by P. F. Kozak
“If she had, at least I’d be getting some. We both know that’s not the case.”
“Then, why do you think I’d have a problem with Pepper staying with us?”
“If you’re asking me that, I guess there isn’t one. If you both can handle it, then let’s try it. Who knows? It just might work.”
Butch squeezed Pepper’s hand. “Do you think you can handle it, Pearl?”
“Don’t you start that already! You know I hate that name. My name is Pepper.”
“You can’t bullshit me, Pearl. I know that’s your real name. Your mama told my mama she named you after Minnie Pearl. I remember when your grandmother gave you a straw hat with flowers and a price tag hanging from it on your sixteenth birthday.”
“Fuck you!”
“I also remember that.” He tilted his head toward Ted. “I think that’s what Rembrandt here is talking about. We have history, Pepper. Can you live with that every day?”
Pepper stuck her chin out defiantly. “I can if you can, Robert.”
Ted interrupted. “All right, boys and girls. Play nice.”
Butch shot Ted a look that curled Pepper’s toes. “You mean the way we used to play?”
“Maybe.” He grinned at Pepper. “Chances are good you’ll get your car fixed.”
“What’s her car got to do with it?”
“Her car needs work. Just before you came in, she mentioned asking you if she could arrange a barter. Tell him, Pepper.”
“Ted, for Christ’s sake!”
“Pepper, what the hell is he talking about? What kind of barter?”
“Since I don’t have enough money to get my car fixed, I wondered if you’d work on it for a blow job. It was a joke, for crying out loud!”
Ted laughed. “She also might end up paying me rent the same way. What do you think?”
“I think life just got a whole hell of a lot better!”
Pepper drank her third shot and held up her shot glass. “I want another one.”
Ted put the cap back on the bottle. “Not until you eat something.” He set the bottle on the floor beside his chair. “I don’t want to have to carry you out of here.”
“Party pooper.”
“If you do move in with us, kiddo, the party is just starting.”
“That’s the goddamn truth.” Butch opened the extra beer and drank it out of the bottle. “Do you have your stuff in your car?”
“No. All I have with me is my purse. Everything else is still at Lois’s house.”
“How bad was it when you left? Can you go back tonight and get your clothes?”
“I think so. Maybe I’ll be lucky and she’ll just ignore me.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Ted tapped his fingers on the table. “Butch, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll go.”
“Why the hell shouldn’t I go? I don’t give a shit what Lois thinks of me. My life is none of her goddamned business.”
“Lois is already being a bitch to Pepper. If you show up, it’ll be even worse.”
Pepper agreed. “Butch, Ted’s right. Let him help me get my stuff. There’s not that much. I sold all my furniture so I could fit everything in my car. Other than my clothes, I only brought back my TV, my stereo, my laptop, and a few boxes of things. Most of it is still packed. I’ve been living out of my suitcase.”
“Damn it, Pepper, it should be me.”
“That’s what I said ten years ago.”
Butch reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. “Let me show you something.” He flipped through his credit cards until he came to the last sleeve. He carefully pulled out a picture he had tucked behind the card and handed it to Pepper.
Pepper stared at an image of herself in a white sundress, her long reddish brown hair framing her face. She remembered the day Ted took the picture. The three of them had gone on a picnic the day after they graduated, in the same field Ted had painted. Ted took his camera. He decided he wanted to paint her in the white sundress. She had posed for him, so he would have the shots to work from. Butch asked him for a copy of his favorite.
“You kept this?”
“Of course I did.”
“Why?”
Butch shifted in his chair, then took a sip of beer. “You were beautiful that day.” He stared at her for a moment. “You still are.”
Pepper’s eyes filled with tears. “This was the last time…” She couldn’t continue.
Butch finished her thought. “It was the last time the three of us were together. I found out a week later that Sandy was pregnant, and all hell broke loose.”
Pepper squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep the tears inside. She remembered being with Butch and Ted that day. They had made sure they went to an isolated spot, where no one would see them. She hadn’t worn anything under the sundress. Ted had asked her not to, so she would surprise Butch. The three of them made love on a blanket, surrounded by daisies. It was the happiest day of her life.
She hadn’t been with either of them since.
2
P epper’s car wouldn’t start. They left it in the parking lot and took Ted’s. It was almost eleven o’clock by the time Ted loaded the last of Pepper’s things into his backseat.
Lois had been even more unpleasant than usual. Pepper tried to downplay the fact she would be living with Butch as well as Ted, but Lois would have none of it. She reminded Pepper that Butch had walked out on his wife. She told Pepper exactly what she thought of Butch, and of Pepper’s decision to move in with two men.
In the car driving back to Ted’s house, Pepper apologized. “I’m sorry, Ted. This isn’t your problem. You shouldn’t have had to go through that.”
“Hell, Pepper, what are friends for? Makes me glad I don’t have any siblings.”
“Before my dad died, things were better. Lois wasn’t this bitchy. But something happened to her after that. My mom expected Lois to handle everything my dad used to do. I think she resented that I didn’t help her.”
“Your mom never wanted you to help, did she?”
“No. I offered to take on some of it, but Mom said she wanted Lois to handle things. I don’t think she trusted me with Dad’s insurance money. After she had the stroke, she gave Lois full power of attorney.”
“I heard there was barely enough left to cover your mom’s funeral. Mrs. Kaufmann would have done better to let her younger daughter manage her money.”
“How do you know that?”
“The guys who worked on Lois’s house are regulars at the bar. I heard about her new kitchen, her new car, and the finished basement. The undertaker told me about the funeral expenses, and how Lois had to scramble to cover the costs.”
“Small fucking towns. That’s another reason I left. Everybody knows everybody else’s business.”
“Well, we’re about to give them something else to talk about. Does that bother you?”
“Maybe before. But I’m a menefreghista now, just like Butch. I don’t give a fuck anymore.”
“Christ, I can’t believe you remembered that word.”
“I remember all of his Italian words. Some things you never forget.”
“You got that right. It’s about damn time the three of us got back together.”
When Ted pulled into his driveway, they saw Butch sitting on the back porch waiting for them. He jumped up and came to the car.
“What the fuck took you so long? I was about to come over there.”
Ted popped the trunk open. “Lois had a few things to say before we could get Pepper’s stuff out of there.”
“I’ll bet she did. She’s always been a real stronza. Did she have anything to say about me?”
Pepper handed Butch her suitcase. “My wonderful sister thinks you’re the salt of the earth. What makes you think she said anything about you?”
“Maybe because Sandy still goes there to get her hair done.”
“Thanks for letting me know that before I walked into the hornets’ nest.�
��
“I didn’t think of it until just now.” Butch set the suitcase on the porch, and then went to help Ted with the stereo. “What did Lois say?”
Ted handed him the speakers. “Before or after she called Pepper a slut for moving in with us?”
“Frigging bitch!”
“Forget it, Butch. It doesn’t matter. I’m out of there now.”
Pepper took her laptop and an armful of clothes into the house. Ted and Butch carried the rest of her things in. When Pepper saw Butch piling boxes on the sofa, she stopped him.
“Hey, paisan, that’s my bed. Keep it clear.”
“You’re not sleeping on the damn couch.”
“Butch is right, Pepper. There are three bedrooms. I use the extra one for storage. We’ll clear it out tomorrow and make it your room. You can have my room tonight. I have a sofa bed in my studio. I’ll sleep there.”
“You have a studio? Here?”
“I made over the sunporch into a studio. It gets lots of light, and looks out on the backyard. It’s perfect.”
“Why do you have a sofa bed in your studio?”
Butch laughed. “Why do you think?”
“It comes in handy from time to time. We may need it when you model for me.”
“I never said I would model for you.”
“Yes, you did. When I took those pictures, you told me that if I needed you to actually pose, you would.”
“That was ten years ago!”
“So?”
Butch picked up Pepper’s suitcase. “If she poses, I get to watch.” He started up the stairs, and then turned around. “By the way, if you’re looking for this, it will be in my room, not his.”
Ted turned out the lights. “C’mon, Pepper. Let’s go upstairs.”
As Pepper followed Ted up the stairs, she remembered doing this before. Ted had the house to himself quite often. His mom had passed away when he was barely thirteen and his dad worked nights at the bar.
One evening, he called Butch and Pepper, and asked them over. She had fooled around with Butch, and with Ted, but never at the same time.
That evening, Ted broke out a bottle from his dad’s liquor cabinet. She didn’t drink much, but enough to feel relaxed and sexy. Butch sat down on the sofa beside her, and started to tickle her. Ted joined in, sandwiching her between them. Without her realizing exactly how it happened, the tickles became something more.
The feel of their hands on her at the same time made her crazy. Ted fondled her breasts and Butch had his hand under her skirt. When Ted suggested they go to his room, she agreed. She wanted to go upstairs then, just as she did now.
“Ted?”
Ted had almost reached the top stair. He stopped and turned around. “Pepper, are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I want to ask you something before we see Butch.”
“What?”
“Do you want it to be the way it was before, with the three of us?”
Ted came back down and stood beside her. “Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I think that makes it unanimous.”
“Butch does, too?”
“Why wouldn’t he? If it makes you feel better, let’s ask him.”
Ted took her hand, and led her the rest of the way.
Butch had his back to the door, making up the bed, when they came into his room. Pepper laughed. “You’re changing the sheets?”
Butch jumped. “Jesus, don’t do that! You wanna give me a heart attack?”
Ted grinned. “Butch, Pepper’s got another question for you.”
“Which is?”
“I just asked Ted if he wants it to be like it was before, with the three of us. He does, and I do, too. What about you?”
“Well, duh! Why the hell do you think I’m changing the bed? I thought that’s what we all wanted.”
“Just making sure. It’s been a while. I mean, we’ve changed. We’re all different, and I think what we do together will be different.”
“Probably. Maybe it’s like riding a bicycle, and you don’t forget how. It’s been so damn long, I’m not sure if I remember.”
Ted picked up a pillow and stuffed it into a pillowcase. “Which is another good reason for him to change the sheets. I hear his bed thumping almost every night. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been tempted to come in and lend a hand.”
“Damn good thing Pepper showed up, or I might have come knocking on your door.” Butch held up his right hand and kissed it. “This is the only lover I’ve had in quite a while.” He wiggled his fingers, then formed a fist and pumped.
Butch’s admission surprised Pepper. “It’s been that long?”
“It’s been that long.”
“Damn!”
“Exactly. Remember that old song?” He sang in the clear strong voice that made the school choral director hound him to join the chorus—though he never did. “No one knows what goes on behind closed doors.”
“Sure I remember that song. Why?”
“Because, if people knew what my life was like with her, they wouldn’t think I’m such a shit for leaving. Now, they’ll probably blame you, too, and say we had a thing going all these years.”
“I wish we had.” Pepper smiled.
“The truth doesn’t matter to people, from what I’ve seen. My own mother won’t talk to me. She says Catholics don’t get divorced, especially Italian Catholics.”
“Well, hell! Like Ted said, we’re really going to give them something to talk about now.”
“Hey, that’s another song cue!” Ted tossed a pillow at Butch.
He tossed it back. “I don’t do Bonnie Raitt.”
Pepper grinned. “Given the chance, I bet you would.”
“I’d rather do you.” Without taking his eyes off her, Butch reached down and slowly pumped the ridge in his jeans. “I’m ready.”
Ted wrapped his arms around Pepper’s waist and pressed his erection into her ass. “So am I.”
Pepper’s heart thumped in her chest as she said, “I’m ready, too.”
“Will you blow me?” Ted’s hot breath in her ear gave her gooseflesh.
Pepper nodded yes, and then looked at Butch. “Will you…”
Before she could finish the sentence, Butch had unzipped his jeans. “You’re damn right, I will.” He hesitated. “Shit, Pepper. I don’t have any rubbers. I haven’t needed them in a long time. I threw out the old ones I had when I moved out, and never got more.”
“I have some in my room. I’ll get them.” Before Ted had a chance to leave, Pepper stopped him.
“It’s all right. I’m on the pill. I won’t get pregnant.”
“That’s not the only reason we might need them. Ted, go get some, just in case.”
“Butch is right, Pepper. There are some carnal acts that require a condom. If we do any of them tonight, we’ll have them handy. I’ll be right back.”
After Ted left the room, Butch wasted no time asking Pepper the one question she didn’t want to answer. “Why didn’t you ever get married?”
“I never met anyone I wanted to marry.” She refrained from adding except you.
“Since you left, you haven’t been serious about anyone?”
“I’ve dated a few guys, but they turned out to be assholes. Who wants to marry an asshole?”
“Then why are you on the pill, if you aren’t seeing anyone?”
Just then Ted came back in with a box of condoms. There followed an awkward silence. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?”
“Not really. Butch just asked me why I’m on the pill if I’m not involved with anyone.”
“Good question. I wouldn’t mind knowing that, too.”
“You guys are too frigging much! Just because I haven’t gotten married doesn’t mean I don’t fuck.” She pointed to the box of condoms in Ted’s hand. “Why do you keep condoms in your room if you don’t have a boyfriend?”
“You never know when you might need one.”
&n
bsp; “Exactly! I decided a long time ago I wouldn’t get pregnant unless I wanted to. I like knowing I’m protected no matter what.”
Ted tossed the box on Butch’s nightstand. “That’s having responsible sex. Speaking of which, let’s have some now. Butch, remember how we used to warm Pepper up?”
“Sure I do. Are you still ticklish?”
“Don’t even think about it.” Pepper backed away as Butch came closer and bumped into Ted. He grabbed her arms and held her against him.
“Warm her up, Butch.”
Pepper hated to be tickled. Both Butch and Ted knew that. She tried to kick Butch, but he dodged her foot and clamped his hands around her waist. When his fingers dug into her sides and started to wiggle, she had the intense urge to wet herself.
She squirmed against Ted with all her strength, but couldn’t break free. She gasped, “Stop it! I can’t stand it!”
But Butch didn’t stop. As he had done so many years before, he tickled her relentlessly. Somewhere in the haze of intense sensation, she felt Ted’s erection rubbing against her. She pushed her bum tighter against him, trying to lodge his prick between her ass cheeks.
“Go for her tits, Butch. She’s getting hot.”
With no preamble, Butch pushed her shirt up. “Hold her still, so I can unhook her bra.”
Ted wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tightly against his chest. His hard-on poked her as Butch unhooked the front clasp on her bra. Pepper’s tits tumbled out. Butch squeezed them roughly, and then pinched her nipples. “Jesus, Pepper, your tits are better than I remember!”
Feeling his hands on her again nearly made her swoon, but no way in hell would she tell him that. She spit back at him, “It’s been so long since you’ve seen a pair, you probably don’t remember what the real thing looks like!”
“I fuckin’ remember what they look like.” He squeezed them again. “It’s what they feel like that I forgot.”
He buried his face between her tits and licked the deep crevice between them. Pepper moaned. Ted leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Would you like Butch to eat your pussy?” Ted didn’t wait for an answer. “Pull down her pants, Butch. Eat her out. That always made her crazy.”
