21. Abigail – “Music is the universal language of mankind.”-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
21
Abigail
“Music is the universal language of mankind.”-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I wash my dishes in the sink as I load the dishwasher. It’s been over a week now, and the main house has been rented out for half that time. Any time guests left, I took advantage of doing my chores in the lake house since his attached apartment is functional? but tiny, and I’ve had claustrophobia issues ever since I can remember. I couldn’t be in small places for long, and when I am, I start having panic attacks. I had no idea where I got this phobia, but my sister said it started becoming noticeable when I was six years old, so she would always take me outside to get fresh air. That was the only thing that would calm me down. I loved living in California, my apartment was small, but I spent most of my time out of it rather than in it. Besides, the view in this kitchen was gorgeous. I loved cooking here, and listening to my music outside while I sang to Whitney Houston or whoever I felt in the mood to listen to. I wasn’t joking when I said I loved the beach, but there was just something about being surrounded by trees, land, and lakes. It was not as extravagant as a beach, but it was simple and healing.
After loading up the dishwasher, I padded to the laundry room and removed my clothes from the dryer. After almost seventy-two hours, my mom finally reached out to me, asking where I had been. I’d gone so long without talking to them that I debated whether or not to answer her call. When I let the call go to voicemail, I felt guilty and immediately called her back. I told her I got an apartment for the summer and was just giving her and Dad space since they were trying to figure out their shit. When she asked if I got a job, I lied and told her I did and would be fine. I told her I found a very small apartment so it wasn’t much money a month, which was partly true. I didn’t find a job but this place was cheaper than any other apartment I would find. Can’t beat free. I still felt weird being here, rent-free so when Josh came to visit me a few days ago, and we hung out, I told him I insisted on paying him or his brother something, and if they didn't take my money, I would force them to somehow. Josh told me he would talk to Colt but I know that he was only telling me that to save face and shut me up.
As far as job hunting went, I was not having much luck. A bachelor’s degree in biology didn’t impress many businesses these days. Maybe in the smaller towns, but since Branson isn’t far from Monett, surrounding areas were becoming overpopulated, because people were moving out of Branson and Springfield and into smaller towns.
I walk across the wood floor with my laundry basket and drop it on the bed. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I slide my hand to grab it, not bothering to look at my screen.
“Oh my God!” Mel squeals. I have to hold the phone back from my ear. She’s so loud.
“Girl, the people there are either living under a rock or is it just you.”
“It’s just me,” I say, putting my phone on speaker as I drop it on the bed to fold my clothes.
“How did you not know Colt Killian is the quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals? I mean shit, he’s always on the cover of magazines or in hot sexy commercials for Nike or sports drinks. The man has got it going on, even if he wasn’t a football player.”
“Mel, you know I don’t have time to watch T.V. I’m always working or studying. Even if I did, I would rather cut my left hand off before watching football.”
“Girl, it’s called keeping up with the times. Even if you don’t like football, at least know who the players are to have an intelligent conversation with someone that may be into football. Have I not taught you anything? Men like a smart woman, but they like a smart woman who can fuck and knows about sports even more.” I hear the edge of her tone, and I shake my head slightly as a light rumble roars through my chest.
“Hey I know a little about football, I'm worldly.”
“Okay, then what is his nickname?”
“Bolt Colt,” I say
“Wow, impressive.”
She didn’t have to know I knew that a long time ago when Blake was alive.
“How many touchdowns did he have last season?”
“Uh-seven.”
“No, how many Super Bowls has he played in?” Mel asks.
“One?”
“Oh my God, do you even know who Brad Pitt is?”
“Realty? Of course, I know who Brad Pitt is. He is famous, not just an athlete.”
“Girl, Colt is famous too. Trust me. You’re just nuts.”
“Can’t argue there.” I agreed.
“So, what does it feel like living in his house? Have you sniffed his clothes yet?”
I laugh. “You are so weird. No. He doesn’t live here, even if he did, I wouldn’t be sniffing his boxers. I’d probably catch an STD if I did.”
“Ugh, you’re no fun.” She pouts into the phone.
“Okay, if you want me to sniff his boxers, I’ll do it just for you. ”
“Oh, bless your heart.” I hear her open up a package, and I can picture her eating red licorice.
“Besides, I haven’t seen him or spoken to him since the coffee rendez-vous we had.”
“Ya, but you said you left on good terms, for the most part. Except when you asked him if he’s still banging your cousin.”
“I didn’t ask him if he’s still banging my cousin. I basically was implying if he was, then he may be leading her on and shouldn’t be banging other girls at the same time.”
“Maybe that’s all she wants, Asher. Some women are DTF.”
“DTF?”
She scoffs. “Oh my God, I know you know what DTF means. Don’t tell me it’s been that long since you’ve been ravished? Or is sex no longer on your radar because it’s been so long?”
“I think about sex. And…i’ve had sex since then.”
“With who?”
Myself.
“Besides, You told me the sex sucked with Jared you ended up masturbating after because you never got off with him.”
“Well-”
“And what guy gets pissed when you try to bring up your sex life?”
“Guys like Jared.” I walk over and place my socks in my suitcase. I still felt uncomfortable taking my clothes out of my suitcase. I didn't like it. It made things feel too official, unpacking my clothes.
“Just wait until he finds out you're living in an NFL player's lake house. I mean, he’s going to flip the fuck out. Oh, and DTF means down to fuck. Something I’m sure Jared has been doing since you left, so you need to get it on with Colt.”
“Mel!” I scolded. First off, Colt dated my cousin. Second, he’s my dead best friend’s brother.”
“I know, that’s still so crazy to me. What are the fucking odds.” She says through a mouthful of food.
“Honestly, since I’m back in my hometown. It doesn’t shock me that somehow I’m reunited with Blake in some form or fashion since we were zodiac twins.”
“Here you go with that astrology bullshit. It’s called destiny. Fate. That means God wants you to fuck Colt Killian.”
I Slap my forehead. “You need help,” I say in a sarcastic tone.
“So have you masturbated to him yet?” I can practically see the smile behind her tone.
“I think you were born in the wrong month. You fit more of a Leo than a Virgo.”
“Don’t lie, I know you have?”
“No, I haven’t. I’ve been too busy looking for jobs.” I lie. Truth is, I have thought about Colt more than once. It was hard not to when I was staying in his lakehouse. And the last conversation we had, had me thinking of him fucking my brains out the way he said he did to Namoi. But when I realized I had been deprived of good sex, that’s all it was. I wasn’t attracted to Colt at all.
“Oh, speaking of jobs. My dad's friend Charlie owns a matchmaking company, and they are looking for someone to work remotely, so I told my dad to mention you.”
“They still have those?”
“Ya, but it’s an elite kind of dating site. The rich men pay thousands of dollars for these workers to find women online.”
“Seriously?” I ask.
“Dead serious. When you have that much money you can pay people to do just about anything. The girls you recruit sign up for free. So how hard can it be? I figured it’s something you could do even when you went back to school. Meaning, you can always move back here since it’s remote.”
I laugh lightly. “Well, thank you for thinking of me. But I doubt it pays well.”
“No, my dad talked to Charlie. I told him you needed a job to get out of your fucked up situation with your parents. But that was before I knew you were shacking up with the hot NFL player.”
“I’m not shaking up with him.”
“Lighten up. Anyways, my dad talked him into a salary with paid time off and benefits.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yup,” she says, making a popping noise with the p. “That’s my dad. He can sell ice to an Eskimo.”
“Oh my gosh Mel, thank you. This couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“I know. You can thank me by inviting me to stay with you and meet Colt in person, maybe we can do a little more than just meet, if you know what I mean.”
I shake my head as I bit back a laugh. “Okay, and I actually could use a friend out here.”
“What’s going on with your sister? I know she loves you.”
“Nothing, she’s just busy. I mean, she is married now with a new baby, and we talk on the phone, but it’s hard for her to get away since I live an hour away from her now, and you know my mom isn’t the biggest help.”
“Jesus Ash, I’m sorry. That’s got to be lonely.”
“It’s ok, nothing I’m not used to.”
“What have you been doing to stay busy?”
Masturbating, looking at jobs, then masturbating some more. I had an addictive personality, and that’s one of the reasons why I developed an eating disorder. It's part of the OCD, perfectionist in me.
“A lot, really. This isn’t Beverly Hills. I have to do all my own shopping, cooking, and cleaning on top of finding a job, but it looks like I can scratch that off my list.”
“Sounds kind of depressing,” Mel says.
I place the folded t-shirts neatly on top of my bed. “Ya, well, that’s the story of my life. Work, work, work, work” I sing-sang in a Rhianna tune.
“That’s why you need me. I’ll cheer that ass right up.”
I stop folding my clothes and let her words sink in. Mel would too. She’s so carefree and so resilient. Mel and I both suffered from eating disorders. It’s how we got so close over the years. We understood one another, but she suffered with lots of money and with parents who adored her, so it didn't seem as bad when she talked about it. It’s as if an eating disorder was glamorous, like she developed an issue because her life was too perfect, even though I knew that wasn't the case.
“I know, I miss you.”
“Aww, babe, don’t do that. You know I don’t like hearing you sound so sad. I’m already going gray worrying about your perky ass.” She says in a British tone since her father was in fact, English. So she got the accent down to a-T. Mel came from money, but what made me think she was truly rich was the love she got from her parents. I never got that type of nurturing. In fact, I can recall a handful of times my mom comforted me and none at all when it came to my dad.
“Stop worrying. Im fine. I just miss you and Josh, all of us seeing each other daily.”
“What’s that fool been up to anyway? Hooking up?”
I laughed out loud. “You know that’s one of his hobbies, and now that he is home, living off his parents until school starts, I’m sure he’s going to become a man-whore before he goes back.”
“Gosh, he’s such a slut.”
I can’t see Mel, but I can picture her rolling her eyes at the thought of Josh and him partying it up.
“You guys did date. It takes one t-.”
“Don’t you dare even finish that sentence. You know I was drinking a lot during that time of my life, which equals bad decisions.”
My cheeks started to hurt from smiling so much. I couldn’t remember the last time I smiled this much. I continued to put my clothes in my suitcase.
“We all go through a slut phase. At least Josh is hot, and you don’t regret fucking an uggo.”
I turn around and nearly piss my pants. Colt is standing in the room with a half-mooned grin on his smug face.
“Is that so? When was your slut phase, Ash?” He accents my nickname when he says it. I feel all the blood rush to my toes and feel my eyes bugging out so wide they feel like they may fall out of my sockets.
“Hey Mel, let me call you back. I’m getting another call.”
“You are? I thought I heard a guy,” She says through the speaker phone. “Are you sure you have another call or C-”
I hit the end call button before I can embarrass myself anymore.
“Uh, hi, what-what are you doing here?”
He cocks his head to the side and raises an eyebrow at me. I want to bury myself inside these bed sheets and hide. This is his place, you idiot. Why would you ask that?
“I mean, is, is everything okay? How was your trip?”
Colt took a trip with his son the week I have been here. That was part of the reason I decided to move in. It didn’t feel like I was intruding since he was leaving town on vacation.
“Great, and no, my house leaked in the kitchen the whole time we were gone. So I’ve been dealing with insurance all day and home retailers. But I figured I would come and find you first and let you know my son and I are here. I didn’t want to —” He looks me up and down.
“Walk in on any slut phases you might be going through over here.” He is holding back a smile. I can tell by how faint his dimple appears on his cheek.
Kill me, just kill me now.
My cheeks turn bright red, so I try to stay calm and breathe.
“Oh, um, no worries. I can just head back to my house if it’s a couple of days. I have all my stuff packed in m-”
“It won’t be a couple of days. It will probably be a couple of weeks, maybe a month.”
I try not to show the shock I’m feeling on the inside now. A freaking month? How am I going to stay here for a month if his house is being renovated?
“Oh, well, I can’t intrude, obviously you have enough on your plate.”
“Nonsense. I just need to unlist the property for the time being, at least until I have a better idea when the repair men will be finished. Anyway, not to bore you with all that stuff, we are ordering some pizza. I figured you might be hungry. You like cheese, I hope—Bodie’s favorite—but if not, I ordered a Philly cheesesteak kind with extra mushrooms. It has veggies on it, so it’s somewhat healthy.”
I’m standing still, not sure what is happening. Is he being nice? And how did he know that’s my favorite kind of pizza?
He claps a hand on the door. “Anyways, just thought I’d let you know. We’ll be in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”
He closed the door, and I finally let out the breath I was holding. What the fuck just happened. Did he just tell me I’m still welcome to stay here? Even while he and his son are here? Am I going to be forced to live with Colt Kilian? No, scratch that. Can I even share a living space with Colt Killian? The man I have hated for years.