Page 54 of Married with Mayhem

“No,” I say to Sabrina and pull my arm away. “I haven’t heard anything from New York.”

She’s worries at her lip as I lean back into the vinyl booth seat. My water glass is still full and I grab it, drinking every drop. Then I drink Sabrina’s water as well. I’m not completely drunk but the sooner I flush the alcohol out of my system the better.

Sabrina gives up attempting to make small talk while I try to sober up. She plays a game on her phone and orders a third margarita even though the last one is still half full. I’m treated to a glare of annoyance when she tries to pay for our dinner and I overrule her.

“I already owe you a ton of money,” she points out.

“No you don’t,” I reply.

She rolls her eyes and returns to her game.

We’re both silent on the short walk back to the motel. It’s a weeknight, there’s a lack of nearby night life and we have no car so there’s really nowhere else we can go. I wish there was. A restless feeling that’s been simmering for days is slowly rising to a boil and I don’t trust myself.

Our room is small with most of the square footage taken up by the two beds. We’ll be sharing a bathroom and sleeping five feet apart. There’s a significant buzz happening between my ears and I need to cure it.

I switch on the wall mounted television set and start scrolling through the channel selection. I’m not a big tv fan and nothing looks appealing. Finally, I settle on some random movie and turn the volume up.

Sabrina sits cross-legged on a bed and clacks away at her laptop. She pauses when I take a seat on the other bed. I’d rather sit in a chair but there are no chairs.

“Are you feeling sick or something?” she asks.

“Not at all.” I remove my sneakers and toss them in the general direction of my duffel bag. “Why?”

“Because you’re sitting here watchingThe Notebook.”

“Not that attached to it. Turn the damn channel if you want.”

She flips her laptop closed and sets it on the nightstand between the two beds. Her shoes are already off and she slowly rolls her knee socks down, one at a time, while my pulse kicks up and blood rushes to my cock.

Sabrina knots the socks into a ball and stretches her shapely bare legs out. “Think I’ll go take a shower. Do you need the bathroom first?”

“Nope.” I avert my eyes and turn the volume ofThe Notebookeven higher.

She stares at me from the neighboring bed, waiting for me to say something else. A minute passes and she finally walks her cute ass to the bathroom. The urge to follow her is overwhelming.

I heave a sigh of relief to hear the door lock and the shower turn on. I’m still buzzed as shit.

Since Sabrina is out of the room, I might as well take the opportunity to change my clothes. I never sleep in a t-shirt but this feels like a fine time to make an exception. I know all too well that the sight of my chest always catches Sabrina’s attention and I’m in a hell of a mood. If I catch her giving me a hungry glance and then firing off some sassy, sexually charged remark that challenges me to act, then I will.

The shower is still going and she’s not known for taking short showers so I’ve got some time. Drunk or not, I owe my dad a phone call. First, I turn the television volume down.

He’s working the counter at Gino’s when he answers but he calls to Stevie that he’s taking a break and walks out the back door before resuming the conversation.

“It’s good to hear your voice, kid,” he says, although I can’t help but notice the weariness and worry in his tone.

“Good to hear yours too.” I clear my throat and attempt to sound sober. “Had some car trouble so we’ll be stuck here for an extra day but everything is cool.”

“Sabrina is all right?”

I glance at the closed bathroom door. “Yeah. She’s looking forward to seeing her sister.”

He pauses. “Silvio was over here earlier and we had a chat. He wants you to know that he’s got your back and he’s warned Lombardo to stand down.”

The doubt in my father’s voice reflects my own thoughts. The word of a lifelong mobster is about as trustworthy as a viper.

“I’ll deal with it,” I grumble. “One way or another.”

My dad is silent for a moment. “I never wanted this for you or your brother, you know.”

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