Magnetic, page 4
“You just let all of that go.” Ronnie rubbed her back soothingly. “There’s nothing you can do about it right now anyway. Relax and have a good time.”
Impossible, Layne thought to herself, but she smiled.
“Ladies, you’re all set. After lunch, Stick will show you to your cabins.” Les smiled when Layne and Ronnie looked at her questioningly. “That’s one of our hands. Her real name is Agatha Martin. She prefers Stick. Ask her why, she enjoys telling the story. Enjoy your lunch.”
Layne walked toward what was termed the mess hall in the brochure and expected to see picnic tables where dusty cowhands fresh off the trail ate beans and franks off metal plates. But what greeted her was a brightly lit room filled with moderate-sized round tables covered in white cloths with fresh flowers as the centerpiece. A large buffet and salad bar split the room in half, and the women who gathered there weren’t dressed in western garb. Instead, they looked much like Layne and her friends dressed casually in shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops. The only cowboy boots in sight were on a woman who stood talking to a group at one of the tables. She glanced at Layne and Ronnie as they walked into the room and smiled.
“They’re over there.” Ronnie took Layne by the arm.
Jenny’s plate was already loaded when they joined the group at their table. “Plates are on the buffet, and drinks are over there.” Jenny pointed at the corner. “You’re gonna love the salad bar, Layne.”
Stacy was nowhere in sight. Layne dropped her backpack in the chair next to Jenny, and her stomach started to growl when she got a whiff of the barbecue. “You need anything else, Jen, maybe another rack of ribs or perhaps a wildebeest?”
“I’m starving. All I had this morning was a muffin. I’ll get my own wildebeest, thank you very much.”
Layne went over to the salad bar and surveyed the impressive spread as she picked up a plate.
“It’s odd seeing you here…Chloe.”
Layne stiffened and looked back at the table, finding Molly and Ronnie just sitting down. “I can explain.”
Stacy moved beside her and picked at the broccoli with a pair of tongs. “You don’t need to. I think I understand why you lied about your name and left without saying goodbye.”
Layne straightened, keeping her face hidden from the others behind the top of the buffet. “You didn’t give any indication that you expected more than what…we did.”
“A note would’ve been nice, but like I said, I do understand now why you weren’t honest.”
Layne felt her anger flash at the sanctimonious attitude. “You weren’t exactly honest with Ronnie either at the airport, and I can only assume it’s more serious with her than the one-night stand we had,” Layne said lowly.
Stacy met her eye for the first time. “You didn’t either, best friend. But the simple truth of it is, what happened between us occurred before I ever met Ronnie. She does deserve to know the tie we have, but when exactly do you suggest I tell her?”
Layne bit the inside of her cheek. She’d been asking herself that same question since the encounter at the airport. “I don’t know. This is all so damn…overwhelming.”
“Yes, it is,” Stacy said with a nod. “I was more than a little taken aback when I realized who you really were and that you’re Alana’s colleague. The one she speaks so highly of, the one she was going to introduce me to that night. She thought we could at least be friends since we had so much in common and I was planning to move to New Orleans. Alana even gave me a stern warning not to hit on you because you were so very faithful to your partner. Had I known who you really were, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”
“Really?” Layne shot back hotly. “I thought for the Mayeaux women, commitment just sweetened the challenge of getting the prey into bed. Frankly, why do you care at all?”
Stacy watched Layne stalk off without awaiting a response, which was probably the best thing, because she couldn’t answer the question. Why did she care? Why did it make her so angry to know that Layne had a girlfriend? That she was a womanizer Stacy could not deny. She’d sweet-talked many a woman between the sheets and had sneaked away, not caring what the other party felt in the light of morning. Perhaps the most plausible answer was that she was not accustomed to being left behind scratching her head.
When Stacy joined the group, Layne kept her focus on her plate that held one slice of roast and a few pieces of steamed asparagus. She appeared to be doing more slicing than eating. Stacy wasn’t sure if Molly had seen them arguing or if she sensed the tension Stacy felt swirling around her and Layne, but Molly began chattering incessantly.
“Isn’t this place great? Horseback riding, swimming, hiking. It’s like summer camp for adults. Every night, there’s live music and a barn dance. I can’t wait to see the cabins. Did you know each one has a Jacuzzi tub? This place is rustic and sort of refined at the same time. Les and Joy really seem to know what women want. Wine, dance, and song with activities to suit all tastes.”
“You memorized the brochure,” Ronnie said with a laugh. “You’re right, though, Mol, this place does have a lot of appeal.” Ronnie’s gaze swept over the room and lingered for a few seconds on the women who passed their table.
“One of the girls at the office told me that in Florida if you find a body of water larger than a bathtub, you can count on an alligator being in it.” Jenny added another rib bone to the plate where she’d made an impressive stack. “That doesn’t apply to the beach, of course, but we did pass a few ponds on the property as we came up the drive.”
Molly looked at Jenny. “You’re from Louisiana. You should be used to alligators by now, baby.”
“Yes, but our alligators stick to the swamp and maybe a few ponds on the golf courses. They have their places, we have ours. We don’t mingle.”
“Ours are equally polite as long as you don’t try to swim with them.” Everyone looked up at the woman who Layne had first noticed when they walked into the mess hall. “I thought I should come over and introduce myself. I’m Stick,” she said with a smile as she looked around the table. “I’ll be escorting you to your cabins and giving you the lay of the land.”
“I’m Ronnie and this is Stacy.” She caressed the back of Stacy’s neck, making it plain who belonged to whom, then pointed to the pair across from her. “This is Molly and Jenny. And this,” she pointed to Layne, “is Layne.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure meeting y’all,” Stick said, smiling broader at Layne when she finally looked up. “Where is everybody from?”
“Louisiana,” Jenny said as she wiped barbecue sauce from her fingers.
“Then you’re acclimated to the heat. We have a few folks here from Michigan. They think they’re about to die. Of course, I’d feel the same way if I had to face one of their winters.”
“Why don’t you sit down, Stick?” Molly pushed one of the extra chairs out with her foot.
“Thank you for the offer, but I can’t. Les needs my help with a couple of things.” Stick looked at Layne. “I’ll be watching you, though, and when you’re ready to go to the cabins, I’ll be right along.”
“That’s USDA prime dyke right there,” Jenny said after Stick had walked off. “I bet she has it stamped on her ass.”
Ronnie grinned at Layne. “She was checking you out, baby girl.”
“She was just being friendly,” Layne said as she stood. “I’m going to check out the dessert.”
Ronnie looked at Layne’s plate that appeared untouched, then at Molly. “She’s not eating. Has she been like this since Olivia…?”
“No.” Jenny shook her head. “You know how she gets peckish when she travels.”
Ronnie watched Layne as she perused the dessert bar. “She doesn’t seem right to me.” She sighed. “I feel so guilty for not going to see her after the breakup. I didn’t even call.”
“She won’t talk about it, Ronnie.” Molly glanced at Jenny. “She hasn’t said much to us about how she really feels except that it was overdue, and of course, Olivia pissed her off.”
“It’s how it was done that pisses me off, sending her an email on the day before Layne was due to leave Detroit, then cleaning out their apartment so Layne came home to nothing.” Ronnie tossed her napkin on her plate. “I know things weren’t good, but that was downright hateful even for Olivia. That bitch better hope she doesn’t run into me at the gym. I will lay her low.”
Molly met Stacy’s gaze for a second, then said to Ronnie, “Olivia isn’t worth it. Knowing her, she’ll derive some perverse satisfaction out of the knowledge that she pissed us all off. The important thing is that Layne is doing well.”
Ronnie shook her head. “She doesn’t look it. We need to draw her out of that funk, make her mingle.” Ronnie looked around. “There’s some hot women here, and not all seem to be attached.”
Jenny waved a rib. “No one draws Layne anywhere, you know that, Ronnie. She has people in her face twenty-four, seven. What Layne wants and needs is relaxation.” Jenny looked at Molly, then Ronnie. “Let her do her own thing. Don’t push her.”
“Getting her to mingle isn’t a bad idea. That Stick girl seemed mighty interested.” Molly opened her eyes wide as Jenny looked at her.
If Stacy hadn’t already figured out that the pair knew about what had happened between her and Layne, she was certain of it then.
Chapter 6
“The stables are down this trail. Regardless of your riding experience, we have a horse for you.” Stick stepped off the path and let the others pass and moved in step alongside Layne. “Anytime you want to see the beach, let me or any of the staff know, and we’ll run you down. Alligator Point is great for shelling and splashing around, but the water isn’t all that pretty. We do have day trips to Apalachicola for shopping and St. George Island for swimming.” Stick lowered her voice. “Do you ride, Layne?”
“Not unless it has a gas pedal. I’m not much of an outdoors woman,” Layne said with a slight smile. “I’m more of a lay-around-with-a-book kind of girl.”
Stick nodded. “You’ll like your cabin then. It has a hammock on the porch. I hope you’ll let me take you on a ride. Wildflowers are in bloom now. It’s very peaceful and scenic because the horses don’t have loud motors,” she said with a smile.
Stacy looked back over her shoulder. “They do have exhaust, though.”
Ronnie busted out laughing. “Horse farts.”
Stick laughed along with her. “It’s true, you’ll want to avoid Frank the flatulent. He’s the only paint we have.” Stick looked at Layne, who nodded as though she knew what the hell a paint was.
“This first cabin is assigned to Blanchard.” Stick pointed to the right.
“That’s us,” Ronnie said with a wave and wrapped her arm around Stacy’s waist. “It’s cute, isn’t it, baby?”
“Everything you need is inside, but if not, see me or Les. Actually, any of the staff will help.” Stick tugged on her T-shirt emblazoned with Moss Ranch on the pocket. “We all wear these as I’m sure you noticed. Layne, yours is here,” Stick pointed to the next, “and, Molly and Jenny, yours is just past that stand of trees.”
Layne stifled a sigh. Stacy and Ronnie’s cabin wasn’t but a stone’s throw away from hers. Molly and Jenny’s had more privacy. Stick continued to walk with her as Molly and Jenny scampered off to investigate.
“Have you heard about the barn dance we have each night?”
Layne nodded as she took in the quaint log cabin. As Stick had said, there was a hammock on one side of the porch and a swing on the other. “I may take it easy the first night. I’m kind of tired from the trip, but I’ll certainly check it out some other time.”
“Good, save me a dance when you do.” Stick smiled warmly when she caught Layne’s eye. “It was very nice meeting you. I hope to see you around.”
“You too.” Layne stepped up on her porch when Stick walked away. “Well, Layne, here you are,” she said under her breath as she slipped the key into the lock, “and here you will stay while this nightmare plays out.”
*******
“Your friends are nice,” Stacy said as she and Ronnie unpacked.
“Normally, they’re a lot more jovial. I think Molly’s probably tired. She’s just really getting her strength back. Layne isn’t herself at all.”
Stacy put the last of her shorts in a drawer and moved her suitcase into the corner. “How long were she and Olivia together?”
“Six years. I don’t know how Layne put up with her for that long. Olivia is one of those women who thinks the world revolves around her. Most of the time when we all did things together, Layne didn’t bring her along, and for that, we were grateful. Olivia almost always sent her food back complaining that it was improperly prepared. She loved to show off her latest watch or piece of jewelry she bought herself, and my personal favorite to hate was the name-dropping. She was quick to tell you about the latest politician she’d met, even claimed to have run into a few movie stars at parties Layne wasn’t invited to. Olivia is a snob. Layne’s a good person, but she has a tendency to be a bit materialistic and she’s drawn to women like that. I’m so glad she’s free of that coldhearted bitch.”
Stacy smiled. “Tell me how you really feel.”
“Oh, sweetie, I’m really censoring myself. Molly and Jenny tolerated her for Layne’s sake, but I fucking despised her, and I let her know it.” Ronnie took her toiletries into the bathroom. “This trip will be good for Layne if she’ll come out of her shell. Stick is already swooping in, and I saw a few others give her the eye. Maybe she’ll get laid by a real living human being and see what she’s been missing.”
Stacy looked out the window at the cabin beside them knowing that Layne was inside. She remembered the desperation with which Layne had clung to her. It had occurred to Stacy that night that Layne seemed to be chasing demons away by immersing herself in another soul. Her touches were tender, her kisses like fire, and her passion was all-consuming. At times, it felt as though they weren’t strangers, and there were moments when it seemed like they were making love instead of simply enjoying a pleasurable physical act. And as she pondered those memories, Stacy wondered if maybe that was why she’d been so affected by Layne. Maybe it was more than being beaten at her own game.
She listened to Ronnie humming as she put her things away, wondering how to define what was happening between them. They’d slept together the night they met and made plans to do it again the following evening. She and Ronnie were on the same page—have a good time, and when the party was over, no problem. They’d go their separate ways with no hard feelings. Ronnie had said as much after a week of nothing but sport fucking. Having no expectations and knowing that Ronnie had none of her, Stacy had relaxed, content to let things just happen, then came the invitation to take the trip. Would Ronnie even care if she knew what happened in Detroit?
“Can I ask you an odd personal question?”
Ronnie stepped into the doorway of the bathroom and grabbed her own breasts. “They’re real, baby. You’ve felt them.”
Stacy laughed and folded her arms. “Of that I have no doubt.”
Ronnie leaned against the doorjamb. “Okay, shoot.”
“Would it bother you if one of your friends dated someone you had been with?”
Ronnie pursed her lips for a moment. “You’re right, that is an odd question.”
Stacy rubbed the back of her neck and shrugged. “It happens a lot in our circles, don’t you agree?”
Ronnie eyed her suspiciously for a moment. “Lisa talked to you at the club the other night, didn’t she? I saw her go into the bathroom one time after you did.” Ronnie started ticking off fingers as she made her points. “First, Lisa and I aren’t friends. She’s an asshole, and she likes to stir shit. She and Joley were broken up a month before Joley and I did anything, so I didn’t steal Joley away from her like she’s been telling everyone. It was a one-time thing, and I found it sadly dull.”
“Oh,” Stacy said with a weak smile.
“Molly, Jenny, and Layne are my real friends, and I would never mess around with anyone they cared for. Olivia’s pretty damn good-looking, and even if she didn’t have the personality of a dirty sock, I wouldn’t give her a second glance. Layne means too much to me.”
“That’s…sweet.”
Ronnie grinned. “Don’t tell anyone I have a soft side. You’ll ruin my rep.”
Stacy looked back at Layne’s cabin as Ronnie busied herself in the bathroom. Maybe as she got to know Layne, the mystique would vaporize. With any luck, she’d downright detest Layne, and the gnawing in the pit of her stomach would finally go away.
*******
Layne did not unpack. She laid her suitcase on the chest at the foot of her bed, hoping a brilliant excuse for her to leave would miraculously manifest. She’d been lonely with Olivia, often feeling as though she shared a bed with a stranger. But as she sat in a chair and studied the cozy little love nest that surrounded her, she felt embarrassed to be there knowing she was in the middle of two couples who would no doubt make the most of the retreat designed for lovers.
On a table in a corner sat a bottle of wine with two glasses, next to it was a vase with two red roses. There were two large candles on either side of the Jacuzzi tub built for two. “Two, two, two of everything. This place is like an ark. I may as well be in a honeymoon suite in the fucking Poconos,” Layne said to no one, her voice sounding hollow as it reverberated through the room.
She leaned her head against the chair and stared at the ceiling. What she needed the most at this point in her life was work. David’s kindness was ill-timed. Layne needed the distraction of a busy office and wished she were back at Calloway being pummeled with questions and mounds of research ahead of her, not this solitude where all she had was plenty of time to think.
*******
“This is so good,” Molly said with a groan as she relaxed in the water that swirled around her. “I feel so wrong for enjoying myself when everything’s going wrong for Layne. This vacation was supposed to be good for her.”
