Chapter 10 – Birthday Sex
Monday, January 5, 2032
Ted
As the meeting disperses two hours later, I am no better off than I was two hours ago.
How do you even approach a recent colleague whom you originally intended on labeling as some obscure person from a sordid, distant past? You know, that moment years from now when you and a good friend reminisce about your player past over beers and tally the number of girls you each had sex with up to that point. And when it gets to the moment when I recall the first Saturday night of 2032:
What's her name? It's been so long.
Yeah…the girl who decided to take me home over you assholes…
She was hot – standoffish at first, but ended up being really sweet.
I wonder if she's married with kids now. If so, he's a lucky dude.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd ever see Diana again, much less not this soon. But as I sat in that meeting for the most agonizing two hours in my life, I realized something.
My intentions can be one thing, but what really happens afterwards can knock intent right on its ass.
Case in point: Never could I have imagined that Cheerleader Rebecca would be such a royal pain. When we first met at a party during my freshman year, we both were a little buzzed. Then I started flirting with her a bit, which is what I do with all girls who are alone within my proximity.
She laughed.
We talked.
She laughed some more.
We kissed.
She blew me.
As time went on, she would blow me many times. I'd see her on campus from time to time and if she wasn't in class or blowing someone else, she'd blow me. That was all fine and dandy. I was still hell bent on Sophie and didn't think much of a harmless blowjob.
To me, it wasn't cheating.
I wasn't on the football team or in some fraternity – which were Rebecca's usual suspects. I simply figured that I wouldn't hold the attention of someone whose end goal was to score the quarterback. Also, the second I knew that Sophie was as sure as I was about us being the end-goal, it would be a cinch to cut Rebecca off. Right?
But nowhere did I plan for the scenario where Sophie drops a nuclear bomb in between us. She didn't just burn the bridge; she obliterated it.
"I thought I had feelings for you.
But now I understand that my feelings were all wrong."
She then had the audacity to say that I was turning into my father before hanging up on me. I completely lost it at that point.
Later that day, Rebecca ran into me on campus and saw that I was fairly distraught. I don't fucking know what possessed me to tell her that my long time love just trampled my heart, but she was there – and she listened. She held me at certain points, and stroked my hair during others while she listened to me air out my frustrations.
That was the night I decided to have sex with her.
And that was the night when Rebecca lost her goddamn mind.
"I wished I had someone who loved me like you loved her.
Maybe one day, you can love me the same way."
The fuck?
I know I'm not her only prospect. Therefore, it's mindboggling that she is choosing to focus solely on me these days – even if she and I aren't even in the same state. Now, a small part of me is flattered to have such an effect on a girl like her. But realistically, I despise the idea of not meeting expectations…period.
Point blank – I am not going to be the guy that Rebecca hopes me to be for her. I've told her this almost daily, yet she refuses to believe me.
"You'll come around, Teddy Bear. You'll see.
I'll be here until you do. I don't want you to miss a good thing."
Recently, I developed this deep-seated fear of not answering her calls for an extended period of time. Like my dad, Rebecca frightens me in that sort of unhinged kind of way. I'll only ignore her calls and texts for so long before throwing her a bone. I want her to keep her ass right there in California. I wouldn't want her constant threats of paying me a surprise visit to materialize.
So once more, I sit here with yet another headache involving a female.
The positive side is that although I don't know much at all about Diana, she doesn't strike me as the Cheerleader Rebecca type. Just like me, I'm quite certain that she doesn't want any drama coming her way. She probably just wants to finish her internship and go back to Vancouver in the fall without incident. If that is the case, then both she and I can get through these next few months static free.
As the meeting attendees make the slow exodus to lunch, one of the other male interns in the room taps me on the shoulder. He invites me to lunch along with a group of other interns. The lunch group eventually assembles out in the hall, and I soon see Diana joining the fold.
"Hello Ted. Welcome," she smiles kindly.
This exchange can end up being totally weird, or not.
I blink first before smirking at her. "Thank you."
"I'm Diana Fenkell. Nice to meet you."
I smile even bigger.
Yep, she's cool.
….
With the first day of my Amazon internship now in the books, I sling my leather carrier over the shoulder and across my chest. Just as I start to make my way towards the elevator, I hear a set of rapidly clacking heels behind me.
"Ted."
I turn around and see Diana. "Hey," I greet her.
"I have an hour and a half to kill before I'm scheduled to meet friends for dinner. If you're not in a hurry, would you like to grab a quick drink?" she asks. And there appears to be no pretenses wrapped in with her words.
"Sure," I say.
"There's a bar just up the street. Why don't we go there," she suggests.
After exiting the building, she and I begin the three-minute walk over to the bar.
"So how awkward was it to see me in that conference room earlier?" she says with an ironic smile.
"Very unexpected. We had a lot to talk about last Saturday, but it never occurred to me to ask where you were interning," I chuckle.
"I know. We knew about where each other went to school…what we majored in… tons of stuff. I know you have three sisters," she giggles.
"Right. I knew about your sister and where you grew up. But for some reason, the most important thing got left out," I say humorously.
"Actually, I found out just hours before you did that we'd be working together. While you were in your new intern training, I saw the intern roster sitting on Sandy's desk. The line that read: Theodore 'Ted' Grey – Stanford University, California jumped right out at me. I thought it was probably a strange coincidence. I'm sure there's more than one Ted at Stanford, I thought. But no…it was you," she says amusingly.
"Yes, I was…surprised to see you," I grin.
We eventually make it to our destination – a place called Alibi. Once inside, we take our seats directly at the bar.
"Hey there. What would you like?" the female bartender kindly asks us.
Diana looks over at me with a conspiratorial grin. I know exactly what she's thinking.
"Why not," I smile back at her.
"Can we get two Hendrick's and tonics with cucumber, please?" Diana asks.
"Sure, I'll just need to see your IDs."
In unison, Diana and I retrieve our fake IDs and hand them over to her. She then studies each of us along with the corresponding ID and hands them back before starting the drink order.
"So, I told you when my birthday was. When's yours?" Diana murmurs.
"A week from today," I answer.
"Wow, really?" she beams. I nod.
"22?" she asks. I shake my head.
"21," she guesses. I smile, shaking my head again.
"Not 23," she frowns in disbelief. I take my thumb and point it downward.
"20?" she winces. I laugh, shaking my head once more. She gapes at me.
"19?"
I smile and nod at her.
"You're only 18?" she murmurs. I smile wider in reply as the bartender places the drinks in front of us. Quickly, I throw down a few bills before she can leave and tell her to keep the change.
"Hey," Diana begins to rebut.
"No, you got it last time. It's my turn," I say with a wink. She flashes a shy smile as the bartender thanks me and ventures off.
"So, you're going on 19 and you're only a few classes away from getting your degree at Stanford?" she says, still unable to process the news.
I nod. "Accelerated program."
"I knew you were smart, but man. I was kind of wondering after you told everyone who your father was why you were interning at Amazon and not at GEH."
"Been there, done that," I say as I take a sip of my drink.
"You don't like working for your dad?"
"No, I did. It's just… It's good to have the Grey name and all, but I sort of want to be my own man."
"I get that. But you know that GEH is slated to grow as big as Amazon in terms of revenue. You also have a much greater chance of landing CEO there," she argues.
"I know, but I would like to build my own thing from the ground up. My father started his company from scratch when he was 21. I'd like to have something of my very own."
"Understood," she beams.
"I have a question for you," I start, and she nods. "At what point is it appropriate to address the elephant in the room?" I finally ask. She gives me a puzzled look.
"About what happened late on Saturday?"
"Oh yeah…that," she grins shyly.
And my eyes are itching to take the journey from her heels and up her skirt, but I hold back, keeping my line of sight on her very attractive face.
"So, we'll be working together in the same department for at least four months," I preface.
"Yes," she nods.
"I don't want this to be weird."
"Neither do I."
"So can we both agree that what happened over the weekend can't happen again?" I put out there. Suddenly, her lips flatten and they turn up at the corners. She finally nods.
"Agreed. We're colleagues now. It's for the best," she says.
Fuck, I knew this girl was reasonable.
"Agreed," I echo.
Diana then extends her hand and we shake on it.
"I'm curious about something," she starts. "I promise, this will be the last time I ever bring this up. What's the deal with your friends?"
I laugh. "What do you mean?"
"Were they butt hurt that I took you home instead of them?"
"I'm sure they're over it by now. If not, they will be once they laugh at my expense upon finding out that we're now working together."
She giggles. "Seriously, what were they saying about me before you decided to come over and speak to me?"
"You want me to be honest?" I chuckle. She nods, beaming brighter.
"They pretty much thought that you came across as too good for anybody. Possibly a proud owner of a $400 battery operated boyfriend and no need for anyone with a penis."
She bursts out laughing. "Actually, I do own a $400 BOB." I crack up. "Funny enough, my best friends chipped in and bought it for me after I finally broke up with my boyfriend three weeks ago."
I sober up, blinking at her. "Seriously?"
"Yeah. My friends were trying their best to get me out of my funk. They were the ones who dragged me to that club in the first place. I just didn't feel like being bothered. I was out of it."
"I'm sorry…"
"No-no-no…I needed that night, Ted. It was the first time I felt like I deserved better than the two years I had with Richard," Diana says sincerely. I'm rendered speechless.
"You were the first person that night who treated me like a human being and not a piece of fresh meat. I appreciated that," she says as she takes a drink.
"You were so easy to talk to. That is…when you finally decided to talk to me," I grin.
"I'm glad you didn't let up. By the way…" she starts, inching over closer to me and lowering her voice even more so. "You may still be a teenager, but you don't screw like one."
My brows rise up to my hairline in utter shock.
Jesus Christ.
She's not making this abstaining from your coworker thing any easier.
"How do I, then?" I ask.
I'm morbidly curious. Sue me.
"One of your loves – she must've been much older than you. She probably showed you in bed everything that a woman likes. That was no boy I was with Saturday night," she exhales.
The wrong nerve is immediately plucked. Suddenly, I swivel my barstool opposite of her. Now numb, I pick up my tumbler and swish it around so that the ice and the cucumber dance in the liquid. A lengthy bout of silence stretches between us, save for the background bar sounds and the clinking of ice against glass.
"Richard kept pulling me back in…but he was never really serious," she finally breaks.
"I would make all of these life plans for us, which he'd immediately agree to. Then during an argument, he would bring them up to the surface only to tell me how stupid they were to begin with."
Damn.
"After two years too long, I finally decided to end it before coming to Seattle. I changed my phone number and everything. I refuse to be pulled along on a string until something better comes along for him. That's pretty much what I saw happening."
Yep, she knows exactly how I feel.
"I was angry – at him…at all men. Believe it or not, you were the first guy I've been intimate with in two years other than Richard. A one-night stand is not my usual forte."
Her news sends a jolt straight through me.
"Sophie. Her name's Sophie."
The words just come spilling out of me.
Just saying her name out loud makes my chest want to cave in.
I can hear Diana's stool sliding just an inch closer to mine.
"Did she break your heart?" she breathes. I nod.
I finally lift my head and capture her empathetic brown eyes, and I want to tell her everything.
"I saw her a few weeks before the start of the fall semester. I thought everything was fine between us. We had a solid plan in place once we finished college. I came back to Seattle six weeks after that to meet the team at Amazon. I was hoping to see her while I was here for the day. I reached out to her. That's when I found out she got engaged."
"No way," she gapes at me in disbelief. I nod. "That's low," she scowls. "How long were you together?"
"I loved her just about all my life, but we didn't get together until four years ago."
"Four years?" she gasps. I nod again.
"She was my everything," I say, stupefied. I finish off my drink.
"I'm sorry, Ted," she murmurs, rubbing my shoulder to comfort me. I shrug them both.
"What can I say? All's fair…" I start, unable to complete the shitty old cliché.
"She's going to regret it. I know she will. You're a good guy, Ted," she says adamantly.
I have nothing else to say. I only wished that this conversation never happened. Reliving it feels just as bad as it did the day when Sophie pretty much said to me that our love wasn't really love.
"Look Ted, we just shook on it. There won't be a repeat of last Saturday. From this moment on, we're strictly co-workers. But hey, who's to say that we can't become really good friends? Maybe we can be there for each other. You know – to talk some sense into the other if our respective ex tries to pop back into the picture," she nervously laughs.
"I think there's probably a greater chance of your ex wanting to reconcile than mine," I snort. "My ex is about to marry someone else."
"You never know, Ted. Who's to say that she won't wake up one day and realize that she really doesn't love this guy…that she truly loves you?"
I scoff. "I won't hold my breath. And even if she did, I could never trust her again."
"Look…from now on, this will be our thing after work – but only if we need it. Happy hour at Alibi will be our equivalent of seeking the advice of a shrink. Not to mention it's way cheaper and we can be more candid. Thanks in part to some Hendrick's, of course. Deal?" she says wearing a genuine grin.
I chuckle. "So do we just send out an SOS whenever we need to have a session?"
"Yep…the moment you need to talk about Sophie, you need only to say SOS. No other explanation needed," she beams.
"The same goes for Richard," I return her smile. "So I take it that he fully lived up to his nickname, huh?" I add in jest.
"You don't even know the half of it," Diana grimaces.
Friday, May 31, 2030
(Flashback)
As I stand in the center of the pristine hotel lobby, I have no idea what I'm doing here. I just know that it's been a couple of weeks since I've last seen her beautiful face in person.
My eyes fall to the check-in counter, but I only see an older man occupied with a green screen terminal.
"Teddy?"
Her sweet voice startles me and I quickly turn around. Standing before me, the love of my life has glowing blond hair pulled back into a black elastic band. She's wearing a uniform that consists of a black skirt and a matching blazer over a white blouse. Her feet are shod with very comfortable-looking and durable polished black shoes that I'm sure I've seen my grandmother wear back when she still worked at the hospital. On her lapel is a gold-plated Marriott name badge etched with Sophie Taylor along with Seattle, WA underneath it – all in black font.
No matter what she's in, she will always be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen – even as she currently wears a baffled expression on her face.
"You can't be here," she whispers in haste as her eyes frantically pan the area.
"I needed to see you," I say with urgency.
Sophie's eyes cautiously survey the area once more before she hooks me by the elbow and leads me off to a much more discrete area of the lobby.
"You're skipping class again. We got caught two weeks ago because you did that," she puffs.
"I know, I know…I fucked it all up. I should've had my eyes on that front entrance. It never occurred to me that my mother would come home so early that day. I got way too relaxed," I sigh, shaking my head at such a bonehead move.
Sophie and I were able to remain discrete for almost two years. Then I became too cocky. When my mother caught us necking in the theater room two weeks ago, I was startled but not alarmed. I just knew that Mom had my back. It wasn't until she broke to me gently about my father having to be told that I finally got my wakeup call.
That's when my world went to complete shit.
"You think our dads aren't having us followed now?" she snaps rhetorically.
"Oh, I know they are," I snort. "I have our ground covered this time. It can't happen again," I guarantee.
"You're right, it can't. In fact, I'm no longer allowed to see Dad and Gail on the property anymore," she says wistfully.
"What!" I practically gag out. She shushes me as her eyes comb our surroundings for the umpteenth time.
"Yes, they thought it would be for the best," she says regretfully.
"It's all my fault. The twins have a new sitter now. They hate her," I hiss. "They miss you. I miss you. I love you."
I attempt to close the space in between us, but she immediately steps away.
"Teddy, not here. I'm at work," she says with a tinge of regret. I shake myself back into reality.
"Where can we talk in private?" I plead.
"You need to go to school," she says, resolute.
"I told you, I have it covered. I'm way ahead in my next two classes, so I have solid coverage. My cell phone is with a classmate," I tell her.
"What about your…"
"I didn't drive my car here. I borrowed Monty's busted up Honda," I snort. A semblance of a smile dusts across her face, but I can tell that she's still very much conflicted.
"Well, you'd better hurry back or he'll go drifting in the school parking lot with your Audi," she smirks.
Her light-hearted jab doesn't feel sincere because of the uneasiness venting from her pores. I just want to wrap her up in my arms and tell her that everything's going to be okay. That nothing or no one will ever have the power to tear us apart.
"Like I said, I'm covered. I know that you're off the clock right now. I wanted to catch you before you left. We need to talk. We need to make sure that no matter what happens, we stick to the plan."
Sophie's eyes blink rapidly as if she's trying to hold back tears.
"Baby…"
Suddenly, it appears as if something clicks in her mind. "Hold on. Stay here," she instructs as she walks away from me and towards the counter.
The gentleman gives Sophie a kind look and nods as she is speaking to him. Soon, he reaches down and hands her what looks like a key before Sophie turns on her heel and heads back towards me.
Forty-five minutes later…I am holding her tight against me, as we lay naked underneath the sheets. We're both sated after our lovemaking. I kiss her soundly.
This is what I came here for.
To reconnect with her.
To reaffirm what we have.
"Angel," I exhale.
"Panda," she giggles. I snort at her razz.
"You didn't answer my question from earlier."
"What question?"
"Are we sticking with the plan? You'll move to Chicago in the summer of 2032 and start working at Hyatt HQ. Then I'll follow behind you in December," I remind her.
"You think you'll be finished with your degree by then? That's only 2 ½ years from now. It's going to take me almost five years to complete mine since I'll be working here at the same time."
"I know. I already have a significant amount of credits now on my transcript. I'll attend courses year round. I estimate that six classes a term will get me there."
"Holy shit, Ted. That's a lot."
"Not for me it isn't. I've always managed my time well. I'm early to hand in assignments. I've always gone the extra mile. Hell, I'll even volunteer my tutoring services with each of my professors for some of their more problematic students for kudos points. They love that shit."
She giggles. "Well, you seem to have things all figured out. You're way more grown up than I am."
"We know our roles in this relationship. You're the looks…I'm the brains." She laughs and playfully swats me on the chest. "I want you doing what you've always dreamt of doing, and I want to be in your life while you're doing it," I add. She gently sweeps her soft hand across my chin.
"My life would be absolutely perfect: The perfect career. The perfect guy," she coos as she pecks my lips.
"And the only thing I care about is your happiness. I want to take care of you," I breathe, returning with a peck of my own.
"You do?" she murmurs. I nod.
She continues. "I want to take care of you too, Teddy. No matter what…I will always love you and protect you."
I kiss her like there's no tomorrow.
Monday, January 5, 2032
(The Present)
She fucking lied to me.
As I switch off the car's ignition inside of the garage at home, I feel emotionally spent.
For two days, my dreams and my waking thoughts have been littered with Sophie. It's become unbearable. And to think, I will have many opportunities to run into her starting next week as I roam the campus of UW. The thought alone makes me retch.
Part of me wants to just rip off the bandage quickly and get this potential awkward reunion with Sophie over with. But I have no idea how I will feel or even react if I were to see her holding hands with her so-called fiancé.
I still can't believe that she left me for him.
Do I believe that Sophie ever loved me in the first place? Something deep down inside tells me that even she could never be so cruel to fake something for four years. My gut tells me that she simply no longer felt like fighting for us anymore.
It became too much for her – fighting her dad, fighting my dad.
Sophie understood more than anyone how complicated my life was. I hate to sound like a whiny little bitch, but being the son of two people who operate a multi-billion dollar empire ain't all that it's cracked up to be. Part of me feels a little like Phoebe did when she ranted about not being able to date Hanson once upon a time.
"I almost want a regular, working class family. At least they would let me date."
But in all honesty, I don't think my folks particularly care about me dating, per se. They're more concerned with who I'm dating. For them, me dating Sophie was just plain ol' weird. Sophie practically grew up with my sisters and I.
However, my mother has always adored Sophie. Deep down, I feel that if I were to take off to be with Sophie, Mom wouldn't even bat an eye. It's my father who has a problem with everyfuckingthing I do outside of his perfectly set boundaries. He's hell bent on me being shaped into his image.
Christian Grey would never date the help's daughter or a longtime friend of the family. Christian Grey would never be with an older woman.
Fortunately for Daddy, he needn't worry about Sophie any longer.
She has officially severed us beyond repair.
Saturday, January 10, 2032
Ana
"Damn, Bunny," he chuckles with exhaustion.
I laugh under my breath. In the darkness of the pre-dawn early morning, I turn slightly in bed to face my husband's silhouette. I can see the deep rise and fall of his chest. Yet, I casually strike up a conversation as if we didn't just have very hot, rough sex.
"Hey, are the plans for the Japanese facility completed yet?"
And even with me being able to only make out shadows in our dark bedroom, I can still tell that my husband is rather dumbfounded by my instant mood shift.
"Ros asked yesterday evening," I add.
"Shit, I guess," he sighs, still catching his breath.
I giggle. "Is it finally getting to be a little too much for you, old man?" I tease.
"Uh…no. It's just…." he stalls, at a loss for words. I use the opportunity to change the topic the topic yet again.
"You think Teddy might want to spend next summer in Japan to help me make sure that things are running smoothly there? Maybe I can bring the girls along, too. You can stay home and keep the ship afloat – so to speak," I propose.
"No way. I can't have you spending an entire summer away from me, Mrs. Grey. Although I don't think it's entirely a bad idea if we send Ted. He'll be all done with his degree then. He can be our eyes and ears," Christian counters.
"That's if he wants to work with us," I stipulate.
"What do you mean 'if'. As if he has a choice," he retorts.
"Christian," I scold. "We will not force our son to work at GEH after college. It has to be his decision and his alone."
"I figured that you of all people would be confident enough in our son to make the wisest choice. He knows that GEH is his birthright. His destiny," he says as he smoothes his hand across my hair. He then moans a sweet kiss at the corner of my mouth.
"What if he wants to make a name for himself?" I argue.
"Then it would only be to spite us. We've given that boy too damn much for him to just turn around and spit in our faces."
"It wouldn't be like that, Christian. Him dreaming to do something other than running GEH wouldn't be out of spite. And who's to say that Phoebe or one of the twins wouldn't be more willing to take over when the time comes?" I counter.
"Or maybe even our next child?" he says in a humorous tone. I snort.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Grey? This baby shop is closed, thanks to perimenopause," I quip.
Although as of late, I haven't been experiencing those pesky hot flashes. However, a different symptom has now taken its place.
"Are you certain about that, Mrs. Grey?" he hums.
I arch a brow at him. "Yes. My doctor says so. Mom, my grandmother…they all went through early menopause," I remind him.
"Well, I thought lack of sexual appetite was also a symptom early menopause. Looks to me that there's no lack in sight," he purrs. I smirk at him.
"It's been the same," I squeak in my defense.
"Bullshit. I wouldn't be surprised if you were pregnant right now," he counters.
"What! You're over exaggerating. My sex drive is normal. Why would you even say that?" I gape at him.
"Well…not that I'm complaining, but you've been vise-gripping my dick for the past ten minutes," he says poignantly.
Shit.
I gasp at the delayed realization and immediately let go of him.
"I…I didn't realize," I say, blushing.
"I know you didn't," he chuckles. "And for the past few nights you haven't let me sleep."
Hell, I have been keeping him up at night.
I've also been waking him up.
That's not like me.
He's right. My sex drive has been through the roof lately.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to keep you up all night," I whisper. I can tell that he knows good and well that I'm completely full of it. He quickly rolls his naked body on top of mine once more.
"You're wild, Bunny – but you haven't been this wild since you were carrying the twins," he teases before planting a bevy of kisses on my neck.
"Stop messing with me, Christian. I'm not pregnant. I'm…hormonal," I pout.
….
Kate and Sloan later stop by for dinner while Elliot's stuck working late at Grey Construction headquarters. After we're absolutely stuffed, the teen girls are eager to stream the last episode of their favorite summer dance competition program. Christian retreats to his study, Teddy ventures over to the game room, while we girls head over to the theater room.
Inside, Beth cranks the popcorn machine while Phoebe gets the flavored slushes going. Although we're still quite full from dinner, there's something about the smell of hot buttered popcorn in the theater.
It's a must.
I help Phoebe and Beth serve everyone as the program begins streaming over the big screen. There are laughs, shouts and applauses for each of the girls' favorite contestants, making it easy to get wrapped up in what's going on.
Finally, I settle down in the front row along with my popcorn and cup of cherry flavored slush as the other girls occupy the rows behind me.
"Mom, sit back here!" I hear Brie call out.
"I'm fine here," I assure her. Brie has more than enough company with her twin, Kate and Sloan all in her row. Besides, I quite enjoy having an entire row to myself. Phoebe has the same advantage, sitting in the row between the others and me.
A while later, Christian joins in and takes the empty seat to my right. He greets me with a kiss on the cheek before glancing at the screen.
"Is that the dancer Bethany keeps ogling over," he smirks. I smile and nod.
"If Toby's ever eliminated…" I start.
"Inconceivable. She'll utilize robo-voting before letting that happen," he retorts.
"Exactly," I chuckle.
"He's a cutie!" I hear one of the girls shout. Christian rolls his eyes and I laugh, rubbing my hand against his lap. He digs into my bucket and grips a handful of my popcorn. I playfully frown in response.
The show suddenly switches for a commercial break and queues up to air an advertisement.
"I thought we paid for the premium streaming service?" Christian frowns. I shrug my shoulders. "I'll have Andrea check on that. I'm pretty sure of it," he adds.
Narrator: "This summer, meet The Real Mistresses of Hollywood."
"Oh no," I sigh, nauseated. I'm sick of the never-ending cluster of reality shows featuring talentless, money hungry attention whores who only thrive in drama.
"Oh yes! They've expanded the series from New York!" Phoebe exclaims.
Christian turns to face Phoebe in the row behind us as the preview plays on, spotlighting one provocatively dressed mistress after the other.
"You actually watch this garbage?" he frowns at his daughter in extreme disapproval.
"It's trash TV at its finest, Dad," she beams.
"Oh my God – is that Aunt Mia?" I hear one of the twins say. I turn and witness Beth standing up and pointing to the screen with a dropped jaw. I quickly swing back around and focus on the screen.
Holy shit.
It's Mia, with…Lily?
"It is!" Kate pipes up.
"She's going at it with Sloan's mom!" Phoebe calls out in a gasp.
Holy fucking shit!
My sister-in-law Mia Nielson who looks like royalty draped a beautiful gray glittery gown appears to be at some sort of Hollywood soiree. Hovering just a few feet behind her in the background is her handsome, yet concerned husband – acting legend Clark Nielson.
Standing toe to toe with Mia is Elliot's ex-wife and Sloan's mother, Lily. Wearing what appears to be a very expensive shimmery blue dress, I really hate to admit how stunning she looks.
Lily's expression reads that she truly wants to make amends, but Mia appears to be having none of it.
Mia: "I have absolutely nothing to say to you."
Lily: "Look, I'm sorry how things ended between your brother and me…"
Mia: "I don't want to hear it, Lily. You're obviously not THAT sorry.
You're still living here in LA"
Lily: "Mia, just like you, I belong here."
Mia: (scoffs angrily)
Lily: "I'm very happy in LA. I never belonged in Seattle."
Mia: "You are unbelievable, you know that! You are a miserable, selfish bitch! You destroyed my family and you ruined Marshall's marriage!"
Oh no.
I gape at the big screen, frozen stiff as the title card for the new series flashes on the screen, announcing the premier for July. I only blink when I catch Sloan storming out of the theater room. Before I can react, Kate runs out behind her.
Christian puts his hand on my shoulder, silently telling me to let Kate handle it.
I feel so sick to my stomach.
The man that Lily left Sloan and Elliot for was also married with a family of his own. Hot Hollywood leading actor Marshall Henning was a very good friend of Clark's. They grew up together in the same neighborhood in Iowa. Their friendship was as iconic as Affleck-and-Damon's.
Then Lily Grey happened.
Lily doesn't deserve Sloan or Elliot. That woman only cares about fortune and fame. That's the only reason why she's doing this trashy reality show. If she ever cared about her daughter, she wouldn't be airing out her dirty laundry for the entire world to see. She's an embarrassing meme in the making.
I'm surprised that Mia didn't warn the family in advance. I reckon that she was too upset to even bring it up to us. It also appears that Lily and her camera crew ambushed her in that scene. Lily absolutely knew that confronting her former good friend and former sister-in-law on camera would be ratings gold.
Lily is a joke and a sad excuse for a human being.
Thank goodness Kate was here when that train wreck unfolded on screen. I'm sure she will help Sloan pick up the pieces. And the sooner that Christian's dream team can help Kate put the Tom saga behind her, the better. Then my best friend can move back to Seattle, and she, Elliot, and Sloan can move forward with their lives.
Ted
Sunday, January 11, 2032
When you live alone in a dorm room for most of the year, you're never really totally alone. You still have the background noise of the other residents to contend with. However, there's still the concept of personal space. There's still a certain protective radius where one can self-reflect.
But when you inhabit a large compound with tons of wide-open space along with family, you don't have the same freedom. For example, your little sisters are constantly under you. Your mom's nagging; making sure you ate something for lunch earlier that day. Then there's your dad checking in for no apparent reason at all.
Perhaps he just wants to make sure that you haven't snuck out of the house without telling anyone.
Dinnertime isn't for another hour, yet I could go for one of those yummy salted caramel cupcakes that Brie baked on Friday night. I stand from my bedroom desk and leave the pre-reading for tomorrow's class idle on my laptop screen.
On the way, I see Hanson and Phoebe sitting side by side in the great room sharing a secret laugh. Part of me is envious of the two.
They are free to whisper and cuddle here.
They can roam the Grey household as a happy little couple.
I shake off the nauseating feeling.
"Yo, Ted!" Hanson calls out as he rises and heads over to meet me.
"Larkin," I greet as the two of us slap hands and bring each other into a partial hug.
"Mom says dinner's almost ready," Phoebe calls out as she walks over to join us.
"Oh, good. I was just on my way to grab another cupcake," I tell her.
"You can save it for dessert. Let's head over to the dining room now," she suggests.
When we arrive, I see that the rolls, salad, and glasses of water are already spread out. Starving, I pull the nearest plate from one of the place settings and fill it with Caesar salad, along with a buttered roll. Hanson follows suit and sits in the chair right beside me.
"I'll be back. I'm going to see if Mom needs help," Phoebe says before heading to the kitchen.
"Crazy Dave told me what happened last weekend when you jokers hung out," Hanson chuckles discretely.
"Man, those idiots," I sigh, rolling my eyes.
"Seriously. They claimed you left the club with the girl. Is she still in the picture?" he says in jest. I know it's in jest, because my answer surprises him.
"Yes."
"Seriously?" he gapes.
"Well, not like you think. Come to find out, she's interning over at Amazon with me. In the same department, no less."
"Holy shit."
"Yeah, I know. But we're good. Strictly friends."
"That's cool. How's Amazon coming along?" he asks.
"Fantastic. I'm learning tons about their corporate culture and how they do things there. It's a very laid back, very creative atmosphere."
"Sounds just like GEH," Hanson interjects.
"Exactly," I nod.
"Dude, I'm telling you. My internship at GEH is like the best thing ever," he beams brighter than the sun. I wince at him.
Footsteps suddenly pull us out of our conversation.
In walks my father.
"Gentlemen…don't let me interrupt you," he greets.
"Not a problem, Mr. Grey. I was just telling Ted about interning at GEH," Hanson reveals.
My father takes his seat at the head of the table, which is separated from me by one seat.
"I've already been hearing great things from your managers about you," Dad smiles at my sister's boyfriend.
Really?
Already?
"Thank you, Sir. I talked to my immediate supervisor about how I think the regular forecasting data pull process can be improved on. The way its currently being handled is a bit counterproductive. The present method taints the data set," Hanson says.
I frown perplexed. "I worked in that very same department last summer," I start.
"I know," Hanson nods in agreement.
"When I interned there, I was able to parse the data just fine. It's complicated but it can be done. All that's needed is a slight front-end fix. There's nothing wrong with the actual data set," I argue.
"The meta data is convoluted. There are tons of redundancies. I'm actually in the process of putting together a change proposal document," Hanson reveals.
What?!
Please don't tell me they are giving this kid carte blanche over there and he doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about.
He just started working there!
I refute him. "I think that's a complete waste…"
"That's fantastic, Hanson," my father starts, cutting me off. "Why don't you get in touch with my personal assistant, Andrea tomorrow and set up a meeting with me in a week or so to go over your proposal," Dad says, looking past me and focusing solely on Hanson.
He can't be fucking serious.
I told my father how wrong everyone was who'd made the very same claims about the data as Hanson. Dad even agreed with me at the time. He also had me put together a work instruction document and list out some of these concerns in FAQ format.
"Ab…absolutely, Mr. Grey," Hanson sputters.
He looks more than pleased with himself, and it takes everything in me not to roll my eyes until they bleed.
….
"What's the deal with Larkin?" I say, jumping directly to the point of my abrupt visit.
An hour after after her boyfriend leaves, I sit on the edge of my sister's bed. In reading glasses, she looks up from her book and at me.
"He's already trying to make major moves, even as a two-day-a-week intern," I chuckle.
My little sis closes her novel and slides her readers from her face.
"Hanson loves working at GEH," she says point blank.
"Obviously," I respond in a no-brainer tone.
"So much so that he wants to quit the baseball team," she adds.
Whoa.
I gape at her. "Really?"
She nods. "He's finally declared a major: Business. He wants to focus on that and on working at GEH."
"But what about his athletic scholarship?" I ask, still in shock.
"I have a feeling that GEH will pick up his tuition and expenses moving forward," she says matter-of-factly.
Holy shit. This has got to be a joke.
But this also has my dad's name written all over it.
"Hanson loves baseball. He lives and breathes it," I argue.
"Well, so did you. But even you passed on the athletic scholarship. In fact, you didn't need it. That baseball scholarship was the only way Hanson could get all of his tuition covered," my sister says. I frown at her.
"It's not like he's poor. His folks run a chain of pharmacies, for Christ sake. They can afford to pay for his tuition. Hell, they paid for him to go to private school along with us," I snort.
"His parents are in big time debt, Teddy. They live way beyond their means. If they're faced with covering Hanson's tuition right now, they wouldn't be able to swing it," Phoebe said soberly.
The revelation hits me hard.
I didn't know that my old friend had such a financial dilemma.
Suddenly, I feel like a jackass.
….
Monday, January 12, 2032
It's a brand new workweek at Amazon. The difference this time around is that my routine will be altered starting this evening due to it being day #1 of class at UW.
Happy Birthday to me.
I pleaded with my family about not making a big deal out of my 19th birthday. As far as I'm concerned, it's just another day. However, we will partake in a little late dessert when I get home tonight.
I will never turn down dessert, especially if my mother, Mrs. Taylor, or one of my sisters makes it. Sophie was also a master baker.
I quickly dismiss the heart aching thought. It would be just my shitty luck if I ran into her tonight on campus, of all days.
After a very productive day at work, I exit the building. I have two hours to burn before class. Diana unfortunately couldn't join me for a special birthday happy hour drink this time. Turns out, her younger sister had a SOS of her own. She just broke up with her boyfriend for the fourth time.
As I head towards the parking lot, I hear a familiar voice squeak my name.
Fuck.
Me.
The voice is completely out of place, but I instantly know who it is. I slowly turn and find a surprisingly modestly dressed Rebecca approaching me. She's wearing blue jeans and a long pink cashmere coat.
Once we're standing toe-to-toe, she hands me an envelope – which I'm assuming has a card inside of it. Dumbfounded, I take it.
"Happy Birthday, Teddy Bear!" she cries out before pouncing with outstretched arms and falling onto my neck.
How in the fuck did she know it was my birthday?
"Geez…uh…thanks Rebecca. Wha…what are you doing here?" I stutter.
"I wanted to see you. I'm only here for today."
She flew out here just to see me for the day?
"Wow…well, I mean…" I'm utterly speechless.
"Did you have plans with your family? If so, do you mind if I tagged along for a bit? I'd love to meet your parents and your little sisters," she sparkles.
This girl has completely lost her damned mind.
"Actually, no. I start classes at UW in a couple of hours. You know…accelerated program."
"Oh shit…that's right! Gosh, I'm sorry. I should've known."
"Aren't you supposed to be in class at Stanford today?"
"Yeah, but I sent my professors a note. I told them I had to go home for an emergency," she winks with exaggeration.
This girl lied just so that she could fly here and see me. And although I'm mostly appalled and terrified, I'm a shred flattered.
"Look Rebecca, I'm so sorry. I only have like two hours before class starts," I say with faux remorse.
"I wanted to give you both parts of your present. The first is in your hand. And for the second part, all I need is an hour of your time, Teddy Bear," she purrs as she pushes her body against mine.
So Rebecca flew all the way here from California to give me some booty, huh?
Well…I mean…who'd ever turn down a little friendly birthday sex?
Especially if the girl can suck and ride a cock like this one can.
"Did you drive here from the airport?" I ask.
"No, an Uber dropped me off. I've been waiting out here for about an hour. It's really nice out here," she beams, admiring the state of the art architecture of Amazon's headquarters.
"Yeah, I know. Look, I have an idea. Let's hang out over at the Fairmont Olympic for a few."
"What's that?" she frowns.
"It's a 5-star hotel here in Seattle. But I can only stick around for about an hour and thirty," I tell her.
"Okay," she gleams. "So does that mean we're getting a room?" She's looking way too excited at the prospect.
"Sure, why not," I say with a reserved grin.
It is my birthday after all.
Of course the room will have to be registered under her name.
Ana
I convince Christian to let me take one of the executive pool cars home while Taylor stays behind and waits for him to finish up a late meeting. I need to get home as soon as possible to help Gail with Ted's birthday dinner. Fortunately she completed the red velvet cupcakes earlier in the day. They're Ted's absolute favorite.
Thank goodness my overly protective husband relented on letting me drive. I swear…I don't know when was the last time I drove anywhere on my own. Part of me fears the silly notion that if I don't use my driving muscles for long periods of time, they will eventually atrophy.
I'll also appreciate the alone time on the road, especially after such a traumatic weekend. On top of seeing my sister-in-law along with our former sister-in-law on the big screen, I also haven't been able to get Christian's words out of my head.
"You're wild – but you haven't been
this wild since you were pregnant with the twins."
Now he has me paranoid.
I passed on wine with dinner last night, even though I am fairly certain that there's no way in hell that I'm pregnant. My cycle has been just as erratic off birth control as it's been on it.
As an extra precaution, I've even tried to encourage my husband to use condoms. Each time I mention it, he brushes it off as nonsense.
"We've been married for nearly twenty years.
I'm not fucking using a condom.
I'll simply pull out, Bunny."
Yeah right, Grey.
I know that my chances of getting pregnant in my condition are about slim to none, but I still can't help but feel a bit anxious.
When I finally exit the freeway, I make a quick stop at the grocery store for a few things before heading home. I greet Mrs. Taylor in the kitchen and she immediately takes the bags away from me along with my coat. I promise her my swift return after I change out of my work clothes. She tells me to take my time.
By some miracle, I manage to get to my room without being intercepted by any of the girls. Once inside, I quickly lock the door behind me. Grabbing what I need from my purse, I journey onward towards the master bath.
I rip open the box.
Yeah, I know the drill.
I've done this myself at least two other times before.
I'm just hoping that the outcome dissolves my fear.
I do my business, wash my hands…and wait.
Ted
I barely make it on the very first night of class, but I arrive just in the nick of time.
Holy shit – if I didn't know better, I would've assumed that Rebecca was literally trying to break my dick off. She rode me like a wildebeest. I am almost prepared to say that her gift today might have been the best surprise birthday present I'd ever received.
But still, it's nerve-wracking knowing that Rebecca is under the impression that she can just hop on a plane and insert herself into my life. I don't want her making this a nasty habit. And I really don't want Dad or Mr. Taylor catching me messing around with her.
Christian Grey would absolutely lose his shit.
The first night of class ends smoothly. We're done in just an hour and a half. As I head out of Dempsey Hall and towards the commuter student parking lot, I run into a few familiar faces, mostly from high school.
"What are you doing here, Grey? I thought you were going to Stanford," says one blast from the past.
"I'm here taking two classes during my semester internship while working on my thesis."
"Here at Foster School of Business?" I nod. "I'm there as well. Business major?"
"Econ."
"What classes are you taking here?"
"Just electives. Business Strategy and Operations Management."
The individual gapes at me. "Dude, those are MBA-level courses."
"Yep."
"Fuck, man."
We exchange information and promise to keep in touch before I continue the trek towards my car. As I finally see it in the distance, I hear yet someone else summoning me. This time, it evokes a different emotion within.
When realization finally hits, my stomach bottoms out.
Not today, Satan.
I'm not ready for this.
Just when I thought that I had my feelings all under control, everything that I pushed down has buoyed back up to the surface. It's the shittiest feeling.
As I pop the door locks and throw my bag into the back seat, I hear footsteps getting closer.
"Teddy…hey."
I shut the back door and turn on my heel to face the source of the sound. My heart nearly stops beating and the breath gets caught in my throat.
It's Sophie – and she's as beautiful as ever.
….
A/N: Up Next – Ted experiences heartbreak all over again after a quick chat with Sophie. The next day, he sends out an 'SOS' to Diana. Something crazy happens afterwards that throws them both for a loop.
Meanwhile, Ana's results take her by surprise. These days, it's the notion of letting her teenagers in on it that she's more terrified of. Luckily, she doesn't have to face the wolves alone, haha!
Later, Ted realizes something about his father after hearing about what efforts he's taking to help Hanson accomplish his goals.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading! – ST2