Chapter 1
Hospital
Kit stands there, speechless. She laughs and says, “Angie, you’re really high. I know you don’t want to marry me”. She’s filling giddy inside even though she believes the proposal was fake.
After all the turmoil, they just went through, Angie dumping her to go back out with her ex, and Kit going on a date. They're just now back together, and even though she’s wondering if it was a good idea. The one thing she knows for sure, she is still going to be Angie’s friend. They’ve been friends since they were little, then they became lovers of sorts. Even though Kit thinks most likely Angie thinks she just propose to Julienne, the idea that it may have been her makes her excited just thinking about it.
A feeling of dread over comes her. If Angie does want to, that may mean she already told her family. Which sometimes calls Kit’s family. She’s going to have to tell her family about her lifestyle. Something’s she’s been keeping secret.
Her mom is always hounding her about grand kids. Plus, when they legalized same sex marriage, her parents screamed, “The fuck?!” She thinks if she's lucky Spec will knock her up. Then she remembers her parents will expect them to get married. Since he’s already with someone else that will be a problem.
She realizes they're still in the hospital and Angie is still laying in a hospital bed with a bullet wound. Her eyes water and she begins crying. She’s so confused, but at the same time relieved. Angie is staring at her blankly, trying to figure out what she just said. She’s got Angie back but at this point she’s beginning to wonder if she should just call it off.
After Angie goes to sleep, Kit sits in the chair beside her. The doctor walks in then looks at Kit. “We’re releasing her sooner than we thought we could. It looks like it didn’t do a lot of damage beyond a vein”. Kit sighs as the doctor continues. “She should be able to go home in a couple of days”. Kit relaxes and asks, “What about the pain?” The doctor replies, “She’ll have some pain relievers”. Kit looks at Angie and says, “Why is she so out of it?” the doctor replies, “She's weak from the surgery. She’ll be more awake later. We’ll be moving her into a room also”. Kit sighs in relief before walking outside.
She calls Spec and says, “Hey Spec”. Spec answers groggily and says, “Hello Kit”. Apparently, Kit woke him up. She says, “I’m sorry Spec, I’m just relieved Angie is going to be OK.” She hangs up thinking she’s getting on his nerves without giving him a chance to talk. She sits down in one of the waiting room’s seats and watches CNN. A few minutes later, she fills her eyes getting heavy. Even though she’s still a little worried with Angie, she’s finally filling relaxed and tired.
Vicky, picks up, Jessy
Vicky walks into an office building, a woman in a black office dress followed behind her. The woman says, “The police found her asleep in one of the rooms”. Vicky nods and says, “Sorry”. She can’t believe they forgot about Jessy. The cop shakes his head and says, “Really, after all that happened, we’re just ignoring this. But next time when something bad happens make sure everyone in the house is out, Mrs. Greystone.” Vicky shakes her head and says, “No, I’m Vicky Mathews. When y’all called for someone to come get her, I was the only one that could. Angie was shot and my sister is to distressed to do anything so, I just came.” The woman nods, knowing about Angie and says, “OK”.
When Vicky and Jessy get into her car, she smiles at Jessy and asks, “Did you sleep ok?” Jessy shakes her head and says, “No, worried about Angie. How’s she doing?” Vicky smiles and says, “She’s doing great. The bullet made a clean wound. The docs say she’ll be walking again in a day or two, and by the end of the week she’ll be able to work again. But no heavy lifting for a few more weeks. I’m sure Spec can still give her something to do. They’re still looking for the man that broke into our house and saved Kit’s life. I think they’re going to drop the charges because it was clear Julienne was going to kill, Kit. Anyway, how did you sleep through two gun shots and a window breaking?”
Jessy, is asleep against the window. Vicky sighs and says, “But the police ain’t going to let us back into our house yet so we’ll be living at Beth’s. I’m a nervous wreck”. She knows Jessy isn’t listening, but she just keeps talking. About half an hour later, she pulls into a drive way and parks behind a white BMW at a small cottage house with a small front yard next to the driveway.
Vicky shakes Jessy’s arm and says, “Wake up”. Jessy opens her eyes and looks at the house confused. “Where are we?” Vicky smiles and says,” At Beth’s house”, blushing. Vicky’s been to Beth’s house a few times to pick her up. She only went in the house one other time to use the bathroom when Beth was still getting ready.
Confused, Jessy asks, “Who’s Beth?” Vicky sighs contently and says, “My boss slash girlfriend”. Jessy giggles and says, “Ooh”. Vicky smiles and says, “Be quiet. The upstairs has two bedrooms. I can take one and you can take the other”. Jessy giggles and asks, “Why ain’t you sleeping with Beth?” Vicky don’t answer she just opens the door and says, “Ok, let’s go”. Vicky walks up the drive way to where there's a sidewalk going to the door alongside the house. To the right of the side walk is a flower bed. Her stomach fills like it has a thousand butterflies in it.
Jessy is right behind Vicky and says, “She has a nice place”. Vicky nods and replies, “Yeah ,she does. I love picking her up. This whole area is nice, and you don’t hear cars everywhere. And look, stars. In the city, you forget just how many stars are in our sky”. Jessy smiles and says, “Yeah, I forgot”, staring at the sky.
Half way up the sidewalk, Beth opens the door. Vicky sighs and says, “OK”, to Jessy. Beth smiles and says, “Hey guys”. Vicky smiles and says, “Hey, boss”. Beth rolls her eyes and says, “Come inside”.
Once inside, Beth kisses Vicky and says, “Be nice if you moved in, permanently”. Vicky softly giggles and says, “Be weird living with my boss”. Beth smiles and says, “Vicky, you’re already fucking her”. Vicky replies, “To be fair we’ve only flirted, kissed and fooled around. We’ve never actually”, she swallows hard because of her nerves. “Done it yet”. Jessy is watching, smiling. Beth smiles and replies, “That will change tonight”. Vicky grins as Beth kisses her and says, “Relax. You’ve been here a thousand times”. Vicky replies, “But inside only once”. Beth rolls her eyes shaking her hair and says, “We really need to change that to”.
They’re standing in a large foyer that opens into the living room. To the right is a wall with large shelves and a coat rack. The living room goes from the wall to the other exterior wall and is about a quarter of the house. Towards the back is a nice leather couch and chair with a big screen TV in the corner.
There’s a glass coffee table in between the couch and chair with three scented candles on it, giving the place a warm home feeling. Behind the couch is open space till you get to the front wall, where there’s a small table with some more of the same candles burning and a pictures on it
Jessy picks one up and says, “Who’s this man with you?” Beth replies, “My brother Stan, and the girl with me in the other is my sister, Candy. That picture in the back is us three together. Oh, and sorry about all the candles. I just love aroma therapy”. Vicky kisses Beth again and says, “I know Beth. You have candles under the bar at work. Anyway, it makes it fill homely”. Beth replies, “Hey, I got to burn some at the bar. The place smells like sweaty men and alcohol. I got to make it smell pretty”. Vicky giggles, and replies, “Like you?” Jessy rolls her eyes and says, “I think I’m going to puke”. Beth smiles and says, “Bathroom is down that hall to your right, second door”. She looks at Vicky and says, “That door is our room”, pointing to the brown door on the back wall.
Jessy laughs and says, “Looks like your plan on sleeping upstairs is ruined”. Vicky smiles and says, “Don’t think I’ve told you how much I love your place. It’s has lots of room and feels open”. Beth nods and says, “They call it an open floor plan”. On the right wall is the hall way she pointed down and on its left, is a large kitchen beside a dining room, separated by a wall.
Jessy smiles and says, “What’s in the first door down the hall beside the bathroom?” Beth replies, “The stairs up to where you’ll be staying, and the door at the end of the hall is my art studio”. Vicky replies, “Kit would love this place”. Beth replies, “What about Vicky?” Vicky smiles and gives Beth another kiss saying, “She loves it too”.
Jessy is walking around the kitchen and says, “Oh, nice back yard”. The kitchen has double glass doors going to the backyard. She’s just trying to get away from them. When Jessy returns, Vicky and Beth are holding hands, sitting on the couch. Jessy sits down and says, “Sorry to interrupt, but why are we just sit’n here?” Beth laughs and says, “Just happy to have people to keep me company. Even if it’s for a few days”.
The Hotel
Mike, Chase, and Josh walk into a hotel room. Chase smiles and says, “This is going to be so cool. We can get some liquor and watch sports all night.” Mike has an eeriness about him that Chase quietly picks up on.
Concerned he asks, “Mike, what’s been up with you?” Mike angrily, says, “I’m supposed to protect this family. That’s my job and someone tried to kill Kit and Angie. I was to stuck on liking men that I left us open. Now look”. Chase shrugs and says, “Mike, this isn’t your fault. Angie trusted Julienne, and she shocked us all”. Mike shakes his head and says, “No, I could tell there was something up with that bitch when I first saw her”. Chase pats his back and says, “Mike, chill. She’s dead anyway. What would you have done? She came when we were out. You can’t hang out and keep a eye on Kit and everyone. Anyway, there was someone already doing that”. Mike groans and says, “We need to hunt this man”. Chase growls and says, “Mike, we were told not to go anywhere. There are police everywhere”.
Chase sits down on one of the two beds and says, “Dibs on the solo bed. Mike since you like sleeping with men, you and Josh can share a bed”. Mike shakes his head, growls and says, “No, we do this the old way”. Chase stands up and says, “Oh? Last time I kicked your ass boy”. Mike smiles and says, “Last time I was in a cast and high on pain relievers”. Josh is confused and says, “What the hell is going on?”
Mike and Chase don’t reply they lay down on the floor, putting their elbows down saying, “Bring it on.” Josh laughs and says, “Really, arm wrestling?” Chase laughs and says, “Don’t mock it, your taking the winner or your sleeping on the floor”. Josh groans and puts his hand on top of the two’s who is now grasped. He lifts it saying, “Go.”
The two close their eyes and begins trying to push each others hands down. Chase succeeds at first by taking Mike’s hand down. Mike strains causing his muscles to bulge and veins to show. Right before he slams Chase.
Chase holds his arm and says, “Damn it, Mike”. Mike laughs and says, “I want the solo bed.” He then stretches his arm and says, “Ok, Josh, your turn.” Josh sits down and says, “OK big boy.” Mike grins and says, “OK.” As they grip each others hands looking into each others eyes. Mike is bigger than both boys but just in muscle, not height. Josh is going to be damned if he shows the nervousness he has.
Josh don’t even get a chance to flex before Mike slams him. Mike stands up and says, “OK losers y’all get the bed.”, as he lays in his bed. Chase and Josh are rubbing their arms. Chase shakes his head and says, “I don’t cuddle. So, stay on your side”, to Josh. Josh nods back and says, “Same here”.
