Free Something To Dream On by Diane Rinella Page B

be decent to her.
    “Look. That reply I sent was serious. We are done. Please respect that and wish me happiness, just like I wish you.”
    She stands like she is going to leave. Instead, she tromps up to Etta and looks down on her. “Where did this come from?”
    Scratch what I thought about being a decent human. I’ve always known that Laura is more of a bitch than I want to admit. She's proving me right. “That’s Etta. I adopted her.”
    She stares straight at Etta and snickers. “ You? You adopted a dog?”
    “Why are you so surprised?” Etta, honey, if you rip her a new one, I promise not to think ill of you.
    “What’s up with its leg?”
    Etta growls. I’m with her.
    “ Her leg is fractured. I rescued her.”
    “Like, seriously? Why would you care about a dog?”
    Wow. I've known Laura quite a while, but clearly we don't know each other at all. It's not like we have ever been masters of deep conversation, but I’ve heard her stories, time and time again, about all the bad things that happened and the marks left both on her body and her soul—stories that make my heart bleed. Has she never listened to me? Maybe I neglected to share what I want out of life, because I knew someday I’d have to leave her behind. “Yes, like seriously. A lot has changed. I need you to respect that.” I open the door and step aside. I hate being a total dick, but if I don’t, she’ll keep ambushing me and eventually I’ll cave. This girl is capable of taking me places I can’t allow myself to go. The zipper between us is the only thing stopping her from making my head spin.
    With a shrug, she heads out, and then slips in a quick kiss on the cheek. I feel like a prick as I start to close the door, but that feeling disappears when she spins around, grabs me, and slips her tongue into my mouth. God, this girl can kiss! Her hands grip my back and pull me in tightly against her tits, reminding me of a damsel clinging for rescue. My dick twitches in response as I remember the talent of that tongue when it's in other places. She goes for my zipper. “Come on, Jensen. Let me have another taste of that long, wide—”
    The last of my compassion disappears. I resist the urge to shove her off of me with my hands by doing it with my voice. “If you want something long and wide, there's a produce stand down the street. Go grab yourself a cucumber. I said, no!”
    The amount of force must have been good because her eyes have gone wide and are locked that way. Gauging from her bark and attempt at standing, Etta is taking it pretty seriously, too. “It isn't a game this time?” Laura asks.
    “No, I'm serious. Please, go.”
    Laura gives a demure nod and finally leaves. I close the door and slide my ass down to the ground. Etta looks like she is asking what the hell that was all about, but something tells me she already knows. “Do you hate me now?” She nuzzles her face into mine. “Why are you being so nice? I’ve been a dick, and I fear my past may someday blow up in my face, and I’ll lose Lizetta.”
    Etta’s bark is a soft rumble that threatens if I pull any shit, she’ll kick my ass.
    “I won't. Believe me, I won’t.” Lizetta’s smile crosses my mind’s eye. I let out a happy sigh as my head slams back into the door. I am seriously smitten.

    I brace myself for the sound of the door slamming. It’ll be just like a kick to the head as yet another person tells me to go to hell.
    Go to hell? Hmph! The joke’s on all of you. The keys to the kingdom have been fused into my backbone.
    The door shuts with a respectful click that turns my attitude solemn. I turn back to stare at the barrier. The fact that he was kind enough not to slam it deepens my hurt. Jensen really isn’t like those other guys. He never was, though for a while he sure played the part well. I just wish the real him could see the real me. Shoot, I can’t see the real me any more. How long has it been? A couple of decades?
    I stare at my boots as