Hidden Desires (25 page)

"You think? Should I go?" Brooke wondered.

"Well, I'd go."

"Should I tell daddy?"

"That's up to you. If you think you can get away with hiding this from him..." Harriet left the sentence hanging on purpose.

"Oh alright," Brooke sighed. "I'll go tell him."

 
*  *  *

"I don't like this. You say the two of you fight like cats and dogs and then she invites you to a party? How does she know where you live?" Bert frowned.

"I don't know how she knows, but apparently she does. Daddy, I'm sure it will be ok. We won't be alone." Brooke smiled her daddy smile.

"Dear, I think it's a great idea. Fred will be there to protect her." Harriet tried.

Bert harrumphed. "Well... Brooke, you're a big girl. Let it be known that I protest."

"Alright, Daddy, it's known. I knew you'd disapprove, but I just couldn't keep it from you."

"Why not?" he said, his voice tinged with hurt. "You didn't feel bad hiding everything else from me."

"Bert!"

Brooke sighed and went to stand behind her father, rubbing his shoulders. "I was scared, Dad. I didn't want to tell anyone. I'm sorry."

"You never hid anything from me before." He pouted.

"I won't hide anything from you again. I promise." She glanced at her mother. "I love you daddy." She said and kissed the top of his head.

"I love you too, honey."

"Brooke, I have an idea." Harriet said with a devious smile. "Don't R.S.V.P."

"Why not?"

"After everything that's happened, Cayden wouldn't have invited you if she didn't assume you'd be there. She's a bit cocky if you ask me. Imagine how she'll feel when you don't reply."

"Oooo, Mom." Brooke giggled.

"Then, picture her face when you do show up. I always liked the element of surprise." Harriet giggled back.

"That's good, Mom!" Brooke smiled.

"I don't like this idea." Bert added.

"It is known." Harriet teased.

 
*  *  *

It was Friday afternoon and Wade was highly disappointed that Brooke hadn't R.S.V.P.'d. He really hoped she'd come. The party will be fun anyway, but not nearly as good. The whole thing was arranged for Brooke and Cayden.

Jodie was down about it too, and had every intention of going to Brooke's apartment and dragging her bodily to the shop, but Wade convinced her it was a bad idea.

Cayden was no worse for the wear after having her two friends buzzing around the shop all afternoon. She sat like a fixture in her chair and stared at the television in between customers. A few inquired about the party decorations and when Wade or Jodie explained with enthusiasm, the customers promptly invited themselves. Cayden thanked any and all gods that Mrs. Ida Friedman didn't show up on this day. All she needed was the crazy woman in the orange beret and mismatched flip-flops singing opera in her crowded shop.

The tall woman frowned when Wade handed her a bag of clothes earlier in the day. She didn't feel like being sexy, and she certainly didn't want to dress that way in front of her clients. They knew her as the woman behind the counter in the comfy clothes, not some sexual being. It was uncomfortable. Regardless, between Jodie and Wade's persistence, and the slight headache developing at the base of the neck, Cayden didn't have a chance and changed into the outfit in the bag.

Now, sitting in a folding chair and pouting, the shop keeper watched Jodie arrange old product around the shop, and her whistling room mate hang decorations around the counter. "You're way to festive for your own good, Wade."

"And you're way too crotchety, Scrooge."

"Bah, Humbug."

"Aren't you excited? OOO! I am!" He exclaimed.

"Oh yes. I'm thrilled."

"I can see that, you spoil sport. Come on, loosen up, have a beer or something." He suggested.

"Yeah Cayd, let it hang." Jodie added.

"You couldn't handle me hanging." Cayden shot back. "I think I will have that beer." She went over to the folding table and took a beer from the cooler.

Wade, jumped off of the counter and gave Cayden the once over. "Oh yeah, gotta love those jeans baby... that's one fine ass you got there."

The tall woman stuck out her ass and snickered. "You wish you had an ass like this." she joked.

"I live vicariously through yours." Wade kidded and smacked said object as he passed.

"Oooo baby.." Cayden pretended to enjoy it.

"Ew!" Wade complained and disappeared into the back room.

Cayden took in the new look of her shop. Party decorations, folding chairs, tables... hors d'ouevres for people and pets. She pursed her lips, unable to back out now, and went behind the counter to pout. It was just before 7 and the bell tingled, signalling the beginning of a very long night for the shop keeper.

B
ROOKE LEFT WORK early on Friday, with a huge hug for luck from Bev. The blonde hadn't retrieved all of her clothes from Grant's house yet and didn't have a thing to wear to the party. Not that she planned on getting dressed up or anything, but her good stuff was still at Grant's. Harriet met her daughter at work and they set off shopping. Brooke was a mass of clanging nerves by the time she and her mother picked out what to wear. They had been to three stores and tried on countless outfits until Brooke finally approved.

Mrs. Hewitt looked over her daughter's shoulder in the mirror and smiled brightly. "This is definitely it." she exclaimed.

"Yes, it is." Green eyes roamed up and down in the mirror as Brooke turned sideways. "God, Mom, look what these pants do to my ass!" Brooke said in surprise.

"I know." Harriet giggled. "That's why I picked them."

"It's never looked like
that
before! What the hell is in these pants?" Brooke held onto her ass and began feeling it like it wasn't her own.

Harriet giggled again. "They have this newfangled lift thingy in them. I think it looks superb." The older woman said, pointing to Brooke's butt. "I think it will turn a head or two."

"There's only one head I want turning, Ma." Brooke said distractedly as she investigated her profile. "Mom, do you think the bra is a bit much?"

"No I think its fine. You have such a beautiful body, Honey, you should be showing it off. I know I did at your age."

"Mom, really," Brooke grimaced. "I can't stand to think of such things." Green eyes narrowed at her chest, the black bra doing things to her breasts she never knew possible. "No, the bra is too much."

"Okay, you don't really need it anyway, those things do fine on their own."

"Mom! God.... must you talk like that?" Brooke blushed.

"Just stating the obvious." Harriet said defensively.

"Well, I don't feel quite so comfortable talking about my personal parts like that." Brooke said as she repeatedly opened and closed the second button on the blouse.

"Honey, you're going to take that button off if you keep that up."

"I can't decide on the buttons... one open and it looks too stiff, two and the bra peeks out... among other things." Brooke hemmed and hawed, then took off the shirt entirely. "I'll take the black pull-over."

Harriet nodded, retrieved the shirt from the pile on the bench and handed it to Brooke.

The blonde put it on and smoothed out her hair, which had gone all static from the constant shirt changing. One final glance in the mirror and Brooke turned away. "Alright, I'll take this one. Hurry before I change my mind." She shooed her mother out of the dressing room and got undressed.

 
*  *  *

Cayden figured it would be all dog people, after all, who brings their cat to a party. She scanned the place every so often, recognizing people and smiling politely. Thankfully, Jodie and Wade flitted about the crowd making conversation and showing off things to buy. Cayden felt a little guilty about staying behind the counter, but she deduced that it was only right since people were buying things, and she needed to be there. Looking up again into the small crowd of people, the tall woman sighed heavily.
Party's are so not my thing
, she complained to herself. She spotted Jake, the owner of three Standard Poodles heading her way with an array of dog bowls. Those animals went through food bowls like some people go through food. She was surprised to see him here, but eternally grateful he left his horses at home. "Hi Jake, they destroyed the old ones already?"

"Yeah, it doesn't take them long. I didn't know you were having a party, I would have brought the kids." He teased, knowing she'd panic. The sheer look of terror on her face when he brought them in to say hello always made him laugh. The dogs were well behaved, but the smell of so many delights in one place made them nuts.

Cayden caught his grin and chuckled. "Oh, yeah, it was Jo's idea. Brilliant," she groused.

"Hey, at least you only have a few dogs in here, things could have gotten ugly."

"You ain't kidding." Cayden bagged the bowls and accepted his money. "So, you were just passing by?"

"Yeah. Should I be hurt that I wasn't invited?"

"No, I didn't do the inviting, Jo did. I bet she only invited the small dog crowd. No offense Jake, but all three of your kids wouldn't even fit in here right now."

"I'm only teasing. You go have fun, enjoy the party,"

Cayden liked Jake, he was a nice guy who she actually didn't mind chatting with. "Hey, stick around a while, unless you have to rush off..."

"I think I will stay. Can I get you something?"

"A beer would be cool." Cayden said, holding up her empty bottle for emphasis, and to show him which one to get.

 
*  *  *

A little while later, Wade came over to excuse Cayden from her duties. "You better get out there and mingle, Cayden. This is supposed to be your party."

"Yeah, yeah... but I like it here." She complained.

Wade pulled her up from her chair and quickly sat in it. "Now git." he ordered.

"Fine." Cayden pouted and snuck into the crowd. She mingled for approximately five minutes before hiding in a corner. She refused to make eye contact with Wade or Jodie, she didn't need their looks. She leaned against a wall and watched the people talk, pair up, and laugh. She smiled at the dog's sniffing each others butts, and generally having a good time.
Well, it's not so bad, she decided. It could be worse
. The tall woman debated with herself to have her fifth beer. She was feeling pretty good already, and another beer would have her good and buzzed. She looked at the clock on the wall and decided it would be fine. It was still early, and Jodie offered to open up the shop tomorrow in return for the party.
What the hell...
She thought as she reached for the beer.

 
*  *  *

Brooke bathed and dried Fred, and spritzed him liberally with cologne before she herself took a shower. She was standing in her room contemplating the bra, when there was a knock on her door. "I'm naked!" She yelled.