28. Kourtney
Kourtney
Four Years Later
“What’s going on inside that beautiful head of yours?”
I smile as I turn from the window and gaze at my husband sitting beside me at the kitchen table. “Lots of things, as usual.”
Jason lifts his mug to his lips. “Are you excited to see Celeste?”
Nerves bubble in my stomach like a boiling pot. “I am. It’s been a long time.”
“Five years will seem like nothing once you’re together again.” He sets down his mug and reaches for a piece of toast. “You should play the lottery. What are the odds your best friend gets relocated to the same city as you?”
Pretty slim.
The hockey player Celeste works for in Seattle got traded to Jersey City.
Out of all the teams he could’ve been traded to in the NHL, he got moved here to play on the same team as my husband—a husband who was once my high school boyfriend that I broke up with during our college years but reunited with on a webcam website.
My head spins whenever I think about it.
Yeah, maybe I should play the lottery.
I’m not a believer in fate or destiny, but this shit right here is too much of a coincidence to be overlooked. It’s like the universe wanted to keep the three of us tethered together.
Jason dips the knife into the tub of butter and then scrapes it over his toast. “I can’t wait to see her.”
“Oh, yeah?” I can’t help the surprise in my voice. He knows everything that happened between me and Celeste in college, yet he seems nothing but excited for her to return to our lives.
“It’ll be just like old times, the three amigos again.
” He shoots me a wink before shoving the bread into his mouth with a loud, crunchy bite.
“Plus, she’s the reason you and I found each other again on that website, and I want to personally thank her for convincing you to have sex on it so we could eventually be together. ”
I chuckle. “You’re right. If it weren’t for her, I would never have even dreamed of being on that site to begin with.”
After Celeste left for Seattle, I continued livestreaming solo. It was great money, and sexting with strangers helped me keep my mind off of missing Celeste. I never thought I’d rekindle an old love and find my future husband there, of all places.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw you on that screen.
I couldn’t believe it was you, after all those years.
” Jason’s hand slides along my thigh under the table.
“God, you were sexy. I was glued to my phone, waiting for you to accept my request for a private room with you.” He tugs on the belt around my waist, and my robe falls open.
“The universe brought us back together, and I just knew it was fate. I knew I was going to marry you.”
I push out of my chair and drop the robe at my feet, relishing in the way his gaze roams over my bare body.
He stands and grips my hips, lifting me up and planting my ass on the table.
I spread my legs for him and slide my fingers over my clit, basking in the sound of the groan that leaves his throat at the sight of me touching myself.
He reaches into his boxers and wraps his hand around his dick, pulling it out so I can watch as he pumps himself in slow, lazy strokes. “This is how it all started. Me watching you, wishing I could have you in real life.”
I reach out and cup his face. “You have me now.”
He leans into my touch. “Forever, agápi mou.”
My love.
Jason’s phone buzzes on the table, and I glance down at the time displayed on the screen. “We’d better hurry. You’re going to be late.”
He presses the head of his cock to my entrance, coating himself in my arousal. “I’m not rushing this.”
I wrap my legs around him and dig my heels into his ass. Jason thrusts inside me, and we both cry out in relief. The silverware and dishes rattle against the table as he pulls out and plunges back inside me over and over again in a punishing rhythm.
This is always how it is when he travels during the season. We fuck like we can’t get enough of each other, knowing we won’t see each other for a period of time. It gets lonely, but it’s worth it when he comes home and he’s in my arms again.
“Fuuuck,” he drags out, gazing down between us. “Look at the way you take me.”
Nothing is hotter than seeing the wild look in his eyes while he’s watching his cock stretch me.
I reach down and rub my clit in circles, knowing it spurs him on.
We’re loud and unrestrained, and we hold out for as long as we can until I clench around his cock.
The orgasm racks my body, and I grip on to his hair to hold me steady while I ride it out.
He comes right after, spilling his warm cum inside me, and then he watches with rapt attention and parted lips as it oozes back out of me.
“Goddamn, Kourt.” He drops his damp forehead against mine, chest heaving as he fights to catch his breath. “S’agapó.”
I bring my lips to his. “I love you too, baby.”
He sweeps me into his arms and carries me into the bathroom. He twists the lever in the shower to hot before stepping in with me and closing the glass door behind him.
“Babe, you’re going to be late.”
He sets my feet down on the tile and cages me against the wall. “Fuck hockey.”
I giggle against his mouth as I reach up onto my toes and wrap my arms around his neck. “You don’t mean that.”
“No, but I’m not ready to leave you yet. I’ve missed you too much.” He bites my bottom lip. “And you’re going to give me one more.”
“You had sex this morning, didn’t you?”
My cheeks burn as I whip Erika with a dish towel. “Lower your voice before my father hears you.”
Erika waves a dismissive hand. “Ah, you’re a twenty-seven-year-old married woman. He knows you’re bumping uglies.”
“Well, he doesn’t have to hear about it.” I bite back a smile and lower my voice. “We did it on the kitchen table and then in the shower.”
“I knew it.” Erika chuckles and snaps the lid on the food container. “You’re walking kind of funny.”
I tilt my head back and laugh. “I am not.”
My father breezes through the kitchen door as if on cue. “Breakfast is served, ladies and gentlemen. I brought bagels.”
I clear my throat. “Uh, Dad…?”
His eyes fall on Erika, and he pauses. “I’m sorry. I did it again, didn’t I?”
Erika offers him a patient smile. “It’s okay, Mr. Spalding. Don’t worry about it.”
“No, I’ll get it right. Let’s try that again.” He sets down a white paper bag overflowing with bagels. “Breakfast is served, ladies.”
I reach out and squeeze his shoulder. “Thanks, Dad.”
Erika has been working at our family’s catering business for the last couple of years, but when Dad hired her, she was a tall black man named Eric.
I thought my conservative father would have a problem as she started to transition, but he surprised me.
He’s been making efforts to refer to her with the appropriate pronouns, and it makes me happy to know that he’s growing more accepting as he ages.
“I’ll get it right one day.” He lets out a small chuckle. “Busy day ahead of us.”
“Busy is good.” I pull the zipper around the delivery bag. “We’re almost ready to head out for the first event.”
“How long is Jason in town for?”
“I said goodbye to him this morning. He should be back on Friday.”
He frowns. “Let’s do dinner when he gets back. We haven’t seen him in a while.”
Erika shoots me a wink. “Kourt, that’s so selfish of you to keep him all to yourself when he’s home.”
I kick Erika’s shin under the counter and return my attention to my father. “We’d love to do dinner. I’ll call Mom later to set it up.”
“Sounds good.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Have a good day. I’ll see you later at the Cavanaugh event.”
He turns around to leave, but before he reaches the door, it swings open, and all of the air leaves my lungs.
“Celeste.” Dad whips his head around to look at me before turning back to her. “What are you doing here?”
“Didn’t your daughter tell you?” She flashes me a smile over my father’s shoulder. “I’m back, bitches.”
“My daughter tells me nothing.” Dad pulls her into a tight hug. “What happened to Seattle?”
“My client got traded to the Jersey City Goldfinches.”
Dad crosses his arms over his chest, feigning offense as he glares at me. “You knew Celeste was moving back, and you didn’t tell me?”
I throw up my hands in innocence. “I only found out two days ago when she texted me.”
And I was just as shocked as Dad is.
Celeste and I haven’t talked much in the five years we’ve been apart.
We’ve liked each other’s social media pictures and sent the annual Happy Birthday text.
But our friendship is nowhere near what it used to be.
We used to be inseparable. We used to tell each other everything.
Then lines were crossed, and she didn’t want anything to do with me after she left.
Until I got a text that said she was coming back to Jersey.
I’ve been on edge for two days. It feels like bees have infiltrated my veins, buzzing along my bloodstream, making my body hum with anticipation.
Maybe Jason’s right. Maybe we can get our friendship back to what it was before I went and fucked everything up.
“Well, I’m thrilled.” Dad smiles wide. “Kourt, bring Celeste to dinner on Friday. Let’s surprise your mother.”
I roll my eyes. “You can’t keep a secret from Mom for two whole days.”
“I will.” He holds up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“Twenty bucks says he breaks and tells her before Friday,” Celeste says.
I arch a brow. “Double or nothing, he calls her within the next five minutes.”
“I forgot how much you two love to gang up on me when you’re together.” Dad scoffs, but a smile slips through. “It’s good to have you back, Celeste. I have to run, but we’ll catch up on Friday.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dad leaves, and silence fills the space in his absence.
Celeste’s piercing blue eyes lock with mine, and for a split second, it’s just the two of us alone in our off-campus apartment again. My throat thickens, and I fight to swallow past the growing lump.
Instead of attempting to say anything, I rush toward her and fling my arms around her.
She staggers backward and chuckles as her arms slide around my shoulders.
I breathe her in and squeeze my eyes shut, hoping to trap the tears behind my lids. She still smells the same, like cinnamon and vanilla mixed together, and the memories come flooding back with the olfactory trigger.
Celeste pulls back way too soon and holds out her hand to Erika. “Hi, I’m Celeste.”
Erika steps forward and shakes her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Erika.”
“I like your hair.”
“Thanks.” Erika twirls a bright-orange curl at the end of one of her braids. “I like your tits.”
Celeste sticks out her chest. “Thanks, they’re real.”
“I’m saving up for a pair of my own,” Erika says.
Celeste whips out her phone. “Give me your number. When you’re ready, I’ll send you some pictures for reference so you can show the doctor.”
“Wow, thank you so much.”
The two exchange numbers while I stand there without anything useful to add to the conversation.
How is Celeste so calm and collected?
Is she not affected the way I am?
Does she still hold a grudge after all this time?
Erika shoves her phone back into her apron. “Well, I’m going to pack up the van. I’ll meet you out there in five minutes, Kourt.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
Erika collects the bags and carries the food out the back door.
Celeste’s eyes bounce around the kitchen. “You’re working for your parents’ catering business.”
It’s not a question. She knows what I do.
But I can read the fine print in what she’s really getting at.
We once dreamed of owning our own businesses.
The last thing I wanted to do was work for my parents.
I wanted to do something exciting. Something that gave me a purpose in life. Something that was mine.
I hike a shoulder. “They got really busy after Jason’s team used them for an event. It was great exposure, but they needed more help, so I agreed to work for them for a while.”
A while being the operative words.
She nods. “That’s great. I’m glad to hear their business is doing well.”
I clear my throat. “When did you get in? I could’ve given you a ride home from the airport.”
“The team sent a driver for us.”
“Oh, duh. That’s right.”
The team—Jason’s team.
Celeste reaches out and grasps my hands as I wring them in front of me. “Chill, Kourt. Why are you acting so weird?”
“Why aren’t you acting weird?” I drop my hands and let them smack against my thighs. “We haven’t seen each other in five years; we’ve barely spoken; and suddenly you’re back and you’re acting like it’s no big deal.”
Celeste’s shoulders slump, and all of her bravado leaves her. “How do you think this feels for me? You’ve built a life here—family, friends, a husband—and I don’t know if I’ll fit into it. I don’t know if there’s room for me.”
My head jerks back. “Of course there’s room for you. There’s always room for you. Regardless of what happened between us, you’re still my best friend. I’d like to get back to that.”
“I do too.” She lifts her shoulders and lets them fall. “Can you forgive me for being a total bitch and not coming to your wedding?”
I laugh. “Only if you can forgive me.”
For being selfish and taking what I wanted from her, only to push her away when things got real.
For not having the guts to tell my parents about us.
For letting fear take our lives on two different directions.
For breaking both of our hearts.
I don’t have to say any of that though. She knows.
“I already forgave you.” Celeste offers me a sheepish smile. “It took me some time, but I got there.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes as relief floods me. “I’m really glad you’re back.”
Celeste smiles, and this time, it’s a genuine one. “Me too, little mouse.”