Consequences Pt. 14

Then she had an idea. Was it possible? She made two calls. First to Mike. Then she called Allie. "Gather the team," she said.

"Let me get this straight," Scott said later in the big conference room. "You want to integrate the cross-sell between all Memphis companies?" He shook his head. "Nice idea, but you know that's not possible."

"Yeah Jen, everyone's looked at this," Allie said. "There're too many advertising firms involved, the primary plus at least 10 supporting. Integrating cross-sell isn't impossible. Even Memphis's accepted this."

"But you agree if we COULD integrate everyone, it'd give us a big advantage over the mega-firms," Jen said.

Everyone nodded. "It would be huge," Calvin said. "But close integration isn't possible, not with so many advertising firms and the diversity of Memphis's businesses."

"But what if a computer integrated everyone, coordinated everyone's operations and campaigns?" Jen said, springing her idea.

"Nothing like that exists," Allie said pessimistically.

"What if we made it?" Jen said. She looked at her husband. "Mike, can you make something like that?"

Mike was a surprise guest at the meeting, the most surprised being him. He was coming in completely cold. But the concept was interesting. He said, "Tell me more about Memphis."

Jen, Allie and Scott gave Mike a thumbnail of Memphis – their many businesses, locations, partnerships, product lines, market pressures, competitors and customer profiles. Mike thought about it and said "It might be possible."

"Might?" Scott scoffed. "Might's not good enough."

"I've only been thinking about it for 30 minutes," Mike said with a shrug. He truly hated Scott and it irked him he still worked so closely with Jen. Suppressing his annoyance he said "The concept's straightforward. I'd model Memphis's customers and then overlay its businesses, product lines, competitors, the other factors too. I'd use that correlation to coordinate and direct the cross-sells of the different advertising firms."

"Can you speak in English?" Scott said with a laugh. A few laughed with them, but most were looking intently at Mike.

"Is it possible to mathematically model customers? People?" Calvin asked.

"That's what we did with Sapphire, to predict market movements," Mike said with another shrug. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he realized he could leverage a few of Sapphire's algorithms.

"So you think you can do it?" Jen asked.

"I think so honey, but I can't guarantee anything, not until I dig into it more," Mike told his wife.

"Do me a favor Mike," Scott said laughing again. "If you ever talk to Memphis execs, try to sound more positive."

Jen gave Mike a weak smile but Scott was right. In advertising, confidence was everything. You had to look confident and in complete control, even if you weren't.

Jen huddled with Scott, Allie and Calvin, her main lieutenants. "We've got to go with this," Jen said.

"No way," Scott said. "Jen, I get he's your husband. But we don't know if he can make it work. He doesn't know for god's sake."

"Give him a break Scott, he walked cold into this," Calvin said. Of all Jen's colleagues, Calvin was the closest Mike had to a friend.

"I don't know Jen, it's risky," Allie said. "Scott's right, what if Mike can't do it?" She quickly added "I'm not bashing Mike, but no one's been able to do this before."

"We have no choice," Jen said making an executive decision. "Cuts are happening soon. This is our only chance to make the next round. Allie, can you set up another pitch with the Memphis execs? Tell them we have a way to closely coordinate their cross-sells."

Allie shook her head, looking gloom. "It may not be enough Jen. It's kinda late to spring this."

"I know," Jen said looking determined. "That's why I'm calling Keri."

Mike worked non-stop, working closely with Jen and her team. By Friday he had the beginnings of a prototype, but there was still a lot of work to do.

"Should we cancel with Frankie?" Jen whispered to him as they were around her co-workers.

"Don't you want to see him?" Mike whispered. "I know you're stressed."

"I do," she admitted, looking weary from work. "Can we spare the time?"

"The Memphis pitch isn't for a couple weeks, right?" Mike said. "We can spare a weekend off. I'd like to see you with Drums."

"Yeah?" Jen said giving him a "you're so predictable smile."

"Yeah," Mike said smiling back.

******************

Jen caught a taxi home right after work, to get ready and then meet up with Drums. I continued working on the prototype as the official pre-concert get-together wasn't for a couple hours.

Around 630 I took a taxi to the band's hotel. I met up with Artie. I told him I was a dot com millionaire and was starting a new venture called "Emerald Software." We completed the sponsorship deal, $35,000 for an ad in their program and back stage access for the next two months. It was a lot of money for what was essentially a ticket to all their concerts and parties, but fortunately I didn't have to worry about money because of Sapphire.

Artie escorted me into Malcolm's suite. The pre-concert party was going strong. Artie introduced me to his wife Lucy, Malcolm and Jay, Jay's wife Diana, and the rest of the band. They were polite but standoffish, thinking me just another groupie (albeit one with money to burn).

There were a lot of other groupies and hangers-on there too, most of them pretty girls but a few guys like me. Alcohol flowed freely, the music was loud, the lights were low, a lot of laughing, the band had girls on their laps. This party was rocking, and it was only the pre-concert party?

"Isn't there a third Ramone?" I asked Artie.

"Yeah, Drums, he'll be here later," Artie said. "He's probably with his New York girlfriend. Her name's Jen, wait until you see her she's hot."

"New York girlfriend?" I asked.

"These guys have girlfriends in every city," Artie said with a laugh.

Just then Drums walked in with Jen. He had his arm possessively around her.

"Hey Drums, over here," Artie said. He introduced me to Drums and we shook hands.

"Hi, I'm Jen," Jen said to me, briefly grasping my hand. She looked so good! She wore a tight stretchy light gray tank top that clung to her body. She wore a black lacy bra underneath. The tank was held up by two tiny spaghetti straps that did more to emphasize than hide the bra straps. The tank swooped low in the front and back, exposing some of the lacy bra cups and all of the bra strap running across her back. The tank ended above her belly button, showing off a lot of her flat firm tummy. It was a way sexier look than if she'd walked in wearing just the bra with no blouse!

She wore tight skinny jeans that really showed off her tight ass and long legs, and she topped off the outfit with leopard print high heels. She wore her hair down and had on lip gloss that made her lips look wet. She was achingly hot!

On top of all that, both Jen and Drums looked flushed. They'd clearly just fucked!

"I told you she was hot," Artie said as we both watched her walk away with Drums.

"You said she's his girlfriend?" I asked, playing along, my dick rock hard. "She's wearing a wedding ring."

"They knew each other in college," Artie said with an unconcerned shrug. "I don't know the whole story. Ask Drums if you want, he's a good guy. Hey listen, I've gotta check on things, enjoy yourself."

I went to the bar to get a drink. Jen sidled up to me, briefly bumping her hip against me.

"You look incredible!" I gushed in a low voice. "Did you just fuck?"

"I can barely walk!" she whispered giving me a gleeful smile. She got her beer and walked back to Drums, giving me another subtle hip bump as she turned.

It was fun seeing Jen in her social butterfly persona. I'd missed seeing her that way, all exuberant and bubbly. She'd been working so hard for so long on Memphis. I was happy she was able to cut lose with Drums and his friends, and forget about work for a while.

I thought again about my idea to move back to State College and have a simpler life. I really wanted that, I wanted Jen to be less stressed because I loved this version of Jen. I loved the high spirited and bubbly Jen, the social butterfly and flirty Jen. It wasn't healthy for her to work so hard and be so stressed. At that moment I committed myself to work really hard on the prototype. If I could help her win Memphis, then she could quit her firm with a clear conscience.

The party was lively and rambunctious. There were high spirited, spontaneous outbursts of singing as everyone got excited about the upcoming concert. Jen joined in and did laughing, half serious duos and trios with Drums, Malcolm and some of the backup singers.

She was clearly popular among the guys AND girls. That didn't surprise me, she was hard not to like and it wasn't just her beauty. Some of the girls egged her on, and Jen did an a capela solo of Land Slide by Stevie Nicks, one of her favorite classic performers. It seemed like all the rowdy partying stopped as everyone listened to Jen's beautiful voice. When she was done the crowd broke out in unabashed applause, including me. She was incredible!

Drums was clearly ecstatic to be with her. He constantly held her hand or had his arm around her. She didn't seem to mind. She was clearly into him, and was with him constantly.

It was hard seeing her with him. Back in college, I'd shocked my frat brothers when we started dating. I remembered how proud I felt with her on my arm at frat parties, how proud she was my girl. Now though, she was Drums' girl. HE was basking in the admiration and envy of other guys with her on HIS arm.

It was gut wrenching to watch. But I knew it was only temporary, it was just a game. That allowed me to enjoy the delicious dark cuckold feelings of jealousy, rejection and feeling neglected. I was so hard!

Jen didn't completely ignore me. More than once she made eye contact with me and smiled at me. That helped me enjoy the experience while not getting too upset.

We took two buses to Madison Square Garden. Jen rode on the 1st bus with Drums and the rest of the talent and their wives and girlfriends. I rode in the 2nd bus with all the groupies and hangers-on.

We watched the concert from the side stages. Jen was on stage right with all the other wives and girlfriends. They directed the rest of us to stage left. As the concert started I saw Jen signing along and dancing with the other girls. But I couldn't see her well, and I didn't really like punk music. I wandered behind the stage and looked around, wondering if I should go home and wait for Jen to get there with Drums after the concert.

I felt a hand on my arm. I turned. It was Jen. "Hey you," she said. She looked around. We were alone momentarily, but that could change fast. "Come with me," she said.

She led me into Drum's dressing room. She closed the door and immediately pressed her body against me and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Hi" she said.

"Hi," I said back. We kissed. I ran my hands down her back, feeling her exposed bra straps, her tight ass. "This is so hot," I gushed, using my fingertips to trace the upper part of her bra cups exposed by the swoop of her tank.

"Slutty you mean," she said with a laugh. "Frankie said he thinks bras are sexy."

"That's why you wore this?" I asked, tracing down the tiny spaghetti straps.

"Yeah," she said. She laughed. "Don't ask, I'm not wearing it for you, I'm not letting anyone we know see me dressed like this."

"So you'll wear something for him you won't wear for me?" I teased her, again tracing the top of her bra cups.

"I'm definitely not wearing it for you, you're worse than Frankie, touching me," she said with another laugh.

"No one's here," I pointed out.

She wrapped her arms around my neck again. "Baby I'd be embarrassed to dress this way in front of our friends, but if you really want I will," she said.

"I'm just kidding," I said grinning at her. I just wanted to hear her say it.

"We better get back," Jen said rubbing my arm.

"Okay," I said.

"Is it okay if Frankie sleeps over tonight?" she asked.

"You want him to?" I asked.

"He asked," she said. "And yeah, I'd like him to."

"You'll sleep with him?" I asked, that familiar gut wrenching feeling returning.

"No, I want to sleep with you," she said. "I just don't want to kick him out, you know?"

"Yeah, I get it," I said feeling better.

"We better get back," she said again squeezing my hand reassuringly.

"I'm thinking about heading home. I'll wait for you and Drums there."

"Don't do that baby," she said taking my hand again. "I don't want you home all alone. Stay. The concert's almost over, and then they'll be an after party." She gave me a sexy smile. "I'll make it fun for you, promise."

"Okay," I said grinning at her. "Let's go," I said moving to the door.

"Wait," she said holding my arm, wearing a Cheshire cat smile. "How about some fun now?" She got on her knees and went down on me.

After the concert we bused back to Malcolm's suite for the after-party. The pre-party had been boisterous and rambunctious, but it was tame compared to the after-party. More people, louder and rowdier, an out of control party. I tried to keep sight of Jen but she was bopping around with Drums, although I saw her with the other Ramones too, Malcolm and Jay.

Alcohol was flowing freely and I saw a lot of drugs too. People were passing around joints, and more than once I saw people snorting cocaine. I guess I wasn't surprised at a party like this, but seeing people using hard drugs like that bothered me.

Diana and Lucy were sitting on a sofa. Both had that glassy look of being high. They were making out! Lucy had her hand inside Diana's blouse! A big black guy sat next to Diana. I recognized him as the saxophone player. He turned Diana's head to kiss him, even as Lucy continued to maul her big tits. The three started undressing each other.

I wanted to stay and watch, but I wanted to find Jen more. It was hard navigating the crowd, there were so many people. The scene of Lucy, Diana and the Sax player was probably the most outrageous, but there was a lot of other kissing and fondling going on in the room. I had no doubt it'd turn into a fuck fest soon.

I saw Jen walking out of a bedroom. She looked a mix of drunk and high, both glassy eyes and unsteady in her high heels. She had her cum face on too. Her hair was disheveled, her cheeks flushed and her nipples hard.

A guy came out of the bedroom right behind her, but it wasn't Drums. It was Malcolm, the lead singer. I'd noticed him before. He bore a striking resemblance to Ben Afflect, although always a smug smile on his face. He wore that arrogant smile now. I remembered Jen telling me he'd hit on her last weekend. Had he just fucked her?

Drums approached Jen and Malcolm. He looked angry. Jen broke out in a big smile as she saw him approach, but her smile disappeared when she saw the anger on his face. They had what looked to be a heated conversation, all 3 of them. Finally Drums took Jen's hand and pulled her away, leaving Malcolm standing there with a scowl on his face.

Drums pulled Jen towards the door. She stopped him and they had another heated exchange. She pulled away from his hand and looked through the crowd, as if searching. She saw me, we made eye contact. She subtlety raised her iPhone. Then she took Drums' arm and they left.

A moment later I got a text from Jen: "Meet us at home." I immediately left and caught a cab home.

Jen and Drums were already in the guest room when I got home. The door was closed but I guess she heard me because she came out.

"Hi," she said, getting up on her tiptoes and kissing me. She'd taken off her high heels. She slurred her words and I smelled marijuana smoke coming from the guest room. One of her bra straps had fallen off her shoulder and dangled down her arm.

"What happened at the party?" I asked, running my finger along her shoulder missing the bra strap.

"I made out with Mal," Jen said. She fixed her bra strap, just realizing it had fallen. "Frankie got mad." She scowled at the door of the guest room. "I told him he doesn't have the right to get mad. Only you have that right."

"That's right," I said smiling at her.

"Are you mad?" she asked me, slurring her words and leaning into me.

"I think it's hot," I said still grinning at her.

"You're so predictable," she giggled, hugging me.

"What's with the smoke?"

"A peace offering I guess," she said. She rubbed my arm. "Don't worry, we opened the bedroom window." She knew I hated smoke in the apartment, although I could still smell the pot.

"Okay," I said deciding not to make a big deal about it. "You're making up with him?"

"I guess," she said. She reached up and kissed me again. "I better get back. Wait until you hear us, then you can come in, okay?"

"Yeah," I agreed.

"Mike, Frankie can be rough sometimes," she warned. "Don't worry, I'll be okay."

"I won't do anything unless you call me," I assured her. I knew she liked it rough with her lovers.

She smiled at me. She cupped my erection and said "I'll take care of this later mister."

Jen went back into the guest bedroom leaving the door slightly open. I couldn't make out their words but from the tone I could tell she was trying to make up. I knew she wanted to make up because she wanted his body. I'd seen that look on her face before. She was addicted to his body. When she was into a guy – and she was clearly into Drums – she wanted him all the time. It wouldn't last forever. But right now, she couldn't get enough of him.

After a while I heard kissing and moans. I waited a few minutes more giving them time to get into it so my arrival wouldn't disrupt anything. Eventually I quietly entered the room, sitting in a chair next to the bed.

Drums turned towards me as I arrived. He didn't seem concerned by my arrival. Jen briefly glanced at me. Then she straddled his waist, blocking his view of me. I noticed she'd put the Louboutin high heels back on, the red soles and spiky heels facing me.

His hands circled her waist then cupped her tight ass cheeks. He massaged her shapely ass as she crossed her arms and pulled off her tank top. "Bra on or off?" she whispered a smile in her voice.

"Off," he said. I watched his hands move up her sexy back and unsnap her bra. He pulled the lacy bra off her arms. He moved his head so he could see me. "Here you go Mike," he said tossing Jen's bra to me. It landed in my lap.

"Don't be a jerk," Jen said hitting his chest. She looked at me. I nodded at her, telling her I was okay. She gave me an appreciative smile, then turned back to him.

Drums rolled her onto her back. He lay on his side, kissing her and fondling her bare breasts. "Back in college I always tried to get a look at your tits," he said grinning at her, continue to massage her small breasts.

"You did?" she said arching her back, her words coming out like a moan.

Laying on his side, Drums was facing me. He looked at me and said "Did you know that Mike? That I tried to get a look at your girl's tits?"

I nodded, my heart pounded in my chest. "A few times I saw you looking down her blouse," I said my voice hoarse with excitement.

"Yeah, back then the most I got was a look at her bra," he said with a laugh. "Never thought I'd be doing this," he said, rubbing her hard nipple between his finger and thumb. He lowered his head and licked and sucked Jen's other nipple. Soon she was gasping and writhing under him.

He stopped, leaving Jen gasping. He ran his fingers tips down her sexy flat stomach, and then ran his fingers across her waist just above her low rise jeans. "Anyone else from AGA fuck her?" he asked, looking at me again.

I shook my head.