Liberating Mr. Gable

by Tuesday Embers

  “Of course.” She took his hand and bid Len a good night, thanking him again for the generous gifts and the lovely evening as Anson wrapped his tuxedo jacket around her cold shoulders. She felt awful that the wonderful gesture Len bestowed upon her ended soaked and photographed during a night of faked debauchery, but Len did not seem surprised or upset. He kissed Etta on both cheeks and shook Anson’s hand, promising to call soon to set up another round of golf.

  When the two headed out into the night, they were met by flashing bulbs and incoherently shouted questions about their tawdry sex life, all of which Anson ignored. The only bits of information he granted them were Etta’s first name, and that she was his girlfriend, which he hoped would steer people away from the moniker of “mystery woman” that could only lead to more frenzy about their relationship.

  Midnight Call with Cooper

  Etta wanted to have a panic attack. She wanted at least the option of breaking down in some way, shape or form. But given the state of Anson’s already frazzled nerves, she reined in her emotions as best she could. She stroked his arm on the way home, willing herself to hold onto whatever calm that could be salvaged. They spoke very little, and Etta could tell her anxiety was palpable to her boyfriend. She tried harder to force her smile. He opened the side door for her once they reached the house and ushered her in without looking at her. “I’m gonna take a shower,” he informed her.

  Etta permitted him his desired space. She sat at the kitchen table, not willing to part from her fancy dress just yet. The vodka tonic was almost dried, so she was not terribly uncomfortable. So much in her life had changed, it seemed, overnight. Even looking in the mirror, she hardly felt the same girl who had been a shut-in just a few months ago. Now she was Anson Gable’s girlfriend, whatever that meant to the world. She began to long for the anonymity of mountain life. She missed making dozens of quiches and being part of a community. She wished for Chloe’s simple girly chatter, and even though she still was unhappy with Cooper for forcing his unwelcome kisses upon her, she missed her former best friend.

  Pulling out her phone, Etta dialed the Bed and Breakfast, a break in her anxiety rippling when she heard Cooper answer with a greeting of, “French Connection. How may I help you?”

  Etta tried to swallow the smile in her tone and raised the pitch of her voice. “Um, sir? I’m trying to find your establishment, but I think I might be lost. I know I was supposed to check in hours ago, but I just can’t find you! Can you help me?”

  Cooper’s voice came back, reassuring Etta that no matter how much her life changed, he would not. “I don’t have anyone else in the books for tonight. Did you make a reservation?”

  “Where am I? I see a tree with a lot of branches on it. Like thirty. Can you give me directions?”

  “Can you tell me what else you see?”

  She tried not to giggle at the confusion in his tone. “Um, yes. I passed animal tracks a little ways back. Maybe an elk? Or a wildebeest? Maybe it was a bunny. What sort of animals do you have up here?”

  “What side is the mountain on? Your right or left?”

  “My left. Oh, no. Wait, I just made a turn. My right now. Should I turn around again? Oh, no! A squirrel! Two, three? Four! Four squirrels! They’re surrounding the car! Help!”

  “Calm down. The squirrels can’t hurt you. Tell me what else you see.”

  Etta’s pitch lowered, and her tone turned dark and ominous. “I see a boy dancing with a senior citizen on his sixteenth birthday. She’s teaching him how to ballroom dance in lieu of getting him the football he wanted.”

  The stunned silence was interrupted by Etta’s giggle that she could not contain. Cooper’s confused voice gave birth to her full-belly laugh. “Etta?”

  “No! It’s crazy squirrel lady! I’m still stuck on the mountain that keeps changing which side of the car it’s on.”

  “Hey.” It was clear he was surprised to hear from her. That she was not yelling at him was also an unexpected thing. “I, um, I wasn’t expecting it to be you. Do you need an update on the books? We’re not at capacity yet, but we’ve got two rooms rented through the end of the month. It’s a solid start.”

  “That’s great, but no. I didn’t call about that.” She tapped her finger on the table and tried to form the correct words. “It’s been a while, and we didn’t part on the best of terms. I just wanted to sort of have that first awkward conversation after a fight that breaks the tension.”

  “Well, kudos on the awkward part. I’m wearing your apron.”

  Etta laughed, missing the ease of the simple things. “Good. I’m sure it suits you. Whatcha cooking?”

  “Just roast chicken for the renters and me.”

  “So, one roast chicken for the renters, and one for you?”

  “You got it.” He paused before speaking his mind. “Etta, about our fight. I really don’t understand what happened. Why I did that. It’s all so crazy thinking back on it now. I’m real sorry. I shouldn’t have… not just because of Anson, but you said no, and I just kept at it. It seemed logical in the moment, but it was really wrong.”

  Etta waited patiently for him to conclude his confession. “Are you finished?”

  “Did you want your apology in song? I could muster up something good if you give me a minute.”

  “As tempting as that sounds, I’ll save you the trouble and just say it’s okay. I’m not mad anymore. I’m happy with Anson, and so long as you can get onboard with that, we’re cool.”

  She waited ten seconds in silence for his response. Finally he said, “I hopped. That was me hopping onboard. You just missed it because we’re on the phone.”

  Etta grinned. “How much doghouse groveling behavior can I milk this for?”

  “Before I take back my hop? I dunno. Maybe a few decent guy grunts with your boyfriend. Tolerating the occasional crazy squirrel lady call. Not mentioning any annoying LA personality traits you pick up over there. Are you tan yet?”

  “No,” Etta admitted. “I actually haven’t been out much. Still acclimating. Anson’s kinda famous, and they just got a picture of us together, which makes it a little more nerve-wracking to go out.”

  “What do you mean? So, they took a picture of you two. He’s the famous one. Why would anyone bother you?”

  Etta rolled her eyes. “Because they heard about how I make a better roast chicken than my best friend.”

  “Hey, now.”

  “No, it’s just different out here. People care who makes your clothes and what you look like. Lots of women want to be Anson’s girlfriend, so that’s been interesting.”

  “Is he making it clear he’s yours?”

  “Totally. I’ve never had a boyfriend before. Add random people taking your picture and making up captions that have nothing to do with reality, and then spreading them on the internet is a little scary. I don’t think I really understood how intimidating his life is until tonight. Feels good to talk to you. Something that finally makes sense.”

  “I’ve never been accused of something so heinous as making sense. Take it back!”

  “You’re right. I think the pins in my hair are making me think crazy thoughts.”

  “Pins in your hair? What for?”

  “Oh.” Etta looked down at her pretty frock, unwilling to part from the gorgeous fabric just yet. “We went to a ball thing tonight, so I got my hair and makeup done. Tons of pins. Like, a million. I’m also wearing a new outfit that costs more than my truck, apparently. I made a friend here, and he bought me a fancy dress so I’d fit in.”

  She could tell Cooper was fighting to say something kind and not rock their newly mended friendship so soon. “Um, where do we start. Okay makeup. Since when do you wear makeup?”

  “Since Len sent me to the salon so I could look presentable for the ball tonight.”

  “What’s wrong with the way you look?” He caught himself too late. “I didn’t mean that. I, um, that’s great. Sounds like lots of girly fun.”

  “Not really,
” she admitted. “It was nice to look pretty for a night, but while I was there I had to listen to these girls gossip about how they were going to snag Anson, now that he was out and about. Kinda insulting.”

  “I’ll say.” She heard the flip of the skillet and knew he was tossing the peppers to go with the chicken. “So, makeup. I got nothing. Sounds… nice?”

  “It’s okay. Definitely not a regular thing, though. I don’t care enough about what I look like to spend that much time on it.”

  “Good. There’s nothing wrong with your face.” His big brothering was starting to come out, and he could not stop the next warning. “So your first friend in LA is a guy who buys you crazy expensive dresses and sends you to get major reconstructive surgery so you can go out with your boyfriend? That sounds… totally normal.”

  “Oh, that? Len’s my second boyfriend. Anson’s cool with it, so long as he’s invited on our sexcapades.” Etta chuckled at Cooper’s silence. “Len’s like, fifty, and totally harmless. He doesn’t have any kids, so he likes fathering me. Even took Anson golfing to get to know him better. He’s been a real help. Handling press stuff when it gets out of control. He even scared off a girl that was mean to me tonight.”

  “Who was mean to you?”

  Etta explained the situation, admitting the hurt she would not let Anson see. It was easier to talk to Cooper. She did not have to worry about OCD or rocking the boat relationally. “I mean, who talks like that?”

  “No one I know. Sorry your fancy Cinderella night ended like that.”

  “It gets worse.” Etta told Cooper the story of the picture, leaving out why she went into the men’s room to begin with. “So everyone thinks I do that kind of thing where just anyone can walk in on us.”

  Cooper was quiet while he digested the story that made him cringe. “Etta, that’s awful. What did Anson say?”

  “He’s been real quiet. He told the press my name and that I’m his girlfriend. Hopefully that’ll help. But man. It stinks.”

  “I’ll say. Jeez, Etta. This… I’m sorry you had a rough night.”

  Etta could tell he was holding back what he wanted to say, and appreciated his restraint. Their friendship never weathered her having a boyfriend, and he was treading lightly on the shaky ground. “Thanks, Coop. I’m a little turned around out here.”

  “Well, it sounds like you don’t have anything that’s not his or related to him yet. Are you going to get a job? Not that you need one. Chloe tells me he’s pretty comfortable.”

  Nodding, Etta’s prospects on tomorrow brightened. “You know? You’re right.”

  “Where’s a tape recorder when you need one? Would you be willing to fly in and sign something admitting to that effect? I can get a notary here to witness hell freezing over.”

  “You’re allowed to be right once every five years. You were due a good idea.” They sniggered together, and the familiar sound felt nice. “I’ve been acclimating, but it’s not easy. You’re completely right. A job is exactly what I need. Everything’s so expensive here, too. I hate when Anson pays for stuff.”

  “Aw. You’ve got your very own sugar daddy. Two, if you count that Len character. Might want to ask for that pony Papa wouldn’t buy you when you were a kid.”

  “Ha. No, that’s good advice. Thanks.” She paused, hoping she was not overstepping her bounds. “Is it okay to admit that I miss you a little bit? The good you. Not the one who went crazy for a minute.”

  The sentimental smile in Cooper’s tone was genuine. “It’d be weird if you didn’t. Be patient. It’ll all make sense eventually.” He steeled himself to say his next piece. “And if it gets to be too much, you can always come home.”

  Etta took the comment in stride. “Thanks. I should probably go. Take the pins out of my hair, wipe the paint off my face and get back to normal. Should’ve known Cinderella wouldn’t suit me.”

  “I’m sure the princess look suits you just fine.”

  “Thanks, Coop. And I bet you rock that apron like a vixen.”

  Cooper’s easy laugh added a soothing balm to her insecurities. No matter the changes in their zip codes, he was still himself. “I do.”

  “Goodnight, Coop.”

  “Night, Etta.”

  After she hung up, she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. Not having her best friend through such a confusing time was another missing piece she did not want to live without. As annoying as their friendship got sometimes, Cooper stuck with her through everything. There was no throwing in the towel on someone like that.

  Talking and Dreaming

  “You’re laughing,” Anson commented, announcing his eavesdropping from the hallway. “I haven’t heard you laugh like that in a while.”

  Etta stood from the table. “I’m just adjusting.”

  “How’s Cooper?” Anson’s question was not accusatory, but it was direct.

  “He’s making roast chicken for the renters. He’s got two rooms booked and thinks he’ll have a full house soon. Not bad.”

  Anson nodded, his expression still masking whatever emotion was brooding underneath. “That’s great. He was a good pick for running the business.”

  “You took off kind of quick when we got home,” she observed, ruling that two could play at the indifference game.

  “I did.” His flicker of insecurity caused him to shove his hands in the pockets of his pajama pants. “Just needed a couple minutes to decompress. Is that okay?”

  “Yes. I prefer my boyfriend takes showers.” Etta realized she was no good at pretending. “Are you mad at me?”

  Anson dropped his cool detachment from her and took a step forward. “No. I’m a little jealous. You laughed with Cooper, but I’ve been with you all night, and I didn’t make you laugh once. I guess I’ve been preoccupied.”

  “You’re fine. It’s all just a bit overwhelming for me. And it was time Cooper and I patched things up. He’s my best friend, for better or worse. It feels off not being on speaking terms with him.”

  “Yeah? I wouldn’t know. You’re my best friend, and we haven’t had that happen.”

  Etta realized the landmine she stepped in too late. “Are you mad that I have friends?”

  “No.” He shook his head, wishing he had the words to communicate what upset him more than the photo. “You said this was my home earlier tonight. You don’t think of this as your home. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

  “Nothing. You’re doing nothing wrong.” Etta reconsidered. “Other than maybe assuming I’d immediately fit right in here. You know the kind of life I’m used to. I’m here for the long run. I’m not leaving, but it’ll take more than a month before this feels like home. I don’t even know where the first aid kit is, or the tools if something breaks, or how to work your thermostat. Little things like that just take time. Can you be patient?”

  “I can. I’m sorry. I just want you to stay. I know tonight was a little intense. I’m always afraid something will scare you away, and I’ll wake up one morning to an empty bed. Probably my worst fear.”

  She advanced, clearing the distance between them. “I moved across the country to be with you.”

  He refused to meet her eyes. “But I have problems, and they aren’t going away.”

  “I’m not in this only if you’re perfect. I know who you are, and I’m not scared of any of it. We can handle this. The OCD is normal, given your life. It would be strange if all of it didn’t affect you. I’ve got to admit, it rattled me tonight, too.”

  “Talk to me,” he gently commanded, taking her by the hand to their bedroom. There he took each pin out of her hair as she confessed her fears and insecurities over the night’s events. It was a big leap to trust him not to break under the weight of carrying both of their worries, but she made the jump without looking back. She reasoned that if she was going to be in a relationship, she would only be in one with an equal. She would not be the only one carrying her love’s burdens.

  Anson listened, piping in every now and then
to ask the occasional clarifying question. When she finished, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and brought her back to rest on his firm, naked chest. “Thank God. I was starting to think I was going to be the mess in our relationship, and you would be stuck putting me back together forever. Thanks for telling me all this. Makes me somehow feel less crazy.”

  “You’re zero crazy. It was a weird night. I’m hoping something will start feeling normal soon, besides you. You feel like home. Just not anything else, yet.”

  “‘Yet’ is a good mindset. I can live with ‘yet’.”

  “I’m thinking about job hunting tomorrow. Any thoughts on where I should look?”

  Anson’s nose crinkled. “Are you under the impression that we’re hurting for money?” He glanced down at her footwear. “I told Jordan to get you the best shoes for tonight. Did he get the wrong kind?”

  “What? No, of course not. And I wouldn’t know if he did. It’s not good for me to feel like a mooch. I don’t want to sit around while you go on interviews and get back to your life here. If I’m really serious about making this my new home, then I need to put my stamp on it. So where should I look for work? I’ve never even put together a resume before.”

  “I’ll have Jordan do some hunting tomorrow, if that’s what you really want. But Etta, you’re not a freeloader. We live together. The house is paid off. We have no debt. You’re my girlfriend.”

  “That’s exactly it. I’m your girlfriend. It’d be one thing if we were married or something. But I’m not the kind of girl who gets a guy and forgets her life. Sitting around all day isn’t good for me.” She felt Anson’s body go rigid behind her. “What’s wrong?” She thought back over her words and drew in a hiss of breath. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not bringing up marriage or anything. I just meant it’d be different. But maybe it wouldn’t. I don’t know. I’m sorry. Please don’t freak out on me.”