by H. J. Bellus
“What?” we all question in unison.
“We used to do it on the baseball team all the time. When there was an argument or disagreement going on, we would leg wrestle. The winner took all. Pride, bragging rights, and whatever the fuck they were arguing over.”
“Mouth, Unky,” Annie says.
“Yeah, watch your bleepin’ bleepity mouth, Beast,” Lacey taunts him.
“Leg wrestle. Leg wrestle. Leg wrestle,” Miles starts chanting from the living room floor. He’s laying on his belly lining up race cars with Mac.
Annie joins in on the chant, along with the rest of us. Milly and Lacey instantly start poking and prodding at each other and see that little light fire up in Lacey’s eyes. She wants this win badly.
“Pipe it down,” Tripp roars. “Winner takes all. We’ll do this bracket tournament style with a single loss elimination. You three girls will settle this here on the floor. What happens in leg wrestling fight club, stays here, dies here.” He finishes all dramatic and flips his ball cap on backwards.
“What do you mean, ‘you three girls’? I have nothing to do with this. I don’t care who dresses up and what they dress up as,” I declare.
“C’mon, baby. You have to get in on this,” Miles encourages from the other side of the room.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“So, you all realize whoever wins this tournament or festival or whatever the hell you’re calling it is deciding ALL OF OUR costumes. Right?” Cree clarifies.
“That’s right. Game on, losers,” Tripp pipes up.
Oh, and here comes Tripp’s competitive athlete side matched with Lacey’s fiery attitude. This is destined to be an event to remember.
“Last chance, sis,” Cree says.
“I’m out. I’m good with whatever.”
“You’ll think that when you have to dress up as a Smurf,” Milly says.
“It’s okay, Willow. I already have a blue body part.” Miles chuckles.
“Miles!” I squeal and throw a pillow at him.
“What’s blue, Miles?” Annie asks.
Annie’s question is quickly skipped over and Tripp lines the girls up on the floor on their backs, hip to hip. He instructs them on how to raise their legs and the official count he’ll use. He then gets down in Lacey’s face and gives her an extra pep talk. Cree does the same for Milly, and then both men step back and let Annie do the official countdown.
“On my count, ladies. One, two, three,” she sings.
With each word, the girls raise their legs, and on three they let it rip. Lacey hooks Milly’s leg first and looks to have the clear advantage, but Milly battles back for a couple seconds before Lacey uses all her force to whip Milly over in defeat.
“Lacey wins,” Annie squeals.
Tripp victory dances and Milly tit punches Lacey. Then the real war breaks out because the whole family, with the exception of the two real ladies, joins in on the wrestling match. As for the two real ladies in the family, we keep our front row seat in the recliner and enjoy the show.
***
“You’re the sexiest Dalmatian I have ever seen,” Miles says as he wraps his arms around me from the back.
Lacey won the leg wrestling tourney and it was declared the winner would reign on everything this Halloween. Lacey picked the theme and let Milly have her hand at decorating us all. Lacey picked the 101 Dalmatians theme, with her being Cruella and the rest of us puppies. It was actually a comical sight, seeing all of us together walking down Main Street trick or treating.
As tradition has it, we are all now at the harvest festival at the town lake. Food booths, a bonfire, loud music, and dance floor envelop the scene. We have staked a claim on a piece of prime property, as Lacey puts it. I guess it’s prime because we’re in perfect walking distance to all the food booths and have a front row seat to the dance floor.
Milly made us girls tutus, headbands, and all matching leggings for our costumes, and Lacey insisted that her puppies all have pig tails finished off with big red bows. I finally drew the line at face painting, and told them they could kiss my fat ass. Shockingly enough, the girls backed down without a fight. I think they were impressed with as much as they got out of me.
“I never knew a tutu could be so fucking hot,” Miles growls, and starts to kiss my neck.
“Easy, Fido! Your bone is gonna spring to life.”
“Willow, I have a constant boner around you.”
I lay my head back on his shoulder, allowing him to devour me and giggle. “Miles, I’m sorry…”
“Willow, I told you to stop saying that. When you’re ready and only then.”
Annie squeals to high hell before I realize that I’m being drug out onto the dance floor. Our song was playing, and all of us girls were cutting loose on the dance floor. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” is our song, our thing, and the symbol of our undying bond to each other.
The last time we danced to this song was in Rose’s nursery before she was born, and it was also the same day Greyson gave me the check to get rid of our problem. He even had the balls to follow me to Lacey’s house. The girls had no clue what was going on then, but they sensed it was bad.
I refuse to let the memories of that horrible day ruin this moment and this song. Grabbing Annie, I twirl around the dance floor a couple of times before I snag Mac out of Milly’s arms. Yeah, the poor guy isn’t a girl, but he’ll always be a part of our insta-dance parties. Lacey had a tight grip on Rose. This dance is very symbolic for many reasons for all of us.
Lacey never wanted friends or a family for that matter, and when she was given the chance she was scared to death, but accepted both with an open, but frightened heart. Me, on the other hand, I felt I would never be loved or deserved to be loved after that day in the nursery, and here I stand filled to the brim with love from the man of my dreams and my sweet, sweet family.
By the end of the song, we were all in a circle, dancing and laughing. The crowd started cheering, and we realized we were the only ones on the dance floor, and we had drawn a huge crowd.
“Let’s hear it for the Fitzpatrick girls and Macster,” the deejay booms. “We have one very special dedication going out to Willow from your main man, Miles.”
I slap my hands over my mouth in surprise and sheer embarrassment as the rest of the girls disperse to the side of the dance floor. I’m not the girl who gets the attention, the roses, and the special shows from her boyfriends. No, I’m used to being the closet child, and by damn if Miles isn’t breaking down every single one of those barriers.
Mr. Big starts to sing “To Be With You” and I can’t help the friggin’ school girl smile that spreads across my face. Then I see my puppy snaking his way out to me. Even in his Dalmatian get-up he is hot as sin. Miles throws his arms in the air and starts swaying to the music, encouraging the crowd to clap to the beat. And what do I do? I stand here frozen with my mouth gaping open at the scene playing out in front me.
When he closes in on me, he grabs me around the waist and keeps his sexy swaying to the music.
“Miles, I don’t dance sexy. I don’t have sexy,” I whisper to him and bury my face in his chest and let him guide me to the music.
“Crazy girl, you are so fucking sexy.”
Miles takes a little step back and sinks down to his knees in front of me, and starts belting out the words and holding his hands up to me in surrender. The gesture is so picture perfect, but I feel completely naked without him covering my body.
“Oh. My. God. Miles. Get up now,” I beg between my giggles of embarrassment.
He climbs back up to his feet, not missing a sway or swirl with his freakin’ hips against my body.
“Move with me, baby,” he hisses.
I let myself relax into Miles and let him literally sweep me off my feet. I allow myself to get lost in his touch, scent, and this moment.
“I am the one,” he whispers down into my hair.
And just as dramatic as it started, Miles finishes it off
by dipping me back and laying a big old wet sloppy kiss on me. The crowd really erupts this time and I don’t hide from it. I kiss Miles right back when he pulls me back up.
We easily dance away the next hour. Some dances we have visits from Annie, Mac, and Rose. I even dance with Cree. Back in the day we were the country swinging champions. Miles starts to lead us back to our blanket to finally grab dinner and sort through the kids’ candy when I hear it. I instantly freeze, tugging on Miles’ hand, as the sound of his laughter threatens to puncture a hole in my healing heart.
“Willow, what’s wrong?” Miles turns to ask.
“Jesus Christ. Willow, keep walking,” Cree says as he slams into the back of me.
I feel Mac’s head bonk into the back of mine, and then I hear him cry as the dull pain begins to throb in the back of my head.
“Sorry, Sorry,” I say, and keep walking.
I don’t stop to find him or her. I just bee line it for the blanket, only focusing in on my family.
“Come here, little man. I’m sorry we bonked. Here, let’s get you a sucker,” I say as I take Mac.
“He’s here,” I hear Tripp tell the guys, who are huddled together just off the blanket.
Trying to distract Miles from the conversation they’re having, I ask, “Will you go get us some food? I’m starving.”
“Food orders, people. Us men are cooking tonight. Lay it on us,” Tripp blurts.
Everyone shouts out their orders and the three men go in search. Annie stays back and instantly starts stuffing all of her Snickers in Mac’s diaper bags.
“He’s here,” I whisper to Lacey.
“We’re here, too,” she simply replies.
“Yeah, we’re all here with you, Willow,” Milly reassures me.
“Holy Shizz Nuts! I just about popped an ovary when Miles dedicated that song to you and then started dancing the way he did,” Lacey says.
“Me too. Dios Mio!” Milly chimes in.
“I’ll never forget it, that’s for sure.”
“The man is in complete love with you, Willow,” Milly adds.
“I know.”
Mac interrupts with a high pitched squeal while he’s trying to tear open a candy. We all laugh at him before Annie takes it from him and opens it.
“You know, huh?” Lacey questions.
“I know. I’m just scared to say it back, but I do love him. I’m just waiting for the ball to drop or lose my glass slipper. It can’t be this perfect, you know?”
The girls look at each other, and immediately burst out in laughter. “Oh boy, do we ever,” Lacey says.
“Do you see your brother’s limp and that scar on Lacey’s wrist? Those are our lost glass slippers. The one thing about it is, they’re ours to keep forever, we earned them our way, and that’s why they’re so special. You hold onto those for life, if he’s the one, no matter how ugly it gets.”
“Dinner’s served, bitches,” Cree says as the men approach with armloads of food.
We all enjoy dinner on the blanket, and watch Annie eat more candy than real food. Several selfies are taken with cell phones, laughs are shared, and most importantly, my first Halloween is being celebrated where I feel alive.
“Grey,” Annie suddenly squeals, and bolts from the blanket before anyone can stop her.
I look up to see her little spotted tutu flying towards Greyson and his wife, who are strolling by with another couple.
“Annie,” Cree scolds.
“Cree, don’t. She doesn’t know any better,” I warn him.
I stand to go get Annie and put a stop to this suffering once and for all. I am instantly pulled back by Miles, who grabs my hand and leads me over to Annie.
“C’mon, Annie, let Grey get on with his friends,” I say without making eye contact.
“Wait a minute, babe. I want to meet this Greyson,” Miles says from behind me.
“Stop,” I hiss to Miles.
“No, really. I’d like to meet the guy who chased you right into my arms.”
Hoisting Annie up in my arms, I turn to walk away, knowing I’m not going to win this battle, and grab Miles’ hand, silently begging for him to be the bigger person and walk away.
Miles follows, and I realize I have to let it go. I have to let go of all of my past. Turning around, I say, “Roxy, I never congratulated you on your pregnancy. I wish both of you nothing but the best. You two are truly perfect for each other.”
Turning back around, I smile brightly at my future and lay a big ol’ public kiss on Miles.
“Eeewww,” Annnie moans.
I put her down and watch her run back to the blanket.
“Miles.”
“Willow.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I go in for another long kiss.
“Let me in,” I whisper against his lips.
Miles growls, grabs me by the ass and hoists me up around his center. I take advantage of my slight height difference and delve into him. He opens up and I explore his mouth as if kissing him for the first time. Actually, this is our first kiss. I am finally free from the invisible bonds of hell that Greyson and my past have held me prisoner for so many years.
“Get a room, you sickos,” I hear Lacey holler.
I pull back and giggle, and take one final look at Greyson, who obviously was also enjoying our little show, and I smile at the fucker.
Miles must feel my smile against his cheek because he whispers to me, “You do know that I’m going beat the fuck out of that puke, right? And trust me, baby, I never lose a fight. Used to fight for grocery money growing up. Nobody in the neighborhood would take me on.”
“Thanks for sharing, baby,” I whisper back to him.
“Your food is getting cold and eaten by Lacey, you two love birds,” Milly shouts.
Miles makes his way with me in his arms back over to the blanket. We settle in and finish our dinner together.
Milly packs up Annie and Mac and heads home early. By Annie’s fourth sugar melt down and Mac puking chocolate everywhere, she had had enough Halloween fun for the year, she declared.
The rest of us stay behind to pick up and visit a little more. Milly made Cree stay and enjoy the festivities, as she put it. I know deep down her heart was beaming with pride that Cree was with his family.
Since Annie was missing from our posse, I got the privilege of riding piggy back on Miles’ back on our way out to the parking lot.
“You know that gives a whole new meaning to doggy style,” Lacey jokes.
“Yeah, shouldn’t it be the other way around?” Tripp asks.
“Guess we know who wears the pants in that puppy love relationship,” Cree adds.
By this point, we’re all laughing so hard that I barely hear my name as we reach Miles’ car. We all turn and see Greyson standing there alone and out of breath.
“Willow, can I talk to you?”
Tripp steps up in front of Miles and addresses the situation. “You sure in the fuck can’t.”
“You got something to say, Greyson, then you say it here with all of us. I promised Willow that I wouldn’t come after you. Do you know how fucking hard it was not to come choke the living shit out of you? Now my sister is on the right fucking track and you want a word with her. I don’t fucking think so, you worthless puke,” Cree hisses as he closes in on Greyson.
“Stop,” I demand. “Let him talk and we’ll leave this behind us forever. I’m staying here, so go on…what do you have to say?”
Greyson hangs his head low, and starts to speak. “I’m sorry. So sorry for it all. Not a day goes by that I don’t regret my decision and leaving you behind. I love you, Willow, and always have. I was a selfish bastard.”
“That’s fucking it,” Tripp roars, and lunges for Greyson.
Miles sticks out his arm and stops Tripp and gently puts me down on the ground.
“I have to,” he whispers.
“No, don’t. He’s not worth it, Miles.”
Lacey grabs me from behind and w
hispers into my ear, “Let him do it, Wils. He’s earning his glass slipper.”
I hear Miles tell Tripp to back off because this is his fight to fight. With hesitation, Tripp steps back and allows Miles to step front and center.
“You love her, huh?”
“Yeah, I do. I don’t know who you are, but you know nothing about me or Willow,” Greyson replies.
“You just met your worst fucking nightmare.”
This time Greyson moves in on Miles, ready to fight.
“Lacey, stop this. It’s over. Stop them,” I beg.
“Let him do this for you. He can’t erase the past as much as he wants. Let him do this.”
I turn to get into the car because I can’t stand to watch this disaster unfold any longer, and that’s when this situation escalates to a whole new level of fucked up.
“So, I guess you know how it feels to sink balls deep in her, then?”
I can’t believe those words just came out of Greyson in front of my brothers and Miles. I don’t even recognize the man before me, who is so desperate to salvage a relationship that never was or will be. Standing still, frozen in time, I take a second to study everyone’s stunned faces.
Cree immediately lunges forward to attack Greyson, but is stopped this time by Tripp. “Let Miles have him.”
“Dude, you’re not fighting him in a Dalmatian costume,” Cree hisses.
Miles tears his shirt off over the top of his head, and says, “What were you saying? Go ahead. Explain it to us.”
Miles spits in Greyson’s face and swings. The punch is so powerful it sends Greyson sailing sideways along with a trail of blood floating in the air. He doesn’t back off, but instead goes full force, beating the living shit out of Greyson. I’ve seen enough and climb into the car, blocking out all the bone cracking and slamming sounds. Lacey is right, though, Miles needs to do this for him. I just can’t watch any longer.
Finally, I hear Tripp yelling something and the sound of the driver’s door opening, and Miles’ sweaty body climbing in. I look up to see one of the local cops and Cree talking.
“Oh my God, Miles. You’re in trouble. I told you—”
“Baby, nobody saw anything,” he says and winks at me. “Now slide your ass over here.”
