Tease (Songs of Submission #2)(30)

I made it to the service bar. Debbie’s eyes widened. “What happened? You’re white as a sheet.”

“I have fifteen minutes left in my shift.”

“What did she say?”

“I’m not repeating it. I have to go home.”

Debbie took both my shaking hands in hers, slipping the notepad away. “You finish your shift. And you smile. Another table just came in. Take care of them, but do not linger. Do you understand?”

Her face broached no arguments. My nod was so slight and forced, I was surprised she even saw it.

“Robert,” she barked, “make two mojitos, no sugar.” She looked back at me. “Let them ask for the sugar. Make them wait. Take care of your other tables. Smile. Maddy’s here to relieve you, but you have to finish your shift. Grace, Monica.”

Robert put two drinks on my tray.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Go.”

When I went to their table to drop the drinks, Jessica and Plastic were deep in conversation. I made a nice face for them, and though Plastic opened her mouth to say something to me, I turned away before she’d engaged her vocal cords, giving me the opportunity to service my other table.

Twelve and a half minutes later, I came back to the service bar with a drink order and handed it to Robert. Maddy was made up, bright-eyed, and ready to go. I briefed her on the tables.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Fantastic. Where’s Debbie?”

She shrugged. I didn’t care. I went into the back without looking behind me to see if Jessica saw me leave.

I got to the break room and turned my phone on. I had to turn it off when I was on the floor, but now I would give that motherf*cker a piece of my mind. He couldn’t even keep it in his pants for me for how long? How many hours? They must have arranged to meet while I was busy running down the stairs. He’d promised fidelity and dumped me home with a lame excuse about not wanting to hurt me. What a joke. He went and got himself laid.

By his ex-wife.

Who he loved and would always love.

Because she talked him through a tough time.

‘Til death do us part.

I had no idea what I would say to Jonathan, but something had to be said. If he wanted her, then fine, but why play with my clit while demanding I ask him for whatever I wanted? Why push me to tell him I wanted to be his only one, for however long, if he would turn the car around and f**k his ex-wife so hard he fractured her wrist?

I stared at my screen. He’d sent me two messages a few hours before.

—I’m glad you like it—

—I still owe you a spanking from Barney’s—

And another one just three minutes previous.

—Can you call me?—

Darren:

—Have you seen Gabs?—

I replied: —Try Theo—

There were another two messages, sent rapid fire an hour before. They were from an emotional f**kup, but one who had been open, sincere, and vulnerable with me. Someone who never, in the two years he had me, ever cheated on me. He’d never even looked at another woman. Never gave me a reason to doubt his devotion.

—last time I’m asking—

I’d forgotten what a persistent pain in the ass Kevin was. I replied because it wouldn’t be his last text, no matter what he said. I’d opened the door a crack, and he was intent on barging in.

—What—

I waited for his answer. I didn’t feel a hum between my legs at the thought of him, nor did he make me grin with anticipation. I didn’t want him as a boyfriend, lover, or f**k—not that he would find the latter two acceptable. I wanted to just talk to him, to see the devotion and fidelity I’d slaughtered so heartlessly. I didn’t want him back. I wanted to surgically remove the viable parts, label them, and put them in a case so I would recognize them if I saw them again.

—see me—

I answered it.

—Where?—