ExFiles - Mayhem and Maddie Read online

  The Ex-Files: Mayhem and Maddie

  Dakota Cassidy

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright 2004 by Dakota Cassidy

  No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Changeling Press LLC.

  ISBN 1-59596-032-5

  Formats Available:

  HTML, Adobe PDF,

  MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader

  Publisher:

  Changeling Press LLC

  PO Box 1561

  Shepherdstown, WV 25443-1561

  www.ChangelingPress.com

  Editor: Sheri Ross Carucci

  Cover Artist: Sahara Kelly

  This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

  contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Author

  Dedication

  This book is for Da Girls you know who you are -- MO, VB, KB, AM, PH, CR, JV, DSK These stories are for all of you. Because of you. In honor of your treasured friendships. Always know that those gifts, far beyond any I have received, are priceless to me. Tucked safely away in my heart, given back to all of you in the only way I know how, with my words and with the greatest of respect and appreciation.

  With love always,

  Dakota :)

  Chapter 1

  Dear Diary,

  I am officially divorced. Done finito O-V-E-R, with the man of my dreams. Okay, so maybe he wasnt my dream man, but he wasnt a total nightmare either.

  Madison Blake snorted at that, as she threw down her pen and her emotional journal. It was a stupid name for a stupid task.

  Her therapist said she should keep a journal to help her get through this post-divorce depression. Maddie thought he was more cracked than she was with all of his fancy words and two-hundred dollar sessions. They spent much of their time together visualizing and using affirmative statements like I will.

  See yourself alone in the pictures of your mind, Maddie. he would say in dulcet tones, stressing the alone thing.

  Yeah, she saw herself all right, alone, in her rocking chair. With a dozen cats or so camping out around her feet while she shared a can of cat food with them.

  Yum-yum.

  Visualize that, you friggin whack-job. Maddie flopped back on the bed and sighed. A bed she now spent all of her nights alone in, thinking about how much more time she would spend alone in it. She missed just knowing at eleven sharp, Alberts warm body would climb in beside hers. She ran a hand over the empty space and her heart clenched. In the same moment, anger burned in the pit of her belly.

  Fucking asshole.

  Why the hell should she spend a wasted moment on him? Hed dumped her like day old bread. Kicked her to the curb. He didnt deserve her longing. But it hurt like hell just the same. All of the day-to-day routines were gone. Every last shred of normalcy yanked rudely out from under her. Nothing was the same, nothing . Albert was off joyfully finding his happy place in Nirvana while she struggled to understand what kind of underwear single girls wore these days.

  Oh, shed tried to find some sort of balance in this mess. Shed done all the things her friends told her would help her get back on her feet. Shed read all the books theyd thrust at her on divorce. Began counseling with Mr. Wing-nut, of the soothing tones and lame catch phrases. Found a cute bachelorette pad that was conveniently located in the heart of meat market row.

  Now all she had to do was move on. Live her life like every day was the last. Maddie looked up at the spot on the ceiling. It needed to be painted. Maybe she should decorate. Corrine said that would make the space her own. Shed even brought paint chips for Maddie to choose colors from. They were gathering dust on her nightstand.

  Thing was, she didnt want her own space. She wanted to continue to share it with Albert. As pitiful as that was.

  Well, you cant do that anymore because he doesnt want to share with you. He wants to share it with a bimbo or two or three .

  There it was again, the familiar tug at her heart over Alberts betrayal. Over his incessant need to be the center of all things Albert.

  Jesus, how happy could you be to see the person you heard farting all night long after ten years of marriage? Was she supposed to drop everything and hump his leg in overwhelming gratitude because he came home every night? Should she have thanked him profusely for gracing her with the duty of washing his crusty underwear? Maybe she should have gotten down on her knees and given him a blowjob while she stirred the pasta sauce, because hed allowed her to make his dinner.

  Maddie rolled over, grabbing a pillow and hugging it tightly to her chest. She was tired of trying to figure out where shed gone wrong. If loyalty and faithfulness werent enough, fuck Albert.

  Fucking.

  Now, there was a word she feared might never enter her vocabulary again. She and Albert had enjoyed a decent enough sex life. She couldnt remember seeing stars or anything, but shed orgasmed a time or two in ten years. Shed given her fair share of head and Albert didnt complain. But not even Albert had seen her completely naked in more than ten years. Only God saw her in the buff and that was the way it would stay. Didnt single guys want to see single girls naked?

  Screw that. No naked.

  Maddie retrieved her pen and journal. Scribbling out the first entry, she made another.

  Dear Diary,

  This is total crap with a capital C. I am divorced and Albert was a putz for putting me through this. I deserved better than him. Maybe Ill give better a shot. Maybe Ill screw everything with a cock and then screw them again for good measure, just for the sheer pleasure of screwing.

  Oh, all right. So I probably wont do that. Sorta goes against my good girl nature. But look what being a good girl got me. A big, fat divorce

  Maddie threw the pen at the wall. The journal followed shortly thereafter. They clattered together and fell to the floor. She smiled with satisfaction at the noise it made, then frowned, worrying she might have awakened someone in the next apartment.

  A tear trickled down her face as she remembered there wasnt anyone here to awaken.

  * * *

  Look, Corrine, I dont want to go to parties. Just because THE ASSHOLE and I are divorced doesnt mean I want to bar hop. Corrines sigh crackled across the lines of Maddies cell phone. Maddie could see her twirling her long chestnut hair in aggravation. Theyd only had this conversation a hundred times since she and Albert divorced.

  Im not talking about bar-hopping, Maddie. Im talking about getting the hell out of that damn apartment at night. Please. Its a party, not an orgy, okay? I swear no one will ask you to get on your knees and perform wild acts of lasciviousness, all right? Its just a function I have to attend and I thought it would be good for you to get out. So stop being such a pain in my ass and come with me.

  Maybe it wouldnt be so bad to get out. It beat the hell out of watching the Home and Garden channel until her eyes refused to stay open and she crawled off to bed.

  Alone.

  Albert was probably out every night boinking anything that moved. What was she waiting for? She had to begin to live.

  Or quit breathing.

  Her choices were becoming limited.

  Fine. But Im only staying for one drink and Im not going to stand for you i
ntroducing me to one of your clients, as you so tactfully dub them. Theyre not clients, theyre looking to hook up. I dont want to hook anything but a rug, okay?

  Corrine was fairly bubbling with joy. Maddie heard her rapid breathing as she spoke as calmly as she could while hovering on the brink of orgasm over Maddie finally giving in. Oh, honey, Im so glad youre going to come with me and I promise, no clients.

  What time and where? Maddies tone was flat as she ran a hand over her hair in exasperation.

  Corrine clucked at her. Honey, could you sound just a wee bit excited? Im not inviting you to your own hanging. Its just drinks and liver pâté on a cracker.

  Says you.

  To Maddie it was like going on a trip around the world. She hadnt gone out socially in over six months. She went from her apartment, and to the office, occasionally making a stop at the grocery store to buy more coffee. She lived on coffee. As a result, she was a very skinny nervous wreck.

  Forgive me if I dont offer you an ovary as a thank you gift. She heard the dryness of her tone, but she couldnt seem to help it. She didnt want to go anywhere but back to her house in the suburbs.

  Silence. That meant Corrine was pouting.

  Maddie blew a gust of air out and watched as the papers on her desk scattered. Im sorry, Corrine. I never would have made it past the suicide stage if it werent for you. I just cant seem to feel motivated about anything. I want to, I do. I just dont. I dont care.

  I know, believe me we all know you dont care. But I do. I want you to begin to live again. I want you to see that youre a beautiful thirty-five-year-old woman who has so much going for her. Your life doesnt have to involve a man, but it has to involve something more than a carton of ice cream and the Home and Garden channel.

  Tears stung Maddies eyes in gratitude. Corrine had hung tough with her through this whole divorce thing. Long nights on the phone while Maddie sobbed over the loss of her marriage. Packing up and moving her to a new apartment. Holding her hand the day shed gotten the divorce papers. She wasnt being very grateful.

  Im sorry, Corrine. I know Ive been nothing but a big baby. Ill try harder. Contrite was always the best way to appease Corrine.

  Dont appease me, Corrine said with a sharp accent on the S in appease. I understand how you really feel. I just dont want you to feel that way anymore.

  Maddie groaned into the phone. Did Corrine really think she wanted to feel this way? God, what she wouldnt give to wake up one morning and not have that hollow, empty canyon of pain in the pit of her belly. To wake up minus the ache of loneliness that sucked her dry and left her shaking, when she realized it was just her in the bed. Wake up and find there was something to look forward to besides the big, black void of her future.

  Maddie gulped. Albert was a lying, cheating puke, and she wasnt going to waste another nanosecond mourning him.

  Not right now, anyway.

  Swiping at the escaping tears, she swallowed her grief. I dont want to feel this way anymore either, Corrine. So tell me when and where and Ill be there with bells on. Well, maybe not bells, but at least heels and a dress that wasnt something Holly Hobby would wear.

  Maddie jotted the details down and stuffed them in her purse. There was nothing left to do but go home and wait. Her stomach turned as she thought about going home to her quiet apartment. Maybe shed get a cat or two.

  Meow.

  * * *

  This was quite the event. Tuxedo clad waiters drifted silently in and out of the hushed groups of over-dressed executives. Champagne glasses clinked as trays of food were offered. Maddie watched the golden liquid swirl in her glass as she smiled and refused the crackers with brown, yucky stuff on them.

  Liver pâté.

  Ick.

  Not a weenie in a blanket in sight.

  Corrine waved her over to the group of colleagues she was deep in conversation with. Crossing the room, she hoped her heels didnt buckle. She didnt wear them much anymore and she certainly didnt need to land flat on her ass. This wasnt an ass landing party. Smoothing a hand over her black cocktail dress, she approached Corrine and her group of friends hesitantly.

  Corrine gave her an air kiss and introduced her. This is my good friend, Madison Blake. She sells real estate, so if youre in the market for a new home, Maddies your girl.

  Well, at least she didnt tell them she was newly single. She always felt desperate and naked when that particular tidbit was revealed. Maddie smiled and nodded at everyone, while Corrine finished her conversation with the really old guy who needed a nostril trim.

  Maddie stifled a yawn while Corrine talked stock options. Her bladder began to protest all of the bubbly and lack of liver pâté.

  She needed a bathroom and a cigarette.

  Leaving Corrine, quietly so as not to be noticed ditching this shindig, she went off to locate the ladies room. Crossing the wide marbled lobby, she found the restrooms.

  With her bladder empty, she needed a smoke. Digging through her purse, she searched for a pack of cigarettes. Damn, shed left them at home. Upon further inspection, she found one lone cigarette, crumpled but still completely smoke-able. She peeked around the corner of the bathroom door, only to find no smoking signs prominently displayed in every damn corner.

  Well, shit. Going back outside was not an option. It was cold, and shed left her jacket back with the coat check near Corrines little soiree. If Corrine caught sight of her, shed haul her back to that damn party and make her eat liver pâté.

  Ick.

  Maddie made her way down the long carpeted corridor. Music blared from the other end of it. Her ears pricked to the tune of Livin La Vida Loca.

  Oh, she loved this song! Upside inside out She used to try to get Albert to dance with her to it.

  This is your Albert alert remember Albert is a fuck head. Forget Albert. Think Ricky Martin. Hes yummlicious and not at all a fuck head.

  Right, Albert is a fuck head. Ricky, on the other hand, is babe-o-licious. Sobering at that thought, she still found herself drawn to the beat of the music.

  Twin oak doors with brass handles led to the party inside. Maddie hesitantly pulled on them and stuck her head inside.

  Everyone was dressed in an animal costume, shimmying to the Latin beat of Ricky. They looked like the kind of costumes youd see at a kids party. Where was Barney when you needed him? She was a little out of place.

  Maddie sniffed the air. Smoke, she smelled smoke, glorious health threatening, death inducing smoke. Looking down at her dress, she figured shed be pretty out of place without a costume, but the room was darkened and thick with the haze of cigarettes. If she just slipped in unnoticed, she could find a quiet corner to huddle in and light up.

  A group of blue squirrels were clustered in a corner, rubbing up against one another.

  Odd.

  Alrighty, somebodys had too much to drink

  Hookay, corner number two had a variety of species. A tiger, a squirrel, and a really cute fox. This must be the corner where species discrimination was not tolerated, so maybe they wouldnt mind an uncostumed mammal joining them. Maddie spied an ashtray on the table next to them. She hunkered down and slid along the wall, making her way to the chairs scattered about.

  Her hands shook as she lit up. Taking a deep drag, she glanced at her watch. Hell, it was almost eleven now. Shed miss the Home and Garden channels Makeover Madness marathon. Staring down at her feet, she noticed a run in her nylons.

  Figured, she was hopelessly screwed, right down to her control top pantyhose.

  Maddie jumped. A pair of big, fluffy feet stood parallel to hers. Her eyes traveled upward.

  A big, fuzzy bunny. Cripes, he was tall.

  But his whiskers were promising. Cute, very cute whiskers. His floppy ears swayed with the nod of his head as he motioned to the chair beside her. He looked like Thumper.

  Uh, hi. Do you mind if I sit down? Thumpers voice was muffled by the head of the costume. She could just make out what he said over the music and his bunny suit.

>   Er, sure. Maddie smiled at him, turning her attention to the middle of the dance floor where the electric slide had turned into some dirty dancing. Whoa, this was some kids party. She hoped hed go away. She didnt want to talk to anyone, let alone a big white bunny with a yellow bow tie. Where was the birthday boy or girl anyway?

  Im Cole Ashton.

  She fought a groan. He wanted to make small talk.

  Oy.

  Madison Blake, Maddie for short. Now go away, scamper off to the forest and wreak havoc with Mr. McGregors lettuce.

  Are you a furry?

  Maddie frowned. A who? Was this like a personal question? Grabbing a sneak peek at her legs, she was relieved to find shed shaved. She was decidedly not furry.

  Um, no, I dont think so.

  Ah, then what brings you here?

  Maddie held up her cigarette. A smoke. You?

  She cringed. Now she was encouraging him to engage in witty repartee she just didnt have the mindset for.

  Thumper/Cole shifted in his seat, tugging at the head of his costume. Well I He was struggling to form a coherent sentence. Jeez, maybe she should have sat with the squirrels, bet they were better conversationalists. My friend talked me into it, he said finally.

  Talked you into coming to a kids party?

  This isnt a childrens party.

  Maddie leaned into him. What?

  I said, he shouted, this isnt a kids party.

  Oh.

  Halloween was long past and they were well on their way to Christmas.

  Then what is it? Ooh, she could just slap herself. She just never knew when to shut up. Maddie didnt want to talk to him, yet she was compelled to forge ahead anyway.

  Cole sat forward, resting his forearms on his big, fuzzy thighs. Its called a furcon, or fur-swap or or something like that.

  Okay, shed play the game with the nice bunny. He obviously wasnt going away, and she didnt want to go back to Corrine and her stuffy friends. Whats a fur swap?