Chapter 25
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Addy
“TGIF,” I whisper to myself as I get out of bed when my alarm rings.
Mongrel was true to his word. We talked every single night, and our conversations were so comfortable, without any kind of awkwardness and I feel like we got to know each other better.
There’s something intimate about talking to someone you’re falling for while you’re both curled up in your respective beds.
He understands more about some of the quirks I have, and even if he doesn’t completely understand it, remembering how he told me, “That’s just another part of you for me to love,” settled the anxiety that I had in my heart.
I may have been too much for the men in my past, but Mongrel thinks I’m just right.
My foibles may have turned other men off, but I suspect that Mongrel will be excited by them.
But tonight is the moment of truth, which is why I’m scrambling the way I am. Last night, I took a bubble bath so I could shave everything that needed shaving, so today, I just need to take my shower and make sure that what I wear underneath knocks his socks off.
“He said his favorite color is deep red,” I murmur as I lotion every inch of my body. “So, I think I’ll wear the ruby set.”
I may be nervous about the actual act with him and all it implies, but I’m not worried about what he’s going to see. I’ll never be model thin, but I’ve got curves in all the right places, and because I work out, I’m toned.
Finally done with everything I do when I’ve showered, I head into my room and start getting dressed. Slipping on the ruby red bra and panty set, I feel a sense of empowerment because nobody knows what I’m wearing beneath my clothes except me.
Until later.
Grinning, I put on a pair of white denim capris and one of my polo shirts with the logo on the left breast. “One pair of no-see-um socks and you’re ready to rock and roll,” I tell my reflection on the back of my closet door.
Today seems to drag with every single patient acting like a Grumpy Gus, even the sweet senior lady, Edith, who’s recovering from hip replacement surgery.
She’s somewhat fractious today, complaining about every exercise, and several times, she’s acted somewhat dazed and confused.
I finally sit down on one of the rolling chairs and ask, “Ethel, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
She grips my hand, hers showing surprising strength despite her age and says, “I don’t feel right, Addy.”
“Okay, let me go get your daughter. I think you might want to be seen at your doctor’s office, especially if you don’t feel well,” I reply. “Why don’t I help you into my office so you can sit in a chair that’s more comfortable?”
“Thank you, dear. I’m so sorry I’ve been snapping,” she tells me.
“Ethel, it’s how I knew something was wrong, because even at the beginning, you’ve been an absolute champ. But today, you’re confused and out of sorts,” I reply. “Now, have a seat, I’ll be right back.”
Walking to the front, I spot her granddaughter, Anita, and wave her over. Once she’s closer, I say, “I think she’s sick or something, she’s not acting like herself.”
“I thought the same thing when I picked her up and even mentioned it to the aide at the nursing home, but she said Granny was just old and that’s how they are sometimes,” she says, worry causing her to frown.
“I’m not a doctor or nurse, but she’s got altered mental status and told me she doesn’t ‘feel right’ so I believe you should take her to her doctor before taking her back to the home. She’s in my office, please let me know how y’all make out.”
“I will, Addy. Thank you for caring for your patients so well,” Anita replies.
My last two patients cancel their appointments so I’m done a lot earlier than I anticipated I would be. As I finish up my paperwork from today, I send a text to Mongrel.
Me: I’m done early today!
Mongrel: Just got back to the clubhouse. Do you want to come here? I definitely need a shower to wash off the road, but I can’t wait to see you. Otherwise, I’ll just head to you when I get done.
Me: I’ll wait at my house if that’s okay?
Mongrel: It’s always gonna be okay especially since I want to spend time with you and only you.
Me: Then I’ll see you soon.
My nerves are now those giant pterodactyls from the prehistoric era, flying around my gut and making me so nervous, my saliva has completely dried up.
“This is ridiculous on so many levels,” I mutter as I drive toward my place.
“Addison Marie, you know he likes you, he wouldn’t have made you his ol’ lady if he didn’t.
This is a natural progression of your relationship. ”
Shaking my head at my musings, I pull into a parking space, turn off my car then start the process of grabbing my work tote bag as well as my water tumbler.
Betty gives me shit about it, but I know if I can drink at least three of them, I get nearly eighty ounces of water in a day.
Once I have everything organized and my keys are in my hand, I lock my car then head to my front door.
Unlocking it, I head inside where I quickly and efficiently put everything in the tote away, before I head into the bathroom for a shower.
It dawns on me halfway through that I’ll be putting on another set since the ruby red one is now in the dirty clothes hamper, then I remember I have a deep purple and smile.
Somehow, I manage to get my shower to freshen up and fully dressed in weekend clothes when there’s a knock on my door. I try not to rush but it’s an epic fail and when I unlock it then open it, I’m pulled into his arms and thoroughly kissed.
His kiss is so thorough, I think everything I’m wearing has vaporized. My breasts feel heavy, even though his hands are cupping my face, and his essence surrounds me. “Mongrel, you’re home,” I breathe out when we finally pull back a little bit.
“Fuck, I missed you and this so damn much,” he replies, his voice husky and deep.
“Same,” I reply. “Let’s head out to grab something to eat, honey, then we can come back here and do whatever. I’m famished.”
“I am too, but I rode straight through to finish my trip, so I’d get back earlier. I think we’re both gonna want to make sure we’ve got sufficient carbs,” he teases.
“Mongrel! You should’ve stopped long enough to eat,” I chide. “You have to make sure to take good care of yourself.”
“Addy, I’m fine, but I’m gonna need my energy in a little bit,” he advises, which has me blushing like a whore in church.
And yes, I know what they look like; my damn mother was one for all intents and purposes, and she took me to church one time, and I was beet red the whole time because of how she acted, flirting with all the men, even those who were obviously married.
Shaking my head to clear that memory because she has no place in my life, I look at him and say, “Then let’s go, honey. ”
“I like that,” he mumbles, my fingers now laced with him as we leave.
“What?” I ask.
“You calling me honey,” he admits. “My brothers call me Mongrel, my uncle calls me Cam, and my sisters called me Cammy because they couldn’t say Cameron due to their age. “It makes me feel some kind of way.”
I smile as he leads me to his truck. Part of me wishes we were on his bike, but Gretchen told me it ramps up her libido and I don’t think I need any help in that department!
Once I’m in, he walks around the front of the truck before sliding in on the driver’s side.
“You all set?” he asks as he puts his seatbelt on.
“Ready, Freddy,” I reply, grinning at him. Jesus, if I don’t stop smiling like a damn lunatic, he’s gonna rethink things. Taking a few deep breaths, I ask, “Where are we going for dinner?”
“There’s a place just outside of town that serves huge baked potatoes that you can dress up any way you want.
They’ve got chopped pork, chopped beef, chopped turkey, some vegan shit, cheese, sauces, basically all the trimmings.
But the best thing on the menu, in my opinion, is their banana pudding. ”
“It sounds really good,” I tell him.
Dinner goes off without a hitch and just like our phone calls, our conversation flows as I share what I ethically can about my work week, as well as the fact that Janice is in even more hot water.
“And Mrs. Rockmartin told us today that according to what the forensic accountant has found so far, we’ll all be getting a check for retroactive pay that showed as being received by us, but was in fact, siphoned into Janice’s accounts!
I don’t know how I could’ve missed it, because I pay attention to my paycheck stub, but somehow, she managed it. ”
“It sounds like her goose is cooked,” he remarks.
“I think it’s past cooked and into burnt range,” I retort before giggling.
“Yes, I’m pissed off that she did that to all of us, especially because a couple of the therapists are single parents.
It’s hard enough to make ends meet sometimes when you’re single, but adding more people to the equation has likely had them struggling, even though we get paid well.
But her getting her just desserts is kind of funny because I’m sure she thought she wouldn’t get caught. ”
“Well, you’ll be able to do some retail therapy with the ol’ ladies when they start shopping for the holidays then,” he says.
“Definitely, and it means that I’ll be able to pick a couple more kids off the Angel Tree, too.”
“I wanna do that with you if that’s okay,” he says.
“You don’t mind shopping?” I ask.
“I mean, as a prospect, I did a lot of shopping for the ranch. I can handle it for specific periods of time, like two or three hours.”
“Sweet! Sometimes Betty can’t go with me, but I hate going by myself. It’s not as much fun,” I reply.
By the time dessert comes around, I realize that I’m quite full. He sees me looking at my bowl which is only half eaten and laughs. “Eyes were bigger than your stomach?” he teases.
“Yes, and I don’t wanna be in a food coma,” I whine. When he winks at me, I blush.
“Sweetheart, it’s not a one-time thing.”
“Good,” I whisper. “Because I’ve been patiently waiting for you to come home.”
“Then let’s get out of here.”