by Haley Weir
“So, Blake hired you to shackle him every night?” Mikayla says in shock. Avery is finally sharing the details of her romance with the rich Manhattan hunk.
“Basically, yes. It’s crazy how these things happen, am I right?”
“Pretty damn crazy,” says Mikayla. She wonders what will happen when everyone moves back to the city in a few weeks. Will Ethan hire her as a live-in assistant and caretaker? Or does he have someone else for that? Mikayla sips her coffee.
“Something on your mind?” Avery asks.
“Yeah, just a few things,” says Mikayla sarcastically. “I just don’t know what to make of Ethan and I. You know, we haven’t slept together since the first night that everything...happened.”
“Well, he’s clearly still into you. I see how you guys interact. You seem like more than just friends.”
“Oh, without a doubt more than friends. But then it gets kind of gray,”
“Maybe you can get some answers, because it looks like someone’s awake,” Avery says, pointing. Mikayla turns around to see Ethan. His t-shirt is in shreds, just barely on his body at all. His jeans are tattered. He looks disheveled, like he spent the night running through the woods. It’s likely he was doing exactly that.
“Good morning, ladies,” says Ethan.
“Ethan,” Avery says, raising her glass in greeting.
“Hey you,” Mikayla says.
“I gotta go switch my laundry,” says Avery. She darts out of the room, leaving Mikayla and Ethan on their own. Avery is always so sneaky with her little setups. Mikayla is starting to wonder if this little game of matchmaker is all for Avery’s own pleasure and has nothing to do with her.
“Speaking of laundry,” Mikayla says to Ethan. “Do you have a suit here to wear to the wedding?”
“Right…the wedding,” Ethan says, clearly not having thought of the event since she asked him to attend.
“You know it is only in a few days, right?” says Mikayla.
“Of course. Yes,” he replies, but Mikayla is skeptical.
“Well, the suit?” she asks.
“I’m not really a suit guy,” Ethan mutters, shrugging.
“It’s a wedding, Ethan,” says Mikayla.
“You told me it was a casual, small thing, Mikayla,” he retorts. He’s not wrong. Mikayla told him that the wedding would be no more than 25 people, mostly family and a few of bride-to-be Catherine’s closest friends.
“Well, just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s not a wedding. Wedding usually means suit,” says Mikayla. I won’t let my date be the only one underdressed, she thinks to herself.
“Being that my invite was last minute, I’m sure your sister will understand if I don’t have a suit ready to go,” says Ethan. Mikayla feels her blood start to boil.
“You know, I’ve let you count on me all these nights. I haven’t overstepped boundaries, or asked too many questions about your personal stuff. I haven’t asked for much from you,” Mikayla says. She’s getting more and more upset as the silence grows, and is embarrassed to have tears in her eyes. “If you don’t want to come to the wedding, just tell me. I can’t make you do anything.”
“Mikayla,” Ethan says. “I’m sorry. I’m just so new at all of this.”
“New at what…society? I find that kind of hard to believe, Ethan. Aren’t you a business owner? Don’t you own a suit?” Mikayla can’t believe how worked up she is getting about something as seemingly insignificant as a suit.
“I am not really as involved as we let people think. That’s mostly Blake at this point. I’ve been increasingly...unpredictable these past few years. I don’t know what’s happening with me, but it’s best for me to stay in Blue Ridge for most of the year. I’m rarely in the city anymore,” Ethan explains.
“Are you too unpredictable to come to this wedding with me?” Mikayla asks.
“Are you so selfish that you can’t even hear what I’m telling you about how hard this has been for me?” Ethan fires back.
“Selfish? I’m selfish? You’re the one that needs me constantly. For all I know, that’s the only reason you went along with Avery’s match making scheme in the first place. Because you need to use me,” Mikaya says. She’s furious, but she’s speaking calmly and candidly.
“Do you really think that, Mikayla?” Ethan asks, and the look in his green eyes makes it clear that he’s truly hurt by her accusations. Mikayla’s anger turns to sadness. She never meant for her summer fling to become so intense.
“No,” Mikayla says. And she doesn’t. She wants to go back to the first night, before secrets were revealed, and the only thing exposed was the skin under their clothing as they gave all of themselves to the other.
“Okay, good,” says Ethan. He steps closer to her and places his hands on the small of her back. Ethan puts his mouth on Mikayla’s. He works her mouth, swirling his tongue, and pressing his lips into hers. There’s that giddy feeling again. Mikayla kisses back. They’re pressing their bodies into one another, and Ethan gently picks up Mikayla with his huge arms. She loves the feeling of being supported by him. He drops her down on the living room couch. He’s on top of her now, breathing heavily as he slides down her shorts and then pulls her shirt over her head. He unzips his pants and reveals his erection.
“Avery could be back up here in any second,” Mikayla says, but she makes no effort to resist what’s happening.
“We’ll have to be quick, then,” Ethan says. He continues to kiss her all over. He slides his erection into her, and they both notice the pool of moisture that has formed between her legs. She feels incredibly naughty and sneaky with the risk of getting caught looming over her. He’s inside of her, pumping hard and fast, but leaves one hand pushing on her clit. Ethan’s pleasuring in her in every way possible. He thrusts, up and down, up and down, riding her like it’s his job. She begins to let out a squeal of pleasure, but Ethan gently covers her mouth with his massive hand.
“Shh,” he says, moving up and down. Up and down. He grinds on Mikayla, his cock throbbing and Mikayla’s toes curling.
“I’m almost done,” he says, his hand still on Mikayla’s mouth. For a woman who typically doesn’t like being pushed around or told what to do, she’s extremely turned on by this man, with his hand on her mouth, playing a risky game and trying not to get caught.
“I’m close,” he says again, riding her even harder. Mikayla can’t hold on any longer. She finishes, with full body chills consuming her as she reaches orgasm. Turns out Ethan wasn’t the only one who was close. He finishes moments later, and Mikayla feels the aftershocks of her massive orgasm. Her mind is fuzzy, like she’s drunk. Ethan lays on top her, collapsed over with satisfaction.
Mikayla loves the moment they’re having. She wants to stay in that silence, not worried about unpredictable shifting or wedding suits, but basking in the glow of pleasuring one and another like neither of them have been pleasured before. Ethan jumps off of Mikayla when he hears the back door opening, and Mikayla quickly throws her pajamas back on.
Blake enters the room and waves silently at the two, headphones and work gloves on. He hadn’t noticed a thing as he heads straight upstairs to clean up. Mikayla and Ethan exchange a giggle and a high five. Mikayla sighs. She’s sitting next to Ethan now, her head leaning on his shoulder as they stare straight ahead at a television that isn’t on. Her fingers are interlaced with his. They play with each others fingers in special silence. It is a silence that’s comfortable and safe, a silence that allows their synced heart beats to be the only sound in the room.
Chapter 13
“So he’s hot?” Mikayla’s sister Catherine questions her through the phone.
“So, so hot,” Mikaya replies.
“Can you believe it’s one week away?” Cat says.
“Can you?!” Mikayla squeals with excitement. Cat has been with her fiance William for nearly seven years, and Mikayla knows just how important this day will be for her sister. Cat was never much of a romantic until she m
et William.
“Hardly! I can’t believe it’s finally happening. I mean, he’s the man of my dreams, Mikayla. Is that corny? He’s so patient and loving and kind. He helps me grow. Like, we’re not one of those couples who have become one person, you know? We encourage each other to evolve and explore and maintain our independence,” Cat says.
“Okay, now you’re just bragging. Save it for the vows,” Mikayla teases. But, somewhere deep down, Mikayla feels off. It has nothing to do with Cat and William and everything to do with herself. Yeah, Ethan is hot, as she assured her sister several times within their ten minute phone call, but is hot enough? He’s dependent on her, perhaps too dependent, on top of the whole werebear thing. She wonders if it’s maybe too complicated and not worth pursuing. It’s just a summer fling, after all. While she has feelings for him, she’s an expert at burying them deep, deep down to things easier for their inevitable split.
“Well, I gotta run. Final dress fitting!”
“Okay. Good luck, bye,” Mikayla says, and her sister picks up in the shift in her tone of voice.
“You sound upset? What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s never nothing,” Cat says, “You can’t lie to me. You should know this by now.”
“I’m just wondering if I’m making a mistake bringing Ethan to the wedding. He’s not that important. I’m not sure if it’s good to bring him around family and stuff,” Mikayla wonders aloud.
“Is he a nice guy?” Cat asks.
“Yes, definitely,” Mikayla responds.
“Does he have anything like, majorly weird about him?”
Funny she should ask. “Not a thing,” replies Mikayla, lying through her teeth.
“Well, then, he sounds like a good enough wedding date. Remember: I’m the one getting married, not you,” Cat gently reminds her sister.
“I know, I know. But I’m sick of wasting my time, you know? How many guys who are ‘just good enough’ come in and out of life regularly? I just want what you and William have. Something real.”
“And I really, truly believe you’ll find that. You’re a catch, sis.”
“Thanks, sis,” Mikayla says. “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 14
“So, what do you guys think about going out tonight? Mikayla, are you feeling up for it?”
Mikayla’s ankle is doing significantly better. She’s enjoying her time in the quiet solitude of the cabin, but was starting to feel a bit suffocated. After all, she’s really is a city girl through and through. She likes doing tequila shots and dancing on tables. Or she used to, at least. She’s calmed down a bit since her college years, but she’ll never say no at a chance to go out and get a little silly.
“Yes! Yes. I’m so up for it,” Mikayla says.
“You know I’m down for whatever you want to do, baby,” says Blake to Avery. Mikayla smiles to herself, remarking on how sweet Blake is with Avery. Her moment of peace is shattered when Ethan chimes in.
“I’m actually pretty tired. I haven’t been sleeping very well,” says Ethan, and everyone knows what he means. He’s still trying to tame his inner bear. Every night, no matter how he feels when he goes to sleep, he wakes up as a bear with his clothes tattered and ropes holding him back from escaping into the woods.
“That’s a shame,” Mikayla says. It’s also a shame that she’ll have to go out without him, but she could use a little time to just be herself, by herself.
“You can’t go,” says Ethan.
“Excuse me?” Mikayla is taken aback by his attempt to tell her what she can and cannot do. She can feel that her face is getting hot, and her cheeks flush.
“You can’t go because I need someone to be here for me. I need you to do the whole bedtime routine,” Ethan says.
“Ethan, I am not your mother. I do not need to put you to bed,” Mikayla says. Avery motions to Blake to leave the room with her, giving Mikayla and Ethan a chance to be alone, and to escape the awkward situation they got trapped in.
“I don’t expect you to be my mother. I’m expecting you to do what you said you’d do for me,” he says. He’s very calm, which only infuriates Mikayla further.
“I can’t do this! I can’t be responsible for another person! I’m just figuring out how to be responsible for myself, Ethan.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. I would never expect you to take me on as your full responsibility. I don’t know, Mikayla. I’m still trying to figure all of this out myself,” Ethan says, his eyes wide with sadness. Mikayla’s anger subsides as she remembers how hard it must be for Ethan to live like this, so out of control of his own body.
“I’m sorry, Ethan, I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what your life is like. My biggest problem is nailing an audition, while yours is….not transforming into a grizzly bear. Perspective, I guess,” Mikayla says.
“Don’t belittle your own strife like that. You work hard. I know you well enough to understand that you have personal situations that weigh far more heavily on your soul than auditioning.”
“Thanks for saying that,” Mikayla says. She’s not used to being seen the way Ethan sees her.
“You’re welcome. Listen, for tonight, I’ll try to do things on my own. It will be a good test run. No one will be around, so its safer. I’m only a danger to myself, at least.”
“Are you sure?” Mikayla asks, not sure herself if she feels bad leaving him behind. But he’s not her boyfriend. She’s not sure what he is at all.
“I’m sure. Go have fun,” he assures. Mikayla gives Ethan a peck on the cheek before calling out to Avery.
“Coming!” she says, moving as quickly as she can to meet the couple upstairs and get ready for their night on the town.
Chapter 15
“Don’t get too excited, it’s just a dinky little bar in this empty town, but it’s fun,” says Blake. He’s driving with Avery in the passenger seat and Mikayla in the back. She checks her makeup in her compact mirror, making sure her bright red lipstick is just right. Living in the boondocks the past few weeks, she hasn’t made much of an effort to wear makeup. She’s happy to get all gussied up, even with a sneaker on one foot and a cast with a walking boot on the other.
“So no dancing then, huh?” Mikayla jokes.
“We wouldn’t you to break your other ankle,” Avery says.
“I actually broke my ankle during my monologue, but good one!” Mikayla says.
“Alright ladies, we’re here,” says Blake. It’s immediately apparent that the place is a total dive. But a dive usual means cheap drinks, and cheap drinks mean getting good and drunk, which Mikayla is always game for.
They make their way through the smokey bar, towards a table in the back. Music vibrates the floor with an open space for people to dance, but the area was empty. A man in a flannel shirt and blue jeans approaches their table. He’s handsome and perfectly scruffy with a chiseled jawline that makes Mikayla weak.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the big city man, Blake Collins. How the hell are you, bud?”
says the gorgeous stranger.
“J.P.! Hey, man. Great to see you. I see you still haven’t figured out how to shave all...that,” he says, gesturing to J.P.’s scruffy face. Mikayla has yet to make eye contact. She could really use a drink. She looks across their table at Avery, about to signal that they need to get to the bar, when Blake grabs Avery’s attention.
“Aves, you remember J.P.? From last summer?” he says. Mikayla can’t help but feel way too sober and way too awkward. She’s out of the loop.
“Of course. Hey, J.P. I like the beard!” says Avery.
“I do, too,” Mikayla interjects into the conversation. She’s never one to be shy, even when the stranger is as breathtakingly sexy as J.P.
“And who might you be?” J.P. says. Mikayla is confident that he’s giving her “fuck me” eyes, but maybe that’s just what she wants to think.
“I’m Mikayla. A friend of Avery’s…and Blake’s.
From the city, here for the summer,” she says, holding eye contact with him.
“Well, ‘Mikayla from the city’, it is certainly a pleasure to have you here. This is my bar, you know.”
“That’s great, then you can help me get a drink,” Mikayla says cheekily.
“Sure thing, a round on the house for my friends old and new!” he says, disappearing to the bar.
“Avery, he’s so cute. Are you kidding me?!” Mikayla bursts with excitement.
“Yeah, honestly he is, but I’ve heard he’s a bit of a gross dude,” Avery says.
“Really?” Mikayla makes no effort to mask her disappointment.
“I mean, maybe it’s all rumors. I hardly know the guy.”
“Interesting,” Mikayla says as J.P. returns with four distinct cocktails on a tray.
“I thought City Girl would want a fancy drink,” he says, passing them out while keeping one for himself.
“I’m going to choose to ignore the condescension in your tone and graciously accept this drink, so thank you,” Mikayla says confidently, and sips the drink.
“So, what brings you up here?” J.P. says as he slides into the booth seating himself next to Mikayla, his jeans grazing her bare thigh.
“Just recovering a little. The city is a lot to handle when you can barely walk,” she says.
“What do you mean?”
Mikayla points under the table at her casted ankle.
“Oh, I see. How’d that happen? Did you trip hailing a taxi…or running up the stairs to the Met?”
“Your understanding of the city makes me feel like you’ve never really been there,” Mikayla says, sipping her drink again. Avery picks up on the fact that Mikayla is flirting, so she grabs Blake by the arm and brings him to the bar.
“I’m going to go order some food. Anyone want anything?”
“Just put it on my tab,” says J.P. Mikayla wonders if he’s showing off for her. With that, Blake and Avery disappear.