Nine Crimes Chapter Twenty-Two
Waking up the next morning I open my eyes when I feel my arm around someone's wait. Frowning as I see it's Kate I move my arm away slowly and shake my head. She is the last person who I want my arm around, even if the only time I ever think she could be sweet anymore is when she is sleeping.
Getting out of bed I find some clothes and head into the bathroom for a shower. I'm supposed to be going to the studio again today but I'm not sure if I feel up to it. I am pretty sure Taylor will be there and he will be happy because he followed my advice and got Natalie back.
Turning the water on after I am undressed, I step in and get under the warm water. A sigh escaping my lips as I try to relax some. If I don't go to the studio though, I do need somewhere to go so I can at least get away from Kate for a few hours. As long as I am back by dinner then maybe her mother won't suspect that she is lying but why the hell do I care if she does suspect Kate is lying about things still. I shouldn't care because Kate is blackmailing me into even being here anyway.
Once the shower is over, I get out and dress in a hurry, hoping to leave the house before Kate wakes up. I really am trying to avoid her as much as possible. Though of course my luck can't be that good because as soon as I reach the bottom step and head towards the door I hear footsteps coming out of the kitchen.
"Zac," Kate's voice speaks so soft that I almost wonder if she is actually trying to be nice today. Slowly I turn to look at her. "I made coffee if you want some," she smiles but I can tell it's a fake one.
I shake my head and turn away from her, "I'm not in the mood for coffee Katie. Anyway you know I hate it."
Kate just scoffs but she doesn't protest much which I am thankful for. When I hear her footsteps retreat, I finally make my break and head outside.
Going to my truck I get in but instead of driving to the studio I drive to Taco Bueno for breakfast. At least there I don't have to worry about being stuck with my wife and having to pretend I want this marriage to work between us.
I arrive at Taco Bueno much earlier than I expected I would because traffic today wasn't that bad. Parking my truck I am just about to get out when I hear my phone ring. I know from the ring tone it's Bethany calling me so I reach for it and answer quickly.
"Hello," I speak into the receiver waiting for Bethany to answer me.
"Zac," Bethany answers right away. "I have a free day and I was wondering if you wanted to hang out. I haven't seen you since that night and Taylor and Natalie's and I just kind of miss your face and other parts of your body."
I can't help but laugh at her words, "I miss your face too babe and other parts of your body, mainly your boobs though," I inform her, hearing her laugh. "But I would love to hang out. Can you meet me at Taco Bueno. The one that is like down the road from the bar we met at."
"I can," Bethany replies and I hear the phone go dead before I can even reply back.
Shaking my head, I put my keys in the pocket of my jeans before getting out of my truck. Walking inside I sit down at a table to wait for Bethany. I am hungry and want to go ahead and order but I figure being the gentleman may pay off more than going ahead and ordering my food.
Luckily I don't have to wait long because before I know it I spot Bethany walking in. Seeing her looking around I wave once to get her attention and she walks over to me.
"Did you already order?" Bethany asks me as I stand up.
I shake my head no, "I was waiting on you," I smile as I reach down and take her hand in mine, leading the way to the counter.
Bethany just grins as I take her hand and walk to the counter with her. When we get there I listen to her order before giving mine and then informing her I will pay for both orders. There I go being a gentleman again it seems. I should get an award for that.
Once our order is ready I take the tray with the food and walk back to the table I had been at, Bethany following behind me.
"I am glad you decided to take me up on hanging out," she says as she sits down at the table.
I smile and sit down as well, "I didn't have anything better to do," I shrug as I offer a sheepish grin. "I mean I could have went to the studio but I kind of want to avoid Taylor for reasons I'd rather not say," I sigh wondering just how much I should and shouldn't tell Bethany about the situation.
Bethany raises her eyebrow as she reaches for one of the burritos she had ordered, "You and Taylor having problems?" she asks curiously.
I shake my head, "No. He and Natalie are and I mean I guess I am sort of to blame for it. I mean she took her wedding band off and I guess it upset him a lot. They had a bad argument and she stayed at her moms for a few days," I pause only briefly to grab my own burrito. "I kind of convinced Taylor last night to work things out with Natalie and I just don't want to see his happy face at the studio."
"Oh," Bethany says as she frowns and looks away from me. "Why would you convince Taylor to work things out with Natalie though. I mean it's obvious to me you seem to love her. Wouldn't her leaving Taylor make you happy?"
I nod, "It should make me happy," I tell her in between bites of my food, "but it doesn't because regardless of how much I love Taylor he is my brother and I don't want to hurt him by stealing his wife."
Bethany laughs at that, "So fucking her is okay though?" she asks as if she thinks I am crazy. Maybe I am fucking crazy.
"Well no," I answer as I finish one burrito and pick up the other. "But I am hoping that I can stop this affair with her. I mean you did say you could try to help me forget Natalie. Maybe I want you to try Bethany."
Bethany drops her burrito when I finish talking and I'm not sure whether I have shocked her or the burrito is just bad. I'm certain it's the first though because I don't see how any burrito from Taco Bueno can be bad. "You really want me to try?" she asks as her voice rises just a little.
I nod my head yes, a smirk playing on my lips. "I really want you to try. I mean I enjoy sex with you so why not just have a full blown affair with you," I wink before feeling myself blush.
Bethany just looks at me for several more minutes before picking her burrito back up and taking a bite of it. "Then I will try," she nods after she swallows her food.
I smile when she agrees and I finish my food, "Well then maybe once you are done we should go somewhere more private and get started on your trying," I whisper letting my voice go just a bit seductive. I'm still not used to actively seducing anyone so I am sure I just sound stupid.
I watch though as Bethany blushes and nods her head, agreeing with my words, "We can go back to my apartment. My roommate is out of town for the week and it would be just us."
"Just as long as you promise not to have any hidden cameras around filming us," I joke. The last thing I need is her leaking a full on sex tape of us eventually.
"I don't," Bethany smiles as she shakes her head, finishing the rest of her food in a hurry.
Once she is done, I stand up and take the tray with our trash to the trash can and dump it, putting the tray in the place labeled for trays. Turning around I nearly jump seeing Bethany standing in front of me. How the hell had she been so quite?
"Should we take one car or both?" she asks me and I feel my breath catch as we lock eyes. She really is beautiful, sort of like Natalie in that girl next door way.
I have to think over my next words before I can answer her. "Both," I finally speak a blush creeping on my cheeks. "My wife sort of knows about Natalie and I now and I am treading thin water with her. The last thing I need is for her to somehow find out my truck is parked outside of some restaurant and I am nowhere to be seen.
Bethany smiles, nodding her head as if she understands, "That's fine," she winks at me, "though to be honest I really wouldn't mind pissing that bitch off. I mean well all the fans think she is a bitch."
"She is one," I confirm as I head outside, Bethany staying right at my side.
I notice Bethany about to say something but she stops, her eyes going elsewhere and I follow her stare feeling my heartbeat get faster when I see Natalie getting out of the passenger side of a van I know belongs to Pam. Going mute I just watch as she opens the back door and ushers the bigger kids towards where Bethany and I are standing.
I know she hasn't noticed me yet, if she had she probably would have waited to send her kids over here.
"Hey uncle Zac!" Penny yells excitedly as she runs to me and holds her arms out, expecting me to hug her.
Bending down to her level I pull her into a brief hug and stand up just in time to watch Bethany walk away, barely missing Natalie by mere inches.
"How are you doing munchkin?" I ask her as I try to avoid Natalie who has now come to a stop in front of me, Willa firmly attached to her hip.
Penny grins, "I'm good. Did mommy tell you we are staying at Grammy's house for awhile," she informs me as I watch a bit of confusion in her eyes. "She says it's because sometimes grown ups need time apart. Is that why you stayed with us for awhile? You and Aunt Kate needed time apart?"
"It sure was," I lie and force a smile on my lips.
Penny seems satisfied with that answer, her head nodding as she skips inside with the other kids and Pam, leaving me outside with Natalie who is looking down at Willa.
"Tell your friend I said hello," Natalie spits out harshly as she finally looks at me.
I roll my eyes a hand going up to run through my hair, "Don't be like this," I tell her as I shake my head. "I..we can't...we can't keep doing what we are doing. Taylor is going to get hurt."
Natalie looks like she wants to laugh at my words or the reasoning behind them, "And? Like he didn't hurt you by sleeping with Kate?"
Going silent I know she has me there.
"He hurts me all the time Zac. I think it's fair if he gets some in return," she shrugs as she looks away from me an emotion flashing in her eyes that I can't read. "He called me last night and told me about his conversation with you. I am going back home next week."
I smile when she says she is going home next week. "I am glad," I say before walking past her and towards my truck.
"I also know what you two did," Natalie calls out and I stop in my tracks. "He told me that too. I will get payback for that as well, somehow," she yells and I can almost her the deviousness in her voice.
Biting my lip, I finish the walk to my truck and get in, spotting Bethany in her car not too far from me. Giving her a nod I start my car and watch as she pulls out and I do the same, letting her lead the way to her house.
Waking up the next morning I open my eyes when I feel my arm around someone's wait. Frowning as I see it's Kate I move my arm away slowly and shake my head. She is the last person who I want my arm around, even if the only time I ever think she could be sweet anymore is when she is sleeping.
Getting out of bed I find some clothes and head into the bathroom for a shower. I'm supposed to be going to the studio again today but I'm not sure if I feel up to it. I am pretty sure Taylor will be there and he will be happy because he followed my advice and got Natalie back.
Turning the water on after I am undressed, I step in and get under the warm water. A sigh escaping my lips as I try to relax some. If I don't go to the studio though, I do need somewhere to go so I can at least get away from Kate for a few hours. As long as I am back by dinner then maybe her mother won't suspect that she is lying but why the hell do I care if she does suspect Kate is lying about things still. I shouldn't care because Kate is blackmailing me into even being here anyway.
Once the shower is over, I get out and dress in a hurry, hoping to leave the house before Kate wakes up. I really am trying to avoid her as much as possible. Though of course my luck can't be that good because as soon as I reach the bottom step and head towards the door I hear footsteps coming out of the kitchen.
"Zac," Kate's voice speaks so soft that I almost wonder if she is actually trying to be nice today. Slowly I turn to look at her. "I made coffee if you want some," she smiles but I can tell it's a fake one.
I shake my head and turn away from her, "I'm not in the mood for coffee Katie. Anyway you know I hate it."
Kate just scoffs but she doesn't protest much which I am thankful for. When I hear her footsteps retreat, I finally make my break and head outside.
Going to my truck I get in but instead of driving to the studio I drive to Taco Bueno for breakfast. At least there I don't have to worry about being stuck with my wife and having to pretend I want this marriage to work between us.
I arrive at Taco Bueno much earlier than I expected I would because traffic today wasn't that bad. Parking my truck I am just about to get out when I hear my phone ring. I know from the ring tone it's Bethany calling me so I reach for it and answer quickly.
"Hello," I speak into the receiver waiting for Bethany to answer me.
"Zac," Bethany answers right away. "I have a free day and I was wondering if you wanted to hang out. I haven't seen you since that night and Taylor and Natalie's and I just kind of miss your face and other parts of your body."
I can't help but laugh at her words, "I miss your face too babe and other parts of your body, mainly your boobs though," I inform her, hearing her laugh. "But I would love to hang out. Can you meet me at Taco Bueno. The one that is like down the road from the bar we met at."
"I can," Bethany replies and I hear the phone go dead before I can even reply back.
Shaking my head, I put my keys in the pocket of my jeans before getting out of my truck. Walking inside I sit down at a table to wait for Bethany. I am hungry and want to go ahead and order but I figure being the gentleman may pay off more than going ahead and ordering my food.
Luckily I don't have to wait long because before I know it I spot Bethany walking in. Seeing her looking around I wave once to get her attention and she walks over to me.
"Did you already order?" Bethany asks me as I stand up.
I shake my head no, "I was waiting on you," I smile as I reach down and take her hand in mine, leading the way to the counter.
Bethany just grins as I take her hand and walk to the counter with her. When we get there I listen to her order before giving mine and then informing her I will pay for both orders. There I go being a gentleman again it seems. I should get an award for that.
Once our order is ready I take the tray with the food and walk back to the table I had been at, Bethany following behind me.
"I am glad you decided to take me up on hanging out," she says as she sits down at the table.
I smile and sit down as well, "I didn't have anything better to do," I shrug as I offer a sheepish grin. "I mean I could have went to the studio but I kind of want to avoid Taylor for reasons I'd rather not say," I sigh wondering just how much I should and shouldn't tell Bethany about the situation.
Bethany raises her eyebrow as she reaches for one of the burritos she had ordered, "You and Taylor having problems?" she asks curiously.
I shake my head, "No. He and Natalie are and I mean I guess I am sort of to blame for it. I mean she took her wedding band off and I guess it upset him a lot. They had a bad argument and she stayed at her moms for a few days," I pause only briefly to grab my own burrito. "I kind of convinced Taylor last night to work things out with Natalie and I just don't want to see his happy face at the studio."
"Oh," Bethany says as she frowns and looks away from me. "Why would you convince Taylor to work things out with Natalie though. I mean it's obvious to me you seem to love her. Wouldn't her leaving Taylor make you happy?"
I nod, "It should make me happy," I tell her in between bites of my food, "but it doesn't because regardless of how much I love Taylor he is my brother and I don't want to hurt him by stealing his wife."
Bethany laughs at that, "So fucking her is okay though?" she asks as if she thinks I am crazy. Maybe I am fucking crazy.
"Well no," I answer as I finish one burrito and pick up the other. "But I am hoping that I can stop this affair with her. I mean you did say you could try to help me forget Natalie. Maybe I want you to try Bethany."
Bethany drops her burrito when I finish talking and I'm not sure whether I have shocked her or the burrito is just bad. I'm certain it's the first though because I don't see how any burrito from Taco Bueno can be bad. "You really want me to try?" she asks as her voice rises just a little.
I nod my head yes, a smirk playing on my lips. "I really want you to try. I mean I enjoy sex with you so why not just have a full blown affair with you," I wink before feeling myself blush.
Bethany just looks at me for several more minutes before picking her burrito back up and taking a bite of it. "Then I will try," she nods after she swallows her food.
I smile when she agrees and I finish my food, "Well then maybe once you are done we should go somewhere more private and get started on your trying," I whisper letting my voice go just a bit seductive. I'm still not used to actively seducing anyone so I am sure I just sound stupid.
I watch though as Bethany blushes and nods her head, agreeing with my words, "We can go back to my apartment. My roommate is out of town for the week and it would be just us."
"Just as long as you promise not to have any hidden cameras around filming us," I joke. The last thing I need is her leaking a full on sex tape of us eventually.
"I don't," Bethany smiles as she shakes her head, finishing the rest of her food in a hurry.
Once she is done, I stand up and take the tray with our trash to the trash can and dump it, putting the tray in the place labeled for trays. Turning around I nearly jump seeing Bethany standing in front of me. How the hell had she been so quite?
"Should we take one car or both?" she asks me and I feel my breath catch as we lock eyes. She really is beautiful, sort of like Natalie in that girl next door way.
I have to think over my next words before I can answer her. "Both," I finally speak a blush creeping on my cheeks. "My wife sort of knows about Natalie and I now and I am treading thin water with her. The last thing I need is for her to somehow find out my truck is parked outside of some restaurant and I am nowhere to be seen.
Bethany smiles, nodding her head as if she understands, "That's fine," she winks at me, "though to be honest I really wouldn't mind pissing that bitch off. I mean well all the fans think she is a bitch."
"She is one," I confirm as I head outside, Bethany staying right at my side.
I notice Bethany about to say something but she stops, her eyes going elsewhere and I follow her stare feeling my heartbeat get faster when I see Natalie getting out of the passenger side of a van I know belongs to Pam. Going mute I just watch as she opens the back door and ushers the bigger kids towards where Bethany and I are standing.
I know she hasn't noticed me yet, if she had she probably would have waited to send her kids over here.
"Hey uncle Zac!" Penny yells excitedly as she runs to me and holds her arms out, expecting me to hug her.
Bending down to her level I pull her into a brief hug and stand up just in time to watch Bethany walk away, barely missing Natalie by mere inches.
"How are you doing munchkin?" I ask her as I try to avoid Natalie who has now come to a stop in front of me, Willa firmly attached to her hip.
Penny grins, "I'm good. Did mommy tell you we are staying at Grammy's house for awhile," she informs me as I watch a bit of confusion in her eyes. "She says it's because sometimes grown ups need time apart. Is that why you stayed with us for awhile? You and Aunt Kate needed time apart?"
"It sure was," I lie and force a smile on my lips.
Penny seems satisfied with that answer, her head nodding as she skips inside with the other kids and Pam, leaving me outside with Natalie who is looking down at Willa.
"Tell your friend I said hello," Natalie spits out harshly as she finally looks at me.
I roll my eyes a hand going up to run through my hair, "Don't be like this," I tell her as I shake my head. "I..we can't...we can't keep doing what we are doing. Taylor is going to get hurt."
Natalie looks like she wants to laugh at my words or the reasoning behind them, "And? Like he didn't hurt you by sleeping with Kate?"
Going silent I know she has me there.
"He hurts me all the time Zac. I think it's fair if he gets some in return," she shrugs as she looks away from me an emotion flashing in her eyes that I can't read. "He called me last night and told me about his conversation with you. I am going back home next week."
I smile when she says she is going home next week. "I am glad," I say before walking past her and towards my truck.
"I also know what you two did," Natalie calls out and I stop in my tracks. "He told me that too. I will get payback for that as well, somehow," she yells and I can almost her the deviousness in her voice.
Biting my lip, I finish the walk to my truck and get in, spotting Bethany in her car not too far from me. Giving her a nod I start my car and watch as she pulls out and I do the same, letting her lead the way to her house.