by Abbi Hemp
“Let’s get you on the couch,” Heidi said. “Are you going to be sick?”
Jamie moaned as Heidi helped her sit up.
“We got this,” she said, putting her arm around Jamie. “Let’s stand back up.”
“But who are you?” Jamie asked, pulling away again. “Who the hell are you?”
“I’m Heidi, your brother’s boyfriend. We haven’t met yet, but this is going to be a memorable one.”
“I need another drink,” Jamie said.
As Heidi helped my sister to her feet, I bent down and picked up the bottle. Some of it had spilled on the hardwood floor, but that was her problem.
I brought the bottle into her kitchen and poured it out in the sink. Before going back into the living room, I stopped and took a deep breath.
Heidi was handling the situation well. Was that yet another sign? I made my way back and saw Heidi and Jamie sitting next to each other on the couch.
Maybe they will get along.
“Everyone okay in here?” I asked.
“We’re fine,” Heidi said.
Jamie moaned.
“The room is spinning.”
“You drank too much.”
I stopped in front of the couch and looked down at her.
“Don’t remind me.”
Heidi looked up at me.
“We should go,” I said.
“No, let’s stay a while and make sure she’s okay.”
“Stay,” Jamie mumbled. “We’ll order a pizza.”
“I am hungry,” Heidi said. “Can you order one, Tony?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“The usual,” Jamie said as she fell sideways on the couch.
I walked into the dining room.
“What do you like on your pizza, Heidi?” I called out.
“Mushroom, please.”
I ordered a couple deep dish pizzas using the Dominos app on my phone. The rest of the evening went better. As Jamie sobered up, she felt horrible and apologized to Heidi.
The woman I might love took it all in stride, rolling with the punches. Eating pizza and drinking iced tea, I fell deeper in love with her. Would I be able to escape or was it too late to turn back?
FIFTEEN
Heidi
Tony and I had returned to his house and made sweet love after helping his sister out. Before we fell asleep, I had asked him to meet Jessica, the closest thing I had to family.
He had agreed, but as I sat next to him in the Mercedes, zooming down the highway, I began to wonder if it was a mistake. The fact I couldn’t read him easily drove me crazy, but I loved it.
“I still can’t believe she was that wasted last night,” he said, staring at the road ahead.
“She wasn’t that bad.”
“You don’t know my sister. She gets wild when she’s drunk.”
“I’ve known a lot of people like that in my short time on the planet.”
“Well, thanks for understanding,” he said, glancing over at me.
I smiled.
“No problem. Just don’t be too rough on Jessica, okay?”
“I’m sure it will go fine. You worry too much.”
“Well, up to now in my life, I’ve had to worry to stay alive.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up your parents.”
“You’re fine. It was a long time ago, and their death shaped me into who I am today in one way or another.”
He put his hand on my thigh and squeezed. We traveled the next few miles in silence.
“This exit,” I said, pointing.
After slowing down, he drifted over onto the off-ramp.
“Left at the light,” I said. “She should be home.”
“So, I’m not the only one who shows up without calling, huh?”
I laughed.
“You caught me.”
A few minutes later, we arrived at Jessica’s house out in the country. The stones of the driveway crackled as the car approached the two-story farmhouse with weathered white paint.
“Looks like a haunted house, right?”
“Hey, I thought we were supposed to be nice.”
“Jessica and I have a strange relationship. We’re always putting each other down. You’ll see.”
“Okay,” he said.
As we were getting out of the car, the front door floor open and a scruffy dog took off toward us.
“Down, boy,” Jessica called out from the porch.
Oscar stopped in front of me, sniffing my legs, his brown coat knotted and dirty.
Tony walked around the front of the car before we made our way to the front porch, Oscar close behind.
“Down,” Jessica screamed again.
Oscar took off around the house into the expansive backyard.
“This is Tony,” I said. “Tony, this is Jessica, my best friend forever.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jessica said, wearing her usual when she was home, baggy grey sweatpants and a faded yellow tank-top.
“You too,” Tony said. “Heidi has told me a lot about you.”
“Only the good, I hope,” Jessica said with a chuckle.
“All good,” he assured her as he put a hand on the small of my back.
He made me feel so safe and protected.
“I should have called, but I wanted to introduce you to him.”
“Girl, you never call first,” Jessica said. “Come inside.”
Tony and I followed her into the house. Her living room was a mess as usual.
“Have a seat,” she said, scooping a pile of dirty clothes off the couch.
I glanced at Tony’s face, wondering what he was thinking. He didn’t say anything or reveal it on his face as we sat down on the couch. Jessica took a seat in an old, blue recliner.
“Have you got the money yet?” she asked.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s going to take another couple of weeks.”
“That’s a shame,” she said. “Are you going to keep dancing?”
I sensed Tony turning to look at my face as I thought about the answer.
“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“You should have enough now to quit,” Tony said.
“Can’t ever have too much money,” Jessica said.
“I don’t know yet.”
Tony put his hand on my back as I took a deep breath.
“Well, I’d rather you didn’t, but it’s your call,” he said.
“Damn straight it’s her call,” Jessica said. “You’re a controlling type of person, aren’t you?”
“Hey, now,” I said, standing up for Tony.
“No, I’m not.”
He stood and looked down at me.
“We should get going,” he said. “I forgot I need to get back.”
“Are you kidding? You guys just got here,” Jessica said.
I looked up and into his eyes.
“Right now? Are you upset or something?”
“No. I just want to go.”
“I’m going to stay a bit, I think.” I turned to Jessica. “You can drive me home, right?”
“Sure.”
“Call me later if you want,” Tony said.
“I might,” I said, standing. “Can I get a kiss?”
He put an arm around my waist and pulled me close. Our lips met briefly before he pulled away.
“You sure you’re okay?” I whispered.
“I’m fine,” he said. “You have fun. We’ll talk soon.”
“Sure…”
I watched as he walked to the front door. Something was definitely wrong, but like a typical man, he wouldn’t tell me what was bugging him.
After he left, Jessica clapped her hands together.
“Time for some wine.”
I sat down on the edge of the couch.
“No, I shouldn’t drink. I’m worried that Tony might be upset.”
“He obviously didn’t like me.”
“You know I still like you, right? I mean…”
“You mean you’re not going to forget we’re friends as soon as you get your money.”
“Something like that.”
“Heidi, I’ve not known you for a long time, but in the years we’ve known each other, I’ve realized that you’re not like most of the women who end up stripping in a club for money.”
“I’m really not.”
“No, and it’s a good thing. It’s why I don’t think you’re going to forget me as soon as you get your money. Hell, you might even help me out, knowing you.”
I grinned.
“Already asking for money, huh?” I teased.
She laughed.
“You can give me as little or as much as you want, girl.”
“I’ll have one glass,” I relented. “Of the wine.”
“Coming right up.”
As she disappeared into the kitchen, I glanced around, realizing my entire life was about to change. Would it be for the better? And if so, was it because of Tony or the money?
One glass of wine turned into two bottles by the time we were done. I forgot all about calling Tony and checking on him as Jessica and I let loose, talking about ways to spend my lottery winnings.
I spent the night at her house, sleeping on the couch, the room and my world both spinning out of control. Sleep came after closing my eyes. My dreams were off-the-wall, even for me.
* * *
The next morning went by in a flurry. Jessica woke me up and said she had to take me back to my house. I still had my car at Tony’s house, but she didn’t have time to take me to it.
When I called Tony to pick me up to get my car, he sounded even more upset than the night before.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call back,” I said into the phone as I paced around my one-room apartment. “But I have no other way to get up there and get my car.”
“Your friend can’t help?”
“Don’t be like that, Tony.”
“Like what?”
“You know, a dick.”
“Wow. You actually just said that, didn’t you?”
“I’m sorry. I just woke up a little while ago, and I’m hung-over.”
“Did some drinking last night, did you?”
“Um, yeah. With my friend Jessica. Is that okay with you? Should I have checked first?”
“You know what? I think maybe we need some time apart.”
“Are you being serious right now?”
“Yeah. I’ve got to get ready for the upcoming season, and you’re dealing with your money and everything.”
“Tony…”
“I’ll come and get you to your car, but we should talk about slowing down.”
This isn’t happening.
“Fine.”
“Great.”
He ended the call without saying goodbye. My heart sank as I sat down on the edge of my bed. What the hell is going on? Maybe he isn’t the right man for me after all.
The sex had been out of the world, but that didn’t mean we were meant to be together. I needed a man who could treat me like a lady and protect me, not one who wanted to control me.
Over the next two weeks, we did drift apart. I kept breaking down, wanting to call him, but I resisted the urge. While waiting for my lottery money, I planned how to spend it down to the very last penny. All my dreams would come true. That took time.
If Tony wasn’t the man for me, my true love, I’d surely find another man just as handsome and ripped. That’s what I told myself as we both refused to call each other.
SIXTEEN
Heidi
TWO WEEKS LATER
I stared at the check in my hand, which was shaking.
“Give me that, and I’ll deposit it for you in the various accounts we discussed right away,” Basil said.
“Thanks, Mr. Nowski.”
“Call me Basil,” he said, patting my back.
I smiled politely and handed him the check. If Tony trusted him, I had no reason not to believe he would keep my money safe and help me grow my fortune with investments.
“Here’s your bank card. Remember, there’s a fifty-thousand-dollar limit, but that’s a good thing.”
“It’s my money,” I said, accepting the platinum credit card with my name on the front.
“Yes, but like I said, you want to pace yourself. After taxes and my fees, you’re looking at a little over two-million-dollars left. It’s easier than you think to go through all that.”
“Okay, but if something happens, I’ll still have access to the rest of my money, right? Like an emergency or something?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, smiling. “You go have some fun. You can do a lot with fifty grand in a month.”
“What if I want to buy a house or something?”
“You just come and talk with me, okay?”
“Sure, but…”
“You should be happy,” he interrupted, standing up. “Go spend some money. My phone is always on if you have any questions or need help.”
“Thanks again, Mr. Nowski.”
I stood up in front of his desk.
“Don’t worry about it.” He waved his arm though the air. “And call me Basil.”
He watched as I slipped the credit card into my purse. As I walked out of his office, I thought about not having to ever go into work again if I didn’t feel like it.
Financial freedom had always been a dream of mine, but it had become a reality. I thought about calling Tony, admitting that I missed him, but I didn’t.
Instead, I went to see Ugly Stan and tell him I quit. He would be upset to see one of his biggest money-makers leave the club, but I didn’t care about him.
At the club, I walked in and straight to his office. One of the other dancers gave me a look, but I paid it no mind. After three knocks, he called out, “Come in already.”
I opened the door, hoping I didn’t see one of the other women on her knees paying homage to the greasy owner’s cock. Ugly Stan sat behind his desk, looking at me.
“Where the fuck you been?” he demanded without any pleasantries.
“I told you I was taking some time off.”
“And now you want your old job back, huh?” He chuckled. “Well, now it’s going to cost you.”
“No, I don’t want this crappy job back. In fact, I’m here to tell you I quit.” I put my hands on the edge of his desk and leaned forward. “And I’m starting my own club down the street.”
He laughed.
“You are, are you? I’d like to know how.”
“None of your damn business,” I said.
“You fucking that football player good, huh?”
“That’s not it,” I snapped.
While I wanted to tell him I’d won the lottery, I kept my mouth shut. The less who knew about my sudden windfall the better off I would be.
“Well, good luck to you. I think you’ve got a hot body, but you ain’t no business-woman.”
“That’s what you think,” I said, standing up and crossing my arms over my chest.
He leaned back, doing the same with his arms.
We stared at each other a moment in silence.
“Is that all?” he asked.
“Yeah, Ugly Stan. That’s all.”
Before I spun around and left the office, I saw a flash of anger on his face.
“Get out of here,” he yelled behind me.
I kept walking, not looking back. In the parking lot, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Back in my car, I started it up and turned the stereo on loudly.
Fuck this teenager shit, I thought as I drove toward Tony’s house west of Cleveland.
We’re going to make this work no matter what it takes.
* * *
I stood on the porch at Tony’s house and stared at the wooden door.
Maybe I should just go and call first.
The door swung open as I decided what to do.
“Hey,” Tony said.
&n
bsp; His eyes scrunched up as if he were confused to see me.
“Hey. Mind if I come in?”
“I was on my way out, but sure.”
We went inside. I stopped a few steps into the foyer.
“Come and sit down,” he said, walking toward the living room.
I followed him, unable to take my eyes off his steel-tight ass.
He sat down on one end of his leather couch, the same one we’d made love on.
I took a seat on the other side, my arm on the armrest.
“How have you been?” he asked, staring into my eyes.
“I’ve missed you,” I admitted.
“Yeah?”
I nodded ever so slightly.
“Well, I’ve missed you too. I know I told you we needed a break…” He scooted toward my side of the couch. “…but I was wrong, and stupid.”
“I was stupid too.”
He stopped right next to me. Our legs were touching.
“I’m glad you stopped by.”
“Yeah? Weren’t you going out?”
“Jamie wanted me to come over, but she can wait.”
“It’s good you have such a solid relationship with her.”
He nodded, not saying a word as he gazed into my eyes.
“Are you doing okay?”
I glanced around, nervous anticipation overwhelming me.
“Yeah, I’ve been fine, but I’m better now.”
He leaned over and kissed me on the lips.
I melted as soon as I felt his soft, wet mouth pressing against mine.
“Time to stay a while?” he asked after pulling back.
“I can stay all night if you want.”
He stood, reaching out his hand. I took it in mine.
Back on my feet, we kissed again before heading upstairs to his bedroom.
Neither of us said anything as we took one step after another. My thoughts were going a million miles a minute as I worked out my feelings for him on the fly.
I stopped at the top of the stairs. He turned to face me.
“You okay?”
In response, I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave him another kiss.
“It’s just good to see you,” I said, staring up and into his eyes.
He smiled. In his arms, I felt safe, protected, and loved.