Page 44 of Call Out
“She’s twenty-one. There’s only a seven year difference. I’m not Hefner.”
“You're close enough to it, buddy.” Johnny chuckles. “Anyway, next thing you know, she’ll bribe you with sex. ‘Clean the toilet, Johnny, and I’ll suck you off’.’” He mocks his wife’s girly articulation.
“Never talk like that again. Especially when you’re wearing an apron and serving up food.” My teeth sink into buttery soft steak. “You were right. This…” I chew slowly. “Isthe bomb. I’ll confess my love foryouat this rate.”
Johnny’s laugh booms. “I love you too, buddy.”
Meat sticks in my throat. Haunting memories crash the party. This is happiness. A second chance at friendship. I don’t deserve it. Not now, not ever. I’m waiting for karma to land a ton of bricks on my bright mood. “Viv can bribe me with sex any day. I’ve hosed out an ambulance after the drunks have puked. Cleaning a toilet ain’t a hassle.”
Johnny reaches behind his back and unties the apron strings. “Has she met your parents yet?”
Here we go. The subtle get to know you chit chat. “Not yet. My mom would expect babies and wedding bells on the horizon if I told her about Viv.” I glance back at her again. It's not that I don't want those things, I’m just apprehensive about wishing. “How long did you wait before you introduced Tara to your family?” I look back at him, eager to understand the wise ways of a married man.
“Two days.” Johnny shakes a bottle of Peri Peri sauce. “When you know, you know.”
“Two days?” I repeat.
“Why wait?”
An ear-piercing scream kicks off the mother of all kid tantrums from indoors. I swivel around to witness Viv tripping over an abandoned toy rhinoceros. Her full glass sways, and the wine splashes over her hand. “Ooopsie.” She giggles out the word with adorable surprise. “There’s my guy.” Avoiding abandoned toys like landmines, she navigates the deck. “Tara had to take Max upstairs. They were fighting over a squishy octopus.”
Every step is exaggerated and her nose wrinkles with concentration. “I’m sooooo hungry. We shared a salad and a cupcake. That smell is yummy.” Viv bounces into my chest, reaches her free hand up and tugs my face down so she can bite my lower lip. “You’re yummy.” Her hips buck into mine and a sexy little groan escapes her throat, rocketing straight to my dick. Releasing my captured lip, she stares up at me like a startled kitten. Lashes flutter and her eyes expand. “I swear, I haven't drunk that much. Look.” She waves the wine glass. “It’s still full. I’ve taken my time, with small sips. It’s weird how every time I look down, it's full.”
“That's the sign of a wonderful hostess.” Johnny stuffs a wiener into a bun and smoothers it in ketchup. Milo grabs the hotdog and drips red goop all over his clean top. “The Cox’s know how to throw a good bash.”
Viv leans into me and presses her cheek to my heart. “Is this what drunk feels like?” A hand drifts to my ass, and she mumbles, “I’m so horny, and my head hurts.”
“You’re dehydrated.” Fuck. I should’ve kept a closer eye on her. “We’re leaving.” I remove the glass from her swaying hand and set it on the table. “Thanks for having us, Johnny.”
“Anytime. I’d leave with you if I could.” Johnny tips his bottle of beer, his shoulders rise as he smirks. “I’ll be snoring by nine with a small person’s knee wedged into my spine. Make the most of it.”
“No, wait.” Viv jerks back and flicks a curl away from her face. “We can’t leave yet. I’ll help you clean up.”
“Forget it, sweetheart,” he replies, smiling at Viv and patting my shoulder. “We’ve got it. That’s why we had kids, so they’d tidy up after us. I’m teaching Max to open a bottle of beer with his teeth. He’ll lose those baby teeth eventually, so it doesn't matter if they break now.” Johnny winks at me and grins.
Viv doesn’t respond. She kicks off her shoes and tries to reach down to collect them. As she lowers, she tips into my zipper.
“Easy tiger, there’s a sex starved adult present.” Johnny laughs. “Wait until you get home, or I’ll get all sorts of ideas,” he jokes.
The skin on Viv’s chest pinks, rising to her hairline. “I’m—my shoes,” she slurs.
I hunker down, greeting her at eye level. “I’ve got them.” Collecting her heels in one hand, I secure her bicep with the other, steadying her as we rise together.
Johnny elevates his fist for a pump, so I waggle my elbow instead. There’s no way I’m letting her stand unaided. The urge to get her home safely has syphoned into a weighty responsibility. It’s not an issue for me at all, because I’ll do whatever it takes to get her home without a scratch.
“Tell, Tara, I had a wonderful…” Viv veers towards the door jamb. I swiftly navigate her away, slotting myself between her body and the frame. “That spritzer she gave me was endless.” She giggles.
Leaving the Cox’s place, Viv hiccups. “I’m so sorry,” she groans, tiptoeing over the pavement. “I’ve embarrassed myself and you. They went to all that effort.”
Fuck, she’s not wearing shoes. “Viv, there’s nothing you could ever do to embarrass me. You’re allowed to let loose, and it’s my job to make sure you’re okay when you do.” I can’t give her a piggyback because her skirt will ride up her fine ass. So I sweep her up, folding the back of her knees over my arm. She squeals with the quick movement and wraps her arms around my neck.
“It’s not your job.” She sighs with a breezy breath of honeyed alcohol. “You’re off duty.”
“When we’re together, you’re mine to look after. I’ll always take care of you, Viv. I promise.”
A slight hum of contentment whispers in the late evening air. I’m such a fucking hypocrite.I’ll always look after you, Viv.Will that be the case when I offload my burden and her heart shatters along with her opinion of me?
With her head nestled in close, my thoughts drift as they always do in quietude.
