I just put it down to teenage romances and how they ran hot and cold. What sort of surprised me was that they’d been going out for over six months. When I thought back, that might actually be longer than I’d ever managed to keep a relationship from imploding. They received bonus points because they had done it long distance.
Everyone was still on Midwestern time, so I wasn’t surprised when they headed to bed early. Brook and I were left with Lexi, who’d come back from her parents’ house, and Tami. We picked up around the pool, and I started the dishwasher. The girls each grabbed a glass of wine, and I joined them in the living room, arriving in the middle of a conversation.
“I want sensual, mind-bending, raunchy, blazing-hot sex three times a day so that I physically can’t even wiggle my big toe,” Brook said.
Both Tami and Brook laughed when they saw the expression on my face. Lexi’s face was unreadable. They must have seen all the naughty thoughts that had just invaded my mind. Either that or they noticed Mr. Happy had perked up and was struggling to find room in the front of my shorts.
“And David can’t give that to you?” Tami asked, playing the straight man.
Brook gave me a challenging look.
“I’m still moving, and there are only a couple of hours left in the day. So, no, I guess not.”
“Sounds like I better get busy,” I pondered out loud and then pounced on Brook.
“Let me know if you need any help,” Tami said with a sideways look that was hard to read.
“I got this,” I said, intentionally playing dumb.
“Not you, ‘stupid boy,’ Brook,” Tami clarified.
“Oh, I got this. I’m woman enough to bring him to his knees,” Brook said, mimicking my deep voice. Then she saw my expression. “Oh, crud!”
She barely got it out before I flipped her over my shoulder. Tami laughed as Brook shrieked in mock horror as I hauled her off to bed.
“Have fun,” Tami called as we left.
I glanced over my shoulder, and I saw a sad expression touch Tami’s face when she didn’t know I was looking. She must have been playing the ‘that could have been me’ tape in her head. For me, I was happy with how everything had worked out. Speaking of work, I needed to rock someone’s world. Brook would learn she shouldn’t challenge me.
Then I glanced over at Lexi and almost stumbled. What I saw was nothing short of her shouting, ‘Do Me!’ with a look. She’d wanted to join Brook and me when we helped Halle out.
The problem was, I wasn’t in a sharing mood tonight. I wanted to make sure no big toes were moving when I got done. I was a man on a mission, and even Lexi’s expression wasn’t going to dissuade me from accomplishing it.
◊◊◊
Chapter 25 – Here, Hold My Beer Monday January 2
Brook was still asleep when I got up. I quietly left the room and wandered off to the kitchen to make myself some tea. I was a little surprised to see Tami and Pam up and eating some of the fruit I’d bought yesterday. Manaia had made himself a bagel.
“We surfing?” Manaia asked when he saw me.
“Can I come?” Pam asked, perking up.
“Sure. Go change and meet us out front.”
“I want to come too,” Tami said.
I’d had Manaia pick up some extra boards from Rita’s beach house for the week. Rita had already cleared my borrowing them. I knew Pam would want to go and wasn’t surprised that my tomboy friend would join us. It was good to see Tami hadn’t outgrown her old self.
The four of us had a great time. Manaia worked with Tami to teach her the basics, and she made a couple of nice runs before we were done. Pam looked like she had just gone surfing last week. I guess it’s like riding a bike; you never forget.
When we were done, we wanted a real breakfast, so I took them to my favorite diner for after-surfing munchies.
“David,” Pam said as she touched my arm.
I looked at her and smiled when I saw her with a little pout on her face. This was either going to cost me money or test my resolve that I was only dating Brook.
“You’re in trouble,” Tami said from across the table.
“Yes?” I said, falling into our routine.
“Would it be okay if Tracy and I bailed on the outing today?” Pam asked.
“What do you girls have planned?” I asked.
“I want to show her around LA.”
“And?”
“Coby might need a few things.”
I’d shared with Tami how Pam thought that things for her were really for Coby. Tami barked out a laugh at the little deception.
“What does Coby need?” I asked.
“I don’t really know, but I will when I see it,” Pam assured me.
“Do you have your debit card with you?”
“Yes.”
When she was pregnant with Coby, I’d given her a debit card so she could get what she needed. She’d had it ever since and was good about not abusing it. Pam didn’t hesitate to whip it out if the boys really did need something, which I encouraged.
