Page 77 of Bend
My brow furrowed. “She’s not mine.”
“Yet.” His smile fell, and he let out a hard breath. “In all seriousness, the chemistry is obvious. I wasn’t kidding about you fucking her before seeing if there’s something more permanent than the lust that’s pouring out of you.” He pulled the last beer out of the bucket and popped the top. “And instead of being the third bad thing to happen to you in such a short time, she could be the one good thing.”
Two questions went through my mind with his comments. Was he right about a good thing, and was I capable of handling all of that?
A half hour later, I patted my overly stuffed stomach and had a nice buzz going on. I texted Cassie to pick me up in about thirty minutes. There was no way I was going to attempt to drive. I knew my limit, and I hit it two beers and four pieces of deep-dish pizza ago.
Hope remained scarce while we ate, and refused to even look at us when she dropped off the check. I blamed Dex for embarrassing her.
When she reached for my credit card, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward me to whisper in her ear. “I’ll be back for you.”
A blush spread on her face as she looked at me. She licked her lips as she pulled away.
I continued to stare at her, my body buzzing. “I am so fucked.”
Chapter 4
The morning after seeing Hope at Union Jack’s, I awoke just after eight with a small hangover and dried jizz all over my skin and clothes. The memory of masturbating while thinking about her was clear, but I must have fallen right to sleep after I came.
After a shower, I headed downstairs. Cassie and Mom were playing cards on the dining room table. I smiled, happy to see Mom looking perkier than she had over the last few days.
“Morning.” Cassie smirked at me.
The devious tone in her voice set me on edge, and I narrowed my gaze at her before grunting in return. I poured a cup of coffee and grabbed a protein bar, then headed in to join the girls. Mom looked up at me, and I kissed her head as I walked around the table, making sure to ruffle up Cassie’s hair as I moved to take a seat.
Cassie slapped at my hand, scowling up at me. “Be nice. I left my warm, comfy bed to come pick your drunk ass up last night.”
“It wasn’t that late.” I peeked at the scorecard. The cards told me 500 Rummy, and the paper told me Mom was winning.
Go, Mom.
“No, but I was snuggled in bed with my husband.”
“Oh, you were gettin’ it on.”
She shook her head while Mom’s chuckle danced around the room. “So, you going to tell me about this girl?”
My brow scrunched up. “What girl?”
She rolled her eyes and set down a row of cards before discarding. “I had the unfortunate sight of a bulge in your pants when you got in the car.” She made a yacking sound.
“Hmm, that. Well…it’s complicated.”
“Good to know your equipment still works.” Mom didn’t even look up from her cards as she muttered under her breath.
Cassie and I turned to her with what had to be matching looks of horror on our faces.
“Eww!”
“I…I don’t know what to say to that, Mom. What the hell?”
She shrugged and laid down some cards, ending the hand. “Well, with what happened with Monica, I wondered if she might’ve given you something that made your wiener fall off.”
Cassie howled with laughter, banging her hand on the table and giving no care to the fact that she’d just lost their game. I couldn’t stop staring at my mother, who smiled as she tallied up their scores.
“And on that note, I’m outta here.” Cassie slid her chair back and stood. She leaned over and punched my shoulder. “Tag.”
I nodded and took a sip of my coffee. “Thanks, Cass.”
