by Nikki Ash
After we both give Marco a kiss on his forehead, we head to the main room. The hotel suite only has two rooms but Caleb has insisted he can sleep on the couch. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge on my way to my room.
“Hey, wanna watch something? I don’t think they have The Bachelor here but I am sure we can find some chick flick of some sort.”
I laugh and sit down on the couch. “Sure, you pick.”
“Ok, grab a bottle of liquor and two glasses. You can’t make me watch a chick flick without alcohol.”
After skimming through the channels he stops on Friends With Benefits and looks to me for approval. I smile and he presses play.
About thirty minutes into the movie we are both cracking up and I have noticed Caleb has moved closer to me. We have definitely had quite a few shots and I am feeling warm and fuzzy. I need a breather from his closeness so I have him pause the movie for a two-minute bathroom break. When I return he is glaring at my phone like it just insulted him.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
He pats his leg indicating for me to lay my head on his lap. I do what he asks and he presses play and then runs his fingers through the strands of my hair just like I did for him that night he confided in me. He has turned this into our go-to position when watching TV at home. We watch the movie in mostly silence, laughing at certain parts, and I sniffle trying to hold back tears at other parts. I am such a sappy romantic!
At one point Caleb wipes the tear falling down my cheek. I look up at him and he is silently laughing at my tears. I don’t know when it happened but we seem so much closer than we were when he first moved in. I blank out from the movie thinking about how our days have been lately. Eating together, hanging out with Marco, watching television shows after Marco goes to bed. Everything just feels like it has shifted. We went from barely acquaintances to friends in such a short time.
“Do you think it is possible?” I ask when the movie ends. “To have sex without the emotions?”
I regret the question before I ever finish it but Caleb answers before I can take it back.
“No, it’s not possible.” Did he feel something for these women he was forced to have sex with?
Almost as if he hears my silent question he adds, “I hated every one of the women I had sex with. I felt the contempt and disgust run through my veins for years. You can’t have sex without emotions. I have never had sex that I enjoyed. ”
While my experience is limited to a few guys, I can honestly say for the most part they were all decent in bed. Sure there wasn’t huge sparks but I can’t imagine hating the person I am intimate with.
My cell phone dings and I check it. It’s Alex. When I go to check the text I notice one I missed from earlier. Did Caleb see the text? Is that why he was glaring at my phone?
Alex: Have you thought anymore about dinner?
Alex: Just one date…
I put the phone down and turn to Caleb moving a bit closer. “Maybe if you have sex with someone by choice you might enjoy it.” I give him a small smile hoping he catches my drift. This is definitely the alcohol giving me this liquid courage.
“Maybe… Have you ever had no-strings attached sex?”
“Once. It was ok. I didn’t really know him though. I think it would be better if I at least got to know him first.”
“Like Alex?” I cringe when he says his name instead of his own. That’s not where I was trying to go.
When I don’t say anything he says, “We’re friends… You can tell me.”
Friends… Right… And it’s obvious that’s all we will ever be.
“Maybe. I don’t know,” I say grabbing my phone suddenly feeling exhausted.
“I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.” I don’t even bother looking back before I close my door and lay in bed without even changing my clothes. I don’t know why I thought Caleb would want me to be the person he has sex with by choice. I told myself I was done trying to be more with Caleb but it’s almost impossible not to have feelings for this man when we practically live together and I see what an amazing person he is. The more I get to know him the more I want to be with him. Maybe saying yes to Alex would be a good idea. I can get Caleb out of my head and focus on another man. I would rather have Caleb as a friend than as nothing at all.
Me: Ok. One date.
Alex: How about dinner Tuesday at 6pm?
Me: Sounds good. We can leave from the gym.
After I am done texting with Alex, I decide to sneak in a quick orgasm. Being so close to Caleb has gotten me completely turned on with no chance of a release. I move one hand down to my shorts and panties, and pull them down to my knees. Separating my pussy lips I put a finger into my sex and find I am already seriously wet. Taking the juices I add another finger and move them to my clit. With my other hand I pull my shirt up slightly and pinch my nipple. Closing my eyes I imagine Caleb is the one with his hands on me...
Caleb
Jesus! Why do I feel like a teenage fucking boy when I hang out with Hayley? Between being turned the hell on and unsure of what to say, I feel lost as fuck around this girl. She is the only person I have told about my past life and she doesn’t treat me any different than she did before she knew. We have become close the last couple weeks. I thought Kayla and I were close but hanging out with Hayley has made me realize Kayla and my relationship was one sided. I wasn’t ready to tell her about my shit so instead I was there for her through all of hers. For me to tell Hayley everything, I know somewhere deep down I have to trust her. Maybe it’s the way she treats Marco or the way she no longer flirts with me but I want this woman and in a bad fucking way.
When she went to the bathroom and I saw Alex’s text come through I wanted to chuck the phone across the room. His text confirms what I already knew, guys aren’t blind to Hayley. I can’t believe she hasn’t been scooped up yet.
And then when she asked me about sex without emotions, I wanted to take her and throw her down onto the couch and show her every foreign emotion I am feeling right now. But I remembered I have ribs that aren’t healed yet and a cast on my leg. I am not in a position to throw anyone anywhere.
I let my frustrations out on her and asked about Alex. I shouldn’t have brought him up… or I should have asked her not to go out with him. He’s a good guy and would treat her right. I know this but fuck if I don’t want her for myself. I clearly suck at this conversational bullshit because she practically ran from me and into her room for the night.
I decide to go speak to her. I hate the way we left things and I don’t want it to be awkward between us. Grabbing my crutches I make my way to her room and knock lightly. I hear a noise and assume she is telling me to come in, so I open the door.
The room is mostly dark but from the door opening there is now light filtering through and before she realizes I am there I see the most beautiful, erotic sight of my life. She has her shirt up, shorts down, eyes closed, and she is finger-fucking herself. What makes it even better? My name graces her lips as her orgasm hits her full force.
“Mmmm… Caleb,” she says her body bowing. I quickly and quietly close the door not wanting to embarrass her. I might have been on the fence before but I have made my decision. I want this woman and I am coming for her.
The next morning we arrive to the attorney’s office at nine o’clock on the dot. It was rough sitting across from Hayley, watching her eat her muffin with the same fingers she had in her pussy last night. I wanted to make a comment, let her know I saw, ask her if I could help her out next time, but I was afraid of how she would respond.
Once we are seated in the waiting room I look over and see Gloria. Can you say instant turn-off? She’s dressed to impress in her name brand clothes my father’s money has paid for. She has a face full of makeup and her hair is done to perfection. She has aged over the last several years but she’s still young and I want to throw up just looking at her. Hayley sees me stiffen but doesn’t say anything.
/> “Hello, Caleb. It’s nice to see you, again,” Jason says shaking my hand.
“Hey, man. These are my friends Hayley and Marco.”
“Nice to meet you both. Why don’t we get right to it? Marco, why don’t you stay out here with Veronica, my secretary?”
Hayley hands him his new iPad she bought for the trip and gives him a smile reassuring him it’s ok.
“Stay here and don’t move. We will be right over there if you need anything. Ok?”
“Ok.”
Gloria stands up as we walk towards the room eyeing me like the vulture she is. Once we all sit down Jason begins. “Because your father insisted you are present for the reading of the will, Gloria is hearing all of this for the first time as well.”
Hayley’s face whips to look at Gloria at the sound of her name, and if looks could kill Gloria would be in hell right now courtesy of Hayley. Feeling the need to calm Hayley, I take her hand and place it on my thigh and begin rubbing my thumb over her fingers trying to calm her down. It seems to work for the most part, but now with her hand on my thigh I can feel my dick twitching and in this room, with Gloria sitting on the other side of me, this is the last place I want to be turned on. Suddenly flashbacks of Gloria touching me surface and I have to swallow down the bile I feel building in my throat. I want to push away Hayley’s hand but I don’t want her to think it’s her I don’t want to touch.
“Go ahead,” I choke out trying to get this ball rolling. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can get the fuck out of here and take Marco to see snow.
“Ok, first of all, I have a letter here from your father. It was given to me about three years ago. He came in to make some changes to his will and also brought this letter in. He said you are to be given this letter and he asked that you read it after I go over the details of the will.”
Jason hands me the envelope with my name scrawled across the front in script that I recognize as my dad’s handwriting. It feels like a hundred pounds in my hand. I put it down on the desk and nod for him to continue. He turns on a recorder; I am assuming to record this is being done properly.
“I would like for it to go on record, I am Jason Caldwin, the attorney of Adam Michaels, and I am here today with Caleb Michaels and Gloria Michaels to read the living will and testament of Adam Michaels. It is sworn before me that this is the only will and will be upheld in the court of law. I would also like for it to be noted Adam Michael was in good health and sound mind when creating this will.
Adam Michaels leaves any and all assets to his son, Caleb Michaels, including but not limited to all bank accounts, stocks, bonds, houses residing at the addresses named below, all vehicles, as well as the two businesses he owns outright named Assets.”
“What the hell are you saying?” Gloria shouts out cutting Jason off. I am in shock; my father has left me everything including the clubs he built for her. What the hell happened while I was gone?
“What did he say about me?” she shrieks out.
Jason clears his throat and continues to read. Judging by his calmness he already knew this was coming.
“I, Adam Michaels, leave a separate bank account to my estranged wife, Gloria. In the bank account, she will find twenty thousand dollars to start her life over with. She may also keep the Porsche SUV, which is in her name. She has thirty days to move out of the house I am leaving to Caleb.”
Hol-y shit!! It takes everything in me not to laugh at the look on that miserable bitch’s face as she realizes the jokes on her and my father didn’t leave her shit. I am now dying to open the letter from my father.
“I will take this to court!” she yells at me. She is now standing up and is too close for comfort. I breathe in and out slowly to calm myself.
“Gloria, you have the right to do as you wish, but maybe spending the generous sum he left you on an attorney isn’t the best idea. I can assure you this will uphold in the court of law,” Jason states matter-of-factly.
Gloria is so mad she is practically shaking. I stand up and shake hands with Jason and thank him. I have a lot to think about. Jason hands me a large envelope telling me everything I need to know including accounts and passwords are in here and to let him know if I have any questions.
As I attempt to grab my crutches to hobble away, Gloria grabs me by my arm but before I can say anything her hand is ripped away.
“Listen here you nasty bitch. I know all about you. If you ever lay a hand on Caleb again I will throw your ass out a window. Do you understand?”
Hayley says these words so quietly I don’t even think Jason can hear from his desk, but her tone is made clear, and I think I just fell for this woman even more.
Gloria looks shocked, clearly wondering if Hayley really knows all about her, but she recovers quickly. “You will be hearing from my attorney.” And with those words she is out the door.
Hayley runs out after her and I think it’s to go for round two but when I get to the waiting room she is sitting next to Marco smiling and asking him something about the game he is playing. She wanted to make sure Gloria didn’t get anywhere near him. My heart constricts thinking of my own mom and how protective she was over me. I miss her so damn much. Hayley is an amazing woman and Marco is lucky to have her in his corner.
“Alright you two. Ready for some snow?” I ask tucking the letter from my dad into my back pocket.
“Yes!” Marco says while fist pumping.
“Let’s go!”
We spend the rest of the weekend having fun at the ski resort. Marco takes snowboarding lessons and after a few hours is flying down the slopes. He is really good. It’s obvious he’s a natural athlete. Hayley and I watch from the sidelines and every so often she heads indoors to read her romance books by the fireplace. I hate that I can’t join Marco on the slopes but decide once I am healed I am going to take him back here to do some snowboarding with him.
By the time we fly back in to Las Vegas, it’s late. Luckily Hayley left her vehicle at the airport so we can head right home. While she is getting the luggage into the trunk I see a sheet of paper sticking out of her windshield. I grab it and open it up.
DROP THE CHARGES OR ELSE…
I look around but don’t see anybody. Since the four men who attacked me weren’t granted bail this has to be from someone on the outside, most likely Hector or Santos. I will turn this into the police station tomorrow. For now, I decide not to tell Hayley. I don’t need to worry her.
Chapter Eight
Hayley
It’s been about a month since Caleb found out he is rich. Not only is he rich, but also he is the owner of several businesses and homes. His ribs are pretty much healed and while he hasn’t been able to drive himself anywhere because of his cast, he has been making phone calls like crazy, having his friends take him places as well as taking a cab when necessary. It is only a matter of time until he finds a new apartment and moves out. I haven’t brought it up but I am sure it’s coming.
During these last several weeks things have been good between us. We have established a great schedule with Marco; he is thriving in school and at home. We spend a lot of time together, the three of us, sometimes going to the movies or out to dinner. We have Kayla, Bentley, and the babies over a lot as well. Marco loves to see his sister, and Kayla is beginning to work with Caleb on rehabilitating his shoulder. Caleb’s shoulder is nowhere near back to the way it was before but he hasn’t lost hope. Form the outside looking in, one would think we are a family and the truth is, I have to constantly remind myself when we are together that we aren’t.
Last weekend was Bella’s Birthday party so the three of us attended the party at her favorite park. Marco was nervous and told us it would be the first party he’s been to. While he is older than Bella and Tristan he still enjoys hanging out with them. He is a good kid. He had a blast at the party but I could see the sadness when he told me he’s never had a birthday party. I shouldn’t have been shocked to learn he never had a party of his own, but I still was
. Even though his birthday just passed in December I mentally notate to throw him a half-year party this summer once school is out. It will be warm outside and we can invite his friends over and have them all go swimming.
At night Caleb and I spend time together just the two of us. We usually watch a show or a movie, but rarely pay attention. We talk about our day, what’s going on with Marco, how he feels about his dad leaving him everything. He’s a complete open book when we talk. The only thing it seems we don’t talk about is when he plans to move out. He did mention needing the time off to get his dad’s estate in order. He seems to have turned a corner. He is so much more upbeat.
One night I nervously asked him about the letter his dad wrote. He hadn’t brought it up yet and I was curious what it entailed.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I just want you to know you can talk to me about it if you ever want.”
Caleb hobbled over to the room and came back with the letter in his hand. “I read it when we got back from Boulder. He knew everything.”
I was flabbergasted by his words. His dad knew but didn’t say or do anything? He chose his wife over his son?
“Did he explain why he chose her over you, yet left you everything?”
“Yeah, do you want to read it?”
“Do you want me to?”
He nodded his head yes and handed me the letter.
Dear Caleb,
If you are reading this I have passed away without getting the courage to speak to you. I have written this letter because I am a selfish man who couldn’t face his own son. I am currently in the middle of divorcing Gloria and I would like to say I am truly sorry for what I did to our family. The day in your bedroom when you begged me to believe you, I should have taken your side. I didn’t know for sure but I had a feeling Gloria was up to no good. I just had no idea how bad it was. After you left and I confronted her she admitted everything including blackmailing you and then having sex with you. I was so scared to end up in prison, I let her get away with what she did to you. I know nothing I will say will makeup for what she did and what I did to you by not believing you and choosing to believe her. You were so young, still underage, and it was my job to protect you. I am so sorry I never protected you from her. I am sorry I couldn’t be the dad you deserve.