The Hit: A Roleplay

Noelle:


Taylor:


Maddie:



I bust through the door of the PI firm and sprint towards the front desk, sneaking a peek down the hall to check Taylor's door. My boss doesn't stir, so I plop down on the chair and do a spin until I'm facing the clock hanging above the entrance. Five minutes late.

I smirk to myself and power up the computer, then pause when Taylor's voice comes up from behind me.

"You're five minutes late."

I shuffle my feet along the floor slowly until I'm looking up at him. I take in a deep breath. "Well, to make a long story short, I got this massive papercut yesterday while sorting all your documents, blood was squirting this way and that, and I mean, I seriously thought I was going to lose a limb," I explain, satisfied with my summary and the fact that it was mostly true. It was a very painful papercut. Taylor regards me warily and crosses his arms, his right eyebrow doing that thing where it hitches and dares me to continue. So I do.

"But I stuck it out because that's what a good employee does, and I went home, went to bed, and wouldn't you know it? I slept in a good half hour and had to hightail it here. I think I just conked out from all the blood loss. You're lucky I'm alive right now, Tay'." I hold up my left pointer finger for proof and twirl it so that he can see the full extent of the icky red scab running across my skin.

Taylor opens his mouth as if to speak, then shuts it again. The corner of his mouth quirks, which is about as close as the man gets to smiling, and then he pivots, taking long strides back toward his office.

"Start up some coffee, Noelle," he calls over his shoulder. "I don't pay you to sit on your ass."

I bite my lip to hold back my laughter, then wheel my chair over to the Keurig and pop in his favorite Starbucks cup. "Aye, Cap'n," I shout back. "I'll leave it on your desk with my claim for worker's comp!"

If I had better hearing, I'd swear there'd be a chuckle or two going on from behind his office door. He's quick to reply. "You're fired!"

"Am not!"

I'm so close to taunting him with the whole 'you know you love me' thing when my phone goes off. "Float On" by Modest Mouse blares from its speakers. My smile fades when I see who's calling.

I barely get the word hello from my mouth before he starts in.

"Who's Phil?"

I watch as the Keurig groans and sputters its output into Taylor's mug and lean back in my seat. "Hello to you, too."

"Who's Phil?" he repeats, his voice gruffer, more demanding. I'm not sure why I ever started dating the man. Better yet, why I'm still dating him.

"What the hell are you-"

"Don't want to explain Phil, then?" he spits through the phone. "Alright, then. Explain Marcus. Explain Scott. Ethan, Montgomery?"

My jaw almost hits the floor. "Where are you getting these from?" I already know the answer, but I want to hear him say it.

"Your phone," he retorts. "And don't get all pissed at me because of this trust bullshit. I'm your boyfriend, I have the right-"

"To snoop?" I cut in. "Is that what you call it? The right to snoop?" I pause. "Holy shit, are you accusing me of cheating?" Don't know why it took so long to occur to me, but it's eight in the morning. I barely know my own name.

"You're damn right that's what I'm doing!" His voice is getting louder. Too loud. "You want to tell me who these guys are? Or do I need to start calling them one by one?"

My gaze strays from Taylor's finished mug of coffee to his office door. This is not a conversation to be had right here, right now. "Okay, you want to know the sordid little histories I have with those guys in my phone? Every sexy little detail?"

There's an awkward silence on the other end. For the first time in probably ever, he's lost for words. I continue on. "Well, let's see, aside from Taylor and Montgomery, my landlord, and Ethan, my hair stylist, all the men in that phone are gay. Well, come to think of it, I'm pretty sure Ethan's gay, too."

"What?"

"Gay, as in they don't like vaginas, which is exactly what I-"

"I know what you mean, Elle," he interrupts, his tone acidic. "Doesn't mean I believe it. There can't be that many gay guys in New York."

I can't believe this is my life. I frown at Taylor's cooling coffee. I'm gonna have to reheat it. I need to get rid of this jerk. "Clearly you've never been to a pride parade."

"A pride parade? Since when were you at a pride parade?"

"I got lost on the way back from the bagel shop and walked into one. They were giving out rainbow flags."

He falls silent again. Guess I stumped him. I stand up and cup the coffee mug in my hand, then take it into the kitchen for a spin in the microwave. "Well, Ryan, this conversation has been delightful, but I'm gonna just go out and say it. You're dumped. Don't call again."

"Elle, wait-"

"Dumped," I repeat, then hang up the phone. A smile creeps across my face. I'd almost forgotten how sweet the taste of freedom could be.

---

I knock on the door of the apartment I share with Maddie. Not because I don't have a key, but because I never know what I'll walk in on. She's a bombshell blonde, the kind you can't even hate because she's super nice. She's also my best friend and a kick-ass roomie. She attracts guys like a magnet. Sort of like the half-clad, sandy-haired, blue-eyed hunk who opens the door to greet me.

I groan. "Jesus, why does Maddie get all the hot ones?"

The hunk grins. "Well, I'm flattered," he says with a smirk. "You must be Elle. I'm Luke."

Well, isn't he charismatic? "Pleased to make your acquaintance," I reply. "I'd shake your hand and all that, but to be totally rude, I'm not sure that's a bright idea."

He chuckles. "You might be right." He steps aside and holds the door open for me. "Our girl's in the kitchen. I'm gonna hop in the shower."

I nod and brush by him to find Maddie at the counter, fussing over a cup of coffee. "You do that, buddy."

"Elle!"

I grin and make my way towards her as Luke retreats to the bathroom. "You big sleaze. What's up?"

"Don't be jelly," she says, reaching up to give my shoulder a slap. "He's a god in the bedroom. Can't say the same for Ryan, based on what you tell me."

I sigh and plop down on the stool across from her. "Ryan is no more."

She drops her mug and beams at me, almost so delighted it's creepy. "Hoorah! We should celebrate!"

I feign offense. "Hey! I'm reeling from a bad break-up, okay? I'm supposed to weep on your shoulder and pig out on ice cream and all that. There's a process."

Maddie snorts and goes back to stirring her coffee. "Bitch, please. You're happy to be rid of him. And you're about as emotionally available as a pebble when it comes to relationships."

I snatch the cup away from her and take a sip. It's scalding. I make a face. "Don't Dr. Phil me. Comfort me."

In response, she taps my head with the palm of her hand. "There, there."

I feel a presence to my left and look up to find Luke standing between us. The water from his hair is dripping onto the counter. "I have a feeling I walked into boy talk," he says, looking me over.

I cross my arms and lean back. "Maybe."

He's the next to grab onto Maddie's mug and take a sip. "Well, you're not a guy, but I'll tell you what I'd do. Don't sit around and eat all the Ben & Jerry's like some bad chick flick. Go out and meet a dude who's twice as cool as the douche you dumped. Hell, do him, too. Get that aggression out of your system."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Who even asked you?"

He sets the mug back down and slings his arm around Maddie. "I'm an expert. I don't need asking."

I groan and turn to my best friend. "Mad, tell your man he's an idiot."

She regards me for a moment, then steeples her fingers in front of her face, her elbows resting on the bar between us. "Actually, he's pretty smart."

I'm shocked out of my seat. "What the fuck? You want to whore me up? This is a shitty revenge plan."

"Nobody's talking about revenge, Elle," Maddie argues. "We're talking about you getting over yourself and getting out there and finding a man who deserves you."

"By screwing him on the first night?" I shriek.

"Okay, forget the screwing," Maddie offers. "If it happens, it happens. But you and I, we're going out. And we're not doing it while wearing a Hootie & The Blowfish tour tee and dirty chucks, either."

I look down at my outfit, then back up at her. "I'm really starting to reevaluate our friendship."

She gives me no chance to complain. She grabs onto my arm, drags me back into her bedroom, and shuffles through her closet for the perfect dress.

"Where's Landon, anyway?" I grumble. "You know, your son? The one you want to set a good example for and all that?"

She laughs. "Mom's picking him up from Kindergarten and he's sleeping at her place. And tonight I'm not a mom, sweets. I'm your friend and I'm gonna get you hammered."

I sit back on her bed and resign myself to my fate, shuddering when she pulls a little black dress from within the bowels of her closet and holds it up for me to see. "Oh, yeah," she says with a grin. "Tonight we're definitely finding you a man."

William:




A phone started buzzing, making him groan. He opened his eyes, turning to face the annoying sound and found it on his bed side table. He took a look and it was a reminder that he had a meeting today, a very important one.

He took a moment as he looked at the calendar on his phone, as he looked he felt a hand slide across his chest and he puts it down. He smirks and looks to a beautiful red head next to him,"Morning..." he says, stroking her cheek.

"Mm..,morning. You know you're hot right?" She says, stroking his chest up and down. He smiles again, "That's what I'm told..." he leans in for a kiss, they embrace and as he kisses down her neck, she starts to talk again.

"You want to grab some breakfast before round 2...or is it 3?" She asked, giggling slightly. He holds his head up and looks at her, "We can many more rounds, another time. I, unfortunately, have to go to work. You know...that place where I met you."

She smiles, as he gets up and starts to stand. She eyes him as he walks across the room, finally asking "Do you sleep with a lot of the models or is that a stupid question to ask?"

He looks back at her, "I think you asked me this question last night..." She gets up and starts to get dressed,"I also remember you dodging then too."

She finishes zipping up her skirt and suddenly is twirled around, he looks at her "I do not sleep with every model..."

She starts to smile, "I am so paranoid, sorry..I have a bad history with men and think the worst automatically."

He kisses her again, passionate and breaks off "It's fine, I really would love breakfast with you but..."

She nods,"I know, I know...you have to work. I should expect that from one of the best ad salesmen around!"

He walks over to a drawer, then back and hands some cash "This is for a taxi, I'll call you."

She kisses his cheek and leaves.

He smirks in his mind, know not with every model but he definitely sleeps with the make up artists or the stage crew.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"I almost thought you lost that one..." Ryan said, as they walked into their usual night time spot. The club was packed, gorgeous women everywhere as they made their way to a VIP seating area. They were greeted by a waitress, as Will finally answered, "Australian's don't lose, didn't you know that by now?" He winks at the waitress who smiles back.

The group of guys just hang out, drinking and laughing loudly. Will excuses himself and makes his way to the washroom, when he comes out and makes his way back to his area, he spots a woman and her friend at the bar. She really caught his eye, very different from every woman in the club he could tell.

He made his way over, standing right next to her. From what he could tell, she had been waiting to get a drink, as soon as Will stood their, the female bartender came right over and he smiles to the woman next to him,"I believe you were first...and if I can suggest getting the most expensive drink they have to offer because it's on me, for you and your friend." He looks at her, liking what he saw.

With a furrowed brow, I take in the man standing next to me, and then my best friend Maddie, the blond goddess at my left. Surely he wasn't addressing me. I remain silent, still reeling somewhat from the fuckedupness of my day, and exchange glances with the two of them again. Mr. Deep Voice and Broad Shoulders is still looking at me, his expressing growing puzzled. He probably thinks I'm a mute.

I take in a deep breath through my nose, the heady scent of something woodsy and spicy and distinctively male filling my nostrils. Jesus, he even smells good. I just have to ask.

Turning toward him and propping my elbow up on the bar, I point to my chest. "Wait. Sorry, buddy, it's been a long day. Thor, the god of Thunder, was addressing me?"

Will smirks, "I've actually gotten that before, and yes I was addressing you. Is that such a surprise?"

Maddie then takes notice and leans over Noelle, her hand extended and cleavage spilling out of her top, "I'm Maddie...and make it champagne!"

Will shakes the friends hand politely, tells the bartender and a beer for himself. They come back and he takes out a roll of bills, he hands over enough and even a tip and slips the money back in his pocket. He looks at the ladies.

Maddie looks at him, "Are you over in the V.I.P section?"

Will was watching Noelle, looks at Maddie and nods, Maddie looks at him "I know Noelle would just to love check it out."

He smirks at Noelle,"Would she?"

I freeze. Would I? I look up at him -way up, because he's fucking tall and I'm just over five feet- and study his smirk, the flawless, undoubtedly expensive dress shirt and nice jeans, and then down at my own ensemble. Since I'd borrowed the dress from Maddie and she's a cup size down from me, I'd had to wrestle my cleavage into the thing. I can admit my boobs are my selling point. My ass, flat as a washboard, not so much.

I swallow my sudden bout of weird nerves and extend my hand before stupidly pulling it back again. This isn't a business meeting. "Uh, okay," I reply, still wary but doing my best to roll with the punches. And punches were exactly what Maddie was going to get if I found out she'd paid Thor to talk to me.

Will leads them to the V.I.P section.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will woke up the next day on his couch and stretched, he was shirtless and in boxers. Heads into his bedroom, the woman he met last night was still passed out and he could see some drool on his pillows, laughing slightly, he heads into the washroom and washes up.

I wake up and immediately wish I hadn't. My head is pounding, my mouth is dry, and my throat feels dangerously full. When I open my eyes and take a look at my surroundings, I go from pained to freaked out. This isn't my place. These aren't my impossibly white walls, incredibly soft velvet sheets. This isn't my bed that could accommodate a small army. And when I hear something stirring behind a large brown door across the room, I know it isn't going to be Maddie coming for a wake-up call.

I sit up quicker than I should and groan. A glance down finds me still wearing my dress. Maddie's heels, however, lie side by side at the foot of the bed. Events of last night flood my head all at once. The breakup, Maddie dragging me to the club, Thor buying me a drink, and our trip to the VIP room nestled in the back.

Thor! I risk a glance between my legs as if that'll tell me anything. My panties are in place. It's a good sign, but I can't help but berate myself for this whole mess. What if we...

The door I'd been staring at before swings open and reveals the devil himself, clad in nothing but a pair of jeans. My eyes rake across his blond hair, wet from a shower, to those wide shoulders, a delicious set of abs that most men would kill to have, to that desirable V that leads down the front of his jeans to something that I'd bet would be just as impressive as the rest of him. His bare feet skim the carpet as he exits what looks like an enormous walk-in closet, and then his eyes rest on me. That smirk I remember is back.

Sex with him, I'm sure, would be something to be excited about. But I hope to all hell that we didn't do it last night when I was too drunk to remember the entire sordid affair. I cross my fingers as I stare back at him in all his half naked glory.

"Uh..." My voice is scratchy and rough. I try to conjure up all the spit I can to wet my palate and go for it again. "So, uh... We didn't, did we?"

As he pulls on a t-shirt, he looks to Noelle and her question, "No, call me old fashioned...but I like my women to be conscious..." he is suddenly interrupted as their is a knock at his front door. He walks out of the bedroom, into a spacious living room. He lived in a huge condo that had an amazing view of the city.

He makes his way to the door and opened it to find, "Daddy!" a small girl leaps up and hugs his knees. He looks to the woman behind the small girl, "Regina...now isn't a good time."

"One of your whores over? Sorry, Casanova but I have a job." Regina, his ex wife, was a freelance photographer. He stared at her, "Why is it that I am the one who remembers...to not swear in front of Anya?"

"I don't know, look Will...I just need you to feed her breakfast and take her to school," Regina said, with little patience left. Will looked back,"I have a meeting in 20 minutes..."

"Push it back..." She said and with not another word, she walked off and Will shut the door. He walked into his place to find his daughter on the couch, holding a doll in her hand. She looks at her Dad, "I want pancakes Daddy..."

I take my time in the bathroom, noticing that it, too, is fit for a king. The shower is massive, shower heads pointing this way and that, like the ones you only see in episodes of Cribs. I imagine how it would feel to have warm water cascading down on me from every angle and not just the pathetic, on and off spray I get at my cheap apartment. For a moment I briefly consider testing it out, but it's not my place. And apparently we have visitors.

Just as I'm washing my hands, I hear voices drifting through the door. A woman speaks to Thor, her tone not quite excited as it is wry, and I can only assume they're not exactly friends. I catch tidbits here and there: Anya, school, meeting. Before I can make sense of it, a door closes shut and the excited voice of what can only be a little girl drifts through the bathroom door.

Thor has a kid.

Man, I need to get home. I chance a look at myself in the bathroom mirror, cringing at the sight of smeared mascara beneath my eyes. I look like a rejected member of KISS. I take a tissue, wad it up, and try to get rid of the war paint. It doesn't help much. I sigh and prance on out to finish dressing. My toes give a woeful cry at being jammed into those god-awful, painful heels Maddie made me wear, but I push through and carefully make my way out through his bedroom door.

I stop at the entrance to what must be the kitchen and catch sight of the little girl in question. She's got blond hair the same shade of her father's, her clothing every shade of the rainbow and then some. She hops onto one of the chairs surrounding the kitchen table, then stops short when she notices me. I give her a friendly wave.

Anya looks at the stranger and hugs her dolly close, suddenly feeling very shy. Will looks over and sees Noelle, going over quickly "Not what I had planned, to answer your questions..you passed out, your friend left you and I happened to be there."

Anya goes over and tugs her Daddies shirt, he looks down to his daughter and then to Noelle, "Well, looks like I am going to be late for my meeting..., how do you feel about pancakes?"

I look from one face to the other, knowing I can't just refuse. I need something in my system to counteract the damage the alcohol did on me last night. I try my best beaming smile and aim it at his daughter, then back up at him. God, he's gorgeous. "I'd love pancakes."

Anya yells out in excitement, "Anya...this is Noelle, Noelle this is my daughter Anya. I'm Will by the way, I told you quite a few times last night but you insisted on Thor."

Anya giggles," Thor..." Will looks at her, "Don't you start..." They head over to the kitchen, where their is stools you can sit and watch him make the pancakes.

Anya looks at Noelle,"Are you friends with my Daddy...?"

Will makes himself busy, cooking up breakfast.

I tug the ends of my dress as far as I can past my knees, feeling self conscious. I try not to let it show how weird this all is for me. "You could say that, I guess," I answer Anya, giving her another smile. It's in the Dealing With Kids rulebook somewhere, I'm sure. "I was a little under the weather last night, and your daddy was nice enough to take care of me."

I make sure to look up at Will, hoping my appreciation is evident on my face. If he felt like putting up with me again, I'd gladly come up with a way to thank him. Many ways, maybe. Many positions, too.

I swallow that thought and look back at his daughter. Another smile. Nothing but rainbows and happiness here, kid. "How old are you, Anya?"

She grins back at me and holds up her left hand, wiggling each little finger. "I'm five! How old are you?"

Old enough to know I need to get my shit together. "Twenty-four," I answer, risking a glance at Will's back as he prepares our breakfast. How old is he? With that body and this wealth, he's got to be older than me. I hold back a sigh. "You know, my friend Maddie has a son named Landon," I add, all smiles once again. "He's six. Maybe you two should meet."

Anya shakes her head, "No, no way...boys are gross."

Will sets down little pancakes for his daughter on a plate, bigger ones for him and Noelle. As well as orange juice, he holds up the coffee to Noelle who nods and he pours her a cup, then topping up his own. They all sit.

He finally looks at his daughter, "Yes, boys are gross...keep thinking that."

Anya digs in, Will looks at her, "Elbows baby..." she removes them off the table and then sits up straight, "My Daddy is from Austria!"

"Australia..." He corrects sweetly, she digs into her food more, getting syrup all over her face.

Will laughs and is close enough to wipe it off for her.

I knew Will had to be from somewhere. It was either Australia or New Zealand. For some reason I don't remember asking him last night. I had to have, though. If I'm a horndog for accents, I'm a definite horndog when I'm drunk. Stupid hammered me. What else had I learned about him last night and forgotten?

I'm interrupted from my internal musings as I watch Will wipe syrup from his daughter's face. She's adorable, and undoubtedly his daughter. From the hair to the beautiful blue-green eyes, she's his spitting image. She'll be a knockout when she's older.

"I've always wanted to go to Australia," I say lamely. God, what a lie. They have bugs there bigger than me. No, thanks. I quickly change the subject and swallow down my first bite of pancakes. Yum. "These are delicious." I meet his gaze across the table and fidget with the fork in my hand. "Look, uh, I'm not usually like I was last night. It was nice of you. I mean, this place is amazing, too." I'm rambling now. Crap. Might as well take it a step further. "What do you do for a living?"

Will looks at Noelle, watching her. "Do you really want to know or just making small talk?" he says, with a smirk and a forkful of pancake.

I snort. Because that's attractive. Then I jam another piece of pancake into my mouth. "Well, you are loaded. I mean, that shower is something else. You could fit a harem in there."

I notice my mistake before it finished leaving my mouth. Will's eyes widen while Anya's narrow. She considers my words for a moment while I bite my tongue. Backtrack, Elle, backtrack.

"What's a harem?"

Swallowing quickly, I pipe up before Will can. "Harem. You know, like uh... harem. Hair. Hair studio." Will's lips are sealed shut. If I hadn't ruined things before, I have now. "In fact, that was a bad joke, sweetie. I wouldn't repeat it."

Will looks at his daughter and tells her to go to the washroom, she gets up and goes off to do so. He stands up and puts the dishes in the dishwasher, looks at Noelle, "Hair studio?" before she can say anything, "Don't worry about it, she's actually really good about not repeating words...which is good, if you knew my ex."

He puts the orange juice in the fridge, "To answer your question, I do alright when it comes to money. I'm in advertising, I am one of the owners of the company."

His phone buzzes, so late for the meeting with Noelle's boss. He tells her he'll be right back and goes off to his bedroom.

Meanwhile, Anya comes back and grabs her backpack for school. She looks at Noelle, "You're nice..."

I can't lie and say this kid doesn't warm my heart. I'm not so good around children, usually, but she's pretty cool. You know, for a five year old. I smile right back at her. "Oh, thanks, Anya. You're nice too." I bend down to meet her gaze. "I hope you have a good day at school. Maybe we can meet again."

Meeting her again would mean meeting Will again, and I wouldn't mind that much at all.

Speaking of Will, he enters not a second later dressed in a suit that probably costs more than I make in a month. I want to rip it off of him. With my teeth.

I need help.

I spring back up and give him a smile. "Well, thanks for having me. Anya here is a cutie."

Will looks at her, "Look...I know this all must be awkward, I just wanted to help you out last night."

He grabs car keys, "I have time to drive you back home, if you need it..and yes, a lot of this is because I think you're pretty cute." He admits, staring right at her.

Anya giggles.

Well, when he puts it that way. I can feel the blush starting from my toes to my scalp. My cheeks burn. "Well, you're pretty..." I glance down at his daughter. I can't exactly call him sex on a stick in front of his five year old. "Handsome," I finish. That'll do.

I throw a wink in Anya's direction. "Your daddy's quite the ladykiller, isn't he?"

That sends her into another fit of giggles. I glance down at my phone, having retrieved my purse from the bedside table before we left. I'm going to be a good half hour late for work. Taylor's going to shit bricks.

"I'd appreciate the ride," I add. "I've got to wash up and hightail it to work."

They all get into his car, he finds out her place is after Anya's school and asks if he can drop her first. He parks alongside the school, Anya takes off her seat belt and leans to the drivers side and kisses her Dad's cheek, she then gets out of the car and he watches her go into the kindergarten area and waves to the teacher.

He drives off and glances to Noelle, "So, when can I see you again? Yes, I am straight to the point kind of guy...."

Crap, and I'd only just returned to my normal Casper shade of pallor. I'm as red as a beet again. "Again?" I can't help but ask. "You'd tolerate my shenanigans for a second time?" I had all but ruined his pillowcase with make-up smears and rivers of drool, and here he is, wanting another go. He belongs on the cover of Men's Fitness and I'm the red-headed stepchild. Does not compute.

He nods, "Is that so hard to believe? This ladykiller sees great potential in you..." he pulls up to her apartment building and parks the car.

He looks at her, "I don't care that you got drunk, I'm Australian...seeing someone drunk is second nature to me. We serve beer when you ask for coffee."

I laugh. "Alright, sure. Yeah. I won't question this thing. It sounds fun." I should really get going, but damned if the smell of his cologne hasn't permeated the leather seats. He's everywhere. His stare is unwavering, his smirk still stretched across his face. I want to jump across the seats, straddle his lap, and find out just what I'd been missing out on when I was too drunk to notice.

"Except I hope to be coherent next time, so I'll stick with coffee and not the beer."

Do I suggest tonight? Ten minutes from now? To not sound desperate, maybe a week? Oh, god. My libido can't last that long. Tonight it is.

"Again tonight?" I offer, my voice sounding oddly squeaky. Stupid nerves. My brown eyes stay glued to his nonetheless. "Is that too soon?"