“So am I.”
“Come on, Newton, Sam’s probably wondering where you are.”
With that, she left.
Sarah’s solution to their problems—to avoid seeing each other—bothered Seth. He looked forward to seeing her. It reminded him of when they were younger, before they dated. Their verbal foreplay turned him on. Sarah hadn’t changed in that way. If only he could make their bantering more playful and less problematic. That would be so great, engaging in those battles with her—one on one—her animation, the blushing, twisting her lips. What a turn-on.
WHO’S BEEN SLEEPING IN SARAH’S BED?
SETH
Sarah’s house; a glimpse into her life.
Seth dragged himself up from the sofa and looked around. The house was small, but comfortable. The front door spilled into the living and dining area that led to the kitchen. A laundry room sat right off the kitchen with a door leading to the backyard. Beyond the living room, there were two bedrooms with a bathroom in between. Seth checked them out; the temptation to see where she slept was too hard to resist.
Sarah’s bedroom looked lived in but neat. A worn quilt covered the bed, which was small, but so was the room. The thought of Sarah sharing it with someone, perhaps the neighbor whose house Sarah and Newton came from the night before, made him sick to his stomach.
He diverted his attention to pictures on a dresser. Sarah and her aunt CeCe and some guy Seth didn’t recognize, which made him sick too; Sarah and her sisters; and one of DJ and Pat. He resisted the temptation to the open the drawers and check out her clothing.
A closet sat in the opposite corner of the room along with a small bathroom with a shower. The sundress Sarah had worn the night before hung on the back of the door. She had looked pretty in it, just before she’d changed into those pajamas. He smiled at the memory and ran his fingers along the embroidered neckline.
He looked at the shower, which still had beads of water on the tiles.
I can’t, can I? Sarah said to make myself at home.
He went to his car and came back with a duffel bag that held an extra set of clothes.
Standing in the shower, where Sarah had been only an hour or so before, brought his arousal to even greater heights. Seth ran the soap—the same soap Sarah had used—over his body. He closed his eyes, imagining Sarah’s hands bathing him. It didn’t take long before the desire to release himself overwhelmed him, and he did so right there in the shower.
Sarah’s bed beckoned from the bathroom mirror.
Do you have no limits? How low will you stoop? Just a little bit more.
After drying off, he put on a pair of boxers and hopped into Sarah’s bed, pondering which side she slept on. He smelled her pillow and sighed. Spent and gloriously happy to be close to Sarah—even if it was just her belongings—he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
“Sarah, come here!” A woman’s voice invaded his slumber.
Not a threesome. I don’t want to share Sarah with anyone, not even in my dreams.
“What is it? I’m hungry,” Sarah complained.
“Shhh. Come here.”
Go away. Leave me alone with Sarah.
“Oh my goodness,” Sarah whispered.
The woman giggled. “You have some explaining to do.”
“It’s not how it looks, Abby.”
“Well, let me tell you how it looks…to me,” this Abby retorted. “This is right out of the story of the three bears. Someone’s been sleeping in your bed, and he’s still here.” More giggling. “He certainly isn’t Goldilocks. Look at that body. I wish I could see his face. Sarah, give it up. Who is he? Is he as delicious as he looks?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
Seth had completely woken up by now, but his evil alter ego proved too strong and he didn’t let on. He enjoyed listening to the conversation too much, even though Sarah would surely be mad at him. To keep the charade going a bit longer, he turned over and pushed the sheets down just enough to expose his happy trail.
“Sarah Matthews. You’ve been holding back on me. Do you know who’s sleeping in your bed?”
“Of course I know who it is,” Sarah snapped.
“Boxers or briefs?” Abby giggled again.
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Shall we take a look?”
“Abby, no!”
Seth felt the sheets lower. This was his moment. He propped himself up on his elbows to look at the two girls looking at his crotch. “Actually, it depends on what I’m wearing, and sometimes nothing at all.”
They jumped away from the bed. Abby rebounded and quipped, “Well, I guess we weren’t lucky today.”
“Maybe next time.” Seth winked and looked at Sarah, who shook her head and twisted her lips.
Abby put her hands in the praying position. “There will be a next time?”
“That’s up to Sarah.” He lay back down on the bed and smiled at the ceiling.
Sarah huffed. “Abby, don’t believe a word this man says. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happened in this bed last night.”
Seth chuckled. “Sarah’s right. Nothing happened in this bed last night, but the kitchen’s another story.”
Abby’s eyes bulged at them.
Seth sat on the side of the bed. “It’s true. We were in the kitchen last night…weren’t we, Sarah?”
Sarah huffed. “Seth, I’m not playing these games with you. We’re not in high school anymore, and I would’ve hoped you’d have grown up by now. I was obviously wrong.”
“Wait a minute. You knew Seth in high school?” Abby shouted.
“Abby, it’s not what you think.” Sarah picked up Seth’s duffel bag and threw it at him. “Put some clothes on.”
“Sarah, are you crazy? Seth, I mean Mr. Mathis…”
“Seth’s fine. May I call you Abby?” He pulled a pair of jeans out of the duffel bag and slipped them on.
“You can call me anything you want.”
How many times have I heard that line?
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Why are you still here?” She picked up the wet towel from the bed. “Did you take a shower?”
“You said to make myself at home. You also said I needed a shower. I just followed orders.” He rummaged for a shirt.
“There’s another bathroom and bed. Did you have to sleep in mine?”
He’d been caught. “The other bed was too soft and the shower…too cold.”
Abby laughed. “That’s a good one, Goldilocks.”
Sarah groaned. “We got it, Abby. You don’t have to explain.”
Abby turned to Seth. “Are you staying? We’re ordering pizza and watching a horror movie.”
Sarah answered for him. “Seth can’t; he’s playing poker.”
Abby frowned. “It’s Saturday night. You’re Seth Mathis and you’re playing poker?”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Abby.” Seth put on his shirt. “Would it help if I told you it was strip poker?”
“I’d believe that,” Sarah said. “Will Serafina be there? I’m sure she’d love to show off her new boobs again.”
“Who’s Serafina?” Abby asked, exasperated.
“It’s Seth’s girlfriend.”
Now he got angry. “Sarah, I thought we cleared that up.”
“Okay, okay. Serafina isn’t Seth’s girlfriend.” Sarah looked past Seth to Abby. “I was mistaken about that.”
Seth looked at Abby. “I would love pizza, with extra pepperoni, if it’s okay with Sarah.”
Abby spoke up. “Of course it is.” She got up and went to the kitchen, leaving him and Sarah alone.
Seth picked up his overnight bag. “If you want me to leave, I will. I’ve imposed on you enough for one day.”
“And night, and morning…and night again.” She sighed. “As long as you behave yourself. Abby can be a handful.” Her eyes brightened. “Actually, you and Abby have a lot in common. I think you two will get along quite well.”
Panic set in at the meaning of her wo
rds. “Sarah, I’d rather leave than have you play matchmaker.”
“Oh, I won’t have to. Abby can take care of herself. I believe you’ve met your match. I’m going to sit back and enjoy the show.”
With that, Sarah walked out of the bedroom and joined Abby in the kitchen. Seth followed and put on his socks, shoes, and belt while sitting at the kitchen table. Abby stared at him the entire time, making no apologies and making no effort to hide her admiration.
“So, Seth, how do you know Sarah?” she asked.
“We went to high school together,” Sarah answered for him.
Seth countered, “Actually, Sarah and I dated.”
“No way!” Abby exclaimed.
Sarah shrugged. “It was a small town. There wasn’t much to pick from.”
Seth laughed. “Good one, Sarah.” He turned to Abby. “Sarah took pity on me.”
“I would have too,” Abby said. “How long did you date?”
“About nine months.”
Sarah grew pale. “Just a casual thing.”
The doorbell rang, and Abby went to get it.
“Seth,” Sarah whispered. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I haven’t told Abby about you and me.”
“I understand. The past is just that. It’s your decision whom you share it with.”
“Thank you.” She went to touch his arm, but withdrew.
Almost. There’s hope for Sarah yet.
Abby returned to the kitchen. “Pizza’s here.”
Seth dug in his pockets for money.
Abby shook her head. “This is our treat. Dinner and a show. We provided the dinner, and you provided the show.”
Seth scratched his head and smiled.
Sarah gave him a smug look. “Told you so.”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. I just warned Seth about you, that’s all.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I said he would like you. I thought you two would get along.” Sarah paused and winced.
Seth shot her a look of disdain and changed the subject. “So, Abby, how did you and Sarah meet?”
“I’m an advisor at St. Mary’s and helped Sarah get financing…showed her around town.”
“I can only imagine,” Seth said.
Abby winked at him. “Sarah can get a little crazy.”
His head spun at the implication, but he said, “I saw that last night.”
Sarah interjected, “Okay, okay, let’s change the subject.”
“Seth, are you working on anything right now?” Abby asked to appease her friend.
“A western. It’s been fun, but the shoot’s been rough. I was up for twenty-four hours straight the other day. That’s why I fell asleep in Sarah’s bed.”
“Speaking of movies,” Sarah said. “What movie did you get for us to watch tonight?”
“A horror film, but they didn’t have one where the girl kills her ex-boyfriend like you wanted. Sorry.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s okay.”
Seth laughed. “Wow, that’s eye-opening!”
Sarah’s eyes begged. “Haven’t we had enough for one night?”
“Yes. Anyway, you two are on your own for the movie. I have a poker game tonight. Abby, it was a pleasure to meet you. Sarah, I hope to see you soon.”
“No you don’t…remember?”
“You shouldn’t speak for me.” Seth bravely tapped her nose with his index finger and winked. Sarah twitched though she didn’t seem revolted. Progress.
“I’ll let myself out. Good night, ladies.”
SARAH
Abby faced Sarah, expectant. “Tell me everything.”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got all night.”
“Have a seat, a comfortable one. This might take a while.”
ONCE UPON A TIME
SARAH
Abby propped a pillow on the sofa and lay back like a patient on a psychiatrist’s couch, even though Sarah was the one in need of therapy.
Sarah poured her heart out, starting from the day she tripped in Seth’s house and ending with this evening. Tears flowed, but she laughed too.
Abby looked shocked at some of the twists and turns the story took, especially Seth’s infidelity and Sarah’s “pregnancy.” Even Sarah had to admit it sounded a bit unrealistic. But it had happened, all of it, and her pain was proof of the consequences of the choices they had made.
“Why don’t you tell them about the pregnancy? You were young and made a mistake…you let a lie become reality.”
Sarah smiled weakly. “Don’t you think I want to tell the truth, to vindicate myself? It’s not that easy. First, I’d have to tell everyone I left because Seth cheated on me. I don’t know why, but I don’t want him to know that I know. I guess it’s pride. He hurt me so much. At the time, I wanted Seth to hurt too. I wanted him to believe I broke up with him.
“And then there are my parents. I don’t want Molly to treat my parents like she treats me, and she would if she knew they went along with my wishes to stay at Aunt CeCe’s. They’ve suffered enough, and even if I told the truth, some people wouldn’t believe it. Too much time’s passed. They’ve already cast me as the villain. I’m just playing the part.”
“It’s not fair.”
“No, but it was my choice.”
“And Seth? Doesn’t he have a right to know?”
“I owe him nothing. He slept with another woman.”
“He seems to want to make things right between you.”
“Of course he does. Seth knows what he did to me, and he’s trying to make himself feel better. His guilty conscience is driving his behavior.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“I am. Seth feels bad because I’ve taken the blame for our breakup, and he knows he’s equally guilty. Well, not equally guilty. I’m innocent, but he doesn’t know that.”
“Will you let him make things right between you?”
“I don’t think I have a choice as long as I’m here. He’s a persistent man who’s not used to being told no.”
“Wouldn’t it be good to put this behind you?”
“Perhaps for Seth. As long as I carry this secret, I’ll never have closure.”
“He sure is handsome, and he seems nice. Is it hard for you?”
“Very hard. Deep down in my heart, I still love him. The boy who broke my heart isn’t the same boy who made it spin out of control. I fell in love with a different boy, one I wanted to see, to believe in. It wasn’t Seth at all, just what I wanted him to be. I knew of his wild ways before I even met him. But I ignored it. I thought I’d tamed the bad boy, that his love for me surpassed any of the things his other life offered.”
“How do you know he didn’t love you?”
“I believe Seth loved me as much as he could. It just wasn’t enough…I was not enough…to keep him happy and content. Look at him now. Has he even seriously dated anyone since our breakup? No. It’s not in his makeup. And who can blame him? He’s living every man’s dream. Playing the field, sleeping with any woman he desires.”
“He desired you…”
Sarah laughed. “And that is my only reward. I know this is wrong, but I get satisfaction out of the fact we didn’t sleep together. I was the one who got away. I doubt Seth sees it that way now, but for a time, when he still lived back home and wasn’t famous, he must have. At least I hope he did.”
“So, what happens now?”
“We get on with our lives. Hopefully, we’ve learned something from this.”
“Have you?”
“I sure did. I never anticipated the effect my decisions would have on so many people, particularly my parents and Molly.”
“Wow. That’s some story. I can’t wait to see how it ends.”
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over. I’m starting another book and hope this one will have a happy ending for everyone.”
“Happily ever after, huh?”
“Wh
y not?” Sarah paused and sighed. “Enough of this real-life drama. Let’s watch that movie.”
As usual, they fell asleep before the movie ended. Sarah had the most peculiar dreams. She was in the horror movie, chasing Seth with a broom. Not very cryptic. Seth tripped and fell, giving Sarah the chance to catch him. She raised the broom over her head and stared down at him. But instead of beating him with it over and over again, she offered it to him. He took it and stood, taking her into his arms and kissing her deeply on the lips.
What did her dream mean? Sarah wanted to hurt him in the dream, yet couldn’t. She didn’t hate him enough to hurt him; another feeling prevailed. Perhaps love. Or forgiveness. Or maybe it was too much pizza, too much horror movie, and too much Seth.
Her thoughts turned to Seth lying on her bed, half-naked. Why couldn’t she have dreamed of that? He had actually lain in the bed she lay in now. She had wanted to touch him, to pull the covers off and hop into bed with him…to rip those stupid boxers off and have her way with him.
Instead, Sarah did the right thing, as always. That was no fun. Her virtue remained intact; that was no fun too. Watching Seth dress…pulling on his jeans. Oh, my! His chest and stomach and arms…so muscular; his back. Oh my! Everything. Oh my! Sarah grabbed a pillow and pulled it to her body. Fall asleep. Take advantage of him in your dreams. Pull those jeans off; touch his body; take him. At least in a dream he can’t say no.
Abby woke her early Sunday morning with Sarah’s cell phone in hand. “I think it’s Seth.”
Sarah grabbed the phone, feeling remorseful for the guilty pleasures, both good and evil, she had enjoyed on Seth’s behalf during the night. “Hello.”
“Sarah? Hi, it’s me, Seth.”
“Is anything wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to let you know I dropped the contract off at Jeff’s before I went to the poker game.”
“Thanks. I completely forgot.”
“I also wanted to talk about your decision to go home or stay. The summer’s almost over.”
“Oh, that.”
“You’re staying, right?”
“If that’s okay with you. I can live with this arrangement, if you can.”
“Great. I thought things had gotten better.”
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