Athena's Story Ch 14

“Don’t even bother asking,” Athena says as she flops into the armchair. There’s a nervous energy in her body. Her knee bounces, and her fingers tap the arms. Her linen lounge pants and batwing top are not her usual look. What she typically calls a messy bun is a work of art; today, it’s the real thing. Her tint, concealer, and gel are almost arrogantly minimalist, yet she is perfectly blended. None of it is intended to hide her bruised face and neck.

Piper Dunham goes to her chair and sits. She looks perfectly serene, but that’s how it always is. “About your face?”

“I texted you what happened.”

“You did. Are you safe at home?”

“Why would I not be?”

“When someone comes in with those bruises, there are questions that I ask.”

“I just told you not to.”

“Doesn’t work that way. You’re telling me your wife didn’t do that?”

“My wife isn’t even here yet, but she’s coming,” Athena says, picking at the arm of the chair.

“So that was ICE.”

“Well, no. It happened in jail. Turns out I’m not cut out for jail, but Blair protected me.”

“Blair is your friend from pickleball?”

“Yeah.”

“Who bailed you out?”

“My mom. And then I bailed Blair out. I guess she doesn’t have the most supportive family. I have to go to court Friday.”

“What are you feeling?”

Athena considers it for a long time. “A lot.”

Piper smiles. “Yeah. Start wherever.”

Athena chews her lip and closes her hands into fists. She squeezes. “You don’t seem worried. You don’t seem concerned at all. Does it not bother you?”

“Athena, you needed a push.” Piper leans forward and clasps her hands. “And you don’t look like you’re in any distress to me.”

“How do I look?”

“The clinical term?” Piper brushes her hair back and crosses her legs. “Stoked.”

ATHENA’S STORY

Sal did not miss the heat and humidity, but she hurriedly drags her bags out of the back of the Uber and hustles to the garage. She punches in the code and dips through, finding both cars there. Athena is home, although she didn’t reply when Sal texted that she was leaving the airport.

She leaves the bags and hurries in. “Babe? You home?”

Athena is cross-legged in the living room with her laptop on the coffee table. She looks up, and for a moment, there’s nothing. It’s not quite the sweeping, romantic reunion that Sal might have pictured. Then Athena smiles.

“Hey,” she says.

“Holy shit,” Sal says as she sees her face.

Athena gets up and hurries over for a quick hug and a brusque, cursory kiss. “I’m OK. Sorry. I didn’t mean to mess up your trip.”

“You’re sorry? No—uh, did ICE do this to you?”

“No, it was a chick in lockup.” Athena rolls her eyes and winces. “Ouch. Um, so. You look good.”

Sal has a lot of things to say, but none of them can get to the front of the line. Instead, she hugs her wife tightly. “Where’s your mom?”

“I kicked her out. I’m fine.”

“You lost your job, you went to jail, you got attacked. You’re not fine.” Sal groans and steps back. “Listen. Listen, I have to tell you this and it has to be now. I know it’s the worst possible time, but it can’t wait.”

It’s clear that Athena is buzzing about something, but even that is not enough to keep her from noticing how Sal is behaving. Athena’s face turns serious. “What?”

“I cheated on you.”

“Excuse me?”

“There’s this billionaire and her hot daughter and her hot… bestie. Not as hot as you, obviously, but hot. And they seduced me. And that happened. And it’s my fault. And I’m telling you and taking responsibility.”

Athena’s face is frozen for a long, long moment. “Didn’t expect that. You aren’t being funny?”

“No.”

It’s quiet for a few seconds. “You’re right about the timing,” Athena says.

“Yup.”

“Are you, uh, leaving me for this billionaire?”

“What? No. That’s not—it wasn’t that kind of thing. It was a horny party thing, not a romance thing.”

Athena stares at her.

Sal licks her lips. “OK, look,”

“Shut up, I’m thinking.”

Sal stands there and sweats, feeling like she’s about to puke. The house is spotless and smells impeccable. Apart from the bruise, which is driving Sal crazy, Athena seems good. Better than before she left, actually. Sal is lightheaded.

“Did this billionaire want something from you, or was it just your looks and charm?” Athena asks, smoothing Sal’s shirt out.

“Favors, obviously. I guess you could say that she wants my loyalty.”

“And you folded because they were hot, and that’s your adolescent fantasy? Or because you want to get rich?”

“Not how I would put it, but it was a very foldable situation. Mostly the first one. It’s not like I had a connection with these women. It was just exciting. I wasn’t thinking about money because I wasn’t thinking at all.”

“This was the three-way?”

“Four-way.” There are things that Sal could say, but she doesn’t dare.

“OK, there’s a lot to talk about with this,” Athena says, rubbing her temples for a moment. “But I’m going to let you off with a warning for right now.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“You aren’t even gonna slap me?”

“Have I ever slapped you?”

“No, but this seems like a slap thing.”

“I’m not slapping you. Maybe, maybe as part of sex stuff, but we have to talk about it first. And that’s not important right now.” Athena waves her hand, frustrated. “God. I know who I married. Obviously, I’ll slit your throat if you ever cheat on me for real, but what you’re saying sounds like some crazy not real life stuff that anyone would have trouble staying strong with, so you go in the doghouse, and we’ll leave it at that. Thanks for coming back, by the way. You didn’t need to. But I appreciate it.” This time, Athena is the one doing the hugging.

Relived, Sal’s grin overtakes her face as she sinks into the embraces. “Thanks, babe. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Oh yes, you will.” Athena pulls back and lifts Sal’s wrist to get a better look at her new wristwatch. Sal wasn’t thinking; it was the gift from Irina. Athena raises an eyebrow but doesn’t comment on it. “I need all the credit cards.”

“You already have that.”

“Yeah, but I’ll actually use them now.”

“OK. OK, fine.”

“Unlimited sexual favors in perpetuity.”

“Um, done. You get that too, don’t you?”

“Yeah, but now I won’t even pretend to be civilized.”

Sal frowns. “Are you—are you not authentic in our sex life?”

“Is anyone?”

“I think I might like this?” Sal says hesitantly.

“I also need a hundred thousand dollars.”

Sal blinks.

Should she ask what for?

Or just agree?