by June Kramin
Heading for his cottage, Dusty hoped that this date would be the ticket to setting Courtney on a new path. He wouldn’t mind falling asleep and waking up in his Katie’s arms at any past, present or future, as long as she’d always be there for him. Screwing this up was not an option.
Courtney was climbing out of bed when Katie walked in. “Hey, hon. I didn’t think you’d be back till tonight.”
“I wanted to come back to you. I never get to see you anymore, Court.”
“What really happened? You wear the poor boy out? Did you steal his virginity and he can’t keep up?”
Katie laughed. “Stop it. Things are going great. I just don’t want to push it. You know I wasn’t interested in a relationship. He sure is pushy for such a young thing.”
“And you’ve never glowed so much. I wouldn’t have minded if you stayed over again.”
“Well, I would have. I want to spend time with you. Sunday is our day when we both don’t have so much studying to do.” Katie plopped on her bed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Fire away.”
“How much are you into this Ronald guy?”
She shrugged. “You know me. I’m as much into him as I can be. Why?”
“’Cause I want you to double date with Dusty and me. He has a friend he thinks you’d like.”
“I don’t care, I guess. Ronald and I are kind of just in it for sex. We’re not exclusive or anything. I think he calls me when he’s bored. I don’t need to stick around for that.”
“Court…” Katie dragged out her name, clearly showing her disapproval.
“What? I have needs. Batteries cost a fortune.”
Katie laughed out loud. “Okay. I’ll stop playing mother, but will you give this Dean a chance? For me?”
“I’m in. Hey, he a law boy, too?”
“I didn’t ask. Does it matter?”
“I guess not. You know how big his feet are?”
Katie brought her hands to her head with a grunt. “You’re hopeless. I love you, but you’re hopeless.”
Dusty had to try hard not to text or call Katie all day. He went ice skating at the local outdoor rink to kill some time. After a few times around to loosen up, he was happy to have some kids show up in hockey gear, eager to be taught a trick or two when he offered. He couldn’t wait for Alex to be old enough to get on the ice. He’d already started watching figure skating with Ali, hoping she’d want to take lessons as well. Dusty caught himself looking over to the bench a lot, waiting to see Frank appear.
After two hours he was ready to go home. He stopped for drive-through tacos for supper and hoped he had enough beer. It sucked that liquor stores were closed on Sunday. He never planned ahead well enough.
After he ate and showered, he sent Katie a text.
How was your day with Courtney?
Nice and mellow. We just hung out.
We good for dinner tomorrow? Dean is game.
She said OK. Hey…What size are Dean’s feet?
Dusty laughed hard. Pervert. Same as me. 13.
Court just fainted.
You’re killin’ me, babe. Come over?
Can’t. Need to get some sleep. Early class.
:(
You’ll live. See you tomorrow at six.
Sleep well, muffin.
Ahhhh…
Again Dusty laughed. He never knew what possessed him to do that to her every time. Her reactions were priceless and he’d learned long ago that she didn’t mind as much as she let on.
Seeing as how he was quitting school soon, Dusty skipped class the next day. There was no way he was sitting through the class again that could very well be the one that made him storm away from the whole law school ordeal and finally stand up to his father. He went to the office to try to get information on Ronald, but realized he didn’t have a last name. His smile and charm had worked wonders before on Susan, the woman in charge of the records, but even that wouldn’t get him a last name. He had no idea what classes this guy was taking, no clue what he looked like.
The weather wasn’t too bad. He took the car for a fill up and added a wash since he could. The radio said it would be zero tomorrow. The car washes weren’t open when it was below freezing. By the time he purchased some decent dress clothes, he was ready for lunch. He decided to stop for a burger at Puck You, one of his favorite sports bars, heavy on the hockey theme.
Dusty enjoyed the fact that his alcohol tolerance was a lot better in his college days. He wouldn’t dream of having a beer with lunch in his present, but it sure sounded good now. He sat at the bar and ordered ribs and a Leiney’s Dark & Creamy. He spotted a familiar face across the bar, almost waved hello, but caught himself. Wilson Gregory didn’t know him in this time. It was funny to run into him here and now. Even though they were currently friends, thoughts of pummeling him for dating Katie in an alternate time crossed his mind. Realistically, he could hardly beat up a guy for something that didn’t happen. Dusty tried to keep to himself and his beer, but every now and then he glanced Wilson’s way.
After the third time he caught Dusty looking at him, the soon-to-be chiropractor picked up his beer and walked over. “Do I know you?” he asked Dusty, irritation in his voice.
“Sorry. You just looked familiar. I’m sure we haven’t met before. Not unless you come here often. Dammit. Now it sounds like I’m trying to pick you up.” Dusty grinned, hoping to ease the tension.
He laughed and outstretched his hand. “Wilson Gregory.”
“Dustin Andrews. Nice to meet you. Sorry if you felt I was staring at you. I really don’t swing that way.”
“No worries. I don’t either. Mind if I join you?”
Dusty motioned to the seat next to him. “Please do.”
The two men talked over their food, then shot a round of pool. Doctor Gregory had not yet earned the title “Doctor,” he still had a year left. Dusty kept his share of the conversation simple. He didn’t need to tell a man who was technically a stranger about dropping out. He should have left out the lawyer part altogether, knowing a lawyer joke would be coming.
“A lawyer's dog, running around town unleashed, heads for a butcher shop and steals a roast. The butcher goes to the lawyer’s office and asks, ‘if a dog running unleashed steals a piece of meat from my store, do I have a right to demand payment for the meat from the dog’s owner?’ The lawyer answers, ‘Absolutely.’ ‘Then you owe me $8.50. Your dog was loose and stole a roast from me today.’ The lawyer, without a word, writes the butcher a check for $8.50. The butcher, having a feeling of satisfaction, leaves. Three days later, the butcher finds a bill from the lawyer: $100 due for a consultation.” Wilson laughed heartily at his joke and Dusty, having already heard it, played along for mercy sake.
“You gotta watch us every—”
Wilson interrupted Dusty mid-sentence. “Will you look at the tits on that.”
Dusty turned around to see a new waitress standing at the bar, giving the bartender a drink order. “Sorry. I only have eyes for my Katie.”
“Come on. You can’t tell me you’re sticking with just one at your age.”
“I’m afraid I can.”
Wilson held up his glass in a toast. “Hope that works for you. I’m looking forward to the doctor salary, the fast cars, and all the women I can handle and get away with.”
Dusty had to hold back his laugh. In their present time line, Wilson was still single and acting as if he was the town stud. Dusty had overheard one of Wilson’s dates say, “It’s true what they say about the only difference between porcupines and a Corvette. The pricks are on the outside of a porcupine.” Dusty now strained to remember how they met since he wasn’t in any of the “married friends circle” things he did with Katie. Was this it? Holy hell, his head was starting to spin.
“You all right?” Wilson asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine. I really need to knock off the beer. I have a date tonight and need to keep my wits about me.”
“Not getting
her to put out yet, huh?”
“I don’t think I need to be sharing that kind of info with you.”
Wilson made little whipping motions. “Won’t find me tied down. No sirree, Bob.”
“Well, good luck with that.” Dusty tossed his dad’s card on the bar. “I got this.” He was going to dent it tonight at dinner. Might as well warm it up.
“Thanks, buddy. I’ll catch you next time.”
“Sounds fine. I’m not making a date with you, though.”
“Fair enough.” The men shook hands, then Wilson strolled away to talk to the waitress with big tits.
Dusty’s mind went to Katie, once again wondering how she’d hooked up with him. “Baby, you had to have been really, really drunk.”
“Did you say something?” the bartender asked when he returned with the tab.
“Nope. Just thinking out loud.”
“You okay to drive?”
“I’ve only had the two beers. I’m good.”
“You are old enough to drink, right? My gut told me to card you.”
“I’ll be twenty-two in a few months.” Dusty reached for his wallet and the bartender stopped him.
“No offense. I felt guilty. I don’t want to get fired.”
Dusty threw a five onto the counter in addition to what he added on the card’s tip line. “I’m a regular here. You’re the one that’s new. No hard feelings.” Dusty was beginning think twice about that beard.
Chapter Nine
Cleaned up, sobered up, and dressed to kill, Dusty drove over to Dean’s. He sent him a text saying that he was downstairs.
Dean replied: Gimme five, douche.
Four, dick.
Love you, too.
Now you have three minutes.
Dean strolled out to the car in no particular rush. After he settled in, Dean pulled out a joint and was about to light it. Dusty whipped it out of his hands.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t do that shit in my car.”
“You let me in the other one.”
“Well, not in this one. I don’t want it stinking up for the girls and I don’t want you a stoned ass for dinner.”
“You’re such a pussy.” Dean snatched it back and put it in his pocket. “I thought I’d give myself the munchies and eat as much as your money as I could.”
“Fine. Just do it without the weed.”
Dean pulled a small bottle of Jagger out of his coat pocket. “Is this okay, Dad?”
“Actually—”
“You kidding me? You’re going to tell me I can’t drink?”
“You can drink. It’s just that Katie hurled after doing cherry bombs. I’m sure the smell will make her want to yak. I’ll stop and buy you something else, you cryass numbnut.”
“So, you did have to get her drunk to pork her.”
“No. I porked her after she sobered up. Could you kindly not be so crude over dinner? I told you, I really like her.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
“That has yet to be determined.”
Dean huffed and leaned back hard into the seat. “If you don’ trust me, why did you ask me?”
“Because I love you, too, snookums.” Dusty blew him a kiss and Dean again punched his arm. “Homo.”
“Shit for brains.”
The insults flew until Dusty ran into the liquor store. He came out with a tray of plastic test tube shooters with mixed shots named “Bahama Mama” and “Sex on the Beach”. He also had a bottle of “Hot Sex.”
Dean removed one of the tubes. “What’s this girly shit?”
“It was at the counter. I don’t want to be late.”
“You know, you can buy those individually,” he said, pointing at the tray of shooters.
“They have a credit card minimum.”
“Dude, your dad is totally going to kick your ass.”
“I can run faster scared than he can mad.”
Dean laughed before taking two of the shots out and handing Dusty one. “Salut!”
“Kanpai!”
The boys had been learning a toast from every foreign student they could find. They could use the internet, but this was more fun. This game was inspired by a few guys they knew, who were on their second year of “the fifty states game.” The rules there were simple, but Dusty didn’t feel he was man-whore enough to try to bang a girl from every state. One guy graduated last year on a quest for Maine. He had one girl from Puerto Rico, but he was determined that you couldn’t substitute a US territory for a missing state and refused to declare himself the winner.
Dean and Dusty’s game was a friendly conversation starter with a new students, guys and gals equally, and the gesture was always appreciated.
Although Dusty didn’t need the liquid encouragement like Dean, they had one more shot each before walking up to the girls’ dorm room. Dusty wanted to show his gentleman side again. He wasn’t going to wait downstairs in the car. Before they climbed out, he reached in the back for a bouquet of flowers for each of the girls.
“You thought of everything, loverboy.”
“I mean it. Best behavior.” Dean reached for breath spray and gave himself a couple shots. “Hit me, too,” Dusty said as he opened his mouth. Dean complied.
Katie opened the door and smiled widely at the two men. Giving her a quick once-over, Dusty admired the dress pants that hugged her perfect body just right and even more so, he admired the low-cut black top that showed off his two favorite curves even better. He longed to run his hands down the neckline as he had done to her so many times, but he had to resist.
“You clean up nice,” she said to Dusty.
He handed her the flowers and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You look great.”
“Sorry. I would have worn a dress, but it’s too damn cold.”
“No worries, sweetness. You’re gorgeous.”
Katie’s attention turned to Dean. “Dean I presume?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Katie turned around to holler for Courtney right as she appeared at her side. She was in a low-cut top as well. Hers was black like Katie’s, but her massive cleavage was surrounded by ruffles. Dusty caught himself looking and quickly glanced away. Damn Dean. Larger women—bigger tits.
Courtney greeted the two men. “Yummy. Which one of you is mine?”
Dean stepped forward and handed her the flowers. “That would be me.”
She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks. I can’t even say when the last time someone was thoughtful enough to bring me flowers.”
Dusty jabbed Dean’s ribs with an elbow, Dean elbowed him back. She turned her attention to Dusty. “So you’re the guy that has stolen my roomie’s heart.”
“I hope that’s me.”
Courtney leaned up and gave Dusty a kiss on the cheek as well. “Hurt her and I’ll have you killed.”
“Fair enough.” He offered Katie his arm. “Your chariot awaits, ladies.”
“Wait. I want to get these in water. Do we have a minute?”
“Of course.”
“Give us a second.”
Katie closed the door. “So? What do you think?”
“He’s adorable.”
“Puppies are adorable, Court.”
“They are puppies, hon.”
“Dean has a few years on Dusty.” Katie picked up a plastic cup and poured the remainder of a bottle of water in it, adding the flowers as she spoke. “Is that bad? Come on. Dusty’s so much more mature than anyone I’ve dated. Even older guys. If Dean hangs with him, I bet he’s the same.”
“Do we have to stand here whispering and start naming our kids or can we go on a date? I’m starved.”
“Sorry. I was dying to know what you thought. I never met him. He is a cutie.”
“Just don’t get your hopes up. You know I’m not looking for anything steady.”
“Try to get to dessert before you do him in the bathroom.”
Courtney pretended to look crushed as she crossed her han
ds over her heart. “Okay. After dessert, but before coffee.”
“Tramp.”
“Princess.”
Katie gave her friend a hug. “Let’s go. We’ve made them suffer long enough.”
As they were on their way to the restaurant, Dusty saw Courtney leaned into Dean when he glanced into the rearview window. He heard her ask him, “You don’t smoke by any chance, do you?”
The corner of his mouth turned up in a grin. “Not cigarettes.”
“You packin’?”
He pulled the joint out of his pocket, held it up, and motioned to Dusty. “Spoil sport already nixed lighting up in his precious Beemer.”
Katie turned around. “Court! I thought you quit that shit.”
“I did. Mostly.”
Dusty took Katie’s hand. “I’m glad you don’t partake in that crap.”
“I’m too self-centered to not want to be in control of every aspect of my life. And shut up, booze is the one exception and that’s rare.”
He brought her hand to his lips and gave it a hard kiss. He realized he did that a lot and didn’t care. “You’re not self-centered.” He looked at Dean through the rear view mirror. “I’ll stop at the park and give you two stoners five minutes. I don’t want to lose our reservation.”
“Fat chance with your name, dumbass.”
Katie turned to Dusty. “What’s he mean by that?”
“Uh…my dad goes there when he’s in town for business. I dropped his name to make sure we were treated well.” He didn’t want to go into the whole “family money” thing with her already. He liked the way things played out before. He was hoping he could get this wrapped up before too much more changed. “Bust out the shots,” Dusty said, trying to change the subject.
They pulled over at the park and Courtney and Dean ran into the pavilion. “Must love that crap to go out in this cold,” Katie said with a sigh.
