I drop my phone into my purse, making sure that it nestles snugly at the bottom so nobody can see any notifications when they pop up. I don't need any kind of embarrassing moments to happen during dinner. Then I head off to the back hall to wash my hands and tie my hair back before dinner.
As I come around the corner, I almost slam directly into August’s broad chest. He almost knocks the wind out of me as he emerges suddenly from somewhere in the back of the house. I gasp, trying to figure out if I'm falling or crashing into him or what, and he flinches, mumbling something about trying to find the bathroom as he darts past me, not even making eye contact.
After I wash my hands, I come back out to see Bunny has most of the Chinese food arranged on the dining room table, with serving spoons and chopsticks in a neat pile. I fix myself a bowl, glancing over it at August every few seconds to see what he's doing. I only see the back of his head. He seems completely enthralled with the game just like my dad.
“Food’s here, you guys,” Bunny calls out, shooting me a look. It seems kind of rude that they asked us to bring take out and then didn't even acknowledge that it was here.
Scowling, I wander back into the kitchen for a glass of white wine. Bunny follows me.
“Did he say something to you?” she asks me. “In the hallway or something?”
“Who? August? No… it was weird. He just rushed past me. I don't think he even looked at me.”
“Oh, okay,” she shrugs. “You just look pissed off or something.”
“No, it was just weird, like I said. And I don't think they’re being polite, ignoring us, but I guess… oh, I don't know. I'm probably just being touchy.”
“Don't overthink it,” she sighs. “My family hasn’t sat down and had a meal together in probably two years. It's not that big of a deal.”
“Yeah, I guess you're right,” I say as I lean back against the counter. After a moment or two, I feel the vibration traveling a
long the surface. Setting my bowl down, I reach into my purse and fish out my phone.
“What's that? Did you get a text?” she asks.
Chewing slowly, I nod. The notification says I got a response on Instagram, already.
“He answered you?” she whispers urgently. “While he was here? In your living room??”
“Yes, be quiet!” I whisper back as I open the app. I scroll down to the last message; it's a picture. I click on it to expand and suck in my breath, biting my lips together to keep from squealing.
“Let me see!” she insists.
I clap the phone to my chest and back away. “No way!”
She lunges for me with her hand out, but stops up short. I bend over protectively, twisting to keep the phone out of her reach.
“What are you guys doing?” August asks, striding into the kitchen with a scowl on his face. Bunny squeals in surprise and immediately starts choking on a mouthful of food. I clap her helpfully on the back, trying to dislodge it so she doesn't die in my kitchen.
August sighs and rolls his eyes, pulling a couple of beers from the fridge and opening them. When Bunny stands up straight again, red-faced and teary-eyed, he nods curtly at her and leaves the room.
Protectively, I drop my phone down the front my jeans, into my panties. I’m at least 60% sure she won’t go after it in there. Bunny gasps in surprise and outrage.
“Why would you do that? I wanna see!”
“I told you can't see it, and you can't see it!” I explain.
“Ugh! You suck!” she hisses.
“Be quiet!”
She stomps off, taking her food with her.
Chewing thoughtfully, I wait for my heartbeat to slow down. He sent me a picture, one that definitely evens the score. Though I only saw it for a second, it’s clear in my mind. He sent me a picture of himself, hard and ready. His penis was in his hand, his hand strong and solid against the most magnificent erection I've ever seen.
But what thrilled me even more was that I saw the background. The unmistakable pink bedspread. The frilly edge of the lamp shade.
He was in my room. Naked in my room. Right there, in my space.