Free Rebound by Rosemary Rey Page A

side of the bed. I took out my phone. Three missed calls
from Chelz, dialed successively, about ten minutes ago. I didn’t
even listen to the email. I called her so she wouldn’t send out the
troops.
    She answered after the first ring. I’m
sure she was waiting with the phone in her hand.
    “ Perla. What the hell?”
She screeched.
    “ Chelz, I’m
fine.”
    “ Where are
you?”
    “ I’m still at his
place.”
    “ What? Are you
okay.”
    “ Yes. I’m fine. He was
called to the hospital and he asked me to stay. We were
interrupted.” I said quietly.
    “ Interrupted? From what?
From the crossword puzzle?”
    “ You know ‘what’. I just
called to say I’m fine. I’m waiting for him to get back and then
I’ll be home tonight. You know I have to work tomorrow.”
    “ Where does he live? How
can I find him if he does anything to you? You can’t just stay
there without informing someone.”
    “ Hey, Mom, I’m okay. He
lives in Midtown. I can’t quite put my finger on which building,
but it’s a high rise with a lot of windows and great views. I’ve
got to be up in the highest of the floors. The apartment is
gorgeous. He has a house keeper.”
    “ Many serial murderers
have house keepers. That’s whom they start their murderous rampages
on.”
    “ Settle down, little lady.
I’m fine. Well, I don’t know if I’m fine emotionally, but I am fine
physically.” I declared quietly.
    “ Why? What’s
wrong?”
    “ I don’t know what I’m
doing here. You saw him. He’s so hot. And he’s a doctor. You should
see this place. I don’t even know what kind of car he
drives.”
    “ A Range Rover.” She
interjected.
    “ What? A Range Rover?” Of
course he would drive one of the most expensive SUVs. “Seriously?
Chelz, I don’t know if anything will come of this. What does he
want with me?”
    “ Well, I can give you a
list of what he wants from you. You told me last night that he
wanted to take you home for some nookie.”
    “ Chelz, You’re
twenty-seven-years-old. You can say ‘fuck’.” I paused to compose my
concerns. “I’ve been alone for so long and I’ve felt insecure for
longer. I just don’t know why any man would want me
sexually.”
    “ Ben really fucked with
your head, Perla. You’re hot. Hell, I wanted you last night when
you danced for me.” We both laughed. She reassured me that I’m
worth Dashing’s attention. The mention of my ex-husband reminded me
that I’d given Ben too much power.
    “ What would I have to
offer him?”
    “ Besides pussy? A sweet
and loving woman that would take care of him and his needs whenever
he wants.”
    “ That’s how I got myself
in trouble with Ben. I gave him everything and he shit on me. This
is why my life is crap. I’m working four damn jobs, live in a small
ass studio far away from everything and everyone . . . and I’m
awkward. I feel like I’m always running, never stopping to enjoy
things, never getting what I deserve. When is this going to
end?”
    “ Then have fun with him
today. Enjoy yourself. Even if it is for one day, enjoy the time.
Get ‘fucked’ and move on. But be safe. Call me
tomorrow!”
    “ What if I don’t want it
to be just for today? What if I can’t move on? I should just
go.”
    “ If you go, then you’ll
never know what happens. He may not pursue you anymore. It may be
all over before anything starts. Seriously, have fun. Call me.”
Before I could even answer her, she hung up. We do that to each
other when we’re trying to make a point. I don’t like playing
games. I do want to enjoy this day because this time with him may
end as soon as I walk out the front door. I tried to suppress any
negative thoughts that tried to rent space in my mind.
    I looked at the clock on his
nightstand and saw that it was already 11:13 a.m. Hunger pangs
started to wage war in my stomach. I walked to the kitchen and
opened up the stainless steel refrigerator. I found all sorts of
food. I pulled out an assortment of