Page 155 of Happy Hour

“Goddamn it,whyare you always so stubborn?”

“Because it’s funny to me that you’re freaked out that you attracted an animal with your bestial noises.”

By then, we were almost at the car. I could see Aiden and Emma sitting in the back seat. “I wasn’t making bestial noises, was I?”

“Yes, not that I’m complaining...I’m just saying that’swhythe animal came out to play.”

“All right, that’s enough.” He smacked my ass. “Get in the car, slowly.”

The cougar followed but made no attempt to chase us. I think she was more curious than anything,andattracted to Jameson.

Once we reached the door, we both jumped inside the car and locked the doors. Briefly, I thought, obviously a cougar can’t open the door. You never know though.

“Is that a fucking cougar?” Emma screeched from the back seat, climbing in Aiden’s lap. “Oh my god!”

“No, it’s a German shepherd.” Jameson scrunched his nose looked around. “What the fuck is that smell?”

It was strong; Jameson and I both immediately started gagging.

“Don’t be a dick!” Emma slapped his shoulder, the one she stabbed. “It’s Aiden and it’s not his fault.”

Jameson spun around in the seat, his expression furious. “If you fucking hit me again—I will shave your head when you’re sleeping and burn all your clothes!” he looked towards Aiden. “Why do you smell like that?”

Emma answered for him. “He was sprayed by Pepe.”

“Get out, you stink.” Jameson motioned for him to get out.

“There’s a fucking cougar standing outside.” Aiden yelled. “I’mnotgetting out.”

Emma slapped the back of Jameson’s head. “Don’t talk to him like that.”

Jameson started to climb in the backseat, as if he was actually going to attack his sister.

I grabbed his arm before he made it over the center console. “Christ almighty, you two act like children.” Once he sat back down, I sat back drawing my legs up. I had a feeling we were going to be here a while. “Just stop it.”

“She started it.” Jameson mumbled staring out the window at the cougar who was sitting outside his window.

I wasn’t sure when he said, “She started it” if you was referring to the cougar or Emma. The cougar seemed have some sort of predilection towards him. And Emma, well there were no words for her.

After a few minutes, I began to realize the smell was just unbearable.

“Aiden,” I whined feeling as though I would die if I had to continue to smell himanylonger. “At least take your pants off or something.”

“What?” Jameson snapped coldly, glaring at me.

“For the smell,” I explained quickly. “If it’s on his pants then maybe it won’t smell so bad if he puts them outside.”

“She’s right.” Jameson nodded turning towards Aiden behind me. “Take those fucking things off and throw ‘em outside.”

Aiden shrugged reaching for his belt. Jameson turned around and looked at me to see if I was looking.

I just giggled again, amused that he would actually think I would want to see Aiden’s camshaft. He looked away and started the car so Aiden could roll down the window.

“Leave the windows cracked.” I suggested fanning my nose. It really did smellthatbad.

Aiden threw his pants out the window and quickly rolled it back up but left it cracked for much needed ventilation.

“We should just leave. It’s like four in the morning now and none of us have gotten any sleep.” Emma whined.

---