One thing I’m glad about is the fact that we stopped and grabbed some Pepto Bismol. Now, if it will just kick in, I can truly restore my attraction for the man I have to spend the next two hours in the vehicle with. Twenty minutes and a contemplation of doing a rough rinse of my bootyhole later, I exit the bathroom and head back to the vehicle.
“For the first time in thirty-five years of living, I washed my ass with rest area soap while random men looked at me like I’d lost my mind,” Chance says once I’m back in the passenger seat.
I want to laugh, but I don’t trust myself not to have another accident, so I look at Chance’s downcast expression and try to offer some comfort.
“At least you had the guts to do it. I was alone and didn’t think it would be cute to sit my ass in the sink to attempt that gesture.” I shrug before I pull my seat belt over and secure it.
“That’s exactly what I did. My dick and nuts were tucked because no homo, but I slathered that rough ass soap in the crack of my ass without apology.”
My mouth opens and closes as words fail me, and I swallow the laughter I’m dying, but too scared, to release. I can imagine how Chance looked to the other travelers.
“Hm. Well, let’s just hope the liquid plunger ends our misery.”
Chance grunts before he puts his seat belt on and backs out of the spot. After what we’ve shared, conversation should be easy, but silence ensues between us. I’m not sure if it’s welcome or necessary, but when we pull up at my apartment, I don’t even care. I exit the vehicle before Chance has it in park good because I’m ready to hide within the comforts of my home. Chance wastes no time grabbing my luggage and seeing me to my door. He doesn’t try to enter or give me a kiss goodbye, and neither is a problem for me.
“I’ll call you. But let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.” I wave and enter my apartment before quickly moving to my bedroom to wash the day and any remnants of shit from my body.
What began as a fake arrangement has ended in a torment I never saw coming. I don’t know how Chance and I will recover from our messy debacle, but for now, I’m going to clean up andput it out of my mind. An hour later, and with no more evidence of the failed ice cream debauchery, I’m in my living room, flipping through channels. I’m dying to share my time away with an understanding party, which leads me to call my bestie.
“Oh, I guess you remember my name, huh? I ain’t heard a peep from you since you left here. The least you could have done was call to let me know you arrived, and maybe a daily text to say that man didn’t kill you. What the hell kind of friend are you?”
“If you would stop rambling, I can catch you up on how things went. Trust me, what started blissfully ended in chaos.”
“Chaos? Lord, don’t tell me that fine ass man turned into a toad the second y’all got outside city limits?”
I sigh and then take a minute or two to tell Alicia what had happened from the time we left to my arrival home not long ago. By the time I stop talking, Alicia’s laughter is loud, wheezy, and makes me want to hang up.
“That’s the funniest shit I have heard in a long time,” Alicia says once her laughter slows.
“Please don’t mention shit to me for the next year. I also don’t think your humor at my expense is best-friend like.”
Alicia laughs again, and my finger hovers next to the button to disconnect the call, because I don’t find any of it funny.
“Alright. I’m done. Have you talked to your man since he’s been gone?”
I hang my head because I haven’t, but I’m also a little scared to reach out to see if he’s made it home. What we shared was ruined with one last attempt at an impromptu date. It’s my fault, and the evidence of my sore ass makes it challenging for me to face Chance even through text.
“No. I don’t know how to face him after this.”
“Girl, wash your shitty drawers and—” I disconnect the call because I told Alicia how I feel about her making a mockery of my moment in the trenches.
My phone rings, and I shake my head before I accept the call.
“What?”
“You’re so petty. Stop tripping. Things happen. Besides, it’s something y’all can tell your grandkids about years from now.”
“Girl, bye. I’ll be good if that man fucks me in the future, let alone entertains me long enough to commit to a future with me.”
My feelings spiral as I run through everything that has happened over the last twenty-four hours. Even with my hesitation, Chance has gotten into my system, and the thought of no longer having him as a man saddens me. Hopefully our shitty encounter won’t ruin what we’ve been building. I guess only time will tell because, for now, I’m going to wait and see if Chance reaches out.
Nearly Two Weeks Later. . .
Me:
Are you ready to come out of hiding yet?
