Page 55 of Heal For Me

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Payson

June

There comes a point in every vacation, no matter how nice the vacation is, that you get homesick. I’m at that point. It’s beyond nice here, and I’ve come to love several people, but I miss Bayshore.

More importantly, I miss Ash.

Our letters aren’t cutting it for me anymore, and I know a phone call won’t satisfy my need either. I need him. I need to see him—feel him. My time here has helped me with all my bad habits . . . besides one. Not that I wanted it to help with that one. The one visit on what will be our future wedding anniversary was months ago and I’m itching for more. But something longer than a weekend.

There’s a sudden knock on my door. I set the shirt I was folding down and head over, but it flies open before I can. Janelle is the first person I see, but she’s not alone. Monica and Mika stand smiling behind her. My eyes widen, my confusion shifting slowly to excitement at seeing familiar faces. Janelle has been here weekly like she promised, but I haven’t seen the other two for what feels like forever.

“What are you doing here?!” I throw my arms out, and they surround me in the best group hug ever.

“To check out the sick pool Janelle keeps posting about.” Monica laughs.

“And the cutest puppy ever!” Mika squeals before dropping to her knees and greeting Todd, who wastes no time rolling onto his back and flashing his tummy, awaiting pets, which are delivered immediately.

We pull away, and I tilt my head, questioning Janelle because I know I haven’t posted any photos; I’ve not even had my phone.

“I told you to check Instagram.” She rolls her eyes, but I know she’s not really annoyed.

We move out of the way to let Mark, another employee I see around often, bring in their luggage. They have plenty of it; the poor guy has at least five bags on his cart. They can only stay the weekend and it’s already Saturday morning, so I don’t know why they need that much luggage for one night, but I digress.

“Anything else I can do for you ladies?” He turns in the doorway before leaving.

“No, thank you,” we reply.

“Very well.” He dips his chin. “Enjoy your visit. And someone will be up with two more cots.”

“Thanks, Mark!” I shout after him.

Spinning around, I bite back a smile because I already know what is about to come out of someone’s mouth if not all of them. Seeing their dreamy faces, I know I’m right.

“Mark is fine.”

“He’s so cute!”

“What’s his shoe size?”

The last one is Janelle, to no one’s surprise.

I drop onto my bed, shaking my head. “Mark is cute, and so is basically everyone else here, so you guys are going to have to keep it in your pants and not embarrass me, okay?”

That’s asking a lot from them, but they agree.

“And the whole shoe thing is false anyway.” Monica shoves at Janelle on the other bed across the room. Mika sits by me.

“Is not,” Janelle argues.

“Yeah, I don’t know. Ash’s feet are pretty big, but his dick is massive.”

Monica squeals. “How is it going with coach lover anyhow?”

Janelle meets my eyes across the room. She’s nearly bursting at the seams to share the news.

“Well . . .” I dig into my shirt and tug on my necklace. Holding it up, two out of three mouths drop open and the other sports a huge smile. She’s seen the ring numerous times, but it doesn’t stop her from joining in when Monica rushes forward. Mika and she take time looking at the ring, each with their own comments on how pretty it is.

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