I had to try to see the good in what happened: People learn from their mistakes, so I would never fall for an asshole again. And I could probably use the whole thing in a book someday.
I snorted. I grabbed the soft sponge and ran it over my body, trying to relax. I'd almost managed when I brushed between my legs. Adrian’s fingers had felt so good as he’d stroked me there. Why did he have to fuck up so majorly?
I swore quietly under my breath and dropped the sponge before turning off the water. Maybe I should try to slip in the shower and hit my head on the tiles. People got amnesia like that, right?
I’d probably just start lusting for Adrian again if I forgot what had happened. I deserved to live with the memories of my mortification. Stupidity deserved punishment. I'd known about Adrian's manwhorish-ways, had watched him bang more than one woman through my binoculars, and yet I'd foolishly thought he'd be different with me.
I got out of the shower cabin, drying myself off with a not so soft towel. For a brief moment, I could feel the warning heat of tears behind my eyes, but I willed them away. Never again. I glared at my reflection when I passed the mirror. It took me ten minutes until I was dressed in jeans and a sweater, and had packed a bag for my trip to my parents. I needed to leave as soon as possible. I would return, but right now I needed some space. If I met Adrian in the parking lot by chance, I wouldn't be able to pull myself together, and I didn't want to cry in front of him, or end up strangling him. I put Bruno on his leash and grabbed my bag before leaving my apartment and locking the door behind me.
I decided not to call my parents and surprise them with my visit instead. Maybe I could even startle my mother into silence. She always asked too many questions, and yet I was looking forward to seeing her and Dad again, especially Dad. He would never say so, but I knew he missed me a lot, more than Mom. I decided to rent a car instead of going by public transportation, which was a pain in the ass because Harrington was difficult to reach.
***
It took me a little over three hours to reach my home town. It was shortly after four in the afternoon when I pulled up in front of the house. Two stories, white porch and flower beds with yellow and lilac flowers. To my surprise Dad's Toyota was parked in the driveway. I would have expected him to still be at work in his vet practice, but maybe he’d decided to take afternoons off after I moved out. Maybe he was worried that my mother would die of boredom without me there to fight with.
I grabbed Bruno and set him down on the sidewalk, then grabbed my bag and got out of my car. Barking sounded from inside the house. Of course, Brownie and Donut would hear me before I even got close to the front door. Bruno yanked on his leash, desperate to get going. The door of the house swung open and Dad stood on the porch, looking at me in surprise. He was still in his black ‘work’ Crogs, so he couldn't have been home for long. Bruno tore even harder, and I let go of his leash. He stormed over to Dad, wagging his stubby tail excitedly. Brownie and Donut dashed out of the house, whirling around Bruno, then advancing on me. They were both black and white Bearded Collies and had more energy than a buttload of caffeine and Red Bull could ever give me. They jumped at me and it was all I could do not to fall over. I dropped my bag and patted them. Dad let out a whistle and Brownie and Donut stopped their assault of me and trotted back to him.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said with a laugh. I picked up my bag, but Dad came toward me, hugged me and then took it from me. Dad’s hair was almost entirely gray now but it was still full, not a bald spot in sight. I’d inherited my thick brown hair from him. “We didn’t expect you home this weekend. Don’t you have to work?” Bruno, Brownie and Donut disappeared into the house. “No, not in the next few days.” It wasn’t a lie, after all.
There was a hint of worry in his blue eyes. “Wonderful. We’re glad you’re home.”
I’d forgotten how annoying it was that Dad always talked for him and Mom when she wasn’t even around. They were just like Amy and Jared. The forever and ever kind of love of soulmates. Couldn’t their luck have rubbed off on me?
“Where’s Mom?”
“In the kitchen, baking her famous Apple pie.”
We walked into the house. Barking was coming from the kitchen, then Mom’s voice. “You need to share with each other. Here another bite for you.”
I followed the noise into the kitchen with its white fronts and dark wooden counters. Mom was busy feeding Bruno a strip of bacon. Brownie and Donut were still chewing on theirs, but already eying the plate loaded with more bacon on the table.
“That’s not good for dogs, you know?” I said as a way of greeting. “Too much fat and salt.”