Page 447 of S is for SEX

Heather and Kelli were both throwing baseballs at the target, attempting unsuccessfully to dunk a fireman.

“Excuse me, fella’s. You alright Train?” I said as I turned my head toward the dunk tank.

I looked at A-Train and waited for a response.

“You straight?” I raised my eyebrows and tilted my chin down.

“Train?” The Bone asked in an elevated tone.

“As a fucking string,” he responded as he spit on the ground.

“Fellas,” I nodded my head and turned toward the dunk tank.

“Baby girl, you have got to be exhausted,” I said as I walked up to Kelli and Heather.

“I’m fine, I’m having fun. Is it time to go?” she asked as she picked up baseballs from the net that was set up behind the target.

“Well, Crash and Heather are heading out. We need to go in just a bit,” I replied.

“Yes sir,” she sighed.

“Take your time, Kelli. Dunk that prick. Make me proud of you,” I laughed.

I turned to Heather and opened my arms for a hug. “Take care of that face of his, Heather,” I said as she squeezed me.

“You know I will, Erik. Is it okay to call you Erik now?” she laughed.

I smiled and nodded as she broke my hug and walked away.

“Bye, Kelli,” she waved as Kelli continued to throw baseballs at the target. The fireman heckled Kelli before each toss.

Across the lot, I saw the group separating. Bone and A-Train remained talking as the others walked away. Train was tough to argue with. In his world, there wasn’t any shade of Grey. There was black and there was white. I didn’t disagree with what he said; Slick was a piece of shit - and he was wrong for having showed up to our poker run. But our club had procedures. And, being a member meant that you followed the procedures, rules, and decisions of the club.

As Heather and Teddy pulled away, I heard a crack and a loud splash. I turned and looked at the dunk tank. The group gathered around the tank was cheering. The fireman was throwing a fit, jokingly. I squinted and looked into the tank as he stood. Six foot six and covered in tattoos. One of Fifty-Four’s finest.

Fucking Otis.

Kelli tossed the baseballs into the net and walked my direction. I looked at the tank and laughed. It couldn’t have happened to a better man. Otis was big and could be mean, but was naturally as nice of a human being as one could ever ask to encounter. As he climbed onto the seat and chuckled, he waved.

Kelli walked up to me and she smiled.

“As instructed,” she placed her hands on her hips and continued, “you proud of me?”

“As a peacock,” I said as I picked her up into my arms.

As a peacock.

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