“Yes, that’s my real name not my fake name. My fake name is Rachel,” she laughed. “I was born on the fourth of July and my mom liked the idea of naming me Holiday.”
“Nice to meet you Holiday. My name is Tobias,” he replied. Holiday shook his hand and smiled. He shifted once more and finally asked her out. They exchanged numbers and planned to figure out a date soon. Turning with a bright smile, Holiday walked into the ladies’ locker room.
“I guess that was lucky coincidence,” Colette purred in Holiday’s direction. She turned to take in the woman and glared.
“Hello Colette, fancy meeting you here. How is Jax holding up?” She said then turned to retrieve her clothes. She would shower at home. Colette giggled, “He is doing okay. I am keeping his mind off the grief. You know it is so good to be back with my husband. I think Aunt Emma’s death has brought us closer together. I realize what a good man I left behind. I am so grateful for your company’s services. She passed away so peacefully. You guys are to be commended for what you do. I could never wipe shitty asses or clean up vomit. But I guess for some it’s the highlight of their day.”
Colette wrapped a clean towel around her neck. She was in a bright pink sports bra that barely hid her assets and matching spandex pants. The bright colors only highlighted her platinum blond hair pulled back into a neat ponytail.
“Those who can do and those who can’t, well you know the rest,” Holiday said. “Give my condolences to Jax.”
“Condolences or message of love. I can see it on your face that you are in love with my husband,” she giggled. The girlish voice was driving Holiday crazy. She supposed men brought the dumb blond routine.
“I care about all of my patients and their families. I was particularly close to Ms. Emma so naturally that would extend to Jax. I hope he finds a way to process his grief and continues with his current success.”
“Oh, cut the crap please,” she said her voice evening out. “I know you love him but I am here to let you know that we are back together. We are going to plan a family and live happily ever after. You stay away from my husband or else I will run to the state and let them know what an unprofessional whore you were. I saw the way you looked at him, you have wrestled with the Hulk.”
Holiday laughed deep in her belly before exclaiming, “Are you on drugs? I don’t know what you are talking about. What the hell is the Hulk?”
Colette’s girlish voice returned, “You know damn well what the Hulk is. My husband’s big cock. It’s wonderful, oh don’t I know it! I suggest you date that thing hitting on you outside the locker room. Move on because Jax is mine.”
Holiday knew how to handle people like Colette and laughed loud.
“You have been using too much peroxide on that hair lady. I am not sleeping with your husband and if I remember correctly, neither were you. Didn’t you run off over two years ago with your boss before his wife put an end to that shit. Now you come crawling back into his life when his mother dies. For what reason? To claim what? Jax or is it money?”
“You don’t know anything about me. I suggest you watch your mouth before I make your life a living hell. I can see right through you. I get what I want when I want and it burns you up. One flick of my blond locks and men come running. One suggestive sway of my hips and men are at my feet. You on the other hand had to go to college and get a degree. No one will take care of you, why would they? That unruly hair and no matter how much you run on the treadmill that stomach isn’t going anywhere. I know your type. You think you’re better than me, well think all you want while Jax sleeps in our bed,” she stated with a few fake giggles.
“You have already proven how ugly and insecure you are by confronting me in a locker room. If you were so secure then you wouldn’t have stalked me to have this pseudo run in. You wouldn’t need to tell me to stay away from your husband because he would only have eyes for you. The truth is you’re a big breasted, peroxide using, no talent insecure piece of trailer trash that can’t make it on her own. Don’t worry about me Colette, I am no threat to your happiness. Now stay the fuck away from me,” Holiday growled. Colette’s blue eyes raged as women nearby took in the conversation. Most of them were gym regulars and never laid eyes on Colette. Holiday was a regular and they didn’t appreciate the drama right now.
“You are a desperate ass wiping whore who slept with my husband while his mother was dying. You can deny it all you want but I heard him calling your name in his sleep. I heard him say your name in the shower,” she said then stammered. “But he only wants me now.”
“After meeting you, I can’t knock who the man fantasizes about. Thanks for letting me know I’m in his spank bank,” Holiday laughed as a few other women followed. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door with Colette hot on her heels. Holiday abruptly turned causing Colette to almost crash into the nearest wall.
“Stop following me, you whack job. You need to remember I am still a girl from Oakland,” she growled once more. Colette recoiled but yelled, “Stay away from my husband.”
“You try staying with him,” Holiday retorted back. The women in the locker room glared at Colette. Most of them were wives and girlfriends. Women like Colette were the reason they worked tirelessly to stay fit.
“Fuck off,” she said with less steam. She grabbed her bag and headed out the door. She never intended to work out anyway. She wanted to let the men ogle her form which they did as she walked out. Colette watched Holiday get into her truck and drive away. The woman gave as good as she got. Colette realized she was in trouble. Jax and Holiday were in love. They would protect each other until the end. This was not the welcome home she was expecting.
Chapter 17
Holiday put Colette and Jax out of her mind. She returned to work with gusto and accepted an offer to write out a business plan for another facility. It would be exciting putting together the complete package for the facility. A few days later Tobias called and they made a date. Lacy was giddy with excitement.
“I am so happy to see you smile again. I know Ms. Emma’s death was hard on you,” she squealed. “We need to go shopping. Now describe him again.”
“You are crazy,” she giggled. “I have already told you what he looks like.”
“You know I don’t discriminate. Let me know if he has a hot brother, friend, cousin, roommate or whatever,” she laughed. Holiday appreciated the laughs, they chipped away at the pain of losing Emma and Jax. She had yet to tell Lacy even though she wanted to a million times. After work, the two of them went to a local mall and found Holiday the perfect dress. Lacy even applied some make up hoping to stick around long enough to see Tobias. When he rang the doorbell, she raced out of Holiday’s room to answer the door.
“Well, hello Mr. Tobias,” Lacy said extending her hand. He looked confused but smiled.
“I am here to pick up Holiday. Are you her roommate?”
“No! We are adults, this is her house. I was just being nosy. It’s what best friends do,” she laughed. Tobias looked relieved and his smiled amped up to a million watts when Holiday emerged from the room. Holiday felt gorgeous in the off the shoulder red fitting dress. She paired it with patent leather heels and a small clutch. Lacy continued to beam in the background. She knew something much deeper was going on with Holiday. It hurt that she hadn’t confided in her. Lacy supposed it must be a big deal.
“Hello Tobias. I see you have met my crazy best friend Lacy,” she said shyly. Damn she felt really shy all of a sudden. Holiday walked closer and he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. They bid Lacy farewell who insisted she was staying put to mooch off Holiday’s cable television. Holiday gave her a grateful smile for staying put.
“So, tell me more about you Holiday,” Tobias asked over cocktails. They were waiting in the bar area for their table. Holiday sipped her vodka cranberry and talked about her nursing job. He listened and asked the appropriate questions.
“I am serious there is a lot of life in hospice,” she stated. “They say being b
orn is the greatest part of life but it’s dying. When you are born, you don’t know how great life can be. When you die, you have an idea of what life could have been like. You have dreams, desires, and regrets to contend with. It’s much harder. So, people try to live each day a little better than the last.”
“Wow! I can appreciate real passion,” he stated. “How did you choose hospice?”
“I lost my father,” she explained. “Is it okay if we don’t talk about that? I don’t have daddy issues, it’s just a sore subject for me.”
Tobias held his hands up in surrender.
“I totally understand. I lost my mom and it’s still tough to process. On to the next subject,” he said cheerfully. Tobias and Holiday slipped into an easy rhythm laughing and talking. Several times his stories were absolutely hysterical. She appreciated his humor.
“Can I say this and I don’t mean to dampen the mood,” he asked then waited.
“Sure, speak your mind,” she stated eyeing him curiously.
“Despite the beautiful creature I see before me, I can see you are really hurting over something or someone. I know that can be a hindrance and maybe my timing is off but I like you. I want to go out more and maybe while your heart heals, you can see a suave brother such as myself as more than a friend,” he explained. Holiday covered her mouth with the back of her hand. She stood and walked over to his side of the table. Holiday slid next to him on the bench and planted a tender kiss on his lips.
“Thank you for saying that. I am getting over something but that doesn’t mean we can’t date,” she replied. “It didn’t seem like much but I guess it’s affecting me more than I thought.”
“I should have written that down,” he said with a nervous laugh. Holiday gave him another tender kiss appreciating this distraction right now. After dinner, they hit a night club dancing and chatting.
“Woman, I think you hurt my bunions,” he stated when they arrived at his car. Holiday laughed then frowned at the thought of him having bunions.
“I am only kidding. I get a pedicure once a month. I am not confused about my sexuality either. If I bring clean feet to the party, I want my woman to do so as well. I have to lead by example,” he added.
“You are something else Tobias. I don’t know what I am going to do with you.”
Holiday slid into the seat and enjoyed the conversation all the way to her house. When they arrived at her house, they shared a deep kiss. She couldn’t deny the attraction but a part of her longed for Jax. She pushed those feelings down by picturing Colette bouncing on his lap. The thought made bile rise in her throat.
“I had a really good time Tobias. Thanks for being a perfect gentleman,” she whispered. He lowered his head and kissed her once more.
“Let me know when I don’t have to be,” he remarked before taking his leave. Holiday actually fanned herself before entering the house. Lacy was sitting on the couch with a bucket of popcorn.
“Lacy, geez you scared the crap out of me,” she said jumping.
“I need all the details,” Lacy admitted. “How big? How long? How fast?”
“You, goofball. I didn’t sleep with or grope the man,” Holiday said pulling off her heels. “He was a perfect gentleman.”
She took out her cell phone and texted, “Thanks for a perfect date!”
By the time she plopped down on the couch next to Lacy, Tobias texted.
Tobias, “You are welcome. That’s not the kiss of death, is it?”
Holiday, “Absolutely not!”
Tobias, “Good! I want to see you again and again and again! Too much?”
Holiday, “Nope just enough! Good night Tobias!”
Lacy watched Holiday text back and forth. She felt a pang of jealousy but otherwise she was happy for her friend. They both could use some real male companionship. Besides, Tobias was handsome and Holiday was one lucky girl.
“I need to tell you something,” Holiday admitted. “I was glad to hear you were staying tonight. Plus, it took off any pressure for him to come in and talk.”
Holiday reached into the popcorn bucket and tried to find the words.
“Holiday, we have been best friends for six or seven years. You can tell me anything and I promise it will stay between us. I know something has been bothering you. I also know that it must be major because you haven’t been able to talk about it. I am here to listen. I promise, I will not judge or blab.”
“A few weeks ago, Jax Pierce came down to my office to talk about his mother’s decline. We were supposed to talk which we did a little. He mostly fucked me on my desk,” Holiday blurted. Lacy’s eyes went wide and she jumped up spilling popcorn everywhere.
“Shut the fuck up! Are you serious? But you two seem so indifferent to one another,” Lacy shouted. “Are you fucking with me right now?”
Holiday sighed and then the tears started. Lacy immediately returned to the couch to comfort her friend.
“I wish I was making this up,” she cried. “I mean one minute we were talking and the next, holy hell, he is going balls deep into me.”
“Okay, I am sorry you are hurting but I want details right fucking now,” Lacy shouted.
“I don’t know Lacy. We were ripping clothes off. You know I am not a very sexual person but with Jax it’s crazy,” she explained.
“Holiday, seriously you had sex with Jax?” Lacy asked with complete disbelief.
“A few days after it happened we tried to go back to business as usual. I was leaving the hospice office and he was there. I tried to put supplies away and next thing I know I am blowing the man,” she admitted. Lacy once again bound off the couch. Her pinned hair snapped loose and hair flew around her face. She quickly brushed the hair out of her face to gaze at Holiday.
“Shut up Holiday,” she screamed. “I need the complete details.”
“The man is amazing. I had no idea what I was doing but somehow my whore instincts kicked in,” she explained. “He then fucked me against the wall of the supply room in the basement. Later on, that same evening, he showed up here.”
Lacy’s smiled dropped as she continued to gawk at her best friend. With her hand, she urged her to continue. Lacy massaged her temples as she listened.
“He was so distraught about his mom that he just didn’t know what to do. I think he just needed a warm place to put it. That night we fucked for hours,” she added.
“Holiday, you, um, fell for him didn’t you,” she said softly. Holiday nodded her head like a wayward child.
“I didn’t mean too but it’s Jax. I couldn’t believe that a man like that could look at me the way he does. Lacy it felt like he could see into my soul. He is so passionate and makes me feel like the sexiest bitch on the planet,” she said before Lacy interrupted.
“Oh shit! His wife showed up at the facility. Did you know he was married?”
“I had no idea but I later found out that she left him years ago for her boss. She only recently showed up because she heard Emma was dying. A few days ago, when I met Tobias she confronted me at the gym. She tried to embarrass me saying I needed to leave her husband alone. Colette said that Jax has been calling out to me in his sleep. Apparently, she caught him in the shower self-serving and calling out my name. I denied everything. I can’t lose my license or my job. I have worked too hard. I know, I should have thought of that before I let him fuck me but I was mesmerized.”
“I can’t fucking believe this,” she admitted. “We need booze.”
Lacy bound off the couch and found the girl’s night tequila. She returned with two shot glasses. They each took a shot before launching into coughs. Neither of them were strong drinkers but they liked to pretend occasionally.
“I know you are in love but what about him. Did he give you any indication as to how he feels?” Lacy questioned pouring another shot.
“Honestly, Lacy,” Holiday said before erupting into tears. Lacy rubbed her back for a few moments as she tried to calm herself.
“He loves me. I know
he does. I think Colette is blackmailing him by using me. She threatened to report me to the state,” Holiday cried. Even though bringing it up broke her heart all over again, it was good not to carry this burden alone.
“You and Jax, that is blowing my mind. Last week, the day we went out to the club. Was he there?”
“Yes,” she said with a soft smile. “He was pissed that Terrance was dancing all over me. He lied about wanting us to go out.”
Lacy turned and openly gaped her best friend. Holiday shook her head and sighed.
“He snatched me right out the back exit. When we arrived at his condo, he washed my neck and shoulders because I smelled like Terrance. We argued a bit then he made love to me in his bed,” she explained.
“I thought I saw him there with a blond woman,” Lacy recollected. “When I was going to tell you, I looked back and they were gone. I thought it was my imagination.”
Holiday sighed, “I saw them and didn’t react. I think he was trying to make me jealous. Terrance and I started dancing so I put Jax out of my mind. When I went to the bathroom, he cornered me. He dragged me out of the club to the alley were his car was parked.”
“He isn’t abusive,” Lacy asked with concern.
“No, it wasn’t like that. I realized he loved me. He didn’t want to see me with anyone else. He made love to me for hours. I couldn’t come up for air,” she replied. “Then the next morning when Ms. Emma was dying, I walked into the room and he was being comforted by his wife. My heart just shattered into a million pieces. I have never been in love before and so far, it fucking sucks.”
Lacy retrieved Kleenex and sat quietly for a few moments.
“So, can I ask,” she said softly. “How big is it?”
Holiday erupted into laughter despite the tears. She gave Lacy a nod of the head and beamed.
“Colette called it the Hulk,” she laughed loudly.
“Shut up! Holiday, I know you are hurting but you do realize you fucked Jax. Do you know how jealous the women at the job would be? Hell, how jealous I am right now? That man is an Adonis and has a Hulk. Wow!”
Jax's Holiday: An Interracial Romance Page 9