Page 126 of Stroked Hard
“You know, we had this party for you,” Reese points out. “If it was my way, I would be spending the day naked, worshipping Paisley’s body.”
“And getting a new tattoo,” she adds.
“Yes, what great things you could have done,” I reply with sarcasm. “But you did this instead, for me, so why don’t you both step aside so I can make things happen? Maybe the sooner I’m able to make up with the girl, the sooner we can leave, and the sooner you two can start to fuck like bunnies.”
“He has a good point,” Reese says.
“He really does,” she agrees but still not moving.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I blow past them as they laugh at their little game. I head straight to the kitchen where I put the card I brought for Paisley. It has a certificate to a day spa I’m sure she will enjoy. From the window, I look out into the backyard where I see Melony floating in the pool on a giant soft pretzel.
Shit, she looks so damn good.
“What’s your plan?” Reese asks, coming up from behind me.
“Not sure yet. I was kind of hoping she would call or send me a text about the notes I’ve left her, but I haven’t heard a fucking thing. I have no idea what she might be thinking right now. Did she say anything to you guys?”
“Nothing,” Paisley answers.
All three of us look out the window, taking her in. We look like some episode fromI Love Lucy.
“Any suggestions?” Now that I see her, I’m freezing up. Noah Calhoun would be disappointed in me.
Reese shrugs and then says, “I would do what you do best and make a scene.”
I am good at making scenes.
“Fuck, why is love so hard?”
“Because it wouldn’t be worth it if it was easy,” Paisley responds before going to answer the door. Someone else is here.
I follow Reese out into the pool area, helping him carry the food he plans on grilling, making sure to keep my eyes straight ahead. I don’t want to look like a drooling lovesick puppy, even though I am one.
Bodi and his girl Ruby walk into the backyard, hand in hand. They look good together and for the first time, ever since I’ve known the man, he looks truly happy, not so haunted or scared. She must be good for him.
Turning to Reese, I say, “I think I’m just going to do it.”
“I would,” Reese replies, without turning to talk to me directly, his focus on the grill in front of him. “It will be fucking awkward if you don’t. You know, with you staring at her the whole time.”
“But what if she turns me down?”
“Then she turns you down and you keep trying. This isn’t your last chance, so stop treating it like it is.”
He’s right. “I love her, man.”
“I know the feeling, bro. It fucking kills you when your relationship is in limbo, so instead of talking to me like some lovesick jackass, go talk to her.”
He’s right. I need to talk to her.
Taking a chance, I pull my shirt off over my head, adjust my swim trunks, and then canonball it into the pool, right next to her, causing her peaceful float to be flipped over.
Like I said, I’m good at making scenes.
We pop out of the water at the same time. Her hair is now wet, her sunglasses floating next to her, and the most beautiful look is in her eyes as she shouts, “You fucker.”
Well, not the warm welcoming I was hoping for, but then again, I did dunk her.
Playing the innocent card, I say, “Oops, were you trying to stay dry, Hot Sex?”
