I’m dressed and ready to leave, but my thoughts are holding me back, worrying about looking like a fool. The what-if game plays on my mind in repeat format. Do I look like I’m trying too hard is the current woe-is-me concept. I’m in a white tank top that’s slightly cropped, paired with loose linen olive-green overalls—not the jean kind either; this is all soft material, something you could practically sleep in, and of course, Beach Babe carries it. The leather sandals on my feet are the only thing not from our store. Well, minus my undergarments, and that’s because I’m a snob when it comes to bras and panties. Beach Babe sells bralettes, and sure, they’re cute, but when your boobs are bigger than you’d like them to be, it kind of doesn’t work in your favor to bend down and have a tit pop loose.
I have my phone in one hand, keys in the other. My travel mug that’s the size of my head is sitting on my entry table, since I never left my house without it. My purse, yeah about that; it’s either in my car or I left it at the boutique. Damn thing is always being left behind. My phone chiming makes me stop walking back and forth from the front door towards the living room.
Kels: Where are you? You better not chicken out!
It takes me a few seconds to come up with a reply. During that time, the bubbles appear on my screen after I unlock it to type out my own response, then Kelsey’s disappear to reappear again.
Me: I take it back. I’m staying home. So what if I can’t ever orgasm again? There are some women who go years and years without sex. I’ll just tell my vagina to get used to it.
Kels: Sure, so you’ll basically become a nun besides being devoted to the church, then? We’ll see how long this lasts.
Me: I’m serious, Kelsey. It’s been months. What’s years anyways.
Kels: Well, if you don’t move your ass to my place, I’ll be forced to take matters into my own hands.
Me: You wouldn’t!
“I love my sister, I love my sister,” I say out loud. Not like she can hear me, but it helps calm my nerves all the same.
Kels: I will. You know I will. You gave me the push when it came to Deke. Consider this the same thing. Besides, Deke already mentioned to Tate that you’d be stopping by ;)
Me: Fine. I’m leaving now.
She’s broken girl code, I can already tell, especially if Deke has talked to Tate. Clearly, my sister is a traitor of epic proportions.
Kels: About time. Move it along, sister. I’ve got us set up on the back deck, and alcohol is involved.
I don’t respond. Instead, I’m walking towards my front door, grabbing my water, and heading out the door. I guess it’s now or never. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? I could make an ass out of myself and Tate not be interested, or we can both agree that mutual orgasms are much more fun. Either way, if it’s a losing situation, it’s not like I’m unprepared for it. Months, I tell you, I’ve gone without, and if he’s up for it and there’s a winning side, I’m sure the fun we’ll have together will more than make up for the lack of O’s I’ve achieved lately.
CHAPTER FOUR
tate
It’s been an hour, and there hasn’t been one sight of the woman who seemed to snatch more of my attention than anyone ever has before. I’m two beers in, a hundred dollars down, and have not won one single hand. I could blame it on the lack of sleep, the fact that I’m not home near as much as I’d like to be, or any number of things really. That’s not the case. My mind is everywhere else, and it has to do with the brown-haired beauty who was supposed to be here, but as the night wears on, it doesn’t look like she’ll be making an appearance.
“All-in,” Deke replies. He’s going to be taking all our money.
“Fold,” I reply. I have shit for a hand, no use in attempting to salvage it right now.
“Draw,” Joey, another one of the subcontractors we all work with, responds. That leaves one last person. Hard to tell what he has going on with the sunglasses he’s got on his face.
“Call.” Well, shit. I didn’t expect that from Davis, that’s for sure. Usually, he’s the one who sits quietly, doesn’t say a word, and never wins either. Seems tonight will be different.
Joey gets a card from the deck, doesn’t like what he’s working with, and folds, leaving Deke and Davis to win the pot. I block them out, my mind everywhere but at this table, thinking that the second Em walks through that door, if at all, I know what I’ll be doing. Keeping that night quiet has long since come to an end. It’s no one’s wedding now, and while I’m not sure about long term, when it comes to the two of us, I’m willing to see where things go without putting a label on it.