Page 40 of Take Two

“It sure is,” Mama says, likely already forgetting about her annoyance with Colt. "Come on girls, let’s go.” She runs off before Vickie and Violet can follow. Like she always does when Colt invites his teammates to parties, she grabs Seth Wakowski, and they start to dance.

“This is your mother’s favorite song?” Violet asks. “Wow. She can move,” she says, clearly impressed.

“Yeah. I introduced her to that music. Come on,” Vickie waves us over, but she takes Colt’s hand and they join Mama on the dance floor.

“Where has your mother been for the past two and a half decades? Beyoncé’s been around a long time,” she says.

“She’s been in church prayin’ for Uncle Fester,” I whisper.

“Well, Uncle Fester is just fine,” she says.

We thread our fingers together and start to walk to the other side of the yard. Mama and Wakowski are in the middle and everyone else is cheering them on.

“Let’s show them how it’s done, Charleston,” Violet says. “Now I know you get your hip action from your mama.”

Chapter 21

Violet

It’s much later than I expected when we manage to get to our bedroom. We danced for another hour, and it’s not just Mama who has moves. Charlie Chastain does too. We were sweaty and exhausted when the party finally ended. While I showered in the adjoining bathroom, Charlie used the one across the hall. I can hear him whistling on the other side of the bathroom door now.He whistles when he’s in a good mood, which means he whistles often. It’s one of the things I’ve noticed about him.

While I’m adjusting my breasts in the leopard print teddy, my phone buzzes against the sink. It’s almost one in the morning, and when my sister’s name flashes across my screen, I don’t get annoyed like I usually do when she calls me. I get worried.

“Did something happen to Mom?” I ask when I answer the phone. I don’t realize my mascara drops from my hand until it bangs against the side of the sink.

“No, Mom’s fine,” she says, and I take a deep breath of relief. I wait for her to say why she called, but when she stays quiet, I say, “What is it then?”

I hear her exhale before she says, “I was calling to see if you wanted to do brunch tomorrow.” She lets out a fake laugh and says, “I guess that would be today.”

“You’re calling me this late to ask about brunch?” It’s been years since we’ve shared a meal that wasn’t due to an obligatory family function. “Terri, what is this really about?” I put my makeup back in the bag while I wait for an answer.

“We haven’t done anything like that in a while. Remember we would have brunch once a month.”

“We haven’t done that in over six years.”

“Well, it’s time we start again. I was thinking—”

“I’m in Montauk,” I say, cutting her off. “And let’s not do this, Terri, okay? I have to go. You have a good night.”

I expect her to hang up, but she doesn’t. She talks instead. “Are you with friends?” she asks as if it’s usual for us to chat.

“I have to go.”

“Violet, I’m sorry,” she says. The words come out rushed. “I’ve been carrying this for six years, and I can’t do it anymore.”

I inhale and count to three. The old me would have told her off, hung up the phone, and let this ruin my night and possiblythe rest of the weekend. Maybe that’s what she wants. If it is, she’s not going to get it.

“So, you call me in the middle of the night to dump this shit on me?”

“Well, you won’t give me the time of day, Violet. What else am I supposed to do?”

“You can take a hint and leave me the hell alone.” I end the call and turn the phone off. I take another deep breath and count to ten. There’s a sweet sexy man waiting for me on the other side of that door. I’m not going to let my sister or things that happened years ago taint it.

I put on my long matching robe and finally open the door. He’s waiting for me and sitting on the edge of the bed. He’s in nothing but a pair of black boxers. He stands when he sees me.

I put my hand on my hip and walk slowly to him. He swallows when he sees me, and I gently shove his chest so he can sit down. I straddle him, and his hands grab my ass as he pulls me closer.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since Thursday,” I whisper above his lips. We kiss hungrily. We kiss as two lovers who haven’t been together in weeks instead of days. I slide my hands into his hair, and the kiss soon turns sloppy and loud. He hardens underneath me, and I grind on top of him. “And your dance moves got me all horny out there. All that hip action,” I moan against his mouth.

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