Shame Me Not

The place was fun and the food was good. About halfway through the night, after the plates were cleared, an indie rock band took the stage. The music was great and I knew Ana loved it when I looked over and saw her bobbing her head to the beat.

“You like this kind of music, Andrew?” I asked.

“It’s not bad,” he shrugged. “I’m more a fan of classical music or country.”

I barely choked back a laugh knowing how much Ana hated country music. I was saved from a response when Katelyn spoke. “Kevin loves this music. He drags us to Warped Tour every summer.” She turned to me and added, “Remember the last year we all went? Man, we got so drunk. Kevin and Will ruled most of the mosh pits. He said he was making up for all the ones he had to pass up in high school when he couldn’t get injured because of soccer.”

“Those were some good times,” I said. “Warped Tour is definitely an experience I would hate to miss.”

“Yeah, then you almost got into a fight when that guy tried to cop a feel.” She slapped her hand on my shoulder and leaned in. “My hero saved me, and I let him cop a feel later,” she winked at Ana. I wanted to put my hand over her mouth and tell her to shut up.

“The festival sounds like an interesting place,” Andrew said. “My family wasn’t much into anything outside of classical and Broadway. However, we are donors to the Cincinnati Arts Association and get a lot of benefits with the Aronoff Center. My mom believes in supporting the classical arts. You’ll have to come to a Broadway show,” he said, turning to Ana.

“That sounds pretty fancy.” It was a dick comment that hinted at him being snooty, but whatever.

“Nothing too fancy,” he laughed, waving it away. “My mom believes in running charities and getting the benefits from it. She calls it multitasking. She’s good at that, running her charities and the household. Makes my dad’s life easy.”

“She sounds amazing,” Ana said.

“She is. She would love you.”

Ana smiled and looked away, blushing from Andrew’s praise. Although what mom wouldn’t love Ana?

“Ana’s pretty easy to love,” I interrupted the side conversation and the love-stare he was sending her way. He turned to me with pinched lips, but was too polite to call me out on it.

“How long have you guys known each other?” Andrew asked me.

“She moved in next door when she was sixteen. Became my best friend almost instantly.” I didn’t take my eyes off Ana as I answered.

“So, what happened to separate you two for so long?” Katelyn asked.

I watched Ana flinch and it felt like a slap in the face, knowing she was remembering that horrible night.

“Life,” Ana answered. “I moved away and . . . just life.”

“It’s the worst,” Katelyn responded rolling her eyes. “I lost touch with my best friend when I moved to college. Except, she tried to steal my boyfriend.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Ana said.

“Yeah, it was bummer. We used to sneak into movies when we were younger. You know, buy a ticket to one movie and then stay all day, hopping from theater to theater. We were such shits.”

As Katelyn continued talking about her loss of friendship, I snuck my foot across the space between Ana and me under the table and drug it up the inside of her calf. Her eyes shot to mine and I smirked as I kicked her knee out so I could reach her inner thigh. My smirk lifted to a full smile when a blush worked its way up her neck and into her cheeks.

“Have you guys seen any of the movies out?” Andrew asked. “Ana and I were talking about going to see The Gangster Squad. I know how she loves Ryan Gosling and she’s been talking about it all week.”

I dropped my foot and clenched my jaw. I hated the idea of them in a dark theater together. “No, I don’t get to the movies too often.”

“Oh, my gosh, Ana,” Katelyn exclaimed, pulling Ana’s attention away. “Have you seen Safe Haven?”

Ana cleared her throat before answering. “No. I haven’t really had time.”

“Oh, you have to. It’s so sexy. I swear I’d do anything for Josh Duhamel. I would even let him spank me.”

I had to hold back the laugh watching Ana’s eyes widen in panic. I just leaned back and let the conversation go.

“All right, truth time. Who would be into spanking?” Katelyn turned to me. “Kevin?”

I sipped my beer and settled on a noncommittal shrug. Katelyn shoved her shoulder into my side. She knew I would enjoy it. While I’d never bent her over my knee and spanked her, I had delivered some blows in the heat of the moment. When I didn’t answer, she winked at me. “Well maybe later we can give it a try.”