Page 7

Sienna

I stare at Mae through a half-drunk pint of beer that’s still foaming. It’s the night before her wedding and I’m trying my best to be upbeat, but all I can think about is Tennessee.

“So, that dude is hot as hell. How was fishing?”

I think back to my legs spread in the sand while he begged me to touch myself, and a chill runs up my spine. “It was good. We had a good time. Didn’t catch much.” My voice sounds flat as I tip-toe around the reality of how the day ended.

She grins widely but there’s a thread of something dark behind it, like something isn’t right.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh,” she takes a sip of beer as we watch the local indie band play a Morgan Waylon song off-key, “it’s nothing. I just… things have been weird with Rick.”

“How so? You guys were so excited last week during the video call. Did something happen?”

“No, I… sort of. I mean, no.” She tilts her head to the side, then brushes her dark red hair back away from her face.

“It’s not a big deal. I just… I found this text in his phone from some girl who was talking about how great dinner was, and when I questioned him, he said it was a work lunch and that I was worrying over nothing.

But… I don’t know. I’m all in my head about it now. I’m so insecure.”

“What? No, you’re not. You’re human. Did you tell him you didn’t want him going to lunch with women from work? I mean, that’s weird.”

“Is it, though? I mean, it’s just lunch and they work together.”

“It’s weird. I’d be pissed if Tennessee were going to lunch with other women, especially if they were texting him about it afterward.” I realize after I’ve said his name that I’m talking about him as though he’s actually mine. He’s not.

I don’t know where we stand. He didn’t say much on the ride back and I walked away before he could speak when he dropped me off. Looking back, it was childish. He’s trying to protect me and I’m throwing myself at him like some desperate virgin.

In my defense, I actually am a desperate virgin.

“I’m not saying cancel the wedding, but maybe tell him how uncomfortable it makes you.”

“Oh, I did. Trust me. He thinks I’m being insecure, too.” She shakes her head and takes another sip of beer. “You have it so good with an older man. Is it true that they know how to treat a woman?”

I think about how hard he tried to hold back.

Any guy my age would’ve just fucked me. They wouldn’t have struggled to be honest about their truth because they would’ve lied about it.

On top of that, they’d bail on helping me tomorrow, because most twenty-five-year-old boys don’t have any grit whatsoever.

“He’s pretty great. A little strict,” I smile, thinking of the demands he made earlier on the sand again, “but I kind of like it.”

She leans back and takes another sip of beer. “Strict, huh? Like how? Giving you curfews or tying you up to the bed and giving you spankings?”

I laugh too quickly. “You’ve had way too much beer.”

“And you’re blushing,” she says as she smirks.

“He knows my dad somehow.” I blurt the truth out before I think it through.

“What?” Her eyes widen. “How?”

“I don’t know. We figured it out this afternoon. I guess they knew each other from college or something. He’s blaming himself now.”

“Ask him.”

“I did. He didn’t want to make things weirder for the wedding. I don’t know, I guess we’ll see my dad tomorrow and hopefully it’ll go smoothly.”

She hides her amusement behind her pint of beer.

“What?”

“Oh, nothing. I just… I can’t imagine seeing my dad after I did all kinds of sexy things with his old buddy. That’s going to be weird.”

“Yes! This whole thing is weird. I’ve said that a thousand times. It’s weird, it’s weird, it’s weird.”

“Okay,” she slurs, setting her glass back on the bar. “I gotta know, how big is the giant’s cock? I mean, it’s gotta be huge. He’s what, six and a half feet? Tell me he’s swinging! Tell me you’re having the best sex of your entire life!”

“Oh my God! What?” I burst out laughing. “What are you even asking me?”

Her eyes widen like I’m dumb for having not caught on. “I’m asking you how big his cock is.”

“We haven’t done it yet.”

“What?” She shakes her head back and forth as though she’s trying to comprehend what I’m saying. “You haven’t fucked that fabulous beast yet? Why?”

I shrug. “Virgin. I mean, we’ve done a few things, but I haven’t seen… it. I mean, I’ve seen the outline of it, and I’ve touched it through his jeans. It feels huge, but I haven’t seen it yet.”

“You’re a virgin?” She takes another sip of beer. “I thought I was the last of the Mohicans. I told Rick I was waiting for marriage. Half of me wonders if that’s why he sneaks off to lunch with his coworker.”

“No, he wouldn’t do that, right?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I don’t think so, but who knows?”

“You do. Listen to your heart. You want this wedding, right?”

“Yeah,” her tone lifts though there’s anxiety behind it, “of course. You’ve gone to all this trouble, we’ve paid for all these expenses, and it’s time to settle down. I’m twenty-four. I need to start having babies and doing the things.”

“Wait, you love him though, right?” Suddenly, I wonder if the stress Mae’s been transferring is about the wedding or her failing relationship.

“Of course I do.” She slides from the booth and takes another sip of her beer.

“We should get home. We need to rest up before the wedding.” She stumbles as she stands, and I help steady her as she moves.

“You should stay with me tonight. We’ll head over to the venue early tomorrow morning.

The bridal suite should be all set up and ready by seven. ”

She leans into my side and stumbles her way out the door. “You’re the best cousin ever. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time about the wedding. Whatever happens tomorrow, I’m just thankful you planned everything. I know it’ll be so pretty.”

I appreciate her words, even if she is a little drunk, but even trying as hard as I can to stay in the moment and enjoy them, all I can think about is Tennessee.

What happens tomorrow when my dad is around? What happened between the two of them back in the day? And why do I want my father’s ex-best friend to touch me again so badly?