imagination, the motorcyclist shoved his penis inside her and she howled with delight.
“Thanks. I’m nervous.”
My stomach muscles tightened, a worried response. “Did I say the wrong thing?”
“Nope.”
I frowned. “Explain yourself, please.”
“You’re sexy, but I ’m involved with Jane.”
I cringed. “Sorry for asking, but why did you come to my apartment?”
“It’s hard to say this because I told her I loved her.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ve been lying to myself, saying you’re a just handsome man, someone I can ignore.”
“Is that all I am?”
Tammy glanced at the floor, an anxious expression on her face. “Nope.”
I glowered. “Tell me more.”
She fidgeted. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”
“ You think, aren’t sure? ”
She lit a cigarette, then exhaled smoke. “I’m a little mixed up, torn between the two of you.”
My brow tightened, an angry response. I nodded, being nice.
“Jane is beautiful, and a lot of fun, but she lies too much.”
I scowled, wishing the conversation would end.
“A week after we slept together, she came home late.”
I bit my lip, wishing Tammy would go back to Jane. That way I could move on with a new life. “Did you ask her about it?”
She paused, teeth clenched. “Yeah.”
“What did she say?”
Tammy stared at the floor, eyelids fluttering. “ She told me not to worry about it.”
I paused, shocked that Tammy would put up with Jane’s attitude.
She sighed. “Later on, I didn’t see her for days.”
“By later on , do you mean a month?”
Tammy stuttered, “Sah, sah, something like that.”
I clenched my teeth, irritated. Tammy was too chicken to confront Jane.
“A month ago, I asked her if she had another lover.”
I blenched. “Did she answer your question?”
“Nope.”
“What did she say?”
“I was out, visiting friends.”
“That’s a lousy answer.”
She nodded slowly.
“I hate to see you cry.”
“What a shitty mess.”
I gritted my teeth, not wanting to ask an ugly question, but felt it was important. “Did you have to make love to her in front of me?”
“Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. It won’t happen again.”
I scratched my chin, wondering how long her irritating monologue would last. “Are you still dating the motorcyclist?”
She gasped. “Nope. How did you find out about him?”
I told her what I saw.
Tammy took a long drag, glowering. “I fucked up.”
I scowled. “Are you going to see him again?”
She fidgeted. “Nope.”
“Where did you meet him?” Did she pick up strangers off the street or in dive bars?
Tammy glanced down, an ashamed expression on her face. “He came into the coffee shop and asked me out.”
In my mind’s eye, a possibility, she was strutting around bars, ogling men. Dating this flirt might be a mistake.
“I can’t make it on my own, I need someone to love.”
“After you’ve made up your mind, come back to me.”
“You look irritated. It’s not easy for me .”
I exhaled, trying to calm down.
“Am I pretty, a lot of fun?”
“Yes. That’s an understatement. It hurts me to say it, but please leave, before I say something I’ll regret.”
“I have a headache, feel like throwing up.” She left, an unsteady gait.
I stood, worried that she would fall down. “I’ll walk you to your apartment.”
She paused and turned toward me. “Thanks.”
I gave her a handkerchief.
She took it and blew her nose.
“I like your gloves and red fingernails.”
“Thanks. If I don’t wear the gloves , strangers point at my robotic hands and arms, then tell me I’m a freak.”
“I’m sorry to hear it. Your robotic hands and arms look great.”
She grinned.
We continued on.
Ahead, Jane stared at me. “Stay away from my woman.”
I winced, let go, and headed for my apartment.
Jane spat, “Tammy, what the hell is going on? You’re mine.”
Chapter Fifteen
I parked at the end of a long driveway,
Aiden James, Patrick Burdine
David Stuckler Sanjay Basu