Page 3 of Off Season

“You know the names of my six siblings, their spouses, and their seventeen combined kids?”

“Plus, your aunts and uncles. I told you; once it’s in my brain, it never leaves.”

He crosses his arms in challenge. “Let’s hear it. I’ll settle for just my siblings and their spouses.”

I smile, knowing I’ve got it down perfectly. “You’ve got three older siblings. Luna, Alejandro, and Santiago. Their respective spouses are Armando, Ana, and Gabriela. Your three younger siblings are Ruben, Adriana, and Camila. Their spouses are Lola, Santos, and Fernando. You’re closest with Ruben and dote on Camila ’cause she’s the baby of the family.”

He narrows his eyes. “I never told you that.” He then mumbles, “But it’s true.”

“Told ya so.” I thump my head. “Steel trap. I don’t miss a thing. I even remember you mentioning once that everyone gets along well except for Adriana and Camila.”

He gives me a very impressed look. I’m not sure why people,particularly men, always underestimate my powers of retention. I have a bit of a photographic memory.

I haven’t told him yet that I taught myself Spanish too. I’ll wait until the family doesn’t think I understand what they’re saying before I reveal that tidbit. I’m hoping they talk shit about me and then I can shock them.

He nods. “Well done. You’ve earned playtime.”

“Ooh. What does playtime entail?”

“We’re going to have some fun airdropping weird dick pics to random people nearby and watching for their reactions. The game is identifying who it went to.”

My mouth widens in shock. “What? Is that a thing?”

He nods. “Yes. I do it all the time.”

“Do they know who it comes from? Isn’t your name on your phone?”

“I changed the name on my phone toBadAssMotherfucker.”

“Genius.”

We then proceed to spend the next thirty minutes downloading photos of nasty-looking penises and airdropping them to random people around us. We laugh as we both scramble to be the first to find the poor unsuspecting souls. I’m already having a blast. I always do with him.

They eventually call for first class to board the plane, and Cheetah stands. “That’s us.”

“Ooh, fancy. I’ve never sat in first class before.”

“Yep. That’s how I roll. Does it turn you on? I’m more than ready to taxi down your runway.”

I smile. “Only if your tray table is in its upright position.”

“Is it ever not?”

I stand, grab my backpack, and nod in agreement. “Fair point.”

We board the plane and settle into first class. This is usually when the anxiety starts to kick into high gear for me. It’s the takeoff that freaks me out the most. It’s like we’re defying gravityby getting something this heavy to fly into the air like a simple kite.

My heart begins beating faster and faster. I can feel my face redden. A sheen of sweat forms over my skin. I get up to do my regular pacing, but he grabs my arm before I can fully stand. “Relax. Look at the flight attendant. He’s bringing us drinks.”

As if on cue, the flight attendant walks over and delivers two beers and a blanket.

Cheetah spreads the blanket across our laps and nods for me to drink my beer.

I happily take a huge gulp. Several huge gulps. “I can’t believe you get booze in first class. Before the flight even takes off. In a fancy beer mug.”

He winks. “That’s not all you get.”

His hand under the blanket slips into my leggings and then under my panties. I suck in a breath at the surprise intrusion. “Oh shit.” I look around to see if anyone has noticed. They haven’t. “What are you doing?”

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