Page 8 of Giving It to the Man-Whore

Mel placed a hand on her sister’s back. “It’s not cheating if you know about it. I knew about it. I even encouraged it.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t want just one man. I loved the excitement of being with someone else. I was young, and I didn’t want to commit. Pea gave me just as much as I gave him. What I’d love is if we could stop discussing this. I’m not going to leave him or divorce him.” She loved him.

Penny leaned back. “You’re right. I spend way too much time talking about it. If you’re happy then I will learn to be happy for you.”

“Then learn to be happy. I’m not changing.”

“We still need to talk about what you’re going to say to Pea,” Penny said. “The sickness you can cover up for only so long. Soon your stomach’s going to get bigger, and then you’re going to get tired. Your emotions are going to go haywire.”

Mel sipped at the orange juice, leaning back and eating a cracker. “I don’t know. We’ve not talked about children. Should I tell him sooner or later?” She licked her lips. “What if he asks me to get rid of it?”

Penny gasped. “You wouldn’t, would you?”

She shook her head. “I doubt he will, but this is just another element to consider, and it stresses me out. I don’t like it.” She wasn’t used to all of this doubt, and she didn’t like it, not one bit. “Let’s talk about something else.”

Changing the conversation to Penny’s latest book was a welcome distraction. She saw the excitement on her sister’s face, and that was enough for her. Leaning on her hand, she laughed as she told her about a certain character’s struggle with trying to prove he loved the heroine. Time passed way too quickly for Mel, and it wasn’t long before she was heading out. She made her way into town, and was enjoying a cup of tea when she saw Willy turn up. He was a club brother. She’d not spent much time with him.

She gave him a wave, and after he’d placed his order, he sat with her.

“How are you?” she asked. There was no sign of any of the club, and that confused her.

“It’s all good. I just wanted a ride into town. How are you?”

He rubbed the back of his head and glanced out of the window.

“I’m doing great.” She watched as he looked out of the window, and she saw him looking at some blonde woman. “Who’s that?” She didn’t recognize her.

“Who’s what?” he asked, turning back toward her.

“Willy, I’ve rarely seen you intrigued by someone before. She looks young. Who is she? She’s not from around here.” She sipped her tea, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“I don’t know. She came out of Ricky’s place.”

“Big Ricky?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think she’s his woman or something?”

“No.”

Mel looked at her; she wore a white dress and looked really virginal. “Why don’t you ask him?”

Willy shook his head. “We’ve been told to keep our distance from Big Ricky. I don’t want anything to do with him. We’re not about the mafia and shit.” He held his hands up. “We’re a fucking club, and that’s all.”

She thought about what Pea said last night, but she also saw the interest Willy had in the girl.

“If you’d like I could ask him?”

He turned back to face her.

“You’d ask him?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I’ve had coffee with Big Ricky. There’s nothing wrong with asking him who his little companion was.” She finished her tea, and when she went to pay, Willy stopped her.

“I’ll get it, Mel. Do you need a ride home?”

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