An hour and more passed that way, and the night was getting late. We finished off our third round, and Ronnie leaned back in his chair, checking his watch.
“Shit,” he said. “Time to get the fuck out.”
“Why? Got an early date tomorrow?”
“Nah,” Ronnie said, looking nervous. “I’m just beat. That’s all.”
“Come on, man. One more round.”
“Look, we should go.”
“What’s your problem?”
Ronnie took a deep breath and sighed. “Look, man, Trent is going to be here soon.”
Cole got serious. “So the fuck what?”
“Who’s Trent?” I asked.
“Some mindless goon,” Cole said.
Ronnie gave him a look. “The last time Cole and Trent saw each other, Cole was smashing Trent’s face into a wall.”
“We don’t get along,” Cole grunted.
“Why?”
“Cole got that training gig and Trent wanted it, so Trent thought he’d fuck Cole up.”
“He’s an idiot.” Cole paused and sighed. “There’s more to it than just that.”
“He is an idiot,” Ronnie agreed, “but he’s undefeated since you left.”
“Who cares? He fights nobodies.”
“Actually,” Ronnie said, “he has some good names under his belt. Come on, man, let’s get out of here.”
“Fuck that,” Cole growled. “Trent can fuck off.”
Just as Cole was beginning to get annoyed, I heard something from over toward Lacey’s table. I looked over and saw the guys getting up, looks of horror on their faces. There was a slight commotion. I quickly got out of my chair and ran over.
“What’s happened?” I asked.
“She’s puking!”
I looked over and, sure enough, there was Lacey on her hands and knees, puking all her drinks out.
“Oh shit,” I said, running to her side.
“I’m pukinggggg,” Lacey groaned.
“I know. I know.”
She finished and looked up at me, still clearly wasted. The guys were all yelling as Cole and Ronnie waded through the crowd.
“Now we can go,” Cole grunted.
“Sorry, girl,” Lacey slurred. “I ruined your date.”
“Wasn’t a date,” I said.
Cole swooped down and grabbed Lacey, slinging her over his shoulder. “Come on.”
The bartender was yelling, but we ignored him as Ronnie and Cole made a path through the crowd. Lacey’s ass was hanging out from her short dress, and I did my best to keep it covered as we went out into the night.
“Holy shit, did you see her hurl?” Ronnie cackled.
“She was like a dragon,” Cole said.
“Shuddup,” Lacey groaned.
I stood out in the street and flagged a cab.
“I’ll leave you here, man,” Ronnie said.
“Good seeing you, brother.”
“Same to you.” Ronnie grinned at me. “Be good to your stepbrother, Alex.”
“Bye, Ronnie.”
Cole gently pushed Lacey into the back of the cab, and we both followed her in. I gave the driver our address.
“If she pukes,” the driver said, “it’s double.”
Cole burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but laugh along. Even though it had been a weird night in a weird place, I had to admit that I’d had a good time. I liked Ronnie, and Cole seemed nicer when he was around, not quite so gruff.
I didn’t love Cole’s world. It was violent and seedy. But I maybe understood where he was coming from, why he felt the way that he did. I didn’t want to stay married to the guy, but I didn’t hate him quite so much.
“Take us home,” Cole grunted at the driver, and we pulled out into traffic.
Chapter 6
Cole
It was early the next morning, the sun just peeking over the horizon, as I finished my run. I hated getting up early, but I could barely sleep the night before. I kept thinking about her, about my stepsister, about my fucking wife.
I’d never brought a girl around my life like that before. It felt safer because she was my stepsister, but it was definitely far from safe. We were married, and I kept imagining all the dirty shit I wanted to do to her body.
I knew I could make her wet like a waterfall with just a touch. I wanted that soaking pussy to grip my cock like a vice, and it drove me fucking crazy. The run did barely anything to get her out of my brain.
Why the fuck didn’t I just divorce her and be done with it?
I was a masochist and knew it.
“Good morning,” Cindy said as I came into the kitchen. “You’re awake early for once.”
“Good morning,” I grunted at her, filling up my coffee mug. I felt the two-day stubble on my chin and resolved to shave.