So. Long(244)

Sadie wrings her hands. “I’m sorry, Lou. I was trying to turn it off.”

Aunt Delores raises her hands to Heaven as she walks from the room, shaking her head. “I know there has to be some sort of explanation for that. If not, don’t tell me. I don’t even want to know.”

I sink to the sofa, head in my hands, stomach continuing on through the floor. “Damn it.”

It took less than twenty-four hours for that bitch to go to the press. How the hell she got pictures is beyond me—fuck.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket. My stomach sinks even further. If this is Buck…

Not Buck. Worse. It’s a text from Stephens.

-Hope you’re home. Be there in ten.-

Well, maybe they haven’t heard this shit yet. Maybe they’ll come and go before they see it. If not, fuck them. I can’t care about this right now. I had my reasons, and they can kiss my ass twice if they can’t handle it.




Four shot glasses clink above the fire pit behind Aunt Delores’s house. We down our drinks.

Sadie sits on Russell’s lap, smiling like she’s won a fucking lottery.

Stephens winks at me. “So you miss us, Fontaine?”

“Sure I do. Like you’d miss those crabs, if you could ever get rid of them.”

Stephens digs at his crotch, his tongue hanging out like the dog he is. “Is it that obvious?”

I bump Stephen’s leg with my bare foot. “You know, Stephens, you’re kinda cute. You might get laid more if you weren’t so fucking weird.”

“Oh, now you think I’m cute.” His brown eyes reflect the flames, his skin yellowed in the firelight.

I slosh another shot into my glass, tossing it back and savoring the bitter burn it brings. It’s good to let the liquor smooth out some of the wrinkles in my spirit for a little while. “Don’t get too excited, you’re still not getting laid.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Anyone want to place a bet? I’ve got fifty bucks that says Fontaine here will suck my cock before the night’s over if I can get another three or four shots in her.”

I spew my Cuervo and kick at Stephens’s gut. “Suck your cock, my ass. There isn’t enough tequila in Louisiana for that to happen.”

Sadie raises her glass. “I’ll take that bet. My cuz is a good girl. She don’t do that shit no more. Except for Buck.”

His name works like a wet blanket over my mood.

I let out a deep sigh. “Ain’t that kinda girl anymore either. No more Buck. No more fuck. No more Suck. Just a whole lotta trouble is all that shit gets me.”

Sadie hops up and wraps her arms around me. “I’m so sorry, Lou. Here, let’s turn up the music. We’ll dance away your blues. I’mma give these here fine Marines lap dances for free.”

Both of the guys whoop and holler. “Oohrah!”

I sink into my camp chair while Sadie does her best to fuck the guys while they’re all still fully dressed. She looks over to me after a couple of minutes and frowns.

She sashays my way, wiggling her ass. “C’mon, Cuz. Let’s dance. You need to cheer up. This sad shit sucks.”

Russell pours another round of drinks.

Three more shots.

My brain’s a bit numb, and I’m not sure I can feel my toes. But the area of my chest that was hollowed and achy is full of tequila, and I’m feeling no pain. Actually, I’m doing pretty fucking good.

Sadie and I bump and grind against each other while the guys tuck dollar bills in the waistbands of our shorts. What the hell is it about guys liking girl on girl action, even when it doesn’t involve anyone getting naked? They’re probably hoping it will lead to someone getting naked.

Sadie laughs. “You guys should stay a couple more days. I’ll be working tomorrow night.”

Buck steps into the flickering circle of light, his stupid face all frowny. “You guys having fun? Sure sounds like it from next door.”

Sadie puts her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as she sputters a laugh.

She whispers, without actually lowering her voice. “Oops. We woke the neighbors!”

I hold up another shot, and the ground shifts beneath my feet. “Turn it up loud and fuck off the neighbors.”

Buck’s arms come around me as he stumbles past me. Wait. Maybe I’m the one who’s stumbly. Bumbly. Tumbly.

I try to slap away his hands. “Don’t touch me, Asshole.”

His arms tighten at my waist. “I think the party’s about over, Lou. You’ve had enough.”

Stephens stands and runs his hand over his high and tight hair cut. “Dude. This is a private party. We’ll take care of Fontaine. Don’t worry.”