Page 40 of Whatever He Wants
Denise
Until today, the naughtiest underwear I’ve ever worn is a pair of panties that showed more butt than usual.I turn, checking myself out in the mirror.If I were to step outside right now, this red lingerie I’m wearing will get me arrested.
The material is so sheer, the lacy patches in strategic areas are failing to preserve my decency.It cost too much money, but it was well spent.My breasts and ass never looked better.I hope Isaac thinks so too.
It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m going to celebrate it with Isaac… who is also my boyfriend.We’ve been living together as a couple for the past three months.What we’re doing might be wrong, but when it’s just the two of us, our love feelsperfect.Like how it’s always meant to be.At some point, Isaac and I will have to tell his mom and my dad about us.We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, though.
Isaac will be home from work soon.I can’t wait to show him his gift.As I’m pulling on my robe, my phone rings.The caller ID says the number is unknown.I rarely answer calls from numbers I don’t recognize, but the mystery makes me curious.I tap the green button.
“Denise, it’s me.”
I freeze.I haven’t seen or heard from Matt since that night we broke up three months ago.
“Why are you calling me?And why from an unknown number?”I don’t bother masking the chill in my voice.
“I’m at a police station.I was arrested, and I need your help to get a lawyer.”
I let out a short laugh of disbelief.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am!I wouldn’t be calling you otherwise.You’re the only one who can help me right now.”
“Why were you arrested?”
He makes a sound of irritation.
“I don’t have time to get into that, Denise.”
“Then I don’t have time to be on this phone call.Goodbye—”
“For theft, OK?”he hisses.“My boss reported me for stealing laptops and phones.It’s all lies and trumped-up charges!They’re always trying to fuck with me.There’s no way what I took—I mean,allegedlytook—was worth over thirty grand.”
This revelation doesn’t surprise me at all.For a klepto like Matt, working at a warehouse full of expensive electronics must have felt like being a kid in Santa’s workshop.
“If it’s all lies, then your case should be an easy win,” I say.“Hiring a lawyer might be a waste of money when you can use Legal Aid.They’re free.”
“I don’t trust a free lawyer.I need one who’ll work for the money.Look, when the cops came for me, I kind of… didn’t go easy.I panicked and ran.They chased me and jumped on me like fucking animals.”He pauses, taking a sharp breath.“I tried to get away because I was scared.And of course I’m gonna fight back when two guys are on top of me, trying to pin me down!I kicked one of them—just one little kick!—and suddenly, he’s screaming like a little bitch, ‘That’s assault, buddy!That’s assaulting an officer!’”He scoffs.“I’m pretty sure they’re gonna slap that on top ofresisting arrest.”
A few months ago, I would’ve been anxious and furious on Matt’s behalf, shoving my feet into shoes, rushing to his rescue.Instead, I lie on my bed, holding back a laugh as I speak.
“That’s… um… wild.Sorry to hear that happened.”
“You don’t sound sorry.But you will be if you don’t help me.”
My amusement vanishes at the snideness in his tone.It’s the same one he used when he called me awhore.
“How so?”My voice is cold.
“I didn’t tell anyone about your dirty little love affair with Isaac,” he says in a lower, angrier voice.“But maybe I’ll tell your dad if you don’t make Isaac hire a lawyer for me.”
In the background, a stern voice reminds Matt he has less than a minute left on his call.I shake my head, unable to believe the depths of his stupidity and selfishness.Unable to believe I wasted years of my life tolerating it.
“You’re blackmailing me?Where the police can hear you?”
“I mean, I would call it more of aquid pro quosituation…”
“No, it’s blackmail.But thank goodness my dad won’t care what a lying, thieving asshole like you has to say.Enjoy your stay in the big house!”
