Claiming Johnny: A New-Adult Novel

by Dunning, Rachel

  Nicole and I have issues to resolve between us, between me and her.

  We can’t be friends again, because Johnny will always be in the way.

  And that’s one battle I’m not willing to be the loser in again.

  Losing doesn’t mean Johnny ends up with someone else. Losing means Johnny ends up with Nicole. It means she wraps him around her sexual finger and makes him confuse it for love.

  I didn’t see it before.

  I see it now.

  She’s wrong for him. She always was.

  -38-

  I’m about to text Johnny, to say hi, when Franz texts me. Then Tiago.

  I read Franz’s text first.

  Franz: Thanks for the night. I’m sorry if I came off too gentle. You seemed...like you had your mind on something.

  Me: I did. Very perceptive.

  Franz: Let me know about tomorrow nite when you’ve decided.

  Me: I’ve decided. I’ll see you. And I’ll leave my problems at home.

  Franz: Dinner?

  Hell, why waste all those awesome dresses?

  Me: Sure.

  I pull up Tiago’s text.

  Tiago: 6AM tomorrow. My bedroom. We start shooting.

  Fucking prick.

  ~Johnny~

  -39-

  Vanessa walks into the bar looking like a Rubenesque goddess. Christ. That dress... It’s cinched at the waste and the neckline is seriously low. Pink. Nothing special actually, but on a woman with curves...

  She’s wearing eyeliner that’s pointed up on each side, blue eyeshadow and deep red lipstick.

  “You really clean up.”

  She smiles coyly. “Yeah, well, the fact you don’t wanna sleep with me, doesn’t mean I can’t try.” She’s taken off the nose-ring and the lip-ring, but her left ear is still adorned with studs rolling up the entire outside. It looks attractive, it looks stylish. And are her cheeks just a little red?

  Vanessa reminds me of both Cat and Nic put together. She’s sly and lustful like Nic, but inside she’s honest and fragile, like Cat.

  “So, if you’re handling the drinks, then you’re buying,” Vanessa says.

  “I figured. Strong Vodka for you?”

  “Har har. I’ll have a beer.”

  I order us two beers at the bar and try and ignore the smirks and grins of the blond behind the counter. When I give her the ten-note she slides her fingers over my wrist and lingers.

  I sit up on the high table and push Vanessa’s drink over to her. She eyes it suspiciously. “Did you spike it? I know you want me, Johnny, but I have to draw the line somewhere.”

  “Just drink, damn it.”

  “I see you have a fanclub.” Vanessa looks over at the blond behind the bar, who’s doing her best I’m Hotter Than You So Watch Out look.

  I roll my eyes.

  Vanessa’s face softens. “You really weren’t talking bullshit.”

  “About?”

  “About me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You really would do me—if you weren’t whipped, that is. Either that, Or you’re gay. You don’t look gay. Is that wrong to say that? Ah, who gives a shit. All this political correctness and the end-product is no one can communicate anymore.”

  She sips her beer. “So I have a theory,” she says. “About these two girls.”

  I almost choke on my beer. “The Catty one and this other one... Whatever her name is.”

  “Jesus, how much did I tell you?”

  Vanessa rolls her eyes. “You told me everything, baby. Don’t worry, I might kiss and tell, but I never spill secrets told to me in a drunken stupor. Goes with the job. Anyway, so I know what your problem is.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “You’re faithful to the point of idiocy.”

  Now I do choke on my beer. “Excuse me?”

  “You’re faithful to the point of idiocy.”

  “I heard you the first time.”

  “You said Excuse me, so I figured you hadn’t.” She stares at me innocently, as if what she’s just said makes complete sense.

  “Go on.”

  “So this Catty chick. I mean, OK, you were there for her, and she frickin dumped you. Fine. Shit happens. But what did you do? You hung around. You tried to do good by her.”

  “I was being supportive.”

  “You were being a noodle. Look, shit happens. People hook up, and they split up. I mean, there’s no sense to it. Why try make any sense out of it? So anyway, she told you to screw off, then you felt totally offended or some shit, and you ended up in Portugal screwing some girl you didn’t even love, on a freaking rebound, mind you.” She lowers her voice. “I remind you that I’m available for rebound sex on this vacation of yours.”

  “Thanks for reminding me.”

  “Just making sure we’re on the same page.”

  “You were offering me your advice.”

  “That’s part of the advice, didn’t you read that Relationship section at the library? I’ve read all those books. I know all about rebounds and extra-marital sex and how to keep a relationship together.”

  “No doubt you believe all that shit.”

  She cocks an eyebrow. “Do I look stupid? So anyway, you should have stayed stateside. Shit would have blown over and, tada, happily ever after, you and Cat could have been together, no problem. It’s my understanding, and correct me if I’m wrong, that you started talking to this Nic after you were out in Portugal getting drunk and getting laid, right?”

  “I really did tell you everything.”

  “Everything. Now, am I correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “OK, you see? So now this Nicky chick got worried about you, all because you didn’t just let it go. You should have just let it slide. I mean, you got dumped, so what. Fat chicks get dumped all the time. You should’ve bounced back up, gotten back on the horse.” She lowers her voice. “Note the hint of getting back on the horse.” Vanessa smiles playfully. “If you had let it slide, let it roll, time would have healed Cat’s wounds, and you could have tried again.

  “Enter this Nic. I mean, if that wasn’t a red flag waving in the wind... Fuck me, Johnny, the best friend? Who, I remind you, was also the enemy once. She’s a slut. I’m sorry to say that about her, but she is. She screwed around before you. You think girls like that change? No. She’s...” Vanessa inhales. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this: She’s like me, Johnny. And, trust me, if I wanted to get you in bed, I could. I know I could. I almost did.”

  “With booze.”

  “With...skills. You know big girls give the best head.”

  “Your point?”

  “You have a cock. Nicole has experience with cocks. You two merged. It was an accident waiting to happen. She’s a pro. She’s always been a pro. Trust me, I know girls like that.”

  “You sound like my sister.”

  “Sisters are wise.”

  My beer is empty, and suddenly I’m desperate for another one. “And the point of this detailed dissertation is what?”

  “The point is simple: Shit happens.”

  I stare at her for a little longer. “You’re kidding.”

  “No, I’m not. It’s the toughest lesson for people to learn: Shit happens. Roll with it. Don’t let it get you down. Seize an opportunity when it hits you in the face. If you fall, get back up. Hell, maybe I should write my own book.”

  “That’s your advice.”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t think it will sell a lot of copies.”

  “That’s why the self-help books are so crappy, they write what sells, not what’s actually true. But it’s true, Johnny. That’s all you need to know about relationships. Hell, it’s all you need to know about life. Shit happens. Wipe it off, and move on.”

  “Deep.”

  “I try. Now, I need another beer.” She holds her glass up toward me, wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. Smiles. “And don’t spike it, unless, of course...you want to.” She bli
nks.

  -40-

  “So who’s Mr. Macho?” I ask her.

  “Huh?”

  “The Incredible Hulk I saw you with the other day.”

  She waves her hand in the air, looks away. “Oh, just a guy.”

  “Just a guy?”

  She looks down.

  “Is he your boyfriend?”

  “Well...” She shrugs. “I mean, he comes around every now and then and...I don’t know.”

  “So he’s not your boyfriend.”

  There’s pain in her eyes. “He’s...a guy, OK? And, well, he gave me what I wanted when I needed it and I did the same for him.”

  “I see.”

  She takes a sip of her second beer. “Yesterday was the first time I ever told him No.”

  “No?”

  “Yeah, I said No.”

  “To what?”

  She cocks an eyebrow. “To...y’know...”

  “Sex.”

  “And more.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugs. “Because you’re...you’re ruining my love life.”

  “Me.” I take another glug of beer.

  “Yeah, all that crap you said about being with me if you weren’t drunk and stuff, y’know. It went to my head. And the fact...” She runs a finger over the top of her glass. “...the fact that, well, you kind of gave me the idea that, maybe, I don’t know, someone might actually like me for...me.”

  “I did all that?”

  She looks up at me. “Yeah, you did.”

  “So what did he say when you said No?”

  “He pushed.”

  “And?”

  “I pushed him away.”

  “And then?”

  “Then I told him to fuck off, told him I’m not a vessel for him to stick his cock into anytime he wants to.”

  I raise my glass. Vanessa raises hers. We toast.

  “Well done,” I say.

  She smiles, and blushes.

  And for a second, a brief second, she actually looks like an innocent, hurting, simple girl who’s only looking for love, and finding it in all the wrong places.

  Like the rest of us.

  -41-

  We end up getting drunk, very drunk. Vanessa’s on my arm and, if I wasn’t so goddamned confused about shit, I’d probably take her back to my place and kiss her and, who knows, see where it goes.

  And it’s not the booze talking.

  We sway past people in bikinis, dudes showing off ink, more girls in bikinis, families, kids. It’s a beach town. “Where you at?” Vanessa asks me.

  “Across the causeway.”

  She squints at it. “Fuck, that’s far.”

  I stare at her for a while, her eyes locked on mine. “You’re an asshole, you know that, Johnny?” She’s smiling.

  “What did I do?”

  “It’s what you didn’t do. Christ, I think I’m falling in love with you.” She shakes her head. “Oh, relax, I’m not that kind of girl. But...” She licks her lips, looks over my body. “...yip, you roped me. You’re gonna be my One That Got Away boy.”

  Her cheeks go red.

  She thrusts her hand out to shake mine. “I’m horny,” she says. “So I’m gonna go find someone who will do me tonight.”

  I don’t shake her hand. I pull her closer to me and I hug her.

  “My my, Johnny, is that a cell phone in your pocket, or are you just happy—”

  “Stop.”

  She giggles into my chest, then presses her lips against my shirt. “Fucking tease.” She pushes herself away, looks down at my pants, smacks her lips. “Such a pity.” She looks up at me. Her eyes big and large and innocent. “You’re gonna ruin my reputation.”

  “I don’t think you have a reputation.”

  “Oh, I do. Trust me, in this town, I do. But, well, I don’t know...” She rocks back and forth on her heels, looks down. “Maybe...maybe there are good guys in the world.” She scratches her head, looks up at me. “How long you still in town for?”

  I shrug. I’m having fun. But it’s time to head back. I have to see Cat. I have to see Cat and see if there’s something there. Failed opportunities, Thunder had said. You were taken, she was single. She was taken, you were single. Now you’re both single. Opportunities.

  And I’m also starting to like Vanessa too much. Way too much.

  But I can’t miss this opportunity with Cat.

  Not this time.

  If it doesn’t work out, then we’ll know for certain. But I have to give it a chance.

  “Johnny?”

  “Uh, yeah, sorry.”

  “How long?”

  “Not long.”

  “A day? Two?”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  “If I promise not to try and get in your pants, would you hang out with me at the library again?”

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  She smiles brightly. “Because I’m lying.”

  -42-

  I text Cat when I get home, not even sure why I’m doing it.

  Surprisingly, she answers. What is it, 5AM there?

  Me: So who’s the famous guy?

  Cat: Some idiot

  Me: Who?

  Cat: A prick. Nobody.

  Me: A name?

  Cat: Yes, Mr. Asshole

  I laugh. I can just imagine the type.

  Me: I’m in FL. Chilling.

  Pause.

  Cat: OK

  Me: I know about Nic. I know she cheated on me that night.

  Cat: I’m sorry, Johnny.

  Me: I should have seen it coming. And now she’s shacked up with some movie producer in LA. I hope it’s not the same idiot you’re taking pictures of

  Cat: Definitely not. I think no one’s as big an idiot as this prick

  I laugh again.

  Cat: How long you staying for?

  Me: Not long. You?

  Cat: Two weeks.

  Me: That’s a lot of pictures

  Cat: It’s not only pictures. Can’t say much about it. He’s a real ‘artiste’ type.

  Me: Why can’t you say much about it?

  Cat: Complicated

  Me: OK

  Cat: Johnny, don’t drink too much, OK?

  Me: Too late

  Pause.

  Me: Don’t worry.

  Fuck, I wanna tell her what happened. But it would be misunderstood. Best to keep it quiet.

  Cat: I worry

  Me: I know you do. I do, too.

  Cat: About?

  Me: About you

  Cat: I’m fine. Looking forward to getting back to NY.

  Me: I’m looking fwd to you getting back to NY as well. Another movie?

  Cat: Not horror this time. I’ve seen enough of those

  Me: You’ve seen one. Couldn’t be that bad.

  Cat: Two, actually. I’ll explain later.

  Heck, I wanna write more, so much more...

  Me: OK, a movie then.

  Cat: Can’t wait.

  I sit there staring at the phone for too long. I don’t even ask why she’s up so early. I don’t care, I’m just happy I reached her.

  I fall asleep, thinking about the last three years, the last ten years. Me, Cat, Nic. Susana, Marina. The business, the nightclub, Thunder, Alice.

  Cat’s dad.

  A failure in opportunities.

  And Vanessa’s sage advice: Shit happens. She and Thunder should get together and write a book.

  Name: THE TRUTH. Blurb: Shit happens, don’t let it get you down, move on, don’t waste an opportunity. End of book.

  Could life truly be that simple?

  No one would buy the book.

  Because no one would believe it.

  I guess the truth is the hardest pill to swallow.

  ~Cat~

  -43-

  Six AM. Christ. I’m not a morning person.

  I call Tiago from outside his door. Last thing I need is for the dude to be naked when I walk in there. I mean, I get that he wants to be captur
ed au naturel, in his element, unposed photographs, like a true artiste. But I don’t plan on capturing him au naturel in the literal sense.

  I’m reminded briefly of that day when my world came crashing down, when I walked in the door to his bedroom and found him with Simone.

  Idiot.

  Tiago doesn’t answer his phone, which pisses me off, because I can hear the damn thing ringing on the other side of the door.

  I send a text.

  Me: Put some clothes on.

  Tiago: Who’s to say I haven’t?

  Me: If you’re naked, I’m walking out. I have the right, y’know.

  Pause.

  Then—Tiago: Gimme a sec

  I hear fumbling, something falling, a female giggle.

  Tiago: OK, I’m ready. Door’s open.

  Me: Get the girls out.

  Tiago: The girls are part of my life.

  Urgh.

  I open the door, and I’m hit with the thick smell of old sex in the air.

  I’ll hand it to him. He’s not naked, but the two girls on his bed are. A tall blond with silicone implants so big I think she could poke an eye out. And another, golden skinned like Tiago. Curvy, brushing her long black hair on the side of his bed.

  I avert my eyes. In Portuguese, Tiago says to them, “Thanks, ladies. Should we do it again tonight?”

  “Pleasure,” the curvy brunette says, standing. She doesn’t have implants, because she doesn’t need them. Her nipples are puckered, and a little red. There are small scratch marks on her back, her stomach. And more than a few love bites.

  The blond doesn’t say anything, sour-faced. She stands, bends over the bed so Tiago can take a good look at her ass. Is he wanting me to photograph this damn scene? His eyes are locked on her butt. She stretches forward over the bed in a practiced manner, picks up a t-shirt, stays bent over while she unfolds it. Oh, brother.

  Finally, finally, she straightens, slides the t-shirt on. Her still-erect nipples press up against it. She walks over to Tiago—

  That’s it. “I’m waiting outside,” I say.

  “No, wait, Cat.” He pushes the blond away. “Fora!” he screams at her, snaps his fingers. Then, to the brunette, “Fora! Agora!” They scuttle to get their clothes on, and they’re out the door, barely dressed, one still trying to get her shoes on.