave Julia a knowing look as she stared at the phone with trepidation. The phone rang two more times while Julia sat frozen. “Don’t let it go, Jules,” I begged. “Ryan is a dead end.”
Julia pressed the talk button on her portable and said hello. Granted it wasn’t the most welcoming hello. To be honest it sounded a little abrasive. But it was a hello none-the-less. I started out of the room when I was hit from behind with a couch pillow. Julia was silently reprimanding me because I had the audacity to give her some privacy. I shooed her with a waving hand and left her to her own devices. Of course, I mouthed the words ‘be nice’ before I disappeared completely. I didn’t want to take too many chances. But at some point all baby birds must get shoved from the nest. Today was Julia’s day.
Moments later I heard a knock on my bedroom door. Then Julia toe kicked the door open and stuck out a finger. “I hope you’re happy,” she reprimanded. “Now I have a date for tonight.”
My mouth stayed agape for a beat because I had to digest her words. “Actually, yes, I am happy.”
Julia turned in a huff and stomped to her room bitching how the whole thing was bullshit. I started chuckling in response to her rant. It looked like Julia was going on a legitimate date with Mason and I was going to be experiencing phone sex for the first time with Hugh. Things in general were starting to look up.
Chapter 22
“Stick your hand in your underwear.”
“I’m not ready.”
“C’mon now. Don’t be shy. You said you wanted to do this.”
“Just give me one more second.”
“We don’t have that much time. Julia will be back soon enough and you know she is going to want to talk about her date.”
“Seriously, could we just slow down?”
“Seriously, Hugh? If this is how sex is always going to be I may have to reconsider. I am ready. So hurry up and get ready!”
Once I had called Hugh I couldn’t wait to get started and he was the one who was hesitating. Go figure.
I had never had phone sex before. But if I was going to do it there was no one else I wanted to do it with. Hugh, as usual, was taking his sweet ass time so I, of course, was losing my patience. I was alone. Julia was out of the house for the night. I had dimmed the lights and set the mood. I had even lit a fucking scented candle. Unfortunately, the only candle Julia had in her entire home smelled like apple cinnamon. So instead of feeling calm and relaxed I was beginning to crave a serious helping of apple pie. If Hugh didn’t hurry up instead of sticking my hand in my panties, I would be sticking it in Julia’s freezer to polish off the vanilla ice cream that would compliment the delicious visions of apple pie dancing in my head.
“Why are you in such a hurry all the time?” He questioned.
“Aw,” I said with mock sympathy. “I’m sorry. I guess you would be happier if I was a cold fish that needed a vat of KY to get in the mood. I’m sorry that you turn me on, Hugh, but my cohort who happens to be heating up South of the Border is singing your name. She’s hard to ignore,” my apology was hardly an apology. It was more like a verbal spanking.
I heard a brief chuckle before Hugh got serious. “Hey, Chatterbox. You’re going to kill the mood and I’m thinking your cohort won’t be all that happy if that happens,” Hugh scolded.
I might be feisty but I wasn’t stupid. I shut right up. I could hear a lot of movement on Hugh’s end. I heard him grunting and sighing trying to get comfortable in his bed. Then it sounded like he was stretching while he alerted me of his readiness. “Okay. Light’s out,” he shared.
“I don’t know what took you so long,” I murmured having to get the last word in.
“Delilah,” Hugh whispered ignoring my remark and I’m pretty sure I heard my girlie part shush me as well just before she sighed her infatuation. “Slide your hand down your belly,” Hugh instructed.
I threw my body into a reclined position so fast I nearly rebounded to sitting. My big debut was starting and I planned on following Hugh’s instructions to the letter. I bit my lip trying to conceal the satisfactory smile knowing I was about to embark on something a little naughty. “Now what?” I asked quietly.
“Shimmy your panties down your legs. Slowly. Very slowly,” he grumbled with that unbelievably sexy voice of his.
Fuck slowly. I slid those suckers down my legs so fast I was pretty sure I gave myself underwear burn. “Now what?”
“I said slowly, Delilah,” he admonished.
“That was slowly.”
Hugh chuckled at my response and then forged on. “Now I want you to slide your feet up and let your knees fall open,” his voice grew husky and thick and it was turning me on even more.
“Okay,” I whispered as I did what he asked. But this time I did it slowly knowing we were getting to the good part.
Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong! Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Dong!!!!
Holy shit. Someone was at the front door. And they meant business if the repetitive pressing of the doorbell was any indication. It was so loud that Hugh heard it as well. “Is someone there, Delilah?”
“It sure sounds like it,” I sighed heavily.
“Are you going to get it?” he questioned.
�
�No way!” I snapped. “Just keep going,” I encouraged.
“Uh,” Hugh sounded reluctant. “What if it’s Julia and she’s locked out?”
“Fuck’er!” I proclaimed. “She’s been gettin’ hers all along so now I’m going to get mine,” I continued without thinking.
“Really,” he chuckled. “The Front Porch Stalker has been getting horizontal?” Then a long pause ensued before Hugh began again. “Who is this poor soul who obviously hasn’t figured out that he’s in deep shit?”
Speaking of shit. I was about to lower myself knee deep in it, as I typically had the innate ability to do. Since my senses were diminished by my heightened sense of euphoria I was unable to skirt, dodge, quell or dismiss Hugh’s question. Thereby digging myself into a deeper shit hole. “I promised Julia I wouldn’t say anything.”
Well. I might as well have doused Hugh’s balls with ice water because I could tell that our first ever phone sex session was officially over. His tone changed and I could no longer visualize him naked. I knew that was a bad sign.
“So she asked you to keep a secret and that includes keeping it from me.” he sort of asked.
“Uhhhhhhhh,” this response was no better.
I heard a loud sigh before Hugh spoke again and when he did he didn’t sound all that happy. “So you’re okay with that?”
“Not exactly,” I answered sitting up so my back was against the pillows. “Just let me explain.”
Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Ding-ity-Dang-gone-it! The bell rang again. I threw the covers off of me with gusto. “Hugh, first let me go kill whoever is at the front door. I’ll call you right back.”
I ended the call on a grumble and pulled on my robe. I stomped to the door unconcerned with who was standing behind it since my mind was occupied with how I was going to explain my choice to keep Julia’s secret from Hugh. I was in a shit position and consequently a shit mood. By the time I reached the door I was totally irritated.
“This better be important!” I barked as I swung the door wide. My hand flew to my hip ready for a confrontation.