LISA
I awoke, looked at Jennie, then rolled to my other side and reached for my phone off her nightstand. Four in the morning, I quietly breathed. I rolled onto my back and moved my head to the side to make sure she was still fast asleep. Seeing she was, I looked back at my phone and saw I had ten missed calls and twenty-five text-messages. I sighed, then without waking her. I quietly rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom to clean up.
I then headed to her kitchen and knowing most people had a junk drawer in their kitchen. I quietly began opening drawers, looking for some scratch paper and a pen. After finding what I was looking for, I sat at her dining room table, wrote her a note, then headed back home.
It was actually nice driving at this time. It was peaceful, with not a soul in sight.
I noticed all the lights were off as I pulled up to my house. Stepping out of my car, I turned the flashlight on my phone, wanting some sort of light as I entered the house. I slowly and quietly opened the front door, walked in, removed my shoes, walked into the kitchen, and quietly set my keys down on the kitchen counter.
I headed over to my couch and was just about to lay down when I felt someone lying on it. Shit. I shined my light and shook my head after seeing Hailey staying the night.
Great... bed it is, I muttered.
I reluctantly headed to my room, stared at who was lying in my bed, and sighed while quietly climbing into bed-not wanting to wake her.
Just as my eyes closed, I felt her roll to her side and drape her arm over me, whispering, "Where have you been all night?"
"Out," I irritatedly responded. "Go back to sleep," I said, removing her arm.
"Since I couldn't get a hold of you, Hailey decided to stay the night." "I saw her," I groaned, moving closer to the edge of the bed.
I can't fucking do this anymore. I just can't.
JENNIE
I rolled over and went to wrap my arm around Lisa, but when I felt an empty spot beside me, my eyes opened. Seeing she was gone, I quickly rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. Thinking about how much fun I had with Lisa and how she made me feel like a kid again, and then the sex. Oh, God. The sex was fucking amazing. Feeling thirsty, I got myself out of bed and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. Along the way, I saw a note sitting on the table and picked it up.
Sorry beautiful. I had to get going. I just want to let you know I had a wonderful time, and I'll give you a call later. -Lisa.
A smiled crept up my face while reading her note. I set it down next to the flowers, then walked over to the sink. Grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and took one long drink. I looked back over to the flowers, then the time, and jumped. I needed to shower and get ready for work.
While in the shower, I couldn't stop thinking about Lisa. I didn't know what it was about her, but how she always made me feel made the feelings I was having for her even more robust. I just wished she wasn't so secretive and hoped she would stay longer instead of always leaving in the middle of the night.
Just as I stepped out of the shower, my phone rang. I reached for my towel, wrapped it around me, and rushed into the living room. My eyes rolled, seeing it was my boss, but answered it politely, anyway, "Hello?"
.
Sounding tired, she responded, "Hello, Jennie, I'm calling because I was wondering if you could start early this morning. My wife came home late last night, and after she climbed into bed, I wasn't able to get much sleep. I have a client that is supposed to be there in about thirty minutes. I won't be able to make it there on time, and I know how much closer you live to the clinic than me."
"Yeah. I just got out of the shower. I'll hurry my ass up and get ready; then, I'll head over there."
"Thank you so much," she said relieved.
I hurried into my room, quickly dressed, pulled my hair back, and as I headed out the door, I lined my lips with lipgloss.
While driving to work, I looked my phone to call Lisa.
She never answered.
Huh. I wonder what time Lisa even left this morning?
I walked into the clinic, to the computer, and checked my client's schedule for the day, then looked to see who Kendal was to work with, went over her file then looked to see what he was to have done. Rehabilitative deep tissue trigger point therapy. I looked at the time, saw he was here in five minutes, and then hurried to get the room ready.
"Ah, Jennie?" Shawn, the receptionist, asked after opening the door.
"Yeah?"
"Kendal's appointment is here, but I haven't seen her come in yet."
"She called me this morning. She's running late and asked that I take her patient. I'll be right out." I finished setting up the room and walked over, greeting Kendal's patient, with my hand extending out towards him. "Hello. I'm Jennie. Kendal won't be in today, so I'll be the one taking care of you. Will that be okay?"
He smiled while shaking my hand. "I don't care who takes care of me as long as when I leave here. I'm feeling better than how I first arrived."
"I can definitely make that happen."
"What a deal," he teased.
Six o'clock finally came. I finished taking care of my patients, cleaned my area, then got it ready for Monday's clients. I was tired and ready to go home. While walking down the hallway, I saw Kendal walking towards me. She's usually a beautiful woman, but today? Not today. She looks like shit.
"Are you okay?" I asked, stopping in front of her.
"Home issues."
"Anything I can help you with?"
"No. There's nothing you can do about what I'm dealing with at home. Thanks, anyway," she snapped.
I shrugged a shoulder. Okay then. "Well. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
She didn't say anything, but as I started walking away, she called out for me. Using my heel, I spun around. "Yes?"
"Could you give me a relaxation massage?"
I raised my wrist and looked at the time.
"Please? I could use some stress relief," she said, sounding exhausted.
Since I hadn't heard from Lisa, I agreed. "Sure. I can do that."
"Thank you."
We entered her room, she laid down on her stomach, and as I began massaging her shoulders, she mumbled, "I think my wife is cheating on me."
I stopped massaging, bit my cheek, then moved my hands to her neck and started massing. "That's not good.
"I don't have proof she is. But lately, she never comes home, or she'll come home in the middle of the night. Long after I'm asleep."
"Have you asked her?"
"No. I have a feeling if I were to ask, it'll turn into a big fight. It seems like that's all we do lately."
"She must have some excuse on why she's not coming home or coming home late?"
"All she tells me is that she's been with her friends or had to stay late at work."
Typical guy/girl cheating excuse.
"Well, why don't you relax. I'll see what I can do to relieve these knots in your back."
"Thanks. You're a lifesaver."
~~~~~~~~~~
You have a text message from Lisa. My phone alerted me while I was driving.
About time, I groaned.
After parking my car, I grabbed my phone and looked to see what kind of excuse Lisa had for not seeing her tonight.
All-day today, I had an inkling she would message or call and tell me she couldn't see me.
I was right.
Fr[Babe]
I'm so sorry, babe. But I won't be able to take you out tonight. Some things came up, and I need to get them taken care of. I'll miss you.
To[Babe]
That's a bummer. I was looking forward to seeing you tonight.
I responded, ending it with a sad emoji.
Fr[Babe]
I'm sorry, Jen. I promise I'll make it up to you.
To[Babe]
Promise?
Fr[Babe]
I Promise.
Lisa ended with a smiling and kissing emoji.
Feeling bummed and unsure of what to do for the night, I moped into my apartment, dropped my keys on the table, then looked at the flowers Lisa bought me. They really were beautiful. I sighed while plumping my ass on the chair, then reached for the flowers and pulled them to me, smelling them. Damn you, Lisa.
I stared at the flowers, debating with myself if I wanted to head to the bar with friends. Or stay home, grab a tub of chocolate ice-cream out of my freezer, and dig in while watching a movie. Not realizing I ate the entire pint of ice-cream after the movie was over.
I'll just see what's on tonight. Then, I'll decide what I'm going to do. I walked to the couch, sat, then turned and extended my legs across the entire sofa, flipping through the movie channels. I wasn't finding anything interesting. Not even a movie that caught my attention, and turned the TV off.
Bar it is, I mumbled, grabbing my phone and calling Uber for a ride.
I walked into Anticipations and immediately spotted my loud, obnoxious friends gathered around a table, doing shots and waving for me to come over. "Hey, ladies!" I said, pulling out the last empty chair.
"Jennie! You came! I thought you were going on a date tonight?" Irene asked.
"Change in plans," I said sadly. "But she promised to make it up to me."
"Would you like a drink?" Tae slurred.
I giggled. Tae is such a lightweight, and seeing the empty shot glasses sitting in front of him made me laugh harder.
"Sure. I'll have a vodka cranberry and a shot of whatever you're buying me," I winked.
Tae's eyes widened in delight, and devilishly grinned. "A shot of my choice? Now that's dangerous."
I reached for his hand, resting mine on top of his. "Be easy."
He excitedly walked away. I can only imagine what I just set myself up for. I looked over at Nayeon and laughed. "I think I just made a mistake telling him to buy me whatever shot he felt was right."
"You're damn right it was a mistake," Nayeon giggled. "Watch him come back with a shot of scotch or something else nasty."
I reached in my purse and pulled out a five-dollar bill. "I'm going to play the jukebox. Any requests?"
"You better play Uptown Funk," Irene squealed.
"Don't worry. That song was already in mind," I smiled, sliding off my chair. "Any other requests?"
"Surprise us."
I hummed and sang as I stood in front of the jukebox, picking out all the fun dancing music I could think of, even though five-dollars doesn't give you much music at the jukebox anymore.
After loading the jukebox full of our music, I turned around and started heading back to our table; then, my heart stopped when I saw Lisa enter the bar. At first, I felt giddy and excited to see her; then, I felt anger after she broke our date off. Now, to see her here and without her contacting me, asking if I would like to join her? Fuck her.
I stormed to our table, grabbed my drink, and drank it one gulp. Then without knowing what, Tae bought me for a shot. I picked up the shot glass filled with amber-colored liquid and drank it. Then I slammed the glass on the table and looked at Tae while reaching for his hand. "Dance with me."
Tae excitedly pulled me to the dance floor, pulled me to him, and lowered his hands to my ass, swaying his hips with mine while dancing to the song Blurred Lines. I noticed Lisa watching us out the corner of my eye, and she didn't look happy. I wrapped my arms around Tae, and the next thing I saw was Lisa rushing towards us, and pulled Tae out of my arms.
"Dude! What's your problem, huh?" Tae yelled, adjusting his shirt. He stepped in front of Lisa and shoved her. "Don't you ever put your hands on me, or my friend again. Or you'll be seeing my fist!"
Lisa lunged forward and pointed at Tae, yelling, "Keep your fucking hands off, Jennie!"
Tae held up his hands, palms facing Lisa, and looked at her with a confused look. "Chill out, dude. Jennie is my best friend. Who the fuck are you, anyway?"
I stepped in between them, placing either one of my hands on their chests, blocking them from throwing any punches.
"Hey, guys. Let's go back to the table, and we'll finish our talk there. Okay?" I said, turning my head back and forth, from Tae to Lisa, until they both agreed.
Tae and I sat at the table while Lisa headed to the bar. Tae got the waitress's attention, then ordered our table another round. Lisa walked over to our table, stood behind me, and claimed me by reaching her hand around to my chin, tilted my head back, then lowered her mouth, covering mine.
"Mine," she breathed.
"Who is this girl?" Tae asked with furrowed brows, sounding pissed and inching closer to me.
I tilted my head back and looked at Lisa. "Lisa. These are my best friends," I said, lowering my head, then pointing to each person as I said their name. "This is Nayeon. Irene. And this standing next to me is Tae. Which you've already met. Guys, this is Lisa. The woman who I've been seeing for the past five months," I said, reaching around and pushing her to move to the side of me..
"How come I've never heard of her? Tae asked.
I smacked Tae's arm. "Yes, you have. I talk about her all the time! She's just always busy whenever we hang out. Which reminds me..." I said, turning to Lisa. "Why the fuck are you here tonight? You said you had things to do and broke off our date.
Lisa lifted her bottle of beer and took a long drink, then lowered her hand. With the beer still in her hand, she pointed to my phone, sitting in front of me. "Look at your phone," she groaned.
I reached for my phone, turned off the screensaver, and saw I had missed Lisa's phone calls. And some text-messages. I opened the messages, and as I read them all, my lips pursed back. Oops. I looked up, then lowered a brow. "How were you able to find me here?"
I remembered you once telling me about a small-town bar you liked going to. I figured since I told you we couldn't hang out, and when I tried calling, and you weren't answering your phone, then for it to be a Friday night, I assumed you were here," she said, raking her fingers through her hair. She picked up her beer, took a drink, then looked at Tae, and apologized.
"I accept your apology," Tae smiled, reaching across the table and shook Lisa's hand.
Lisa's arm wrapped around me, then lowered to my ear. "Feel like going home?"
I looked at my friends, raising my shoulders. I didn't want to leave them hanging.
But I also wanted to spend the night with Lisa.
"You can leave. We'll be fine," Irene smiled.
"Sure. We can leave. I only came for a couple of drinks, anyway." I stood and slithered my arm around Lisa's waist.
"Let's go."
"How did you get here?"
"Uber."
She smiled. "Perfect. My car is waiting for us outside."
Her arm tightened around me as we headed out of the bar. Once outside, she stopped walking and squeezed me tighter. I looked up her way as she was lowering her face to mine. "I'm sorry. It's been a long, rough day," she said, parting from my lips.
"It's okay. We all have those kinds of days."
The ride to my place was quiet. I didn't know what to think anymore or what Lisa's plans were. And as I looked out the window, I asked, "Are you staying the entire night tonight? Or will I be waking up to an empty bed again?
Her hand rested on my thigh, then she squeezed. "I planned on staying the entire night if that's okay."
"You're not leaving in the middle of the night again?"
"No. I'm all yours until your eyes open in the morning."
