The Switch

Chapter 8

Icouldn't quit thinking about Marshall the whole way home. I sleptwith him! I never thought I would meet him, much less see him naked.I was beginning to think my life was turning around. I had put theaddress to Lauren's place in the GPS after we quit texting. Sheseemed to have a pretty easy job. Maybe I could even improve thingsfor her?

When Ipulled up I noticed a flickering blueish light from one window, whichI assumed to be Mark and the living room TV. It was about one in themorning by this time. I knew I had to be up in a few short hours forwork myself. I parked where I assumed was a good enough place andused the key I had been told to unlock the door. There was anotherdecently handsome man sitting on the couch with a beer watching TV."Hey babe." he greeted me without looking away. I reminded myselfhe was talking to me and I needed to respond. "Hey Mark. How waswork?" He instantly looked in my direction, turning off the TV. Oh,shit. I fucked up already? "What?" he asked me again, lookingextremely confused. "I just asked how your day was." SurelyLauren wasn't this shallow. "You have never asked me that before.Do you even know what I do?" he was cocking one eyebrow, and it waskind of cute. "Um, no." I replied. I figured I was done for. "Ididn't think so. I wont bore you with details, but I had a great day.Thanks for asking." He kissed my temple and it felt grossly wrong.I was just sleeping with another man. While I didn't know Mark fromthe mailman, he seemed like a sweet guy. "How was your day?" heasked me, filling the silence. "Oh, fine. Thanks." I had no ideahow her day actually went besides getting into trouble with the boss.

Markmoved closer to me and pulled me into a kiss by my waist. I pulledback instantly because of Marshall, but because I didn't know Markand had no desire to kiss him. "I'm sorry." I said quickly,trying to cover my tracks. "I'm just exhausted and have to get upfor work again soon. I'm going to bed okay?" He looked like I justtold him his puppy died. "Lauren? Are we okay?" he askedinstantly. It was like he had been wanting to ask that question for awhile. I had no idea what to say. I honestly didn't know if they wereokay. I knew Lauren said she wanted to be with Marshall, but she alsodidn't know him and Mark was here. "Yeah, of course we are." Ilied. "I told you, I'm just tired. We can talk later okay?" Ididn't know when later would be, or what to say when I did have totalk. I just got out of there before he had a chance to ask me.

Eight AMcame early as hell. I was used to getting up early, but never on anight I went out and didn't come back until after one. Mark had hisback turned to me in bed. My guess is he was hurting, but I was astranger here. I had no idea what I was expected to do. I guess Ineeded to ask Lauren.

Iwondered around her house looking for some clothes. I didn't see acloset or dresser. I went into another nearby bedroom that was prettymuch empty and found some clothes in a drawer. I knew she worked fora lawyer, but none of these clothes seemed like anything I wouldwear. I usually wore blue jeans and a t shirt to work. But all thesetops were low cut and skirts were above the knee. Then I remembered Ididn't look like me. Normal Ashley would never be able to pull offany of these clothes, but I knew they were made for people with abody like Lauren's. With one, possibly two, men interested in me, Idecided I would wear something to cover up my chest. It seemed likeshe used these massive things often to get men and I thought two wasalready more than I could handle. 

I gotready fairly quickly. I had never seen Lauren in real life, so I hadno idea if I was pulling this off or not. I also wanted to avoid Markat all costs. I went out to the same car I had parked last night andmy phone buzzed. I assumed it would be Lauren, but I smiled to see itwas Marshall. "Are you busy tonight?" was all it said. He justsaw me, and after the speech I got from him I didn't expect to hearfrom him. I thought I would have to reach out to him. "I just havework. I get off at five. What's up?" He invited me over to hang outwith his friends...again? Apparently I have hung out with hisfriends. I was happy to go and I knew Lauren would want me to. So Iaccepted. I knew this would make the work day coming drag on forever.