Chapter Eleven
JOE IS A BIG TOOL
Lexie hurried through the grocery store, loading her cart quickly. She wanted the weekly chore over as fast as possible so she could get home, take care of a few things, and see if Joe was free to come over tonight for more erotic plumber games.
Every time Lexie thought about the other day, she blushed. She also got turned on, eager to do it again. She would never have suspected that allowing herself to be vulnerable could also be so unbelievably liberating. Letting Joe tie her up and do kinky things with tools to her had, strangely, made her a stronger person. She beamed for all the world to see and didn’t care who saw or what they thought.
Almost done shopping, Lexie paused in the meat department. The steaks looked delicious, and she debated ruining her food budget with a surprise for Joe. She reached for one of the smaller packages.
“Hi. Lexie, isn’t it?”
Turning away from the meat cooler, she looked up to see a lady approaching. It took Lexie a moment to recognize her—and then she remembered the nosy woman from the restaurant. “Yes, hi. It’s nice to see you again. I think we met at Blue Heaven, is that right?”
“Yes. I’m Linda Curtis. Are you all settled into your new home?”
“Thank you, I am.”
“I’ve heard good things about the library. We’re lucky to have someone with such advanced library skills here in our little hamlet.”
“That’s nice of you to say.”
Lexie stared at Mrs. Curtis, wondering why she was being so nice. “As a matter of fact, I love Blue Haven and look forward to introducing many new people to this special town.”
“Oh. Do you mean with your little B&B?”
Lexie nodded, annoyed at the woman’s characterization of her guesthouse. And then she remembered. “You own a B&B, too, don’t you? I’m sure yours is much bigger and more established.”
“Yes, I’ve owned it for nearly twenty years.” The woman looked pinched, like she was sucking on a lemon and smelled something foul at the same time.
“That’s a long time. Your place must be very nice and well run. I’d love some pointers sometime, if you have a few minutes. I’ve researched the whole process for my business plan, but I’m sure you know how things work here in Blue Haven.” Lexie hoped that buttering her up would ease the strange tension between them.
But Curtis’s pinched expression grew tighter, like she’d stepped in something disgusting, too. “Look, Lexie dear, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but…” She looked over her shoulder and leaned in. “I have it on good authority that the town is in the process of rezoning the township. Unfortunately, there won’t be any new businesses allowed on the shore outside the city limits.”
“What?” Lexie squawked and heads turned in their direction. Forcing a conversational tone, she asked, “You mean like factories or malls or…certainly not B&Bs?”
“Sadly, I mean precisely B&Bs and hotels and beachside restaurants. Anything that will require infrastructure support.”
Lexie tried hard to keep her distress from showing. Puffing out her chest a little, she blustered, “It’s fine. I’ve already got preliminary approval from the town. I’m sure the rezoning won’t apply to me.”
“If it’s not already inspected and approved, then it’s a no go under the new zoning that will be passed next week at the council meeting.”
“Wait. It hasn’t been voted on yet? Maybe it won’t pass.”
“Mayor Klanderman has all the votes he needs. In fact, he got the final yes vote earlier today from your friend, Jozef Van der Meer.”
“Joe? No, he wouldn’t vote for that. I’m sure he wouldn’t.”
“I’m sorry. I can imagine how disappointing it is. Van der Meer is doing what’s right for the town and for his business, as we all do.” Curtis reached out and patted Lexie’s arm in a maternal fashion. “I’m sorry, but I suggest that you don’t waste any more time on the B&B idea and concentrate your efforts on the library where you’re already making such a big difference. Well, I’ve got to run.”
She waved and turned away, and Lexie almost missed the foul smile on the woman’s face.
Lexie trembled, her entire body shaking. She shoved her cart forward and headed toward the checkout. Panic and distress surged through her to the angry drumbeat of her pounding heart. It couldn’t be true that Joe would cast the deciding vote to put her out of business.
It wasn’t until she exited the store and saw the sign for Blue Haven Commercial Bank that it all clicked. The Triad at work.
She yanked out her cell phone and called Joe, but he didn’t answer.
So, that’s how it’s going down. Joe was more than happy to use her for help with his damn business plan. Happy to fuck her and make her suck him while playing kinky plumber. And, equally happy to throw her over as soon as the need arose. Lexie’s gut twisted when she thought about every depraved thing she’d let him do to her.
She almost texted him to ask why he was doing this, but what was the point? Joe already knew about the rezoning, perhaps had known for a while, and he hadn’t even given her a heads up. That hurt the most.
Lexie swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. With effort, she managed to get her groceries and herself into her car without losing it. It wasn’t until she was well out of town and out of cell phone range that she let the tears flow.
At home, she took the landline phone off the hook. It might take all night, but she would find a solution to this problem. She was damned sure not going to let this ruin her. No way would she default on her mortgage or lose her parents’ savings. She’d figure out something with or without Joe’s help.
And, since he had betrayed her, it would obviously be without.