by Kate Messick
“Go ahead, I’m waiting,” Aurora says gleefully.
As I take a breath to offer some bullshit I had prepared to keep her at the bar, I finally hear Amorino’s voice. My ears perk up and I see hers do the same. I look at the menu and listen.
“This is happening, it’s Sandy’s decision.” Amorino’s voice is raised. Joe must have done a good job getting him angry. “And I can see it in her eyes – she has already made it.”
“She found the tape on the company server,” Joe literally booms. “You have nothing on us. She wouldn’t sleep with you again if you ejaculated gold.”
“I’ve been fucking Sandy for years,” he scoffs. “She has been wrapped around my fingers since high school and you think a fling with you is going to change any of that?”
“I don’t think it,” Joe growls back. “I know it. Back off or I’ll hit you in your pretty little face.”
“Do it,” Amorino all but shouts. “It will be so-o satisfying to press charges, even after I’ve blackmailed her into submission. She can kiss it all better while you watch …”
I feel a hand sloppily hit side of my face and ear. A dull half-slap half-thud ring in my ears. It’s not hard to guess that Aurora has slapped me. I deserve it. The people around us go quiet and Aurora stands rigid. I can’t meet her eyes. I’m a coward. No matter what I see there, it is going to hurt. But it needed to be done.
“I didn’t know he was married,” is all I can stammer. I’m so tired of saying that.
“Fuck you,” she spits. “I never want to see you again.”
I nod at the menu in my hands and see her retreat out of the corner of my eye. I don’t acknowledge my stinging face. Talking resumes around me, as if there was no one at the bar at all. I realize that Joe and Amorino never stopped talking. Their voices are still raised, both angry.
“I’m not going to hit you,” Joe grinds out, thought it doesn’t sound like it. “I’m just letting you know that it’s all out there, and you need to stay away from Sandy.”
“I work with her every day,” Amorino says happily. “Your threat is empty.”
“Just keep it in mind,” Joe states, a little calmer. “If she comes home with anymore bruises the size of your hand, it won’t be my fist but the police speaking to you.”
“Go fuck yourself.”
I see movement and stay close to the bar as Amorino storms away. I don’t think he even knows I was there.
A few seconds later, I feel an arm slide around my waist; I smell Dillon and turn to bury my face in his embrace. I knew this was how it was going to go down, but it still hurt. A piece of me hoped … no, I wouldn’t even think it. Amorino had never really been a friend, had he? And Aurora deserved to know, even if it hurt her.
“He’s not worth the salt of your tears.” Dillon’s voice is soothing. He puts two fingers under my chin and forces my head up. If Aurora left a mark, he doesn’t comment and brings his mouth down on mine, his hand supporting my back on the stool.
The kiss is short, but I draw strength from it. Dillon is right. It doesn’t take away my guilt, but I can feel the hurt around my heart lift. I reach up and rub the side of my face; it stings a little but Aurora didn’t really do much damage. Dillon takes the stool next to me and I pick up a little white napkin to wipe away my tears. I can’t stop my hand from finding Dillon’s. Despite the drama, a weight lifts off my chest.
“Aurora heard it all, and I got it on video, just in case,” Dillon’s confirms my feelings.
“Thank you,” I mumble. I have a long list of people who will get that video if Amorino doesn’t leave me alone. “Thank you both,” I add as Joe rounds the bar.
His face is dark. “I need to go punch the bag or something.”
I can see tension in his shoulders. “Let’s get out of here,” I suggest.
“Good idea, just in case either of those two decide to stir up trouble,” Dillon says.
“Do you think I still need to talk to Amorino?”
Joe and Dillon both shake their heads.
“I’m pretty sure that the message will be clear when Aurora talks to him,” Dillon responds. “I also already sent him the video.”
I nod and we return our shoes. I can’t help but send a quick text message, despite their advice.
Sandy: I’m not taking you up on your offer and this is me officially unwrapping myself from your fingers. See you Monday.
I turn my phone to silent. As we walk out to the parking lot, I jump onto Joe’s back. He grunts but after a moment helps me climb the rest of the way up and wrap my legs around his waist. With my free hands I awkwardly rub his shoulders as he gives me a piggyback ride to his car.
“Take us to Dillon’s house,” I order. “It’s time we had our own celebration!”
Chapter Eighty-Five
Reality, Dillon’s Apartment, Solar Row
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
- Walt Disney.
Sandy Yuhi
It takes us a bit to get settled. Joe ended up abandoning us to work out some aggression on a punching bag and Dillon held me while I blabbered – about, well, a lot of things. But mostly about my past, the good parts in Amorino and my dad. In a weird way, booting Amorino out of my life is like letting go of baggage that I didn’t realize I still carried. Not that my Dad is baggage in any way, but how I’d dealt with his death had trapped me. And now I’m free.
“It’s ok to still love the good memories of Amorino,” Dillon advises. “It’s healthy. Just make sure you remember that he’s someone different now.”
“Yeah,” I snuffle. “I don’t think I will be forgetting that any time soon.”
It wasn’t a long or overly emotional cry. But they were tears that needed to flow. Tears I would have shed in private in the past. But I didn’t need to be alone anymore. Because I have friends that love me and won’t judge me.
Joe comes back soon after, his muscular figure more relaxed, though drenched in sweat. He looks at my red puffy face, concerned. “I don’t need to threaten Dill now, do I?” he jokes.
“Nope, just cleansing.” I pop up from my spot and give Joe a big hug. “Thank you. I didn’t want to think about …”
“Then don’t,” Joe interrupts, only to claim my lips in a toe-curling kiss. I kiss back just as hard and, before I realize it, I’m swept off my feet and being carried up the stairs.
“I’ll never be that suave,” I hear Dillon grumble, obviously following us.
He darts in front of us once we get to the top and leads Joe to his bedroom. The full mood lighting is on, sans disco ball. Joe’s eyebrows raise and he turns a circle, viewing all the mirrors, taking it in. It hadn’t occurred to me that this was Joe’s first time up here.
“I told you Dillon likes to watch,” I whisper into his ear.
Joe walks to the bed and sets me down like I’m breakable, but his mouth, hot on mine tells me he knows better. He pulls back and, to my surprise, turns to Dillon.
“Well, if we’re doing this, I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing,” Joe admits, his voice husky but nervous.
I lick my lips as he starts to take off his shirt. I rush to take off my clunky jewelry.
“Everyone is on equal footing here,” Dillon advises and the two men share a look.
“Isn’t that what I said to you our first D&D game?” Joe asks.
“I will undress myself,” I stress impatiently. And they I know I will.
Shirtless, both men join me on the bed. Dillon ends up behind me, his hand caressing my back and shoulders while Joe goes right in for the kill. He rests his palm very lightly against my cloth-covered crotch and his mouth covers mine again. Dillon’s hands eventually lift off my shirt. I hadn’t bothered with a bra, the shirt being backless and all.
Joe’s mouth engulfs my exposed breasts. He twirls my nipples with his tongue, his palm never leaving my junction that begins to pulse with need from his attention. Dillon cups my cheek and takes my lips in hi
s, our tongues exploring each other’s mouths.
We break to remove the rest of our clothing. Joe’s and Dillon’s pants and undergarments drop to the floor. My tight jeans are not so easily removable. Joe pushes me back down on the bed, his mouth hot on my neck, as Dillon takes to the task.
The two of them caress and kiss every part of me, their eager lips exploring. I relish both these incredible men’s attention. Eventually, Joe puts the heel of his hand against my clit. I arch up into it, and feel Dillon move off my legs and around the bed. I peek up just as Dillon flattens his hands on my hips with a mischievous smile.
Joe removes his palm and slides his hands down my exposed thighs, his mouth blowing across my opening. I arch up, but this time Dillon’s hands keep my hips grounded to the bed, denying me control over my own pleasure.
The mirrors above Dillon’s bed leave nothing to the imagination. My pleasure is at their mercy, enjoying only the sensation they choose to give me. I blush as Dillon moves his attention from Joe to the mirror and our eyes meet. Dillon bites his lip and releases my hips to cover my mouth with his. I arch up unexpectedly into Joe’s face and cry out as his tongue slips into my opening.
Joe’s body heat leaves the bed, as Dillon moves down to pick up where Joe left off. Two fingers easily slip inside me as his thumb gently caresses my nub. He rocks me on his hand, and I strain for more as Joe’s hands and mouth assault my front. I find Joe’s pulsing dick and wrap my hand around it. We stay like this for a moment, enjoying the waves of pleasure.
“I want to watch,” Dillon announces huskily. He kisses me deeply, before Joe’s strong arms spin me so our hips are aligned.
He puts both my legs up on his shoulder and enters me in one smooth motion. I gasp as I am filled by his pulsing erection, little sparks of pleasuring building with our movement. The mirror shows Dillon off to one side, and I call his name. He comes to me, one finger tracing the outside of my thigh before his mouth is on my breasts. I find his dick and rub my fingers up and down his shaft.
Dillon makes a low throaty sound and I have an idea. I take control of my legs back from Joe, clenching my suddenly empty core and roll, motioning for Dillon to stand off the side of the bed. Joe’s hands automatically pull on my hips, but I make us crawl forward until I’m in the right place to take Dillon in my mouth. I swirl the tip with my tongue and lick each side waiting for Joe to fill me back up. His tip teases me as I tease Dillon.
Dillon makes a frustrated noise and reaches for the back of my head, putting slight pressure on it to urge me forward. I take as much of him into my mouth as I can and make a swallowing motion with the back of my throat. Joe chooses this same moment to sheathe himself and I moan around Dillon’s hard cock as I suck.
Joe finds that spot deep inside me a second time and I once again moan; Dillon’s tip is pressed against the back of my throat. I feel him tense inside my mouth and then withdraw.
“Is everything ok?” I ask, confused.
“I’m not going to last if you do that again,” he whispers. His mouth covers mine, pushing me further into Joe, who lays back on the bed and beckons me to ride him. Still facing Dillon, I position myself and slowly begin bouncing up and down on Joe. Dillon works his own shaft, eyes heated before he also straddles Joe’s legs and engulfs my lips with his own. His hand slides down and begins rubbing my clit.
Our rhythm increases, Joe’s hips strain under me as the double sensation makes shutter. Dillon’s other hand teases and rubs my nipples on every bounce. The heat inside me is unbearable and I brace my hands on anything I can reach as Joe and Dillon push me to a place I have never been.
“Holy shit,” I moan. I feel my walls clench in anticipation as my climax hits. Exquisite pleasure bursts from my center. I arch and squirm as Joe continues to pump into me and my breaths intensifies as waves of passion roll through my body. I open my eyes to see Dillon watching, biting his lower lip.
I didn’t notice Joe’s climax during mine and I don’t have time to feel guilty as Dillon kisses my lips, his erection poking into my hip. I lose track of the world in Dillon’s eyes. His kiss is tender as he guides me onto my back. I wrap my legs around his hips as he gently fills the space Joe just left. Slow deep strokes, find bursts of pleasure I didn’t realize had had left. We rock slowly, Dillon’s motions so passionate that he’s pushing my body across the bed. Little waves of heat roll through me as I feel myself building once more. Dillon’s grunt of pleasure follows as my second orgasm pulses around him.
“Water?” Joe asks us after both of us have stopped breathing hard.
I didn’t hear Joe leave and come back, but he has three waters in his hands. Dillon removes himself from me and a hand towel magically appears. I don’t bother to clean up, just stick the towel between my legs. Joe joins us on the bed and motions me into his arms, I feel his dick flex against my lower back, and he steals a kiss before handing me a bottle. Dillon’s is already empty, and he lies down and nestles his head in my lap. One of his hands rubs circles on my knee cap.
“This is hands down the best sex I have ever hand.” I spoil the peaceful silence with words. “You two have ruined me.”
Chapter Eighty-Six
Reality, Joe’s House
Once the New Year has started, life almost begins anew. Gyms are full of “resolutioners”, families follow up on their promises to talk more, and people attempt to drink less and eat healthier. But, you see, it doesn’t really matter if any of these things last. What matters is that we took the time to think, try, and admit that we all have room in our lives to be better versions of ourselves.
Sandy Yuhi
“Are you kidding me?” I ask Joe. “After all of that, we’re back where we started?”
“Not entirely,” Joe answers with a smirk. “You’re level-seven heroes now. You have made powerful angel allies. You went back for some of the metal the portals were made out of, and are having talismans and armor forged out of them. Oh, and all of Estes Park is indebted to you.”
“And don’t forget about my new werewolf pack,” Lynda adds. “Society's outcasts unite!”
“But Uriel has been kidnapped by Damion and the Poogse,” I point out. “This whole thing started with a kidnaping. It’s not original at all.”
“You know, we might have paid more attention to all of that if you had shared Uriel’s portal-making abilities,” Dillon emphasizes.
“I’m playing a rogue,” I sniff. “She doesn’t just give out information.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t make the connection between Damion showing up and Uriel’s portal,” Steven retorts. “Even if you had, I’m not surprised you didn’t share it.”
“If I had made the connection, I would have shared it,” I insist. “You’re my family now.”
“Aww, Sandy,” Zack says sarcastically.
“No really … I have never been part of a campaign for this long in my entire life.” I take a moment to look around the table at my friends.
Joe’s plain dining room hasn’t changed one bit since our first session, but the people sitting in it have. Lynda and Steven have been passing loving glances at each other all afternoon, even holding hands; it looks so out of character on Steven’s face. He actually looks younger, and lines of stress have eased in the corners of his eyes. Dillon still blushes a lot, but speaks up often, never afraid to give an opinion. Joe beams at all of us like a proud father, the Dungeon Master he is.
“Really, you guys,” I start to elaborate, but before I can continue, Zack’s phone blares the love theme from Titanic. “Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on-nnn.”
“Ok, maybe not everyone is family,” I amend, shooting Zack a dark look.
The table laughs and Zack turns down the volume. I reach for Dillon’s and Joe’s hands under the table. I have changed too. Amorino has placed a different manager to finish the groundwork on my site. I’m sure I will see him again, but not during this project. I received not one but three different offers f
rom contracting companies. I have broken old habits. I have opened up and made real friends. And, for now, I have something special with two amazing men.
“We can do anything,” I say suddenly to the table. I get some strange looks, but both Joe and Dillon squeeze my hand.
“Yes, we can,” Dillon responds. “Yes, we can.”
Epilogue
Reality, Dillon’s house
Just over two years later.
Sandy Yuhi
I can’t really see Joe, or his place, and I’m disappointed, I want to see it. His internet connection is bad, his picture on our video chat is blurry and dark. His temporary housing is not well lit. I’m so excited for his next adventure! England. I looked up Harrogate on a map. It’s just a few hours drive from Scotland. I absently twirl my engagement ring around on my hand that’s resting on my stomach.
“We still haven’t found a new DM.” Dillon changes the topic of conversation.
“I know Zack is off at college now, but we’re trying to stay as a group - the four of us,” I add. Steven and Lynda being the other part of the four. “I can’t believe we’re pregnant at the same time! Lynda has already started giving me advice; she’s much further ahead than me. My mom is going ape-shit.”
I know I’m rambling but I’m happy. Life couldn’t be more perfect. Dillon popped the question during our D&D game. Joe filmed it and everything. Nothing dramatic or over the top; it was just sweet, surrounded by my best friends in the world.
“Joe,” Dillon suddenly interrupts. “I know you don’t want to talk about this. But if it’s yours, we would never …”
“I have to work early.” Joe’s voice is like sandpaper, a little delayed, but it cuts off Dillon cleanly. “It was great to chat.”