by C. P. Watson
“Fine.” Ava grumbled. “I am just going to get drunk enough so I don’t care anymore.”
“Great, let’s begin.”
“Begin what?” Another woman entered the room, her hair was dyed an ocean blue colour and was styled in a Mohawk, “oh there you are, we are going to play
Blackjack.”
“Ava this is Alexander’s sister Ray.” They shook hands.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Ava said to her in which Ray gave a nod.
“Yea, sure, so let’s get this game started.”
◆◆◆
WE USED THE DINING table to play the game and Lauren shuffled the cards. “Kylie you know how to play Blackjack right?” I nodded and she gave each of us two cards from the deck. “Anyway since it’s my birthday, I am setting my own rules, in which the person who wins the round, will pick a pair of players who has to strip, one of the two players has to do it. I hope you gals wore nice underwear.” She grinned and Ava rolled her eyes. The two of us were sitting next to each other, and she placed her hand on my thigh under the table, probably her way of claiming me as her partner, not that anyone could tell.
“I’m with Kylie.” Ava said.
“Okay then. I see you all have chosen your partners, so Ray it’s me and you.” Ray shrugged and took a sip of her whiskey.
I sighed as the game began and I looked at my cards to see I had an ace and a two. Pressing my lips together, “hit me.” Lauren slid me another card and it was a four.
“Hit me.” Olivia said and groaned as she looked at her card. “I’m busted.” She grumbled and threw her cards down onto the table.
“Anyone else?” Lauren asked, her hand over the desk. “Okay then.” Everyone placed their cards down.
“Take that bitches.” Brianna bragged having a twenty-one.
“Fuck you Brianna.” Lauren said who had eighteen. “Now choose who has to strip.”
Brianna smiled deviously, “who is the biggest prude in the group?” She looked at Ava and smirked.
“You have to pick a pair not a person.” Lauren informed and Brianna rolled her eyes.
“Kylie and Ava.” She muttered and Ava gulped.
I slipped off one of my shoes and showed them before throwing onto the floor next to me. “There.” I said and Ava looked at me with a smile on her face.
“You can’t fight her battles Kylie, if I have to strip you down first to get to her, I will.”
“You are such an ass.” Ava said with a huff.
The game continued, somehow every time someone but Ava and I won, they wanted us to strip. I found it strange as to why they had it out for Ava like that.
Ava ended up discarding her shoes and her skirt and I was left in only my undies and bra.
As for Lauren she was in her bra, but still had her bottoms. Ray had on all of her clothes except her jacket and one shoe. Olivia had no bottoms on and Brianna did not lose a single garment, everyone spared her for some reason.
“I’ll take the next hit, you’ll be half naked if you strip one garment more.” Ava whispered giving me a peak of her cards. She was hopeless, she had four cards in her hand and they only added up to eighteen. As for me I had a solid blackjack so I knew I was in the safe zone, unless someone else had blackjack too and we both had to choose a pair who had to strip.
“I’m good.” I turned my cards so she can see.
“Hit me again.” Olivia yelled slamming her hand against the surface of the table. “Fuck this shit.” She said as she looked at the card she was given.
“Give me a fucking card.” Ava commanded, her eyes throwing a glare towards Lauren.
“It’s not my fault you suck at poker Ava.” The birthday girl retorted, her voice edging towards slurred and outspoken.
“Fuck you, if I wasn’t waist deep in tequila shots I would beat your dumbass.” I placed my hand on Ava’s shoulder trying to calm her down.
“Easy there, maybe we should call it a day?” I checked the time on my watch and saw that it was already 4:00.
Ava poured another shot of tequila into her shot glass and raised it towards me. “This is what I say to your responsibility.” She downed the shot and placed a slice of lime into her mouth before pouring another.
“Seriously, you’re over drunk. How many shots have you taken so far?” She rolled her eyes and grimaced.
“You are too young to be so responsible and… hot. Damn you’re…”
“Is everyone ready to show their cards?” I asked loudly interrupting Ava’s sentence on purpose.
We placed down our cards and I frowned seeing that Lauren and Brianna had blackjack as well. “Fuck you guys, this is so fucking unfair.” I cursed, knowing that both were going to choose us for the stripping.
“Start stripping missy, you know the drill by now.” Lauren said and Brianna nodded.
“Seriously, if you guys want to see her naked you just have to ask, I mean she is going to say no but you can at least try.” She slipped her blouse over her head, revealing her white bra. She tried to unhook her bra but fumbled unsuccessfully.
“You keep your bra on.” I patted her shoulder and I pulled mine over my head and threw it onto the floor.
“You are such a heroine, showing your tits so Ava wouldn’t have to show hers.” Olivia bit down on her bottom lip looking at me. “I’ve actually been wondering about girls lately, you know, since guys never really work out. Can I have your number?” I pressed my lips together not knowing how to answer without making things even more awkward.
“You’re fucking straight Liv.” Ray scoffed and shook her head.
“Yeah whatever, just because I fucked around with some guys…” She thought for a moment, “okay ‘some’ might be an understatement but you get my point.” Her eyes ran from my face towards my torso and she tilted her head. “I miss the days when my boobs were firm, now they are like just slowly dropping each year.” She placed her arm on the table and propped her face upon the palm of her hand. “Can I touch them?”
“Fuck no.” Ava spat as she stood and leaned over the table.
“I really should get her home.” I said trying to ditch as quickly as possible before Ava blurted out something she should not.
I picked up my shorts and pulled it through my legs and my bra over my head before tugging my shirt through my arms. “Ava, put on your skirt.” I handed it to her and she stumbled to raise her legs. “It was fun meeting you guys, even though I almost went completely naked, but nothing less it was fun.”
“Aw, Kylie don’t go as yet, we did not even get to see Ava naked.” Lauren pouted as she gathered the cards.
“I promised grandpa that I would take care of Ava and she is obviously in no state to be around people.”
“Yeah I guess you’re right, but thanks for stopping by.”
“No problem.”
◆◆◆
AS AVA FUMBLED TO get dressed, she laughed hysterically for some unknown reason. Her face then straightened up and she looked at Lauren when she said, “Alexander has this cousin that wants to meet you.”
“Huh?” Ava squinted her eyes.
“I showed him a picture and he wants to meet you.” Ava scoffed and shook her head.
“I can’t, I’m sorry, but… but…” She dragged her tongue across her bottom lip. “I’m not interested.” She shrugged nonchalantly and looked away from Lauren.
“You always say that, give the guy a chance.” Lauren shuffled the deck. “I hear he has a big…”
“No Lauren, I am not fucking interested.” Ava spat before turning her gaze to me. “I really don’t want to talk about this.”
“Yeah, but you haven’t been on a date in how long? Freshman year of college?”
“Whatever, this is why I don’t hang out with you guys anymore, always pushing me to date someone.” Ava leaned against the table to steady her balance. “I’m over it, I don’t like men.” She shrugged and ran her fingers through her black hair.
“So you’re going to beco
me a lesbo.” Lauren immediately looked at me, “no offense.” Then she looked back at Ava.
“Seriously? So I must be a lesbian just because I don’t feel like dating?”
“I think I am bi.” Olivia then spoke making everyone’s eyes turn to her.
“You are just drunk, go back to lala land.” Lauren scolded her making her cross her arms over her chest.
“Fuck you Lauren, I’m actually searching for a fulfilling lesbian relationship.” Olivia retorted. “And my sister is gay so that got to say something about me.”
“It doesn’t.” I sighed and rubbed my temples. “Look, you guys are friends, and if Ava doesn’t want to date anymore, leave her be, she probably is just taking a break from it for a while.” I defended and Lauren looked quizzically at me.
“You defend her a lot, is this some kind of teacher crush you got going for her, cause that would be…”
My eyes widened, “she is family, and I protect my family.” I said as I looked over to Ava, her eyes filled with a gloominess I could not describe.
“Yeah right, I forgot that you two are sorta cousins or something like that.” Lauren scattered the cards on the table, and let out a low huff.
◆◆◆
I CALLED GRANDPA AND explained the situation in which he rushed to pick us up. He also helped me to carry her up the steps and into our room but had to leave soon after because he had something to do.
As soon as he closed the bedroom door behind him, Ava pulled me by my arms making me fall on top of her. “I need you.” She slurred as she slipped her hand into my cleavage.
“Ava…”
“No don’t say anything.” She demanded and pushed me down on the bed and straddled my lap. Tugging my shirt over my head, I ended up helping to save her the trouble.
“Are you happy now?” She shook her head and traced her fingertips at the top of my cleavage.
“Aren’t they mine?” She looked into my eyes with furrowed brows.
“What are yours?” She pouted and raised my bra up so that my breasts slipped out.
“These, they are mine.”
She then proceeded to poke my nipples with the tips of her index fingers. “Ava…”
“Everyone was looking at them, they are not supposed to be looking at what is mine.” She complained before sloppily latching her lips around one.
“Fuck,” I swore unexpectedly, she always managed to surprise my senses. Her skirt then hiked up, her centre rubbing against my thighs, the thinness of her underwear allowing her wetness to seep through.
“Olivia was eyeing you all night, I didn’t like it, but I know she likes you.” She cupped my other breast and squeezed making a gasp escape my lips.
“It was the alcohol talking, don’t fuss yourself over that.” She released my nipple and leaned her face towards mine.
“You liked it didn’t you, you wanted to fuck her.” She grinded harsher against my thigh.
“Babe of course not.” She shook her head.
“Fuck.” She groaned as her hands gripped my shoulders, her centre then making friction with my knee. “You’re supposed to only get naked for me.” She sank her teeth into her bottom lip. It seemed as though the thought aroused her, in some possessive, erotic way.
“I’m yours.” I whispered, “they could look at me all night but only you can fuck me when the night ends.”
“You’re mine.” She mumbled, her eyes piercing into mine and her mouth agape. “Mine.”
“Yes, yours.”
◆◆◆
I UNDRESSED AND TUCKDED her in, not bothering to put on her pyjamas since she seemed to like sleeping in the nude anyway. Pulling her hair away from her face, I watched as she slowly dozed off.
I took it as a chance to take a shower, and wash away all the stickiness that was from our heated moment together. We had started having sex much more often, and I felt a little bit relieved to have some time away from all the sweat and lust that managed to trap both of us in a breathtaking frenzy.
I got dressed and headed downstairs to prepare something for her to eat, knowing that she would have likely woken up with a bad hangover and an empty stomach.
Heading up back into the room, a plate with a sandwich in one hand and a glass of water in the other, I rested them down on top of my desk and grabbed the bottle of painkillers off of my dresser. Taking out two of the pills, I picked up the glass of water and placed the two items on the night stand next to the bed.
I then took a seat on the edge of the bed and looked at her as her chest slowly heaved up and down as she laid on her side. I wondered if I could ever muster up enough strength to leave her side, she was my home; I then understood the actually definition of a person’s home. It is the place where you belong, where love exceeds no boundaries and moments are shared in happiness. Ava was indeed my home, the sweetest woman I had ever met, possessive too, but that was not a problem for me, I actually liked her claiming me hers. It made me truly believe that she really did care and love me.
I sighed, a small smile forming on my lips as she ever so often stirred in her sleep. “Come closer.” She whispered so quietly, that I almost did not hear her. I brought my feet up upon the bed and crawled to her side, where I wrapped my arm around her waist. She then turned and nuzzled her head into the crook of my neck and slipped one of her legs in between my two, so that we were wrapped up together. “Thank you for taking care of me.” Again, her voice was as gentle as the drop of a pin. She pressed her body even closer to mine, as if trying to absorb as much of my body’s warmth into hers.
“Go back to sleep, I’m right here.” She let out a heavy breath and not another word. I smiled as she fell back asleep in my arms, her breathing fanning against my chest, sending a flow of ease to run through my nerves, making me fall into a peaceful sleep as well.
◆◆◆
WAKING UP, I CHECKED the time on my wrist watch and saw that it was 8:00 in the morning, which meant I slept for about sixteen hours. That was a new record in my book.
I stretched my limbs and yawned, before noticing the empty space beside me. I sat up and rubbed my eyes with the pads of my thumbs.
Looking at the night stand, the pills and the glass of water were missing, including the sandwich I had left on the desk. I smiled and got up, wondering where the beauty might be.
I then peeked into the bathroom and saw that she was not there. Walking out of my room and downstairs, I saw the glass door to the back yard open and heard Ava’s voice.
As I neared, her voice became more distinct and it seemed as if as she was on a phone call. I walked outside and my reasoning was confirmed, she was indeed on the phone with someone, and it seemed to be an important call from the tone of her voice and her speech.
I waited for the call to end while dipping my feet into the water of the pool. She then came up behind me and did the same, before letting out a sigh.
“Are you okay?” I asked looking at her face that held a precious smile.
“My head’s hurting like a bitch but I’ll be okay.”
“The call?”
She intertwined her fingers with mine and pressed her lips together, “I got an interview with a private school in New York.” She said and I was obviously surprised.
“You did?” I said making her fingers tighten around mine.
“Yeah, but it’s just an interview.” She spoke softly making me shake my head.
“Just an interview my ass, I am so proud of you.” I placed a kiss upon her cheek making a grin form on her face.
“I didn’t think I would even be considered.” She explained making me nudge her shoulder. “I applied a few months ago.” She added.
“I think it’s great.” I gave her the encouragement she needed and got up, also pulling her up with me. “When is the interview?”
“They said anytime this month would be fine, they don’t need a replacement until the beginning of the year.”
“Why is that?” I questioned curiously.
“The teacher I will be replacing is resigning to teach at a college instead.” She let out a deep breath and pulled me into her.
“Are you happy?” I asked as she wrapped her arms around my torso.
“Yes, very much so.”
“You’ll nail the interview.” I assured as we slowly parted our embrace.
“I hope so.” She whispered before pulling me along with her into the house. “We slept for a while, didn’t we?” I nodded and headed over to the fridge, her following me since our fingers were still intertwined and neither of us seemed to want to let go.
“You know if you do get that job,” I grabbed a bottle of water and closed the fridge. “We can be together in New York.”
“Aren’t you going to Princeton babe? You shouldn’t be so far away from…”
“Will you let me continue?” I interrupted her and she nodded. “I did get accepted into Colombia, and with a scholarship as well.”
“Is that what you want?” She said making me lean towards her and place a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“Columbia is great, and my mom will be elated.” I said with a giggle.
“I think there was a reason you never considered Columbia to begin with.” She said making me roll my eyes.
“That’s because I would have had to live with her and her future husband, I came here to get away from them, and I wasn’t going to go back.”
“So you are not going to live with her?” She softly asked making me shake my head.
“Of course not, I’m planning on sharing an apartment with you dummy.” I grinned and winked at her.
“That does sound nice.” She sank her teeth into her bottom lip in excitement.
“I’ll pick up back my job as a freelance editor so that I’ll be able to make rent.”
“Freelance editor?” She questioned with furrowed brows.
“Yes, I did it for a little bit but I stopped after I moved here, I might have gotten a bit lazy.” She shoved me in the shoulder. “It pays good though, so we can get a decent enough apartment to grow old together.”