She nods, the movement jerky and nervous.“Yeah.I mean, if you have a second, I was hoping you’d hear me out?”
Now I’m really intrigued.And she isn’t being rude, which is unusual in itself.“Sure, what’s up?”
“I owe you an apology.”She looks down before seeming to force herself to meet my gaze again.“First, I kicked Matthew out.He’s gone, living with his parents in Nevada.”
“Wow.Um, I’m sorry things ended.”Hell, this is awkward.
She smiles.“I’m not sorry it ended.He was really bad for me—constantly flirting with other women, making me feel like I was imagining it all.You know how a good partner is supposed to help you be your best self?He turned me into my worst.But I don’t want to shove all the blame on him.”She laughs.“Actually, I do.But I won’t.Instead of kicking him out right away, I focused my attention on being mad at the wrong people—you, and other women.I should’ve been mad at him instead, and I shouldn’t have put up with his behavior.”
My brain latches onto what she said about a good partner bringing out your best self.Seth and Damiano do that for me.They boost my confidence.They help me feel safe enough to be vulnerable with them and others.I don’t have to hold my independence in a death-grip when they’re around.They taught me it’s okay to need help, to accept help.
Returning to Charmaine, I say, “Are you doing okay?”
“Oh, yeah.I’m doing much better.Thanks.But I just wanted to apologize for how I treated you, how I blamed you.He was a creep, but that wasn’t your fault.”
“Thanks—I forgive you.”I can’t hold this against her, especially when it seems she’s grown as a result.Plus, it had to take a lot of guts to come over here and say she’s sorry.“I’m in the middle of something, but do you want to come in for a few minutes and have a drink?”
“Oh, thank you.But I have to get going.”She waves her hand in the direction of her place.“I’m moving out.I just sold the house, and the next owners are ready to move in.A nice family—the Williams family.You’ll really like them, I think.”
“Where will you be going?”I ask.
“I have a smaller place lined up in Salding.I got a job with my brother’s company—Midnight Intelligence Network.He’s a private investigator.”
Holy crap—that’s Landon and Cody’s company.Should I let on that I know them?It seems like she wants to get out of here, and I’m not sure if I should open up a potentially lengthy conversation.
Before I can make a decision, Charmaine holds out her hand to shake mine.“Again, I’m sorry for my behavior, Madison.Thank you for forgiving me, and I truly wish you all the best going forward.”
“I wish the same for you.”I shake her hand.“Best of luck with everything.”
She flashes me a happy smile before turning and walking back down my driveway.
I watch her go for a minute.I went through a lot in the last six months.I found Damiano and Seth.We overcame all kinds of danger, including near-death experiences.Meanwhile, Charmaine was struggling with her marriage, just next door to me.Maybe her problems weren’t as big as nearly dying in a house fire, or getting kidnapped.But she had problems, too.
Going forward, I’ll try to be more aware of what those around me are going through.If we can’t pay attention to our neighbors who might need help and kindness, what kind of humans are we?When the Williams family moves in next door, I’ll be sure to welcome them and introduce myself.
I return to my podcast project and happily lose myself in jotting down notes for a future episode.A text from Seth on our group chat comes in.
Are you still free for dinner tonight, little girl?
I grin to myself and write back,Yes, Sir.
Good, he writes back.We’re picking up Thai food.Do you want your usual?
They’re getting take-out?I thought they were doing something extra special.I narrow my eyes at my phone and type back,My usual sounds great!
Gone is all the sexiness from the exchange.I hadn’t realized this was a regular Tuesday night.Something in their demeanor the past few days made me think something exciting was in the works.But maybe I misread them.
This is disappointing, but it’ll still be nice to have dinner together, all three of us.It isn’t a rare occurrence, but on the weeknights, work often keeps them late and we end up scavenging for dinner at different times.
Well, if they don’t have something fun planned, I can work up something for them.Perhaps not tonight because it doesn’t seem like they’re in the mood, despite Seth calling me “little girl” in his text.
Tomorrow, I’ll wear a different set of lingerie.Maybe the sheer pink ones that drive Damiano crazy.He’s already had to buy two new pairs of the panties because he keeps tearing them off me.
I squirm in my seat at the thought, suddenly aroused.How far are the guys from home?Maybe I have time to take care of things for myself.
Closing my laptop, I hurry upstairs.No sense in my favorite lingerie going to waste.I can have my vibrator out, loaded with batteries, and ready to go in less than a minute.And with memories of Damiano eating me out while Seth fucks me from behind?I’ll be done with the whole thing in less than five.
I kneel down and pull a box forward from underneath our giant, custom-made bed.Inside the box are several vibrators, plugs, and spare batteries.I find my favorite solo-time vibrator, a hot-pink toy with three different speeds.I’ve nicknamed the speedsgentle orgasm,toe-curling orgasm, andscreaming orgasm.
