“Just some Simon Pegg movies. Yeah, they’re rated R. All the best movies are.” Bailey shrugged at Kara. “We totally agreed about that before.”
“What’ s wrong with that rating?” Kara shot back to Brody.
“Woah-ho. You better change your tone or I’ll send your friend home right now.” Brody checked on the sauce then turned up the pasta water. “I just asked if they were rated R. Help Bailey bring her things upstairs. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes.”
“I’m sorry, daddy,” Kara huffed. She had thought he was going to shoot down their movie ideas. She skipped over to the stove and planted a kiss on his cheek. “If it’s too inappropriate, we’ll turn them off and watch cartoons.”
Brody grinned. “Uh-huh.” He tapped his finger on her nose. “Hurry up, because I’ve got to watch these pots.”
“Okay!” Kara motioned for Bailey to follow her. “We’re staying in my, um, teen kind of room.” Would she think she was stupid for having a whole room just to be a teen in?
“You have a room too!” Bailey’s voice was thick with excitement. “That’s so cool!”
Kara led her inside and helped her spread out her stuff so it didn’t get mixed up in hers. She sheepishly watched Bailey eye her little fairy statues, alternative rock posters, celebrity crush photos, and purple Christmas lights that were tacked up to give the room a gothic feel.
Kara’s room was painted a light teal with darker teal sponge painting along the top border. There were also butterfly stickers and some pretty purple flowers dancing up and down the walls. She imagined it was an odd mixture to someone who didn’t know her very well.
“Are you like a girly gothic girl?”
“I’m just me. I love butterflies ‘cause they make me happy. Just like I like the biker boots and black makeup.” Kara shrugged. “I don’t know. I just have my own sort of style, I guess.”
“I like it.” Bailey pointed to one of Kara’s arms, the one with a half sleeve tattoo. “I like your tattoos too. I mean, they’re so different. And it’s like, you really express yourself with them.”
“They make me happy. My mom used to tell me that only whores and sailors got tattoos, but she’s like, not the one who has to look at them.” Kara covered her mouth. “Oh, that’s awful, isn’t it?”
Bailey shook her head. “You should do what makes you happy. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of them.”
“Ladies! Dinner is ready!” Brody’s voice carried up the stairs and down the hall. He could be crazy loud when he wanted to be.
“Come on! My daddy’s sauce is like, to die for. I hope he made garlic bread too!” Kara giggled as they made their way out of the room.
* * *
Kara took a huge forkful of pasta into her mouth so she didn’t say anything else stupid. She had a hard time concentrating with Bailey at the table since she didn’t normally eat meals in her younger mindset. It seemed silly, and maybe something she should explore more, but her terrible relationship with food made it hard. She made a mental note to mention the problem to Brody. If she purposefully went younger before a meal, maybe she could retrain her brain to approach food with a whole different outlook.
Suddenly, she realized two sets of eyes were on her and she dropped her fork. “What?” She snapped before she could stop herself.
“Your friend asked what sort of snacks there were for tonight. Twice. You were miles away…” Brody stated plainly. There was no anger in his voice, but his face made it clear that he didn’t appreciate her not paying attention to her company.
“Oh.” Kara felt a wave of heat flood her cheeks. “Geesh, I’m sorry. I was just thinking about something, and I didn’t hear you. We’ve got movie theater style popcorn with extra butter.”
Bailey had finished her spaghetti and took a piece of garlic bread. She buttered it generously and took a bite. “That’s cool. I like butter.” She smiled as Kara raised her eyebrows. “I mean popcorn!”
Kara giggled, easily tugged back to her younger self, and grinned. “Seriously, it’s all about the butter.” She stood then to clean her plate even though she hadn’t eaten much. She’d just had a lot going on in her head. If Brody noticed, which he probably did since that man noticed everything, he didn’t call her on it.
“You can leave it, Kara. I’ll clean up from dinner.” Brody stood and took the dish. He planted a quick kiss to the side of her head. “Go have fun.”
“You ready?” Kara asked after politely waiting for Bailey to finish her bread. Her friend nodded and stood as well. “Okay, let’s go.” She led them back up the stairs and into her room. “Do you want to get your pj’s on now?”
“Yeah, but can I ask you something really quick?” Bailey sank down to the floor and rolled out her sleeping bag. “I mean, if you’ll answer.”
“Sure, you can ask me anything.” Kara agreed, then helped her fix the bag. “What’s up?”
“What was with you at dinner? Are you upset I’m here?”
“Oh! No, not at all.” Kara bit her lip, now feeling awful about drifting off during dinner. “It’s just, I’m not used to being around anyone when I’m… you know… it’s hard sometimes.”
“It’s only hard if you fight it. So Ian and I talked about it in the beginning, about the rules, I guess. Who initiates, what happens, or if one of us just isn’t in the mood, and when we really need to be adults.”
Her reply snapped her right out of her teen mood and she was suddenly grown-up Kara. “Do you think we could talk about that a minute? I’ve never had anyone else I could talk to about it.”
Bailey nodded, encouraging her to continue.
“I usually have a set day, or time, or you know, Brody might suggest it if I’m having a really hard day. So, who starts it at your house?”
“I usually initiate the little stuff. It’s visual. I’ll change my clothes or wear my hair differently. Those are simple things Ian can see, and he knows how to act. But more than that, it tells me who I am. It tells me how to act. The physical reminder is for both of us.” Bailey reached for her bags, rummaged through them, and brought out her pajamas. “See? These are really soft, but they have little hearts and flowers all over them. It’s an instant thing for me.”
“Oh!” Kara had an ‘aha’ moment. “Like when I get all my punky stuff on? You know when we met at the park, and I had my tutu and leggings and all?”
“Yes! Exactly. When you get dressed, you’re thinking about how you’re going to feel when you’re wearing each piece. So, if you went to school tomorrow, would you put on your Hello-kitty sweatshirt?”
Kara contemplated it for a moment. Hello-kitty was back in a big way, but not really appropriate in an adult setting. “Not so much. You’re right, I would choose a fleece or a hoodie that was a bright color or something, but not that one.”
“See? So, you get it.” Bailey stood up as if to get ready for bed, and Kara jumped to her feet.
“Wait, before we watch movies and all, can I ask you something personal?”
Bailey bit her lip, as if unsure where this conversation was about to go, but she nodded.
“Does Ian spank you?”
“Yeah, when I get punished, but sometimes when we role-play too. It all depends on where I’m at in my head.” Bailey looked like she either wanted to share more, or she wanted to get on with their night. But Kara really wanted to know more. She rarely opened up to anybody about the sort of relationship she and Brody had. Especially the spanking!
“Do you like it?” Her voice came out in a hush and she was sure her face was red.
“I like it… most of the time.” Bailey shrugged. “I like the spanking, the heat, and pain. The pain is exciting when we use it as foreplay.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and Kara fretted. Was she getting too personal?
“But I don’t like them when I’ve done something wrong.”
“Have you ever done something wrong on purpose, just so you get the spankings?” Kara plowed on
instead of letting her friend answer. “Because I’ve done that. And it’s not right, but in the beginning when we had just started this, and I didn’t know if, you know, Brody was going to follow through—”
“Hey!” Bailey interrupted her. “Just take a breath and start over. You don’t have to be embarrassed around me. We’re friends.”
Kara beamed, her whole face lighting up at Bailey’s words. “Yeah, it’s just I’m not used to that either. I have friends at school, but they don’t get me. So, my question was about acting up on purpose. I did that a lot before I realized that Brody would follow through.”
“I never thought of that, so I don’t really know. I hate it when he has to punish me, but the spankings are amazing.”
“Does Ian like spanking you?” Kara fiddled with her hands. He seemed like such a nice guy that it was hard to imagine him spanking Bailey at all. She supposed the same could be thought of Brody, though. The idea of Brody giving her a good girl spanking instantly made her aroused, and she almost didn’t catch Bailey’s answer.
“Oh, yeah. It’s the control he likes… well, that’s part of it.” Bailey cocked her head to the side and grinned wickedly. “He really gets off on that. We both do. But by that time, we’re out of role-playing, and it’s all as adults.”
“Do you think Ian could talk to Brody? I mean, about all this stuff?”
“I can ask him…” Bailey shrugged. “I don’t know how he’ll feel about the topic, but I’ll talk to him. But not until his work has settled down. He’s under a lot of pressure right now.”
“Yeah, sure thing. Thanks.” Kara grinned as she rummaged through a small dresser. “So, let’s get on our pj’s and watch movies!”
Bailey grinned back. “Then we can stay up like, all night!”
* * *
Kara curled up on her side and aimlessly threw popcorn into her mouth. She must have already eaten a whole bag at least! Plus, the huge bowl they were sharing was still half full. They had spent the rest of the night watching a bunch of movies and drinking soda. Brody had come in about an hour or so ago and told her good-night. She had kissed him on his cheek and happily hugged him. She was so excited to have Bailey over and couldn’t wait to tell him all about it!
It was well past midnight now and Kara was going back and forth between her teen self and her normal everyday self. She was craving a cigarette like something wicked, so she got up and fished her pack out its hiding spot. As she found her lighter and ashtray and brought them to the floor, Bailey’s eyes went wide.
“What is that? Do you smoke?”
“Uh, sometimes… I mean, not a lot. Come on, have one with me.” Kara held out the pack.
Bailey raised an eyebrow and looked over the warning on the side of the package.
“My daddy is asleep, he won’t even know.”
“Fine!” Bailey took one and Kara quickly lit it for her. They popped in the next movie and had several cigarettes each while it played. “You don’t have beer too, do you?”
Kara laughed so hard she snorted. “No! Beer is gross!” Her ridiculous statement on top of already feeling giddy made the two of them laugh very loud—so loud that the door swung open to reveal a tired looking Brody.
“You two need to keep it down. Some of us need to go to work…” He trailed off and looked at something on the ground.
Oh shit! The ashtray! It was almost full of cigarette butts, and if the two of them were supposed to be teenagers, it was against the rules.
“What the hell have you been doing?” He glared down at Kara.
Kara swallowed hard and glanced over at Bailey. She didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry, daddy. I wasn’t going to have one, but Bailey wanted to try.”
He picked up the ashtray, shook his head, and let out a long breath. “If it wasn’t the middle of the night, I’d take you home, Bailey. You’re both in trouble. Go to sleep. Now. Movie and lights off.”
The two of them nodded without another word. He seemed really upset, but what was worse, she had placed the blame on her friend. She hoped Bailey wouldn’t be too mad.
Kara turned off the DVD as Bailey got up to shut out the lights. They crawled into their sleeping bags at the same time, but neither of them laughed.
“Why did you do that? He’s really pissed,” Bailey huffed under her breath. “I mean, really mad. Like a real daddy.”
“He hates that I smoke. I thought if you were here, maybe he wouldn’t be so mad at me.” Kara fiddled with the edge of the pillow. She’d really messed up.
“Well, that didn’t work out so great.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll explain it to him in the morning.”
“Yeah, well, that won’t get me out of trouble,” Bailey retorted.
Kara wanted to apologize more and assure her friend she would sort it out. But her eyes felt heavy and in moments she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Eight
Kara cleaned up the room from last night by herself. She felt crappy for lying to Brody about the cigarettes and promised herself she would find a way to make it up to Bailey. She begged Brody to make pancakes, her favorite, and she hoped it would sweeten the apology she’d give Bailey.
She got down on the floor and shook Bailey’s shoulder lightly. “Bailey, wake up.” Kara shook her shoulder again. “Hey, come on, wake up!”
“What time is it?” Bailey sat up, resting on her elbows. “I want to go home.”
“It’s just after eight. Brody has breakfast. Please don’t be mad. It was a joke, and I’ll explain it all later. I just didn’t want to get in trouble last night. I really am sorry.” Kara got to her feet. “I put your movies and stuff back in your bags and set them near the door. Just come downstairs when you’re ready.”
Bailey snorted a laugh but it held no amusement. “Funny joke.” She struggled to get out of her sleeping bag, as if she wasn’t used to it, and stood up. “It wasn’t funny.”
“Okay, you’ve made your point.” Kara didn’t know what else to say. She knew they were still in a younger type of head space, but seriously, it wasn’t like Bailey would actually get into trouble. “I’ll see you in a few.”
She left her friend, or someone she hoped would still be her friend after all this, and went down into the kitchen. She loved watching Brody cook, and one of his specialties was pancakes. He could flip one like nobody’s business. Kara forced a smile but didn’t say a word as she sat down at the table.
“Are you okay, honey?” Brody set two short stacks of pancakes in front of her.
She moved one towards where Bailey would sit, then nodded. She adored the table! It was wonderfully prepared with options of butter, real maple syrup, honey, blueberries, and raspberries. When had he found the time to do all this?
Bailey entered a few minutes later and sat next to Kara.
“Morning, Bailey. Want some orange juice?” Brody asked her as she tugged the stack of food towards her.
“Yes, sure,” Bailey mumbled but didn’t meet his eyes. Geesh, she was really upset with her!
Brody moved to get them each a glass of orange juice but as he reached for the freezer door, Bailey shook her head back and forth, vehemently. Kara, unsure of what had come over her friend but wanting to please her, followed suit.
Brody looked back and forth between them and raised his eyebrows. “What?”
“Ice is bad for you,” Bailey stated simply, then nudged Kara with her elbow.
“It’s the worst form of water,” Kara agreed quickly.
“What?” Brody sighed. “What’s gotten into you two?”
“When liquid freezes it loses all of its nutritional value.” Bailey had a firm confidence in her voice that made her sound knowledgeable.
“And frozen things are bad for your teeth!” Kara decided to keep the game going, though she had no idea what it was about.
“Ladies, I don’t know why I’m getting a science lesson this early, but I’d like some ice.” Brody opened the freezer, grabbed one of
the trays, and took out two cubes. He dropped them into his glass then opened the door again.
Kara watched as Bailey’s hands clenched and opened several times as she bit her lip. What on earth had come over her friend?
“Bailey?” She turned towards her to ask what was going on when Brody cursed under his breath.
“Bailey?” He set an object down on the table in front of them. “Do you care to explain this? I highly doubt Kara froze her own bra.”
Kara felt her jaw drop. The brilliant teal-colored satin and lace bra with matching panties—her favorite set—that Brody had gotten her for their anniversary came into view. When had Bailey managed to take them, sneak downstairs, and pop them in the freezer? To make it worse, she saw terrible brown colored stains on the lingerie from where it had been wrapped around her crushed cigarette pack.
“It’s just a joke.” Bailey shifted uncomfortably as Brody kept his eyes on her. “It was much funnier last night.”
“I’ll go thaw it out.” Kara stood and retrieved the item in question. “Be right back.” She did it in a nonchalant way, even though she wanted to slap Bailey for ruining her special lingerie.
She took her time pining up the frozen straps and panties via clothespin on the small drying line in the laundry room just off to the side of the kitchen. Kara would have to wait until the ice melted to attempt to do serious stain removal. She wasn’t really angry at Bailey for getting her back, but she also didn’t want either of them in trouble.
She flounced back into the kitchen. Bailey was clearing the breakfast dishes, rinsing them, and loading them into the dishwasher. Kara shot a questioning look at Brody.
“After she finishes the dishes, you’re going to walk your friend home, and you’ve got a task. I want you to make sure Bailey tells her daddy that instead of sleeping, she decided to go on a little midnight adventure. I’m sure she already has a lot to tell him with the tobacco incident as well.” He finished his glass of juice, then set it in the sink.
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