An Exceptional Twist (36 page)

“He was fine. I mean, it was fine.” Leah
blushed a little, looking over at Stefen again.

“No, you were right the
first time—
he is
fine.” Dani laughed loudly and bumped Leah’s shoulder with
her fist. “Not that you’re chopped liver, Stefen.” Dani winked,
causing him to smile weakly in return.

What does she know?

“I’m just not sure what to think, that's
all. It's weird,” Leah admitted.

Now Stefen was interested.

“Well, it’s new. Let things take their
natural course,” Dani advised.

Stefen grumbled under his
breath.
Don’t tell her that!

“So how is your love life? Anyone new?” Leah
diverted the subject to her sister while they washed and dried the
last of the dishes.

Pursing her lips, Dani finished wiping down
the stove. “Nah. I work too much to meet anyone, and hanging out at
clubs isn't my idea of a place to find a good man.”

“Whatever happened to Felipe?” Leah
asked.

Felipe?
Maria’s story came back, and he was suddenly
picturing the guy getting it on with his stepmother.
Gross!

“His
wife
happened to him.” Dani
sneered.

Leah twirled around with her fist on her
hip. “Say what! He was married?”

Dani huffed, “Yep, and has
a new baby boy. Come to find out, his wife was giving birth when he
was asking me for my phone number. He told me he was there to see
his sick grandmother. Can you believe that
pendejo
? I swear, I am never going
out with someone I meet at work again.”

“But a wise woman once told me to never say
never.” Leah laughed as a shit-eating grin crept up her face.

Must be a personal joke.

“Since your 'never' and my ‘never’ are
turning out to be true, I think that smartass should reconsider the
advice she gives.” Dani laughed at Leah, peeking over at
Stefen.

Now he was really wondering what Leah had
told her sister.

“Am I missing something?” He lifted his
hands wondering what they would share.

“Nope.” Leah shook her head as both women
cackled. There weren’t going to tell him, but he was sure, whatever
it was, had something to do with him.

After an excruciatingly long drive home,
Leah maneuvered into Abby's driveway. She was worn out. The typical
two hour drive became three and a half due to a jackknifed big rig
on the five freeway.

As the car came to a stop, Abby surprised
Leah by opening the door. She bent forward and hugged Leah.

Was she waiting in the driveway for us?

“Thank you so much, Leah. You are a
lifesaver.”

Stefen seemed unsettled by Abby’s
expression.

“It's no problem.” Leah gave Abby a tired
smile. “We got to see my mom and Dani. Besides, Stefen is starting
to grow on me.” Leah winked at him for reassurance as she reached
up for a good stretch. It felt good to move around after being
crammed in the driver’s seat for so long.

Abby held onto Leah’s hand, giving it a
squeeze. “I know, but you’re going above and beyond.”

“Uh guys,” Stefen pointed to himself, “the
dependent handicap is right here.”

“Oh, you be quiet. You know you aren't a
problem.” Abby smacked him lightly on the chest as he strolled past
her, then she turned back to Leah. “I've got a hot bath ready and
the bed in the other guest room turned down for you. Come inside
and unwind.”

“I was going straight home.” Leah rubbed her
eyes, not caring if she got mascara all over her face.

“No, you don't. It’s almost midnight, you’re
dog-tired. Stefen already texted me, so don't even try to lie.”

Leah squinted at Stefen who turned his back
and quickly headed in.

“Coward!” she yelled.

“Come inside now, please,” Abby instructed
like she was Leah’s mother. “You can leave in the morning. I have
pajamas already set out and at least one outfit you left behind at
my old house before I moved here.”

“Fine,” she grumbled, too tired to argue. As
soon as she started up the porch stairs, she felt the tightness in
her thighs and calves. Her butt was also numb from sitting in the
same position for so long. With a yawn, she followed Abby up the
stairs and into the bathroom where a wonderfully steamy hot bubble
bath awaited.

“You are the greatest.” She turned and bear
hugged Abby.

“I love ya. Here is a fresh towel and your
clothes are on the bed. As you know, the other door goes into
Stefen’s room.” She pointed to the other entrance of the Jack and
Jill bathroom.

“Does it lock from this side?” Leah wrinkled
her nose.

Abby grinned. “Already done. Enjoy, take it
easy, and have a good sleep. Stefen hasn’t had a nightmare all
week, so we should get a full night’s rest.” She stopped at the
door. “And please don't leave in the morning before I see you. I
want to make breakfast like we used to.” They shared a smile.

“That sounds so good. I've missed those
days.”

“Me too.” Abby got a little teary eyed.

“Enough of that.” Leah shooed her out. “Go
back to bed.”

Abby scrunched her face up before saying
good night and closing the door behind her.

Leah loved that there were candles lit
around the tub. She turned off the light, and the room was glowing
as she got undressed and slipped in. She didn’t have a tub in her
apartment and was going to enjoy every moment of this.

Oh this is absolutely
divine.
Abby was the best.

Just as she started to wind down, she heard
a knock on the door from Stefen's room.

Covering her chest with her hands, Leah
wondered if he was going to bolt in. “I'm in the bath. Don't come
in.”

He spoke softly from the other side of the
door. “I know. I just wanted to say thank you…for everything.
Abby’s right, your kindness has no boundary. It—well, you—mean a
lot to me.”

I do?

She blinked, swallowing hard. “Not a
problem.”

“Good night,” his deep voice rumbled.

“Good night, Stefen,” she whispered.

“Oh hey, Leah?”

“Yeah?”

“Your mom totally watches porn!” He sounded
like a little boy snickering on the other side of the door.

His laugh was contagious, and she found
herself busting up again. “Go to sleep, Stefen.”

His laughter gradually faded as he stepped
away from the door.

What’s that sound?

Leah's subconscious nudged her awake, but
she was bushed and just wanted to stay curled up in the warm bed.
The room was dark. Why on earth would she need to get up?

Oh yeah, she had to go to
the bathroom. There was a sound streaming in her ear, making it
more difficult to ignore the urge. Her eyes popped open, her brain
registering the disturbance—someone peeing. It sounded like Niagara
Falls, it went on
forever
.

“Oh my gosh, how much did he drink?” she
mumbled, having a hard time holding her own in.

Finally, the toilet flushed, and she was
thankful to hear the faucet running.

She wanted to dash in, but
waited just a few more minutes, in hopes he’d fall back asleep. The
idea of
him
hearing
her
pee, was giving her stage fright.

She stood by the door, swaying back and
forth until the need was unbearable. Then she peeked in to make
sure the opposite door was closed, and she tiptoed into the dimly
moonlit room. Hastily, she turned and pulled her pajama bottoms and
underwear down in one sweeping motion as she squatted over the
toilet.

The first thing she felt was the wet rim
touching the back of her thighs. When she lost her balance, her
entire butt hit the freezing cold water. Squealing, she scrambled
to get up as the opposite door flew open and the light flicked
on.

“Are you all right?” Stefen asked.

That. Did not. Just happen.

She timidly looked up to find Stefen
standing in the doorway. He was covering his eyes, wearing plaid
pajama pants…and nothing else. It didn't matter that they had this
whole friendship agreement, she couldn't help but take in the sight
of his messy, freshly cut hair and his bare torso. But the bright
pink scar on his collar bone brought her back to reality.

Looking down she cringed, realizing that she
was standing next to the commode with her cotton pants and panties
around her ankles. The only clothing she had on was a T-shirt,
barely long enough to cover all the important stuff.

Panicking, she used her dance skills and
quickly freed her feet from the undies and bottoms, then she jumped
over the tub’s edge, wrapping the shower curtain around her.

“Fine, I’m fine,” she
stuttered. “I just...fell.”
Now go
away!

Squeezing her eyes shut, she nervously
nibbled on her bottom lip as she stared at the fabric shower
curtain.

“Where did you go?”
He must've opened his eyes.

“Shower,” she squeaked.

“Why didn't you just pull your pants up and
stay out here?”

Leah smacked her
forehead
. Oh shit, he’s probably staring
at my chonies on the floor.

“You scared me and this
was quicker.”
What the hell am I
saying?
She squeezed her legs together
tighter.
Crap I still have to
pee!

“Um, okay.” Then it
must've registered. “Oh shit, Leah. Did you fall in the toilet?”
His voice sounded like he was wrestling between fits of laughter
and remorse. “I'm so sorry.” She could hear him snickering.
Bastard.
“I'm not used
to girls going after me.” Then a chuckle with a slight snort broke
free.

Darting her head out from behind the
curtain, she saw him hanging on to the sink, his shoulders bouncing
with hysteria. They made eye-contact in the mirror, and she tapered
her eyes.

He quickly straightened and cleared his
throat. “I apologize. I'm such a jackass for laughing, but I can’t
help it. It’s pretty damn funny.”

If it had happened to someone else, she
probably would have laughed, too. “Do you mind, leaving,” she grit
out. “I have to shower now, thanks to you. And I still have to
pee!” How she’d held it this long, she had no idea.

He shrugged. “Just go in the shower—or is
that just a guy thing, too?”

Horror flashed across her face as she jumped
out of the tub, struggling to keep the curtain wrapped around her
lower body. He, of course, thought this was freaking hilarious.

Catching his breath, he
said, “
If
I’ve
ever done that, and I’m not admitting that I have, I would aim
directly for the drain.” He pointed down to demonstrate. “I
wouldn't want to stand in my own urine, either.”

Chuckling, barely, she told him with a
little less attitude, “Fine. Whatever. Go so I can, you know.” She
nodded toward the seat-less toilet.

Stefen lowered the seat for her, apologizing
once more on his way out. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

As soon as the door was closed, Leah sat
down and looked at her clothes on the floor.

How embarrassing. Oh well, he’s seen much
more than that, and at least they’re cute panties.

She still felt the urge to pee, but knowing
that he could hear gave her real stage fright. “If only I could aim
for the drain,” she muttered.

Through the door, she heard the muffled
sounds of his laughter again, and she smacked her forehead. He
must’ve heard her.

I should’ve never unlocked the door after my
bath.