She’d apologized. Told him he could sleep over at her house and she’d drive him to the airport the next morning. She’d even offered to collect snow by the roadside to ice his eye. But all of this was met with curt noes,that won’t be necessary,I prefer we get back as soon as possible.
Ceci cast aside any thoughts about Krispy Kreme burgers and deep-fried s’mores. Forgot about the guy who’d come up with the idea for the kart and seemed almost as happy as she was when they’d won. She tossed kerosene followed by a lit match on her memory of the guy who’d told that douchebag he didn’t mind having pussy all over him.
She swallowed as that last recollection ignited a flame between her thighs. Okay, she’d have to work harder to rid herself of that one.
“Looks to me like she’s more than happy,” she heard Aunt Delilah say.
Ceci shifted from Pixel’s face to her aunt’s. They were clearly waiting. She could practically see their furrowed brows forming a question mark.
“Okay,” said Pixel, “I’m really confused.”
“As am I,” Aunt Delilah said. “First you looked miserable. Then you looked ecstatic.”
“Ecstatic?!” Ceci cried.
“And now you look miserable again,” Pixel said.
“And angry,” her aunt added.
“Well, that’s hardly surprising given the company I had to keep.”
Pixel frowned. “Yeah, but you won the trophy and you were gone for hours. All day. So, what gives?”
“Sir Stick Up His Ass—that’s what gives.”
“I think this requires liquor,” Aunt Delilah said, “and no fancy cocktails. If we give it too much time, she’ll rethink telling us about it.” She pointed toward the bar. “Come on, Pixel.”
Pixel gaped. “Did you just call me Pixel?”
“What? Why would I do that? You need to get your hearing checked, dear. You get the glasses. I’ll get the hard stuff.”
When they were all sitting down with glasses of rye, Ceci took one sip followed by one gulp before she felt prepared to talk.
She told them about the Krispy Kreme burgers and the deep-fried s’mores, and they laughed heartily.
“Oh, and the scarf. I forgot about the scarf. You can have it if you want, Pixel. I put it in my purse.”
Pixel jumped up and retrieved the bag. “Nice,” she said, pulling out the scarf.
Aunt Delilah held out her hand. “Let me see that.” Once Pixel gave it to her, she ran her fingers over the delicate fabric. “Forget-me-nots,” she said, her eyes darting from the scarf to Ceci. “Put it on, Cecilia.”
Rolling her eyes, Ceci balked. “Can we just get to the race?”
“Yes, yes, yes,” her aunt said, waving her hands dismissively. “But first, put this on.”
Ceci sighed but took the scarf and wrapped it haphazardly around her neck. “There. Are you happy now?”
“Interesting,” her aunt said.
“Wow, it really suits you,” Pixel said.
“It does, doesn’t it?” Aunt Delilah agreed.
“I don’t wear scarves,” said Ceci, removing it and tossing it on the coffee table.
Pixel poured each of them a second round, and Ceci went on to tell them about the glory of the race before finally getting to the grand finale.
Pixel stared at her in disbelief. “You hit the man?”
