“No problem, dear, you take your time.”
“We can’t both go out there together,” Alicia whisper-yells at me.
“Why the hell not? This is your house.” I raise my eyebrow at her.
“She’s not gonna like the idea of me getting boned by another man while I’m carrying her son's child, is she?” I try not to laugh at how irate she’s getting; it’s a cute look on her.
“Well, she better get used to it ’cause I plan on boning you a whole lot more.” I snort a laugh, and she slaps me hard in the chest.
“Vike, this isn’t funny; what are we gonna do?” She wraps the towel around her and takes my hand to step out, and when I decide the floor’s still far too wet, I grab the other towel from the rail, and lie out to stop her from slipping.
“Vike, you need that one for you,” she panics.
“I don’t need no towel, darlin'.” I wait until she’s covered herself up before opening the door and proudly strolling ass-naked out into the hall.
“Mrs. Stowman.” I nod my head as I pass Greaser's mother in the hall, and when her eyes drop between my legs, her mouth gaping open, I smile to myself.
“Alicia...Alicia, are you okay?” I hear her concerned voice as I grab a clean towel from the laundry pile in our room, covering up and heading back out to lean against the door frame.
“I’m fine, Iris, honestly.” Alicia emerges from the bathroom, gripping her towel around her chest, all freshly fucked and dying with embarrassment.
“I, um…I… I don’t know if what you were doing is appropriate in your condition.” Iris clears her throat as if we’ve just committed a sin.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to walk into someone’s home without being invited inside,” I point out, wrapping my arm around Alicia’s neck and kissing her cheek when she walks past Iris to join me.
“Alicia. You’re pregnant with another man's child.” The old woman looks at her sternly.
“You didn’t seem to find the idea so disgraceful when you thought she was sleeping with that other man's brother.” I make another point that she can’t argue with.
“Vike!” Alicia stares up at me, still blushing, but also trying to hide the smile on her lips.
“I came to invite you over for dinner tomorrow night. In fact, I think we could make it a weekly thing. I’d like to ensure you're getting some decent meals.”
“I’m sorry, Iris, I have plans tomorrow night. The girls have all said we’ll hang out at the club to try and distract Peyt?—”
“I don’t like the idea of you being at that club, especially since it’s where Seggy was killed,” Iris interrupts.
“She’s safe at the club; I’d never let anything happen to her, to either of them.” I reach around her middle and place my hand over where the towel covers her stomach, and Iris looks away like she’s repulsed.
“I can see I’ve interrupted you both, and clearly my opinions don’t matter.” She raises her head high and starts striding toward the door.
“Iris, wait.” Alicia gives in and goes after her.
“Of course, your opinions matter, but as we said at breakfast the other day, some things just aren’t up to you.” I can’t help being proud of my girl for being strong. For too long, Greaser and Iris have exploited her good nature. “I like being at the club; all my friends are there, and Vike is right, he wouldn’t let anything happen to me. I appreciate your invitation to dinner, but it’s unnecessary. I’m eating healthy, and everything with the baby is fine.”
“And will the pair of you continue to…?” Iris looks me up and down like she’s pulling back the vision of me naked in her head.
“With all due respect, Iris, that is none of your business.” Alicia impresses me further when she holds her fuckin’ own.
“Seggy would turn in his grave if he were here to see this.” She pulls a tissue from her handbag and starts dramatically dabbing her eyes. “This is not the man for you, Alicia.” She shakes her head while I try to find any trace of a tear.
“Well, he’s the man I want, and he’s the one I’ve chosen. I’m sorry you don’t agree.” Alicia keeps walking toward the door and pulls it open.
“Please wait to be invited in next time you call,” she reminds her, and when Iris marches past her and huffs loudly on her exit, Alicia closes the door and bursts into hysterical giggles.
“I can’t believe you just did that.” She covers her mouth in horror.
“Well, walk into someone’s home uninvited, and you run the risk of seeing something you don’t like.” I shrug, wishing I could have captured the look on the woman's face when I walked past her, junk out swinging.
