Slow No Wake

THIRTEEN

Relaunch

A few minutes later, I breathed a sigh of relief as I dropped my bags at my entryway and stepped into my living room. “Home sweet home,” I said although the word sweet didn’t quite fit my apartment. More like home shabby home.

I thought I heard stifled laughter, followed by whispering coming from the spare room where Hannah was staying. And I thought I heard more than one voice.

“Hannah,” I yelled. “Are you in your room?”

More laughter and more whispering. I cringed at the thought of who she could have in her room with her.

I hurried over to her bedroom door and knocked. “Hannah, let me in.”

A few second later, she cracked open her door. Hannah was wearing only a man’s button down shirt over her otherwise naked body.

“Are you alone?” I asked, even though it was obvious she wasn’t.

She went wide-eyed for a moment, then slowly shook her head.

“Who do you have in the room with you?” I asked.

She gulped.

“Hannah?”

She opened the door wider, revealing Brad naked expect for his boxers.

Now I gulped.

Brad gave me a half wave. “Good afternoon, Lexie.”

“Brad,” I acknowledged.

“I-I can explain this situation,” he stammered.

I held up a hand. “No need. You’re both consenting adults.”

I could see Brad’s face turning beet red as I spoke. “Why don’t I let the two of you get dressed?” I said as I slowly backed away from the door.

“Thank, Lexie,” Hannah said as she closed the door.

I exhaled a large breath. It was going to be a long evening. I grabbed my bags from the foyer and dragged them into my bedroom. By the time I got them put on my bed, I heard a knock at my front door. What now? I thought.

I opened the door to a freshly showered Daniel. His hair was still damp but he smelled clean and fresh. “Just wondered if you’d like to grab a bite to eat? Maybe in 30 minutes or so. If you’re hungry.”

I smiled. “I am hungry and I would love join you.”

We both heard the spare bedroom door slam. I braced myself for the inevitable. I knew Daniel would have to meet my sister eventually. The moment of truth was about to arrive. “Ready to meet my sister?” I whispered.

He raised an eyebrow.

“And she had company this weekend. He’s still here.”

Hannah and Brad entered the living room. They were now both fully clothed.

I could hear Daniel take in a shocked breath when he saw Brad. At least I hoped that’s what caused the reaction. I cringed at the thought that he might be reacting to my gorgeous sister.

“Hannah, I’d like to introduce you to Daniel,” I said.

I was pleased to see that Daniel made no move toward my sister. He gave a slight wave and said, “How’s it going?” Then he crossed his arms over his chest.

My sister responded with a quick “Hi” in return.

“Of course, you already know Brad,” I said.

Brad gave Daniel an embarrassed half wave. “Hey,” Daniel said in acknowledgment. I knew Brad and Daniel were nowhere near being buddies at work.

When I looked at Daniel and noticed his eyes had returned right back to me, I breathed a sigh of relief. There apparently was at least one man on Earth who was not completely taken in by my sister’s charms.

Then Daniel leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in 30 minutes,” he whispered in my ear then he walked out the door.

I turned back to Brad and my sister. I couldn’t believe Brad, who was usually Mr. Calm and Collected, actually looked uncomfortable. He was restless and fidgety. “I guess I’d better get going,” he said finally.

Hannah heaved a huge sigh and pouted. Brad was immediately at her side. He put his arms around her and started snuggling her neck. Then he said, “It’s okay, Pookie. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”

I could feel myself throw up a little in my mouth. Did I really just hear Brad, of all people, call my sister Pookie?

Then Brad starting kissing my sister and I thought the two of them would start having sex right there in front of me. I coughed a little to remind them I was still very much in the room.

Brad looked up at me with a deer-caught-in-headlights expression. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

Brad kissed my sister’s cheek then headed out the front door.

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at Hannah. “I see you and Bad wasted no time getting to know each other.”

“I really like him,” she whined. “And he’s going to help me get enrolled at the community college.”

I was immediately impressed. That was the first time my sister had ever uttered the word college in her life.

“Okay,” I said cautiously.

“And Brad really likes me,” Hannah said. “For the first time, a decent guy truly likes me. Please try to be happy for me.”

I softened a bit. “I’m glad, Hannah. I really am.”

Hannah flopped on the couch. “So tell me everything about you and Daniel.”

I stood over her. “First, we need to get something out in the open. If I ever see you touch Daniel, even one little finger, you and all of our stuff will be out in the street. Do I make myself clear?”

She harrumphed. “Overreact much?” she blurted.

I glared at her.

“Okay,” she said. “Maybe that isn’t an overreaction. I get it. Stay away from Daniel. He is cute, by the way, but definitely not my type. Besides, I’m really into Brad, so you don’t have to worry.”

I eyed her suspiciously.

She made a cross over her chest then held up her hand. “I swear, I will never touch Daniel. I’ll even promise not to look at him if you’ll sit your ass down here and talk to me.”

The moment of truth. Would I let me sister back into my life? Would I trust her again? I tentatively sat at the edge of the couch. It was a start.

***

When Daniel picked me up, I was freshly showered. I decided to put on a light sundress and sandals, which was apparently the right move, because Daniel’s face lit up when he saw me.

“I love that dress on you,” he said. Then he whispered in my ear, “But I think I’ll like it off of you even better.”

A wave of desire rushed through my body.

He grabbed my hand. “Come on. I know exactly where I want to take you.”

We walked down to the main street that paralleled the beach and I noticed there were tents set up all along the road and lots of activity. A huge banner read Annual Taste of the Beach.

Daniel glanced at me to gauge my reaction. “Most of the restaurants in town have a booth where you can try their signature dishes. I thought this would give us a chance to see which ones we like best.”

I took a deep breath. I could smell seafood and garlic along with some fainter smells of cinnamon and chocolate. “A few things smell good already,” I said as my mouth started to water. I hadn’t realized I was so hungry. Then my stomach groaned slightly.

Daniel grinned. “It sounds like we came to the right place.”

The first booth we stopped at had fried calamari and shrimp. Daniel and I both grabbed sample plates and dug in.

The calamari was tender and tasty. “This is delicious,” I said.

“It is good,” Daniel agreed. Then he popped a shrimp into his mouth. “This is really good, too.”

As I took a bite of the shrimp, Daniel said, “I need to tell you something in case Rick mentions it.”

My stomach clenched slightly. I didn’t know how much more I could take of the weirdness between Daniel and his friends.

“Everyone is probably going to find out pretty quickly about Brad and your sister,” he said.

I nodded.

“I just wanted you to know that Ricky and I sort of had a bet.”

“What kind of bet?” I asked with some hesitancy.

Daniel glanced at the ground uncomfortably. “I know you’re going to think this is wrong on so many levels. I’m a little embarrassed to even tell you.”

“Please just tell me, Daniel,” I asked, no longer able to hide my apprehension.

He gulped. “I lost twenty dollars because I bet Ricky that Brad was gay.”

“Don’t feel bad,” I said. “The twins and I couldn’t figure it out either.”

Daniel kissed my forehead. He pulled me toward a booth with Italian food and we each grabbed plates with toasted ravioli.

We bit into our ravioli simultaneously and each gave out a little groan of pleasure at the same time.

“It’s good, huh?” Daniel said.

“It’s great,” I said. “Definitely add this restaurant to the list.”

As we continued down the walkway, Daniel asked, “Have you given any thought to what’s going to happen when people see Eddie’s face? Or when they find out we’re a couple?”

“The only person I’m really worried about is Tom,” I said. “I don’t want either of our jobs to be in jeopardy.”

“I’m sure Tom will be cool about it as long as we’re not too demonstrative at work, which I’m not saying is going to be easy. I’m not sure how I’m going to keep my hands off of you.”

I grinned. “I’m sure you’ll figure out a way.”

He leaned down and kissed me, sending electricity racing through my body. Then he whispered into my ear, “But how are you going to manage to keep your hands off of me?”

I looked up at Daniel and his beautiful blue eyes looked with mine. “That sounds like a challenge, Mr. O’Grady.”

He raised an eyebrow. “A challenge?”

“We’ll see exactly how long we can keep our hands off of each other at work. The first one who caves has to buy dinner tomorrow night, preferable at the Italian place with the fantastic toasted ravioli.”

“You’ve got yourself a bet, Ms. Wilkins.”

***

I barely made it to work on time on Monday. I blame it on Daniel and keeping me up late with incredible sex, but I’m not complaining. The entire drive to work, I thought about the way he looked at me and touched me, with so much desire, but also so much reverence. Our bodies fit together, and worked together, so perfectly. But it was even more than that. We when joined, our union was more than just physical. I know it sounds corny, but I felt so connected to Daniel on such a deeper level.

As I ran into the administrative building, I noticed Lily was whistling. I had never heard her whistle before. It was weird. Then she started humming even though no music was playing.

“What are you so happy about?” I asked as Lily turned to me with a huge grin on her face.

“I know this is going to sound really bad. Please don’t hate me.”

“I could never hate you, Lily,” I assured her.

She leaned in like she was going to share something secret and said quietly, “Mr. LaRoche got beat up pretty badly over the weekend. His face is a mess.”

My stomach clenched, but I tried to hold a neutral expression on my face. “Really? Why are you happy about that?”

“Let’s just say that he and I may have dated and it didn’t end well.”

I nodded in understanding. “So, any idea who beat Mr. LaRoche up?” I asked in an effort to ascertain what other information was circulating.

“No one knows for sure, but the majority opinion is that he messed around with a married woman and her husband caught them in the act.”

I had to stifle a chuckle. Figures that the rumors would somehow turn Eddie into some kind of cult figure.

“Interesting,” I said.

Lily leaned it close. “It doesn’t really matter who did it. What matters is that he deserved it.”

If nothing else was true, that certainly was.

The twins were waiting outside my office when I arrived. As soon as they saw me, they each grabbed me by an elbow and dragged me across the hallway to their lair.

As soon as the door closed behind us, they both looked at me expectantly.

“Spill,” Trinity said.

I looked at her puzzled. There was so much I could have spilled about, I wasn’t sure exactly to what she was referring.

“What did you do to Brad?” Serenity clarified.

I breathed a small sigh of relief that they weren’t going to ask about Daniel and Eddie.

“Well, he’s not gay,” I said.

“No shit,” Trinity said. “But why after eight years is he suddenly acting like a human being?”

“When he saw us this morning, he actually smiled and asked us how we were doing,” Serenity added.

“Sex will do that to you, I guess,” I said.

The twins went wide-eyed. “You’re doing Brad and Daniel and Mr. LaRoche?” Trinity said. “Lexie, you are a slut.”

I guess I wasn’t getting off that easy after all.

“God, no,” I said. I looked at Serenity, “Or should that be Goddess no? Anyway, I am not sleeping with Brad. He got together with my sister. And I have never and would never sleep with Mr. LaRoche.”

Trinity grinned. “I noticed you didn’t deny sleeping with Daniel.”

Now I was the one grinning like a cat that ate the canary.

Serenity leaned in and asked, “So, is Daniel as good as I imagine he would be? That man is fine.”

“Oh, yes,” I said.

“Lucky, bitch,” Trinity said. “Oh, and thanks for taking care of Brad for us. We owe you one.”

“Make that two,” Serenity said.



Tom caught me in the hallway on my way back from the restroom a few hours later. “Can I see you in my office, when you have a chance, Lexie?”

I gulped. In my gut, I knew that Tom knew something and was going to confront me about it. I hoped for the best but also braced myself for the worst.

I knocked lightly on Tom’s door and then poked my head in. “You wanted to see me?” I squeaked.

“Come on in and have a seat, Lexie,” he said as he closed a case file on his desk.

I sat down in a seat across from him. I could feel my heart start beating in my chest, I was so nervous.

“Have you worked much with Mr. LaRoche?” Tom asked as he leaned back in his chair. He tried to make himself look causal but I knew his questioning was anything but.

I gulped. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to divulge too much unnecessary information. I also realized I didn’t know how much he knew.

“No, not yet,” I answered. If my heart didn’t calm down soon it was going to beat right out of my chest.

Tom raised an eyebrow. I had a feeling he was asking questions he already knew the answer to. “I know Daniel and Ed are roommates,” he said.

I tried to swallow, but my throat had become so dry the act was difficult.

Tom’s gaze grew stark. “And I have a feeling Ed’s face has something to do with you and Daniel.”

Busted.

I glanced down at my hands, which I was now wringing in my lap.

“I’ve been very pleased with your work so far, Lexie,” Tom said. I could hear an implied but in there somewhere and I braced myself for the inevitable. I had an awful feeling he was going to fire me on the spot.

“But I also remember what it was like to be in my 20s and negotiating dating relationships.”

When I looked back up at Tom, his face had grown a bit more compassionate. “I’m sorry,” I blurted. I didn’t want to cry in front of my boss, but I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. “I know I shouldn’t have gotten involved with a co-worker. I understand if you want to let me go. I just hope you’ll consider keeping my sister as a volunteer. She seems to enjoy it, and it gives her a sense of pride that I haven’t seen before.”

Tom rose from his desk, walked around to where I was seated and took the chair next to me. “That’s not what I’m saying, Lexie. I don’t want to fire you. I’d like for you to stay. I also hope Daniel will stay. I just don’t want any further incidents like what happened to Mr. LaRoche. As much as he may have deserved it—and I’m not condoning violence, or saying that Daniel did it—we cannot tolerate that type of behavior in our employees, even if the incident did take place off of work property. As much as I may disagree with some of Mr. LaRoche’s personal choices, no one deserves to be beaten like that, especially a teacher.”

I nodded in agreement. I didn’t want to tell my boss that for a variety of complex reasons, Eddie allowed himself to be beaten. I was just happy that I still had a job and my boss didn’t seem too concerned about my dating relationship with Daniel.

Tom rose. “Well, I know your caseload is filling up and you’re very busy, so I’d better let you get back to work.”

“Thank you, Tom,” I said as I rose and headed for the door.

“Daniel’s a good guy,” Tom said right before I exited. “I think you made the right choice.”

***

At lunchtime, I got a text from Daniel: Meet me at my car at noon.

Okay, I texted back and did as I was told.

“Get in,” Daniel said when I arrived. I hopped into the passenger seat without question, even though I was a little curious what he was up to. He got into the driver’s seat and we took off down the road a few blocks. He pulled into a quiet residential cul-de-sac and parked.

“What are we doing here?” I asked, half to him and half wondering aloud.

“I don’t want to lose the bet,” he answered as he leaned over and kissed me. “We’re technically not at work, so I can put my hands all over you, which I couldn’t wait to do, by the way.” He leaned in and gave me another kiss.

“This really isn’t fair,” I said when we took a breath. “I think you should buy me that Italian dinner.”

He kissed that sensitive place on my neck and it immediately sent shivers through me. “Maybe we should come up with a new bet,” he whispered in my ear before he sucked on my earlobe.

“And what’s that?” I managed to squeak out right before I shivered again.

“How about the next one to go in for a kiss buys the dinner?”

“Okay,” I said as I tilted my head and tried to read into his eyes.

He grinned. “What?”

“Is this a trick?”

He shook his head as he leaned in and gave me another kiss. “But you just lost the bet,” I said when we broke.

He grinned. “I know. It was worth it.”

“I have a feeling you wanted to lose the bet.”

“And what would give you that idea?” he asked as he leaned in for another kiss.

***

A few days later, I was returning from a walk on the beach when I saw Eddie putting boxes in the back of a pick-up truck.

“You’re moving out?” I asked. I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice. “Daniel didn’t tell me.”

Eddie’s face was healing fairly well but he still had the remains of a cut over his right eye and one on his lips.

“Yeah, it was kind of quick thing. Ricky’s roommate knocked his girlfriend up, so he moved out to live with his baby mama and Ricky asked me if I wanted to move in.”

“That sounds like a Jerry Springer episode,” I said.

Eddie gave me his dimpled smile. I could feel my heart skip a few tiny beats.

“You know you got the better man,” Eddie said.

“I know,” I replied.

“He loves you to the moon and back. Don’t ever break his heart.”

“I will never break his heart.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Eddie bent down, grabbed the last box and placed it in the back of his truck. “I remember the first time I laid eyes on you, you were moving in. I think I fell in love with you somewhere between moving your sofa and bedframe.”

I tried my best to stifle a sob.

Eddie’s gaze met mine. “They say if you really love someone, above all else, you should want to see them happy. You and I both know I could never make you truly happy. But I know Danny can.”

He reached down and closed the back of his truck. Then he grabbed me and gave me a big hug. “Goodbye, Lexie,” he whispered.

I wiped the tears from my eyes as he jumped into his truck and started the engine. I gave a quick wave as he drove away.