Page 43 of Stroked
My cheeks were getting hot, and my lips were tight. “Look, just becauseyouare googly eyes over Jason doesn’t mean you know everything, all of a sudden. You didn’t really know him besides being a bartender for long before you were saying yes to that rock on your hand. People can change, and they can change fast.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her by raising my hand. “I love you. I don’t meanher. I meanme. I don’t know how to explain, and I don’t know why, but for the first time, I found someone I can be with. And Iwantto be with her. Maybe itwaslust, and still is a little. But she’s amazing and I can be patient for her.”
“But for how long?” Lucy grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eye. “I love you and I’ve never seen you this way. I don’t think she’ll change, and I don’t know if you can live like that forever.”
I leaned in and squeezed my friend, burrowing my face into her curls. “Well, only time will tell, but I let you do your crazy with Jason. Just let me make my own mistakes if that’s what this is, okay?”
She squeezed me hard and nodded.
“Ladies, hate to break this up but we need to get home.”
“So you can give her that BDE?”
Lucy pulled away quickly and smacked my arms playfully.
I looked up at Jason and he smirked as he held his palm out to help Lucy off her barstool. God, I wanted to hate him but couldn’t.
“Alright, bitch. I gotta let BDE take me home. Keep me posted. Love you.”
“I’ll be back this week, I’m sure. Love you, bitch. Jason, take care of our girl.”
He gave a quick salute and they headed out together. I pulled some cash for Jaz from my bag and tossed it over. “Hey doc, don’t forget all these tips when I come stumbling into the hospital one day.”
Jaz chuckled and waved before turning back to her customers at the other end of the bar.
Walking into my apartment, it felt cold and alone. It hadn’t been long since Lucy left, and in the short amount of time I knew Valentina, she had been here several times. Climbing into bed was even worse. Her warm scent still stuck to the sheets and pillows.
It was too late to call her. Plus, we said no weeknight sleepovers for now. I dug my face into the pillow and imagined her as I slid my fingers through the wetness collected at my center and rolled it over the swollen nub until stars burst behind my eyes.
I wouldn’t be washing the sheets until I knew she was coming over again to be sure I didn’t lose that scent.
Chapter 24
Valentina
How long were you supposed to wait between texts to your lover? I couldn’t stop thinking about Amy and wanted to speak to her but figured a text may be safer. But even then, I texted her yesterday and would see her later for dinner. My hands felt strange, like they were empty even if I was grasping something. They wanted to be grasping her.
I planned to cook for her, but I got a meeting scheduled with an account exec at Lucy’s label. It was brief, but they agreed to take the demo for the band I’ve been working with for a while and gave me their direct line, which never happens.
“Lucy's a cool chick. She highly recommended you,” Adam said plainly while tapping his fingers on his desk.
“She is a lovely individual. I appreciate you taking the time to meet me. I hope to hear back soon.”
He was a man of few words but had a kind smile and a firm shake.
Even though the office was in Atlanta, it takes forty-five minutes to get to Atlanta from Atlanta, as most locals say, depending on the time of day. I’d have to order something because there was not enough time to prepare her anything worth sharing.
Plus, walking in the heat from a parking lot to the building the offices were in left me feeling sticky and gross, so I needed a quick shower before heading to Amy’s. Once that was done, I threw on a pink flowy dress and some sandals. As I drove to her place, I tried to recall places near her that I could stop and get something yummy from. Nothing was coming to mind except The Lounge, and of course, the club where Lucy worked. I didn't recall any restaurants in between.
Pressing the Bluetooth button on the steering wheel, I answered, “Call Lucy,” when the voice asked what I needed help with.
“Hello, this is Lucy.”
“Lucy, it is Val. I am so sorry to bother you–”
“Val! No, great to hear from you. I figured we’d touch base next week, though. Everything is fine with the band for next weekend still, right?”
“Oh yes, that is set, and we have a great response so far. Should be another full house.”
