by Sandra Alex
Daniel’s got the bread, too, man. I could squeeze a little out of him, I’m sure. His house is nicer than mine, and that pisses me off. His kid brother is rich, too. He’s having a house custom made. Maybe I’ll see if I can squeeze some out of him, too. Frank’ll do some digging for me and find out what this family’s net worth is. Looks like I could retire early if I can get my tentacles in and out fast enough. I’ve got lots of time, anyway. The course runs for four months; that’s longer than it’s ever taken me to pull off a stunt.
Kayla doesn’t have bread, but she’s got quite an ass. I’d love to suck her tits and lick her clit until she whines. Slam her up against a wall and fuck her brains out until she begs me to stop. Maybe if she knows I haven’t been laid in like a year, she might give it up easier. Of course, that isn’t true, I’ve been laid lots of times, that story is just part of my gig. And it works. Surprisingly well, too. I just have to plant the seed in the right spots, and boom, I’ve got myself a fucking garden…haha. Yeah.
Frank gives me a ride to class tonight. Kayla and Daniel are standing outside the classroom, chatting, as always. I give my brother a handshake and hug the hottie, wanting like hell to squeeze her ass, but I don’t. Class is so fucking boring, but it gives me an in. We’re meeting again on Saturday at Kayla’s house, and that’s where I’ll start planting. “Greg, are you able to make it on Saturday to Kayla’s?”
“Sure, man. Same bat time…Same bat channel?”
Kayla chimes in. “Yes. Will you need a ride?”
With you baby, sure. “I can get a ride. It’s cool.”
“Why don’t I come and pick you up?” Kayla offers.
“I can bring him.” Daniel interrupts. Damn!
“I can probably get my buddy to drive me.” I say coolly, not breaking a sweat, even though it’s totally making my inner self howl that these two are fighting over me.
“That same friend who stiffed you at school last week?” Daniel says.
“I don’t want to trouble you, man. He’s my friend and he owes me so many favors, it’ll take him a lifetime to pay up.” Lay it on thick, man.
“You have a shift at the hospital on Saturday morning, right?” Kayla addresses Daniel.
“Yeah, but it’s from six in the morning until noon. Plenty of time to go home, take a nap and shower, and head over.”
“But you said your shifts never finish on time.” Kayla points out.
I love this shit. It’s like being at a ping-pong match watching them fight over me. “Guys, it’s cool. Seriously. If my buddy stiffs me, I’ve got both your numbers.”
“But…don’t you have AA meetings on Saturday mornings?” Daniel asks.
I wave. “I can skip one or two.”
Daniel and Kayla exchange an alarmed look. “I’ll pick you up and take you to AA, and then Daniel will bring you here later. If his shift runs way over, I’ll come get you.” Kayla says firmly, making me hot under the belt.
“Wait…how is he going to get home from AA?” Daniel says to Kayla. I feel like I’m their fucking kid now. This is getting too weird.
My arm drapes around Kayla’s shoulders. “Look, thanks for all the fussing over me. Seriously,” I rest my hand across the left side of my chest, as if I’m about to sing the Star-Spangled Banner, “I’m feeling the love, guys. But I can get a ride.”
Daniel sticks his hand out. “Are you sure?” his voice is as firm as Kayla’s was a moment ago. My arm is still around her shoulders. I notice Daniel looks a little pale. He really doesn’t like that I’m touching her. I like it. I like it a lot. Question is: does Kayla like it?
“Sure, I’m sure.” I say nonchalantly, trying like hell not to focus on how close my fingers are to her tit.
“Alright.” Daniel tilts his head.
I turn to Kayla. “Listen, sweetie. Do you want me to bring something? I’m happy to bring all the food this time.”
Daniel pipes in. “Yeah, we should all chip in. Tell you what, Greg, this time I’ll cover everything, and next time you can. Sound fair?”
“Sure, whatever works.” I look down at Kayla. She’s almost frozen in place. Bet she hasn’t been touched in a while. She’s not looking up at me. Eye contact avoidance. That could mean a couple of things. If she’s the shy type, it means she likes it. If she’s not, she would have told me off by now. Better not ruin a good thing. I remove my arm from her shoulder.
“We should head into class.” Daniel says, motioning to Kayla to go on ahead. I try to cut in front so I can grab the closest seat to her, but Daniel butts in and sits right behind her. I take the seat next to her. Eat it, shithead.
Once again, class is all theory-based, which Kayla seems to lap up. I like that. The brainy kind of girls are the hottest in the sack. We get notification of our first quiz next week, and I make a mental note to mention studying together with Kayla. Without Daniel, of course. As class ends, we all walk out together, and I notice that Daniel walks on one side of Kayla, so I take the other side.
“Hey, man. When do you get your licence back?” Daniel asks.
“Soon. In a couple more weeks I can apply for it.”
“You have to apply for it?” Kayla asks.
My hand goes over her shoulder again. “Yes, sweetheart,” I give her my smooth voice, “you have to apply for it. I even have to take the driver’s test again.”
“Have you scheduled to do that yet?” Daniel asks.
“Not until the DMV lets me know to go ahead.”
“Ah,” Daniel says. “You need a lift home, or are you going to AA?”
“I’m going home tonight, my friend. I’m beat.”
“How often are you supposed to go?” Kayla asks, looking up at me. Our faces are so close I could easily kiss her.
I stare at her lips as I answer her. “I’m supposed to go once a week as part of my rehab, but I’m encouraged to go as often as possible, especially when I’m feeling like I’m going to fall off the wagon.”
“Do you have a sponsor?” she asks. God, I love it that she’s so concerned about me.
“Yes, he’s an older dude, but he’s really cool.” Total lie. I don’t know any older dudes, just my dad, and he’s dead.
“And how often does he go to meetings?” Daniel asks.
“I see him when I go, but other than that, I’m not sure.”
“Well, I’m glad that it’s working out for you, Greg. Really, it’s important to stay clean for yourself and for your daughter.” Kayla says, looking at me. I want to plant one on her so bad, but with Daniel watching, I’m afraid he’ll deck me one straight in the face. Let’s face it; the guy could take me pretty easily. I know a little self-defence, but the guy is at least two fifty to my one twenty-ish, and his arms are bigger than my thighs. He probably bench-presses my weight. That’s the only thing keeping me from jumping Kayla’s bones.
As we reach the exit from the building, Kayla removes herself from my grasp. Daniel looks at her and opens his arms slightly as she goes to him. “I’ll see you later.” He kisses the side of her head as they embrace, briefly, but tenderly.
“Yeah, I’ll see you.” She kisses his cheek.
Shit. Looks like I’m going to have to lay it on thicker. Daniel walks in the opposite direction from Kayla. “You mind if I walk you to your car?” I ask, going for sincerity.
“No, not at all.”
“Listen,” I say as we start walking. “I know it’s none of my business, but…do you have something going on with Daniel?”
She gives me a fleeting look. “No, we’re just friends.”
“Oh, okay. I just thought…you know…because you guys seem to be really close…”
Her head tilts as she looks at me with a warm grin. “He’s just a really good friend.”
“Well, do you mind if I ask you something else?”
“I had a feeling you had something on your mind.” She smiles. “I think Daniel sensed it, too, because he didn’t walk me to my car like he usually does.”
�
�Yeah, I kinda have something on my mind, Kayla.” I look at her. “You.” A pause. “Can I take you out for coffee or a movie some time? You know…after my year is up in a couple of weeks?”
She hesitates, and I think this is done…she’s not going to go for it. “Sure, if it’s just as friends…for now.” Her expression is pained. “I’m just getting over a divorce, Greg.”
“Oh, shit…I’m sorry. I didn’t know that.” Uh…oh.
“That’s okay, that’s okay.” She grasps my arm and gives it a rub. “I just…need a little time. But I’d love to go out with you for coffee or a movie. It sounds like fun.” She smiles.
“Okay, cool.” I look at her as we arrive at her car. She purses her lips together in a tight grin and gives me a hug. I have to step back a bit because of the wood she gives me.
“Have a good night.” she says, getting into her car.
“Yeah, you too.” I say.
I’ll have a great night…dreaming of you, sweetheart.
Chapter 14
Daniel
There are nail marks in my fists from balling them up so tightly. It shouldn’t bother me, but whenever Greg touches Kayla, which is often, it makes my skin crawl. The guy is going through a lot of shit, I know. And I shouldn’t be judging him like this. Far be it for me to stick my nose in there where it doesn’t belong. But God…a little self-control...please? It’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve had a sexual relationship, too. But I’m not pawing Kayla. I let her come to me unless I sense she needs me. Greg needs a lesson in backing the hell off. I’m surprised that she’s not saying anything. Maybe she does like him after all. I don’t know. He seemed to want a moment alone with her, and I took the hint. It’s driving me nuts what they’re talking about. If they end up sleeping together…Jesus Christ. I feel sick thinking about it. But I have to think rationally here. Kayla isn’t like that. She’s not going to climb into bed with him.
My car is parked way the hell out in the back of the lot. It takes me almost ten minutes just to walk to it. The key doesn’t even turn in the ignition before I hear my cell phone ringing. I’m just in time for it to connect with the Bluetooth, so I answer it in the car. It’s Kayla.
“Hey, is everything alright?” I ask, thinking first and foremost, that something happened with her mom.
“Oh my God, Daniel. Meet me at my place.” Her voice is almost a shriek, but there isn’t panic or dread, so I know it’s not about her mother.
“Okay, I’m on my way.” I click off and back out of the spot, pealing out of the lot as quickly as I can. When I reach her house, I see her car parked in the driveway. I park beside her and knock on the door.
“It’s open.” She calls from inside. When I walk in, she’s standing by the kitchen sink, downing a glass of water. “Sorry, I’m so thirsty. I still feel dehydrated from the food poisoning.”
“That makes sense.” I frown, removing my shoes and closing the door behind me. “So, what’s up?”
Her eyes widen and she takes a step towards me, placing her hands, palm down, on my chest. “He asked me out!”
“He WHAT?” I shout, feeling my fists ball up again.
Her hands come off my chest, and immediately rake through her hair. Her face is distorted she’s pulling on her scalp so hard. “Oh my God! I didn’t know what to say!! I froze!”
“Well…do you like him?” I ask, choosing my tone carefully.
Her eyes bulge. “God…no! I mean, he’s a nice guy and all, but…no! I have zero interest in him!”
I lift my hands in the air. “I don’t see the problem.”
“He’s a recovering alcoholic, Daniel.” She barks. “I don’t want to be the reason he falls off the wagon.”
“What did you say to him?”
She sighs, releasing her hair. “I told him I’d love to go out as friends…that I’m just newly divorced, which is the total truth. But I said yes, and if it were under any other circumstances, I’d say flat-out no.” she pauses. “What if I led him on? Oh my God, that’s even worse!” another pause. “Oh my God, I have to call Heather!”
I take her by the arms gently. “Just relax. I think you’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion.” I use the same voice I use when I’m about to administer a needle to a child. “You told him the truth, and you said you’d like to go out as friends. You did nothing wrong. You didn’t lie to him. You just let him down gently.”
Her fingertips go to her teeth. “Do you really think so?”
“I really think so.” I nod.
“I just…picture him going on a bender now. He just…seems so fragile.”
“I think he’s fine. Sure, he’s probably a little bit disappointed. But, I don’t think it’s enough to have to talk him down off the ledge.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” I rub her arm. “You want me to go check on him?”
She gives me a pleading look. “Can you?”
I chuckle. “Of course.”
“Okay.” That gets a smile. “Thanks.”
I give her a tight smile and she leans in for a hug. As my arms wrap around her body, her arms snake around my neck. And there it is again…this goddamn good feeling…and I don’t want to let go. She buries her face into my neck, kissing the flesh quickly. “You’re such a great friend, Daniel.” Her face buries into my neck again, and I feel it below the belt. This is new…
At least now I know that part of me isn’t dead. To stop her from kissing me there again, I pull back. “I should go check on him.”
“Okay. Can you call me?”
“Sure.” I smile and head out the door before she can touch me again. I haven’t had to deal with having wood in front of a girl for so long I can’t remember. Suddenly, all I can think about is all the other times that she’s touched me. Before I know it, my hard-on is so huge it hurts to sit behind the wheel. I’m not even driving to Greg’s house. It’s like I’m cruising aimlessly throughout Kayla’s neighborhood.
Focus! After I shake my head a little, and pull up to a MacDonald’s, grabbing myself a drink, I get back on track for the task at hand. I’ll admit I used an ice cube plunked into my underwear, to help shrink the swollen member a little. When I finally find Greg’s house, I walk up to the door at the back, and ring the bell. No answer. I knock on the plate glass window and call his name. No answer. I figure he’s at an AA meeting, so I drive over to the church. I walk in and see that there’s no AA meeting there tonight. Strange.
After typing in his number, I get his voicemail. I leave a quick message and hang up. Driving home, I call Kayla.
“Hey,” her voice is gravelly, like she’d fallen asleep.
“Hey. He’s not home. I tried AA and I called him, no dice.”
“Shoot. I really hope he hasn’t fallen off the wagon.”
“He’s probably visiting Shyla. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“At this time of night?”
“You’re right. I don’t know what to tell you, Kayla. I’m sure what happened tonight isn’t anything to do with him not being around. He does have friends, too. He’s probably out with them. Plus, I don’t know what he does for a living. Maybe he’s at work.”
“Alright.” She yawns.
I chuckle. “You sound exhausted.”
“I am. I just dozed off.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“That’s okay. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I literally just fell into bed when you left.”
“Alright. Well, I’ll let you go and get back to sleep. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Daniel.”
My phone rings. It’s Greg.
“Hey, buddy, what’s up?” he says.
“I just went by your place and you weren’t there. I checked out the church and there’s no meeting there tonight. What gives?” I say lightly, as though he left the lid off the toothpaste; like it’s no big deal.
“Yeah, the meeting was cancelled. Buddy drove me there for nothing.
I felt like shit for it, so I took him out for some grub. We’re just watching the game at his house now. You looking to hang out? Wanna come by?”
“Na, I’m almost home now, and I’m beat.”
“Okay, cool, dude. I’ll catcha later.”
“Okay. See ya.”
I dial Kayla’s number. She answers on the first ring.
“You can call off the search party.” I say. “He’s hanging out with his ride.”
“Thank…God.” She says, sounding much more awake.
“Kayla…no offence…but, you worry too much.”
“Ugh…you and my mother should get together.” She sighs. “She tells me the same thing all the time.”
“Well, she’s right. You need to calm down. Greg’s a big boy. He can handle things. He has to learn, anyway.”
“I know. I just hate it if I’m the cause of someone else’s hurt. I know what it feels like to be hurt, and I wouldn’t ever want someone to feel that because of me.”
“Sweetie, again, no offence, but sometimes we hurt people without realizing it. As long as we own up and apologize, it’s up to the other person to forgive and move on.”
“No wonder my mother likes you so much.” Her tone is flat.
“What are you going to do with the rings?”
“Get them fixed and give them back to her.”
“Really? Do you think that’s what she wants?”
“Like it or not, I’m not taking them.”
