Page 22 of Give Me a Chance
Not every date I have is a hit, but I’m usually able to make any situation fun. If the guy is too pushy, I’ll tie him up and take charge. If he’s boring, I’ll be fun for the both of us. If he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing, I’ll be happy to direct him.
“It was that bad?”
“Honestly, it was fine. I just wasn’t in the mood.” Partial truth. I’ve been horny at the office all the time, but I wasn’t in the mood for whatever tattooed hand guy had to offer.
“Good for you.” Rina is my ride or die. She never judges me, and she accepts me exactly for who I am. She used to be the shy one of the two of us. But she really came into her own since getting with Connor.
“Do you have any plans on Thursday? Would you mind babysitting Eric?” she continues.
“Mind? Mind hanging with my best friend?”
“I thought I was your best friend.”
“Sorry, you’ve been replaced. Of course, what do you have planned?”
“We want to do a show at L&L, and we prefer less crowded days.” Rina and Connor are sex club members, and from time to time, they open their love to the public eye. Like I said, she really came into her own.
“Sure. Bring him to my place for a sleepover.”
“Thanks, Nats.”
“You guys enjoy your night,” I say with a smile.
Eric ringsthe doorbell five times before I open the door.
“Naaats!” he yells, jumping into my arms. It’s a name he gave me when he just started talking, and it stuck ever since. I love it.
“What’s up, E? Think I have something for you?” He stares at me excitedly. From my pocket, I take out the blue Camaro Hot Wheel I got him.
“Thanks, Nats! It’s awesome!” He takes it and sprints inside. It’s been a tradition of ours. Ever since he started collecting them, I get him one every time I see him. He loves it, I love it, Rina hates it.
“Thanks, Nats! You’re a lifesaver,” Connor says while handing me Eric’s bag.
“Yeah, yeah. I would say think of me, but please don’t.” He laughs.
“Don’t let him get to bed too late.”
“Don’t worry, Auntie Nats is on the job. You kids have fun.” He waves and starts walking away when I add: “use protection!” just as my elderly neighbor exits her apartment. She blushes, and Connor chuckles while I shrug and close the door.
A night with Eric is exactly what I needed.
“Can we watch Hotel Transylvania?” His wide eyes plead with me.
“Can we?” I pretend to think about it before starting to tickle him. “Well, of course we can, E.” He squeals and giggles, and I let him go. “The real question is, do I have some snacks? Want to help me look?”
We make an adventure of searching for snacks in my kitchen and watching one of our favorite cartoons while bingeing the popcorn we found.
The guest bedroom in my apartment is unofficially Eric’s room, since he’s the only person who uses it. I read him the book he brought before tucking him into his bed and kissing him good night.
“Look at the special glow!Drop the skin care routine.” I joke when Rina comes to pick Eric up for school. She laughs, well aware her skin care routine last night was getting railed in front of a crowd.
“You know my skin care routine.” Eric’s brushing his teeth in the bathroom, so I double down.
“Nope. I need the full, step-by-step guide, Rins. Look at this skin.” I point to my face. “It’s craving some healthy glow.” She laughs before shaking her head.
“You’ll get it over lunch,” she responds just as Eric runs into her arms. I may be pretty high on Eric’s list of favorite people, but mommy is still undefeated in her spot.
“I’ll miss you, E! Have fun at school.” He gives me a parting hug.
