The Wannabes

by Tammy Coons

  “I don’t want to hear about that shit,” Alex spat.

  “No...no…no...I’m telling you about my night. Now where was I? Hmmm…I sang a song, almost kicked Rob’s ass… again… and danced a slow dance with Corbin. She asked me to take her home so I did. She passed out in the car. I carried her upstairs and put her in her bed. After that, she started an awesome puke fest. I cleaned up her mess, changed her clothes and sat up most of the night making sure she was ok. Is that enough info for you?” Alex eyed him for a moment.

  “So, no sex?”

  “I didn’t say that.” Ryder shrugged. He watched as Alex’s face contorted into anger. “Later on, I met up with a chick named Rosie Palmer, we invited her friend, Jergens, to join in. We had a great time.” He sat down at the table.

  “You are such a dick.” Alex pushed away from the table.

  “You’re the one who wanted all the details of my night.” Ryder crushed his cigarette. Alex nodded and stood.

  “I’m going to bed.” As she started to walk away, Ryder felt as if something snapped in his brain.

  “I am really digging on Corbin. I am going to pursue her and see how things play out.”

  “Huh?” Alex turned to him and crossed her arms.

  “I like Corbin…a lot.” Ryder made hand gestures as if he were using sign language.

  “Ugh...” Alex threw her hands in the air.

  “She’s sexy, smart…”

  “Leave her alone!”

  “I can’t, Alex. I know I said I would stay away, I have tried, but I just can’t.” He tapped his lighter on the table waiting for the blow up that he knew was about to happen.

  “She just got rid of one asshole user, she doesn’t need another one in her life.”

  Ryder stood so fast that he knocked the chair over. He was nose to nose with her.

  “You need to realize that I am not that person anymore! I could have easily let the twins finish me off last night. But I stopped them, do you want to know why?” He watched as tears welled up in Alex’s eyes. He took a deep breath and pointed to Corbin’s bedroom door, “She’s why.”

  Alex shook her head.

  “Quit throwing my past in my face. I’m fucking tired of it.” He grabbed his cigs and keys from the table.

  “Where are you going?” He felt her grab his arm.

  “Out.” Ryder yanked away and stormed from the apartment. On his way down the stairs he ran into Stella and nearly knocked her down them. He steadied her then continued on.

  “Where’s the fire?” he heard Stella ask. He got into his car and sped out of the parking lot.

  ALEX SAT STUNNED, tears poured down her face.

  “What’s up, buttercup?” Stella asked as she entered the kitchen.

  “Big fight with Ryder.” Alex wiped her eyes with her shirt.

  “He looked pretty pissed as he almost knocked me down the stairs.”

  “He told me he had a thing for Corbin, even after I told him to stay away from her.”

  “Why did you tell him to stay away? Do you want her for yourself?” Stella began making coffee.

  “Gah Stella, no, you just don’t know Ryder like I do.”

  “Maybe not, but when I see the way he looks at Corbin…sigh.”

  “When have you seen that?” Alex blew her nose.

  “Duh, all the time, you have to be blind not to see it.”

  “I think you’re high.” Alex began wracking her brain in an attempt to recall those moments.

  “I think you should quit trying to be Ryder’s parent and start being his sister.”

  “Who asked you for your opinion?”

  “Nobody, but I am putting it out there anyway.” Stella turned to her. “Everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone deserves happiness. Maybe you should stop sticking your nose in everyone else’s lives, maybe then you could see your happiness.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Alex threw the paper towels on the table. She watched as Stella shook her head and stared up at the ceiling.

  “One word…Moses.”

  “We work together, so what?”

  “What is wrong with you people?” Stella shook her head, poured herself a cup of coffee and left the room.

  Alex sat at the table, her mind reeling from the fight with Ryder and Stella’s words.

  “Moses?” she said aloud.

  THE SOUND OF Corbin’s phone ringing woke her. She fumbled around with stuff on the night stand and found it.

  “Hello.” She grabbed for her head.

  “Corbin?”

  “Yeah,”

  “This is Nancy from Friendship. Sorry to wake you.”

  “Is Mom ok?” Corbin sat straight up in her bed, her head felt as if it were about to explode.

  “That’s why I am calling you. Are you coming to visit today? You’re usually here by now.” Corbin looked at her clock it was 10:00a.m.

  “Shit, sorry I overslept.” She jumped out of bed and pulled on some shorts.

  Nancy cleared her throat.

  “Do you remember meeting Jan from Hospice?”

  “Yeah.” She searched frantically for her keys.

  “She’s here and thinks it’s time for them to step in.”

  “Wait, what?” Corbin stopped searching.

  “We will talk more when you get here, ok?”

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Corbin waited for the line to go dead. Tears stung her eyes while she dialed her brothers’ numbers and left them each a voicemail. She opened her door and frantically searched the apartment for her purse and keys.

  “Nice shirt,” Stella said from the couch.

  Corbin looked down and seen she was wearing an Infected Whiskey t-shirt. She wracked her brain for memories of the night before, but came up with nothing.

  “Have you seen my keys?” she blurted. Stella pointed to the table by the door.

  “Are you ok?” Alex asked as she entered the room.

  “No, mom’s worse, I have to go,” Corbin sobbed. Alex and Stella walked to her and gave her a hug.

  “I’m driving,” Stella said softly. She picked up Corbin’s keys and the three walked out the door. They met Ryder walking up the stairs. After seeing him, Corbin flung herself into his arms.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s her mom,” Alex answered.

  “I got you, let’s go,” Ryder whispered in her ear. He gave her a squeeze and they continued on down the stairs. She clung to him on the way there and held onto his hand tightly as they entered the facility. Nancy met them in the foyer.

  “Can…can I see her?” Corbin wiped her eyes. Nancy gave her a nod.

  “We will be right there if you need us.” Alex gave Corbin’s shoulder a squeeze. Corbin nodded then unfolded her hand from Ryder’s. He gave her a wink.

  Corbin followed Nancy down the hall. They had moved her Mom into what Corbin referred to as the death room. Her Mom was lying on the bed and was mumbling something.

  “Have you called your brothers?” Nancy asked. Corbin nodded. She felt fresh tears spill down her cheek. “I’ll give you a few minutes.” Corbin pulled chair up next to the bed.

  “I’m here, Mom.” She took her mom’s hand in hers and gave it a kiss. Corbin placed her free arm on the bed railing and rested her chin on it.

  “Corbin, Jan is here.” Nancy said softly.

  “I’ll be right back.” She gave her mom a kiss on the forehead, then followed Nancy to her office.

  Corbin shook Jan’s hand.

  “Please sit.” Jan gestured to a chair.

  “Would you like some coffee?” Nancy offered.

  “Ahm…, yes please.” Corbin grabbed the box of tissues. Jan sat down next to her. For the next hour she explained her role and what to expect during the process. Corbin broke down a few times as they spoke, and then her brain felt numb.

  “Do you have any questions for me?” Jan took Corbin’s hand in hers.

  “How long does she have?”


  “That’s hard to say. Only your mom and God know when the time will be.”

  “This sucks.” Corbin began crying again.

  “I know it does. I promise you I will be here for you and your family, day or night.”

  Nancy knocked on the door and leaned in.

  “I just got off of the phone with each of your brothers. They will be here tomorrow.” She gave Corbin a small smile then left.

  “Come on, let’s go see your mom.” Jan patted her arm. They went back into the room and Corbin took the same seat as she had before. This time her mom’s eyes were open, she turned to her and smiled.

  “My baby girl, I haven’t seen you in so long.” Her Mom reached out and touched her face. Corbin openly sobbed.

  “It has been a long time.” Corbin stood and hugged her.

  “Where have you been? How’s school?”

  Corbin pulled away and stared into her mom’s eyes.

  “I’ve been around. School’s great,”

  “Don’t cry, everything’s going to be fine.” Her mom squeezed her hand.

  “I love you, Mom,” Corbin sobbed.

  “I love you too.” Her mom kissed her hand and a few short seconds later, her eyes closed and she began mumbling again. Corbin couldn’t move from her seat. She just sat there and watched and waited for her to wake up again.

  TWO WEEKS HAD passed and Corbin’s mom’s condition remained the same. After much reassurance from Nancy and Jan, Corbin decided to go to the lake for the weekend with her friends. She was still ridden with guilt. Her brothers had been in and out of the facility but rarely stayed longer than an hour.

  What if she dies and I’m not there?

  She shook the thought away and finished shaving her much neglected areas. She rinsed and pulled the plug in the tub. She hadn’t had much sleep lately and by the bags under her eyes, it catching up to her. In between working and spending all of her free time with her mom she was rarely home.

  She opened the bathroom door and saw Ryder bent over in the fridge. He was singing Just got Paid. His work clothes were covered in corn dust and shaf, and when he stood and turned his face was smudged with dirt. He graced her with a sly smile then held a Blue Moon out to her.

  “Want one?”

  “Sure.” He popped the top and handed it to her. He grabbed his own and did the same. He took a hefty drink of his.

  “You got me hooked on this stuff.” Corbin laughed.

  “Stella told me you moved out.”

  “I did, but Alex and I hashed some shit out last night, so you’re stuck with me for awhile.” He gave her a wink and slid up on the counter.

  “That’s good...I mean, it’s good you guys talked.” Corbin felt her cheeks turn.

  “Yeah.” He took another drink. “What’s been going on with you? How’s your mom?”

  “Working...no changes in her condition yet.” Ryder nodded.

  “You going to the lake this weekend?” He raised an eyebrow at her. Corbin swallowed hard.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good you need some time to relax.” He slid off the counter and removed his shirt. Corbin put her bottle up to her mouth to stifle a moan.

  “Are you?” She said a little out of breath. He smiled.

  “Yep.”

  “For the whole weekend or..?” He chuckled.

  “I got the weekend off so yeah, I’ll be there.” He took another sip.

  “Should be fun.” Corbin fought the urge to fidget. She watched as Ryder licked his lips and she shivered.

  “Yeah, I’m hoping so.” He finished his beer and dropped the bottle in the trash. “Are you done in there?” He pointed to the bathroom.

  “Ryder…” she wanted to ask about the night a Rebels but the words stuck in her throat. He unbuttoned his pants.

  “Yeah,” He cocked his head sideways.

  “Don’t forget to grab a towel.” He nodded then disappeared in the hall. Corbin jetted from the kitchen cursing herself for acting like a lame ass. She went into her bedroom and threw some more clothes in her bag. She opened her bedside stand and pulled out the box of condoms; taking a deep breath she shoved them under her clothes. Hearing Stella announce her arrival home she poked her head out of her room.

  “Do you have a few minutes?”

  “Sure, what’s up?” Stella sat her purse down and walked into her room. Corbin shut the door behind her and mustered up the courage to speak. She sat down on her bed and cleared her throat.

  “Ahm...”

  “Spit it out girl.”Stella plopped down next to her. Corbin tucked her hair behind her ear.

  “I have only had sex with one guy in my life and…”

  “Really, wow!” Stella’s jaw dropped.

  “Yeah, and now that I am single...I really don’t know much about sex.”

  “Ok?” Stella gestured for her to go on. Corbin felt herself break out into a sweat and wiped her brow.

  “I know this sounds stupid, but Rob and I only did the missionary position, and I have never had an orgasm, like that...with him. I mean he only lasted about 30 seconds when we did do it.”

  Stella gave her a small smile. “There’s more to sex than a 30 second rabbit screw.”

  “Huh?”

  “Just go with the moment when it happens, don’t be scared. Just make sure you trust your next partner enough to let him take control.” Stella stood. “You’ll be fine Corbin.” She gave her a small wink and left the room.

  “Well that was helpful,” Corbin muttered. She wanted Ryder to be her next, but also knew he was very experienced. She was scared she wouldn’t be up to his standards in the sack.

  I am so pathetic.

  RYDER EXITED THE bathroom and ran into Stella.

  “We need to talk.” She pushed him back into the bathroom. He watched as she fidgeted.

  “About?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

  “I know I shouldn’t be telling you this shit, it’s like I am breaking girl code.” She began pacing back and forth. “But I have too.”

  Ryder ran a hand threw his wet hair then put the lid of the toilet down and sat.

  Here we go again.

  “I just talked to Corbin...and she told me something.”

  “And?” He shook his head.

  “I’m just going to say it, ugh…” Stella threw her hands in the air then sat down on the floor. She covered her eyes.

  “Speak woman.” Ryder heaved a frustrated sigh.

  “Ok...but promise me you won’t tell her I told you.”

  “Yeah, pinky swear, what the fuck?”

  “Corbin…just told me...that…she has only been with Rob.”

  “So? What does that have to do with me?”

  “Oh Christ…I know what you’re plans are for this weekend, Ryder.”

  Get Corbin alone.

  “To get hammered and swim?” He played dumb.

  See what she’s hiding under her clothes.

  “No, you ass, I know what you have been wanting to do since day one.”

  “So what are you trying to tell me?”

  Spend the weekend having sex.

  Stella heaved an exasperated sigh then stood. “Just take it slow with Corbin, ok?”

  Ryder gave her his sly smile. “I promise I will be gentle.”

  Stella threw her hands in the air then yanked the bathroom door open. Ryder chuckled and followed her out. He grabbed another beer from the fridge then went to living room and plopped on the couch. He clicked the TV on and began scrolling through the channels. He heard a door open and turned in the direction of the sound. Corbin exited her room and when they made eye contact her face turned a bright shade of red.

  “All packed?” Ryder cocked his head sideways. She gave him a nod and disappeared into the kitchen. Thoughts of her writhing beneath him filled his mind. He felt his dick growing.

  Down boy, there will be enough time for that later.

  “I GET THE master bedroom!” Stella announced as they entered the lake house. She
scurried up the stairs.

  “As usual,” Corbin shrugged and sat her bag down.

  “This place is pretty big,” Ryder said from behind her. She turned to him. He slid his sunglasses down and took the place in.

  “There are two bedrooms up and one down here. I usually take the one downstairs because Stella can get pretty noisy…if you know what I mean.” Corbin pointed upstairs and felt her cheeks burn.

  “Ahh…” Ryder nodded. “How about a tour?” He removed his sunglasses and set his bag down. Corbin gave him a nod then showed him through the house. The last spot she showed him was the tiny bathroom. He stood so close behind her that she could feel his body heat resonating from him. She turned to him. They made eye contact and Corbin felt light headed.

  “So I guess I’ll just go unpack.” Corbin looked away from him.

  “How about after that you show me around the Lake? Maybe go for a swim?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her making her laugh.

  “Ok.” Corbin squeezed past him and hurried to the bedroom. She quickly shoved stuff in her dresser, checked herself in the mirror then hurried back out.

  “That was fast,” Ryder commented. He had changed into his swim trunks and was wearing an unbuttoned short sleeved shirt. Corbin uttered a nervous laugh. “Come on, I am hot and want to take a dip.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door.

  “Wait, let me grab the keys.” Corbin hurried back in and grabbed the keys off the key holder.

  “Keys?”

  “For the golf cart, do you want a beer for the ride?” She threw the keys to Ryder.

  “Hell yeah,” He gave her a wink and slid his sunglasses on. She bit hard on her bottom lip.

  Ok Corbin...if you want him...just do it...don’t waste any more time.

  She pulled a couple beers from the cooler and proceeded back outside. She waved the beers at him and hopped onto the cart. He took his, popped the top, and took a hefty drink.

  “Damn, this shit is good.” He clicked his tongue and Corbin felt as if her clit was going to explode. “Which way?”