Page 46 of Tease
He laughs, watching me hop off of my stool. The tile is cold against my bare feet as I walk over to my coffee bar. I really need to leave an extra set of slippers out here. Hmm, which flavor of coffee pod should I choose this morning? I end up selecting a white mocha, and place the pod in and grab one of my favorite coffee mugs to set under the dispenser. It reads,Looks better bent over a book. The coffee doesn’t take long to brew. I grab my hot mug and bring the cup close to my face, smelling the fresh steam. It’s my favorite. “What are you drinking this morning?” I ask Travey once I get back in front of the laptop camera.
“Lemon water. I’m staying healthy over here.” He holds up his water bottle. I can see a lemon chunk floating around.
“You’re already healthy. You can indulge in coffee here and there, lil bro.” My sip is long and soothing.
“So, are you ready for us to call Mom and Dad?”
“Yes, but I’m already running behind this morning, so it’ll have to be a quick call.”
“Kailey, it’s always a quick call with you. We miss you.” He stares off camera before adding, “I’m thinking about applying for med school in Chicago. I’m almost finished with undergrad.”
“What? Really? Oh my god! I’d love that, Travey.”
Travey leans down into the camera, a genuine smile present. “Yes, I figured it’s time to catch up with my big sis. But I’m not sure where I’ll end up working.”
This catches me off guard. “I always assumed you wanted to work in a hospital close to Mom and Dad.”
He shrugs his shoulders up. “Yeah, we’ll see. So you’d be cool if I lived with you during med school?”
“Uhm, yes!!! And I have amazing internet service, if you ever have free time to play on your PC.” I give him a cheeky smile and raise my eyebrows at him.
“Alright then. I’ll let you know when it’s all set. Don’t mention anything to Mom and Dad yet, okay?”
“Deal.” I gesture like I’m zipping my lips and throwing away the key.
“You’re a dork. Okay, let’s call our parents.”
Once they enter the chat from their computer at home, we all fill each other in on what’s going on in our lives. I notice that our dad’s face is a little paler than usual, and he isn’t as talkative. Mom reassures us that everything is fine, and it’s just the lighting in the room. We all end the call with “I love yous” and “Until the next time.” We hate the word goodbye.
The clock reads 2 P.M.Shit,I need to hurry and post a picture to the TEASE app and get ready for my shift.
I strip myself naked and bring the light stand to the bathroom, along with the phone that I use for the app. I pose myself over the bathroom sink, leaning deeper into it. From the side view, you can see the outline of my ass and my pierced nipples. No front pics today, just something simple and fast. I take the pic, not needing my mask since my hair is covering that side of my face’s profile. Once the photo is snapped, I open the app, ignoring all of the new notifications—more messages from Incognito—and just post the picture. I’m starting to think that this guy is more than just a flirt. I close out of the app and set the phone down on the counter so I can hop in the shower. I like my showers hot, and I just stand there and enjoy the water cascading down my back.
I’m currently singing lyrics to the song“I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” Brittney Spears version, at the top of my lungs while I wash my hair, when a loud thud, that sounds like it came from the kitchen, surprises me.
I poke my head out of the shower and wipe shampoo bubbles from my face. “Hello? Brittney?” When I don’t hear an immediate response, my body tenses, and I go into fight-or-flight mode. My hand touches the water knob to turn it off, but before I do, I hear light footsteps.
Sniffling sounds come from the hall before Brittney responds, “Yeah, it’s me. I’m whooped. Skyler had me up all night. Just gonna head to bed for a little while. Hope your shift goes well! You can fill me in on what’s new with the family tomorrow.”
The sound of her door shutting echoes through the hall before I can respond.Yeah,I bet he did keep her up all night. He seems like he’s the type of guy who’d know his way around the bedroom—lucky woman. I shake my head sadly against the stream of the shower, knowing I won’t ever have that type of love.
I stroll through The Purple Room’s front door. “Me & U” by Cassie is playing through speakers. My hips sway back and forth to the beat while I walk up to the bar. This song brings back a memory of Greg and Steffan, when they told me this was my theme song because the lyrics made them think of me every time it played. I smile at that thought. My eyes survey the bar. It’s fairly empty. Good deal; I’m sleepy today. Maybe I’ll get off early and let someone else get the hours. There wasn’t much effort put into my outfit today. I’m wearing a simple yellow dress with knee-high brown boots. My hair, blow-dried and styled with volumizing spray so it free flows down my back. It’s Sunday after all, so I went for a classy look.
“Hey girl!” Val, one of the other bartenders, yells at me.
“How’s the day been?” I ask her.
“Pretty slow; it’s mostly been our regulars today. I need to head to the bathroom. Can you take this double shot of tequila over to that high-top table?”
My tired eyes follow to where she’s pointing. I see a tall figure facing the opposite way, wearing black sweats with a matching hoodie, and the hood is up. He’s standing at the high-top table, instead of sitting in a chair, and his arms are crossed, both elbows on the table.
“Sure thing. Take your time in there, hun. No rush.”
I put together a small rectangle tray from behind the bar with a line of salt and a lime to go with the shot.
The chime from the front door goes off, letting me know that a new customer has just walked in.
“Hey, there. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right with you.” I hear a nonchalant response from the new person.
