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“So, when are you guys planning to move into your new house?”
That was Shaun sitting across from me in Starbucks. He decided to stay in Baltimore a few more weeks, and honestly, I’m happy he’s here. Despite his over the top gay antics, I consider him one of my best friends.
Since Shaun left Baltimore for LA, I’ve really missed him, so I enjoy any time we do get to spend together even if it’s at my expense. On top of that, my wedding was absolutely fabulous because of him. The flowers, the decorations, the music, the seating—everything was on point. Just what I wanted, so I really didn’t mind springing for a few extra weeks for him to stay.
I took a sip of the strong coffee sitting in front of me before I answered Shaun. “The movers delivered the last of my things today; all of Erik’s belongings have been at the new house for over a week.”
Shaun looked as if he was about ready to punch me. I was hoping he didn’t because I was going to hit his ass right back, or at least reach for my pepper spray.
“Wait a minute . . . So you’ve been in that house all this time and didn’t tell me?” Shaun waved his hand at me with attitude when he said, “Messy, messy, messy, Courtney Byrd, chile.”
“Shaun, I’ve been coming to your suite every day since you’ve been in Baltimore, so I guess it just slipped my mind.” I tried to cover up the real reason why I didn’t invite Shaun to our home. He just . . . He’s always . . . Well, he didn’t . . . Come to think of it, I really don’t know why I haven’t invited him to our new place yet. I guess I don’t want to share Erick with him or anyone else right now. Our time is so limited together, and I just want him all to myself. I couldn’t explain that to Shaun, though. Not right now, anyway. I can tell he was way too upset.
“You sure have been coming to my suite every goddamn day. Every single day, Courtney, and it never once dawned on you to tell me you were moving?”
I tried to lighten the mood. “Well, technically, I wasn’t the one doing the moving. We hired Mayflower.”
“Courtney don’t do that.” Shaun didn’t find my humor humorous. “You know what I meant. I’ve been there for you since the day you met Erik. I’ve been right here by your side whether I was in LA or camped out in a hotel here in Maryland, and you didn’t even have enough decency to take me to the front lawn of your new house?”
“Shaun, it just slipped my mind, okay?”
“Hell no, it’s not okay. I’m supposed to be your best friend, but yet you conveniently let it slip your mind that you moved into your new residence that I have yet to see? Courtney, I cannot believe you.”
It was clear Shaun was pissed at me. If it means anything, I wasn’t trying to hurt his feeling. With so much going on, and Erik away on business, leaving me here to take care of everything, I got a little sidetracked.
Erik was always flying to a new city or taking a train hundreds of miles away from home. Seminar after seminar this week, and who knows what the next week. It’s tough being married to a traveling dentist.
Since the wedding three weeks ago, I’ve probably seen Erik all of five times. I miss him more than anything, but I’m so busy at the bank, I don’t really have that much time to ponder over his absences. With him being away, I try and stay focused on work and getting Fenmore’s opened.
As Shaun continues to curse the day I was born for not bringing him out to our new home, I start to think more and more about my husband. I wonder what he’s wearing right now. What kind of cologne he has on? What color is his underwear? Does he have on any underwear? I take a deep breath as I feel my insides start to heat up.
I bite down on my bottom lip as my thoughts of my husband start to pour into a fantasy. A rugged, nasty, downright porn-style fantasy.
I’ve had to be gone away from the conversation with Shaun for at least ten minutes or so, but he is still going on, and on, and-on. I really wish he would accept my apology and shut up already. Besides, I only have one thing on my mind right now, and that’s being with the love of my life.
I think I’ll text Erik just to let him know I’m thinking about him. On second thought, I’ll send him a pic. I thought, how about this one? as I start scrolling through the photos of me in my cell.
I’m going to send him the picture I took in our bed last night. After he gets it, maybe he’ll call me so we can get nasty on Facetime. Or just perhaps, he’ll hop on the next plane and come home from wherever he is so we can nasty in person.
“Did you hear me, Courtney?”
Send.
My picture, along with a steamy little message was on its way to Erik’s cell phone.
I took another sip of my lukewarm coffee as I impatiently waited for Erik’s response. Hopefully, he’ll be telling me he’s on his way home soon.
I smile and take another sip from my cup as I look over at Shaun. It’s obvious he’s still pissed off. Now, is he still mad about the house thing, or has his anger flipped into rage because I haven’t been listening to him? It didn’t matter because all I could think of was Erik. I need him so bad right now, but in the meantime, I guess I’ll tend to my best friend, and just maybe he’ll forgive me and shut the hell up.
I offer Shaun a smile when I ask, “Now, what were you saying?”