“I understand,” I said neutrally. “Anyway, the bathroom’s all yours.” I smiled and retreated to the bedroom.
“Is she okay?” Christy asked.
“Yeah. Still not too thrilled with Will, though.”
“Who would be?”
I made a sarcastic guess, “Baptist girls who don’t know any better ’cause their fathers, brothers, and pastors are all chauvinists?”
“Be nice,” Christy said. “Aren’t you the one who said they’re real people with real feelings?”
“Remind me to wring Wren’s neck.”
“Yes, dear,” she said insincerely.
I couldn’t help but grin.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. You ready for breakfast?”
“Yes, please.”
“In bed?”
“Only if you want to feed me semen.”
“That’s pretty tempting,” I said, “but you probably need food-food first.”
“And then semen?”
“Oh, boy,” I sighed theatrically. “It’s going to be one of those mornings?”
“Yes. But I’ll be a good girl and obey if you promise to do naughty things to me later.”
“I promise. Now, let’s go. Breakfast. Chop-chop.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
Christy kept my polo and pulled on her panties. The shirt covered her to mid-thigh, although her braless nipples were obvious through the knit fabric. I slipped on my boxers and went shirtless, since I didn’t want to wear a clean one before I’d showered.
Lily joined us in the kitchen after she finished in the bathroom, and I got a good look at her “shirt.” It was little more than two panels of faded cotton joined at the top and bottom. It left her sides and the outer curve of her breasts completely exposed, and I knew from experience that it would slip to reveal her entire breast any time she turned too far in either direction.
So, a double whammy, I thought. One nymphomaniac, check. One exhibitionist, check.
I like her, the little head said.
Mmm. I bet you do.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Speaking of which…
Don’t you dare! My boxers had a button fly, but they had an annoying habit of popping open when I least expected it. I made sure the button was secure.
Christy pursed her lips and tried not to grin. Then she arched an eyebrow. Is he being naughty?
What do you think?
I like him.
Not you too?
So sue me. Or use me. Or—
“So, what’s for breakfast?” I wondered aloud.
“Cereal and Pop-Tarts,” Lily said.
“Sounds yummy,” Christy said.
She ate two bowls of Count Chocula, two packs of Pop-Tarts, and an extra that Lily didn’t want. Then she went looking in the refrigerator for more. She came back with carrot sticks from the night before. I shook my head in silent awe.
Christy nibbled contentedly as we lingered at the table, and Lily started telling us about things to do in Gatlinburg. She and her parents spent a week there every summer. The little resort town had plenty to do, from Hillbilly Golf to flapjack restaurants to ice cream parlors on every corner.
I had no idea what I’d been missing. And Lily’s breasts had no idea how to stay in her shirt, especially as she talked and gestured. She usually covered herself after a quick apology, but not every time. Sometimes she pretended not to notice until I gave her a friendly reminder.
As we talked and laughed, we forgot about Will entirely, until he stumped from behind the curtain and glared at us. His hangover must’ve been a doozy, and I felt sorry for him. At least, I did until he opened his mouth.
“Will y’all keep it down. Some of us were tryin’ to sleep.”
“Sorry,” I said coolly, “some of us have been up a while.”
“I was talking to Lily.”
“That’s okay. I was talking to you.” I faked a smile, if only to keep the peace. “We’ll try to keep it down,” I added, “if you wanna go back to sleep.”
“Too late. I’m awake now.”
I decided to extend an olive branch. “You want some cereal?”
“Gah, no.”
“Pop-Tarts? Carrot sticks?”
Christy looked mortally offended that I might give away her food.
“A cold hamburger?” I continued. “You’re on your own after that.”
Will seemed to notice my bare chest for the first time. Then he glanced at Lily and scowled. “Put some clothes on.”
I deliberately misunderstood. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry,” he said immediately. “I didn’t mean you. I meant Lily.”
She looked embarrassed and automatically started to rise. Then she thought better of it.
“Well?” he said impatiently. “Did you hear me?”
“How ’bout some breakfast?” I said. “What can I fix you?”
“I don’t want breakfast.” He heard his tone and immediately changed it. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“It’s okay,” I said patiently. “I get surly too, especially when I’m hungover.”
He nodded, still deferential.
“Do you wanna go for a run?” I asked. “I’ll join you. It’s pure hell for the first mile or so, but it usually sweats the alcohol out of your system. Just drink some water before we go.”
He shook his head and immediately regretted it.
“Start with water anyway,” I said. “That always helps.”
He nodded, so I went to the sink and filled a cup from the tap.
“Thanks,” he said. He took a sip and forced a smile. Then his eyes found Lily again, and his smile disappeared.
Lily felt the heat of his displeasure. She turned and looked at him. Her expression was apologetic at first, but then she found her nerve.
He didn’t like that, although he didn’t want to argue in front of semi-total strangers.
“Can I talk to you?” he said tersely. “In here?”
Lily took a deep breath. Then she stood and went into the little sleeping alcove. Will yanked the curtain into place and started berating her in a low voice.
Christy and I strained to hear, but we only caught snatches here and there. Lily’s first replies were meek, but she grew more defensive as he grew more insistent. He never asked her to do anything; all he did was tell, tell, tell. In other words, the patriarchy at its finest, with an extra helping of Southern Baptist charm.
I stood to intervene when Lily finally lost her cool. She told him he wasn’t her father, didn’t own her, and couldn’t tell her what to do. He said he could and would. She disagreed, loudly. I moved toward the curtain, but Lily thrust it aside and stormed out.
“Get back here!” Will shouted. Then he saw me and changed his tone. “Tell her to get back here.”
“Not me, friend. I don’t take orders.”
“I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “I wasn’t trying to order you.”
“Maybe let’s take a moment and calm down,” I suggested.
“I don’t want to calm down,” Lily spat. She turned to Will. “We’re through, you and me!”
“You’re breaking up with me?” he said incredulously.
“What was your first clue?”
“You’re breaking up with me?” he repeated. “You can’t! I’m breaking up with you!”
They bickered about who was breaking up with whom until I moved between them and shouted, “Enough!”
Will couldn’t resist a final shot. “You’re a whore anyway!”
She puffed up with outrage, but I rounded on him first. He automatically took a step back, and his eyes went saucer-shaped.
I lowered my fist and said in a flat voice, “Apologize.”
“Why? She’s the one— Okay, okay! Gah! Sorry! Sorry.”
“Not to me, you—!” I visibly controlled my temper. “To her.”
“Whatever. I don’t care. Sorry, Lily, I didn’t mean to call you a whore.”