Breaking Shaun

by E. M. Abel

  Dank got his cell phone and called Slim with the same message he’d given me. “Dude, come over now. It’s an emergency.”

  After Slim came by and confirmed that Dank did indeed have crabs, we convinced Dank to smoke a few bowls with us first before going to the pharmacy. It was my birthday, so we had to celebrate.

  A few hours later, I was on my way to Marcus and Asia’s for my party. I knew they would make a big deal out of my hair since I hadn’t had it this short since I was a kid.

  I was wearing my favorite jeans, a plain black T-shirt, and my new black Supras. This was my version of dressing up, and I had to say I was looking fresh. When I pulled into the driveway, it was seven. I saw my dad’s truck and a few other cars I recognized. I smiled when I saw the same beat-up Mustang Natalie had driven that morning we bought doughnuts. She’d said she would be at my party, and I was happy to see she’d kept her word.

  I got out of my car after checking my hair one more time in my rearview mirror. I couldn’t have it looking all jacked-up the first time everyone saw it.

  I could hear music playing inside as I made my way toward the front door.

  When I pushed it open, I was greeted with everyone shouting, “Happy birthday!”

  The cheers all fell short when everyone saw my haircut.

  “Holy shit! You cut your hair?” Asia yelled as she came toward me, her eyes fixed to my head.

  Marcus followed and came to smack me on the back. “Happy birthday, bro.”

  “Thanks.”

  Asia was still staring at me with wide eyes when I smiled down at her.

  “So, you like it or what?” I asked, rubbing my hand against my newly cut hair.

  “I love it actually. You look so much more…more…”

  “Grown-up,” Hailey chimed in, finishing Asia’s thought.

  Hailey stood there, smiling with her husband, John, right behind her. They both wished me a happy birthday, and Hailey joined Asia as she stood to my side blatantly staring at me. I’d think I’d had plastic surgery or something.

  “Hey! Guess who’s here!” I heard someone shout from the front door.

  I turned to look and saw my brother, Rob, and his wife, Alexis, walking in.

  “Hell yeah!” I shouted as I walked toward them and gave my big brother a hug.

  “Where’s Serena?” I asked. “You didn’t leave my niece in Richmond, did you?”

  Alexis laughed as she reached in to give me a hug. “No, she’s with my parents tonight. We’ll bring her by Dad’s later, so you can see her.”

  “Damn straight you will,” my dad said as he walked up to us with Samantha on his arm.

  Rob gave me a look as soon as he saw her arm linked with our dad’s, and I widened my eyes to let Rob know I was just as shocked as he was.

  “Rob, Alexis, this is my girlfriend, Samantha,” Dad said.

  Rob and Alexis both smiled and shook her hand.

  My dad finally remarked on my haircut. “It’s about damn time you cut that shit off. Looks good, son.”

  I lifted my chin before muttering, “Thanks.”

  No matter how old I got, my dad still had a way of making me feel like an adolescent.

  “I need a drink.”

  “Well, you’re in luck,” Asia said as she moved in closer to my side. “In the kitchen,” she whispered next to my ear.

  I jerked my head back and studied her face, waiting for her to elaborate, but she just smiled up at me like a fucking lunatic.

  She must have started drinking early.

  “Okay,” I drawled as I pulled away from her.

  I left the group of people standing around me, and I made my way toward the kitchen, stopping every now and then to say hi to someone or to answer questions about my haircut. By the time I got there, I decided I wanted a shot or two to start things off.

  When I turned the corner, I saw Natalie leaning against the island in the middle of the kitchen, and I stopped in my tracks. She was in a little black dress that showed every one of her curves and sexy black heels. Her long hair was curled and hanging down her back, and she was laughing at something Nick had said. That combination was like a kick to my gut. I had a hard time making myself move, especially when her eyes met mine. Then, they moved to my hair and flicked back. Her casual smile had turned into something entirely different. It was seductive.

  After a few seconds of staring at one another, Natalie spoke first, “Happy birthday.” She smiled before taking a sip from her beer.

  I watched her painted lips wrap around the mouth of the bottle, and I could feel my dick getting hard.

  Shit.

  Baseball. Baseball. Baseball.

  That was my anti-boner chant. It usually worked, but Natalie’s dress was making it hard to concentrate on anything but how I wanted to get it off of her.

  I finally snapped out of it after realizing I was acting like a douche bag. “Thanks.”

  I took a few more steps into the kitchen. Now, I could smell her.

  Baseball. Baseball, damn it!

  I had no problem with letting her know that she turned me on, but there was a fine line between admitting attraction and admitting defeat.

  Nick cleared his throat and grinned at Natalie. “Well, I’d better go see if Asia needs any help.” He turned his back on us and walked out.

  I saw his departure as my opportunity, and I took it. Moving to stand in front of Natalie, I pressed my hands on the counter behind her and leaned in, careful not to touch her. I looked into her eyes, and I could see her chest moving faster with her accelerating breaths. She was trying to hide it by meeting my stare, but I knew she felt the energy between us. I knew she wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

  Moving closer, I tilted my head down, so I could feel her breath on my skin. Licking my bottom lip, I fought the urge to kiss her. My dick was definitely hard now, and we hadn’t even touched. Slowly, I inched closer and closer, and I waited to see if she’d turn away, but she didn’t.

  At the last second, I turned toward her ear and murmured, “Best birthday gift so far.” I lightly brushed my nose against the side of her neck and let my lips touch her skin.

  I felt her body tense in front of me before she asked, “What?”

  “Your dress,” I told her as I moved my gaze down her body.

  I still had her trapped against the island, and I knew she didn’t like it. She never liked when I had the upper hand.

  “Oh, so I guess you don’t want the glow-in-the-dark condoms I bought you.” She grinned at me with mischief in her eyes.

  “Only if you help me use them,” I whispered as I watched her plump lips.

  “Ahem.”

  Natalie and I both turned our heads to see Asia and Alexis standing in the doorway. Natalie blushed and looked down at her beer, but I didn’t move.

  “You need something?” I asked Asia as she looked at us.

  “Yeah. I need you to stop harassing your friend in my kitchen, so I can get the food ready,” Asia replied, giving me her usual attitude.

  I heard Natalie laugh, and I turned to look at her. I leaned in to whisper in her ear, “We’ll finish this later.”

  I could feel Shaun watching me the entire night, and every time our eyes met, I knew my resistance was failing.

  That moment in the kitchen when his lips had brushed my neck had taken everything I had not to press my mouth against his and let him have me. Maybe it was the alcohol, but I thought it had more to do with the way he looked tonight. His new haircut had taken me by surprise. It looked edgy and incredibly sexy, and it only accentuated the bone structure of his handsome face, which made fighting him that much harder.

  I decided I was done fighting him though. If I wanted a new and exciting life, I’d have to learn to take risks. Maybe sleeping with someone like Shaun could be my first step, my first leap of faith.

  I can handle him.

  My hormones were getting the best of me.

  I spent most of the night watching the party
happen rather than participating in it. I felt like an outsider, and I supposed I was. Shaun’s entire family was together, laughing and having a good time. I was envious of the relationships they all had. It amazed me how I’d managed to live my entire life around people, yet I still felt so alone. This person I’d become was more like a character I was portraying, a façade. Sometimes, I wondered how much longer I had before people saw the vulnerability I tried so hard to keep hidden.

  By the end of the night, everyone had gone home since most of them had to be at work the next morning. The only people left were Shaun, Marcus, Asia, and me. Shaun was very drunk. Marcus was in the kitchen with him, trying to pry a bottle of tequila from his hands, and I was in the living room with Asia, cleaning up the mess from the party.

  “What the fuck?” Shaun yelled from the kitchen.

  Asia looked at me and rolled her eyes before continuing to pick up paper plates and plastic cups. When our hands were full, we walked into the kitchen to put things away. Marcus was leaning against the sink and looking down at Shaun, who was now sitting on the floor with his back to the cabinets. He was laughing about something, but I had no idea what.

  “Shaun, you need to drink some water before you puke,” Asia told him as she stepped over his legs and threw things in the trash.

  “I’m fine,” he slurred as he looked up at me. “Isn’t that right, Killer?”

  “You look kind of drunk to me.”

  He scoffed. “Pffft. I’m not drunk. I’m just a little buzzed. What happened to the party? Where did everyone go?”

  Asia stood above him with her hand on her hip. “They all went home, dipshit. Just a little buzzed, my ass.”

  “Hey!” Shaun shouted at her. “It’s my birthday! You’re supposed to be nice to me.”

  “I am being nice to you!” she shouted back. “I threw you a fucking party, didn’t I?”

  Shaun sighed and leaned his head back against the cabinets.

  “Hey, man. Don’t pass out there. Come on, let’s get you into a bed,” Marcus said, reaching down to lift Shaun onto his feet.

  Once he stood, Shaun pushed Marcus’s hands off of him. “I don’t need help standing up. I’m good.”

  Asia reached into his pocket for his keys.

  “What the fuck?” Shaun said as he swayed and moved to lean on the counter behind him.

  “Shaun, you aren’t going home. Just sleep here,” Asia said, grabbing his arm to lead him out of the kitchen.

  He jerked his arm free and refused to move. “I’m not a fucking kid. I’m fine.”

  Asia groaned and turned to look at Marcus for help.

  “I can take him home,” I said, trying to help.

  Shaun’s glazed eyes moved to mine, and he smiled.

  “Hell yeah. Did you hear that? Natalie here is going to take me home. ’Cause she’s my friend. And that’s what friends do!” he said, emphasizing the word friend as he glared at Marcus.

  Marcus knew it was pointless to respond, so instead he looked at me. “Are you sure? I can drive him.”

  “Yeah, it’s okay. I’m a bartender. I’m used to dealing with drunks.”

  “He’ll probably pass out in your car,” Marcus said, watching Shaun.

  Shaun picked up a beer and took a swig, seeming completely oblivious to the conversation.

  “I’ll be fine. Really,” I assured him. “Just help me get him to my car.”

  “Here,” Asia said, handing me Shaun’s keys. “Take his car in case he pukes. We’ll make sure you get your car back tomorrow.”

  I laughed as I took the keys from her. “Okay.”

  Before letting go, Asia examined my eyes. “You’re sober, right?”

  I had only drunk a few beers, and my last one was over two hours ago. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  “All right, if you’re sure.”

  “Jesus Christ. Can we just go already?” Shaun groaned as he started walking out of the kitchen and toward the front door.

  We followed him out of the house and to his car where he got into the passenger seat and closed the door.

  “Just call if you need any help,” Marcus told me as he put his arm around Asia’s waist.

  Asia gave me directions to Shaun’s apartment as I made my way to the driver’s side.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine,” I assured them as I opened the door.

  I slid in beside Shaun. His seat was so far back that I couldn’t even reach the pedals. After spending a few seconds adjusting it and getting my seat belt fastened, I finally put the key in the ignition and turned on the car. Shaun sat quietly as he watched me. I put the car in reverse, and when I went to drive away, I waved at Marcus and Asia, who were still standing in their driveway.

  Shaun flicked them off and muttered, “Go to bed, fuckers.” He gave them a fake smile.

  Asia stuck her tongue out and returned the middle finger while Marcus just shook his head and laughed.

  I couldn’t help but grin. Shaun was a funny drunk just like his sister.

  “You finally got me right where you want me,” he said.

  I turned the car out of the neighborhood and onto the main road. I laughed and shook my head but didn’t say anything. Maybe I do finally have him where I want him.

  “So, now what? You gonna take me home and take advantage of me?” he asked, sliding his hand onto my bare thigh.

  I tried to ignore the reaction my insides were having to his hand on me, but it was hard. I pushed Shaun’s hand off my leg, and he started laughing.

  “I dunno why you bother pretending, Natalie. You know you want me inside you just as much as I want to be there. Stop worrying so much, and just do what feels good. Follow your instincts. Stop thinking so damn much.”

  “You really want to be drunk the first time you fuck me?” I asked, peering over at him before returning my eyes to the road.

  He sat silently for a few seconds. “Good point. But at least now you know we’ll be fucking,” he slurred.

  My hands tightened on the steering wheel. I hadn’t expected him to be coherent enough to pick up on that. I was just hoping to get him to agree to go into his apartment and sleep.

  A few minutes later, Shaun passed out in his seat with his head tilted back on the headrest. After finding his building, I parked his car as close as I could.

  I went around to the passenger side to open the door. “Shaun! Wake up! You’re home! Come on! Time to get up!” I had learned that shouting short commands to drunk people was the best way to get them to follow directions.

  Shaun lifted his head and squinted up at me from his seat. “Damn. Stop yelling at me,” he grumbled as he unfastened his seat belt before getting out of his car.

  Luckily, he lived on the first floor, so we didn’t have to tackle any stairs. Once we reached his door, I found the right key and unlocked it for him. He stumbled in his front door and plopped down on his couch.

  “Okay, I’m going to go now,” I said as I stood just inside the door.

  His apartment looked exactly how I had imagined it would. It was the typical bachelor pad with surfboards, a big screen TV, PlayStation 3, and…that was about it.

  “Wait, where are you going?” he asked as he moved to sit up.

  “What do you mean, where am I going? I’m going home.”

  “How are we supposed to fuck if you aren’t here?”

  I laughed. “I guess we won’t.”

  “Hey. You can’t leave me like this. I’m drunk. What if I piss myself or choke on my puke or something? It’s my birthday. What kind of friend leaves someone alone on his birthday?” he asked, pouting.

  I knew he wasn’t that drunk, but to be honest, I didn’t really want to leave. I just knew it would be the smart thing to do.

  Shaun’s words echoed in my mind, Stop thinking so damn much.

  “Fine. But you are sleeping out here, and I’m taking your bed.”

  Shaun’s face lit up, and he smiled. “Really?”

  “Yes. Now, go to sleep.”


  “Will you get me some water first?” he asked me, pouting again.

  Seriously? He’s going to pay for this tomorrow.

  Sighing, I went into his kitchen and filled a glass with water before bringing it to him on the couch. He took it and chugged the entire glass before slamming it on the table beside him.

  “Thanks, Killer.” He grinned at me.

  What the hell did I get myself into?

  I woke up to the sound of my toilet flushing in my bathroom. Prying my eyes open, I realized I was on my couch and still fully dressed. My bathroom door opened, and Natalie walked out. She was still dressed in that sexy black dress she had worn to my birthday party. She walked into the living room with her black heels hanging from her fingers. Her long hair looked a little ruffled, but I preferred it that way. The thought of her sleeping in my bed brought my attention to my dick where I was sporting some major morning wood, and seeing her like that in my apartment wasn’t helping.

  “Good morning,” she muttered as she went into my kitchen and got a glass of water.

  “Morning,” I said, watching her move around my apartment like she’d done it a million times before.

  I never brought women to my place, so it wasn’t something I was used to seeing. Sitting on the edge of the couch, I rested my elbows on my knees and ran my hands through my newly cut hair. A lot of things were feeling unfamiliar.

  Natalie came to stand next to the couch, and I turned to look at her.

  “Are you still drunk? Or are you okay to drive me to Asia’s, so I can get my car?”

  “I’m still drunk,” I lied.

  I wasn’t stupid. I might never get an opportunity like this again.

  “I gotta take a piss,” I told her. I made my way to my bathroom.

  She sighed, clearly aggravated. Getting her to give in to me would be a lot harder now than it would have been last night. I’d seen the way she was looking at me at the party. I’d had her in the palm of my hand, but I’d gone and fucked it up by getting too drunk.

  After using the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. My hair looked a little crazy, but just like last night, it looked like I’d styled it that way. At least this haircut would be easy to maintain.