Page 65 of The Tempted

“It’s now or never, come hold me tight. Kiss me my darling be mine tonight. Tomorrow will be too late. It’s now or never my love won’t wait,” he sang along with The King.

I watched on in horror as the two of them sang along to the music. Chuck grabbed my beer and used the neck as a microphone singing to me like he was delivering me a message. I shook my head and reached for another beer bringing it to my lips as I glanced over at Nikki who was laughing at me.

I brought the beer bottle down from my lips and continued to stare at her, watching as her laugh died and a smile remained on her lips. She pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head, forcing me to look directly into her eyes. Burt and Chuck’s voices began to fade away as I got lost in the moment, wondering if what they were saying was true. Was life too short not to grab what you wanted and run with it? Maybe I was in the sun too long or drinking too much or maybe it was the crazies getting in my head and making me think that I had the right to take what I wanted and make her mine. I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if I should take that leap of faith and tell Nikki that even when this was over and Sara and James were just a memory that I wanted her in my life.

My phone rang beside me, pulling me out of the ridiculous thoughts I was allowing myself to entertain. I glanced down at the caller I.D. “Don’t Answer” was calling again. I swiped my finger across the screen and stood up walking around the court to where it wasn’t so noisy.

“Jimmy,” I answered.

“Dipshit can you try to refrain from using names,” he said.

“Sorry. What the fuck is going on? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you guys for a week. You just left us here for dead,” I said, frustrated as I ran my fingers through my hair.

“Now hold on just a minute no one left you for dead, that’s a bit dramatic even for an amateur like yourself. “

“Really?!” I yelled incredulously into the phone. “You try staying here with the ninety-three-year-old female version of Al Capone! And don’t get me started on Vic’s sister the lady looks at me as if I’m a steak and she’s starving,” I paused. “Are you fucking laughing?” Jimmy’s chuckles filtered through the phone. That son of a bitch.

“Listen, don’t worry, shouldn’t be much longer so just hang tight. We’re working on something that could get you guys home as early as tomorrow. “

“Seriously?” I said hopefully. “This whole thing could be over as soon as tomorrow?” This whole circus could be coming to an end I should’ve been fucking elated, but all I felt was disappointment. What the fuck was wrong with me?

“If everything goes according to plan,” he paused. “I’ve got to go. Hang in there,” he said before disconnecting the call. I stared at the phone for a moment processing the fact that the jig would soon be up and Nikki and I would have to head back to reality. The reality was that I was just a fuck up with nothing going for me destined to be by myself because I only ever lost anyone who mattered to me anyway. Even if I allowed myself to be with her knowing, very well it would be a selfish play on my part because I didn’t deserve her I’d only lose her too in the end. I was good at keeping her happy for the time being.

I walked back around to the bocce court where I had left Burt and Chuck.

“Chuck get your stash of pills my man Burt you’ve got yourself a date tonight,” I said rising to my feet. If I couldn’t bring myself to be happy, the least I could do was help Burt be happy not to mention it would get Aunt Gina off my back.

I finished applying the mascara to Aunt Gina’s eyelashes, her real ones, not the horrid fake ones she was sporting when we first got here. I made her rip those bad boys off. I smiled at her before turning her around to let her look at herself in the mirror. After Mikey had set her up on a date with Burt, I had given her a fresh haircut and styled her hair just so. I dug through her closet and chose the least tacky outfit she owned which was a leopard print skirt and a black off the shoulder bodysuit and didn’t go heavy with the makeup.

“Wow!” Aunt Gina exclaimed as she looked herself over in the mirror. “I look like a classy Peg Bundy,” she turned around taking my face in her hands and kissed each of my cheeks. “My niece is a miracle worker.”

“You look beautiful Aunt Gina,” I smiled at her. “Burt’s one hell of a lucky guy.” I winked at her.

“You really think so?” she asked, seeming so unsure of herself.

“I know so,” I said, taking her hand. “Let’s go, he’s been waiting for at least twenty minutes,” I said, taking her purse off the bed and handing it to her. She took a deep breath and followed me downstairs to the living room where Mikey and Burt were sitting.

“I’ll have her home at a decent time,” Burt said, taking the glass of tequila Mikey offered him.

“Let’s hope not,” Mikey said, clinking his glass to Burt’s. “Let’s hope Chuck’s miracle pills do the trick.”

I cleared my throat causing them to turn around and face us.

“Holy smokes,” Burt said, placing the glass down on the table and rising to his feet. “Gina you look great.”

“Thanks, Burt. You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said kissing his cheek.

Burt was wearing plaid golf pants and a green polo shirt not really GQ status, but it was cute in a Ralph Cramden sort of way. I looked over at Mikey who was smiling at me looking like the proud father of a son going on a date for the first time.

Aunt Gina walked over to Nana and kissed her cheek. “Ma you behave for Nicole and Michael. No funny business.”

Nana rolled her eyes. “Go on and have a good time. Don’t worry about us kids we’ll be fine.”

“Enjoy yourselves,” Mikey added. “We’ll all be fine,” he turned his gaze to me and winked. Within moments, Aunt Gina and Burt were out the door on their way to some Doo-Wop restaurant and bar. Nana stood up slinging her straw bag over her shoulder and waved at Mikey and me.

“Alright kids, I’ll see you later,” she said, pulling a pistol from behind the couch cushions and slipping it into her pocketbook.

“Where are you going?” I asked her incredulously the idea of my grandmother going out with a gun nestled inside her pocketbook didn’t sit well with me. I looked over at Mikey hoping for him to help but he shrugged his shoulders.

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