Skyclad

by Max Ellendale

  "C'mon. What would you have said if I went, 'Oh, hey, Mae, I'd like to have sex with Sonora in the apartment tonight. Could you go somewhere else for a few hours? Thanks.'" Jax rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't say, 'Sure! Give her lots of orgasms and have a blast.' Get real." Now there's the snarky Jax I'd been waiting for.

  "Maybe not." Mae glanced at me as the hint of a smirk tugged the corner of her mouth. She probably would say that if Jax wasn't under her guardianship. "But if you had asked me for some alone time with your girlfriend, I would've understood. And felt that you had enough respect for me to ask to begin with. Because that's what people who care about each other do."

  Jax slouched in her chair as a perplexed expression softened her features. Her mouth dropped open a bit as if the thought of something so logical hadn't crossed her mind.

  "Understood?" Mae asked after a moment's pause. Jax nodded.

  "Yeah. I'm sorry, Mae. I didn't mean it like that. I didn't, I swear." The attitude left her tone and worry replaced it.

  "I know. This is why we're talking about it. Like adults."

  "Adults," Jax repeated, glancing between the two of us. "Do adults get grounded?"

  "No. Adults understand and make better choices next time." Mae glanced to me. "And apologize to their friends who have been emotionally scarred from seeing their bare asses."

  "I'm sorry, Ella," Jax said, a bit of laughter marred her sincerity. "And for being rude. And calling us even."

  "You're forgiven, Jax. And we are kind of even on the interrupting now." I nodded to her and she smiled a bit.

  "Go to bed," Mae said, nodding toward the bedroom. "You're opening the store tomorrow."

  "You better pay me. That's three openings this week." Jax stood and huffed. Mae laughed softly as Jax scuttled off to bed. "G'night."

  "Night," I said.

  Jax glanced over her shoulder at the two of us, hesitating in the doorway a moment. Mae stood with the pizza box and carried it to the kitchen. I watched as Jax returned, and stood in front of Mae after she closed the door to the refrigerator. Mae started, furrowing her brow until, somewhat awkwardly, Jax hugged her. Mae returned the embrace, rubbing the kid's back.

  "I'm sorry," Jax muttered against her shoulder. "I do respect you."

  "I know." Mae kissed her cheek, breaking the embrace to grip Jax's hair firmly. "I want you to respect yourself, too."

  Jax nodded as if she finally got it, taking a deep breath as she broke away from Mae. Without another word, she returned to her room and closed the door.

  "C'mere, Momma Meadow." I waved her over and she melted into me when she sat in my lap again, an unusual posture for her to say the least. "You did good."

  "I really hope I don't fuck that kid up, El. I have no idea what I'm doing," she admitted.

  "Could've fooled me." I kissed her softly and she smiled a bit. "Now, you and I have to have a serious talk."

  "About what?" She sprung up, her brows lifting.

  "About that phone call…"

  Her laughter echoed through the kitchen and I swatted her when she scampered away from me. I chased her around the sofa and into her bedroom where she dove onto the bed. My only retaliation was to tickle her until she cackled herself to tears. Nothing soothed me more than her playfulness. I kept her laughing well into the night as she had me describe, in detail, Duncan's reaction to my awkwardness. In a heap of happy smiles, we drifted to sleep tangled in the sheets and each other.

  Chapter Twelve

  Clothes, shoes, and makeup littered the bedroom in Zoie's parents' home as Sonora and I dressed alongside Zoie. The esthetician fussed with Zoie's hair long after she pulled it into a messy French twist. Monica, dressed almost as fancy as we were, wore layers of catlike makeup around her eyes. The blueish hue in her otherwise naturally onyx hair had me wondering how she made that happen.

  "That'll do. Now, makeup. I know you said light for all of you," Monica said, sifting through her bag and positioning herself in front of Zoie.

  "Yes, just a little." Zoie's hands trembled as she tried to hold herself still. She wrung the belt of her robe between her fingers.

  "You look great, Zo," Sonora said as she pulled on her dress. Monica completed her hair and makeup first. The eyeliner and soft shadow brought out her greenish eyes while the messy braid had her appearing subtly older. She smiled at me as she slipped on her shoes.

  "Thanks, sis," Zoie said with a gulp.

  With a few final touches, Zoie transformed into a blushing almost-bride. She rose from her seat and Sonora took her by the arm, leading her down the hall to the master bedroom to adorn her dress.

  "Ready?" Monica asked me as I fastened the fancy bra that Zoie had us buy. Why we needed matching undergarments was beyond me, but she was the bride.

  Monica stepped in front of me when I sat on the edge of the bed. She nudged my chin upward and mild surprise melted over her features when she met my gaze.

  "Your eyes are incredible," she commented then moved on to brushing something powdery over my cheeks. "Eyeliner and mascara for you. No shadow will come close to touching that."

  "Thanks." I glanced at myself in the mirror and closed my eyes when instructed. "Are you Zoie's friend?"

  "We work together, yeah." She flicked mascara over my eyelashes.

  "What do you do there?"

  "I'm an illustrator. I do makeup and stuff for fun."

  "Really?"

  "Yep. Quit blinking." She nudged my elbow. "Jed and I know each other pretty well, too. It was the least I could do for the perfectly matched nerds."

  "They are nerds, aren't they?" I laughed softly.

  "Super genius nerds, yep."

  Mae entered the room carrying a pair of black heels. Her bell-sleeved royal blue dress fluttered when she walked. The hem of the skirt tickled the skin of her thighs and cascaded over her hips in a way that hugged her form to perfection. Cut low between her breasts, a silver necklace hung to her midsection. Strategically placed curls bounced when she moved, reminding me of the first day we met.

  Monica had moved on to my hair and did a double take when Mae walked in. Anyone would, she was beautiful.

  "Wow," Mae said when I glanced at her. "Your eyes."

  "Right?" Monica grinned as she brushed out my hair.

  "Monica, this is my partner, Mae," I said, gesturing between them. I hadn't seen Mae's dress until this moment and drawing my gaze away from her was painful.

  "Nice to meet you. Did you know her eyes were amazing?" Monica teased. Maybe she sensed my overall discomfort with someone fussing over me.

  "I did. I stare into them all the time." Mae stood beside me and held her hand to me. I took it and she squeezed. "You look more nervous than Zoie. And more naked. With a strange woman combing out your hair."

  Monica giggled as she ran her fingers through my hair, pulling it back in to something I imagined similar to Sonora's. "Almost done," she said around the hairbrush she held in her teeth.

  "You look amazing," I told Mae under my breath.

  "Does she have lipstick?" Mae asked Monica.

  "Nope."

  "Good." Mae leaned down and kissed me quickly, bringing a smile to my face immediately. An elastic band snapped and Monica released my hair. She fussed with the braid the same way she had with Zoie's.

  "All done," she said. "What do you think?"

  "Thanks," I said, reaching up to caress the fishtail braid. "I like it."

  "Me too." Mae nodded.

  "Good. I better go check on the bride. She's bound to cry and smear something." Monica grabbed her makeup bag and pranced from the room, closing the door behind her.

  "How's Jax?" I asked.

  "Fawning over her girlfriend." Mae brushed her fingertips over my shoulder. "You wear lingerie for the makeup lady but not me?" Her fake pout made me laugh.

  "Zoie made me. And you keep me naked as much as possible, remember?" I swatted her knee and stood.

  "I do." She grinned and watched me as I removed the dress f
rom the hanger. "That pink isn't so terrible. Maybe it's grown on me."

  "It's a light enough tone," I said and slipped the dress over my head, tugging it over my hips. I left it unzipped as I stepped into the matching heels. "Zip me?"

  "Of course." Mae joined me and I turned my back to her. She moved my braid aside and kissed up my back at the same time that she zipped the dress. Shivers followed her kisses and she hugged me from behind. "You're beautiful."

  "So are you." I leaned into her. "But you're beautiful every day."

  "You underestimate yourself, kitten." She brought my fingers to her lips and kissed them.

  "Did you see Mrs. F out there?" All I wanted to do was hide away with her forever. But I wouldn't do that to my brother. Today was his day, and Zoie's.

  "Yes. She was cordial and greeted me. I think she's savvy enough not to make a scene at Jed's wedding, El. I wouldn't worry."

  "I know." I sighed and turned around to face her. "I'm ready."

  "C'mon." Mae laced my fingers with hers and urged me from the room. As long as she was in the lead, everything would be fine.

  "Zoie doesn't want a limo?" Jax asked as we piled into my car, the three of us first followed by Sonora. "Crank the heat, please. Brr." Jax shivered and rubbed her arms, pulling the pile of unworn jackets into her lap.

  "Nope," Sonora answered. "Simple is much nicer."

  "Jed said the same." I turned the key in the ignition and we followed the line of cars to the banquet hall. "No church either."

  "Good thing. Our entire car might've been smited," Jax's even tone made us all laugh.

  "That's my girl right there," Mae said, glancing at Jax who cracked up.

  "Nor has a giant rainbow flag in her room. We should've tied it to the trunk of your car, Ella," Jax pressed on and Sonora continued to giggle.

  "We'd have to get Uncle Marty in on it, too. His husband would love it," Sonora commented and I smiled while listening to them.

  The line of cars led us to the reserved parking spaces behind the hall. Mrs. F and Papa J hurried Jed inside so that Tara and Frank could help Zoie out of the black SUV. Jed's pink sneakers stood out like neon lights against his black tuxedo. He's so awesome. Sonora and Jax exited together, leaving Mae and I alone.

  "You ready, kitten?" she asked, taking my hand in hers and bringing it to her lips.

  "Yeah. Are you?"

  "Always."

  "Thanks for being my date, Mae." I leaned over and kissed her. She held me in it and stroked my cheek, nibbling my lip before breaking away. I squeezed her leg and noticed she wasn't wearing stockings. Her skin was cool to the touch.

  "I wouldn't have it any other way."

  "Aren't you cold?" I asked.

  "A little. I probably should've rethought the panties thing..."

  "What?" My eyes bugged out a bit as I lifted her dress. She cracked up but I let out a sigh of relief when I saw her black lacey thong. It didn't cover much but at least she wore something.

  "Ella, peeking is naughty." She grinned and brought my fingers to her lips again.

  "And here I was worrying that a gust of wind would expose all your secrets," I teased, and smoothed out her dress. "You look amazing."

  "So do you. And your eyes…" She leaned back, her gaze darting between mine. "Incredible."

  "Thanks." A blush heated my cheeks. "Ready?"

  "I am. Stay in here a minute," she said and hurried out of the car. Her heels clicked on the pavement as she walked around to the driver's side door and opened it for me.

  "I can honestly say that's a first." I slipped from the car and kissed her cheek.

  "Chivalry isn't dead." She held her elbow to me and I took it. Together we walked arm-in-arm into the hall. Jax and Sonora stood waiting for us and, as soon as Jax saw us, she linked her elbow with Sonora's. Sonora giggled a bit as they walked inside. Pink pixie met sophisticated black once again. Jax's simple black dress, heels, and up-do made her appear a lot older than she was. With toned down makeup, her natural beauty shined through. Both girls had a matching pink streak in their hair.

  "You've taught her well, Maeby," I said as we parted by the entryway.

  "Just like you." She blew me a kiss and scampered to her seat with Jax.

  The minister arrived and the ceremony commenced on the outside terrace of the elegant banquet hall. Cool blue icicle lights illuminated the pathway to the holly-covered wedding arch. About sixty people lined the fringes of the stonewall and watched as my handsome brother exchanged vows with his adoring wife. As the keeper of the rings, I placed them in Jed's palm while his tear-filled baby blues lingered on mine. I mouthed, "Love you," to him and he winked at me before turning back to Zoie.

  When I drew my gaze away for a moment, I found Mae watching me from the crowd. A soft smile played on her ruby lips as rosy hues flushed her cheeks. She draped her arms over her middle while she listened to the vows. I looked back to my brother and smiled. An outdoor winter wedding in Boston didn't seem like the ideal scenario until tiny puffs of breath escaped them with tearful "I do's." My own tears fluttered to the surface as I watched my brother promise himself to someone he loved deeply.

  In less than ten minutes, Zoie and Jedidiah morphed into Mr. and Mrs. and the guests threw tiny white flecks of confetti into the air that surrounded the couple in a wave of snow. The photographer snapped a thousand photographs as Zoie's slender, simple dress trailed behind her. She was the epitome of elegance and joy in one swishing turn.

  The crowd funneled into the banquet hall. Fishbowls with floating flowers, and tea light candles sat in the middle of white lace-draped tables that lined the walls around the dance floor. A DJ table at the front held giant speakers and electronic equipment that seemed like someone zapped it out of a sci-fi movie. An open bar, chocolate fountain, and a corner filled with old school arcade games took up one whole side of the room. Of course Jed would have video games at his wedding.

  Mae found me in the crowd as more guests arrived, bringing the count up to over a hundred.

  "You look lost, kitten." She wrapped her arms around my middle and kissed my shoulder. I breathed a sigh of relief when she held me.

  "I am. Did you see the look on Jed's face?" I rested my hands on top of hers while we awaited the arrival of the newlyweds.

  "I sure did. That boy was a giddy, love-struck fool. And it's amazing," she said, leading me toward the table with our names on place cards. Our table, much larger than the rest, had enough chairs for the immediate family of the bride and groom including our dates. Jax and Sonora had already taken their seats. Jax's eyes grew wide when she looked down at the place setting in front of her.

  "Why are there so many forks?" she muttered to Sonora.

  "Um… in case you drop one, probably." Sonora shrugged. I chuckled as I pulled out Mae's chair for her. Her auburn brows flicked upward beneath the tendrils of hair that dangled against her forehead.

  "You're turning the tables, kitten." She sat and I took my seat beside her.

  "I am," I said, brushing my palm against her cheek and turning toward the dance floor when the music kicked on. Deep tones from string instruments sprang from the speakers. Sonora and Jax glanced at us then started giggling. The familiar music carried on and Mae started laughing with the girls.

  "What's this from?" I asked her.

  "It's the Game of Thrones theme song," Mae answered.

  "Our siblings are super nerds, Ella," Sonora said which made me grin.

  Jed and Zoie strode on to the dance floor arm-in-arm while looking straight ahead. Their expressionless faces had the guests pausing. The couple stopped in the middle, bowed to each other as if they were about to enter into a battle. Instead, Jed took Zoie's hand and the music shifted to a mushy love song. Guests cheered and clapped when Jed dipped her. Mae placed her hand in my lap and I held it.

  "They're adorable," Mae said against my ear.

  "Terribly." I smiled at my brother who was a far better dancer than I'd imagined.

  Whe
n the song concluded, the DJ introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. and Jed led his bride to their private table in the corner beside the arcade. Zoie's parents joined our table soon after, followed by Mrs. F and Papa J. We all greeted each other warmly and I watched as Tara complimented Jax on her outfit. Jax was as demure as ever and Sonora's parents seemed to really take to her. Handshakes, small talk, and hugs from relatives I barely remembered inundated my parents.

  "What can I get you to drink, El?" Mae said as she stood.

  "Um, I… good question. What are you getting?" I looked up at her.

  "Something very alcoholic." A grin smoothed out her lips.

  "Surprise me," I said through a chuckle, watching her as she sauntered across the room to the bar.

  "Ella?" Jax called out across Sonora, who sat on the other side of me.

  "Hmm?" I drew my gaze away from Mae to her.

  "Does everything have alcohol?" She muttered as she leaned behind Sonora's chair. A nervous expression paled her cheeks.

  "No, love. You can ask for sodas at the bar, too. Or water, anything like that." I kept my voice quiet as to not expose her motives.

  "Okay. Thanks," she said, sitting upright again. She muttered something to Sonora who nodded. The two exchanged more inaudible words as Mae returned to the table. Each hand held a martini glass, one with blue liquid, the other with yellow. She crossed her legs as she sat beside me, handing me the yellow.

  "Try this," she said.

  "Thank you." I accepted the drink and sipped it. The luscious cocktail tumbled smoothly down my throat. "My god, what is this?"

  "Mango martini." Mae snickered before sipping her drink. "Good?"

  "It's like liquid sex in a glass," I gushed, taking another sip.

  "Well now." Mae smiled broadly as she leaned back in her chair. I swatted her knee and set my glass down.

  Jax rose from her seat and wandered toward the bar. Mae watched her the whole way and her return with two clear sodas. She offered one to Sonora whose cheeks turned red when she accepted it.