Splinters

by M R Field

  I step onto the plush carpet and bend down under the bed to retrieve a flat, brown paper wrapped package. Picking it up carefully, I kneel back onto the bed and hold it out for him.

  “Happy birthday! Now open it!” I eagerly demand.

  He laughs and sits up, reaching for the package and holding it in front of him. He looks at me for a moment, an eyebrow raised, and then quickly tears through the paper like there is no tomorrow. The strips of paper are thrown haphazardly, his hands gripping either side of the frame. His eyes widen as he stares up and down the frame, and I can’t help but bounce on the bed.

  “Well?” I rock from side to side. He turns to me, and the familiar heated gaze has returned.

  “When did you do this?” he asks, gesturing to the image.

  “Last week. Trin got a new camera and we had a play-around. It’s to replace the one that was broken last year by Alex and Trice.”

  His nose wrinkles at the memory. Last year, when Alex and Trice had finally gotten their act together, they reunited against the wall of the lounge and while they ‘moved furniture,’ a pinup girl picture of Robbie’s slammed into the floor and smashed. At the time, he had joked about getting a new picture, all the while as he stared at me. Today, he gets his request, but with a cabaret twist.

  In the image, I sit backwards on a wooden arched-back chair, dressed in a white beaded bra and lacy panties. My left elbow leans against my right hand along the back of the chair, my wrists are adorned in beaded lace bracelets. Thick bright red lipstick, covers my seductive pout as my dark-lined eyes stare at the camera. My hair is twisted in a French knot, securely fastened as a diamond-shaped headpiece comes down and covers the mid-section of my forehead while large white feathers sit like a peacock’s tail on top of my head. Soft tulle hangs from the back of my headpiece as long, beaded flower earrings hang from my earlobes.

  Robbie rolls his lips together as he continues to stare at the photograph.

  “Fuck,” he hisses. “I can’t have this in the lounge room. It needs to be in here, on the wall or better yet, up on the ceiling.” He turns his dark eyes to me and says, “But the real thing is much better.”

  I giggle and shake my head. Knowing my luck, he probably would nail it to the ceiling.

  “Even without all the bling?” I gesture to the photo.

  “Baby, this photo is fucking incredible. Is this something you’ll be wearing this week? ’Cause I’ve gotta tell you, I might have trouble staying in my seat.”

  “It’s not the club colours,” I joke, cheekily avoiding his question. “And we mostly wear corsets with skirts.”

  Robbie stands up unabashedly, the sheet slipping onto the floor, and walks to the far wall naked, holding up the portrait. He might think my portrait is incredible, but right now staring at his tight butt, I know I have the best view in the room. Moving the portrait in the air from side to side, he tilts his head as he pretends to place it in certain spots on his wall.

  “Here.” He holds it still while looking over his shoulder at me. “I should be able to see it easily from bed, or if the door is opened”—he steps to the side a bit and adjusts the portrait more to the right just over the wooden clock—“here I might see it too, but the wardrobe might be in the way.”

  “You don’t want to hide it?” I blink.

  “Fuck no. Look how hot you are! I’m not going to parade it around but at the same time, Hazel, you are magnificent. Why would I hide it in here?”

  My chest warms as he removes the clock from the wall and places it on a chair on top of his shirt that he flung over the seat. Hanging up the portrait, he straightens it and moves back to the bed to turn back and observe it.

  “Perfect.” I grin, my eyes greedily running up his toned back and shoulders, as he stands there, oblivious to my blatant perusal as he admires the portrait.

  “I know you’re checking out my arse,” he muses as he continues to stare at the photo.

  Not so oblivious after all. “Well, if you’re going to stand there naked, of course I am going to check out the buns. So, you like my present?”

  He chuckles and turns slowly to face me. By now, his hand has lowered and is stroking his very hard erection.

  “Absolutely.” His smouldering eyes pin mine still as he crawls up the bed. “Right now, baby, I’d like to say thank you.”

  My breathing escalates as I watch him prowl towards me. He grabs my ankles and pulls me down until I am flat against the mattress, his strong limbs continuing to move up my body until he is right above me.

  “I’m feeling very grateful.” His eyes twinkle as he bends down to kiss the side of my neck. I sigh and tilt my chin for better access.

  He spends the rest of the morning repaying his gratitude over and over until our sweaty bodies are spent and I consider the need for more portraits.

  “I can’t wait to do this set tonight.” Trice leans closer to the mirror in the vanity, applying her lipstick. “I like that we’re being a bit cheeky.” She giggles, her eyes finding mine in the mirror and winking.

  “Pun intended.” I wink back, adjusting my top hat.

  “I love club nights,” Trice purrs as she fiddles with her hair. “Alex is so wild. It’s like he has to remind me that I belong to him. Such a caveman.” She laughs.

  “Yeah.” I sigh. “Robbie is an animal.” My cheeks heat from the memory of this morning. His hot tongue against my navel as his fingers trailed down my thighs.

  Spluttering and choking noises sound to my right as Trice holds her fingers to her lips, while pretending to gag. I frown at her while I flick the roof of my mouth with my tongue and shake my head.

  “Sorry.” I’m not sorry at all. “I know he’s your brother, but you’re going to have to deal with it.” I blink heavily, enjoying her discomfort. “Now, you know how it feels to be around you and Alex and all your ‘moving furniture noises’ in there.”

  “Yeah, I know.” She rolls her eyes, leaning forward to fluff out her skirt. She checks the side seam before gesturing to the door. Our costumes are sweetheart-cut corsets and skirts, with our signature tulle around the top, and a green satin body covered in a black lace overlay. Our skirts are short and flirty, but also a ruse for what we have planned.

  “Let’s head next door and round up the troops.” Trice says as she releases her skirt. A hard knock breaks our movement. “Come in!” She shouts.

  The handle turns as Maxi pokes her head in. “You babes ready?”

  “Yep,” Trice announces as she wolf whistles at Maxi. “You look hot.”

  “Oh.” Maxi’s flustered, as she brushes a few strands of hair from her face. “It’s nothing different. I just put makeup on.”

  “Your blue eyes pop!” Trice gestures to Maxi’s face. “You don’t have your hair hiding

  those baby blues.”

  Maxi’s hair is pinned to the side, with a few loose bits at the front. Normally, her long hair covers the side of her face, and as she plays her guitar, she turns into it, shielding herself from the audience.

  “What the hell is taking so long?” Roni whinges outside the door.

  “Looks like the troops have been summoned.” I chuckle, walking to the door. Maxi eyes my skirt knowingly and says, “Trinity has a booth to the side with the guys; she said to say she has a clear view of Robbie and Alex. Robbie was going to help out Deacon, but he’s going to sit it out while you’re performing.”

  Trice nudges my side as we walk excitedly out the door.

  “Bets are on.” Roni fist pumps Jules, as she rolls her tongue piercing between her teeth.

  “Huh?” Trice asks, staring at their pumped hands.

  “I bet that Alex will lose his shit,” Jules pipes up while flicking her fist to Roni. “She thinks it’s gonna be Robbie.”

  “Robbie’s not overprotective like that.” I scoff.

  “Until he sees what you have planned,” Maxi throws back.

  “Lily is here tonight too,” Trice mentions, ignoring the bets as a relieved
look passes across her face. “This time without her idiot boyfriend.”

  We head to the side of the stage where Leon is standing, watching the tables. Normally he’s by the front, so it is a bit odd to find him there.

  “Hey Leon,” I singsong, strolling up to him as the girls wait back to the side and out of earshot. “Everything okay?”

  His eyes brighten at me as he chin lifts towards the tables. “So far so good, but there’s some tall lanky dude who keeps asking about when you’re going to be on. Normally, I wouldn’t give a shit, but he seemed a bit … on edge.”

  My shoulders stiffen as I try to peek around Leon without being spotted by the crowd. “What does he look like?”

  “Like a pompous arse. He had more fuckin’ oil in his hair than I’d load my car with all year. He had an accent too.”

  “British?” My blood begins to boil.

  “Yep.”

  “Sounds like my ex-boyfriend. He’s an idiot, Leon. Just make sure that Robbie doesn’t realise who he is, otherwise he’ll lose his mind.”

  “What’s he doing here?” Leon now fully turns. His brow raises as his eyes narrow down at me. “You’re taken.”

  “Yes,” I snap, “he knows—he even knows about Robbie, the baby and I. He doesn’t get a hint, that’s all.”

  Leon’s stance relaxes, but only marginally. I tap his shoulder and gesture to the stage. “Don’t worry; we have a few songs that are perfectly timed for his visit. You’ll see. Maybe then he’ll get the hint.”

  I turn around and stroll back to the girls. A wicked smile crosses my face as I curl my finger at them to lean in. “Remember that song we mucked around with in practise the other day?”

  “The angry girl ballad?” Maxi asks.

  “It wasn’t angry—more like it was perky.”

  “Oh,” she drawls.

  “I like to think it was the subtle fuck you song,” Roni adds.

  “Well, I think we should do it tonight. Turns out, my idiot ex is in the audience.”

  “Does Robbie know?” Trice’s worried eyes scan the crowd over my shoulder.

  “Nope. I don’t want him to be worried. Leon has it under control. I’ll tell him after our set.”

  “Good idea.” Trice nods.

  “Let’s put on a show then.” Jules winks at me. “I like putting guys into their places.”

  “I’m sure there’s a guy sitting at the booth with the others, who you’d have a place to put his long co—”

  Roni cringes as Jules wacks her arm.

  “No. My ‘place’ will be untouched by him, thank you very much.”

  “I think we need to add another bet,” Roni taunts.

  “Piss off.” Jules shakes her head. “So, when do we play it?” She ignores Roni’s chuckles, staring straight at me.

  “Oh!” Trice silently claps her hands together. “Let’s do it before Christina’s song.”

  “Perfect” I nod. Tonight was going to be more fun than usual.

  The lights dim to give us a chance to climb up the steps and position ourselves. We stand behind the microphones, each with a hand raised in the air as we tilt our hips back slightly, elongating the curves in our spines. Our other hand is wrapped around the microphone stand, as our knee bends towards it. The heavy riffs of guitar begin to play, as my lips begin to sing “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry. As the words fall from my lips, I stare into the audience to show them that this is where I want to be. As the song begins to pick up momentum, we turn until our hips bend slightly, a microphone in one hand, and our hip held by the other hand.

  I turn my head over to the booths until I make contact with Robbie’s eyes and smile, raising my voice for the chorus as I grip the side of my skirt and pull—hard, exposing the high-cut French panties that reveal a significant amount of our ‘cheekiness.’ Robbie’s jaw drops as his eyes scan down my body and I deliberately shake my behind, knowing that it’ll drive him crazy. I tap the side of my top hat and continue performing, crossing in front of Trice as her voice follows the melody of mine. I couldn’t stop the smile from blooming across my face if I tried; the energy from our band and from Trice beside me is electric. More so now, as the boys are both still in shock as our long legs continue to strut along the stage and taunt them. My eyes break from Robbie’s to scan the room, but I don’t see Jerry. If that idiot is here, then he can see how happy I am now and disappear for good. We finish the song, moving to the ladders at the side of the stage, and I step up on the bottom rung, keeping my eyes downcast as the music quietens down and lights fade.

  “Chase that feeling.”

  Hilltop Hoods

  ROBBIE

  “You have got to be shitting me,” Alex growls beside me, moving awkwardly in his seat. His face is red from anger as he clenches his fists on his knees. I feel the seat next to me move as he shifts back and forth. I’ve caged him in the booth and I think that he’s about to throw a shit fit as my eyes have not left the stage, and I don’t want to waste a second looking away. Holy hotness, my gal’s got my blood pumpin’.

  “How hot do they look?” Trin teases, clapping her hands excitedly. “I’m loving it!”

  “You could at least make them wear fucking clothes,” Alex grumbles.

  Trinity’s hands halt mid-air as her eyes turn towards Alex. “I promised no nipple tassels but”—her eyes narrow at Alex—“if you keep being an overprotective arse, I could start making the bedazzled G-strings.”

  “I’m not overprotective. Just thought it was a bit too much skin tonight.”

  “Well, Hazel is going to show soon.” Trin’s eyes soften. “She wanted to feel sexy before she got cankles and stretchmarks.”

  “She looks fine to me.” I nod, staring back at her as the next song continues.

  “I swear these costumes are going to give me an aneurism,” Alex snaps. I laugh and keep enjoying the show.

  “Whoa, your girls have legs for days,” Ty muses, and my eyes do decide to leave the stage.

  “Say what?” My brow crinkles in confusion.

  “Legs for days,” he replies, lifting his beer to his lips to hide a smile. Oh no, fucker.

  “Again, Ty? When are you going to find someone special?” I shoot back, watching with glee as his shoulders stiffen. Lily chuckles beside him, and I feel the jealous vibes from Alex simmer down as he relaxes beside me. Having his sister out tonight, without Dick, has been an improvement. She is almost back to the girl I remember from when I was younger.

  “Yeah, yeah.” Ty shakes his head. “You guys and your settlin’ down. It’s not happening for me.” He waves an arm up and down the front of his body. “There’s too much of me for one lucky lady. I’d hate for her vagina to blow up from all the over-use.” He turns his eyes back to the stage, a mischievous smile growing across his lips.

  “That’s disgusting.” Lily wrinkles her nose.

  “You’re so full of shit.” Alex laughs.

  “Nope, just realistic.” He replies matter-of-factly, tilting his glass towards Alex. “You, settled and him”—pointing to me—“a baby. Good on you guys, but it’s not for me. Plus”—he pats his stomach—“girlfriends turn your abs into flabs.”

  “I beg to differ,” I retort, pointing to my abs. “I get up before Hazel wakes and do a session every day.”

  “I do an occasional gym session.” Alex raises his eyebrow. “If anything, I have more motivation to keep fit. Gotta keep up with Bea.” He gives us a knowing look.

  “For fuck’s sake,” I grumble, sipping my Coke. “Too much information.”

  He laughs and pats my back. “I didn’t mean that. We still run, you know, but now that you mention it …”

  “So, no girlfriend, then?” Lily pipes up nervously, diffusing our banter.

  “Nope.” Ty crosses his arms over his chest, watching the girls on the stage.

  “So why are you staring at the stage?” Lily asks, sipping on her lemonade.

  “I’m watching the act.”

  “Uh-huh. Th
e girls are over to the side, but the band isn’t.”

  “I like live music.” He straightens in his seat. A nervous energy begins to weave along his shoulders as he shrugs.

  “Interesting.” Alex chuckles. “Perhaps, Robbie, you could get them to play throughout the week? Have a few jazz nights?”

  I know he’s stirring Ty, but it isn’t a bad idea.

  Before we can press Ty any further, I feel a hand on my shoulder followed by a scent of sickly sweet perfume. Great. Not again. I turn to find Nadine, standing too close to me, with her big chest only a couple of inches away from my face. It does nothing for me.

  “What can I get you guys?” Her saccharine voice, coupled with her close proximity, begins to tarnish my good vibes. The loud pop of her gum is a firm smack against my eardrums.

  “We’re good.” I try to placate her so she will leave us alone. She scans the table and her eyes light up as she makes contact with Ty.

  “Hey Ty.” She winks, turning on her side so he can see her rack better.

  “Hey …” he looks back from the stage for a moment, his eyebrows creasing as his mouth tightens in a grimace. He shrugs and then turns back dismissively.

  “The name’s Nadine.” Her voice sharpens.

  “Oh, right.” His voice is vague and his attention is back on the stage.

  “We don’t need anything,” Trin offers, looking to Ty briefly as he continues to ignore Nadine.

  “I’m sure I can get them something if they want.” Her gum snaps as she winks at me, and I flinch. I need to reduce her hours if she keeps this shit up. What’s it gonna take to get the hint? I fuckin’ work hard enough without this bullshit in the mix. I’d head over to the bar to help Deacon, but knowing my luck she’d fuckin’ find me.

  “You guys want anything?” Trin raises her voice, staring around at the table. None of us reply. “No?” she muses, looking back to Nadine. “Looks like you can’t; we’re fine now. Run along.”

  She waves her fingers towards the bar, dismissing her. I look to Nadine and find her eyes shooting daggers at Trin, though once she feels my eyes on her she instantly loosens her shoulders and smiles. I frown at her. Turning her attention to Ty for a moment, she looks back at me and says, “Hey Ty, I finish at one. If you need anything I can meet you then.” Ugh. If that is her feeble attempt to make me jealous, she is sorely mistaken.