◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦
Three hours later
“This chick must’ve been a mermaid in her last life.” I mumbled to myself softly as I watched that gorgeous lifeguard swiftly emerge from the sparkling water for the millionth time since we bumped elbows; Regaining her composure briefly before trotting around the beach with this ridiculously adorable, carefree smile. Her bronzed skin glimmered and shone in the sun shamelessly.
She stood out from everyone else without even having to try.
Dark strands were plastered around her oval face and long neck, as the remainder of her wet wavy hair danced behind in the wind. She looked like she just stepped out of one of those old Sports Illustrated magazines I used to catch my dad reading in secret as a kid.
Not in a bad way, though. She had something those sleazy broads didn’t; Class.
That hottie’s fucking legs could put the legendary Chun-Li herself to shame. Toned, with just the right amount of muscle to make me hot. I allowed myself to stare for much longer than I usually would before finally glancing down, then out at a few adrenaline junkies racing their boats in the distance straight ahead.
Reaching into the small green cooler we brought with us to the beach, I cracked open my fifth Stella Artois. Then another, and another after that. Things started getting hazy, but I kept myself grounded by focusing on her. I couldn’t help it, and didn’t want anyone else to try and snap me out of it either.
Turns out Erin was right, she was pretty damn busy. While I’d been downing beer like none other and baking to a light golden brown out here, Captain save a hoe spent all her time scolding and policing anyone who violated whatever weird beach rules nobody but lifeguards seemed to know about.
Considering how wasted I was, I’m surprised she hasn’t made her rounds over here to berate me yet.
Erin, who was laying on a large baby blue fluffy beach towel right beside me, hummed in annoyance. Her upturned nose was facing the clear sky above, black sunglasses bouncing off the sun’s reflection. Completely unbothered as usual.
“Just ask her out already, Sauce. What’s taking you so long to make your move?” My friend’s bored tone drawled. She wriggled on the blue surface, trying to dig into a more comfortable position. “It’s been a minute since you broke up with ‘what’s her face’. I’m shocked it’s taken you this long to find a replacement.”
There wasn’t any replacing Violaine, but try admitting that to Erin and see how well it blows over. Of all my EX girlfriends, she hated her the most. I guess that makes enough sense, considering Vee only hit me up when she wanted to get drunk, do a line or two of coke at my place, and fuck until we couldn’t feel our cunts any longer. I wasn’t ever a priority of hers, and so the second I figured out I was falling in love with an absent entrepreneur almost a year into whatever we had, I forced myself to cut ties. She didn’t return my parting call, because apparently I wasn’t worth the fucking time. It’s been a couple months since then, and I kept myself from spiraling by staying busy at Tasty Paws Incorporated and drinking when I was off the clock.
Here’s another thing I don’t cough up to; Heartbreak. I’d been romantically torn to shreds before Violaine, but all anyone has seen of the aftermath is my apathetic ‘life happens’ smile and resilient attitude. I always move forward, especially from people or situations that don’t serve me well.
That doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how to appreciate things while they were good, and I couldn’t deny that I probably wouldn’t meet another girl quite like my most recent EX girlfriend.
Who knows, maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.
I scoffed, glancing at my sunbathing friend for a moment before shifting my gaze back over to the lifeguard’s athletic physique. “I’m working on it...just gotta get her to notice me somehow. Something tells me Kate wasn’t a fan of my smooth talk earlier.”
“Kate? You know her name? Bitch, How!?" Erin questioned in surprise. I shrugged slightly, chewing on the inside of my cheek as I grinned in defeat.
“Yeah. I keep telling you my ears are like insanely sensitive. I heard the concession stand girl say it, and from the way she’s been treating me every time I go back up there I’m pretty sure they used to be...something.”
No joke. This gal was like, literally glaring daggers at just me, not Erin even once to level it out. Jealousy is a tragic disease, but I can’t relate because I’ve never been infected by it. Honestly I found the whole situation comical. Hey man, count me into all the drama! I like to spice things up a bit now and then.
“Doesn’t...the water look...great right now?” I slurred, slowly rising to my feet so as not to face plant into the scorching hot sand. I barely succeeded. Erin remained exactly where she was, half passed out on the towel right next to our cooler wearing a sarcastic smirk.
“...Sure, from afar. Where does your drunk ass think it’s going, Sawyer? I’m not getting up to chase you like last time.”
“Beaches are for swimming.” I retorted facetiously as I squished my long toes in the sand with every step I took. Personally speaking, I liked the grainy feel whereas most people I knew couldn’t stand finding sand in their bathing suits after a long day out here. I sort of treated it like an emotional souvenir.
“I’d feel a lot better if you drank a bottle of water first.” Erin’s concerned voice rang out after me, but I was already knee deep in the ocean. As the gentle waves lapped at and around my lower extremities, I kept shrieking with drunken laughter—completely enjoying myself. It wasn’t long before I lost my balance. At least I wasn’t so out of it that I couldn’t get re-positioned on my back. I was met with thin, wispy clouds streaking an otherwise clear sky.
Fuck me, it’s so....blue....I shouldn’t be out here relishing it alone!
“Come on, Erin!” I squealed with glee as the water carried me off. I heard her shouting for me in protest, but she sounded so fucking far away. An eerie feeling swept over me when I couldn’t hear anything else but the nervous ringing in my ears.
“ERIN!” I cupped my hands around my mouth and cried out hoarsely. The heart trapped inside my chest hammered relentlessly as I whipped my head all around, a panting mess.
Fuck, fuck, FUCK. I don’t see her any fucking where...
Suddenly, my limbs felt heavy and I wasn’t able to move. I struggled to breathe, becoming alarmed that I couldn’t real well. This was for sure a panic attack. I continued to gasp for air, looking to the right in horror as a huge wave was headed right for me. I screamed for help right before I registered a huge slap in the face, and then I went under.
Way, way under.
********************
❀ Kate ❀
“HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!”
As I was jogging back to the lifeguard tower, I heard desperate screams coming from the North side of the beach, and I felt my heart stop when I noticed who was running straight for me.
“PLEASE! MY FRIEND IS DROWNING! I-I CAN’T SWIM!” The brunette girl who apologized to me at the snack stand sobbed with widened dark eyes, and I nodded curtly before picking up the pace.
“WHERE IS SHE?” I barked urgently, bounding up the stairs two at a time for my gear. The girl cried harder, screeching out a location nowhere near us.
Fuck, okay. How am I going to do this?
My mind was on one thing and one thing only—finding Sawyer and getting her out of danger. When I reached the top, I quickly snagged my rescue tube resting against the wall and regarded a suddenly alert Tristan almost pleadingly. “We have a 906, I don’t think I can get to her in time.”
“Alright, let’s take the truck!”
I turned away from him, almost bumping into the wall in blind panic but managing to make my way toward our rescue vehicle. I heard Tristan blowing his whistle behind me, and several concerned gasps rang out around us as we jumped into the truck.
“Come with us!” I instructed the distraught dark haired girl from where I sat up front. Tristan started the ignition and began speeding toward the direction of Sawyer just as soon as her friend was inside the vehicle safely. I stuck my head out of the window frantically, searching for any sign of struggling movement as the sobbing woman seated behind me pointed toward a general patch of ocean Sawyer was last seen in.
“I-I told her not to go....she had too...too much to drink.”
“We’ll find her, honey. Try and relax okay?” Tristan glanced at his rear view mirror in an attempt to take control of the situation, picking up speed while I started blowing my whistle continuously.
“EVERYONE CLEAR THE WAY!” I shouted, using my core muscles to project as loudly as possible. My eye caught on to splashing several yards away, and I latched onto Tristan’s arm. “She’s over there! Stop, I need to get to her.”
The truck screeched to a halt, and I wasted no time flying into the salty ocean with my rescue tube. A crowd of people started forming, and I heard them screeching directions at me desperately as I fought against the water. My arms pounded into every wave, my voice growing hoarse from screaming.
“SAWYER! SAWYER, WHERE ARE YOU?”
Violent coughing to the right made my ears perk up, and I found Sawyer’s frightened blue eyes blinking at me rapidly as she struggled to stay afloat. The sight alone brought out an animalistic need in me to bring her to safety.
“Help! HELP! Please don’t let me die Kate!”
She knows my name? My heartbeat quickened. Focus!
“You’re alright! I’m not gonna lose you. Here, grab this.” I grunted, tossing her the tube and gasping emotionally when she clung onto it with a strangled cry. “That’s it, hold on tight. We’re going back to shore-”
“I’m...having a panic...attack....” Sawyer panted heavily, and I whirled around to find her looking dazed and disassociated. Without thinking, I swam over and looped one of the blonde’s long arms around my shoulders. Holding onto the rescue tube together, I faced Sawyer with a soft sigh.
“I get them too...it’s okay, you’re with me. I’m trained to help. Do you need any medical assistance?” I began kicking my legs, propelling us toward civilization. I felt her wet fingers digging into my upper arm the faster we moved along.
“I...I don’t know...” She whined in disorientation, making me nod with understanding. I didn’t want to stress her out any more than she already was.
“YOU GOT THIS, KATE?” Tristan yelled from where he and Sawyer’s hysterical friend were waiting a few feet away. Groups of people littered around the scene, and I could feel dozens of eyes on us as I helped a shaky Sawyer lay on a wet patch of sand nearby. This girl was so scared, I had to try and calm her down before I determined anything else.
“Can you breathe? Does your chest hurt?” At the moment, all I could focus on was Sawyer and getting her to take it easy. The beautiful blonde stared up at me with a vulnerability I didn’t expect, and before I could say anything else, her vibrant blue eyes rolled back within a moment’s notice and she passed out. I whipped my head up from where I was still kneeling beside an unconsciousness Sawyer, and found Tristan quickly dialing a number. He was by our side in a second, checking for a pulse. I cradled her head carefully and bit my lip as he started rambling in a sure voice.
“The location is Naples beach, my name is Tristan Blankenship and I’m the Aquatic supervisor on shift. 901 N, I repeat, 901 N we need an ambulance down here as soon as possible.”
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ Five and a half hours later, NCH Baker Hospital “...I can’t breathe. God I can’t catch my breath. Don’t leave...please? I’m scared...” Recollections of earlier this afternoon at the beach started rushing forward the moment I came to from a short nap I’d been taking, and I blinked slowly in confusion as my head lolled to the side seemingly on it’s own with leisure. The smell of rubbing alcohol was strong, making me wrinkle my nose. You know that feeling you get when you know where you’re at, but not? That’s sort of what waking up at NCH Baker, especially like this, felt like for me. Did I...really admit that I was afraid to someone? To...the lifeguard who saved me. Kate? I could still feel the warmth of her steady hands clasping onto one of mine as I was fading in and out of consciousness. Paramedics gave me the creeps, and the last thing I wanted was to be strapped down on s
❀ Kate ❀ “SO...IS KATE SHORT FOR SOMETHING?”Sawyer shouted over the deafening sound of whipping wind once I pulled away from NCH Baker, and merged onto Interstate 75 North. I stole a side glance at her, feeling a grin beginning to tempt the corners of my mouth in the process. She’d rolled the window down completely and was sticking half of her thin body out into the crisp night air; As expected, Sawyer was acting completely reckless and impulsive—but she was just sofun lovingI honestly couldn’t help but look on in fascination. Sawyer’s teal colored tank top bellowed against her taut stomach sexily, and I resisted the urge to bite my lip at the sight of all that flawless silky skin. She had the cutest little mole right by her left hipbone too—Ugh, I’msuch a suckerfor beauty marks. This chick really is something else entirely. We’d been acquainted not even a full 24 hours, and
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ Two 1/2 hours later My mind was slowly churning to unrecognizablemush,but I was helpless to stop any of it from happening; The wild animal I’ve awakened inside Kaitlyn toyed with me ferociously, and I’d lost all track of time as I sank deeper into her deliberate lust induced spell. Feverish grunts and screams echoed off the walls, but my ears ceased to register who they were coming from. Even my own sounded foreign andexcitingbefore long. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been so...riled upfor someone, anyone really. There I was though, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. “...I’m obsessed withevery inchof you...” Kate rasped gently, giving the sore nipples she’d been sucking on a brief respite so I could attempt to catch my breath. A warm, wet trail started to descend south of the border—and all I could d
❀ Kate ❀ The next morning Fuck Kate...what did you do!? Wind chimes clinked together delightedly overhead, but I wasn’t sure where they were coming from exactly—just that they seemed to mock my presence. I didn’t even have to open my eyes to know where I was. Or more importantly, to seewhowas staring right at me while I laid damn near motionless in her by now all too familiar bed. “Heh hehhhh..” A delicate chuckle confirmed my worst realization, and I groaned internally. The mild, fragrant scent of our sex was present all around in the air—an inescapable reminder of my fucking mistake. Pun absolutely intended.I’veneverslept with someone the same day we met, much less committed about 98 sexual acts I didn’t even know I was capable of performing.Kill me now, don’t hold back. “...So you’re still here after all, Kay.” Sawyer’s voi
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ I felt so fuckingpathetic, sitting across my dining room table from Kate while we quietly dug into the blueberry french toast I prepared for us not ten minutes ago. Her remarkable hazel eyes were aflame with questions I had no plans on answering, not because I didn’t want to...but I just couldn’t bring myself to get into what I’ve been so carefully avoiding. Not again. Riskinganotherdownward spiral didn’t sound like the sort of hellish party I wanted to attend. That stuck up bitch in the old photograph Kate held in her hands before I grabbed and broke the frame encasing it, is my most recent EX girlfriend; A.K.A a prime cause for the majority of my slew of idiotic drunken escapades. If one could even call her that.We weren’t official after all, but Violaine Gagnon gleefully yanked and played with my heart strings like the manipulative, master puppeteer she is...and themore
❀ Kate ❀ Three days later “Okay, you’re straight upglowing. What’s going on Kater Tot!? I need the detailsSTAT.” Tristan gawked at me with twinkling sable eyes while we packed up our gear for the night. I’d just made it back to our lifeguard tower a few minutes ago, and was finally letting the excitement I’d been feeling all day manifest outwardly. It started with humming a catchy love song I couldn’t remember the lyrics to, and apparently now that elated energy was radiating right off of me. I beamed in response, lacing my fingers against the back of my head as I twisted from side to side lazily. I’m pretty good about stretching throughout shifts, but my mind wasn’t really focused on that routine at the moment. “Must be this sheen of sweat from jogging up here, Triscuit; That’s the only ‘glow’ happening tomyskin.” Sarcastic laughter rang in the air.His.I
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ SMS:Alright, I think you’ve been salty over what happened Thursday night long enough. Don’t you? Get it out of your system and text me back already. It’s been almost a week dude, let’s hash it out in person if that’s easier. We aren’t 18 anymore though, so grow up! I quickly texted Erin as Kate and I anxiously endured the line to ride this massive multi-colored hot air balloon I booked for our first date, letting out a haughty sigh before shoving my phone in the front pocket of my jeans with a slight frown. Since Friday morning, I’ve sent overa dozen messagesand received jack shit in response. My peace making invitation for a impromptu movie night went ignored even, and Erinneverpasses those up unless she’s had a rough day at work and wants to veg out alone. If my homemade buttered popcorn and an icy cherry Coca Cola wasn’t enticing enough, she must bea hell o
♬ Blythe ° One week later Short notice giving morons; Why would they book my flight the morning before I’m supposed to be working on this project? I’ve ONLY been asking for more information on next steps all month. The tranquil dinner rendezvous for one I’d been enjoying at a local bistro was cut short about twenty minutes ago, a mild irritation considering I haven’t gotten much time for myself in weeks. I’m not usually the type to discuss private or business affairs while out in public, and even if I were, I knew I needed to get back home to prepare. Still wearing my plain black t-shirt and matching slacks, I hadn't even stopped to change. I’d much rather be munching on my ruben sandwich that’s now sitting in a to-go container on the kitchen counter than rushing around like a crazy person, but this is what I get for making myself readily available for assignments. “Are you there, hon? I think I
Thank you ALL for hanging in there while I finished “The Butterfly Knot.” What a hell ride it has been, let me tell you. I remember when I first started writing this novel. My life was so much different back in September of 2020. I was involved in a poly triad, and realized I didn’t fit into their equation. I’m one of the original partners, and ended my seven year relationship so my EXs could be together. This book was supposed to be dedicated to them; Thus I’ve changed the ending at least 89 times. It’s taken me almost two years to publish this novel, making it my longest project to date. I started it September of 2020, and finished writing the Epilogue May of 2022. That said, I still feel polyamorous relationships are every bit as valid as monogamous ones. Honesty is your best policy, as Sawyer learned the hard way. ‘The Butterfly Knot’ wrote itself. Ironically enough a book that should have included intimate details about my own experience in a triad aren’t found in the script.
✎ Third Person POV ➳ Four months later, Hayes Concert Hall “Good evening! Here’s your program; Enjoy the show. Hello! Take a program ma’am, yep, follow the lights down that hall over there—” An enthusiastic young usher in his early twenties was handing out gorgeous black concert pamphlets written in elegant white cursive text faster than he could speak, thrilled to share everyone’s excited anticipation. Several sentiments of thanks were passed back and forth. Hayes’ grand entrance room was the only brightly lit space in the building. A soft, classical ballad hummed from every hidden overhead speaker—welcoming one and all into it’s timeless essence. Sawyer was next in line, and she plucked a program with two fingers and a thin smile. Purchasing a onyx pantsuit for this occasion, the fashion obsessed snow white blonde stood out from the crowd with stunning gold jewelry and the right pair of ivory pointy toed kitten heels. She wore Blythe’s collar proudly while out and about, always
Author’s note: My last memo (on Chapter Thirty-Nine) didn’t post for some reason, so I’d like to add it here. The last two installments (Chapter Forty and Epilogue) of ‘The Butterfly Knot’ will be told from the third person to adequately cover all of my characters’ feelings, thoughts, ECT. They will also be a bit longer, as the last few chapters in my novels traditionally are. So sit back and please, leave a comment or review if you’re so inclined at the end! *** ✎ Third Person POV ➳ Jesse Giusti was well beyond furious at this point. He impulsively showed up at Erin’s apartment complex fifteen minutes ago with a plan; Confront his former side piece after she oh so eloquently left that damn trash bag chalk full of unfaithful endeavors for his distraught wife, Adela, to find. That led to a detailed email search and seemingly endless interrogation session that lasted late into the prior evening. Through mindless screaming and tears of anguish, Adele left with their school aged
° Nixx ♫ Six hours later Where the hell is Sawyer? Blythe asked in surprise. Didn’t she say 5:30? I stole another glance around before taking a long swallow of alcohol from an expensive crystal glass. Not here, and yes she did. We’re leaving if she doesn’t show soon; We’ll just have to pick this up another time. Blythe insisted we wear her navy blue pants suit, but it’s getting hot as hell in here. Could be nerves, but it’s probably just Florida and their obsession with keeping fine dining establishments as sweltering as their summers. I shrugged out of the jacket, revealing our white satin long sleeve. It was buttoned just above our cleavage area if we had any to speak of, and rolled up at the elbows. What other time, Nixx!? This is it! We’re staying. Blythe argued firmly. If I walk away now you know we’ll both be walking away from Sawyer. I’m not ready to do that yet. Fine. I sighed in irritation and lifted the glass back to my lips. I’m on my second whiskey straight, and st
❋ Erin ❋ I couldn’t stop thinking about it; Like a nagging migraine working it’s way to the focal front of my brain. My relationship—every word, promise, and action—was a lie. I’m on my way to Jesse’s private residence; A high rise apartment he never told me about. I always assumed he was whisking me away for romantic vacations elsewhere—as if some coffee shop manager were that special to a big shot executive. During our breakfast date earlier in the week, I asked Jesse what he thought about kids over Eggs Benedict and freshly squeezed orange juice; Seeing as he has a couple and all. Figured this could be a good chance for him to let me know, right? Expectations suck ass. “Oh uhhh, I’m too busy for them.” He muttered with what sounded like a nervous chuckle. That alone turned me off to anything else he had to say. I acted like everything was on the up and up as we ate, until it was nearly time to get going. Then after pretending to go to the restroom, I slipped away and called Sa
♬ Blythe °Saturday Afternoon What does one wear to meet their girlfriend’s concealed lover on a beach? I asked Nixx dryly while accessing an array of options neatly tucked away in three white drawers. We’re so used to living out of a suitcase as it is on account of traveling for work; Bringing myself to unpack the same night I flew in turned out to be a blessing in disguise.This room has the perfect amount of storage and space for me to move around in as I pace around with music sheets until late at night, visualizing a very rewarding end to this tiresome year; For all involved. Everyone is finally starting to improve at the concert hall—I’m just trying to speed up their progression as a whole. It’ll all be worth it, I hope. Either way I’ll be compensated but I do what I do to make beautiful music come to life.That’s the ultimate payout.I check into the same
❋ Erin ❋ “Yes mama! I lock up shop every night. Don’t worry so much.” “You know I ALWAYS worry, you patient girl.” My Italian bred mother, Kritzia, sighed dramatically over the phone as I was picking up my bedroom. It was late, and I just wanted to snuggle in bed with a good romantic comedy after the long day I had. Among the most enjoyable activities that went down during my shift were bitchy customers, running out of our specialty coffee flavor three hours before closing, and two call outs. Ugh, I need a new job like nobody’s business but I’d never leave. They took good care of me all things considered. “Hmmhmmm, I do.” Throwing my dirty uniform in the hamper, I slipped into a white spaghetti strap top and some grey joggers. “If worrying were a sport, you’d be headed for the big times ma.” I grew up with an overbearing Tuscan mother and a military father from Amherst, New Hampshire. We moved around a ton thanks to The Marine Corps,
❀ Kate ❀Four months later “How does that make you feel?” Tristan hitched his chin in the direction of Naples Beach’s resident snack stand. I squinted, using a hand to shield my eyes as sun rays threatened to blind them.“What are....oh.” Following my best friend’s gaze, I was mildly shocked to find a petite girl with smooth cocoa skin and a thick black ponytail leaning against the metal counter—flirting heavily with Danica. My first instinct might have been to feel badly for her, because she’s not Dani’s type at all. Too small. Scrawny, doesn’t look like she’d be much fun in the bedroom.But my EX was smiling like an idiot, and from here she actually looked engaged in whatever bright orange bikini was saying. Meh, good for her.“Why should I care?” I laughed in bewilderment and shot Tristan a pointed look. “We haven’t spoken i
♬ Blythe ° It was a shame I didn’t bring any ropes or my strap along on this business trip. Of course I probably would have laughed at the mere idea of meeting anyone in Naples, even for a series of temporarily good times. Yet here she is, little Sawyer (who at 5′9 isn’t ‘little’ to many, but is in comparison to me) with her gorgeous porcelain ass in the air, awaiting my cruel attention. I'll have to remedy my actions before packing for my next flight back to Naples next month. Even without restraints, I remained in control of her trembling body. Sawyer playfully attempted to put up a fight while I was trying to access the sensitivity of her ultra soft skin so...she had to be punished, naturally. Fern used to cower at just the displeasure in my voice, and other submissive women who have served me before her quickly learned their places. Miss Driscoll....she’s different. This exciting bundle of raw nerves is squ