Page 17 of Crash

“Not a bad idea, Smurfette. Let’s go.” I rub my hands together as I give her my most evil grin.

She starts to walk towards me again, but Sandy comes between us.

“I’ll drive you, Vivi. Give me ten minutes.” Sandy puts her arm across her shoulders as they walk down the hallway. Even in the big sweater she’s wearing, I can still see the shape of her ass.

“You’re like a little boy at the playground. You might as well just pull her hair and get it over with.”

Once she’s inside the bedroom and I can no longer see her ass, I turn to face my brother.

“What did you say?”

“You catch more flies with honey,” he says.

“You sound like the creator.” I load the dishwasher and start to wipe down the counter. “Stop talking like an old person.” He doesn’t respond. He leans against the wall and watches me. “I’m not interested in her. She’s a bitch.”

He walks over and slaps me upside the head.

“Don’t you call her that, asshole. If anyone here’s been a bitch, it’s you. Why are you still here if she bothers you so much?”

“What? I can’t be here? You’re my brother. She’s only a cousin.” The reason sounds stupid even in my own ears, but I don’t take back my words.

“I don’t know what kind of sick foreplay you two are having, and I don’t care. You’re both adults, but if you upset my wife in any way, I’m going to kick your ass. That’s the only warning you’re getting.”

“Why would I upset Dee? She loves me.” Jake sighs as he looks at me.

“She’s protective of her cousin. If you upset Viv, you upset Dee. If you upset my wife, you and I are going to have problems.”

I don’t say another word. I should leave. I should walk out of this house and go home, but I hate being in the house alone. I could go to Troy’s and hang out there for the day, but I don’t make a move. Instead, I focus on cleaning the already immaculate countertop while Jake drinks another cup of coffee. His eyes are practically burning a hole in my back, but I don’t bother to look at him.

I finally turn around when Sandy and Vivienne return. She goes into the closet and grabs an ugly black coat, covering her body.

“I’ll be back a little later,” Sandy says to Jake. “I’m going to a body conditioning class after I drop off Vivi.” He grabs her and squeezes her ass.

“I don’t know how this can get any more perfect.” She giggles at his words and they kiss. I catch Vivienne watching them, a wistful smile on her lips. “Be careful driving. Call me when you’re on your way. I’ll have a bath ready for you.”

“Only if you promise to join me.”

“When have I not?” He slaps her on the ass again.

“You love me,” she says to him.

“More than anything.”

CHAPTER 5

VIVIENNE

“Is this his car?” I ask as, eyeing the sleek BMW as I slide inside Sandy’s Escalade, a Christmas gift given to her by Jake on their first Christmas as man and wife. It’s silver with pink rims. “Typical entitled, rich boy car. Why is he here all the time? Shouldn’t he be at his mansion? I don’t know how you tolerate him, Sandy. I’ll tell you one thing, if that jerk says one more thing to me, he’s going to get a slap across that ugly face of his. I’ve already had one father who tried to control everything. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some stranger talk shit to me.” I finally snap the seatbelt in place and take a deep breath.

“Luke’s not a jerk. He’s just lonely.”

“Just like I thought. No one outside of his own family can stand to be around his insufferable ass. Doesn’t he have any friends?”

“I’m not sure what happened, but he’s been through something in the past couple of years. He spends all his time with family, but he’s a sweetheart. He’s like a big lovable baby.”

I let out a loud snort.

“Whatever happened, he deserved it.” When Sandy opens her mouth to defend him, I cut her off. “You know what? I’m not going to spend any more time talking about him. I’ve never met a ruder person in my life.”

---