I've only ever been in the northern states or Europe at the end of winter/beginning of Spring. Needless to say, the weather this time of year in Houston is like nothing I've ever experienced.It was warm, temps in the seventies, the entire month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The week after Christmas? It dropped to the thirties and all of a sudden I was in the holiday spirit. But it bounced back and I have to admit, winter has been really pleasant compared to what I'm used to. No blizzards. No frigid, bone chilling wind. While I'm not looking forward to a hundred and ten degree temperatures with ninety-five percent humidity in August, this time of year, I understand the appeal of Houston. "You realize it's seventy-two degrees out."I look at Tiffany, as we walk away from The Grove, where we just ate the best hamburgers I've had since moving to Texas. "I know.""Don't you think it's a little too warm to wear that beanie?"I smile and tug it down over my ears. Nervous habit, I gue
She shifts her body so she's facing me. I immediately miss the feeling of her thigh resting on mine. "The television markets are ranked on how big your demographic is. For instance, New York City has the largest population in the country so they're ranked number one. Los Angeles is ranked number two. Most people, when they first get out of college, start in a really tiny market like Lubbock or Amarillo. They're both ranked well into the one hundreds.""How many markets are there?""Over two hundred. The larger the market you work in, the more you get paid, the more sports teams there are, the better the stories and opportunities. So while you may start out in a tiny market making minimum wage, the goal is to get a big market where there are bigger perks and maybe even national attention.""So where is Houston ranked?""Last time I looked… it's number eight.""Holy shit," I exclaim. "That's really good!"She nods excitedly. "I know. My first television job is a full hundred and fifty ma
Seven days.It's been seven days since I've heard from Rowen. I knew I wouldn't hear from him a lot because they're so busy on roadtrips. But I didn't expect radio silence. I down the last of my vodka and cranberry and continue wallowing in self pity.I knew better than to mention the tension between him and Mack. But I wanted him to know he could talk to me about it. That he could vent to me. But it backfired. Instead, I'd made him question why I was there with him in the first place. If I was on a date with him because I like him, or because I was using him for a story.The drive back to my place that night was silent. Its not uncommon for things to be quiet when Rowen is around. He's a man of few words. But I didn't expect it to feel awkward.And then when he walked me to my front door… before I could even invite him in, he gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek and took off. Rejection at its finest. I take a deep breath and put my glass on the end table next to me. The guys are final
We drive around in silence for what seems like hours. I'm so angry, but I'm still trying to figure out why and if I even have a right to be.What Tiffany does with her body is her business. I have no say over it. I respect that. Even if we were considered a couple, it's her decision, right? I don't even know the right answer anymore. All I know is I feel this desire to protect her, which is ridiculous, but there it is. I want her to be treated like she deserves to be treated… like her body is to be worshiped. And that's not what those assholes do. They treat her like a piece of fucking meat. They use her and someday they're throw her away and she's worth so much more than that.The worst part is, she doesn't see it. But how would she? They give her tickets to games. They bring her to parties. They call and text and let her call them her friends. And then they turn around and call her a whore behind her back and laugh about someone actually caring about her. I try to relax my hands on
"In the middle of it, I remember kind of sobering up. You know how that happens? It's like you have a rush of sobriety? Well I had that right in the middle of it. I looked around the room, knowing I should be mortified by what I was doing, but I realized… it was turning me on even more."My head snaps up at this comment."I know. I was just as shocked as you are. I had never realized how much I enjoyed the voyeuristic part of sex until that moment. I liked it. So I just started trying different things. Being more free. No one was judging the things that were going on because everyone was doing them. Things just sort of spiraled from there."I take a deep breath, trying to process what she's telling me."What?" she asks quietly. "Tell me what you're thinking. Do you think I'm filthy now?""No." I shake my head but don't make eye contact. "I've spent a lot of time thinking about you this last week. I've thought about the things I've seen. I've thought about the things I know. And I reali
I didn't ask him any questions on the car ride home. I was worn out from the emotions of the night. And in all truthfulness, maybe I was too stunned by his admission as well.He held my hand the whole ride home. When we got there, he walked me to my door where he kissed me passionately before leaving me on my doorstep wanting more.The fact that he has never been with a woman is intriguing. I also find it really sexy, which is a big surprise. The idea that no woman knows what he feels like, that no other woman knows the faces he makes and the noises he makes… I find it very, very exciting. Now I want to know more about why he's still a virgin, but it's taken me a couple of days to come up with questions. "Have you ever had a blow job?"He turns to glare at me. "Geez, can you say that a little louder as we walk in public?"I give him a flirty smile. "No one heard me. This place is practically empty. Although I'm sure if they knew about how virtuous you are they would be trying to eaves
There are rows and rows of colorful books. And I am so overwhelmed by what we're trying to find. Whose bright idea was it come to a book store to find a birthday present for toddler?Oh, right. Mine.But Quincy seems like the kind of mom who would appreciate the idea of an educational present for her son. And then there's the ice water at the coffee shop here, which you can't get anywhere else. So I'll just push through my frustration.A colorful book with a bright picture of a baby in a swing catches my eye. I pick it up and begin thumbing through it."Hey, babe, what do you think of this?" I show the front to Tiffany as she rounds the corner."What is it?""It's called Peanut's Wish." I flip through some of the pages. "It looks it's about a baby who can't wait to be born, or… I don't know. It sounds weird when I say that. It looks cute though.""Let me see." She takes it out of my hand and begins reading through it. "Aw. This is really cute. Wait." She starts giggling and reading o
"When are you going to visit your parents?" I ask for the second time as we drive toward Quincy's apartment for a barbecue a few days later. I'm so nervous that I keep asking the same questions over and over because I can't seem to retain the answers.Rowen glances over at me and takes my hand. "Next week. And would you stop being so nervous? It's gonna be fun."I try to take a deep breath but I don't feel like I'm getting enough air. "That's easy for you to say. You're not about to put yourself in a room with a few dozen women that want to rip your hair out."He snickers. "Another plus for the beanie." I shoot him a death glare. He squeezes my hand in response. "Tiff, we were invited.""No, you were invited.""And they all know we're together so they know you're coming, too." He pulls my hand up and kisses my palm. The feeling shoots goose pimples up and down my arm. "Besides, Quincy is always nice to you, right?"I shrug. "Quincy is not who I'm worried about. I never slept with her b