9. Maritza
NINE
MARITZA
One Year Later
“Girl’s night!” Maritza chants while Dia applies her lip gloss.
“It’s been far too long,” I tell them both. We used to regularly have girls’ night. Whether we stayed home and did face masks, went to a movie, or out to a night club, we had this usual time together. Life gets in the way sometimes though and I miss this time with my girls.
With work, mom’s treatment schedule, and having Hollis, I haven’t been able to go out with my sister and Dia in what feels like forever. Thankfully, the treatment worked. Mom’s cancer is in remission. She will have to have more frequent doctor’s appointments for screenings than the average person, but this battle is behind us. Given it was just a few years ago we had been given what felt like a death sentence, I have trouble not being anxious. For now, we are celebrating this time of her health.
Fuck cancer.
We won.
This round, at least. It’s scary to think about what remission actually means for her and the statistics on her future. I can’t allow myself to get swallowed up in what things look like ahead. I have to embrace this time and this win. After a trying battle that lasted years, she is beginning to get back to herself. Luckily, she hasn’t pushed herself too hard. She works when she feels up to it and outside of that, she stays home to rest.
I manage the mini storage office for the day to day. Since I’m in school for accounting, I have converted all the Hellions businesses over to the software tax professionals use and I’m managing that for all revenue streams the club has. Well, the business side of things. This is my last year of school, and I will have my degree. It doesn’t change anything; I love my job. I won’t be seeking an opportunity outside of the office. I know the Hellions have different revenue streams. My education has allowed me to streamline their processes for billing, accounts receivable, payable, and most importantly, taxes. No one wants to deal with an audit from Uncle Sam.
I’m sure the club has outside jobs that are cash transactions and I have zero connection with any of it. What the Hellions do is club business. I learned a long time ago, unless you have that cut and those rockers, it’s not your place to be in the know.
For me, it’s a win-win, I get a good salary and work experience in my field. I love my job and truly feel immensely blessed in life. The only thing missing is a partner to share it with.
Hollis is away for the weekend with Dillon on a camping trip. This means Anna won’t be doing any surprise drop offs. Although, we have all been going through an adjustment the last couple of months, I miss Hollis, but this break is also nice too. Change is hard. Even though, I’m not directly involved, the indirect impact as a caregiver to Hollis has left even me feeling the impact of a marriage failing. While I am not privy to the details, I know both Dillon and Anna have come to terms with the dissolution of their relationship as husband and wife.
Dillon and Anna have divorced. Surprisingly, she asked him to use an earlier separation date from his moving out date in order to allow the process to complete faster. Honestly, that blew me away after she pushed for a contract marriage for what felt like an eternity. She even tried to get me to talk him into it. I didn’t, but the woman is fierce about getting things her way. It seems like once she accepted the divorce was no longer optional, she moved forward without putting up a fight. I don’t know if that’s because Dillon gave her the house while he still pays the mortgage or the child support, he’s offered being above the state requirement. Whatever happened, she has embraced her new life as a single mom. I don’t ask either of them questions, but Anna has shared about the mortgage and child support. She also doesn’t hesitate to tell me Dillon has been more than fair to her in the split. At least she can give him credit for something.
Dillon lives in small beach house down the street from our condo complex. They split time with Hollis pretty evenly. Since Dillon does work full time in the garage, Anna has Hollis on the weekdays and Dillon has the weekends. I pick Hollis up from school on Friday’s and Dillon takes him back to school on Monday mornings. Anna picks him up from school Monday through Thursday and he spends the night with her unless she calls me to get him. Which it doesn’t happen often since she’s only got him the four afternoons and nights. Summer is a little different because he spends his days with me at the office and goes home with Dillon. She gets him every other weekend when she wants him.
I’m surprised to see the change in her. Since the divorce, she takes time with Hollis when she has it. While there are times, she needs me to have him, it isn’t like these past five years where he was with me more than her. Honestly, he sort of spends equal time with all of us now. She has a job as a waitress on the times she doesn’t have Hollis. In the summer, she surprised me by how much she worked since she didn’t have Hollis as much. I think this job has given her a new outlet and independence. She seems lighter and less tense to be around.
Our system is unique, but it works. Hollis is thriving and we’re all balancing it out between us. Both Dillon and Anna stop to ask me about keeping him. More than that, they both are willing to let me see him even outside of the windows in which they need a babysitter. There was a penguin adventure at the aquarium. It fell on Anna’s weekend, but also while Dillon was scheduled off at the garage and he wasn’t on a transport. I thought for sure one of them would say no and step in to take them on their own. They didn’t though. Both agreed I have a special bond with Hollis and none of us want that to change, thankfully. They could shut me out and they don’t.
Finishing dolling up, we head out to the local club. It’s a smaller joint, but a great place to listen to music, dance, drink, and have a good time with friends.
“Time to let loose,” Dia says before taking a large drink of her margarita.
We all drink up and the night passes on with laughs amongst us. It’s nice because none of us are really heavy drinkers or wild. We all prefer to stay home more than go out. Although these occasions are nice when we have them.
“Last drink of the night,” our bartender says putting another set of margaritas in front of us. I look at my watch and sure enough it’s two in the morning. Last call so they can close. Dia sends the text for our ride while we finish our drinks.
It’s not long before Toon struts in and over to us. I thought she would call one of those ride-share companies. No, she calls a Hellion. Not just any Hellion, but the Hellion she is hopelessly in love with, and he won’t give her a chance. Granted, if I was a man, a Hellion at that, no way I would even consider looking at Dia Crews twice. I know my dad is a tough one when it comes to dating me or my sister, but Tripp is next level. Plus, it’s not just Tripp a man trying to date Dia has to get through, it’s BW, her older brother. I swear he would kill a man for looking at her too long. Toon is nice, but he’s not stupid. Dia is stubborn. She sees what she could have with him and is determined to show him how great it can be. She is not about to let her dad, her brother, or the club hold her back. It’s like dynamite between them and she’s ready to light the fuse while he is avoiding the explosion.
“Be still my heart, my knight has arrived,” Dia singsongs sliding off the bar stool and half hanging on Toon.
Like all the Hellions, he has a demeanor about him that screams don’t fuck with me. The I don’t give a fuck if I go to jail attitude, they all carry stands out more with Toon. He is always aware of everyone around him. And like a ninja he can pop up without a sound. He doesn’t talk to any of us much, just the brothers in the club. I think that’s why Dia likes him, the mystery.
The challenge to get to know him. She is always calling him, seeking him out, and frankly pushing his buttons. He doesn’t take the bait though, ever. The man is a saint. He simply reminds her that it won’t happen and continues on.
“Your chariot awaits, Princess,” he mutters to her dryly.
I can’t help but laugh. I’m drunk and Toon isn’t even phased by Dia draped against him. He doesn’t seem amused, but he isn’t mad either. It’s like he knows this is Dia and she has obviously reached her limit. I don’t know why this is funny to me, but it is.
In a matter of moments, he has all three of us buckled in his car and headed home. The lushes we are, none of us had the coordination to buckle our seatbelts. Toon to the rescue. I’m sure he’s cussing us out in his head or wishing he called a prospect to take us home instead. Either way, he apparently has stepped up to the task. Maybe Dia was right and he’s our knight in shining armor. I wonder, can we share a knight? None of the fairytales talk about sharing him. Hmmm, yes, I am indeed drink to even think this shit. Hey, I don’t get out often. Might as well go big before I go home. That thought is why the entire car is spinning and he has parked for what seems like eternity.
At our complex, Toon opens the door and helps each of us out. Dia whispers, but it’s more a yell. “I don’t feel so well, Mariella. Don’t let me embarrass myself and puke on Justin.”
Quickly, my sister squeezes her best friend’s hand. “I got you girl.” She looks to me. “I’m gonna crash at Dia’s.”
I nod acknowledging her.
“Dia,” Toon says getting her attention on him. “That beast put up?”
We all giggle as drunk women do from time to time. The reference to Dia’s current rescue dog is funny. In the soberness of daylight, it’s far from funny, but right now it’s hilarious. Dia has a soft spot for animals. After losing her beloved chow-chow Sheba she encountered a new fur-baby.
Skye. The beast. The holy terror. The fear of mankind. Or as Dia calls her, just the baby. Whatever she’s called, she is a Dogo Argentino. The all-white mastiff doesn’t even have the trademark pirate eye patch some in the breed have. She is a snow-white monster. The dog is half blind, half deaf, and half stupid. But she’s loyal and fiercely protective of Dia.
Dangerously so.
For any of us to go to Dia’s place, she has to crate the dog. There is a reason for this, and BW had to learn it the hard way and for everyone.
BW is Doll’s older brother, he got worried once when Dia didn’t answer her phone. He rushed to her place, used the key he has to get in, and immediately found himself with an additional appendage as Skye latched onto his arm and wasn’t about to let go. Luckily, he didn’t need stitches, but the wounds took forever to stop bleeding and then weeks to heal fully.
He wasn’t mad like I expected him to be. As soon as Dia came out from her bath, she had been soaking in wrapped in her robe to call Skye off, he found a way to laugh about the whole thing. He learned a lesson in patience that day and we all learned exactly how far Skye will go to protect Dia.
“Yeah, goober is up. Your balls are safe, Justin.” Dia mutters as her face clearly shows her struggle to keep the contents of her stomach down. “I love you too much for her to get the prize family jewels,” Dia slurs.
“My balls, huh?” Toon counters.
Mariella and I both laugh before I answer, “Dia is determined it’s time to teach Skye to sic balls for any man that enters.”
Toon halts in place stopping us all as his eyes grow wide in seriousness. “Why in the fuck would any of you think that is funny? She tried to turn BW’s arm into a tug toy and now you are teaching her that balls are the number one target. There is something wrong with this.”
Dia pats his chest, “Oh Justin, I want your balls safe and sound. I promise she won’t get you.”
He rolls his eyes, “I feel so much better.”
We begin walking again making our way up to the building we live in. I branch off giving a quick hug to my sister in which Toon immediately stops.
“You get inside, and I’ll continue on. Not until you cross that threshold, and the door is closed and locked will we move on.”
I smile, “you’re a good man, Toon.”
“And you’re drunk, Maritza. Don’t tell me you love me. Just get inside.”
Getting inside my condo, I lock the door behind me and code the alarm to set for me being inside. My entire body is relaxed. I lost count of our shots and drinks, but I am definitely feeling great.
Hopping in the shower, the water teases my skin. As I get out and glide the towel against my naked body, heat flushes me. Going to my room, I climb in my bed after dropping the towel to the floor.
Twisting and turning, I can’t get comfortable. My phone beside me, I pick it up to see my screen picture of Hollis and Dillon. It was a beach day and Hollis is flexing his arm muscles with Dillon doing the same behind him.
Stupidly.
Bravely.
Ridiculously.
Whatever one can call it, I slide my finger across the screen and hit his number. Dillon “Karma” Jacoby is my kryptonite. It’s more than attraction. The man he is calls to me. He is strong, lives life by his own moral code, and believes in protecting his family. He can be rough but gentle at the same time. While it can cut deep, he’s always honest. I respect the man he is and the things he wants in life.
“Lo,” he answers on the second ring. His voice is raspy from sleep, and I feel my insides quiver.
“Dillon,” I whisper.
“Zizi, you okay, babe?” he livens up with his question.
“I’m okay.”
“You need something?”
I let out a laugh, “yeah.” Oh I need something, more like someone … him.
“What do you need?” he asks genuinely concerned.
I sigh, “I need you. I need you to come over here and have your way with me.”
“Maritza,” his voice is strained.
“Hush. I need you to come put your lips to mine. I’m gonna open for you and our tongues will dance together.”
“Baby,” he groans.
I let out a sigh. “You’re gonna cup my breasts, squeezing with your large hands. The callouses you have are going to heighten the way it feels against my soft flesh.”
“Fuckin’ hell,” is all he can respond before I keep going.
“Your hand is gonna roam south. You will find my pussy dripping wet for you, Dillon.”
“Where are you?”
I moan as I allow my free hand to run up and down my exposed skin only heightening my needs. “I am home in my bed.”
“Fuck,” he says as I hear the phone move from him shifting.
“You should know I’m naked.”
“Baby, what are you doin’?”
I hum as my desire climbs. “I am telling you, my fantasy. I’m gonna touch myself and come thinking of you. It happens often. But having your voice right here,” I slide my fingers between the lips of my pussy feeling my slickness as I begin to work myself. “It’s gonna be the best yet.”
“Are you drunk?”
“Possibly,” I half laugh, half moan as my pleasure is climbing.
I circle the edge of my opening teasing myself before letting my finger slide inside. “Can’t have you.” I pant. “Want you, God do I want you, Dillon Jacoby.”
I hear him growl, “don’t do this shit Maritza. Do not say my name while you are heady with want.”
“What are you gonna do about it, big boy?”
He gives me a sarcastic laugh, “Fuck around and find out, baby. You do this shit when I have my son and can’t come to you, but you best believe Maritza, this little fantasy you got goin’ on … this shit isn’t fair.”
“Are you hard, Dillon?” I tease, but truly want to know.
“Baby,” he starts, but I can’t stay quiet.
“Your hands, those working man hands, all over me. Working me in and out,” I pant as I pick up the pace fingering myself. I pull out to rub circles on my clit, and then back inside. “Your body over mine, under mine, behind me, and any other way you want to take me. Imagine it, Dillon. Your dick coated in my juicy desire, sliding in and out.”
“Maritza,” he whispers as I come crying out his name into the phone.
As I slow my pace allowing the aftershocks to flex around my fingers, I mew quietly.
“Thank you, Dillon. At least for this one moment, I can share an orgasm with the man who has my heart and doesn’t even know it.”
“Maritza,” he says again, but I cut him off.
“It’s okay. I will love you for a lifetime Dillon Jacoby even if I can’t have you.”
Feeling satisfied and tired, I whisper, “goodnight, Dillon. Sweetest dreams.”
I click the phone off not allowing him to reply as I tenderly curl into my bed allowing the sheets to rest onto my sensitive flesh.
I don’t want to think about how I have to see him in the morning. I don’t want to think about the way I drunk dialed him and spilled my secrets. I don’t want to think about the level of vulnerability in allowing someone to hear me cum. All of these things are bound to come up tomorrow. But that’ isn’t a me problem for now.
Nope, for now, he called me baby, he said my name, and I came harder than I have in my entire life.