Third Wheel

Taylor

A text alert ping startles me from my candlelight meditation. I reach from the soothing bubbles for my cell phone. Where did I put it? I crane my neck left then right around the entire master bathroom.

"Crap!"

Tiny white bubbles race down my torso as I rise from the tub. I run through the hall to the kitchen. When I hit the tile floor, my feet slip out from under me.

"Shit!" I shout as my feet fly up, and my head falls down.

Slowly, I assess myself.

Legs, feet, and ankles? No pain.

Arms, wrists, back, and neck? No pain.

Butt? Smarts a bit, but not broken.

I can just hear it now. The doctor at Urgent Care asking how I fell. Me explaining I was covered in bubbles, running naked through my house to find my cell phone because I received a text.

I am such an idiot. I was relaxing in the tub, washing away all my stress. I was enjoying a moment of long-needed self care. Why do I care if I miss a text? Cell phone in hand, I return to the master suite.

Deciding to read the text later, I lay my iPhone on the edge of the tub.

My to-do list for the first week of July enters my mind. As I mentally organize my priorities for the day and week, I wonder if I might be able to buy a new plant for the apartment. My mind moves to the items on my ‘This Month’ to-do list. I vow to check some tasks off my list while I run my errands today.

I slap my cheeks. I’m in a bubble bath. I need to relax. Now is not the time to think of all my lists. I need this break.

I focus on lying back, submerged in warm bliss. As I slip under the bubbles, I am distracted by tingles on my bare breasts. The warm bubbles pop in the cooler open air; a pleasant prickle floods the surface of my skin. I lightly trace my index finger from my chin down my collarbone. This heightens the sensitivity of my skin, and goosebumps appear. My finger finds my hard nipple just as my phone rings beside me.

“It’s your best friend...dah, dah, dah...Best friend...” My assigned ringtone for Kennedy blasts.

Startled, I knock the phone from the tub’s edge to the tile floor below. Water splashes over the side. Before I finally grasp the phone, my ringtone ends, sending the call to voicemail.

Caller ID displays Kennedy Hayes. I quickly scroll to favorites and tap her name.

"Hey, you!" I greet.

"How is my dearest and oldest friend doing today?" Kennedy asks.

"I'm fine," I lie. "I’m just soaking in my tub." Without any toys, I pout to myself.

"Good." Kennedy's voice nervously shakes a bit on the other end of the line. "At least you're taking care of yourself."

"A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do," I tease.

"Jackson and I have a present for you.” She pauses for a moment. I am about to speak when she continues, “We have a plane ticket in your name waiting at the ticket counter. We arranged for you to fly to Kansas City. We'll meet you at the airport." Speaking fast, she must pause to catch her breath. "We'd like you to fly down for some rest and relaxation." Her voice sounds more relaxed now that she’s made her announcement. "Jackson says we won't take no as an answer." Kennedy waits for my reply.

"Wow! You guys." Tears threaten to stream down my cheeks. "I am doing okay. You really don't need to look after me."

"It's not a pity gift. Jackson and I miss you. It’s been over two years since we last got together. I miss my best friend. Besides, you have no reason not to come now." From Kennedy’s tone, I imagine her lower lip juts out in a pout.

I run my hand back and forth across the dwindling bubbles floating in the water. My first reaction is to pack now and go. But I wonder... If I go, am I running from all my problems?

"Here's the deal." Kennedy's voice slices the silence. "If you don't use the ticket, tomorrow, I am flying up and dragging you to Missouri kicking and screaming." She’s serious, but there is laughter in her voice. "You can do this the easy way or the hard way."

"Okay!" I answer. "I will fly down for a few days." I attempt to conceal my excitement. For the first time in the past year, I’m actually looking forward to something.

"Pack light. I have a shopping trip planned." Her excitement is contagious. "How soon can you be at the airport?"

"What?"

"Well, there is a flight leaving in four hours. You could be here in time for dinner." Kennedy pauses, hoping I’ll take the bait.

"I guess I could make it."

What am I thinking? This is crazy. I’m soaking in a tub of bubbles, planning to fly to Missouri in less than four hours.

"But I've gotta let you go now. I'll call you when I get checked in at the airport.” My thoughts are already shifting to the many things I must do and pack before leaving. "Kennedy, are you sure Jackson won't mind?"

She assures me Jackson purchased my ticket before he shared this plan with her. She urges me to hang up the phone, pull myself out of my bubbles, and pack.

I try to gather my thoughts before I hop from the warmth of the tub. Maybe a break from my surroundings will help me make plans. A break could be good. With my right foot, I release the stopper. I lay motionless as the warm, soapy water level retreats. Relaxing waves flow over my entire body. My skin prickles with the sensation of the tiny white bubbles exploding and the cool air connecting with my warm flesh.

I slowly skim my fingers over my bare breasts, down my abdomen, and between my thighs. I don’t have time for this, but it feels divine. My sensitive clit assures me I can quickly award myself with an orgasm before I rush to the airport. I press my thumb against the swollen bud as I delve my fingers into my warm heat. Pop. Pop. Pop. The soapy bubbles explode upon my heated skin as the water retreats. My thumb circles, and my index finger thrusts over and over. Soon, my muscles clench as I climb closer and closer...

My cell phone’s generic ringtone sounds, interrupting my sensual moment.

Ignore it.

Two fingers now working; I increase my thrusts. I grind against the palm of my hand, and my hips lift off the bottom of the tub.

Ignore the ringing.

The moment is lost...

Ruined.