Page 21 of Something Spontaneous

“Fuck me,” I mutter for no one to hear.

I’m wondering if I’ll even make it to the shower. She’s sprawled out over a king-size bed that tells me she’s not in her van, even with her usual backdrop covering the headboard and wall behind her. I hardly notice because I’m focused on the matching black lingerie set she’s wearing and the way it makes her bold tattoos pop.

I pump the shaft of my cock once and shudder.

Then the video stops and my phone screen goes black.

“Fuck,” I hiss. “What the hell?”

I grab my phone and try to get the video to resume. That’s when my afternoon goes to shit because my sister’s contact photo pops up and the phone buzzes in my clenched fist. My eyes close, and I take a deep breath as the rest of my body, quite literally, deflates.

Reluctantly, I answer the call and bring the phone to my ear.

“What?” I grumble.

“Wow. Is that any way to greet your favorite sister?”

“You’re my only sister, so that also makes you my least favorite.”

“Whatever,” she scoffs. “What are you doing right now?”

I look around the steamy bathroom and yeah, there’s no fucking way I’m answering that question. So I ignore it.

“Is there something you need?”

She hums in thought. “Is that how you talk to everyone? I think I’m seeing why Dad doesn’t let you run the front desk.”

“Again, do you need something right now?” I sigh and run my hand through my beard.

“I just need my favorite brother to come out with me tonight. Can you meet me at The Hatch later?”

I groan because going out to The Hatch is one of my least favorite things to do. Social interactions in general aren’t my favorite, and there’s a one-hundred percent chance Meredith will be there. I also know better than to argue with Sisi because she will eventually play the little sister card. After her fuckwad of a fiancé left her at the altar, it’s been impossible to say no to anything she asks for. So, I cut to the chase and cave.

“Fine. I’ll see you there.”

“Thanks, big brother. I’ll—” I don’t wait for her to finish that sentence before I hang up the call.

The last few minutes have been a rollercoaster and now, I just want to take a beat to calm my nerves. I finish stripping off and get in the shower to do just that. It may not be the reason I originally came in here, but I need to clean myself up, since I’m apparently going out tonight.

The Hatch is only three blocks from my apartment and the garage. If I stick my head out my living room window at night, I can see the chile pepper of their neon sign alternating between red and green.

My social batteries are practically non-existent these days, so I rarely go there. When I walk in, I’m reminded why.

The place is loud and crowded, the product of being the only option to get a drink for miles. The sticky wooden floor, the humming beer signs, and the sound of the pool table in the back room are all reminders that this place is an absolute hole-in-the-wall dive bar.

I don’t even look around the place because it takes me all of two seconds to spot my sister. She’s already sitting at the high-top in the corner by the window looking out onto Silver Street.

“So, what’s the occasion?” I ask. The barstool creaks under my weight as I slide onto it.

She clutches her chest in sarcastic shock. “Really? I didn’t know I needed a special occasion to spend quality time with my brother.”

I level a suspicious glare at her, noting her empty pint glass. “Alright. You want another beer or something else for the next round?”

She waggles her brows with a mischievous smile. “I was thinking shots next.”

“Okay. I’ll grab them.” I start to stand, but she waves at me dismissively.

“No, no, in a minute. There was something I wanted to ask you first.”