Anastasia

I managed to find a second job at a coffee shop just a few blocks down from SIP and so I've been working myself to exhaustion it feels. I've been working 5:00am to 11:00am at the coffee shop and then noon to 5:00pm at SIP five days a week. It still gives me nights and weekends, but I have to get up at 3:30am to make it to work on time, so I end up crashing pretty early each night. Neither one of my men are happy that I keep falling asleep during my time with each one of them, but I'm doing this for us.

They don't want to hide our relationship anymore and these two jobs give me enough income that I'll be able to move out in a couple weeks... that is, as long as I find an apartment. Once I'm moved, I plan to tell my father and it'll probably send him to an early grave, but if I want this to continue, I have to tell him. My men deserve more than just being my dirty little secrets. I know he won't take our relationship seriously and he'll blame them for taking advantage of me, but I'm ready for that.

I'm having dinner with my father at The Mile High Club dining room tonight so that he quits complaining that he never sees me. I should be more empathetic about it, I know. He's my father and I should be ecstatic that he wants to spend more time with me, but I can't help, but feel it's only because he's lonely. He hasn't had a lady friend in over a year and his guy friends are the same men he works with, so I'm sure he's pretty burned out with them. So, I feel like he forced me into entertaining him.

"You've been busy."

I look up from my menu at my father. "Yes, having these two jobs sucks up most of my time."

"And your friends take up the rest of it." ...And there's the guilt trip.

I sigh. "I'm sorry. I know the last month has been a mess. What if I promise a father/daughter evening once a week?"

"How about day and make a Saturday or Sunday out of it?"

I cock an eyebrow at my smiling father. "No can do, Daddio. Weekends are for wedding preparations."

"And your secret friend?"

I try to fight a smile, but fail. "Something like that."

"You know, I tried to grill Kate when she came into the office the other day, but she swears she doesn't know who it is either."

Good Kate.

"I'm aware... and that is correct." I feel bad lying to my father, but I have my reasons.

The waitress comes to get our food choices and as we hand her our menus, my father tips his head with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Hey... isn't that Cary's son?"

I about break my neck as I swivel in my chair to get a good look. Elliot is standing at the hostesses station looking sexy as sin in a black buttondown and slacks. His hair is cut and styled, his usually tussled hair combed to the side. He's gotten a fade haircut with his hair longer on top and he looks delicious... but why?

My heart plummets when I see a woman with curly blonde hair wearing a red dress beside him. She laughs at something he says and grabs his large bicep. That's mine.

Realizing I've been staring too long, I turn quickly in my seat so he doesn't notice me and blink a few times. I'm not going to cry.

"Yea, that's Elliot."

"He did something different with his hair... and he's hiding all those damn tattoos. Barely recognized him."

I chew my lip and shrug. "Looks like he's on a date."

"Should we say hi?"

I place my hand over his on the table when he begins to stand. "No, Dad. He's busy. Let him be." I know I won't be able to keep myself in check if I come face-to-face with him. I want to claw the eyes out of the blonde woman that is walking next to him as they follow the hostess to their seats by the window. Of course he'd get placed in one of the best seats in the house. My dad and I are stuck close to the kitchen where it's more noisy, but I'm thankful to be where I am so I'm not close to him.

I try to listen to my father as he drones on about work through dinner, but my eyes keep wandering over to the windows where my Elliot is sitting with some blonde bombshell. They seem so comfortable together that I know this isn't someone new. It's someone he knows... I just don't know how well.

I watch as she reaches over the table with a smile and touches his lips with her fingers, making him sit back and laugh while he wipes his mouth with his napkin. I pick up my wine and chug it. Those lips are for me. Those lips better have not been anywhere except on me.

My father gets up to use the restroom and I quickly fish my phone out of my handbag to take a picture of the two of them across the way. Pulling up my text messages, I find Christian.

Me: Can you please tell me who this is?

It only takes a few seconds for my message with the picture to be read and the three bubbles pop up at the bottom showing he's typing.

Growly: That's Gia. She's a friend of ours. Elliot brings her in as an interior decorator when clients ask.

Me: I see. Thank you.

I see him typing, but my father is coming back and I don't want to dwell on it anyway. I knew they had some sort of history together. The waitress comes with a refill of my wine and I thank her as I type.

Me: Dad's coming back from the bathroom. Talk later. XX

I throw my phone back into my handbag just as he sits down.

"Boy toy?"

I groan and take a gulp of my wine. "Don't start."

He gives me a dad grin before asking about work. I converse with him and try my best to keep my eyes on him and away from the man across the restaurant that has me feeling betrayed. He never once said he was going out tonight... especially with a woman. I told them I was going out with my father tonight... don't I deserve the same courtesy? I wonder if that's why he did it. He knew I'd be busy.

"Ready to go, kid?" My father asks when we're finished eating and signs the credit card receipt.

I nod. "Yes. Please, I'm ready for bed." I am ready to get away from this place. I couldn't keep my eyes away from them and I honestly just want to cry and fall asleep.

I stand and grab my handbag, my father escorting me out with a hand on the small of my back. I can't help, but look over my shoulder once more when the elevator doors open to the front and when I look over at Elliot, his eyes find mine and his smile falls quickly. I quickly look away, wincing. I didn't want to be caught. I shuffle into the elevator quickly and keep my back to the elevator doors until they close.

My phone vibrates in my handbag on the way down, but I choose to ignore it. I know it's one of them and I am too overworked and tired and annoyed at the moment to deal with anyone.

I ignore my phone until I'm home, bathed, and in bed. I check my alarm to make sure it's on for tomorrow and I'm relieved that tomorrow is Friday, but that also means that my men are going to expect me to spend the weekend with them. I don't know how I feel about dealing with Elliot right now. I find it hard to believe that he'd cheat after how close we've become, but that doesn't mean that I can't feel betrayed. He was out with another woman. He was dressed as if it were a date and she was touching him. It makes my heart ache. I really hope I'm not just being naive about this. For all I know he could be a complete snake... but it doesn't feel right to believe that. He's been nothing but honest and open with me and I think he'd tell me if he wanted something else. Hell, he didn't even tell me when he was going to dinner with another woman... so what do I know?

I check my messages.

Growly: Just talk to him. Don't hide.

I stick my tongue out at Christian's message. What if I want to hide? I don't want to deal with Elliot right now.

Grunty: Why didn't you come see me?

Grunty: Sugar?

Grunty: Hello? Are you ignoring me? It isn't what it looks like if that's what you're worried about. Call me. I love you.

I stare at his messages. I know I have to deal with him at some point, but I just don't want to right now. I'm too damn tired to figure out this bullshit right now.

Grunty: Don't leave me on read, Sugar. Let me explain myself.

I groan. Of course he's paying attention.

Me: I just got out of the shower and I'm just super tired. I'll talk to you later.

Grunty: I love you.

I stare at those three words and I know that they're true. I love him, too. There is no denying it, no matter the heartache I feel right now.

Me: I love you, too.

Before I put my phone up for the night, I pull up Christian. He didn't do anything wrong and I do miss him.

Me: Goodnight, handsome. I can barely keep my eyes open. Love you.

Growly: Love you more. Dream of me. X.

I smile. I wish I could snuggle him right now.

Me: I hope to. XXXXXXXXXXX

Growly: I'm cashing those in later.

Me: Okay, one more then. X.

Giggling, I place my phone on my bedside table and plug it in before I stay up half the night talking to my Christian. He's helped my sour mood a little and hopefully that means I'll have sweet dreams.

XxXxXx

Unfortunately, my dreams were not sweet. They involved a lot of a curly blonde woman who I couldn't get to go away no matter what I did to her. My Friday is long and I'm feeling completely drained. I am thankful that I enjoy both of my jobs and that my first one has never ending caffeine, so I manage to drudge through my day just fine.

I know it's Friday and my men are going to want me to spend the night with them, but I am too tired and too emotional. I plan on going straight home and slipping into bed. I don't care about dinner or a shower or even changing out of my clothes necessarily. I just want sleep.

When I get home I force myself to change into one of my men's t-shirts before climbing into bed to text them in our group chat.

Growly: Can't wait to get my hands on you tonight, Sugar. Three days is too long.

Grunty: I second that. And it's been four for me, so I'm first.

Me: Sorry, guys. I'm too exhausted tonight. I'm already home in bed. I just want to sleep. We'll talk in the morning, okay? Please don't be mad. I love you.

Growly: This is all your fucking fault, Elliot!

Grunty: Sugar, please don't do this. Nothing happened. If you'd just let me explain myself.

Me: Really, I'm just tired. I'm going to sleep now.

Growly: You fucked everything up, El!

Grunty: Shut it, C. I'm trying to fix it.

Growly: Shouldn't have done something in the first place that would need fixing!

Grunty: It wasn't planned!

Me: Stop blowing up my phone! I am trying to sleep! If you two want to bitch at each other, do it in a private chat and leave me out of it!

Growly: Sorry. Love you. Goodnight, beautiful.

Grunty: I love you, Sugar. Rest, baby.

Throwing my phone back on the side table, I shake my head. I am annoyed at this point, so I'm hoping this doesn't keep me from falling asleep. My eyes that are burning close easily though and I feel myself drifting quickly.

I'm startled awake by my phone going off and looking, I see Elliot calling. What the fuck? I answer.

"It's fucking midnight. Are you crazy?"

"I need to see you."

"Later." I rest back on my pillows with a yawn, my eyes closing.

"Now. Let me in and you can go back to sleep."

"What do you mean let you in?"

"I'm at your door."

I groan. "You are fucking crazy. My father is asleep. He will have a damn coronary if he sees you here. Go home."

"I won't. Open the door, Anastasia."

I sit up at the sound of my name. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Open the door or I'll ring the doorbell so your father will."

"Asshole." I growl the word at him as I flip my covers off and place my feet on the floor. "I just want to sleep."

"Are you coming?"

"Hush. I'm coming."

I make quick work of hurrying down the hallway on the pads of my feet and down the stairs to the front door so that I can unlock the door for the bastard. When I yank it open I can't help the pitter patter that my heart does seeing him in a gray hoodie and sweatpants. He's wet from the rain he ran through and I just want to run my hand through his wet hair. Stop it.

"Hey." He hangs up his phone and it reminds me that mine is still to my ear and I drop my arm.

"Why are you here?" I whisper it harshly, my heart aching.

"I told you. I needed to see you."

I stare at him for a few beats while he stands on my covered porch, rain falling in the darkness behind him. Eventually, I open the door wider and wave him in.

"Quiet."

Giving me a nod, he waits for me to lock the door and slips his tennis shoes off, carrying them while he follows me up the stairs. I point toward my father's closed door and put a finger to my lips on the way to my room. When we get inside, he immediately pulls off his wet hoodie and drapes it over my desk chair. No t-shirt. Why is he doing this to me? His naked top is so tan and muscular and so full of tattoo'd goodness.

"I like your room." He whispers it but I still bristle at his voice, worried my father will hear it. I put a finger to my lips and hurry to my television remote to turn the television on so there is some noise in the background.

Sighing, I place the remote back and plop down on the bed. "I hate you right now."

He has a seat next to me and I get a whiff of him. It sends my body into overdrive, but I force myself to ignore it. Definitely not happening.

"Can I explain myself? Just give me a few minutes." He runs his fingers through his hair, pushing it back.

"Hurry up."

"I had a meeting with a client to do a walk-through of their home yesterday and Gia was there because they hired her to do the interior. After we were finished, she mentioned she was hungry and asked if I wanted to grab food. So, we did. I would never cheat on you."

"I didn't feel like you were cheating on me really, but I did feel betrayed. You didn't tell me you were going to dinner with another woman... let alone a woman who obviously has feelings for you."

He snorts and I scowl at him. "Gia does not-"

"Fuck that. Yes, she does. The way she kept touching you and smiling and tipping her head sideways. I'm not stupid. And I don't appreciate her thinking she can touch you like that and I really don't appreciate you allowing her to." I let out a huff, annoyed by the situation. I just want her to go away, but I can't ask that.

"Then I guess I'm stupid because I don't see it. She thinks construction is too dirty and my tattoos are too much. She doesn't even like me showing my tattoos. She said it's trashy."

"She's trashy." I growl out. When I realize how weak my comment is, I giggle and shake my head. "You know that isn't true. Your tattoos are hot. She can take a flying leap."

He smiles down at me and wraps an arm around me, yanking me closer to him. "I've missed you, Sugar. Please don't be angry with me. I'm sorry. It was a last minute thing. I didn't mean to hurt you or disrespect you."

I stare up at him for a beat and then sigh. "Fine. Is that why you got the haircut? For the client meeting I mean?"

He takes advantage of me craning my head back to look up at him and ducks down quickly to peck my lips. "Yes, it was time to get a haircut and I wanted something edgy and professional. This is what the stylist came up with. What do you think?"

I push away from him a little so I can turn and look him over. The sides and back are faded and the top is a few inches long, brushed to the side. I reach up and run my fingers around the back of his head, causing Elliot to close his eyes.

"It's hot as hell on you, but I've got nothing to play with when we kiss." I frown. "I'll have to get used to it."

His eyes open and he cocks an eyebrow at me. "You'll have to try harder then, huh?"

"Elliot." I smack his thigh.

"Lay down with me. You've got circles under your eyes."

I yawn, realizing that the few hours of sleep really wasn't enough. "Just for a few. You have to be gone before Dad wakes up."

He's holding in a laugh while we curl up, but his stomach muscles are moving in a silent laugh.

"What's so funny?"

He wets his lips. "I never would have guessed I'd be sneaking around at 32, hiding from a girl's father."

I roll my eyes. "Yea, well.. it won't be long. I'll start looking this week."

He stretches out on his back and I curl up against him, kissing my tattoo on his chest before I settle in.

"We've got to get you a bigger bed."

Looking down, I see his feet sticking out from under my quilt while they hang off the end of my full sized bed. I laugh as he tries to push himself further up on his pillow and kick the quilt so it covers his feet. Finally, he settles with a huff.

"You alright now?" I tease him.

"Hush and go to sleep." He kisses my hair and I nuzzle into his chest, the hair tickling my nose. "Love you, Sugar."

"I love you." I hear him yawn and I smack his stomach lightly. "Don't fall asleep." I run my fingers over his muscular stomach and get distracted.

"I won't."

"Huh?" My hand stills. "Oh, right. Yes. You have to go soon." My father cannot find him in my bed. He'd kill me.