Chapter 12
Melody
Iwake up to sunlight streaming right in my face. With a groan, I roll over towards my window and yank the curtain closed. Holy shit balls, that was bright as hell, and my head is pounding. Maybe indulging in wine at 9 A.M. wasn’t my smartest decision.
Grabbing my phone, I check the time and see it’s 3:15 P.M. I don’t even recall going to sleep. I remember Franklin coming over and leaving, dancing, drinking wine, and then sitting on the couch and getting a message from Jaxon. Everything after that is completely blank. Opening up Tinder, I see Jaxon’s face at the top of my message folder. God, he’s so handsome. I could get lost in his silvery blue eyes any day.
Upon opening the message thread, I’m immediately horrified by the length of the conversation. Jeeze, what did I say to this man? I scroll as fast as I can all the way to the beginning and start there. The more I read, the more embarrassed I’m getting. I cannot believe I sexted a complete stranger. A hot stranger, but a stranger nonetheless. O-M-G… I have a praise kink?! I’m mortified. Absolutely mortified.
I’ll never meet him in person right? Yeah, probably not. I’ll be fine. FUCK. What if I do though? No, I can’t manifest it. I won’t ever meet him. Oh my god. A thought just crossed my mind. What if I’ve been catfished and that isn’t Jaxon at all, but some random guy that enjoys getting girls off? God, I really hope I haven’t been catfished. That would somehow be even more embarrassing.
Getting up and tossing my phone on the bed, I head to the bathroom to get washed up and take some ibuprofen for this killer headache. When I get back in the bedroom, I see a new Tinder alert on my phone. Instantly nervous, a blush breaking out over my face and chest, I grab my phone and open the app. I’m not at all surprised that it’s from Jaxon.
Jaxon
Hey beautiful
Me
Hi Jaxon.
Jaxon
How are you?
Ignoring his question, I get right to the point.
Me
How do I know you aren’t a fake? You could be catfishing me.
Jaxon
What can I do to prove it to you, little sparrow?
Me
Write my name on a piece of paper with today’s date and hold it up to your face.
I wait a few minutes, setting my phone down because at this point this man has me hanging on his every word, and I don’t want to get too attached too quickly.
Jaxon
Here you go babe.
*picture*
Though I’d much rather prove it by taking you out on a date.
Me
OK, so you’re definitely the real deal. Good to know.
Jaxon
Are we not going to talk about what happened earlier today?
Me
I’d actually prefer that we didn’t. I was drunk and clearly didn’t know any better.
Jaxon
Oh Melody, but I gave you one of the best orgasms of your life without even touching you.
That’s definitely something we should talk about.
Me
Ugh, OK yes, I won’t disagree with you. But I don’t remember any of it, so according to those rules, I actually haven’t experienced an orgasm by you yet.
Was I poking the bear? Maybe yes, but let’s see what he has to say for himself. I am somewhat relieved that he’s real, but where do we go from here? There is obviously physical attraction. Do we go out on dates? I don’t know how to navigate dating life, it’s been too long since I’ve done this whole getting to know someone thing.
Plus there’s the fact that I have a stalker, AKA my attacker. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt because of me. What if he goes after the people I care about… I probably shouldn’t pursue anything with Jaxon just yet.
Jaxon
Is that so, little sparrow?
Well, we need to rectify that, and soon.
Can I take you out? Get to know you?
Me
Ya know, I’m not sure it’s the best idea right now. I have a lot going on in my personal life and I’m not sure I’m ready for anything that requires commitment.
Jaxon
Fair enough, Melody.
Fair enough. I’ll be waiting, though. I’m a patient man, but eventually I always get what I want.
He sure is cocky, but his words send a thrill through my body. I’m finding that I don’t want our conversation to end. I’d love nothing more than to get to know him, but it’s probably for the best right now.
The rest of the week passes in a blur. Jaxon and I talk everyday, it’s kind of become the new norm. We talk about my time in school and all the late nights studying in the school library with Rachel, Alex, and Damian. I tell Jaxon that I took time off from school but don’t go too far into detail. We talk about his work in the finance and investment world and where he grew up. I wake up to his texts and I even go to bed with good night texts. It’s cute really. I’m not sure where things are headed, but I’m enjoying the moment and taking it one day at a time.
I got back to work on Wednesday and Brooke showed me the ropes again. Thursday and Friday I got to work in the shop by myself, which went amazingly well. Today, I’m doing much of the same. People that love books just seem so nice. I know working in retail can be hard, but selling books is so pleasant.
Just as I’m about to close up the shop for the day, Brooke walks in, a big smile on her face. She has a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and I don’t know if I want to know what she has up her sleeve.
“So, Melody… I was hoping I could convince you to come out to Club LAX with me tonight.”
Before I can even respond, she’s rattling off, speaking so fast I can barely keep up.
“My brother owns the club, and they always have the best DJ on Saturday nights. I can get us a VIP booth and everything! Even free drinks!”
“I don’t know, Brooke,” I reply tentatively. I haven’t been out to bars or clubs since that night, and the idea makes me nervous, my stomach doing flips.
“Oh come on, Melody. It’s good to get out every once in a while. Reading is good and fun, but sometimes you need to just let loose a little, girl!” She grabs my arm on that last bit, shaking me excitedly.
“Alright alright, I’ll go out with you, but I don’t want to be out too late.”
“Perfect, I brought all my stuff with me, let’s get ready at your place,” she says over her shoulder, already headed for the door.
“OK, let me lock up real quick.”
After I lock up the store, we both take our separate vehicles and head to my home. Traffic is light so we make it to my place in record time. After parking in the garage, we both make our way inside. I disarm the security system when we get in, and place my bag and coat on the table.
“I see the security system Franklin installed is working nicely.”
“It is, thank you by the way. I wish you all wouldn’t have paid for it. I feel like I owe you guys now.”
“Not at all lady. My brother is loaded, and I mean loaded. It was probably a penny in the bucket for him honestly.”
“If you say so. So what is this club we’re going to again?” I ask as I lead us upstairs into my bedroom. Good thing I decided to make my bed today. I do a quick check and don’t see any bras or underwear laying on the floor. Phew. All is good.
“It’s Club LAX, owned by my brother, Kayden. The only time we ever really see him is when we go to the club. He’s not one for family get-togethers.”
“Huh… So I’ll finally get to meet another brother? Will this one be just as handsome as the last?”
“Honestly, the three of them get a lot of girls. The girls at the club all but throw themselves at them. It’s embarrassing really.”
“Wow, I can only imagine,” I reply, letting out a slight scoff. Seems like not only is the family graced with money, but also with good looks.
As we both start getting ready, I let Brooke raid my closet for what she thinks I should wear. I have plenty of options for plus size women like myself, but some of them are a little too revealing for what I’m comfortable with these days. I’m hoping she chooses one that is more modest.
“Alright, you HAVE to wear this one. It’s so gorgeous and your ass will look amazing in it.” She pulls out one of my ruched dresses that comes to about mid thigh and is black as midnight. It’s definitely not a dress to go bending over in, but it’s more modest than most in the closet. Plus, because it’s ruched, I don’t have to wear any of my shape wear with it. It has a low revealing neckline and long sleeves. The long sleeves are a plus because I really don’t want to have to explain or receive pity for the scars on my wrists.
Once we are all dressed up, makeup done, and hair styled, we head downstairs.
“You know, maybe we should just get an Uber. That way we both can drink and not worry about how to get back home,” Brooke suggests.
“Sounds good to me. You’re going to crash here for the night, right?”
“Absolutely, girls night all the way through to tomorrow. Should we do a shot before we leave? Get a little loosened up?” Brooke always has the brightest ideas.
I grab two shot glasses from my cupboard and a bottle of cherry vodka. I pour us both a generous amount and we clink glasses. Bottoms up! My phone lights up with a Tinder alert, and I open it up. It’s Jaxon.
Jaxon
Any plans on this gorgeous Saturday night?
I could pick you up.
I smile to myself and let a little laugh slip.
Me
Sorry Jaxon, I’m going out for a girl’s night with my boss.
Rain check?
I try to let him down easy without completely shutting him down. I enjoy talking to him, but I’m not sure I’m ready for anything serious just yet.
Jaxon
Sounds good, little sparrow.
I’ll be seeing you.
I still don’t know why he calls me little sparrow. I shrug my shoulders. Save that conversation for next time.
“What is making you smile like that?!” Brooke exclaims and just about topples me over trying to get a look at my phone.
I quickly close out of the app. “Nothing, just a guy I’ve been talking to is all.”
“What? Get out! Is he going to meet up with us or what?”
“No no. I told him it’s a girl’s night. I gave him a rain check for another time.”
Feeling the burning sensation in my stomach, my resolve is officially loosened. I am ready to dance the night away, and I’ll be damned if my attacker prevents me from living my life.