Sleeping with the Boss

“So how are you holding up?” Connie asked, cutting through all the laughter.

Heather paused. “I’m fine. It’s just hard to deal with. I know he’ll dump me, and I’ll end up like the other women. A piece of jewellery that means squat while I see him with a new woman by his side. I love him. It’s my fault for loving a guy who could never love me back.”

“We’ll be here for you,” Connie said.

“I know. That is a huge relief. I don’t know if I can handle going through this break up alone.”

“Elijah is still living with you. He’ll take care of you,” Amber said.

“You know, I need to talk to him. I feel like shit. For most of my life I’ve hated him. I guess it has taken being away from him while he’s been nearby has put some kind of perspective on everything.” Heather felt tears spring to her eyes.

“He’ll look forward to talking with you.”

“I better go. I’ve got a sandwich to make, and then I’ve got more hot sex.”

“You go, girl. Enjoy the screwing while you can,” Ashley said.

Heather hung up the phone then took everything she needed from the fridge. It felt good speaking to her friends again. She loved them so much.

****

Julian watched her make a sandwich. His heart was in his throat. She loved him. He knew she did, but now he’d heard her say the words it became more real to him than ever before. Slowly, he eased back up the stairs with his own troubled thoughts.

Heather loved him, but he’d not been able to end things. This put a problem in their relationship. He knew she loved him, and now he needed to let her go. Hurting her wasn’t an option. On Monday, he’d end their time together. He’ll call another company where his friend Nathan worked and ask if they’d give her a job. Once things were over between them he wouldn’t be able to cope with seeing her every day and knowing what he’d lost.

A few minutes later Heather came into the room. She carried a tray with their food on.

“Hi,” she said. He smiled at her. Her eyes were red from crying. He didn’t say anything.

“Is that food for me?” he asked.

“Yes, I talked to my friends.”

“What did they say?” He knew what was coming, but he didn’t want to spoil it.

“Wade has organized some karaoke. Connie is an amazing singer. You’ll love her,” she said. She sat on the bed next to him, her smile beautiful to see.

“If she’s that good why haven’t I heard of her before?” he asked, smiling.

“Because she tried to get noticed years ago. No one wanted her. They said her body didn’t fit the image. Anyway, she’s amazing, and you’ll love her.”

He cupped her face in his hands. Their time was coming to a close. Until Monday he intended to enjoy everything of her. He kissed her deeply pulling at her robe as well. Tomorrow he’d meet her friends, and then on Monday at lunch he’d end things with her.

Chapter Fourteen

“So, you’re the son of a bitch who has been keeping Heather to yourself?” Ashley asked.

“That’s me.”

“And you’ve got the sexy voice that creams every woman’s panties. Typical. You’re a lucky bitch.” Ashley cuddled her as the introductions were made. Connie smiled at Julian, but her gaze kept going to the stage.

“Are you nervous?” Heather asked.

“A little. I didn’t think Wade would do it. Christmas came and went with no signs of the karaoke coming. Now, I’ve been booked a spot, and I can’t back out of it. I’m nervous, excited, and downright scared.” Connie reached across the table to hold her friend’s hand.

“It’ll be great. You’ll see.”

Connie nodded. “I better go and get ready.”

Julian remained seated at her side as her friends talked over him. At times it was like he wasn’t there. Everything was going well. Her friends seemed to like Julian, even if they were blanking him. They weren’t as charmed by him as she was, but then she loved him. The club was full to bursting. Julian spent a great deal of time stroking her thigh. Connie was near the bar getting ready to do her number on stage. Wade kept talking to her.

“She’s nervous,” Amber said.

“I’m not surprised. She’s never sung in public before,” Heather said.

“Wait, she’s never sung in public, but you guys think she’s amazing,” said Julian.

All three women glared at him.

“She has sung in front of us. We’re her friends, and we take care of our friends,” Ashley said.

Heather glanced at him. He’d been different with her the night before. She knew he must have heard her phone conversation. He kept glancing down at his phone.

“Are you expecting a call?” she asked.

“Business stuff. I need an answer by Monday.” He smiled at her. There was a distance to him even as he touched her body.

She felt when he touched her that he was getting ready to say goodbye. The audience grew silent. Heather looked at the stage.

Connie walked up to the stage. Heather saw her hands were shaking. The fear on Connie’s face was more than Heather could bear to see.

“We’ve got to help her,” Heather said to the girls.

“How can we help her? I can’t sing,” Amber said.

“And that is a bad thing? This is for Connie. Come on.” Heather kissed Julian and grabbed the other two. Wade stood at the bar looking towards the stage. Connie was too shy to get up on that stage on her own. They stopped at the DJ to change the song. The music began to fill the club. Heather followed the other two up the stage. They hugged Connie, ad then took their positions on either side with a mike in their hands.

She gave a wave to Julian, who waved back. He was distant tonight, and she didn’t like it. Pushing her doubts to the back of her mind she allowed the music to consume her.

Her voice was crap. Ashley and Amber weren’t much better, but Connie always covered them. Her voice stood on its own.

The first chords began, and Heather sang along. In no time at all, Connie was in full swing without her friends’ help. Amber, Ashley, and Heather stayed back dancing in the background as their friend took to the main stage, her voice perfectly in tune with the song. When they were reaching the cl**ax, Heather encouraged the people on the dance floor to clap their hands for her friend. Connie blossomed under the audience’s attention. She swayed her h*ps and pulsed to the beat. It was like she was a different person on stage. Heather glanced towards Julian. He was on the phone, his attention on work.