Twenty-Two

The next couple of days were quiet at Rutherford Construction. Yet, Edwin had still sneaked a feel and grope in here and there. Tuesday morning, he ordered Faith to start arriving early to work so he could take her in his office. She jumped every time he snapped his fingers and, every time he did, her cunt became a molten mess. Edwin did not permit her to wear underwear to work anymore, either, and required her to always be in a dress, no more slacks. Edwin wanted complete access to her sensitive parts even if he never had the chance to use them. Of course, he was always good at generating those quick opportunities.

Cherish was a grumpy pain in the ass for the first half of the week. Faith didn’t ask or care, but assumed it had to do with her being asked to go on the business trip to Tampa instead of her sister. Every time Edwin would walk into the Girls’ Den, Cherish would find an excuse to leave. It was the same with the break room. She did whatever she could to stay out of Edwin’s way and Faith thought it was a drastic response for what was really Morgan’s fault. Edwin already told Faith he didn’t want her to leave. He would have much preferred Cherish to go, but it had not been his decision. Morgan wanted Faith, and Edwin couldn’t fault him for that. Faith had done a remarkable job putting their office in order, and Cherish had only slacked off more and more with each new week. Furthermore, most of the crew hated to go to Cherish for anything. She became bitter and angry at life and took it out on everyone who came across her path. If she was going to be miserable, she intended to take as many with her as she could.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Faith was a bubbly mass of giddiness and that drew people to her. She was not uptight and enjoyed every moment of every day. Of course, to be honest, she was just excited about each new day and the adventures it brought. It was the game she played that made her wear a constant smile.

And that game grew more and more exciting. Perhaps Selby had been right a few days ago when he said Cherish needed to get laid. It had definitely done wonders for Faith.

Edwin walked into the Girls’ Den carrying a stack of Manila folders. “Faith, I need you to go through these and make sure we’re up to date on all the registrations and licenses. Also, you’ll need to give Nessa a crash course on what she’ll need to do while you’re on the West Coast. She’ll be working all day Friday with you. Will that be enough time?” As soon as he walked into the room, Cherish stood without a word and walked out. She didn’t even glance in his direction. To his credit, Edwin didn’t pay her any attention, either, ignoring her childish behavior.

Faith, however, was never one to pass up a chance to criticize her sister. “How long are you going to put up with that?”

At first, Edwin gave her a confused look, and then glanced at the door Cherish just passed through. He shrugged his shoulders. “She’ll get past it. There isn’t much I can do about it.”

“You can tell her to stop acting like a bitch. You are the boss, you know? That alone should make her treat you with greater respect.”

He laid the folders on Faith’s desk. “How do you know I don’t deserve her cold shoulder?” He gave her a smile as he slid his hands into his pockets. “She’ll come around. As long as she keeps doing her job, she can act anyway she wants. It’s part of her charm.” He laughed, but Faith could tell it wasn’t genuine.

She just tapped the stack of folders. “I’ll take care of it.”

Edwin nodded and said thanks before turning and walking back out of the room. Faith watched him walk away, wondering why he would put up with behavior he didn’t have to, especially from Cherish. He usually nipped stuff like that right off. Of course, he also put up with Grady who was a total waste of a paycheck. She smiled as she shook her head, reaching for the top folder. She would just have to chalk it up to one of the many mysteries of Edwin Coldwell.

“That pretty girl at the front desk said I’d find you back here. Where’s your sister? She said she’d be back here, as well.”

Faith looked up and saw her father walking through the doorway toward her. “Dad!” Faith bounced out of her chair and met him halfway across the floor. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tight hug. “What brings you here? Cherish just stepped out. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”

He glanced behind him as if the mention of her name would bring Cherish through the door. He turned back around and smiled at Faith. “I took the day off and thought I’d pull one of your mother’s tricks and treat you two to lunch.”

A laugh escaped Faith’s lips before she could stop it. “Sorry. Mom has never taken me to lunch. She just takes Cherish.”

“Ah. Sorry. She said differently.”

Faith shrugged. “No worries. Mom is Mom. I’d love to join you for lunch.”

“Lunch?” Cherish stood in the doorway staring at father and daughter.

Arni turned and walked over to his youngest daughter and gave her a hug. “Yes, lunch. That meal you eat in the middle of the day. I wanted to take the two of you to lunch. We can go to that café just up the road. Can you both get away at the same time? I mean, you have to eat, right?”

Before Cherish could refuse, Faith said, “I’m sure we could. It’s not often we get treated to a meal. I’ll have Ashlynn hold our calls and let Edwin know we’re stepping out.”

Cherish shot a dirty look at Faith, but kept her mouth shut.

“Great,” Arni said, and he actually meant it. Faith didn’t know if her father knew about the animosity his daughters had for each other or his wife’s role in bringing it about, but she didn’t care. Faith would grab any chance to sit with her dad, even if it meant eating with the enemy.

Faith stepped out and popped her head into Edwin’s office. “Cherish and I are going to lunch with my dad. Is that okay?”

He smiled. “Of course. Just work on those folders when you get back. Enjoy your lunch.”

“It’s with Daddy. I’ll enjoy it.”

She hurried back into the Girls’ Den before Cherish could ruin the afternoon. To her surprise, she stood there with her purse over her shoulder, waiting.

“We’re all set,” Faith said.

Arni rubbed his hands together. “Great, because I’m famished.” He held his arms out for his daughters. “Shall we?”

Faith slipped her arm through his. Cherish grudgingly followed suit. “Lead on,” Faith said.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Selby forced himself to pull away from Tracey, breaking the kiss he could have sworn lasted the entire lunch break. He took a deep breath as he did. When he opened his eyes, Tracey stared up into them, a smile on her face, her hands still pressed against his chest. “Shall we eat now?” she asked.

“Sure. Hop up on the counter and spread your legs.” Selby wiggled his eyebrows at her. He teased, but he half hoped she would do it. He started closing for lunch as of Monday, so the two of them could enjoy their brief lunch period in private, just in case they decided not to eat the food that was brought and enjoy some other treat instead. So far it had mostly been heavy petting and some major kissing. It was enough to hold him over until their weekend date.

Tracey walked around the counter and began to set up their midday meal. Selby found himself watching her, a smile plastered on his face as if he were a schoolboy. In the beginning, he had shared his afternoons with Faith, but he found himself sharing less and less with each day. It wasn’t that he meant to hide anything, more that he just felt protective of his time with Tracey. Besides, Faith seemed lost in her game with Edwin and didn’t really want to hear anything of what happened with Selby. She became addicted to the risk factor of having a lover at work and how her behavior raised eyebrows. Sometimes, Selby felt he had created a monster in his wife.

Tracey glanced up, probably about to announce that lunch was served, and saw him staring at her. Her face flushed slightly as she smiled back at him. “What?”

“Nothing. Just thinking how I love our afternoons.”

She nodded, the smile still decorating her face. “So do I. Now, eat.”

He picked up his pastrami on rye. “Has Ryan stopped his attempts at stealing you away?”

She shrugged as she slid up onto the stool. “He texted me last night saying I will always be his. He’s a persistent twit.”

“He left town though, right?”

“He was supposed to, but with Ryan, who knows?” She bit into her sandwich, pushing a stray piece of pastrami into her mouth. “How’s our girl doing on her adventures?”

Selby noticed the quick subject change. He wanted to push it but didn’t want to upset Tracey more than the topic of Ryan usually did. “She is like an addict with a new fix. They text all night, and I think she’s even sending him pictures I don’t know about. She’s changed her style of dress for him, and I don’t think she even opens her pantie drawer anymore.”

Tracey’s eyebrows went up in surprise. “Seems Mr. Edwin has taken quite a bit of control.”

Selby finished swallowing the bite in his mouth, which suddenly felt very dry, before answering. “It’s what she wanted.” He gave a halfhearted shrug.

“Are you okay with that?”

He stared at his sandwich a moment. Finally, he said, “I opened the door. I can’t back out now.”

“She’s your wife. You can back out whenever you want.”

Tracey was right, Selby knew. However, it wasn’t that easy. At least, it didn’t feel that easy to him. Faith was excited and giddy, and if he was honest with himself, their sex had been better than ever, even when they first stepped out into the lifestyle. He didn’t want that to change. Yet, he did fear the path she walked. He had been lost in that fantasy before, and it had almost ruined him. He was single at the time, so the only one hurt would have been him. However, would Faith realize what her fantasies might cost their marriage if she became too immersed in it? Would she be able to back out in time?

Tracey ate her sandwich as she watched him fight his demons. He glanced up and then reached out and squeezed her bare knee. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Why?”

“What?” The question confused him. He assumed she would know why he was glad.

“Why are you glad I’m here? Am I just a distraction while your wife bends over for another man? What purpose am I serving?”

He stared at her. “What purpose? You’re not serving a purpose. You’re here because we both want you here, and I’m glad you want to be here with me. You’re not just a distraction.” He took a deep breath. “To be completely honest, I wish Faith were here with us, but I’m glad that at least I can be with you. This isn’t casual to me. I didn’t think it was for you, either, but perhaps I was wrong.”

Tracey left her chair, and he watched as she took the two steps to reach him where he sat. She slid her arms around his neck and nuzzled into him. “It’s not just a casual diversion for me, either. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page, that’s all.” He felt her lips, soft and warm, on his neck. “And to be honest, I want Faith here, as well.”

Selby slid his fingers into her hair and pulled her back so he could look into her eyes. He knew he loved the fiery redhead on his lap, and it scared him. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply, his breath lost as well as his heart.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Arni Driscoll sat on one side of the table while Cherish sat directly across from Faith. Cherish had been quiet as they sat in their father’s small Ford pickup, Faith in the middle seat. If he noticed the tension, their father didn’t acknowledge it. He was chatty, making jokes about the weather and other drivers, asking questions about work and their private lives. Faith tried to stay as vocal as he was, but Cherish barely grunted. Faith didn’t doubt that Cherish loved their father, but she had always been their mother’s girl. Mainly because their mother allowed her to get away with murder and spoiled her into being the brat she became. That kind of behavior demanded a certain loyalty.

“How’s Glen doing these days?” Arni asked as he lifted his water glass. They had already placed their orders and were nibbling on a basket of bread while they waited.

“He’s doing well. Work is slow, but it’s allowed him more time to do some projects around the house.” Glen worked for Melbourne Decks and Piers installing wood decking and boat piers for those who could afford them. Lately, not many people could. Faith wondered if perhaps that had something to do with Cherish’s bitter mood. Then again, Faith didn’t really care. Cherish was Cherish.

Faith’s phone went off, and she glanced down. A text from Edwin read, “I wish you were eating me right now.” She felt her pussy grow wet at the thought and hoped her face didn’t show her blush of excitement.

“I’m sure things will pick up soon,” Arni said. He glanced at Faith looking at her phone, and then turned back to Cherish. “Summer is almost here, and people will be getting their play areas in order. He’s had these slumps before, right?”

“He has. They just have never seemed so severe.”

“Well, if you two need anything just let me know, you hear?”

She smiled as she said, “Thank you.”

“And how about Selby? How is the bookstore doing?”

Faith’s phone went off again, vibrating on the table. A quick glance revealed another text from Edwin. Faith fought the urge to read it. “Business is going pretty well. He’s thinking of adding a magazine rack like the bigger brick and mortar stores as well as newspapers. He thinks he can pick up some more downtown business that way.” Her phone vibrated again.

“Do you need to get that?” Arni asked.

Cherish glanced at her with an eyebrow cocked as if she dared Faith to say yes. “No, it’s just work. I’m at lunch. It can wait.”

“Good. I don’t get your attention very often anymore. This is a nice treat.”

Faith glanced at her dad. “Is everything okay? Not that I don’t love the treat to lunch, but usually, you’re at work. Is school closed today?”

He shook his head. “I just needed a day off. Middle school kids can be….loud,” he said with a slight chuckle.

Faith wasn’t buying it. Her father loved teaching and rarely ever took a day off. She stared at him as if sheer willpower would make him reveal his true motives. The waitress arrived with their burgers and set them in front of them, double checked their drinks, and then left them alone. “Dad?” Faith stressed the word as if demanding to know what he hid.

Her phone vibrated again.

“If you need to check that go ahead,” Arni smiled. “Work is work, after all.”

“For some of us,” Cherish mumbled.

Faith glared at her sister. Still staring at Cherish as if she dared her to say something else, Faith spoke to her father. “Dad, why aren’t you at school?”

“I quit.”

Both women stared at him with jaws dropped. There was no prelude to his announcement. I quit. That was it. But her father loved teaching.

“You quit? Why?” Cherish demanded to know. “What will you do now? What does Mom think about this?”

Faith held her comments and questions, wanting to hear the rest of what her father had to say first.

“Well, I plan to write that book I keep talking about. I’ve always dreamed of doing it, and now, I want to go for it. I’ve got some money put away to hold me over for a while along with some investments to lean on. I’ve made enough excuses. Live life on your terms, isn’t that what you and Selby believe, Faith? Well, that’s what I intend to do. I’m tired of working for someone else, and I can teach through my writing. So, that is the plan.”

“What the hell did you do?” Cherish turned to Faith and glared.

“I didn’t do anything! Why the hell do you think I did something?”

“No one did anything.” Arni held his hands up as if calling for a ceasefire. “I decided this on my own. Life is short, and you only get one chance to get it right. This is my dream. I’ve waited long enough. Your sister has the right idea. Live life to the fullest. Cherish, don’t you have something you dream about doing?”

“Yeah, I dream of taking care of my family.”

“Well, I did that. All my children are grown and can take care of themselves, so now it’s my turn to do what I want.”

“What about Mom? She’s your family. How are you going to take care of her if you aren’t working?”

“I will be working, just not for the school system. And your mother will have everything she has always had, don’t you worry about that. I hoped you would be happy for me and encourage me to follow my dream.”

Faith reached across the table and squeezed her father’s hand. “I am proud of you, Dad. It takes a lot of guts to do what you’re doing, and I know you didn’t just do it on a whim. I’m excited for you, and I’m sure Cherish is, as well.” Faith glanced across the table at her sister, her look a challenge to deny her father his dream.

Cherish was quiet a moment, her face a stern expression of anger. Finally, she surrendered. “Whatever makes you happy. I wish you the best of luck with it.” She lifted her hamburger and bit into it.

Faith squeezed her father’s hand again as she wondered how on earth she could be the sister of such a class A bitch.