Kevin

“Happy New Year, guys!”

“Happy New Year, Spencer,” I said.

“Hey guys, sorry we’re late,” Brit said.

“‘We’re’? Who’s the other party?” Spencer asked.

“I am. Sorry guys,” Brady said.

“Brady! What’re you doing at Brit’s?” Spencer asked.

“Are they all on the screen yet?” Maddie called out.

“We still don’t have Tina yet,” Spencer called back. “You’ve got a few more minutes, honey.”

“Hey guys, I’m here. Sorry. I’ve been with Kevin the past few days,” Tina said.

“I see the two of you are doing well,” Brit said.

“You never answered my question. Why’s Brady out there in L.A. with you?” Spencer asked.

“Probably for the same reason Maddie’s with you,” Brit said, smiling.

“Oh, shit. You two hooking up now?” Spencer asked.

“Spence. They’ve always been hooking up,” Tina said.

“Yeah. When they’re drunk and at the parties, sure. But this is like… the shit you two pulled,” Spencer said.

“I resent the word ‘shit’. What we do is very erotic,” Kevin said.

“You got that shit right,” Brady said, smirking.

“Alright, Maddie. You’re officially the last one. Wanna get out here, sweetheart?” Spencer called out.

“Unless people wanna see my tits, give me ten minutes,” she said.

“I don’t mind seeing her tits,” Brit said.

“I’ve already seen them,” Tina said.

“Wait, what?” Kevin asked.

“Story time!” Brady exclaimed.

“No, no, no. We gotta get the vacations for this year on the calendar,” Spencer said. “We can do storytime after that.”

“Tina saw my tits because she barged into my apartment one morning when I was late for work. My alarm clock didn’t go off and I was topless when she crashed on in,” Maddie said as she entered the screen. “Hi guys. Tee. Oh! Tina, listen. We have a new client. Don’t worry, I went ahead and did the meeting. But, this shit’s gonna be a doozy. One of the senators has been accused of-- get this-- ‘tickling the male staffers’.”

“I take it they aren’t having a playful slumber party,” Tina said.

“I’m serious. You gotta get back here ASAP,” she said.

“I’ll be on the next available flight,” Tina said. “Now, as for these dates. When’s everyone free next?”

We all began to spitball dates for the year’s upcoming vacations. We had made a habit of this for years, but it took us a little longer to get everything in motion. Tina stayed with her mother through Christmas, so she didn’t even get back to her business long before she flew out to see me. Then, we had to postpone the first meeting because Brady was having some sort of grape vine freezing crisis or whatever that was threatening half his vineyard.

But now, we were all here and ready with our calendars to plan the next three vacations of mischief we would get into.

“How’s February looking for everyone?” I asked. “I know the beginning of the month is in a couple days, but I’ve got the back half of that month pretty open.”

“I can’t do that. It’ll take me at least that long to make sure my vines’ll be alright,” Brady said. “What about the beginning of March?”

“I might have to bring a bit of work with me,” Spencer said, “but I could do that. It’s just some proof-reading stuff, but March 10th is an annual deadline for the new writers I’ve taken on with the publishing company.”

“Does anyone else have any issues with the beginning of March?” I asked.

“I don’t,” Tina said.

“I’m good for then,” Brit said.

“My schedule’s dictated by Tee, so if she’s good, I’m good,” Maddie said.

“Alright, Spencer. We could just make this next vacation the laid back one we do so you could have plenty of time to work as well as kick back and relax. How does that sound?” I asked.

“Sounds great to me. March 2nd through the 9th?” Spencer asked.

“Putting it on the calendar now!” Tina said.

“Alright, I’m probably the one that has the most amount of work to do this summer,” Brit said. “The only thing I’ve really got free is the end of June. The 20th through the 28th. But, if something kicks up, just know I’ll have to come back soon. But, if you guys want me there that’s all I’ve got.”

“Not a problem,” Tina said. “Anyone got major issues with those dates?”

“Not me. I’ve got someone who can keep an eye on things during the summer while I’m gone,” Brady said.

“That’ll just be promotion shit for me, and that I can do easily from anywhere,” Spencer said.

“Tina, those dates good for me?” Maddie asked.

“They are, ma’am. Write ‘em down!” Tina exclaimed.

“Alright, June 20th through the 28th for our summer extravaganza. Do we want to try and nail down a party theme or do we wanna save that for later?” Tina asked.

“We could go the traditional route and do a massive beach party. Roast pigs over fires and shit like that,” Brady said.

“Or we could do like a mermaid-themed party or something,” Maddie said.

“Ooooh, costumes. Do you have a coconut bra you could wear?” Spencer asked.

“Down boy. Later,” Maddie said, smirking.

“I kinda like the roasted pig-on-a-spit idea again. I know we did that last summer, but that shit was good,” Brit said.

“No reason why we can’t reprise. When we send out the invites, we’ll just call it ‘Part Two Of The Adventure’,” Brady said.

“Alright. Got that theme,” I said. “Now, dates for the fall trip. Anyone got any immediate conflictions?”

“Septembers always busy for Maddie and I, so that month’s out. What about October?” Tina asked.

“Oh. Oh, shit. Does everyone have Halloween off? We haven’t done a Halloween bash yet, and that shit would be awesome,” Brit said.

“I’ve got nothing going on around Halloween yet,” Spencer said.

“Whatever Tina says goes for me,” Maddie said.

“I have a couple of things I need to shift, but I could do Halloween,” I said. “Do we want to do the trip where Halloween ends it? Or do we wanna do something where we all get out there like, October 27th or something and stay until November 3rd or 4th?”

“I like the latter one. Make the party the middle of the week so we can plan and recuperate on the island,” Tina said.

“I’m good with those dates,” Spencer said.

“I’m already marking them down,” Brady said.

“Oh, this is gonna be so much fun. Can I plan this one, guys? Please? Halloween is my favorite!” Brit exclaimed.

“Alright, alright. Brit controls the Halloween party. Anyone wanna claim the beach one?” I asked.

“Maddie and I can do that one since you and Kevin did the last one,” Spencer said.

“Sounds good to me,” Tina said, smiling.

“Anything else we need to talk about?” I asked.

“Only that Tina needs to get her ass on a plane now. Love you, girl, but I’ve got this senator’s attorney blowing up my life. I gotta get off this call,” Maddie said.

“Already looking up plane flights,” Tina said.

“Tee. I’ll put you on my jet. Get your stuff packed and I’ll call the pilot. She’ll be there by tonight, Maddie,” I said.

“Thank you so much,” Maddie said. “Gotta go, sweetheart. I can’t put them off forever.”

“Love you. Be careful. Don’t let them eat you alive,” Spencer said.

“Y’all are gross with all that couple shit. I’m gonna go do something with my life,” Brit said.

“Like Brady,” Tina said, smirking.

“Hey Tina,” Brady said.

“Yeah?” she asked.

“You look good.”

“Thanks,” Tina said, smiling.

We all cut the phone calls and I placed a call to the pilot before I took her to the tarmac. I kissed her goodbye before I loaded her onto the jet, then I watched them take off before I drove back home. The end to our year had been a doozy, to say the least, but sometimes it takes emotional stressors in someone’s life to show them what’s really important.

I stuck my hand in my pocket and wrapped it around the velvety box that had been burning a hole against my leg for hours. I watched the love of my life soar into the sky and away from me, and my heart tugged to be with her. I wanted her to know how much I loved her. How much I cherished her and cared for her. I didn’t just enjoy her because she was my sub, I enjoyed her because she was simply her.

And being simply her molded well with me being-- well-- simply me.

“Next time,” I murmured as I dipped into my car.

I’d waited for her for over fifteen years.

I could wait a few more weeks.