Tatum
Tatum wakes up in Leighton’s room. Leighton is sleeping peacefully on Tatum’s chest, lightly snoring. It really pains Tatum to have to leave her girlfriend this morning but practice is calling.
T: Babe
Leighton continues to sleep.
Tatum chuckles: Leighton…babe…baby…I have practice in about an hour. I know you’re awake.
Leighton smiles on Tatum’s chest: I am. Ugh, what is this life? I’m dating a jock, I can’t even believe this.
Tatum laughs and kisses her: And I’m dating a math whiz, this is quite unexpected.
They snuggle for a few minutes before Tatum gets serious: But for real, baby I have to go. I have practice and then I’m going to talk to Stacey.
Leighton’s body tenses: Did you call Pete?
T: I will. I will see you later tonight, okay?
Leighton: Okay. She gives Tatum a long passionate kiss to remind her just because.
Tatum gets out of the bed, changes out of her pajamas and puts on Leighton’s Essex hoodie, which was actually hers, but they silently agreed Leighton could have it. She puts on a pair of gym shorts and the shoes she leaves at Leighton’s, gives Leighton one last kiss and heads out of the door.
As Tatum gets in her car, to go home and take a quick shower, she calls Peter and puts him on speaker phone. Peter, a retired police officer but now campus security, is the older brother of Sharon, Tatum’s mom.
P: Hello…Tatum? Are you alright, niece?
T: Hey Uncle Pete. I’m fine but I just want to put something in your ear. I had a situationship with a girl named Stacey Martin Goins. You know the last name I’m sure. Since it ended, she has been harassing myself and some of the women I have dated after her.
Uncle Pete, aside from her twin brother Taron and her father George, has been the most supportive relative of Tatum as he himself is gay.
UP: Okay. Give me the rundown on her. Wait Goins…isn’t she…his voice trails off.
T: Yes she is. She’s a senior, 21, brown hair, blue eyes. 5’5. She’s a chem major.
P: Can you send me a pic of her?
T: Yeah give me a second….Tatum texts her uncle a picture.
P: Okay…hmmm…pretty girl. You most certainly have a type.
They both laugh.
T: Seriously, I’m a little concerned. She followed me and the girl I’m seeing now to dinner. She’s been texting me late at night. I’ve blocked her number and she managed to still text me from another. I don’t want this to grow into a bigger thing for obvious reasons.
P: Okay, I will pull up her file and see if there’s anything going on. If anything else happens, let me know. I love you.
T: Love you too, Uncle Pete.
Tatum rushes into her apartment door, strips off her clothes and jumps into the shower. She hops out, brushes her teeth, pulls her still damp hair into a ponytail, puts on her practice clothes and races back into her car.
She arrives just in time for beginning stretches.
Kate looks up and smirks at her.
K: The sophomore keeping you up all night, TT?
Tatum lightly pushes her: It’s not even like that. We went to sleep. I told you, we’re trying to be good. I think we got about a week left and then it’s back to business.
K: I don’t know how any girl convinced you to be sexless for this long.
T: Me neither, but I think she’s worth it. Let’s face it, she and I have been in chaos ever since we agreed to try again. In bed is where I feel closest to her but I don’t want outside issues to start to affect that. I’m highly sexual and so is she.
K: I know. Especially you. But you’re literally sleeping in the same bed, that doesn’t get frustrating?
T: Extremely. But have my practices not been better?
K: Your focus has been better since you have rage to channel. *laughs*
T: I’m taking her to New York for The US Open. Our streak is going to end there.
K: Don’t miss the matches, TT.
T: I can multi task. I gotta talk to Stacey after practice.
K: Oh is she still not getting the hint?
T: Not even a little bit.
K: You didn’t tell Leighton who she is did you?
Oh, that’s right…lost in all the confusion, this was a bit of info not yet told. Stacey is the daughter of the professor that Tatum had an affair with during her sophomore year.
T: I didn’t even tell Leighton about Professor Goins. Luckily, she has no classes with her. I’ll have to let her know.
K: That would be wise.
The coach screams at Kate and Tatum to fall in line for practice hits. Practice goes for an hour and a half and then Tatum texts Leighton to check in.
Leighton: Are you all sweaty? You know I like that.
T: Lol, as a matter of fact I am. I have to take a shower again. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.
L: You better.
Tatum leaves practice and heads back home for yet another shower. She puts on a blue sweatsuit and blue and white tennis shoes. She calls Stacey to meet her at the off campus coffee shop.
Tatum orders an unsweetened ice tea with lemon and sits down. Stacey’s behavior has been the cause of stress for Tatum for a while now. More than she let on to Leighton.
Stacey appears soon after, in a green tank top and black yoga pants, black flip flops adorn her perfectly pedicured feet.
T: Sit.
S: I like it when you’re bossy, that used to turn me on so much.
Tatum squints at Stacey.
T: Stacey, this has gone on for too long now. You need to stop the harassment. Leave Leighton alone, leave Brandi alone, lose both of my brothers numbers and fall back!
S: And you?
T: That should be a given. Leave me alone too.
S: You weren’t saying this three months ago when you were up in my bed.
T: Exactly , three months ago. I moved on as should you.
S: Is that what you told my mom too after you helped destroy her marriage to my dad?
T: Is that what this is about?!
S: You can’t treat people like they’re disposable, Tatum. You go through girls like it’s nothing.
T: You know what? You’re right. I have been terrible with how I have handled relationships and flings. I own it. I’m sorry if I led you to believe this was going to be serious although I distinctly remember telling you I didn’t want that. You purposefully sought me out because you knew who I was back in my sophomore year.
S: I wanted to see what young girl started my mother on the path of her mid life crisis. And when I saw you, I understood.
Tatum looks away.
T: I’m sorry Stacey, I really am but the shit has got to stop. You want to hate me, that’s fine but Brandi was innocent and Leighton is too. They don’t deserve this just cause you’re pissed at me.
S: Leighton Murray? I looked her family up. Quite wealthy just like your family. It’s a perfect match, isn’t it? Two wealthy, blonde and beautiful girls who fell for each other. It’d be adorable if it didn’t make me sick.
Stacey’s voice begins to rise: But you’re gonna treat her better, aren’t you Tatum? You’re gonna open car doors for her, and treat her to fancy dinners and hold her and kiss her in public. Does she know that after she dumped you, within days, you and I fucked?
Tatum remains cool: She does. I’m not hiding anything from her.
S: I doubt that.
Tatum starts to lose her cool: Gotdamn you! Enough! If you don’t back off, I’m calling you in to Pete and I know you know who that is. Enough with the Fatal Attraction bullshit. My god Stacey you’re beautiful, you can have any girl you desire.
Stacey: But I can’t have you.
T: No, you can’t. We had a good run, though. But I want Leighton.
S: Are you in love with her?
T: That’s not any of your business, to be frank. Where I’m at with Leighton is between she and I.
S: Do you film her like you did me? Are you rough with her like you were with me?
T: Again, none of your business. Don’t try to turn this into something it’s not. Delete the videos or else I’m sending my lawyers after you. You also know who they are, don’t you? I’m done fucking with you.
For the first time, Stacey’s false bravado begins to falter. The word “lawyer” spooks her.
T: You nor either one of your parents have the wherewithal or the funds to fight me on this. You think your mom wants this out there? She already got her warning after me, the next incident gets her booted out of Essex. I’ll make sure of it.
S: There she is, there’s the cold Tatum that I know.
Tatum stands up out of her seat so her 5’8 frame towers over a still seated Stacey.
Tatum angrily spits out: And I can get colder and you know what I mean by that. Leave my girlfriend alone, leave my family alone and leave me alone. Because if you don’t, the label “stalker” will stay in your jacket. Any job you try to apply for will know it, anybody who looks you up in a search will know it. I will make your life a living hell. If I even smell your perfume in my air space, I’m calling it in.
Tatum glides out of the door with a glare and a fist shake towards Stacey.
A still spooked Stacey regains her composure and mutters to herself: We’ll see about that, princess. We’ll see…
Sunday night is here and Tatum asks Leighton to come to her place. Usually when Tatum does this, their sex marathons happen soon after she opens the door. But since they have another five days to go, this is about something else. Leighton is also antsy about the lack of sex but their communication and learning about each other’s habits and peccadilloes has been eye opening. Leighton gets upset when she thinks about how it will all be gone soon. She tries to take the “one day at a time” and “grounding” approach her therapist talked about but she can’t help it. Tatum is going to get on that platform, grab her degree, smile and then never talk to her again. “I found her too late!” Leighton thinks to herself. “I needed her freshman year when I was struggling internally.”
Of course Leighton doesn’t regret her relationship with Alicia. It taught her a lot and opened her mind up to things outside her world. And they were happy for a while, both when she was closeted and then when she was out. But being happy is not all that is required in a romantic union. Those first few weeks were blissful, the sex was plentiful, the women’s center was thriving and she had what she always wanted. But then reality set in. Leighton’s parents couldn’t stand Alicia, her roommates were polite towards them when they partied together but even then Leighton could feel a bit of tension there. Money was also an issue, if not their biggest issue. Leighton has it and Alicia doesn’t. Arguments ensued and it began to wear on Leighton. Leighton could fit into Alicia’s world but Alicia couldn’t fit into hers. And that was okay.
But then she met Tatum and after initially game playing with her which Tatum allowed with quiet amusement, Leighton began falling for her. When she calmed her down at dinner about not being out to her father, Leighton wanted to have Tatum’s babies right then and there. Sure they heard the jokes about how much they looked alike although Leighton always countered with the fact that Tatum is noticeably taller. She was hurt deeply when Tatum reacted so negatively at the women’s center and didn’t think she did anything wrong. Looking back at it, Leighton should have been more mature about it and noted that is how she acted too when she first walked in there. “Fuck me, I was worse than her!”, she thought. Alicia was right there to comfort her after Tatum walked out. Perhaps Leighton conflated loving the women’s center with loving Alicia and that’s why she ran back to her. Or maybe she needed the closure they didn’t get early on.
Truth be told, Tatum always treated her better than Alicia did. Perhaps because money and status wise, they were on equal footing. But she felt safe with Tatum, felt supported by her, and the way Tatum would look at her made her melt. Their sex was always more aggressive and highly intense. Leighton obviously had plenty of experience in the bedroom with women but being the sexual partner of an athlete means her endurance level has to be high. Leighton remembers their first time almost happened in the art gallery. Tatum pushed her up against the wall and began kissing her. It got more and more heated and Leighton had to hold on to her wine glass for dear life because if she dropped it, she would have ended up having sex with Tatum in front of the Mona Lisa. Their complete first time came days later in Leighton’s room she shared with Bela. Leighton told Bela she’d probably have to sleep on the couch for the night. Their playful competition in the bedroom was always a turn on. Leighton would grab her ass, Tatum would guide their bodies to the door and throw Leighton against it. Leighton would bite Tatum’s lower lip and Tatum would grin at her and finger her harder. Their first time lasted for several hours. She woke up to Alicia’s texts and instantly got transported back to earlier in freshman year. But things were going well with Tatum and she didn’t want to mess it up. After their first time, the floodgates were open and sex occurred every time they got together. In bathroom stalls, in Tatum’s backseat, at Tatum’s apartment, in Leighton’s room when Bela was not around. They would rent hotel rooms near campus when they each had breaks from class for quickies. It was glorious.
Fast forward several months later and they were trying again. Leighton knocks on the door and about twenty seconds later, Tatum answers it. Tatum envelopes Leighton into an embrace and kisses her. Leighton smells something delicious in the air.
L: Is that your famous lasagna I’m smelling?
T: It is.
Tatum fixed her a plate of lasagna and greek salad along with a glass of wine. Tatum had the lasagna with grilled zucchini and a Jack with coke. A Jack and coke was usually a sign Tatum was up to something.
After dinner, Tatum got both of them bowls of rainbow sherbet and yes it was intentional. Leighton grinned at her girlfriend for the gesture.
After they were both full and lying comfortably together on the couch, with Tatum lightly stroking her hair, Leighton asks what’s up.
L: Was that a break up last meal?
T: Why does your mind go there like that? No I don’t want to break up, babe. I just want to tell you something.
L: okay…
T: Whew! Okay, Stacey wasn’t just a short fling…Tatum clears her throat, she is also the daughter of Professor Jordan Goins.
L: That hot older professor who teaches advanced trig? I’m gonna have her next year I think.
T: You probably will.
L: Okay so she’s a Nepo baby like you and I. Big deal. Then it starts to dawn on Leighton…oh….oh!
T: Leighton, when I was a sophomore, I had Professor Goins for a trig class. I’m nowhere near as good as you in math but I did pretty well. I got attached to Goins quickly. She was hot, smart and didn’t suffer fools gladly. She would always give me looks and glances and I would do the same. I had known Lydia at this time since we both played tennis but we weren’t an item just yet.
Leighton locks her fingers with her girlfriend’s as she can feel Tatum’s heartbeat move faster.
Tatum continues: It didn’t take long for me to find myself alone in the room with Goins multiple times. I knew what she wanted because I wanted it too. She did not take advantage of me or force me, I want to be clear. But I didn’t understand back then what abuse of power or power dynamics meant. I was a dumb kid who fell for their teacher. And for a couple of months, we were on fire. I didn’t even consider things like her having a husband and children. Anyway, she started showing favoritism towards me in class…it caused resentment with a few students. Pretty soon, someone reported us. To this day, I don’t know who. I guess it doesn’t matter.
Leighton kisses Tatum’s hands: And then what happened?
T: We got pulled into the dean’s room. Both of us got a talking to. They couldn’t do much because we’re both legal but it is frowned upon though not privately discouraged. We got a few girls here married to their professors. It probably didn’t help we’re both women and she is married and has kids. But between my status and hers, it got swept under the rug.
She continues: I transferred out of her class and didn’t see her again for a while. I see her around campus but the moment has passed between us. I’m over it. Early junior year, I met Stacey. She looks nothing like her mom so I didn’t pick up on clues at all. She uses her mom’s maiden name nowadays to avoid any issues. I mean you saw her. Extremely hot.
Leighton nods in agreement.
T: I started dating Lydia soon after Professor Goins but this or that happened and we split by early junior year. We’re still friends, I guess. Brandi and I quickly got involved…we’d known each other since before we got to Essex. We dated in high school and so we know each other and it’s cool. But I was single when I got involved with Stacey. I told her straight up I was not interested in anything serious. Clearly she doesn’t know what that means. She had all the knowledge in the relationship because she knew who I was. After I told her we were done, she reacted badly. Then it came out who her mom was and I was floored, honestly. Every now and then I get proud nods from frat boys for bagging a mom and a daughter. My brother Trevor, who is a freshman here, tells it with great pride to his dumb friends.
Tatum chuckles softly but sadly.
Leighton: And then you and I met.
T: Yes. But after you dumped me…
Leighton starts to protest…
T: Let me finish. After you dumped me, I was upset but maybe deep down I understood why. I wanted you back but my pride wouldn’t let me apologize. Then I heard you ran back to…so I gave up. Anyhow, I went to my favorite dive bar off campus and Stacey just happened to be there. We talked for a while. And let’s face it, I’m weak for a pretty girl so a couple of days later, we were back at it. But it didn’t feel right especially given the family dynamic. I told her I couldn’t do it anymore. I was lectured by her for an hour about how I treated her like garbage. Maybe she’s right but I’m good at walking away.
Leighton: I know.
Tatum side eyes Leighton playfully.
T: So I just stopped cold turkey. No dates, no girls, nothing. That lasted two weeks. Tatum laughs.
I met Michelle and then Brandi and I got back to what we’ve been doing since junior year of high school. I told everyone, no seriousness. I slipped up and slept with Stacey during a team trip to Vegas for a match. She’s friends with some of the girls on the team. But then I decided enough was enough and Brandi and I made it official. Michelle kind of understood . Stacey didn’t.
Leighton: Michelle called me a whore, babe.
T: Yeah, she does that. She’s harmless but I’ll text her.
Leighton: Maybe no more texting ex-girlfriends.
Tatum: Okay.
Leighton: And Amber?
Tatum: Which one?
Leighton: Wow, I thought I was prolific. Amber, she’s African American.
T: Oh yeah, her. I met her freshman year. Yeah we’ve been friends this entire time and I think Willow knows her too. Now she, I will talk to about that. I’m sorry that happened to you.
Leighton: Babe, this is a lot.
Tatum: I know. But I didn’t want any more surprises coming from my end.
Leighton: Well I’ve been dealing with older women since I was 16. Mimi and I don’t have the greatest relationship so maybe I have mommy issues. I made sure to only sleep with older women when I first got to Essex to avoid being outed on campus.
T: That makes sense. Did you sleep with any men?
L: I did and I’m not too sure why. I hated everything about it.
T: But it also makes sense.
L: You’re not one that hates girls who aren’t gold stars?
T: I’m not one either but I had my experience in high school and it did nothing for me. So when I fully accepted I was a lesbian, I felt free. But the struggle was real. That’s why I told you there is no timeline. Whether you’re 19 or 90.
L: And yet no exposure to gay or queer culture?
T: I didn’t care. And I still don’t care. I like girls and to me that should be good enough. I don’t care about flags or bumper stickers or signs. I know you care about all of that so I’ll support you because I don’t want you to feel like you can’t rely on me.
L: Even if you hate it?
T: I don’t hate anything but bad coffee. I don’t hate you or anything about you. Look at me. Tatum grabs Leighton’s face. You like what you like and you should own it, I told you that before.
Leighton nods and smiles as she leans up to kiss Tatum.
L: Am I going to be enough for you is what I wonder.
T: What do you mean? You’ve had many women yourself. Life is about experiences, baby.
L: I guess you’re right.
T: Leighton, if I didn’t want you, you wouldn’t be lying here with me right now. You know one place we never miss is our sex life and I am quite ready to get back to it this Saturday.
L: Me too.
T: Now this speaker, Willie Wyms? She sounds like a cartoon villain.
Leighton laughs.
L: She’s good. We need to be taught these things. Have you ever been tested for STIs?
T: Of course. Every 6 months, I go and get it done.
L: We didn’t use protection our first time.
T: You’re right but we used some form of it after many times.
L: And the other girls?
T: Brandi and I didn’t when we became monogamous. I used it with the other girls…maybe not all the time.
L: Yeah, you need to be sat down to listen to her too.
Tatum looks at the clock: It’s past midnight and you’re not going back to campus. You have clothes here. Text your friend Finkle and let her know.
Leighton: Yes, ma’am.
Leighton texts Kimberly: Hey I’m staying the night at Tatum’s. I’ll see you later.
Kimberly (four minutes later): Thanks for letting me know.
Leighton and Tatum are in the bed and Leighton falls asleep quickly. As she sleeps, Tatum begins making reservations at The Ned for four days and three nights starting this upcoming Friday.
Tatum and Leighton have no idea a certain blue eyed brunette is also making flight reservations for New York that same weekend…and possibly their same flight.
To be continued…