More Than Enough

by Johnson, Ashley

  “Sweetie, I’m so sorry I had no idea.” Tears filled her eyes and I smiled to let her know it was ok. I’ve learned to accept that it wasn’t meant to be and occasionally I did get upset over the loss of my child but that was it. I knew that from the moment it happened, I would have my good days and my bad days. The bad days were seldom but they were there especially as the due date got closer and closer.

  “The first night I stayed with Luke, I ventured into the spare room and saw his equipment and he explained everything about Juliann to me. I felt so horrible for him and I shared my story with him. I really think we saved each other, in a way our experiences helped heal each other.”

  “I think you’re right. Randy and I wish nothing but the best for you two. If anyone can get through the craziness of this world, you two can. I’m so glad he asked you to marry him.”

  She squeezed my hand again as Luke and Randy came walking in the kitchen. Luke pulled a bowl from the cabinet and began whipping up some pancake batter. I got up to join him and as always we made the biggest mess but when we were done, it was so worth it. Everyone ate and there wasn’t a single pancake left.

  Sherry and I cleaned the kitchen up and soon you couldn’t tell that pancake batter once sat all over the counter and syrup was on the table.

  We all sat around talking until about two in the afternoon. Sherry brought up the idea of us planning a trip to Florida soon. Luke and I agreed it would be fun to get out of the state for a few days and relax. The idea of a real beach was more than convincing for me, I was ready to go right now. We decided we’d start planning and try to go in the next few months probably right after the wedding and our honeymoon. I grabbed my phone and immediately began looking up hotel prices and Sherry and I started comparing them to get an idea. The trip didn’t seem like it would be too costly and I couldn’t wait.

  Sherry had just finished telling me more of her plans for Houston when Randy stood up and placed his hand on Luke’s shoulder, “Well son, we need to get on the road. We just wanted to stop by and see you two before we headed out.”

  “You guys have a safe trip Dad.”

  Sherry and Randy gave us each a hug then they left. Luke and I collapsed on the couch. My head finally felt better but my eyes still felt puffy. I’d need to fix that for tonight although I was pretty sure I would definitely have a hangover in the morning.

  The phone began ringing just as I got comfortable. I let out a groan and saw Halley’s name. “Hello?”

  “Hey! You better be ready for tonight, we’re going to have so much fun!” She was practically shrieking in the phone. I held it away from my ear for a second to be able to not have my eardrum busted out.

  “Oh I am ready trust me. I need to get my outfit together.”

  “Oh, wear your boots! We can match. How awesome would that be? Meet me at seven at the apartment, I have a limo picking us up because neither of us will be able to see straight tonight.”

  Yay, nothing I love more than blurry vision. Blurry vision usually leads to bad decisions, but I didn’t foresee any bad decisions coming my way. All I saw was a fun night with my best friend a week before she said I do to the man of her dreams.

  “Sounds good, I’ll be there. I can’t wait!” I hung up the phone and looked at Luke who was smiling at me.

  “She said she has a limo to bring us out, but would you pick me up tonight? I don’t want to ride in a limo drunk. I don’t know those people.”

  “Yeah babe, just call me when you’re ready. I hope you have fun tonight.”

  I stuck my lip out and began pouting. I really wished he could come and I knew if it weren’t a bachelorette party he would be there alongside me. We didn’t like to go out without the other one, except for occasions like this. Going to the bar alone was nothing but asking for trouble.

  “I will have fun I’ll just miss the hell out of you. But when we get home I can show you how much I missed you.” Provocatively I teased him, raising the hem of my shirt. I straddled his lap and then brought my lips to his, parting them with my tongue.

  I pulled away and went to get up when he pushed me down on the couch and positioned himself on top of me. “Can I pretty please get a sneak preview of that?”

  I stared into his eyes and melted, “Of course you can.”

  I leaned up to kiss him and he ran his hand up my stomach to my bra. I quivered and let out a moan. His other hand was tangled in my hair. He ran his hand down my stomach to my sweat pants which I raised up to help him remove them. He teased me until I begged him to take me and believe me; he made it so worth it.

  *****

  It was six thirty and I had thirty minutes to get to Halley’s. I sprayed some spray gel onto my hair and scrunched my waves then pinned half my hair back. I put on a pair of blue jean shorts that normally would be too short to wear but they did look amazing with my boots and it’s not every day you are with your best friend celebrating her last night of freedom. I also wore a pink sequin tank top that maybe showed more cleavage than I was used to. Luke was supportive though and knew why I was wearing what I was. He knows he’s the only man for me. I mean Halley informed me she had a skirt on that she could hardly bend over in and a black and green sequin halter top that her breasts literally popped out of. I’d say we were looking for trouble tonight. Hopefully we didn’t find too much of it.

  Luke wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my forehead. Oh how I was going to miss him tonight. I couldn’t wait to be back home and in his arms. I can’t believe what a sap I’d become but who cares.

  “I sure am going to miss you tonight baby. Don’t forget call or text me when you’re ready for me to come get you.”

  “You know you could always just be at the bar but hiding in the shadows so I can sneak up and get a kiss anytime I want.” The idea sounded good to me but instead he frowned and shook his head no. So much for that one.

  His arms were still around my waist and I inched closer to fill the small space that remained. I rested my head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. It was the most amazing soothing sound I’d ever heard. If I wasn’t getting ready to go to Halley’s, I probably could have fallen asleep for a few minutes.

  I liked my comfort zone with Luke. As excited as I was to have a girl’s night with Halley and a few girls she knew from school, I knew I wasn’t going to be at my best until I was literally wasted. Who knows, even then it may make it worse. I vowed I would not be a Debbie downer tonight.

  I slowly raised my head off his chest and pouted my lip out. “I know. I’m just really going to miss you.”

  “Go have fun babe, you deserve it and I will be there waiting to pick you up and haul you back here. I am jealous other men get to see my fiancée in that outfit.” Now he was pouting. Great. I smacked his arm and then grinned provocatively.

  “Maybe I could find a little something else to wear for you later.” I winked and he smacked my ass. I jumped and squealed then reached up to kiss his cheek. He turned his cheek and met my lips giving me the most perfect intimate kiss ever.

  He started to run his hand through my hair and as much as I loved that, I pulled away. “Hey you’re going to mess up my hair silly boy. I better get going. I will be looking for you later.”

  I pointed my finger at him and then touched his nose before leaning in to give him one last kiss.

  Chapter 9

  As I pulled up at Halley and Marcus’ apartment, I suddenly broke into a light sweat. Shit. Were Marcus and Trevor going to be here? I hoped not. I know Marcus was having his bachelor party tonight too but Halley had planned it to where they were never in the same bar as we were. My eyes roamed the area several times over before I finally accepted that I didn’t see Marcus’ car. I checked my face in my mirror one more time before I got out the car and locked it.

  I didn’t even knock on the door, I just let myself in. Halley was in the kitchen in, no lie, exactly what she told me she was wearing. She looked like she should be working the corner tonight with
how short that skirt was.

  “Geez Halley. You looking to give someone a good time tonight?’

  She jumped at the sound of my voice and turned around to smack me in the arm. I deserved it.

  “Shut up, like yours is any better!”

  I laughed then graciously accepted the shot of whiskey she gave me. Since I didn’t drink like I used to, it almost burned going down. But it still tasted pretty damn good to me.

  Halley leaned across the counter and crossed her hands over her chest. I swear almost all of her breasts were now out. Her eyes had a certain fire behind them, like she could set this whole apartment on fire. That can’t be good.

  “What’s that look for Halley?” I’ve seen that look before and if I recall it’s gotten us into a few messes before. My memory floated back to my brief stint in college when we decided it would be a good idea to get drunk and Halley wanted to ride the bull in the bar. Only she didn’t ride it, she basically sat for a second then went flying in the air like a damn circus act. Really, I thought she had broken a bone or something but she got up laughing her ass off and then decided she just wanted to dance.

  “You and I are about to get wasted and have the time of our lives do you hear me? We are going to dance and drink and…well I haven’t gotten that far yet.”

  I laughed at her and looked at the bottle of whiskey that had more gone from it than two little shots.

  “Halley are you drunk already?”

  “No officer I haven’t had any drinks.” She slurred the last word a little too much and I began laughing.

  The doorbell rang and I went to open the door, Crystal and Reina had arrived. I’d only met them once or twice during school; I had a good memory though.

  “Hey guys, Halley’s in the kitchen.”

  Crystal had long dark brown hair that almost could have been black. She dressed a little more modest than Halley and I but she had the cleavage to make up for it. This girl almost looked like a damn Barbie. Her skirt was longer than Halley’s and she had the leanest, tan legs I’ve ever seen. I wondered if I brushed my legs up against hers if I could get some of that color. She topped the outfit off with a pair of brown wedges that added at least an inch to her height.

  Reina was petite. She only looked tall because of the three inch heels she wore with her blue jean skirt. Geez, I was the only one not in a skirt. Hers however rivaled the length of Halley’s. She had her blonde hair in a mess of bobby pins and it looked amazing. I can’t believe she did that herself. If I were to try it, it would look well, nothing like that.

  Crystal stepped in first and gave me a hug. That was pretty awkward, I had boob all over me now. “It’s good to see you again Macy. It’s been a long time.”

  I smiled as Reina walked in and smiled at me. “It has been. I hope you guys are ready to have some fun tonight.”

  Reina grabbed a shot from Halley and threw it back. “I sure am ready.”

  We stood around taking shots and talking about our game plan for the night when Halley’s phone rang.

  “Hello? Ok, ok, yes. Sounds good. Thank you.”

  She ended the call and then looked at us grinning with the biggest smile a person could possibly wear. “Time to get this fucking party started!”

  We all let out a scream and then made our way outside where the limo was waiting for us. The driver was an older man probably in his forties. I somewhat felt bad for him tonight. Who knows what the hell we were going to be putting him through. Halley tried winking at him but she mainly looked like something was stuck in her eye. I tried not to laugh at her but I was almost doubled over. What a horrible friend I am.

  This guy was trained very well for his job, no doubt. He paid no attention to the sexual comments that those three were throwing at him. I shot him a sympathetic glance and he gave me a warm smile in return. We headed off to our first destination.

  Halley controlled the radio from the back. I hoped this man didn’t have to hear what we were. He didn’t seem to look like he’d be a fan of LMFAO or anything else with a beat that she played. I did however see his head begin to move to the beat when ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ by Def Leppard came on. Halley was now trying to stand up through the sunroof. Poor thing was gone already. I eased up some and took a few swigs out of the bottle from her house and squeezed alongside her. I felt like Debra Messing and her sister in The Wedding Date with Halley. Our night was just beginning, I suddenly felt the urge to let loose and somewhat let the old Macy back in.

  We rode around town for a few minutes drinking and made a pit stop through a daiquiri shop. I ordered a long island with an extra shot. Halley followed my lead and got the same thing. Crystal and Reina both insisted they were waiting to do all their drinking at the bar.

  Halley requested that the driver just make a few blocks while we finished our daiquiris. Thirty minutes later, he pulled up at the front of Gills. We all began cheering and one by one filed out of the limo. I nodded my head in a polite thank you to the driver for his service since everyone else was too busy running from the limo to the bar.

  I haven’t stepped inside Gills since the night I met Luke and happened to run into Trevor. It looked the same to me. I looked around and I swear I could point out the exact spot we danced and the spot we stood by the bar. I fumbled through the pocket of my shorts for my phone and pulled it out to text Luke.

  “I love you.”

  Instantly he replied back, “I love you too. Now get off your phone and go have fun.”

  I put the phone back in my pocket and grinned. My best friend was getting married in a week; it was time for some fun.

  Gills was the only place we’d have to spend money tonight. Gary had told me he wouldn’t charge us anything, which was a good thing because I had a feeling I was getting ready to go broke here.

  Halley already had a beer in her hand when I met her at the bar. She was flirting with some guy who looked like he could almost be her dad. I reached in my pocket and grabbed the bride to be pin I almost forgot I put in there last minute. This was sure to get everyone’s attention. It was pink and had a light that flashed.

  I politely pulled her arm towards me and pinned it on her blouse. I also looked at her beer and shook my head then yelled to the bartender we needed two crown and cokes.

  Crystal and Reina disappeared for a few minutes to talk to a few people they knew. When they came back, they bought us each a round of shots.

  “What’s this?” I hollered to Crystal. I always shot whiskey. This smelt girlie and sweet, I needed to know what I was about to put in my system.

  “It’s a buttery nipple. Try it, they are amazing!” She gave me a wink, and then raised her glass. “To my bitches, let’s get this party started!”

  We all cheered and threw back the shot. Ok, she was right it was pretty good. I may have to have well one, two, maybe ten more tonight. Or more.

  A song came on that I haven’t heard since I was in high school but it had a poppin beat then and still had it going on. Halley grabbed my arm and yanked me to the dance floor. Any time a guy would try to get close to me, I would inch closer to Halley pretending to be her lesbian lover. Dancing was as far as it was going though; we didn’t have that kind of friendship. It was the fool proof method to keep all the creepies away, even though some of them found that hot. Gross.

  The Footloose line dance came on next and I got the biggest grin on my face. This was my favorite line dance ever. Drunk or sober I could rock it and I did. In my cowboy boots and all. Reina even joined me midway through; I shot her a grin thanking her for sticking it out with me.

  When the song ended I was officially wore out. I probably should have asked the bartender for water. The dancing plus the lights on the floor had drained everything out of me. I wiped the sheer line of sweat off my forehead and asked for a beer. The beer was gone in about fifteen seconds.

  The girl behind the bar stared at me like I were some sort of amazon freak. No, I’m not a freak, I was just thirsty and I needed something t
o drink. I smiled politely and ordered another crown and coke. She almost looked like she weren’t going to serve me a drink but she began fixing it.

  I paid her and tipped her about five extra dollars just for the beer I devoured in no time. Her facial expression changed and she was now chipper and smiling. That figures.

  Crystal placed another two shots in front of my face. Buttery nipples, I figured. And by the smell of them I was right. Halley and I downed ours together and began laughing.

  I scanned the room and found a guy dancing alone. He looked kind of geeky in a way. I don’t know if it were the flannel plaid shirt he wore or the black rimmed glasses. I nudged Halley with my elbow and pointed, “Hey I dare you to go dance with him. Show him some of your moves.”

  She eyed him for a second debating whether she wanted to accept the challenge or not. She ordered two more shots, one for each of us. After she downed hers she flipped her hair and smiled, “I’ll be right back.”

  Yeah. She was totally gone already and I barely had a buzz. I needed to fix that. I ordered another buttery nipple and when I finished my crown and coke, I had the bartender make another. Anytime she looked pissy, I slid her an extra few dollars to keep her happy.

  I looked over to see Halley approach the guy. He had no idea what was about to hit him. I stifled back a laugh and watched as she began dancing provocatively in his lap. Poor thing, he looked like he wasn’t sure where to place his hands. Eventually he just placed them behind his head and started doing some sort of pelvic thrust thing. Oh how I wish Halley could see what he was going to her.

  Crystal and Reina joined me in watching the circus act unfolding before our eyes. We were all laughing, practically inches from rolling all over the floor. Halley couldn’t see but she sure felt something after his last thrust because her face turned red and she ran off.