by Xavier Neal
“Bet Anne would love that in a couple years,” Hunter warmly states. “Gonna have to try it.”
“Still can’t believe you have a kid,” I joyfully mumble.
“’Cause you’re still one?” Brock pokes.
Everyone laughs again at my expense, yet this time Syd leans over to give my shoulder a sweet squeeze.
Zane has a swig of his beer. “Am I the only one who hasn’t seen her?”
“Excluding Syd who I just met today, yeah,” he answers nonchalantly. “Arik and Ari came by the hospital the first night, and Chance tagged along with French and Brock the second.”
“Bearing gifts, might I add.”
My confident comment causes Brock to roll his eyes. “A basket of bullshit doesn’t count.”
“Hey! I’ll have you know everything in that post baby kit was kick ass. Hemp seed oil for the stretch marks. Calming cream to help her sleep, which many women have trouble doing with a newborn even when the baby is resting. Serenity candles to soothe their spirits as a family and the sun stone and moon rock for under her crib to help baby Anne find balance early in her existence.”
Brock sneers and snatches another chip.
“Rory was actually really excited about all the shit,” Hunter lets out a deep sigh. “It was all new shit she had never heard of and was excited to try.”
I toss my hands victoriously in the air. “I’m fucking amazing.”
There’s another collective rumble of disagreement.
Don’t laugh. Tell them! I’m pretty incredible!
“You guys enjoy the dip and poker. I’m gonna grab a quick shower and then make pizza.”
Arik quickly pleads, “Tell us it doesn’t involve cauliflower.”
“Bro-”
“Shut the fuck up,” Brock commands. “If I have to hear another speech about calories, I’ll cram a chip so far down your throat your girl will have to give you the Heimlich.”
“Whoa. Again with the hostility, man,” I quietly retort.
“No cauliflower. It is low carb though.”
“Ugh,” Arik grumbles. “Would it kill you to just order delivery?”
“And not just cheese,” Hunter reminds the group.
“It was my idea,” Syd swoops in to save me from another verbal beating. “I wanted to do something special for the first time I got to be around you guys for poker night.”
The sentiment shuts their mouths.
As it damn well should. She bought the beer and groceries even after I specifically told her I would do it. She didn’t have the extra cash to spare, and they’re not even her friends yet. Didn’t stop her though. She refused to take money for it, so I’ll have to devise a clever way to give it back. Maybe fill her fridge and pantry with more food? Whenever I know I’m going to her apartment, I bring shit for smoothies and a little extra food to cleverly stock her place up. What do you mean it’s not clever? It is! She hasn’t complained about it….Okay, so maybe she’s slyly stated a thing or two that could be considered a protest on my continued delivery of groceries, but if The Cosmos wanted me to stop it would intervene with more than just a pout and poorly worded thank you.
“Appreciate it, Syd,” Zane states. “We all do.”
“Yeah. We appreciate you not letting Chance cook,” Arik lightly laughs, gaining a few from everyone else at the table.
“Hey, he makes a mean protein shake!”
“Not helping,” I quietly object.
“And a great protein bar! My grandparents love them!”
“Yeah, definitely not helping,” Hunter’s chuckles grow louder.
Syd’s face begins to burn, and she surrenders her hands. “Gonna shower off and get started cooking. I swear, I meant to have things going by the time you all came over, but then dance class ran late and-”
“You dance?” Zane interrupts.
She bashfully nods.
“What type?” Hunter swipes another chip.
“I take a K-Pop dance class with my best friend. Not professionally or anything, just for fun and fitness.”
“What the fuck is K-Pop?” Brock bites.
My mouth moves to answer when Arik cuts me off. “You prefer K-Pop to J- Pop?”
“What the fuck is J-Pop?” Brock echoes his original question.
“Most def. Vibe better with it dance wise.” He nods his understanding, which is when she jokingly jabs, “Ya know, just because I’m half Japanese doesn’t mean I have to prefer J to K.”
Arik’s mouth cracks open at the teasing retort, and I let out a loud laugh.
“Yeah, dude. Don’t be racist.”
His mouth bobs profusely, which is when Zane slides his joke in, “Just because you’re white doesn’t mean we expect you to only listen to Elton John.”
“Sir Elton John,” Arik corrects on a snap. “Show some respect for one of the piano kings.”
Zane wobbles his hand back and forth sending Arik into another frenzy.
We all have our shit. Arik’s our music junky. Can you tell?
“Don’t make me fucking repeat my question,” Brock gripes louder.
“K-Pop is short for Korean Pop,” Syd swiftly answers. “Most of it, in my opinion, has more of a hip-hop or R&B tone, which is why I prefer it. The dancing definitely has a hip-hop and b-boy vibe to it.”
“B-boy is break dancing,” I add matter of factly.
Brock’s eyes lower to a glare. “I fucking know that.”
Arik turns his attention to me. “You like K-Pop?”
“Yeah. You know I love anything with a good beat or vibe. She plays Jay Park a lot.”
“It’s because we dance to it in class!”
I pin her with a playful grin. “And has nothing to do with the fact you think he’s hot as fuck?”
Her cheeks immediately rubricate.
“That doesn’t make you jealous?” Hunter pokes the situation. “Her droolin’ over another man?”
A short shrug escapes. “He’s a decent looking dude. I appreciate the artistic license he’s taken with his body. I have no problem with her appreciating his form.”
“She just can’t fuck it,” Zane supports.
“Exactly.”
“I’m….I’m…I’m….gonna go shower,” Syd stutters out before rushing away in a flustered tizzy.
My eyes follow her until she’s disappeared completely out of sight. At that point, I turn my attention back to the table to see jovial expressions waiting to pounce.
Brace yourself.
“Now who’s on a pussy high?” Arik spitefully laughs as he grabs a chip.
I pick up the cards to start dealing.
Hunter has a sip of his beer before he chuckles, “More like pussy whipped.”
“Do you miss your balls?” Arik takes another stab.
“Miss yours?” Brock defends, to my surprise.
“You’ve all been neutered.” Zane smacks on his chip. “Accept it, and move the fuck on.”
“It’ll happen to you,” Hunter swiftly insists.
He rolls his eyes yet Brock states, “Bet money.”
Zane grunts, “Bet.”
Their silent stare remains until I can no longer take the feeling that we’re imposing on an important moment. “Can we bet money on the game?”
Everyone mumbles their agreement, picks up their cards, and prepares to play.
The game begins, and the conversation angles towards sports, a topic I more or less appreciate. They heatedly talk trash about each other’s favorite teams while I calmly remind them of stats and figures. We talk a bit about Hunter being a new dad, listen to Arik tell ridiculous wedding stories from his job, and eventually stumble onto the topic of The Castle.
“Wait. A. Fucking. Minute,” Brock growls at me. “She left her number in your pocket and at the fucking security gate.”
I casually nod. “Didn’t seem like that big of a deal to me.”
“That’s breaking fucking protocol. Again.”
My face grows a concerned exp
ression. “Does that mean she has to be removed?”
“Let me just say, it’s a vicious fucking process French hates to do,” Arik reminds the group.
Quickly, I state, “There’s no need for that. Really. It’s more flattering than frightful.”
“Yeah, ‘til she goes Fatal Attraction on your ass,” Zane argues.
Hunter bobs his head in agreement. “Border linin’ stalker territory.”
Their words only flame the worry in Brock’s expression further. “And that’s where the fucking problem is. Her fangirling outside The Castle is a security issue, which is my fucking territory.”
The bite has me nervously swallowing. “Swear, she’s harmless, bro. Give her one more shot.”
He tries to dial back his glare. “I’ll discuss it with French. We’ll decide what to do together.”
“Like a his and hers beheading,” Arik attempts to lighten the mood.
Zane swiftly changes the subject at the same time he tosses his cards towards me. “You know, we just had two routine chicks quit. Syd need a job?”
His suggestion nudges at the emotional strings I don’t like being tangled in. “Nah. She’s happy with what she does.”
“Which is?” Hunter asks while I collect the objects.
“Yoga instructor.” As I stack the cards, I casually add, “And tantric sex teacher to the aging.”
The collective stillness in the room forces my eyes upward. Seeing identical grimaces has me chuckling.
“You’re fucking with us?” Brock almost barks.
“Nope.”
“Seriously?” Arik stares on in disbelief. “She teaches old people how to fuck? Shouldn’t they know that after like…years of it?”
“Terms, dude. Be more, gentle with them.”
Hunter’s face scrunches. “That’s where ya find the issue?”
I lightly laugh and push the cards to the side. “She teaches techniques to make fucking fun no matter how old you are. It’s good to remember that someday we’ll all be older and may need some reminders or lessons on how to keep shit fresh.”
To my surprise, everyone nods.
You too?
Zane clears his throat and attempts to re-chart the conversation. “Your girl need to make a little extra cash?”
Don’t answer that. She doesn’t need to make any more. She has me. Wait. That came off a little arrogant. I meant, I don’t mind sharing anything with Syd, including my cash. Besides, if it were up to me, she’d work less not more. It’s hard enough finding time to do more than fuck and veg out to movies.
Instead of answering, I pick up my beer to wash away the irritation building on my tongue.
“Working with your girlfriend can be awesome,” Arik slyly encourages. “After all, fucking during work hours is fun.”
“Agreed,” Hunter, Brock, and Zane state in unison.
No one bothers questioning Zane’s stance.
Remember, what happens behind those doors is up to the two people inside….
“Castle pays damn good money,” Zane begins again.
“Not happening,” Brock announces.
“You don’t think she’d be a good fit?” Zane counters. “You’ve seen her. She’s like in the perfect shape.”
I unconsciously sneer.
“Oh shit! What the fuck did your face just do!?” Arik loudly laughs.
“Did he…frown?” Hunter joins in.
“Fuck. Me. His face is capable of that expression?!” Arik continues to mock.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen it do this,” Hunter practically whispers. “This shit is like catchin’ a big ass buck on the very last day of huntin’ season. Rare.”
My toes dig into the cold floor. “I’m not frowning.”
“You’re not fucking smiling,” Zane snickers.
“Nut up or shut up, Chance,” Brock commands. “Admit the idea of her being handled by anyone else fucks with your chia pet.”
“Chi, bro. It’s not a hard word.”
Brock’s eyebrows lift in challenge. “Did you just fucking snap at me?”
“Fuck, this shit just keeps getting better and better,” Arik says, snatching his drink up.
“She didn’t take his balls,” Zane jokes. “She gave him some.”
“I’ve always had a set of nuts, dude.”
Arik bounces his head back and forth. “Debatable.”
I immediately flash him my middle finger.
“Nothin’ wrong with hatin’ the idea of another man touchin’ your woman,” Hunter defends. “Sometimes I lose my shit when assholes just look at Sugar for too long.”
Brock grunts his ability to relate.
“It’s not like that,” I weakly argue. “I just um…I don’t think she’d like being a practice dancer.”
“Uh-huh.” Zane chomps down on a chip that’s covered in dip. “But you don’t know?”
“Right.”
“So I can ask?” Brock joins the next leg of the conversation.
I bite my tongue in another blatant effort to remain calm and simply hum, “Mmhm.”
Brock braces his elbows on the table, cocks his head, and pushes. “Alright then I fucking will.” Our eyes lock, which is when he kicks me over the edge. “Pretty sure Fresh Meat would love flipping that ass around in a chair.”
An audible growl is torn from my chest.
Zane, Hunter, and Arik burst into laughter while Brock merely smirks.
Rather than shove me further down a spiral I hate admitting I’ve slipped into, he motions his head. “Go handle that.”
His suggestion is immediately met. I dismiss myself to check on Syd, and they agree on grabbing another round of beers.
Fuck, I hate this jealousy emotion. It’s unnecessary. There’s plenty of love to go around. I get that. I understand that. I respect that. Yet for some reason, when it comes to Syd, it’s like that shit doesn’t apply. It’s weird. I just…I just want her all to myself in all ways possible. Another guy looks? Fine. I can swallow what most people call my pride. Hitting on her? Bigger pill. A touch? There aren’t enough center finding techniques to stop me from throwing a fist. Peaceful by nature but learning my inner wolf is more violent than I care to admit.
Just as I enter my bedroom, Syd is on her way out.
Her freshly washed face seems to be extra bright. “Hey! I was just-”
My mouth falls forcefully on top of hers. She squeaks in surprise and curls her fingers onto my hips for leverage. Our tongues roll around, circles ceaselessly transpiring, mine determined to make one clear, concise point. I latch a hand onto the nape of her neck to assure my proclamation is driven home. Her breathing becomes erratic and my cock brushes against her in anticipation for more.
I abruptly break our kiss though the vision of her lips parted and eyelids heavy is so beautiful it tempts me into resuming.
Syd struggles to settle her stare on me. When she finally does, she offers me a sweet smile. “Wanna talk about it?”
My mouth moves, but silence wins.
Her hands slide around to meet in the middle of my lower back. The cradling action receives a happy sigh as her loving energy flows through me. “Your spirit is aggressive. On edge. Tense. Someone said something about me you didn’t like.”
I guess she can feel everything about me, too….
Syd tries to hide her hurt. “Do your friends not like me?”
“No, babe. They think you’re great! Perfect for me.”
And I swear every night she falls asleep against me that she is. That we are two halves of the same whole. Two wolves ready to lead and protect a pack all our own. That The Goddess of Love and Goddesses of Fate wove our tapestry together long before I ever set foot in The Glass Slipper.
“Then what is it?”
“They just….” I pause to banish a deep breath. “They were messing me, trying to wind me up, and my jealousy got the better of me.”
She flashes an impish grin. “They pissed off the big, bad wolf?”
/> “He’s not bad.”
“He is when he gets jealous,” Syd swiftly reminds me.
My shoulders drop in defeat.
“Which is fine,” she squeezes tighter, “because mine is the same way.”
“Yeah?”
“Absolutely. When it comes to you my spirit animal gets a little crazy and just wants to make sure the whole world knows you’re mine.”
“Yes,” I instantly agree, hand gripping her nape for the second time. “They said some shit, and now all I wanna do is take you. Mark you. Let you bare the proof of my possession. Cover you in my energy so you fucking radiate with it.”
The words cause Syd to slowly lick her lips. “Do it.”
A tiny growl grows in my chest.
Not a growler. Swear! But something about this chick….
“They can wait a few more minutes for pizza.”
With Brock’s words bouncing around my brain and my inner spirit guide howling, I slide my grip upwards and thread my fingers through the back of her hair. I motion my head down to instruct she lowers herself to her knees. As soon as she’s there, she slides my loose basketball shorts just low enough to release my dick. I hiss at the initial contact her hand makes yet practically howl when her mouth wraps around the tip. Knowing this isn’t going to be slow or smooth, Syd prepares for the pending actions by anchoring her nails into my thighs. Another growl is robbed from me due to the tiny pain. I yank her head forward at the same time I roughly thrust towards the back of her throat. She whimpers at the movement though she never pleads for me to stop. Her eyes simply fall shut. Hot air expels itself from her nose, caressing the top of my dick as it finally disappears down the delicious den of decadence. Syd doesn’t move an inch. She stays absolutely still, which is when I realize she wants me to do exactly what I mentioned earlier. Both hands latch onto her dark strands, and I rock my cock backwards before darting it forward again. A slight choking sound is made, but it doesn’t cease my actions, it merely ignites them. I ruthlessly pump my hips, fucking her tongue, her throat, her face with such furor her eyes water. Panic launches forward, warning me to stop, but Syd hollows her cheeks, petitioning me to continue. Groan after groan grows louder and louder, fusing with the sloppy sounds of her mouth to create an erotic playlist. The constant constricting of her throat in combination with her clawing for dear life at my legs has me clutching onto my orgasm like it’s the last cookie in the jar. I follow the natural instinct to drink in the sight of my girlfriend; despite the fact I know it’ll be my final undoing. Syd’s complexion now has a different glow. This one is flooded in adoration and devotion. Screams to onlookers she’s proud to please me. Proud to be taken by me. Proud to be with me. The rest of her body language is presenting me with absolute submission as my cock continues to aggressively conquer her tiny mouth.