Ty

I am so in lust right now I can’t see straight. I want Rox. Under me. Over me. Any fucking way I can get her if I could just have her. Just once. Well not only once. But for now, all I need is one shot to get a foot in the door and I swear I will never, ever mess this shit up again.

As Ingram and Mari shout with laughter at mom as she continues to entertain them, which yeah mom’s doing because I asked her to just be herself so that I can distract the family and get at Rox-

“What are you doing!” she yells as I slip into the bathroom and lock the door behind me.

She’s blushing violently and trying not to continue peeing, failing miserably as I lean back against the door and grin, loving the fact that I got to her.

Once, just once I have won.

And yes, I totally need help for even thinking that as my girl hisses and curls her lip at me, moaning when her bladder forces her to finish the job. And really, how sick am I that I am tickled by being in here right now to see this.

“This is gross! Dammit Ty, get out of here, I’m a pee farter!”

“Don’t care. Don’t care if you’re going number two right now, I want to talk to you.” I say, crossing my arms over my chest to let her know I am dead serious.

She groans as the last drops trickle loudly into the water and grabs the toilet paper with white knuckles, looking panicked. I want to laugh because I know, she’s trying to figure out how to wipe without flashing me something.

“Tyson, turn around for hell sakes, I need to wipe my monkey.”

“No. I’m not turning my back on you so you can shank me with a freaking tweezers. Now wipe your damn ass so I can talk to you,” I mutter, biting my lips when one eyes narrows and she takes an audible breath.

Why not turn around and give her a moment of privacy you ask? Well a few reasons. One, I really did see her eyeballing the tweezers and I like living thank you very much. She’d shove that thing up my ass and enjoy it. Two, I like knowing that we’re sharing something intimate for the first time, the first of many because according to Blay and Gray, once you’re with your woman you will no longer have private time in the bathroom.

Mari walks into the bathroom and sits on the bath for conversation while poor Gray is pinching one and according to him, you don’t fight that if you want to live. He tried locking the bathroom door once and she went so violent his hand shakes, like he’s Pavlov’s dog every time he’s tried after.

Rox wipes eventually, giving me a money shot in the process and I find myself grinning again when she lets off a muffled shriek and just shrugs, standing to pull up her pants and flush.

“What do you want so bad you had to come in here and try to get a peek like a fucking creeper.” She growls as she washes her hands and tries to cover up something that looks like a razor but surely couldn’t have been.

Not with….

“To say a few things to you that need saying. First and most importantly is that I love.”

Her lip curl makes my heart sink and I silently curse . Dammit, Gray was so right! I was so sure it would work and have her all gooey under two seconds but according to Gray, Tink is the only semi normal one in the bunch and plus Rox spends a lot of time with Mari. That shit rubs off.

“Kiss my ass loser. Been there, done that, had the chest cramp.”

“Rox I love you. I have from the first moment you skipped into that park and tried to kneecap me for scoring a goal. I’ve been a fool for a long time, thinking I could push you away because it was better to spare you from all my shit. I want you. I need you. I’ve had time to think about things and you were right, I don’t want to be alone.”

“Yeah so? Don’t be alone dickhead. I’m glad you finally pulled that stick out of your ass and caught a clue.” She huffs, sniffing with disdain. “And I’m glad that you’ve stopped being such an idiot about your face, but like I said, so?”

Shit. I feel myself sweat a little when she crosses her own arms and starts tapping her foot, the thumping rhythm of the thing making me recall the coaching Gray gave me.

‘Whatever you do man, do not push her if she starts making jerky movements. When Mari gets like that I back off for a few minutes before tackling her and getting her arms and legs pinned down. Trust me, you're nuts and nose will thank you.’

That foot looks like it’s ready to fly off her leg it’s going so hard and I feel my balls go tight. With fear.

“So I thought I should tell you that because I was a cowardly asshole and you deserve to know that me pushing you away wasn’t at all about how I feel. It was me not wanting to hurt you.”

“Fail! You totally failed Ty, but you know what, I’m glad it happened this way. I learned a lesson that I will never forget and I think I saved myself from something I should never have wanted. You know what, thanks. Because you were right, why should I tie myself down. I’m young and single and I have lots of time to do that love crap. For now though, I’d really like to get out of the bathroom because I wasn’t kidding, I pee fart.”

“Rox, don’t do this. Give me another chance and I swear I will make it up to you.” I plead, swallowing a wheeze of pain when she looks away and bites her lip.

“We never really stood a chance and you know it. Hell, I knew it the minute I saw…” she pauses and looks away, blinking. “Look Ty, I can’t do this okay. I just had my mother threaten to sic an evil nun on me because I had such bad BO. I don’t do this relationship, angsty stuff well and it turns me into a person I don’t like. We’re friends. I liked being friends and after the last few days I finally understand that that is all we can be. Now if you’d excuse me, I believe your dad offered me a sex swing and well, I’m a Crocker, we never turn free shit down.”

I have so much to say. And yet when she pointedly looks at the door with a mulish expression I unlock it and pull it open, standing back to let her pass.

Before she can escape though, I brush a hand down her cheek, relishing that one touch with everything I am.

“I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Mama was having a fit for days and Lizzie hasn’t nagged at me once. It was worth it if only to tame the rabid beasts for a few days.”

Right now, I bet she thinks she’s won, that this is all there is to it and I’ll tuck tail and skulk away to lick my wounds. Leaning in, I let my lips ghost her cheek and settle beside her ear, wallowing in her shiver as I breathe in her sweet perfume.

“War.”

It’s all I say before turning and striding down the stairs, whistling beneath my breath as I start to think about plan B and the fact that I owe Gray a hundred bucks. Smug bastard told me not to put all my hopes on an easy fix but you know what?

I’m looking forward to the next few days, I think, rubbing my hands together. Oh Rox, my poor innocent little lamb, you don’t know what you’ve let yourself in for.

“And?” Dad asks as I hit the hallway and pause at the threshold to the living room, loving the fact that my mom is so whack even Marveline is speechless for once and looking around for an escape route.

“I hope to hell this works dad.”

“Worked on your mom boy and that woman was as slippery as a damn eel. I swear on my soul, if she didn’t have such a tight ass I’d have tucked tail and run.”

“I don’t wanna hear this crap.”

“Fiiine, but I kept the woman interested for years boy, you shouldn’t turn down a fail proof system.”

I shudder at his chortle and lip licking and feel myself getting sucked back into his crazy despite the distance I put between us just to escape hearing some of this crap.

“I think I know what I’m doing old man. I’ve had this dick for years.”

“Not the dick that wins the girl boy, it’s the technique.”

Closing my eyes I feel a little piece of me die as I look over at him and do something that will traumatise me for life.

“Let’s hear it.”

**************

Rox

The club is pounding, full, people packed in here like sardines as I down another shot and let out a whoop with Ingram. God I feel great! I’d forgotten what letting loose can feel like and trust me, after the week I’ve had I deserve to get so loose my limbs fall off.

Ty has been…determined in his quest to get me to talk to him again but at this point, I am just so not ready to even go there. Not friendship or any of that stuff. I’m still a little raw and trust me, the forgiveness thing is not happening for me.

Mama explained that our folk don’t do that weak shit and yeah, I get it because no matter how hard I try, just thinking about Ty and that woman of his still makes my eyes narrow and twitch before I can even get passed the anger.

“Oh my God Rox, this is awesome! Woooohoo!” Ingram yells as we down two more shots and shudder through the burn.

I am drunk. Very drunk. Don’t judge me, I need this after Ty sent me one of those weird messenger thingies with balloons, flowers, chocolates and a card that read ‘you have my heart’.

I sent it back in shreds, the half chewed chocolates I spat back into the box my own personal badge of shame. Never tell, I think, swaying drunkenly as Ingram passes me more drink and smiles, setting me up for a killer hangover tomorrow.

“He’s trying Rox. I hate to say it because you know how I love to manbash, but at least the turd is trying.” She yells at me over the thrumming beat.

I’m sweaty, not thinking straight if at all with the way my brain is sloshing around up there and a little too mellow for my own good when I hear those words.

“He should have tried earlier! I haven’t had sex in four months! Four Ingram and I was so totally ready for it when he shot me down. My monkey hurt as much as my pride.”

That yell has heads turning en masse and I feel my spine lock up when male grins all around let me know I’ve just chummed the waters. Great. Now I’ll have to kick some ass and I really do not need this on my rap sheet after mama’s cousin the cop caught me vandalising the sidewalk outside the church.

What! I was drunk. And I was just leaving a message for my mama. Of course the dick was not necessary but where is the fun in leaving mama’s name on the sidewalk without a dick and balls to make her see red?

“You should at least have sex.” She says as we do another shot and send glares at anyone who even thinks of coming toward us.

I may be drunk and horny, but I have standards and these hairy chests just do not make the cut.

Wait! I agree. I so totally agree. I should have sex. I should have lots of sex and take photos and text them to Ty so he knows that passing on my monkey was the worst mistake he ever made.

Wait. No, that’s gross. Texting is so impersonal. I should have them delivered via singing telegram! Yeah. I like that.

“Come on killer, you’ve had enough.” Ing laughs when I sway a little and almost fall on my ass.

“Nope. Can drink more. Drink till I can’t remember.” I slur.

Hmm. The words sound just fine in my head, but from the way Ingram is cackling and the way my tongue feels like a thick slab of raw meat, I totally think I may have said something that sounds more like noooodimemer.

Whatever. I feel great. Did I say that before? Hmm. Okay but it is so true.

Once outside the club and out in the fresh air the booze just hits me harder and I giggle when Ingram lets me go to hail a cab, her arm shooting out to grab me as I stumble sideways and list precariously.

With my eyes closed the buzz is oh so much better and I feel myself smile as random thoughts hit me.

“My mama calls papa her honey badger when they boink.”

“Shut up! That’s disgusting.” Ingram says, moaning loudly.

“And he callshherrrrrrr his lishle pickle push-oops! I mean pickle puuuudding.” I laugh, burping with a grimace when I get a little repeat action on the shots.

“Goddammit Rox that is so not cool. My stomach’s already queasy.”

“I’shknow. Cam still shleeps wish earpugs, caush they don’t have any control.”

Ingram starts cursing and I can’t stop a giggle as the cab pulls up and the door opens. I fall in with a sigh of relief because damn, I feel all loose and floaty by this point I do notice that this cab is black and really nice. Hmmm, cabbie must have some dough.

Hmmm, cookie dough sounds good.

I’m drifting as the door closes and her muttered hisses reach me.

“…hope this works or I am dead. You know…her eyes go red Rus…”

“Looove is on the way! On wiangs of anshels. I know ish true, I dunno thish nest part,” I sing, feeling the love come over me.

“Oh Christ. He hasn’t heard her sing yet, has he?”

Rus? Oh is my Russie here, I wonder as I crack the anvil that is now my eyelid and peer blearily in the direction of his voice. I see him, fuzzily and smile.

“Hey Rush! You here to partysh?”

He chuckles again and I hear Ingram mutter a curse at him.

“Yup. How you doing, babe?”

“Great! Gosh me a lot of liquor. Mama’sh gonna shits a brick when I go home.” I giggle, thinking about the last time I got bombed and had to crawl home.

Aaaah, the sweet sound of her screams and sobs when they found me on the stairs, my thong on display as I snored passed a puddle of what I still maintain was only drool.

“Don’t worry, babe, I’d never make you go home in this condition,” he says softly, giving me a smile that I am just too woozy to think about too hard.

“Shanks. Not sure I can crawl through the cat door in thishdresh.”

Ingram snorts and I feel her hand on my cheek as she leans in and smiles at me.

“I love you Rox. You remember that okay.”

“Mkay.Sshleepy.”

“Go to sleep babe.”

So I do.