They raised their glasses in a toast.Misty was going to miss this group and training all day but couldn’t deny that she was eager to get home and share the news with everyone she knew.As fun as it was to see the likes and congratulatory comments pour in online, it would carry more weight in person.
Angela approached the main team’s table.“Congratulations,” she said.
“Thanks.You did well too.”Misty had to hand it to Tish for coming up with such a tactful response on the fly.Then again, the near-constant victor had had plenty of practice.
“That’s what Ms.Coolidge said, but she also said all the interruptions made me an unsuitable candidate.”
Misty had suspected as much but still felt bad for her.“I’m sorry.”
“For what?You’re not the one who has to apologize; that’s on my husband.”The other woman’s posture looked straighter than Misty had ever seen it, and her face looked grimly determined.
“Like I said, one reason I wanted to make the team was to set an example for my daughter.But Dr.Schindler calls Raymond’s behavior weaponized incompetence.”
Angela pronounced the words slowly and uncertainly, as if repeating a foreign phrase, but her tone firmed up as she spoke again.“And that’s something women shouldnothave to put up with.It’s not too early for Evelyn to learn that lesson, either.If he doesn’t shape up, I’m filing for divorce and asking for full custody.Any judge would give it to me after how he acted while I was away.”
In that moment, Misty was overwhelmingly grateful for Spencer’s support and ready to show him.A hot shower or Advil would help with the day’s exertion, but this particular ache could only be soothed by his touch.
****
Atext buzzed in Spencer’spocket as he walked home.
Misty:Dinner’s over...is tonight’s session?
He waited to reply until he was back in his apartment.
Spender:Yeah, I just got upstairs.Can you be alone for this?
Misty:What are you up to?
Spencer:Nothing, just thinking about something we discussed before you left.
His phone lit up with a call.“What doesthatmean?”Misty’s voice sounded in his ear.
“Hello to you too,” he said casually.
“Sorry.Hi.But what’s going on?”
“Are you someplace private?I’m alone in my apartment.”
He heard a door closing.“I am now.”
“I had a few things on my mind...like how I wish I could celebrate with you in person.”
“I know.It’s only a few more days.”
“But you should have something now, and that got me thinking about how I wanted to see you...”He’d frankly answered her early question about sex and training, but felt oddly shy now.
The thought of her touching herself in his shower revved him up.“So I realized that I can’t do it from here, but I still want you to come.I want to see you make yourself.”
“Give me a sec.”
The FaceTime request came in a few minutes later.She’d put in earbuds and was dressed in a t-shirt and weirdly patterned pajama pants.“Can you see me from here?”she asked, angling the phone and stepping back so he could see all of her.The pants dipped intriguingly, and a shower was running in the background.
“I can.Are you going to be comfortable enough like that?”he asked as she sat with her back against the glass shower wall.
“I’ll make myself feel better.”Her expression changed from languid to shocked.“Hang on a sec.Are you fucking kidding me?”
Spencer startled at her outburst.“What’s wrong?”
