Pulled(7)
Author: A.L. Jackson

But that first time was the worst. Stephanie had been my study partner in col ege, and she was there when I needed someone to ease the pain. I’d believed her to be my friend. It turned out all she wanted me to do was forget the love of my life; pretend that I was meant to be with her.

It only happened once, and it was the last time I ever saw Stephanie. I was so angry that she’d taken advantage of my emotional vulnerability, angry with myself for being so weak, but I guess she couldn’t help how she felt any more than I could.

I realized later I had wanted to believe somebody else could make me feel the same way Melanie had, the complete ecstasy we felt when we were one. But that feeling could not be replicated. Melanie’s body fit mine as if we’d been carved from the same stone, each made for the other.

She could not be replaced.

Realizing that, you’d think I’d be stronger, that I’d run from the regret I’d have after waking up next to a girl I knew I could never love or even care for.

But sometimes experiencing that regret was better than fal ing asleep alone.

With Vanessa, though, it was different. It hadn’t been about two people giving into their bodies, succumbing to the physical. It was about someone exploiting another’s weakness.

She was a predator, and now the bitch thought I owed her something.

“Shit.” I threw her message down, knowing I couldn’t avoid her any longer.

To top it all off, I had to find a date for dinner Thursday.

I picked up the phone and dialed her number. I knew all she wanted from me was free reign to push her product in my office as if f**king me somehow had earned her that right, and it pissed me off. But I accepted it as my fault; I knew better than to sleep with a rep.

I prayed it’d go to voicemail, but she picked up on the second ring. “Good morning, this is Vanessa.” Always the professional; it reminded me of the sex, all just part of the job.

“Yeah, Vanessa, it’s Daniel

Montgomery…returning your call.” I didn’t even know what to say. The whole situation made me uncomfortable.

“Daniel…I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.” Her voice was low and laced with irritation.

What the hel was I supposed to tel her, that I didn’t want to talk to her and had been avoiding her?

“Uh, wel , sorry. I’ve been busy,” I said as if I couldn’t have spared five minutes sometime in the last three months to return her call.

“I need to meet with you.” It was not a request.

Was I seriously agreeing to this? Yeah, I had to. I just had to suck it up and get it over with.

“Uh, sure, Vanessa. I have some free time during lunch on Thursday. Can we get together then?” She started to say something, so I cut her off before I lost the nerve.

“Listen, I need a favor.” I couldn’t believe I was about to do this. I raked my hand through my hair, hoping the gesture would give me some kind of courage to see this through. “I have an important business meeting Thursday night, and I need to take somebody. Are you free that night?” I felt like I was sel ing my soul.

“Daniel, are you asking me out on a date after avoiding my phone cal s for the last three months?” I couldn’t tel if she was mad or surprised, but it really didn’t matter. It wasn’t as if I actually wanted to go out with her.

I paused before answering. “I guess I am.” Now I did owe her. I’d just given her what she’d set her sights on five months ago.

“Then I guess I’ll have to accept on one condition; we do actually meet on Thursday for lunch.”

“Fine.”

Okay, there was nothing fine about the whole situation, but what was I going to do?

“Tavalindo’s at noon?”

“Sure. I’ll see you Thursday.” I hung up the phone, gripping my head as I leaned back against my chair, wondering how I got myself into this shit.

I glanced at the clock—noon. I had no appetite, but I had to get out of my smal office. I felt caged, irritable.

I passed through the lobby, throwing Lisa a halfhearted wave as I walked out the front door. I shoved my hands in the pockets of my slacks and strode the half-block to my favorite coffee shop just up the street from our temporary office. It was packed, the crowd only serving to flare my already chafed nerves.

Fifteen minutes later, I made it to the front of the line.

I ordered my regular, a large latte with a double shot of espresso, careful not to make eye contact with the brown-haired barista taking my order. She handed me my coffee, and I took a sip of it as I stuffed a couple of bucks in the tip jar and mumbled, “Thanks,” before I hurried outside.

I plopped into a metal chair at a smal bistro table sitting on the sidewalk. I had to escape reality for a couple of minutes. Closing my eyes, I raised my face to the sky and all owed my mind to drift in the cool Chicago breeze.

September 1997

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom sang as I walked into the kitchen. I smiled in her direction where she sat at the small breakfast bar with Dad and Erin.

“Morning.” I yawned and rubbed my face, trying to wake myself up. I filled a bowl with cereal and milk and took my place next to Erin. Dad and Erin were talking about the upcoming schoollyear. Erin was nervous about the two sophomore AP classes she had signed up for, and Mom and Dad were giving her encouragement.

I nudged my sister’s shoulder, her blonde wavy hair swaying across her back.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. I had both of those classes last year. I’ll help you study if you need me to.” Erin’s face brightened, and she nodded.

“Thanks, Daniel.”

“No problem.” I grinned at her. Of course I’d help her. I adored her, even if she drove me crazy sometimes.

Dad glanced at his watch and reluctantly stood, draining the last bit of coffee from his mug. “I have to get to the hospital.”

He patted my shoulder, kissed Erin’s head, and stopped to pull Mom up to him. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her hard, making her giggle against his mouth. She swatted him playfully. “Be good.” Erin grinned at me and rolled her eyes while I screwed up my face in mock disgust at the affection our parents showered upon each other. But secretly I hoped that I’d find a girl to love as much as Dad loved Mom.

After Dad left, Mom went upstairs to shower, leaving Erin and me to do the dishes. We chatted a little more about school before Erin’s hazel eyes lit up.

“Oh, there’s a new girl who started working at the coffee shop last night, Melanie Winters. She just moved here from Texas with her dad. I invited her to come over today.” Erin paused before adding in a singsong voice,