Layers (26 page)

She falls to her knees. “John, I’m down on my knees. I’ll do anything you want. Anything.”

“What a loser. The woman is down on her knees, for Christ sakes. Saying she’ll do anything. Anything. He must be a gaywad. No offence, Marco,” Jules says.

“None taken. I agree. What straight guy would pass up a woman down on her knees and begging?”

“Maybe he’s just really pissed,” I comment.

Jules rolls her eyes. “Even pissed guys wouldn’t pass up a BJ.”

“I have to agree with Jules on this one,” Marco adds.

“It gets worse” Jules says and begins to read again.

“Anything?” he huffs.

“Yes, anything. Please, John.”

“Then, crawl to me,” he shouts.

She looks up at him in disbelief. Where is the man she fell in love with? But she would rather die than not have him. So she gets on all fours and crawls to him.

“You make me sick, down on your knees and crawling on the dirty floor like some animal.”

She stops crawling and bows down at his feet. “Please, John.” She begs.

He looks down on her one last time then walks out the door.

“He’s a total prick and she’s a fool.” Jules huffs. “I keep on picking out books that I never want to finish.”

“Did you read the synopsis?” Marco asks her.

“I never read those, I want to be surprised.”

“Okay,” Marco says and gives me a knowing look—one that we often share when it comes to Jules.

“What about the reviews—do you read those?” I ask.

“No. Why would I care about what other people think?”

“Then how do you choose a book?”

She sighs with impatience and gives me a,
duh
look. “By its cover.”

“You pick a book, strictly by its cover?” I huff.

“Yes. What’s wrong with that?”

“Jules” I say and flip my sunglasses down.

“You don’t fool me. Behind those enormous sunglasses, you’re giving me that look.”

I smile. “Yeah, I think I am.”


Jules closes her eyes. “Whatever. I’m done reading. I’m just going to take a nap.”

I flip my glasses back up and continue to read.

“So, what are you reading?” she asks.

That was the shortest nap
ever
. Right?

“Are you sure you want to know. It didn’t really have an interesting cover.”

“Smart ass. Yes, I want to know.”

“It’s called ‘My Life In Pictures’. It’s a memoir of a documentary filmmaker. She makes documentaries about the lives of women. How each woman is different—but how we all share common traits and bonds.”

“Sounds
interesting.
” She snorts.

“It is. I’m reading about when she first started. She was surprised and thrilled that she got clearance to film in Afghanistan.”

“Okay, I was done at
it is.”

“You asked.”

“Yes, I did. I don’t know how you read that crap. It’s not very entertaining. I was bored as soon as you told me the title.”

I pull down my shades.

“Don’t even think about giving me that look,” she adds.

Too late bitch I already did.

Marco laughs.

“Something funny in your bromance?” I ask.

“Yeah, this couple…Stan and Pete, just moved in together and they fight over some of the same things that Henry and I did.”

“Like what?” Jules asks.

“The usual stuff like: drinking from the carton, Sports Center on in every room, using each other’s aftershave and soap.”

“Why is sharing soap a problem?” I ask.

“Because you don’t want to be with, or sleep with a guy that smells just like you do. You might as well sleep alone, and just jerk off.”

“Okay. Noted.”

“What about you Jules?” I ask. “What do you and Nick fight about?”

“Why would you assume that we fight?”

“Sorry, I just think that most couples who are intelligent and passionate about each other—fight.”

“Nice save.” She puffs.

“I thought so.”

Jules contemplates for a minutes. “It’s not so much about what we fight about. It’s how we fight.”

“How so?”

“It’s one-sided. He lays it out and leaves before I even get a rebuttal. I mean, for a former prosecutor, that’s just wrong.”

“Maybe he’s just tired of fighting because that’s what he does in a courtroom all day.”

“That’s a pretty lame excuse, Lex. I’m his lover, not the opposing counsel.”

“You’re right. Poor excuse.”

“I’ll give you an example. A few weeks ago he came over to my place for dinner. Halfway through we were talking about nothing really and then he says, and I quote, ‘I don’t understand how an intelligent woman can be so stupid.’ He’s called me ‘silly’ a few times, but ‘stupid’ was harsh.”

“I agree…that is harsh.”

“And he just left before you could respond?” Marco asks.

“Yeah. I sat there for a few seconds, stunned. Then he grabs his plate and puts in on the counter and leaves.”

“Did you bring it up later?” I ask.

“Yeah. He apologized but he didn’t want to talk about it. I know I’m different. Maybe I’m a savant.” She sighs.

I smile. “I don’t think you’re a savant, Jules. Like you said, you’re just you, you’re unique. Sometimes you’re a little bizarre, but you’re not stupid.”

“Definitely not stupid,” Marco adds.

“Some of the weird and strange things that you’ve done or said are some of my best memories. Wouldn’t you agree Marco?”

“Hands down. Some of the best” he answers.

“Really? Wow, thanks guys”.

“Maybe I have—what is that called…assbugers?”

“It’s Asperger. And no, Jules, you don’t have it.”

The next morning Jules and I are watching Henry do laps in the pool.

Jules sighs. “This is heaven Lex. Lounging by the pool with my best friend, drinking a mimosa, and watching God part the waves.”

“Pretty damn close to it.” I sigh.

She puts her hand over mine. “Lex, if Jaxson is worth fighting for, then fight for him. Fly to London, talk to Gram and make things right. Then come back and fight.”

“You’re naïve if you think it will be that simple.”

“Of course I don’t think it will be simple or easy. It will be hard and messy. Lex, you’ve stepped on the line. Now you’re either going to have to step back or step over it. I love you, but things are changing for all of us. Marco has a life with Henry, Nick is my life and, well…you?”

“Yes, me.”

“Good morning” Nick says and gives Jules a kiss on her cheek. I smile.

“Lex.” He nods.

“Nick.”

He pulls down his shades and sits in a lounger next to Jules.

“I was wondering what you two were doing out here,” he says as Henry turns for another lap. “Can’t blame you. If I were a man’s man, I’d be all over that.”

“Marco is one lucky bitch,” Jules replies.

“Yesterday at the club,” Nick says, “well let’s just say it was an experience. Even the straight men where drooling. Freakin’ unbelievable” he says and shakes his head. “I never thought anything could be crazier than golfing with Ryan.”

Jules elbows him.

“Fuck, sorry, Lex.”

“Nick, don’t be—he’s your best friend.”

“Lex, can I be frank?”

“I’d rather you be yourself, but…”

“Walked right into that one.”

“Yeah, you did. I’m sorry. Continue.”

“Jaxson loves you like crazy. But he’s going to fuck up a lot because he doesn’t know how to play the game.”

“The game?”

“You’re the only woman he’s ever pursued. The only woman that’s ever said ‘no’ to him. Women have always come on to him; he’s never had to make an effort. He has no skills when it comes to being the pursuer. He’s a rookie, and rookies fuck up.”

“I appreciate what you’re saying Nick. But Jaxson being a rookie isn’t the problem. The problem is, well…me. Me not wanting to be me.”

“Well, I don’t really understand what that means, but I want you to know that I love Jules and she loves you and I would never make her have to choose sides.”

“Thanks Nick.”

“Good morning all.”

Marco kisses the top of my head.

“Princess, I thought you would be still be sleeping.”

“I tried to go back to sleep. I just couldn’t.”

“Were you puking this morning?” Jules asks.

I nod.

“For five hours,“ Marco says with concern.

“Lex,” Jules asks. “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”

“Positive. I told you it’s impossible.”

“Could you have slept with someone and not remember?”

“Jules,” Marco scolds.

“Well, it happens.”

“Jules, I’m
positive
that I have only been with Jaxson. He is the only one that has come inside me for years. And he’s sterile. So I’m not pregnant.”

“Then something else is going on, Lex. I think you should go see a doctor,” Marco adds.

“Okay, mom, dad. I’ll see a doctor when I’m in London. Promise.”

Marco sits back in his lounger while Henry stops and floats to the side of the pool and lifts himself up and out.

We collectively sigh.

Marco rolls his eyes. “He’s just a man.”

“But what a man” Nick, Jules and I say simultaneously. We chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Henry asks as he grabs a towel from off his lounger.

“Besides my so-called friends eye-fucking my husband?”

Henry gives us a scolding look, then sits on Marco’s lounger and pulls him to his lips. They kiss and kiss. It’s the sexiest, hottest kiss I have ever witnessed.
Ever
.

After their lips part, Henry kisses Marco on his forehead. “Babe,” he says, “They might be eye fucking me, but you are the only one that’s fucking me.”

We all sigh-moan.

My heart actually skips a beat as they look at each other. Then the tears stream down my cheeks. I’m a fucking mess. Marco takes my hand.

“Princess. Hey all’s good, don’t cry.”

“I…I’m…just so…hap…happy for you two,” I blubber.

Then I feel my stomach roll and I know I’m about to lose my breakfast. I jump up. “Sorry,” I say and run inside to the closest bathroom.

After I puke my guts out—I lie down on the cool tile.

There is a soft knock on the door and Marco peeks in.

“Can I come in?” I wave him in.

He kneels. “Princess, you need to go see a doctor. I don’t think you should wait until you get to London.”

“If I continue to be sick, then I’ll go. But I’d rather wait to see a doctor that I know.”

“Okay.” He frowns.

“Marco, I’ll be fine. I know it’s just a bug.” I smile and lift myself off the floor.

“Today is my last day here. Let’s go get pampered.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to join us Marco?”

Marco lowers his sunglasses. “Tempting but I’m going to hang with my girls.”

“Okay,” Nick says.

“Are you sure babe?” Henry asks Marco.

“Husband, I’m sure.”

“Okay, have fun with your girls and Nick said something about going to a sports bar after, so we might be late.”

“Enjoy your time with Nick because you know the only boat you’ll ever get me on is a cruise ship.”

Henry gives Marco a kiss goodbye and then he and Nick leave for a day of sailing.

Three hours later we’re halfway through our spa day.

“Jules, what is this
goo
supposed to
do
?” I ask.
Hey that rhymes
.

“Hell if I know.”

“Marco?” I ask.

“Cleanse, exfoliate and rejuvenate.”

“I don’t think it’s working.”

“Just give it time.”

“How long?”

“Just relax already. God, you are the most impatient person I know. Just give the
goo
some time
to
do
what it has
to do
.”