It was the weekend that we all look forward to each year, girls weekend at my beach house, where me and my three friends Emma, Hannah and Jess go each year in September.
I'm Claire, and I met Jess about 15 years ago when our first kids were in the same preschool. Hannah is Jess' sister, and Emma is a friend of theirs from a town over. I became better friends with them all through a running group that they started up. We would run together a couple of days a week. Over time, Jess and Hannah dropped out of the running due to the chaos of everyday life trying to balance work along with each having three kids. For the past 5 years or so, it's just been Emma and I getting together once a week for a run, sometimes just a walk.
I just turned 45, Jess and Emma are 43, and Hannah is the baby of the group at 41. Like most groups of women, there can be a little drama from time to time, but it's really just little stupid stuff. Even though, we do gossip a bit about each other over kids and things going on in our life.
One of the ongoing issues has been Jess's recent years habit of canceling out of plans last minute. It's usually one of the once every few months dinners we try to meet up for, but this time it was canceling going to our girls weekend literally the day before. She claims her oldest daughter was having some major anxiety flare up and couldn't make it. Making matter worse, she was Hannah's ride, and now Hannah had to miss the first of our two nights.
So here it was, just Emma and I, into our second bottle of wine and gossiping a bit about both Hannah and Jess. As you might expect with women our age, the topic of weight came up. None of us ever think we're thin enough, and while Emma and I are no longer 18, we still get plenty of looks from guys. Jess' weight seems to have past the point of no return, as she has gained quite a bit of weight the past few years and hasn't snapped back like she has in the past. I was telling Emma how Hannah putting on a few pounds actually makes her situation with her husband make a little more sense. Now don't get me wrong, she's still very attractive with the few added pounds. As my husband says, nobody is going to kick her out of bed.
Emma's interest was piqued and asked me how so? I said I never really understood how Jack landed her as she was drop-dead gorgeous before putting on a few pounds and was way out of his league in my mind. She's 5'5", straight dark brown hair, amazing DD boobs and a really nice ass.
Emma gave me a little eyebrow raise and said "Sounds like someone has a girl-crush." I felt myself blushing, and quickly tried to change the subject, jokingly telling her that if I ever went lesbian, she would be the top of my list. Emma gave me this odd smile that was uncharacteristic for her, and simply said "Interesting" before getting up to open another bottle of wine.
I was hoping to move on to some other subject as I was a bit mortified that Emma was reading something into my words that wasn't there, but Emma kept the conversation on Hannah. She asked me if I ever fantasized about Hannah.
I about died - and immediately gave her a resounding "no!"
Emma, in a completely straight forward yet coy manner, said "Well, maybe you should try it sometime."
I replied, "Oh come on Emma, are you serious? I'm not into girls, and neither is Hannah."
Emma said, "Well maybe you're not, and that's fine, but Hannah for sure is."
We were both pretty tipsy at this point, and I said "You're full of shit Emma."
To which she replied "Well this is going to shock you, but I have first-hand experience."
At first I just looked at her confused. Then I laughed out loud thinking she was just messing with me. When it became clear that it was not a joke, I flat out told her I didn't believe her. She told me I didn't have to believe it, but it was the truth, and said maybe I wasn't ready to hear that.
I said, "Yeah, I think you're right and I think I've had enough to drink. I'm going to bed - see you in the morning."
Now, Emma is a lot of things, but a liar is not one of them, but how could I not be aware that this was going on? As I laid in bed, my mind was racing with so many questions, and I also couldn't deny that I was aroused.
When I awoke the next morning, Emma was already up and in the kitchen making us breakfast. Handing me a cup of coffee, she said, "I'm sorry about dropping that bomb on you last night. I'll respect your privacy, but if you have questions and want to talk about it, that's fine too."
I gave a condescending little laugh and said, "Well, yeah I have questions Emma. How long has this been going on?"
"About two years," she replied.
"How could you two cheat on your husbands?"
"We told them early on and they think it's hot. And no, they don't join - it's just our little thing Claire."
"Has it affected your friendship with Hannah, Emma?"
Catching herself laughing, "Well yeah I guess so, but in a positive way."
"How often?" I asked.
"Every couple of weeks, or sooner when Hannah needs it."
"Needs it?" I shot back.
"Yes, Hannah likes to submit to me when she's stressed out."
"Submit to you? Jesus Emma, what the hell does that mean?"
"I know this is a lot to unpack, but Hannah craves submission, and I enjoy being dominant."