Lost in Flight (41 page)

Bonnie glared at her.  “WHAT?” 

Mandy shrugged.  “I’m just saying, it’s unhygienic” and then they started arguing.

“Is that all you can say, Mandy?  It’s unhygienic?  I thought the man’s HUGE balls would be more interesting.” 

Mandy stood her ground.  “But it is dirty.  I wouldn’t want to drink from the pitcher after he’d had those in there.  Ewwww yuck.” 

Christina was torn between laughing and saying enough already.  She let them argue until they focused on her asking whom she agreed with.  Keeping a straight face, she replied.  “To a certain extent, I agree with Bonnie.  A man with elephant’s testicles
is
pretty interesting, but I’m with Mandy on the hygiene.  I wouldn’t want to drink out of the pitcher, either.” 

Mandy pulled a face.  “Can you not call them testicles?  It’s horrible.  Balls are a much better term.”  Then Christina and Mandy argued about the relative appropriateness of balls versus testicles until Bonnie agreed with Mandy.  Even though Christina had science on her side:  balls it was then.

Bonnie was in a mood where nothing was sacred and when she was like this she could be hilarious, and cutting.  She started teasing Mandy about marrying her first boyfriend and the only guy she’d ever slept with.  Mandy was used to this and told Bonnie to “SHUT IT,” which made them all laugh. 

Christina put her hand up and motioned “shush” because Jed was in the other room.  She didn’t want Jed listening in on this conversation and Christina was stone cold sober, unable to pretend it was the drink talking.  Bonnie tip toed over and made sure the door was shut before continuing. 

Turning to Christina with a glint in her eye she said.  “When did you first sleep with Riley, Dina?”  They all knew the answer, but this was the little game they played so Bonnie could shock them with sex talk. 

Christina looked at her.  “Fifteen.”  She was really proud of herself.  She’d held out on Riley for a whole month.

Bonnie looked her up and down, “You are such a slut.” 

Laughing and rolling her eyes Christina retorted.  “I was with the same guy for six years.  How many guys have you slept with, or girls for that matter, Bonnie?  And FYI, I have never, ever, had sex with my boyfriend’s brother underneath a street light like
some
people…” 

Bonnie grinned.  “No – just in the park, grungy storage rooms, and anywhere Riley’s truck would take you.” 

Christina scowled at her in mock anger.  “It was AT the park and I NEVER did it with his brother.”  They all looked at each other and giggled.  There were some experiences that could never be lived down and would probably follow someone – even after death.

Bonnie’s eyes and body language was predatory, and on sex-things, Christina was an easier target than Mandy.  “How many guys have you slept with after Riley, Dina?  You told us about the banker and how bad he was.  Did you get some toys to compensate or just go it alone?” 

Mandy went into hysterics and belched loudly, making them laugh and say:  “MAAANDY - truck burp” in unison.  They did spirit fingers to dispel the jinx and then Bonnie snapped.  “Shut up, Mrs. one-boyfriend” to Mandy, making the women laugh uproariously. 

Christina grinned at Bonnie.  “I didn’t have any toys, Bonnie.  I preferred to go it alone, but next time I’m sex starved and desperate, I’ll ring you for a vibrating recommendation.” 

Bonnie gave Christina a wide-eyed look.  “There’s always your ex-husband – the human vibrator.”  Innocence didn’t suit Bonnie and Christina’s eyes narrowed at her friend’s evil grin.

By this time, Mandy was laughing so hard she had to go to the bathroom giggling.  “That’s what having kids does to you.” 

When she came back, Christina decided to divert attention and put loud music on to dance.  Mandy demanded Rita Ora’s “How we do.”  The tune was catchy and fun, and Mandy grabbed Christina dragging her up to dirty dance. 

Christina started singing along and Bonnie joined them, wrapping her arms around them.  They danced suggestively with one another, laughing and only broke apart when Jed entered the room.  He stopped and stared for a bit, until Bonnie grabbed his hand and started dancing with him.

They asked Jed if he wanted to come out with them and Mandy declared him an:  ‘honorary girl’, which was supposed to be an honor, but Jed theatrically checked his “balls” (not testicles) to see if they were still there.  When he politely declined, they told him they were meeting Andy James so he wouldn’t be alone.  His phone started ringing and he headed back into the bedroom before giving them a nod that he’d go with them.  They cheered him and he mock bowed, blowing them kisses.

Mandy selected Maroon 5’s “Moves like Jagger” and they did some of the worst “moves like Jagger” in the history of dance.  Christina put on Nirvana’s “Come as you are” which they’d all loved as teenagers.  They started head banging, and Bonnie got up to do air guitar.  Christina started doing the vocals and Mandy started dancing around the room with her head down, and arms in the air. 

All three women spun their heads when they heard clapping and Jed was standing there with a smile on his face.  He joined in on the air guitar, head banging and drinking.  They played upbeat pop-rock music until it was time to go meet Andy in town.

********************

Riley

Mason and Adriana had stopped groping each other for five minutes and the three women were in deep conversation.  Riley was trying to tune them out, but parts of the discussion kept seeping into his consciousness.  “You have to take what you want or life just passes you by.” 

“Oh, first time I did that I passed out.”

 “You did?  The guy must have been an amateur.”

“Yeah.  Took me ages to do it again?” 

“How long?” 

“Hmmm, I don’t know, maybe a month?” 

“Did you breathe through the burn because you
have
to breathe through the burn?” 

When they started talking “size” and examples, Riley decided he had a window of opportunity to call Jed.  He went as far away from the table as he could without leaving the building and called Jed.  He thought it wasn’t going to go to voicemail, when Jed finally picked up. 

“Oh,” Jed sniffed.  “Look, it’s his majesty.  How nice of you to call, m’lord.” 

Riley laughed.  “Sorry man.  I’m a bit busy at the moment and it’s all kind of weird here.” 

“Like how weird?”  When Riley explained, Jed wanted him to go further and in detail, but he declined.  Jed laughed, “You have to be nice to me tonight.  I’ve been made an honorary girl.” 

The thought of Jed as a woman was disturbing.  “You’d be one of the ugliest women in the world – ever,” said Riley. 

Jed huffed.  “Well that’s not very nice.  You’ve hurt my feelings.” 

Riley could hear Christina singing in the background and he smiled.  “What’s going on there?” 

“All sorts,” Jed chuckled.  “Discussions about men with large balls, sex, titties, dirty dancing, and drinking.”

Riley’s eyebrows nearly hit the roof and he laughed.  “What?” 

“Uh-huh” said Jed.  “It’s all kinds of hot and steamy ‘round here.” 

Riley frowned.  “What are they drinking?” 

Jed told him to hold on and as he went into the other room he could hear the women shrieking with laughter.  “They’ve finished the bourbon and are on tequila,” Jed said quietly into the phone.  “We’re going into town soon for some good, old-fashioned debauchery.  They’ve invited me along.  Might be a chance to crack onto that Hot Bonnie.”   

This-was-not-good
.  With a groan Riley said, “Jed listen, they appear nice and normal, fun and sane even, but don’t let them fool you.  They shouldn’t be allowed out together on tequila and released into general population.  You’ve got a full-witches-coven.  Dangerous.” 

Jed snorted.  “I’ve got a big stake just for Bonnie,” making Riley laugh out loud.  “Besides,” Jed said, “Christina’s sober and Andy’s coming to help.  We’ll be fine.” 

No-they-wouldn’t, but he couldn’t blame Jed.  He didn’t know what they were like when they got together on tequila.  Normally, it spelled trouble with a capital “S.H.I.T.”

Riley sighed in resignation.  “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Jed laughed in disbelief.  “You act like they’re cage fighters.  Speaking of cage fighters, I’m thinking of going to Pax later on.” 

For a moment Riley was speechless.  “Jed, you’re not taking them with you are you?” 

“No, why?”  Jed asked.  “But if they want to come, they’re all grown women and can make their own decisions.” 

Riley groaned.  “Don’t take them there, Jed – no matter what they say okay?  If anything goes wrong - that’s Johnny Martin’s sister, my Dina, Dave Warnock’s wife, and best friend.”   

“Pffffft,” Jed laughed, “untwist your knickers and stop being a Nancy.  They want to go out and have fun.  I won’t take them to Pax on purpose, but I won’t stop them either.  I’ve got that deadly little troll, Andy, with me so calm down.” 

Riley heard Callie squeal something and knew he had to get back.  “Hey Jed – I’ll catch up with you later.  I’ve got some stuff to take care of and then I’ll meet up with you.” 

Jed said, “Sure.  See you later,
Nancy
” and hung up before Riley could insult him back.

He decided this evening couldn’t end fast enough and he was counting down to midnight.  Riley had promised Mason “one night” as a wingman and they hadn’t specified time.  He was going to argue the technicalities to the death on that one.

Going back to the table, Callie wrapped herself around him getting a wink from Mason.  Extracting himself from Callie, Riley leaned over to Mason, “Can we go soon?”  

Callie shrieked, “Oooooh.  Let’s go par-tay!”  Riley hated that term, but managed to hide it. 

Mason stood up and grinned.  “Let’s go.”  Adriana and Kat took an arm each on either side of Mason.  Callie tried to hold his hand, but he wouldn’t take it.  When she stuck her arm through his, he allowed it and decided he’d need to see an orthodontist soon about his ground down molars.

********************

Christina

They picked Andy up in Mandy’s town car and Christina knew her outfit was too much when she saw the look on Andy’s face.  It was the way one relative looks at another in embarrassment when their bits are on display and you’d rather they weren’t.  When he saw her, Andy muttered, “whoa Martin,” which made her want to change. 

The group ate dinner at the Four Seasons and headed over to a nightclub called, Way Point.  Christina knew this place was owned by Mason Glenn and until now, refused to come here on principle.  Jed led them up the large queue that was outside the nightclub, whispering in the bouncer’s ears, pointing at Mandy and Christina.  The bouncer beckoned and they went through to a few boos from people in the crowd who’d been waiting longer. 

They argued the pros and cons of going into the VIP section, and decided against it.  Christina hated it unless Johnny was with her and Mandy agreed.  She felt the same way without Dave and neither of them wanted to sit in a room with boring, fake people that viewed them as ornaments to their more famous men-folk.  Besides, they were here to party, not watch proceedings from above, so they headed to the bar by the dance floor. 

Bonnie went to order drinks and while she was gone, Mandy tried to persuade Christina to have a drink.  The music was loud, so Christina had to lean into Mandy’s ear to be heard.  “I can’t.  I have to wait another week before I can have a pregnancy test to be a 100% sure.  I doubt I am, but if I am, I’d rather be safe than sorry.” 

Mandy was staring at her quizzically and just as the music paused, she yelled into the quiet, “BUT YOU’VE GOT YOUR PERIOD RIGHT?”

The bar was packed four deep and every head turned in their direction, including Bonnie, Jed, and Andy.  Even the bar staff looked up.  Mandy hadn’t noticed because she was tipsy. 

Christina glared at her unwanted audience making eye contact and saying loudly, “Not now.”  Most people turned away, but those who remained looking at Christina like they’d just found out she was recently menstruating, got a sharp, “NOTHING to see here people - look away:  go on LOOK AWAY.”  She then looked at Mandy.  “Um, SHUT-UP.” 

After that conversation, Christina doubted people would be lining up to dance with her, so she grabbed Mandy’s hand and they headed to the dance-floor.  They pushed into the middle of the dance-floor, through the throng of people dancing to Katy Perry’s “Firework.”  Her dance movements were severely limited as every time she put her arms in the air, her “bubbies” rose up to keep them company.  She kept trying to pull the top of the dress up further because she was sure there had been some nipple action.  In the end, she settled for keeping her arms closer to her body and tried to get her groove on that way.

********************

Riley

Riley spotted Dina and Mandy dancing from above in the VIP section of Way Point.  He wanted to go and dance with her, but that was impossible.  It was two hours from midnight and there was no way he was going to let Mason or Callie get anywhere near her. 

When Christina put her arms up, his eyes nearly bugged out of his head because for a moment her rack was on display for everyone to see.  He was pretty sure he’d seen nipples.  His eyes narrowed and he pursed his lips.  Those were his property and he didn’t want them going public.

Riley wasn’t the only one to have noticed.  He saw a big blonde guy start heading toward her with his hands out, like a hobo warming them on a fire.  She had her head down, pulling up her dress, so hadn’t noticed the approach of Mr. Creeping Hands.  He was about to run down, but knew he’d never make it in time.  He’d definitely be there for the clean-up though and to teach Hands some manners. 

Then he saw Andy James glide in from the side, grab Hands around the arms, and push him into the crowd away from Dina.  A wry smile crossed Riley’s face.  He owed Andy James.  Riley couldn’t see Jed or Bonnie anywhere and he wasn’t about to go downstairs, announcing his presence just yet.  He wanted to be cut loose from Callie and Mason before he went to her.