After she put her plate in the dishwasher, she strolled into her bedroom and slipped back into her yoga pants and tee shirt, hanging her towel and robe up to dry. When she was settled back on the couch, she took a deep breath and rang Amanda back at the unknown number.
“Who’s this?” Amanda’s voice sounded sharp and angry.
“Mandy?” Elizabeth suddenly regretted her decision to call Amanda back.
“Lizzy!” Amanda screeched.
“Yeesh, watch my eardrum, would you?” Elizabeth tried to laugh.
“Oh my gawd, you have to come home next weekend. You just have to.”
“Why, Amanda? It’s hard to get away. I’m pretty busy at work, and I was home to see my family just last month.”
“But you just haaaaaave to,” Amanda whined.
“You haven’t told me why,” Elizabeth scolded her friend.
“I’m getting married!”
“What? Next weekend? Why?” Elizabeth could not understand the urgency.
“I’m not knocked up if that’s what you mean. We’ve been planning it for a few months, and I got all caught up and totally forgot to call you. But I can’t get married without you here. Please?”
“Oh Mandy, I just don’t know about that. It’s kind of sudden,” Elizabeth started to beg her way out of the invitation.
“C’mon, you have to. We always promised we would be there for each other’s weddings.”
Elizabeth laughed, “No, I think what we promised each other was that we would be there to talk the other out of it.”
Amanda giggled, “Semantics. But still, Lizzy, I really don’t want to do this without you. I’m marrying Rocky you know. And he wants you here too.”
“You’re marrying Rocky? Seriously?” Elizabeth could not believe another name from her past was floating into her present.
“Yeah, it’s a long story. Can you get here on like Thursday so we can catch up? I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“Well, let me talk to my boss and I’ll have to check ticket prices.”
“You’ve got to come. Everyone has been asking about you.”
“Everyone?”
“Uh huh,” Amanda answered with an inflection that spooked Elizabeth.
“I’ll ask my boss and check the prices, but I can’t promise anything just yet.”
“Ok, fine, but you have to come!”
They ended their phone call and Elizabeth buried her face into a throw pillow. It was all rushing back too fast, just when she thought she had moved on. Going home to see her family was fine. She could not avoid that kind of crazy even if she tried. But to see everyone else? That was almost too much.
Her long blonde hair tumbled over her face as she shook her head. She realized some people might not even recognize her. She studied her cell phone for a few minutes, hesitated, then dialed one of her old New York roommates.
“Oh, Elizabeth, hello!” Katherine answered with the appropriate amount of friendly enthusiasm, versus Amanda’s screeching bubbliness.
“Hi Kath. I was wondering, do you have any plans this afternoon and tonight?”
“No, not really. Why?”
“If I pay for dinner, would you be willing to go shopping with me?”
“What? You hate shopping!” Katherine laughed.
“I know! And I’m so bad at it. I need help!” Elizabeth chuckled.
They made their plans to meet, and Elizabeth wandered back to her bedroom to get dressed. They were having an early dinner at their favorite Mexican place and then hitting some of the stores nearby.
Several hours and several margaritas later, Katherine was doubled over with laughter as Elizabeth tried on one dress after another.
“Seriously? Can you please stop laughing?” Elizabeth giggled. What was it with dressing room mirrors?! Just as she’d been feeling good about herself this one was telling her she was still too fat, too washed out, too everything. Ah, well, might as well laugh about it.
“I know! I’ve just never seen you wear anything like that!”
“Does it look that bad?” Elizabeth spun in front of the mirror to check herself out.
Katherine calmed down, “Actually, if I wasn’t straight, I would be all over you.”
Elizabeth grinned and ran her hands over the snug cobalt dress. “It’s not too much?”
“Well, you said you want to turn every head when you walk into this wedding. That will do it. You really think they won’t recognize you?”
“If I fix my hair and makeup, and wear something like this? Not a snowball’s chance in hell.”
On Sunday, Elizabeth managed to convince her boss to let her take Thursday and Friday off, and purchased her ticket home. When she told Amanda, Amanda nearly shattered glass with her screaming.
Elizabeth’s stomach flip-flopped when she hung up, and she vowed to stiffen her spine and show that tiny town of nothing just what she had made of herself.
Chapter 3
On Wednesday night, Elizabeth packed a selection of her most flattering clothing including the brand-new dress. Katherine called her to make sure she was okay, and Elizabeth’s voice shook a little when she said yes.
“Hey, c’mon now, you’ve gotten past all that.” Katherine knew most of Elizabeth’s history and had never held it against her.
“I know, I thought I had. But all these faces and places are flooding back, and I just want to chicken out.”
“You’re better than that. Now you just have to face them and prove it to yourself.”
“Thanks Kath, I owe you dinner again if I survive this.”
As Elizabeth sat down in her seat on the plane the next day, her hands were trembling.
“Miss? Are you alright?” the polite gentleman next to her looked worried.
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you. Just nervous about the flight,” Elizabeth smiled weakly.
He patted her forearm gently, “You’ll be fine.”
She nodded and leaned back as if to sleep. She was traveling in loose-fitting sweatpants, a tee shirt, and a ball cap, not wanting to be recognized before she was ready for the confrontation. She had not even told her parents she was coming, and had rented a small motel room just outside of town. She was certain she could not handle her mother and the wedding on the same weekend.
The flight was smooth and uneventful, and as Elizabeth drove her rental car to the motel, the scenery made her body ache with memories. Scrub bush surrounded a rather ugly flat-roofed complex with flashing neon “Vacancy”. The young man behind the counter squinted his eyes at her suspiciously, but gave her no grief when she checked in.
The room was small but adequate. She laid her suitcase on the dresser and made sure to hang up her new dress. After kicking her shoes off into the corner, she flopped onto her stomach on the bed and called Amanda from her cell phone. She did not want to risk Amanda figuring out where she was staying.
“Lizzy!” Amanda screeched.
“Howdy Mandy, I’m here,” Elizabeth said, resigned.
“Where?”
“Just hanging out, that’s all,” Elizabeth dodged the question.
“Want to come over to my place for dinner?”
“Sure, where are you living nowadays?”
“Living with Rocky, but he’s not here right now. Come on by.” Amanda seemed positively giddy.
“Text me the address,” she responded as they hung up.
Elizabeth stared at her own reflection in the bathroom mirror, debating on whether to reveal her new self just yet. She did not want to ruin the surprise, but she did not want any of them to see her looking grubby either. She rang Amanda back.
“It will be just us, right? I’m not ready for everyone else just yet.”
“Yeah, just us. I haven’t told anyone else you were coming, not even Rocky. But you can bring going-out clothes if you want. We can always head out later.”
“Ok, I’ll be there soon.”
Wandering back into the bedroom, Elizabeth sunk onto the soft, thin m
attress, and looked around. She remembered the dingy yellow walls, the cheap flower pictures, the limp curtains, and the night that had changed her life came flooding back.
There were the three of them falling drunkenly onto the bed, having lost their balance, laughing and swaying. She heard the other two kissing passionately, and had been content to lay there across the end of the bed. Then, silky hands caressed her face, slid her hair back from it, and she felt warm, soft lips kissing her, hesitatingly at first, sneaking up her neck, her cheek and meeting her lips, becoming more and more hot-blooded.
Those same hands, slowly encircled her body, pulling down the zipper on her dress, slipping it down over her shoulders, softly over her arms and sliding it from her body. Those eager lips moved to her breasts, circling her nipples with an experienced tongue, stroking and massaging them. Large, rougher hands were slipping her panties down her legs, and she felt firm lips nuzzling her mound, moving down to her legs, kissing and nibbling her thighs. She was soaking wet now, and writhing in delight. Still, those soft, smooth hands were caressing and stroking every crevice of her body. A tongue tickled the tip of her slit, teasingly licking all around her clit; quick staccato flicks. She squirmed from side to side, rocked by a hot pleasure coming in jolts every time that tongue got close to her most sensitive spot. Outside it was raining now, pounding against the window. She didn’t care. Mandy’s voice crooned in her ear, “Mmmmmmm, love you”. A nibbling on her ear-lobe. “Oh, yes,” she moaned, feeling the girl place kisses all over her neck and face.
Opening her eyes, Elizabeth saw Rocky’s well-muscled torso above her as he entered the welcoming cleft between her legs. Her body flexed to welcome him, and she shuddered to feel him penetrating in short shallow strokes. In and out of her tight pussy. As Mandy moved to straddle her waist, caressing her body lovingly, Rocky’s pumping became harder and deeper and more vigorous; powerful, swift thrusts. Panting and gasping, their beat became even faster. Elizabeth wrapped her legs around him, her body flexing, urging him on. Mandy slid upward until the dark, sweaty thicket of her pubic hair lightly touched Elizabeth’s lips. She had never smelled or tasted a woman before, but it was heavenly; a musky, salty-sweet smell, and she unleashed her tongue to feel the supple slickness of Mandy’s pussy. It was delicious. Guttural grunts escaped her lips as she licked, and sucked and nibbled. Mandy was twitching above her. Bursts of happy laughter escaped their lips. Moaning in a constant stream that spiked into higher pitch and volume, they let out short busts of exhilaration until Elizabeth remembered screaming as her orgasm rocked her whole body.
She jerked herself out of her reverie. “Enough!” she told herself. “That’s in the forgotten past.”
*
Elizabeth tossed a pair of snug jeans and a tight tank top into her tote bag, along with her toiletry bag, just in case. When she arrived at the address Amanda had sent her, she took a deep breath and rapped on the door using their old signal.
Amanda flung open the door and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s neck.
“Oh, Lizzy, I’ve missed you so much!”
Elizabeth couldn’t help herself, she hugged Amanda back. “Me too Mandy.”
There was a certain comfort in an old friend.
“Let me see you, fancy city-girl,” Amanda stepped back to appraise Elizabeth.
Elizabeth grinned shyly, looking down at herself and then back at her friend. Amanda looked pretty much the same, a little older around the sparkling green eyes, purple hair instead of pink, and about fifteen extra pounds.
“Whooo, you all fancy there,” Amanda giggled.
“In my sweats?”
“Oh I can just tell,” Amanda winked. “and please tell me you brought other clothes. Because there is no way you aren’t going to the club with me tonight.”
“What? Are you insane? I’m not setting one foot back in there.”
“Oh yes you are,” a familiar voice rumbled from the back bedroom.
“Mandy! You told me he wasn’t here!”
“I lied,” Amanda giggled flippantly.
Rocky strolled out into the living room, looking as sexy as ever. He was tall and thick, with a shaved head. Several visible tattoos peeked out from his white tank top. His black jeans and scuffed black boots looked like the same pair he had been wearing the last time Elizabeth saw him.
“C’mere you,” Rocky grinned as he hugged Elizabeth tightly.
“I still can’t believe you lassoed this one,” Elizabeth said, grimacing as she felt her ribs being crushed.
“Who are you talking to?” Amanda demanded.
“Both of you!”
They laughed companionably as Rocky handed out beers. Elizabeth stared at the brown bottle and thumbed the label.
“You really don’t want to go?” Rocky asked quietly.
“Not my favorite stop on the tour,” Elizabeth deflected.
“I know, but I’d like to see everyone flip out over you.”
Elizabeth chuckled darkly, “Now that I can get behind.”
She, Rocky and Amanda had an interesting and entwined past. Elizabeth had dated him years ago, but they had quickly discovered they were better off being just friends. Elizabeth was glad to see he and Amanda had found each other. They were probably a perfect fit.
“Well, I’m not going to turn any heads like this,” she gestured to her sweats.
“I’ll help you get ready! You probably forgot how!” Amanda grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and dragged her off to the bedroom.
Rocky tried to follow them with his eyes, but Amanda stuck her tongue out at him and loudly shut the bedroom door.
“I’m sorry to surprise you with him, but I didn’t want you not to come because of him. He wanted to see you and it’s not weird, I promise.”
Elizabeth squeezed Amanda’s hand and smiled. “I know, it’s good to see him too. Really.”
“So what did you bring to wear?” Amanda started digging through Elizabeth’s tote.
“Hey! Nosy!” Elizabeth snatched it away and dashed for the bathroom.
When Elizabeth emerged from the bathroom twenty minutes later, Amanda nearly dropped her beer bottle.
“Well holy shit,” the purple-haired biker chick breathed. “I think you and I should get it on!” She smirked.
Elizabeth laughed, “Snowball’s chance in hell, pretty lady.”
Rocky did his own double-take when they walked out of the bedroom together. Elizabeth was wearing her tight black jeans and fitted white tank top with some very old motorcycle boots of Amanda’s. Her long blonde hair swirled loose around her shoulders, almost to her waist. The smudged black eyeliner and pale pink lips made her creamy skin glow. Elizabeth owned the room and she loved it.
Chapter 3
“You can ride bitch with me,” Amanda grinned at her hungrily.
Elizabeth wiggled her ass at Amanda with a smirk, “We’ll make Rocky jealous.”
Elizabeth borrowed a helmet and jacket, and they saddled up to ride. When the bike rumbled to life between her thighs, Elizabeth nearly swooned. She sorely missed that sensation, and she wrapped her arms around Amanda’s waist in excitement.
“Fuck me,” Rocky muttered with a grin as he adjusted himself.
When they arrived at the club, Rocky grabbed both of them before they had a chance to go in.
“Hold up. I am truly looking forward to seeing Slate’s face when he spots you, Blondie.”
Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. “He’s here?”
“He’s always here.” Rocky nodded. “But let me distract him so Amanda can arrange a truly heart-stopping reunion for him. That asshole.”
Elizabeth chuckled and nodded. “Fine. And I owe you one for setting him up like this.”
Rocky grinned and ducked into the beat-up wooden door.
A few minutes later, Amanda led Elizabeth inside the dim, smoky bar. The sights and sounds and smells rushed into Elizabeth’s system and she felt seventeen again just for a moment. When every male head in the roo
m started to track her swaying movements across the room, she knew she was no longer that overweight and underdeveloped teenager.
Her jeans hugged her firm ass and the jacket just barely masked the swell of her generous breasts underneath the tank top.
“Stand here and face the bar,” Amanda whispered over the loud, thumping music. “Oh and take that jacket off.”
Elizabeth draped the jacket over a bar stool and became intensely aware of the eyes that traced her figure. Even Amanda’s green eyes looked hungry.
Annabelle's Angst: NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE ROMANCE Page 26