Page 65 of Take Two

“Anilla, pweeze,” says Johnny.

“Violet, remember how your dad would make us the triple-deckers?” Terri says, suddenly excited. “It’s a three-layer milkshake. Strawberry on the bottom, chocolate in the middle, and vanilla on top. I can top them off with crushed Oreos. I picked some up at the store. What do you boys think?”

“Yes!” Evan says. “Can you put mine in a huge glass and put extra Oreos??”

“No,” says Johnny as he jumps in excitement.

“Oh, God,” Colt says as if the thought is horrific. “Really?” he asks.

“Sounds good to me,” I say while I look him right in the eyes.

“Anything, I can do to help?” Vickie asks. “Colt’s been chomping at the bit all evening. He’s the one who put Mama up to this. I have no proof, but they were in the kitchen whispering after dinner.” She eyes her husband, who’s chatting with Violet’s daddy.

“He really needs to get a life,” I say under my breath as I watch my brother. “He’s actin’ like a lunatic.”

“He’s just happy for you,” Vickie says, but I don’t think that’s it. He’s not acting like a man who is happy. He’s acting like a nosey jerk, but I keep that to myself. “But it seems like it’s been a good night for you.” She smiles warmly at me.

“It’s been a great night.” In fact, the only person I would kick out right now if this was my apartment would be my brother. “I used every ounce of the Chastain charm.” She giggles at that and nods in approval. She takes my hand and squeezes it. “I wasworried they’d judge me for being in recovery, but they didn’t. The best part is, they didn’t make it weird,” I confess.

“You mean like Colt?” I shrug and refuse to answer. “Colt only wants the best for you, and so do I. I’m happy for you, Charlie.” She smiles and practically bounces with enthusiasm. I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts to clap, but instead, she hugs me tight, gets on her tippy toes, and kisses my cheek before she lets me go.

I grab the plate of cookies to bring to the boys, but Terri manages to grab two before I can even leave the kitchen. The boys each grab one, but they barely look up from the television.

I press start after loading the last dish in the dishwasher while Violet wipes the counter. I expected tonight to be a subdued evening of Violet’s parents interrogating me to make sure I’m good enough for their daughter. I expected judgment and side-eye when I made it clear that I’m an alcoholic, but neither of those things happened.

It’s obvious that Violet gets her nonjudgmental traits from both parents. They barely reacted to my issues. They didn’t make it weird by refusing to drink. They enjoyed their wine, and never brought it up again. The only issue was the looks from Colt when he arrived and saw several bottles of wine on the table. I ignored him. He should know that wine has never been my vice. It was and will always be vodka, but even if there was a bottle of that here tonight, it wouldn’t have tempted me.

Sobriety is the best high, and I’m not giving that up.

“I’m going to ride you like an amusement park ride,” Violet whispers, taking me out of my thoughts. She wraps her armsaround me from behind and kisses the middle of my back. “Best dinner party ever. Even helicopter brother didn’t bring down the mood. I can’t prove it, but I’m convinced he’s the one who manipulated an invitation here tonight.”

“He did. Vickie mentioned it,” I admit, and she groans.

“What is that guy’s problem?” Violet asks.

I turn to face her and pull her into my body. “I’d much rather go back to the topic of you ridin’ me.” I lean down and kiss her. She opens her mouth to me, and I lift her off her feet. She wraps those long legs around me and we deepen the kiss.

“Someone’s ready,” she says, likely feeling how hard I am already.

“I’ve been ready all night, and you’re gonna get it so good, your neighbors will complain.”

“That’s only because they’ll be so jealous. Especially when they hear me moan Charlie.” She lowers her head, licks the shell of my ear, and moans. “Charlie.”

“I don’t think I can make it to the room.” I slide one hand up her dress and cup her firm ass. Her mouth returns to mine, but we’re soon distracted by a loud knock on the door. “You think the neighbors are jealous already?” I joke, but the knocking never stops. It gets louder with each pound on the door.

I reluctantly put Violet on her feet, but she rubs her body against mine along the way, and that only stokes the fire inside of me. She looks down, bites her lip, and touches me over my jeans.

“I think you better get that, darlin’. I need a minute to calm down.” She giggles and walks to the door. I turn my back and take a few deep breaths to try and bring my erection down.

“Where the fuck is my wife?” I hear a man ask. I turn just in time to see a blonde, white man of average height stomping through this apartment as if he has a right to be here.

“Get the hell out of my house, Spence,” Violet says. I quickly get my wits about me and approach this man. I think back to that name, and when I see the anger in his blue eyes, it clicks.

“Terri’s not here,” I say to him. “You need to leave now. You heard the lady.”

“I don’t respond to country hicks,” he says, dismissing me. “Of course, she can’t do any better than you. She could never get your brother.”

“Excuse me?” Violet says. “That’s funny coming from you. Didn’t your wife serve you with divorce papers today? As if his brother would have a chance in hell with me.”

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