Page 16 of The Jackpot Screwer
“No, I’m not ill and I haven’t had time to get high. I only finished sewing Mr. Calhoun’s dog’s ball back into its nut sack an hour ago. Then I had to go home shave, shower and shi… well you get the picture.”
“Something’s wrong,” Ellie retorted. “You’re being nice to me.”
“I can be nice,” Carter protested. “Can’t I, Lollipop?”
Choosing not to answer, I took a sip of my coke and watched as Ellie and Carter broke out into a fight of knuckles.
“Please stop,” I sighed. “This is an engagement party, not a fifth birthday.”
Carter gave Ellie a little nudge. “Sorry, Lollipop.”
“Shit, where did your balls go?” Ellie muttered.
“Same place as your personality, apparently.” Carter gave her a smirk and then turned his attention back to me. “You think you should have a comfier seat than that stool?” he asked.
“Not really, no.”
“Well, I do.” He looked around the room. “There, that one looks real comfy. I’ll get it for you.”
“Carter,” Ellie cried. “You can’t do that Jennifer’s grandma is sitting on it.”
Eighty-five-year-old, Mrs. McGillicuddy was seated on a high-back, plump, red velvet chair, surrounded by her four children and various grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was in a prime spot, enabling her to watch the party carrying on around her.
“She can find another seat,” Carter said.
“She’s old, Carter,” I objected.
“And you’re pregnant,” he replied, thankfully lowering his voice. “I think a pregnant woman trumps an old lady.”
“I don’t. So just leave me on my stool and Mrs. McGillicuddy on her throne.”
He let out a breath through his nostrils and pouted. “Fine, but at least let me get you another coke.”
“Okay, thank you.”
I passed him my glass as Ellie shoved hers at him too.
“Vodka and diet please.” She gave him a sweet and sickly smile. “Also, can you rescue Hunter and Jefferson from Jason, please. You know how he bores them both to sleep.”
Carter picked up our glasses. “I’ll rescue Jefferson, but I may just leave Hunter there. Payback for all the shit he does to me.”
“What shit?” Ellie asked.
“Dating you for a start, because you do know if you ever get married, I’ll be the best man.”
“And?” I asked, noticing that Ellie’s cheeks had gone a beautiful shade of pink.
“It means I’ll have to be nice to her for a whole day. Who the hell says shit to a bride on her wedding day?” Carter replied with a shrug of his shoulders and walked off to the bar.
“And you wonder why I don’t think he’s ready to be a father,” I sighed watching his perfect ass walk away from me.
* * *
“Are you sure you don’t want a foot rub?” Carter asked for the tenth time.
“No, I told you,” I hissed. “I’m fine.
He, along with Hunter, Ellie and everyone else at the damn party were drunk; even my folks had been two-stepping together. Carter though was particularly drunk and had been wobbling a little too much.
