by Bijou Hunter
“You’re a strange chick,” I say, thrusting into her.
Without opening her eyes, she murmurs, “Just the way you need me to be, right, pal?”
I don’t answer because we both know she’s exactly who I want. Despite the short time we’ve known each other; no other woman has ever owned me like Justice Sheerer. I swear I can’t be sure this entire thing isn’t a fantasy, and I’ll soon wake up to my dull life without her.
14 Black Sheep
Justice
Court turns off the Harley’s engine, and we sit for a while with my arms wrapped around him and his fingers caressing my hands. We’re so perfect right now. So untouched by the real world. This amazing feeling isn’t something anyone would ever willingly give up, so I hold onto him longer than I should.
“Can you come over later?” I whisper, afraid to hear an answer that’ll destroy the dream.
“What time?”
Sighing with relief, I slide off the Harley and smile at him. “Anytime. We can hang out here or go somewhere else. I don’t care.”
Court cups my face with one of his strong hands. “Why do you look scared?”
“What if you never show up? What if you walk away? You’d break my heart, and I’d be too sad to stalk you. Where would that leave me?”
“Why would I not show up?”
“Men are complicated.”
“Not really.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking right now.”
“I’m thinking my dick is happier than it’s ever been. I’m thinking I just had the pleasure of watching the most beautiful woman in the world take a shower. I’m thinking I’m a lucky fucking guy. See, that’s not so complicated.”
Grinning, I grip his shirt. “I made your dick happy.”
“That you did.”
“I can still feel you inside,” I whisper. “How long does that last?”
“How would I know?” he says, fighting laughter. “I’m never had a guy inside me.”
“Not even in prison?”
Rolling his eyes, Court caresses my lips with his thumb. “What time do you want me to come over?”
“I told you anytime.”
“You remember that when I show up at an inconvenient time.”
“I don’t care if you show up when I’m on the crapper. I’ll just be happy to see you.”
“Fuck,” he growls, kissing me. “You don’t hide a fucking thing. I’ve never known someone who just says what they’re thinking.”
I meet Court’s hunger with my own. This man excites me in the most powerful way, and I don’t ever want to give him up. I don’t care how long we’ve known each other or what secrets he’s hiding. My heart needs him to stay with me, and I’ll toss aside my pride to make it happen.
Long minutes pass before our lips part long enough for Court to turn on the Harley. I keep reaching for him, and he returns me to his arms. I pretend life is easy and awesome, and nothing bad can ever interfere with our lustful bliss.
Finally, Court drives away, though he pauses at the end of the driveway to look back at me. I feel like a sexy bitch to have such a sexy bastard swooning over me.
Eventually, I’m forced to walk inside where I find my sisters and Christine sitting in their jammies and watching The Avengers on TV.
“I’ve been deflowered,” I announce, twirling around.
Poppy rolls her eyes. “Porked.”
“Nailed hard and straight,” Journey says.
Christine rolls her eyes at their immaturity and then adds, “You’ve been freed from the shackles of your cherry.”
“I like mine better,” I mutter, unhappy with their lack of applause.
“How was he?” Journey asks.
Poppy rolls around on the floor before asking, “Do you smell like the park weirdo who used to whack off after feeding the ducks?”
“No, but thanks for the visual.”
Poppy laughs with pride at her ability to ruin everyone’s day.
“Court is incredible,” I say, ruining her ability to ruin everyone’s day. “Life is great.”
“How can you know he’s amazing? Like, don’t you need something to compare him to?” Journey asks.
“No. I only need to know I enjoyed it, and I did so stop shitting on my sunshine.”
“They're pests,” Christine says, gently hugging me as if Court might have fucked my bones loose. “They worried all night about you.”
“We held a vigil,” Journey says, her voice fading as the movie returns from commercial and her interest in me vanishes. “Lit candles and everything.”
I glance at the kitchen counter where a few candles burn. “Ah, guys, that’s so sweet.”
Poppy walks over to me and takes a sniff. “You smell like men’s cologne. Not bad. So did he remember your name this morning?”
“Yes.”
“Did he remember his name after you finished with him?” Journey asks, laughing before she finishes.
We all laugh at the thought of me being so fucking awesome that I’d break a guy. Once laughed out, I head to my bedroom where I change into my PJs. Returning to where they stare at the TV; I rest my head on Journey’s lap. She plays with my hair, and no one mentions my deflowering again until after our living room nap.
“My first time was with Jared,” Mom says while making tuna sandwiches the cats are dying to try. “He was very gentle. The first time anyhow.”
“Barf,” I grunt.
“If I didn’t embrace the barf, you wouldn’t be here, Justice.”
“Still barf.”
“Your father was a giving lover,” she says, now trying to gross me out. “Especially with his oral skills.”
Journey laughs. “His poor mustache.”
Poppy pretends she doesn’t understand because her brain wants to remain sane for a little while longer.
“I was glad I waited,” Christine announces before adding, “It wasn’t easy. There were a few boys at school who made me curious, but I’m glad I waited for a real man.”
“Court’s a man.”
“I wasn’t saying he wasn’t.”
“You were saying something.”
“I was just happy I waited, just like you’re happy you waited.”
“Of course, I’m happy about waiting. I am happy about everything.”
Journey pets my head. “Did he get a good look at your bedhead in the morning? I want to make sure Court knows what he’s getting into.”
“Yes and he knows I have stinky morning breath, and I pee like all human beings. He also watched me shower, so he’s well aware of my rocking ass.”
“You do have a great ass,” Christine says. “The women in my family never have much up top, but our asses are fantastic.”
“Great, now I’m going to need to check out Grandma Bitch’s ass when we visit her.”
“Don’t let her catch you. She’s convinced everyone is a lesbian.”
We frown at Christine, who shrugs. “One of her long-time friends recently came out as a lesbian.”
“Do we really have to visit her?” Poppy asks, taking her sandwich to the living room floor where the cats descend upon her. “I’ve spent my entire life not knowing her, and I’m a super content woman as a result. I don’t want to chance having my happy streak ruined by your bitchy mother even if she does have a terrific ass.”
“She’s your grandmother.”
“I already have a shitty grandmother in Indy, and she doesn’t even have a terrific ass. I’ve hit my quota on shitty grandmas.”
“You’re going.”
“Fine, but I refuse to be polite or well spoken.”
“Good. Your bad attitude will distract from these two.”
I glance at Journey and smile, but she’s too busy dodging the tuna-crazed cats to care about grandmas or my popped cherry. No doubt if the cats don’t back off soon, she’ll dig them shallow graves.
As much fun as my family and pets are, I miss Court. I suspect we’re in the best part of
a relationship. Right now, we can’t see past our lust to notice each other’s flaws. Or worry about possible troubles brewing like his baby mama and the son I’ll need to make nice with if I want to keep Court happy.
No way does my mind worry about such boring details. I only want to close my eyes and dream of how Court looked over me when our bodies came together.
15 Black Sheep
Court
Donovan Mooney comes from a long line of lawmen. His grandfather is the sheriff of the Clinton County Department. His uncles work the highways while his aunts are emergency dispatchers. Everyone was straight-laced in the Mooney family except for Jerilyn. Donovan’s mother ran wild, flaunting her rule-breaking ways. The rumor was she never followed a single speed limit, even racing through school zones and once nearly causing an accident with a line of mourners on the way to the graveyard.
These days, she’s the one six feet under while her only child is a man of the law at her father’s Sheriff’s Department. Donovan never talks about his mother. He doesn’t discuss much of anything with me even if we’re cousins. Our fathers were brothers with no interest in raising kids. Jerilyn never pushed the subject with Donovan’s father, not wanting any man telling her what to do especially one on the wrong side of the law like Chuck Bane.
After leaving Justice, I meet Donovan in nearby Rockford at a joint with a flashing naked woman on the sign. He’s drinking at the bar when I enter. Out of his uniform, he doesn’t look much like the Mooney family or a cop.
“Heard you found a girl,” he says when I sit two seats over from him.
“She’s a keeper.”
“Good to hear. How’s your kid?”
“He’s getting tall.”
“He’ll be a teenager soon. Can’t imagine that’ll be fun.”
“I’ll survive.”
“I’m sure you will.”
We speak without looking at one another except through our reflections behind the bar. He’s wearing all black, looking rougher than I’ve seen him.
“Are you on vacation?” I ask, gesturing toward his unshaven face.
“I was involved in a police shooting a couple of weeks back. Until it gets sorted out, I’m supposed to sit on my ass at home. Won’t even let me sit behind a desk at the office.”
“Anyone die?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
I smile slightly. “You find what I was looking for?”
“Yeah. Wasn’t hard. He wasn’t sober enough to hide well.”
Finishing my shot of whiskey, I pay the tab and walk outside. I ride my Harley to a spot off of the interstate next to a long ago burned out honky-tonk.
After ten minutes, Donovan arrives in a rental car. He opens the trunk, and I stare down at the lifeless guy tied inside.
“Is he dead?” I ask, poking the scrawny guy.
“No. He’s coming off a serious high.”
“Anyone going to look for him?”
Donovan runs a hand through his sweaty brown hair. “I found a half dead girl at his place. Once they find her, the law will assume he’s gone into hiding.”
We drag him into the building where I often conduct my business. I’m the only club enforcer with the balls to get dirty anymore. The other guys are all edging toward senior citizens status and now shy away from spilling blood. Like I told Justice, I’m a bit of a sociopath. Hearing this man beg doesn’t bother me. I never flinch at his screams. He is my assignment, and I feel nothing toward him.
“What do you think?” I ask Donovan after the guy passes out from his leftover buzz and the damage I’ve done to his face.
“If he talked to the Feds, he would have admitted it by the time you yanked the second tooth. He’s too fucked up to lie convincingly.”
Donovan lights a cigarette, takes a long drag, and exhales roughly. “Is this new girl anything like Becca?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“How is the bitch handling you going public with a girlfriend?”
“So far, she’s only making threats about keeping Felix on my weekends.”
“It’ll get worse.”
“I know. She’s been restless for the last year. No one wants to fight her, and she needs to fuck with people.”
Donovan takes another drag from his cigarette and twists his lips in thought. “I’m surprised you haven’t gotten someone to finish her off for you.”
“She’s Felix’s mom.”
“You’d be doing him a favor.”
Donovan’s mom wasn’t so different than Becca. Something never clicked in either woman, and they couldn’t find any happiness. Forever miserable, they insisted on dragging everyone down with them.
“I can do this stuff,” I say, gesturing back at the burned out club, “but killing a woman, let alone my kid’s mom, is probably too much to ask.”
“I’ve always thought you had a Jekyll-Hyde quality about you. Goody-two-shoes one second, cleaning out eye sockets the next.”
Shaking my head, I cross my arms. “One day, Becca will push someone too far, and they’ll end her. I hope that someone isn’t me, but we’ll see.”
“What’s the plan with the guy inside?” he asks, finishing his cigarette.
“I thought you quit.”
“I did but sitting at home makes me tense, and I bought a pack.”
“You need a hobby.”
“I need a woman.”
I wonder about Justice’s sister. Sensing such a hook-up would end badly, I say nothing before walking into the building where the guy is awake.
“What happened to my girlfriend?” he asks. “Did you kill her?”
“She’s probably at the hospital by now,” Donovan says, fingering the pack of cigarettes in his pocket. “You worried about her?”
“Just hoping someone got a chance to put a bullet in her head if I don’t get the pleasure.”
Donovan looks at me. “You want another round?”
“He didn’t talk to the Feds.”
“No, I didn’t,” the asshole whines. “I don’t snitch.”
“Don’t worry, man. We believe you,” I say, walking behind the guy and wrapping a rope around his neck.
I watch the leaves rustle outside while the guy struggles. My mind shouldn’t be on Justice when violence surrounds me, but I still feel her on my lips. My dick hardens at the memory of her giggling under me. She finds everything enjoyable. Even when she’s mad, I swear she’s having the time of her life. How can I not crave such carefree energy in my life?
Donovan watches me dig the hole. He never offers to help, and I don’t expect him to. We have an agreement. He tracks down anyone threatening the club while I do the dirty work.
“If this suspension continues, I might need to drop into Tumbling Rock and see this girl of yours.”
“Wouldn’t mind seeing you more.”
“The Mooney family might be just about done with me. If that happens, I’ll be around more than either of us planned.”
I think to ask about his problems with the Sheriff’s Department but know he won’t answer me. Donovan’s played both sides for years and kept everyone happy. Eventually, his lucky streak is bound to end.
We’re not so different in that way. I do my ugly work for the club and then play daddy with Felix or act like a lovesick fool with Justice. The ugly side of my life hasn’t corrupted my tender side yet, but nothing good last forever.
16 Black Sheep
Justice
My maternal grandma, Coretta Earlham, has quite the reputation in Tumbling Rock. People say she won’t take any guff. They call her a spitfire. Wild child. Firecracker. Salt of the earth. Devil woman. Psycho bitch. Dirty whore. Mud eating deviant. Not too sure where the last one comes from, but I’d agree with the psycho bitch title based on my few memories of her growing up.
We arrive at her raggedy diarrhea-green house only a few miles from our place. Even with the minimal distance, Grandma Coretta never thought to drive her ass to see us. I appreciate her laziness once I
get a glimpse of Coretta sitting on her porch with a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of Jack in the other. A shotgun rests across her knees.
“Is it too late to fake an illness?” Poppy asks in the backseat next to me.
Christine pulls into the driveway. “She already sees us.”
“I can puke if necessary.”
“Don’t be scared of the old lady,” I tell Poppy.
“She’s got a shotgun.”
Christine turns off the car and looks back at us. “When I was growing up, my father was a moonshiner. Sometimes, dangerous people showed up, and Mom’s still paranoid.”
“They’ve been divorced for over a decade,” Journey says, cracking her knuckles because no one has mentioned her manliness in a while.
“People around here never change.”
“Good to know,” I say, opening my door. “Let’s get this done so I can return home and imagine Court naked.”
“I may still puke,” Poppy mutters, following me to the front of the car and waiting for Christine to stop fiddling with her hair long enough to join us.
“Don’t be nervous,” Journey says to Christine. “You look beautiful. You’re a powerful woman returning to her hometown as a success. Everything else is just gravy.”
Christine cups Journey’s face and gives her a grateful smile. I watch them and wish I had been smart enough to say something supportive first. Damn Journey and her quick reflexes.
“What’s the holdup?” Coretta yells when we stand on the gravel driveway rather than approach her.
“She does realize she’s got the shotgun, right?” Poppy asks. “If she’s senile and carrying weapons, I’d like to prepare my will before meeting her.”
Christine sighs loudly, realizing she’s stuck between her bitchy mother and three bitchy daughters. The poor thing is flustered, but she puts on her brightest smile and walks to her mom waiting on the porch. They hug, and I think Coretta says something about Christine’s body being only a little saggy after having three kids.
