Page 12 of Drench My Halls

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That was the worst day of my life. I had called her father once I had steadied my breathing. He informed me, she passed away from inflicting harm to herself. He went to the house after she called him in panic and he took her to the hospital, but they weren’t able to save her. When I asked to see her, he denied my request saying he already had her cremated, it was too much for them to bare.

I cried so hard, I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye or kiss her cheek one last time. They robbed that from me. I had to plan her funeral in Colorado, where her grandparents were buried in the family plot. It was two days of sadness. Her parents didn’t blame me, they felt my pain, the sudden loss of their daughter was hard on them.

I couldn’t understand why they didn’t even shed a tear, but I guess everyone processes grief different, so Ali said. She went on a dating app when her husband passed away, not to hook up with anyone, but to have someone to talk to. I couldn’t do that. It took me one year just to go on a blind date that Ali set up for me. It took me two years to have sex with a woman other than my wife. It felt amazing at the time but afterwards the guilt and betrayal took over. It’s since been four years since Lucy passed away. I still won’t open myself up for the love, the fear of losing that love is too strong.

Lucy had mentioned that I worked a lot, and that she wished I was there with her that week. I wished I was too. But I wasn’t and that guilt will never leave me, no matter what my therapist says or anyone else. I failed her, that’s on me. I won’t fail someone else. I don’t want to hurt anyone either, which is why I set boundaries, set expectations. I let them know what I am looking for, a good time.

Typically, they are okay with it at first but as time goes on, they tend to catch deeper feelings. Feelings I can’t reciprocate, so they break it off with me. I shrug it off, as I can move on, I didn’t have any emotional connection with them, but Julia, she is different. I can sense it; she has the ability to shatter my bubble. She has the ability to take my heart from captivity and cure it back to its previous condition, but that is a terrifying power to have.

She already has me wanting to crash to my knees begging her not to be mad at me and I only just met her for Christ sake.

Who is she?

JULIA

WATCH ME BURN BY MICHELE MORRONE

Yesterday I sulked in the house all day. I ordered Chinese food, which took an hour to get here and was cold by the time I sat down to eat. I re-heated my plate, grabbed a throw blanket, wrapping it around me, and sat out on my bedroom patio. I watched a sappy romance movie and cried myself to sleep. I was sad about my life, hurt that everyone just keeps using me for what I can give them, angry that my grandmother isn’t here to talk sense to me, and angry that I haven’t had a decent fuck in months.

I need to go out more, I need to get out of this funk, meet new people and just sleep with some hot stranger. With protection of course, I am responsible. I wasn’t mad at Caleb, I just thought things would be different here. I wouldn’t be Julia from LA, the author. I'd just be Julia. To my disappointment my reputation follows me.

I texted Madison earlier asking her what she was doing tonight. She said she was going out with some friends to a night club tonight, its half off drinks and the dance floor is always full. Apparently on Sunday's everyone in town closes early as they head out to Molesbury for some night-time fun. It’s already 9 pm and I hear my doorbell chime.

“Give me a minute.” I yell out, hoping she can hear me as I slip into my red cocktail dress.

I can’t zip it so I hurry to the door, I swing it open without looking and turn around.

“Can you please zip me up?” I feel the heat of a hand hover over my back as the zipper is fastened.

“Do you always greet people at the door barely dressed?” His voice causes shivers down my spine as I realize he had a clear view of my thong.

I cover my mouth as I turn around to look at Caleb. He smiles as he takes in my dress.

“Wow. You sure know how to make a man’s heart stop.”

I pull a strand of hair from my face and tuck it behind my ear, as I attempt to slip into my heel.

“Does that line work on everyone?”

He chuckles as he places one hand in his pocket.

“I don’t know, you’d have to ask them.”

He is very cocky.

I nearly topple over as I try to fasten my heel strap. He kneels down and pats his knee.

“Here let me help you. If we don’t hurry, Madison will freak out.”

He grabs a hold of my ankle and sets it on his knee. He grabs my heel and slides my foot into it. His soft hands glide across my skin and I can feel my cheeks burning. He is on his knee’s touching my feet and all I can think about is how I wish he would part my legs and lick my pussy. I swallow the lump in my throat as he fastens the last strap, slower than the first and I can feel his eyes trail up my legs.

Shit, my panties. I quickly set my leg down, grabbing my purse and walk to the door.

“Thank you.” I say before exiting the house and locking the door. As I approach the red jeep he smiles and opens the car door. Madison whistles as she takes in my dress.

“Damn Julia, how is it every time I see you, you get hotter?” She laughs as I get into the back seat. I close the door and I am face to face with the pool girl.

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