Thirty-Seven

Sunday dawned with the temperature already pushing toward eighty. Winter in Florida was always short. Tracey spent the night, nuzzled on Faith’s right while Selby had draped her left. After Valerie Driscoll left, Faith had remained quiet in a numb aftershock. The others hadn’t forced her to communicate, and when she did speak, it was to vent about her mother’s audacity at blaming her for Cherish sleeping with Edwin. Faith never had to do anything for her mother to paint her out as the bad guy. What she ever did to earn her mother’s scorn, she would never understand. And now….

Now, Faith didn’t care. She was through being pushed around and made to feel inferior by her family. She didn’t feel bad about standing up to her mother. However, Faith didn’t feel good, either.

She felt lost. Separated. The gulf that had been there between her mother and her was now a chasm, and Faith doubted it would ever be different. Cherish was the one who had screwed up her life, and yet, it was Faith who bore the blame. It would always be that way.

Once they roused themselves out of bed, Selby made breakfast while the two ladies decided what to do with their day. Faith didn’t want to drive anywhere. A week away made her just want to isolate herself from the world. However, the prospect of a leisurely walk on the beach was more than promising, so they each put on some shorts and tee-shirts, left their shoes on the deck, and hit the sand. The waves were choppy, two-foot swells, and the wind coming in off the Atlantic was cool enough to counter the late-morning sun. They ventured out, more for enjoyment than exercise, stopping here and there to examine shells or some lone piece of driftwood.

Tracey spent half the time at Selby’s side and half at Faith’s, her normal bantering finally bringing Faith’s smile back out. By the time they headed back for a late lunch, Faith forgot all about her mom’s visit and laughed along with the others. The day was bright, and her spirits had finally joined it. That is, until they neared the weathered steps leading up to their back door.

There sat Cherish.

Faith stopped and just stared once she saw her sister. She could feel Selby glance at her, just waiting to see what she would do. Tracey stood with her hands on her hips and a confused look on her face. “I take it you two know the woman on the steps,” the short redhead said.

“My sister.” Faith took a deep breath and continued walking. “This should be interesting.”

Selby just nodded. Tracey kept quiet but moved to Faith’s other side so that Selby and she flanked Faith. Her protectors. Hopefully, Cherish would see Faith wasn’t alone and rein in her normal attitude.

As she neared her sister, Faith could see her blood-red eyes, swollen from crying more than likely. She had her arms wrapped around her chest, hugging herself as she bent over as if ready to puke at any moment. Her hair was more a mess than normal, and Faith doubted it was from the wind. Cherish looked as if she hadn’t slept since Faith saw her on Friday. She couldn’t really imagine what her sister was going through. A personal Hell, more than likely, but Faith wasn’t about to feel sorry for the woman. Not with the way Cherish had treated her.

Cherish watched as they approached, and Faith stopped at the base of the stairs, arms crossed over her chest. Cherish sat far enough up that it made them eye-to-eye. She said nothing, just waited.

Selby spoke, instead. “Hey, Cherish. Your mom told us what was going on. I’m sorry to hear it’s happening.”

Cherish glanced at him and nodded. “Me too. Thanks.”

Faith continued to stare. “Why are you here?”

Cherish looked out at the breaking waves, then down at the beach. It was obvious she struggled to hold it together. Finally, she stared down at her hands. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve lost Glen. You’ve got Edwin. I …”

“I don’t have Edwin.” Faith’s voice wasn’t a shout, but it was cold and hard. “I have Selby.”

Cherish snorted a short laugh. “You were fucking Edwin. I’m not stupid.” She glanced at Selby. “He seduced your wife, too.”

“No, he didn’t,” Selby said.

“Bullshit. Your wife isn’t Miss Innocent. He got to her just as he got to me. She fucked him.”

Faith started laughing. “You came out here to tell Selby I fucked your boyfriend? You screwed up your marriage, and your way of fixing it is to try to ruin mine? You cheated on your husband, Cherish.”

“So did you!” Cherish stood to her feet, and Faith saw both Selby and Tracey take a step forward.

“No, I didn’t,” Faith said. “You are very much mistaken there.”

“You fucked him!”

Selby placed his hand on Faith as he spoke. “Yes, she did, but she didn’t cheat on me. As I said, Edwin didn’t seduce Faith. She seduced him. She didn’t cheat on me, because I knew it was going on.”

“You knew? You knew she was screwing our boss, and you were okay with it?” She jerked a finger at Tracey. “Are you two fucking her, as well?”

“Probably not now since you’ve shown up and ruined the mood,” the redhead quipped. “Your family has lousy timing. First your mother, now you.”

Faith reached over and gave Tracey’s arm a gentle squeeze. When the redhead turned her focus to Faith, she just gave a soft shake of the head as if to say, “Not now.”

“Cherish, you can’t blame Faith for what you did,” Selby said. “I’m sorry your life is screwed up right now, but the way to fix your marriage isn’t to come here trying to screw up ours. What we do is our business, and I assure you, we both know what the other is doing.”

“How can you be okay with it? It’s wrong.” Cherish stood with her arms across her chest.

“No. You fucking Edwin behind Glen’s back was wrong. He didn’t deserve it, and he doesn’t deserve you. He deserves better.” Faith took two steps forward. “Now, get off my property.” She walked past her sister.

She didn’t look back.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Selby watched his wife climb the stairs, arms still folded across her chest. He motioned for Tracey to follow and keep an eye on her while he turned and faced his sister-in-law. Cherish watched Faith’s departure, and when she turned around, it visibly startled her that he still stood there.

With a sheepish look, she ducked her head. When she spoke, her voice was a bare whisper against the ocean breeze. “I’m sorry. I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Not yet.” He stepped in front of her, blocking her from walking way. His patience with the Driscoll family was at an end. “I have tried to keep my mouth shut, but you and your mother have pushed too far. I don’t know where either of you get off blaming Faith for you cheating on Glen, but it’s total bullshit.”

“My mother blamed Faith? When?”

“Last night. She was here when we got home. Seems none of you know to call first.” Selby stood with his hands on his hips. “Faith never did a damn thing to you or your mother to deserve the abuse you both give her. I don’t care what you two do, but you won’t hurt my wife anymore. What we do with our life and in our marriage is our business, and I don’t care if you approve or not. I’m sorry your marriage is on the rocks, but that’s your fault. Not Faith’s. Own it and leave her the hell out of it.”

Cherish just stared at him. Her eyes were narrow slits, and he could see the anger on her face. He knew she wanted to say something but was smart enough to keep it to herself. Instead, she just turned and walked away.

He watched her for a moment and then climbed the stairs to check on Faith. The two of them made a pact when they were first married that each would handle their own family. He stuck to that pact eight years too long. He wouldn’t do it a day longer.

As Selby entered the kitchen, both women were preparing lunch. Soft jazz played throughout the house and the smell of bacon along with sizzling beef wafted through the air. It was going to be a greasy lunch.

He opened the fridge and pulled out three beers. After popping the top off each bottle, he set one in front of each of the ladies. No one spoke. Tracey glanced at him and just shrugged. He knew she felt lost in what to do to help Faith. She had been thrust into a family drama that had been going on for years. He married into it, but Tracey had been plopped right into the mess. Selby knew what the Driscolls were like before agreeing to marry Faith. Tracey had been clueless. She was definitely getting the full show now.

Faith chopped onions, and Selby could see her temper flaring, her chopping harsh and violent. At one point, she slammed the blade on the counter as she glanced at him. “That little bitch thought she would ruin my marriage. She came all the way over here just to try to rat me out. The sneaky, conniving little bitch.”

“I’d say she wasted a trip,” Tracey said as she sipped her beer with one hand and flipped bacon with the other.

Selby reached into the fridge and pulled out the rest of the fixings for their lunch. “She screwed up and needs someone to share her misery. It’s how your family works.”

Faith returned to slicing onions. Selby finished laying out the cheese and condiments and went to the pantry for the buns. He wasn’t sure how he would salvage their day. Once something or someone inflamed Faith, she usually stayed that way for days. He needed to talk to her about Edwin and her plans for their game, but now was definitely not the time. Knowing her, she would only continue the relationship to spite Cherish at this point. No, he needed his wife calm when they discussed Edwin.

They ate lunch on the deck, the afternoon sun a bright contradiction to the chill of the ocean breeze. Tracey tried to pull Faith out of her funk, but it wasn’t working. His wife was determined to stew herself into a miserable evening. Finally, the redhead gave up and geared her conversation toward Selby. Faith remained quiet and stared at her food.

“I think after lunch, I’ll let you two have some space,” Tracey said as she popped a stray piece of bacon into her mouth. “I need to get some laundry done if I’m going to have anything to wear to work next week.”

“I don’t know,” Selby said, a slow drawl to his words as a grin pushed up the corners of his mouth. “I think a nude uniform might bring in more business.”

“I’m sure it would bring in the voyeurs. However, I need paying customers.” Tracey took a swallow of her beer. “What are you two going to do for the rest of the day besides pine away for my company?”

“Oh, that’s all we’ll be doing. Sitting here moping because you’re not with us, thinking about how dismal our lives are without you around.”

Tracey smiled as she nodded. “As it should be.” Looking around at the empty plates, she scooped hers up. “C’mon, I’ll help with cleanup and then you can escort me to my car.”

Clean-up was quick, and true to her word, Tracey grabbed her stuff and headed for the door. Faith followed her as Selby stepped in front to open it. As the two women hugged, Faith whispered an apology. “This isn’t how I wanted our day to go.”

Tracey squeezed her tight. “I know you didn’t, honey. It’s not your fault. None of it is your fault. Don’t allow your mother or sister to convince you any differently. Cherish made her bed and fucked around in it. That’s on her. Don’t let it cloud what you and Selby want for yourselves.” Tracey leaned up on her toes and kissed Faith’s cheek. “You’re an awesome lady. Don’t let them into your head.”

Faith gave Tracey a kiss on the cheek and squeezed her arm. “I’ll try.”

Selby followed Tracey out to her car. Before she slipped behind the wheel, she turned and faced him. “You reassure that girl, Selby. She needs to know she’s done nothing wrong. Her sister’s a bitch and so is her mother.”

Selby smiled at her as he leaned down and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Welcome to the party,” he said as he stood back up. “I’ll take care of her. This isn’t the first time they’ve ganged up on her for no reason.”

“Well, those party poopers don’t need to be pooping on her party.” She slid behind the wheel, her body still tight with the aggravation of what they did to Faith. “Call me if you two need anything.”

Selby promised he would and then stood and watched the fiery redhead drive off. It made him proud she had gotten so upset over how Faith’s family treated her. It was more intense than a mere friend’s reaction.

But then, Tracey was far more than a mere friend.

When he entered the house, he found Faith sitting in front of a cold fireplace, her arms wrapped around her knees holding them to her chest. He went up behind her, wrapping his legs and arms around her, and held her to his chest, his chin on her shoulder. He said nothing. He just held her and stared into the darkness of yesterday’s ashes. He wouldn’t rush her, knowing she would speak when she was ready. While he was her shield from the brutality of a selfish world, he couldn’t protect her from her own family.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She felt his legs press against her thighs as his arms wrapped around her chest, his breath warm and steady against her cheek. She fell back against him and willed some of his strength into the coldness of her heart.

Faith knew what her husband thought, that she took her family’s words as proof she did something wrong. He had watched her practically grovel at her mother’s feet all these years for just an inkling of acceptance from the woman. Faith had tolerated her sister’s harshness to be close to her mother, afraid that angering Cherish would anger her mother and cause Valerie to push her away even further. Faith didn’t doubt at all the course of his thoughts. The sad thing was, a few days ago he would have been absolutely right.

But not that night. Not then. Not ever again.

When her mother stood there the previous night accusing her for Cherish’s indiscretion, a switch inside of Faith flipped. Her mother accepting her no longer worried her, because at that moment, Faith realized she hated Valerie Driscoll. She had cowered enough before the family matriarch. She would do so no longer. Her mother didn’t deserve her love and had never earned her respect. She would receive neither, ever again.

And Cherish. Cherish had only earned Faith’s contempt and pity. Her sister was a spoiled brat used to getting her way. She was finally reaping what she sowed. Karma could be a bitch, and Cherish had earned the Universe’s scorn. Faith didn’t take pleasure in what the other was going through, but she wouldn’t pity her, either. Cherish deserved every bit of it. Glen and Jordie, however, did not. It was selfish and mean.

Faith caressed Selby’s arm. She had been just as selfish. He warned her where her game with Edwin led, and she refused to listen. The truth was, she hadn’t wanted to listen. She was having fun and for once just wanted to abandon herself to the sensations that coursed through her. It was exciting to be so daring. She didn’t want to give that up. She didn’t want to sacrifice her desires for the greater good of her family again. She deserved to be selfish just this once. She had earned it by putting up with her mother all her life, for being the good, obedient girl everyone expected.

She felt Selby nuzzle the side of her head, his lips pressing against her ear. She squeezed his arms as she tried to bury herself inside of him. She had put herself ahead of him, something she had never done before, and it wasn’t because of neglect or for her own protection. It was because of the thrill of being taken and used by another man. Usually, it was men who thought with the head that dangled between their legs, but it had been her who allowed her pussy lips to do the thinking for her.

“I’m sorry.”

He squeezed her. “You don’t owe anyone an apology, love. You did nothing wrong.”

“Not to my family or Edwin, no,” she said, still clutching his arms. “But to you. I ignored your warnings and forgot our rules for this adventure. When we started, we said that if either of us felt it needed to end, we would put a halt to it. You tried, but I ignored you. If I had listened to you, perhaps things wouldn’t have become so heated.”

He kissed her cheek. “We’re good, babe. Always have been. It was a new adventure. There were bound to be some speed bumps along the way.”

“I feel more like I crashed and burned.”

Selby laughed and then spun her around, so they faced each other. “You didn’t have an accident, I promise. The whole idea was to have fun and try something new. Did you have fun?”

She couldn’t deny that she had. Everything she experienced with Edwin had been a rush of sexual adrenaline. The risk of being caught as well as the chase had been most of the thrill, the two of them panting after each other, the whole cat-and-mouse game.

“So you’re feeling guilty because Cherish wasn’t the good girl, and you’re allowing that to cloud everything else,” Selby said. “Don’t allow her fuck-ups to determine your course in life. This is still just about you and me and whoever else we allow inside.”

She smiled at him. “Like Tracey.”

He nodded. “And Edwin if you still want him.”

She stared into Selby’s blue eyes, amazed at the softness. He was actually willing to allow her to keep her game with Edwin, even after all the chaos it just caused. As always, he put her wants above everything else. Yet did she still want Edwin? He had deceived her, in a way, concerning Cherish. However, she was sure her sister wanted more than Faith had ever intended. All she wanted was his cock. Was it still worth it, though?

She gazed up into Selby’s eyes and suddenly knew what she wanted. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his and tasted his warmth. She continued to press, pushing him backward until they were flat on the floor, her body covering his as she wrapped her arms around his head. Their kissing grew hungrier as she parted his lips with her tongue to taste him. She could feel his cock growing under her, pressing its need into her.

Pulling her lips away from his, she whispered, “I love you.” He was about to say it back, but her lips were already on his again.