“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.
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.
“How are you adjusting to the new house?”
I shrugged. “Fine. How are you adjusting to your new husband?”
“Frank is a good man. I wish you’d get to know him.”
“I’m sure you wish a lot of things, Cindy.”
“Don’t be a brat,” she spat at me. “You can at least be civil.”
I took a deep breath and let it out. “Fine. Frank seems nice enough.”
She nodded curtly. “Thank you.”
“I’m told there’s trouble in paradise, though.”
“With Frank? Things are great.”
“Your job.”
“Ah.” She nodded and looked away. “That’s great, too.”
I knew she was lying. My mother had only ever cared about one thing, and that was power. People sometimes called her the Ice Queen, and for good reason. I liked to call her Mussolini behind her back. She was intense and task-driven, always on to the next thing that would further her desires.
We were similar like that. I was driven to be the best at what I did, just like she was. The biggest difference was, Cindy was willing to sacrifice anyone or anything for her own personal gain.
I believed in hard work. I trained my ass off and put my body on the line. I didn’t need anything from anyone, and I never would. I also didn’t believe in fucking others over just because you wanted something.
“Not what I heard,” I said.
She gave me a frown. “My work is not your concern, Cole.”
“Please, mother. You’ve been trying to get me to act proper for years because of your job.”
“And now you’re interested?”
I shrugged, sipping my coffee. “Trying to make pleasant conversation.”