Three
TATUM HOLLOWS
I’m still sitting on the floor of my bedroom when there’s a slight knock. “Go away, Win.”
“Please talk to me.” Win’s voice is on the other side. “I’m not leaving until I know you’re okay.” I sigh as I move away from the door.
“Come in.” I lay on my bed and take an intense sniff because my bed smells of Win’s cologne and sweat.
“Are you okay?” His voice is soft and caring.
“No. I feel like I’m dying, and my ex-husband shows up,” I spout to him.
“I’m still your husband.”
“I’d roll my eyes, but my head hurts. I do need to talk to you about something.” I feel the bed dip and I know he’s sitting near me. “I’m going on tour with you for two weeks. My job is sending me to get a bird’s eye view of what it’s like to be on tour.”
“You are? I heard that a magazine is sending someone with us on the last leg of our tour, but they didn’t say who.”
“Surprise!” I groan as I sit up. Baldwin has his hand out with some Tylenol and a bottle of water between us. I smile. He always took care of me. “I have a lot to do today, so could you please leave?”
“I don’t need to leave yet. I don’t have anything planned. Maybe I can go with you?” I ask her.
“No. I don’t need you to do that. Spend time with your mom. I know she’ll be happy.” I stand up and feel wobbly, but it’s all good.
“If you’re sure.” I nod my head in response. “It will be nice having you on tour with us again. I’ve missed you.” He sighs as he heads out of my bedroom, grabbing a small leather bag.
“Win, how did you know where I was last night? I didn’t drive, so I wouldn’t have had my keys with me.” I grab Baldwin’s arm to stop him from leaving. He sighs and tells me about Ivy and the picture again. Now I’m starting to remember last night.
“Fuck. I’m going to kill Ivy,” I mutter. “I’m sorry that she did that to you. It wasn’t fair to you,” I tell him as he stands in the doorway.
“It wasn’t fair to you either. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Baldwin kisses my cheek. I breathe him in. I forget for a moment that I’m not happy with him as I lick my lips. “Win,” I whisper. I feel my body moving back, stopping at the wall near the door. Win leans down to me.
“Can I kiss you?” he whispers, and I feel his hot breath on me.
I nod. I’ve missed being in his arms. Win kisses me with a hardness that I remember.
When we kissed, I often thought he left bruises on my lips.
I run my hands up his stomach, under his shirt, touching his abs.
Win’s nipples are pierced and sensitive.
I run my fingers over them, and when I do, he moans.
“I want you, Win. Fuck me and fuck me hard,” I beg as I grab the waistband of his grey sweatpants.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to do anything you’ll regret.”
“I’m so fucking wet, I need you more than ever,” I beg again.
I quickly remove my pants as Win lifts me up.
I close my eyes to control my heart from beating so loud that he hears it.
I count to three before opening my eyes and find myself staring right into his.
The desire I feel for him forces me to grab fistfuls of his brown hair so I have control of his head.
I lick his lips slowly before grazing the bottom lip with my teeth.
I bite down on Win’s bottom lip and tug it out to me before sliding my tongue into his mouth.
Win moans as I feel his hard dick at my entrance.
Sliding slightly down the wall with his guidance, he slips into me.
The burning sensation sends chills up my spine.
“This is going to be a quick fuck because you’re so damn tight I almost came already.” Win grits his teeth as I kiss his neck. He is wearing his tank top, so I have access to his collar bone and I can lick his shoulder before biting down on his neck.
Win fucks me so hard against the wall, my back feels like I’m going through it and into the hallway.
I’m screaming, “Motherfucker, is that the best you got? Fuck me harder. I want to feel your cock in my ribcage.” Win pounds me harder.
My hands are in his hair, pulling and moving his head all around as I feel the heat growing in my stomach.
I’m going to come, but I don’t want to— this must be what Heaven and Hell would feel like if they collided.
I straighten my back and push out my hips as I scream his name. “Fuck, Baldwin!” My body goes slack in his arms. Win holds me around the waist and kisses my neck before his body starts to shake as he’s coming.
“Tatum, I love you,” he grunts out. I don’t know how long we stay in this position, but I feel myself start to fall asleep in his arms.
“This tour is going to be harder than I thought,” I whisper into his ear as I feel a tear fall down my cheek.
I kiss his neck like I’ve done a million times after sex with my husband.
Win puts me down on my feet, still holding onto my waist. “You need to go now,” I tell him as I pick up my pants and start to clean myself up.
“But . . . ” Win says to me. He looks at me and I nod. “I’ll call you later about the tour stuff.” He kisses my forehead and leaves.
I crawl into bed and cry myself to sleep.
I shower after my nap and decide to get a hold of Ivy.
She doesn’t answer and I get her voicemail.
“I can’t believe you did that to me last night.
You called my ex-husband! How could you?
Not only did he show up, but he brought me home to spend the night with me.
Why would you do that?” I hang up the phone, grab my list, and head out the door.
I hate that I have a hangover to deal with while I’m out and about, getting things figured out.
It’s been about six hours since I left my house and now I’m pulling into the driveway of my mother-in-law’s house. I know Baldwin is here with her, but I always do the shopping for her. As I get out of the car, Baldwin is standing on the porch.
“What are you doing here?” He crosses his arms.
“I’m bringing by Mary’s shopping and having dinner with her. It’s a weekly tradition for us.” I feel like I need to defend myself.
“Oh, she told me about that. I can help carry the bags.” He comes down to carry them for me. I walk into the house and see Mary standing there.
“There she is. I was hoping you were going to stop by despite that lugnut being here.” I hug her and laugh.
“It’s our weekly date. I wouldn’t miss it for all the world.” I kiss her cheek.
“The pot roast is almost done. You’re staying, aren’t you?”
“Of course, I am. I’ll start setting the table for the three of us.” I smile at Mary while Baldwin puts the food away. “Win, I want to apologize again for what Ivy did to you. It was uncalled for and unfair. She had no right to do it.”
“It’s fine. It was great seeing you and even a drunk Tatum is better than a silent one.
” He touches my cheek. “I know this tour is going to be rough for us, but I promise not to get in your way.” I nod and hurry into the dining room to set the table.
Mary is still sitting on the recliner. Once I get everything done, I walk into the living room and sit on the couch near her.
“Baldwin told me about your assignment.” Mary looks at me sideways. “Are you going to be okay with him in such close quarters?”
“I’m going to have to be. I can’t give the assignment to anyone. I even begged my boss. I’m not sure I can handle it right now. Every time I see him, my heart breaks even more. I love him and I don’t know if I’ll ever get over him.” I silently cry.
“He’s always going to love you and you’ll always be a huge part of each other’s hearts.
You’ve been together half your lives. I had hoped that you two would work things out.
” She holds my hand. “Enjoy this tour, and if you can, try to figure out if the love is there, then go for it. Embrace it. A love like yours doesn’t come along too often.
” I nod my head. “I better check on dinner.” She gets up and leaves me to my thoughts.
“Is she right?” I mutter to myself.
“She usually is. It’s one of the traits my dad couldn’t understand.” Baldwin chuckles.
“She is always right, but Baldwin, I don’t think she’s right on this one. We tried it before and our relationship ran its course.” I stand up to go to the dining room. Baldwin curses under his breath. I swallow hard, closing my eyes and trying not to cry.
Dinner was fun, which doesn’t surprise me. Mary’s always been a good buffer for us when we fought.
“Mary, how does your pot roast always taste so damn good? I try to make it and it doesn’t come out right.”
“My secret ingredient.” Mary winks at me as Baldwin starts to clean up the dishes.
“Are you going to share it with me?” I tease her and she whispers that it’s onion soup dry mix. Mary tells me she rubs the meat with it, then adds water to it, then adds more soup mix. “You’re a genius.” She smiles at me with pride. “I better get home. I still need to pack and get some rest.”
“Okay, dear. I’ll see you in two weeks. Thank you for the groceries.” Mary hugs me. “Have fun. You used to love music and being on tour with everyone.” I hear Baldwin calling my name as I head out of the house. I turn to look at him. He’s standing by my hood.
“Do you want me to pick you up in the morning before our radio interview?”
“Sure. What time?” I ask him.
“The interview is at seven a.m., so I’m thinking maybe six?” Baldwin sounds so unsure about himself.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll have a cup of coffee ready for you.” I get into my car and drive home.
I pack all the clothes I bought with Ivy last night.
I also grab my comfortable clothes to travel in.
I check the list I made to make sure I have everything.
I still need to pack my laptop and the camera I borrowed from the office.
Once everything is packed and next to the door, I decide to head to bed.
I need rest if I’m going to deal with Baldwin.
Can I give him another chance? I ask myself before falling asleep.