Chapter 5
5
R emedy
My eyes zeroed in on Callie as she pulled into the driveway. Since she didn’t go into my five car garage, I assumed she didn’t plan on staying here long. The past week had been cool. It felt like we both were being careful and considerate of each other and not our true selves. I wasn’t sure how long this adjustment period would take, but it wasn’t weird. Not to me at least. I was just grateful to have her here.
She looked beautiful in a satin skirt that clung to her curves. My mouth watered at the sight of her wide hips. Just the thought of her ass poking out in the back had my dick hard, and I hadn’t even seen it yet. I remember the day I noticed my best friend was a woman. A beautiful woman. She’d always looked the same and been attractive, but our platonic friendship made it impossible for me to be attracted to her. That changed one Christmas when she came home to visit.
It was the first Christmas after I was released. We’d seen each other when I first got out, but it was something about that night that was different. I don’t know if it was the holiday cheer that gave her more of a glow or what, but it felt like I saw Callie for the first time, and I’d been in love with her ever since.
I rode over to her as she stood at the edge of the driveway by the grass. Before I could speak, she hopped onto my lap. “Take me for a ride.”
Laughing, I nodded my agreement and took her around the yard on my mower. We did two laps before I drove back over to the driveway. When she hopped off, I was glad she didn’t feel my dick. Between her vanilla scent, the closeness of her body pressed against mine, and the thin satin fabric, I was fighting for my life trying to focus on anything but how good she felt against me.
“How’d your interview go?” I asked, getting off the mower.
“Great! I got the job.”
“Congratulations, Callie. I knew you would. You’re overqualified to teach at the elementary school.”
“Thanks, pooh, and I know. I’m just glad Mrs. Banks was retiring because there weren’t any other openings. Isn’t it crazy that I’m about to take our teacher’s place? It was in her class that we met, and I’ve been driving you crazy ever since.”
“As long as you know.” She laughed as we headed toward the garage. “I’d give you a hug but I’m sweaty. How about we go into town and celebrate?”
“Ooh sounds fun. I’m glad you know you need to shower though. I didn’t want to tell you that you’re a little stinky.”
“I know you fucking lying.” I smelled under my arm before wrapping it around her and almost putting her face against my pit. “Smell. It’s not stinky.”
“Ew, Rem, stop!” Her tiny hands shoved my stomach and back but did nothing to cause me to release her as I laughed. “Boy, let me go!”
“Say uncle.”
“Uncle!”
I held her tighter as I laughed harder. “Now say I’m the best.”
“No!” I continued to pull her into the garage as she squirmed against me. “Remedy Saint Jones! I’m telling your daddy on you.”
Sucking my teeth, I moved slightly, and she yelped.
“Say I’m the fucking best.”
“You’re the best!”
“At what?”
“Rem!”
“Aight, aight,” I conceded with a laugh as she slapped my back. As soon as I released her, she swatted at me again. I knew I was in trouble when she kicked off her heels and started chasing me around the garage.
Damn, I missed my best friend.
After I slowed down so she could catch me, I let her swing her little fists twice before picking her up and tossing her over my shoulder. Her squeal turned into boisterous laughter as she wrapped her arms around me.
“Don’t drop me, Remedy.”
“Have I ever?”
She thought about it for a while before muttering, “No.”
“Aight then. ”
I carried her to her bedroom as I asked, “You got plans? I see you didn’t park in the garage.”
“Not really. I wanted to do something to celebrate but I wanted to change first.”
“Cool. After we change, I’ll put your car in the garage and drive.”
“Yay. Can we take the motorcycle?”
“We’re celebrating you, so we can do whatever you want to do.”
I had a truck, motorcycle, and Challenger. She used to hate the motorcycle until she let me take her for a ride. Now, she always gushed about how fun it was and how free she felt when she was on it.
“In that case, can we go to Ever’s Pub for drinks and then to the country? I wanna do a little line dancing. Maybe they’ll have the ATVs and horses out too.”
“I got you, pookie. Whatever you want.”
I placed her on her feet in front of the door and casually stepped back so she could open it. When she saw what I’d done for her, she gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth, taking small steps back.
Because I knew she’d get the job, I decorated her room to celebrate. Callie was passionate about kids and teaching. She wanted to teach elementary, middle, and high school before becoming a college professor. I admired her desire to help shape the minds of our youth and wanted to make sure she knew that. While she was in school, I always sent her care packages and checked in to make sure she was cool mentally and not overwhelmed by her studies. Even though I didn’t go the traditional route because of my time in the streets, I found success a different way, and I was glad she did too.
“Rem,” she whispered, looking back at me with watery eyes. “You did all this for me?”
I looked at all I’d done in the room as I gently pushed her inside. She loved Tiffany & Co. and Tiffany blue, so I’d gotten her the Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Ribbons shoulder bag, a pair of diamond earrings, and a personalized yellow and white gold bangle bracelet with pavé diamonds. The inscription read, Congratulations Dr. Simpson .
There were blue roses all over and a blue and white balloon arch. Under the arch was a table that had a cake and champagne on it.
As she looked at the bracelet she said, “I really am a doctor huh?” She laughed that laugh that was always like music to my ears. “God, I can’t believe it. Look at us, Remedy. We’ve come such a long way. We might have gone down different paths, but we’ve made something of ourselves and never lost touch.”
“Yeah, sometimes I can’t believe it either. Well, I can believe the path you took, but I can’t believe you stayed in my life.”
Confusion covered her face as her head tilted. “Why would I ever leave?”
My amusement came out softly as I shook my head and shoved my hands in the pockets of my basketball shorts. The only time my confidence ever wavered was when it came down to feeling like I was unworthy of her. “Come on, Cal. Let’s not act like my reputation didn’t have people looking at you sideways for being my friend. People respect me now, but the shit I did back in the day—”
“Is in the past, and that’s where it will stay.” She closed the space between us and took my hands into hers. It took everything inside of me not to pull her into my arms. “I will never judge you or love you with any love other than an unconditional one. I accept you just as you are. That will never change.”
The longer our eyes remained locked, the softer my heart felt. I took a step back and removed my hands from hers. “Let’s get dressed so we can go.”
“Wait! We have to cut my cake.”
Groaning, I adjusted my dick in my boxers as she turned and headed toward the table. My eyes lowered to her ass, and it looked just as good as I knew it would. Releasing a low sigh, I prayed for the strength to not try to fuck my best friend.