by HJ Bellus
My face glows scarlet from embarrassment and I wonder what in the hell has got into the man. He’s not setting a very good example of what’s allowed or not. He jumps on my chair, placing each one of his feet on either side of my hips. He grabs a handful of my hair and then begins air fucking my face. It’s different than when Oliver did it.
As soon as it starts it’s over and Zane backs up, dancing like a fucking sex god gripping his cock and pushing his hips towards me. He has me in the air, twisting me around until he’s the one sitting in my seat and I’m straddling him. His hands dig into my hips as he begins bouncing me up and down on him. Zane pushes his hips into me.
The club has grown deafeningly loud and the sound of the music is barely audible. Zane pulls down my top until my black lacy bra is exposed. He bites at each of my breasts and then licks at the exposed skin on the top.
“My turn.” I hear another voice and look up to Rhett. He grabs me from Zane’s lap and begins grinding on me from the back. His hands roam up and down my sides. Zane comes back into view and to my surprise, he’s smiling.
Rhett pushes my back forward and drags his ass back to my crotch while grinding on it and tugging on my hair. Zane waves a playful finger to him and then they switch places.
What in the good hell is going on?
Zane lifts me up like he did in the bathroom earlier and begins bouncing me up and down and grins up at me. The music stops, but the cheers don’t. Zane lowers me so we’re face to face. His hands are still holding my ass and my legs are wrapped around his middle.
“I have a surprise for you, Ava.”
“Eh?”
He seals his lips to mine and we begin to kiss like we do at night in the privacy of his bedroom bathed in the moonlight streaming through his window.
“Ladies, let’s hear it for our own Zane Rivers.”
Zane smiles on my lips, waves to the crowd with one arm, but never breaks our kiss.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I’m announcing tonight was his last performance here. We wish him the best in the future with his girl, Ava.”
In one swift move, I break the damn kiss and stare back at him, waiting for the punch line of the joke, but it never comes.
“Surprise, baby.”
“Oh my God, Zane.” I wrap him in the tightest hug I’ve ever squeezed.
“To us and our future.”
Zane sets me down on my shaky legs. “You and Darby meet us at Joe’s Pizza.”
I can only manage to nod as the echoes of holy shit, lucky lady, and that’s shit swarm me. Darby grabs my arm and leads me out to the parking lot. Neither of us talk until we’re both in her car and facing each other.
“Holy shit, Darby, did you know that was going down?”
She shakes her head no. “Nope.”
“I’m speechless.”
“Well you should be speechless from that damn performance; I nearly rubbed one out while watching it.”
“Ewwwww. That’s gross.” I stare at the neon lights of the club. “He quit for me. He let go of the need for money and to take care of everything for me.”
“That’s huge, Ava.”
“He said to go to Joe’s Pizza.”
“Yeah, Rhett sent a text to me too.”
I want to pry more about her and Rhett, but am too overwhelmed right now. My palms are still sweaty and my legs shaking. The drive is quick and the boys beat us there. They’re both leaning on the bed of Zane’s truck chatting. I study my man from head to toe, realizing everything about him is sexy. The way he crosses his feet at the ankles or his arms across his broad chest. His snapback that’s always backwards, the V that peeks out every once in awhile and his eyes.
Rhett passes him a joint, Zane takes a few hits before passing it back. Darby starts smoking with them. I, on the other hand, fly into Zane’s chest and don’t let go.
“How did you know I was coming tonight?” I ask, looking up at him.
“I didn’t. Was going to tell you tonight when I got home, but figured I’d give you a show of your lifetime.”
“It was.”
Darby pipes up, letting some smoke linger from her lips. “I thought you were going to kill Rhett.”
Zane shrugs and smiles. “It was all part of the plan.”
Rhett pushes off the truck. “I’m going to go order and let’s take it to go.”
“Yes, fucking please.” Zane pushes his hips into me. “I need you again.”
“Great, you two will be fucking all night. I’m going home.” Darby throws her hands up in the air.
Rhett’s hand is on the door handle to the pizzeria when he swivels quickly towards Darby. “Please stay.”
I look up to Zane and he only shrugs.
24
Zane
I readjust the sleeves on this fucking sports jacket and then pop my collar for about the thirtieth time tonight. I’ve seen Ava’s parents from afar but haven’t met them yet. Ava’s busy with the wedding party, greeting guests, and shaking hands.
I refused to wear a fucking suit. Ava dressed me in a black sports jacket, a white button down, and khakis. Not my thing, but it’s for her. She couldn’t keep her hands off me the other night when trying it on. She’s been at her parents’ house the last three nights when everyone flew in for the wedding.
It’s been three nights of hell knowing she’s been over there with William and her parents. Darby has been giving me the inside scoop and I must say I’ve been damn proud of my Ava standing up for herself around every corner with her parents.
Rhett said he may show up later tonight, but wasn’t sure. I’ve tried talking to him about Darby, but he just brushes it off. And Darby reacts the same, so I’ve given up.
“Hello, sexy.” Arms wrap around my middle startling me, but when I turn around its Ava’s brown eyes I’m staring into.
“Jesus, you scared me.”
“Having fun?” She perches up on her toes and kisses me on the lips.
“A fucking ball.” I smile at her.
“Well, I’m on your arm the rest of the night.”
“Things just got much better then.” I grab the back of her head and dip low, kissing the hell out of her. Ava lets soft little moans float into my mouth when I sweep my tongue across hers. I look up while still sealed to her and see William watching us from under the massive tent.
“We’re never going three days again,” Ava replies pecking my lips.
“No shit,” I growl.
Ava walks me around introducing me to former college friends and even some childhood ones. Not one time does she act ashamed of me or ready to hide us. The amount of courage it’s taking for her to do this and finally be herself is surreal.
I keep catching myself staring at all the decorations, fountains, and ungodly amounts of flowers adorning everything. It’s like a wedding straight from the damn movie set.
We settled in at a table with a couple of drinks. Ava takes off her shoes and wiggles her toes while dragging them through the cool grass.
“Ava, do you want a wedding like this?” I’m pretty sure I know the answer, but have to ask anyway.
“Fuck no,” she replies without hesitation.
I nod and take a pull from my beer and listen to her idea of a perfect wedding.
“I want to get married at sunrise somewhere special with just a very small amount of people there.”
“For us. There for us.” I finish her words for her.
“Yes, for us.”
“Well, what do we have here?” I turn to see William standing next to Ava’s mother and father.
“Mom, Dad.” She nods to them.
“Ava, now introduce us to your new fling. Don’t be rude.” Ava’s mother sips from her wine.
This is going to take everything inside of me not to react to these smug bastards. I don’t wait for Ava to introduce me before I’m on my feet with an outreached hand towards her father. It takes a bit too long before he engages in a handshake.
“Zane
Rivers.”
He doesn’t reply and does a piss poor job shaking my hand, so I drop his. I nod to her mother and then turn to William.
“I believe we met the other day William, when I beat the shit out of you. How much make-up did it take to cover up the bruises?”
“I’ll never know what we did wrong with you, Ava.” Her dad steps up to her and acts like he’s going to raise a hand to her. I shove myself between them. “You are so dead set on being white trash that I’m done with you. Wiping my hands clean.”
He finally backs up, loops his arm with his wife, and then begins talking again.
“Look at Chloe marrying in her class and strengthening her daddy’s firm. William here’s looking to do the same. You’re such a waste, Ava.”
I watch tears begin to form in Ava’s eyes. “Don’t. Don’t your dare, Ava. He’s not worth it.”
I grab her by the arm and drag her to the dance floor where a slow song is playing. I pull her in close and drag her arms up to wrap around my neck and then rest mine low, right above her ass. I sway with her to the song and let her cry into my jacket. We stay on the dance floor for several more songs until Darby spots us and drags Ava off. I stay hot on their trail and follow them into a small bathroom.
“Fuck this, Ava. Don’t you even start.” She has her pointer finger in Ava’s face. “My parents just called me a druggie and checked my arm for track lines. Fuck them.”
“I know,” she whispers.
“You have Zane. You have me and we have this town. Just get through tonight.” Darby whips out a bottle of Fireball from under her dress. Both girls down several shots and then march right back out to the dance floor and begin to dance their asses off. I’m saved by Rhett who watches them with me from the sideline; it’s evident when their buzz slowly wears off. They tug each of us out on the dance floor, grinding all up and down us and doing everything else inappropriately possible.
Ava’s contagious smile is back, along with her laughter.
“My feet hurt,” she hollers to all of us.
I bend down and slip her shoes from her feet and then signal to her to jump on my back. Rhett and Darby follow action. We find a secluded table with a bucket of ice-cold water bottles in the center of it and chat. Rhett and I do more of the listening since the girls are trashing people they know and talking about all the affairs most of the married couples have had.
The girls rush over to Chloe before she sets off on her honeymoon. I chose to wave from a distance, not knowing if I could contain my anger if another confrontation went down.
“You guys ready to get out of here?” Darby asks when both of them return. “I need to get fucking high.”
“Let’s blow this popsicle stand,” Rhett adds.
“Oh, shit. The witch is here.” Ava goes pale.
Darby follows her stare and groans. “Your wicked fucking aunt. We’ve avoided her all summer. Fuck this shit.”
“Zane.” A familiar whiny voice draws out my name. Then I see bright red long fingernails drag down my shoulder. “I’ve missed you terribly.”
I snatch Ava’s wrist, not knowing what in the hell is going down, but when I turn to the voice, I come face to face with Sheila.
“How do you know Ava’s asshole aunt?” Darby asks, crossing her arms over her chest and not concealing any of her feelings.
I feel Ava tug to get out of my hold. My world fucking spins out of control. Sheila is Ava’s aunt. I fucking fight to make sense of it, but nothing comes. No fucking way this can be happening.
“Zane.” I look down to Ava, who has fear all over her face.
No one has a chance to answer before Sheila. “Zane and I go way back. He’s entertained my bed several nights.” Sheila glances between Ava and my hand clutched around her wrist. “Oh wait, are you two together? Is my niece the reason you broke it off with me?”
I don’t make eye contact with Sheila or even acknowledge her fucking question. “Ava, don’t. Please listen to me.”
She pulls back harder, trying to get away from me. “Zane, let me go now.”
Tears roll down her cheeks.
“Please listen to me, Ava.”
“Oh, sweet Ava we weren’t a couple or anything. I paid Zane to fuck me and my friends, but he ended it a few months back and sent Rhett here as his replacement.”
“I’m going to be sick.” Ava pulls one more time, trying to get away.
“Listen to me, Ava.”
Rhett tugs back on my shoulder until I’m forced to let go of Ava. She rushes away and stops near a hedge of bushes and fulfills her promise of puking.
“You boys free tonight by chance?” Sheila reaches out to pet my shoulder.
“Don’t you fucking dare touch me.” I growl.
I race after Ava, following her and Darby through the weaving chairs and into the house. The door to the downstairs bathroom slams and I hear her click the lock.
“Ava, please just listen to me.”
“Go away, Zane,” Darby replies.
“Ava, please.”
“Zane, she can’t even talk right now, asshole,” Darby’s voice grows more irritated and is followed by wrenching sounds and Ava throwing up again. Her sobs echo around in the bathroom and float through the door, tearing my fucking heart out.
“Ava, it was for money. I swear. Nothing else.” I pound my head on the door. “You have to hear me out.”
“Sir, we’ve been asked to remove you.” I turn to giants in suits, sunglasses, and earpieces in their ears. I ignore them and pound on the bathroom door, screaming her name.
Someone grabs my arm and without thinking I turn around and swing, connecting with one of the security guards. His buddy lays me out. Rhett follows their orders while I lay on the ground with my head swirling around. The one I nailed pulls me up by my collar.
“Get that white trash out of here. He fucked my sister and daughter.” Ava’s dad stands in the doorway with his arms crossed.
I fight against the bodyguards with no luck of even budging and continue to scream Ava’s name.
And just like that, my happily ever after is over.
25
Ava
“Don’t watch,” Darby says, patting my back.
But I can’t pry away from the window and watching the two security guards drag Zane off. He’s fighting them and still yelling my name.
He fucked my aunt.
“Darby, I’m going to be sick again.”
Two Weeks Later
“Ava, you need to go get medicine. You haven’t stopped throwing up for weeks now.”
“It’s just nerves.” I glance around the shitty tin can apartment that Darby and I found in town. I used to think I’d live here forever, but now I’m just staying until Grandpa passes away. I’ve gone and visited him while Zane’s been at work. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done trying to keep on a poker face for him. The old man picks up on everything, though.
He can barely talk anymore, but that didn’t stop him from telling me that Zane’s heart is broken. I whispered back, “He broke mine first.”
A single tear rolled down his cheek, then one down mine, and we both cried together. That day was rough leaving his bedside.
“Believe it or not, Zane looks way worse than you.”
“I don’t give a shit,” I lie.
“He’s probably dropped twenty pounds and drinks like a fucking fish.”
“Again, Darby, I don’t give a shit about the man.”
Darby joins me on the couch, wrapping me in her arms like she’s done every night since my world fell apart. “Ava, it's okay to forgive him. I know you are hurting right now and forgiveness may never come. But just know, Zane loves you.”
“How can he love me when he did what he did? I understood he had a past and was even willing to help him get past it. He wasn’t honest with me. I wasn’t worth telling the entire truth to.”
Darby holds me closer to her, squeezing me tighter. “Ava, I'm going to tell you something. An
d the only reason I know about it is because one night Zane and Rhett were talking. Zane is a complete mess and after his grandpa passes away, I’m pretty sure Zane will be too far-gone unless something changes. And his headstone will be next to his grandpa’s.”
I stop her before she goes any further and refuse to have a guilt trip laid on me.
“I did nothing wrong. He broke all of my trust. Shattered everything inside of me.”
“Yes I know, Ava. This is why I’m talking to you right now. Zane was an escort. He slept with women after hours and wasn’t supposed to, it was against all rules at the club. It wasn’t just your aunt. Night after night he was with women.”
“Darby, enough.” I break free from her hold. “I don’t want to know the details.”
“Too fucking bad. You’re being a selfish brat by just shutting down. You need to know the details and maybe understand a little bit. Every morning Zane took the cash to the bank to pay off the mortgage his grandpa took against the house when the cancer hit. He also kept up on hospital bills. Was it right or the best choice?” She pauses, waiting on me to answer.
“He hurt me, Darby,” I whisper.
“You made Zane see more in himself. Rhett said he'’ never seen his friend with any confidence until you. So maybe think about this Ava. Hell, Ava, was Zane supposed to come out and say, hey I sleep with women for extra money, hope it doesn’t bother you.”
“I get your point. Fucking stop, Darby.” Tears begin to fall and the sickening feeling buds in my stomach.
“For your information, the morning he took you out for a burger, the night before was the last time he was with any other woman. He was doing it for the money. He stopped when he met you. Thinking you might want to reconsider some things. I’m not telling you to hop right back in bed with him. But maybe start thinking about forgiveness or at the least the possibility of it.”
“He hurt me, Darby. I’m leaving town after Grandpa is buried.”