I walked the rest of the way and found Lily leaning on the sink with her phone pressed to her ear“Lily, what the fuck is your problem!” I snapped and snatched the phone from her hand“Hey!” she yelled and followed me out.“Connor!” I yelled into her cell. The man on the other side chuckled, “I can tolerate those stupid messages you sent me but trying to rope my sister into this nonsense? That is crossing a line!”“I can assure you Myra, I have not been texting you or your sister. I am a straightforward man and I preferred to do my business in person. Besides, your sister called me, not the other way around.” There was no hint of a lie in his tone. It was either he was telling the truth, or just really good at lying.“Give me my freaking phone, Myra!”“Shut up!” I yelled back at her. She quieted down but crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. “Now you listen, Connor, I don’t care what you have been telling her, I don’t even give a shit who contacted whom but you ever try to text
“ Where do you think you are going?”Lily rolled her eyes, “not to meet him.”I cross my arms over my chest, my excitement meeting an untimely end. “I can’t take your word for it. Get back to your room.”“No.”I cooked my head to the side, waiting, while Lily eyed me, trying to spot my bluff.“Ughhh! Why are you like this?” She yammered, “ I don’t want to be here anymore and I’ll write those freaking college applications you ask for, okay? I know how much you want to get me out of your hair.”The door slammed in my face before I could process what she had said. Did she actually think I wanted her to go to college so she would be away from me? I raise my hand up to try her door knob and realized Hannah’s call was still going.“You there?” I asked and pressed the phone to my ear. “Kids ammaright?” She said jovially. I groaned. “She’s probably just hormonal, puberty and all that.”I chuckled at that, “I think she’s way past puberty hormones, now it’s just ‘new adult crisis’.”“Look on t
I stumbled out of bed, my legs trembling underneath me and a hand over my mouth. I burst through the bathroom door and made a beeline for the bathroom sink. Barely a second later, the wave of vomit surged up from my stomach, and then, I was retching. Tears dotted my vision as I clung to the bowl. My stomach screamed in protest with each convulsive spasm that shook my body.As they subsided, I rested my head on the edge of the sink, exhausted and drained. I took several ragged breaths in that position before I lifted my head and turned the tap on, studying my face in the mirror as water washed down the contents of my stomach. My face was pale and clammy, and a sheen of sweat coated my forehead. I cupped my hands under the cool water and brought it up to my mouth to wash out the bitter taste of bile, then took some more water and splashed over my face. “First, the nightmare and now, this?” I grumbled as I pat my mouth dry with a towel. “I need a shower.”I got rid of my clothes quickl
“Now I want you to slowly lower your foot to the ground and twist into your warrior III pose again.” Yoga lady continued, clearly not sensing the tension in the roomZ I followed through with her instructions doing my best to breathe, not fall over, while ignoring Pierce’s eyes burning into me. Talk about tripling difficulty.“Derek, I didn’t think yoga instructor was in your job description when I hired you.” Pierce said calmly.“I didn’t think it was either, till Angie summoned me in here.”I craned my neck to the side and spotted Pierce with his suit jacket unbuttoned, arms akimbo as he waited for Angie’s response. His eyes were not on me but my body didn’t seem to understand that.Angie lifted a shoulder nonchalantly, “She looked like she was going to crack her head open on the floor, or pop something that shouldn’t pop. I took authoritative liberties.”“I see.” He turned to me and I looked away quickly. I was beginning to feel lightheaded and blamed it on my terrible breathing te
I blinked in confusion several times and looked at Ruth. She gave me her usual smile and skulked off.“Hey Jeremy, long time no talk.”“Hey hey heyyy! How’s you mini-vacay going?” I sighed and sat back on my heel. “I am tired of sitting on ice. When’s O’Malley gonna call me back?” “I don’t know either. Maybe he wants you to have the baby first? Anyway, we miss youuu. Jace is such a grump without you here.” I heard what I assumed to be Jace speaking and then Jeremy laughed. “So I heard rumors…” he started and my heart dropped into my stomach.“What rumors?” I asked nervously. Did they hear that I was living with Pierce, and if they did, where did they hear it from. I was sure, Jace I could not help but think about Elizabeth and how much of a secret she wanted this to be for a while. “About an interview with Destan, is this true? Spill the beans girl.”I chuckled, my relief leaking into my voice. “Yeah, it’s true. How’d you hear that? Destan’s guest are always a surprise.”“I have my
Cold air brushed against my skin and I shivered in response, rolled over in bed and pulled my covers tighter around my shoulders. Wait something wasn’t right, I was sure I shut the windows before I climbed into bed. No matter, I would rather freeze than get out of bed, I was way too comfy. Suddenly I heard a thud that sounded very familiar, and then the telltale curse. I opened my eyes, all traces of sleep gone and sat up in bed. The windows were open, but this wasn’t Pierce’s home. This was the house I was raised in. I didn’t have time to wonder how I was here, all I could think about was the sound I heard. It was so ingrained in my memory that I would recognize it any day.My father was back from one of his drinking sprees and stumbling through the house. Soon he would get mad at the random furniture for tripping him, even though they had never changed position since I was born. Then he would accuse us of moving them.In the room, lit up only by moonlight, I tiptoed to the door. I
My heart skipped a beat and I glanced at him through the mirror. I should’ve known this was coming, but a part of me hoped it would be delayed for a while, that he would be at work by the time I woke up.“I Uhh…I had a bad night.”“And and equally bad morning it seems.” He nudged his head to the sink as I wiped my hands. “Yeah. I might be coming down with something.”“Something strong enough to make you knock on my door at 2 a.m in the morning with a scared look in your eyes?”I gulped and turned to look him in the eye. Pierce was just praying for information, he didn’t really care. And I would rather rip my tongue out than admit I was running away from a man in my dreams. I shrugged faking nonchalance. “Look I had a crazy nightmare okay? Obviously my pregnancy hormones are working overtime to make me emotional so I overreacted. You don’t have to worry. The baby’s fine, I’m fine. Sorry for bothering you last night, it won’t happen again.“I marched past him and made it into his room
“Oh.” I answered lamely. “Or maybe you’re scared because dad is out of jail.”I shook my head, “let’s not think about that-““Theory confirmed. You’ve bottled up your worries and it’s showing up in your dreams.”“Lily, don’t ‘therapize’ me right now. And he has been out for a while, so why didn’t they start since. .”“We should check the old neighborhood. Find out exactly where he is.” She said out of the blue, I could immediately tell that she had been thinking about it for a while. “Yeah and lead him back to us if he’s there?!” My voice had gone up several decibels. I pinched my nose and let out a sigh. “Your first theory seems more plausible.”“Okay…”The second one was wrong. I mean she was right, I didn’t want yo think about him free and somewhere in the city probably. But that was because, thinking about it all the time would do us no good. “We should go down to eat.”“Sure.”“Hey uhmm, do you want to have a sleepover? Me, you.” Lily asked as we climbed down the stairs. I loo
I typed the name into google, having never heard the name before. Scrolling and reading while I peeled another pepperoni slice off my pizza. The mythological wife of Yahweh according to the Canaanite pantheon. Mother of sacred trees…Erased from history like most divine females. I slowed my chewing till it came to a halt. That last bit sounded familiar.A notification from Carter popped up on my screen. I opened it.-I understand that it could be taken the wrong way. But I consider her a powerful deity. Queen of the heavens. I think looking at you feels like I’m looking at the sky. I sat up on the bed and pushed my tongue through my cheek as I read the text over and over, trying to find a double meaning, or hidden insult. There were none.-I like Asherah. I texted back.l-I’m relieved. More dots hovered and I waited. Peeling a single pepperoni from the top of my pizza. -Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?”I looked at the text silently.-yes* * *The next d
Trevor emerged from beside the cars lined in the lot in a tailored armani suit. A simple engraved stainless steel brooch on his collared vest. Forever the stylish icon. “Miss Myra. You look good.” He gave a quick appraisal of my clothes.“Good to see you too Trevor.” I said, not slowing my pace. “I would ask if you missed me but I can guess why you’re here.”“Doing Mr Blackwood's dirty work obviously, now could you make my life easier and wait?”I stopped and crossed my hand over my chest and waited for him to catch up to me. “Was Pierce here today?” I did see someone watching us while we filmed, I couldn’t have imagined a whole human being no matter how bothered I was by him.He crossed his own hands in a similar fashion. “Do you really want me to answer that?”“Yes.”“Alright. He left the office- after acting like piss, I might add- then he returned even more pissy and handed me back the documents he had me painstakingly work on, and told me to meet you here.”“So yes?” That meant
I moved back, my eyes glued on Roberto as he stalked me with a wild look in his eyes. My legs hit the edge of the bedframe and I let myself fall back just as he reached for me. He creeped up my body slowly, hovering over my lips. I crashed my lips onto his a split second later. Here, at this moment, I wasn’t Myra. I was Amber Farnworth, a woman who had a harem of men at her beck and call. She didn’t love a man for over four years without him reciprocating, or lose a child.I twisted my head to the side to evade Roberto’s lips and he buried kisses in my neck. A simple movement caught my eye. Past the camera pointed on us on the bed, past the other stage crew or actors…Pierce? My heart skipped, filling me with more need than I could summon for this scene. Could it be him? I wasn’t sure. A cast member shifted slightly and when they returned back to their former position the figure was gone.“Myra, don’t break the fourth wall.” O’Malley called through the mega phone and Roberto sighed in
Hannah helped me lift the last of my things up the stairs to my new apartment. “So you like him?” Hannah asked as we rested at the top of the stairs. I had explained Carter’s words on an attempt to sort through what I was feeling. I didn’t know what it was. I chucked it up to guilt for treating him the same way Pierce treated me; assuming the worst of me. “I don’t like him. I’m just…conflicted.” Don’t get defensive, it’s not bad if you do like him.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “I just lost a child Hannah, not to mention the breakup with Pierce. I can’t ‘like’ anyone right now.” We picked up the bean bag and waddled all the way to my apartment. Heaving as we dropped the bag in the center of the living room. “God you should’ve asked Derek to help.” “Nope.” I answered, collapsing on the bag. As he drive me home after the sordid affair in the parking lot, he informed me that he was quitting. Derek was a good guy, and I would miss his company, but this gave us an opportunity t
“This looks rather cozy.” I said, stepping a step back and hitting Carter. His hands went around my waist to steady me. “It does? I didn’t notice.” There was a hint of laughter in his voice. When I glanced up, he was smiling at me. “I hear they have good food. We grab a bite and then we leave, it isn’t a big deal.” He cocked his head to the side, “not unless you make it.”“No it’s fine.” I stepped away from him, relieved that his hands freed me easily. I wasn’t even dressed for that kind of thing. I looked out of place here and I liked it that way. A server stopped by us with a smile and spoke to Carter while I hung in the background. When they were done speaking, he led me to a booth not far from the entrance. A smart choice since it eliminated the cozy feel.“So do you checkout new restaurants often?” I asked after we had been given menus.The crinkles in his eyes deepened. “I do, actually. Jace has acting as a hobby and I fancy myself some kind of food critic.” I raised a brow. “T
“O’Malley is certainly working us to death.” Jace said as he collapsed on the ground in the part of the woods we were shooting. I was wearing a sleeveless shirt and would rather avoid the sand totally, but was too exhausted to mind. I joined him on the floor, resting my head on his belly. Sophia, Bianca, Roberto and the others joined us on the floor or rested their backs against the trees.“How’s your play date with your brother going?” I asked Jace.I felt him shift under me. “Perfect. We are supposed to have one today actually.”“Is it cancelled?” A little part of me wanted to see Carter. Roberto saying he was flirting with me had forced the idea i to my head and it wouldn’t leave. Was I really so stuck up on Pierce that I couldn’t tell when a guy was openly flirting with me?“I’m trying to figure out how to cancel.”“You don’t want to join your family’s company.”“I’m just not ready for that part of my life yet. If only my parents would let me be for a while.” “I think we did go
I chewed on my lip and glanced back at the set. “I’ll have to decline. O’Malley’s is in the zone right now and could call me and Roberto anytime soon, I don’t wanna go AWOL on him.”Carter nodded sharply, his smile still bright and disarming. “Of course, I understand. Can’t steal the star of the show without warning. Maybe next time?”“For sure.” I smiled back. It felt good to smile.“See you around, Myra.” He gave a small salute in Roberto’s direction and walked away, my eyes still trainedbon his figure. I thought about how different he was from Pierce, with the charming easy smiles and calming demeanor. Carter still kept this boyish high school vibe, and he made it work.“Now that is how a rich man flirts.” Robert said. He had placed his hands behind his head and was smirking at me. The fabric of his shirt had gone up, exposing an inch of skin. I peeled my eyes away from there and focused on his words.“Flirting?”“Oh yeah.” I scoffed, “he wasn’t flirting with me, he’s just really
I stood at the hospital reception desk, my eyes fixed on the woman typing away on her computer. "Room or common room?" I asked, forcing my voice to be louder than it could go.She scrolled through the screen, her brow furrowed in concentration. "She's in her room today. She wanted to stay in bed."I nodded, settling back into the dull ache in my chest. I trudged up the stairs, and as I reached my mother's room, pushed open the door and stepped inside.It was dimly lit, I noticed a live plant in her room with wilting leaves. My mother sat in a chair, her legs swathed in a vibrant blanket with small flowery squares that I recognised as the project she had been working on. My lips tugged upwards briefly and my heart swelled. At least one of us was able to finish what we started.I swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. When I breathed out, it felt easier.“That looks gorgeous, mum.” I commented, and planted a kiss on the top of her hair. “You finally
I’d prefer we not talk at all, but refusing him could cause unnecessary drama.I led the way to the changing closet and shut the door, then moved to a wardrobe to keep the distance between us wide.“It’s good to see that you're back at work. Hopefully O’Malley hasn’t been working you too hard, what with the wound-““What do you want, Pierce.” I didn’t want to have conversations that sounded normal. I could not trust myself not to be pulled to him again. “Just wanted to check if you’re alright.” He removed his bandaged right hand from his pocket and scratched the back of his ear. “I know Sarah wouldn’t be dumb enough to find you again, but I couldn’t stop worrying.” I looked away from him, refusing to fall for his false display of emotion. Pierce always knew just what to say to keep me hooked while we were together. I wasn’t going back to that Myra. “I uhhh…. I also wanted to tell you that your dad is back in the penitentiary. He got into a bar fight with some old buddies of his. And