Page 42 of Lawless
"I doubt that," I remarked. "Sadistic bastards don't know how to play nice with anyone."
Jandro nodded his agreement before he carefully snuffed out his cigar and placed the remainder back inside Reaper's box.
"And with that, gentlemen, I'll say goodnight. Gotta make sure Shadow hasn't destroyed half the shit in my house again."
"The fuck?" I coughed up a cloud of smoke in surprise. "I thought he was drinking until he passed out every night?"
Jandro shook his head. "It's just making his tolerance go up higher and higher. Last night I woke up to him sleepwalking and his bedroom looked like a bomb hit. Just broken shit everywhere," he sighed, rising to his feet. "I feel bad for the guy. I know he can't help it but fuck. I'm getting tired of replacing broken shit, you know?"
"Maybe Mariposa has something he can take," I mused, thinking back to her cute smile and pretty blushing face. And the way she touched my hand while fixing up my cut. She didn't take me up on kissing it better, but I was satisfied with her blush and her smile.
"Mm,Marrriposa," Jandro said just before polishing off his glass of whiskey. "Why do I get the feeling she's either going to cure us of everything, or be the downfall of us four?"
"'Cause you've been watching too many old chick shows," Reaper scoffed.
"Hey,Supernaturalis high quality entertainment, asshole! Doesn't matter if that shit is nealy a hundred years old now, it's fucking timeless."
"If you say so, dude," I chuckled as I exhaled smoke.
"Anyway," Jandro sighed. "See you boys in the morning."
Reaper and I mumbled our goodnights as he walked off toward his house, then a companionable silence fell over us. Reaper wasn't much of a talker. He was too busy thinking about, well, everything. But it was that kind of quiet, stoic leadership that earned him the title of president.
"Mariposa knows she's coming," I reported after a few moments. For some reason, I didn't feel right calling her Mari in front of him. It felt too familiar.
"You told her." Reaper stated it like an observation rather than a question.
"Yes," I answered. "Since you are apparently avoiding her."
He coughed out a dry laugh. "I knew someone would tell her. I just wasn't sure if it would be you or Jandro."
I chose not to answer, helping myself to a couple fingers of whiskey instead while feeling his eyes on me the whole time. No matter how cool I played it, he always saw through me.
"I don't mind, you know," he said in response to my silence.
"Mind what?" I allowed the whiskey to burn a trail of warmth to my stomach.
"Sharing her." His eyes smoldered. He was completely serious.
"What," I choked, "the fuck?"
"Only with you and Jandro." Reaper's lip curled. "As long as you remember she was mine first."
"Reaper, dude." I scrubbed a hand down my face, trying to make sense of this. He grew up with one mom and three dads, so I knew he was used to the whole sharing one woman thing, but that culty feminist shit was too fucking weird for me.
"I was just messing with her, man, " I told him. "Making her blush and smile and shit. I'm sure Jandro was, too. She's new and pretty, so it's just fun. I'm not trying to—"
"She should have more than one man," he continued, not looking at me anymore. It seemed more like he was talking to himself. "Mom would say she has thehechiza. I realized it the other day."
He lost me for good there. I shook my head. "Man, I know y'all got something more than just bumpin' uglies. I don't know how you can be willing to share her but not Heather."
Reaper returned his gaze to me with a scowl. "It's not the same as just passing a service girl around. A woman has to be worth bonding with multiple men. It's...sacred." He shifted in his chair. "Heather grew up in the same environment as me, but she doesn't hold those same qualities. Not to me, anyway."
I poured one more glass and downed it. Our fearless leader liked to wax philosophical sometimes, and I couldn't begin to comprehend everything going on in his head. I was a simple guy. I liked weapons, women, and getting a great deal. Reaper and Jandro could sometimes talk for hours about what led to the Collapse and life's other great mysteries but that shit was way over my head. So was the whole sacred woman mumbo jumbo.
"Thanks for the cigars, Reap." I ashed mine carefully and stood up. "I'll see you in the morning."
Aside from a small nod and a grunt, he barely seemed to notice I was leaving.
