Page 42 of Midlife Crisis

“No.”

“Then why me?” I can think of several reasons, all of which I fear Hank can’t handle. I’m still uncertain of admitting those feelings to myself. Although his recent actions restore my faith in him, I’m still raw over his behavior the times we had sex at my house.

“Your sausage fits.”

His mouth falls open, and he stops swaying. Laughing a deep belly laugh that echoes in the empty gym, he tugs me to him, holding the back of my head as he hugs me.

“You did not just say that.” His chest rumbles against my cheek, and I can hear his heart beating through the soft cotton. Hank is security, and I want to curl into this man and have him hold me like this for the rest of my life. It’s a dangerous thought.

“Pretty lady, will you go to the dance with me?” We are already turning in a slow, rhythmic circle again, but there’s no way I can say no to this man.

“As your first? I’m honored,” I tease.

“You’re also my last, lady. And I’m honored.” My heart skips, and Hank returns to humming as he slowly spins me, unwinding the past.

18

After Party

[Hank]

The party is in full swing as I stand in Midge’s kitchen, leaning against the sink.

“Quit hitting on her,” Ronin demands. He’s a tall, lanky kid, body like a boy in a band—only in this case, it’s the marching band. His hair is long in the front and cut short up the back. I’ve been told it’s brown like his mother, but it’s more blue-black tonight.

“Why? You like her or something? She isn’t your type.” Elston is Midge’s older boy with dirty blond hair like his father and blue eyes. He’s large, appearing like a man, but still with a boy’s attitude.

“What type is that?”

“Band,” Elston snaps. “Besides, I didn’t think you liked her, or any girl, for that matter.” The implication his brother might be gay seems disrespectful, and I’m ready to intervene when Ronin stands up for himself.

“Just because I’m in band doesn’t mean I’m gay.”

“I didn’t say that, but it doesn’t mean you can get girls either, especially Athena.”

“Oh, like you can? All you want is in her pants. Leave her alone.”

“And what about you? What do you want from her?” The fight reminds me of Brut and myself at their ages, same distance in years apart. We’d argue over girls just as much, but we never liked the same one.

Ronin shrugs his shoulder and blushes with false bravado. “I’ve already had her.”

“Bro, you’re crazy. You have not.”

“She likes a guy who can handle his stick.”

“Band joke? Funny, I heard she likes a guy with balls.”

“Football joke,” Ronin snorts. “Original.”

I’m not certain I should butt in, but the temperature between them rises, and if it were Brut and me, punches are coming next.

“You know talking about a girl like that isn’t going to get either of you in her pants, not that you should be talking about her pants either.” I scrub my chin, knowing I’m walking a fine line with these teenage boys. Brut has tried hard to instill respect for women in Chopper.

“Oh yeah, and what do you know?” Elston asks.

“I know girls don’t like to be talked about, and they don’t like boys talking about what’s in their jeans either. If you can’t treat her like a lady, neither of you deserve her.”

Elston glares at me, but Ronin lowers his head.