Katie

            It’s finally Friday, I have been looking forward to getting away all week. Hayley and I had gone shopping, since all my clothes are getting tighter.  Hayley took me to the cutest little maternity boutique, that has clothes that don’t emphasis the pregnant belly.  Not that I am worried about people noticing I am pregnant, but I am not interested in advertising it either.  I mean, who wants to advertise that their belly is getting bigger!  I dress in one of my new sundresses and opt for a pair of neutral dressy flip flops that will match all my new outfits.  I have packed up and am patiently waiting for Avery to arrive to pick me up.   When he does arrive, he is smiling as he takes in my appearance.  We head for the casino, where Troy said he would have a car waiting on us.  Once we are joined by the others, a limo pulls up.  Hayley is jumping up and down, excited about taking a limo.  I think the whole thing is incredulous, I mean, it is a bit much to pick your friends up in a limo for a trip to the lake.  Is he showing off?  And whose benefit would he be showing off for?  Obviously not his friends.  I see Wayne and Avery exchange looks, and I am wondering if they are thinking the same.  The limo is clearly too much.  There are lights running along the floor and ceiling, flat screen TV’s on both the front and back side of the limo, playing a newly released movie.  The surround sound is playing through a two-thousand-watt audio system.  There is a huge sunroof and a fully stocked bar.  Once we load into the limo, Wayne nudges Avery, “This seems a bit over the top.  Troy has never been one to flash his family’s money around.  Remember, in school, he went to extremes to conceal that his family had money, and now he is parading us around in a limo?” Avery just nods.  

            We arrive at the lake house, and Troy is waiting outside for us, dressed in black Abercrombie cargo shorts and an emerald green t-shirt, which really brings out the color of his eyes.  He greets us all with a smile, “Welcome to the family lake house, did you enjoy your ride in?”

            “It was a bit much, wasn’t it?” Avery asks dryly.

            “Nothing but the best for my friends and their new friends!”  His voice is dripping with sarcasm, and I wonder if anyone else notices.  Avery looks over at Wayne, who gives him a quizzical shrug.  “If you will follow me, I will take you on the tour and show you to your rooms.”  I can’t help but gasp as we get closer to the house.  Hayley intertwines our arms, and we walk up the path to the house arm in arm.  The house is two story beige stucco, with brown patterned rock trim.  The front door opens into a huge foyer with a curved staircase.  To the left is a huge living area, with two large suede sectional couches and a huge projection TV.  There is dark oak wood end tables and a large round wood table between the two sectionals.  The room has wood flooring and a huge area rug that centers the furniture in the room.  To the right is a game room.  There is a pool table and foosball table on each end of the room.  There is a ridiculously large flat screen TV in the middle of the room, with ever game system imaginable connected to it, with four bean bag gaming chairs in front of it.  There is also a dart board and pinball machine.  The living area opens into the kitchen through a large archway.  The kitchen has huge windows overlooking the lake, and is very modern, with grey marble flooring and counter tops.  There is a huge bar that separates the kitchen from the dining area off to the left, lined with six black bar stools.  The kitchen has industrial sized modern appliances, and it is clear that Wayne is in love.  The dining area is also lined with plate glass windows that overlook the lake, along with French doors that lead out onto a huge deck and dock, where there is a boat and two jet skis.  As we turn left onto the deck, it leads to a built-in swimming pool, and beyond that is a guest house.  Once Troy has completed the tour of the downstairs, he takes us upstairs and assigns us each a room.  Each room has king size beds, wall mounted TV’s with satellite, adjoining luxury baths and balconies.  He tells us to get comfortable in our rooms, and to change into swimsuits and meet him at the pool.  

            I am so excited to show off the new bathing suit I purchased while shopping with Hayley.  I run into the bathroom, which has a walk-in shower and a whirlpool tub.  I change into my swimsuit, take one last look at myself in the mirror.  My baby bump is just starting to make its appearance, and I rub my belly and smile.  I turn, checking out my butt, making sure it isn’t getting any bigger along with my belly.  Satisfied with my appearance, I open the bathroom door, and enter the bedroom I am sharing with Avery.  He has changed into his swim trunks, which are a deep dark orange, with a Hawaiian flower print, which accents his tan skin.  I can’t help but stare at his muscular frame.  Avery in his police uniform is sexy as hell but taking in the sight of him in nothing but his swim trunks is down-right criminal!  

            Everyone is already poolside when we arrive.  Hayley is already in the pool, hollering for me to come in and join her.  Wayne is manning the grill, which doesn’t surprise me, I am sure he will be doing all the cooking for us this weekend.  Troy rises from the chair he was occupying near the grill, next to Rick, and is heading in our direction, when he stops dead in his tracks.  I notice he is taking in my appearance, specifically my baby bump. I watch him look from my belly, to Avery, and back to me again.  I feel Avery stiffen, obvious that he noticed Troy’s reaction as well.  I watch as Troy composes himself and continues over to us.  Addressing me, he starts talking about the property line and shares a little history about the area with me, when I notice the guesthouse.  “Troy, will you be giving a tour of the guesthouse?”

            Troy seems surprised by my request and offers to give me the tour now.  Wayne calls Avery over to help him with the grill, so I ask Hayley if she would like to join us on the tour.  She declines but orders us to hurry up so that I can swim with her before dinner.  “Well, I guess it’s just us then?”  Troy asks as he motions toward the guest house, and I begin walking with him in that direction.  “So, how did you meet Avery?”

            “I’m glad you asked,” I smile over at him.  “I’m the victim of a rape, and Avery is the officer dispatched to handle my case.”  It sounds more impersonal than I mean for it to sound, and I notice that Troy lifts an eyebrow at me, questioning my comment.  “I know it sounds crazy, but that is how we met.  One thing led to another, and here we are!”  I am feeling proud of my quick dissertation of what happened, and I lift my head with pride.  “I could tell that you noticed my baby bump, it is a result of the rape.”  I realize I sound proud, something a rape victim likely wouldn’t be feeling under similar circumstances.  Troy stops in his tracks, looking over at me.

            “Your pregnancy is a result of the rape?”  He asks in something just above a whisper.  He looks shocked, which surprises me.  After several moments of watching me, he starts walking again, and I follow.

            “Yep.”  We have reached the front porch of the guest house, and he is fixing to open the door.  “I know I should be upset about this, most people would have aborted the pregnancy, or given it up for adoption.  But I couldn’t.  As strange as this may sound, I feel like I have been blessed with life.  I have a lot of support from everyone, and I decided to keep the baby.  You know, trying to turn a bad into a good?”  I look over at Troy, searching his eyes to see if there is any understanding.  I am surprised to see something resembling fear, then he looks away quickly.  He opens the door to the guest house and begins the tour.

            The guest house is just as beautiful as the main house, just a smaller, one-bedroom version, and I was excited to have been able to see it.  I will admit that I am troubled over Troy’s reaction to my pregnancy.  I am sure to thank him for the tour, and for having us for the weekend, telling him what a wonderful time I am having already.  He walks silently beside me, smiling over at me occasionally, the only indication that he is listening to me.  I am relieved once we reach the others at the pool, and Hayley is already calling for me to come swim.  I excuse myself from Troy and join Hayley in the pool.  I watch as Troy joins Avery and Rick in the chairs near Wayne and the grill.

Avery

            I watch as Katie and Troy are approaching from the guest house.  I can’t seem to take my eyes off of Katie.  She is wearing a black swimsuit with a halter style top, dipping low into her cleavage, showing more than I would like.  The bottoms have a thick elastic band, which I know is a maternity support band, but it flatters her hips, with the small baby bump peaking above the top.  She is sexy as hell, and I am feeling possessive watching her walking with Troy.  Hayley calls her over to join her in the pool, and Troy saunters over to where we are, taking a seat.  Wayne is babbling about the ingredients he uses in his rib rub when Troy turns toward me.  “Nice girl you got there.  She was telling me how you met.  Isn’t it against some type of rule to date the victim of a case you are working on?”  Troy is looking me over, challenging me.

            “No, it isn’t,” my eyes narrow, warning him to watch himself.

            “Ok, just wanted to make sure you weren’t doing something that was going to come back and bite you in the ass.”  Troy gives me a mischievous grin and gets up and joins the girls in the pool.

            “What the hell is his problem?” Rick asks, seeming concerned over Troy’s comments.  I just shake my head.  I have no idea what is wrong with him.  He has never been ugly toward me before.  Troy and Wayne have had their differences over the years, but Troy and I have always gotten along.  Something is clearly bothering him, and I hope we get it resolved soon.  I watch Troy interact with the girls in the pool, making sure he is not making them feel as uncomfortable as he is making me feel.  They all seem to be getting along fine, each of the girls laughing at whatever he is saying to them.

            Wayne announces that dinner is ready, and Troy is the first out of the pool, dismissing himself to go and get towels for everyone.  He returns and hands Hayley her folded towel, but when Katie climbs out of the pool, Troy greets her with the towel open, proceeding to wrap the towel around her.  I feel a tinge of jealousy, an emotion I’m not expecting. I smile at Katie as she approaches me, wrapping my arms around her as she comes to stand in front of me.  We all stand around, admiring the spread Wayne has prepared for us.  There is steak, ribs, grilled barbeque chicken and lemon herb sprayed shrimp on skewers.  This is accompanied by grilled zucchini, baked potatoes, and grilled butter parmesan corn on the cob.  We all take our seats and help ourselves to Wayne’s wonderful meal.  Troy lights a fire in the outdoor fireplace, and we all talk during dinner, sharing stories and discussing what we would like to do during our visit.  As we are cleaning up, Katie dismisses herself, saying she is exhausted and wants to go lay down.  After I help clean up, I head upstairs, alarmed when I don’t find Katie in the bed.  I can hear the jets from the whirlpool tub in the bathroom and sneak a peak into the bathroom.  I can’t help the smile that forms on my face when I find her asleep in the tub.  I turn off the jets and drain the water, and using one of the large bathroom towels, I lift Katie out of the tub.  She is startled from her slumber as I lift her, but instantly relaxes against me as I carry her to the bed.  I help her stand as I dry her off with the towel, she smiles sheepishly at me as I help her into her pajamas.  I situate her in bed, then take a quick shower before joining her, pulling her close to me, and drifting off to sleep.

            I am awakened by the birds chirping outside the window.  I look over and Katie is still asleep.  I get up and get dressed to go for a run around the lake.  When I return, Katie is no longer in bed, and I hear the shower running.  I smirk, start undressing, and join her in the bathroom.  I can see her through the frosted glass wall of the shower, and I pause, standing there taking in the scene in front of me.  She has her head tilted back, allowing the water to run down over her hair.  She has her eyes closed and is completely unaware that I have invaded this moment.  I walk around the glass wall to join her in the shower, reaching around her waist and pulling her towards me.  She gasps in surprise, her eyes shooting open.  I lower my mouth to her ear, “Do you know how incredibly beautiful you are?”  She moans and I cover her mouth with mine, claiming it with my tongue.  She wraps her arms around my neck, as I slowly back her up against the shower wall.  I lift her up, and her legs immediately wrap around my waist, and I leisurely enter her, satisfying a longing ache.  I lower my mouth to her breast, teasing her nipple with my tongue, as I increase the pace.  I lift my head and look into her eyes, claiming her mouth again as our union becomes more feverish, racing toward a common destination.  After several intense moments, I groan, and tilt my head back as I feel her walls closing around me tightly, she cries out, as the waves of pleasure consume us both.  

            After we finished showering, we head downstairs, where we are greeted with the smells coming from the kitchen.  Wayne has obviously been up and preparing breakfast, which comes as no surprise to any of us.  He has somewhat of a breakfast buffet set up along the bar, consisting of every type of breakfast food imaginable, including fresh fruit.  Katie lowers her hand toward her stomach, and quickly excuses herself, joining Rick and Hayley at the table outside.  Wayne gives me an understanding look, and prepares a plate of crackers, cheese and fruit, and takes it out to Katie with a glass of carbonated water.  Apparently, he is much better at understanding the needs of my girl than I am.  With a frown, I fix a plate and join Katie outside, trying to fight off the wave of jealousy I am feeling.  I look over at her, searching her face to be sure she is okay.  She smiles warmly at me, putting her hand on my knee, giving it a reassuring squeeze.  Troy and Wayne join us at the table, and discussions begin over the plans for the day.  I notice the jet skis that are now sitting by the dock and ask Troy about them.  Troy jumps at the opportunity to describe the advantages of each of them, and issues a challenge to Wayne and me.  Of course, man code dictates that we must rise to this challenge.  Troy goes over the rules, and I am filled with excitement, we are all getting along again, which is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  I was really beginning to worry that we had lost Troy, but seeing my old friend acting like himself again is encouraging.  We all converge on the dock, Wayne, Troy and I each mounting a jet ski.  At first, we take the time to settle in on the jet skis, playing around, spraying each other, and doing flips over the wakes.  Finally, we line up for the race, the challenge Troy had issued earlier.  Cheers are coming from the dock, and we hear the bull horn.  We take off, racing toward the marker, each trying our best to knock the other off their jet ski, cutting one another off, even pushing each other off course with our feet when we pass.  We reach the marker, turning around for the final stretch of the race.  We are each leaning forward, hoping this allows more speed, racing toward the finish line.  It is a tight race; we are side by side as we inch closer.  I get a crazy idea, and drop back, making a quick turn toward Wayne’s wake, and jump ahead of them both as we cross the finish line.  As we dock, both of my friends are taking friendly jabs at me, accusing me of cheating, while patting me on the back.  It was, after all, just a friendly competition, I just happened to come out on top this time.  I have a cocky grin on my face as I am greeted by my girl, who rushes into my arms.  She is giggling as I spin her around, celebrating my victory.  The rest of the morning is spent taking a leisurely boat ride around the lake, with Troy playing tour guide.  When we return, Wayne announces that it is time to catch our lunch, causing more than a few groans.  He and Troy head to the boat house to round up fishing poles for everyone and some mill worms.  Everyone baits their hook, except for Hayley, who has Rick bait hers.  With Troy’s advice, between us all, we catch over three dozen catfish.  The girls head inside to change into their swimsuits to cool off in the pool.  Us guys head over to the boat house to clean the fish.

            “It has been a while since we have all hung out like this.” Troy offers with a smile.

            “Well, if someone hadn’t been eluding us, we could have been hanging out.”  My statement is a bit bolder than I intended, looking over at Troy to measure his response.

            “He’s right, you’ve been avoiding us.”  Wayne chimes in, as he fillets one of the fish.

            “I’ve had a lot of shit on my mind.”  Troy challenges, “What would you know about it anyway, Avery, you ran off with Vanessa.”

            “What the hell has that got to do with anything?”  I am pissed, what purpose does Troy have in mentioning Vanessa while I am here with Katie?  “That’s in the past.”

            “Who’s Vanessa?” Rick queries, feeling completely left out of the conversation.

            “Wait did you ever tell me the details of your night with her?”  Wayne asks, deep in thought, obviously trying to remember if I had shared those details with him or not.

            “No!” My tone more intense, “What happened between Vanessa and I is in the past, a past I’m not proud of.  I’m trying to get away from that and move forward with Katie.  Why would you even bring this up?”

            “Oh, so it isn’t just sexual with you and Katie?  Do you expect me to believe that a pretty, pregnant lady is going to tame the great Avery Maulden?  She is a ready-made family!  Seems to me she is looking for a baby daddy since you can’t figure out who the real one is!”  Troy counters, sarcastically.

            Before Troy can regret what he said, I cross the boathouse and push him up against the wall.  I hold him there with my arm, threatening him with my fist.  “If I ever hear you talk about her like that again, I swear to God I’ll….”

            “Avery!”  Rick has pulled me away from Troy, “We all know how crazy you are about Katie, this”, motioning to Troy, “he doesn’t know, he hasn’t been around.”  Troy’s face carries a look of despair, and he storms off to the guest house.

            “You really shouldn’t have done that.”  Wayne offers, as he is filleting another fish.  “We really don’t know what has been going on with him.”  

            “I know, I know!”  I yell, “But to drag Katie into his self-pity, I’m sorry, I can’t stand for that.”  I begin pacing, running my hand through my hair.

            “I know, he stooped low.”  Wayne calmly begins, as he continues to clean the damn fish, “but we both know how hurt he has been.  I think right now, maybe we should be a little more patient and supportive of him.”

            I continue to pace, trying to get my anger in check, as Wayne finishes cleaning the fish, which he has done by himself, without complaining.  Wayne prepares a wonderful meal of fried catfish, fresh coleslaw, hushpuppies, cheese grits, and French fries.  Everyone enjoys the meal except for Troy, who never emerges from the guest house for the rest of the evening.  The mood has certainly changed at the lake house.  We spend the remainder of the day indoors, playing in the recreation room.

            The next morning, everyone packs up to return home.  Troy left a note for everyone that the car would be here to pick us up at noon, and that he had returned home early to handle some business, however, I know better.  I can’t help but feel responsible and remorseful for what had happened.  I barely spoke to Katie when we went to bed, and I arose early to go run.  I certainly didn’t mean for things to get out of control.  I can’t help but wonder if Troy thinks I have betrayed him.  I try to call Troy after finding the note, but I get his voicemail.  When we all load into the limo this time, there is no excitement, the mood is solemn.  We ride back in silence, and once we arrive at the casino, everyone returns to their personal vehicle, muttering good-byes.  Katie attempts to make small talk, and I attempt to humor her, but my concern for Troy is first and foremost in my mind.