by Deanna Hall
I’d read about pregnancy in different species; humans were pregnant for nine months. I wondered how long it took to figure out you were pregnant. It was too late in the day to call the office, so I kept snooping.
I found an answering machine in the bedroom. I was shocked by the number of men that had called complaining Penny had stood them up. Penny was very popular here in Denver. Other than that, I couldn’t find much.
I was just coming out of the bedroom when a knock on the front door that made me jump. I guess that’s what I got for being a snoop. I answered the door to find a good looking guy standing in the doorway. He introduced himself as Steve. He was maybe twenty-three or so. “I live next door. Are you the one Penny said might be taking over her lease?” he asked while looking me up and down.
“I might be. I haven’t decided yet.” If I could convince this Steve, Penny, and I were close, maybe, I could get information. “Penny’s my best friend. She told me life was good here in Denver. I was looking for a change when I graduate in a few weeks. I’m here with some friends checking things out.”
Steve gave me a grin. “Nice, I could live with that. I’d say you’re a step up from Penny.”
I frowned. “Um, thanks, I think.”
He laughed. “Trust me; it’s a compliment.”
I invited him in. Sure, I know the deal about being careful of strangers only when you can shift into a wolf and rip their throats out; humans don’t pose much threat. “I take it you know all about Penny’s situation?” Steve asked. I could tell he was fishing to see if I knew Penny well.
“You mean why she had to move back home. Of course. Though I’m surprised you do, I mean Penny is trying to keep things on the QT. I’m not sure how much I should talk to you about her.”
Steve walked over to a cabinet in the kitchen, pulling out a bottle of JD. Pouring us each a shot, he sat down at the table. He was clearly comfortable here. Could he be the guy I was looking for?
“Penny and I are pretty close. I know all her deep, dark secrets, including the baby news. She was always bitching about the hick town she came from. She was none too happy about having to go back. Guess it can’t be too bad if it produces babes like her and you, though. She must trust you to tell you about the baby and let you hang in her apartment. You two must be close.”
“Close enough to be her Maid of Honor in her wedding. Were you and Penny, like a thing?”
“We’re good friends. For quite a few months, we were more. Then, when she’d blown through all her money, her boss offered her a job in the business. She and I were good until she found out how much money she could make hooking. I’m not the sharing type. I wasn’t about to share her with a bunch of Jons. When she insisted she needed the money, we argued and broke up.
Are you thinking about getting in her line of work? If you ask me that would be a real shame. You don’t seem the type though I bet you could make two or three times the money Penny made.” Steve might as well have been speaking a foreign language since I had no idea what the heck he was talking about.
“I, um, I’m not sure what hooking is. Penny did tell me I could get a job at the club she worked at and make enough money to live on.”
Steve laughed. “You're adorable. Do you really not know what hooking is?”
“I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life. That’s why I want to get away to the city. So what’s hooking? Would I be able to support myself doing it?”
“Baby girl, you could live like royalty. I’d hate to see you make that choice, though. I mean, I get that some girls have no choice if they want to survive in the city, but with your looks, you’d do fine as a waitress in a reputable club.”
“Ok, but you still haven’t told me what hooking is.”
“Having sex for money, with lots of different men. I guess Penny left that part out of the job description.”
My eyes went wide, and my cheeks flushed. “What!” I exclaimed. “Penny was, I mean…” I was blushing so hard I couldn’t even finish the sentence.
“Mia, babe, the look on your face is priceless. You really are as innocent as you look, aren’t you? Do you have a boyfriend? I mean, a girl that looks like you must have a boyfriend. I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes if I make a move.”
I looked at the floor. “I had one, but it’s over. That’s another reason I wanted to move. He’s with someone else now, and it’s a small town.”
“Well, Mia, I’d be happy to teach you the ropes of city life and keep you out of trouble.” It was weird; when Steve had first come in, all I could feel was lust from him now he was feeling protective.
“Thanks, Steve. That’s real nice of you.” Who knew it would be this easy to get information.
“How’s Penny doing, anyway? She was a bit of a self-centered bitch at times; nonetheless, we got on ok, even after we broke up. If you’re gonna be in her wedding, she must have suckered that old boyfriend of hers into marrying her. Poor guy, she doesn’t even know who the real baby daddy is.
Personally, I think her birth control failed when she was on an antibiotic a couple of months back when she had strep. I told her she should have read the warning label. I’m just glad we took double precautions when I was with her. At least she can’t pin the baby on me since it’s been months since we broke up.”
I frowned, lost once again. I was still trying to wrap my head around Penny hooking. “Double precautions?”
Steve laughed again. “Yeah, I never go to a party without a jacket. Even if the girl says, she’s on the pill.”
Now I was totally lost. “Party, jacket, pills, are you all on drugs or something?”
Steve was really laughing at me now. “You really are precious. Even though Penny was on birth control pills, I still used a condom whenever we had sex.”
I turned bright red. “Oh. I didn’t know there were pills you could take to control that.” I was relieved when the gang came back and interrupted Steve. I gave him a quiet sign before I introduced everyone. He took the hint because Penny’s job never came up again.
Penny had a good supply of alcohol. Pete poured more shots while we put the food away. Then we ate the KFC the gang had bought for dinner. Steve showed us Penny’s cd collection, and we put on some music. “How’s your head?” Pete asked.
“Getting better with every drink.” I lied. I hadn’t even touched my first one. The dance was the first time I’d ever had a drink, and that one went right to my head. Wanting to stay alert to pick up any details about Penny I could, I was trying to be careful.
Besides, I was feeling almost giddy over the information I’d already unearthed. I couldn’t wait to tell CJ. Penny usually left around nine since CJ got up early in the morning, so I waited to call him. I didn’t want her there when I broke the news of her deception.
After we ate a late dinner, I went into the bathroom to call CJ. The phone rang for a long time. I was about to hang up when Beth answered. For some reason, Beth sounded a little off when she answered, “Hey Sweetheart, how is your trip going? Are you having a good time?”
I could hardly contain my excitement. “It’s going great. Is CJ around? I have something important to talk to him about. I did call his number, not yours, right?”
“Um, yes. CJ isn’t home right now. He must have left his phone here.”
“Oh.” Okay, I admit that came out as disappointed as I felt. Knowing CJ, he’d probably gone off in wolf form to sulk because I left. Deciding to share the news with Beth, I explained why I called. “I learned some very interesting things about Penny I wanted to share with CJ. You were right about her; she was into a lot of bad stuff here. I can almost prove the baby isn’t CJ’s. I should have more information after I talk to her boss, who had her hooking. I also found her doctor’s name. I figured I’d call him and pretend to be Penny on Tuesday. You know to get her due date.”
“Did you say hooking?” Beth gasped. I could hear the shock in her voice, even over the phone.
“I know it sucks. CJ is goin
g to be so hurt. I almost don’t want to tell him.”
“Is that why you went up to Denver, Mia?”
“Yeah, I figured I could find out what Penny had been up to while she was living up here.”
“Why didn’t you tell CJ or me, at least?” She asked in a shaky voice.
“I wanted to be sure there was something for me to find before I said anything. I didn’t want anyone to get their hopes up if I failed, or there was nothing to find. I know this is upsetting news, but it’s good for CJ and me, right?”
Beth blurted out, “Oh, Goodness, what a mess.”
“What’s the matter, Beth? I thought you’d be as happy as me. Instead, you sound upset.”
“It is good news, Sweetheart, it’s just CJ. He was out of his mind when you left. He kept saying he’d lost you forever. Chase and I couldn’t convince him otherwise.”
“Beth, is he alright? I told him he had nothing to worry about. I told him I’d wait for him forever if that’s what it takes. I asked him to trust me and promised I’d be home Monday. This news means we can be together now, right?” This wasn’t the reaction I’d expected from Beth. Something was wrong. I couldn’t hide the panic in my voice.
“Sweetheart, CJ’s been desponded since you left the ranch the other night. Oh God help me, I don’t know how to tell you this.”
“Please, Beth, you’re scaring me.”
I heard her sigh deeply. “Penny took advantage of his depression and talked him into getting their marriage license the other day. She told him the doctor said they could do a DNA test in the womb and prove he was the father. Penny convinced him once the DNA test was completed, they could sign the marriage license. That way, the baby would have parents who were legally married when it was born.
Here in Colorado, all you have to do is sign the license, and it’s done. CJ was a mess all day. He was flipping out this afternoon when he got home from seeing you off. I heard him throwing things around his room and punching the wall.
Penny showed up and, well… CJ was angry and hurting. He pulled the license out and signed it. Penny didn’t ask questions; she just signed her name. Afterward, they headed to our hunting cabin for the weekend. Don’t worry about it. You just bring back proof, and we can get their marriage annulled.”
I felt my throat close, and I couldn’t breathe. “Mia, Sweetheart, are you all right? Please say something.”
I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, then gasped it out, “But we…the other night …we…he’s with her now? They’re…how could he after we…Oh God.” I slid down the wall, hardly able to hold the phone; I was shaking so violently.
“Mia, Sweetheart, calm down, and breathe. What are you trying to say? Oh Goodness, Mia, did you and CJ bond?”
I managed to catch my breath enough to say. “I didn’t want to. I told him it was wrong. He, he wouldn’t listen. He, he…I couldn’t resist him. It doesn’t matter now, does it? I can’t…(I sobbed)…I need to go.” I hung up.
My phone rang immediately. Instead of answering it, I shut it off. I couldn’t bear the thought of Beth trying to comfort me. No one could. Nothing was ever going to be right again. Nothing Beth could say would change what CJ had done.
Once my tears were under control, and I could breathe steadily, I walked back out to the kitchen and slammed down my shot, only coughing and choking a little as the burring liquid went down my throat. Then I slammed down another. In the movies, people always drank to drown out their pain. God knew I needed to take the edge off somehow; I felt like my heart had been shattered into a million pieces.
CJ couldn’t have waited one lousy weekend. How could he do this after what we’d shared? I poured another shot and drank it. I wanted the burning to wash away the vision I was having of CJ and Penny in bed together.
Pete came over, frowning. “Are you ok?”
“Never better. It’s party time, right? You know I’ve never drank before. I intend to make up for that right now. Pour me another, please. Charlie turned the music up, and let’s dance.”
I was feeling pretty buzzed already as I slammed down another shot. “This stuff makes you feel pretty good, one more pleeeaase.” We all danced and joked around for a while. Everyone else seemed to be having a good time while I just wanted to make my mind go numb.
When we played a drinking game with small, white balls. I ended up slamming down three more shots. I was hammered by the time it ended. A song with a sexy beat came on. Claire and Sara were strutting their stuff while they danced, driving the boys crazy. I figured I could give just as good a performance.
After watching them for a bit, I pulled my braid out, shaking my hair loose. Then I went over to Steve, standing with my back against his front, running my hands through my hair, I swayed my hips back and forth, mimicking what I’d seen Claire do with Dan.
Steve grabbed my waist, and we danced together for a bit with him pressed tight to my bottom, swaying with me. From the bulge in his pants, he was clearly happy to be that close to me.
Since Sara was busy dancing with Claire, with Dan wedged between them, I broke away him and went over to Charlie doing the same thing. Charlie turned me around and pulled me to him. Pressing his hips against mine, we swayed back and forth together.
I leaned back, circled up, kissed him, and spun away to Peter. By then, things were getting fuzzy. It was all I could do to focus on moving to the music. I felt like I’d become the music. I held Peter’s shoulders, slithering my body down his while I wiggled against his groin. I went all the way into a split. I was getting very hot, so I pulled my top off. I spun it around over my head before throwing it, leaving me in my red, lace, pushup bra.
Then I grabbed Peter's waist and pulled myself back up, rubbing his crotch with my face on the way. When I finished slithering my way back up, I pressed my hips tight against his groin. Putting my arms around his neck, I leaned in and nibbled his ear.
Pete grabbed my shoulders, taking a step back. He was sweating profusely, and his hands were shaking. The large budge in his pants showed he was clearly, what had CJ called it, oh ya, aroused. “Hey Sunshine, if you don’t stop dancing like that, I can’t be held accountable for my actions.” He was trying to make it sound like a joke. Even in my muddled state, I could tell he was serious, making me giggle.
Steve commented, “Girl, you could make a fortune with those moves and that body. Maybe you should ask Dallas to make you a dancer instead of a waitress.”
“You think sssso, Stevie. What do you think, Peete, am I botheeeerrrring you when I do thisss?” I cooed drunkenly, as I leaned into him and slithered down him again.
Dan and Charlie came over, pulling me up on my feet. “Okay, party girl, I think you reached your limit. CJ will kick our asses if we let things get out of control.”
“I knew you were here as spies. Are you one too, Peete?” I demanded.
“Seriously, guys? Did you come along to watch her for CJ? Geeze, I thought you were her friends, not her keepers.” Pete stated angrily.
I jerked away from Dan and Charlie. Turning to Charlie, I pressed against him, leaned in, and kissed him, forcing my tongue past his lips. One thing I’d learned from my time with CJ was how to be a good kisser.
At least Charlie seemed to think so. His arms went around me, and he was returning the kiss passionately. I could feel how much he enjoyed the kiss as he pressed tight against me, rock hard. I pulled away enough to nibble his ear and whispered, “I don’t belong to CJ, and the bedroom is right there.”
This time Dan and Pete pulled us apart. I turned on them. “Back offff. CJ hasss no right to meee. I talked to his Mommm earlierrr, and he got marrried today, sssooo what I do doesssn’t matter anymore!”
Dan looked shocked. “Are you sure Beth said he got married? I mean, I can’t believe CJ would do that.”
Charlie was pretty drunk himself and turned on enough to pull me into another kiss. I jumped up, wrapping my legs around him, grinding against his hard-on. Charlie was moaning into our kiss
.
Dan yelled at him. “Charlie, get a grip, man. CJ will tear your head off.” I could tell it was taking every bit of will power Charlie had to pull away and set me on my feet. “CJ better appreciate my loyalty because Mia is the hottest chick I’ve ever met.”
“Didnnn’t you hearrr me? CJ got marrrried too his hooker girlllfriend, little Miss Pennypo. I wonder if she usesss that as a nammme with her, what wasss it you called them, Stevie, Joesss or sssomething?” I muttered.
Dan gave me a hard look. “What are you talking about, Mia?” I was swaying on my feet to the point where Peter had to grab hold of me to keep me upright. I realized I felt better when Peter touched me, so I leaned into him.
“Go ahead, Stevie, tell themmm how Penny has sssex for money.”
Dan looked at Steve, demanding, “What is she talking about?”
“I think I need to go. Mia, babe. I’ll catch you sometime after your company goes home. We can have a house warming party, just the two of us.”
I waved my fingers at him. “Sssounds gooddd to me. Thessse guysss are no fun.”
Charlie blocked the door. “The man asked you a question.”
“Alright, fine, you want the dirty, here it is. Penny’s a hooker. Can I go now?”
“Awww come on, Stevie don’t leavvve out the bessst part. Tellll them why ssshe came hommme and ssstole CJ from me.”
Dan gave Steve a menacing look. “What’s the best part, Stevie?”
Steve looked longingly at the door. “Mia, Babe, was it your boyfriend Penny suckered with the baby?”
“Sssure wasss. My first and last. No more falling in lovvve for meeee.”
“Hey, that sucks. I’m really sorry. Like I said, Penny can be a real selfish bitch at times. She needed a baby daddy since she doesn’t know who the real father is. She said her old boyfriend would take care of her. Now I’m out of here.”
When Charlie stepped aside, Steve dashed through the door. “Bye. Bye, Steviepo.” I blew him a kiss and turned to Pete, running my fingers down the front of his shirt. “Ssso who’sss gonna help me forgettt CJ. Peete? Charlie? Peete, I know you wwwant me? Come onnn I’ve got nnnothing left to lossse.” I felt the tears start to fall. I tried to swipe at them; only I couldn’t seem to get my hand to connect with my face.