Chapter 13
Waking up to an empty bed was a reminder of how screwed up last night was and how my explanation may have been less than stellar. Even though I had no control over what happened, I realized Steph would blame it on my subconscious mind and think it meant something it didn’t. And how could I explain it to her when I didn’t understand it?
After our fight, I hadn’t bothered putting on clothes, so I went to my walk-in closet to get dressed. Since I worked late yesterday, I had Ty reschedule my morning meetings for this afternoon, which worked in my favor now because I would attempt to make up with Steph.
I put on Steph’s favorite black lace-trimmed Alexander McQueen suit, hoping she would be more receptive to my apology. They always said to dress the part, and I wanted to show her I was the remorseful girlfriend.
I did a curly, messy bun instead of my usual slicked-back version to finish my look. I left a few strands to frame my face, giving me a softer, more approachable appearance. Now, it was time to begin begging for forgiveness.
While exiting the room, I found Steph snuggled on the couch, still sleeping. She looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake her, so I continued to the kitchen. If I made her breakfast and coffee, that seemed like it would start us off on the right track.Since chocolate chip pancakes were her favorite, I decided to try my hand at those.
I wasn’t known for my cooking skills because I was never taught that. When I was younger, we had someone else prepare our meals, so I didn’t have a lot of experience. I would have loved to make things from scratch, but I wasn’t sure I had the time or talent, so I grabbed a pre-made pancake mix and some chocolate chips to add in. Once I mixed all the ingredients, I poured my first attempt at a heart shape into the warm skillet.
While I waited for that side to brown, I proceeded to the espresso machine and had it make a couple of macchiatos, another of Steph’s favorites. Once I got the drinks started, I darted back to the pancake and flipped it. But I was too late. It was slightly burned and looked more like a butt than a heart.
After I made a few more, I at least figured out that when it bubbled on the top, it was ready to flip. Even though they still didn’t resemble the shape I wanted, I hoped it was the thought that counted. I grabbed a tray with a couple of plates, put the pancakes on them with some warm syrup, and placed the coffees next to it. The couch was empty when I headed into the living room to present my peace offering.
I walked toward the bedroom, and I could hear the shower running. I knocked lightly before opening the bathroom door while keeping the food steady. It being unlocked seemed like a good sign, so I entered, placing the tray on the countertop.
“Steph, I made breakfast—the works. Heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes with a macchiato. Are you interested?” The water continued to run, but there was no other response, so I continued. “I hope you realize how sorry I am. I would love to sit down and talk about it.”
The shower shut off, and I saw her hand snake out and grab a towel—still no words. I waited, hoping my silence would coax her into speaking.
Finally, “You want to talk? Okay, why don’t you tell me how you wound up comatose while I was on top of you about to blow your fucking mind? How not into it do you have to be for that to happen? And who was this other person? Is she who you want to be with?”
“Whoa, Steph. Please listen to me. This other person probably doesn’t exist. Besides, you’re the only one I want to be with. I’m trying to show you that. I would’ve been present the entire time if I had control over the matter. I was the one who wanted to take your mind off things, remember? And instead, I made you feel… unwanted?” I questioned.
“No! I felt stupid. What sober person blackouts in the middle of sex? That could be the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me.”
“Babe,” I said, grabbing her shoulders to turn her to face me. “If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s me. I feel like a monkey’s ass. I wish I could’ve stopped it, but that wasn’t even the first time it happened. I had a similar episode when I was getting lunch with Ty yesterday. It’s as if I’m being pulled into another dimension. I understand how suspect that sounds, but that’s the only way I can describe it.”
“So now you’re like a time traveler or something? What the actual fuck, Blake? I’m not an idiot?”
“I know that. But I swear to you, it’s true. Will you come with me while I finish up something at work? Then we’ll spend the rest of the day doing whatever you want.” I pulled her towel-clad body closer to me, and she came reluctantly. I rested my hands on her hips and stared into her eyes, hoping my sincerity would win her over.
She licked her lips while glancing at my mouth. “I guess I can come with you, but if you stay longer than an hour, I’m taking an Uber somewhere else.” Then she leaned in, pressing her breasts against mine, and whispered into my ear, “You can go, but leave the food.”
“Okay. I’ll wait out here for you. Tell me if I can help with anything.” I wasn’t sure what I could do for her, but I thought I should offer.
When I entered the bedroom, I realized I had left my food with her but wouldn’t knock and ask for it back. I’d go hungry before I risked annoying her. I was happy she agreed to give me a chance.
Forty-five minutes later, we were at the office. It had only taken Steph five minutes to get ready, but she seemed to want to punish me by making me wait for her to eat all the pancakes, including mine. It amazed me how she could do whatever she wanted and still look like she was ready for a photoshoot. She had one of those faces the camera loved. Who was I kidding? The camera wasn’t the only one who loved her. She turned heads everywhere she went.
Right then, a thought came into my head about a potential present for her birthday next month. I wondered if I should get us one of those sexy couple photoshoots. That could be fun and romantic. I was pretty sure she would enjoy it. I needed to see if Ty could help me get that set up.
We walked inside the office silently, and Ty was the first person we saw.
“Hey, Ty. Thanks for clearing my calendar yet again. I’ll email the clients to inform them that I’ll work late to fit them in. But right now, I’m here for the sit-down with Greg to review last nights client forms. Then Steph and I are taking off for the day.”
“Ooh, whatcha doing? Something fun?” He was so nosy.
“We are having some quality time.” I didn’t want to go into details about anything that had happened yet.
“Sorry, I asked.” He looked nauseous, and I realized he thought that was code for sex. “You can head into your office. Greg said he’d meet you there, you lucky duck.” He laughed while doing some weird form of finger guns. Then he turned to Steph, “Hey, girl. You’re looking fresh.”
“Thanks. And that’s after a night on the couch?” She would probably tell Ty everything while I was gone, but it was likely better that way than me being around.
Maybe he could explain things to her so she could understand this wasn’t my fault.
I reached my office and sat at my desk as I heard, “Yoo-hoo. Can I come in?” Greg stuck his head through the door, but his body stayed hidden behind the frame, and I couldn’t help but picture him in a guillotine. That escalated quickly in my mind, and I needed to change my mood. So I smiled and waved him in.
He strolled to the empty seat and tried to recline back, only to be met with unforgiving stiffness. Even the chair didn’t want him to stay.
“I have an important client this afternoon. So, I’m going to jump right in. The Thompsons’ trust was basic. I got their paperwork filled out, and you will find all my notes on the shared drive. Is there anything specific you need from me?” I was trying to be professional but succinct.
“Honestly, I haven’t checked the drive, but I will. I just wanted to make sure everything was handled.” He smiled smugly, and I fought the urge to send daggers his way.
“I think you’ll find I did everything by the book.”
“I’ll let you know if you didn’t.” He stood up, and I was glad he initiated the ending of the meeting. “And do I need to join you and this client later?” He stared at me expectantly.
“I appreciate the offer, but I think Ive got it handled. It’s an off-site meeting, and I’m confident in my ability to seal the deal.” I got up from my desk and moved toward the door, hoping he would follow. “You can schedule another appointment with Ty if you need anything else.”
He gave me a tight smile as he walked out. I thought I was home free, but he stopped and turned back toward me. “I’m watching you, Blake. You better dot all your I’s and cross all your T’s.” Then, after his threat, he marched away on his high horse without giving me a chance to respond—not that I had something to say out loud.
He had it out for me, but I couldn’t figure out why. I watched him get on the elevator before leaving my office to check on Steph and Ty. When I arrived at Ty’s desk, I saw Steph sitting on the edge, staring over his shoulder at the computer. His fingers flew across the keyboard, and they seemed up to something.
“Hey, what do you two have cooking over here?” I questioned nonchalantly, but they both appeared startled.
“Just trying to help,” he responded without taking his eyes off his screen.
“I’m still not convinced there’s an actual problem.” Steph’s tone sounded annoyed, and I wasn’t sure what I had walked into.
“Help with what?” I asked, confused.
“I’m researching your ‘episodes.’ Steph told me it happened again last night.”
“Oh yeah? In your expert opinion, what did you find?”
“Well, there are various theories, and some of them seem plausible.” At least Ty didn’t think I was faking it.
Steph sighed heavily, but I chose not to respond because it was obvious she didn’t believe me.
“Like what?” I asked Ty as my mind went to the worst-case scenario. “Is it a disease?”
“No. It’s possible, but there are other things that it could be, too. Maybe it’s brain trauma or an emotional disorder,” he spouted indifferently.
“I’m sorry. How are those better?” I questioned.
“Isn’t any reason better than not knowing?” He shrugged, but I wasn’t convinced.
Steph reached for my hand, and her comfort was shocking. She had been so mad before. It was odd to see this softer side. “Do you think it’s serious? Should she get checked out?”
Her concern warmed my heart, but I couldn’t let myself go down that path.
“Maybe it’s stress-related? Work has been difficult lately, and with the promotion, it’s like I’m under a microscope.” Especially now that I was in Greg’s cross-hairs for some reason.
“It didn’t say anything about stress, but I’ll keep looking. There has to be some logical reason.” I appreciated Ty’s positive outlook, but I suspected he wouldn’t find an answer.
Whatever was happening to me wasn’t normal.
“Thanks, buddy. But don’t spend too much time on it. I’m sure these were isolated events and will pass soon.” I hoped he couldn’t hear the shakiness in my voice. The last thing I wanted was for him to worry about me because that would only make me more nervous.
“Whatever. I’m on a mission. Especially since you called off work. What else will I do while I wait here and answer phones?” he joked.
“Okay.” I shook my head at him, then turned to Steph. “Hey, would you go to the car for a second? I need to talk to Ty about some upcoming appointments, but you can search for a place to eat while I finish up.”
“Sure thing. Don’t be long, though, or I might not be waiting.” She chuckled, but it seemed humorless. “Later, Ty. I’ll see you at the party on Saturday.”
Ty offered a finger wave. “Yep, sister from another mister, I’ll be there.”
Well, at least she still planned on coming with me. So that seemed promising.
As she trotted off to the car, Ty turned to me with laser eyes. “What’s going on? You were transported during… in the middle of…” He started gagging, and I thought he would make himself puke. “Sex,” he finally whispered, and I rolled my eyes.
“Unfortunately, yes, but I have no clue how it happened. What did Steph say? Was she super pissed?” I figured she was, but I’d like to hear his perspective.
“Let’s say she was… skeptical. But I tried to fill her in about the time I saw it happen, and I told her there was no way you were faking it. I’m not sure why she thought you would be anyway.” He seemed as confused as me.
“Exactly. What would I gain from that? Especially when it happened. I mean, if we were in the middle of a fight, that would be a better time to dissociate. Not during?—”
“Don’t finish that. I’m still trying to scrub that image from my brain.”
“Calm down. But did she seem to trust you?”
He shrugged. “Not sure. It almost seems like she hopes it’s something medical, but I didn’t get into the pseudoscience because there was no way she’d believe that.”
I had no idea what those theories were, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear them, either.
“The answers don’t matter right now. The good thing is Steph still wants to go to the party with me. So that’s what I’m going to focus on.”
“There is that, I guess. But I need to know if this dream was like the one from lunch or like the first time it happened or something different.” He crossed his legs like a beauty queen and waited for my response.
“I can’t take too long, but it was like the first dream on the dance floor, but this time I did see some things. She had a sleeve of tattoos, but I don’t remember any specifics. I was still drawn to her, and I touched her.” I shivered as the memory swept through me. “Ty, it was so real and… electric. I don’t understand what is happening, but I have to make it stop. There is no way Steph would forgive me again if this woman keeps dragging me away.”
“Is she aware it’s a woman, and does she know this connection you seem to have?”
“No, she doesn’t know it was another woman. I said it was a person who was calling to me. But that still set her off. And, honestly, none of that means anything because it’s probably not real. But I need to nip these dreams in the bud so they don’t become another cliterference in the future. Steph isn’t going to let me forget it anytime soon, and we were finally getting things on the right track. I don’t want to derail our progress.”
“Maybe I need to dig somewhere deeper than Google? I’ll hit the library after work. There has to be a reason this started happening, and if we can find that, I’m sure we can stop it.”
“Thanks, Ty. Even though I give you a lot of shit, I appreciate you. Oh, one more thing. I want to get Steph and me one of those sexy photoshoot sessions for her birthday next month. Could you look something up and get it scheduled? I’d owe you big time!” I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and gave him a side hug.
“All right, all right. Enough lovey-dovey stuff. I don’t like sentimental and appreciative Blake. It makes me think you’re dying. I’ll take care of the pictures for you. Is there anything else you need from me today? I might knock off early to get a jumpstart on the search.”
“Nope. You’re good. Take off whenever you want. You can have the calls transferred to your cell in case something comes up. Love ya,” I professed as I headed toward the exit.
“Right back at ya.”
I smiled as I walked out the door and said a silent prayer that all this nonsense would end soon and Steph and I could forge a path forward.