Sordid Games, page 10
“That doesn’t make you friends,” Frannie said.
“Well, it’s nice to make new friends,” Patricia replied. She was clearly flustered as she wiped her hands on her apron. “Daisy, if you’re done with the veggie platter, can you take it to the dining room? You can put it on the table and, if you wouldn’t mind, grab the china from the cabinet and start setting the table.”
“No problem,” I said.
“I’ll carry the platter,” Wes said. “It looks heavy.”
“Daisy doesn’t need your help carrying a vegetable platter,” Frannie said. “She’s not a weakling.”
“It’s called being a gentleman,” Wes replied as he picked up the platter. “After you, Daisy.”
“Thank you, honey,” Patricia said as Wes followed me out of the kitchen. “Set the table for nine please.”
“Nine?” I heard Frannie say. “Why nine? Mr. and Mrs. Baker make eight.”
I didn’t hear Patricia’s reply. Wes was right behind me and I was distracted by the smell of his aftershave. God, he smelled good.
The dining room was next to the living room. Wes set the vegetable platter on the table as I crossed the room to the china cabinet. I had just opened the doors when Wes’ arm slipped around my waist and he pulled me back against him. He nuzzled my neck and cupped my breast, kneading it lightly.
“Wes, behave!” I whispered.
“You look very pretty in your dress, little flower,” he said.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“Wear it to my room tonight so I can take it off you.”
“One – Frannie would be suspicious if I went to bed wearing my dress and two – Owen won’t be sneaking into her room tonight,” I said. “It’s Christmas Eve, remember?”
His hand stilled on my breast and I heard the disappointment in his voice when he said, “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Me too.”
He turned me around and slipped both his arms around my waist before kissing me. I returned his kiss even though I knew it was stupid and dangerous. Any one of Frannie’s family could come walking in, but I couldn’t resist. Knowing that I wouldn’t be in Wes’ bed tonight was bumming me out. I’d grown used to sleeping against his warm, hard body.
Wes pulled back and cupped my face, rubbing his thumb along my swollen bottom lip. “I should have given you your Christmas present last night.”
“You got me a present? I didn’t get you anything,” I said.
“You didn’t have to,” he replied. “but now I don’t know when I’ll give it to you. You and Frannie leave the twenty-sixth, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Maybe Owen will sneak over tomorrow night.”
“Let’s hope,” Wes said.
He was bending his head to kiss me again when we heard Frannie’s voice drifting down the hall. “I told you, Mom, your pumpkin pie is amazing and everyone loves it. Don’t worry about it.”
Wes pulled away from me and I quickly turned and grabbed some plates from the cabinet. I handed them to Wes as Frannie walked into the room.
“Daisy, do you know – you still haven’t set the table?”
She joined us at the china cabinet and gave Wes a friendly shove. “Get your ass moving, Wes. The Bakers will be here any minute and you still need to change.”
Wes studied his t-shirt and jeans. “Why do I need to change?”
“Because you look like a homeless person,” Frannie said. “Go put on a different shirt, for God’s sake.”
She suddenly stopped and sniffed at me before glaring at Wes. “Jesus, Wes, how close were you standing to Daisy? I can smell your aftershave all over her.”
I immediately blushed, but Wes was saved from coming up with an excuse by Patricia entering the dining room. She stared at the three of us crowded around the china cabinet before studying the empty table.
“Do you think that with the three of you, the table might get set before dinner starts?” She asked.
“Sorry, Patricia,” I said. “We were, uh, talking.”
“It’s fine, dearest,” she said. “Wes, go and change your shirt please. Put on one with a collar.”
“Not you too,” Wes said. “What’s wrong with my shirt?”
“Just do as I say, please and don’t argue,” Patricia said. “The Bakers will be here any minute.”
“Fine.” Wes set the stack of plates on the table before leaving the room.
Frannie opened the drawer to the cabinet and began to pick out the silverware. “Wes is gonna be pissed, Mom. Cheryl isn’t his type.”
“Oh hush, he won’t be. Besides, Cheryl has changed a lot since high school. You’ll see.” Patricia hurried out of the room.
“Who’s Cheryl?” I asked.
Frannie laughed. “She’s the Bakers’ daughter. She went to high school with Wes and she’s still single. It’s why Mom’s invited them tonight for dinner – she’s doing her matchmaking thing.”
My stomach dropped, and I abruptly turned and started setting the plates at the table. “Do you think Wes will like her?” I asked.
“God, no,” Frannie said. “Cheryl isn’t what you would call blessed in the looks department, you know? Not that Wes is shallow about looks – you should have seen his last girlfriend, God, did that girl have a nose on her – but Cheryl was always kind of a bitch.”
“Oh yeah?” I wondered if Frannie could hear the relief in my voice.”
“Yep. Normally ugly girls are super sweet because they can’t use their looks to get what they want, but not Cheryl,” Frannie said with casual cruelty. “I can’t wait to see the look on Wes’ face when she shows up here tonight. She had a crush on Wes when we were kids.”
She suddenly rolled her eyes. “Of course, who didn’t have a crush on Wes when we were growing up. It was so gross to watch all my friends go gaga over him. He’s not even that good looking. It’s because he was always nice to my friends when other boys his age wouldn’t give them the time of day.”
“Your brother is a good guy,” I said.
Frannie nodded. “Yep, he is. He drives me crazy and sometimes I want to punch him in the face, but I love him. When push comes to shove, he always has my back.”
She started to place the silverware next to the plate and gave me an evil grin. “Want to make a bet with me on how long it takes Wes to figure out Mom’s trying to set him up with Cheryl? The guy is completely obtuse about shit like that. I say he doesn’t figure it out until after dessert. What’s your guess?”
Still feeling a little sick to my stomach, I shrugged. “I don’t know your brother well enough to make it a fair bet.”
Frannie gave me a curious look. “You okay, honey? You look pale.”
“I’m fine,” I said with a forced smile. “It’s all good, Frannie.”
“Okay.” Frannie stopped what she was doing and pulled me into her embrace for a hug. “Thank you again for doing this, honey. I know it’s been a real pain in the butt for you, especially sneaking down to the basement every night, but I so appreciate it. I love you lots, Oopsie.”
“I love you too, Frannie.”
She leaned back and pushed a strand of hair back from my face. “You won’t have to sneak to the basement tonight. I promise.”
“That’s great,” I replied. Frannie returned to the silverware and I looked out the window as disappointment flooded through me. I was pretty sure Owen wouldn’t be in Frannie’s room tonight, but now I had confirmation of it. I hadn’t realized until this moment how strongly I’d been holding out hope that I’d have an excuse to go to Wes tonight.
I sighed and moved to the cabinet to get the glasses. It was only one night. Owen was too much of a horndog to go two nights in a row without Frannie. Maybe I wouldn’t see Wes tonight, but I’d be back in his bed by tomorrow night.
Yeah, and then you’re leaving for home. What then? Even if Frannie eventually comes clean to her parents about dating Owen, if you think she won’t be pissed that you’re dating her brother, you’re fooling yourself. Besides, how would you explain it to the rest of the family?
I rubbed at my temples before grabbing a couple of wine glasses. I didn’t want to think about any of that. All I wanted to think about was how good I felt when I was in Wes’ arms. If we got the chance to be together tomorrow night, I’d talk to him and see if he was interested in dating. If he wasn’t, then none of the other issues mattered.
Wes
I should have known my mother was up to something the minute she told me to change my shirt. But I was wrapped up in trying to think of a way to convince Daisy to come to my room tonight anyway. It was stupid, but the thought of sleeping without her next to me was driving me crazy.
Stupidly, I didn’t even clue in when the Bakers first arrived. When mom ushered them into the living room, I was staring at Daisy’s legs and thinking about how it felt when I was deep inside of her with those long legs wrapped around my waist.
“Wes!” My mother said in a sharp voice.
I dragged my mind out of the gutter and stood up, giving her an apologetic look before reaching to shake Mr. Baker’s hand. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Baker. It’s nice to see you again.”
The older man laughed and gave my hand a hard shake. “I think you’re old enough to call us Ralph and Josie now, Wesley.”
I nodded and shook Mrs. Baker’s hand as my mother said, “You remember their daughter Cheryl. Don’t you, Wes?”
A woman stepped out from behind Mr. Baker and my jaw dropped. “Cheryl?”
“Hello, Wes.” Her voice was the same, a low purr designed to make men forget everything but what it would be like to be in her bed, and her eyes were still a shocking bright blue. But everything else was completely different. She looked nothing like the Cheryl I remembered.
I twitched in surprise when I reached to shake her hand and she brushed past it and hugged me instead. She’d been on the thin side in high school with small breasts and no ass to speak of. Now, her breasts were at least a triple D and they looked almost obscene on her small frame.
“It’s been a long time,” she said. “You look really good,” she said.
She was still pressed against me and I hastily took a step back.
“Thanks, Cheryl. You do as well.”
She pouted at me and I studied her mouth. Were her lips always that big?
“That’s it?” She said teasingly. “All I get is a ‘you look good’?”
“Uh, you look…different,” I said.
Cheryl’s face twitched and her eyes squinted up. After a moment, I realized she was trying to frown but the skin on her forehead remained stubbornly smooth. I watched in fascination as she scrunched her face more but nothing happened.
“Cheryl, would you be a dear and help Wes get the wine from the kitchen?” My mother said.
“I’d love to,” Cheryl replied. Her weird mouth turned up in a smile as she slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow. I stared at her hand for a moment before glancing at Daisy. She was staring at us and unlike Cheryl, I could clearly see the scowl on her face. I wanted to smooth away the cute little lines between her eyes with a kiss, like I was some sort of love-sick jackass in a romantic comedy.
“Wes?” My mother prompted. “The wine please.”
“Right, sorry.” Cheryl still clinging to my arm, I left the room.
Once we were in the kitchen, I gave Cheryl a polite smile and eased my arm out of her grip. Before I could open the fridge, she was standing in front of it.
“Uh, I need to get the wine.”
“In a minute.” She smoothed her now blonde hair with one pale hand. “So, how have you been, Wes?”
“Good,” I said.
“I hear you’re an engineer now.”
“Yes,” I said.
She stared expectantly at me and I said, “How about you? What are you doing?”
“Real estate agent. So, when you’re ready to move back home, I’m the girl you can call to find your house.” She laughed and crossed both arms over her torso. Her oversized boobs nearly spilled out of her low neckline and I hastily averted my eyes.
“Oh, I’m not moving back,” I said.
“That’s a shame,” she replied. “There are lots of good things about our little town. Did you know when we were kids that I had a huge crush on you?”
I cleared my throat. “Uh, no, I didn’t know that.”
“I did. Most girls at our high-school did. Golden boy Wes, right?”
“Um…” I had no idea what to say. “It was a long time ago.”
“Yes, it was,” she said. “Some crushes last a long time though.”
“I have a girlfriend,” I said. “Back home.”
“That’s funny, your mom said you were single and had been for quite some time. She told my mother she was really worried about you.”
I didn’t reply and Cheryl smiled at me again. Jesus, her teeth were so white. How the hell did she get them that white?
“We could be good together, you know. Why don’t we have coffee on Boxing Day. We can get caught up. Afterwards, you could come back to my place and maybe we can learn some new things about each other.”
My jaw dropped. “I’m sorry, are you asking me to….”
I trailed off and Cheryl laughed. “We’re both adults here, Wes. Yes, I’m asking you to come back to my house so we can have sex. I’m very attracted to you and I know that you’re attracted to me.”
I stared at her in stunned silence and Cheryl laughed again.
“I know I sound full of myself, but all men are attracted to me now. I have a lot of guys asking me out, Wes. I’m giving you an opportunity here that not many men get. You should take advantage of it while I’m - ”
She broke off as Daisy stomped into the room. She looked supremely pissed off and she glared at me before giving Cheryl a brittle smile. “They’re waiting for the wine.”
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Cheryl asked.
“She’s my girlfriend.” Frannie strolled into the kitchen. She put her arm around Daisy’s waist and kissed her on the mouth. “Cheryl, meet Daisy Morrison. Daisy, this is an old school friend, Cheryl.”
“Girlfriend?” Cheryl said. She eyed Daisy and Frannie for a minute before shrugging. “Not surprised. I always suspected you were a lesbo.”
Frannie scowled. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“You and Linda Rice were kissing in the art room in eleventh grade,” Cheryl replied.
Daisy glanced at Frannie who shrugged before stepping forward and poking Cheryl in the arm. “Move it, Cheryl. We need the wine.”
“Your brother and I are having a private conversation,” Cheryl said.
“Yeah, yeah, we heard. You want to bone him on Boxing Day,” Frannie replied. “Do me a favour and figure out when the two of you are going to bang when I’m not in hearing range.”
She gave Cheryl a little push on the hip and the woman frowned at her before moving so that Frannie could open the fridge. She pulled out the wine and handed it to Cheryl. “Take this to the dining room, would you?”
Cheryl took the wine before sliding her hand around my arm and leaning against me. “Will you show me where the dining room is, Wesley?”
“Third door on the left,” Frannie said.
“Please, Wesley,” Cheryl said.
“I’ll show you,” Daisy said abruptly.
Cheryl glanced at me before sighing. “Fine.”
She followed Daisy out of the room as Frannie rolled her eyes and leaned against the counter.
“Holy shit,” I said when they were out of earshot. “Does Cheryl look different to you?”
“Yes, you idiot,” Frannie laughed. “She’s had a shit ton of plastic surgery. I don’t think anything on her is real anymore.”
“She got a boob job, right?” I said.
“Yeah, and ass implants, a nose job, a chin job, and lip augmentation. Plus, she’s got so much Botox in her forehead, she won’t be able to frown for at least a decade.”
“Thanks for the rescue.”
Frannie shrugged. “Wasn’t my idea. I think it’s hilarious that mom is trying to set you up with Cheryl, but Daisy insisted on finding out what was taking so long to get the wine. It’s her you need to thank.”
I would, I thought fervently. The minute I had Daisy alone, she’d know exactly how grateful I was to her for saving me from Cheryl.
I felt like a creepy stalker as I followed Daisy down the hallway, but I was desperate to talk to her alone for a moment. She’d been acting weird since the moment the Bakers arrived. It was bad enough that Mom put me beside Cheryl at dinner, but the clear waves of anger radiating from Daisy were much worse.
She was just walking into the bathroom when I caught up to her. I caught the door before she could shut it and her startled look turned into a scowl. “Excuse me, I need privacy.”
“Daisy, we need to talk.”
“Do we?” She said.
“Yes.” I stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind me as she glared at me.
“What are you doing in here? Your entire family and the Bakers are down the hallway,” she said in a low voice.
“I don’t care,” I said.
“Well, I do. Get out of the bathroom,” she retorted.
I ignored her anger and pulled her into my arms.
“Hey, let go!”
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” I said. “Why are you angry with me?”
“I’m not angry with you.”
“Be truthful, little flower,” I said.
She looked away. “So, have you made your plans with Cheryl?”
“What plans?” I asked in confusion.
“Don’t be obtuse, Wesley,” she said.
“I’m not. I don’t have plans with Cheryl.”
“Boxing Day,” she suddenly snapped. “You’re stopping by Cheryl’s place for sex. Remember?”
She was jealous. A grin crossed my face. Daisy was jealous of me and Cheryl. She didn’t have anything to be jealous about, but holy shit, did it make me feel good that she was.
“Something funny?” She said.
“You’re jealous.”
