by cross, kali
“Thanks.” Her shy smile lights her face, even though she studies the floor.
“Can you see without your glasses?”
“Yeah, I can’t drive, but I can see fairly well.”
“Lucky for you, we’re taking a cab,” I say. “You know if you go to a club like that, you’re definitely going to get hit on.” I smirk, eyeing her outfit.
“You think?” she asks with a shy smile, looking at her shoes, “it’ll be good practice for when we go to Mulligan’s. You guys promised me we could go to a bar down the street and I want to go there. The soccer team is supposed to head there after the game.” Her face is firm, and you can see a light blush surfacing her cheeks.
“Ah, I see. So who are we scoping tonight?”
“Jerrod Mason.” She smiles shyly.
“I don’t think I know him.” I furrow my brow trying to recall if he’s in any of my classes.
“He’s in our history class. Sits in the back. Tall, brown hair, hazel eyes, easy smile.”
“You just described every guy in our class,” I say dryly.
“He was with Bobby the other day, in the quad? He was one of the ones who had no clue what you were saying. The tall one with the great legs?”
“Oh, him!” I laugh.
The bathroom door opens and Sally is finally ready.
Karen stutters, “S-sexy…very sexy.” Her green eyes round with astonishment as Sally walks in.
Sally turns with a smooth flourish like a runway model on the catwalk. “You like?”
Sally owns it. That girl has mad confidence. Damn. Her legs glide across the floor with a light swish as her pants seem to float with her. Her white tuxedo shirt opens to right below her boobs, showing cleavage but keeping the rest covered. A bow tie is clipped to her shirt collar, a la Frank Sinatra style. Her eyes are bare except a dark line on the lid. Her dark red lips pop against her pale face.
“Finally!” Now, can I get in there so I can get ready? Please?” I plead.
Smirking, she says, “What’s stopping you?” She runs her hand down her slicked-back blond hair. The tight bun rests elegantly on her shirt collar.
I grab my clothes and make a production out of playfully stomping into the bathroom to belabor the point. Laughter heckles me from behind the door. Bitches.
Glancing at the clock, I realize I need to get a move on. As it is, we’re not going to get over to Sixth Street until almost eleven, and that’s if I hurry. I do my usual makeup since I can do it fast – smoky dark eyes, nude lips. I pull on the new skirt Sally helped me pick out, admiring my ass in it. Sally, you are a genius. Yet another thing I never would have picked out. A pencil skirt in patent leather? It’s edgy and I love it. The skirt has a high waist and with a crop sleeveless turtleneck, I still get to show some skin. Slip on the leopard skin pumps. I check my look one more time in the mirror, and open the door.
As I glide across the floor, I realize the tightness of the skirt forces out a wiggle when I walk. Totally cool. Sally yells, “I love that skirt! You look hot, Amber.” Her eyes are bright with a hint of wickedness as she slyly says, “We need to text him a pic.”
“I dunno. Wouldn’t that be kinda lame?” I say.
“Not at all. Let him see what he’s missing. Give him something for the spank bank.” She giggles. “Now turn your back to me. Look over your shoulder. Big smile. Now, bite your lip. Great!” The flash goes off. “What should we say in the text?”
Karen pipes up, “Heading out to the Flame. Oops! I think I forgot my panties.”
We both gape at her.
“What?” Her face in mock distress. “Are you seriously telling me you have underwear on under that tight skirt?
“No way.” I laugh.
Sally types it in saying, “I think that will definitely work. Let’s get this party moving, bitches!”
We grab our purses and lock up before heading down the hall to the elevator. My phone pings.
You’re going to a gay bar, hell any bar, dressed like that?
“Look what he texted.” I flash the display at Sally and Karen. Shit, I thought I made it clear I was bi. I can’t remember. Oh well, better he find out now. If he leaves, he leaves. I type in my simple reply:
Yup
As we reach the lobby, my phone rings.
“Hey Darlin’.” His low voice sends shivers up my spine.
“Hey.”
“First, that skirt is pure, unadulterated, sex on a stick and it makes me wish I was there right now so I could enjoy peeling it off you. Second, have fun tonight, but not too much fun. But most importantly, remember…that ass is mine. Mine, Amber. I don’t share. I don’t care if it’s a girl or a guy. Same difference. So to be clear. Mine. Got it?”
“Um, yeah.” Finally exhaling, I murmur, “Ok, now I’m wet…just so I’m clear.” I smile feeling the heat rise in my face.
A light chuckle escapes over the phone as he says, “Ok, I’ll see you tomorrow. Just felt I needed to make myself clear. Have a good night.”
“Night.” I hang up and fan my face. Turning to Sally and Karen, “Ok, let’s go party.”
***
After hailing a cab outside campus, the cabbie drops us in front of the bar. We take a table in the VIP area so we can sit down on oversized comfortable couches. Ke$ha is pounding out of the speakers about living like today is your last day. The waitress appears before we know it, smiling broadly at Sally and asking what we would like to order.
Sally passes her some plastic to run a tab. She’s cut from head to toe and her body is sick. Sally is all charm as she leans forward giving her a good flash of her tits as she glides her hand down the waitress’ arm with a smile. “What’s your name, darlin’?”
“Natalie,” she says shyly. Her face, even in the dark, burns bright red.
“Keep ‘em comin’, darlin’ and,” Sally gives her a look that would melt anyone’s panties, “I’ll, uh, take good care of you later.” She bites her lower lip as her eyes roam the girl’s body.
Damn, I think her nipples puckered.
“Uh – ok. T-thanks.” The waitress smiles shyly.
Pointing out into the crowd, I motion to a tall blonde on her way over. “Sally, looks like someone’s making their way over to you.”
A tall blonde with a cutout dress leans in to ask her to dance. Passing the waitress on her way out to the dance floor, the waitress looks back sadly and rushes over with our drinks. She is considerably less enthusiastic to serve us as she was with Sally out on the dance floor.
With a fresh Seagram’s and Seven-up in hand, I turn and ask Karen, “How long have you been crushing on Jerrod Mason?”
Crossing her legs, she leans in, gushing, “Only since my junior year. We went to high school together. He was a jock all through high school, too. Played basketball, football, ran track, hell, everything. He got a scholarship for soccer and decided to come here. He’s a junior, too.”
“Were you friends in high school?”
“Hardly,” Her eyes harden. “He dated the head cheerleader, the prom queen, the drill team captain, and right after that, the other drill team captain…” Glancing at me, she murmurs, “Yeah, he got around. But me? He never even knew I was alive.”
“How ‘bout now?”
“Well, kinda. We’ve had a few classes, even been in some study groups. He’s friendly, but he’s never asked me out. I don’t think the bookworm type appeals to him.” Her smile is a touch sad as she reaches for her drink, taking another sip. “But,” she lights up, leaning in with a conspiratorial wink, “I’m hoping, all this.” Gliding her hand down her frame, she perks up with a hopeful tone, “will change his mind about me.”
“Oh, yeah! You look hot. If he’s alive, he’s going to notice you in that dress. I’ll bet you have all kinds of guys hitting on you tonight.” I nudge her as a lanky brunette walks up and asks her to dance.
“Eh, I’m here with my friend and I don’t want to leave her sitting here all alone. But, thanks.”
<
br /> I laugh, “See!” as the woman walks back to her friends.
Karen’s blush is apparent even in the dim lighting. Karen and I sit here, drinking and dancing, chatting away all night as Sally is dragged off by woman after woman. It’s so tough having such gorgeous friends. I smile.
“Ok, my turn now.” Karen announces. “Time to head over to Mulligan’s. Drink up.”
“Aw, do we have to?” Sally whines with a wink.
“Yes. It’s time,” Karen says.
“Ok, let me cash out.” Motioning to the waitress, she pads over to Sally like a sweet puppy eager to please. “I need to close out the tab.”
Disappointment, truly heart-felt disappointment, fills the girls face as she acknowledges, “I’ll get your check.” She’s back in record time, handing the check to Sally.
Sally signs the check and says, “Here you go. One last thing, what time do you get off? I’d like to take you somewhere, and - ” She leans closer staring intently into the girl’s eyes saying, “- get you off.” She leers at the poor girl who practically does a backflip.
“What? Uh, I get off at two.” Her face lit with anticipation.
“Great, I’ll be back at two and you can take me home and have your way with me, or vice versa, whichever gets you off.” A sly smile forms on her lips. Her voice is husky and low. “Here’s my cell number in case they let you leave early. I can’t wait to see what’s under all those clothes.” Gliding her finger down the girl’s arm and handing her a slip of paper, Sally turns to us, “Ladies? Let’s head over to Mulligan’s.”
Sally towers over the poor girl, as she looks down, rubbing her thumb lightly across Natalie’s plump lips. “Such full lips…I look forward to feeling them all over my body.” The waitress’ breath hitches, and her face breaks into a smile. Sally’s lips part as she murmurs, “So sweet. I’ll see you at two.”
Thank God, Mulligan’s is close by. Karen is staggering and swaying, but she’s a blast when she gets drunk. The two blocks to Mulligan’s consist of Karen making jokes and imitating our professor. We laugh the whole way.
The bar is full, but not so full it feels like you’re in a mosh pit or something. Scanning the room, I see the same group of soccer guys from the quad. “There they are. Let’s be casual. There’s a table a couple over from theirs. Let’s grab it.”
As we sit down, Sally says, “I guess you’ll have the room to yourself on Saturday.” She winks with a leering grin.
“I know. Whatever will I do?” I laugh.
Turning to Karen, she says, “The secret to being noticed is looking hot. And, you are looking mighty fine tonight I must say, so check that off the list.” She runs her eyes up and down Karen’s body, garnering an instant blush from Karen. Leaning in, she says, “Confidence is almost more important. You look hot. Own it. Now, go walk to the bathroom right past that table of guys and do not look at anyone, keep your eyes straight and on the bathroom. Don’t acknowledge anyone unless they say something to you. Say hi politely, but absolutely no gushing. If no one speaks, walk back over here.” Sally straightens her back, her nose pointing faintly upward. “You don’t care if any of them say hi or not.”
Karen rises, unsteady on her feet. She says, “Ok, I’m going in.”
Sally says to me, “Don’t watch her. Turn your head and look off in the distance and watch her out of the corner of your eye.” We both stare apathetically at the room, sipping on our drinks, and chatting as Karen walks past the first table. As she nears the table, she wobbles. I hold my breath. Shit, she’s goin’ down. As she loses her balance, a guy jumps from his seat, catching her in his arms. He sets her right on her feet, smiling down at her. He doesn’t release her right away but eventually she walks on to the bathroom. Once Karen is on her way again, I notice Bobby is at the table.
After a few minutes, Karen makes her way back to the table. As she passes the guys’ table, Bobby says something with a smile, and she giggles.
Karen rejoins us and slides into her chair. “Did I forget to mention you should stay upright?” Sally says, “I didn’t think I needed to say that.”
Karen’s shy smile was touching. She says in a hushed tone, “That’s ok. He caught me.” Her giggle barely audible as she whispers, “Did it look real?”
“What? You fell on purpose?” I ask.
“Yeah, silly. I may not be confident around boys, but I can certainly manage walking.”
“That was a risk. What if you had landed right on your ass?” Sally asks.
Karen shrugs. “Then he would have been the jerk that let me fall, or the sweetheart who helped me up.” Her face is impassive but a touch annoyed.
The band takes the stage, and we order a round of lemon drop martinis in honor of my poor bartending skills.
“How are classes going for you, Sally?” Karen asks.
I slap her arm gently. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you study.”
“My parents don’t care about my grades,” she says with sheesh, “I have to get a degree. It’s not like they expect me to use it to get an actual job.”
“That’s your parents,” Karen says, her eyes stern. “Don’t you care?”
“Man, you’re bumming me out.” Sally sneers. “Let’s go dance and give everybody some hot women to look at.” Pulling us out of our chairs, she guides us onto the dance floor as the band belts out a song by Three Doors Down. The number finishes, and I make my way back to the table, leaving Sally and Karen dancing to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll.”
Pulling my phone out, I text Tommy with a smile:
Booty call?
My phone pings:
Would love nothing more but anticipation is half the fun.
Want a little more than a piece of ass, darlin’.
Don’t get me wrong,
I plan to fuck a smile on your face several times tomorrow night.
Get some rest…you’re going to need it. ;)
I text:
Ok. See you tomorrow. Night.
I smile at my display.
A deep voice resonates behind me, “La falda de interesting.” I look up as Bobby walks to the restroom.
Sally leaves Karen on the dance floor dancing with some guy and sits down. “What did Bobby have to say?”
“’Interesting skirt’,” Lifting my brow, tilting my head. “I guess I should give him at least a C for effort.” I harden my eyes and sneer. “At least he’s acknowledging my presence.”
“Yeah, he’s arrogant,” Sally nods, rolling her eyes. “But, I’ve known him for about a year. His family is from Laredo. Total old money, like…been here before Texas was a state, old money. He kinda oozes entitlement, huh? We dated when I first got here. It didn’t work out.”
My mouth pops open. “You dated a guy?”
“Uh, looking for a husband, remember? Duh.” She laughs. “He fit Daddy’s profile to a T. He was actually great in bed. But, he couldn’t seem to get over all the other women in my bed, so I hit the road. We’re still friends though.” A quizzical expression passes over her face. “But, apparently sleeping with a bunch of different girls while we were dating was ok for him, but not me.” She shrugs. “Whatever.”
I chuckle. Taking a sip of my martini, the bartender announces “last call.” Karen makes her way off the dance floor with a different guy. What happened to the last one? He drops her at the table, gallantly kissing her cheek murmuring, “Are you sure you don’t want to get out of here?”
“I’m sorry. I have to get up early in the morning.” Her beaming face gives away her eagerness.
“Well, you have my number. Call me tomorrow. I’d like to take you to dinner.”
“Ok.” Karen says, straightening her back. As he walks away, Karen watches. “Dang, he’s fine.”
“Look at you. How many numbers have you gotten?” I ask.
“Three,” she says with a proud grin.
Sally laughs and barks under her breath, “Slut.” Her eyes bouncing, as she laughs at Karen�
�s appalled face. “Geez, lighten up.” She smiles.
“What happened to Jerrod?”
“Nothing. He watched his buddy catch me. He watched me dance with a bunch of guys. All he actually did was acknowledge me with some lame ‘whazzup’ nod. Whatever. I’m tired of pining for someone who’s clearly not interested. I’ve got three guys who want to date me, and his buddy was mighty interested, time to test the waters.” Her words are firm, but her face tells a different story. Her green eyes blink, and her face grimaces as if she is swallowing a bitter pill. Shaking it off, she turns to me smiling, “Ready to go?”
“Sally has to get back to the Flame for ‘her date.’” Using my famous air quotes, laughing.
“Hey Natalie is a real cutie. I might buy her breakfast.”
Her indignant frown cracks me up. Laughing my ass off, I say, “Real nice, Westin. Real nice.” Standing to leave, we walk out to say our goodbyes and hail a cab back to campus.
As we both hug Sally, she attempts to cop a feel, garnishing whacks from both Karen and I. As she walks down the street for her date, several women and men turn to watch her. She appears not to notice any of them. Shaking my head, I grab a cab in front of the club. As we climb in, Jerrod opens the other side door and climbs in.
“What the hell did you think you were doing, Karen?” His lips press into a thin line as his eyes flare at Karen.
Our jaws drop as we both stare at him wondering what the hell he is doing.
“What are you talking about, Jerrod?” Karen asks.
“I don’t want to get into this with Amber here, but every time I tried to talk to you, you were running off to dance with some other guy. Letting them put their hands all over you. Is that what you want, a cheap feel on the dance floor? You are so much better than that. You deserve a guy who’s going to treat you with respect. Treat you like a lady.” He looks out the window, and Karen and I glance at each other with mirrored looks of utter confusion.