The Call: A Psychic Paranormal Romantic Comedy Read online

  That's repulsive, he answered himself.

  ✽✽✽

  The room had too many people in it. Now that dinner was over and drinks were flowing again, people were moving around. Crowds made Matilda nervous. People didn't see her or they shoved her. The cerebral palsy made her more prone to falling. It was embarrassing.

  She eventually found her way to a side door that led out onto a patio and then down a garden walking path. A walk sounded good. The grounds were lit by old fashioned looking gas lamps, and she could see other people walking around. There were even some benches sprinkled in the garden.

  Matilda walked out the door and down the path, enjoying the slightly chilly air on her bare arms.

  It was stuffy in the banquet room. It's beautiful out here.

  ✽✽✽

  After dinner, Bella wanted to go for a walk, "for some private time". Anxious to get out of the overcrowded room and move around, Jacob agreed.

  Maybe some walking will ease my blue balls.

  "Were you talking to that gimpy midget woman earlier? At the bar?" Bella asked.

  Jacob glared at her. Fuck you, Bella. "Matilda is just short. Don't be rude about her - again. And yes, I was. I work with her."

  They turned a corner in the path. It was a beautiful night, but there was no one else out walking on this side of the garden.

  "I don't want you talking to her. Stay away from her."

  "No." The response was immediate, no social filter or softening applied.

  "Excuse me?" Bella was annoyed.

  "I said no. I work with her."

  Jake plopped down on a concrete bench. If they were going to argue, he wasn't walking any further with her.

  Maybe I can actually dump her this time… We're twelve hundred miles from home. Can I dump her while we're out of town?

  "I don't like the way she looks at you!" Bella was trying to sound victimized, but couldn't pull it off.

  "Too bad."

  ✽✽✽

  Matilda had wandered too far. She was approaching the golf course associated with the hotel. She turned back on the path. The evening chill had gone from refreshing to cold, and she didn't see anyone else now.

  As she got closer to the main paths, she could hear a deep voice.

  "Excuse me?" She heard a shrill voice respond.

  She didn't hear a reply. The path bent here, so she couldn't easily see who was ahead. Not wanting to blunder in on anyone's argument, she took a few steps off the path to see around the bend.

  She saw Jake sit down.

  "Too bad." His voice was terse.

  "Jake, don't be like that. I just get jealous because I love you so much," Bella whined.

  Matilda's heart sank to her stomach. Hearing that hateful woman talk about loving Jacob made her chest ache.

  "I don't think so, babe. You love the money. It is what it is."

  "How can you say that?"

  "It's true."

  I should leave. This is not a conversation I need to witness. Maybe I can go back the other way and find another path...

  "You were rock hard through most of dinner. You want me so bad."

  How can he talk about her being a bitch and then also be that turned on by her?

  "Not quite." There was a sarcastic, angry sound to the chuckle that didn't belong in Jake's voice.

  "Oh, is someone grumpy and frustrated? Do you need a little extra attention? I've been away too long..." Bella said in a baby-talk voice.

  Is she petting his crotch? Out here? In public? Oh, good God, she's on her knees. She's going to suck him off right there?! Holy shit! Turn around and get out of here.

  Matilda couldn't bring herself to move. She didn't want to watch him be intimate with anyone else but was somewhat interested, too.

  Little Jake and I have spent enough time together. I'm curious about reality. Oh fuck, she's really going to do it! She's got a hand around him. Move your hand, bitch, I can't see...

  ✽✽✽

  If the bitch wants to give me a blow job, I'm not going to disagree. No baby scares from some head.

  Bella gagged as she tried to take too much.

  Oh, fuck. I wish this was Matilda. She'd suck and I'd lick and… oh fuck.

  "See how much you want me, Jake? See?" Bella simpered as she pumped him with her hand.

  "Shut up. Don't say another fucking word," Jake growled.

  Matty… fuck. That gorgeous fiery hair loose, wrapped in my hands, tits bouncing…

  ✽✽✽

  "Shut… fucking word," Matilda heard as Jake pushed his dick back into Bella's mouth.

  I can't believe I'm watching this. Turn around. Go back the other way. Give them privacy.

  Why am I watching this? This is not my business. He's a work friend… that I occasionally enjoy thinking about doing naughty things with.

  What the fuck is she doing? Can't the bitch even give a proper blow job? There's no rhythm to it. Faster. I would...

  Jake dropped his head back to look up at the sky. Then suddenly, he turned and met her gaze.

  They both gasped.

  Did he know I was here the whole time? FUCK!

  "Matty…" he clearly mouthed. "Matilda" his lips moved without sound.

  He moved with speed and rhythm, then climaxed while watching Matilda watch him.

  By the time he was done, Matilda was on the other side of the path, past them, most of the way back to the building.

  ✽✽✽

  Holy fuck! Was Matty just standing there? Did I imagine her being there? Holy fuck!

  Bella was gagging and spitting into the grass.

  "You're not supposed to finish in my mouth! You know I can't have those calories and it's nasty. You know better!" She shook her finger at him as she spoke.

  I'm dumping you the moment the plane touches down in Chicago. I'm done.

  "I'm not a puppy to be scolded, Bella."

  Chapter 14

  Matilda woke up Monday morning with a sense of dread. How was she going to explain being there? Watching that? How was she even going to look at him?

  In the end, she avoided the risk of seeing him at breakfast. She ordered room service. She'd see him later at the beer booth, but there would be other people around. He'd be mad, but at least he wouldn't mention what specifically she saw.

  Room service was a new experience - it felt luxurious and overwhelming at the same time. The waiter delivered her eggs, still hot, on a literal silver platter. The fruit was ripe and sweet. There was a selection of loose tea choices and fresh-squeezed orange juice.

  Good grief. I can't imagine being rich enough to afford this.

  ✽✽✽

  "Can you imagine all those poor schlubs downstairs at the breakfast buffet right now?" Bella sneered.

  Jacob sat at the table, counting the seconds until he would be free of her. She actually sent her egg white omelet back because it wasn't hot enough. He was often embarrassed by her antics, but now he was ashamed. Ashamed of her bad manners. Ashamed of her pampered, spoiled, bullshit. And, most of all, ashamed of himself.

  He didn't love Bella. He never loved her. She wasn't always like this; he didn't always dread her company. But, they have always been more like associates than friends. He should have ended it a year ago.

  Jake knew she slept with other people. About three months after they started dating, Sam had come to him with pictures and a private investigator report detailing the men she'd been with over the last month. It was more than a few. Jake didn't care. Whatever. She was convenient, so she stayed.

  Sam hated Bella from the moment he met her. It used to bother Jake. His favorite brother hated his girlfriend. He tried talking to Sam about it.

  "You don't like her. Why should I?" Sam had asked. Jake didn't have an answer. They didn't discuss it again.

  He thought about the casual ease Sam had with Matilda. Of the kiss on the forehead last night.

  Fuck. Does Sam have feelings for her? Midas doesn't date. Surely not…

/>   And then he thought of Matty, big eyes smiling up at him. Big eyes staring at him last night.

  I had to have imagined that. How else would she have been there? How fucking sad to want someone so much, you imagine them like that.

  How was he going to talk to her today without thinking about that?

  Maybe he and Matty could talk. Really talk. He could just tell her how he felt. Convince her.

  Then he thought of that night in the bar, when he'd made the pass about wiggling around together. How she blew him off, pretended like he hadn't invited her back to his place.

  She is not interested. It's just sad and pathetic that I am this stuck on her. Maybe after Bella… Bella bothers Matilda - the hatefulness upsets her. Maybe once it was done.

  "-not going today," Bella pouted.

  "Huh?" Jake asked.

  "Don't say 'huh?' It makes you sound like a moron. Aren't you listening?" Bella asked

  "No, sorry. What were you saying?"'

  "I said I'm not going today. I'm not wandering around that stupid conference with dumb people."

  "OK."

  "I'm going shopping," she said.

  "Sounds good."

  "What are you doing today?"

  He was surprised she asked, surprised she cared. "I'm going to the conference."

  "And we've agreed you're not going to talk to that gimpy midget woman," she said.

  Oh. Now her interest makes more sense.

  "No, we've not agreed on that," Jake said. "That's not feasible."

  "But, Jake!"

  "Save the whining. There isn't anything you can say or do. I will not ignore her. Let it go."

  "I don't understand why you're so stuck on this woman!"

  "Well, I don't understand why you care. Let. It. Go."

  And then he was moving toward the door as he tied the knot in his tie. "Have fun shopping."

  ✽✽✽

  Matilda finished eating and got dressed. She opted for her typical black slacks and blouse look. Hoopy earrings. Daytime makeup.

  I'll leave my hair down so I can hide my face if I need to, she thought as her face turned bright red, an ominous start to the day.

  As she walked toward the elevator, she promised herself she'd never spy on anyone again.

  If I had just behaved like a reasonable, logical adult, instead of listening to my damn hormones, I wouldn't be in this mess.

  She hit the button for the elevator.

  People have sex. Couples have sex. It wasn't even sex. It was head. I'm an adult. I can be an adult about this. I'll just… not think about it.

  The elevator whirred by on its way up as she thought about it.

  No one but the family knows me here. No one would be looking for me. I can just not show up. Say I'm sick or something.

  He'd know. If she didn't show up today, he'd know she was too embarrassed and guilty about spying on him. Somehow, that made it worse. She'd see him eventually anyway.

  The elevator on the right dinged. When the doors opened, Jacob was standing inside.

  FUCK!

  "Good morning. How was your night?" Jake asked with a surprised smile.

  FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! WHY? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? How can he look so normal and calm about this? He doesn't even seem mad.

  Matilda cleared her throat. "You didn't go down to breakfast with your family? I thought you all would be downstairs already."

  "Bella and I ate in the room," he said, perfectly calm. "The kickoff starts in about 20 minutes, so I figured I should get a move on."

  "Ah."

  The elevator dinged again. More people got on. A sweaty man that smelled of processed meats started a conversation with Jake.

  OK. Maybe we were pretending like it didn't happen. I can do that.

  ✽✽✽

  As the elevator got more crowded, Matilda looked more and more uncomfortable. It seemed to be stopping at every floor.

  Maybe she's claustrophobic?

  Jake touched her hand. "You OK?"

  She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "I just don't like crowds. People don't always see me."

  That made him smile. He nodded, knowingly. "Sometimes they knock you into sludge puddles."

  She gave him side-eye.

  "Oh, come on. It's been long enough for that to be funny."

  Matilda tried not to smile. "Still not funny."

  "It was hilarious. I should have taken a picture of you that day."

  ✽✽✽

  Why is he so fucking kind? He shouldn't be trying to distract me right now. He should hate me for being a creepy voyeuristic spying person. Why? Why is he like this? It just makes keeping distance from him harder.

  "I'll be ok," Matilda said, just to say something.

  Jake was still touching her hand. He nodded.

  When the elevator finally got to the first floor, they stepped off together, staying close as they walked, in step without thinking about it.

  "What's on the agenda for this morning?" Matilda asked.

  "Umm, Hank will do a little talking, Sam will do a little talking, then we'll do a panel conversation. Anything you want to ask us?" He grinned at her.

  Say something lighthearted and impersonal. Don't fuck this up.

  "Hmmm. Does Will share his workout routine with the Rock?"

  Jake chuckled a bit.

  "Do you love Bella?" Matilda asked quickly.

  WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? I can't believe I asked that. Oh, good grief. Why did I go there? We were doing so well, pretending as if nothing happened.

  ✽✽✽

  "I'm sorry," Matilda stammered out. "It's none of my business. I don't know where that came from."

  Jake touched her hand again so she'd stop walking.

  This is it. This is my chance. It's the perfect opening…

  He talked fast. "No, not even a little bit. I have never loved her and never claimed to. I'm cra-"

  "HEY HEY! There's my favorite Trellis kid! I want to talk to you about a line of fishing products." A middle-aged man in glasses, a bad combover, and polka-dot bow tie barged into their conversation.

  What? No. Who the fuck is this? No. What is this guy's name? Gary? George? Greg!

  "Hey Greg, I was in the middle of a conversation. We can talk-"

  "No, it's OK. Again, sorry Jake. That was very rude of me. I'll see you later, OK?" Matilda looked upset as she walked quickly away.

  "Shit, man. Did you see the boobs on that hot little piece? She's got an ass to match. Must have a bad hip or something, but I'd bang her. Those little petite ones are always wild, and she's a redhead to boot. Yum. Sorry to interrupt, but you're a tough guy to find during the conference."

  I'm going to rip his head off and spike it like a football.

  "What Greg? What the fuck do you want? That was an important conversation you just busted in on. So, what the fuck is so important?" Jake demanded.

  "Eew wee. My apologies, brother. I thought I saw you sitting with that hot blonde last night. I want to talk about fishing tackle. Baits, lures, lines. It's an underserved market that Trellis could…"

  Fuck my life.

  ✽✽✽

  Ethan and Noah were greeting people as they came in each of the doors. When Ethan saw her, he swept her off her feet into a giant hug.

  "It's my favorite Matilda!" He laughed.

  "Hi honey," she tried to smile back.

  "What's wrong, Matty?" He asked with concern.

  "Nothing, I'm fine. Just don't like crowds." She swallowed the lump in her throat, as she got out of the way of the crowd trying to enter the auditorium.

  "Head to the front, Matty. Darla is looking for you. She saved you a seat," Ethan called.

  Doing as she was told, she spotted Will first and headed toward him. Darla was probably close to him.

  Why did I ask him that? It's so much worse now knowing that he doesn't love her. There's no chance we'll be together. What a stupid thing to ask. He dates supermodels, for fuck's sak
e. He's in a different league.

  Jake was kind in the elevator. She had been expecting him to be angry or cruel or standoff-ish. But he was regular Jake. Always trying to make her comfortable. Always trying to make her smile. He was so easy to banter with, to be with.

  It was hard not to crush on him, to wish for more. But there would be no more. They were friends and she needed to stop this.

  Darla saw Matilda before Matilda spotted Darla. Darla was walking toward her with her arms up, waving enthusiastically. Matilda half-smiled again.

  Why are these people so nice to me? All of them. I thought they were just open and approachable. Clearly, based on how these crowds react to them, they don't usually mix with contractors. They must feel sorry for me. Poor disabled Matilda, no family, all alone.

  She thought back to the original rumors she heard about the Trellis family before she knew them. Were those rumors closer to the truth and she was treated differently? But, the thought of the Trellis family pitying her made her want to cry. Matilda had thought of all of them, except Bella, as friends. It hurt to think of them coddling her, and she wasn't entirely sure why.

  Darla's face furrowed into a look of concern as she got closer. "What's wrong?"

  "Hi Darla. Nothing at all, I'm good. I just don't do well with crowds." It wasn't a lie.

  "Matilda, you look like you're going to cry."

  "No, I'm fine. I'm sorry. The conference is just huge. I'm a little out of sorts. How are you?"

  Darla didn't seem convinced, but she let it go. "I hate this conference. Beth and I are going to find good tex-mex and margaritas after the speeches are over. Care to join us?"

  "I think I have to go to the expo, to the beer booth," Matilda said with feigned regret. She couldn't have a drunken lunch with Darla and the youngest Trellis right now. There were too many emotions floating through her. Too much to sort out in her brain. Plus, Bella might go to lunch, and then she'd have to deal with that nonsense.

  "Where's Bella?" Matilda asked.