Reaching the far side of the ice, I pull a quick stop then lean against the glass. This way I can keep an eye on Kitten while Alex and I chat. It’s probably not necessary. I’m fairly sure she’ll respect our privacy and stay put. Actually, I’d put it at about fifty-fifty.
Bringing the phone back up I decide to break the ice, so to speak. “I heard about the time you made Katelyn believe she peed her bed when she was younger. That was diabolical. And kind of genius.”
Alex just stares at me for a moment before grinning. “She told you that? I was sure she’d go to her grave with that story. It was pretty fucking funny. She got me back though, so I think we’re even.”
“Did she? She left that part out.”
“Seriously! I figured she’d have started with that. She was an evil mastermind when it came to revenge.”
“Let’s hear it!” I say, but he’s already nodding.
“I think I was sixteen when she found out the pee thing was fake. I don’t remember how it got revealed, but I’d kept her going for years on that one. Coincidentally, it was just a few weeks later that my first-ever girlfriend came over to our house. Kay had apparently been planning her payback for a while. She’d made up a fake label for one of those creams that you put on cuts. Antibacterial whatever it was. Anyways, when my girlfriend went to use the bathroom, Kay somehow snuck in ahead of her and left it on the counter.” Alex grimaces. “Fuck man, I almost forgot about this. So, my girlfriend comes back from the bathroom and makes up some dumb excuse about needing to go home for a study group. It was the middle of summer, I might add, and she was not in any classes. And it’s not like we had cell phones for her to get a reminder on. But I don’t argue. I try to walk her to the door but she’s practically running ahead of me. Then she dodges my kiss goodbye, and takes off. So I’m heading back to my room to sulk, and I find Kay curled up on the hallway floor. It looked like she was crying, so I ran over to see what was wrong. She was fucking crying alright. She was laughing so hard she had tears running down her face and she couldn’t stand.”
By now, I’m smiling like a fool. Happy my Kitten got her licks in. “What did the label on the cream say?”
“She still couldn’t talk so she just pointed to the bathroom. I had no idea what the hell was going on, but I went in and that’s when I found the fake tube on the counter. She did a damn good job of forging a prescription label. It was complete with my full name and address and the name of our actual doctor. Oh man, what was the wording?” He looks skyward. “Something like: for topical use only. Apply to the affected area on the penis, two times daily. For treatment of skin-eating bacterial infection. If condition worsens, or if skin starts to flake off, discontinue use and contact your doctor immediately.”
“Wow… that’s disgusting!”
“That’s not even the best part.” Alex is laughing by this point. “What Kay couldn’t have known was that my girlfriend had given me a blow job the night before. So along with the discarded cream on the counter, there was vomit in the sink.”
“Holy shit!” I try not to gag at the visual.
“Yeah. I’d have puked, too, if I were her. I can only imagine what was going through her mind. She probably ran straight to her own doctor.”
“Dude. I don’t know if I should laugh or dry heave.”
He gives me a look of understanding. “I did a lot of the latter when I saw the vomit. I may have broken up a lot of Kay’s dates after that, but I never played any more pranks on her.”
“Shit. I don’t ever want to get on her bad side,” I say, meaning every word.
“No. No you do not.” Alex stops laughing and gives me a studying look. “Clearly, I have no idea what’s going on between you and my sister. And even though I’m a huge fan, I don’t know you. My sister might be a royal pain in the ass sometimes, but she’s my sister. I know there’s nothing I can threaten you with, so I’ll just say, don’t jerk her around. I’m an adult, maybe what you guys have is just casual,” he holds up a hand as if to stop me, “and – please – I don’t ever want to know even the vaguest of details about my sister’s sex life.” He shudders. “All I ask is that you be straight with her. I don’t want to have to hate you. You have a sister, right? You get it.”
I nod. “I do have a sister, and I most certainly get it. I met Katelyn the night of your cousin’s party, and he saw us together he said nearly the exact same thing to me. Even including the part about her being a pain in the ass.” Alex smiles. “What we have is still new, but I care about her. Probably more than I should after such a short amount of time.”
He hums for a moment. “I appreciate your honesty.”
“Always.” I nod. “So, what was this favor you wanted to ask me?”
“Oh, right!” He perks up. “My school is having a career day, and you would make me the king of campus if you could make it. It’s like a week and a half from now. You guys don’t have a game that day, so you should be in the Cities. I know this is a big ask, but the kids would absolutely love it.”
“Send me the details. As long as we aren’t playing, I’m sure I can stop in. Would I need to give a speech?”
“For real? Oh my god, you are the best! I can get you as much or as little time to talk as you want. It’s a whole school-assembly thing, in the afternoon. We have a bunch of parents and relatives coming in. Kay will even be there to talk about books and stuff.”
“Sounds good. I’ll get your number off Katelyn’s phone and text you.”
Alex pumps a fist into the air. “Awesome!”
“Well, I look forward to meeting you in person at this career-day thing. In the meantime, we’ll be in touch. I best get back to Katelyn before she cooks up some revenge plan for me for stealing her phone.”
“Thanks, Jackson. Seriously, it was a pleasure to meet you. Talk to you. Whatever. You know what I mean.”
“Same to you, Alex. See ya later.”
Hanging up, I see that Kitten has started to slowly skate my way. Slipping her phone into my pocket, I take off in her direction. I see her eyes go wide when she realizes that I’m coming in fast. Putting her hands up in a stopping motion, she lets out a little squeak as I skate right up to her.
She was trying to stop me, but she put her hands in the perfect spot for me to grab her forearms as I angle my skates. Putting my weight onto one leg, I execute a quick spin, taking Kitten with me. Gripping her tight, I use the momentum to pull her body against mine.
Coming to a stop, she looks up at me – clearly shocked. My legs are slightly spread, with her feet between mine. This lowers me enough that I only need to tip my head forward to seal my lips to hers. So I do.
I have an instant to enjoy the feel of Kitten’s lips curling into a smile, before she returns my kiss with vigor. As her lips part for me, I release my grip on her forearms so I can wrap my arms around her. Kitten’s hands find their way under my jacket, roaming, until they grab a hold to my sides. The feeling of her little fingers digging into my ribs has me losing control on the groan I was holding in.
Pulling back slightly, I rest my forehead against Kitten’s.
“You’re too good at that, darling.”
“Too good at what?” Kitten’s voice is barely a whisper.
“Too good at kissing me. At touching me. At causing involuntary responses.”
She huffs out a breath. “Pretty sure I could accuse you of the same thing.”
“I was going to suggest that we get out of here and warm up with a hot drink. But that little kiss got me plenty warm.”
“True. But I could still go for a hot drink.” Tipping her head back, Kitten looks up at me. “And – let me guess, you have a place in mind.”
