Ultimatum

Sydney was more than excited to finally go home after working all day. After her very early escapades with AJ, and having to be at the restaurant at seven, she was basically beat. She pushed the key in the ignition and started the car, however, it didn’t start. She tried again, but there was nothing. Just the signature annoying revving sound.

She didn’t know what to do. It was nearly 1 in the morning. She had been working just that long. She did know of one person who’d be wide-awake at that hour. She took her cell phone out of her purse and began to dial AJ’s number. He picked up, of course.

“Sup?” He answered. Music playing in the background.

“Yeah, hey, AJ? I’m stuck down at the restaurant. My car just won’t start and it’s late. It’s seriously dark. And I really need you to come get me.” She explained.

“Absolutely. Just go back inside and I’ll be there soon, okay?”

“Okay, thanks. You’re an angel.” She folded her phone back up and dropped it back inside of her purse. Then she got the key of the restaurant and stepped out of her car. She ran to the side door of the building and let herself in. Locking it as soon as she was safe inside. Then she went into the kitchen and flipped on the lights. She figured that she might as well get started on carving the watermelon sculptures so it’d be one less thing she’d have to do the next day.

She went into the back and got the largest watermelon she could find. Then she brought it to a large, metal, chopping table. She washed her hands, and then found a sharp knife. She was most familiar with making simple basket shapes with melons. So she took out a pen and made a quick trace. Then, when she was satisfied with her sketch, she began to cut. The knife was only an inch into the watermelon when there was a loud bang at the side door. Sydney jumped because the sound startled her. Her heart began to race and she started to shake. There was another loud banging.

“Open up, Syd! It’s me!” AJ yelled from the outside. His voice muffled through the thick door. She left the knife inside of the melon and ran to open the door. AJ stepped in and closed the door behind himself. It had started to rain, unbeknownst to Sydney. And he was soaking wet.

“We’re just gonna have to wait a while, cause it is pouring out there! And I’m not the most stable driver in heavy rain. And neither are you.” He stated. Sydney had to agree. They both sucked when it came to driving in heavy rain. AJ took his drenched jacket off and hung it up. Then he wiped his boots off on the mat under him. Sydney led him toward the kitchen and turned the oven on for him. She opened it up and allowed AJ to get warm, and dry.

“So, what are you doing back here?” He asked, not paying much attention to the huge fruit on the table.

“Just making a watermelon sculpture for this event tomorrow. That’s all.” AJ looked back at her and his mind drifted to the night before that they had shared together. He moved away from the stove and closer to Sydney.

“About last night…”

“Yeah, what about it?” Sydney replied as if she had no idea that what they did was different. And felt different. He took her hand away from the knife and her other hand away from the melon. Then he turned her around slowly.

“I don’t want you to think that because of that silly little kiss, anything has to change. Cause it doesn’t. We can still be tight. And, well, you know. We can still do what we do. And I’m sorry I kissed you. I just kind of got swept in the moment. You are a beautiful woman, you know that right?” He got closer to her with every word. And soon, she could feel his warm, sweet breath on her neck.

He moved the melon aside and picked her up onto the table. Sydney was wearing her typical chef’s outfit, minus the hat. She had on her white pants and white shirt, black boots, and a loosened scarf around her neck. AJ untied the scarf first and let it fall to the floor. Then he unbuttoned the white jacket slowly. Underneath she had on merely a black, satin bra. Whereas she usually wore a black or gray tank top. He reached around to her back, under her jacket, and undid the clasps. The cups of her bra fell away from her and he began to massage her breasts, paying special attention to her hardening nipples.

Sydney gasped in pleasure and tossed her head back. This gave AJ ample access to her neck, and he began to kiss and lick the warm flesh. He saw that there was a series of shelves behind her and he reached back for some cooking wine. He opened it while still kissing various spots over her chest. Once the bottled was opened, he poured a little down her chest and it cascaded over her body in the most aesthetic fashion. AJ quickly met the tiny drops of wine dripping from the peaks of her breasts with his tongue. Sydney could not help but moan louder and with more emotion.

AJ had another idea; he reached behind her again, but this time on the table on which she sat. He took of chunk of the watermelon Sydney had cut away earlier and brought it to her lips. The cold fruit tasted so sweet to her and she opened her lips farther to take a bite. Before she could do this, AJ pulled it away and kissed her, causing Sydney to lightly bite his lip instead. He then brought the watermelon to her nipples, simply to toy with her because the fruit was so very chilled.

Sydney suddenly realized that whatever got into them the night before would certainly happen again. She gently pushed AJ away and started to redress herself.

“What? What’s wrong? Too afraid to do it in here? Oh, wait, I know, you’re afraid you’ll get in trouble if anyone finds out we were getting freaky with food in the kitchen?” Sydney just shook her head no and continued to dress.

“Then what?” He asked again, oblivious to why Sydney had reservations.

“This just isn’t right. It never has been, and now it’s gotten awkward. We’re friends, Alex. Best friends. And best friends just don’t go around sleeping with each other. And even if they did, we do it a little too much for it to be normal. I mean, we get along great, and we enjoy each other sexually. But, if we can’t handle a stable dating relationship, then I don’t wanna do this anymore.” AJ nodded and stepped away from her, allowing her to get dressed.

“But we’ve tried the dating thing before. And it didn’t work. And when we were dating, I wasn’t able to give you the time you deserved because of my work. But the way things are now, there are no hurt feelings and no obligations, you know?” AJ replied in a rebuttal fashion.

“True. But AJ, sometimes, a woman… well, a person needs a sense of commitment. And though I love spending time with you, and the sex is beyond belief, I need affection. I need to know someone loves me. I need that bond with a man that goes much deeper than what we have now. If you’re not ready to step into that, it’s ok. But just know that unless we start making some commitments, I can’t keep having casual sex with you. I’m sorry, but I need more than that.” By now Sydney had re-fastened her bra and buttoned up her jacket. She straitened up the kitchen and her work area. Then she threw away the watermelon and decided to just start a new one tomorrow.

AJ just stood there watching her. His clothes were still a bit damp. Still, he was hot and bothered. He was so used to having sex with Sydney that his body didn’t know how to handle that sudden rejection. He went with his carnal impulses, in an attempt to get Sydney back into the mood, and made her an offer.

“Ok, babe. I’ll tell you what… we will try the dating thing again. And we’ll make it work this time. I just can’t bear to mess up what we have.” He said. Sydney stopped wiping the table when she heard this and she spun around.

“You’re serious?” She asked, with eyebrows raised.

“Dead serious. We can make it work. We’re older now, we’ve been friends longer. It can work.” He approached her again. Sydney opened her arms, expecting a hug. So that is what AJ gave her. But soon after they were in a tight embrace, he pressed his hips against hers. His erection protruding through his baggy jeans and becoming very evident to Sydney. She knew then that he wasn’t at all serious about dating again. She got yet another validation when he reached behind her and her butt, bringing her closer at the same time. She felt the hair on his chin tickle her neck just before he licked her there, and turned his tongue exploration into a kiss.

“Alright, you know what? That’s enough, McLean. Off of me, now. I’m done cleaning up, I’m sure the rain has stopped. I just want to go home and get some sleep.” She pushed him away, once again, and went to go get her jacket. As she passed the door, she flipped the lights off. AJ just stood there in the dark from a second, knowing exactly why she rejected him again. He was pushing a little too fast.

Sydney was right, the rain had lessened. So AJ walked her to his truck and let her in. Then he went to the other side and got in himself. On the ride to her house, AJ kept thinking about he just wouldn’t give Sydney what she so desperately wanted, a committed relationship. She was wonderful to him. She always looked out for him. And she was always there when he was at his lowest points. Still, he just couldn’t see himself loving her. She was “Syd.” His buddy. His best friend. The scrawny kid with no chest he met so many years ago. That was why they broke up in the first place. It was just too weird having feelings for her. Still, he couldn’t figure out why loving her was so intimidating, yet having frequent sex with her felt natural. Confusion swallowed him whole.



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