Lucas takes a hold of the gun and moves it out of his way so he can approach me. “We’re on the same team. Don’t worry, amateur, I’ll protect you.” His lips meet my cheek, and I slightly bow my head when he pulls away. Now I’m certain he’s flirting with me and even I have to admit it’s not the worst thing in the world.
“Well, let’s meet our opponents.” I reach my hand out to the woman. “I’m Cassie and this is Lucas.”
“I’m Renee and this is my boyfriend Marty.”
“Oh! Like Marty McFly!” Back to the Future is one of my favorite movie franchises. Michael J. Fox was always one of my crushes from Family Ties to his movies. I once wished my boyfriend in high school was Teen Wolf. Lucas, Renee, and Marty all stare at me as if I’m speaking another language. “Sorry, before your time.” Am I really this old? I want to start this game already.
“Isn’t there supposed to be a third team?” Marty, who looks nothing like Michael J. Fox with his blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and a mustache he’s trying so hard to grow above his lip, asks Lucas.
“Yeah, but it’s a slow night and my buddy who runs the place doesn’t really care if it’s two on two.”
Techno music begins to play through the speakers in the room. This is what I have to listen to for the entire event? I’m really starting to regret what I signed up for. This is loud and obnoxious.
“Okay, players, this is your Game Master.” A deep voice takes over the room. “You will enter the arena through the door on your left. Please find your base. Blue team you are base one. Red team you are base two. You will collect points by shooting at each other and trying to destroy each other’s base. The game will last fifteen minutes and you will hear an announcement when the game is over. You will then find the exit, which will bring you back to this room. Remember, there is no running in the arena, do not climb on anything or you will be disqualified, no physical contact, no lying down, and no foul language. This is a family facility. You’re here to have fun. Just remember that.”
I didn’t realize that this game had so many rules. I imagined us running around and shooting each other. I hope I don’t have to be too strategic because I don’t know how well I can do that in the dark.
The person on the loudspeaker begins speaking again. “You’ll hear a buzzer, which will allow you to open the door and proceed to your base.”
The buzzer sounds and I follow Lucas to our base, which is base one. We huddle in the corner, and I can hear him breathing. It’s not as dark as I anticipated, and I can still make out his face.
“What are we waiting for?” I whisper.
Another buzzer sounds and I jump, almost knocking Lucas over. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. You go left and I’ll go right.” He not only has to direct me at work, but he has to direct me here, too. “Cassie, what are you doing? I can already see the red flashing lights coming towards us. Go, go, go!”
Adrenaline shoots through my body, and my heart is pumping overtime. I dart out of the covered area and quickly close the gap between my steps when I realize I’m running. No running. That was the first rule. The music is blaring, and I can’t hear Lucas or any of my opponents. I’m being hunted by Marty McFly and his girlfriend and quite honestly, with a flashing vest, there’s not really anywhere to hide. I slide against a wall and crouch down. I can wait here until I see the red lights coming toward me. Then I can shoot and keep shooting until I’m out of sight. I think it’s a good strategy.
I’m waiting for what feels like hours, but I’m sure was only less than two minutes, when I hear footsteps. Someone’s coming my way, but I can’t see any lights flashing. Which way are they coming from? “Lucas?” I say in a loud whisper. “Lucas? Is that you? I’m over here.”
I begin to stand and as the muscle tenses in my leg I realize crouching was probably not a good idea. When I’m finally in an upright position, I stretch my body and my bones crack. I get my phaser to be safe. The beating of my heart thumps so hard I can feel it between my ears. I force a swallow, as hard as it is.
“Gotcha!”
I scream as a flash of red lights appear in front of me and shoots me in the front of my vest. I aim my gun and nothing happens. “I can’t shoot! I can’t shoot!” I pound on the gun and try again. “What’s going on? Why isn’t this working?”
“Cassie,” I hear Lucas running up behind me. “You can’t shoot for ten seconds. Hide!”
I panic and bolt to the right, away from whomever shot me. I’m running and I realize this is against the rules, but I need to hide like Lucas said. I’m using my hand to maneuver around the arena and as I turn a corner I smack right into somebody and fall on my ass.
“Are you okay?” It’s Lucas. He reaches his hand out and pulls me up, though my worn out body takes a second to find its balance again.
“Yeah. Are you?”
“I’m fine. You weigh like a hundred and twenty pounds. I didn’t even budge.”
I’m flattered that he thinks I’m only a hundred and twenty pounds, but a little more than slightly embarrassed about how I freaked out and knocked right into him. “I’m sorry about that. I kind of panicked when I got hit.”
“Remember that I said I would protect you?”
“Yes.”
“Wait here.” Lucas steps in front of me and aims his gun at the opponent coming toward us. He shoots everywhere he can, in the shoulder, on the front, on their phaser. Both Marty and Renee are frozen. Lucas grabs my hand and we quickly make our way to their base. “Shoot the base! Keep shooting!”
I take his direction and pull the trigger. I shoot until the lights go out. Lucas wraps his arm around my waist and yanks me so I’m against his body. “I’m pretty sure we’ve won.”
I think so too, and I can’t believe it, but I think I’m having the time of my life, and I don’t want the evening to end.
•••••••
My head hurts. Really hurts. Like I feel like it’s going to crack open and my eyes are going to pop out hurts. I drank way too much last night. The sun blinds me and I cover my eyes as fast as I can to avoid it. “I don’t want to get up…”
“Well, tough luck. You have to.”
I widen my eyes to Lucas standing next to the bed in boxer shorts, his perfect six-pack bulging out, among other things, and he’s handing me a cup of steaming, hot coffee. “Lucas?”
“That’s me. In the flesh. I bet you’re suffering from quite the headache.”
“Yeah…” I manage to sit up and take the coffee from him. This roast is amazing. Dark, fresh, perfection. The second the coffee splashes into my mouth, my headache starts disappearing. “What happened last night?”
His eyes pop. “You don’t remember?” He rubs the top of his head. “Damn, I wish you could.”
“We … ” and I do remember. I wasn’t that drunk. After laser tag, we came back to his place for a few drinks. We laughed and played Never Have I Ever until there were hands everywhere, lips on every inch of our bodies, touching, clothes ripping off, the passion so strong I could barely breathe. I hoped it was all a dream. “Damn it. I broke my rule.”
“What rule?”
I sip my coffee and don’t make eye contact. “To never get involved with a coworker.” And such a young one, at that.
“I’m glad you broke it. Last night was totally worth it. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. This was my first time with such an … experienced woman.”
“Did you just call me old?” I slam my hand onto the covers and my coffee spills onto the sheets. “Sorry.”
“That’s fine, and no, I didn’t call you old. I called you experienced. Two entirely different things. Girls my age, they’re not as … ”
I shake my head and wave my finger at him as I drink more coffee. “I don’t want to hear it. Never talk about other women, especially with the woman currently in your bed.”
“Sorry. Again.”
Who is this guy? The Lucas I left the bar with was much more forward and con
fident. He wouldn’t apologize and he’d be downright cocky about his sexual encounters. “I do remember. And yes, it was pretty damned amazing.”
I can’t remember the last time I had sex like that. And multiple times. Lucas is built in all the right places and is gentle and patient. No. No. No! He’s my co-worker, and this can’t happen again. I’m a sex addict, aren’t I? My mom was addicted to drugs and got HIV and … oh no. “We used a condom, right?”
“Of course. I’m young, but I’m not stupid.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t want to end up like my mother. Ugh, my mother. I can’t believe I’m sitting here in this gorgeous man’s bed, and I’m thinking about my shitty excuse of a mother. This is probably something she would do. I lay my head back on the pillow, gripping my coffee so it doesn’t spill again. I haven’t thought about her and that letter in quite awhile. Maybe I should face her. I can yell at her and tell her all the horrible ways she made me feel. It may be therapeutic.
“Are you okay, Cassie? You haven’t said anything in a few minutes.” Lucas sits down next to me on the bed.
“I’m fine.” I sit back up and shake off the thoughts of my mother that are invading my brain at such an inopportune time. “What time is it?”
“Almost seven-thirty.”
“Seven-thirty! I need to be to work before eight to let Keith in.” I hand him my mug. “There’s not enough time to go home and change.” My eyes dart around the room. “Where the hell are the rest of my clothes?” At least I’m in underwear and a bra right now. I lift the sheets enough to confirm I’m in my cotton white panties. And not the bikini cut. The high cut. The grandma cut. Of course.
Lucas points out the bedroom door. “In the kitchen. On the table. Where it all started.”
Oh, yes. I told him I always dreamed of someone tossing the items off a table and screwing me on it. And he did just that. And then again on the couch, and then we made gentle love in the bedroom. Man, he could have gone all night, but by the time 1:00 AM rolled around , this old lady needed some sleep.
I hop out of bed paying no mind to my ratty underwear giving my butt plenty of coverage. My blouse is on the counter, my skirt on the back of the kitchen chair, my shoes … aha! Placed ever so nicely on the stove. I slide the heels on and realize I don’t have my car. It’s still at the office.
“Do you need a ride?”
“Are you kidding me? We can’t show up there together. I’ll take the bus. It’s not that far.” What do I do here? A kiss goodbye? No. This isn’t a relationship. We’re not a thing. One time. This won’t happen again. “Okay. Bye.” My hand struggles to wave, and finally, one escapes.
The bus ride seems to take forever, and I swear everyone aboard is eyeing me up and down in my walk of shame. I tug my skirt closer to my knees, a patch of dirtiness dusting my body. I could practically be Lucas’ mother. His mother. Every person within judgment range knows this, I’m certain. I’ve made a horrible, disgusting, satisfying mistake. Gosh, I needed to get laid in the worst way, but I should’ve known better. I’m the adult here.
I rush off the bus as soon as it arrives a block from my building. I didn’t realize how quickly I can run in heels. I catch myself from falling outside the office when I misjudge the level of the sidewalk. I swing open the door and race to the elevator.
I catch my breath during the ride up to my floor, thankful I’m the only one in the elevator. The bell dings and the door opens. The gap is barely large enough for me to fit, but I sneak through and bump into Terrence.
“Oh, Terrence, I’m so sorry.” My purse falls onto the floor and I quickly reach down and grab it.
“Why are you in such a rush?”
“I woke up a little bit late this morning and the contractor is supposed to be here by eight.” I point toward my office.
Terrence thumbs in my office’s direction. “Keith? He’s already here. He’s been here for a half hour. I like that guy. He seems like a good worker.”
Is he already here? I told him not to arrive until eight. How early did he arrive? “I’m sorry he got here so early. I hope you weren’t disturbed.”
“Not at all. He was outside the building and we walked in together. He’s an interesting guy, has a lot to say.“
You’ve got that right, I think to myself. I hope he didn’t say too much and mention the group to my boss. That’s a part of my life I try to keep separate from here. It’s not that I’m embarrassed. I mean, I founded the group, but my love life is no concern to my boss.
“Cassie, if I’m not mistaken, those are the same clothes you wore yesterday aren’t they?”
Crap. Not like he has any way of knowing I spent the night with his nephew, but this is completely unprofessional. Is this outfit that out there that he would even notice? Men don’t notice those things. It’s not in their DNA to pinpoint a change in hairstyle, a new outfit, or that their significant other is even speaking to them. Selective eyesight and hearing. “This old skirt and blouse? No. It’s new. Well not new, because I’ve had them for a while. By new I mean that I didn’t wear it yesterday. I wore something else yesterday, and I’m wearing something different today. In that respect, it’s new.” Stop rambling, Cassie. You’re making it worse.
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Whatever you say. I should get back to work.”
I sigh in relief when he walks away. That was a close one. I practically race to my office and Keith is seated at my desk, hovering over the server room plans.
“You’re early.”
“You’re late.”
“Touché.” I hang my purse on my coat hanger. “But, if you’re planning on arriving before eight in the future, please call or text me.”
“That sounds a great idea. Why didn’t I think of that? Wait!” He snaps his fingers. “You never gave me your contact information. You have mine, but I don’t have yours. And isn’t that the same outfit you were wearing yesterday?”
The one day I wear the same outfit as the previous, every man suddenly develops a photographic memory. “No.”
He eyes me up and down. “I’m pretty sure that’s the same outfit. I guess drinks went a little bit better than expected?”
“Excuse me? That’s none of your business. Drinks were fine, for your information. We met, drank, and went to our respective houses. Now I’m here today in a brand-new outfit.”
He smiles smugly at me, and while I hope I fooled him, I’m not so sure.
“Knock, knock.” Lucas raps his hand on the door and invites himself in. He sure got her quick. When I left he was still in his boxers. “I wanted to check in and make sure everything is on schedule.”
Sure. That’s what he wanted. It’s getting to be a big, old party in my office. “Everything is perfect. Thank you.”
“Sounds great. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” He’s staring straight at me. I don’t know if he could make this more obvious than he already is. For a young man who seems so grown-up, he really isn’t well-versed on being discreet.
Keith stands up from my desk and knocks on the table. “For some more than others.” He breezes past me and hangs in the doorway for a moment. “We’ll check in later.”
He leaves the room, leaving me with an awkwardly happy Lucas and my realization that Lucas may be expecting a little bit more than only one night.
Chapter
Sixteen
Fine. I’ll take everyone’s advice and take the night off. September has been welcomed with deadlines. The class is going well, and I’m even warming up to Keith in the group, but despite my yoga once a week, I’m feeling a little burned out. Admitting such a thing is a big step for me, but I refuse to confess this to anyone but myself. One evening off from work email and anything surrounding the office may do me some good.
The perfect evening for me is soft music playing in the background, a glass of wine, and my laptop. I have enough self-control to play around on the computer without finding work as a distraction. I think since I’m teaching a c
lass centered around Facebook, maybe it’s time I make a visit to the website myself.
I don’t even remember my password since it’s been so long since I’ve been on the site. I click the Forgot Password link and work through the steps to select a new one. I love creating new ones and do so every month for all of my logins. Most people are intimidated by the rules: a capital, special character, punctuation, and a mix of letters and numbers. I enjoy the challenge.
Once my password is reset, the screen welcomes me back after my long hiatus. The big empty box asks for a status update, but no one cares what I’ve been up to. I leave it blank. How many friends do I even have on here? I glance over at my “Friends” box and see a lonely seven. Seven. That’s probably pretty accurate, anyway. A red bubble appears on top of the Friend Request icon. Seventy-six friend requests. Next to it I’m alerted to 459 notifications. I can’t stand seeing these unanswered so I click on the button and select Clear All. Most are game notifications from Sasha, anyway. I’m not wasting my time going through all of this.
I select the friend requests, and most of them are people I’ve worked with in the past or people I went to high school with. I don’t know why I would want to be friends with any of them. I wasn’t the most popular kid in my class, but I wasn’t an outcast either. I had a decent number of friends, but I was so different in high school and college, that Shannon is the only one I want to remain close with. I choose to ignore most of them, only approving a few. Then I see it.
Claire Noble wants to be friends with me. My mother. On Facebook. Requesting to be friends with me.
How am I supposed to react to this? As if the letter wasn’t enough, she’s now stalking me on here. I can’t see when she sent the request. I wonder if it was before or after she sent the letter. I can’t accept it. There’s no way. That doesn’t mean I’m not curious.
I click on her profile picture, which is a photo of a lotus. It takes me to her page, her cover photo an array of flowers. I’m surprised it’s not a field of marijuana. I know she said she’s clean, but I’m not so sure I believe her.
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