Elly & Kent - The Complete Story: Includes Books 1-3 (45 page)

The waiter was prompt, offering me another moment of stalling. I ordered a glass of champagne and then put my napkin on my lap. She lifted her flawlessly manicured brows and smiled as she took a sip of her water, "Are you celebrating something?"

"Yep. I'm finally going to do something today that I've been waiting for over a decade to do. It's going to be epic and I'm probably going to feel magnificent after I've done it."
 

Jen set her glass down and laughed, "You're finally getting a colonic?"
 

Oh my god, she was clueless. How could she sit there and act so casual with me when she'd been fucking my boyfriend? I tried to keep the anger from my face as I returned the smile.

"No, that's an exit only. But Dave tells me that's not the case with you." I sipped the water sitting at the table, keeping my tone friendly despite the fire I was feeling inside.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise and then scrunched them up as her angry face arrived, "Excuse me?"

"Oh, we're going to pretend like you aren't screwing my boyfriend behind my back? How many other men have you fucked in your marriage bed? I'm just curious. Maybe you should have your own reality TV show. That was always a dream of yours, wasn't it?"

She laughed, "Elly, dear, you're being ridiculous. Where did you hear this nonsense from?"

"Your husband, of course. He said he walked in on you and my shirtless boyfriend in his living room."

"Was that before or after you fucked my husband?"

I gripped the arms of the chair tightly so I wouldn't slap her across her plastic face. "Don't you dare degrade my relationship with Kent. As far as I know he has been completely faithful to you while you've been screwing around behind his back." Eyes and ears were turning in our direction but I was too angry to care. Fuck the decorum thing. I was starting to see red.

"Please, Elly. Drop the innocent act. I know that you have always had feelings for Kent. You're still holding a grudge with me because he picked me over you."

"Yes, I hate that he picked you. I always have. But I tried to be decent about it. I stayed true to who I was and I was never
anything
but nice and kind to you. For ten years I've helped you pick out thoughtful gifts for him, I've helped you plan surprise vacations, video games, menus to please him. I have listened to you complain about him, his workaholic ways and I always bit my tongue, as a friend would do, when what I really wanted to tell you was that you are a self-centered, materialistic, whiney-ass self-centered bitch. I didn't make a move on your husband because I cared about the vows you took with each other, because he loved you. But you fucked that all up now. Maybe now is my chance. And if he becomes mine you will
never
be able to have him again. You fucked up big time." My champagne arrived and I swigged it down, Jen was staring at me, a little dazed by my outburst. I set my glass down and stood up. I looked down at her shocked and appalled face, "Oh, and did I mention I think you're a whore?" And then I turned on my heel and sashayed out of there.
 

Chapter Sixty-One

A few days after the blow up with Jen I finally heard from Kent. I was getting ready for work when I heard the tweet from my phone.

Kent : Hey. I'm closing up shop tomorrow. How about we have some lunch?

I set the phone down as I put the finishing touches on my eye make-up. Did I want to have lunch with him? Yes and no. After all that shit went down with Jen I was halfway curious to ask about her, to see if she'd come crawling back with her pointed tail between her legs. But as it was I was busy tomorrow, so I was off the hook.

Me: Can't. I'm working tomorrow.

I put the phone down and as soon as I did it tweeted again. I felt a little bad for not picking it up right away but I was going to be late for work if I didn't hustle. After putting on my shoes I looked again.

Kent: What about after work then?

Me: I have band practice. We have a gig this weekend.

I stood up and stuffed my phone into my purse. As I was walking out of my building I heard the tweet.

Kent: Is there any time in your busy schedule to allow me to cook dinner for you?

Me: I'll let you know.

I stuffed the phone back into my purse and walked quickly down the couple of blocks to the restaurant.
 

I was halfway through my shift when I looked up and noticed that Kent was sitting at one of my tables. When I realized it was him my smile faded a little. It wasn't that I wasn't happy to see him, I was, I just... I didn't enjoy being bombarded at work. I pushed my smile to be brighter and leaned against the seat opposite him. "Hey Kent, what are you doing here?"

"I figured that since you were busy with work today that I'd just come get some lunch. That way I could eat and see you. Kill two birds with one stone!" He smiled at me warmly and I looked down briefly, feeling the embarrassment of not feeling so glowing towards him.

I looked back to him, "Sounds good. So what can I get you for lunch?" I looked away for just a moment as I checked my other tables, trying to keep myself in work mode.

"Think I'll go for a chicken caesar wrap with potato salad. Sweet tea to drink." He offered me a grin as he handed over his menu. I took it gently, winked at him and then pushed off the booth. "No problem. I'll be right back with your tea." I felt his eyes on me as I made my rounds. I put tea in front of him and smiled, "Anything else I can get you while you're waiting?"

"Yeah, how much extra does a hug from a best friend cost?" He took a sip from his tea and then slid it in front of him on the table.
 

I smiled softly as I gazed at his tea. I glanced around and then whispered, "I can't hug you here, if I hugged you I'd have to hug every other guy who asked. The older guys think it's still 1950 and that it's still acceptable to ass-grab the help."

"Fine. Guess I'll just deduct a little from your tip then." He winked at me playfully. "Go on, I'm good. I just wanted to see you, even if it was just in passing since you're so busy."

I rolled my eyes. "I wasn't expecting a tip anyway. Best friends eat free. Your lunch is on me. Your food should be out in a couple of minutes." I smiled, winked and then turned around, walking quickly to my other tables to make up for the time lost speaking to Kent. I heard him chuckling softly and felt his eyes on me.
 

I brought Kent his food and then went about with my other customers, schmoozing as necessary to get the most tips. When I stopped back at Kent's table he was halfway through his lunch. "Everything okay?"

He nodded with a smile, "Food is good as always."
 

"Can I put in some dessert for you?"

"Nah, better not do dessert." He pat his flat stomach. "I haven't worked out in a few days, but thank you none the less."
 

I rolled my eyes, "Doesn't show. What the hell have you been doing with yourself?"

"Playing video games, reading, leaving work early..." he shrugged his broad shoulders, "I found someone to manage the store so I don't have to be there nearly as much."

"Working out would make you feel better, you know. Get your confidence back up so you can find your next wife."
 

He rolled his eyes and grinned. "So, I know you're busy, but if you could find yourself with some free time in the next few days, we should work out."
 

"Maybe. I can run laps around you now." I smiled sweetly at his smug face.
 

"Sounds like a challenge. Like I said, when you get some free time and you're feeling froggy, then we'll see." He winked at me and I only grinned wider.

"Don't hold your breath for me to feel...froggy." I laughed at him, who said that? What did that even mean? I glanced around at my other tables.

"I'll let you get on with work. Don't forget about me," he said.

"Never," I said as I saw him pulling bills from his back pocket and shook my head. "No way." I grabbed the bills that he placed on the table quickly and shoved them against his rock hard chest. Not that I was feeling him up or anything.

He grabbed the bills from me and stuffed them into the little pocket in the front of my half apron and I froze, his hand so near...my core. He didn't seem phased in the least, just like always. "Later, Elly." He grinned as he walked away from me towards the exit.

I got my wits back about me when he was almost there. I cupped my hand and yelled, "This isn't over!" And then I quickly got back to work because I noticed my manager at the bar, glaring in my direction.

Chapter Sixty-Two

I groaned as my alarm went off at five am. What the hell was I thinking? I slapped it hard and then got dressed for my run. I wasn't going to get dressed but then I remembered that I had set my alarm to kick Kent's ass in a friendly competition. The last time I'd beat him at something had been my 16th birthday and it was high time I did it again.

After I'd had my morning Joe I called him from my phone. He picked up after a couple of rings.

"Morning, sunshine. What you want this morning?" His voice was groggy, still filled with sleep. I grinned at the thought of interrupting his beauty sleep.

"Ribbet. Get your ass out of bed and meet me at Slater Park in ten minutes." I hung up and walked briskly there, already warm by the time I arrived.

I popped my earbuds in and started stretching while I waited for his SUV to pull into the parking lot. I closed my eyes as I pulled my chest to my outstretched leg. Today was the day. I could feel it. Today was the day I finally bested Kent. I felt a tap on my back and I jumped up and spun around quickly. Kent's grinning face was there. I pulled out my earbuds and punched him playfully on his chest. "Jerk! I almost peed my pants." It's true, I almost did.

"Look, it's not my fault that you're such an easy target." He snickered as he stretched. "So what's the plan this morning? A brisk run?" It was my turn to grin.

"Yep. Run 'til we drop since you think you can outlast me. Hope you got some good tunes on there." I was a winner damnit, even if I had to cheat a little. I pushed him to ruin his stretch and then started at a slow jog, warming up.
 

"Sounds like--HEY!" I looked back to see him right himself and jog after me. "Trying to cheat already I see." He chuckled as he slid his earbuds into his ears.
 

I did the same and after the first lap around I increased my pace. He kept up with me but stayed behind me just a little. I wondered if it was to check out my form, and call me out on something that I was doing wrong. But as the hour passed by he'd said nothing.
 

He jogged up beside me and I pulled one earbud out, my breathing still very even. He did the same. If anything was going to give out first it was going to be my leg muscles. "Tired of staring at my ass already?" I teased him, hoping he'd blush. "Give up already, you know you want to."

"I've rather enjoyed staring at your ass. But I think it's time you stared at mine for awhile." I grinned as I watched him push a little harder until he was a good three feet in front of me. He was sweating a bit but I didn't see this ending anytime soon. My legs were going to be yelling at me all night but it was going to be worth it.

I let him stay in the lead for the next hour and then I joined him. "You're looking a little wet, Kenny. Ready to tap out yet?"

"You're not so dry yourself, Elly. Maybe you should go hit the shower."

"Only after you tap out, Kenny-poo." I jogged ahead and put my earbuds back in. My poor jogging playlist was starting to get stale.

A half hour later I looked back. He was walking but didn't seem like he was ready to drop. I frowned. He was going to let me win? "Come on, Kent! Don't you dare puss out! I want to beat you fair and square!!"

His smile was back and I felt a smile on my lips too. "Fine." He slowly closed the distance between us, "You want to beat me fair and square, then out run me!" The last few feet he gained in speed and I knew this was it. I increased my pace slowly, not full out running just yet. I was trying to push away the negative thoughts in my head, I was a winner! I was a winner!

He raced ahead but I kept pushing. I couldn't give up. I had to prove to myself that he wasn't better than me. His opinion of me didn't matter as much as my opinion of myself. My opinion was the one that mattered and I thought I was a badass and a winner! The Elly-phant that Kent knew most of his life couldn't do this, but I could. I wasn't her anymore.

I saw him falter, his legs not getting enough oxygen. He bent over and I ran past him, I slowed slowly and then bent over, huffing trying to catch my breath. When he finally came over, huffing himself, I smiled, hands on my hips. "I told you... I could run... circles... around you..."

"Fine...you... win." We walked together back towards the parking lot.
 

As we went up the hill I smacked his ass as I sped by. "Maybe next time." I heard him laugh behind me. But when I saw what was awaiting us I paused.

"Yeah, maybe, next time, Elly." He nearly bumped into me as I continued to stare as Jen and Dave climbed out of his shiny black BMW. My win gave me big balls. I continued my walk towards the cars, speaking loud enough for Jen to hear.