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15
Nicolette
I came home Wednesday morning to Pop and Pierce glaring from the front porch as I came up the steps. A hand raise, and a grunt tells them I don’t want to hear it, and I was going to bed. After sleeping most of the afternoon, I got up, took my meds, ate, and finally opened my gifts.
I got so much more than I was expecting. Lots of actual gift cards, one of those new Cirkul water bottles with lots of flavors. Pierce got me a black paper music notebook and metallic makers. Dad got me new charms while Kris got me shoes. I made sure to send everyone a thank you text message.
Now, I’m working on drying off in the Curb Stomp. Pop and I got into it at dinner because he was telling me I needed to go to the tanning salon plus get my brows and nails done. I just wanted a stress—free day. Which is why I’m here dancing with a few different guys. I did have to smack one that got a little fresh, but other than that, I’m good.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been dancing, but I’m dry when Kris pops in front of me.
“Come on.” I give him a what the fuck look. “Come on, I ordered food.” He gives my wrist a tug for me to go. Once I’m in front of him, he shoves me between the shoulders.
I sit in a booth. “Which one called you?”
“The bartender you claimed I said you could run a tab to.”
“I—” I pause, biting my lip. “So, I lied. Sue me. I’ll pay ya back. I left the house with just my umbrella.”
“Okay, Rihanna.”
“Pop and I got into it over you.” He picks up his hand like, what did I do? “We were in the middle of dinner when he told me I needed to go to the tanning bed, then to get my nails and brows done. I just told him that you wanted me to get rid of the fake tan and that we had an appointment tomorrow.”
“Eat, then we can talk about what you want in your new contracts.”
“I’m sorry the bartender called you, and you felt the need to save me again. I was planning to call Pierce for a ride home.”
“Cliff’s an idiot. Just eat.”
***
I walk in Kris’ basement door and call out for him. “Hey dork, you here? Upstairs, downstairs? In the shower, takin’ a shit?” Nothing? Okay, I spot a bottle of whiskey on the shelf. Picking it up, I place two hundred dollar bills underneath it to pay him back for last night. It’s then I can hear the music coming from the recording booth. I amble and lean against the wall across from the booth. I shut my eyes just listening to the music. He’s playing the piano. It’s nice. The music stops abruptly. My eyes pop open, and I suddenly feel like I’m intruding as he comes out of the booth. “I’m sorry, I should have stayed out of the way.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I was just working on a bottom drawer project.”
“Maybe it should be a top drawer project? The music was really good.”
“Thanks. Have you thought anything about your set tonight?”
The switch is almost like a drop it. “Sort of, but I wanted to talk to you first.”
“Alright, did you have lunch yet? I have been tinkering with a black bean burrito recipe for Curb Stomp. I think I finally got it right.”
“What is it with you always trying to feed me?”
He licks his lips slightly. “You need to fill in the gap. Well, not need, but you should. If more than a hand fits, it’s too wide, and you lose part of your female demo.”
I suck my teeth, looking at him. “So, because I take care of myself, am I doing it wrong? Ya know you can go fuck yourself sometimes. I can’t just be lazy like some people.” UGH!
“I didn’t say you were doing anything wrong. I said that if you didn’t want to alienate any of your possible fanbases that a couple added inches couldn’t hurt you. Also, if you are inferring that I am lazy or that I am out of shape, I think you need to have your fuckin’ eyes examined.” He grunts. “I may be a bit of a boozehound, but I take damn good care of this body.” He strips off his shirt and then reaches into his pocket, pulling out a quarter. “Here—you can bounce a fuckin’ quarter off these fuckers.” He slams the quarter into my palm and lays on the floor.
Nicolette, do not think of your producer as a sexual object. His abs are really pretty, though. I bite my lip. He’s got the V that Teeah is always talking about. I run my tongue over my bottom lip. I straddle his body and bend in the middle till I’m looking into his face.
“You’re being a child.”
“So you’re afraid to bounce a quarter of these abs? Gotcha.”
“I’m not afraid. Just no sense in losing a perfectly good quarter.” I look at him funny. “Are you sober?”
He looks up at me and smiles. “I’m trying something new.”
“It’s working for ya.”
He prys my hand open, snatching his quarter. “This is mine. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
I push against his chest before standing up. “I wasn’t going to keep your quarter.” I move over, putting my hands out for him. “Let’s go feed the baby before he starves to death.”
