It isn’t until everyone’s phones start pinging that we realize it’s late afternoon.
“Oh, shitballs!” Violet jumps to her feet. “We gotta go! The guys are already on their way back to the house!”
Charlene, Sunny, and I chug the rest of our drinks and leave them on the coffee table.
“Why is winter so painful? Why are there so many zippers!” Violet says as we scramble around each other, trying to get our boots on.
“Our bags are still in the trunk,” Sunny says as we climb into the backseat.
“You’re staying at Alex’s tonight anyway. We’re all gonna be too drunk to go anywhere.”
“But I wanna sleep in my new bed.”
“They’ll be plenty of opportunity, trust me.” Violet pulls out and tears down the street.
She’s a freaking menace on the road. Sunny and I white-knuckle it all the way to Alex’s. I get a text about halfway there. It’s from Randy:
I can’t wait 4 * prison.
Other phones start dinging ten minutes later. Sunny checks her messages. “They’re already at Alex’s, Vi.”
“Fuckerdoodles.”
“I can always tell Alex I asked you to pick us up in the fun car,” Sunny suggests.
“He won’t believe you, and I can’t lie.”
I’m actually kind of interested to see how this is going to play out. Alex has a temper sometimes. I can’t see him getting super pissed about the car, but then maybe it’s a bigger issue than I realize. Or Violet’s being dramatic. Either option is possible.
We pull into the driveway, and Violet hits the button for the garage. She creeps in, checking the side mirrors a million times. The car jerks as she hits the brakes repeatedly, inching forward until she taps the garbage can in front of it.
She puts the car in park and cuts the engine. Shrugging out of her coat, she flails around. “I’m so sweaty.” Then she opens the top two buttons on her black-and-red plaid, fitted button-down shirt. “Watch how it’s done, ladies.”
Alex opens up the door to the garage as Violet gets out of the car. “Hey, baby!” she exclaims. “We totally lost track of time. I’m so glad you’re home!”
She runs over to him. It’s awkward; she’s got her shoulders back and her chest pushed out. She nearly trips up the three steps on the way to meet him as he comes down. She falls into him, throwing her arms around his neck. She’s practically popping out of her shirt.
“Hi, baby.” Alex isn’t looking at the car anymore. His eyes are right where Violet wants them. He runs his hands down her sides and stops at her ass.
Maybe they’ve forgotten we’re all here.
I look at Charlene and Sunny. As usual, Sunny’s focused on her phone. Charlene is grinning. I open my mouth to ask a question, but she puts her finger to her lips, signaling for me to wait.
Violet kisses the bottom of his chin, because that’s as high up as she can reach, even on tiptoes. “I missed you.”
Alex makes a noise, but dips his head and kisses her lips. “Me too. I hate being gone more than a week.” He rubs his nose against hers. It’s so sweet I want to gag. “You know I don’t drive The Colonel in the winter, baby.”
“I changed purses and couldn’t find my keys. I’m sorry.” Violet pushes away from him and his eyes go back to her rack. “Oh, the buttons on this shirt are the worst. I’ll put these away until later.” She winks.
“I can help.” Alex sticks his finger into her cleavage.
Charlene gives me a raised eyebrow and slams her car door shut. Alex jumps, like he’s just realized we’re all here. “Hey! Hi!” He jams his hands in his pocket and turns to the side. It doesn’t hide what’s happening in his pants. He untucks his shirt to cover the issue.
There’s a flurry of action and hugs, then Alex yells out for a hand bringing bags inside. I get as far as the hallway before I’m tackle-hugged by Randy. He lifts me right off my feet and buries his face in my neck.
“Hi.” I giggle-moan at the feel of his beard and his lips parting against my skin.
“I can’t wait to go to * prison,” he murmurs in my ear.
And just like that, I’m ready to get undressed and take him. Except we’re standing in Alex’s hallway, and our friends are here. Randy spins around and for a second I think I’m going to end up against a wall. Instead he carries me down the hall.
Everyone’s staring. Lance is slack-jawed. Miller’s got a frown going on, and Alex’s expression matches. Darren cocks an eyebrow.
“No way, Balls!” Miller shouts. “You and Lily aren’t allowed in bathrooms together!”
Randy doesn’t listen. He sidesteps through a door. It’s not a bathroom, though; it’s a laundry room. He tries to shut the door, but Miller’s leaning against it. He makes Alex look small and Randy skinny, which he’s definitely not.
Randy leans back, his arms straining. “I need a little something right here.” He sets me down and taps his lips.