The next morning, feeling calm and relaxed, I was on my way down to the studio when I ran into Tyrese.
"Hey man. About yesterday," he said, hesitating. "Sorry. No hard feeling?"
I nodded and bumped fists with him.
Jared was already in the studio when I arrived. "Good morning. What's up first today?"
He was all business as usual, no personal chatter. Tyrese had been emotional, taking his personal shit out on me. But I understood that, my own emotions sometime spilling out in a similar way. Whereas Jared kept everything to himself, never a cross word to anyone. I looked at him suspiciously. Who knew what grudges might be silently festering inside?
"You got any plans for the weekend?" I asked.
He looked at me surprised. "Uh, not really. Thinking about seeing the new Christian Bale movie."
"Yeah, he's super talented," I nodded. "Amazing in both 'Vice' and 'Ford vs. Ferrari.'
"If you're not winning, you are losing," Jared quoted from 'Ford vs. Ferrari.'
"I'm not what they call a people person" I grinned, quoting another line from the movie.
Jared tried not to laugh at my choice of quotes as he turned back towards the soundboard. It was the most personal exchange I could ever remember us having.
I pulled out my notebook to see what I wanted to work on first. Jared slid his phone out and sent a text while he waited. Then we settled into work.
As he queued up the first song, I wondered about his choice of quotes. Did he care about winning? Could he be the traitorous rat in some unknown bid to best me? I hated suspecting those I worked with, but couldn't seem to stop my thoughts.
"Excuse me, Marshall?" Denise knocked on the door and entered. "Paul needs to see you right away."
"Thanks. Tell him I'll be up later please," I said, focused on the soundboard.
"I'm sorry dear, he said it's important and not to take no for an answer," Denise looked apologetic.
Turning I looked at Denise. "What did he actually say?" I asked, trying to hide a smile.
She looked embarrassed. "I'm afraid I can't repeat it verbatim because of the language. But that was the gist of it."
"Okay, let's go," I said, rising and following Denise upstairs to the offices.
I flopped down in the chair across from Paul. "What's so important you had to send your minion for me? I'm tryna work."
"Assistant," he corrected. "Not minion."
"Did ya know that minion originally meant favourite slave?"
Paul paused. "Don't ever let Denise hear you call her a minion. I will never forgive you if she quits."
I grinned. "So what's up?"
"There was another leak last night."
My grin faded as his words sunk in. "What the fuck?"
"Same MO as last time – leaked to YouTube in the middle of the night. We've insisted they be taken down, but ... they're everywhere."
"Fuck!" I was on my feet and pacing. "This is a fucking disaster! How could you let this happen?"
"Investigations take time unfortunately," he sighed. "If we're going to fire someone, press charges, ruin their career, we need to have solid evidence."
I knew he was right, but didn't want to hear it. Then another thought struck me.
"How many?" I asked. "How many songs were leaked?"
"Four."
I'd had eight songs finished for the new album. This put me back at four. There was no way I could finish on time now. Groaning, I dropped back into the chair. I was too exhausted to even be angry at the thought of all the work it would take to get back on track.
"I know," Paul said. "I've already arranged to push the deadline back."
Nodding, I rose and went back to the studio.
It was way past quitting time and I wanted to call it a day. But I had to make more songs, needed to work late. Yet everything was sounding like crap and feeding my rage at being in this situation at all. In disgust, I finally headed out.
Once home, I stalked through rooms, unable to settle. If shit hadn't been leaked, I'd have ten songs finished. There'd be no pressure or need to push the deadline back. Only because of some traitor ... My fists clenched. When I found the fucking rat, he was dead.
It was Friday night. I needed to relax. I should call up friends or hang with family. But even as I grabbed my keys, I knew I was going to see Callie.
As I exited out of my gated community, a nearby car screeched to life and pulled out after me. Glancing in the rearview, I wasn't able to see the driver. But noticed that the right headlight was considerably dimmer than the left.
Turning up the music, I thought about how I wanted to fuck Callie tonight. Maybe have her ride me. Better yet, ride me facing away so I could watch that ass. I was halfway to her house when I noticed the same car with the one dim headlight was still behind me. That was either one hell of a coincidence. Or I was being followed.
Taking a few turns at the last moment and speeding up on yellow lights, I was sure it was no coincidence. I also thought I recognized the car. Nat.
Blowing out a breath, I wondered what to do. I couldn't lead her to Callie's house; Nat would go nuclear.
Pulling off into a fast-food restaurant parking lot, I waited for her to follow. After parking, I got out, leaned against the SUV and waited. Nat's heels clicked along the pavement as she approached.
"Kinda late for dinner, isn't it Marshall?" she asked, pushing her long hair back and crossing her arms.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Seeing who you left me for."
"I didn't –" I started to raise my voice, then stopped and took a deep breath before starting again more calmly. She was hurting and I'd made shit worse by sleeping with her. I needed to be kind. "Nat, I didn't end things for someone else. There's no one else. It just wasn't working. I'm sorry."
"So you haven't slept with anyone since we broke up?" she asked.
I looked away, unsure how to answer since I'd fucked several women. She must have seen the guilt on my face because she flew at me.
"You fucking bastard!" Nat screamed, slapping and scratching at my face and arms. "You were on your way to her house, weren't you?"
Avoiding the blows as best I could, I tried to contain her. Finally managing to grab her wrists, I reversed our positions and banged her against the SUV.
"Stop!" I yelled, breathing hard. "Stop."
She was crying and swearing at me. If anyone happened by, they'd think I beat the shit out of her. Pulling her into a hug, I rubbed her back until she calmed down.
"Do you want me to call someone to come pick you up?" I asked.
"No," she sniffled. "I'm okay to drive."
"Get home safe," I said and stepped away from her.
She looked up at me sadly. "Why can't things just go back to the way they were?"
"I'm sorry Nat. I really am," I said, shoving my hands in my pockets. I hated doing this to her and felt like shit.
She turned and walked back to her car.
Getting back into the SUV, I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel as Nat pulled away. I wasn't sure what to do now. Common sense said to return home and not risk seeing Callie tonight. Which was the opposite of what I wanted to do. In fact, I needed to take my stress and self loathing out even more now than before.
But would Nat go home? The last thing I needed was for her to follow me to Callie's. Settling on a compromise, I drove around aimlessly for the next half hour. When I didn't see the dim headlight once in that time, I decided it was safe.
I banged on Callie's door before letting myself in.
"No! You can't be here now!" Callie said, coming into the entrance way. "What happened to your face? You're bleeding."
I walked past her and headed to the bedroom. Callie trailed after me, dressed in a flowy blouse and wearing more makeup than usual.
"Marshall you can't just show up with no warning! I have plans!" she protested.
"Cancel them," I said, pulling my shirt off.
"No," she shook her head and turned to leave.
My rage erupted and I grabbed Callie by the throat. Her eyes widened as she gasped.
"In case you forgot slut," I hissed, moving my other hand down to grab between her legs. "I'll have this whenever I want or I'll fucking destroy you."
Letting go of her throat, I pulled her blouse and pants off. She stood glaring at me in maroon lacy underwear. I traced along the bra's edges with my finger, then followed with my tongue. Her hands ran over my head, smoothing my hair and urging me closer.
Reaching behind, I undid the bra and let it fall to the floor. As her breasts jiggled free, I pushed her back onto the bed. Stripping off my clothes, I settled between her legs and continued my assault on her breasts. Nipping and sucking, I left several dark purple marks.
"Please!" Callie moaned, squirming beneath me.
"Please what slut? You want this dick?" I asked, before fastening onto a nipple.
"Yes!" she moaned, scratching at my arms.
I rolled over onto my back, my dick standing at attention. "Get to it then."
Callie slid out of her panties and reached into the side table for a condom. Straddling my thighs, she smoothed it down over my dick.
"Turn around," I order. "Let me see that ass."
She pivoted and positioned herself above my dick as I thrust upwards, entering her. With a gasp, Callie placed her hands on my thighs, steadying herself. Slowly she began to slide up and down on me.
I ran my hands over her ass, then grabbed her hips, moving her faster. Watching her bounce on my dick was so hot. I pushed down on her back, forcing her farther forward. Her cheeks spread and I saw her perfect little rosebud asshole. I groaned remembering last time.
"Not gonna last much longer," I grunted.
Suddenly Callie slid off me and flopped forward onto her hands and knees, waving her ass in the ass doggy-style.
"Then you better hurry up and make me cum," she said, looking over her shoulder at me with a smile.
The sudden loss of her warm pussy hit my dick and I was momentarily stunned. Then rage roared in my head.
"Bitch!" I swore, moving behind her and slamming my dick in. Grabbing her hips in a death grip, I was brutal in my thrusts. "Don't fucking push me slut! Ya think I won't wreck this pussy?"
She moaned and I slapped her ass several times, leaving red marks. Callie lowered her head to the mattress and screamed into the bedding as she came. Grunting, I continued to thrust as my own orgasm began. Leaning my head back, I closed my eyes and surrender to the release.
Pulling my dick from Callie, I collapsed as the calm enveloped me. Callie flopped down near the end of the bed.
After a minute, she got up and retrieved her phone. Watching her text someone irritated me. Why wasn't she basking in the afterglow of sex with me?
"Who ya texting?" I growled.
"My friends. Telling them I'll be late," she looked up at me. "It's polite to let people know your plans."
"Uh yeah. Sorry," I mumbled and cleared my throat.
"I propose two rules for hanging out," she said, settling back on the bed. I tensed, but waited for her to go on.
She held up a finger. "First, no more showing up unannounced. Text first and make sure it's cool."
"Why? You got other guys coming around?" I glared at her.
Callie rolled her eyes. "Sometime I have plans with friends or work events I can't cancel at a moment's notice."
It wasn't an unreasonable request. I shrugged. "Okay."
She held up two fingers. "Second, accept the fact sometimes I have to say no with good grace. And I'll make it up to you later."
I had been about to say no, reassert my control. But now I was intrigued. "Yeah? How?"
She just smiled. And I admitted defeat. "Okay."
"Good," Callie said and rose. "C'mon, get up."
"Why?" I was comfortable and relaxed in her soft sheets, enjoying the rose scent of her.
"Because I'm kicking you out."
"What?"
"I have plans! And I'm late thanks to you!" she said, throwing my clothes at me.
Before I knew it, she had hustled me out the door. With a wave, she hopped in her car and drove off. Annoyed I walked to my SUV. I'd hoped to maybe hang out for a bit.
