“How’s the kid?” I ask Heat on the phone as I sit on the back porch of the log cabin camp. I called our maid in to get the place ready for tonight and she’s inside, washing the sheets and scrubbing the hardwood floors. I’m sure Sloan already knows we’re a bunch of scumbags, but I don’t want her to think we’re dirty too.

I guess I could do it myself, but Eunice has been with us for as long as I can remember, and she appreciates the extra work. Her old man is a longtime member of the club, and she uses housekeeping around the clubhouse as an excuse to keep an eye on him. It’s also partially because he has a gambling addiction like nobody I’ve ever known, and I could probably pay her in scratch-off tickets and save her the step.

“He’s doing good. Irritating the shit out of everyone, but otherwise, we’re good here.”

“How’s the girl?”

“Who, Morgan? She’s about as skanky as ever.”

“You know who I mean,” I say.

“I know exactly who you mean. She’s awesome, Gavin. You really lucked out there.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I say. “It’s not a done deal yet.”

I watch as a chipmunk scurries across the lawn, cheeks pudgy with acorns. It’s a perfect September afternoon, but everything is getting ready to shut down for the winter. Soon we’ll be putting the bikes away. It would be nice to have a good girl to cozy up with for the winter. But that’s not up to me.

“Oh come on,” he teases. “She fits right in. She’s already seen your brother’s dick, just like every other lady you guys pass around.”

“She’s not like that, Heat.”

“I know, son. She’s grade A. So don’t fuck it up.”

Easier said than done.

“Dad says you guys are taking him home tonight?” I ask.

“Yeah. I don’t exactly know how I feel about it. Goob’s a real shit show. He needs to hit rock bottom and get himself better, and nobody is letting him do that. We just keep making excuses for him and letting him do whatever he wants. I think we’re doing a good job of wearing out our welcome here at the hospital, though.”

“I’m sure you are. I’m gonna bring Sloan to camp tonight I think. Keep her distracted.”

“Distracted by your dick?” Obviously. Not just that, though. I don’t want her anywhere near the hospital when the guys break Goob out, but not for the reasons my father says. I just don’t want it to look like she had anything to do with it.

“Sure,” I say.

“You better make sure you buy her dinner or something first. Maybe some wine? Turn on that mountain man charm. You gotta warm chicks like that up before you just dive in balls-deep, son.”

Judging by the way she was acting last night, I’d say she’s plenty warm, but he’s probably right. She’s probably had a hard day at work. I want to do this right. I want her to see me as more than just a guy who wants to fuck her. So badly.

“What do you even know about chicks like her anyway, Heat?”

“Remember Julie? She was a doctor and I dated her.”

“She was a prostitute who dresses up like a naughty nurse that we got you for your birthday. She’s not a doctor and you definitely didn’t date her.”

“Fuck, I’m getting senile in my old age,” he chortles gruffly. “She did have a stethoscope.”

“That’s nice. I’m gonna go. Call me if you need anything.”

“You got it. Good luck tonight. Your ugly ass is gonna need it,” he says, hanging up on me.

I go back inside. Eunice is scrubbing the kitchen floor, and I carefully tread my way around so as not to muddy up her work.

“Need help with anything?” I ask her. Her wrinkled face stretches into a wide smile.

“You’re always so polite, Gavin. I’m ok. What about you? You worried about your brother?”

I shrug. “I’m always worried about that one. Not much I can do other than be there for him.”

“Yeah, I know, sweetie.” Her hair matches the color of the mop water, but I remember what a knockout she was even ten years ago. She’s still beautiful. Thinking back on all the beautiful women in my life, they had two things in common: a really good man and a really good marriage. “What are you getting into tonight?” she asks. “You having people over or something?”

“I’m having a person over, Eunice. A girl, actually.”

“Really? I haven’t seen you with a lady in a long time. I was starting to get worried.”

“I’ve gotten a little more selective in my old age,” I laugh.

“Well you better not get too picky, Gavin, or you’ll end up like Heat. No women he hasn’t already ruined to choose from.”

“I think this one is perfect,” I confide in her. “Can you do me a favor?”

“You want lasagna, don’t you?” She smiles. “I can do that. But you better tell her your mean old aunt Eunice made it and if she hurts you, I’ll cut her up in little pieces and bake her into the next one.”

“That sounds disgusting, and how about no. I don’t want her to think we’re a bunch of psychopaths.”

“Good call, Gavin. She’ll find out on her own soon enough.”

Her laugh sounds like Canadian geese migrating south for the winter.

I take the mop off of her and hand her a wad of cash to go get supplies while I finish cleaning up. Maybe Sloan and I didn’t reunite under the best circumstances, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure tonight is damn near as perfect as possible.

I look over at the king-size bed in the middle of the room and picture Sloan sprawled out on it, naked, panting, that freshly fucked glow on her face. My dick gets instantly hard. Maybe I should prime the pump before tonight just to be on the safe side.

Eunice jingles her keys. “I’ll be back soon. You should totally go out back and cut up some firewood while I’m gone. Chicks love that shit.”

Chopping wood will probably be just as effective as beating off into my hand at this point. I should probably save myself for her anyway. If things go my way, I’ll have every part of her wrapped around my cock at some point tonight.