Chapter 9
NINE
KENNEDY
Ihand Alyssa a case of champagne as I walk through their apartment door. “Thanks for having me.” I bend down to kiss her cheek. “Happy New Year to my favorite pillow princess,” I joke. I know she’s the more dominant one in their relationship.
I’ve spent a lot of time with Alyssa and Shay in the past few weeks. Everyone else went home to their respective families, but they stayed in town and adopted me as a would-be family member.
She smiles up at me with amusement. “I’m no pillow princess. I’m a dommy mommy. If you remember, my nickname in college was the vagilante.” She flicks her tongue, complete with a piercing, suggestively.
I burst out laughing. “I did not know that, but I like the name. I wouldn’t mind a man with that nickname. I might as well date a woman. Every man I’ve ever dated is nothing but a little bitch.” I sigh. “Life would be so much easier if I were into women.”
She smirks. “It sure would. And Happy New Year to you too. Thanks for bringing all the champagne.”
“No biggie. I sent Booster out for it today.” I let out a laugh. “He’s only eighteen. It was a fucking riot watching him sweat it out at the liquor store. He’s so uptight. I love forcing him to do things that make him uncomfortable. Last week I made him give me a pedicure.”
She raises an unamused eyebrow. “I can’t believe you have an intern. I really can’t believe some of the shit you make him do.”
I smile. “I know. It’s the best. He does my laundry, irons, cleans, makes my bed in the morning, and basically runs all the errands I can possibly think of. He’s also our towel boy at the off-season workouts. He does every little thing I ask of him without a single complaint. It’s amazing.”
“It’s indentured servitude,” she responds.
“Pft. It’s a resume builder for him. Booster wanted the job. He loves the attention. I think he has a crush on me. It’s cute. It’s like having a dog without the hassles of walking him.”
“Isn’t his name Rooster, not Booster?” she asks.
“Yes, but I don’t like Rooster. It’s lame, and he’s super short. Booster is more fitting. That’s what I call him, and I’m the boss. Can’t argue with the boss.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re one of a kind. Come in. Everyone is hanging out in the living room.”
We’re all having dinner and drinks at Alyssa and Shay’s apartment before going out to celebrate New Year’s Eve at a karaoke bar. I’m so excited to let loose and have a good time.
It’s a Wednesday, and I guess my dad gave the guys tomorrow off because they’re primed to party.
The Camels are having a great season and have locked in the two-seed for the playoffs.
Their last game this upcoming weekend is meaningless for their playoff seeding, so I imagine most of the starters won’t play more than a quarter or two.
Everyone from our usual gang is here except Sulley.
We haven’t seen her since she left for Italy in October.
She’ll be back at some point in January.
I’ve missed her, but we talk on the phone all the time.
She’s been a good sounding board for me regarding my family issues, gently encouraging me to make amends.
Despite spending Christmas Eve with Alyssa and Shay, I begrudgingly spent Christmas morning with my family.
My father hosted. Unfortunately, my mother attended, but I mostly ignored her.
The tensest moment, however, didn’t come from her.
It came from an anonymous gift left for me under my father’s tree.
None of my family members seemed to have been in the know as to what it was and who it was from.
At some point, my father wanted to call in the bomb squad, but when I saw a red flag sticking out of it, I knew who it was from.
I asked my father if Daylen had stopped by during the week. He said yes, and he couldn’t figure out why.
I knew why.
I contemplated whether or not to open it up in front of my family, but curiosity got the better of me.
I should have waited.
I opened a huge box of what must have been a thousand of the FC2 female prophylactics. The ads came out last month, and I was hoping no one saw them. I certainly didn’t tell anyone about it. Of course Daylen saw it. It probably appeared on a porn site he watches. Dirty fucker.
I thought my father was going to die of embarrassment. My brother turned a bright shade of red. I didn’t bother to take in my mother’s reaction. I’m not sure she can react anyway with her skin so damn tight.
All things considered, Daylen’s retaliation could have been worse. I generously brought a gift for him tonight to thank him for his.
I take a few sniffs as I walk through the apartment and ask Alyssa, “Why does it smell like Fireball in here? Are you guys doing shots?”
She shakes her head. “No, you alcoholic, it’s a cinnamon candle.”
I let out a laugh. “Whoops. Is Champ here?” I ask hopefully. I haven’t fully given up on him. We’ve been hanging out for well over six months now, and I’ve never once seen him leave with a woman. I can’t figure him out. Maybe he’s shy.
She turns her head and blinks several times. “You do know he’s gay, right?”
“What?” I practically screech as I stop in my tracks.
“Champ is into men.”
My mouth opens and closes several times.
I’m in shock. I had no idea, but I know a certain someone who definitely did.
A lightbulb goes off in my head. That’s why he was so confident I couldn’t seal the deal.
That’s why he agreed to that bet. God, I despise him, and I truly hate that he pulled one over on me. I owe him.
I enter the living room to the sounds of loud laughter. “What’s so funny?” I ask.
Daylen smirks in his loud, neon, obnoxious New Year’s sweater paired with jeans that look like they came from The Gap. “I’m a funny guy, and I told a funny joke. Is having a sense of humor a red flag of yours?”
I roll my eyes. “A bad one like yours certainly is. What sixteen-year-old boy joke did you tell them?”
“What’s a porn star’s favorite drink?” he asks.
I cross my arms. “What?”
“7UP in cider,” he answers while laughing at his own joke.
I sigh. “You’re an idiot. Speaking of people who could never be porn stars, I brought you a holiday gift to thank you for the one you kindly left for me…in front of my family.”
“How…thoughtful,” he tentatively says as he stares at my chest when I remove my jacket. “Are your tits getting bigger?”
“They’re filled with rage just for you.”
He nods. “I had a wet dream about you last night. A different kind of wet. I pissed myself laughing when you fell off a cliff.”
I ignore his stupid joke and stare at his sweater. “The eighties called. They want their sweater back.”
He gives me the finger before motioning his head toward my expensive fur jacket. “Do you know how many animals had to die to make that pretentious jacket?”
I shrug. “Probably the same amount I fucked to afford it,” I quip back while smiling innocently as I hand him the box from my jacket pocket.
His eyes rake over me skeptically, but he takes it from me. “I’ll hold off thanking you until I see it.”
He opens it, and all the guys start laughing when it’s revealed. It’s an exact replica of the tiny dick I was able to get Booster to make appear authentic online. The one with Daylen’s number and the Camels logo.
Daylen rolls his eyes. “You suck. You have no idea what you’re talking about. Did you know my penis used to be in the Guinness Book of World Records?” He pauses for several beats before continuing, “But the librarian asked me to take it out.”
The guys all spit in laughter, but I exhale a long breath. “You’re such a joke.”
“Want to hear a joke about my penis? Never mind, it’s too long.”
“Want to hear a joke about my pussy?” I immediately clap back. “Never mind, you’ll never get it.”
Vance shakes his head and mumbles, “I wish you two would fuck and get it over with.”
I’m about to tackle Vance for even considering that when Palmer throws her arm around me. “Hey. I’ve missed you.”
She’s been home in Texas for the past few weeks. She only just got back into town today.
I return her embrace. “I missed you too.” I take in her appearance. She’s wearing something we bought during our shopping spree. A purple, figure-hugging dress. This is the first time I’ve seen her in any of the clothes we bought that day. “You look great.”
She smiles shyly. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
I shake my head. “No way. I’m telling you, purple is your color. Your eyes look vibrant.”
As I look more closely, I realize she also attempted a bit more makeup than is normal for her. She didn’t do a great job, but I can fix this.
I grab her hand. “Come to the bathroom with me.”
Ten minutes later, we emerge with my latest masterpiece on my arm.
Beau’s face when he sees my work is priceless.
I know she’s been crushing on him, but now I’m starting to wonder if he returns the sentiment.
I’m not sure Palmer can handle a beast of a man like Beau Fudd, but crazier things have happened.
We sit around eating the sushi platters and other food Shay and Alyssa provided while toasting with full glasses of champagne. It’s fun having a group of friends like this.
We chat a bit about the Camels’ season. The guys are excited about it. We’re all planning to go to their first playoff game in two weeks.
We also talk a bit about our upcoming trip to Vegas in March for the NCAA basketball tournament. It’s a huge sports and party weekend in Vegas. Apparently, the Camels and the WAGs go every year and have a blast.
Layla invited our group to join in on the fun, and I can’t wait. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s expensive and I’ve never been able to do so.
Layla has planned everything from the swanky suites to the private jet taking us all out there. All I have to do is show up in my fabulous clothing. That’s something I can handle.