Madison Awakening

Tommy is jamming to Bon Jovi while flying down the quiet country road. It’s a good distraction from how much of a failure my escape was. Facing him was not a part of the plan. I try to focus my mind on the drive back to the house on what I can actually control. What’s done is done and I need to put my Hamptons fantasy behind me. 

Vacation over.

We are supposed to leave around ten to beat the traffic so I still have time to pack. But all I can think about is Jonathan’s face looking at me for answers.

When Tommy pulls up in front of the house, I hop out quickly. I need to take a shower before I run into Ashely. I rush down the path with my keys in hand and then open the door as quietly as I can. I walk gingerly towards the stairs but before I can make it to the first damn step, Ashely steps out from the kitchen with a deadpan look on her face. Caught again! I open my mouth to say something but Ashely lifts her hand and stops me.

“We have a lot to talk about but we don’t have the time. I want to sweep over the house before we leave. Shower, pack, tidy up and then we are out of here. You have an hour.” Ashely says matter of factly. I can’t tell if she is mad, but I don’t have the time to worry about it. I nod my head and race up the steps to follow my orders. 

Before I even hit my room, I start unzipping my dress and take off the corset then toss them mid stride to the bathroom. Seeing them both on the floor takes me back to last night and I shake the thought loose as I turn on the water and get into the shower.

The water hits my skin and I imagine it washing away all of my anxiety. I take the loofah and start scrubbing all the memories of his skin on mine; His lips on my body, the sensations of pleasure we enjoyed for the past few days. Watching the bubbles head down the drain I imagine with them, goes any connection to him.

I got what I came for. I had a pleasurable, relaxing and eventful trip to the Hamptons. Now, I can head back to the city recharged and refocused. I turn off the water, wrap myself in the towel and look in the mirror as I step out the stall. My eyes aren’t as bright as they were before, but the malaise is totally gone. I am better than when I came and that is a win. I race out the bathroom to get ready and begin my tasks.

We are only a few minutes behind schedule as we load up the car to head back.  I have no text from Jonathan since I left the glass castle and that makes me feel a mix of relief and disappointment. Ashely and I still haven’t spoken more than five words since I walked through the door. We get in the car and Ashely pulls off onto the main road for the long ride back home. I decide now is as great a time as any and I casually start our conversation.

“So, how was the rest of your night after you left James’ party?” I ask nonchalantly. Ashely doesn’t immediately answer and takes a deep breath.  

“I fucked him” She blurts out.

 I turn and look at her. “Fucked who?”

“Madison, I fucked my boss…” She says in a sullen tone.

Glad I’m not the only one in the car that has a story to tell. 

“Okay… so what happened?”

Ashely runs through a detailed breakdown on the night. After she left me, she met up with her boss. At first they talked business and he explained that she has been making steady strides and was looking to expand her role as they had drinks. After a few glasses, he took a select group back to his home. I was with Jonathan and Ashely didn’t want to impose, so she went back to his house. As the night continued with drinks, she and her boss ended up talking all night in the kitchen. As the rest of the guests began heading home and she stayed behind to help clean. One thing led to another and they fell into bed. When she sent the text to me at three in the morning, she had just gotten home. I sat quietly until she finished her story and then I asked the most essential question.

“So was it at least worth it? Was it good?” I ask in a playful tone.

A smile creeps across Ashely’s face. “It was good. Realllyyyy…good. And that is the main problem.”

“Why is that a problem?”

“The problem is I haven’t worked my ass off for five years to sleep my way to the top. I respect my boss and my position. I think I just messed everything up.” She laments.

“Well what did he say?”

“I had just gotten off the phone with him when you came into the house this morning.  He said that he has no regrets and neither should I.”

“Well that’s a good thing right?”

“Yes, but…he wants to date now. I can’t mix business and pleasure. What will become of my reputation?!” She says letting her southern twang through, which always happens when she’s upset. 

“Okay, so if he wasn’t your boss, would you date him?” 

Ashely opens her mouth, pauses and closes it.  She’s overthinking it, but I don’t push her.  After a while, Ashely takes a cleansing breath.

“Yes. But I need to process what happened last night first, before I can even consider it. I don’t have to be back to the office for a week so at least I don’t have to see him.”

“Well that will give you distance from the situation. Do you have a lot of work events this week?”

Ashely nods. “You’re right about the distance. I actually have to fly to LA for a few days for a movie premiere. So going to the other side of the country is just what I need right now. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. So, how was the rest of your night with Mr. Cain?” 

I put my glasses over my eyes. I need to keep the recap honest but not heavily detailed.

“The party was awesome. Jonathan and I stayed for the fireworks and then left shortly after to his house. We then humped like animals but I fell asleep. So when I texted you this morning, I was trying to escape but he caught me. I told him thanks for the amazing sex but this is just vacation sex and good luck to you.” I say in one breath and am satisfied with my answer.

I look over at Ashely to see her reaction, but she is staring straight ahead on the road. I reach under the seat to grab a bag of chips and begin to eat my feelings waiting for her to respond. About six chips in, she breaks her silence.

“How did he react to you trying to sneak out?” She asked tentatively.

“He didn’t like it, but it’s not like he tried to stop me.”

“Did you want him to stop you?”

I ponder her question. I don’t think there would have been any way for him to stop me. I made up my mind on the first date that this was temporary. There was no way I was falling for prince charming. I know what happens to women that believe in fairytales.  They get wrapped up in a nightmare more often than not. As sexy and rich as Jonathan is, I know he is hiding something. Even the supposed good guys have something to hide, and I’m not here for it. I don’t need saving. I needed a good fuck. Plain and simple. So my answer is clear.

“No.”

But as soon as the word left my mouth, I felt a pang in my chest again and the vision of Jonathan’s face as I walked out the door came to my mind. I put more chips in my mouth, to move that  feeling away.

Ashely nods her head at my response and shrugs. “Well, Miss Davis, I think the Hamptons was a success. You got some sun, fun, new sponsors and finally laid!” She cheers, throwing her hands up at all my victories.

I laugh. “Yass girl! This trip was way more than I expected! And I want to really thank you for your help last night. James was very impressed by you.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I heard him with my own ears! Jonathan was impressed by you too.”

“Wow. That’s good. I’ll be cashing in on that in the future.” She laughs.

“Can you help me connect with people before you leave? I’m on the real countdown now.”

“Sure babe. I’ll get my assistant to send out the emails.”

“Cool, just CC me on them and I can add them to the donor list.”

My mind starts switching to work mode knowing that I have a lot to do for the Lavender Ball. But I’m not ready for that yet.

I turn up the radio as Lizzo wails about her “Juice” and we start rocking out in the car. Our Hamptons getaway was a success. I’m glad Ashley dragged me out here. Despite the traffic on the LIE, we finish out our girls trip in song, feeling joyous and fierce.