“Where did you get that?” I exclaimed, snatching the plastic card from her hand.
“My older brother gave it to me for graduation,” she smirked, snatching it back from my fingers.
Chapter Two
Lisa lingered inside the tiny store, touching every bottle as she strolled through the aisles. She didn’t drink, not really. We’d both indulged in a beer or two at parties throughout our high school lives, but nothing more.
Her pink painted fingernails clanked on a bottle of Grey Goose, “this looks good.”
I rolled my eyes as she picked it up from the shelf, tucking it under her arm as she continued down the next aisle. “What about cranberry juice?” she asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. She picked up the jug, and then moved to the counter. I was nervous, knowing we didn’t belong. We were just eighteen, not old enough to drink, let alone buy alcohol.
Lisa didn’t care, she was armed with the identification that made her twenty-two, a gift from her brother. “ID, please,” the man at the counter said in a monotone, uninterested tone.
“I need a bottle of Jack too,” Lisa said, pointing behind the man to the counter where the bottles of Jack Daniel’s lined up by size.
She leaned over the counter, pretending to read the label on one of the bottle sitting near the counter, but I knew she was pushing her cleavage towards the clerk to distract him.
Her tits were perfect, and her nipples hard against her shirt, but he didn’t seem to notice, or care.
“ID,” he said, his tone now becoming snarky.
“Here,” Lisa said with a tone of her own, handing him the fake ID.
The man looked at it, and then looked up at her, sizing her up for an appearance of nervousness no doubt. She was cool as a cucumber, while I sweated bullets trying not to blow her cover with my own anxiety surfacing.
He seemed satisfied, handing her back the card. He reached behind him, grabbed the smallest bottle of Jack Daniel’s from the shelf, and turned to ring up the order. “The large bottle,” she said, sighing as if he’d irritated her by wasting precious party time.
I watched as he glared at her, as if he knew she was sporting a fake ID, and could turn her in at any moment. He grabbed the largest bottle, set it on the counter, and rang up the order.
She paid with a credit card, one her daddy had given her when she was a junior. I wanted to stop her, to ask if he’d have a problem with a liquor store purchase, but I kept my mouth shut.
“Holy shit!” I exclaimed as we exited the store, safely out of hearing distance from the clerk.
“It’s gonna be a great night,” she said, winking in my direction before climbing into the car.
The party was already started when we arrived. A large bon fire was set on the beach, and people were everywhere, dancing, drinking, making-out.
I caught a glimpse of a group of the football players near the fire where Lisa was already dragging me towards. I carried the large bag of liquor, trying not to let the two large glass bottles clank together, while she released her grip on my wrist, running towards Greg.
To anyone else, they looked like they were madly in love. But, to me, I knew Lisa was already scanning the sophomore men she’d be surrounded by when she settled into her new school. Lisa wouldn’t be the type to date a freshman, I knew that. And she certainly wouldn’t be the type to continue dating Greg.
One of the guys grabbed the bag from hand, Lisa immediately bragging about how she just walked right in and bought it, no questions asked. Yah, except for your fake ID.
“Where’s Scott?” I asked one of the guys from his team.
He shrugged his shoulders. “He’s around,” he groaned.
I sat down in one of the lawn chairs by the fire, far enough back that it wasn’t too warm. Lisa was wrapped around Greg like a panda in a tree, and the rest of the team players started drinking games.
“You want a drink?” Evan asked, pushing a beer towards me.
“No, thanks,” I smiled, not in the mood to drink.
Evan talked about his plans to travel Europe. He would backpack and live off the kindness of the people, doing side jobs as a way to make money. It didn’t sound glamorous, but it was a helluva better than what I had planned.
Everyone had big plans, and as I sat there, listening to all of them, Scott showed up, but headed towards his buddies, offering me a quick smile, and nothing more.
I was ready to go at that first rejection, and after two hours of waiting for Lisa to get her tongue out of Greg’s throat, I finally had enough.
“I’m ready to go,” I said sternly, tapping Lisa’s shoulder.
“Why you leaving?” Scott asked, whipping me around by my arm.
“I’m just ready to leave,” I said quickly.
“Wow. You just got here. You haven’t even said hi to me,” he pouted.
“I’ve been here for two hours,” I snapped, pulling my arm from his grip.
“Baby. Don’t be mad. I was catching up with my boys. I thought you’d come hang with us, but you were chatting it up with Evan and his hippie followers,” he smirked, gripping me by the waist and pulling me into his hard body.
He smelled of Jack Daniel’s, and his eyes were blood shot. There was still something about him, what, I wasn’t sure. But, it made me fall for his shit lines every time.
“Let’s take a walk. Just me and you,” he whispered in my ear, letting his mouth drop to my neck, rolling across my skin until our lips met.
“Okay,” I agreed, helpless in his arms.
Chapter Three
His hand gripped mine, squeezing it tightly as he guided me from the crowd of football players reliving their glory days. I felt sorry for some of them, knowing that the last four years had been their peak in life, and that a downward spiral would unravel after summer.
Scott was different. He had a full scholarship at a great school. His grades were never bad, so I knew he’d excel I life. Without me by his side like I’d envisioned.
“I’m really gonna miss you, Penny,” he said softly, spinning me into his arms.
He’d found a secluded spot on the beach, away from fire, the crowds, and tall hotel buildings. “I’m sure you’ll forget all about me,” I said, interrupted as his lips pressed hard against mine.
The taste of liquor was more than I could bear, but the warmth of his body pressing against me made me want more. Our tongues collided, entangled, and danced the familiar dance of our passion.
His hand gripped mine, sliding it to his crotch so I could feel the hardness of his cock beneath his denim. Before I could protest, he pushed me gently onto the sand, his hands flirting with my skin as they caressed my curves.
My body reacted to his touch, my pussy swelling, tingling, and yearning for more. “I’m gonna miss this,” he said, slipping his hand into my shorts.
His hand pushed my legs apart, letting two fingers slide into my wet pussy. I groaned with pleasure, grinding against his hand with a smooth rhythm. “Oh yah,” he gasped, pumping his fingers in and out of my slick flesh.
My shorts were being worked off with his free hand as his lips sucked onto my breast through the thin tank top I wore. His teeth grazed my nipple, teasing me as my back arched towards his mouth, and my hips grinded my cunt into his fingers.
My shorts to my ankles, Scott rose up, unfastening the buttons on his jeans. His smile was so bright, so reassuring that everything would be okay, that for a moment I forgot, it wouldn’t be. It never would be again.
I laid there in the sand, grains grinding into my ass cheeks as Scott unleashed his hard, smooth cock. My mouth watered, my pussy flinched, and my breasts swelled just from the sight. “You want this?” he asked with his lips curled into a cocky smile.
His hand stroked the muscle slowly, squeezing it so the tip turned purple before releasing and sliding back down the long shaft of his cock.
I hesitated, my thoughts on losing him for good. Was this it?
“I can’t do this,�
� I said, sliding to a sitting position.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his cock still hard in his hand, not willing to hear my refusal just yet.
“I just thought we’d always be together,” I said softly, staring into his blood shot, curious eyes.
“You knew I was going to play football. Who knows what’ll happen,” he said, shooting me a slick smile.
“I thought you were going to photography school or something,” he sighed.
I wasn’t willing to let go of my disappointment and open my legs to him once more. I knew tomorrow, he’d forget about me again, not answering my calls and remaining distant like he’d been all week. He knew my dreams of going to photography school were just that, a dream.
“I’ll come home a lot,” he said, rubbing my leg gently as he worked to spread it from the other to reveal the tight pussy he’d worked so hard to get to.
“For me?” I asked, feeling a sudden sense of hope.
“For holidays,” he said, sounding confused by my question.
“I have family here. But, I’m sure I’ll want to see you,” he said, smirking with his drunken grin.
“That is, if you’re not traveling the world with your camera,” he smiled.
I reached for my shorts, quickly sliding them back over my body and stood from the sand. “For this?” I asked with a chuckle.
“Baby. What’s the problem?” he asked, now with an irritation in his voice I didn’t care for.
“Forget it. I won’t be here when you come back. Maybe I will become a famous photographer,” I threatened, knowing that was probably the furthest thing from the truth.
“Penny, I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want right now. You have to live your own life, and I have to live mine. It’s not my fault you didn’t make plans. You’re an amazing photographer. I know you can do it, but you have to at least try,” he suddenly sounded more compassionate and less interested in thrusting his dick into me one last time.
I knew he was right. This is what he had to do, and it wasn’t his fault I hadn’t made plans. I should’ve studied harder, worked more hours at the diner to buy a better camera, something, anything. But, all I’d done since I met Scott was daydream about being with him forever. I was an idiot.
“You’re right. It’s not your fault,” I said, turning to walk away before the tears flooded my eyes. My pussy was still swollen against my panties, and my arousal making them tacky against my skin. I wanted Scott, but not if it meant it was the last time.
“Take me to my car,” I said sternly to Lisa, who was already too buzzed to drive.
“Take my car. Just lock it up, and leave it in the parking lot at school,” she suggested, digging in her purse for her keys.
I grabbed them as she handed them to me, struggled to walk as fast as I could through the thick sand before Scott could catch up to me.
He gave up chase after I made it to the parking lot, and even though I checked my phone for a message, there was nothing.
I left Lisa’s car in the parking lot as she instructed, locking the keys inside. I got into my beat up pickup truck, and drove home, hoping that my mom and Gary were done drinking, arguing, fucking, and were both passed out.
Chapter Four
I pulled up to my apartment building, staring up at the lit window on the third floor where I lived. Fuck, they were probably still awake and going at it, one way or another.
My hand rested on my keys, still dangling in the ignition and thought of just pulling away. But, to where?
I reluctantly pulled them from the ignition, and stepped out of my old beat-up pickup truck.
What was behind the door to my apartment, I hadn’t a clue. Every night was different, even though vaguely the same.
Sigh.
As I turned the doorknob, opening the apartment door, the TV was the first thing I noticed. Other than the sound of the news anchor’s voice, it was quiet. Good, they’ve passed out.
I slipped inside, noticing Gary sitting in the recliner, a beer still in his left hand, and the remote in his right. The snores coming from his throat and nose were worse than a warthog getting mauled, but to me, in that moment, they were sweeter than an angel’s voice from heaven.
My throat burnt from the dry sand at the beach, and probably a little from refusing to drink anything offered to me. I flipped the kitchen light on, sneaking past Gary, and raided the fridge for a cold soda.
The cool, sweet beverage offered the satisfaction my throat had begged for as the icy can pressed against my lips and dumped the caffeine into my body.
A grumble, a snort, and the achingly familiar sound of the recliner squeaking to an upright position made my heart pound against my chest. Fuck. He’s awake.
I turned off the light, moving quickly down the hall to my room, but not fast enough. As I started to close my bedroom door, Gary’s fat, hairy hand stopped it from clasping against the lock. “Where you been?” he scoffed.
“It was graduation day. I hung out with Lisa at the beach,” I explained, hoping that was all he wanted.
“Oh yah,” he slurred, his hand still on my door, my hand gripped onto the knob, just waiting for my chance to close it and lock myself safely inside.
“You sure you weren’t out fuckin’ your football star? Or maybe spreading that sweet little pussy of mine to the entire football team?” he snorted.
I shook my head, and then tried to push the door closed with resistance I couldn’t conquer.
“You’re momma said he’s headin’ to Notre Dame. I guess that means he’s leaving his play toy behind,” he chuckled.
Tears were already welling up in my eyes. What he said was true, so true it hurt to hear. “Where’s mom?” I asked.
“Ya know, I think he’s a fool,” he said, his eyes growing suspiciously kind.
My eyes narrowed as I took him in, watching his lips curl into a smile, something I didn’t see much. A smirk, yah, but a smile, not hardly. “Where did you say mom was?” I asked, hoping she was at least home, or that she would be soon.
“Where the fuck do you think she is?” he said, his voice rising with irritation, and his inebriation growing more and more apparent.
“At work?” I retorted, my eyes rolling at his sudden outburst.
He snorted.
“Work? Fuck no she isn’t at work. She hasn’t been to work all day,” he growled.
“I need a shower,” I said, trying to push at the door once more, meeting only more resistance.
“Your mom,” he howled.
“She’s at the damn bar, too good to come home and cook my dinner, or take care of my other needs,” his eyes grew black, his grin grew wide, and his intentions grew clearer.
“Sorry. Maybe she’ll be home later,” I said quickly, pushing at the door again.
“Take your shower. Wash the stink of that football star from that sweet little pussy,” he spit as he spoke, too close for me to not be sprayed. I didn’t dare back up, letting my hand slip from the knob of my door and missing my chance to close it.
“Wash that little pussy clean, cause tonight, you’re my dinner,” he hissed, his lips parting to show off his thick, pink tongue.
My throat tightened, my heart raced, and my stomach churned at the thought of being Gary’s dinner.
His hand let loose of the door, but before I could close it, he winked, warning me I had ten minutes to deliver myself to him.
I slammed the door shut, locking it behind me. Lana was known for staying out until bar closing time on a good drunk, and sometimes not coming home at all. It was only ten o’clock, leaving too much time for Gary get what he wanted, whether I was a willing participant or not.
The thought of his body against mine, his breath on my skin, his fat tongue in my mouth, it made me ill. I had to get out of here, and fast.
I picked up the small jewelry box on my dresser, opening it with the tiny key hidden in my top drawer, and sat down on the edge of my bed. My grandmother’s address was on the envelope
of the last birthday card she’d sent me, or at least the last one that Lana had given me.
The paper was turning dingy, it was crinkled, and old from the years it sat in that box, locked up with my other personal or important items.
Phoenix was only seven-hundred and fifty miles from Sacramento, but it might as well been a million.
I pulled the tips I’d saved from the small wooden box, which only amounted to a little more than a hundred dollars, and shoved it, and the card into my purse.
My backpack was hanging on the back of my closet door, still filled with papers and books from cleaning my locker earlier that week. I dumped everything on the mattress, and started stuffing it with clothes, an extra pair of shoes, and the picture of Scott I had on my nightstand. I had to get out of here.
I calculated in my head how much gas I’d need to get where I was going. The truck was almost empty, and at best, I’d get nineteen miles an hour, probably less, to the gallon.
Thirty nine gallons of gas at four dollars a gallon, that was a few bucks more than I had. Maybe I could stop along the way, work a shift in a truck stop diner, or even beg for money on the street if I had to.
I frantically tore through my closet, grabbing the old Canon camera I bought with my tip money at the local pawn shop. I knew it wasn’t worth nearly as much as they’d asked, but I couldn’t afford a new one, and I thought, like a dumbass, that it would possibly help me start a career. Who was I kidding?
This was it. Gary was surely waiting for me, already anxious no doubt that I wasn’t already in the shower. Leaving wasn’t going to be easy, but I was doing it.
Chapter Five
I slung my backpack over my shoulder, stuffing my purse inside. The keys to my truck were in hand, ready to unlock it quickly in case he ran after me.
The door opened, and the sound of the TV blared through the small apartment. I listened for snores, grunts, or any signs that my perverted stepdad had fallen back asleep, but it was silent.
Man of the House: An Older Man Younger Woman Romance Page 109