Little White Lies

by R. C. Matthews

  “You are no virgin, woman,” Royce whispered in her ear, turning her over to make a trail of hot wet kissed along the length of her neck.

  “Don’t stop,” she said, looking down at him.

  “Time to go,” he said, hopping off the bed. “Get up. If you’re a good girl, then I’ll finish what I started when we get back.”

  She gave him a sultry look. “We both know you’ll finish what you started whether I’m a good girl or not.”

  “True,” he said. “Can’t get any bullshit by you, baby. Come on. I don’t want to be late. Please?”

  She pulled herself off the bed to change. “Okay,” she said, “but only because you’ve rocked my world once already as promised.”

  • • •

  The Pyramid Lounge was a quarter full by the time Royce and Madalyn arrived. They weaved in and out of the intimate tables for two on the main floor, searching for a larger seating area along the perimeter of the room. A circular table and couch for a party of eight was open on the far right side of the stage. The plush leather seat squeaked when Madalyn scooted her way around the table to the middle of the couch. Royce hailed a waiter and ordered a bucket of beers for the group. As the waiter walked away, Madalyn spotted Susie and the others making their way to the table. She waved and smiled.

  “Hey,” Susie said, sliding onto the couch next to Madalyn. “Did you have a good day in St. Thomas?”

  Madalyn gushed about their day at the Baths of Virgin Gorda and their late lunch in town. She probed for details on Coki Beach and asked about the dinner theme. She and Royce had decided on pizza at the buffet instead. After their late lunch they weren’t up to a full meal in the dining room. It was Italian night. Madalyn was relieved. She could get a good Italian meal anywhere in Chicago. The waiter arrived with the bucket of beers and Royce passed them around the table.

  “Tomorrow’s the Euchre tournament,” Royce said. “Did you remember to ask the people at your table if they wanted to join us? We still need two more couples.”

  “Yep,” Liz said. “Ken and Marilyn are coming from our table. And Luke and Maria are coming from Mike’s table.”

  “I can’t wait!” Madalyn said and elbowed Royce. “You better be as good as you say. I like to win.”

  Royce tipped his beer bottle at her. “It’s in the bag, baby.”

  “Oh, hell no!” Mike said. “You already won bingo. This one belongs to me and Liz. Ain’t that right, honey?”

  “Don’t you know it!” she said as the lights dimmed, signaling the beginning of the show.

  Madalyn took a swig of beer and sat back into her seat. The room settled down and all eyes turned to the cruise director. She was all legs and natural curves. Her long black hair was pulled back into a thick ponytail. The crowd clapped and hollered before she even said a word.

  “Good evening everyone,” she said with a welcoming smile. “I’m glad to see the house is full. We’ve got a great show for you tonight! Our comedian is here all the way from San Antonio, Texas. This is his fifth appearance with Destiny Cruise Lines so I know you’re going to love him. Folks, please put your hands together for Richard Burn.”

  The comedian entered the stage to a round of catcalls and loud applause. He looked to be slightly less than six feet tall and carried a little extra weight around the abdomen. His shoulder length brown hair was pulled behind his ears and a small tattoo peeked out from under his shirt sleeve.

  “Howdy folks!” he said, grabbing the microphone and turning to the crowd. “I’m Richard Burn. My mama calls me Richard. And so did my friends up until about the seventh grade when we thought it was cool to have a nickname.”

  A few of the men chuckled in the crowd. Richard pointed to a young guy in the front row wearing a big smile. “You know where this is going, don’t you? Yeah, I know. You look like one of them little shits who came up with my nickname!”

  A soft laugh rumbled through the crowd.

  “This is me,” he said, pointing to his t-shirt. Madalyn peered closely … was that a … penis on fire?

  “Yep. My friends call me Dick. Dick Burn.”

  The crowd erupted in laughter. He chuckled and then held the microphone close to his mouth, covering it with his hand, as if he was about to reveal a secret.

  “But don’t tell my mama!”

  He smiled and laughed along with everyone. “But seriously, man. What parent does that shit to a child?” He paused and grabbed a drink of water. “I’ve often wondered which parent was the first to figure out they could seek revenge on their asshole teenagers through name selection.”

  A few chuckles reverberated through the room.

  “Hear me out! You see kids are all kind and sweet through elementary school. Their parents walk on water, teachers are cool, and friends are valiantly defended. Am I right, or am I right?” he asked, gesturing for agreement from the crowd with his hand.

  The crowd clapped and a few catcalls rang out.

  “Then we enter junior high school, and suddenly we think we’re the bomb. Our parents become instant assholes, our teachers exist to torture us, and we kids torture either other. You see, that’s when I went from being Richard to being a real DICK!”

  Royce and Jason burst out laughing. Even Madalyn couldn’t suppress the giggle that erupted from her. It was so true!

  “Well,” he said, a slow smile appearing on his face, “at least my parents didn’t single me out! They named my sister Helen.”

  The room went dead silent.

  “Awww … come on people,” he said, slapping his hand on his leg. “I was 12-years old when I figured it out. Whenever my sister was a pain in the butt, I got to tell her to go to ‘Hel En Burn!’”

  The crowd roared and Susie nearly spit her drink out, coughing and laughing simultaneously. Richard paused, allowing the laughter to die down before he switched gears.

  “Hey! Have we got any newlyweds in the house?” He shielded his eyes with his hands and looked out at the crowd. “Gotta love the newlyweds. Show me some hands people!”

  Royce whooped obnoxiously and pulled Madalyn tightly into his side, waving his hand furiously in the air. Madalyn slapped it down quickly, pulling it under the table.

  “Dude, you must be getting lucky! You can’t stop smiling!” he said to Royce as he walked towards their table. “And you,” he pointed to Madalyn, “why the flushed cheeks? Where’s your hand? Are you married to him or not?”

  No, please!

  “Oh, excuse me,” he said, backing away with his palm facing up in apology. “I see you’ve got your hand under the table. Hey! Didn’t mean to interrupt. By all means, carry on!”

  The crowd burst into loud guffaws. Everyone at the table joined in as Madalyn quickly placed her hands on the table in plain view and buried her face into Royce’s shoulder. Lord help her!

  “I told you it would be great!” Royce said, kissing the top of her head. “Listen up and learn, baby. This is almost as good as any science project.”

  Madalyn lifted her head and reached for her beer. She had a feeling she’d enjoy the show a little better after she chugged one or two down.

  Chapter Eleven – A Day at Sea

  “Gather around,” Royce said, ushering everyone to the group of tables they’d staked out early that morning on the Cairo Deck. Each table was stocked with a fresh bucket of beers on ice and a brand new deck of cards.

  He passed around a roster and list of rules to each team. “It’s time to get started. We have eight teams and the best team from each round advances. Three rounds determine the winning team. The loser of each round gets to keep the deck of cards,” he said, holding one of the decks in his hand. “I picked some up from each of our ports of call.”

  “Awww … you’re always so thoughtful,” Susie purred while elbowing Jason in the ribs.

  “Ouch!” Jason said and gave Royce an evil eye.

  Royce shrugged his shoulders. “Now for the most important ‘unofficial’ rule: everyone has to finish their bottle
of beer by the end of each round and the winners from each round have to drink a shot of tequila!” Royce said, “Just to keep things interesting.”

  “We’re in trouble,” Andrea said, looking up to her husband and laughing, “I’m a total lightweight. I hope being wasted helps my game!”

  Madalyn chuckled. “Who’s holding on to the pot during the game?”

  “It needs to be someone honest.” Jordan said, smiling and thumping her thumb on her chest. “Like an elementary school teacher.”

  “That rules you out, Jason,” Susie said. “An auctioneer is deceitful by trade, always trying to swindle as much as possible out of innocent bidders.”

  “Very funny,” he said. “Well my vote is for Liz. She’s an accountant. It doesn’t get more honest than that.”

  “Hey,” Madalyn said. “Lawyers are honest!”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Mike scoffed. “Lawyers are the biggest scam artists known to mankind. They get paid ridiculous fees whether they win or lose.”

  Madalyn threw her arms over her chest and stuck out her tongue. “Then my vote’s for Liz too. Lord knows an investment banker can’t be trusted with money.”

  “Touché!” Mike grinned.

  “All in favor of Liz say ‘aye,’” Royce called out. He looked around and listened. “The ‘ayes’ have it. Liz it is!”

  Every team handed over their hundred-dollar ante and Liz shoved the money in her pocket, “This is going to be mine. All mine!” She smiled at Mike and he ruffled her hair, leaning in for a kiss.

  “Good luck everyone,” Royce said and they sat down to play.

  Madalyn opened the deck of cards from San Juan and shuffled them thoroughly while Paul passed around the bottles of beer. She shuddered. Drinking a beer at 9:00 A.M.? Only a guy would think of that. She placed the deck in front of Andrea. “You can deal first.”

  Andrea swiftly dealt the cards—three, two, three, two, two, three, two, three—until everyone held five cards in their hand. She flipped over the top card on the remaining pile; a jack of spades. A broad smile appeared on her lips.

  Madalyn groaned and took her first drink of beer, looking at Royce across the table. He picked up his hand and studied the cards briefly before setting them down and grabbing his bottle of beer.

  “Better drink up, Madalyn,” Royce said. “It’s going to be a short round.”

  “Those are pretty cocky words,” Paul said, looking at the face up card sitting in front of Andrea, “considering my wife will possess the highest card.”

  “Second highest,” Royce corrected smoothly and then winked at Madalyn. “That is unless you plan to call spades trump.”

  Madalyn studied her cards; ace of spades, hearts, and diamonds, plus two nines. Too bad they weren’t playing poker! It wasn’t a hand she could call trump on, but not bad for the first player of the game.

  “Pass,” Madalyn said, putting her cards face down on the table. This would be between Paul and Royce.

  “Pick it up.” Paul nodded at his wife gruffly.

  “You’re sure?” Royce goaded.

  Madalyn scolded him with her eyes, which won her a brilliant smile. Whatever! If he wanted to goad a former professional football player, then let him have at it. Royce was big, but Paul was huge. She wasn’t sure who she’d place her bet on. But as the game progressed, her bet was definitely on Royce. She should have known he was as good a player as he had said.

  “Yes!” Royce crowed, laying down his jack of clubs in the fourth hand and taking the win for their team. “Point one to Madalyn and Royce. You guys are going down!” Royce chugged his beer and gave Madalyn a cocky smile.

  She accepted the deck of cards from Andrea and shuffled quickly, shaking her head at Royce and laughing. He was a cocky bastard. But she secretly loved it. She dealt the cards and smiled when she picked up her hand to reveal two red jacks and the king of hearts flipped up on the table.

  Fortune smiled down on them for the rest of the game. It was a clean sweep. Madalyn and Royce threw back their tequila and handed the deck of cards over to Andrea.

  “Good game, guys,” Royce said, jabbing Paul on the arm. “Can’t win ‘em all!”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Paul said sullenly and moved over to the spectator chairs so Liz and Mike could sit at their table for round two. Luke and Maria pulled chairs over next to Paul and Andrea to chat while they waited for round two to begin. Things were heating up at the other two tables as they neared the end of their games.

  JT slammed his fist on the table and stood up, “Now that’s what I’m talking about baby!” He downed his tequila and leaned over to kiss Jordan. She tossed her shot down and squirmed as she swallowed, sending her ponytail swaying.

  “Yuck!” She stuck her tongue out at Royce from across the way when she was done. “Can’t we pick a different shot? How about Sambuca next round?”

  Royce nodded in agreement and motioned for a waiter. “Two more buckets of beers please!”

  “Who’s paying for all of this beer?” Mike asked as they waited for the last table to complete their game.

  “Bingo!” Royce said. “Well at least for the players. Losers are on their own now.”

  Paul flipped him the bird but smiled.

  Ken and Marilyn shook hands with their opponents then waved goodbye to the group and went in search of their children.

  “Hell, yes!” Jason yelled, throwing his fist up into the air. “We’re movin’ on up … movin’ on up … to the top!” He stood and did a little dance while he sang.

  “Alright, George Jefferson, you old fart,” Ben said with a sour look. “My old man still watches The Jeffersons. Enough of rubbing it in our faces.”

  “Come with me to the winner’s table,” Jason said and grabbed Susie’s hand to head over to sit with Jordan and JT.

  Ben and Jennie grabbed the deck of cards and then excused themselves from the group to go get some chow and lie out in the sun.

  Royce pulled out two new decks of cards and handed one over to JT.

  Mike winked at Liz while he shuffled the cards and then dealt the first hand. “Round two belongs to us, baby.”

  “What are you wearing for formal night?” Madalyn asked Liz as she picked up her hand.

  “Pass,” Liz said and looked over to Madalyn. “I have an aqua blue gown and killer rhinestone shoes. You?”

  “Pass,” Madalyn said, her eyes sparkling as she thought about the evening to come. “Mine’s royal blue, strapless with a sweetheart neckline, and a short flowing hem.”

  “I’m jealous.” Liz said. “I can’t wear royal blue with my hair color. We want to get a group picture tonight after the show, so don’t stand next to me.”

  Liz turned to Andrea and Maria and asked about their gowns and shoes. The women talked clothes while the men talked sports—wondering how baseball season was progressing in their absence. Madalyn and Royce took an early lead in the game but after three hands won, their luck went downhill. Madalyn’s head buzzed already with the effects of the beer and tequila. She should have nursed her second beer instead of slamming it down to get it out of the way. She couldn’t concentrate.

  “Does anyone know what the dinner theme is tonight?” Andrea asked.

  “It’s Middle Eastern food, featuring some Egyptian cuisine,” Maria said. “It’s about time too, considering the ship’s name is The Cleopatra.”

  “Madalyn, tonight’s your night to pick the question at dinner,” Andrea said. “Have you thought about it yet?”

  “Nope,” she said, playing her next card. “Royce is more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy. I’m sure he’ll come up with something fun.” Madalyn puckered her lips and blew Royce a kiss. Her eyes focused in on him narrowing at his mouth. She wished she could crawl onto his lap and pull those full lips down on hers. Whoa! She was definitely tipsy. Horny Madalyn had arrived.

  “I’ve got it covered,” Royce said.

  His emerald eyes narrowed in on her. Her mouth parted slightly and sh
e ran her tongue over her bottom lip, catching it in her teeth while she brazenly stared back at him. She could feel the space charge with the electricity of their attraction. She shifted in her chair and felt the familiar ache between her thighs. Royce cleared his throat and grabbed his beer, draining it in one tip of the bottle. Oh yes, he knew exactly what she was thinking. He threw his card on the table then groaned when Mike trumped him, taking the hand. Oops! Madalyn hadn’t meant to distract him.

  Royce took their defeat in round two more gracefully than she had thought possible. He pulled two chairs to the perimeter of the table to join the losers as spectators. Leaning over he captured Madalyn’s lips with his for a brief but heated kiss.

  “There’s more of that later, baby!” he growled in her ear.

  Jason set two chairs down and sat next to them as Jordan and Justin advanced to the final round to play Mike and Liz. Royce hailed the waiter again for the final bucket of beers and shot of whiskey. Jordan was giggling as she leaned over the table, chatting with Liz. She must be a lightweight too. An announcement for the talent show tryouts interrupted the group while Liz flushed the deck of cards and then began dealing.

  “It’s no fair,” Susie pouted. “Royce wins bingo and takes Madalyn on all kinds of sweet excursion, and now Mike and Liz are going to win the Euchre tournament.”

  Jason brought Susie’s hand to his lips for a kiss. “I can be sweet.”

  “Prove it,” she said with her arms crossed over her chest.

  “How do you want me to prove it?” Jason asked suspicious.

  Her eyes sparkled mischievously and she leaned closer to him. “I want you to sing a duet with me for the talent show!”

  “No way!” Jason said, sitting back in his seat.

  “Way!” Susie shot back.

  Jason paused and rubbed his chin in thought. A triumphant gleam suddenly appeared in his eyes. “How about ‘In Your Eyes’ by Peter Gabriel? Every woman on earth loved that song in the movie Say Anything.”

  “You’re right, and that’s really sweet,” Madalyn said. “But it isn’t a duet.”