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Chapter Twenty-Four: Beer and A Fire
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Trick Chapter Twenty-Five: The Past
HadleyI hear the front door to his apartment slam, and my hands shake. I've never had the kind of reaction I have to Trick, to anyone else. It's like a current flowing through both of our bodies, an electrical jolt that would make my heart start beating again if it stopped. Nervousness courses through my body, and I try to examine why I'm nervous. Because he's going to be honest with me.Because I'm going to be honest with him.I haven't opened myself up to a person in a long time. The last person I opened up to tried to use anything I ever told him to hurt me in the divorce proceedings. My brain knows that's the kind of man my ex was, but the irrational part cautions me against opening up to anyone else ever again. Even though it's lonely, it's easier that way; no one to hurt you in the long run.But in the last year, I've started to feel the loneliness. Not all day, and not even every day, but it's there, in the back of my mind. It's there when I want to watch a non-kid
Trick Chapter Twenty-Six: Raw
TrickI'm so fucking raw after I've explained to her what originally got me in trouble, but I know I owe her the rest. "It's nothing like what happened the first time," I run a hand under my nose. I can blame the cold on my nose running, but truthfully I get emotional when I talk about what I did. Nobody can ever punish me as much as I've punished myself."Thank God," she whispers, as she squeezes my hand."I run, every other day, it helps me keep my moods stable. If I'm pissed, sad, lonely, whatever, I either hop on the bike or run, but running helps more. This asshole down the street who runs the junkyard got a dog a few months ago. The prettiest little fawn Pitbull I've ever seen in my life. He had her tied up, and was feeding her raw meat, and all the shit dickheads seem to think they're supposed to do with junkyard dogs," he turns to face me. "I swear, every time I would run by her, she'd look up at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen. It was like she was begging me to g
Trick Chapter Twenty-Seven: Don't Leave
HadleyMy knee shakes as I sit on the couch in Trick's living room. The damn cat has taken up the seat next to me and keeps looking up at me. I swear he's taunting me. Five minutes ago, Trick asked me if I wanted to shower first, and when I said no, he went into the bathroom and shut the door. I can hear the water, and my imagination's running wild.I don't want to have sex with him tonight, it's too soon, but dear Jesus it's been a long time for me, and the man is hot. Not to mention the emotional baggage we laid out for each other earlier. I just need some human contact. I need someone to hold me, I want to feel someone's lips against mine, fingers digging into my flesh. I'm raw, and I don't want to deal with the emotional fallout of my past by myself. I've been doing that for such a long fucking time. There's a bottle of Jim Beam on Trick's counter, a sign I should do what I'm thinking of doing.Getting up, I march over to it, rip the top off, and take a fortifying drink. I h
Trick Chapter Twenty-Eight: In The Shower
TrickI've had a lot of women in my life. Some of them I truly cared about, some of them were there for one night to keep my bed warm, or to make sure I wasn't lonely for a few hours. None of them have made me breathless with the first kiss. Not one, and as I pull away from her neck, I'm panting like I've run a damn marathon.She slips slightly against my hold, and I press my hand against the shower, tightening my other arm around her. "Goddamn, woman," I breathe deeply, her scent rushing through my pleasure receptors. I love this scent, it's everything she is. Coconut with a hint of spice. I've never thought of a more accurate description of the woman I'm holding in my arms right now. And knowing she came to me? Fuck, that does everything to me, makes me feel like I'm fucking bulletproof.Picking her up against me, I turn around to cut the water off. If I'm going to do this with her, it's going to be somewhere I'm not scared I'm gonna break a bone or pull a muscle. Letting go of
Trick Chapter Twenty-Nine: I Loved Buy Husband
Hadley"How are things going with Patrick?" Rebecca stares at me, and I swear she can tell just by looking, that Trick and I have been spending time together. It's almost like she knows I've been having inappropriate thoughts. Not that we've done anything inappropriate yet, but after spending the night with him, I've done nothing but think about everything we could do to each other. All. the. Time. Giving him a blow job and him getting me off wasn't inappropriate, right? We're both consenting adults, both sure of what we were doing with one another.Why do I feel like I'm lying to my mother after being out with my boyfriend the night before? Can she see the fucking hickey I have on my neck?"Good," I answer, nodding. I figure offering as little info as possible is the best way to not blow our cover. She seems super intuitive to anything and everything. The last thing I want to do is get someone else involved in a relationship that neither I nor Trick is prepared to put a label on
Trick Chapter Thirty: Pumpkin Patches
Trick"All right Sprite, which one are we getting?" Hadley's let us come hang out at a pumpkin patch while she meets with Rebecca. I'm nervous with her by myself, but I'm grateful Hadley trusts me enough to have alone time with Riley. Halloween is coming up, and we're picking out a couple of pumpkins. I think Sprite's grown a foot since the last time I saw her a few days ago. How can her dad not realize what he's missing out on? "We need three," she puts her hands out in front, counting on her fingers. "One for me, one for you, and one for Mom.""Then we'll get three." Damn good thing she rode with her mom, because all those aren't going to fit on my bike. "You ever carved one of these things before?""No," she shakes her head. "Last year we painted ours, but this year I wanna carve it. I saw this show on TV where a family got together and did it."So that's what this is about. She wants something normal, and who doesn't? She's a little kid who hasn't had a normal life in
Trick Chapter Thirty-One: Flirt
HadleyI'm almost positive these two have picked the three biggest pumpkins they could find to bring home and carve. "Are we even sure these will fit in the car?" I joke as we make our way to where I've parked. For a few minutes I can almost believe we're a real family. I'm pulling a wagon, and Riley's perched in Trick's arms, jabbering away about carving these pumpkins. On my way over to meet them, I stopped at the grocery and picked up stuff to make us dinner, and Trick's mentioned s'mores again. Maybe one day, this really can be my family. I stop at my trunk, opening it, while Trick walks Riley over to the backseat. "I'll get those," he yells, so I can hear him, as he buckles her in. Another thing I'm not used to, someone helping me with all the heavy lifting. It's a lot harder for me to get used to than I ever thought it would be. I fought hard for my independence, and it's hard letting someone help me. Which, I'm aware, is completely insane. Trick finishes up with
Trick Chapter Thirty-Two: Tux
Trick"I have a little bit of work I need to finish. It shouldn't take me any longer than you cooking," I tell Hadley when we get back to the apartment. "The guy is picking his bike up tomorrow," the tone of my voice is apologetic, and I hate I have to do this to her, but spending all the time with her yesterday cut into my work day."That's cool," she doesn't even seem pissed. "This'll take about an hour from start to finish. We can eat, carve pumpkins, and then head on home.""Or you can stay and watch a movie," I blurt out before I can stop myself. I want to convince her to stay. Having her here last night was the highlight of my week. Hell, the highlight of my month, maybe even my year."Sounds good to me," she looks over at Riley. "What do you say?""As long as I get to play with Tux, I don't care." We both laugh. Decisions are so easy when you're six years old. "Then I guess we're staying," she answers, washing her hands in the sink."Alright, I'm gonna go get what
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Trick Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Biggest Trick of All
TrickIf anyone had told me three years ago I would be where I am right now, I would've laughed, called them names, and probably punched them in the face. Now? I'm just thankful that I can call this woman who sits on my right my wife and the little girl who's going to come onstage very soon, my daughter. Giving my attention to the woman up front, I pay attention as she speaks."It's my privilege to introduce to you some of our students who have moved up an age bracket this year to the eight to twelve-year-old group. Many of them started with me when they were four, and I've been incredibly lucky to see them grow. They've become amazing pianists, every day I'm constantly amazed by what I learn from them, and what I witness them do. Up first for the eight to twelve-year-olds is Riley Tennyson."I'm not going to lie, every time I hear someone say her last name is Tennyson, it gets me in the chest. Not long after we were married, the adoption went through and we officially became a f
Trick Chapter Fifty-Six: That's My Man
HadleyAlmost Three Years LaterI glance down at my phone, shifting in my seat as I cross my legs, and take a deep breath. Trick should have been here twenty minutes ago, and would have been if I wasn't so damn forgetful. He'll never forgive himself if he misses this, and it will be completely my fault. There's ten more minutes before the lights go down and the rest of the recital starts. Pursing my lips, I wonder if I should text him, but if he's driving, he won't answer the phone anyway. Not to mention for the past six months, I've already been a hell of a distraction. People are milling about, and I happen to be looking at the auditorium doors when they open and in steps my husband. I lift my hand up so he can see where I'm sitting, waving him over. "You made it," I smile over at him as he slides into the seat next to me, carrying the flowers I'd forgotten. "I was worried I wouldn't, traffic is crazy out there with it being close to Christmas and all. Did I miss her?"
Trick Chapter Fifty-Five: Will You Have Me?
HadleyI check the clock on my phone, before I turn back to my computer. I took the day off work to get caught up with my Etsy orders. If it keeps up the way it is, I'm going to be doing the Etsy thing full-time. Trick and I have been talking about it a lot lately. Trick and Riley should be here soon, I just hope he hasn't forgotten he had to go pick her up at school after he ran his errands.It's stupid I'm even thinking this way, because if there's one thing about Trick, it's that he'll never forget his Sprite. The thought warms my heart. Just as I pick up my phone to call him, I hear their footsteps on the stairs leading up to the apartment. Next month though, we'll have an inside entrance. The loan for the building next door went through, and we're working on expanding our apartment. I can't wait."Babe!""Mom!"I hear their voices as they come through the door. "I'm right here," I whisper from the kitchen table. Tux and I aren't a full ten feet from the door.They laug
Trick Chapter Fifty-Four: The Pink One
TrickFive Months LaterNervous doesn't even begin to cover how I'm feeling right now. I've never checked Riley out of school, but today I'm doing it. "Just sign here, Mr. Tennyson," the secretary tells me, after they've checked my license against the sign out sheet for Riley. "She'll be here in a few minutes, if you wanna have a seat."It's been a long time since I've been in a school office. I glance around, layout still looks the same, even if everything else is a bit more technologically advanced. These chairs aren't made for someone with my height, and I check my cell phone, seeing how much longer I'm going to have to wait for Sprite. I adjust in the chair, right as the door opens, and in she walks."Trick!" She runs over to me, as I stand and grab her in my arms. We just saw each other this morning before Hadley took her to school, but Sprite and I, we have a bond. "Hey Sprite," I set her down, grabbing her hand. "You ready to blow this popsicle stand?"She giggle
Trick Chapter Fifty-Three: Some Serious Kissin' Going On
Trick"Mom, are you sure it's okay for us to break tradition?" Riley asks, her eyes wide as she gazes at the Christmas tree box sitting in my apartment."What's normal tradition?" I ask, opening the box up with my knife.Hadley smiles at her daughter. "Normally we wait until December 10th, we put on A Christmas Story,and we decorate while watching the movie play over and over again." "It's only a few days before the tenth," I look at my phone. "Today's the fifth, and if you want to watch the movie, I'm sure it's on Netflix. Why don't you go look, Sprite."Riley scampers off to find the remote so she can check on the movie situation. "Thank you for this," Hadley leans in, circling her arms around my neck. Sitting down, it's easier for her to give me a hug while she stands over me."We've had a hell of a day. I can't think of anything better to top it off than what we're about to do right now. Besides," I turn so I can see her. "In all the years I've lived here, I've never
Trick Chapter Fifty-Two: She Lives In Her Converse
HadleyWe've been sitting in this mediation room for almost an hour, waiting for Phillip and his attorney to appear. The magistrate checks his watch. "We'll give them a few more minutes."I don't want to give them a few more minutes. They knew as well as we did, the time they were supposed to be here. This is completely typical of him. Expecting everyone to wait while he takes his time, doing whatever it is he feels is more important than what's right in front of him. I know without out a doubt, this is how he'll treat Riley if he gets custody of her. I hope it makes an impression on everyone sitting in the room.Just as we're about to get up to leave, the door opens and in walks my ex-husband. He's aged years since the last time I saw him, he looks weak and maybe a little frail. For a few seconds I wonder if he's sick, and the reason he wants to have contact with Riley now is because he's dying. Then I realize men like him don't die slowly. They go out in a blaze of glory, shock
Trick Chapter Fifty-One: Touch Yourself
TrickI know exactly what Hadley wants and I feel like a son of a bitch because I'm going to give it to her. In a way, it feels like I'm using her, because I'll be getting pleasure out of what we're about to do too, but I can't deny her. She's hurting, I'm hurting, and if we can make each other feel better, why shouldn't we?Taking the towel completely off, I push the covers back, revealing her body to me. She's wearing a tank top and a pair of shorts. "Take the shorts off," I whisper, lifting the tank top over her head.Tonight, I'm not feeling that crazy rush I usually feel with her. I'm almost lazy in my perusal of her body, not anxious to move this along. I watch as she kicks the shorts down her legs, pushing them off the edge of the bed. She lays naked before me and I realize how lucky I am that she chose me. Hadley had her pick of any man if she'd just allowed herself to put her guard down, and I'm the one who got lucky enough to be let in."Let me take your mind off ever
Trick Chapter Fifty: Make Me Forget
Hadley"I'm honestly not worried about Patrick's past," Sally mumbles as she looks over the paperwork I received. "It's more about someone's character in these cases than what they did to get them in the situations they were in, and from what I can tell you had pretty reliable character witnesses at your last hearing," she gives Trick a glance. "I'm going to need them all to write a statement. The more character witnesses I can get, the better off for the case. I truly think he's posturing, but we won't know for sure until we get before the magistrate.""My probation officer, and I'm sure the director of the Companion Program would vouch if I needed her to," he grips my hand tighter."You're a business owner?" She asks as she makes some notes in her computer. "Do you own the building?""I am, and I do, outright. I made the last payment three months ago. I'm looking into buying the building next to it," he admits, and I glance over, my mouth agape. "I have a meeting with the ban
Trick Chapter Forty-Nine: I Love You, Too
TrickI listen as Hadley explains what's happened to the woman on the other end of the phone. As I hear her words, feel the tension in her body, and see the emotions across her face, I get angrier. I wonder how in a time where I'm the happiest I've ever been, I'm also more scared than I've ever been. The emotions switched in the blink of an eye to polar opposites. There's a gnawing in my gut that's forcing me to look at myself and realize a few major truths. Hadley would be better off without me; she could fight this easier if I weren't in her corner. I have to give her the out she needs if she wants it, even though I told her I'd be here no matter what. I don't want to be the reason she loses her child. There's no way I could live with myself or face Riley's sweet face if I were the cause of such pain. When she gets off the phone, her face is red, but she seems more together."We need to head to her office; she's going to file a motion for discovery. She wants to know why, a
