20 Questions

Chapter 87

Hunter

"Do you want to come up with a safe word that only you and I know, signifying that we are ready to leave?" I ask Jenna as I button up my shirt.  Staying home with her and watching movies sounds way more appealing than a night out on the town, but I don't want to disappoint Helen.

"A safe word?  Who are you, Christian Grey?"

I place my hand over my heart and gasp.  "That may be the nicest thing you've ever said to me." 

I am rewarded with a ground-shaking eye roll.

"Are you saying that you're not looking forward to bumping and grinding on the dance floor with a bunch of twenty-one-year-old drunks, Mr. Walters?" she asks as she sprays her hair for the tenth time.

I make a mental note to avoid all open flames around her.

"Baby, I don't think they call it bumping and grinding anymore.  You're really showing your age on that one." 

She lifts her middle finger before returning to her makeup.  If she continues to stand there in just her bra and underwear, we definitely won't be making it out of the house tonight.  I slip on my shoes and call the guys to finalize our plans.  Apparently, we are meeting at some pub for dinner and then it's off to the dreaded nightclub.  Our Uber driver is set to arrive in fifteen minutes.  We both decided that we may need a lot of alcohol to get through this night so driving ourselves isn't an option.  Ten minutes later, Jenna comes walking out of the bathroom looking like a fucking wet dream.  I try to convince her that I only need three minutes to get her off, but she swats my hands and tells me to grab my things.

Once again...bullshit.

Our Uber driver was obviously allergic to speed so we are the last to arrive at the pub.  Helen is all made up for her birthday and the guys have apparently been pre-partying, obvious from the number of high fives they've given each other since we arrived.  Idiots.  Jenna runs over to hug Helen and they spend the next couple minutes complimenting each other's clothes, hair, makeup, nails and every other thing that girls fawn over and guys pay zero attention to.  The only time I have ever commented on one of my brothers' outfits is to let Justin know that his shirt looked like a mildewed shower curtain or when I asked Kevin how many 1970's couches he had to murder to make the atrocity he was wearing. 

I take that back. 

Bryson gets clowned on the daily for the size shmedium shirts he wears. 

Jenna comes back over and slides into the booth next to me, scooting as close as she can, absorbing my body heat.  The days have been a little warmer, but it's pretty damn chilly tonight.

"Sooo, I have some very exciting news," Helen squeals.  She is springing up and down in her seat and I can't help but laugh at Patrick's eyeballs zeroing in on her chest, moving up and down like two basketballs being dribbled up and down the court.  I know that I'm guilty of it myself with Jenna, but any red-blooded, heterosexual male wouldn't blame us.  "I have an interview on Monday!"  Her smile is wide and her eyes dance with excitement.

Everybody congratulates her and Jenna reaches her hand across the table to squeeze Helen's.  When her ass lifts in the air, I take this opportunity to press my thumb against that sweet little piece of heaven I'd like to be balls deep in right now.  She lowers back down and delivers a swift kick to my shin, letting me know that my antics were not well-received.

Bullshit.

"Thank you guys so much.  None of this would be possible without each and every one of you.  I got the call yesterday evening and I wanted to wait until we were all together tonight to tell you.  It is at one of the local middle schools.  I have missed teaching so much.  Even if I don't get the job, I finally feel like I am getting my life back together.  So, here's to family, success and love," she says as she looks over at Patrick, back to us and then raises her glass.