Page 25 of Summer Sweethearts
Jessica says nothing, just nods her head and steers the car toward Cain’s shop. The rest of the car ride is silent, minus Michael hiccuping every few minutes.
We arrive at the shop minutes later, and Michael struggles to get out of the car, but finally figures it out. Leaning against the door, he bends down, looking at the front seats. “Thanks, ladies, I’ll be seeing ya.” Without another word, he shuts the door. We watch as he sways to the door of the shop and opens it before disappearing into the dark building.
I look at Jessica, my eyes wide at what we just experienced. She is biting her bottom lip, trying hard to not laugh. “I like drunk Mike, he’s hilarious,” she chuckles.
“Yeah, a real comedian, that one,” I reply and open my mouth to say more when a vibrating sound comes from the backseat. “What the hell is that?” Turning around to look in the back, I see Michael’s phone lying on the seat, lit up and ringing.
“Seems like someone can’t keep track of his shit when he’s intoxicated. Go take it to him, so we don’t have to bring it back tomorrow. Lord knows, Mike is going to be a pile of shit tomorrow.” Jessica smirks as she jerks her head toward the shop.
I sigh and roll my eyes, but unbuckle my belt and grab his phone from the backseat. Opening my door, I slowly walk to the shop entrance before raising a hand and knocking. No answer. I turn to look at Jessica, and she waves me with her hand to go in anyway to give it to him. Grumbling, I turn the knob, finding it’s unlocked. So I open it up and head inside.
It’s pitch black in here, minus the hallway that leads to the break room and bathroom. Heading down the hall, I hear Michael moving around behind the door at the end of the hall.Is he hummingSummer Lovinfrom Grease?Pushing his random-ass show-tune ballad to the side, I call his name. “Michael? It’s Loretta. You left your phone in the car.”
The door flies open just as I get to the threshold, ready to knock. Michael stands there in just his black briefs, his eyes bloodshot but full of desire, and a wicked smirk on his face. “Hey, Etta-baby. You came back. Where’s Jessica? We can’t do this without her.” He tilts his head, his gaze trailing up and down my body.
“Michael James. I did not come in here to have sex with you. You forgot your phone in the car,” I say exasperatedly, reminding myself he’s drunk and doesn’t know what he’s saying.
“Shame,” he grunts as he leans in quickly and pushes his lips to mine. He licks at my lips, and I automatically open for him. Instantly, his tongue is in my mouth, rubbing against mine. Our kiss is hard and desperate, all teeth and tongue, as we battle each other for dominance. He groans into my mouth as a hand comes down, cupping my ass cheek.
Realization slams into me like I stuck my hand in an electrical outlet.Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What am I doing?I push my hands hard into his chest, causing me to stumble back from him. My hand flies to my lips as I stare at him with my ears ringing, and I swear my vision is spotty. “I have to go. This was a mistake,” I murmur before dropping his phone to the floor and running out of the building.
“Etta, wait!” he shouts from behind me, but it’s no use; I exit the building like my ass is on fire and jump into the car.
“Everything okay?” Jessica asks as I buckle up.
“Yup, just tired. Let’s go,” I tell her and look out the passenger side window. I don’t want to make eye contact for fear of her noticing my swollen lips.
“Are you sure? Did something happen?” she questions again.
“I’m fine! Just take me home,” I snap, and she gasps but puts the car in drive, pulling away from Cain’s shop.
JESSICA
Loretta has been silent since she got in the car last night. I know something happened, or at the very least, something was said, but she won’t talk to me about it. She’s been laying in bed since we got back, sleeping briefly, but then I felt her wiggling around. Like something was bothering her so much she couldn’t sleep. I got out of bed at nine this morning when my phone rang. Not wanting to bother her, I took the call outside on the patio.
It’s now quarter to ten, and as I come back in the house mentally exhausted from that call, Loretta is nowhere to be seen. Heading to our bedroom, I push the door open and see her sitting in bed, eyes watery, and she’s sniffling. Her eyes meet mine, and she crooks one side of her mouth up at me. “I need to talk to you.”
Dread washes through my body as my mind goes to the worst-case scenario. Squeezing my eyes shut, I take a deep breath and walk to the bed. Sitting down next to her, my fists clench and unclench in pure panic at what she’s about to say. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before, so if she’s about to end things, I’ll be wrecked. It’s been a whirlwind romance, but I’m so happy and totally obsessed with this woman.
“Where were you? I came out into the main part of the house but didn’t see you?” she asks, and I look at her curiously, then answer.
“I was on the patio talking to the insurance company about the fire at my apartment building. Took the call out there, so I wouldn’t wake you,” I tell her honestly.
“Oh. What did they say?”
“Well, they got the report from the fire marshall, and it was an electrical fire that started on the floor above mine. The building is a total loss. Nothing was salvageable in my apartment. They’re paying the full amount for the claim, thank god. Said I should get a check in the mail next week. It’s enough to buy a whole new house, so I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I need to figure out my next few steps,” I reply hesitantly.
“You don’t want to stay here?” her breath hitches.
“It’s not that I don’t want to. But we had one night together and my place burned down. I just don’t want to overstay my welcome.” I smile at her, but I see the defeat in her eyes.
“Lor, baby, talk to me. What happened?” I beg, moving closer to her and putting my hand on her calf.
“I kissed Michael,” she sobs, tremors wracking her body. “I’m so sorry. He kissed me, and I kissed him back. Then I pushed him away from me and ran out.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?! I tell you I cheated on you, and all you have to say isokay?” she cries as the tears pour freely, and her body shakes.
