Page 32 of Hot Doggin'
McCormick’s staring at his reflection in the mirror, running his hand over his new do. He grins from ear-to-ear and catches my gaze in the mirror. “You like? Looks good, right?”
Jesus fuck. He has a mullet. An orange mullet.
Jax doubles over laughing. “You look like a fucking schmuck. Should have gone for a faux hawk like mine.”
Mac’s face falls and he looks insulted. “Rhett?”
Rhett grimaces. “Dude, if I ever ask if you want me to be honest, say no.”
“Fuck all y'all.” His eyes find mine. “Stiles?”
Shit. “It’s… It’s a…”
“Come on, let’s hit the road. Maybe they’ll have moonshine at our next stop, McCormick,” Brandt teases.
After stopping at Applebee’s for dessert, we hit up Carolina Ale House for ribs.
“Give me a quarter,” Mandy asks. “We’ve got a coin toss. Carraba’s or Cheddars for the second dessert?”
Nacho hands him a quarter but Jax grabs it. “Both. We’ll take one to go.”
Nacho shakes his head. “The rules state you have to dine in to be eligible.”
Jax looks at him like he’s dumb. “You order and then hit the bathroom. Come back to the table clutching your stomach and ask for a to-go box.”
After consuming a chocolate lava cake and a cheesecake, West has the bright idea to drive through Dunkin’ Donuts for a third dessert. I've never eaten so much in my life, well, except for last Veterans Day. This makes Thanksgiving look like a light snack.
“I’ve got to burn this shit off. I can barely walk,” I complain.
“Walk? I can’t even breathe,” McCormick moans.
Every time he opens his mouth, I glance at him. And every time I look at him, I see that stupid haircut. Just when I was beginning to realize my attraction to him, he had to go and make himself as unattractive as possible. I mean, honestly, how am I supposed to get hard for the man when he sports an orange mullet?
Brandt sits forward. “Let’s hit up Dave and Buster’s.They’ve got free token packages for vets, and if anyone wants to grab something to take home for later, they’ve got free burgers.”
The word burger makes my gut clench. If I never eat again, it’ll be too soon. But the idea of burning off some calories playing games appeals to me. “I could go for some D&B.”
We draw some curious looks walking into the place as a group, scarred and tattooed and busted up with artificial limbs. We’re all big guys. Big guys with big guts after the festival of eating today.
McCormick pulls ahead. “As the raining skee ball champ, I challenge any of you Bitches to a battle.”
Brandt shrugs out of his jacket. “Oh, it’s on. You’re going down.”
Rhett laughs. “Hoops, anyone?”
“You’re on.” West slaps him on the back, accepting his challenge.
The group separates, going off in different directions, and I follow after Mac like a trained puppy. I don’t know what to do with myself when he’s not by my side. I feel lost, uncomfortable in my own skin, which is ridiculous, because I survived just fine before I met him. Maybe because I’ve grown to rely on him so much to help me keep shit straight in my head, or maybe because his friendship has become vital to me, but I revolve around him like a satellite, and I’m just beginning to realize how much.
I’m not me without him.
Does that thought bother me? Maybe less than it should. I’m alright with being half of his whole. Peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, whatever… We just work well together.
We belong together.
“Watch this,” he says, glancing over his shoulder at me. And then he proceeds to kick Brandt’s ass. I love that he’s showing off for me. Love his cocky smirk. Don’t love the hair so much, but the rest of him, yeah… sign me the fuck up.
It’s these little moments I’ve been having over the last few days, ever sincethe kiss, moments of clarity and realization, that when I say he looks hot, I don’t just mean from a woman’s point of view. He looks hot frommypoint of view. My dick is capable of hardening for him. Itwantshim.
