Too Broke For Afterlife

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"F*CK!"

I can feel the orgasm hitting me like a truck as Michigan keeps thrusting into me.

With my back pressed against the wall, the plaster digs into my skin, leaving it red and sore.

With my legs around Michigan's waist, I keep myself up in the air. The orgasm has tightened my vagina and he grunts.

"Round two, here I come."

"No, wait."

I push his face away and try to breathe. "My break. Almost over."

"So?"

Michigan tries to kiss my neck but I push him away again.

"Evelyn."

"Oh."

With an annoyed face, he slowly pulls his dick out of me and carefully drops me to the ground.

So far my supervisor hasn't caught us in the act and I'd like to keep it that way.

"But you owe me. Wanna come over tonight?"

He puts a kiss on my lips as he closes his pants.

"If I got time, sure. But now you should leave." 

I look for my panties and quickly put them back on. Now where are my jeans?

"Maybe we can go out for dinner, I'll pay."

"Oh, how romantic."

"Anything for you."

Michigan pulls me into a longer kiss and I wrap my arms around his neck.

Okay, you might be wondering how I ended up with this guy by my side.

I know, when we first met we didn't really get along. I actually hated him. But you know, time heals wounds and stuff. And when he wants to, Michigan can actually be a really good person. And funny!

I don't know if I'd call him my boyfriend but we are seeing each other exclusively and I'm enjoying it.

Not a second too early, the door to the break room opens and Evelyn peeks inside.

"Judy, your break is over."

She looks at Michigan. "Have you two been making out?"

"What?" I blush. "No, just talking. He was just about to leave."

I shoo him out of the room, of course not without winking at him. 

I check the sales area, only a few customers are standing around.

"Could you please handle that woman over there?"

I look to where Evelyn is pointing.

My heart drops when I recognize the customer.

"Uh, can't you do it?"

Evelyn raises an eyebrow. "No, Judy. I have to pee. Go do your job. But fix your hair before you go out."

She holds a small mirror in front of me and I smoothen out the bangs and bun as my heart is racing.

"Evelyn-"

"No, my bladder is about to burst. Go!"

She basically throws the door to the break room shut behind her and I'm left alone.

I take a deep, deep, deep breath and then quietly make my way over to where the customer is standing, looking at the products.

Everything inside of me screams I should run away but instead I open my mouth.

"Welcome to Fine Wine, how may I help you?"

As she turns around to me, Isabella's eyes widen in surprise.

"Judy! I didn't know you work here!" She smiles. "How nice."

I'm overwhelmed with her positivity. 

Last time we saw each other, she was cold and angry, refusing to talk to me. And now she is smiling?

"Yes, this is a pretty expensive city so I decided to take on a second job. Wine seller by day and singer by night, you know?"

Oh my god, that's the worst joke I've ever made. I chuckle nervously.

"That's right, New York is not a place for people without ambition. I'm surprised you can even afford rent."

"It's a small flat. Anyway, what are you doing here? I-I mean, do you need help?"

Great. Now I'm back to stuttering. I haven't done that in ages.

Isabella seems amused by my nervousness and her smug smile makes me angry.

"I'm having a few friends come over tonight. Well, business partners, not friends. I'm looking for a nice wine. Which one would you recommend?"

She holds two bottles in front of me. "Semillon or Cortese?"

"Well…"

Great, can't she choose herself? After all, she is the wine lover, not me.

"If I remember correctly, you prefer sweet wine. To most people, Cortese is too dry."

"Good point."

Isabella smiles and hands me the bottle. "I'll take two Semillon then."

"With pleasure," I mumble and lead her to the cash register. I can hear Isa's heels clicking behind me.

"I must say, your product range is amazing. I've never been to Fine Wine before but a friend recommended your store to me. Bless her."

No, f*ck her.

I scan the products. "Your total is $82,98."

She pulls out her wallet and takes the card.

With a quick glance I notice that our picture is no longer inside the purse.

But it makes sense. There is no more us. Why would she keep a picture of her ex?

Still, something about it makes me sad.

I roll the bottles in paper and then put them into a bag.

"By the way, I saw your feature in that magazine," Isabella says while checking her makeup in her front camera.

"Oh, you did?" I tried to sound as bored as possible to signal her to leave. But she doesn't let that bother her.

"Of course. It was a very nice interview, you sounded like a true professional. And the pictures were nice."

"Thank you," is all I say. "Would you like a membership card? After your 10th purchase you get a 50% discount."

Isabella snorts. "No, don't bother me with that stuff. Thanks. But Judy…"

She leans forward a bit and smiles cheekily. "I saw that Michigan guy leave. Are you guys dating?"

If possible, my face turns even redder. 

"I...yes. But that's none of your business."

"No, of course it's not. I just thought that's funny."

"How is it funny?"

Damn, how long does Evelyn need to pee?

"Well, you said you wanted to date someone who didn't cause you any drama. But wasn't Michigan the one who tried to ruin your career?"

"It's not like that. Anyway, I'm busy. I don't have time to chat."

Isabella grabs the bag.

"Of course. Just some advice from me. Next time you fuck at work, make sure to cover up those lovebites." 

I quickly cover my neck with my hands.

But she has already started walking alway.

<<<

I throw open the door to my apartment and let my bag fall onto the ground.

What a day. What a shitty day.

I take off my jacket and groan.

How come seeing my ex still throws me off balance? Shouldn't I be fine by now? After all, I'm over her. There are no feelings left. So why do I still get nervous?

I close the blinds and then make my way to the kitchen to throw a frozen meal into the microwave.

Yes, Michigan had offered to take me out to dinner but after that workday I'm way too exhausted for a date.

The only thing I want to have in my mouth right now is some Mac and Cheese.

I turn on the TV as the microwave hums in the background and zap through the channels until I stop at a real estate show. 

There is something so satisfying and comforting about watching people buying houses at the beach. It's so absurdly far from my own life that I can't get jealous.

The buzzing of my phone interrupts me and I look at the screen.

Incoming Call

Okay? I accept it and put on the speaker.

"Yes?"

"Judy?"

When I hear Parker's voice, I quickly switch off the TV.

"...yes?"

"Okay, listen. I need your help."

Oh no. Please no. Please god, no.

"If you're calling from Peru right now, forget it."

"No, I'm not in Peru."

"Thank you Jesus."

"I'm in a graveyard in Austria. Walter is with me."

I hear a faint Hi in the background.

"You're calling me from a graveyard?"

"Yes but listen, the whole Satan thing is over. We have a new enemy."

I sigh. "No, forget it. Leave me out of it. I don't care. Okay?"

Parker hesitates for a second. Then he speaks.

"It doesn't matter. You don't have a choice."