I woke up to the sound of… I didn’t know what the hell it was. I pushed myself up off the couch to investigate, but the ground spun and I fell back to the couch. Shit, I was drunk. Sloppy, giggly, silly drunk.
As I sat like a puddle on my couch, laughing at absolutely nothing, the sound continued. It was a buzzing and a rattling and a bit like ice was hitting the windows. I was drunker than I thought. Maybe there was a storm?
I forced myself up, stumbling over to the window to see how bad the storm was. I tripped a few times, over what I didn’t know, but when I finally made it to the window I looked out the front.
There were a few vehicles parked outside, but no storm. Unless it was just windy. But then why did I hear rattling? Before I backed away from the window a snowball exploded on the outside.
I screamed and backed up, tripping again and landing on my ass. Another poof blew up my window. I pulled myself up with the assistance of my bed and tried to look out the window again to see who was throwing snowballs at me. Another snowball sailed at my window, but this time I saw the person who was throwing them. At least a part of him.
He seemed familiar.
I grabbed my jacket, wrapped it around my pajamas, and shoved my feet in slippers before trudging downstairs. Without turning on any lights I snuck through the kitchen and pushed into the shop.
Huddled against the window to the shop, out of sight from my windows upstairs, were Lexi, Mike, Carrie, Drew, Sam, Brady, Claire, and Aidan. Mike was balling up snow into a ball before he slowly stepped out of the porch and launched another snowball at my window.
I grinned to myself, crouching behind the counter, careful not to alert them that I was there. The front windows weren’t full height so I could hide beneath them, once I got around the counter. When Brady took his turn to throw a snowball and they were all watching him, I bolted around the counter and ducked under the window… as much as a fat, drunk person could bolt at least.
They didn’t see me.
I stayed low and close to the wall until I was right underneath where Lexi and Claire were huddled together. They were all laughing, thinking they were so funny.
I jumped up quickly and started pounding on the glass. They all jumped and screamed, backing away. When they saw it was me they laughed and gave me a single finger salute.
Then demanded to be let in.
“We’re kidnapping you,” Lexi said once they were all inside. “Our family Christmases sucked and we’re going to drink ourselves silly and have the Christmas we should have had, with our friends.”
“I think I’ve got a head’s start on the drinking thing,” I hiccuped, the excitement of the last few minutes catching up to me.
Sam giggled. “You can drink for me. Since I’m out of the game for nine months.”
Claire and Carrie gasped and spun Sam around. “You’re pregnant!” they declared in unison.
“Shit,” Sam muttered. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone for a while. I suck at keeping secrets,” she whined.
“It’s okay,” I slurred as I looped my arm through hers. “I suck at relationships. We can suck together.”
“Come on, drunky,” Lexi laughed. “Let’s get you dressed in something other than pajamas. Everyone’s camping out at our place tonight.”
Mike and Lexi easily had the nicest home of all of us. With both of them being high powered managers, they made shitloads of money. They had a three bedroom condo complete with a man cave and media room, and plenty of room for us to all crash.
I followed Lexi upstairs to my apartment and sat on my bed while she packed a bag of clothes for me. She shoved me into the shower, declaring I stunk, and left the room with the demand that I put on what she had on the bed for me to wear.
Feeling slightly less drunk than before, I showered and got dressed in the jeans and t-shirt Lexi had out for me and headed back downstairs. “We’ll drive you home tomorrow,” Lexi told me as she led everyone out the front door. “Oh, and I grabbed the rest of your vodka.”
I grumbled but really didn’t care. Without the temptation I wasn’t likely to finish the bottle as quickly. Of course it also meant I’d have to buy a new one soon. Eh, whatever. I’d enjoy it more with my friends.
Once we got to Lexi’s I heard my phone vibrating and remembered the sounds when I’d first woken up. “Did you guys call me when you were snowball bombing my place?”
“Yeah, we tried that first but you didn’t answer.”
I grabbed my phone so I could delete their messages and saw a missed text from Max. “Max sent me a text,” I said to no one in particular.
We all shrugged out of our coats and headed straight for the kitchen where Lexi and Mike already had a display set out with more alcohol than the nine of us, well eight since Sam wasn’t drinking, could consume in one night.
I swiped over to view Max’s text and read, ‘I miss you. Can I come over?’
Before I had a chance to do anything my phone was snatched from my hand. I turned to see Sam grinning like a fool. Her thumbs danced over my phone and I heard the familiar swoop of the message being sent on its way.
“What did you say, Sam?” I growled at her, and maybe a little at my drunk self for not being faster.
“I told him you weren’t home but that he could come here. And I may have implied that you were horny for him.”
“Aw, shit Sam. I have enough trouble worrying that he’s only seeing me until he finds better sex. If he shows up I’ll wonder if he’s only here thinking he’ll get lucky.”
“And if he’s just in it for the sex use him up and ring him out so he’ll be ruined for every other woman he ever meets. Don’t go down without a fight. Well, except literally.”
“Sam!” I exclaimed, baffled, still, at her crudeness.
My phone started to ring and she looked at it. “Ooh, lover boy is calling. What should I tell him?” she asked as she answered my phone. “Charlie’s phone, how may I direct your call?”
I tried to grab the phone but Sam was too quick. She spun away from me, dashing into the living room. “Uh, huh. Yep. Okay. I’ll let her know. Bye Max!”
Sam handed my phone back over with a shit-eating grin. “What did he say?” I demanded from my soon to be dead friend.
“He was just making sure the text was from you and not someone else. He said to let you know he’ll be here soon.”
“Ugh,” I groaned. “Sam, I can’t believe you did that. He’s going to think I tricked him or something.”
“Why?” Carrie chimed in. “You didn’t do anything. He texted you first. Besides, he seems totally into you.”
“Seems is always the key. Carrie, I’m not gorgeous like you guys are. I’m fat, I’m plain, I’m boring. Why do you think I’m the only one in our group that’s still single? I’m the fat friend.”
Everyone started arguing at once but I held my hand up. “Guys, I love you for trying, but I know it’s the truth. I’ve come to accept it. Max is going to be interested in me long enough to find someone else and then I’ll be dropped like a hot muffin.”
“Oh. My. God. That should totally be your stripper name. I’m going to start calling you that,” Sam laughed. “But seriously, he’s an idiot if he isn’t into you. You’re still single because you’re the one who’s been focused on her career, helping out everyone else get hitched, and being an awesome friend. How many of us over the years have turned to you when we needed someone? I’m guessing all of us. It’s not just because you have comfort food all the time, Charles. It’s because we adore you and know how wonderful you are. And if Max doesn’t see it then he’s not worth your time.”
“Max really likes you, Charlie,” Lexi said softly. “He told me. You know I don’t trust men easily, but I believed him. That day he stopped by, we talked while you were in the back. I warned him I would hurt him if he hurt you and he said he isn’t going to. He said he liked you a lot and was worried you weren’t into him. He was there to ask you out on a date to prove to you he was intere
sted in more than sex.”
Lexi touched a nerve. I wondered ever since that day what had made Lexi change her mind about Max, but I never thought it was such a declaration. Plus, hearing what he told her made his behavior that evening make much more sense. When he kissed me and then banished me so he could clean I worried he was about to break up with me since he wasn’t interested in sex before dinner. He was just fulfilling his promise. He wanted to show me there was more to us than sex.
“Charlie, can I ask you something?” Sam asked. I nodded, wiping the tears that were dancing on my eyelashes. “Does he touch you? When you’re together, hanging out or when you’re having sex? Does he look at your body?”
I nodded, wondering where Sam was going with this. Brady wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, his eyes going soft as his steel grip tightened on her. Something passed between them and I knew whatever Sam was talking about was something Brady was well aware of.
“Then he’s not turned off by you. Before I met Brady, I was dating a guy named Cade, I don’t know if you remember.” I nodded, recognizing the name. Even drunk I recalled the story of why they broke up and how she met Brady.
“Cade broke up with me because he said he couldn’t handle being with a fat chick. He only went out with me because he heard fat girls were crazy in bed and he wanted to test the theory with me. Once he got his fill, he moved on to a not-so-fat girl, and made sure to tell me the truth.”
Brady kissed the side of her neck and nuzzled into her. I could tell it was taking a lot of courage for Sam to share the story with us again, even though she had Brady. Sam smiled and kissed Brady once before she continued.
“Anyway, after it was over I realized he never touched me. He’d get the job done, but barely, and then he’d take care of his own needs. He never told me I was beautiful or complimented me. He never let his eyes rake over me like he just couldn’t wait to devour me. It was purely sex for us, for him especially, but I don’t think it’s that way with you and Max. The few times I’ve seen you together he’s only had eyes for you. I really don’t think you need to worry about him ditching you. But you do need to give him a chance.”
I nodded and tried to process everything Sam said. And what Lexi said. Never more than that moment did I appreciate my friends. Sure, Max could easily break my heart and stomp the pieces into the ground. But he could also turn out to be just as wonderful as the men my friends had found.
I’d only find out if I gave him a chance.
“He’s here, Charles,” Mike said.
Seventeen
“Somebody give me a shot, quick,” I demanded.
Carrie shoved a bottle under my nose with the top off and I turned it up and took a long gulp. I handed it back to Carrie as the liquid burned down my throat and settled in my stomach like a warm blanket.
“Better?” she asked.
“Much. Thanks.”
Carrie pulled me in for a hug and whispered, “I thought you might need that.”
The doorbell rang and we all turned as Mike went to let Max in. The light outside glowed around Max and he looked into the room right at me. He grinned when he saw me, still within Carrie’s embrace, then winked at me before turning back to Mike.
He looked for me first.
Either that knowledge or the slow burn of the shot I had melted through me, settling low and warm and happy in my belly.
“Thanks for the invite. Sorry to barge into your Christmas though,” Max said, obviously feeling bad for intruding.
“No worries, man. We were all lamenting our horrible days and had just gotten back from kidnapping Charlie before you called. We’re glad you could make it.”
“Thanks,” Max said, clearly feeling more at ease. He walked into the house and looked around the room, his eyes growing huge. “Wow, you guys have a really nice place.”
Mike looked sheepish but I knew he didn’t really feel it. He was proud of his home, and he should be. He and Lexi worked hard and their home was proof of their work and their smart money choices.
“Thanks,” Mike said as he directed Max toward the rest of us hanging out at the edge of the kitchen.
Max came straight to me and glanced around before kissing me lightly on the lips. The liquor was quickly making its way through my blood stream, making me happy again. Or was it that he sought me out first making me happy? I’d settle for both.
For some reason I found Max kissing me, and acting like someone was going to punch him for it, incredibly funny. I burst out laughing and everyone looked at me like I was crazy. Claire started laughing with me, even though she had no idea what was funny. As Claire and I laughed like we were crazy people Carrie looked down at the bottle she’d passed me. I could see her wondering what the hell was in it. It only made me laugh harder.
Carrie took a swig from the bottle and passed it to Lexi who followed suit. Claire was after them and when I stopped laughing I took another drink.
“Does anyone want to share what was so damn funny?” Carrie asked.
Of course, I started laughing again. Mike jumped in. “Hey Max, wanna see the house? Maybe the women will calm down by the time we make it back.”
“Uh, sure,” Max said hesitantly. He followed Mike out of the living room with Brady, Aidan, and Drew right behind them. I had no doubt we’d have to go looking for them later in the man cave.
With the men gone, my friends turned on me. “What the hell happened?” Lexi demanded.
I managed to calm my laugh down to a snicker and finally spoke. “He looked like someone was going to jump him for kissing me. Or maybe jump him if he didn’t. Either way, he looked terrified, and it was just so funny.” I broke down laughing again, falling onto the couch when I couldn’t stand any longer.
“Shit, I wish I could drink,” Sam complained as she dropped down next to me. “It’s gonna be a long nine months.”
“It’s okay, we’ll drink for you,” Carrie teased as she turned the bottle up. “Damn, this is good.”
Surprisingly the men were back right away, talking and laughing as they returned. Max came right over and sat next to me, pulling me close to him. Drew squeezed in on the other side of Carrie, kissing her hard enough that she leaned back onto me. Carrie and I started giggling and fell into each other.
“I like that you’re a happy drunk,” Max said, pulling me against him. “Much better than a weepy or angry drunk. Can I get you something?”
“Sure, I guess I could go for an actual drink. Maybe something to eat too. Lex, you got any food?”
“Yep, Mike’s working on pizza right now, frozen since no one is open tonight, but food.”
Max kissed me then got up. Aidan called out to him from an oversized chair where he was cuddled with Claire, “You’re making the rest of us look bad, Max.”
“You’ve all put a ring on your women, I’m still trying to impress mine.”
A chorus of catcalls erupted around us but I barely heard them. He called me his woman. Holy shit! I met Lexi’s eyes and she mouthed, ‘Holy fuck!’ I made a ‘OH MY GOD!’ face and we both grinned.
A few minutes later Max sat back down with me and handed me something blue. He took a sip from a glass of dark caramel liquid over ice. Carrie grabbed my glass and took a sip, draining half of it. “Drew, I want one of those. Please?”
Drew rolled his eyes then grinned and headed to mix Carrie’s drink. Before he got back she’d finished mine and handed him my empty glass to refill.
Everyone piled around the living room, some on pillows on the hardwood floor, some in chairs, and talked about our Christmas. At least they talked, I listened.
“Your mother’s ham was almost inedible,” Carrie cackled. “It was so tough I had to chew it like a hundred times and I still couldn’t get through it.”
“Yeah, Mom’s never been a good cook. She tries so I’ve always just gone with it, but she’s horrible,” Drew added, shaking his head.
“I’m just glad she didn’t spend the whole t
ime talking about Brandi and how badly you screwed up.”
Drew tugged Carrie onto his lap. “I didn’t screw anything up by ditching that crazy bitch. I made the right decision by marrying you, baby. Besides, Mom pretty much gave up the Brandi talk when we got married. She doesn’t say much anymore.”
“Well, good.”
“At least my mom wasn’t demanding a grandchild though,” Drew teased, pinching her leg.
Carrie groaned. “Tell me about it. I think after the last time my mom and Megan thought we’d jump right into parenthood. Not that I’d argue.” Drew just grinned, making me wonder if they were attempting to get pregnant again.
“Just imagine how bad it would be if you eloped. Everyone thought I was pregnant when we got back from Vegas and the Grand Canyon,” Claire chimed in. “This baby has the longest gestation possible!”
We all laughed. Claire and Aidan got married on a whim after he took her on the vacation of her dreams. He proposed while they were at the Grand Canyon and they decided to go ahead and get married a few days later when they were in Vegas instead of waiting.
She was right though, we all thought she had to be pregnant. Two and a half years later I’m pretty sure she never was.
“Are they still bugging you about that?” Lexi asked Claire.
Claire pointed at Aidan. He rolled his eyes. “My parents are the ones desperate for a grandchild. They barely talk about anything else. My mom actually said we needed to hurry up because Claire will be too old to have more than two if we don’t start soon.”
Sam choked on her drink and spit water across the room. “You’re so shitting me. Why do they get to dictate how many and when you have kids? Fuck.”
“A little riled up there, Sam?” Lexi teased.
Brady rubbed her back, trying to calm the storm obviously brewing close to the surface. “We told her parents about the baby and they were less than supportive. They both jumped back into us getting ‘real jobs’ and don’t think we’re equipped to handle a baby.”
Fluffy & Fabulous Page 14
