She Hates Me

"Earth to Justin. What the hell, man? You just lost five bucks on the Denver game and I don't even get to gloat because you haven't been paying attention? What the hell are you looking at?"

The three other guys at the table turned around and followed his gaze. "Okay, so she's hot, well, really hot, and by definition, that means what, boys?"

All together, "She's way the hell out of your league."

"And a Friday night heartache for sure... One look and you know she should come with a warning. The others are pretty hot too. You know what it's like when four hot girls sit together and you walk over there."

"Yup, like a pack of wolves that devour man flesh."

"No. More like a pod of sharks that eat manhood and testicles." He acted like a testicle rolled down his pant leg.

"A pod is of whales. A shiver is a group of sharks."

"Bull crap! You're setting me up with another false tidbit of knowledge that makes me look like an idiot when I repeat it to someone."

"No, Pete. For once he's not spreading falsehoods. Here look at my phone."

"In that case, good to know, Mr. Author, thank you for another nugget of trivia that no human should know. So, the four over yonder are shiver of shivering sharks that eat manhood and testicles."

"That's it! That's your next book! A young man, an orphan, of course, abandoned in the wilderness develops magical powers and transforms into a giant shark to fight the, uh, shiver?... yeah, the shiver of evil shivering sharks. He comes of age. Copulates with a lot of female sharks... It's got best seller written all over it. How the hell do sharks fo it anyway?"

Justin smiled, "Yup, best seller for sure, Pete. I'll be sure to dedicate the book to you so the world knows who was responsible for that wonderful idea."

"So if you venture over there, that shiver of sirens are going to rob you of your manhood. Just be forewarned."

"Yeah, you should walk over there holding your crotch like Michael Jackson, you know, just to keep things safe." They all laughed as Justin shook his head and smiled.

"Well, thanks for that keen insight, John. As I recall, you haven't exactly cut a swath through beautiful maidens."

"Now, you're just getting mean. While perhaps lacking in personal experience, I have spent extensive time reading and in chat rooms that discuss these issues."

They all laughed, "So, if I go over there to ask her to dance or talk, bad things could happen? She's just so... alive or something."

"And you are so dead if you go over there."

Laughing, "Yeah, as good as she looks, she should probably have a biohazard symbol or... or one of those radiation symbols. Maybe as a big old tramp stamp. So when you're ready to do the deed, you see the warning, realize you're about to plunge your manhood into the demon's lair, so to speak, and have time to run. You know, like those knights on Monty Python, 'Run away, run away.'" More laughter.

"But in your case, Justin, you would need to drug her to ever get a chance to be in that position."

The others laughed. "Probably right, James."

"You know buddy, as a man of the world, let me just tell you that James is right. And she is definitely not the way to start back into the dating scene. Trust me."

"We realize that you'd pretty well mastered the art of being turned down before..." He froze. "Sorry, Justin, I...?

He waved his hand in dismissal. "It's fine, Peter," but it wasn't. Putting on his happy face and laughing, "I know. I know, but it's maybe been long enough? Heck, I don't know. But there's just something about her there's..."

"What... you mean something other than her face, blonde hair, blue eyes, boobs and... well, everything else? And the other three aren't too shabby either. A den of sirens, untouched by mere mortals and those ordinary puny guys without massive musculature."

"I'm learning so much from you, John. Thank you. So, uh, who is it you're dating now?" They all chuckled.

"You know she was prom queen, cheerleader and every guy she's ever dated is a football player or shot putter or weight lifter or something. Hell, she has to have a boyfriend, probably six of them."

"A shot putter? Not very many of those to date."

"It's true that the swath I have been cutting has been temporarily been put on hold and has had the opportunity to fully grow back, and, further, I acknowledge that I am between women at this time, but by choice, I might add."

"Get off it! She crapped on you big time and called it off to go to the beach with that Fabio surfer looking guy."

"I never really cared for her anyway."

"Ah, horse crap."

Justin continued to watch her as the banter continued. They'd all gone to college together and although they all had different careers, they'd managed to stay in the same town. Justin would have been the first one married...

She was sitting with three other friends, obviously very close, like the guys were, but she was likely the ring leader. Laughing, full of life. Her friends had shots, she had a beer which she was slowly nursing. From time to time she would say something and a friend would shove her or throw something at her as they all laughed.

The twinkle in her eye... you could almost tell when she was about to create some mischief and make the others laugh or yell at her. Maybe... but then he felt the stab of loss again and was overwhelmed by the memory of what had happened and decided it was better to pay attention to his buddies and watch the other game.

He turned his attention to the overhead screen, but just then the girl stood up still looking at her phone. "THAT FUCKHEAD! THAT MF'ing PIECE OF SHIT! I dated him for a year and he breaks up with me during the stinking game by a text? Who the hell would do that?" Every voice in the bar paused.

She chugged her beer and then grabbed the full drinks in front of her three friends and downed each one. They smiled at her and each other. Her face contorted, her eyes bulged and she looked like she was about to vomit. "What! God, my throat's on fire! My stomach!" She grabbed a glass of water and drank it. "What the hell was that stuff?"

Trina, with a smile on her face, pointed at the three empty glasses with her index finger and laughed, "Double vodka, double tequila, and double whiskey. So, ladies, should we start the timer? Two beers or a big glass of wine would do her in. But this... I give her twenty minutes max. Hell, we might have to get her stomach pumped at the hospital. Shove all that charcoal stuff down her throat. What say ye, Avery?"

"Nah. She's pissed. With all that blood pumping around furiously, she'll be gone in fifteen. So who's going to be the lucky soul taking her home, hoping like hell she doesn't barf all over the car?"

"How do you feel about going home in the trunk, Becks?"

"Fuck you." Giving them all an angry look, but still standing and looking a little unsteady already. "Fuck all of you. I'll pay you back, but I'll show that little dicked, piece of shit how easy he is to replace.

"When you see him, tell him I found a new guy to take me home in thirty seconds. Thirty fucking seconds! See that guy over there with his buddies? He's been staring at me most of the whole fourth quarter."

Smiling, saddened by what had happened to their friend, but enjoying her antics, knowing that there was no way she'd ever do such a thing, Trina laughed and said,"No, Becks, he was looking at me. I am the better looking one, after all."

"Bull shit! You know damn well it was me. He's taking me home and going to get so lucky he'll think he won the lottery." They all laughed.

"Get out of here! No way, Beck's. You've never done that."

She swayed. "There's a first time for everything... and this is the night."

"And he is cute... and those arms... I'll bet his cock is bigger than his forearm."

"That thing'll be the size of a pencil when I'm done with it. I'll show that piece of dog waste, low life, dick wipe!"

"Uh, Becks?"

Looking down at her across the table. "What?"

Smiling, "Well, two things. First of all, I think there are still a few expletives you haven't used yet. You must be off your game." Becks gave her a stern look and thought about swatting her, but her head was starting to spin a little and she needed to steady herself with the table. "And second," glancing at her phone, "you have under fifteen minutes left."

"NO! No way! I'm not going down... except on him." The girls all laughed, but then she slid around the table and walked a little unsteadily towards the table full of men.

"Becks! No! God, we need to stop her, don't we?"

"No. Let's see what happens. He seems like a nice guy... and his friends are kind of cute too. We can always break it up." The others looked skeptical.

Beck's approached the table and pointed a finger at Justin. The other guys all smiled. "You! Why the hell do you keep looking at me?"

"Because you're beautiful... and there's just something special about you."

James spoke up, "It's because you look like his mother. She's hot."

She glared at him. "Then I'd bet you'd like to fuck his mother, right? And by the way, you're an asshole."

Justin just watched her while the others hooted and chuckled. Anger, pain, intoxication. "So are you going to go back there and dance with me or not?"

"I'd love to." He slid his chair out, took her arm and escorted her to the back where there was music playing. "So what's your name?"

"Becks."

"Well, Becks, pleasure to meet you. I'm Jus..."

She cut him off. "I don't want to know."

He looked at her questioningly as he placed his arms around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself close, pressing her breasts against his chest.

Looking up at his face, "You're not bad looking at all. And no flab as far as I can tell. And baby blue eyes... how sweet. Just like mine." She pulled herself closer and rubbed her breasts back and forth on him. "What do you think about those girls of mine."

"Nice, very nice." She felt wonderful in his arms, just as he had imagined as he looked at her across the room.

"They're just part of the many wonders of Becks. There's a lot more elsewhere that you'll like even more." She raised her head and kissed him. Gently, then hard, sloppy, too much tongue. He smiled. "I like your lips--a lot."

One dance, two dances, three dances--she got more unsteady. "That's it! Time for you to take me home and fuck me to death. I'll show that fucking piece of shit boyfriend... EX- boyfriend... that you don't break up with someone you've been dating for a year with a fucking text. And during the game. That piece of crap.

"Now take me home. No, I mean, take me home to your place. Then let the fun begin. I want to check out what's underneath those britches of yours." She reached down and grabbed him. Her friends shook their heads and as one got up to intervene.

She pulled away, took his arm and started pulling him towards the exit. Just then her friends surrounded them. "What the hell are you doing? No way are you leaving with her."

"I was going to take her home... to her place."

"NO! You're taking me to your place and screwing me."

Justin rolled his eyes. "I'm Trish, her roommate. Trina, Avery. We'll take her from here."

"Pleased to meet you. Good idea. Just wanted to make sure she got home safely."

Trish took Becks' arm to guide her, but she yanked it away. "No, Trish. Hands off. I'm fucking going home with HIM! I'll show that bastard. So, buzz off. I'm going home with him and that's that. I'll show that son of a bitch."

Avery smiled, "I knew she'd get around to using that one."

Becks started getting argumentative and combative. "Tell you what, Trish. I'll take her home," then mouthing the words, "to your place." Then whispering, "Before you ask, here's my license. Here's my phone, type in the address and you can follow me. That way we can maybe come back here some day in the future instead of being banned for life."

"Good idea, Justin."

"NO NAMES! This is anonymous, one night only, then I never see you again."

"Sounds like a plan. My truck's right outside. Come on, Becks. Let's head for my truck and I'll take you home."

"How do you know my name? No names. Like the movies." He rolled his eyes, yeah, like the hacker movies.

He helped her in, put the seat belt on and headed off. Looking in the rear view he saw Trish following. They'd been on the road about ten minutes when Becks looked outside the window. "Wait! Where do you live?"

"Lake Side condos."

"This is not the way! You're taking me to my place. We can't go there. Trish will be there. You're supposed to ravish me and make me forget that piece of dog waste that broke up with me. I can't wait to rub it in his face and see what he thinks..."

"I would love nothing more than to ravish you. You are an incredibly beautiful woman. But... I want you to want ME. Not just punish him. And I'd like you to be a little more sober."

"I am not drunk! Take me to your place, or... or...". She started to cry, "Or... I don't know what."

A few moments later he stopped at a red light and there was a sheriff's car parked in the gas station. She waved her hands towards the car and mouthed, "Help! Help!" The officer picked up his phone, turned on his lights and Justin pulled over at the first clear spot.

He walked up to Justin's side with his hand on his gun as Justin opened the window. "Out of the car and put your hands on the roof. Now! Nice and easy..."

"Sure, officer. Is there a problem?"

"What are you doing with that woman?"

"Taking her home, uh, to her home, not mine. She's a little, well, pretty loaded and I wanted to make sure she got home okay."

"Yeah, sure. Why was she waving me down and asking for help?"

Justin shook his head and his shoulders slumped. "Because she broke up with her boyfriend and I was supposed to be her one night revenge fling and instead, I'm taking her home. Look, that's her roommate, walking this way. She was following me to make sure."

"Damn. Drunks. Well, let me see your license." Justin pulled it from his wallet. "Justin Webster. That sounds familiar. And you look familiar. Wait! Are you the Webster from a few years ago and the bachelorette party?" Justin nodded sadly and a major hand reached in and crushed his heart to the size of a pea. "Bad business, that. Glad they got the guy, but must have been pretty rough on ya."

"Worse than you can imagine. That's why she's on her way to her apartment."

Trish had walked up and heard the discussion and the look of pain and grief that filled Justin's face. Wonder what that's all about?

After checking out Trish, the deputy went over to talk to Becks. "So, miss, why did you flag me down?"

"Because he was kidnapping me."

"But he's taking you home and your roommate is right here."

"He was supposed to take me to his place, not home. I have my reasons."

"I'm sure you do. So, here's the deal. Either get in Trish's car and let her take you home or I am going to arrest you for being drunk and disorderly."

"Crap. This is not going well."

Justin went to try to help her out of the car. "Don't touch me. Don't come anywhere near me. You ruined everything, you, you kidnapper. I hope I never see you again."

"That would be a shame, because I'd really like to see you again."

"Shut up! You're ugly as sin and I don't know what I was thinking. I hate your face, your hair is awful, and you're beard! You call that a beard? It looks like you shaved your pubes and stuck 'em on your face. And your shirt looks stupid, your truck's a piece of sh..." glancing at the policeman, "... crap. Do you have a dog?"

He shook his head. "Well, if you had one I'd hate it too. In fact I hate every fu... everything about you. I may have to have my boyfriend," she stopped and started to cry, "my ex-boyfriend, rearrange your face a little. And, Trish, you are on my shi... well you're in trouble. No Christmas present for you."

The deputy laughed as Trish drove off. "I think you two have a real future together."

"Actually, I think I'd like that. There was just something about her until her boyfriend broke up with a text."

Justin lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. What a night tonight was. No way could he have taken her home and had sex with her, not revenge sex or drunk sex or passed out sex or whatever it would have been. He chuckled, she would have been out cold in a few more minutes and any bouncing around would have had very frightening results.

But what a character! She was the kind of girl that would keep you on your toes all the time. A stab of pain ripped through his chest... like Lynn. Shit! Did it ever get better? But there was just something about her. He knew where she lived, but stopping by would just be creepy, right? Besides, she said 'she fucking hates me.' More than once.

He remembered an old tune about that and went to Spotify and typed it in. Yup. I'd forgotten about those guys. Puddle of Mud. He actually had this CD. Wonder where it's at?

His mind and his heart were still spinning. He gave up and decided to get up, sit in his chair and do a long meditation. Calm his thoughts and maybe get some ideas for his next book or another random chapter idea that he would expand upon, but might or might not use.

Beck's opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. Ten o'clock--crap--and immediately shut them again. "Oh, my stinkin' head. Wait! I'm not supposed to be here. I was supposed to be at that guy's place."

She got up and staggered. "Damn. I'm still drunk. What the hell? No wonder they say not to mix drinks." She staggered into the bathroom and sarcastically, "Good morning, Sunshine. You certainly look like shit today. Damn, and my mouth is so dry!" She brushed her teeth, ugh, the taste in her mouth was awful, ran the brush through her hair a few times and staggered out to the kitchen.

"Coffee! My kingdom for a cup of coffee. And some Tylenol, and aspirin, and Advil, and anti acid and a gun for you to shoot me with and put me out of my misery. God, if I ever see Tyler again I'm going to cut his dick off for making me do this. What an ass."

Laughing, "Speaking of being an ass, that was quite a performance you put on last night."

"Right. Sorry if I said anything mean to you or the others. Why the hell am I here anyway. That guy was supposed to..."

"Ravish you. Yeah, I know. His friends know. The whole bar knows. Everyone knows. I'll bet Tyler knows so you probably got your wish to piss him off. Getting the police involved was genius."

"Police? Oh, Jesus. Tell me what I did..."

"... And then you told him you fucking hated him, his face, his hair, his beard looked like he glued on pubic hair, his shirt, his truck..." She started to laugh, "And then you told him you'd even hate his dog if he had one."

"What did he say?"

"He seemed like a real nice guy and was very, very patient. It's weird though. The deputy recognized his name and said how awful it was when whatever it was happened a few years ago. I swear, Becks, the look of pain and loss on his face... I thought he was going to cry."

"Weird. So how did he manage to turn down a sloppy drunk like me?"

"He told you he would love to do it with you, but would want you to be doing it because you liked him, not because you wanted to get back at Tyler. Isn't that sweet? Thoughtful..."

"Something an ass would say? Yes. I swear I've never been turned down before."

"Oh, come on, you never asked anybody to do a one nighter either."

Smiling as she drank some coffee, "But however could he have turned down this magnificent specimen of woman hood."

"You mean after you rubbed your boobs all over him?"

"Oh, shit! I did do that, didn't I?"

"I think half the guys in the bar were ready to cut in, but..." batting her eyelids, "... you only had eyes for him. And when you grabbed his package..."

"Damn. Guess I can't go to that bar anymore, at least not on game night. I'm going to eat some toast and go back to bed. Wake me up tomorrow. Or the day after. Dang, my head is killing me."

"They say, the best thing for it is another drink."

"Yeah, or suicide. What was that guy's name, do you remember?"

"Yup, he put his number in my phone if you want to call."

"Do I look like I want to call?"

"I think you look like you want him to ravish you and grind his dick down to the size of a pencil."

"Oh, shit. I remember that! I thought you forgot everything then started remembering like the next morning or something."

"None of us could believe you were going to do a one night stand with him, well, not him, but I mean you've never done that."

"And actually, I'm glad I didn't. I mean, Tyler will think I did..."

"As will everyone who was there..."

"Shit! But I will know I didn't."

"Just be ready for a lot of guys wanting to date you... for your brains and personality, of course."

"Crap! So no dating for a while. So his name?"

"Justin Webster."

"Here, give me your computer. Let an expert take over. You always need more search terms." Clicking away, "Here we are... famous author on tour of US. Nah, he's too young. But here... oh shit, Trish. Yeah, here he is. Three years ago. His fiancée was at her bachelorette party, went to the bathroom and disappeared. They found her a week later, raped and stabbed. How awful."

"And no wonder he wanted to make sure you got home safely. When the deputy mentioned it, I swear, the look on his face, I swear he was going to cry... You should be nice to him Becks and make him a cake to thank him."

"Yeah, some thanks that would be. He'd be puking his guts out on any cake I made."

"You could heal his ass. Make him all better." Spreading her arms apart like a movie banner, 'Becks the Healer.'"

"I have never wanted to heal anybody. That's for nurses, social workers, someone who committed terrible crimes in a previous life... I don't know who, but not me. All I want to do is heal my head. Probably best if I never see him again. I'm still pissed at him."

"Pissed at him for being a nice guy?"

"Yes."

"Remember, we're going to the lake tomorrow."

"Sure. If I'm alive tomorrow." She walked in the bedroom, then turned around. "I kissed him, didn't I?"

"And what a kiss it was! Looked like you were trying to suck his tonsils out."

"Probably grossed him out..." looking off, "but his lips and those shoulders..."

"Oh my God, you like him!"

"No fucking way! I hate his fucking guts for turning me down. He should have just taken me to his place. I would have passed out and he could have done whatever he wanted for as long as he wanted, I wouldn't remember any of it and I would have my revenge. But, oh no, he had to be a frickin' gentleman. I should have picked one of the three stooges he was with."

"Oooh! You do like him!"

"Fuck you, Trish."

At ten the next morning, the four women were at the dock; each decked out in a tiny bikini with plenty of back end hanging out. Becks rented a paddle board and carried it to the end of the dock and started to slide it into the water. "Unless you've been doing it a while, you might do better with a wider one with more stability."

"I'm sure I'll do just fine. That little kid over there is doing it." She turned and came face to face with Justin. "YOU! The fucking asshole that wouldn't sleep with me!" A woman clutched her young children to her and hurried by. "Sorry, Ma'am."

Trina nudged Trish. Whispering, "... and she's off..."

"I see you brought the Stooges with you." She pointed fingers at them one by one, "Moe, Larry, Curly, or is it dumb, dumber, dumbest? And what makes you think I'm a beginner? I'm sure I'll be just fine." She slid the board in, tightened her life vest, grabbed her paddle and stepped on the board--which immediately slid out from under her and she started falling backwards.

Justin jumped forward and tried to grab her, but failed and made sure her head didn't hit the side of the dock. She briefly went under then bobbed to the surface from the flotation of her vest. "You ass! You pushed me in! If I see even the slightest snicker from the Stooges or my so called friends, there's going to be shit to pay."

Justin was smiling, "And you'd better wipe that grin off your fucking ugly face as well. I'll bet your good looking mother," she glanced at James, "who Larry wanted to pork as I recall, wanted to drown you when she saw you."

She moved to the edge and tried to pull the board closer to the dock, but with the bulky life jacket on she struggled. "Dammit. Now I'm going to have to put my hair up in rollers... Quit fucking grinning at me, whatever the hell your name is, and give me a hand."

Justin extended his paddle to her and pulled Becks and her board closer to the dock, then reached down to give her a helping hand. As he bent forward to give her a hand, she yanked him forward. But instead of falling head first into the water as she'd hoped, he turned it into a long jump and landed crouched on her board with paddle in hand and the board sailed ahead.

"Thanks, Becks. Here, I'll take this one. You use the one I brought." She bristled, then yelled. "You're an ass and I hate you even more. God, if I ever meet your mother... and if you ever get a dog, I'm gonna kick the hell out of it!" Trish came over and gave her a hand.

"Moe, which board is his?"

John pointed. "We use the kayaks. Easier. Less need for balance."

It was larger, wider and thicker. "Are you implying I'll have difficulties?"

"Uh, nope. No way. We're sure you are a natural."

"I was a cheerleader--high school and college--and have magnificent balance.

"Don't say it, Larry." Her friends were still trying to suppress grins.

"One of you gentlemen, please put the board in the water for me. Thank you."

She was about to kneel onto the board, when John said, "We'd have slept with you, Becks." She froze. Her friends smiled at one another. Oh shit! The boys braced themselves for incoming.

She stood and turned around. "John, dear, was that you who said that?" He nodded. "Well, thank you, I'm flattered. But I'm sure," raising her voice, "you ass wipes would sleep with any skanky, disease riddled creature that's between three and eight feet tall, 50 and 500 lbs. in weight and eighteen to eighty years of age as long as they sort of vaguely resembled something human."

She took a deep breath and looked around, "So, in case you missed it, you know, didn't get my drift, I would rather cut off my boobs and staple myself shut before I'd let any one of you three so much as touch me with those creepy, disgusting hands of yours. And quit looking at my ass, James, or you're going to come face to face with Mr. Paddle."

As she got ready to climb on, she turned around and looked at all six. "My apologies. I seem to be out of sorts today. THAT FUCKING FRIEND OF YOURS... Anyway," pointing, "James, John, and what's your name?"

"Peter."

"How nice, the Bible Boys. No longer the Stooges. Where's Luke? Anyway, Boys, this is Avery, Trish, and Trina. They are far less discriminating than I am and known for how quickly they like to jump into the sack with suboptimal human specimens; and you might actually stand a chance with them. Have fun everyone. See you on the lake."

She started to get down again, but straightened and turned around. All three braced for the next assault. "Peter. You seem to be the brightest of the three. How did he do that? How the hell did he just jump off and paddle away?"

"Diving."

"Diving? You mean like skydiving?"

"No, uh, spring board and platform, mid and high, uh, you know, diving into the water?"

"Thank you, Peter. As a reward," winking at Trish, "you may look at me as I paddle away and dream of me tonight and each night for as long as you'd like. But if you fucking do anything creepy with your hand while you're thinking of me..." smiling, "well, I wouldn't blame you." Her friends cracked up and Peter turned red.

She climbed onto the board, stood up, positioned herself and started paddling. A series of big waves came in from a boat set up for surfing in the wake, riding low in the back end. The third one got her and she fell in. She slammed the paddle on the water, "FUCK!"

Back onto the board and she started to paddle. Justin had circled back and came close. "Now you've got it. See. Nothing to it. Soon you'll be able to do this." He did a head stand on the board. She threw her paddle at him and knocked him into the water, but as a result she lost her balance and went in as well.

"Now see what you've done, Mr. Show Off?"

Popping back onto the board and sitting, "I'm sorry. I feel we kind of got off on the wrong foot." Stifling a grin, "I apologize for not sleeping with you Friday night. It would have been my pleasure."

"Yes, it would have been, although probably pretty boring and hum drum for me."

He smiled, "Probably. I'm...," he hesitated.

"Out of practice? How could that possibly be true when you have yourself or your inflatable?"

He smiled then nodded. "But she really understands me... and I've been dating my AI girlfriend for over a year. I would have felt kind of guilty cheating on her, you know, with a flesh and bones human, but she has encouraged me to reach out."

She stifled her laugh. Nope, not going to give him the satisfaction. "I'm happy for you. What's her name?"

"Becks."

She looked at him trying to pierce the layers. Just another guy. Remember: he's just another guy! But he wasn't. He was so different from all of the usual men she dated--different than anyone since high school. Why did she even care?

But he was kind of nice and funny and Trish was right, he was actually cute and those shoulders! She remembered the feel of those shoulders and his lips... she remembered the feel of those lips before she slobbered all over them. Her face turned red--red with embarrassment, red with anger. Anger at her ex-, anger at herself, anger at Justin.

Dammit! He should have just taken her home to his place, let her pass out or let her wake up nude in his bed filled with regrets and wondering what the hell had happened. But he'd saved her from those regrets, right? Shit! This was too complicated.

"So what's your name?"

"Justin Webster."

"And what do you do?"

"I'm a writer. Uh, and I work at the hardware store."

"So, there's a Justin Webster who's a famous writer. Any relation?"

He shrugged. "I've written a few things."

"So, the crap you write is not worth a crap since you're working at the crappy hardware store. You're like the actress bussing tables, waiting for the big break?" She put on a moon face and looked to the sky, "Waiting, just waiting for her dreams to be fulfilled."

"That's a lot 'craps' in one sentence. So, you read my book?"

"You write romance crap? You! Mister I won't even sleep with a girl who wants to sleep with me? No! Wait!" Laughing, "I'll bet you write that romantasy porn stuff. You and your AI buddy have sex filled romps with goblins, trolls, orcs... oh, and elves. I hear elves screw like rabbits."

"You mean from behind?" She frowned at him. "Well, it's true I didn't want to sleep with you last night. I would like our first time to be about me, about us, not about him--memorable."

She looked at him, "There will be no 'first time.' The door is shut, window of opportunity closed, option off the table."

He laughed, "Maybe you should be a writer. That was pretty poetic, but I think you know that's not true. It's destiny, 'written in the stars.'" He waved his hand across the sky to emphasize his point.

Watching his face, "You... You are one sick monkey with delusions of grandeur. Better talk it over with Becks. Miss AI will tell you how full of crap you are. Didn't you say you lived around here?

He looked embarrassed, "Yeah, pretty close." Why was he embarrassed?

"Where?"

"Well, actually, in that condo right over there. Top floor so I can contemplate the meaning of the universe, watch the fish jump, and watch the boats go in and out."

"Fibber!" He shook his head. "Holy crap! I want a job at the hardware store. No way. Your hot mom must give you money. Are your folks rich? Maybe I should open that window again. You're what like twenty-five, six and your mom gives you money?"

"Well, uh, no. Actually, I give her money."

She stared at him again and wrinkled her forehead in contemplation, "From working at the hardware store? Me thinks you're full of crap, Justin, me boy."

"You have quite a way with 'crap', Becks. It's endearing."

Shrugging, "And you have quite a way with being a dick. But doesn't really matter. So what do you write? Are you any good? Well, you must be at least fair to live there. Or does one of the Los Amigos trio own it?"

"Nope, mine. What do I write? Books, mostly, but also short stories, novellas, I don't know. Whatever strikes my mood at the time. My mom thinks I'm good at it."

"Your hot mom?"

He smiled. "Yeah, my hot mom."

"Did anything ever get published? Well, again, must have if you live there."

"A few things." He wanted to change the subject, "So what do you do?"

"Interior design. I co-own the design shop in town with Trish. The 'Everything Should Be Beautiful' shop."

"I've passed by that place. Looked nice."

"But you were afraid to go in right? Too girlie? You like your testosterone laden man cave where women tremble in fear and their pants fall off?"

He shrugged again. "Never had a date there."

"What? Anyway, I can see it now, holes in the crusty fabric chairs, stains on the couch, lamps your mom gave you."

Smiling, "Sounds like you've been there." He shrugged, "My friends like it."

She smiled, "I'll bet they do. 71 inch TV? Surround sound? Multiple speakers? King sized bed? Refrigerator with nothing in it?"

"Right about everything but the refrigerator. I have a lot of ice cream and toppings in there. Oh, and ice cream sandwiches and dipped ice cream cones... You know, never know when the mood might strike."

She suppressed a laugh and stared at him again. He stared back. "You're going to make things complicated for me, aren't you, Justin?"

"It's only fair. You complicated things for me the first time I looked across the room and saw you." He shrugged, "And then you nearly got me arrested... and I was afraid you'd barf in my truck..."

"And this is why I hate you. I'm going back. See you later." She paddled towards the dock and he followed.

Carefully looking back, "Justin, you can only stare at my ass so long and then the novelty wears off."

"I can't imagine that ever happening. I wish I had my camera. I could make a poster, frame it. No, it's research. I was thinking about writing a short story about an ass that jiggles and has nipples on it. You know, all the adventures it gets into. How all the men just want to talk to her ass."

She turned around, threw her paddle at him, lost her balance and fell in. Justin continued to paddle. "You're an ass with nipples!" Feigning pain, "Crap! I have a cramp! Justin, you need to help me!"

He grinned at her, "Now, Sweetie, I wasn't exactly born yesterday. I have an older sister." He continued to paddle.

"God, you are such a piece of shit! I wish I had picked out one of the Stooges. If I ever meet your mom, I'm telling her what a piss poor job she did and what an ASS you are."

"She already knows. That's why I'm a writer. Brother--surgeon. Brother--assistant district attorney. Sister--runs her own company. Didn't want to be an Indian chief, butcher or baker, so, Justin--struggling author with no ideas for his next book except for an ass with nipples." He shrugged and continued to paddle.

"Loser! AND MY ASS DOES NOT JIGGLE! IT'S HARD AS A FUCKING ROCK!"

He spun around on his board, "I know. It's beautiful, just like the rest of you. I'll take your board back to the rental place. Give mine to Pete, I have to pack. See you in about three weeks. I'll miss you, but my nights will be filled with sweet dreams of you. Be ready for a whirlwind romance when I return. Oh, and feel free to dream about me."

"I'll be screwing the Stooges by then. Maybe all three of them. At once. Have a safe trip." She felt a stab of pain, of loss. What the hell! She just met him and he pissed her off. Three weeks? She wouldn't see him for three weeks? Dammit! Why did she even care? But she did. Dammit!

She climbed back on the paddle board and decided to just paddle on her knees, but sat there. She couldn't believe how many times she'd fallen. Kayak next time for sure. Screw this paddle board crap. He was such a friggin' show off. Who the hell did he think he was? Three weeks. Damn!

Her reverie was interrupted by a fleet of six kayaks and the crew was laughing and carrying on. "Well, looks like you two were really hitting it off. Emphasis on the hitting."

"Fuck you, Trina." Pointing at James, "You. Moe!"

"Oh, don't call him that. It's mean."

She looked at Avery, squinted her eyes, then the others and frowned. What the hell? Quite a shift in the dynamics. The girls liked these three. And then she noted they were sort of lined up in sets of two. Holy shitbags! "Avery, you are exactly correct. James, John, Peter, I apologize for treating you like dog waste. It was mean and disrespectful." All six braced for the avalanche... but it didn't come.

"Your friend has caused me considerable emotional upheaval which, although my friends will vouch I'm very familiar with and usually bring upon myself, I still find most unpleasant. But I shouldn't have taken it out on you three. You were just innocent bystanders. So I am sorry and will endeavor to treat you three like fine human beings I'm sure you are."

The six still hadn't relaxed. "So, James, you look the most trustworthy... uh, sorry. I have difficulty with impulse control." The girls smiled, the boys just looked... waiting. "Why the hell is Justin disappearing for three weeks?"

"Uh, well, we're not supposed to discuss Justin's, uh, business side."

"Ahhh, James. You're trying my patience... and I'm trying so hard..."

Hurriedly, "But I guess it's alright to tell you. He doesn't like to make a big deal of it..."

"James. Final warning."

"Okay! Okay! He has a book signing tour. New York, Philadelphia, Boston, west coast... uh, I don't know where all he's going. And then..." looking at the others who shrugged, "uh, and then he's involved in discussions about movie rights or something."

"That cock sucking, low life, piece of shit." Imitating his voice, "'I've sold a few things. My mom thinks I'm good.' He's so full of crap!" She almost laughed, she'd used the word again.

"No wonder I hate him. He made it sound like he was some sort of struggling artist and only his mom thought he was worth a damn." Yelling, "I HATE YOU, JUSTIN WEBSTER!"

"Dang, Becks, he's the one on the internet we saw. The guy we thought was too young! He's stinking famous!"

"And rich, right boys? Does he really live in that condo over there? With a giant TV, surround sound, etc., etc." Hesitantly, they nodded their heads.

A hand was raised. She smiled and calmly, "Yes, Peter."

"In fairness, he has been a struggling artist. He's only loved one woman in his life and She was killed about a week before the wedding. Worse, it seems she was raped and tortured before she was killed.

"He didn't, well he still hasn't done very well with it and his last three books were really dark. Kind of a dark trilogy. We didn't think they would sell, gloomy, filled with pain, sorrow, regret..."

"I got the picture, Peter."

"But he got a real cult following. People loved the pain, the gloom and despair that filled every page and they sold a crap load."

"Yes, John."

"But he's trying to get out of the pit and write like he did before..."

Her chest tightened. She gave a thoughtful look. Oh, God! Poor Justin. It must have been so awful..."Thank you, Bible Boys, for sharing. Oops, there I go again. Old habits, you know... Thank you James, John, and Peter for sharing something I assume the dickhead do not want you to share."

She looked up towards the dock. "NO! Tyler, NO! Shit!" She got a pained look on her face. "Dammit, Tyler's going to beat the shit out of him." She started furiously paddling towards the dock.

"YOU! Are you Justin?"

"Yup. And you are?"

"Tyler. Becks' boyfriend."

Showing no fear or concern, remaining relaxed but alert, even though Tyler had him by a couple of inches and thirty pounds, "I'm sorry. It was my understanding that you broke up with her during the game with a text message. Pretty shitty thing to do, Tyler. So, that kinda makes you her ex- boyfriend."

"They say you took her home and fucked her Friday."

"Well, she asked me to and who could blame her? And I do have to say, Tyler, that she was a tigress! Holy shit! I was in fear of breaking something and the scratch marks she left on my back... She said it had been at least a year since she'd had a cock in her that was worth a crap. And," looking off, "those nipples on her ass..."

Tyler's face had gotten redder and redder and he balled up his fists. Then charged and swung wildly at Justin. Justin dropped the paddle board between them and as Tyler charged, he used it to guide him past him to the side and swung it around behind him and used it to propel him off the end of the dock and into the water.

"I'm gonna beat the shit out of you when I get out of here."

"Nice meeting you, Tyler. Gotta go. Sorry about your phone." He then jogged with the board to the concession stand, dropped the board off and headed for his car.

Becks climbed onto the dock and yelled at Tyler in the water. "Tyler, what the fuck do you think you're doing? You broke up with me!"

"Sure, but that doesn't mean you can go fuck some guy two minutes later! A year! I invested a year in you. We were together a year."

"You fucking INVESTED a year in me? What the hell does that even mean, you friggin' a-hole."

"A whole year and in two minutes you pick up some stranger and have sex with him. He said you were a tigress and left marks all over his back. You never did that with me! And nipples on your butt! What the hell does that mean?"

She smiled. Thank you, Justin. Maybe she didn't hate him. Maybe she would claw his back after all. Three weeks. Damn! "Well, Tyler, honey, you know what it's like to get a little 'strange' on the side. Isn't that what you were doing to me, when you cheated on me? I wasn't enough woman for you, you fucking cheating mother fucker!"

"That's different. It didn't mean anything. Men have their needs."

"Well, sweetie, I understand, but you know we girls have needs too and so I started cheating on you about the time you started cheating on me. And, oh! Some of those cocks we're just so delicious. Gets me all kinds of of moist just thinking about them. And when I get real excited I get these nipples on my butt.

"Oh, I'm sorry Tyler, you never saw those did you? I mean, you were nice enough to be with, but, honey, and I know you tried real hard, but you really need to watch some movies or something." She slumped her shoulders and gave him a helpless look, "Same fucking fuck every time. In out, in out and you were about done. I mean what was a girl to do?"

"You fucking bitch. No one cheats on me like that, I'm going to..."

He climbed out of the water and the three guys stood in front of her. "Not sure you're going to do anything, Tyler, except leave the dock and go feel sorry for yourself. Justin might have been a swimmer, but we were boxers in the service. I don't know, but three against one..."

"Fuck you. All of you!" He stormed of the dock.

Becks hugged each of the boys in turn. "Thank you. I may have gotten a little carried away and poked the mean old doggie a little too much. You know, that impulse control stuff." Laughing, "I can't for the life of me understand why he took it so personally. I'd never cheat on anyone. I'd just dump their ass first, although in retrospect, I should have cheated on him.

"So, I think I owe you three dinner. My treat. Were you really boxers? In the service?''

They looked at each other and laughed. "Hell no! I about peed my pants. I was ready to jump in the lake and hope I could out swim him. I knew he could out run me. I don't think any of us has ever been in a fight and he would have killed us. I was kind of hoping you ladies would jump in and make it six or seven against one."

All seven laughed then. "With that confession, I thank you for your extreme bravery. Perhaps a medal is in order. What about Justin?"

The three looked at each other..."Boys... you may have noticed my difficulty with acting out..."

"No. He can't fight. A guy punched Lynn and started dragging her away. Justin ran and caught up to him and... well, got beaten up pretty badly--some new teeth, a concussion, broken nose. Gave Lynn a chance to get away and call police. They never caught him and he turned out to be the same guy who a few months later..."

All the women flinched when they understood the implications for Justin. Becks felt a real stab of pain in her chest. It caught her off guard. WTF? She shook her head, "Oh, dear God. How awful. Poor Justin..."

They all watched her, then to lighten the mood, "Just so you know, he snores as a result."

"Well, that's a deal breaker for sure, James. And how would you know that."

"Uh, we slept together a few times and you know, when you're that close...." The other guys laughed.

She could play the game. Acting very surprised, "So you two were bunk buddies? I'm assuming the romance is over?"

"Yup. He just wasn't the guy for me. And then that AI bitch..."

"James! Explain!"

"Okay, so I went with him on one of his trips to the west coast. He'd do meet and greets while I explored the cities. He still kind of looks at me in that special way, though."

Shaking her head, what a crew. "That's nice, James. Butt first... see what I did there? But first, Pete, he said to give his board to you. I'll turn in the paddle. Where do you want to eat. Better make it cheap."

"She snores too."

"Trish, I swear, sometimes... too much over sharing. You should know that Trish has a tendency to make up stories just so she can fit into the conversation. I. Do. Not. Snore!" Smiling, "And since you are so close to him, James, you can share that with him.

"So, we ladies all have to go home and change and then meet up. Do you think Justin would have time..."

"I don't think so. He was already packed and he left here sort of late to get to the airport and catch his flight on time. I think you kind of distracted him, uh, or something."

"Yeah, I don't know how he does it. A different town every day--sometimes two. Stand up in front of all those people, read something from the book, talk for a bit, answer questions, same questions over and over, then sign a bunch of books.

"No thanks. It's like he turns on some alter ego or something, you know, because usually he never wants it to be about him. He's like introverted, you know."

"Yes, John, I'm familiar with that word. I mean, after all, I'm an introvert myself." The girls laughed, the three men were hesitant. "Oh, come on, boys! Loosen up. I promise not to hurt you, especially since these three friends of mine seem to have lost all sense of taste.

"Oops! I did it again. I apologize and wish all six of you only the best. As you were saying, John..."

"He makes a lot of anonymous donations to the foster kids thing, and that shelter for abused women, takes a bunch of those things on the wishing tree, you know... He does a lot for them. I guess because of Lynn." John shrugged.

She frowned. Of course the fuck head had to be too good to be true. Shit! She already missed him. His smile, the way he enjoyed her giving him crap, the way he looked at her face, he... he just felt kind of right.

He seemed to be what she'd been missing with Tyler, missing with her previous guys, and maybe missing from her life. And just when she had decided to jump into the deep end, he was gone. Three weeks. Damn.

She took them to dinner, but her heart wasn't in it. She spent most of the time on her phone while the rest of the crew laughed and got to know each other better. She ordered all his books from Amazon. Dang, the reviews were great, the comments... Did an online search and read article after article about him. How could THIS guy be the guy she gave crap to? The guy she couldn't get out of her head?

She felt bloopy. She'd lost her energy. "Okay. You all stay here and have fun. I'm going to take Miss Lack of Sunshine home. We have some things to discuss. Peter, I'm expecting you to text me about an upcoming date very soon or I'll unleash Becks on you. Got it?"

He grinned. "Careful about how you respond to that completely uncalled for slap at me, Pete."

As Trish walked to the car with Becks, her phone went off. 'How about tomorrow? After work. Dinner or just a sundae. I don't know when you eat.'

A smile filled her face and she paused, 'Come to my place at seven and I'll make you dinner.'

'Great. What can I bring? Text the address. Can't wait.'

"See how easy it could be, Becks. Just relax and let it happen. I'm seeing Peter tomorrow."

"Too late to relax. I miss that ass."

"And maybe quit thinking of him in terms of cus words and body parts. Think of him as Justin. You've been bitten, haven't you?"

"I swear, I think he's already devoured a leg or two. This is just too crazy. Too fast."

As they drove home, 'Justin. Thanks for what you said to Tyler. I appreciate it more than you know. Have a safe flight and a successful journey.' Successful journey? Who the hell writes crap like that? Dammit! That word again--too much, she used it way too much. He was right. She should tell him she missed him and... screw it.

An hour went by. No response. Another hour, no response. She was just climbing into bed when her phone went off. 'Sorry for the delay. Stuck on the tarmac. Happy to help. I don't think Tyler and I are going to be bosom buddies like you and I are.'

She blushed as she recalled rubbing herself on him. What the hell had she been thinking? She laughed. Maybe she needed an AI boyfriend while he was gone. Damn, he came up with the craziest stuff, but he was a fantasy writer after all.

The next day at work she just seemed to lack energy or something. Finally around one, Trish walked over to her. "Mrs. Rollins loved your design plans. Why don't you go over there and finalize things with her and then go home and do some reading. But we need the bright, high energy, exciting Sunshine Becks at Mrs. Rollins'. Got it?"

"Yes, boss."

"Becks, relax, please. Just relax and see what happens. His buddies say they haven't seen him like this... well, since Lynn. God, that was so awful. I can't even imagine."

"And on that note, I'll leave and then try to turn on Sunshine Becks."

"Sorry. See you at home. Peter's coming around seven."

"I'll be in my room reading with headphones on. Don't you dare mess around on my couch!"

"No promises."

Becks poked at her dinner. "Becks?"

"Three days, Trish. Three days and he hasn't texted me."

"Maybe he's tied up. Maybe he's on the west coast and the time change is messing things up. Maybe he's scared since you gave him so much crap! Maybe he's afraid you went back with dick head. Dammit, Becks, now you have me talking in body parts."

"This is too hard, too complicated. I don't know how to talk to him, what to say, what to discuss. He's rich! I don't know how to act with rich guys!"

"Oh, my goodness, you certainly don't want to date a rich guy who doesn't act like a rich guy. Nothing could be worse than that! We work with rich people all the time and you talk to them.

"But this is different."

"Yeah, he's 'normal,' Becks. Just talk to him like he's any other guy you met, well, any non-muscle head you just met.

"Let Momma Trish talk to you a moment. You have done nothing but date muscle bound, bone headed jocks since you started cheerleading. Most of the guys selected you as opposed to the other way around, used you until they were tired of you, then cheated until they found another knot headed girl and moved on."

"Now, I'm not sure that's entirely true, Momma Butthead. And I'm not sure I appreciate the knot headed girl reference."

"Really? Which one of the all star cast of Becks daters was different?"

"Errr..."

"Never mind. What did you and Tyler talk about? What was his family like? Where do they live? Does he like Christmas? When's his birthday? Where did he want to be in five years? Did he ask about you or your family or our business or politics, religion, current events, anything? Or was it all football, the upcoming games, the crazy stuff he and his pack of low IQ friends did... oh, yeah, and screwing.

"Most of the time you guys never talked. He came over, you went to the bedroom and had sex. Sometimes he'd stay, sometimes he wouldn't. Hell, Jackson before him was the same way. Ask him what the weather was outside and he'd have to look at his phone."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I tried hinting at it and always got the Wrath of Becks on me. We work together; and I love working together; so I didn't want to do anything that could impact that. And, like I said, same guy, different name, since high school."

She was thoughtful, but then a look of understanding came fully front, "You're right, Trish. Crap! I mean, dang! Justin said I used the word crap a lot."

"There are a lot of words you would probably do well to say less. The dirty dozen or so. You're not some ghetto hip hop rapper, you know."

"Right again, Mother Trish. Gosh, oh gee, Wally."

Trish smacked her arm. "Wise ass."

"No, you're right. I guess, I was just used to guys being like that."

"But they aren't. Look at John, James, Pete. Accounting, construction, architect. Three entirely different men. Different backgrounds, different jobs, different plans and yet they are all kind, considerate, thoughtful, know all sorts of things about all sorts of things.

"When I talk to Pete, our conversation flows from soup to nuts as they say. He knows movies, music, NASCAR, heck, he even knew some about quilting and how it's done. I'm always amazed at what he knows. But all three are like that.

"I know he wants to go to bed with me, but he's patient--it's not the only goal, it's part of the whole package. How many of your guys can you say that about?"

Sadly, "None. The only books they know are playbooks and comic books."

"So, point is, you are smart, you never admit it, but you know all sorts of things about all sorts of things, you like to read, you know all kinds of big words... and now you have a guy, who probably needs your help, and that could be a problem, but I don't think so. I think he has enough self awareness to understand what he's doing, how he feels, and manage it.

"You have a chance with a guy who is a nice guy, who is a hunk and a half, no extra anywhere unlike the other three. He obviously likes to work out, who also likes sports, AND HE'S NOT SOME STRUGGLING WHATEVER! He's actually successful and not squeaking by like most of your guys.

"Most importantly, he likes YOU. Your brain, your heart. I'm sure he likes the rest of you as well since you rubbed all over him and grabbed his package."

Shock filled Becks' face. "Oh, no! I did do that didn't I? At the bar, in front of his friends, in front of... every one!" She turned red. "I don't think he was hard. Maybe my aim was off?"

"Or maybe he was concerned about YOU, was a gentleman, and wasn't simply trying to get in your pants."

"Well, now that I remember that, I'm pissed off. He should have been hard. No wonder I hated him," but she smiled. "No, Momma Trish, you're right about everything and I appreciate your thoughtful pontifications."

"Fuck you! Sarcasm will get you no where and I'm not looking that word up." They both laughed.

"But it's been three days..."

Trish grabbed the phone from Becks' hand, 'Justin. Hope your trip is going well. Where are you? Miss you. Becks.' Send. "I love you and wish I could rub my breasts against your chest in public again."

"You ass!" But she laughed. "That was awful, wasn't it?"

Her phone buzzed. 'Ceremonial dinner until about nine. Call then?'

"Crap! It's Justin."

"Well, tell him that'd be great."

She texted him and then looked panicked. "Trish, what am I going to say to him? He's famous, he's been all over the place..."

"He's just a man who likes you. It's like Pete and I. I don't know where it's going to go. I like him, I like being with him, I want to see what it's like to sleep with him, but that doesn't mean we're going to date for years, get married, have babies... We're getting to know each other. If it doesn't work for either one of us, it doesn't work. Hopefully we can remain friends.

"Same for you. Just talk. Hell, you talk to your hair brush in the morning and how many times have I had to drag you out a store because you're talking the ear off some clerk?

"Just relax... and talk. Get to know each other. It might even be easier on the phone than in person." Getting mischievous smile on her face, "And listen real carefully to see if he's diddling himself while he talks to you."

Laughing. "Get out of here.

At nine thirty the phone went off. "What are you doing, Becks. Answer it!"

But she was hesitant. She wanted to go down this road, didn't she? But what if she screwed it up? What if she went full in and he changed his mind? What if they didn't have anything to talk about, or he thought she was too crude or... or whatever?

If she dove in and he changed his mind she could see a bigger hurt than she'd ever had before on the horizon. He was rich, famous... and she was just Becks. Shit.

Trish punched her arm and stopped her mental ruminations. "Answer it, dumbass! Quit being such a coward."

She swiped to talk, "Hello. This is Becks," she smothered a squeal, ran to her room and closed the door. Time to go for it.

"Hi, Becks, this is Justin. I, uh, I wasn't sure you wanted me to, uh... I don't know, like you said it's complicated."

"No, I wanted you to text or call, although... dammit, you've pissed me off again. You should have texted or called me first."

Justin laughed. "Sorry. I'll learn the rules soon enough."

"Ass. Justin, you are just entirely different than any man I ever dated or spent time with. Well most of the men anyway. You make me feel unstable, unbalanced." Laughing, "Like when I was on that stupid paddle board. Next time I'm getting a kayak."

Stopping to regroup her thoughts, "Justin, you make me feel very uncomfortable. No, you frankly scare the heck out of me. But I miss you! I can't believe it. It makes no sense, but I missed you on Sunday and I keep looking at my phone. What, are you some sort of sorcerer or something like in your books?"

"Nope, just Justin."

"So, Just Justin, Trish says we should just relax and go with the flow. So talk to me, Justin... just talk to me, with me..."

"I'm not sure..."

"Justin, I need details. The little things. What did you do today? Where are you now? Where are you staying? Is the room nice? Where are you going tomorrow? Do you enjoy what you're doing or do you hate it? Do you have any ideas for your new book? Are you diddling yourself thinking of me at night?" Justin laughed again at the surprise addition to the list.

"You know... just stuff, but, Justin, I'm trying to imagine where you are and how you're doing. Switch to video. Ah, there you are. Show me the room. Looks nice. So at least you get to stay at nice places. What city?"

"Uh, Cincinnati."

"Do you like it? I've heard it's nice. And I like the Bengals."

He shrugged. "To be honest, I don't know. I never know. We drove from the airport, gave the presentation, and came to the hotel. I rarely get to see any of the towns. Tomorrow, we drive to Columbus, then fly to the west coast."

"We?"

"Yeah, my manager or her assistant goes with me to make sure the arrangements are correct."

She was admiring his shoulders his body was tight, muscular, but slim, no extra anywhere. Damn, he looked good, still looked just like a swimmer.. "Is she there? Is that why you have no clothes on?"

He smiled, "No, she has her own room... and how do you know I have no clothes on?"

"Well, Einstein, you're standing in front of the mirror. Not too shabby..."

"Crap. Sorry." He jumped to the side so the camera showed the bed.

"Justin, I think you're using that word way too much. I didn't see any nipples on your butt either."

Laughing, "No nipples, but before I talk I want to hear about you."

"Pretty boring stuff. Dad was a drunk and an ass. Mom had no backbone and never stood up for herself. Three older brothers who were also assholes and drank a lot from a young age and then drugs. Losers.

"I tried to keep up with them, you know, run as fast, ride a bike as well, all that cra... I mean, all those sorts of activities." He laughed, "See, I still say it. Maybe I could say 'stuff' instead. I was a tom boy's tom boy, but then around twelve or so, when my moon cycles started...

Laughing, "'Moon cycles'?"

"Yes, Justin. You know... periods, the curse, my monthly? You should use moon cycles in your book. A whole civilization controlled by the monthly cycles of the moon. And half the people could get cramps, and bleed for a week... No, that's too unbelievable." He laughed at that.

"Anyway, I realized that I was a girl and that made me special. I'd never be as fast or as strong as they were, so why try? The rest was history. I grew my hair long; got girlie clothes; started cheerleading, pee wee, high school, college... although, I dropped out of high school and got my GED. started college early and finished in about three years so my cheerleading was abbreviated.

Along the way i did dance and art, went to the school of design at State; started my own business with Trish; dated a thousand losers, mostly all sports guys of one type or another, one of whom you met; and here I am. The end."

"That's quite a saga. What about your family?"

"Don't want to discuss them."

"Okay. So why Lakeville?"

"Trish's family is here and... I like this part of the state and love the lake."

"And the future?"

"TBD. Open to all possibilities."

"Holidays?"

"Yes."

"No, I mean..."

Chuckling and her eyes sparkling with fun, "Duh... I know what you mean, Justin. All the holidays and times of the year present design possibilities. So I love them all and our apartment, is redecorated frequently as they roll by.

"So, enough Becks. On to Justin? I still have to decide if I like you or not."

"Damn, too much pressure." Becks smiled into the camera. He loved her smile, loved the way her eyes sparkled when she was having fun. A home for her in his next book for sure. Heck, maybe she could be the protagonist.

Three hours later they were still talking. "Damn, Justin, it's after midnight! I have to meet a client at seven tomorrow before she goes to work and you have to be on your way to Columbus. I've heard the zoo is pretty great. You should go there."

"No time. Off to the west coast. I thought about spacing things out, but I like to get home as soon as possible. Now maybe if someone joined me..."

"Let's not get ahead of our selves, Justin." Smiling, "Now how about standing in front of the mirror again..."

"Nope. Not going to do it. Unless you do it, but with the tiny suit you had on, I've already..."

"Ass!"

"Yes, I did see that." She smiled at him, "I've really enjoyed talking to you, Becks."

"And you're not as big a jerk as I thought. Maybe I don't hate you after all." He smiled at her and shook his head. "Two things, Justin. First, will you text me or call or something if you have time? This is too weird to feel like this. So..."

"Sure. Maybe like six times a day."

"Too much, Justin. I don't miss you that much. I just would kind of like to know where you are and..."

"I'll send you my schedule so you know. Number two..."

"Can I see your condo? I won't change anything or rearrange anything. I know I'll probably be horrified and have to drop your ass, but I... well, I think you learn a lot from a person's place. I'll try not to judge. No, I will definitely judge you. So..."

"Sure. Mrs. Honeycutt has a key. She's over in the D building, first floor, 104. I'll text her and then you could pick them up tomorrow. Let me know what you think."

"Will do. It'll probably be after work. Be safe and wear a condom." He laughed, "No chance of that. Thanks for the talk."

She wasn't sure what to say. So, "Good night, Justin. Yes, you are permitted to dream of me in my bathing suit." She hung up before he could respond, but knew he'd get a chuckle out of it.

She looked at the ceiling and reflected on the phone call. She was amazed, but pleased. That was the longest, most interesting, easy conversation she'd had with any guy, well at least any guy she'd dated, in a long time.

No! She'd never talked to any of her boyfriends like that. They'd all been kind of limited in their interests and range of knowledge. They didn't like to just talk.

Dang. She was in trouble. Her heart had already made up its mind. She knew already that if he dumped her, Sunshine Becks would not shine again for quite a while.

At six the next night she tapped on the door. A sixties type woman with short hair in the usual 'it's so easy to care for' dyed hair opened it. Not hot, but not bad. "Yes? May I help you?"

"Hello, Mrs. Honeycutt, I'm Becks..."

"Honeycutt? My name is Webster. You must have the wrong place."

She shut her eyes for a second and shook her head. A slight smile painted her lips, what an ass! "Sorry, Mrs. Webster. Obviously Justin thinks he's a real funny guy... He was going to text you..."

"Come in." She shut the door behind her. "Why would you want to see his condo?"

"Well, I'm an interior designer and..."

"Wait! You're the girl from the dock on Sunday! The one that caused all the ruckus! The one that kept yelling obscenities at Justin. The one that almost caused some fights!"

"Yes, Ma'am. Not my proudest moment, but there were extenuating circumstances..."

Yelling at her like she was scolding a child, "There are no reasons that could justify that kind of behavior. Your parents did a very poor job raising you. Why would Justin have anything to do with a girl like you? Are you after his money! Is that it!

"Are you sleeping with him? Is that why you want to get into his condo? Is that part of what you're using to entice him? He was in love with a wonderful, thoughtful, beautiful woman who would never have behaved the way you did."

And on and on. Finally Becks took a deep breath in, held it, then slowly let it out trying to control herself.

"I'd be willing to answer some of your questions..." No go. She was being lectured. She finally pulled out her phone and started texting. "What the heck are you doing? I'm talking to you! Now put that phone down! Now!"

'Justin. Your mom's a fucking asshole and in about one more minute I'm going to rip her a new one. Guess I'll see the condo when you get back. If you're still talking to me. Sorry.' Send.

"What are you doing?"

"I just sent your son a text saying that his mom is a fucking asshole and I'm about to rip her a new one."

Mrs. Webster stopped dead, stifled a laugh, but put an angry look on her face. "No way! You're a liar!"

"I'm a lot of things, Mrs. Webster, but not a liar." She turned the phone around, but then put it horizontally, increased the size and showed her. " I made the text larger so those beady, old person's eyes of yours can read it. Hope it helped." Evelyn Webster read it and almost burst out laughing, but forced an angry look onto her face.

"Now I don't know exactly who the fuck you think you are to talk to me in such a condescending, holier than thou tone of voice, or what makes you think your shit doesn't stink; but I am not some pimply faced kid that has to sit here and eat shit because you wish to pass judgement on me for my behavior on Sunday."

"You can't talk to me like that! It's disrespectful!"

"Respect is earned, not granted. You do not deserve MY respect. I'm an adult, your an old as hell, shriveled up, obviously suffering from early dementia, adult.

"Just to be clear, as we say in the old country, FUCK YOU! I frankly don't give a damn what you think of me. I am a strong, independent, self made woman who owns her own business and is doing just fine, thank you very much.

"Damn, you really piss me off! What's your first name! I refuse to call you Mrs. Webster. That shows a respect you don't deserve."

"Evelyn, Evie."

"No, uh, uh. No Evie for you and me. That implies friendship a relationship of some sort. Ain't gonna happen, Sweetie." Taking a breath, "Well, Evelyn, my dear, let's address some of the issues you've raised. No, no! My turn, SO SHUT THE FUCK UP!

"Want his money! Shit! He told me he'd written a few things and worked at a hardware store. And... he drives a piece of shit pickup truck. So NO! I don't want his money. I don't need his money.

"But I will tell you this, I will never, ever let myself get into the position where I'm an old as the hills crone who needs my son to support me. Nope. Never happening. I will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be able to take care of myself.

"Keep the fucking key. God, I really don't need this shit. Are his brothers and sisters assholes like you? Probably are. Shit." Shaking her head sadly, "Of all the guys."

She started walking towards the door, then turned. "It's kind of sad, Evelyn. Justin was unlike any guy I ever dated. I thought we... well doesn't matter. But I thought, God, how fucked up am I? I thought I could help him crawl out of the pit of sadness he's still in."

"He's not sad. He's doing fine. And a girl like you..."

"Would probably be just what he needed. Have you read his last book, Evelyn?" She shook her head. Looking at her incredulously, "You're his fucking mother and you haven't read and re-read everything he's written? Well, get off your bedsore covered ass and read his last book then look in the mirror and try to tell yourself that your son is doing okay.

"Parents! I swear to God. I guess you just automatically turn into some kind of asshole when you're a parent! So, I'm going now, Evelyn. I'd like to say it's been a pleasure, but you've probably managed to fuck up two lives. If I ever see you again, it will be way too soon.

"And I guess once you have a chance to talk to Justin, which will no doubt be as I'm closing the door; I reckon, that I'll never hear from him again either. But you know what? If he's some pussy assed guy who lets his mom pick out his girlfriends... then I don't want to be with him anyway.

She stopped for another second, "Just how old is your son?"

"Twenty-eight."

"Twenty-eight! Fuck! And he's an old man! Hell, in a couple of years he'll be taking pills to try to get his dick hard. Twenty-eight? Shit!

"Good job, Mom! Read his fucking book!"

She left, climbed into her car and cried. So much for impulse control, anger management and all that bullshit. She just couldn't escape her childhood. She should have... NO! No fucking way! No way should she have just stood there and eaten shit. Fuck her.

Evelyn picked up her phone and sent a text to Justin. 'I like her, Justin. I think I might have ruffled her feathers a bit. She has a very 'rich' vocabulary. I'm going to give her an hour then go see her. What's her address? You should call her or text her tonight.'

Becks walked in her door, flopped on her bed and cried. Trish came in, "Becks? What happened?"

"Honeycutt is his fucking mother! I walked in and she went ape shit on me. I never even said a word. I took it for like, shit, I don't know, like a year or two. It just went on and on--she was scolding me like a little kid and accusing me of only being after Justin for his money and, fuck, you name it and I was doing it wrong. I pulled out my phone and texted, Justin and started to get up to leave. Here's the text."

Trish looked at it and tried not to laugh. "Oh goodness, Becks."

"She told me I was being disrespectful, I showed her the text, she started again, and then I ripped her a new one. So much for being able to control myself, but she said she hadn't read his book. How could a mom... but mine was worse I guess. Anyway, know anyone that needs a date? Doesn't look like you and I will be double dating anytime soon.

"Dammit! And I really liked him, Trish. We've spent no time at all together, but... there was just something... Now get the hell out of here and let me feel sorry for myself."

An hour later the doorbell rang and Trish answered it. "Hi, can I help you?"

"Yes. I'm Evelyn Webster and I'd like to talk to Becks. I brought the key. Uh, and I need to apologize to her."

"Errr, I don't know if now is the best time, Mrs. Webster."

"Please. I assume she's in her room?" Trish nodded. "Is it better to talk to her there or will she feel cornered and that I've invaded her space."

"Either way you've invaded her space and may be greeted... unpleasantly. Uh, I guess out here. But, Mrs. Webster, just so you know, she had a miserable childhood, but has overcome it all and she is a good, good person. And I've never seen her respond to anyone the way she does with Justin.

"So, I don't know what triggered everything, but you should let the two of them have a go at it and see how it goes. She won't hurt him, Mrs. Webster. More likely, he'll hurt her."

"I know. Uh, there were reasons I did what I did and I need to explain."

Trish searched her face for lies or falsehoods and didn't see any. "Tell you what, I'll go get her. Give her a few minutes to get her act together, but if you start to hurt her again I will throw your ass out of here so fast... She may seem like a rock, but it's all bluster... a shield. So be nice!" Evelyn nodded.

"Just as a warning, throwing you out would be an act of kindness to save you. I told you she had a rough childhood. Her brothers and fathers were... hell, they brutalized her.

"Then she hit about thirteen and grew a little bit, well, she says about four inches or so, grew a set and went on the warpath. She sent two of her brothers to the hospital and broke her dad's leg while she was teaching him the lesson that a belt can work against the owner as well.

"She apparently explained the new status quo to them, they left her alone and the next day she came to school with blonde hair, slacks and a beautiful blouse. She became a 'girl' and did 'girl' things. I asked her how she did it and she held up both fists, backs towards me and said 'fists of fury.' So..."

"So, be nice." Trish nodded. "The way the boys stepped in front to protect her from that big guy was pretty impressive. She established loyalty pretty quickly it seemed."

Trish laughed, "Yes, the Bible Boys stepped right up, but none of them are scrappers, so I suspect Becks would have had to save them."

"Really! Bible Boys?"

"That's what Beck nick named them--Peter, John, and James. She asked them where the heck Luke was." Evelyn chuckled. "Anyway, she bought them dinner as a reward. She really is a very kind and generous person, Mrs. Webster."

"I'm sure. I'll explain all this later, IF I can fix it. I pushed the wrong buttons it appears."

"Just a warning, there are a lot of wrong buttons."

Becks came out of the bedroom rubbing her eyes. "Trish, who the heck..."

"Why, Evelyn. So good to see you again. Have a few more glowing things to say about me? 'And, oh by the way, your lady parts stink?'"

"And on that note, I will leave you two to discuss things." She went to the room and closed the door.

"Becks, I'm sorry. Truly, I am. You were right. I did send my son a text." She pulled out her phone and showed her.

"You liked me? Holy crap, Evelyn, I can only imagine what it would have been like if you didn't. I owe my rich vocabulary to my family. They didn't understand anything over four letters, well, except... never mind."

She teared up. "I was wrong, but you were the first girl since Lynn and I had to know... Can we sit and talk for a bit? I'll explain... and maybe you'll understand."

Becks looked at her suspiciously. "Uh, sure, but I'm not taking a bite of any apples or pie you brought, sniffing any roses or anything like that."

"Becks, I swear you crack me up. If you only knew how hard it was not to laugh when you let me have it."

"I must be losing my edge."

They sat in the living room and Becks kept a good distance. "So, Evelyn..."

"Justin wrote his first book when he was eighteen. It was a hit and sold a lot of copies, he had tons of money rolling in and girls and women of all ages were like groupies. They all wanted a piece of the famous, naive young author. He had a good head on his shoulder, but he really got used by the girls and had his heart broken over and over.

"I guess it was like so many of the Hollywood kids you read about that get dragged into adulthood too fast and exposed to way too many things too early.

"We wanted him to go to college, get an education, study English, creative writing, learn the skills and science of his craft and actually worked it out with the university so he could attend under a pseudonym. But as he wrote more books, it got worse.

"It sounds awful, but I started screening his dates. He was okay with it..."

"WHAT!"

"No, no, he didn't know about you. But you were the first girl since Lynn and I saw an opportunity to check you out. I didn't know you were the woman from Sunday... I mean you did cause quite a commotion on the water and then the dock. I just didn't want to see him get hurt again when he was finally stepping out.

"And, yes, Becks, I read his books, especially the last one, over and over hoping to see a glimmer of the old Justin. They make me cry every time."

"So how did Lynn do with your, uh, research?"

Evelyn sighed. "She never got it. They'd known each other since grade school. She was a 'known' entity. She was 'safe.'"

"So what about me?"

"What you said was, I think, exactly right. I think you are the woman that Justin needs. A strong, independent, successful, woman who I know in my heart will defend and protect my son and help bring his joy and enthusiasm back, or at least you will try.

"You'll challenge him, tell him when he or his writing are way off base, make his life exciting... Lynn was right then, but I'm not sure she would be right now. Justin's a different person now. Please don't ever tell him I said that.

"You. You are the right woman now, or at least I think you are." Smiling, "Even if he is old as the hills and will need pills soon to get his dick hard?"

Becks reddened, "Uh, sorry about that one. Your son and I spent three hours on the phone last night. It was... wonderful. I, we kissed once and danced Friday, but Friday is a day of infamy that will never be discussed. But we didn't... So, bottom line I have no idea.

"But I got a GED, went to school early, graduated when I was a little over twenty, started the business and Trish joined me when she finished. So, I'm a mere babe at twenty-four, but have sort of been around the block so twenty-eight is not so old. That muscle headed dick on the dock, sorry," Evelyn laughed, "was almost thirty.

"So what now?"

"You two go about your business and we see how it goes. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but I'm hoping it will. Here's the key to his condo. Why do you want to see it?"

"I have discovered over the years that you learn a lot about people, especially men when you see their place. If the furniture was something they found at the dump and it's dirty and obvious that they have spent no time or effort on it... well, that's probably about how much time they'll spend on a relationship.

"Not always true and I dated an intern at the hospital who simply had no money and no time to take care of it, but as it turned out, although he was great, he had no time for me either. Always on call and having to cancel plans. Curiosity, I guess."

"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Okay," standing, "I'm going to go. Say hi to Justin for me. He said he would call you if he could, but west coast times... makes it a little harder. Once again, I'm sorry for doing what I did, but I love my son..."

"It's fine, Evie. I get it. Wish I'd have had it as a kid. Are his brothers and sister nice or are they..."

She smiled. Smiled at being called Evie. Smiled at what she had said about them. "No, they're nice, but not as wonderful as Justin. I love them all and they're all different, but you got the pick of the litter.

"Oh, and I don't need Justin's money. I never spend it. I put it in one of those college funds for any kids he might have some day, after he takes a pill."

"God, I'll never live that one down. Thanks for coming over. I just wish your son hadn't disappeared for three weeks right at the beginning. I miss him."

"Look at it this way. You'll be able to learn all about each other before you jump in the sack and sex puts an end to conversation."

Winking, "I'll try to keep that in mind." Evie stepped forward and hugged her. Becks was hesitant, but then returned it.

"You are quite a woman there, Becks. Quite a woman."

"With a rich vocabulary and easily ruffled feathers." They both laughed.

As Evie left, Trish came out of the bedroom. "Well, I must say, that was pretty remarkable. I was afraid I'd start hearing furniture being broken, screams and stuff. I was ready to toss out my stun grenade."

Becks smiled and shook her head. "Yup. Most unexpected. I disagree with her methods a hundred percent, she was playing with fire, but I understand her reasons. And WHAT the hell were you doing listening to a very private conversation?"

"Oh, get out of here. You talk so loud from your cheerleading days that there are no private conversations."

"Fuck you, Trish." But then she hugged her. "Thanks for being there for me and being my friend."

"My pleasure. You've added so much excitement to my otherwise hum drum existence. Never a dull moment. So are you going to be the first of the crew to get married?"

Becks shoved her away. "Marriage! Crap, I can't even imagine." Dreamily, "That'll be you and Peeeeter. Oh. He's so handsome...."

"Fuck you, Becks." Laughing, "To use one of your favorite words. He is nice, though. We're going out again tomorrow. And then this weekend..."

"You'll be whoring around like some slut and won't be home. Terrific. I'll be able to catch up on some work and not have you drawing little hearts and shit all over the place. So, it's still early and I have the magic key to the kingdom and I'm going over to Justin's condo. Do you wish to accompany me on my quest?"

"What! And watch you sniffing his pillow and his dirty clothes like some dog? Nope. No way. Peter's going to call and you can tell me about it. Have fun."

Becks drove the fifteen minutes to Justin's, took the elevator up to the fourth floor, and walked to the condo on the end. She walked in, flipped on a light, and stopped. Big windows, sliding glass doors out onto the porch, views of the lake in two directions, and it felt open, airy--even at night.

Clean! It was clean and well maintained. Dusted. He must have a maid. No guy could be like this. Maybe he's one of those OCD guys. She laughed, that would never work out with her craziness. No way.

Masculine. The condo was masculine, you could tell a guy lived here, but not overwhelming. There were pictures of his mom and people who must be his brothers and sister, plants--had to be a maid or maybe Evie came over--and little mementos or things he must have collected on his trips.

And in the corner, a picture of a young woman. Beautiful, long dark hair that was shiny, had a little flip in it--must have put rollers in it before the photo--dark eyes, a little makeup... but those eyes just drew you in. They were alive, they sparkled with fun and excitement. She seemed happy, alive... Becks knew she'd have liked her. Must be Lynn.

Pain shot through her chest when she thought about what Lynn's last moments, crap, or days, must have been like. Damn! She hoped that he had knocked her out or killed her before all the other stuff, but from what she'd read it seemed that he had worked her over first...

Becks shook her head. No way! She'd have gone down swinging. The guy would either be dead or have a corpse to fuck around with. A wave of fear pulsed through her. But what if she never got a chance to defend herself... Shit! She put a hand on the photo and prayed that it had been easy for her, but tears sprang to her eyes.

"Ahhh! Enough of that crap!" The furniture in the living room was leather, good condition, beige. She laughed, and of course, the huge TV and speakers all over, an expensive stereo with a turntable--everything a guy would want, but tasteful, classy. None of her designer alarms went off or made her feel like she would have to change anything.

Kitchen neat and orderly, pantry stocked, spice drawer loaded, refrigerator... she hesitantly opened it... clean, perishables gone, but pickles, condiments, soft drinks... Freezer--frozen pizza, breakfast biscuits, she laughed, and lots of ice cream. Damn. He must eat at home and cook. He was way out her league. Would he be upset about that?

Finally, the bedroom. King sized bed looking onto the lake, nice dresser, end tables... She was amazed. She would change almost nothing in this condo. Sure, a few little things here or there, but Justin's design sense was eerily close to hers.

She flopped onto his bed with her head on the pillow. On the right side, the side closer to the door and imagined herself waking up in this room with Justin next to her. She chuckled to herself as she rolled on her side and laughed recalling what Trish had said as she pulled his pillow and blankets to her face and smelled them. So that's Justin. She liked it.

She laid back down flat, took her phone from her pocket and took a selfie. She texted it to Justin, 'Wish you were here. Mrs. Honeycutt gave me the key. Recognize the bed? Pleasant dreams.'

Moments later her phone rang. "Hello. Rebecca Renae Russell. How many I help you?"

"So that's your name."

"Yes, but you are never allowed to call me that. Rebecca went away when... well, when things changed at my house and became Becks."

"So, what do you think of my humble abode?"

"I think it's beautiful and nothing I would really change. You need a few touches here and there, but not much. So, you cook?"

"So, you like to avoid the obvious question?" She laughed.

"I told you. The window of opportunity is closed. No, the door is closed the window is shut; or whatever. In any event the gates to the playground have been locked. If you want me in this bed, you'll have to date me, pamper me, and those sorts of things."

He laughed, "Fair enough. No, the question is how did things go with my mom?"

She smiled and watched his face on her phone. "Oh, that question. We had a few tiny missteps to begin with, but then we came to an understanding and everything is fine. Evie and I are like two peas in a pod."

"Yeah, sure. She said about the same thing. I have my doubts."

"Well, I don't know why you would have assumed that there were problems."

"I don't know, something about ruffled feathers..."

"Nothing to the rumor. So where are you, where are you going tomorrow and when will you be home?"

He groaned and took a deep breath. "Uh, Sacramento, San Francisco, LA for several days about the movie, then Santa Fe, then Texas... no, then Phoenix. Heck I don't know. I just show up."

"And you go to all those places with her, but you never get to explore the cities or anything?"

"Nope."

"I'd bitch. I think I would like to see America, see some of the sites. Visiting the natural wonders around, you know the giant trees in California, the rain forests in Washington with all the moss and lichens, all the cool rocks in Utah, the Rockies and the national park, even the corn fields in the Midwest.

"You could use some of those images in your books. A whole civilization living in Mammoth Cave that can't go back above ground because of flesh eaters."

She shrugged, "I don't know. It just seems that if you climbed one of the peaks in the Rockies and actually looked out beyond, you'd be able to incorporate the look, the feel, the smell in your books easier. Just a thought. All I write are advertisements so what do I know?

"I do know, I might spend the night, Justin. To sit here in bed and look out at the lake. Incredible. So when are you coming home?"

"Two weeks from Sunday. So, not long."

"Seems like a long time."

"Yeah, for me too."

They texted daily and a week later, "Well, Justin, I read your first book and the last three. Quite a difference in tone and content. Your style improved greatly and plot line was a lot tighter and more complex.

"Your character development was greatly improved, however, I did feel like slicing my wrists even though things kind of worked out in the end. Beauty in the midst of horror, but the horror was still omnipresent."

"That's quite an analysis. I thought you were an interior designer. Where did you pick up all that stuff?"

"Duh, I went to college. I took courses other than art and design. May I offer a suggestion?"

"Sure, as long as you're not too brutal and make me cry."

"I would never hurt you, Justin, unless you were being an ass like not taking me home and sleeping with me."

"Okay, next time you ask me, I'll sleep with you."

"No, next time you'll be begging ME to sleep with YOU. Turn about is fair play or whatever. So about your books, I think you need to add more description. Make the books a hundred pages longer if you have to."

"Do you have an example?"

"Yeah, so instead of saying something like: 'He stared at her naked body from the bushes as she finished bathing and rose from the pond. No nipples on her butt.'" Justin laughed at the unexpected reference.

"So, instead, maybe something like: 'She finished bathing and exposed her naked form bit by bit as she rose like a spirit through the mists that blanketed the pond. He watched as the moisture on her back glimmered and the droplets that ran down her back reflected the light of the full moon.

"Looking closely from his hiding place in the underbrush he saw there were no nipples on her naked buttocks, but there appeared a birthmark; a reddish birthmark on her right cheek that glowed in the light indicating her membership in... whatever. He could almost feel his finger tips sliding down the cleft between the muscles of her back, brushing away the droplets as they advanced.

"Hear the difference? The first one is plot advancement only. The second puts you there and you see her through his eyes. I don't know. Probably stupid. The second one takes more time, more effort, more skill; but, Justin, you have the skill. It's there in your books. Little glimpses of it scattered throughout.

"Sorry, Justin, I..."

"No, you're exactly correct. Maybe I should rough out the stories and you fill in the rest."

"No thanks, but I would be happy to read your drafts and provide free editorial advice and suggestions. Of course, suggestions are only worth what you paid for them."

"I think you could help a lot. Add a woman's perspective without losing the men."

"But first you need a new book. Yours, like most of the fantasy books are about young folks growing up too quickly or broken men becoming whole again as they become heroes. So what about a young guy who was sent out on his quest for manhood and he comes home and his village is gone. Completely, just a few scorch marks on the ground from a sorcerer's destructive magic.

"Everyone he loved, everyone he knew is gone, even the maiden with nipples on her butt he loved. He is paralyzed with fear and indecision, hikes up on the mountain to look around and falls asleep. The ground shakes and rumbles and the rock becomes alive. 'Three thousand years I've waited for you son of Justin to deliver your people from bondage and overthrow the bad guys.'

"Now the rock could actually become humanoid and go with him, or it could just give him a ring and a sword or something that has magic that he has to learn how to use, you, know, part of the growth and development of the character. Also, the rock guy could be all serious, formal and stuffy or he could be light hearted and provide comic relief and making funnies all the time or whatever. Stupid idea probably."

"No. No suggestions are bad suggestions, you know, like there are no bad questions."

"Yeah, and we both know that's bullshit, Justin. There're always a a lot of stupid questions that should never have been asked."

"Anyway, I'll have to meditate on it and see what I get."

"Meditate on it?"

"Yeah, some folks, maybe most, sit and sketch out an outline and then start fleshing it out. It may change a little or a lot as they go, but they plod through it. Mine, well, I wake up at night with a scene or an idea for a chapter. I kind of dream in stories and I'm hardly ever in them. Not sure what that means..."

"Oh, poor Justin..."

"Nope, don't want to know. I also see stories and events when I meditate. I see a scene, a setting, characters, events. I have no idea what went before or what went after, so I kind of have to work both directions to flesh it out.

"It's kind of weird and chaotic. I might start writing and have another scene pop into my head. Some I dream of or see over and over so I know I have to do something them. Others, I have once and didn't like at all. I might jot dot a few notes about it, but usually don't use it.

"They always talk about a writer's muse that brings him ideas, and it's kind of like that. Now, I have found that certain songs, movies, current events can trigger the dreams as well or at least seem like they're hooked to them. I don't know. Hard to explain."

"No, I get it. A seed comes from somewhere and then you grow it. Pretty cool actually. That's kind of how my designing works. I get a seed, a theme and then have to expand it and flesh it out. Pull all the pieces together and make them fit--create the whole.

"My dreams, though, are a mess. They're filled with visions of being late for class or not getting the designs done or something along those lines. Not being prepared for the test, not knowing where the meeting is, wandering around in the woods or tall grass trying to figure where I'm headed...

"Probably reflective of my own insecurities, self-doubts, and fears of losing control or failure. Fucked up, I know. Leftovers from growing up, I guess, but not book worthy."

"Sorry, Becks. It must have been hard."

"Don't feel sorry for me. I'm happy, doing what I like, I have great friends, I'm successful..." but she reflected there was still an emptiness, a loneliness she couldn't shake. She needed that unifying theme or person to pull all the pieces of her life together. "Well that was more than enough crap for one night. I miss you, Justin, which is really weird since we've never been on a date."

"You see, I've kind of considered each phone call a date, so by the end we'll be way past the bases part and ready for the home run derby."

Becks laughed, "Interesting theory there, Justin. We'll have to see and... well, have a great day tomorrow."

"Thanks, Becks. Thanks for the, well, thanks for sharing. Sleep well and I hope you can have fun and exciting dreams tonight. You may choose to dream about me."

Sarcastically, "Oh, wouldn't that be great. I could dream about that ass of yours I saw in the mirror." But in her heart she hoped that she would.

"Two days. Two days, Trish. Then he'll be home and we can actually touch each other, spend time with each other..."

"Grunt around on each other."

She smiled. "Maybe, but I want to go kind of slow with this, you know, first date kiss, second date second base..."

"So kind of like that Friday at the bar. No date, home run."

"Thanks so much for reminding me. I still can't believe... Well anyway, I don't know what to wear or anything. He said he'd be here Sunday morning, we'd go out on his boat, have a picnic lunch... He was a diver so I thought about getting one of those sleek Speedo things the girls wear."

"To show some pokies?"

"Maybe. No reason I can't tease him a little. Dang, I forgot, let me show you what I got." She went to her room and came back with a bag. "He said this crazy thing when I was on the paddle board about imagining my butt with nipples. Check these things out. Silicone, stick on nipples!"

Laughing, "Where the heck did you get those? 'Every woman's dream!' Nipples to match your mood. Are you going to wear those under your suit?"

"No, I thought I'd change into a dress and then..."

She howled in laughter. "So you're saying, that after a nice romantic evening and you two are finally messing around, he slides a hand under your dress and hits a nipple! God, Becks. Only you! 'What did you do on your first date? Uh, I felt her butt nipples.' Are you sure it's the best thing to do right off the bat?"

"Not sure. Maybe the second date..."

"Or third. NO! You should wear them in the front under your speedo thing so it looks like you have four nipples and see what he thinks. See if he says anything."

They both laughed, "Or, I could have three on one side and tape over the other one. It'd be like that calendar we saw where women had three or four breasts and all sorts of combos!" They both laughed at the idea.

"So, Becks, damn, I can't stop laughing, so, it's already after dinner on Friday, guess you get your suit tomorrow?" The doorbell chimed. "Now who the heck can that be? 'We already gave at the office.' Unless it's a cute little kid selling stuff for school."

"I'll get it, Trish. You've got your hair all rolled up and pj's on."

She walked over and opened the door, "Hello. Can I..." She froze. A look of surprise and uncertainty filled her face, but she got ready to slam the door. "Roger?"

"Sis, please. Don't slam the door. I came to apologize and tell you how sorry I am for how awful and well, terrible I was to you when I was younger. You never deserved it. I was a real shit, but please! I'm not the same person. Can we just talk for a few minutes?"

She'd been staring and then cracked. She dove out the door and hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. She held on and he returned it. "I'm so sorry, Sis. But I cleaned up my act, went into the service for a while, and now I do computer installation and repairs over in Reidsville.

"I, uh, searched the internet and finally found the article from a few years ago about you opening your design business. Congratulations. I kept looking for Rebecca, and, well, actually, I forgot about Becks. So..."

She released him and held his face in both hands. "Let me look at you. Roger, you're still ugly as sin." He laughed, she kissed his cheek and hugged him again. "Come on in and let's talk. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Just a soda or some water. No alcohol or anything... really, not since you left. Becca, I mean, Becks, you gave me the strength to break out of the rut and do something with my life. I can never thank you enough for that," chuckling, "and for not sending me to the hospital with the other two when the Great Change happened."

"You ran too fast instead of pulling the tough guy crap." Becks put her arm around him and walked him through the door.

Justin climbed out of his truck in time to hear Becks squeal with delight, hug and kiss the man on the porch. She continued to hug him tightly then kissed him again and led him into the apartment.

Tears filled up his eyes and overflowed as his heart was ripped to pieces. How could she be doing this? They'd texted every day and talked every two to three days. She said she'd read his first and last three books and some of the others--maybe she lied. No, she couldn't have. She'd given him those ideas about his writing and an idea for another book.

Maybe that should be his next book--how a woman single-handedly destroyed his world, his future, sucked out his joy and threw him back into his pit of sadness.

How the hell had she fooled him so easily... and his mother? Both women had said there had been a few issues that had to be worked out, but he knew damn well that wasn't true. He was surprised there was no broken furniture or blood stains at his mom's.

It seemed like the two had grown so close, hours and hours on the phone... and all the time she had someone else? She was in fact the Friday night heart breaker and should have come with a warning or that biohazard tattoo. Well, he'd never see it!

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! He finally opened his heart up and a two timing cheater is the one he falls for? She was good, really good. Maybe there was another explanation. Nope, she said she had no family and she climbed all over that guy. He wasn't just a repairman or some ex- or something. Dammit!

He looked at the flowers in his hand and thought of the dinner reservations he'd made, he thought... Well, flush those plans. Looked like more pain and loneliness ahead. Never should have started getting interested in a woman again.

He threw his flowers down. HOW THE FUCK COULD SHE HAVE DONE THIS TO HIM? She was good, very good at this two timing. He never had a clue. Well, better to find out now than when they got any closer. Darn.

He pulled out his phone, 'Mom. Got home early, thought I'd surprise Becks. Got here just in time to watch her hug all over this guy and drag him inside. Guess we both misjudged her. See you tomorrow.'

His phone went off. "Honey, are you okay. Are you sure it couldn't be something else? A mistake? She said she never cheated on anyone. I just can't believe..."

"Yeah, but I heard her telling that Tyler guy that she'd been cheating on him all along, just like he'd been cheating on her. So... I don't know, Mom." He took a deep breath, "I'll be fine. I'm just going to sit here a bit and see what happens."

"You need to talk to her, Justin. This has to be a mistake. Please! Talk to her. Don't just walk away into sadness again."

"Doesn't seem like a mistake. Hold on a second, the guy is going to his car... he grabbed an overnight bag... and he's going back up. Guess I'll go home and start writing another dark, pain filled book. I just can't believe it! Gotta go. See you tomorrow. Some welcome home this is."

Justin tossed and turned all night so decided to cruise by Becks' apartment and see if the car was still there. Yup, car still there. He parked in the back and waited a bit. Becks' door opened and the man stepped out. Becks looked happy and excited, hugged him tightly and held it then finally kissed his cheek and her hand trailed along his arm as he turned to leave.

He heard her say, "Thanks, Roger, for coming over. It was just what I needed. I'll see if I can come to your place next weekend." Laughing, "Do I need to bring bug spray or disinfectant with me?"

"Funny, Becks. See you soon, promise. Love you."

"And I love you, Roger."

She hugged herself and turned to go back inside as Justin left the parking lot. She stopped and watched the truck drive away. Funny, that truck looked just like Justin's. She laughed. Must be two mobile trash heaps in the neighborhood.

She went in poured another cup of coffee and had a seat. 'Justin. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. What time do you get in? I have big plans and I've given a lot of thought to your bases theory. You know, first, second, third? You'll never believe who just visited me--my brother! And he's a nice guy. Tell you all about it tomorrow.'

She looked at the screen. The text box was green instead of blue and it never said delivered. Odd... but maybe he's on a plane or put it in airplane mode or something. Maybe he's coming home early! She tried not to get excited. She had about decided that tomorrow's date would skip over dates one through three and start at five or six.

She laughed, and when his hand bumped into those nipples and then... she was already getting excited.

"Well, for a guy you always said was one of the planet's biggest assholes, Roger seemed like a pretty nice guy."

"I know, right? He's so different."

"So, how do you feel about your folks. Kind of rough finding out they're both dead."

"Yeah, I'm sad, but mostly sad about two wasted lives and the relationship we could have had if they had ever been able to get their lives in order. I'm a little ashamed to say, but I haven't really thought about them for at least a couple of years. Same for my brothers.

"Can't believe that Felix and Bart are both in jail. Well, I mean, I can believe it, but... it's just kind of weird. Be careful, Trish. I come from a family of hardened criminals."

"I'll change my passwords, but both you and Roger should really be proud of yourselves for being able to take a stand and get out. The easy thing would have been just to be like the rest. You could have married a guy with a bunch of tattoos and missing teeth. Live in a little rented shack somewhere... Grow marijuana in the backyard."

"Eat shit, Trish. So how was your date with darling Peter last night?"

"Wonderful. It's, it's weird. We just kind of click. I mean, we're different, but it's just comfortable, easy, with him. We always have something to talk about, he cracks me up. I mean even when he says something that's not funny, the look of expectation on his face..."

"Oh, you've got it bad. So how is he at the nasty?"

"We haven't..."

"Oh, shit! It's been three weeks! What the hell, Trish? You ARE in love. Has he tried..."

"No. It's like he's taking it slow..."

"But it's been three weeks and you've been out several times. Maybe his dick is the size of my little finger; or maybe it's like split so it has two heads. No! Maybe he's a hermaphrodite!"

Trish laughed, "And maybe you're full of crap. Not all of us have to rub our breasts all over a guy and grab his cock in public."

Becks turned red, but laughed. "God, can you believe I did that! I'm still kind of pissed that he wasn't hard."

"But maybe he can make up for it tomorrow. So you two are going on his boat and have a picnic?"

"That's what he said, but he wouldn't tell me what kind of boat he had. It doesn't have a cabin, I asked."

"Probably a little dinghy with a trolling motor on it."

They both laughed, "Yeah, probably. I can't wait to see him and hug him."

"And grind his dick down to the size of a pencil?"

They laughed again. "Yup, that too. Damn, I got so loaded so fast... Never again."

Trish went into her bedroom a text came in and moments later she came out fully dressed and with an overnight bag. "Change of plans, Trish?"

"Yup. Tonight's the night, Becks. Tell you all about it... Monday at work."

"Have fun. If everything goes according to plan, I won't be here tomorrow night either."

By midday Sunday, Becks was starting to panic. None of her texts had gone through. She tried Evie--it appeared blocked as well. She called both of them, straight to voicemail. What the hell!

'Justin. When are you coming home? I miss you. All my texts are being held up. Are you okay?' She needed to speak with Trish to help figure things out, but she was with Pete and had spent the night and probably wasn't coming home until work on Monday. Dammit, Trish was the one that said, 'it's easy, just let it happen.'

WTF? This was not easy at all. She tried Evie again--nothing. She checked her Facebook. Both had unfriended her. She checked Justin's--blocked. She paced, she fretted, she couldn't eat. What had she said? What had she done? Maybe he just got scared and ran?

She finally cracked, 'Trish, I am so sorry, but I've been blocked by Justin and Evie. I don't know what to do. Should I just wait? Should I go over there? Did they say anything to you? Never mind. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Sorry, have fun. I thought you said it would be easy.' Send.

'Don't answer me. I'll just talk to you tomorrow.' Send.

Moments later her phone rang. "Becks, what do you mean you've been blocked?"

Becks started to cry, "Trish I am so sorry. I never should have interrupted you. I wasn't thinking. But they've blocked me from everything! What did I do?"

"Becks, I'll come home and maybe we can figure it out."

"No! Absolutely not. I never should have texted. You enjoy yourself. I'll be fine. It's getting late so if I don't hear anything by morning I'm going to go see Evie. Evie would have let me know if he were hurt or something and he would yelled at me if I fucked up somehow, right?

"I gave him a couple of ideas about his writing... Do you think that might have pissed him off? I mean, he seemed like he appreciated them and he texted me after that..."

"Becks, there must be some kind of misunderstanding. I mean you two talked for hours in the bedroom and it never sounded like there were issues. At least on your end everything seemed great. I'll talk to Peter, but he says he doesn't know anything. He hasn't heard anything from Justin for a week or so, but that's normal.

"You sure you don't want me to come home?"

"No. I'll put you on the 'People I Hate' list if you do. I shouldn't have called. Say hi to Mr. One Eye for me."

"Will do. Becks, I am so sorry."

"Whatever it is, I'll get through it. Maybe should have stuck with muscle heads. At least they're predictable. Night."

Eight o'clock Monday found her at Evie's and she knocked on the door. Evie opened it. "YOU! You have a lot of nerve showing up here after what you did to Justin!"

"Did to Justin? What did I do?"

"Don't give me that shit! YOU CHEATED ON HIM! You made him fall in love with you then you cheated on him."

Her eyes popped open and horror and surprise filled her. She was shocked. "I never cheated on Justin. I told you I have never cheated on anyone."

"Liar. You told that guy Tyler you cheated on him."

"Yes, to piss him off. I never actually did."

"You had a man over Friday! Justin came home early and wanted to surprise you. You were hugging and kissing all over him. HE SPENT THE NIGHT!"

She was flooded with pain and a feeling of betrayal, both of which were replaced by anger, then fury. "That's what this is about? Without a word you both just cut me out of your fucking lives? What, am I in some real life romantic comedy? 'Made for fucking TV only. Available now!'

"The mandatory partially overheard, misinterpreted discussion? The misunderstanding when a man and a woman are spotted hugging? Holy fucking shit! Well let me just say this, Mrs. Fucking Honeycutt, there will be no make up. Unlike in the movies, there will be no reconciliation! No happily ever fucking after!

"You are both officially on my 'I Hate You' list and are no longer a part of my life."

Evie stared at her as she pulled out her phone. This was not the reaction she had anticipated. Dammit, Justin should have talked to her. "Becks, what are you doing?"

Becks typed furiously for a few moments then looked up. "Neither one of you two fuck heads could just ask me for an explanation? You think that little of me? Damn, should have stuck with jocks, at least I know what I'm in for.

"But, Becks, whatbare you doing?"

"There was an old movie with Arnold or somebody, where the government," she continued to type, "the government would erase evrything that existed about you so it was like you were never born, you'd been erased.

"Well, Mrs. Honeycutt, you and your son have been ERASED from my contacts, my phone and email. You have been ERASED and blocked on all my social sites and the business sites. And you two fuck heads have been ERASED from my life! You two never existed in my world.

She turned to leave, teared up, and turned back around, "All you had to do was ask... And tell that dick head son of yours not to stop by my apartment or business and do not talk to any of my friends or I will get a fucking restraining order and get his ass arrested. That'll sell a lot of books.

"Fuck you, Mrs. Honeycutt and fuck your son too. Dammit, I am so fucking stupid!"

Pleading, "But, Becks, who was it?"

"None of your fucking business, that's who!"

Becks slammed the door shut and stormed off.

Evie just looked at the closed door and was ready to burst into tears. They must have messed up big time. Why hadn't she just gone over and asked her even if Justin had his shorts in a bunch?

The girl that could have brought him fully back to life was now gone and she didn't doubt for a second that Becks had washed her hands of the two of them for good.

Why hadn't she just asked Becks? She would have told her either way, but that guy must be someone special, but not a lover. Dang it all!

Becks pulled out her phone and called Trish. "Becks. How'd it go?"

Becks burst into tears. "Those two fuck heads think I cheated on him! He came by and saw Roger. Shit! And I did see his truck drive off Saturday morning while I said goodbye to Roger."

"You need to talk to him, Becks. Explain it."

"No! Fucking! Way! It's over, done, they're both of my life. If they think that little of me and trust me that little... Nope. Done. Erased. And if you tell them who Roger was, I'll leave our partnership and you can run it yourself."

Whining a little, "Becks, you can't be..."

"Don't test me on this, Trish. I'm warning you. And you better call Trina and Avery and Peter--if your big mouth told any of them, they better not let Justin know."

"I didn't tell anyone, Becks, and even if they ask, I won't tell. Promise."

Sobbing harder. "I hate to do this to you, but I'm going home to gather some things and leave town."

"You're not leaving for good are you, Becks? Please. Please don't."

"At least you'd miss me. No, I need a few days, a week maybe and no, I'm not going to tell you where I am or what I'm doing so you can honestly say you don't know. I told them I'd get a restraining order if they start harassing us.

"If he found it that fucking easy to wash his hands of me, it'll be even easier for me to wash my hands of a guy who doesn't trust me and thinks so little of me. Trish..." crying, "this really hurts. What the fuck is wrong with me?"

"You love him."

"Well, I've learned my fucking lesson. Nothing but work and meat heads for recreation. I love you Trish. I'll be fine. Do not tell anyone!"

She went home, packed, and drove westward to the mountains and found a small bed and breakfast in a small town, checked in, climbed onto the bed and cried. Dammit, she was in love with that jerk. Should have kept him in the hate zone. She covered her eyes with her forearm. "Oh, Justin, why couldn't you just trust me? Why didn't you just ask me?"

Evie called Justin. "Hi, Mom. What's up?"

"We screwed up, Justin. I don't know who the guy was, she wouldn't tell me, but she didn't cheat on you, I'm sure of it."

"But I saw..."

"You saw her hugging some man. Did she kiss his lips or cheeks?"

"I don't know. It was pretty far away. Shit."

"But, Justin... she was so hurt and so angry, I think it's done. Over."

"No way. I... how the hell could I have been so stupid? She should be at work, I'll apologize and see what I can do."

He drove to the shop and Trish was tied up with one woman while others waited. She looked up and saw him, "I'm so sorry, Ma'am, but could you excuse me for just one minute."

"But..."

"Be right back. Promise." She walked over to Justin. "I don't know who he was and she has gone away for at least a week. She did not tell me where because she knew you or your mom would harass me. Nice the way you fucked over her though. She loved you, Justin. Well, back to work."

"But just tell me."

"Tell you what Justin? You could have trusted her, you could have asked her, you could have confronted her. She walked away from her whole family and I'm pretty sure she's walked away from you. Gotta go."

"But..."

"Justin, she told me if I said anything she'd leave the business and be gone. I trust her word. She'll do it. So at this point, I love her more than my sister so no way will I jeopardize that. Bye.

"I apologize, Ma'am. Now I think that any one of the colors in this palate would go well with the color and texture of that couch and chair. Do you get a lot of natural light or is it more from bulbs..." Damn, I wish Becks were here. And damn I wish I'd gone with her to help. Should have just closed the shop for a week. We need some more help.

Justin stood and watched for a few moments then turned and left. Maybe Peter knew something or Trina or Avery or anybody... Damn! Why hadn't he just walked up and asked her?

He texted, called, IG and Facebook. Blocked. Nothing. He was back in the pit again. But this was a pit of his own digging.

Becks walked downstairs to the continental breakfast and noted she was the only person who seemed to be there. The older woman who had checked her in was holding up some color cards from a paint store.

Becks walked up. "Hello, I'm Becks"

"Yes, Ms. Russell. I remember from checking you in. I'm Olivia."

"Well, Olivia, I couldn't help but notice that, uh, well it seems like I'm the only customer. It's still warm, but cool enough for great hiking, the guide book says there are waterfalls close by, and leaf season is coming. I would have expected... I don't know. Sorry. Shouldn't have said anything."

"No, you're right. The whole place needs an upgrade. No one seems to know about us and everything looks kind of 'worn' like me."

Becks laughed, "You don't look too worn to me. Look, I'm an interior designer, I own a shop in the city, and I badly need something to keep me busy for the next week or so. Bad breakup.

"If you have time and would like to, what if we sit down and discuss your ideas and what you'd like to accomplish--and, of course, the hardest thing of all, your budget. But we could put together a plan, tackle the big bang for your buck things first and space out the rest of it."

"I don't think I could afford..."

"Free. No charge. Well, maybe throw in some coffee and lunch. And as an interior designer, sometimes I can get a commercial discount and that could save you some bucks. So, it can't hurt, right? So what if you give me the grand tour then we can talk and I'll sketch out a few ideas."

Becks was excited. This place was quite a challenge. Just the thing to keep her busy and it was close enough that she could come back and help more on her weekends off; although Trish seemed like she was going to need some additional time off on the weekends to do things with Peter.

She took the tour and started jotting down ideas. She used her camera to take pictures. That's it! I could start my video series and plug our shop and the B&B. Before and afters, quick upgrades, color choices, all sorts of things a few minutes at a time.

Her phone started to ring, "What's up, Trish, old buddy? I assume you are still my buddy and didn't tell him anything when he showed up this morning?"

"I told him he was an ass for hurting you and that I was unable to provide any info since your friendship meant way more to me than his happiness. I'd have had a few more editorial comments, but damn, Becks, I was getting slammed all day. That talk you gave at the auxiliary and some of your other stuff has really put us on the map it seems.

"Just a week, right? If it's going to be longer, I'm may have to hire someone for a bit. I think we have to hire one or two folks anyway so we can get a little time off. This working all the time is getting old."

"I'm sorry, Trish. Bad timing I guess, but I knew he'd drop by and he'll probably keep dropping by the business and home. I didn't want to worry about a confrontation and have to look over my shoulder every minute."

"I understand, but he looks really down in the dumps. Maybe you..."

"Don't need any additional free advice. The place here is a cute little bed and breakfast that needs a sprucing up. A lot of sprucing up. It'll keep me busy, keep my mind off things and we could use it as publicity if she lets me do what I think we need.

"Anyway, sorry about dumping on you. If we stay this busy, you're right, we'll need another person so we can both take a little more time off. I just realized this is my first week off since I opened the shop and you're going to want more time with dreamy Peeeter. Ahhhh. He's so biiiig!"

"Screw you, Becks. Send me photos."

"I'll send you a link to my new video series if Olivia lets me. And it'll be linked to all our sites."

"Video series? Becks we're going to need more help for sure! I'll let you know if anything exciting happens. But don't worry, my lips are sealed. I expect Evie at any time."

Ten days later she returned. "Trish, I apologize a thousand times for being gone that long and leaving you all alone at the store. It wasn't right, but, you know, we both are going to want to take some time off. We really haven't done more than a day here and there since we opened. Getting an employee to help out... she could be a design school person or something.

"We'd make less money, but maybe we could expand our hours, be able to give more talks, whatever."

"Good idea. We are way too busy for one person. I think a number of people just left because I couldn't help them right away. Not good. So, how are you doing?"

"Great! Well, at least very well. You should see the place I was at, the before and afters. I can't believe how much I was able to get done in ten days. And she was already getting bookings through the website I created. I must say, I'm pretty proud of myself. You and Pete should stay there some weekend.

"Here... look at the befores. The sign was all chipped, the landscape all out of control, the paint in the common areas and rooms was old, washed out and way too dark, and look at these couches and chairs she had...

"Now look at the afters... and look at this website!"

"Holy shit, Becks. You did all this in ten days? It's incredible!"

"And last but not least, I released about twenty videos on my new blog, a few minutes each. I plugged us and the local stores there so we got discounts; talked about starting a new business, signage, landscaping and the view from the street, the front door and window trim and then paint selection, wall paper. All sorts of stuff. I'm already getting a bunch of followers. How cool is that! And it's all linked to OUR websites.

"I got like no sleep, but was so busy I didn't have to think about dick head. I drafted some teens to yank out the overgrown stuff and wheeled and dealed with a landscaping place to help put the new stuff in at a discount so they could use it for advertising and I plugged them on the videos and listed them on our website... I swear I met every tradesman in town--plumbers, carpenter, HVAC--you name it.

"I posted big thank you's on their websites and on the hotel website and our website. Damn, it was so much fun."

"You're not leaving, are you?"

"Hell no!" She hugged Trish. Smiling, "Well, not unless you get hitched to Peter and he gets a job offer in Utah or something."

"That's not going to happen. He loves it here."

"Ah hah! So you two are already figuring out how how many kids..."

Trish punched her, but laughed. "No. But he... he is kind of special."

"Congratulations. That's great. I just hope he doesn't turn out to be a butt head like his friend."

"You know, Justin... well, there's no doubt he loves you and wishes he had a do over and has admitted he screwed up and had a million excuses, but Evie... Damn, Becks, every time she found out you weren't around she teared up and told me I had to tell you how sorry she was. She should have asked you, trusted you... I swear, she's like a person who betrayed her best friend or daughter or something. You must have really made an impact on her."

"I miss her too and since Roger let me know both my folks are dead..."

"How are you doing with that anyway? still the same?"

"It's weird. You know, like I said, I've been gone so long I never hardly thought about them. Now I keep thinking about growing up--flashbacks. Enough of this kind of talk. First, do you want to take tomorrow off. It's the least I can do."

"Nope. We're too busy. I have some appointments I have some folks who want home visits and well, we need both of us here."

"I'm sorry, Trish for disappearing, but I had to. Okay, so what IS going on with you and Peter. What about Trina and Avery with those other two?"

A month later, the four friends met at the dock. They'd all kept clear to make sure they didn't bump into Justin and get hit up with questions about Becks. "Okay, ladies, probably the last warm day of the season. I intend to master this friggin' paddle board while you chickens paddle around in your kayaks."

"Becks, if you fall off you're gonna freeze! The water's in the sixties!"

"And that is precisely why I do not intend to fall. I... Shit! There's Justin at the end of the dock. You all should stay, but I'm... No! Tyler. Not Tyler!"

She dropped her board and started running from the rental office onto the dock and watched as Tyler tapped Justin on the shoulder and punched him twice in the face as he turned around. She watched as Justin's eyes rolled up and he sat down hard on the wooden slats of the dock near the edge where his paddle board waited.

Tyler moved closer, grabbed his shirt and lifted him. "You piece of shit. Fuck my girlfriend and then shove me in the water. Time to teach you a lesson."

He got ready to punch Justin again. "TYLER! GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HIM!" He swung his head around and as he stood the flat of Becks' paddle caught him on the side of the face. He growled with rage and took a step towards her.

"I'm going to strangle you, bitch! No one hits me like that and walks away. And after the way you cheated on me... " But the edge of her blade slammed into his left knee which buckled inwardly at an odd angle and he fell to the platform clutching it.

"Oh, Tyler, honey, that was your good knee wasn't it? So sorry." She bent down, hauled back and punched him twice in the face--right, then left. "If you ever touch Justin again we're going to have another discussion." She punched him again. "Am I clear, honey?" He slowly nodded.

"You! Carl! Help your piece of shit friend up and take him to the ER to get checked out." She heard a splash. "Justin! Oh, shit!" Justin was lying face down in the water. She jumped off the dock and pulled his head out of the water and took him to the edge.

"Trish, Trina, haul him out!" He was limp and they struggled to haul him up. She went to the edge of the dock and in one motion pulled herself up and out and hurried over to Justin. Pushing Trish to the side, she reached under his arms and hauled him out, laid him down and looked at him.

His eyes were closed and he wasn't moving. She felt his neck. "What the hell are you supposed to feel? Shit! In the movies they put a finger here... He's not breathing! Does he look like he's breathing? Shit!"

She bent over and started giving him mouth to mouth. He opened his eyes and looked at her, "Becks?" Then wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. She held it a moment then pushed away.

"YOU ASS! You were faking; holding your breath!" She slammed her fist onto his chest. "You dick head. You scared me to death! And this! This! This is exactly why I hate you!" She stood up and started walking away.

Justin staggered to his feet and started following, "Becks, no. Wait. I'm sorry! Plea..." He staggered and fell on his face.

Becks turned around and fell to her knees. "Justin! Justin, wake up. If you're faking I swear I will cut your nuts off. Justin!" She shook him, but he stared off into nothing. "Crap! Trish, call 911, I don't have my phone." She cradled his head in her lap and stroked his cheek. "Help's on the way, Justin. Just hang in there."

The ambulance took off with Justin and Becks ran to her car. Trish had followed. "I'll come with you, Becks."

"It's okay, Trish. I'll be fine..."

"Dammit, Becks. Accept some help when it's offered! Quit being such a fucking hard ass all the time and let me help you!" Becks' eyes watered and she nodded, slightly. "I'll drive. Give me your keys. You call Evie and let her know." Becks nodded again.

She dialed and Evie answered. "Becks?"

Becks burst into tears. "Evie, I'm so sorry. Justin got beat up at the dock and it's all my fault. It was my ex-. He got knocked out and fell in the water and... I don't know... he has a concussion or something. He's on his way to the hospital in an ambulance. I am so sorry. No, that's all I know. Yes, I'll meet you there."

Trish and Becks were seated in the waiting area when Evie walked in, obviously frazzled. Becks ran over to her, hugged her and started crying again. "I am so sorry, Evie. It's my fault he got hurt. It was the same guy as a month ago."

"So how is he?"

"We haven't heard anything. Just waiting, but they took him straight back and said he was getting some scans and stuff when we checked. I can't believe he got hurt because of me."

"Were you with him? Justin I mean."

"No, I was getting a paddle board, saw Justin at the end of the dock and was going to leave, but then I saw Tyler and he hit him!"

"So, it wasn't your fault. This was a leftover from their previous meeting. Don't blame yourself for something you didn't do, Becks. Sounds like you actually saved him."

She held her at arms length, "And I am sorry, Becks, sorry from the bottom of my heart that I thought for a moment that you cheated on him or would do anything to hurt him. I should have talked to you, I should have forced Justin to talk to you. I... I never should have let things turn out the way they did."

"And I should have grabbed his stupid ass and pounded some sense into him instead of getting all bent out of shape and running off. Not the best way to deal with issues. I should have faced up to the problem. Trish and I are sitting right over there. Please, come sit with us.

"Evie, you know Trish, I guess."

Trish stood, "Evie, I'm..."

"No. You were being a good friend. I'm sorry I harassed you so much, but it just didn't feel right. I knew in my heart that Becks wouldn't cheat on him and there had to be an explanation and I really fucked up when you came over on Monday.

"What! Don't look so surprised. I know how to use that word." Becks hugged her again. "So, Becks, if you don't mind, would you tell me who it was?"

"My brother. I hadn't seen him since I was sixteen or so."

"But I thought... So how is the family?"

"My mom and dad are dead, Roger has a computer business in Reidsville, and my older brothers are both in jail. I guess after I left, Roger found the strength to escape as well and went into the service."

"I am so sorry about your folks."

She waved her hand in dismissal, "No big deal although now I find I think of my 'wonderful' childhood more often. Wait, that doctor is coming towards us."

"Hello, I'm Dr. Thomas, a Neurologist."

"Hi, I'm Evelyn Webster, his mother."

"Ms. Webster, your son has a concussion, a bunch of scrapes and bruises, and a chipped tooth. I guess from being punched a few times. We need to keep him overnight for observation and he's going to have to take it easy for a few weeks and follow up at our concussion clinic in about a week or so, but he should be alright. The nurse'll give you a sheet of instructions and head injury info.

"But he's going to be groggy, have headaches, no lifting or straining... pretty limited activities to start with. And he's going to find that he can't concentrate on reading or writing or anything for long or he'll get headaches.

"But, I think he was lucky, another punch or two and it might have been a lot worse. So we'll keep you posted and let you know when he goes to a room."

"Thank you, Dr. Thomas, could we go back and see him?"

"It's the weekend and pretty busy. The nurses want you to wait until he gets settled in a room." Evie nodded.

"Thank goodness. God, Evie, he fell in the water and then I didn't think he was breathing and then he kissed me when I gave him mouth to mouth..."

Evie laughed, "He kissed you?"

"Yeah, asshole, so I thought he was okay and yelled at him and started to leave, but he fell down and was just staring. I was so scared. It was awful." She teared up again at the remembrance. "I need to run to the restroom and wash my face and stuff. Be right back."

As Becks approached the restroom a policeman stopped her. "Are you Rebecca Russell?"

"Yes, Sir."

"I need to ask you some questions."

"Okay, but can I dash in here just a second? I'm about to bust. Please. I'll make it quick."

"Well..."

"Look, here's my purse which has my phone and everything, I'm coming from the lake so I have a bikini on under this." She opened her coverup and showed him, "So I'm not hiding anything and I think there's only one way in. Heck, I'm so desperate you can come in... please!"

"Okay, okay. But I have some questions..."

She dashed in and sighed in relief, quickly rinsed her face then came out. "Okay Officer..."

"Benson. Do you know Tyler Jones?"

"Yes."

"He is filing an assault charge against you. He says you hit him with a paddle, wrecked his knee and punched him for no reason."

Becks' face turned red and she was about to explode, but kept things under control. "All that is true, sort of, but he left out the fact that he was beating the heck out of Justin Webster, the author, who had simply been in the process of putting his paddle board in the water.

"He punched him in the face a few times, with no warning, knocked him down, had him by the shirt and was about to go to town on him when I hit him with the paddle.

"Justin has a severe concussion and the doctor said if he'd been struck another time or two he could have had permanent brain injury. Even now he's being admitted for observation so you know it must be serious. Doctors send everyone home they can since they're always so full.

"Then he said he was going to strangle me and charged so I hit his knee and made sure he couldn't grab me and do me in when I went to help Mr. Webster. Heck, Officer, he's got a foot on me and is close to twice my weight! I couldn't exactly say 'put up your dukes' and hope to survive.

"Look, that girl over there, Trish, saw it all, there were four of us getting our things at the concession stand and saw the fight at the end of the dock. She can verify it. And there were a ton of folks around, oh, and I think they have cameras all over..."

"Okay, you have a seat right here. I'll go see if her story jives with yours."

Evie and Trish stood as the officer approached. "Are you Trish?"

"Yes?"

"Mr. Jones is filing an assault charge against Ms. Roberts, could you tell me what happened?"

"That's crazy. Tyler's the one that should be arrested. We were at the concession stand renting things when Becks saw Justin. She was about to leave when Tyler walked over as Justin was putting his paddle board into the water, tapped him on the shoulder and punched him twice. Justin was obviously stunned. He fell back into a sitting position and stared...

"... He was limp so Becks started checking him out, he didn't look like he was breathing so she gave him mouth to mouth," she laughed, "and then the jerk hugged her and kissed her. She slugged his chest, he got up and fell over. She helped him until the ambulance got there."

Evie had been speechless. "So she took on that big guy to help Justin?"

"Yup. So officer, there were plenty of witnesses. Becks did hit him, but that was to defend Justin and then herself. After the first slap, he said he was going to strangle her and was charging when she clipped his knee."

"Hmmm. Guess I need to talk to Justin and then the vendor and check out his recording."

"Justin's being admitted, but he was so dazed he may not even remember getting hit."

"Okay, I need your info and those others who were there."

Becks rejoined her friends after another short discussion with Benson. "SHIT! I just remembered. I have to go! I have to leave tonight and drive to Charlotte. I have a conference which I would skip, but I'm giving two lectures on Monday and a lecture and a panel on Tuesday." Her eyes teared up as she spoke, "I won't be back until Wednesday. Dammit. Just when we had a chance to be together."

"But it's a real honor, Becks to be a presenter. It'll really help build your reputation and the business. I'm sure Evie and I... and Peter can take care of him until then."

"I know, I know, it's just that he was gone for three weeks, then the misunderstanding and now this meeting. 'Oh, just relax, Becks, and let it happen. It'll be easy like Peter and I.' Well, it hasn't been, Trish. It's been very complicated, way too complicated. I... I can't get a grip on it. Things are unraveling. There's..."

Evie put her hand on hers, "Just relax some, Hon. It'll all work out and you two will have all the time you need to figure things out together."

"Sure, unless he gets some sort of complication or I'm in a car wreck or there's some terrible disaster..."

Trish laughed, "Well, you're right. We can't rule out earthquakes, floods, pestilence, an asteroid or things like that. Becks you know in that skull of yours and in your heart that you're on the right course. I know this has been a long, drawn out romance, and," she whispered in her ear, "his pecker's probably tiny and you won't like it anyway."

Becks laughed. "It's not." Both women looked at Evie. "Well, a mom, uh, knows these things." All three laughed.

Becks got home Wednesday evening and was greeted by Trish. "So how was it? We're already getting inquiries and some calls. A lot of activity on our socials. You need to start dropping some more videos on your blog or podcasts or something. You already have thousands of followers.

"Oh, and Olivia called today and said she was almost fully booked through leaf season and thanks. She wants you to come for a free weekend."

"I see you're already trying to make more work for me. You and Pete should take the weekend. No, the meeting went great. Good thing I went. Met a lot of great folks and made some good contacts with suppliers... which means..."

"Which means we have to hire some folks. I talked to Ms. Jenkins at our alma mater and she has two folks who are graduating in December who she says are similar in approach and personality to the two of us and would probably like to join our wonderful organization.

"They just so happen to be coming this weekend so we can meet them. Wait, what are you thinking? I know that look."

"Peter's an architect, right?" Trish nodded. "And that crazy James runs a construction company... are he and Trina doing okay?"

"Oh, yeah. She's a goner. And Avery does our accounting... We could tackle bigger projects! Is that what you're thinking?"

"Yeah, but I don't think I want to get too big though, do you Trish? I like the personal touch and dealing with clients rather than a lot of big commercial jobs or development folks."

"I agree. Know when to say when. We want it to be a labor of love and not 'work,' but with the new folks... What are you doing?"

"I'm taking a shower, sprucing myself up, putting some nipples on my butt and going to see Justin and I am going to sleep in that big old bed of his and look at the moonlight flickering on the lake..."

Trish laughed, "Hard to do when you're staring at the ceiling with your legs up in the air. He's still pretty limited from his concussion so not sure he's ready for a rumble."

"I have it all figured out, reverse cowgirl, so I'm looking at the lake. He has to rest and can't do anything strenuous, right? So I'll take charge and when I'm done, well, then I'll just back my little self up towards his head and he won't have to move a muscle except his tongue."

Trish howled with laughter, "Why you little vixen. What if his mom's there?"

"Shit. Didn't think of that. Guess I'll be riding with a pillow on my mouth." They both laughed. "Have you seen him, Trish? I talked to him for just a couple of minutes and he sounded exhausted so I let him go. Evie said he mostly slept, but no real problems. So, probably need to save all that stuff for later and just snuggle."

Trish laughed, then sarcastically, "And we know how much you like to snuggle. No, I haven't been over, just talked to Evie to check in."

"I might like snuggling with him. And maybe I can use his hand to get me off."

More laughter, "Now that's pretty romantic. Snagging his fingers while he sleeps?"

"Might work. Never tried it before. Maybe that'll be my first video in a new series. Getting yourself off when you partner's asleep. Anyway, see you at work tomorrow. And, Trish, I apologize for dumping so much on you. You should take some time off and I'll cover."

"Nah, maybe when the new folks come, if we like these ones of, course." Trish hugged her, "Good to have you back, Becks. And I am so thrilled that things seem to be working out for you. The business is doing great, you're getting a national reputation, you now have Roger and family, but best of all, you have a famous author who adores you and should write you love sonnets."

"Not sure he's up to that. You forgot the millions of views and followers I'll have on my videos. You have to do some too. TTFN. Gotta go see Justin." She hugged her again. "I love you, Trish. You. You are my family and have really blessed my life. Thank you."

"Oh, get out of here before you get me all teary eyed."

Becks quietly opened the door and tried not to make a sound in case Justin was sleeping.

"Are sure this is the right girl for Justin? I mean she got him into two fights and look at him... he's groggy and sleeps all the time. And she's an interior designer and not some professional who could help him with his writing and his business. Did she even go to college or anything? Are you sure she's not just after his money? I mean, how much do you actually know about her?"

"Abby, you've got it all..."

"Good evening, Evie. How's our patient? I made him some cookies." Evie looked at the box of bakery cookies and smiled. Uh oh, Becks had that twinkle in her eyes. The woman hovering over Justin pivoted and faced Becks.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there. You blended right into the bed spread, must be that outfit you're wearing. Evie, you didn't tell me you had a visitor." Becks looked at her carefully, "Wait! You must be Justin's aunt! Evie, you never told me you had a sister! Why she's a spitting image of you. Were you two twins?"

"But I'm not..."

"Now I apologize, but I couldn't help but overhear a portion of the conversation and I believe there's been a terrible misunderstanding. Justin got himself into those fights.

"Yup, I have it on good authority that the first altercation occurred because he told that giant, beastly football player that his ex girlfriend was a tigress and had scratched his back all to pieces when they had sex the night before, all of which was a lie of course, because she's not that kind of girl, and then he shoved Tyler off the dock into the water."

She touched the woman's arm, "Like any woman would be like that, right? One night stand? Get that excited during... Who on earth... I mean we just lie there with our legs spread as wide as we can to fit our mate's fat ass between them, waiting for our special guy to finish grunting around on us as we glance at our Apple Watch. Am I right?" Then in a dull monotone, "That was great, Honey. I'm gonna get another slice of your birthday cake then we should call it a night, I have work tomorrow."

Abby was still just looking at her as Evie smiled.

Becks picked up a bit of Abby's hair and let it fall, "But, dearie, you really need to do something with this hair. It just so dull and limp. You know, if you're going to keep that special man...

"Just trying to help. But then the second fight, this sweet, little girl beat the heck out of the guy who was a foot taller and weighed twice as much as she did to save Justin's scrawny little, err, tail. And then instead of thanking her, he throws himself into the lake and she rescues him and almost single handedly hauls his heavy as heck, limp body onto the dock when her friends couldn't do it.

"He's holding his breath so she starts mouth to mouth and he kisses her. What a, err, what an inappropriate thing to do, right? So really, instead of blaming her, you should be thanking her for saving him from a more serious injury.

"But, you are correct that she does not know why she loves him so much because he is such a friggin' jerk and..." looking at Evie, "has caused her a considerable amount of pain and psychological discomfort, but she does.

"So, let me guess. You're not his aunt, your his sister, Abigail, the captain of industry here to protect your brother from a lowly interior designer who started college at seventeen, graduated with honors in three years, happens to own her own business, is back from multiple presentations at a national conference, and has over ten thousand folks following her video blog.

"WHO, by the way, is making so much money she's about to hire two new associates and join forces with two of your brother's friends to tackle big, commercial projects.

"How's your business doing, Abigail?"

"But this brainless designer has also already provided him with some excellent suggestions on how to improve his writing and provided some ideas for his next book which, if your brother has any sense at all--and there are serious questions surrounding that issue-- he'll follow and utilize.

"All your brother has done for the last few years is sit around feeling sorry for himself and writing depressing as he... heck books.

"So when one weighs the pros and cons of a potential relationship--gloomy, self-absorbed author vs. a woman as fresh as a ray of sunshine--I'd say, he was getting the better end of the stick. Not to mention, of course, that she is incredibly beautiful and has a very rich vocabulary populated by a wide variety of four letter words and others.

"Now that I think of it, he doesn't swear, does he, Evie?"

Shaking her head, "No, uh, Lynn never swore and they used to go to church and..."

"I'm not sure I can be with a man that doesn't cuss at least sometimes. So I'm kind of a culture shock for him I guess?"

She nodded, "But a good one." Becks smiled.

"So, hi. I'm Becks, the interior designer. Pleased to meet you, Abby." Looking at Evie, "About as pleased as I was with your mother when we first met. But I am a very forgiving kind of person, Abby. Just to be clear, I'm an adult woman, you are an adult woman. Equals. Got it? Sorry, Evie. Please note, note a single cuss word," smiling, "although I came close."

Evie laughed, "Truly remarkable, Becks."

"Just didn't feel right, though. Kind of false and disingenuous. Like that big word, Abby? I know a couple more, but most of mine are limited to four letters."

"Abby, quit standing there with your mouth open, this is the woman I've been telling you about and she did, in fact, save his scrawny butt."

Abby was still looking at her, but Becks stepped forward and hugged her. "Pleased to meet you, Abby. Just had to establish a little parity in the dominance hierarchy before you tried to pull rank or do anything foolish. You'd lose by the way. We just needed a little mutual understanding. Your mom will surely confirm that I was a tad rougher on her.

"I do like your outfit, but you might benefit from something a little more casual when you're not working, don't you think? Helps you shift gears, remember a good work/life balance. Know what I mean? Don't you tell your employees that?

"And, Abby, you are a beautiful woman, but your hair... your hair makes you seem very stern and older than you are. Is that what you want? Remember, you can be a captain of industry, run your own business, and a beautiful woman at the same time. Sorry, enough unsolicited advice. It's that designer thing." Abby still hadn't said a word. She was trying to figure out where to start.

Turning to Evie, "So, how is he?"

She stepped closer and looked at Justin, ran her hand across his hair, his eyes were closed, but he was stifling a smile. "You fucking piece of shit!" Evie smiled, Abby was about to intervene but Evie grabbed her sleeve and shook her head. "You were fucking faking it, AGAIN! Who the hell do you think you are listening to your sister's and my private conversation?"

She slammed the heel of her fist down on his chest. He groaned. "I was trying to see what 'ruffled feathers' meant."

"And this, once again, is exactly why I hate you! Dammit, why me! I should have let Tyler beat you to a boneless cow patty.

"Here I am trying to drag you out of your pit of gloom and despair so you don't write another one of those fucking awful depressing books that all the goth people and basement dwellers liked and this is what I get.

"I swear, I'm going to get you a fucking shovel and you can dig that pit as deep as you want. Maybe you'll hit some pipe full of sewage and shit. You'd deserve it.

"I'm adding this to my top ten reasons why I hate you! Let's review them for a moment, shall we? I throw my self at you, even rub on you, something which, I hasten to add, I had never done before in my life, and you turn me down. Any idea what that does to a girl's self esteem? Never happened to me before in my EN-tire life. Batting zero, Justin. 'O' for one.

"But you were..."

"Don't you dare say it. That's no excuse. I run into you at the lake and decide I might like you a tiny bit and you disappear for three weeks--three friggin' weeks!

"I decide I do like you and three weeks later, without a fucking word, you decide I cheated on you and cut me out of your life. Despite that, a month later I was willing to risk life and limb save your miserable ass from a life in a fucking nursing home and you hold your breath so you can kiss me.

"And now this! I rush home from a conference and come over here to act like I give a shit about you to make your mom feel better and you fucking fake it, AGAIN. I swear..."

"That's only five."

"And that's number six, dick head! AND, I hate your face, your hair, your pubic hair beard, your shirt, the dog you don't have, oh, yeah, and your shitty assed truck. That's thirty-seven."

She turned to move away and he grabbed her arm. She resisted, but he pulled her to himself grabbed her head with both hands and kissed her. She half heartedly pulled away, but then relaxed into it. Lip to lip, tongue to tongue, she sighed slightly, relaxed and surrendered herself to the moment. Yes! The lips she remembered before she buried her tongue in his mouth and got their faces all wet.

Pulling away, "Not bad, but I guess I have to lower my expectations, you know, make reasonable accommodations for the fact that you've been hurt." She pulled away, but then kissed him again and pressed herself against him.

"Better, but not what I was hoping for." He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her to himself as they kissed.

"Okay. Now THAT was more like it. And that, right there, is why I'm willing to overlook your numerous flaws and the emotional pain and turmoil you are always causing me and love your ass. But I swear someday you're going to make me regret my decision and rip your friggin' arms off.

Turning to look at Evie, who was still smiling, and Abby, who still couldn't understand the interaction, "If you ladies would excuse us for a bit, the two of us have to have a little chat. I promise, no blood shed or broken furniture and no visible bruising."

"But..."

"Sure thing, Becks. You two need to come to a meeting of the... well an understanding." She smiled knowingly. "Abby, you and I are going to leave so these two can have a nice long, uh, discussion. See you in the morning, Justin. I assume you have to work, Becks?" She nodded.

"But, Mom?"

"It's okay, Abby. I'll, tell you all about it."

Becks turned off the light, lifted the covers, climbed into the bed with him and rested her head on his shoulder. "So, Justin, my dear, how are you doing? And don't give any of that 'fine' stuff."

"My head hurts, I'm dizzy when I get up, I feel exhausted, I can't concentrate..."

"So you're fine. And of course you realize that your current predicament was completely avoidable if you had simply asked me who had spent the night."

"Well, I am fine now that you're here and Becks, look, I am so sorry for doubting you, for hurting you, for being so stupid. I am..."

"... a dumbass who promises never to do anything like that ever again and make up for missing my birthday."

"Oh, Becks, I'm sorry. When was it?"

"The twelfth of next month."

He laughed, "Becks, I swear..."

"So, Justin, before I consider forgiving you for all of your fuckups, I need you to tell me you love me and why."

"I do love you, Becks. I think I have since I first looked across the bar and saw you. You were so alive, enthusiastic; the way you carried on with your friends and kept them all laughing, the way you felt when we were dancing, the feel of your breasts as you rubbed them against me..."

"You are such an ass! You had to bring that up. And I guess you liked it when I did this!" She grabbed his cock through the sweat pants he was wearing..

"Yes, I liked that a lot."

"Liar. I was drunk and we were in public and I guarantee you were embarrassed and self conscious."

"Maybe, but I like it now." He pulled her close and they kissed. On and on and she gently massaged him through the fabric and smiled to herself as he rapidly became hard.

"Becks, I would love to, but..."

"Boo hooo hooo. I think I feel a tear. I cannot be associated with a whiner. Look, you ass, you already turned me down once and that was very hurtful. So unless you want me to get my phone, call some online therapist service and tell them about my tale of woe, I suggest you work with me on this."

She pulled the covers down, yanked his sweat pants off and wrapped her hand around his erection that pointed towards the ceiling. "Your mom was right, you aren't as tiny as I feared. Without actually trying it out, I suspect you'll be adequate for my needs."

"My mom?"

"As she said, mothers know this stuff. I guess she used to spy on you. Maybe she watched you diddle yourself."

"Becks..."

"Sorry. Too much?" She jumped up and stripped off her clothes and noted how he stared at her in the moonlight. "Want me to throw some water on myself so I glimmer in the moonlight?"

He chuckled, "Becks, you are incredible."

"I know. As I told Abby, you're getting the better end of this deal. Just think, if you hadn't turned me down, you could have been knocking on heaven's door for two months, but oh, nooo. Someone had to screw things up.

"Now I have a plan. You just have to lie there... have you ever been to the rodeo, Justin?" She climbed on top and looked out towards the lake. "Hang onto your hat, buckaroo, the ride is about to begin."

She looked out and saw the cone of light from the moon shining across the lake directly towards the condo. As she looked, she could feel all the disparate pieces of her life consolidating, coming together, filling every crack and weak point and becoming whole.

She heard a rustling behind her, "Justin, you better not be eating chips back there." She slid him inside and moaned. God, he felt so good, she wanted to just sit there and experience it for a moment, but then she felt a cold gooey something get stuck on each buttock.

She reached a hand behind, still perched on his cock, and felt--NIPPLES!

She raised up, let him slide out of her and remounted looking at him. "I swear, Justin. Just when I think I like you, you pull a stunt like that. First of all, the nipples on the ass was my idea. I bought a pair and was going to surprise you. I don't know how the hell you found out I was going to do it, but it's not right to steal my thunder.

"Secondly, you made me wait for over two months to get you inside me and instead of being romantic and appreciative; and saying something like 'baby, oh, baby, you're so hot', you try to pull a funny."

She bent forward and kissed him. Reaching between her legs, she slid him back inside. "Now, as we commence your pleasure filled excursion, please be kind enough to tell me once again, how much you love me." She moaned as he pushed his hips up.

"I am fucking crazy about you and all the fucking shit you do."

She smiled, "That's my boy." She shoved down hard, groaned, and their lives together commenced.