PART 2
Β§ 1
The next morning, after finally sleeping the entire night through, for which I'm extremely grateful, Jenni and I pack our overnight things into my car and say goodbye to the girls. They repeatedly reassure their mother they will be fine and not to worry.
The drive is long, but pleasant. We get to know each other better, sharing histories and stories, dreams and desires, regrets of the past and hopes for the future. I begin to wonder if Sienna's insinuation may eventually come to pass, that I'll eventually fall in love with Jenni.
I really like her, but it's way too soon to consider anything serious. She's still married! To my brother! I make a commitment to myself to keep things as romantically cool as possible at least until she's free from this current horror story.
Halfway there, Jenni's cell phone rings. She glances at the screen and says, "It's my friend Annah, where we'll be staying. Oh shit! I forgot to tell her you were coming!"
"I guess I'll be sleeping in the car," I tease.
"Hey Annah! I'm on my way," Jenni says, ignoring me and answering her phone.
I hear Annah speaking but can't make out the words.
"Oh Annah, that's so sweet of you! But... well... my brother-in-law Chase was going to be there with me. I'm sorry. I totally forgot to call and ask you if it would be okay for him to stay at your place too."
More talking by Annah.
"Oh. Oh my. I never considered that." She looks at me, uncertainty on her face. "Do you really think so? Well, I suppose. Then yes, I would be happy to have you come with me."
More talking by Annah.
"You're kidding me? This is such a drag. No wonder some people choose to continue to live in misery."
More talking by Annah.
"What? You'd do that for me? Are you sure? Well, I'll tell him, and thank you! I'm so glad I called you and not someone else. You've always been a true friend."
More talking by Annah.
"Oh Annah." I see Jenni start to cry. "I love you too my friend! Yes, we'll drive safe! Thanks again! We'll see you in no time! Bye Annah."
Jenni hangs up the phone, sets it down and leans in to one arm hug me as I drive, still crying. "Oh Chase. I am so grateful to have you and Annah to help me get through this. I don't think I'd make it otherwise."
"What's wrong? What did she say? Am I sleeping in the car?"
She laughs. "No! Of course not! You can stay at her place too. But you can't go to see the lawyer with me. Annah told me I need to be very careful about being seen with you. You never know who may see us and report it back to Colton. He could use that against me, saying I'm leaving him because of you."
"But you have evidence that he's cheating on you!" I say incredulously.
"Yeah, but if there's any chance he could use something against me, he could contest the divorce and make the whole thing a nightmare."
"I see your point," I concede. "So where does that leave me for this visit? How do I fit in?"
She smiles at me wickedly. "You are my chauffeur, my bodyguard and Annah's blind date," she says triumphantly. "You're sleeping with Annah tonight."
"Uhm..."
"Oh don't panic," she laughs. "That's just the story we'll tell if anyone asks. I wasn't feeling well so I asked you to drive me, then you and Annah are going to hit it off really well!"
About an hour out of town, Jenni takes the opportunity to kiss me without having to worry about anyone seeing. She acts like she wants more, but apparently decides against it. She's clearly still nervous about how all this is going to go, so I just hold her hand the rest of the way. Her appreciation is obvious.
Jenni texts Annah when we're about fifteen minutes away. Annah directs us to the parking lot of a local grocery store where Jenni can switch to her car for the ride to the lawyer's office. When I arrive, Annah is there waiting next to her car. I gaze appreciatively at her ride, a decked out Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the top off. I gaze even more appreciatively at Annah, who I secretly wish had her top off as well. She's a busty little thing with a cute face, auburn hair, freckles and a big smile.
Jenni jumps out as soon as the car stops and rushes to hug her friend. They state how good the other one looks, briefly discuss Summer and Sienna, and how the drive was to get here.
"Annah, I'd like you to meet Chase," Jenni says proudly, as I walk around the side of my car. "Chase has been my hero in getting through this."
Annah quirks a smile at Jenni, then back at me. She holds out her hand and says," It's a pleasure to meet you Chase. Thank you for taking care of my friend."
"The pleasure is all mine," I reply. "Not just meeting you but also taking care of Jenni."
"Oh my," Annah says. "Jenni, I wouldn't blame you if he actually was your reason for divorcing Colton."
I blush. Jenni laughs. Annah says, "Alright. Let's go initiate your emancipation."
Before leaving, Annah gives me her address, directions to her house and her spare garage door opener. Jenni thanks me, then gives me a brief, platonic hug. The two of them hop in the Rubicon and drive away.
On the way to Annah's house, I spot a liquor store. On an impulse, I decide it might be nice to have something for a celebration toast. I noticed a couple bottles of red wine in a kitchen cabinet back at Jenni's house, so I peruse the wine selection. Not really much of a wine drinker myself, I ask the store attendant for advice. A few options are suggested. I decide on one then check out the selection of bourbons. One bottle should be enough, I surmise. Happy with my selections, I pay in cash and leave for Annah's house.
When I arrive, I'm pleasantly surprised to discover her house, while not large, is well-kept and furnished for comfort rather than style. After bringing our overnight bags in from the car, I give myself a tour. It's set up as a bachelorette pad, complete with an entertainment room, an outdoor pool and, interestingly, an in-ground hot tub.
The extra bedroom boasts a queen bed and is set up as an office, so I bring our bags to that one.
Now... what to do about dinner?
Predictably, the front of the refrigerator holds a few magnets advertising local restaurants. Selecting one, I call and order a variety of dishes to be delivered around dinner time.
Β§ 2