Play_It_Again_Sam

  Scanning, uploading and/or distribution of this book via the Internet, print, audio recordings or any other means, without the written permission of the Publisher is illegal and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  Except for select brand names and businesses, this book is a work of fiction. Names, places, events and characters are fictitious. Any similarities to actual events or persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental.

  Play It Again Sam

  © 2008 J.A. Rawls

  ISBN 978-1-934446-33-1

  Cover Design by Viper

  All rights reserved. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  Published by

  Romance Divine LLC

  www.romancedivine.com

  Other Books By J.A. Rawls

  3 Way Weekend

  It’s supposed to be a ‘girls-get-away-weekend’ but weather problems leave Jana left alone in a Denver hotel. What’s a girl to do but make the best of the situation? Fortunately, identical twins Tim and Tom come to her rescue, and Jana learns about the stamina of youth and her own capacities as a woman.

  Angel’s Delight

  In a new town, at a new job, Angel Jamison was waiting for Mister Right, but if he didn’t come soon, she might settle for Mr. ‘Right Now.’ Could one of her bosses, Scott or Steve, be ‘Mr. Right?’ Could it be both of them? A wild night in the desert allows this cactus flower to come to full bloom.

  All I Want For Christmas

  All I Want for Christmas is the sequel to author J.A. Rawls sexy threesome Angel’s Delight. Angel’s friend Janice is down on her luck and desperately needs both a job – and a man. Can Santa deliver? Sparks fly when Steve goes to Denver to move Janice to Tucson; it’s a trip in which tempers and passions flare. In Tucson, Angel, Janice, Scott and Steve are together again, but how close will the relationship get, and can Angel make good on the pact she broke with Janice?

  Coming Soon from J.A. Rawls

  ‘Cougar’ Tales of

  Older Women and Their Younger Men

  To my husband, who, as my biggest fan, doesn’t mind being my accomplice for working through the scenes in my stories; this is fiction, remember.

  Play

  It

  Again

  Sam

  J.A. Rawls

  Prologue

  July 2007

  Susan collapsed on the sofa. How could I be so stupid! She laid her head back and closed her eyes as crocodile tears streaked her cheeks. She fretted again about the mess she was in. Her back hurt, her feet were swollen, and her doctor confirmed yesterday that she - was pregnant. Her balled fists pressed on her temples. How could I be so stupid? The shouting match she’d had earlier today with her daughter played in her mind like an LP with the needle stuck. Sara just doesn’t understand. She wants me to tell Sam. I can’t go to him with this. It’s his baby and he has a right to know but not yet - not until I have a plan. I don’t want him to think I did this on purpose. A weekend of glorious sex shouldn’t result in a permanent commitment on his part. I can’t do that to him.

  Monica knocked softly and entered her office carrying several files. “You need to sign all these before you leave tonight. I’ll send them out first thing in the morning.” She looked at Susan and was afraid to say anything else. She’d been her administrative assistance for over five years and she’d never seen her like this. Something was terribly wrong. “Do you need me to stay? I don’t mind, really I don’t.”

  “No, Monica you can go. I’ll get those signed and then I’m out of here too. Have a nice evening.” Susan struggled to get up, rubbing her back as she walked to her desk.

  Monica shook her head and left the office. I can’t help if she won’t talk to me. Two doors down, she knocked on yet another door. Opening it slowly, she asked, “Ms Martha, do you have a minute?”

  Martha looked up from her computer as she continued to type, “Yes, come on in. What’s up?” Something was wrong, she could tell by the look on Monica’s face. She turned from the computer, giving Monica her full attention.

  “Ms Martha, it’s Ms Susan; there’s something wrong. She’s tired and cranky, which is not like her, and she looks exhausted. Is there something I should know?”

  Martha wasn’t sure how to answer the question. It’s not my place to say. Shit. “No, this is a problem she has to work through. I’m glad you came to me though. I’ll go talk to her and try to get her out of the office. Don’t worry she’ll be fine.” She smiled, trying to reassure the young woman, but she knew Monica wasn’t buying the song and dance. As Monica turned to leave, Martha stopped her. “Monica, can you stay for a few minutes? Let me talk to Susan and see if she’s ready to tell you what’s going on.”

  “Sure, uh, I’ve got a couple more letters I can work on. I’ll be at my desk.”

  Martha walked to Susan’s office, knocking as she entered and closing the door behind her. “Lady, you have a problem.”

  “Not another, I’ve got enough for now. You handle this one,” Susan responded without looking up from the stack of correspondence she was signing.

  “It’s Monica.”

  “She was just in here. I sent her home.”

  “That may have been your intent but she came to me instead. She’s worried about you. Monica said you’re tired and cranky and it isn’t like you. I think you need to tell her what’s going on.”

  “Not yet.”

  “Susan, the rumors are already flying around here. I overheard a conversation today where someone said you looked like something the cat dragged in. When people don’t have the facts they make them up, you know that. You are a little green around the gills you know. Did you go to your GYN? Are you okay?”

  Susan slammed her pen to the desk. “I’m fine. Yes, I went to the doctor and other than being pregnant at thirty, I’m perfectly fine. She gave me some mega-vitamins and some other stuff and told me I’d be back to my old self in a day or two. I just started taking them this morning. I figure by the end of the week I’ll be better. Quit looking at me like that; you look just like Sara did this morning when I left the house.” She leaned back in her chair and sighed, “I know what I’m doing.”

  “Let’s table that discussion for another time. Today, right now, you need to tell Monica you’re pregnant. She’ll help curtail some of the gossip and do damage control. She’s at her desk waiting to talk to you.”

  Susan’s head jerked up. “You didn’t tell her! Did you?”

  “No, but you’re going to tell her, right now. I’ll send her in.” Martha walked out leaving the door open in her wake.

  Oh shit. Monica appeared in the doorway. “Come in and close the door, we need to talk.”

  “Is everything okay?” Monica asked hesitantly.

  “Yes, in fact everything is fine. Other than Martha, you’ll be the first I’ve told of my good news.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m going to have a baby.”

  “Ms Susan that’s wonderful!” Monica waved her hands. “I’m so happy for you. Boy that’s a relief; I was really worried. I thought maybe you had cancer or something. But what about…?”

  “What about the father?” There was a moment of silence. “There isn’t one.”

  “Excuse me. Doesn’t there have to be a father?”

  Susan chuckled, “I didn’t mean it that way. Yes, there is a father, but I’m not intending to marry him. I’m going to have this baby and raise it on my own. It’s,” she turned to gaze out the window, “it’s hard for me to explain all this, but I didn’t want you to worry about me. I’m fine. I’ve been to the doctor,” she turned back to Monica, “baby and mother, other than me being a
little tired, are doing fine. My doctor gave me some vitamins, and said in a couple days I’d be back to my old self.” Susan waited for Monica’s reaction.

  “Ms Susan, I’m really happy for you. I don’t envy you though. I’ve got two children, and I don’t think I could have done it by myself. But I know if this is what you want that you can make it happen. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

  “Thanks Monica, I really appreciate the support. Now, go home, whatever you’re working on can wait until tomorrow. I’ll be out of here soon too. Thanks for staying,” Susan walked her to the door, giving her a hug as she left.

  “You need to go home and rest too; and I need to get home to make dinner for my family. You take care of yourself,” Monica replied.

  “Thanks I will. Now get!”

  “Yes ma’am,” Monica left smiling.

  I wish I was as happy about this as she is. No, that’s not right - I am happy. I really want this baby. I only wish I had Sam too. Susan grabbed her jacket and purse and walked out of her office. The letters can wait until tomorrow. She noticed Martha’s door was open. “I’m leaving you old busybody, see you tomorrow.”

  “Good. See you tomorrow,” Martha answered. Sara had called her not thirty minutes ago asking what she could do to change her mother’s mind about telling Sam. I told her we had to give her mom some time. Not the best advice, but I’ve known Susan for over ten years, and until she reasons all this out she won’t make a move. Hell, she may never call him.

  One

  Six Months Earlier - February 2007

  Susan yawned as she gazed out the window of her office. It was only four and she needed a nap. How do I let myself get into these messes? Her friend, Martha, sat in front of her, concern etched on her face.

  “Susan, why are you putting yourself through all this?”

  “I don’t know.” She bit her lip, her typical nervous tic. “Why would any woman date two men at the same time? I mean, it’s a nightmare just keeping the names straight. I should only date men with the same first name,” she laughed. “That way if I said the wrong name in the throes of passion no one would be the wiser. I guess dating more than one man is fine, but sleeping with more than one has proven to be horrendous. How do men do this and keep it straight?”

  “Easy,” Martha replied sarcastically, “they call them honey, baby, sweetheart and that way they never make a mistake. If I were a wife and those were the only names my husband used I’d be looking at his credit card receipts because the sucker was probably cheating on me.”

  “Just stop!” she laughed. “That’s not always the case. I know my sister dated a guy in college, he called her baby and sweetheart all the time and he was faithful.”

  “You are kidding right? Stan was so busy unzipping and zipping his pants his teammates told him to have Velcro put on his fly. ”

  Susan snickered, “That’s not true.”

  “It is. I can guarantee you he dated your sister, but he slept with at least one other female.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Susan, I was sleeping with him at the same time your sister was.”

  Susan’s demeanor immediately changed from playful to serious. “You’re lying.”

  “Afraid not, he’d come get me after Chemistry lab, we’d do the nasty in the back of his truck and then he’d drop me off at the corner. The slug would drive around the block and then walk up to the dorm to pick up your sister for their date. He had no qualms about dipping his wick wherever and whenever he could. If a woman was known to put out, Stan was in line just like most of the football team.”

  “What a shit. Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  “Why would I? He was a great fuck.” Martha noted Susan’s raised eyebrow. “Give me a break. There’s making love and there’s blatant fucking. Stan didn’t do the first because he never gave a damn if he satisfied his partner. Hell, if I had an orgasm with him it was pure luck. Stan satisfied Stan, and when he was done he’d zip up his pants and leave. Your sister didn’t think he was in love with her did she?”

  “No, she wasn’t that stupid. Regardless, it doesn’t help me with my current problem. I’m now dating two men and I need to cut down to one. “

  “Are you in love with either of them?”

  “Hell no!”

  Martha shrugged her shoulders, “then cut them loose; start looking again.”

  “Jeez I hate to do that. The dating scene, meeting the right man is too hard. I’m just too old for this shit.”

  “You’re never too old,” Martha said “to meet the right man. How about if I introduce you to a guy my brother works with?”

  “No, I’m not doing any blind dates either. Speaking of your brother, how is he doing since Anita moved on? I know they weren’t married, but they were together a long time.”

  “You know, I think he’s fine. He spends more time with my folks now as she never got along with them. He’s helping dad fix the porch on the back of the house and a couple of other home projects. You should come over on Sunday and see what they’ve done. It’s really nice.”

  “I’d love to do that,” Susan said. “I miss your mom’s cooking. I remember going to your place for Sunday dinner; it was great. I really enjoyed listening to you and your family fight; it always amazed me.”

  “Why is that? It was just sibling rivalry.”

  “I know, but it was fun to watch the exchange. You’d fight, but you were never really angry at each other. At my house when my sister and I fought we were mad for days.”

  “True, but you two fought over the boys in your lives. My brothers only criticized who I dated and my sister was always too young to care. Now we argue over who is doing more to help the folks and whether my sister’s daughter is too young to wear makeup; that type of stuff.”

  “That’s the easy stuff, help me with my problem,” Susan begged.

  “I can’t help you. You need to decide which one of these men you want to keep around. If there’s no possibility of a lasting relationship with either of them then move on.”

  “If I gave you all the sexy details would you help me make a decision?”

  “A play-by-play of who sucks what, when? Sure, I can help, but it’ll cost you dinner and margaritas at your place with a potential sleep over if I get too snookered and can’t drive home.”

  “Deal; we can order in and just stay at my place for the evening. Tomorrow’s Saturday so we don’t have to be in here and we can spend the day recovering or sleeping in; whatever floats our boat.”

  “That sounds great. I’ll stop and pick up the makings for margaritas and be at your place around six. Will you be out of here by then?”

  “Yes, I’ll leave by five. The boss is gone so no reason for me to hang around.”

  “Where’d he go?”

  “Not sure. The grapevine has him taking a job in Seattle, but he hasn’t said anything.”

  “Do you think it’s true?” Martha asked.

  “Don’t know and don’t care. If he takes the job good for him, and if he doesn’t then I guess it’s good for us. Not sure who’d they bring in behind him, but it shouldn’t matter.”

  “Do you have a chance at the job?”

  Susan huffed, “Not unless I grow facial hair and a ten inch penis. Since that’s not likely to happen I’d say I had a snow ball chance in hell.”

  “You work your ass off for them and they just promote around you.”

  “Actually they don’t promote anyone internal over me; they just continue to bring folks in to take the lead position. Since they’ve never brought a female in to take the job I have to assume they won’t do it this time either.”

  Martha cocked her head, “I did hear that Mr. Thompson was coming here to do a site visit next week. Maybe he’s coming to check you out.”

  “I don’t think so. Thompson has never said more than ten words to me and even though he’s drop dead gorgeous, he never gives me a second look.” Susan’s eyes had a faraway look. “Now
there’s a man I could sink my teeth in.”

  “Yea, that’s a fine piece of man-candy,” Martha said. “I heard a couple of years ago he went through a terrible divorce and has sworn off women.”

  “Well shit; with that he’ll never consider me for the Director position because the last time I looked I had a lot of qualities you only found in a woman - you know 36C bust and 36-24-34 measurements. So I’m definitely not on his scope for a promotion - why don’t you go ahead and call it a day. I need to finish up this cost proposal and then I’ll be on my way too.”

  “Okay I’ll see you tonight,” Martha locked eyes with Susan, “remember you need to leave in ten minutes.”

  “Shut up and get out of here or I won’t get this done.”

  Martha walked away knowing Susan would be late. She always got into just one more thing she found she had to do and was never on time. Hell the women will probably be late for her own funeral. She reached forward to press the elevator button when the door opened and out stepped Mr. Thompson. He acknowledged her with a nod and walked straight to Susan’s office. Oh shit, she’s going to really be late this time; she pulled her cell from her bag and dialed Susan’s cell.

  “Speak,” Susan answered.

  “Thompson’s on his way to your office. He just got off the elevator. I’ll let myself in to your place as I’m pretty sure you’ll be late.”

  “Okay, thanks for the heads up.” Susan continued to work on the cost break down for the merger she needed for Mr. Stevens on Monday. She heard a soft rap and Mr. Thompson, in his male splendor, filled the door frame.

  “Sir, what a pleasant surprise; what can I help you with?” Susan asked softly.

  “Where’s Stevens?” he asked abruptly.

  “Sir, he’s not in today. I’m not exactly sure where he is. He-”

  “I need to talk to him.”

  “I could try to reach him at home or on his cell.” No hello, or greeting, geez, what’s up?