Next Time (8 page)

Chapter 10

“Wow.” Olivia sighed and turned to a fresh page. “How close were you to breaking it off with Leigh when you found out about her infidelity?”

Ryann pursed her lips as she thought. “Not close enough. I…talked a good game, but I really did hope that the woman I fell in love with would show up. I couldn’t admit that to myself back then. It took years before I did.” Ryann cleared her throat. “I’m thankful she didn’t because the love of my life is the sweetest there is.”

Payton drummed her fingers on the table. “That would be me. I couldn’t stop dreaming.”

Olivia smiled. “What happened next?”

“Jana and Melanie made up after their fight, and when their anniversary rolled around, I put my dreams into action…”

*******

******

***

“Hello, I’m Payton Foret, Jana’s wingwoman, and you are?”

“Ryann Seely, Melanie’s wingwoman. Would you like to sit down? I don’t think they need us.”

Payton looked over at the table where Jana and Melanie sat as they did the first night they met face to face. She turned and smiled at Ryann, “I suppose this is our ‘next time.’”

Ryann smiled. “So it is. How’ve you been?”

“Busy. I’ve had lots of work come my way. And you?”

Ryann stared at her for a moment. “I’m sure you know.”

Payton nodded and caught the bartender’s attention. “I’d like a green apple martini and whatever she’s having.” She turned to face Ryann. “I think you’re beautiful, but I’m not going to ask you out as much as I’d like to. I know where you’re at, and I want to offer you my friendship.”

“Thank you,” Ryann replied. “Where am I?”

“You’re headed north on bewilderment and regret, but you’ll soon be on numb. Eventually, you’ll take a right on life anew.”

“I like that.” Ryann picked up her glass and raised a toast. “Thank you for not saying all the things that people say when you’re on this particular road.”

“I’ve been on it. There are lots of people standing on curbs made of eggshells holding bumper pads. No one really walks it with you, but I’ll follow behind if you want.”

“Why? It’s dangerous.”

“I have been…smitten with you since the day we met,” Payton admitted. “You’re not ready to hear that, though, maybe never, but I’ll take the chance.”

Ryann bit her lip. “When I turn onto life anew, I may have a witty comeback for that.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will. You haven’t failed me so far.” Payton pulled out her wallet when the bartender returned.

Ryann grinned. “You can put that away, I’m running a tab.”

“The only way I’ll agree to this again is if you let me take you to dinner sometime.”

“Deal.” Ryann watched the bartender walk away and said, “I understand now what you meant when you talked about how you saw Courtney so differently when she came back. It’s odd, isn’t it? You can be with someone for years and never notice things. Leigh’s chin was too pointy, it made her look like a witch. She tailed me when I left work one day, and to keep her from knowing where I live, I took her on a tour of New Orleans. She was tenacious, and I couldn’t get rid of her, so I stopped in the parking lot of a grocery store. I listened to all she had to say and stared at her chin the whole time. When she was done, I pulled a can of pepper spray from my car and told her that the next time she decided to follow me, I was going to light her up.”

Payton did her best not to laugh but couldn’t help herself. “I like your style.”

“That was all Shelly. She’s the one that gave me the spray. She predicted everything Leigh has done so far. Shelly said she would send cards and letters along with flowers, and she certainly did. The office administrator at the school took care of them for me. Whenever they arrived, she’d put them all straight into the trash. I got a new cellphone account, so work is the only way Leigh knew to reach me.”

“Jana was my Shelly. I only wish I would’ve heeded her advice much sooner than I did.”

Ryann laughed. “Shelly didn’t give me the option. The day after Leigh’s revelation, she dragged me into a cellphone store hungover and sick where she stood over me as I set up a new account. She wanted to do all sorts of diabolical things to Leigh’s belongings the day I moved out of the house. Had her husband not been there, we might’ve, but he said, ‘The biggest insult is to show her that she’s not worth my anger.’ It was a good point because I’d spent all the energy on her that I was going to.” She shrugged with a smile. “I think Shelly would’ve made a good mobster.”

Payton’s brow rose. “Did her plans involve a horse’s head or fish in newspaper?”

“Raw chicken under the sofa.”

Payton threw up a hand. “That’s brilliant. What kind of sentence would you get if charges were pressed? I don’t think making someone’s house stink is the same as destruction of property. I will remember that in case I need it one day.”

“It’s a workday, and we’re tired,” Jana said as she joined them with Melanie by her side. Both of them looked a little flushed, and neither appeared tired in the least. “Y’all hang out and chat, don’t leave on account of us.”

“Go home and get you some sleep, although we know that’s not what you’re gonna do,” Payton said with an impish grin.

Melanie gave Ryann a kiss on the cheek. “Call me.” She bestowed Payton with a nod and a smile, which Payton returned.

Ryann took a drink and gazed at Payton. “Melanie admitted that she knew about Leigh beforehand and how she found out.”

Payton felt like her lungs had dropped into her stomach. “Ryann, I’m sorry. I was very torn about what to do, and I know I made the wrong decision.”

“I was mad at you for a little while, but I tried to put myself in your shoes, and I wasn’t sure how I would’ve handled it, either. Had I been the type to blame the messenger instead of the guilty party, it could’ve damaged your relationship with Jana.”

“You’re giving me more latitude than I deserve. This is only the third time we’ve talked, but I think I know you better than that. Will you forgive me?”

“I already did.” Ryann leaned in close to her. “Don’t let it happen again, or you may find chicken under your sofa.”

Payton swallowed hard. The threat had no effect, but Ryann’s closeness and the scent of her perfume did. “You have my word.”

Ryann sat up straight. “Do you always drink apple martinis?”

“This is the second one I’ve ever had. The night I walked in here, I saw it on the drink special board and thought it was worth a try. It tastes like candy with a kick.”

“May I try it?”

Payton scooted the glass over to Ryann and watched as she lifted it to her lips. Ryann’s brow furrowed, and she smacked her lips. “That is really sweet.” She handed the drink back to Payton.

“You don’t like it.”

“Not sure yet. Do you gamble?”

“Is this a trick question?”

“I haven’t been to a casino in ages, and I think I’d like to play the slots this weekend. Want to join me?”

“Only if you make me this promise. I’ll have a set amount of cash in my pocket. Don’t let me lose any more than that.”

Ryann’s lips curved into a smile. “You do the same for me.” She tilted her head to the side and stared at Payton. “Your hair has really grown out in a year’s time,” she said as she touched the loose curls resting on Payton’s shoulder.

“Here’s the thing about short hair, at least in my case, it grows really fast. It seemed like I was in my hairdresser’s chair all the time, so I just let it do its thing. Does it look bad?”

“No, it’s pretty.”

Warmth flooded Payton as Ryann studied her. “Thanks.”

Ryann smiled and looked away. “I got a new place. It’s an apartment not far from Shelly, and logistically, it might be kind of a mistake because it’s very convenient for her to get to. Last weekend, I slept in, and I thought I was dreaming when I smelled coffee. Shelly had let herself in, brewed a pot, and was doing what she called organization of my pantry.”

“She’s mothering you, isn’t she?”

“Oh, yeah, and she also uses my place as an escape. Whenever Evan relieves her of momma duties, she comes right over. She’s decorated it more than I have. Shelly’s a lot like my mom. She collects furniture, and her house is crammed full of things she bought secondhand. She likes to refinish it. My place is mostly furnished with stuff she had in her attic.” Ryann took a drink and cleared her throat. “I didn’t really want anything from what I will now refer to as the old house. I needed a fresh start, so I took only my clothes and personal items.”

Payton gazed at Ryann for a moment. “What can I do for you?”

“I don’t know.” Ryann chewed at her bottom lip. “Just…don’t get too far away. I don’t know what I can or should offer right now.”

“I’m gonna give you my phone number, and I want yours. We’ll just take it from there.”

Ryann nodded and smiled. “Okay.”

Chapter 11

“She was so sweet,” Ryann said with a smile. “How could I not fall in love with her?”

“I’m sure you both were a little wary,” Olivia said.

“Yes and no.” Ryann glanced at Payton and smiled. “We had chemistry, and it was such a natural progression in my opinion.”

“We were besieged by advice. Well-intended advice that we tried to listen to, but our ball had started rolling, and we couldn’t stop it. I was scared shitless, but at the same time, I felt helpless.” Payton shrugged. “I just couldn’t put the brakes on.”

*******

******

***

“I’ve been stripping,” Payton said when she answered Jana’s call the next day.

“Tell me where you work, and I’ll drop you a twenty to put your clothes back on.”

“My trainer has me muscle stripping. You increase the weight and reps until you turn to rubber, but surprisingly, I feel powerful now.”

“You’re gonna be hurting in the morning,” Jana said with a laugh.

“I expected to ache this afternoon, but so far, I’m feeling good. Yeah,” Payton said with a growl, “there’s steel beneath this skin.”

“So how’d it go last night with Ryann?”

“We had a nice time. We’re going to a casino tomorrow night.”

Jana was silent for a moment. “On a date?”

“No, as friends.”

“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

“Yes, I do,” Payton said confidently. “I might fall in love with her, and she may never feel the same about me. I could fall headlong into the abyss of heartbreak and sadness, burst into flames, and be audited by the IRS.”

“The last part of your statement was the scariest. Speaking of bleeding money, have you ever done anything with your profile, other than pay the monthly fee?”

“You know…I logged in a while back and contemplated uploading my photo. I found one, and just as I was about to push the upload button, my finger froze. I think that means something. Susan says ‘listen to your body’ all the time when I’m working out. My finger told me not to press that button. Instead, it wanted to delete the whole thing, so I did.”

Jana blew out a sigh. “You shouldn’t have done that. What you should be doing is dating someone who isn’t Ryann. She’s a heartache waiting to happen.”

“We’re not dating.”

“Yeah, you say that. I’m going to make you a pie chart right now. It’ll be colorful and easy to follow. Red will designate the appropriate recovery time for Ryann. Yellow is—”

“Shut up. Yellow is a big fat shut up.”

“You are such an ass,” Jana said with a laugh.

*******

“I think that was kind of romantic.”

“What?” Ryann fished a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with water.

“She had Melanie ask you to be her wingwoman, so the two of you could meet like you did the first time.”

“Payton went through something similar with an ex, she knows how it feels to be betrayed. She said she knew what I was going through and offered her friendship. I’m taking her up on that because I’m not in any mental or emotional shape to be dating right now, which is what I know you’re going to say next.”

Shelly turned away from her new stove where she was cooking dinner. “She’s a smart one. She’s pre-dating you. Y’all will do things together, get to know each other, then you’ll fall right into her bed. You already admitted that you found her attractive, and you like to talk to her.”

Ryann was about to take a drink of water when out of the corner of her eye she saw something move across the floor. “Shelly! I think you have a rat.”

“Did you see it? I thought I saw something scurrying earlier, too.”

Ryann set her glass on the counter and peeked around the doorjamb into the living room. “If the droppings on your floor are any indication, it’s huge.”

Shelley approached the doorway from the opposite side of the kitchen and peeked in, as well. “We have never had a rat or mouse problem,” she said with disgust. “My baby plays on those floors! Do you have any idea how many times I’ve mopped today?”

“Maybe it was my eyesight. I only caught a glimpse, but the tail looked fluffy. Maybe a squirrel got in.”

Shelly looked around the jamb again as though whatever animal that had been terrorizing her had a weapon. “That doesn’t look like typical rat shit. You may be right. This needs to be handled right now. You’re a lesbian, get in there and do battle.”

“What does being gay have to do with trapping a squirrel?”

“Two women live together, who kills the vermin?” Shelly asked with a hand on her hip.

“The pest control people, that’s who.”

“Butch up and get your ass in there. I won’t tell anyone if you scream like a five-year-old girl.”

“I’m a femme lesbian, which puts me in the same class as you.” Ryann pointed to her face. “Note the makeup. Besides, you were the one who always played in the dirt and rode horses.”

“There weren’t any squirrels in that dirt with me! I’ll pick up a bug or a frog, I even handled a grass snake once, but I do not deal with rodents.”

Ryann leaned against the doorjamb and stared into the room. “It’s most likely under the couch. Where’s Grant?”

“After-school detention for piercing his and the noses of his friends with pushpins.”

Ryann stared at her in horror. “What is wrong with your kids?”

“Focus.” Shelly held up both hands, then clasped them together. “Anya could be attacked by that thing.”

“She’s in the playpen right behind you. The squirrel’s under the couch.”

“I told you to focus!”

“I am. I know where everything is.”

“The broom’s in the pantry behind you, get it. I’m gonna flip the couch over and you play hockey. Slap it through the door.”

Ryann glanced at Anya and inhaled deeply. “All right, for the baby.”

She took the broom and crept through the living room, then opened the back door. When she turned around, Shelly was nowhere in sight. “Where are you?”

“Just a minute,” Shelly whispered as though the squirrel was listening to their plans.

Ryann was practicing her swing while Shelly rummaged around in the kitchen and finally appeared with aluminum foil wrapped around her legs. “Really?” Ryann asked. “What’s that supposed to do?”

“I remember seeing it wrapped around pecan trees when I was a kid. I think it keeps the squirrels from climbing them.”

“I thought that was to keep the caterpillars out, and why didn’t you bring me any?”

“I used the last of it,” Shelly said with no shame. “Are you ready?”

Ryann adjusted her grip on the broom and nodded. Shelly ran over to the couch, grabbed the back of it, and turned it over. There was nothing beneath it but Lego bricks, plastic army men, and a remote.

“Those are choking hazards, you should clean under that thing sometime.” Ryann took a step closer and noticed a tear in the fabric on the bottom of the sofa. “We may not be out of the woods yet. It could be in the couch.”

“What?” Shelly clenched her fists. “Help me push the damn thing onto the patio. Evan can go hunting when he gets home.”

“Good idea.”

Together, they righted the couch and were about to start shoving when the invader dared to come out. Its back was arched like an inchworm, and it walked sideways. It stared back at the two women who had frozen with their mouths hanging open. Shelly’s scream pierced the silence, and the frightened creature scuttled under the recliner.

Anya was screaming and crying when Brody came tearing across the upstairs landing looking horrified. “What is it, Momma? What’s wrong?”

Ryann, who was still clutching the sofa, said, “I think that was a ferret.”

“You found Slinky!” Brody came down the stairs taking them two at a time. “Where’d he go?”

Ryann pointed at the recliner, while Shelly stood stock-still, her eyes wide. “A…who?” she said with a trembling voice.

“I’ll just go get the baby,” Ryann said and rushed into the kitchen. She comforted Anya as she listened to the conversation in the living room, and it wasn’t pretty.

“Where did you get a ferret?”

“Jessie Davis. I traded him my bike for it.”

Silence.

“The bike you got for Christmas?” Shelly asked with a voice like steel.

“Uh-huh, it was a fair trade because he gave me all the food and the litter box with the stuff that goes inside of it. Oh, and the water bottle. I’m gonna need some more litter stuff.”

“Where have you been keeping…Slinky?”

“Under my bed, he likes it there.”

“Did your daddy tell you that you could have a rat?”

“He’s not a rat, Momma, he’s kind of a weasel thing. Oh, and his stinkers have been taken out.”

“Did your daddy tell you that you could have it?”

Silence.

“No, ma’am.”

“So you…snuck a weasel in the house.”

“Kinda.”

“This is what you are going to do.
Find it
. Then go into the garage and find a box. Put the weasel in it. Stay there with it until your dad gets home. While you’re out there, think about all the things you like to do and the friends you like to play with because you’re not going to see them or do anything for a long, long…long time. Go before I jerk a knot in your skull.”

“I still don’t understand how—”

“Go!”

“Why do you have foil—”

“Go!”

“Don’t make any sudden moves or noises when she comes back in here,” Ryann whispered against Anya’s cheek. “For the sake of my life, don’t laugh.”

Shelly walked slowly into the kitchen pinching the skin of her forehead. “I noticed that his room smelled more foul than usual, but boys stink. Even though he’s only eight, I bought him deodorant. All that time, that
thing
was under the bed inches from me.” Her arms dropped to her sides as she stared at Ryann. “Why couldn’t I have been a lesbian? Couldn’t you have shared that gene or whatever it is?”

“You can take the foil off now,” Ryann said gently.

“No, I can’t. Not until I know that thing is back with Jessie.” Shelly’s face twisted into a snarl. “His mother had to know about this trade. I’m gonna go
Silence of the Lambs
all over her ass.” Numbly, she walked over to the stove, checked on dinner, and spoke with an eerie calm. “Payton doesn’t seem like the type to handle a squirrel, either.”

“I think she could if she had to. Leigh is really butch, but I can tell you she would not go after a rodent. And hey, I don’t agree with the pre-date theory. I don’t think Payton would date me right now if I asked her to. She said she knew where I was emotionally, and she offered her friendship.”

Ryann wasn’t about to divulge the other things Payton had said. She felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach when she recalled the way Payton looked when she said, “I think you’re beautiful.”

“I don’t have to say this, but I’m going to anyway. Even though you’d kind of lost it for Leigh, you’re still reeling from the shock of the betrayal. You need time to cope with the loss of a relationship even if it was bad. You need to get your feelings and emotions in order before you get involved with someone else.” Shelly met Ryann’s gaze when she said, “If you care about Payton, you need to protect her feelings, too.”

Ryann nodded and looked away. “I know.”