Page 51 of Hide and Sneak
I hold up my palm. “He hasn’t got me. It’s a situation that’s beneficial for both of us. He needs to get rid of leftover sperm.”
Cara chokes on her drink and all eyes are on me. “What?”
“Leftover sperm? Are you trying to get pregnant?” Holly asks.
“God no. I have an IUD. And we use condoms. He recently had a vasectomy. He has to come a certain number of times before he goes back for testing to make sure the procedure took.”
The table remains quiet for a moment until Cara dies laughing. “That’s a new one. I don’t like him. I’m just helping him get rid of those last few pesky swimmers.”
It does sound ridiculous. The rest of them join in the laughter as I throw my napkin at Cara. “Fine. I’m stressed out and then I come home to him lounging around the house in nothing but shorts with those damn muscles and tattoos showing. And he eats pussy like a starving man at a buffet.”
“But you don’t like him?” Maren clarifies.
Sighing, I sit back and think about it. “No, but I don’t dislike him like I used to, I guess.”
“You mean when you warned me he and Amos are losers who can’t hold a job or take care of themselves?” Holly says.
“I might’ve misjudged him. He seems to have grown up at least. He has a job, cooks, cleans up after himself, pays bills and stuff. I know he was a terrible influence on Amos when they were younger but maybe they’ve both grown up.”
“Does Amos still have his job?” Cara asks.
“He does. And a new girlfriend. He works nights and he’s hardly ever at home.”
“While you’re getting ravaged by his best friend?” Maren teases.
Sutton definitely delivers when it comes to that. “It’s really not a big deal. I won’t be living there much longer. It’s some temporary fun.”
Holly lets her head fall back with a groan. “I need a good ravaging. This new guy is so sweet and respectful but sometimes a girl just wants to get rammed like a shopping cart in a parking lot.”
Cara grins at her. “Row has some friends I can set you up with.” She types in her phone then hands it to Holly.
“Is this his Lonely Hands profile?”
“Yes. I can send you a link. You can check out his performance for yourself.”
Holly considers it for a moment. “Send it. I’m not interested in starring in any videos but he’s hot.”
Their conversation fades to the background as I watch a guy painting a mural on the building across the street. His style is amazing. The plants and flowers seem to leap off the brick to be noticed. It’s gorgeous.
“Maybe she isn’t infatuated with Sutton. She’s already got her eye on a new one.” Maren’s words and their giggles make me realize I wasn’t paying attention.
“Hmm? No, I’m not checking him out.” Not that he isn’t worthy of it. He’s tall with a punk look, black jeans and dark hairto his shoulders. “Look at his work. I need an artist to do the walls in Planet Playland. I’ll be right back.”
I jog across the street and he notices me before I can say anything. “Hey, do you have a second?” I call out to him, and he nods, climbing down his ladder. “This is beautiful.”
A slight smile tilts his lips as his gaze runs over me. “Thank you. So are you.” Why do all men think I’m hitting on them? “I’m Julian.”
“Lila,” I reply, nodding at him. “I’m going to be opening an indoor playground in town and I’m looking for someone to do the art for the walls.”
His whole demeanor changes and becomes more professional. “Absolutely. What do you have in mind? Cartoon characters? Animals?”
“An outer space theme. Dark night sky, stars, planets, maybe a rocket ship. It’s a large space with multiple rooms and high ceilings.”
He nods to a nearby work truck with J&J’s House Painting scrawled on the side. “Nothing is too big. I do residential and industrial painting. The murals are sort of a side business.” We talk for a few minutes about his usual rates and what different styles he can do. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a business card and writes on the back of it. “Here’s my cell number. Why don’t you give me a call when I can come and see the place? I can give you a same day estimate.”
“Sounds great.”
When I turn around to head back, I do a double take. Sutton is sitting in my seat, flipping through the stack of romance books I just bought. Where did all the traffic suddenly come from? It’s like every person in town has decided to drive by at this particular time to keep me from crossing the street. All I can do is watch Sutton perusing another book while my friends laugh at something he says.
