Stay with Me

by Sheryl Wright

  “I…am not!”

  At the sound of Aydan’s sweet laughter, Maggie’s head shot up and she let out a happy yip before yawning and heading for her dog bed. “Even the dog’s got your number.”

  “Yeah, I’m a dork. I admit it. Even the Tiger says I’m a big dumb butch sometimes.”

  “And her twin sister is madly in love with you.”

  “What? No!” Lori argued, “the Turtle’s my buddy. Just like Ty is. Why would you say…”

  “Will you relax? I’m just highlighting the fact that I too could be jealous of all the women who adore you. The difference is that I accept the fact that women will fall for you.”

  “What women?” Lori asked, knowing somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind that this wasn’t the right question. “Sorry, you’re right of course. Zoe says my gaydar must be off but still, Kira isn’t gay, she’s just a friend.”

  “Oh, you are woefully ignorant of your charms, Ms. Phipps. I am sure you could convert Kira and win your toaster oven.”

  It was said with such seriousness that Lori sat momentarily stunned, “I, um…you know about the toaster oven joke?”

  Shaking her head Aydan stood, offering her hand. “Come on, you. I’ve got steaks ready for you to barbeque and I made some veggie kabobs to try on the grill.”

  She accepted the outstretched hand. “You trust me?”

  They were standing face-to-face and only inches apart. Aydan, looking up, answered quietly, “I trust you with everything.”

  It was simple and empowering and a gift, her confidence and trust something she had fretted over, worrying she would never earn it back. She wanted to get this right but struggled with self-doubt. “Can I…I mean, may I…oh hell…”

  “Yes, Lori. Now would be a good time to kiss me.”

  Even with permission, covering that final few inches between them felt like the bravest thing she would ever do. Closing her eyes, afraid Aydan might change her mind, she barely touched her lips to hers but the fullness, and sweet taste drew her back again. Taking her time, she explored her lips, enjoying the feel of her in her arms. Even after she broke from the kiss, breathless and lightheaded, Lori held on. Holding her so close, feeling her strength and confidence buoyed her immensely, and she was reluctant to step away, reluctant to look in those dark expressive eyes.

  “It’s all right, Lori,” Aydan said, promising, “I’m nervous too.”

  * * *

  Zoe stood leaning on the long bar nursing her last drink. It was long after last call and most of the place had emptied out.

  “Sorry Zoe,” Jersey, the bartender told her. “It’s time; I have to take your drink. Can I get you a coffee?”

  Before she could answer, another regular patron joined her at the bar. “Well, well, well. It looks like you struck out too!”

  “I didn’t strike out,” she hissed at Sue Ellen Peach. “I just needed a break from those bitches.”

  “I hear yah,” Peachy commiserated, accepting one of the coffees Jersey set in front of them and adding cream. “You want?” she asked, pushing the little basket of fake dairy creamers and packets of sweeteners closer to Zoe.

  “You’re chipper for a woman who’s just been dumped.”

  “Hardly. I’m just used to Lori’s shit. She wanders, some women do, but I’ve gotten used to it. She’ll be back, she always is.”

  Zoe just stared at her. “I hate to tell you this, Peachy, but I think this one’s different. She’s even taking her to the big dumb dyke wedding!” This she added with air quotes, vowing, “I’m supposed to be a bridesmaid now but I’m not going.” Watching Peachy carefully, she was curious to see her reaction to news of Lori’s love interest. Disappointment and confusion were threatening Peachy’s control. “You didn’t know?”

  “Which, that she was taking that…Islamist bitch, or that you don’t want to go alone?”

  “What makes you think I would go alone, why would I?” Zoe asserted, feeling caught out for even having to defend her ability to attract women. “Plenty of women would be proud to be on my arm for the gayest event in western New York. I could ask anyone!”

  “Yes, you could,” Peachy agreed soothingly. Her dour face visibly brightened. “But you’re not going to ask one of those other women, you’re going to ask me.”

  Zoe studied her. She knew she was drunk and would probably regret this decision. Still, she couldn’t resist, and sticking out her hand, she grinned offering her pledge, “Done!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Lori stormed into the boatyard security cottage, ducking under the counter, demanding, “Have you been able to get that bastard Fener on the phone?”

  “No,” Megan answered, “but I think I have a solution.”

  “Did you find out who did it?” she asked, jerking her head toward the security surveillance system.

  “Listen boss, why don’t we get this sorted first, you know, kind of find a solution before we get into who did what?”

  Lori just groaned. If Megan was reluctant to share her findings, she knew it wouldn’t be good news. They were supposed to be making the final preparations for the boatyard to host the big wedding and Tyler and Georgie’s guest list of eighty friends and family had skyrocketed to well over four hundred with the additions both Lori and Marnie had insisted be added for the sake of both family and business. They had accepted the situation with grace—well, at least Tyler had. Georgie was a little overwhelmed, but had placed herself firmly in their hands with the singular goal of pleasing her wife-to-be.

  It was now Monday and they had just five days to get everything squared away. Thinking everything well under control, she had arrived that morning to find some yahoo had driven a 4x4 off-roader all over their property, crisscrossing the boatyard lawns, and gouging great welts in the turfgrass. She had promised Tyler she would make sure anyone in heels would be able to walk around without problems, and now she wasn’t sure anyone could safely step out on the grass without becoming a muddy mess. Reluctantly, she slipped into the chair across from Megan’s desk, asking without much hope, “So, what’s this idea?”

  “Okay,” she said, holding up a hand and looking much like the cop she soon would be. “Now, just hear me out. First thing I did was call Kira and don’t worry, I swore her to secrecy. So I asked about, you know, what kinds of things girls can walk on in heels.”

  Lori groaned again.

  “Don’t worry, she promised. Anyway, she remembered going out to the Seneca Powwow with some friends back when she was in university. She said they put all these cedar shavings down for paths to walk on, you know, so you wouldn’t wreck the grass but she said it was soft but really solid too. She thinks the girls, well everybody, could walk on something like that real easy. And she said it looked good and smelled good too.”

  “I don’t know, kiddo, it sounds kind of silly. I don’t think laying out a few bags of mulch will solve anything, sorry.”

  “Yeah but see, that’s the thing. These are real fresh shavings, not mulch, and they didn’t just dump down a few inches. They laid it down like a roadway. She figured it had to be six inches thick and wide like a driveway and,” she raised her hand again, “before you ask, I made a call to the TSC over in Collins. They only had a few bags, but when I said I would probably need several tons, they gave me the name of a guy out on the Cattaraugus Reservation. He has lots and said he would come out and have a look at what we need. And yes, I asked him about walking on that stuff. He had a good laugh at that, but did say they use it for the youth dances out there and some of the girls wear heels, so he was pretty sure it must be okay.”

  Lori thought about it. “You know, if we cut some tarps to lay out first, to keep the moisture from seeping up too fast and then have him roll that stuff out…Wait, will he do that?”

  “Yep! He was real cool. I just have to call him back and he’ll come over later and have a look so he knows how much we need. And he said he had helpers so we just need to decide if he delivers everything and lay
s it out on Friday or Saturday morning.”

  “Which is better?”

  “Well, I was thinking Friday, but he said it smells better if he puts it out fresh that morning but it was our choice.”

  “Smells better, geez, the place is going to smell like a barn.”

  “Better than the lake, you know, on certain days.”

  Lori groaned again. “I don’t know. I think I’d prefer the odd smelly fish day to barnyard odors. Still, cedar might be nice. Okay,” she decided, “call him back and get him out here. I’m still going to keep looking for a landscaper who can get in here right away and start laying patio slabs. At least Fener’s guys finished polishing their cement pour. I know he was a little irked we wanted it polished and ready before the new building went up. Are the party tent people all confirmed?”

  “Actually, they asked if they could come out on Thursday to get started raising the big tent. I said it was okay since they’re not going to charge us extra. That’s okay, right?”

  “That’s perfect, Megs,” Lori answered absently as she tabbed through her own to-do list. “What else, what else?” She wasn’t really asking, just struggling with all the myriad things needing to be done before Saturday. “Oh shit, sorry, I forgot about the surveillance. What did you find?”

  Megan hesitated for the longest time. Reaching for the remote, she pressed the play button without commenting on the footage she had isolated.

  Straining to recognize the vehicle pulling donuts all over the boatyard’s healthy rich lawns, she choked suddenly, the recognition hitting her like a fist to the gut. “Fuck me!” she uttered, immediately out of her chair and pacing the small office. This was a problem she herself had created and knowing added to the insult. At least Megan knew better than to comment. She had been right to offer solutions before sharing this upset.

  “Boss,” Megan said carefully. “Listen, me and Sanjit were talking and, well, we were thinking we should double up out here for the week or at least on Thursday and Friday. Especially once the tents are up and all the equipment is out here.”

  Lori was about to agree, only then remembering Sanjit would be a guest and Megan was in the wedding party. Even though they could probably handle themselves and the sleep deprivation, she didn’t want either of them stuck there all night and possibly facing down her mess. “Thanks kiddo, I appreciate that, both of you. I will miss you guys when you leave for the police academy in September.”

  That much was true, especially with Megan, who had taken to her job like a duck to water. The kid really was made for this stuff. “I want you guys to have fun, and besides it’s your sister’s wedding. I’m already in enough poop with Tyler. I think we should call in paid duty cops. Can you take care of that for me?”

  “Sure,” Megan promised, adding notes to her phone. “What time should they be here on Saturday?”

  Lori shook her head. “Bring in two officers for the remainder of the week, evenings and nights until the party company comes for their stuff on Monday.”

  She watched as Megan’s brow inched up. To the kid’s credit she knew better than to question the decision. If Marnie or anyone else for that matter balked at the cost, she would pick up the tab herself. Having the cops nab Peachy was a hell of a better prospect than risking having her own staff take her on.

  She thanked Megan for the update, and marched back out into the midday sun, wandering around the parking lot unfocused. She finally stopped at her Jeep, leaning heavily on the hood and resting her elbows there. Lost in thought and unaware, she steadily tapped two fingers against her lips. Normally she shared this kind of stuff with Marnie. They were best friends and had been since birth, but Marnie would flip if she had any idea this mess was of her own making. No, calling Marnie to talk was off the table. She could call Georgie. She would understand but she would be disappointed too. She was already disappointed over Lori’s involvement with Peachy. She had been good with it on the shakedown cruise back in January. Of course that might have been more about having a fourth person on board, ensuring her more time with Tyler alone. Tyler! She should call Tyler. But this was Tyler’s wedding and she would give her a lecture and tell her to come clean with Aydan.

  Finally, pulling out her phone, she clicked on Aydan’s number, sucking in a few harsh breaths waiting for the call to connect. She didn’t need to call anyone else for advice. It was Aydan she was concerned for and Aydan she needed. This was new territory, this wanting someone and caring what they might think. Over the last few weeks she had worked hard to repair the damage from her stupid bet with Zoe and Zoe too seemed to have calmed right down, apologizing to them both. At least that hadn’t been weird. Marnie was spot-on when she said the kid was a complete pro at work.

  “Well, good day, Ms. Phipps. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  Trying not to panic, Lori offered her standard greeting, “Hello, princess. How’s your day going so far?”

  “All in all I can’t complain, but I am starting to worry for my charge. She’s very nervous.”

  “Georgie?” she asked unnecessarily. “Wow, who knew!”

  Aydan chuckled at the response. “Every time I try and talk to her, she just keeps repeating ‘make it perfect for my Tyler.’ Well, not quite in so many words, but you know that.”

  “Oh, I do indeed,” Lori answered, and then paused, unsure how to broach the subject. She admired how Georgie could stutter out a few phrases Tyler would instantly understand. She wasn’t worried Aydan wouldn’t understand her. Her hesitation was borne of shame and fear, real fear of losing this thing she hadn’t even known she wanted so very, very much.

  “Oh, Lori,” Aydan said softly. “What’s happened, can you talk?”

  “Yes, no, I mean yes but I think we should meet. It’s important,” she added, her anxiety clear.

  There was a long hesitation before Aydan asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, but something’s happened out here. Something I’m trying to clean up but…”

  “But whatever has happened, you think it’s important I know, or important I’m prepared?”

  Lori was so relieved to hear the kindness in her tone. “Ah, yes and yes.”

  “Is this something Georgie and Tyler should not hear?”

  “Oh yeah, that’s a pretty good bet but I won’t ask you to lie for me. If it turns out I can’t fix this on my own, I promise I’ll come clean ASAP. Until then…well, you have a right to know and I made a promise. Besides, I kind of need someone to talk to about this, this situation. Is that cool?”

  “Of course it is. Actually I’m glad you called. It’s nice to know someone appreciates my opinion.”

  “Appreciates?” Lori almost laughed. “Aydana-dana, I more than appreciate it. You just make things make so much sense to me.”

  She laughed quietly over the digital line. “Would you like to come into town and get a bite? Or, I could drive out there. You keep promising to give me the full tour and a home-heated meal.”

  While that idea was more than pleasing, the sudden and probable risk of having Peachy show up was too much. Almost panicking, she coughed out a negative, “Uhm, I’ll come into town. Actually, I think I’ll stay in Dad’s apartment for the rest of the week, you know, just in case G&T need me.”

  “Uh-huh,” she said, clearly aware there was more to say. At Lori’s silence, Aydan offered, “Okay…I’ll wait until you’re here to ask for details. Would you send me a text before you leave the yard? That way I can be ready. I take it we’ll be going out somewhere?”

  “Yes, yes you decide and yes I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. Thank you, Aydan.” With that said they ended their call. It wasn’t as if they were at that point in their relationship where they were expressing endearments. No not saying, just feeling. Oh God, Aydan please, please, I so hope you can forgive me again!

  * * *

  Hours later Aydan sat in the darkened living room, considering all she had heard. It was hard to understand her own feelings. Part of her was
so drawn to Lori she wanted to forgive and forget, emphasis on forget but that wasn’t who she was. The question haunting her was how Lori could declare such interest in her while still…still having intimate interests elsewhere. It just didn’t make sense. She so wished she could talk to Tyler but the details involved a threat to her wedding and even Aydan knew better than to open that can of worms, at least not with the boss’s boss, even if she was her closest friend. Her wedding, their wedding, was too big a deal to add the worry over one of Lori’s…encounters, into the mix. She would need to keep tabs on the situation. Megan would be a better contact on that front, and as a bonus, she knew just how important this day was for her sister.

  Georgie too was approachable. She knew without asking that her boss would listen, work out a plan with her, and keep the situation as far from Tyler as possible, but she would worry. Adding worry for either of them was out of the question. They had been there for her from the start. Lori, Leslie and Kira too but it was Megan who figured out she was in trouble and Georgie who had come to her offering her support and friendship.

  But Lori…not really. She was like the middleman in every interaction. She still contributed in an interrelated way and it wasn’t that she couldn’t get things done on her own but more often than not, she was the messenger, either delegating orders or carrying her concerns upstairs for Marnie to decide on, or across to Tyler to manage. That wasn’t fair though. Lori ran her own division like a well-oiled machine and she had been pivotal in managing the entire situation involving Georgie’s accident. She had to acknowledge that Lori’s efforts with both women might have been the saving grace their relationship needed to right itself. That was worthy of respect. There was no denying she believed in acting on her feelings and doing the right thing. Still…it was hard to accept she would just allow some person to ingratiate herself into her life. She understood why Lori would have wanted a companion on the shakedown cruise, but even that idea irked her and forced her to question so much.