Treacherous Secrets novel Chapter 8

Barbara looked at Emily who was drinking her margarita. "That's a thought. Do you know her well enough to ask her about the company?"

"We were really close in college but after I got married and she moved to Knoxville we lost touch," Emily said. "But I would love to get together with her. I can mention it and see what she says. She did say she wanted to get together so I could meet her partner."

Barbara took a drink of her margarita, sipping it thoughtfully. "Emily, you said that Kenton had also been busier since the change in the company." She patted Emily's hand, "This may be a bit forward because I don't know you as well as I do Carol, but has Kenton followed a similar pattern sexually with you?"

Emily raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question, but it was true. Kenton's change of behavior in the bedroom had started around the same time Walter Chase took over Morgan Investments. "Yeah, why?"

"Well, Kenton and Damon are good friends, they may both have gotten into a group in Atlanta that is into S & M," Barbara suggested.

"That may be true," Carol agreed. "They do just about everything together. Kenton was the one who talked Morgan Chase into making Damon their lawyer."

"I think it's interesting that Damon wanted to move back to Nashville after he got hired by Chase Morgan. The company's headquarters is in Atlanta, isn't it?" Barbara said.

"Humph, that's right," Emily said. "If we are both here, they can go out and party in Atlanta and tell us they are working." The liquor was settling in and so was her righteous indignation. "Those sons of bitches are probably going to those S & M places together." She looked at Carol, "They are probably not having affairs with one individual woman. They may be having sex with several women. I've heard about those sex clubs where people go just to have anonymous sex."

"Ewww," Sonja said. She got up and went into the house, coming back a few minutes later with salt and sliced lemons. She poured more shots and included one for herself this time. "That is just nasty, nasty, nasty."

The four women touched glasses. "Nasty ass men," Barbara said.

After taking her shot and putting her glass down, Emily said, "I think I'm going to call my gynecologist first thing tomorrow and go get tested for STD's."

Carol nodded, "Me too."

Mario came up on the patio, his shirt was off and sweat trickled down his face. "Aunt Sonja, would you mind making Uncle Fernando and me some lemonade."

"Of course," Sonja said. She got up and went into the house.

Mario looked at the table with tequila, shot glasses, a pitcher of margaritas, and the women sipping from their glasses as they stared at him. He smiled. "Having a party, ladies?"

"We're having a bitch session about men," Barbara said. "Of course, I don't think you would cause any woman to have anything to bitch about."

Mario blushed and laughed. "Well, I'm not perfect by any means."

"You don't have very much of an accent. Are you from here?" Barbara asked.

"I'm from Texas originally. I'm a third generation Mexican-American," Mario said. "My great grandparents moved to the States in the Forties. My grandparents were both born in Texas; my parents were both born in Texas, as was I. We still mostly speak Spanish at home as a way to hold on to our heritage."

"And what brings you to Tennessee?" Barbara wanted to know.

Sonja laughed, "He'll be thrilled."

Emily, Carol, and Barbara finished the pitcher of margaritas and another one as they watched Mario and Fernando work in the yard. Sonja went in and fixed a burrito dinner for everyone. Later, Mario and Fernando took Carol and Barbara home.

Emily was still sitting on the patio when they came back. Mario came out and sat at the table with her. "Has Aunt Sonja gone home?"

Emily swung her head slowly in his direction; it bobbed a little as she tried to keep it upright. "Yep," she slurred.

He laughed. "How about I help you up to your bedroom room so you can crash?"

"That would be lovely," she said and tried to get up.

Mario rushed over and caught her before she fell forward out of the chair. "Let's get you upstairs," he chuckled. He put her arm around his neck and slipped his arm around her waist, "Nice and slow, okay."

She nodded and leaned into him. They made their way slowly up to her room. Mario turned down the bed and sat Emily on it. He slipped her shoes off her feet and laid her back. "Do you want some water?"

She nodded again, "Some aspirin too."

He went into her bathroom and came back with a cup of water and three pain killers. He helped her sit up and take the medicine. He helped her lay back down. "Do you need anything else before I go?" he asked.