Chapter 11 Personal Essay

After spending a whole day in the rain we were finally able to come back to the hotel with all of our supplies. Tomorrow, I would put all of this crap together and maybe see if I could convince Elisabeth to help me. After a quick shower, I was ready for bed.

Just as I was about to go into the main bedroom I paused as I passed the mirror. I was really bringing the sex appeal with my short flannel pajama bottoms with stars and moons on them and little white T-shirt. I tugged at the shirt’s hem, trying to pull it down farther. But it didn’t matter how much I talked There was no changing what it was. And it’s not like I was trying to seduce Oliver.

I’m just going to bed.

Tomorrow I had to make over a hundred tiny message in a bottle party favors.

I felt tired just imagining all the work I was going to have to do. I swung the door open to see Oliver just in his red Calvin Klein boxer brief underwear. He was staring at the TV brushing his teeth.

God damn my lecherous eyes.

Oliver’s body was like he was carved from marble! Like he would be the example man the ancient Greeks used as a model for the Statue of David.

Look away you horny whore…

It continued pouring down rain. Thunder came as if to enrich the cloud-conjured sense of midnight.

“Found something you like?” I said pulling the covers back and seld into bed. Oliver nodded his head yes with a small smile. “Spider-Man?”

Oliver quickly made his way into the bathroom and finished brushing up his teeth before coming back to the bedroom. “Do you mind taking the other side of the bed?”

“No”, I scooted over to the far left that was closest to the now curtain drawn window. I wanted to ask him why. But before I could open my mouth Oliver spoke.

“I like being the closet to door. Just in case”,he said getting comfortable while staring at the TV.

I rolled over onto my side and sank into the soft bed,”In case of what? I don’t think robbers are going to break in”.

“But if they do. I’m ready”.

There was a lot to unpack there. But, I decided to just roll with it,”Is this the Sam Raimi Spider Man?”

“Yup”, it looked like the movie just started and clearly Oliver wanted to watch it in peace. So I got out of bed went to a little desk in the corner and retrieved my laptop and charger. Since Oliver wasn’t going to bed anytime soon I could work on his budget as a way to wind down for the night.

I climbed back into bed and got to work. It wasn’t hard to come up with a plan for Oliver. I finished it fairly quickly And then I went to the University of Florida’s website to see if there was any financial aid options or scholarships Oliver could apply to.

“Hey?”

“Hmm?” He said like a kid that was hooked on the TV.

“Have you applied for any scholarships?” I asked.

“No. It’s not worth the effort”.

“It’s free money”.

“Yeah, but they’re only giving it away to one or two people. I bet hundreds of people apply what’s going to make my essay stand out?” He said putting his hand behind his head.

“Lazy. There are literally thousand s of scholarship opportunities just waiting for you. I know when I was in school always went for the really outlandish ones. Or the ones that only wanted a page of writing. Just looking at the site there’s one here that’s for $25,000”.

“Ok?” He said pausing the movie.

“You have to be a resident of Florida, A new student to the University, become a member of Honor society, and mentor undergraduates as needed. Thats completely doable”.

“I’m not a Honor student”.

“What’s your GPA?”

“Ummm like a 3.4”, that was good.

I quickly googled the requirements for the Honors college,”You could be, all you need is a 3.0 or higher”.

“So to get this scholarship I have to: join the honors society; which has its own requirements, then apply, hope I get it and then dedicate anytime I don’t have to school to whatever contract I’m signing my soul over for?”

“They want you to do an interview and write three essays”.

“That’s worse than one!” He complained.

“But, It would be worth it if it would open up a lot more scholarship opportunities within a smaller group of the university. Besides all you would have to do is write one essay. Two of them are research and you can just use some of my old essay. One personal essay and show up for the interview”, I shut my laptop and put it on the nightstand. “Is this almost over?”

“There’s like another hour cause of the commercials”.

I turned off the light on my side of the bed and settled in for the night. With my eyes closed I yawned,”We have so much to do tomorrow. You should be exhausted just thinking about it”.

“It’s just executing and setting up an entire wedding in less than five days”.

“While I set up the party favors you can write your essay”,I said rolling over to face Oliver who was already facing me on his side.

“I’d rather do the party favors”.

“Isn’t this weekend about me and my needs?” I stated.

“Yeah…so how—“

“So I need you to write your personal essay”, I demanded.

“And how dose that take care of your needs?”

Oliver send closing the distance between us his face was mere inches away from mine I could smell his toothpaste and feel heat radiating off of his body. “Hhmmm?”

“You are so barking up the wrong tree”, I said pushing him away. He seemed genuinely surprised and shocked that I had n’t given into my primal urges.

“Barking up the wrong tree as in your gay?”

“Barking up the wrong tree as in I want you to do your essay”, I said sounding like his mom. “I want you to wow The Honor Society Committee with a touching but heroic story of the human condition to overcome any obstacle in the pursuit of higher education. You have 5 days to focus on yourself, just take advantage of it”.

“I don’t even know what they would want me to say”, he huffed like a child.

“Tell them about your dream. You want to be a psychiatrist. You want to help people and you can only do that by going to the best school. Stroke their ego”.

Oliver rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling looking like he wanted the ceiling to swallow him whole. And with the heavy exhale he spoke,”Nobody wants to hear about a kids who was in and out of the foster care system in Lake City. It’s a bit played out don’t you think?”

“Don’t you owe it to the kid who was in and out of the foster care system in Lake City to at least try?” I pushed.

“Well, he may be slightly dyslexic so five days or even all the time in the world wouldn’t really help”, He said sounding defeated. Was that why he was so against writing? Because it was physically hard for him to do.

And here I was being a pushy ass.

“Five days, all the time in the world and a little bit of help”, I said no longer tired. I sat up grab my computer and opened up Word document,”Tell me your story, I will type it and we will edit it”.

I watched as Oliver’s face softened as his eyes looked everywhere as if confused. His blue eyes seem deeper in the half light. There was a hint of brokenness in his voice that crushed my soul, “Why would you do that?”

He asked this question so softly I wasn’t sure if I actually heard it or not. “Because you need help. Now don’t be too proud to accept it. There’s no questioning it you are going to get into this honor society. And you’re going to win that scholarship. Now start talking and let me help you”.

“I don’t even know where to start”.

“The beginning is normally the best”, I encouraged. I didn’t want to push him to give me his life story but I needed something to write.

“Ummm…”

“When did you know you wanted to be a psychiatrist?” That should be a good spot to start.

“Probably when I was 8 or 9. And a social worker came and took me from Dakota’s trailer—“

Everything he said I quickly typed but I had to stop him to get clarification,”Who’s Dakota?”

“My dad”, He said begrudgingly. “It was the summer I normally just stayed inside and watched TV. The only problem was so did Dakota. Except he like to do it high instead of with a box of expired Lucky Charms. Heroin was his choice of drug so finding him passed out with a needle in his arm was nothing new. Except normally he would wake up. He didn’t wake up for 3 days”.

Jesus.

“Surprisingly enough he wasn’t dead. I called 911 not knowing that was the stupidest thing to do—“.

“You were a child and you needed help. That’s what 911 is for”.

“You know back then if you lived in Lake City they didn’t send paramedics they sent the police. They took Dakota and called a social worker to come pick me up. That was the first time I went into the foster care system. And then they ask you 101 questions did Dakota ever hurt me? Did I ever do the drugs he did? Did I feel safe in my home? After jumping through those hoops. They took me to a house where other kids stayed. It was my temporary foster family. Jane and Chris were good people. They actually took the money the government gave to keep me and used it for me. You’d be surprised how many times that doesn’t happen. But they got me a psychiatrist. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I would go see Dr. Katie Wilson to work through my trauma”.

Oliver may not think he was traumatized but clearly it left an effect on him. He really didn’t justify the air quotes he put around the word trauma. I couldn’t imagine thinking my dad was dead for 3 days and not knowing what to do.

“I like talking to Katie. And back then that meant something because I didn’t talk to anyone. She was fun not robotic or just cashing in a check. You could tell she genuinely cared about her job and her patients. I’m pretty sure she was the one who figured out I was dyslexic. Because sometimes after school she would let me do my homework during our session and we would talk while I struggled to keep up. I probably got to see Katie for 6 months before Dakota went to the courts and fought to get me back. Katie probably doesn’t even remember me but I remember her and everything she did for me. What she did for me I want to do for others kids”.

That was beautiful. And a genuine good reason to want to go in the profession.

“And you will”, I said finishing up typing. “I’ll make this pretty in the morning. But for now I think we both should get some rest”.

Oliver coughed and cleared his throat,”Yeah”.

He turned off the TV and the light on his nightstand plunging the room into darkness.

“Oliver?”

“Hmmm?”

“I know it was probably hard for you to open up that much to basically a stranger—“.

“You’re not a stranger Sophia. Good night”.

“Good night”, I said closing my eyes listening to the sound of rain fall to lull me to sleep.

Chapter 12 …I Wanted

Sophia fell asleep with ease but I was wide awake. I’ve never opened up to a client like this before. There had to be a line but here I so far cross it, it wasn’t even funny. I liked Sophia she was kind, strong, smart, determined, unintentionally funny and a thousand other things that made her way out of my league.

It was easy to talk to Sophia. I sucked in a breath. In all of my adult life, no one had ever wanted to help me. Or valued my company for something other than sex. Even when I tried to tempted her, Sophia shot me down so fast I had whiplash.

I felt like a creep staring at her as she slept on her side facing me with her mouth slightly opened. She didn’t sleep pretty but it felt real and intimate. I gently shifted her body so she was nestled in the crook of my arm.

Next to my brawn, she was tiny.

She stirred still halfway asleep as she lifted her head. “Oliver?”

“Go back to sleep,” I whispered, urging her against my chest. “Just let me hold you. That’s all I’m going to do.” Thunder came as if to enrich the cloud-conjured sense of midnight.

I absorbed her sigh through my skin and closed my eyes as her arm went around my waist, her hand tucking into my side.

I had a stupid impulse to wake her up and reposition her just so I could feel her ease against me once more.

Instead, I focused on her breathing, matching the draw and push of my own lungs to hers.

So… peaceful.

Surreal.

And temporary.

Once this week was over Sophia wouldn’t want to see me again. She would have no reason to. But I definitely wanted to see her again after this week.

Was one day with Sophia all it took for me to abandon all of the rules I set in place to protect myself?

I never considered dating clients or seeing them outside of the arrangement. But I wanted to for Sophia.

…I wanted Sophia.

Damn.

I really was a glutton for punishment. Sophia hasn’t done anything except be herself, her extraordinary kind, beautiful, and patient self. And she deserved to be with someone who was just as extraordinary. Not some bottom feeder.

I didn’t need to get my hopes up to get them crushed. This was a job. And once it was over we would go our separate ways.

That’s the way it’s supposed to be.

That’s the way it’s always been.

After I let my dread wash over me I finally fell asleep wishing I could hang on to consciousness just a little bit longer to savor this moment. But even my dreams were delusional fantasies. At least I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but if I was, I didn’t want to wake up. The scent of pomegranates and vanilla teased me, invaded me.

Sophia.

Only she smelled that wonderful, of summer and all the things I could want and never have.

The length of her body was pressed against mine, with her hand resting on my stomach. The steady rise and fall of her chest became my entire world, and in this dream – because it had to be a dream – I felt my own chest matching her breaths.

Every cell in my body sparked and burned.

My body was on fire.

Just a dream, but it felt real.

I couldn’t resist sliding my leg over hers, burrowing my head between her neck and shoulder, and inhaling deeply.

Mine.

Divine.

Perfect.

Lust swirled through me, heady and consuming. I tasted her skin – a slight brush of my lips, a flick of my tongue. She felt perfect underneath me; soft in all the places I was hard.

Moving over her, against her, I loved the sound she made – a soft, wholly feminine moan that scorched every piece of me.

“You’re perfect for me,” I whispered.

She stirred, and I dreamt her responding, wanting me.

I pressed down, sliding my hand under her shirt. Her skin felt like satin underneath my fingertips. Precious. Prized. If she was mine, I’d cherish every inch of her.

And I wanted to.

Now.

My hand crept up, to her breast.

She gasped.

The dreamy cloud dissipated with the sound I felt all the way through me. Every muscle locked up. Very slowly, I pried my eyes opened.

Her slender, graceful neck sloped before me. A section of skin was pink from the stubble on my jaw.

The clock on the wall ticked.

Shit.

I’d felt her up, in my sleep.

I lifted my head and stared down at her. Sophia watched me, her eyes a honey, wonderful brown and questioning.

Fuck.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice still rough with sleep.

Using my arm, I pushed up and even then, knowing that none of it had been a dream, I couldn’t look away from her, didn’t want to. An infinite need was there, in her, in me.

Demanding that I kneel to it, and I wanted to – dammit, did I ever want to.

The only thing that got to me, that cleared the layers of lust and idealistic stupidity out of my head, was the trace shimmering around her. Sophia rolled over onto her back and stared up at me looking like the brightest star.

“Good morning”, I said staring into eyes that were a marriage of light browns and sage greens on soft brown skin.

I started to lean down to press my lips to her even if it was for just a moment.”How did… you…sle–“

I watched as she closed her eyes and relaxed her body.

So she did want me?

Wait….

Or was Sophia just being nice?

I paused doing mental gymnastics. And all it took was a moment for everything to be ruined.

“SARA!” Elisabeth screamed from the living room breaking the moment entirely. Sophia jumped and turned her head as a deep pink filled her cheeks

“I…I should go”, she said practically leaping out of the bed. She stammered out, “I should go say hi to Sara”.

“Okay”, I said disappointed. If I hadn’t hesitated we probably wouldn’t be leaving this room today. But I did and now Sophia waddled her way around all of the work we were supposed to do today out the door.

Damn it.

I was hooked and I hadn’t even had a taste.

Fuck.

Chapter 13 Trash is Too Kind

God, I was a whore to my hormones. Could anyone blame me? I didn’t expect to be woken up by the sexiest man alive.

This is what happens when you have a dry spell for over a year.

All Oliver said was ‘good morning’. Why was my brain trying to make something sexual out of it. Because he leaned in like he was going to kiss me, and I close my eyes ready for it. But he pulled away.

Probably turned off by the fact that I woke up like a bitch in heat. And now things were awkward at breakfast. We decided to have breakfast on the veranda and had a gorgeous view of the ocean. Everything was decadent from the white linen cloth to the utensils and China used to serve us. There was barely anyone around so it felt like we had the whole space to ourselves.

“It was an absolute nightmare getting here”, Sara complained leaning back in her chair trying to wave down one of the servers. She looked good despite all the drama that was going on in her life that we were just not supposed to talk about. She had cut her wavy brown hair to a bob and even though we were on vacation she had a business casual look of a white button-up sleeveless shirt and high-waisted, open-bottomed black pants that looked perfect on her with her tall frame. She even had a Cartier bracelet.

“Was it really worth the nickel to fly standby?” Elisabeth said enjoying a muffin.

“Yes”, Sara and I said on the same wavelength.

“Soph gets it. Plus, I didn’t really miss anything other than getting a laundry list of chores? I thought we came here to have fun?”.

“I mean what’s more fun than planning a wedding?” I said sarcastically.

“Being her emotional support for the whole weekend”, Elisabeth added. Today she had a Peter Pan look with a bright green tunic shirt, a different color green pants and brown sandals. She looked adorable with her little fairy earrings.

“Ouch”, Sara I said finally getting the waiters attention. She ordered mimosa and I said make it two. “Anybody else?”

“Us”, Elisabeth said deepening her voice like she desperately needed it.

I turned to Oliver who was focused on the sea. I couldn’t tell if it was because he saw someone on the beach or if the view was just that pretty,”Do you want anything?”

“Water”, He said giving me his attention for a second before going back to the sea.

“We’ll just take a whole pitcher”, she I said dismissively as she looked over the menu.

“Be nice”, I reminded her.

“Yeah I would really like my Mimosa to have no spit in it”, Shane said just as focused as Oliver was on the beach.

“Am I missing something?”

“Yeah, what has you two in such a trance?” Elisabeth said chiming in.

“O yeah”, Oliver said pointing just below the Rocky over pass. There was a secluded part of the beach that you could only see from our viewpoint.

“Are you fucking kidding me!” I said slamming my hands down on the table as I watched Michelle and Trey two seconds away from fucking on the beach.

“Always knew he was trash”, Sara said with a role of her eyes.

“Trash is too kind”, Elisabeth said shielding her eyes from the scene. She elbowed Shane to stop looking.

“Aren’t we here for a wedding for Michelle and Mason?” Oliver said bringing up an awkward conversation.

“I’m not touching that, man”, Shane said.

“I am”, Sara said whipping out her phone and taking a picture.

“What are you doing!?” Elisabeth exclaimed.

“Getting proof for Mason”, She said standing up ready to implode a 6-year relationship.

“We’re here for Sara”, I reminded her. “We’re her friends”.

“That doesn’t mean you help her cheat”, Oliver stated.

“I’m going to shut up”, I said just as the waiter came back with a pitcher of mimosa and I was the first one to pour a drink.

“Believe me I’ve been the one being cheated on. Mason would want to know before you commit himself to that”, Sara was strong-willed and definitely wasn’t going to let this affair go unnoticed.

“I don’t think this is how you break the news”,Elisabeth stressed.

“There is no way to properly break the news. There is no protocol for a situation like this”.

“Maybe he knows about it?” Oliver suggested. “People have open relationships all the time”.

“What’s the point of being in a relationship then if it’s open”, I hypothesized.

“Exactly”, Elisabeth agreed.

“Guys focus!” Sara snapped,”The fact of matter is we do not know what is going on with them personally. But we do know we’re Care for a wedding between Michelle and Mason. And Michelle is kissing someone who is not Mason. If they have some kind of agreement then these pictures don’t do anything and they go ahead and get married. But if he doesn’t know about it he should know before he says ‘I do’. I don’t think there’s not a person here that wouldn’t want to know that kind of information”.

“Maybe we tell him after the wedding?” Elisabeth said.

“Or say nothing”, I strongly suggested. If Trey had anything to do with the situation I really didn’t want to get involved. Did I support Michelle cheating? No. Did I think it was wrong? Of course. But I don’t feel like it was my place to say anything. I don’t know Mason… But I do know what’s right and what’s wrong.

“If you have such a problem with it”, Shane said popping a grape into his mouth,”Why don’t you confront Michelle about it? Why should you have to do the dirty work of outing her affair? Tell her you have proof of what’s going on and unless she tells Mason you’ll do it. This really isn’t something we need to be getting involved in”.

“I agree”, I said wishing the world would cave in on me.

“If you do decide to blow this whole thing up could you let us know? It would save us the time and effort of putting together a wedding that’s not going to happen”, Oliver said putting his arm around the back of my chair. So maybe we weren’t in a awkward situation. Maybe he was just more fascinated with the shenanigans on the beach.

“I will”, Sara said not afraid of a challenge as she stormed off into the hotel.

“There gos the wedding”, I exhailed hard.

“Poor Mason”, Elisabeth mumbled under her breath.

“This whole thing is going to be a disaster and it’s only Monday”, I said feeling swallowed up by guilt. What was Michelle thinking? She was really going to throw away a good man for Trey!? “Sara is right. If the rolls were reversed in Mason was cheating on Michelle we would all be running to tell her”.

“Yeah…” Elisabeth said softly.

“Maybe we should just…go home?”

“WHAT!? No!” Oliver said raising his voice for the first time. “I-I-I mean…. You have to at least let her explain herself?”

“My guy, I don’t think there’s a lot to explain”, Shane pointed out.

“Give her the benefit of the doubt”, Oliver pressed,”We only know what we saw but for all we know this could just be pre-wedding jitters? It could have been a goodbye kiss? Or any number of things at least you should talk to Michelle”.

“I’m just going to…. tell her mom?”Elisabeth winced uncomfortably.

“I like that”, then it’s not us being the heavy.

“We should definitely still stay. Just out of curiosity to see how this thing is going to play out? And you all just got together. It rarely happens. We finish all of Michelle’s wedding plannings and then enjoy the island while we can?”

“That seems so manipulative?” Elisabeth said echoing my own thoughts.

“Then at least stay and help her put on this sham and then leave before it happens. At least help her set up her own demise?”

“I don’t want to say anything”, I confessed and Elisabeth quickly agreed with me. So we just leave it to Sara? If it comes out we’ll leave. If it doesn’t, we should tell Michelle at the Bachelorette party. And then take it from there”.

“So we’re literally just kicking this rock down the road until Thursday?”Shane clarified.

“Yup”, I confirmed chugging down my whole glass of mimosa.

Yes, indeed.

Chapter 14 Another Free Therapy Session

For the rest of the day I stuck to the plan of planning a wedding that shouldn’t be happening. Oliver and I made all the party favors, had all of the name plates written, folded about a hundred paper crane napkins, did 50 centerpieces complete with a mason jar wrapped with burlap, picked up the candles, the rental chairs, the linens, and two tons of fairy lights that were going to have to be hung up the day of. And just as I was about to call it a day I got a text from Michelle saying she wanted sea sells mixed in with her oceanic centerpiece. Not that the seashells were going to make it look pretty anyway. Her vision reminded me of something the ocean puked up after a hurricane with tea candle lights and a mason jar.

It was far too avant-garde for me.

So, just to get away from everything I suggested to Oliver we go find some on the beach. He just agreed. Ever since this morning he wasn’t talking to me that much. Probably because he thought I was a despicable person for not having the balls to tell Mason, Michelle was cheating on him. Or maybe I just made him really uncomfortable lusting after him this morning.

And who was I kidding I was still lusting after him as we walked on the beach. The sand is softly golden with just the right comforting warmth. And you couldn’t beat the sunset view. The sun set in the sky as fresh colours brushed upon an artist’s canvas, as if those rays were destined to create a great work of art – one given to those open to capturing simple moments in the soul.

I felt like a kid in my two-piece yellow bathing suit that I wish showed off a little bit more skin right about now with a plastic pail. Oliver looked so damn good in his blue swim trunks.

Oliver was made to be shirtless.

God, I need to get laid.

But before I literally go fuck myself I need to talk to Oliver like an adult.

“Hey?!” I shouted to Oliver over the crashing waves. He was so far ahead of me I wasn’t sure he actually heard me until he came running back to me…

Like a fucking model.

“What’s up?” He said dumping a bunch of shells into my bucket.

“Can we talk?”

“That’s never good”, he said with raised eyebrows.

“No, I just wanted to… check in? This morning…ummm…“

“Yeah”, He said earnestly crossing his arms. “I was thinking we should talk about that too”.

“Good, good…I… I Well I don’t know where to start…”

“Well, I think you’re an incredible woman—“

“Really? Because I wasn’t exactly in my best form this morning”, I admitted.

Oliver look confused as he close the distance between us,”What are we talking about?”

“Breakfast…with the whole Michelle and Trey thing. I know it’s wrong to keep that information from Mason but I really don’t want to get involved with anything that has Trey attached to it”, I said being completely honest.

“O, yeah…that, yes”

“You probably think I’m a terrible person—“

“I don’t”, he said taking my pail of shells and we continued walking down the beach,”I really don’t. You know your friends a lot better than I do. I’m not here to judge you. Or anyone else. I just want to make sure you have fun on this trip”, he said like the angel he was.

“I am”.

“No, you’re not”, he uttered. “Honestly, Sophia this trip feels like it’s about everyone else except you”.

“It’s thankfully not my wedding”, I shared.

“But don’t you feel angry, tricked, lied to, deceived… anything?”

“Is this another free therapy session?”

“I call it, just my curiosity”, Oliver said coming to stand in front of me making our stop our little walk up the beach.

“I’d be lying if I said this was new. Michelle has always been this way. Whatever she wants she gets. It’s just this time she’s gone too far… I guess I’ve always just let her walk over me because… we’re friends? I’ve known her for so long…”

“So your best friend is basically only your best friend because of the sunken cost theory? That doesn’t sound healthy. I feel like you have more in common with Elisabeth and Sara. At least you have a relationship built on trust and understanding”.

“You’ve met Elisabeth twice and Sara once”, I acknowledged.

“I did read your notes. Surprisingly, enough they were insanely thorough”, I wouldn’t have written that much if I had known he was dyslexic. “It’s your choice at the end of the day, but from an outsider’s perspective is Michelle worth it? Is she worth lying to your friends and family? Dose she deserve all this effort you’re putting in to her wedding from actually setting it up to bringing me”.

“When you put it that way I sound really insecure”, I said running my fingers through my hair nervously.

“I don’t think you’re insecure. I think you put other people before yourself. And it’s easy to be taken advantage of when you’re that giving”.

“Yeah…” How many chances did I give Trey to be the man I wanted him to be. Too damn many. “You’re right”.

“I am”, he nodded. The ocean breeze wraps around us as the warmest of soft towels. Oliver drop the bucket and grab my hand,”Come on”.

“Where are we going?”

“You can’t come to Bermuda and not get in the water”, he was definitely right on that one.

We raced into the warm water splashing and playing like kids. I kicked up a wave and Oliver grabbed me by my waist pulling me closer to his rock hard body.

He stared at me with an intensity and passion I had never seen before. I felt my legs go weak and took my breath away,”Sophia…”

“Yes?”, I said completely hypnotized by his eyes, his touch…his everything.

“Tell me to stop and I will”, he said l leaning down and gently cupping my face. The sunset was breathtaking, but his breath and voice were completely undoing me.

God I wanted this!

I wanted his lips on my and so much more. But

I can’t…

I didn’t want to be the responsible one. I wanted to drag Oliver back to our room and bang our brains out. But the practical side of me wouldn’t let that happen,”I like you, Oliver—“

“I feel like there’s a but coming”, He said keeping his hands around my waist but pulling back his lips could have been on mine if I could just shut off my brain.

“There isn’t a but t. It’s just this is really fast especially for me. And My mind has 100,000 different scenarios on how this is going to end”.

“I don’t live in ifs. I know how I feel. And I know you’re to good for me—“

I couldn’t help but laugh the audacity of that statement made me snort,”You know you can have anyone? Any model or millionaires?”

“I want you, if you’ll have me”, He said with a slight stutter.

“We barely know each other”, actually that was a lie. Oliver and probably knew more about me than Sara and Elisabeth did. “And and I’m severely rusty on dating and your job and…and…”

Was I really going to turn down a good man because I was scared to get hurt again? Oliver wasn’t Trey.

He smart.

Kind.

Caring.

Considerate.

And he wanted to be mine.

I didn’t have to marry him. But I deserve to explore this fully.

I stood up on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around Oliver’s neck. His grip on me tightened and I felt the muscles in his strong arm tense up against my chest. I gently put my mouth on his. Oliver took my mouth, my desire, my lust and sent it higher and higher with his invasive and hungry kiss. I returned the passion with my own and couldn’t get enough of the taste of him. The passion he was unleashing in me was unparalleled – I’d never felt like this.

Oliver’s hand cupped my breast and I quivered. His mouth trailed down my mouth and neck to my breast and through the wet fabric, he ran his skillful tongue over my breast. I gasped grabing his head keeping it there – not wanting the joy to end. “You want more, Sophia?”

“Yes”, I begged.

I pressed my hand against his arousal in his swim shorts. Oliver gasped again when I took my fingernail and lightly outlined his bulge.

Unexpectedly, Oliver pick me up with ease as I wrapped my legs around his waist. “Back to the room”.

“Now”, I said slowly sliding down his body. We quickly raced up the beach partly falling over each other in a lustful haze until we made into the hotel. It was game over once we made it into the empty elevator. Oliver had me against the wall gridding deliciously into him. With every kiss I could feel his desire from me growing. The way held me, kissed me, needed me was sweetly unfamiliar and I didn’t want this moment to end.

“Whoa”, I heard Shane say making us both jump in surprise. I didn’t even know the elevator door had opened. “Sorry…”

I was so embarrassed my cheeks were burning with blush. Oliver put me down but but held me close by my waist,”Hey…”

Shane uncomfortably cleared his throat,”Ummm…Sara’s having a moment. Elisabeth wanted me to give them some space”.

“What happened?” I worried.

“The…”He coughed again,”incident we saw this morning was a little too close to home for her”.

Of course it did she knew what it was like to adamantly love someone and be crushed by it. I guess now we were finally talking about it. I looked up to Oliver and before I could even say anything he kissed my forehead and spoke,”You should probably go help her”.

“Thank you”.

I made a beeline to our room and as soon as I walked into the living room I saw Sara crying her heart out into Elisabeth’s lap. Our strong Sara was broken.

Elisabeth gently rubbed her back and trying to assure Sara everything was going to be okay. I crossed the space and headed over to the couch feeling my own heartbreak the closer I got. I wrapped my arms around Sara cocooning her in a hug hands hot wet tears ran down my arm. Sara held my tightly and cried harder. We didn’t need to say anything in this moment. There was nothing to say. Sara needed us. And we would be here until she didn’t need us anymore.

Chapter 15 See How a Pro Dose It

Well I didn’t expect my evening to end with me pool side of the resort in a Ledge Lounger next to Shane. The sun was slowly setting in the distance, and the heat of the night was upon us. The smell of chlorine was heavy in the air as small groups of people idol in the pool.

My God I wanted Sophia.

Like an addict I do anything for her kiss to feel her soft body pressed against me. Just the thought of what could have happened left my swim trunks uncomfortably tight.

“Can I get you another drink?” a woman smiled in a black two peace bathing suit with a matchingwrap around her waist carrying a tray.

“Manhattan with an Orange Twist”, I said breaking my rule… again.

“What’s in that?” Shane asked earnestly.

“A mixture of bourbon, vermouth, bitters, and a orange twist”, I answered.

“That doesn’t sound good at all”, He said folding his hands over his wide stomach.

“Its a gentleman’s drink”.

“I’ll just have a club soda. Thank you”, He said going back to his Kindle. Shane was a quintessential dad in his green classic polo,neatly tucked into khaki cargo shorts. He proudly wore knee high matching socks, chunky trainer shoes and the smell of Old Spice aftershave was strong.

“I’ll be right back with those”, the woman winked at me with a smirk before rushing off. Any other night, I probably would have pursued her interest easily. But, I didn’t want meaningless sex. I wanted something real with Sophia.

I laid back and stared up to the sky. The orange gold stretches far and wide, the colour of fire hearths and tangerines. At the edge of the cloud there was a brilliant white patch, like a turning page catching the sun. The rest was dove grey with a subtle hint of purple, just enough to announce the coming night.

“When do you think we’ll be able to go back to the room?” I asked Shane.

“I’d give it two or three hours. A lot of history and hurt has to be worked through”.

“Sara is the one that’s having a rough marriage?” If I had Sophia’s notebook I could just look up her stats like a pokémon but I didn’t have that in front of me.

“Yeah”, Shane said turning off his Kindle,”I don’t know how she does it”.

“Dose what? Stay?”

“Right. What’s the point in trying to save something that is dead? I only get bits and pieces from Elisabeth, but it seems like Sara is the one putting in all the effort meanwhile Zack has completely checked out. They don’t live together, don’t talk, they have completely separate lives so what’s the point of staying together?”

“Some people would rather have something than nothing”, I hypothesized.

“It doesn’t sound like she has anything”.

“If you get desperate enough you can make even nothing seem like something”, I said as the waitress came back with our drinks, getting as close to me as she could without actually being in my lap. And she had freshened her red lipstick.

The woman bent down showing off her full chest but I kept my eyes focused on her face. She whispered in my ear. “Shhh, don’t tell anyone. I stole these from another order. They can wait, and you look very hungry.”

I nodded, smiled, but was still uninterested. I leaned back as the waitress put a huge plate of nachos on the small glass table between Shane and I. “Thank you”.

The waitress cleared her throat. A couple of times. “You sure I can’t get you a beer? Or maybe something with a little more kick? How about a shot?”

“We’re fine. Thanks.” I said making her smile fall. When she finally left I popped a nacho in my mouth and offered Shane some. He happily took some like a giant teddy bear.

“Do you always get free stuff?”

“Yup”, I said taking a sip of my drink.

“It pays to go to the gym”, Shane laughed himself.

“A bit of genetics too”, I shurgged.

We sat in silence for the next hour and a half.

It was peaceful.

Shane read his book I played on my phone, people watched and mostly just waited for any sign that we should go back to the room.

Occasionally I would make eye contact with a mom across the pool who was supposed to be watching her three kids but kept her watchful eyes on me. I like to think that people that stare may be daydreaming. They may be old and lonely. They may be attracted to you. It’s impossible to say without asking them, and, in truth, they may not have a solid handle on why they are staring. What we can say for sure is that if they are a stranger then 100% it has nothing to do with me or whomever they are staring at. Their reactions and responses are a thing they own in entirety.

“Hey fellas”, God damn it. Trey came into view wearing a Hawaiian shirt and black matching shorts. He wore sunglasses even though there was no need for them with a sun as low as it was.

“Fuck off”, Shane said not even looking up from his book but got straight to the point. I respected that.

“Language”, Trey fowned.

“Go cause chaos somewhere else”, exactly.

“Fair enough”, Trey said with a shrug. He started to walk away but only three steps in and he came back,”I was looking for Soph—“

“No”, I said already boiling over with hate. I knew guys like Trey. He wanted to start a scene wanted to start a fight and get under our skin. And he was doing everything in his power to press our buttons.

“I just wanted to give her her pail of shells. You two had quite the time on the beach. It’s amazing the view you can get from your room”.

Was I supposed to be embarrassed by that? Or even the little bit least intimidated? I stood up with my drinking hand and nonchalantly asked him,”Did you enjoy the view? Might as well see how a pro dose it”.

I could see how my sly remark left him pissed. I could see he was trying to bite back his anger by moving his bottom jaw and tightly clenching his fist.

Doesn’t take much little man does it?

“What are you stalking her? Shane said throwing up his hands. Could you be any more creepy”, Shane exclaimed.

“Keep them”, I said motioning to Shane it was time to go. “We’ll be going back to the beach again. So you can just keep that as a memento”.

As we headed back to the room I felt like I had poked in angry bear. There was no way in hell Trey was going not take my shit talk personally. And the only person he was going to be able to take his anger out on was Sophia. I dare him to try.

Chapter 16 Sex is Just Sex

I woke up in strong arms. But, too tired to open my eyes. Elisabeth and I decided to give Sara a senative so she could calm down. She was crying to the point she was making herself sick. And she just needed to relax her mind for a moment. So we had the hotel staff bring her something and after she chased it down with a shot of tequila she passed out on the pull out couch Elisabeth set up for her.

Sara was going to have to get comfortable on that couch. Because her room also had water damage so she would be staying here for the rest of the week. If we even made it to the end of the week.

I was being lifted from the side chair. And when I finally mustered up my strength I looked up to see Oliver.

“Hey”, I said drowsy.

“Sshhh, go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you”, he said placing me down in our bed.

“I need to get up”, I smiled. I couldn’t say in my bathing suit all night. I shuffled over to the dresser without even thinking stripped down out of my bathing suit and put on my long night tee dress and shuffled back into bed.

As soon as my head hit my pillow I was out. Only to be rudely woken up 5 minutes later with the realization that I had just changed in front of Oliver. Mortified I rolled over to see Oliver had a huge grin on his face. “Forget what you just saw”.

“Absolutely not”, He said turning to face me pulling me closer his body. “I’ll be telling the grandkids about that. When I’m spinning around in my wheelchair in the old folks home”.

“We need to talk”, I said sitting up and turning on my lamp.

“Go ahead”.

“After this week what exactly do you think is going to happen?” Gone was the girl willing to fuck his brains out in the elevator.

“We play it by ear and see what works. We’re into each other why deny ourselves our attraction”, He said like it was just that easy.

“No. Because after this week you are going to go back to your world and I’m going to go back to my very boring life with Bubbles. You’ll completely forget about me—“

Oliver’s mouth came crushing down on mine and I immediately sank into the moment. This man was like crack.

And I was firmly addicted.

He pushed me down on the bed. I tilted my head up towards his, and he brushed my lips with his.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, as he kissed me more passionately. We fell into the kiss, and his arms got tighter around me, pulling me hard against his big body. The feeling of his arms encircling me, and the sensation of his full lips encompassing mine drove me wild! Oliver’s arms slid down my back and squeezed my ass. I jumped at the surprise, but then pushed myself closer to him, feeling his erection through his underwear. One of my hands slid between us, and I began to run my hands up and down his hard on. He kissed me more lustily now, and I knew he was ready for me.

God I wanted to explode from his touch,”Stop”.

Oliver did and and pull back to stare down at me. I was soaking wet in a way I rarely found myself,”Do you not want this?”

“Of course I do. I…I…I just can’t fall into bed with you. I care about you but it’s only been two days?”

“When you know, you know”, Oliver said as if that solved everything.

“No. That’s not how that happens. Right now, in this bubble, we’re in a cage of lust and infatuation. Oliver, you don’t want to be with me we barely know each other. I mean this in the best way possible you could have any girl. You don’t want me”.

“I do”, Oliver gently press a kiss on my neck before pulling me up into his arms holding me closely against his body,”And I know you want me. You wouldn’t have purred at my touch, your heart wouldn’t be hammering in your chest, you wouldn’t have your legs open and wet for me if you didn’t”.

“How would we even work you live in New Smyrna Beach and I’m in Orange City”.

“This amazing invention called a car”, he laughed.

“Yeah, I’ve heard of it. You drive yours without insurance”.

He rolled his eyes,”Next problem”.

“You’re going to school in the fall. Isn’t the University of Florida like 2 hours away. You’re not going to have time for a relationship”.

“Again, cars. Phones, zoom I’m willing to put in the work to make this work”, The emotion in his eyes was fathoms deep, yet they carried the warmth and life of the sunlit surface. They had a thousand hues of blue and a small touch of hazel radiating in softly swooping arcs.

“You’re job”.

“I’m not going to find out that you’re secretly a bigot are you?”

“No!” I quickly cleared up.

“Good because work is just that – work. It is not a reflection of my morality or about my personality”.

“I know that. You have to do what you have to do. But, I know I would be insanely jealous of any clients you would have to service…. physically. There’s nothing against you. That’s me. I am monogamous. And you can’t be that way with your job”.

“Okay, respect, commitment, and honesty. Sex is just sex, and if it’s for money it usually is even less than that. I would hope if you felt jealous you would talk to me about it. And remember, I chose you out of all the other women I’ve have had opportunities to be with”, And there’s probably a lot.

“Is it rude to ask if you would ever stop?”

“Once I’ve finished with school. I will”, okay that made me feel better so maybe only maybe eight years… O boy.

“I have lots of questions”.

“I have answers”, Oliver let go off my waist and lean back and I miss the touch of his hand instantly,”Ask away”.

“And you won’t get offended about any of them?”

“I will take it as a natural curiosity to a profession that isn’t widely accepted or talked about”.

“How can you not get attached to any of your clients?” He only spent two days with me so clearly I wasn’t the first he pulled this move with.

“I have rules that keep a barrier between me and the client. I’ve been doing this for almost 5 years. It was working well, until I met you”, o so I am the first.

“You’re not going to run off at the first sign of the millionaires are you?” He chuckled to himself,”What?”

“I’ll be honest with you I’ve tried that lifestyle. I’m not a man to be kept”, Oliver cupped my face and I felt my cheeks surge with blush,”I just want you”.

“You’re not going to fall in love with another one of your clients?”

“No”, he vowed pressing his forehead against mine.

Was I really going to do this?

Was I even strong enough to do this?

Yes.

Yes, I was.

“Okay”, With that answer Oliver pushed me down on the bed and started rising up my night shirt,”Whoa, wait”.

“Yes?”

“We can pump the brakes and go a little slow?” I asked unsure.

Oliver rolled over to his side of the bed and pulled me close so that my cheek rest against his bare chest,”How slow?”

“I haven’t seriously dated anyone since college so at least five or eight years”, And I felt like I was just jumping in the deep end.

“Since… You know who?”

“Yeah. I used to be the queen of Quarter night stands but…”,

“Quarter night?”

“You leave immediately after the deed is done”, I explained.

“Wow. You weren’t messing around—“

I laughed,”No that was the problem. It’s cheaper to invest in a good vibrator”.

“Okay. I bet I can make you cum harder”, I bet he could.

“I can’t wait to find out and return the favor”, I grinned. In the emotion of the kiss a volume of passion is spoken that transcends the works of the great poets combined.

“Go back to sleep before we find out”.

“Good night”, I said kissing him one last time and in that moment of the kiss our chemistry becomes an ever-bright flame.

“Good night”, Oliver said as he spooned himself around me. I had no idea how this was going to do. I didn’t have all of the answers or heck even the right questions to ask. But I knew in this moment I was safe, loved and cared for. And that’s all I wanted. Whatever challenges we had to face we would and hopefully we would be all the more stronger for them.

Hopefully…

Chapter 17 I Should Let Him Sleep

I woke up next to an angel.

Somehow throughout the night we had switched positions so I was spooning Oliver. His dark hair flapped in front of his face and he looked so peaceful. I can’t help the urge to run a hand gently over his shoulder and down his arm, feeling the warm smooth skin beneath my fingertips. Oliver sighed and rolled just the slightest bit towards me and I smiled to myself at his reaction. I continued my exploration, running my hand down his chest, stroking my fingernails lightly over his stomach to feel his muscles contract. He moan softly and stretch, wanting more.

I push the duvet down slowly, exposing Oliver’s body to his knees. I know my eyes glitter with my intent but his remain closed.

Should I let him rest?

Oliver stretched again, shifting closer as I pause and he seek my touch even in slumber. My hand returns, continuing its soft exploration of Oliver’s skin. I’ve never craved anything like I do the feel, the taste, of his bare skin. Leaning over, I gently kiss his neck and lick softly, trailing kisses lower.

Oliver’s hand raises seekingly in his sleep, cupping the back of my head, urging me lower still. I can’t help but wonder what his mind is dreaming of in this moment. I kiss his belly, nipping until I reach the waistband of his boxer briefs. I run my tongue across the skin just above the waistband and he moans, his voice slightly louder this time, and his hand becomes more insistent guiding me lower.

I know what Oliver wants and for a second I debate if I should give in or continue teasing him.

I want it too much myself.

My tongue runs down his hardness, through his shorts. Oliver hips raise, his hand threads into my hair holding my head in place. I use my teeth to tease him, to grip the tip of him between my lips.

Reaching up I start tugging his underwear down . I kiss the skin and nuzzle that soft spot on either side of his hips where his pelvis joins. I continue tugging the shorts down until I am able to free him. Oliver’s hardness amazes me.

Gently, I lay a kiss on the tip of him and taste the saltiness of the moisture there. I take the tip into my mouth and suck gently. Just the tip, in an out, sucking and licking as if he were a lollipop. I licked my way down his shaft to what lays beneath. I liked licking Oliver there, feeling him tighten in my mouth.

The texture rougher in comparison, but still a part of you.

Any minute now and Oliver would wake up. I shift between his legs so I can watch his face and I slowly suck his cock all the way in using more pressure and opening my throat to take every last inch. Bobbing slowly, I suck. Oliver stretched, smiling, looking down at me.

“Good morning,” he says cheerfully with a yawn. I smile and my head returns to its ministrations.

My hands grip Oliver’s hips, I feel like his body was made for mine as we fit perfectly together. I slide my hands up and across him, stroking his abdomen and running back down to his thighs as I watch his face. Oliver’s eyes are closed now but it’s not the same as before. There’s a tension there as he anticipate my mouth returning.

I don’t make him wait long before I resume licking, bathing him with my tongue from the base to tip in a slow swipe. I listen as Oliver groans and settle back. My hands urge his hips higher, my mouth now the vessel for his thrusts. He slides through my lips and I feel my body pulse as if he were thrusting into my pussy. I feel the moisture gather and know that I will cum from the pleasure that I am giving to him.

Oliver’s grip tightens in my hair as he erupts, hot semen in my mouth. His body pulses and slowly he relaxs and pulls me up to his chest to cuddle.

“Someone’s giving in the morning”, Oliver smiled before gently kissing me.

A playful grin came across my face.

“Only because you make it so easy”, I breathe as Oliver climbed on top of me deepening the kiss. His hands feverishly grabbed my body and pulled my panties off. He grinded his hips into my wetness.

I knew I was close to cumming as Oliver pulled up my nightgown. Our mouths met again, our tongues played together. His hands felt wonderful on my breasts. His mouth felt even better as he sucked my nipples. His hard cock pressed against my wet opening as I positioned myself for his entry.

Just as Oliver was about to show me a heavenly world of pleasure there was a knock at the door.

“Ignore it”.

And for a second I did until I heard Elisabeth voice come through the door,”We’re going to have breakfast with Michelle to talk about what happened yesterday”.

That killed my mood in it’s crib.

“Just a second”, I answered to Oliver’s dismay.

“No, stay here”, he said barely above a whisper burying his head in my chest.

“I have to go”, I said feeling terrible about just leaving him. It’s not like I wanted to leave this cozy little nest. But at the same time, I wanted Michelle to know what she was getting into if she decided she didn’t want Mason and was choosing Trey. He was a manipulator, a narcissist and had a fuse so short you wouldn’t even know you set him off until his fist collided with your face.

“I know”, Oliver said rolling off me and back onto his side of the bed.

“Give me a second to get ready”, I shouted back to Elisabeth. I climbed out bed and grabbed the first things I saw which was a black pair of leggings and a white crop top. I wasn’t going to put too much effort into the way I looked today because I had a feeling on how this was going to go.

Michelle was stubborn as hell.

Trey had a way of convincing the target of his “affection” the world was against them. And only he was telling you the truth. That the world was somehow jealous of what you two had.

And if it came down to that I would probably silently pack up my things and go back home. I was not going to stand by and let Michelle be manipulated by Trey and somehow think that she was in control of everything. I would tell her parents what was happening and end the friendship there.

I took a quick shower, brush my teeth put on my clothes and threw my hair up in a messy bun. I didn’t even bother with makeup. As I came back into the room Oliver was comfortably watching TV from the bed. I grabbed my purse on dresser and felt strong arms come up behind me and wrap themselves around my waist.

“Hold back some of that excitement”, Oliver said playfully as he kissed my neck.

“I don’t see this breakfast going well”, I fowned.

“How about dinner?”

“Just us?” I asked.

“Hoping”.

Like a date. “If my big mouth doesn’t get us kicked out of the hotel. I’d love to”.

I turned around wrapping my arms around his neck and greedily kissed his lips,”All you can do is warn her”.

“God this is going to be a shit storm”, But it’s the right thing to do. I wish, someone had warned me about Trey not that I would have listened to back then. But a warning would have been nice. “I’ll let you know how it goes”.

“And if you need a rescue just text me. I’ll make up some emergency”.

“My hero”, I swooned.

All right, enough stalling it was time to do this.

Chapter 18 Should Probably

I thought it was admirable what Sophia was trying to do for Michelle. She clearly cared about her. Even though I was starting to get the feeling Michelle wasn’t worth it. From the few moments, I’ve met Michelle I gathered she was bossy, entitled, self-centered and a complete control freak with no boundaries. And to top it off a cheater.

Even though it was the right thing to do by warning Michelle what she was getting herself into. I did not like that it was going to open up some repressed trauma Sophia probably had. But she even doing it for the good of another person.

By the time I threw on a pair of gray sweats and a white shirt the girls were gone. And that left me with Shane.

We both sat on the living room couch on opposite ends mindlessly watching SpongeBob. I heard Shane’s stomach growl and I looked over to him and he looked at me.

“We should probably get some breakfast”, I stated.

“Yeah… Should probably get on that”, But where we going to go down to the dining hall for the war that was coming and years of friendship that was going to be tested.

We sat in silence for a long moment,”We could probably order in?” I suggested.

“Yeah, yeah that sounds like a plan”, I was glad we were on the same page of staying the fuck out of this. “Do you game?”

“Yeah”.

“Cool”, Shane said with a nod. “You want to play?”

“Sure, What do you have?”.

“The new resident evil. I can only play it when the girls are asleep. It freaks out Elisabeth. If you have your own laptop we can play call of duty? “.

Well I’ll be damned I didn’t take Shane as a resident evil fan or COD. “Yes”.

Chapter 19 I’m Done When I’m Dead

“Okay, We’re going to stand strong and lay down the law. We’re not going to throw anyone out of the bus or attack anyone. We’re merely concerned”, Elisabeth restated for about the fifth time as we sat in the dining area waiting for Michelle.

The space was a beautiful circular room that had windows surrounding the space bringing in lots of natural sunlight. The kitchen was in the center of the circle which provided breakfast and a show. Our white linen table was perfectly set with a single rose in in a crystal vase as the centerpiece.

“How many times you going to say that”, Sara said back to her normal self. At least partially. She was dressed in relaxed khaki shorts and a blue Nike shirt working on her fourth sparkling grapefruit cocktail. I was no better on my third mimosa.

“Until we’re all on the same page”, Elisabeth said tapping her foot in a red polka dotted dress that had to be Minnie mouse inspired.

“We wouldn’t be here if we weren’t on the same page”, I said sipping on my drink.

“Either she tells Mason the truth or we tell him. No matter what the consequences are. We tell Mason if Michelle won’t”, Sara said firmly.

“Agreed”,Elisabeth said drinking her strawberry smoothie.

“If she kicks us out of the hotel where do we go?” I asked wanting to be prepared for any scenario.

“Well there’s a crack house down the street and we can be sex trafficked at”, Sara suggested with a dark laugh.

“As much as I would like to reenact the movie Taken. Do we have any other options that we know are safe? And are preferably affordable?”

“Isn’t Oliver like a successful businessman? You two should be fine”, Sara said leaning back in her chair getting a bit too comfortable with her legs open like a man.

“Would we get our deposit back?” Elisabeth worried bringing up another good point.

“I have plenty of credit cards so we’ll be fine”, Sara huffed staring up to the ceiling.

“Girl, I think you’re done on drinks for now”, I said going to reach for a cup only to have Sara slap my hand away.

“I’m done when I’m dead”.

Elisabeth and I shared a look of worry and concern. We were probably going to have to have another breakfast just for Sara. I don’t think she fully realizes that her marriage is over. Subconsciously, she knows but she just refuses to accept the reality. There is going to be lots of crying nights and days of drinking ahead of her. I could do anything to take that pain from her I would. But the first step is admitting it’s over.

And that’s the hardest step.

“Hey guys”, Michelle said running into the room wearing a white dress and a blue ribbon in her hair. She was carrying a binder that was exploding with plans. She looked relaxed, beaming with joy and no idea what we were about to throw at her.

“Hhhhheeeyyyyy”, Elisabeth and I said trying to match her energy.

“You guys sound dead”, She said taking a seat and throwing her hair over her shoulder.

“Let’s cut the shit, you whore—“.

“Sara!” I gasped.

“What?” Michelle said confused pouring herself a glass of water.

“We want you to know. We’re not judging you. Michelle. You mean the world to us”, Elisabeth explained trying to smooth over what Sara started.

“Exactly, and we care about your happiness but we’re worried about you”, I added.

“I don’t understand…” Michelle said looking to us to spell out the problem,”Is this about the room situation? I know it’s not ideal sharing space. But the hotel assures me they’re going to get the pipes fixed—“

“You’re fucking Trey”,Sara said looking like she was about to puke.

There it is.

“What?”

“Wouldn’t have said it exactly like that but…we saw you on the beach yesterday morning when we were having breakfast”, I answered as Sara pulled up the video and pictures she took on her phone.

“O my god…” She said turning pale. “What are you doing to do with that”.

My gut was churning because Michelle wasn’t going to take responsibility for what she did. Instead she was dragging us into this dispute. And I couldn’t give her the benefit of the doubt just because she was my bestie. A good person would have immediately reacted with ,’I’m sorry, I messed up. I will tell Mason. I’m sorry you guys got involved’. Instead Michelle’s first instinct to protect herself even though she was the one causing harm.

“Either you tell Mason or we’ll show him”, Sara threatened.

“We’re not here to shame you”, Elisabeth calmly stated. “We’re worried about you. You’re going to throw away five years with Mason for Trey?”

“No”, she cried. “I love Mason. I really do. It’s just with so much going on I just lost myself for a second. I didn’t plan for any of this to happen”.

Is that why you decided to take Trey to the farthest end of the resort for your make out session? That sounds pretty premeditative.

“You have to be careful truly careful with Trey. He’s not as helpful and caring as he pretends to be”, I warned.

“If you love Mason how could you do this?” Sara fired back. “How could you betray him in the worst way imaginable. He trusted you. He gave you a ring and is willing to promise you forever”.

“Please, please don’t tell Mason he will never forgive me”, Michelle begged. There was an awkward pause and it was time for everyone to take their stand.

“If you can’t tell Mason. I don’t think I could ever trust you again”,Elisabeth said speaking up.

“I’m sorry”, Michelle said tearing up. But I just didn’t buy them as genuinely sincere.

“I am too”, Elisabeth sniffled.

“I think we should go our separate ways. I won’t go out of my way to keep what we saw a secret, but I won’t be rushing out to tell the Mason either”.

“Okay”, She said forcing more tears from her eyes.

Okay? Okay, was all I got. I have known Michelle since childhood I was there when she had her first period and didn’t know what was going on. I’ve been here for her for every heartbreak, accomplishment and disaster. And all I got was… okay.

Sara pulled out her phone and exhaled hard as she showed the table her deleting the video and pictures.

“I always knew you were a fucking bitch. I wish you and Trey all the misery in the world. You really are a match made in hell”, Sara said standing and she took her drink and stormed out of the dining area.

“I’m really disappointed in you”,Elisabeth echoed going after Sara.

I didn’t know how to feel on this moment. I was a weird combination of sad angry and disappointed. But oddly enough I was level-headed,”My parents have been good to you you’re entire life. Your wedding is the highlight of the summer. I hope they’re still invited”.

“Of course”, she said softly.

“But, I won’t be there”, I picked up my purse from the floor prepared to end this conversation and friendship here. But I felt the need to add,”Be careful with Trey. When he comes into your life it’ll seems magical at first. But eventually every part of your life you let him touch will turn to ash. And you’ll be left with nothing”.

It only took three days to ruin a friendship I thought would last a lifetime.

Best vacation ever…

Chapter 20 You’re Psychotic

Everything that needed to be said was out in the open. I headed back upstairs to the room thinking everyone probably went to pack so we could find a new place to stay until our flight on Sunday. But surprisingly the only people in the hotel room I found was Shane and Oliver surprisingly having a good time playing some video game. They didn’t even realize I had come into the room from the way they were shouting and jumping.

I let them have their fun in peace.

Wandered around the hotel calling Sara and Elisabeth. Sara was the first to pick up. And smartly enough they were in the hospitality office trying to figure out another hotel we could to go to.

I snaked around the building until I found an elevator that would take me down to the office level. And just as I found the hidden elevator I made eye contact with the last person I wanted to see right now.

I quickly hit the close elevator door as I met Trey’s eyes. And I could see his evil smirk curl on his face as he ran towards the door. 3 seconds was all I needed for the silver metal doors to close. But like the flash he made it just in the nick of time to pry the doors open and join me in the small space.

“Sophia, I’m starting to get the impression you don’t like me”, I rolled my eyes at that comment and made my way out of the elevator only for him to grab my arm and on instinct I curled my fist into a ball ready to throw it only for Trey to grab my attempt at a fist midair. He held my fist tight bending it backwards and I refused to let him see how much it hurt.

“Do not touch me!” I shouted.

“I’ve been trying to talk to you for the past 3 days you can give me 5 minutes”, he spat pushing me to floor. As soon as I hit the floor I felt adrenaline rush through my veins. I became acutely aware of my surroundings. I was just in a hallway with no one to hear me scream. And no one was going to come to my rescue. “Why do you do this Soph? Do you think I like being the bad guy?”

You’re psychotic.

I quickly push through the pain in my side and stood up only for Trey to block me in.

I needed to say calm and focused on getting away from Trey.

If I cried he was going to hurt me.

If I begged him to let me go he was going to hurt me.

For now I needed to keep him calm until I could get back to the lobby where there were people.

Give him the attention he wants. But I could not show Trey I was a scared of him. “What do you want?”

“That’s better”, he said grabbing my face by my chin as he pressed his body against me. My heart was hammering in my chest so hard I was sure it was about to leap out of my chest. I couldn’t breathe with the smell of Trey’s woody aftershave in my lungs. My teeth chattered uncontrollably and my whole body started to tremble. I broke out in a cold sweat in my stomach lurched. A violent sickness hit me like a wave that had nowhere to go but out my mouth. I open my mouth and puked violently directly on to Trey.

We were both left in a state of shock. And I only needed a moment to get away from Trey. I took a full advantage of his dismay and disgust. I ran right back the way I came feeling like the walls were collapsing in around me.

“Sophia!” Trey barked.

My blood pounded in my ears mixed with my heart thudding in chest. My hands shook. My feet tingled. But most frightening alone my vision disfigured, as if I were looking through a fish-eye lens.

I had to get away.

And I was so close to the lobby area. I didn’t dare turn around to see how close Trey actually was. I focused all of my energy and being on running.

Just run.

“Sophia! You bitch!” He raged.

The sound of his voice roaring through the hallway only made me run faster until I collided into the last person I expected to see in the lobby,”Mason!”

“Whoa, Soph, where’s the fire?”

“Help me. You have to help”, any other day Mason would be the last person I would run to for help. He was just a golden retriever of a person from his blonde hair blue eyes and soft features I could never see him throwing a punch. But today I just needed him as a barrier between me and Trey.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

I couldn’t breathe. Any energy I had was gone and my mind was overwhelmed with fear. I knew I was going to faint when my stomach gave out. It felt like my innards were being replaced by some kind of black hole. Then nausea crept from my abdomen to my head and the world went black as I went down like a sack of onions, hitting my face hard on the lobby marble floor.