Page 10 of Wheelie's Challenge
“Is that all I am to you? A friend?” she said out loud. “I want to be with you, Wheelie.” She shook her head, wiping the threat of a falling tear from the corner of her eye. Bringing the gift to her lips, she kissed it then buried it again among her scarves.
The sound of the garage door made her jump, and she closed the drawer and scrambled out of the room just as Tigger came in.
“Did you go for a ride?” she asked, ignoring the thumping of her heart.
“No. I thought you’d be out planting the flowers we bought yesterday.”
“I’m planning to do it later when the sun isn’t so hot.”
He quirked his lips and stared at her. “Just make sure dinner is ready at six. I’m going to the club tonight.”
Sofia swallowed. “It’ll be ready.” Tigger had been going to the clubhouse every night for the past week. Whenever he’d come home, she’d smell the scents of jasmine, orange, fresh linen, and a slew of other perfumes, depending on the night. In the past, evidence of his infidelity used to make her feel like she couldn’t please him, which in turn would open up her wounds of self-doubt, but since she’d kissed Wheelie the December before, she didn’t care if Tigger spent all night at the club screwing women. In fact, she preferred when he was gone, then she could watch what she wanted on the television and relax.
“Did you want me to help you?”
“I’m good. I like working in the garden. Thanks for asking.”
Tigger threw a set of keys on the kitchen table. “Take the truck to Wheelie’s car wash and have him clean it. The bed’s full of dirt from what we bought yesterday.” Butterflies somersaulted in her stomach. “I’ll call and see if he’s there, if not, I’ll have him tell one of the guys to clean it.”
Hehasto be there.“I thought he was there every day.”Watch it. Don’t make it sound like you want to see him. Don’t make him suspicious… or mad.
Tigger laughed. “That’s his plan, but he may have a chick he’s fucking. The guy’s a player. Remember how I used to tell you what a party animal he was? He’s got a ton of citizens who want to fuck him.”
“I didn’t know he was still that way,” she said softly, kicking herself the minute the words came out of her mouth and Tigger’s eyes narrowed.
“What the hell does that mean? Dudes don’t change, sweetcakes.” He smiled and Sofia relaxed a bit. “Anyway, let me give him a call.” He took out his phone and went into the family room. “Bring me one of your breakfast burritos and a cup of coffee.”
As Sofia fried the potatoes, she strained to listen to Tigger’s conversation with Wheelie, but all she heard was the murmur of his voice; the television was up too loud.I wonder if he’s with one of the club girls.Picturing him with any woman bothered her more than it should have.I care more about Wheelie being with a woman than I do about my own husband. How fucked up is that?
She broke three eggs into the potatoes and peppers simmering in the pan and wished she could hear what Tigger and Wheelie were talking about. Tigger’s laughter made her wonder if they were talking about women, and she turned the burner to low and crept closer to the family room.
“You should ride with us. They’ll be plenty of chicks at each of the stops. Skeet and Cruiser can’t shut the fuck up about it. I heard Crow, Army, and Chains from the Night Rebels are gonna be on the same run.” There was a pause then Tigger guffawed. “Anyway, I can’t wait to get the fuck away for a few days. You need to come. It’ll do you good.”
Wheelie can’t go. He’s taking me to Hanging Lake. I’m going to make a nice dinner for him. We have plans.A bitter scent filled her nostrils, and she ran back to the stove. Pieces of chopped scallions were black and her heart sank.If I fucked up his breakfast, Tigger’s gonna lose it.She fished out the charred pieces and tasted the egg mixture; it didn’t taste burnt. Giddiness filled her. Knowing he’d obsess about the darkened pieces of onion, she dosed the mixture with chunky salsa and sour cream then placed a generous helping on a large tortilla and rolled it up.
As she came into the family room with a plate and coffee mug in hand, Tigger looked over at her. “Gotta go. My woman’s bringing me my chow. Later, bro.” He placed the phone down on the table and stared at the TV. “Smells good. You gonna have some?”
“I’m not that hungry.” Sofia picked at the polish on her index finger. “Am I still taking the truck in to be washed?” She held her breath.
“Yeah. Wheelie’s gonna be there. I told him you’d be coming by.”
Adrenaline surged through her and she tried to keep from jumping up and down. “Do you want me to bring it over now?”
“No. Sit with me. After I’m done eating, Skeet and I have some shit to do. You can go after you clean up the house.”
The next hour was pure torture; she didn’t think Tigger would ever stop drinking coffee. As she finished drying the frying pan, he came up behind her and snaked his hand around her waist, yanking her against him. “Do you miss me fucking you?” he said in a low voice.
“Yeah,” she lied.
“Maybe I’ll let you enjoy me. Would you like that?”
No. I’ve got to get ready. I’m going to see Wheelie.“Hmmm…”
Tigger’s phone rang and he let go of her. “Yo, Skeet, what’s up?” He walked into the other room, and Sofia let out a sigh of relief. It’d been months since they’d been together, but with Wheelie always in her thoughts, she didn’t mind it at all. She pretended she did because Tigger seemed to enjoy keeping sex from her. For a long time it made her feel like total crap, but now she just wanted him to leave her alone all the time. Sofia sniggered softly: The club women she’d once hated, she now was grateful to for keeping Tigger well pleased and away from her.
“I gotta go,” Tigger said, walking toward the back door. “Remember to have dinner ready by six.”
Then he was gone.
