(20) Business As Usual?

Jan decided to go on a shopping spree the last night of the three-day weekend. She was by herself, as she had been quite frequently these days. She was trying on a pair of shoes at Salem Place when her cell phone rang. She reached for it excitedly, hoping it was Jason. She got Belle Black instead. She managed a polite, if not bewildered hello. Ever since Chloe Lane arrived in town, Jan didn’t seem to exist to Belle Black any more. Or so it seemed….
“Hey Jan, what’s up?”
“Just shopping,” she responded quietly as she motioned a thumbs-up to the salesman.
“That’s good.”
“Getting a new pair of shoes.”
“So did you have a good weekend?” Belle asked in an overly friendly manner.
Jan rolled her eyes, “I guess. Not much going on really. I pretty much just hung out at home. You?”
Belle hesitated, realizing the position she put herself into, “Oh, well, my brother, Shawn, Chloe and I went to Chicago to visit my brother Eric.”

“Cool,” Jan said in the most innocent tone she could muster. She already knew about the trip. A very solemn, and very lonely Philip gave her the lowdown earlier that weekend at Dot Com. He found out the hard way from Bo Brady AFTER the group left. God forbid if he go along and make Chloe uncomfortable. Jan decided it was wiser to silently admire the dimpled scenery than to divulge Jason’s own Chicago excursion. Why make things any worse for him?

Jason and Chloe in Chicago on the same weekend... Coincidence or no?

Jan knew better. Her instincts told her Belle better as well.

After several minutes of nonsense bulls--- conversation, Jan managed to excuse herself with a friendly goodbye. She turned the phone off and jammed it in her pocket. She handed the salesman her platinum card as he rung her up. Jan shook her head and forced her mind to grow comfortably numb.

It that bad.

Aint’ this some shit? she thought. She was down to a freaking SYMPATHY call from Belle Black. Not necessarily in words, her actions spoke in this situation. Loud and clear. In a daze, Jan found her way back to her BMW. She got inside and threw on her Pink CD and hit the “Most Girls” selection. Despite what everyone thought, Jan knew in her heart of hearts what she really wanted and needed. Shoes were nice, yeah. But ten pairs of her favorite shoes didn’t amount to one minute of Jason’s love. Not even close.

“Bastard!” she hissed under her breath. “Bitch!” she yelled at the top of her lungs.


Chloe met Jackie Wells that evening for a “business” meeting. The important essentials of modeling etc etc. They sat in the Wells’ kitchen pouring over the details as their respective men shouted at their football teams in the adjacent room. Chloe was impressed by her own focus, given the proximity of her anticipated lover.

As Jackie finished wrapping up the order of business, Chloe excused herself to use the restroom.

On her way back, Chloe paused in the hallway. She had a nice little surprise in mind. One tease special coming right up…

Taking advantage of the fact that she was out of Michael’s view, Chloe waited patiently in the darkness. Chloe prepared herself as Jason took a big gulp of his Coke. Just before he swallowed, he glanced in her direction as she raised her shirt…. Tantalizing him with her bare breasts in lingered flash. Caressing her nipples and licking her lips as she did so.

In a quick reflex of shock, Jason spat out an entire mouthful of Coke.
Chloe dropped her shirt and covered her mouth as doubled over in hushed laughter when she heard Jackie yell “What was that?” from the kitchen in conjunction with Michael’s “Jason!”

Jason wiped his mouth and mumbled an embarrassed “Sorry dad… Nothing mom, just a slight spill.” He stood up, locking eyes with Chloe as he went into the kitchen. Chloe remained in the hallway until she was confident she could contain herself. It was almost impossible. She was nearly in tears. She expected a reaction all right, but nothing like that.

The Chloe devil was quite pleased.

She found Jason rinsing the soda he spit off his arms. Jason avoided looking at Chloe as she entered the kitchen. He removed his shirt and left the room. She finished the last few items before standing up to leave. Chloe grabbed her coat of the back of the kitchen chair, wondering where he ran off to.

She saw him coming down the stairs on her way out. He had just changed into a new shirt. He stopped in the middle of the staircase and shook his head at her. He gestured a keyboard to her and she nodded. He bumped into her “accidently,” ensuring a quick grab of her ass just before she turned to leave. Chloe held a straight face as she gave his hand a soft stroke and pried his hand away…

“Goalie chick” he mouthed.
“Grezky,” she mouthed back smiling sheepishly.


I KNOW he did not just grab the remote from my hand and turn the channel away from Roswell. And to Monday Night Football at that. Mimi glared angrily at Brady, appalled by his nerve.

Brady ignored her as he felt her fury burning into him out of the corner of his eye. He knew he pissed her off, but it was not big deal. He simply wanted to check the scores. Roswell was on a commercial break anyway. Mimi huffed an irritable “Tsk,” before firing a “What would Miss Sessions think of you hanging out here all the time?” out of nowhere. Brady adjusted his balls and ignored her comment, still awaiting the update.

Mimi snapped her fingers in his face, “Hello mother f---er. I’m talking to you!”
Brady grabbed her fingers and returned them to her lap, “Quit being a brat.”
“I just ASKED you a question Brady Victor!”
Brady turned to look at her, “I don’t know Mimi. I’ll be sure to ask her later on tonight when I crash at her place.”
“Why aren’t you there now,” Mimi asked snottily.
“She is WORKING tonight,” Brady responded matter of factly. He was done checking the scores, but he left in on the channel just to piss her off.
Mimi huffed again and attempted nudged him off the couch. Brady grabbed her foot and stood up. “You got a problem?”
“No!”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes!”
“You think I need some confessing to do?”
“Maybe.”
“I haven’t gotten laid all weekend Mimi. Chit chatting about my time spent here with Pamela is the last thing on my mind.”
“That’s a great foundation you two have.”
“More solid than the one you and Brett have. At least Pam and I can have a conversation with each other.”
“Yeah, about whose turn it is to lay in the WET SPOT!!!” she hissed. Mimi grew even more infuriated when Brady only smiled.
“What is your PROBLEM?” he asked as he sat in the empty love seat across from her.
Mimi sat up quickly, “YOU DON’T TURN THE CHANNEL WHEN ROSWELL’S ON!!!” she screamed.
Brady returned the channel to Mimi’s beloved Roswell. Instant fix, quick as that. No resistance.

Ginny joined Brady at the loveseat with a bowl of popcorn in hand. “Stop screaming Mimi. You’re going to piss the neighbors off.” Ginny snuggled up to Brady, as they begin to ignore her. The two laughed at each other as she stuffed his mouth with popcorn.

Mimi kicked the cushion Brady just vacated. Fuck him, she thought. “Don’t make one freaking SOUND when Michael Guerin is on,” she commanded. Brady shrugged and mumbled something in Italian. Ginny giggled and mumbled something back in Italian. Mimi felt an unexpected twinge of jealousy. She reached for the remote and turned up the volume.

“Mimi! Turn that s--- down!” Ginny yelled. “You’re going to get us a noise complaint.”
“I don’t care.” Mimi mumbled.
Brady slipped his arms around Ginny and the two resumed eating.

Before Mimi could smart off again, Chloe entered the apartment, flush from the cool air. She let out a deep breath and hung her coat in the closet.
“Hey sexy,” Brady said over his shoulder.

Mimi glared at him in disgust… Another jealous “ping” from within. He was such a pathetic flirt.

Chloe gave him a small smile and went into the kitchen to grab a glass of water, “Hey Ginny, would you mind if I borrowed your laptop to go on-line for a little bit?” A little thrown off guard, Ginny nodded, “Sure, go ahead. It’s on the dining room table next to my notes.”
Chloe flashed a winning smile and took a seat, “Thanks Ginny.”

Brady stood up suddenly, “Wait Chloe! Can I make a quick call before you go online?”
Chloe nodded, “Sure, I’ll just change into my pajamas.”

Mimi felt yet ANOTHER ping as Brady dialed the restaurant. She could hear him speaking in a hushed tone to his Miss Pamela Sessions. Making plans! Mimi recognized that tone… He used it on her several times when they were all having verbal “fun.” Sure enough…asshole.

Mimi snapped back to reality when she suddenly realized what she was thinking. Way to go Miriam, you’re cool…

Brady made another quick call, this time speaking in a normal voice. Mike G. was on, so Mimi didn’t pay attention to what he was saying. Whatever it was, it involved plans elsewhere. Brady whispered something in Ginny’s ear. She nodded, “Sure.” Ginny set down her popcorn polished off her Diet Coke. Brady handed Ginny her coat as he reached for her coat.

Commercial break.

“Where are you guys going?” Mimi asked in near desperation.
Brady opened the door for Ginny, “We’re going down to Casey’s to play cribbage.”
“Oh,” she replied softly, attempting to hide her disappointment.
“Why don’t you come down after this is over?” He asked as Ginny stepped outside.
Mimi shook her head and replied in a firm, “I don’t think so.”
Brady shrugged, “Whatever.”
“Yeah, whatever. Go!”
Brady shut the door behind him.

Mimi raised an eyebrow as Chloe nearly RAN to Ginny’s friggin laptop. Mimi attempted brief conversation as Chloe’s hands flew into an anxious dance on the keyboard, eyes bulging.
“How was your weekend Chloe?”
“Good Mimi. Yours?”
“Not too bad. I saw my dad and my brother…my mom is still, eh, you know.”
Chloe looked up to her, “Yeah, I know. Did you show them the apartment?”
Mimi nodded, “Uh huh. They were impressed, especially Conner. Now he wants to visit all the time.”
“That is sweet.”
“Yeah, and Brett stayed here every night too,” Mimi added absentmindedly, her subconscious want to prove a fact to Brady.
Chloe nodded, “I’m sure he did.”
“Hmmmm.” Mimi murmured in a trance when Mike G. returned to screen.

Mimi found herself distracted despite her future husband’s (Brendan Fehr) lead role in the episode. Between Chloe’s giggles and the musical bells of the AOL Instant Messenger filling the apartment, Mimi was growing annoyed.

“I haven’t gotten laid all weekend Mimi. Chit chatting about my time spent here with Pamela is the last thing on my mind.”

What kind of s--- was THAT? And the whole speaking Italian thing to his fellow paisan. Like some sort of freaking secret code going on. Did they always do that? Had she just missed it or what?

Mimi let out an “Arrrrgh”

Chloe paused in mid sentence, “Are you all right?”
Mimi shook her head. Just a serious case of runaway thoughts. “Roswell won’t be on next week,” she substituted for her true frustration.
“Bummer,” Chloe continued.
“Yeah.” Mimi got off the couch, now at a loss since her show was over. Her future husband had to say bye bye for the next two weeks. Watch something else? No. She could barely pay attention as it was. Go to bed early? Yeah right. Take a long bath and wax her punani? Not a bad idea. Nah…
“Hey, I’m going downstairs to join Brady and Ginny at Casey’s? You want to go too?”
Without even looking up, Chloe shook her head and waved her hand, “No, go ahead. But thanks anyway.”
“Who are you talking to anyway?”
“Just some clown.”
Mimi did an “I see,” and rolled her eyes. Could she be more vague?
Mimi reached for her purse and coat, “Well I’m going down there. If I stay late, I promise I’ll sneak in quietly. Just remember to wake me up. An alarm clock alone usually doesn’t cut it. I’m a natural night owl. NOT a morning person.”
“Got it.” Chloe quipped as she grinned at the latest message.
******
Joe answered the door on the third knock. Ginny, Brady, Casey, and Alex were deep into their game. They barely acknowledged her entrance. Actually, Brady didn’t. He wouldn’t even look up. Joe asked Mimi if she wanted a beer. She nodded and followed him out to the patio. She sat in one of the chairs and lit a cigarette as Joe twisted the top off a Heinekan.

Mimi played the role of intent listener as Joe began his life story…As if she really wanted to hear it. Or what an honor it was for her. He offered her a second beer. Mimi accepted, wondering how she was going to get out of this one. Freaking Chloe had it all figured out. You could always log off and go make a dish of ice cream.
Joe noticed Mimi shivering, “You cold?”
“A little,” Mimi said through chattering teeth. Perhaps this was her way out. To go back inside. Hell, maybe she would just leave.
“Let’s go inside,” he suggested.
Mimi nodded and followed him. They were just breaking up for a piss and refill break. Mimi waited until Joe, Casey, Alex and Mimi were out of the living room until she went to claim an open seat on the other side of the couch. Brady grabbed her hand as she passed him. He pulled her onto his lap. Mimi tried to get off him, but with little resistance.
Brady wrapped his arms around her and in his signature flirtatious voice murmured, “You want me don’t you?”
“Oh eat me,” she snapped. She broke into a gorgeous smile.
Brady hugged her tighter as he leaned her back towards him. He touched the corners of her smile and whispered, “Only if you lick me,” into her ear.

Mimi let out a hearty giggle- like a pleasant bell filling the air. Things were the same again.

You know, business as usual.