Bolt

by Savannah May

  “That’s fantastic. You have to get a good job and not rely on any man for your livelihood.”

  “Dottie, don’t be silly, Bella’s getting married tomorrow.”

  “No that’s Scheherazade, you’re the silly one.”

  “Dang. Isn’t it about time Bella found herself a steady fella?”

  “Perhaps she’s one of those lesbians, they’re all the rage now you know.”

  “They’ve always been the rage, we just never needed to shout about it before.”

  “Oh you think you’re the only hip one because you lived in Paris.”

  “Bella, when are you going to get a man, or a woman, we don’t mind which but you need some love, little girl.”

  “We want to see you hitched.”

  “Where’s Scherri?” I ask, hoping for reinforcements from them all chattering over one another.

  “She went out to the wedding site with Steele and Lyndsey. To check it looks good. They’ll be back any minute.”

  “Yes, you’re such a beautiful girl. Why aren't you getting married tomorrow?”

  “Because it’s Scheherazade's wedding,” Giselle tells her with an eye roll.

  “I can ask, can’t I?” Dottie snaps.

  I gnaw at the soft flesh inside my cheek. I wish I could tell them I had someone too. They’re right, I’ve never been able to show them a special someone they could root for. Then pebble comes barreling out of the other room, set loose or just woken, he hurls himself at my legs wanting love.

  I drop down to the wooden floor he’s skittered over and hug him close.

  “Hey, Peb, you got so big so fast.”

  The memory of the night I met him, the same night I met Bolt, when I came up for gran’s funeral, all crowds in on me. And then I remember the photo.

  And before I consider what I’m about to do, I dig into my bag. Pebble nuzzles his nose into my purse, sniffing for snacks and I remember I left the grocery bag at the bar. Damn. This night has me all confounded for so many reasons.

  “Actually I am seeing someone,” I say.

  “Ooh, what’s he like?” Giselle coos.

  “Is it serious?”

  “Is he handsome?”

  “Is he good to you?”

  All six great aunts jump in at once, wanting answers.

  Battling with Pebble’s wet snout, I find what I’m looking for in my purse and yank out my phone. He sniffs at that and pouts when he realizes that it isn’t edible. After a shake of his nose I swipe through and find the photo I’m looking for.

  “You be the judge,” I hold up the screen, and all six faces crane forward as one to take a look.

  “Ooh, he’s gorgeous.”

  “If only I was ten years younger.”

  “Ten? You mean forty.”

  “He looks like a man that could handle an older girl.”

  “But he’s in love with Bella, so he’s taken.”

  “How romantic, do you think you’ll be getting married soonish?”

  “Well, we haven't set a date,” I trail off.

  “Oh, how exciting, is he coming to the wedding? Do we get to meet him?”

  God, I’m starting to sympathize with Bolt’s reticence for social events. He’s right about the questions weighing you down. And they’re all so excited, now I feel really rotten about lying.

  “No, he can’t come. He’s away. He’s working. In Europe. Or Maybe Africa. It’s secret.”

  Oh crap. Seems like I can’t stop making up inventive tall tales. It was a stupid idea. Like I said tonight has thrown me right out of my comfort zone and the only consolation is that the aunties are sure to forget my silly lie before it gets out of control.

  “I was in Africa once,” Matilda says. “Hemingway and I were there on a mission.”

  “On a story, you mean. You weren't a pair of spies.”

  And they’re off. Back in a glamorous world of parties with artists and wild nights of ecstatic love while bombs fell around them.

  “We were brave back then. We lived life and didn’t cower away from it in fear.”

  “We knew it could be taken from us any second.”

  The aunties wander back into the house, talking about heading to bed, and the past. Dottie pulls me along with them.

  The den has been made over into a bedroom with a huge bed for them all to sleep in.

  “Are you all sharing one bed?” I ask Dottie, her teeny hands clinging to my arm.

  “Oh we’re quite used to it darling. We grew up like peas in a pod.”

  “Maybe I should find a motel.”

  “You will not,”

  I whip around and see Scherri moments before she throws her arms around me in what I can tell is relief. Steele and my mother are right behind and Pebble is going ballistic with joy seeing them again, like they’ve been gone a decade. Which it could be in dog time.

  “You missed dinner,” my mom says accusingly, giving me a peck on the cheek.

  Then she sniffs at my face. Christ, I hope she can’t smell masculine residue from Bolt. He was definitely highly aromatic but sporting a delicious manly odor that makes me wet again thinking of it. Better I don't think of him at all. I got my hopes all in a tangle, thinking that just because he went down on me in a public bathroom he might be willing to play the part of my new beau.

  “Yeah, was traffic bad?” Scherri asks “Have you eaten?”

  “Yeah and yeah, kind of. Half a package of chips.”

  “You’ll get pudgy and your skin will break out,” my mom says and Scherri gives me a look.

  We both grew up with mom constantly on our case about our body image.

  “She’s perfect,” Scherri interrupts. “Look at her, she never gains an ounce.”

  “That can change in a heartbeat and once it goes on it won’t come off.”

  “Come on, let’s make you a plate of something,” Scherri tugs me to the kitchen.

  I allow myself to be lead, figuring she wants to chat. First I say hi to Steele and give him a hug although it’s difficult to get around the dog.

  “I’m so glad you’re here and don’t even think of leaving. You room’s all ready up in the attic.”

  Scherri chatters about the final plans and the rehearsal dinner tomorrow that our father will be in town for as she rustles me something to eat.

  “What’s the matter? You look glum?”

  “I, um, oh nothing, just hungry.”

  In the end I decide not to tell her I missed eating with a gorgeous man that made me come all over his face before taking me to dinner. I could easily share about the public sex and almost getting caught by Grocery Girl but I don’t want to admit, even to her, that I had a stupid tantrum and walked out on the only man that’s interested me in months. Maybe years.

  What the hell is wrong with me? The aunties are right to question me. I’m probably never going to get married.

  “Well, eat up, we’ve got a lot to talk about. I’m so excited.”

  “You must be, I am too. It’s going to be gorge.”

  “I invited three of Steele’s buddies from his unit but I never heard back from them. It’s too bad. None of his friends are coming.”

  “He’s got you babe. That’s all he needs.”

  “That’s what he says too.”

  Once I climb the ladder to my bed under the eaves, I again feel the pang of aloneness. Even here with my family, it makes me sad that I don’t have a best friend like Steele is to Scherri. Someone that’s always there for only me. I guess I never will if I stomp off in a huff like I did tonight every time I don't get what I want.

  10

  Bolt

  I don’t know how Bella managed to get away so fast unless she’s an Olympic sprinter in her spare time. I’m not exactly slow on my feet, especially when I’m chasing a girl. But Christ, what am I doing? Driving across the country for a woman I haven't even kissed.

  I’m hung up hard on her when I don't even know how she feels when her heated core squeezes around my rock
hard cock. I have to walk back to get my bike, looking up and down at every intersection, hoping I’ll run into her again. That she’ll need me somehow. Not in a bad way like she’s being attacked, fuck not that, but maybe a little flat tire.

  But every street is deserted. I walk past the bar and come face to face with a girl that looks familiar.

  “Hey, Soldier,” she says. “Looking for me?”

  “What?”

  I half jump out of my skin because how does she know? How does she know I’m a seal? Ex-seal. It’s the girl from the grocery store. The one that caught me with Bella in the washroom. Fortunately she came in just after we finished and were only in a semi-compromising position, me on my knees in front of her, my hands gripping her round hips.

  Shit, my cock twitches just thinking of her delicious curves in my palms. The divinely heady taste of her that I’d give anything to sample again. The most delicious woman I’ve ever known. The sexiest and the most comforting. None of my fantasies were demolished by tonight. If anything they’ve pitched higher.

  It was my own stupid reluctance that prevented me from moving toward what I want.

  “Can you walk me home?” the girl asks with a provocative flutter.

  “Sorry, not tonight.”

  I feel bad as I walk away from her, because that wasn’t gallant. I almost want to turn back to her because if anything were to happen… But I don’t.

  I really do not want any distractions. And with the way things are unrolling it would be my luck for Bella to walk around the corner and slam into me again. This time with that flirty devil child clinging to me.

  I walk away quickly and don’t even throw a glance back to where I’m sure Grocery is pouting at me. Wearily, I mount my bike and ride out to a motel I remember, close enough to Steele’s house. I’ll swing by in the morning and see how he’s doing. Hopefully he’ll be glad for the drop in.

  It’s a really crappy room but I don’t care. I’m both exhausted and enervated, the heat pouring through my veins. I can’t stop thinking about Bella and how she tasted. Her delicious juice running down my lips as she shuddered through fuck knows how many big Os.

  I throw my clothes off the minute I close the door on the room. Toeing out of my boots as I unbuckle my belt, I step out of my jeans and head straight for the shower. My dick stands up like a rocket launcher. The cool air imparting the idea he’s soon going to be buried inside her at last.

  Tough luck.

  Because I’m an idiot.

  Not that I’d ever make Bella spend the night here. This isn’t the type of place you bring a girl like Bella. A room you don’t want to lay down on the bedspread. I throw the faucet and clasp my solid shaft with the other. At least the pressure is strong, I allow it to pound down on my shoulders as I glide my palm along my length, increasing that pressure and speed. I’m envisioning Bella’s naked tits all soaped up running up and down my chest. It’s bare moments until I groan out my release.

  Despite my exhaustion, I don't sleep more than a few minutes at a time. I’m used to that. Sleeping in short bursts, operating while completely empty, being slammed awake by too-vivid dreams. But I’m not fighting any fucking enemies now. I have to force my mind to remember that. My only enemy is myself and the boundaries I set around me.

  I can’t walk away from this. I came all this way for the girl, riding like a mad man and I found her instantly. There has to be some fate to that.

  So now I need to take destiny into my own hands.

  She’s here for a wedding right? My buddy Steele may know who’s getting married. His girl is likely to be in the loop. They’ve both lived here their whole lives, they must know most everyone. Maybe they can tell me who Bella is if her sister’s a resident in town.

  Fuck yeah. That’s a plan.

  What I'm going to say to her when I find her is another matter entirely.

  All I know is I’m not giving up.

  I lie awake staring up at the ceiling. One hand crooked behind my head, the other stroking my wood. Rock solid again because – I’m thinking of Bella. And now I know her body, or part of it, my imagination is firing on all cylinders like I’m a fucking Old Master artist. I run through every scenario of conversation.

  This time I will list all the ways she’s beautiful – she won’t be able to resist that. And it will take all night because she’s gorgeous in every way. Even that little temper of hers is stunning – she has respect for herself. She knows what she wants and she’s determined to get it. All qualities I admire and even envy a little, although I’m learning gradually. Thanks to Bella.

  I skip breakfast and just grab some disgusting coffee that I pour into my can. I can’t eat anyway, I need to find my girl. Once I focus on a target I’m very specific and focused.

  Steele’s house looks the same. I stand outside the gate and look up at the porch, not knowing the response I’ll get when I knock at the door.

  Then I charge on in there.

  I knock three times and am about to leave, assuming no one’s home on a Friday, when the door swings back.

  I have to look down to the level of my knees at the tiny old woman looking up at me with a livewire glint in her glassy blue eyes.

  Fuck, did they sell the house? Who is this person?

  “Everybody come see who’s here,” the little old girl yells back over her shoulder.

  She gouges her claws into my forearm. They don’t even encircle my girth halfway but with an iron force, she drags me inside.

  “Who is it, Dottie?” Another one emerges from the den.

  “Oh, isn’t he tall?” And another.

  “And soooo handsome.” A third, Jeezus, it’s a swarm.

  All of a sudden I’m surrounded by three tiny old girls all with their necks craned to gaze up at me like I'm a skyscraper in New York freaking City.

  “Oh it’s him.”

  I don't know who they think I am but I should probably get out of here in case they’re some weird coven. Or Mr Greengross sold the house to a home for criminally insane geriatrics.

  “It is him. Even more delectable in the flesh.”

  The three ladies giggle with a girlish chuckle and I know for sure they’re neither nuts or criminal. In fact, the way they're eyeing me is no different than any other woman a half or a quarter their ages. I can see that spark of lust in their old eyes. It’s sweet and I almost want to lift them up and swing them around in turn, like little girls.

  “We’re so glad you made it to the wedding.”

  “You know about the wedding?” I ask, latching on, eagerly, to hope.

  “Of course, it’s our gran baby getting married.”

  “Well we’re surrogates, don’t confuse the sexy hunk.”

  I see another pair of beady eyes then two more old dears emerge from the back room. The same as where I watched TV with my friends six months ago. What is going on?

  “Who’s getting married?”

  “Why Scheherazade of course, who did you think?”

  Don't’ look so scared, it’s not your turn yet,” the one called Dottie says.

  “How do you know me so well when we only just met?” I reply with a teasing lilt.

  “Oh, we know a lot of men and none of you are really any different.”

  “That’s comforting.” I say, grinning. “Wow, Scherri’s getting married.”

  “Of course. You knew that.”

  The sound of the front door opening is quickly followed by a dog rushing at my legs and leaping around like the floor is on fire. I drop down to give it some love and receive a bounty in return.

  “Fuck, how great must it be to come home to this every day?” I say, forgetting my language.

  “It’s pretty fucking great,” One of the aunties informs me, then laughs at the shock on my face. “What, you think dainty old ladies never curse? I love a good fuck.”

  “Matilda,” One of the others cautions her.

  A line of over-awed creased faces is gazing up at Steele, now filling the d
oor frame.

  “It’s like Pebble knows him,” one of the dearies says, the dog is still jumping all over me, licking my face.

  “Of course he knows the fiancé.”

  “Bolt gave me this dog,” Steele tells them. “I can’t thank you enough, Dude. He’s just the best.”

  “Welcome, Bro. He needed a good home,” I get up and back slap my bud. “Who’s the fiancé?” I add.

  11

  Bella

  I walk into the house behind my sister and drop the armloads of flowers I’m carrying so they scatter all over the floor.

  “Scher and I are getting married,” Steele is saying.

  Scherri, ahead of me, sets the box of ribbons and glass jars she was carrying carefully on the counter in the kitchen then snuggles under Steele’s huge arm.

  “Tomorrow actually,” she says. “You arrived just in time and we’re so happy, aren’t we baby?”

  “Yeah, absolutely dude,” Steele says.

  The man on the floor playing with an enraptured Pebble is gazing right through the two lovebirds nestled into each other, staring straight at me. If I could tear my eyes away from his, I’d note six very satisfied little faces lined up behind him. Bolt seated on the ground is almost as tall as most of the aunties standing.

  What the hell is he doing here in my parent's house? Steele’s house really – that’s how Scherri and I still think of it, knowing him living here since we were kids. Before our mother ever got together with Mr GreenGross, Steeley’s dad.

  The gorgeous, confident hunk is sitting on the floor, filling the available space. His long legs all tangled up with hyperactive dog paws. And he’s looking at me as though both amazed and delighted and stunned and more than slightly aroused.

  “Come in, Bella,” Dottie calls out.

  “Yes, come and meet Bolt,” Scherri turns to say.

  Then she notes the mess of flowers at my feet, all strewn around, their blooms tangled in stalks. I’m standing there rigid as a corpse and unable to unfreeze. Every limb feels like I’m a zombie not yet quite finding the will to shift into unsteady movement. Bolt’s gaze does that to me, I’m forever held motionless until he releases me. Which he seems unwilling or unable to do.