“Did he say anything to you? He seemed off tonight.” Cami rests her hands on her belly that is now more than just a bump.
“No. Not really. I didn’t notice anything.” I look anywhere but at Cami because she’ll see the lie in my eyes if I do.
“Hmm. I wonder if he broke up with that girl he’s been seeing.”
“What? How do you know he was seeing someone?” My hands shake and sweat pours down my chest.
“Day said she thinks he has a girlfriend because she saw them sneak a smooch. But she won’t say who it is. That little bugger wouldn’t spill the beans even for a new pair of boots. Uncle Hayes is her cohort, so she refuses to tattle on him.” I chuckle awkwardly and nervously and squeeze past Cami. “We need to find him a girlfriend.”
I nod but my mouth is stuck shut. She runs her fingers through my messy hair, just like she used to when we’d stay up late having girl talk. She was a natural at playing mom even all those years ago.
“You know,” she continues as we pause in the kitchen. “At one time I really hoped you two would get together.”
“Why?”Way to play it cool, Cat.
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Just thought it would be fun if we married brothers. Little girl fantasies I suppose, but it didn’t stop me from wishing them.”
“So would that make you my sister or my sister-in-law?” She pinches my arm with an eye roll. “I guess I could see how that would be fun.”
“Yeah. But then I realized that he’s probably not your type.” She slides her arm into the crook of mine and begins walking back outside.
“Why do you say that? Hayes is handsome. Isn’t that everyone’s type?”
“Yes, dear sister, it is. What made me think he wasn’t the one for you was really just based on your past relationships. They’ve all been professional business men who wore suits and golfed on Fridays with clients. And, according to you, dull as a doorknob.Maybe a, what did you call him?” She squints her eyes, sifting through the many nicknames we all bear.
“Jolly Rancher,” I mumble.
“Yes! Maybe what you need in your life is a Jolly Rancher to make you…jolly.”
“Who’s making what jolly?” Vivian comes hopping into the kitchen as if someone wished her to life by simply saying a dirty magic word.
She’s like a little nympho elf who wants to spread the joy of orgasms and cheer of moans to everyone.
“I told Cat that I thought she and Hayes would hook-up one day.” Cami picks up a candy cane and peels back the plastic.
“Ooo, yes. You could use a good stiff one from a man who rides bareback and carries a big whip.” Viv also grabs a candy cane and examines it, probably wondering the consequences of peppermint vagina.
“What are you talking about?” I watch her as she slides the candy cane through a small hole she makes with her fingers.
“Don’t be dense. Hayes wears tight jeans and you can’t hide a big schlong like that. Plus, Cami told me what Vaughan is packing and brothers share more than just DNA. Kinda makes me wonder what Daddy Jim’s got hiding underneath those creased khaki’s.”
“Vivian! Do not ever say that about my father-in-law again. Oh my god, you really have issues. I’m going to stick soap in my ears and hope I can wash away the thought.” Cami drops the candy cane, looking at it with disgust, and walks away.
“So…whatd’ya say? Wanna ride Hayes bologna pony?” Viv bites the candy cane in half and waggles her brows.
I shake my head, sagging my shoulders and thinkingif she only knew. “Cami’s right. You have issues.” I pat her shoulder and head out back.
Behind me she shouts, “Maybe so, but at least I’m screamingswing batter batter, swingnightly.”
Phoenix takes two steps inside, hears his woman’s voice, and quickly retreats. “I don’t want to know.”
I stare out at the happy faces of my friends, Dagen running up to Cami as she returns, and want to violently kick my own ass. I have this, waiting for me to just say the word, and I’m stalling.
I guess the biggest hurdle holding me back is our friendship. I’m terrified that if it ends, where does that leave us? Look at Bishop!
He sits on the outside, cast away by the people he called family because he fell in love with the wrong person. Or the right person, depending on how you look at it.
That could easily be me. Sure, I’ll get to see Cami and Vaughan, but Viv and CeCe are Cami’s friends first and they’ll always choose her. And Hayes has Vaughan who wouldn’t betray him. I’m the easiest one to remove.
