I hang up. I’m so angry I can’t see straight right now. I need to leave for the stadium, but first I have to make a few more phone calls.
I walk out, and my sister has tears streaming down her face. “He’s coming?”
I reach for her and hold her. “They paid for his flight. I’m calling the divorce attorney and making sure he can’t talk to you, and I won’t let Mom and Dad talk to you.”
“Why would they do that?” she moans.
“Because they’re so caught up in their image. I fucking hate them so much right now. It looks better to their friends if you’re married and not divorced.”
“What decade are we living in that it looks bad? Why can’t they for once think about the boys or me?”
“I don’t know.” I hold her as she cries.
It takes some time, but I’m finally able to get her to calm down. Not long after, I hear the boys downstairs. “Why don’t you lie down? I’m going to make some phone calls. I’ll make sure you have more help here that will keep Marco away. He won’t be arriving until tomorrow morning at the earliest, and I’ll make sure he’s served with a restraining order when he does.”
She nods, and I can see a tremor in her hand. She’s terrified. Why would our parents think this was the right thing to do? I want to wring their necks.
I quickly place a call to Jim’s office. I leave a message and then tell Nina what’s going on. She picks up her phone and speaks to someone a moment. Then she hands me the phone.
“This is Bash Pontius.”
“Hi, yes, of course,” I acknowledge.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
I walk him through Marco’s impending arrival and my plan to find a lawyer to do the restraining orders for both him and my parents.
I hear him make a few clicks on a computer keyboard. “Looks like he’s on a flight coming in from Sydney that lands just before eight tomorrow morning. I have someone who can pull the restraining orders for you and get them filed. She’s an attorney we work a lot with.”
“That would be outstanding. Thank you.” I look around to make sure no little ears are listening. “I know it sounds harsh to serve my parents, but this really crossed the line.”
“I get it. Don’t think twice about it. I would recommend you get a new SIM card for your sister’s phone, and we’ll make sure that if her husband chooses to violate the restraining order, the police are called.”
“Thank you. And good advice about the SIM card. I have to go to the baseball game for work right now, but I’ll try to get one for her.”
“What kind of phone does she have?”
“It’s an iPhone.”
“I’ll pick one up on my way over and just bill you for it,” Bash says. “Then I can talk to her about the plan.”
“Wow, thank you.”
“No problem.”
I let Nina know Bash is coming by and that the boys’ father will be arriving in San Francisco by morning.
“I’ll keep my eyes open,” she assures me. “He won’t get to the kids. We can stick around the condo tomorrow.”
“Great.”
I’m grateful for the twenty-block walk to the ballpark. I’m about four blocks from the stadium when my phone rings. It’s not a number I recognize.
“Hello?” I answer cautiously.
“Hi, Mr. Remington?”
I look both ways as I cross with the light. “Yes. How can I help you?”
“This is Fiona McPhee. Bash Pontius asked me to call you. He gave me your sister’s information and your address for three restraining orders.”
“Great. Is it possible to serve her husband as he arrives in San Francisco?”
“Already taken care of. As soon as Marco Hammond enters customs, he’ll be taken to a waiting room where my process server will be on site to serve him. He’ll be made very aware of what he can and cannot do. He’s fled the Far North Queensland jurisdiction in Australia and has jumped bail. That will help our case.”
“Thank you. I have contact information for the officer who helped Alana get out of town, if you end up needing it.”
“I don’t know if they’d have him return for domestic battery, and it looks like someone wired the money to pay off his debts.”
I sigh. “That would probably be my parents.”
“They’ll be served within the hour,” Fiona assures me.
“That was fast,” I note.
Fiona snickers. “I have a friend who’s a judge, and he was able to slot me in.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
“No worries. I’ll be in touch.”
I disconnect the call as I approach the gate at the stadium. Pulling my badge out, I flash it to the guard and walk into the bowels of the stadium. I see Jeremy warming up and wave. As I walk over, I try to put my sister’s drama—oh, and the disaster with Mia—out of my head for a least a little while.
“How’s he doing?” I ask the guy working the radar gun.
He spits his tobacco into a cup. “He has the speed but not the accuracy today.”
A ball hits the boards in front of us.
Jeremy looks at me and smiles. He knows what he’s doing. After a moment, he approaches. “Hey there.”
“How’s it going?”
“Not too bad. I have a slight twinge in my hamstring.”
I hone in immediately on his leg. “Do we need the trainer here to work it out?”
“Naw, I’m good.” He winks with a silly grin. “Just seeing if you’re listening.”
“You’re really funny.”
His lips curl, and he shrugs. “I try.”
“Go back and give me five of each of your pitches.”
“Sure.” He grins.
Jeremy returns to the mound and throws five balls that hit the dirt before the catcher. “That would be five balls.”
I laugh. “Don’t get too smart.”
Then he throws five fastballs, each over one hundred and ten miles an hour and each smacking loudly into the catcher’s mitt. “Better?”
“Yes.” I wave and walk toward George, the GM.
“Your boy’s in a good mood today,” he says as we shake hands.
“I told him I’d be talking to you. He’s homesick. I know the series will run three days before he gets a week off. Any chance I can talk you into letting him fly home to Nebraska and miss the next few games since he’s not pitching? I think he could use some family time. I’d be sending Bryan with him.”
He nods. “I suppose that’d work. He’s not in any trouble and probably could use a break.”
“Thanks. I’ll get him scheduled to depart in the morning.”
He nods. “Don’t tell him until after the game. I don’t want him or anyone on the team to know until then.”
“No problem.”
George spits some tobacco into a cup. “I would have thought you’d be with Mr. Lancaster and his friend this weekend.”
“Excuse me?”
He turns and scowls at me. “Aren’t you dating his friend?”
I look away. “I was, but I… I’m not sure anymore.”
“She’s quite the looker, and damn, if she isn’t smart.”
“She’s got a lot going on right now.”
“You’re not kidding. Her company is trying to squeeze her out, but she’ll land on her feet. She’s the reason Jeremy, Crispin, and Jake are here.”
I can feel my brow furrow. “What do you mean?”
“Nate brought her with him when we were planning for the season. They’ve been tight for a long time—but you don’t have to worry. His fiancée adores her too. Anyway, she brought in an empirical analysis and baseball statistics to help us fill out our roster.”
“Like Billy Beane did across the bay with Moneyball?”
“Exactly like that. But unlike the rest of us, she was doing the math and knew Jeremy and Jake’s stats from the minors. She insisted that Crispin come along because of how tight they were.”
>
“They were breakout stars,” I point out.
He shrugs. “We were looking at all sorts of plug-and-play ideas. Ron, our recruiter, thought we should trade Jeremy away, but she made the case that if we were to keep Peterson at first base and Jimenez at home plate, Jeremy was our guy. She actually advocated for Raymond to be traded. We stuck with both, and you know what?”
I know the answer. “She was right.”
“Exactly.” With his arms crossed, George watches Jeremy throw. “Don’t let that silly dating app fool you. That woman is not only beautiful and rich, she’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.”
And also, dummy, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet, I remind myself. I’ve been lost in my own world with all of this. I really needed some perspective. He’s just a kid—how come Jeremy sees things so much clearer than I do?
Chapter 23
Mia
When we arrived at Jackson’s estate on Maui late this morning, everyone immediately dove into having a good time—with lots of food and drinks. It seems we’ve all been in need of a break, and I quickly forgot I was here without a date. My friends are great about making sure I never feel like a third wheel.
After some pool time with my Stiletto Sisters, this evening I hung with my poker buddies as we’re squeezing in a quick tournament.
It’s always fun. Playing cards with my tech billionaire friends is not like going to Vegas. We count cards intuitively, and we play to win. With my math skills, I usually make it to the final table.
I cleared my table in the first round tonight with a flush—which was pure luck. Tomorrow night will be harder, but at least I have the highest chip count going in.
After we’re done with cards for the evening, everyone hangs out around the pool again, enjoying the ocean breeze over the cliffs and soft Hawaiian tunes playing in the background. As the night goes on, though, it becomes apparent that I’m the only single person in the crowd.
At times like this, it really sucks to be by myself. I used to be able to pal around with Viviana, but now she’s in jail. And she’s not my friend anyway. Maybe I should have brought an escort like Ryder once did. Even if it didn’t include sex, at least I’d have someone to hang out with. This has to be the last time I come alone.
“Turning in already?” Caroline asks as I pass her on the way to my room.
I nod. “It’s been a long week.”
Corrine, the bride, gives me a hug. “I’m really sorry your friend couldn’t join you this weekend.”
“Ah, don’t worry about it. Axel has a lot on his plate, and I’m still dealing with Viviana drama.”
I wave goodnight to the last few left on the pool deck and step inside.
I head down the hallway to my room, and as I let myself in my sanctuary, I see my suitcase has been set off to the side, and my things are unpacked.
“Oh shit,” I mutter. I packed my purple silicone friend that Caroline gave me the other night. I’m not going to be the only one who isn’t getting off on this trip. But now I’m humiliated. Sitting on the bedside table is the fancy black box. Now I’m not sure I can use it. I’ve had one for years, but this is a Cadillac vibe, and I was looking forward to trying it out.
I open the box and see a handwritten note inside that I missed when I opened it the first time.
“Play music while you use your vibrator. Of course, you don’t want the music to be so loud someone will bang on your door.” -Joan Price
I can’t help smiling. “Alexa, what are the best songs to set the mood for love?” I ask my digital assistant.
“Playing the best songs for getting in the mood,” the virtual assistant replies. The opening guitar begins for “Let’s Get it On.”
I slip my earbuds in and strip down to my panties as I walk into the bathroom to light the candles and start a bath. A few minutes later I’m soaking in plumeria-scented oils and letting the stress of the week and the disappointment of being here alone dissipate.
As I towel dry, Donna Summers is belting out “Love To Love You Baby.” I walk back into my room for a silk camisole and sleep shorts, and once again I see my friend.
I sit down next to the bed and open the box. Looking back at me is a purple, bulb-like head. It’s smooth and silky soft. Below is a nob that’s a clit stimulator. It’s roughly the size of a man’s thumb. The base is narrow and has a hole. As I study it, I can see how once inserted, the power buttons are easy to reach with a thumb and the hole allows for hooking a finger for adjustment.
My nipples pebble as I think about self-pleasure. I guess if you have to love someone, let it be yourself. My new friend certainly isn’t going to hurt me.
Taking it from the box, I hold it in my hand. The weight is surprising. The music continues its sexy tunes, and my heart beats faster. My pussy begins to twinge as I flick the small head with my finger and try to imagine what it would feel like against my clit. My hands shake with nerves.
The vibe has a seven-hour charge. I push the top power button slowly—as if the thing were a bomb and I’m cutting one of the wires to stop the timer. It pulses in my hand with a slight hum. I turn it up and back down to see how it feels and how to control it. I push the second button, and the small head that would stimulate my clit vibrates. I’m not sure what the third button does and I’m almost afraid to find out. When I push it, the head moves in a circle. I’m so startled I almost drop the whole thing.
“Holy shit,” I whisper. Now I can see why Caroline and Ryder love this. Who needs a man if you have a Soraya?
Turing it off, I return it to the box and take a step back. What the heck am I doing? I like men—the way a first kiss lights you on fire and makes you dizzy from anticipation…
I walk over to my door to be sure it’s locked. I don’t want Caroline, Jim—or anyone, for that matter—catching me doing something I never thought I would outside the privacy of my own room in my own house.
I sit on the edge of the bed, grab the thing, and push the button that makes it seem like it’s pushing in. I slowly put it against my left nipple, the less sensitive one, concerned it might hurt a little. I loved the sensation when Axel licked my nipples, so this should be a good starting point for a test drive.
The vibrations feel very good, and after a moment, I’m ready to put the thing to proper use. I press it against my clitoris, and the sensation shocks me at first—like a piece of ice on hot skin. I can hardly contain myself. The sensation shoots through my body and takes me over. I gently rub the toy all around my sex. Up and down, pulling it away and then back again. I look down and my wetness has leaked from me and onto the bed. “Shit,” I say out loud and get up to get a towel.
When I return, I giggle as I jump in with my friend. I spread the towel out so it will be under my ass as I lean back against the pillows. Then I spread my legs and don’t waste any time. I insert the toy and immediately moan in pleasure. I feel contractions and tingling from my belly to my ass and down to my toes.
I haven’t even turned the thing on yet.
I push the first button and it feels like Axel did when he was pushing in slowly. I play with my nipples, thinking of our few times together. I ride that to a nice, slow G-spot orgasm.
I could stop there and be a satiated and happy girl.
But I can’t resist the button that stimulates my clit, and my eyes open wide as my body lights on fire. My hips move, and I can’t help myself.
Now to try all three buttons at the same time…
Within a few seconds, I’m convulsing uncontrollably, my legs shaking and a low, groaning Oh God rising up from deep within me. The orgasm comes quickly and is so intense that I lose control of my body. I feel wetness running out of my vagina and soaking the towel beneath me. I’ve heard about women squirting before—is that what I’m doing? I don’t care.
My orgasm relents a bit, and I catch my breath, but then another starts to build. This one feels stronger than the last, and I can’t breathe. A high-pitched “Oh Oh
Oh Oh God!” flies out of my mouth, and I roll from one side to the other, holding the toy as tightly as I can as I ride my climax. Finally, my orgasm subsides, but I continue to twitch sporadically.
I turn the vibe off and put it aside. I lie back, trying to catch my breath.
Holy fuck. Axel was the best sex I’ve ever had with a man, but without a man? Damn, this toy is a phenomenon.
I drag myself out of bed just long enough to wash the toy and put it away. Then I fall asleep with a smile.
The light streams in the windows when I roll over. I should get up. I agreed to help the girls get ready for tomorrow’s ceremony. Compared to other weddings in our friend group, this will be small and very romantic. I’m honored that I’m even invited.
When I roll over again, I spot my toy in its box, at the ready on the nightstand. This vibe needs a name, and I decide to call him Titan. Snickering to myself, I hop up and dress, then head downstairs to find coffee.
Lilly and Corrine are huddled at a table in the kitchen, and they light up when I walk in.
“Good morning,” I say.
“How did you sleep?” Corrine asks.
“Good. Better than I have in a while. It’s been a stressful week.” I pour myself a coffee and lean against the cabinets. “I love it here. It’s so relaxing.”
“Nate and I are looking at a place on Kauai,” Lilly says.
I shake my head. “I have a small place in Aspen. We need to do at least a girls’ weekend there this fall. When the Aspen trees turn, it looks like rivers of gold between the pines.”
“We could ski, too,” Corrine says.
“True.” I nod.
Caroline comes in with her hair in a messy bun. “Pretend I’m not here until I’ve had at least three cups of coffee,” she says.
“You have a coffee cart in your room with a Nespresso machine,” Corrine reminds her.
“Yes, but I didn’t want to wake Mason.”
She looks me up and down. “How did you do last night?”
I nod. “Titan was good to me.”
The other girls pop up like groundhogs.
Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series Page 22