The Fast Lane

Chapter 8

When I woke up, I could tell it was later in the morning.  Sunlight was streaming in the little crack in the blinds.  I checked my phone: 11:30.  I looked over to my left and saw that Harry wasn’t there.  I heard a pot clang in the kitchen and blushed at the thought that he could be making breakfast for me.  I stood up and walked out of the room.  Halfway down the hallway, I heard a female voice I didn’t recognize. 

"You told me you always leave a key in the planter right outside the front door." 

"That doesn’t mean you can just show up whenever you want," Harry said.  His voice was low and angry. 

The female chuckled.  ”I thought you might be happy to see me again.  Tom told me you might be home and so I thought I might just stop by and… well, congratulate you on your recent wins.” I could hear her heels click slowly against the cold, hard floors as she walked toward Harry.  

"Tessa, I don’t want to see you ever again," Harry said.  "I’ve told you that before.  Please leave." I peeked around the wall I was standing against and looked into the kitchen.  Tessa had her back to me and was walking slowly toward Harry, who was leaning casually against the sink.  She continued to walk seductively toward him.  Her tan legs were long and thin, and her red high-heels gave the illusion that she was so much taller than she really was.  She had a shiny red halter-top on that was very open in the back, she wasn’t wearing a bra and her black shorts barely covered her butt.  Long, brown hair swayed against her back with every step she took. 

Harry turned around to the sink and began washing a plate, ignoring her.  Tessa began to run her long, black nails along his bare shoulders, but before she could go far, Harry whipped around and grabbed her hand. “Tessa, leave.”  His face was so serious.  His tone was a little frightening.  

I stepped out from hallway into the kitchen and cleared my throat.  Harry and Tessa both jerked their heads to look at me. Harry’s fierce expression began to soften and his lips began to form a cheeky little grin.  Tessa’s fierce expression became one of confusion, but after a few seconds she raised her eyebrows and said, “Well, I didn’t know I was interrupting anything.”  She didn’t take her eyes off me. 

"You look simply stunning this morning, Love," Harry said, letting go of Tessa’s wrist and walking over to me.  He put his hands on either side of my waist and kissed me on the forehead. 

"Stunning?" Tessa laughed. "She could afford to lose a couple pounds."  She paused and looked me up and down. "Nice tan lines." She pointed at my feet.  "And look at that.  She doesn’t even have enough confidence to sleep naked.  She has to wear a big old t-shirt to bed.  Are you hiding your stretch marks from him, dear?" She concluded.  I was hurt, but I couldn’t let her see that.  All I could think to say was:

"If you think that being a bitch to me is going to make me go away so you can fuck Harry until his money runs out, you’re in for a long ride." 

It was clear that no one had stood up to Tessa before.  Her jaw dropped, and her brown eyes turned a shade of red that I had never seen before.  Harry, on the other hand, thought it was the funniest thing he had ever heard.  He began to laugh uncontrollably.  

"You know," Harry said between waves of laughter, "You may have your critiques but I’m beginning to think she’s perfect."  Tessa turned around and quickly stomped to the door.  "You better watch yourself," she threatened.  She threw the spare key at Harry, who was gripping the corner of one of the granite counters as he doubled over.  He dodged the key and then ran and tackled me.  He slowly laid me down on the hard kitchen floor and straddled me.  He put his head on my chest until he controlled his laughing, and he finally looked up at me, still grinning as big as ever.