Truth or Lies

by JA Johnston

  She’s right. At first, I didn’t and just collected normal pay. But one night, one of my regular clients asked for a nightcap. I should have said no but was intrigued. That was a huge tip I got from that night. He’s one of my regulars. Now, I do say no to some clients that ask. I do have a preference on who I am going to have sex with.

  “Piper, I know how you feel about it. But after it’s all said and done, it’s just SEX. There’s no attachment.” Which is something I don’t want in my life.

  “I don’t like it. But I can’t say other escort services don’t actually offer sex. I just want my girl’s safe. I don’t want them to feel forced into having to offer sex.” She explains.

  “Well, send me the new client’s profile. I’ll check it out in the morning.” I yawn as I say this. “Oh, does he know I’m only available on weekends? I’ve got to much during the week with classes.”

  “Yes, he knows. Good night Amelia.”

  I think of Piper as I doze off. She was around my age when she became an escort. Then she met Martin Black, a client. Apparently, he somehow became her only client, but I don’t know all the details of that story. After a couple of years, they married. She still wanted to work and since escorting was what she knew, she decided to run her own service. They’ve been married for over thirty years now. These thoughts cloud my mind as drowsiness takes over.

  Finally, I have fallen into a restless sleep.

  Fifteen years, One month

  I STILL CAN’T believe how nervous I get when Lucas is on his way to pick me up. We’ve been dating for almost a month now.

  “Mels, would you please stop. You’re driving me crazy.” Dan sighs and throws a pillow at me.

  We’re sitting on the couch watching some reality show. I don’t even know which one, they all blur together. “Why are we watching this? We both don’t like reality shows.” I finally ask.

  Dan groans, “I hate this crap. Seriously, if either one of us acted like this, you know my parents would lose their shit with both of us. Grams too!” He looks at me, “And with your nervous bouncing twitchy leg thing going on” he shakes his head. “I thought you liked Lucas?”

  “I do! A lot!” I try to calm my legs and begin twisting my fingers together. “I just feel nervous around him.” I sigh, “Well, not him. Just when we’re, you know…alone.”

  Now his full attention is on me. “Why? Has he done something?” Dan straightens up with a menacing look.

  “No. Nothing that I haven’t told him not to.” I’m still twisting my fingers, “But…”

  “But what Mels? Why does he make you nervous?” he’s eased up a bit.

  “When we’re alone and we’re…” god, how do I say this to my best friend. It’s embarrassing. “kissing and touching. I get all hot and warm feeling throughout my whole body.” I look away from Dan. “I don’t know what to do, so I make him stop.”

  “Mels.” He sighs, but I hear his relief. “Come here.” He scoots towards me and puts his arm around me. “I know why you never dated in high school. I never pushed you either.” He squeezes my shoulders, “So, that night when I found you with David it shocked the hell out of me and pissed me off. Especially when you told us that he followed you, then tried to…”

  “Stop! Please, I remember full well what happened that night. I’ve moved passed it.” Haven’t I? I haven’t thought about it in months. My thoughts have been of school and Lucas.

  “Have you told Lucas any of this? About David?” Dan says in a reasonable tone.

  I lean my head back against his arm, “No. How do I tell him that I was attacked? Almost sexually assaulted until you showed up?” I close my eyes and rub my hands over my eyes, “How do I tell him that I’m a virgin?” I look at Dan, “Do I just open the door when he knocks and blurt it all out?”

  Dan laughs and shakes his head. “That would be a definite no.”

  “Then when? I’ve never done this before.” I throw my legs across him, “You have to help me. I don’t want to screw this up because I really like him. More than I thought that I would.”

  “Well, don’t just throw it on him when you open the door.” He sighs and leans his head back against the couch. “Wait until after dinner or whatever you two are doing, but before you get physical.” He shrugs, “I’ve never had to have this conversation before with anyone, but I would think I would respond better if I’m told up front about how the person I was dating felt on things or had issues.” He takes my chin and has me look at him, “If he feels the same as you, he won’t have a problem Mels. I’m sure of it because I know that I wouldn’t.”

  I lay my head on his shoulder, “It would make my life so much easier if I could just date you, Oliver Queen, but no, you have to feel more like a brother to me.”

  “Uh, yeah.” He clears his throat. “Don’t you remember when I said that to you freshman year at the academy and we went on a date?” He shakes his head with a smile on his face, “Thank god we never told anyone.” He shivers, “That kiss was so weird.” He looks at me, “You haven’t called me that in a long time.”

  “It was. It was gross.” I laugh. “Probably because we’ve known each other for so long and I know all the gross things about you.” I look at him, “What, call you Oliver Queen or should I call you Green Arrow?”

  “You’ve promised to take those gross things to your grave with you.” He gets serious again. “Both. I miss you calling me that, sometimes.” He winks at me.

  “I promise.” Smiling, “I wouldn’t want to deprive the future Mrs. Daniel Wagner of such enjoyment.” Sighing, “You’ll always be my Green Arrow, Dan.”

  He throws my legs off him, “Whatever!” He laughs and stands just as there is a knock at the door. Dan opens the door to an awaiting Lucas. “Hey man!” they both say as they bump fists.

  Lucas and I prepared dinner tonight together at his apartment. He doesn’t live that far from Dan and me, but he likes to walk over so we can walk together. His roommate decided to bail on him this year, so he has the whole place to himself. That’s why we hang out here together, a lot. It’s private. Besides Dan has another new interest right now.

  I’m sitting on the couch listening to Lady Antebellum while absent mindedly twirling a piece of hair between my fingers. How do I tell Lucas about my past, or at least some of it? I don’t want to scare him off completely. “Woah! What’s with the Klingon look?” He says teasingly as he rubs two fingers and thumb across my forehead.

  I stare at him with a smile, does he know what a Klingon is? I don’t know why that thought warms me, but it does. “Do you know what a Klingon is?” I ask teasingly.

  “Of course, I love Star Trek! Lieutenant Worf.” He smiles at me with his perfect smile. “Are you a Star Trek fan?”

  “Yes, Dan and I loved that show. Love the movies and older ones also.” I’m smiling huge, “How are you on the subject of superheroes?”

  “Which ones? DC or Marvel?” he asks seriously.

  “DC, but I know some of Marvel.” I smile back.

  “Favorite superhero?”

  “Ugh! There’s too many to choose from.” I throw my head back and close my eyes. “But if I have to choose, I’d say Superman.” I shrug and shake my head, “But not Superman Returns. That story line was good, but that superman was lacking something. Not quite sure what it was, but he was missing something.”

  He laughs, “Ok, Marvel?”

  “Hands down Wolverine!”

  “You’re a Hugh Jackman fan?” He grins widely.

  I groan and smile, “Yes.” I stare at him, “So, what about you, same questions.”

  Still smiling, “DC would be Wonder Woman. Marvel, definitely Black Widow.”

  Smiling teasingly at him, “Scarlett Johansson fan I see.”

  “Yes.” He laughs with me as our eyes locked with one another’s. “So, what were you really thinking about?”

  Here it goes. “When I was in high school at the academy there was this guy. He hung around our group. I kne
w he liked me, but I wasn’t interested in dating.” I stare at him trying to get a read on him, nothing so far. He’s listening and staring at me intently. “He was always around and waiting when I left work at the ice cream parlor.”

  “Wait.” Lucas is shaking his head smiling, “You worked at an ice cream parlor? For real?”

  “Yes.” I stare at him, “Why, where did you work when you were in high school?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Finish your story first.”

  I glare at him, “Okay. Well, he kept showing up at the end of my shift, wanting to take me home. I already had my own car, so I didn’t need him to bring me home. But he was persistent and made sure I knew he was interested. More than interested. He always made me uncomfortable. So, I tried to make sure I was never alone with him.”

  “Finally, when the summer season ended, I got a night off. I was able to go to the football game with Dan and our group of friends. Afterwards we went to a diner. I got up to use the restroom, and as I returned to the table, he grabbed me in the hallway and pulled me out back.”

  “What?” Lucas takes a deep breath, and I see his throat move. He scoots closer to me and holds my hands, “Did he hurt you?”

  “No. But he tried, I managed to hold him off long enough for Dan and the others to find me.” I close my eyes then open them again, “He’s not the reason I’ve never had a boyfriend, I just never was interested in being in a relationship. But after that night, I avoided more than guys. I avoided everyone that I possibly could. I didn’t want anyone to get close to me.”

  “What changed?” He whispers.

  I open my eyes and look into his blue eyes. “You.” I take a swallow, “You’ve changed how I feel about relationships. But, I’m scared.”

  “Scared? Of me?” his brows furrow.

  “Not of you. Scared of how I feel around you and how you make me feel.” I take a deep breath, “Lucas, I’m a virgin.” I wait and try to read his face.

  “Amelia,” he scoots towards me, “we don’t have to. I’m not pressuring you.” He shakes his head, “Do you feel pressured?”

  “No. I don’t feel pressured.” How do I say this, “I want to be with you. But I’ve never…” I shake my head, “I don’t know what to do.”

  “And you’re afraid?”

  “Yes and no. I’m afraid that you won’t like me afterwards and then ask me to leave.” I say and tuck my head down, hands covering my face while squeezing my eyes shut.

  “Hey, look at me.” He removes my hands and touches my chin. “There’s no way that I would never not like you, even afterwards.” He sighs, “I won’t take advantage of you. If you say no, we won’t.”

  “But for how long?” I shake my head. “I want to be with you.” I straddle him and wrap my arms around his shoulders. He brings his arms around my waist. “I guess I’m asking you to be gentle and teach me. Teach me so I can be what you like.”

  “I already like you, Amelia.” He squeezes me closer to his body. “Really like you.” He says before he takes my lips with his. I let his tongue dart past my lips and it entwines with mine. My body heats up and I feel as if my insides are melting. Our kiss deepens, as Lucas’ hands roam up and down my back, through my hair. “Are you sure?” Lucas mumbles into our mouths.

  “Yes.” Before I finish uttering that word, Lucas stands with me in his arms and brings me into his bedroom. Ironically, the song ‘Just A Kiss’ is playing in the background. He places me on the edge of the bed then kneels in front of me, my legs resting against his sides. Lucas is rubbing his hands up and down my thighs, he looks into my eyes; “Do you trust me?”

  Fifteen years, One month

  WHAT’S THAT NOISE? I look at the clock beside my bed. It’s six-thirty in the morning. There it is again. Who the hell is calling me at this hour? I roll over and grab for my phone in the dark.

  “Hello?” I say groggily.

  “Amelia? Did I wake you?” she chuckles.

  “I should kill you. What the hell are you calling me for this friggin’ early, Piper?” I say angrily.

  “Well, remember the info I sent to you a month ago, about a new client?”

  “Yeah.”

  “He’s back in town. He would like to meet you.” Piper sounds exasperated.

  “Now? It’s 6:30 AM. I only just got home at one am. I was with Peter last night.” I yawn, again.

  “I know Amelia. I told him it would be later. Say around eleven?” Piper says questionably.

  “God! Eleven, FINE! But I can’t promise I’ll be all smiles and sunshine.” I’m grouchy!

  “Just be you. That’s what I always say. This client can walk away; YOU are the one that’s important.” She says in the sincerest way.

  “Ugh! Where?”

  “I’ll send a car to pick you up at ten-thirty. Wear something frilly.” She says.

  Frilly?! WHAT THE HELL!! Do I even own anything frilly? It’s not summer anymore either. 11:30 is brunch, right?

  At exactly ten-thirty, Phillip arrives with the car. I did find a casual navy-blue t-shirt dress that tapers my waist and flows loosely a couple of inches above my knee. I wear a low heel gladiator style sandal.

  “You look refreshing Amelia.” Phillip smiles at me as he opens the car door.

  “Thank you. I know it’s not my usual, but I was asked to wear this.” I smile back at him as I enter the car.

  We’re meeting at a tiny café. I’ve already seen Alexander Bishop’s photo, so I know who I am looking for. But, he finds me first.

  “Amelia!” He whispers in my ear. He’s behind me, very close, almost touching.

  I am ready to turn around to see him, but he puts his hand on my waist to stop me. “Yes.” I say.

  He takes a deep breath near my hair. “Come. I have a table ready.”

  He takes my hand and leads me towards a table by the windows. Who the hell is this guy?

  Alexander pulls my chair out and I sit. He sits facing me and grins. I smile as politely as I can. I have a list of things that just tick me off, and he’s already unknowingly done a lot of them. The biggest one is touching me without asking.

  “I’m glad to finally meet you in person, Amelia. I saw your photo over a year ago, but you were too busy to meet apparently.” He says sarcastically.

  “Well, I have other engagements that are otherwise more important than to meet a new client.”

  “Hmm…sarcastic, are we?”

  “How am I sarcastic?”

  “Your responses towards me.”

  Who the hell does he think he is. Seriously?! Yes, he’s good looking, and his warm brown eyes are very domineering. He must have money to afford an escort service. But really, what the hell?

  “What should my response be then?” I again say sarcastically.

  “Not that I mind you.”

  “Tell me, Alexander, what is it exactly that you need me for?” I sneer at him.

  “Amelia, I need you for a lot of things. But firstly, I need you to accompany me to business functions and the like.”

  “Okay. What type of functions?”

  “Does that matter?”

  “Yes. I will need to know how to dress and how to act.”

  “I’ll let you know beforehand.”

  “Okay.”

  “We may leave these functions early as I deem so.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I want more than just a beautiful woman on my arm, Amelia. I want so much more of you.” He says with a gleam in his eye as he scans my body.

  “What is it that you want, Alexander?” I ask as I squint my eyes.

  “You. After every function, you attend with me, I want you to do exactly everything I say. I want to FUCK you, Amelia. On my terms.”

  “What are your terms exactly besides doing exactly everything you say?”

  He smiles, “Well, for one, you will not ask questions, you will just do what I say.”

  “What if I don’t like what you say?”

  “You
don’t have a choice.”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “I can’t possibly not have choice, Alexander. I may have a problem with whatever you want to do.”

  “Amelia, I promise you that you won’t have a problem with what I want to do with you. But when the time arises, I will let you tell me if you want me to stop. I will not force you. You will enjoy it.” He smiles.

  “We’ll see Alexander. We’ll see.”

  Fifteen years, three months

  I’M LYING HERE beside Lucas. The sun is just now rising and I’m staring at him, taking in each of his features. His dark brown hair has some wave to it, and there’s a little stubble on his face. Lucas runs and plays football, and it shows. He has defined muscles in his arms, back, legs, abdomen, and chest. These last two months I have gotten to know his body just as much as he’s gotten to know mine. To think that it all started with one question; “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.” I whispered looking into his blue eyes.

  Lucas reaches up and slowly unbuttons my shirt. His fingers linger on each button, as two fingers glide underneath, touching my skin. My breath quickens in anticipation. Slowly, he slides my shirt off my shoulders, gliding his hands down my arms. His eyes are full of desire and his mouth twitches as my skin becomes covered in goose bumps.

  “If I do something you don’t like, stop me.” He says in a husky tone. All I can do is nod my head. Lucas reaches around and unclasps my bra, again, his hands caress my arms as the straps slide down my arms. He tugs me closer to him, then takes my lips in a kiss once again.

  The kiss leaves my mouth and descends down my neck, over my shoulder. My arms come up, and I run my fingers up his neck. His mouth is on my breast, the warm wetness of his tongue licks my nipple before he sucks it into his mouth, teasing it to a taught peak. My body tingles and feels warmer at this new sensation.

  Lucas leans me back on the bed as he kisses and licks his way down my torso, lingering at my belly button. His hands unbutton my jeans, then slides under the waist band, sliding them down over my hips. Past my thighs, he pulls them off. His breath is warm against my inner thigh as he kisses his way back up, stopping at my panties, where he inhales.