La Pantera

Ch. 41 Awakening

Song for Chapter: Alone Again by Dokken

Later that evening, Stevie and Tommy were laying in her bed together watching her television. They laid against the pillows and headboard, his arm lazily draped around her shoulders as he smoked. She sighed lazily, still tired from their earlier activities. "You okay?", Tommy looked her way. "Yeah, just lazy. You really fucked the shit out of me." She laughed. Tommy laughed as well, setting his cigarette down in the nearby ashtray. "I can't help myself around you", he giggled. "Remember I'm not your sock next time." , she smirked. "Why you gotta be so mean?", he turned her way, returning a smirk back. "Part of my charm.", she cocked her brow. "You're like a wild animal.", Tommy teased. "Damn right. No one's taming me anytime soon." Stevie settled more in her position with a smug expression. "Well what about me?", Tommy asked after a moment. "What about you?", she asked in confusion. "How about I'm the guy that tames you?", his hazel eyes locked on hers. Stevie realized what he meant and tensed up. "Tommy.....I can't.", she sighed. "Why not?", his voice was filled with confusion. "I can't be tied down to someone right now." , she explained to him. "And last I checked, you're not really that serious about me." , her eyes locked on his now. Tommy looked at her tense expression and scoffed as he sat up. "I'm not serious about you?", he chuckled. "Sleeping with other women ain't being serious to me.", Stevie growled. She stared him down , his cold gaze locked on hers. "I did that because I didn't think you wanted me back." He snarled. "Well then you know what Tommy, grow a pair of balls next time.", Stevie stood out of bed now and began to get dressed in her clothes again. "Some people are scared of rejection you know."  Tommy rolled his eyes, annoyed at her reaction. He began to dress himself too, not wanting to hear anymore of her words. "Too bad. Be a man and tell me how you feel. I don't wait for anyone.", Stevie snipped, her tone like icicles being thrown his way. "Fuck you.", Tommy buckled his belt and stormed downstairs. "You'll miss doing so!", she laughed. He slammed her front door, driving away on his motorcycle. "Fucking queer.", she whispered to herself. She watched him leave from the window, arms crossed over her chest.

Matt was back home in New York, spending time with some friends of his. One thing was on his mind, and that was getting laid. A perk of his occupation meant he had easy access to any woman in his age group or older. Hooking up with an older woman was always seen as a score for his time. In fact, that's what his friends were giggling to themselves about. "I bet I'll score 5 broads before you.", his friend Max boasted to another man named Jack. "Okay, bet settled! 5 bucks.", they shook hands firmly. Matt chuckled in amusement shaking his head. "Man are you guys such dumbasses.", he smirked. "Why's it funny?", Max asked. "Cuz both of you are too dumb and ugly to score a cougar.", Matt grinned evilly. "Oh my God. I don't see you getting any action.", Jack groaned. "Yeah? You shoulda stopped by last night.", Matt cockily said. His dark eyes twinkled with amusement as Max laughed at his friend. The TV caught Matt's attention, stopping as he saw Stevie's face. Can't escape you can I?, he thought to himself. She smirked on the bar TV, being interviewed by David Letterman on his Late Night show. Thank goodness they were sitting at the bar counter. He was intrigued with what she'd been up to. "Nah..can't reveal nothin' yet about the movie. But I promise it'll be fun.", she grinned David's way. "You've made quite the name for yourself haven't you? You, Madonna, and Joan Jett are really forcing a change in our youth, specifically the female youth.", he said. "I love Joan. I think she's what every woman should aspire to be.", Stevie declared. "She's a badass and I love her.", she continued. "And what about Madonna?", David asked. "What about her?", Stevie asked. Matt chuckled, knowing what the woman was thinking. "Man is Stevie Costa a fox. You're lucky you scored that man.", Max pat his friend's shoulder. "Yeah I guess I am..", Matt frowned. He didn't feel comfortable talking about Stevie like that to his friends from home. It was almost as if he wanted to keep her a secret. Protect her from their leering gazes even though she was independent and didn't need his help. "You okay?", Jack asked. "Yeah..let's change the subject.", Matt seemed to wince a bit when talking. He knew he messed up and now he was regretting it big time. Now if she'd let him back in was another issue.