Chapter 5

Darek

From the moment she licked her fingers, I knew she was interested. The move made me hard as a fucking rock, and I realized all too pathetically how long it had been since I’d been with a woman. My longest track record was a few weeks, and now, I’d beaten that by double. Over a month might not seem like much to some, but when you’re used to having it anytime you want, going without was tough.

I’d been stuck in that rehab center for two weeks and couldn’t even take care of business, and now, being around Sadie was making things even tougher.

I’d watched her for two days, and she’d impressed me more than I’d thought she would. She was always up doing something, and even when she was idle, she was reading a book or studying. She hadn’t missed a beat taking care of me, and I was even getting used to the walker.

I’d also been able to handle my medicine better, and even though she hadn’t cooked anything too complicated, she’d been able to keep me happy.

I did still like ordering out, and especially for the two of us. I was growing more used to her being there, and really liked her company, but seeing her stay busy made me miss my busy schedule even more.

I’d woke up early and watched the city come alive with people going to work and then I’d seen the rush of the noon hour come and go through my window. It was strange to sit back and observe, and I sort of felt like I was watching an ant farm.

Now, the sun slipped down in the distance, and I hadn’t gotten a damned thing accomplished.

“You’ve been sitting in front of that window for hours. It’s almost time for dinner.” She walked over, but I didn’t turn away from the view. “Are you okay?”

“Just feeling a bit useless, I suppose.”

“You’re not useless. You’re just healing. Once you’re all better, you’ll be back to work doing shows and changing lives.”

“I guess.” The weekend had been a bit busier with people checking on me, but now that the week was starting, they’d be busy with their own lives.

“What would you like for dinner tonight?” She folded her arms in front of her and leaned back against the bar beside me.

“I don’t know. I’m bored to tears, and I want something that’s decadent and bad for me.”

“You’ve been eating brownies and éclairs mostly; is that not decadent enough for you?”

“What’s something you like to eat?”

“I’m not picky, really. I try to eat healthily, but I don’t always do the best job of it.” She patted her middle, and I didn’t quite understand what she meant. She was a knockout, with a curvy shape, but not an ounce of fat on her. Her tiny waist was accentuated by round hips and full breasts, and she had the tiniest wrists and ankles.

“Let’s order steaks and lobster from Lovehouse.”

“The Lovehouse? I’ve never been there.”

“When I’m feeling up to it, I’ll take you there.” She blushed a bit and looked down to her feet. “Oh, it doesn’t have to mean anything, just two people enjoying a meal.”

She nodded. “Oh, of course, I knew what you meant.” She dropped her shoulders and stood away from the bar. “Since you are bored, we could watch TV or a movie maybe. I don’t have to study tonight.”

“I haven’t done anything like that in ages. The TV in the hospital sucked, and I am out of the loop with what’s popular.” I didn’t even know if any of the programs I used to watch years ago were still around. “You can pick something.”

“Okay, that sounds like fun.” She seemed to genuinely mean it, and I felt like a high school kid again; excited about a first date.

Two hours later, we had finished our meals and Sadie carried our plates to the sink as I hobbled out to the couch.

“I’ll start the movie whenever you’re ready. I hope you like it.” She went to the table and picked up a movie she’d gotten from the Red Box downstairs.

“Oh, shit. Is that blue ray? This isn’t a blue ray player. I have a standard one in here. My blue ray player is in my room.”

“Oh? Do we need to hook it up?”

“Yeah, we could move it. It shouldn’t be too hard, right?”

She shrugged and shook her head. “I don’t know anything about that kind of stuff.”

“I’d do it, but I can’t get behind the unit. I’m sorry. I should have thought it out.”

“Look, let’s just go in there to watch the movie. I’ve seen your bed, it’s huge, and it’s no different than sitting on the couch together. We are adults after all.”

“Sure, I just didn’t want to make you feel weird.”

“No, I’m good with it, really. It’s not a big deal.” She gave me a hand, and once I was behind my walker, she headed into my room.

“I bet this is way more comfortable for you anyway. You can stretch out much better.”

“There’s a remote on the nightstand. It will work the player, and the unit is in that drawer. The TV will come up from the dresser.”

She put the movie in as I got situated on the bed. After a moment, she crawled up and situated herself next to me. “This is nice.”

“Yeah, it is. I only watch TV when I’m going to be on it.”

“What’s that like? I mean, you’re like a real celebrity. Everyone loves you.”

I belted a laugh. “Not everyone loves me. Some people hate me, actually. Like James, he’s Maya’s fiancé upstairs; he hates me. He’s the one who whacked me in the knee with a golf club, too, but that was an accident. I mean, I’m pretty sure it was.”

She shook her head and forwarded through the coming attractions. “So what, if he doesn’t like you. Who’s he? Some spoiled, trust fund rich kid? He probably hasn’t helped anyone in his life; not like you have.”

“Actually, he’s a biomedical scientist and has developed life-saving medications.” Her eyes lit with surprise.

Then she curled her lip and shook her head. “What a prick.”

I laughed so hard I nearly choked, but Sadie jumped up and went to the kitchen and came back with two sodas.

“How did you get your start?”

“Oh, you know, I’m just a spoiled trust-fund kid.” I wanted to keep a straight face but broke out in laughter as her eyes widened.

“I’m so sorry. Really?”

“Well, not the spoiled part. I did have a trust, but I only had that because my father had saved a good bit of money and we lived on a budget. He had this thing where he wanted to be a millionaire before he retired from selling cars, but he didn’t live long enough.”

“I’m sorry. It’s hard losing a father. I lost mine when I was a baby, so I never knew him.”

“Well, mine was an asshole. He didn’t treat my mother right, and she passed when he did. He was drinking and driving, hit a tree.” I kept the gory details to myself.

“I’m so sorry.” Her hand fell upon mine, and her eyes sparkled with tears.

“It’s okay. It’s been a long time, and I don’t let it get me down. You shouldn’t either.”

“I’m sorry. I just can’t imagine losing either parent. What did you do after that?”

“I lived with an aunt who wasn’t very responsible, and then I had a lawyer help me go out on my own. I’ve been on my own since.”

“And how did you become so motivating? You’re the most positive man I know.”

“I had to survive, so I used the tools my parents gave me: this face, my sharp mind, and the art of selling. My dad was a genius at making deals. It was the only gift he ever gave me.” I hated to keep on about them because I didn’t want to ruin the mood. “I don’t want to bring you down, really. It’s all good, and the hard experience made me be able to relate and teach people how to overcome.”

“That’s amazing.” She sipped her soda.

“What’s your dream?” It was something I’d asked many times in my lectures, but I’d never had an answer. That was for the individual to decide. I just gave them the courage to move forward and make it happen.

“Well, I thought I wanted to be a nurse, so I worked as a medical assistant while I was going to school. I wanted to get into nursing school, but then I met Bryan, and he moved me away from home, and things changed. I gave up my dream for him, and then everything changed. Including what I wanted. I’d like to be a talent manager. I guess that’s why your manager pissed me off so much. He’s got the perfect job with you, and he doesn’t even know it.”

“Oh, he knows it, but he doesn’t appreciate it. We used to be a lot closer, but lately, he’s not my favorite person. But business is business and he books all of my spots. Or cancels them, as the case may be.” The complications with the surgery had really put me behind, but I needed to walk if I wanted to work. I had a stage to work.

“You’ll get back at it.” She looked up at the TV screen and gave me a nudge. “Look, it’s finally starting.” But she was all I was interested in.