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62bb360
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"Ignoring all the whispering couples around him, Vaughn taught me to bowl while I faked like I cared. We were both on the outs and I suspected he wanted to find a new buddy now that Judd was attached to his angel. Every time Tawny laughed, Vaughn's frown darkened. "You should be happy for them," I said as he guided me towards the alley. "I am. Fucking overwhelmed with happiness. Now, pay attention." When I flinched at his tone, Vaughn sighed. "It gets boring when your best friend is busy mating like a rabbit." "My best friend ditched me too, so I found new friends. Maybe you should too." "Crap no. Sounds like too much effort." I grinned. "You could play with Bailey. Here, she comes." Vaughn didn't even glance at the arriving blonde who threw her hands in the air. "I got dumped again! Men suck! I hate them all!" she cried, enjoying a hug from Tawny. "Who wants to set me up now?" "I thought you hated men," Tucker mumbled with his mouth full of a hot dog. "I do, but one of them has got to work, right? Everyone in the world gets someone good, but I get shit. It's not fair. I'm nicer than anyone ever." This comment elicited laughter from the crew including Vaughn who took my bowling ball and rolled it for me. "Look," he said," you got a strike. I'm an excellent teacher." "Best ever."
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nicest-ever
tucker
vaughn
bowling
teacher
men-suck
lark
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Bijou Hunter |
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f65a673
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"Where did you get your tat?" "Aaron's shop. You want to get a tat?" he asked, grinning as if this was hilarious. "I have one," I said, rolling the ball into the gutter. "It's not finished though." "How come?" "My brother interrupted the tattoo and I never had the money to get it done again." "No, I meant how come you're such a bad bowler? Is it genetic?" he asked. "Like do you come from a long line of people who can't make a ball roll in a straight line?" "You're hilarious." "I try, Pixie Dust."
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pixie-dust
vaughn
tattoos
lark
hilarious
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Bijou Hunter |
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e9bb670
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"Men suck," Bailey said, nodding supportively then frowning at Vaughn. "Why do you suck so much? Too much ball toxins?" "Sounds about right," he muttered, rolling another strike. "Girls get PMS. Guys get ball toxins. Common knowledge."
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ball-toxins
vaughn
pms
men-suck
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Bijou Hunter |
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8679541
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"What are we talking about?" Tawny asked as Judd rolled a ball, knocked over a few pins, then frowned like he might knock the others over with his angry glare. "Aaron's going to fix her tat," Bailey explained while Cooper and Farah wandered off. "He's an artist," Tawny cooed. "He made this angel on Judd." After Tawny showed me Judd's arm, she put her hand back to where she had a gorgeous tattoo of a fallen angel. "He's very talented," she added. "I'm excited to get my butterfly finished." "He'll do a great job," Bailey reassured, taking a ball from Vaughn and rolling it into the wrong alley. "Oops." "Idiot." "Be nice or I won't be nice," Bailey warned, glaring up at him. "I love feisty women," he said, smirking down at her. "Not interested. Blond men are usually stupid. Just look at my brothers. Anyway, I don't want a dumbass loser. I want a smartass winner." "You deserve nothing less," I said and Bailey smiled at me like I was amazing."
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tawny-and-judd
vaughn
lark
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Bijou Hunter |
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56e2534
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"In a booth, Bailey sat next to Vaughn while frowning at her drink. "I need a man!" she declared when she saw me. Vaughn glanced at her and sighed. "I'll do you, but no names." Bailey didn't get it, but I laughed while Cooper acted irritated. Aaron kissed the top of my head then walked over to get us drinks. "Why can't I trap a man into a relationship like you bitches?" she asked with complete seriousness. "Your subtly turns men off," Vaughn answered when I just smiled. "Bailey, maybe you could try being more obvious in your need to trap a man. Like wear a shirt with lots of exclamation marks." "Shut up, fuckhead. You don't have anyone either." "I have plenty of anyones." "Whores aren't attractive." Vaughn grinned. "You make it too easy sometimes, B." Cooper frowned. "Don't even think of saying what you're thinking." "What we're all thinking." Bailey frowned at me. "What the fuck are they talking about?" "It's one of those things that only makes sense when you have ball toxins." Bailey smiled and nodded. "That happens a lot around me. Want to dance?" "Not really." "Because you might puke?" "Why would she puke?" Vaughn asked, shoving a pretzel in Bailey's mouth. Cooper rolled his eyes. "Aaron can't use a condom properly." Returning just in time for his friend's comment, Aaron sighed dramatically. "I just have powerful sperm." "I was on the pill too," I said, sticking my tongue at Cooper who grinned. "His mighty sperm didn't care though." "You idiots don't get how the pill works," Vaughn said before realizing he sounded like a chick about to discuss her period. "Well, congrats, Aaron. You are now officially whipped like a bitch. How does it feel?" Aaron answered by kissing me like we might fuck right there."
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bailey
vaughn
cooper
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Bijou Hunter |
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05d535e
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"The chick last night marked you," he said, gesturing to my throat. "Might be a stalker. You'll want to prepare to wake up with your balls removed." "Raven might cut off my balls, but not because she's a stalker. More like she's just in a bad mood or gassy." Tawny looked at me then shook her head. "Oh, Vaughn. You're fucked." "Actually, I was and quite well. In fact, I think she bruised my hip bones." Laughing, Tawny cuddled against Judd. "When's the wedding?" Once Judd started laughing, I flipped them off and looked at my menu. "We're fuck buddies. Nothing more." Judd nodded. "Makes sense. A man of your stupidity couldn't handle a relationship. Best to keep your life simple." "She's hot. That's all I care about." "She is hot," Tawny said, smiling easier now. "She could probably land a rich guy with those looks." "Did you just call me poor?" "I only mean she could get someone better than a manwhore with commitment issues." "Fuck you," I said and Judd looked ready to hit me. "I could commit if I wanted to. If I wasn't expecting to die soon, I'd commit all over the fucking place." "You don't even have a pet." "Who would take care of my pet when I died?" "If it was a cat, we'd take it in." Judd frowned. "No more cats." "One more wouldn't hurt. In fact, if we have a bunch of cats, people will stop asking when we're having a kid." Judd's frown disappeared. "Another cat wouldn't be the end of the world." "Judd's the one who can't commit," I muttered. "He's married and we have two cats. We're plenty committed. You're the one getting hickeys from a girl who likely will marry someone else in a few months." "Why a few months?" "I don't know. I just feel like she'll be married in a few months. A rich guy." "Are you psychic now?" "Yes, I'm going to open a shop and tell people their fortunes." Smiling, Judd kissed her forehead. "A businesswoman. That's sexy." "Don't even think about ditching me again so you two can fuck. You can hump each other later." "Oh, we will," Tawny said, waving over the waitress."
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commited
psychic
vaughn
judd-and-tawny
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Bijou Hunter |
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699c8d5
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Figuring I might entertain myself with heckling, I walked to the bar. I never made it through the door. Instead, I leaned against the doorway, crossed my arms, and enjoyed the spectacle of Raven, Bailey, and Sawyer singing horribly along with Steve Perry. The three blondes sang their talentless hearts out with Sawyer on a stool in the middle. Bailey wasn't singing as much as yelling to the music. Sawyer was talking the song. Raven though was really trying to sound good. Unfortunately, her sexy voice didn't translate well into song. The few people in the bar clapped when the song ended. Mainly because Bailey and Raven were hot. Sawyer ran to the bar and ordered a beer. The bartender nodded and gave her a big glass of root beer. She winked at him and told Bailey to pay the man. The kid was going to rule the world one day.
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kareoke
pay-the-man
sawyer
vaughn
raven
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Bijou Hunter |
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5ba7f2f
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"Dylan lifted my chin so my lips could meet his. I kissed him hard, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion I'd held tight inside me. "Good things happen," I said, crying now. "Sometimes I forget that even when I have a blessing right in front of me." Dylan wrapped me tighter in his arms and smiled against my lips. "Me too, but I never lost faith in little Lark. If anyone could kick death in the ass, it would be her." I laughed at the thought of Lark versus the Grim Reaper. When my laughter drew the attention of the others, they laughed too, even without knowing why. All the tension faded as our fears turned to celebration. "Shit, I'm gonna get teary-eyed," Vaughn announced, looking at his phone. We all received the same message from Raven with pictures of the babies. "Which one's the girl?" Judd asked, squinting at Tawny's phone. "The one with the pink hat," his wife said. Everyone laughed again. "You can't see if they have curly hair," Cooper muttered. "Man, I hope at least one of them does. I'm never letting Aaron live that shit down." More laughter as everyone enjoyed the additional photos Raven sent."
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dylan-and-winnie
vaughn
judd-and-tawny
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Bijou Hunter |
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c0ba116
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"Aaron lifted me up onto his hips and I knew we weren't staying. "We just got here," I murmured against his cheek. "Don't you think Judd and Coop will take their women home to celebrate?" Glancing around, I noticed Tawny high fiving Judd who looked pretty proud about his revenge on Mac. Nearby, Farah was squeezing Cooper's flexed muscles. None of them were planning to stay at the bar. "Are you okay, Bailey?" I asked as Aaron started for the door. "Sure, I'll just hang out and pretend Vaughn is charming. It'll be good practice for the next loser I date." A grinning Vaughn patted the spot next to him in a booth. As the blonds got comfy, Aaron carried me to the Harley and sat me on the seat. "You saved me from mean words," I teased as he felt me up in the spot Mac thought I needed help. "No one messes with my girl." "Mighty sperm and powerful fists. Plus, you can cook and paint and write poems and a million other qualities. I've hit pay dirt." "I need to get you home," he said and I sensed the ride would be uncomfortable for him. As I wrapped my arms around his waist, he started the Harley. "Raven bought headphones, so we can fuck really loud and she won't be bothered." "The best houseguest ever," Aaron said over his shoulder. As we sped away, I noticed Judd chasing a laughing Tawny to the parking lot. Cooper strutted out with Farah clinging to him. Everyone was happy except for a naked Mac tied to a tree in what I assumed was the club's version of a time out."
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bailey
vaughn
judd-and-tawny
cooper-and-farah
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Bijou Hunter |
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cf862e8
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"Cooper nodded. "I'd so do this shit, if Farah let me." Vaughn made the sound of a snapping whip and the whipped guys frowned at him. He just smiled. "Ah, having control over my balls is so wonderful. You boys should beg your women to let you have them back for the night. Maybe if you promise to do the dishes or wash the floor or some other shit job, they'll agree." "Vaughn," Cooper said, giving his enforcer a dark glare, "when you meet a girl and lose your mind over her, we're going to enjoy mocking you. I mean, it'll be a fucking sport and we'll trip over each other to be the next one to screw with you." "Hell, if I ever lose my mind over a girl, I'll be too fucking stupid to care what you assholes say. Likely, I'll have suffered a brain injury or some shit. In that case, you'll be mocking a disabled man and that's not cool." "He has a point," Tucker said like he was sensitive now. "You're all idiots," I muttered. "It's rather frightening how any of you will carry on your defective genetic material into the future generation." "Said the guy who got his girlfriend pregnant on accident," Vaughn said and high fived Tucker."
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the-boys-being-boys
tucker
vaughn
cooper
judd
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Bijou Hunter |
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cd4966d
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"A loser like Larry didn't deserve a fine vintage car like Gloria. The Corvette Stingray had been lovingly restored by a jackass who named his car, yet treated his kids like afterthoughts. I planned to lovingly tear the fucking thing apart. "Have your fun then we'll torch it and get a beer," Vaughn said, yawning. "Did anyone see you?" I asked just to annoy him. My question worked like a charm and Vaughn squinted disgusted at me then walked over to a large rock where he sat down and looked at his phone. Swinging the bat, I smashed out the taillight. As painful as it was to tear apart such a beautiful car, Lark needed vengeance. In my mind, I wasn't hitting the Corvette. I was destroying every person who ever hurt my girl. Every stepfather who hit her, mocked her, and ignored her. I imagined the hung over fucker who let her little brother die. I even pictured her mother who chose the latest fuck over her own kids. I hated them all for every tear Lark ever shed. If I couldn't hunt them down, I'd destroyed the prized possession of the latest bastard to mistreat my muse. Smashing the windows, the lights, denting the cherry red doors, I trashed the car until I was out of breath. Eventually, I grabbed a blade and tore the tires, just to finish off my rage. "Wuss," Vaughn said, standing over me as I leaned against the car. "Shame about Gloria. She was a beauty." "I haven't been to the batting cage in awhile. I think I pulled something" "Sure," Vaughn muttered, yanking me to my feet. "Let's light this little bitch up and get a beer." "I need to get home to Lark." "Are you fucking kidding me? I steal this car for you and don't even get to trash it and you won't have a beer with me? What an asshole." "Please, don't cry," I said, patting his shoulder. "I don't have the energy to hold you until your sobs turn to baby hiccups." Vaughn laughed. "I miss Judd. The guy knew how to drink a beer and he didn't mind when I pissed myself weeping like a chick." "The guy is the epitome of patience," I said, picking up the container of gas. "Or indifference. He always did seem a little bored when you two were talking." "You looking to have me use that bat on you, is that it?" Grinning, I splashed gasoline on Gloria, careful not to have the liquid hit me. Once the car was thoroughly drenched, Vaughn lit a match."
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destroy-gloria-the-car
vaughn
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Bijou Hunter |