by Kat Addams
Weston Banks, I thought while rubbing my palms on my temples.
We slipped off our muddy shoes at the door and tiptoed our way inside.
“Mercy me!” Ma called from the bottom of the stairs. “You two did get in that mud! Goodness gracious!” She shook her head.
Beside her stood a short man with a beard just as long as Weston’s. I wondered if he’d named his beard too.
“Well, go get cleaned up, you two, but first, let me introduce you. Say hi to Wes and his fiancée, Kristy,” Ma said, motioning toward a mousy-looking woman who’d just stepped out of the kitchen. Her mouth was full of Ma’s cow pattie. “Kristy and Wes, this is Weston and Nikki. There, y’all can catch up later before you get mud all over the floors!” Ma continued.
“Nice to meet you!” I smiled at the couple.
The woman stuck her nose in the air and sighed.
“We’ll catch up, brother. I would love to get to know how you and your fiancée met,” Wes said before turning and disappearing into the kitchen with Kristy.
Weston’s nostrils flared. I reached for his hand and pulled him into the bathroom, turning on the shower to drown out my whispers.
“You didn’t tell me I had competition!” I huffed.
“I didn’t know! That little weasel!” Weston curled his hand into a fist and shook it in the air.
“It’s all right. We’ve just got to up our game. We have to convince your parents that we’re in love and going to carry on the family name.”
“I’ve been trying! What more can I do?”
“Shower with me.”
“What in the world? I mean, yes, of course, that is the answer!” Weston stripped his shirt off, tugged his shorts down halfway, and paused.
“That was easy. But I’m asking you to shower with me, so we can get intimate. Not intimate sexy time, but know each other. Get closer. If we are going to pull this off, we need to know each other inside out. Plus, you’ve seen me half-naked already. It shouldn’t be a big deal. For you.” I grinned.
I was horny as fuck, and this was my only move. Luckily, Weston was gullible enough—or horny enough—to fall for it.
“It’s a big deal for me. I have to tell you something.” Weston pulled his shorts back up to his hips and chewed his bottom lip.
“I knew it! You have a vagina! You were way too nice to have a cock and balls.” I leaned against the sink and crossed my arms.
“No. No vagina here. But … I’m different.”
“You … what does that mean?” The alarms going off in my head drowned out the pulsing that had been going on between my legs.
“I’m uncut,” he sighed, putting his head in his hands.
“Oh. Well, that’s okay.” I took his hand and pried it off his face so that he could look at me. “You know that is what they are originally supposed to look like anyway, right?”
“I know. But it’s not common, and I didn’t want to just spring it on you when it … sprang at you.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I’m judgment-free, and I prefer things as natural as Mother Earth made them. That includes you. Now, strip down and let me get the mud off of you.” I snapped my fingers and pointed at his shorts.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Yoo-hoo! I hope you’re just washing your hands in there! No funny business before the wedding! That’s bad luck. You can’t buy the cow if the milk is free!” Ma called from the other side of the door.
What the fuck?
I winked at Weston, whispering, “Another time. Go get clean. I got this.”
I opened the door and slid out, leaving Weston half-dressed and pouty yet again.
“I was helping warm up the shower for him like a good soon-to-be wife. He did sneak a kiss though! Such a charmer!” I giggled. “I’ve got to gather my things before showering anyway. I plan on being at my best for the party!”
Ma eyed me up and down. “You’re a doll. I’m so happy Weston picked you. To be honest, that Kristy rubbed me the wrong way. Watch out with that one,” she said, shaking her head and heading back downstairs.
I immediately rushed to my phone that I had left on the nightstand. I knew DTF would be together today. This evening was poetry night at The Lounge, and those days, we usually spent the afternoon together too. It had become a tradition lately. I swiped through my phone and pressed the number for Rox.
“It’s the bride-to-be! How is life over there, Ms. Fancy Pants?” Rox answered on the second ring.
“Crazy. I guess that is what in-laws are known for though! I’ve got a problem. I need DTF to solve my … dilemma. I’m kind of in freak-out mode,” I whispered into the phone.
“Why don’t you consult your crystals?” Betty called.
“Okay, guess I’m on speakerphone. Glad I didn’t have any secrets!” I huffed.
“We don’t do secrets. You know that, silly. What is your dilemma? Can’t decide if you love Weston or not?” Layla chirped.
That’s weird. How did she know I was catching feelings?
“No. Gosh, it’s a business arrangement. Which, saying that, I’m about to be a hypocrite. Fuck it. Here goes. He’s not circumcised. What do I do with it?” I quietly panicked into the phone.
“I knew it!” Layla snorted.
“Knew what? That he isn’t cut? How can you tell? Does it change the shape of their real head too? I’ve never been with an uncut man. Help! I’m clueless!” I pleaded.
“No, I meant, I knew you liked him!” Layla laughed.
“You don’t know that. Nikki can screw a man she doesn’t like. We all can. It’s called getting our needs met,” Betty groaned. “Now, look, what the hell do you mean, what do you do with it? You do what you always do with it. The only difference is, it looks different. Ever seen one?”
“Not up close and personal!” I paced the floor of my bedroom, tracking dried mud crumbs across the rug.
“Don’t let it scare you. It’s going to look like it’s fat with a little head. But that is how it’s supposed to look. They are usually thicker than a cut man, so you get that advantage. Also, they don’t lose a lot of sensation like a cut man. So, that is his advantage. Also—” Betty continued.
“Fat with a little head. Got it! It did look thick in his pants!” I giggled.
“Just do what you normally do, and you’ll be fine,” Rox chimed in.
“So, I don’t have to, like, pull anything back with my hand or my mouth or wiggle it a certain way or anything like that? How does a condom not slip off of that? If the skin is all wiggling?” I asked.
Layla laughed loud enough in the background that I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
“This is beyond my brain cells, so I know it’s light-years beyond yours, Layla! I don’t know what is so funny! I’m going into this blindly. I won’t have my usual tricks if I don’t know what the fuck I’m dealing with!”
“Crystal Cream Pie can handle it. Just put it in your mouth and do your thing! Don’t go stretching skin out or poking at it!” Betty groaned.
“And you’re sure? That’s it? Treat it like a normal one?” I bit my lip, imagining just how that would work. I was still confused about the whole situation, but if I wanted to get laid, I didn’t have a choice.
“Yes! It’s the exact same.” Rox laughed.
“It is. She’s right. You know when you are putting on a turtleneck, and your head pops out the top and—” Layla started.
I hung up the phone and shot a quick text to Rox to tell them all thanks, but I had to run. I was not going to hear Layla’s opinion. She was rooting for Weston and me, and all I wanted was to fill this empty ache between my legs—or so I told myself.
I busied myself upstairs for over an hour, washing and blowing out my hair, making my makeup flawless, squeezing into a sexy yet modest dress. Weston had gone downstairs to help with the party prep after his shower. Though I didn’t know what he could help with, as by the time I got out of the shower, teams of people were running around everywher
e, setting up for the big night.
I looked out of my bedroom window and marveled at the area around the lake. Big white tents were set up and filled with tables and decorations. A dance floor had been constructed in one of them along with lighting and deejay equipment. I had seen these types of things at weddings but never at a family party.
Damn, they’re loaded.
I peeled myself away from the window, ready to face the competition downstairs. Weston had picked the right woman to stay by his side. I would give him that. I was competitive as fuck. And now, standing up against Kristy and Wes, my drive to win his parents over had increased tenfold. I slipped on my heels, tipped my chin up, and smirked. I was going to get my fake man his dream.
I tiptoed downstairs and made my entrance into the kitchen, all fresh-faced and smiles.
“Hello again!” I smiled at Kristy. “Where did the boys take off to?” I asked Ma, who was elbow deep in a ball of dough.
“Shenanigans. They’re probably into shenanigans! Messing with them fireworks, I suppose,” Ma huffed.
Kristy’s laugh echoed off the walls, stopping me in my steps. She sounded like a choking sea lion.
“Ha! Shenanigans. That Wes! He is trouble!” She fanned herself as she sat at the table, watching Ma.
I walked to the sink, washing my hands and drying them before sidling up next to Ma. “Well, let’s hope they don’t get into too much trouble! Now that I won’t get mud in your meals, what can I help with? Let me work too.”
“Such a dear. Do you know how to roll out a pie crust?”
“Yes, ma’am, I do. I often make my own cream pies. Did Weston tell you about them? He loves my cream pies.” I smiled sweetly.
Kristy guffawed again.
“Is something wrong, Kristy?” Ma asked.
Kristy looked at me to save her, but I played dumb.
“No. Sorry, I was laughing at something I remembered from earlier. Wes was making jokes in the van, and that man is just the most darling. I’d love to have ten of his babies.” Kristy sighed into her sweet tea.
Great. She is playing the game too.
“How did y’all meet?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Oh! It’s the sweetest story, y’all! I was outside, helping an elderly lady across the street, when I saw this old van pull up. Wes hopped out and helped the old lady across the street for me. He told me he thought I was so kind and thoughtful to stop and help someone in need and asked for my number right then and there. The rest is history!”
Classic.
“What about you? How did you and Weston—” Kristy started.
“Morning, ladies!” Weston shuffled through the doorway, interrupting her.
“There’re my boys!” Ma beamed.
Wes sat next to Kristy, putting her face in his hands and kissing her. Her back became rigid, and her hand curled into a fist.
“I hope you two haven’t been into any trouble,” I said, working the pie dough between my hands.
“Not at all. Just tipping ol’ Bessie out there since you gave me the idea earlier.” Weston grinned.
“I did no such thing!” I laughed, rolling a tiny ball of dough and tossing it at him.
He caught it midair—in his mouth. I laughed again while he grinned at me like he had just accomplished something big, like running a marathon, curing a disease, or … making me feel something for him.
“We weren’t misbehaving, Ma! Weston and I were discussing business. Some things we’d like to see over at Westy’s. Everyone is putting in these virtual reality things, and I thought we might do something similar. I think it would be an amazing investment.” Wes kept his arms around Kristy, hugging her tight. Her nose stayed crinkled.
I wondered what her real story was. She seemed harmless enough, but still, I was here for a job, and I needed to do my duty for Weston.
“Virtual reality? That’s interesting. Have you been to Westy’s, Kristy? What do you think?” I asked.
“Oh! Me? I, um … I don’t get involved in such business matters. All I want to do is cook and clean and take care of kids! That other stuff is men’s work.” Kristy cringed, wiggling out of Wes’s arms.
I bit my tongue, my lip, and held back my raging feminist soul, furiously rolling out the pie dough instead of saying my piece.
“Horseshit!” Ma said.
“Ma!” Weston cried.
“Well, it’s true. Listen up here, Kristy. And you too, Nikki. Do you think I got all this by popping out babies and cleaning all the time? No! I love homemaking. Always have, always will. But I busted my rear end, getting our business off the ground. Wanna know who started the diner? Me. Wanna know who rolled that investment into the hotel? Me. The park was both my and Westy’s project, but the majority of our assets and investments were strung together by yours truly. I am the backbone of the business. That might be Westy’s name up there on the signs, but that was only a business decision too—by me. Westworld is Jeanworld—built for her family.” Ma brushed the flour off her palms and began assembling the pie.
Wes and Weston looked at each other as if their mom had just performed the most significant mic drop in their history.
“It takes a damn strong woman to do that while raising these two. I want to be you when I grow up,” I said, genuinely meaning it. My heart grew for Ma in that short speech. I’d liked her well enough before, but now, I admired her.
“You’ve no idea!” She huffed. “Now, get cleaned up and find some jobs to do. I’m finishing up in here and then getting myself ready for the guests.”
Wes and Kristy whispered to each other as they left the kitchen.
“I’ll meet you upstairs in a second, Weston.” I shooed him away.
His eyes were still wide in shock from his mom’s truth bomb. He slowly backed away. Once everyone left, I tried to comfort Ma. I couldn’t help it. My conscience wouldn’t let me leave the Banks’ house without it after hearing the frustration in Ma’s voice.
“I meant that, Ma. Women like you are who I look up to.
“My ma wasn’t around much. She passed away from breast cancer when I was younger. You might have noticed that I avoided the topic of my family at dinner last night as best I could. It’s still hard to talk about. But I think if I had a mother like you, I’d be able to conquer the world.
“You’ve been working your butt off in the shadows. I know how that feels. But I want you to know that I see your work, and I value it—all of the business and parenting. You made something special with all of it—especially Weston. Whatever you did to give him that big heart of his, the world needed that. And still needs more of it. For you to raise someone like that while juggling all of your businesses, you’re my hero.” I wiped my hands clean on a dish towel before throwing them around Ma and giving her the big hug I sensed she needed.
“Thank you, darlin’. I’m not sure what got into me just then. I guess it’s the stress of the party. I wasn’t always this way, ya know. With the homemaking.” She sniffled. “I was career-driven. A different person back then. Sometimes, I do feel guilty, looking back and thinking of some of the times I missed the boys’ childhood because I was helping get our businesses off the ground. And then, other times, I feel worthless and not taken seriously because all of what everyone, including my sons, saw was me changing diapers and baking these damn pies—not the countless hours building the park, the hotel, or the diner. Those accomplishments always went to their dad. I don’t want you to think I don’t love what I do. I just miss who I once was. Had to put that part of me aside. I guess I shouldn’t have spouted off like that on poor Kristy!” She covered her mouth with her hand.
“Jean! Stop with the mom guilt. Weston thinks you’re the greatest woman ever to live—and frankly, right now, I do too! Don’t worry about Kristy. I bet she feels the same way. I haven’t met many women who wouldn’t. You deserve something for yourself too. I’m glad you let Jean out. It makes you more relatable.”
“Yes, let Jean out. I did that, didn’t I?
Ha! Damn party stress is getting to me. If I were a drinker, I’d pour myself a whiskey right about now.” She shook her head. “And you’re very kind, Nikki. So glad my boy picked you. You remind me a bit of myself when I was younger, though I might have had a slight edge and a wild side to me.” Her eyes glazed over.
Oh, lady, if you only knew!
“Now, that is something I’d like to hear about, too, one day. You just keep getting more and more interesting! I’m going to check on Weston and see if he needs my help with the fireworks stuff. He mentioned helping set it up earlier. Anything else I can do before I go?”
“No, dear. You’ve done more than you can imagine. Thank you,” Ma said, wiping a tear from her eye before she thought I noticed.
EIGHT
Weston
“I had no idea she felt that way.” I sat on the edge of the bed and put my head in my hands. “I don’t remember her working so much. I only remember her doing the mom stuff. Baking cow patties and shit.”
“That’s okay! I bet your dad doesn’t know she feels that way either. Men can be oblivious to so much. That’s what you got me for. I’m going to open your eyes a little bit, Weston. I think that’s why I’m here. To teach you a lesson.” Nikki rubbed her palms over my shoulders in a circular motion.
I closed my eyes and melted back into her hands.
“Does this lesson involve whips and chains?” I perked up.
“What the hell?”
“Well, you said we needed to get closer earlier. You wanted to shower with me even! Do I get a rain check on that?”
Nikki thumped Dan and stood up beside me. “Kiss me.”
“Really? Okay. Is this how it all begins? You like a lot of foreplay?”
“If you don’t shut your mouth and just kiss me, gah!”
I hopped to my feet, took the back of her head into my giant hand, and pushed her lips into mine. She slightly opened her mouth and traced my bottom lip with her tongue. My entire body became rigid. Her hand reached up, stroking the side of my face with her palm and letting her fingers trail all the way down Dan before bringing her lips to mine again. My dick stirred, and I might have let out a whimper as she gently stuck her tongue back into my mouth. I relaxed my shoulders and slowly slid my tongue into her mouth. My arm circled her waist as I pulled her into my hips and against my rock-hard cock. I pushed my mouth into her lips, harder, greedy for her breaths.