The Aftertaste

Chapter Twenty-Five

The car ride was long. Greyson may have taken a hundred bathroom breaks along the way and I'm thank baby Jesus I decided to take my car. The cabin is gorgeous, covered in bright red, pink, and yellow flowers. It's like an island of its on. I'm mesmerized.
The knock on my window snatched me from my fantasy and I'm staring into Joe's beautiful eyes.
"He wasn't too bad on the drive, was he?"
I laugh, "I'm here two hours after you guys, what do you think?"
He laughs too as he unbuckles Greyson. His little head leans over, falling deeper into his slumber.
"This place is amazing."
Joe takes our bags with his other hand before I can object.
"It is. I set up a bouncy house for Greyson, he's going to love it."
My heart is warm. I think about mentioning Aubrey but I don't. She asked me not to tell and this isn't my relationship to interfere in.
"Bestfriend!" Lizzie squeaks, her pregnant body wobbles toward me. Luke pulls me into a hug and I let myself relax. I've missed him and we haven't had time alone yet.
"Either you drive slow or baby boy didn't enjoy the ride." Luke chuckles. I ruffle his hair, rolling my eyes.
"Wait til you have a baby and they need to pee every two minutes." I groan.
"I'm going to love it! I'm so ready to just push and be done." Lizzie smiles. I'm so proud of her.
We enter the house and Joe leads me to my room. Hopefully it's childproof, Greyson is a busy body. I feel bad for not bringing my little brother along but he wouldn't leave my mom if he wanted to. I love that for her.
The room we enter is huge with two beds. Pointless, Greyson won't sleep in that big bed by himself.
"I'm pretty sure he'll want to sleep with you, so I took the other bed. In case you need help in the night, okay?"
We're sharing a room? My legs won't move out the doorway.
"Y-you're sleeping in here?"
"If that's okay with you?"
Greyson has his shirt in a fist, still sleeping hard.
"You can lay him down."
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah, it's still his nap time."
"No...is it okay if I sleep here?"
Oh. No. It's not.
"Yeah, why not?"
He smiles, "Good, let's go have a drink."
"Deal."
Lord knows I need it.

We reminisce, taking shots and laughing about every stupid thing we've done. Lizzie, sober and swole, is a fit of giggles as she sits beside Luke. I love them. Joe puts out a blunt he rolled and disappears in the house. I've probably only smoked a handful of times but I avoided it. Greyson is still my main priority while having fun and I can't be distracted.
"Soooo.." Luke wiggles his eyebrows.
"So?" I hiccup. My last shot is on the table, my kidney fighting to avoid it.
"Come on, tell us." Lizzie giggles. I'm confused or tipsy. Or both.
"Tell you?"
"You and Joe. Sharing a room? Wedding called off? What's going on?" Luke slurs. Oh. They think me and Joe reignited a dying flame.
"Nothing? He said he'd help with Greyson, that's all."
I feel like I said too much. Their faces scrunch up, confusion.
"They don't want us to know Lizz baby, it's a secret." Luke bursts out laughing. I can't help but join in, unsure of why I'm actually laughing.
"You guys want to hear a secret?" Lizzie laughs. We nod, still giggling.
"Okay, shhh." I slur.
"Aubrey bought a boat, with Joe's money. She put her picture on it." Lizzie erupts with laughter. I didn't know Aubrey told her but hearing someone else say it makes me die with laughter. Luke is howling, tears pouring. Aubrey is actually insane and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Thank God.
My phone vibrates, AJ's name popping up. I finally talked to him and surprisingly he understood. We planned a romantic date for when we get back and I'm kind of excited.
"Excuse me guys."
My legs stumble as I walk to the front yard.
"Hey you." I hiccup.
"Hey beautiful. You made it? You forgot to text."
It makes me feel warm that he cares and he's attentive.
"I'm sorry. We settled in and started drinking, I got distracted."
"You sound like a lot of fun right now."
I giggle, "I am."
"Is she missing me?"
"Who?"
"That pretty pink pu-"
"Mommy!"
Greyson attacks my legs, squealing with excitement.
"AJ, I'll call you back."
"Be safe beautiful."
"AJ, huh? New boy toy?" Joe says, smirking.
"Nooo. Oh hush."
Involuntarily, my eyes roll.
"How cute, huh? Grey, mommy has a boy toy."
Greyson falls into a fit of giggles and I join in.
"Where's your girl toy is the real question?"
"Girl toy? I'm engaged, ma'am."
"Not at the moment."
My lips start writing checks I can't cash. I need to get away.
"Ah, you're right. Another story for another day."
I nod. He has on fresh clothes so I'm assuming he showered. I follow him to the bouncy house and Greyson is screaming so loud. It's like I've never bought him toys or happy meals. I'm jealous.
They play and bounce and all I can do is stare.
"One day, he's going to be a great father." Lizzie is beside me, her arm around my waist. Lord, I'm so thankful for her. The words catch me off guard but I just smile and nod. He is a great father.
"You think you guys will ever be happy together?" Lizzie pierces me with her eyes. I've never thought about that before and it's actually a great question.
"We're different people now."
"But still in love."
"We aren't in-"
"Yes, you are. Very much so." Luke has joined my other side. I roll my eyes.
"Whatever. The two of you are drunk."
"And you aren't? You're probably going to let Joe take you on a ride." Lizzie busts out laughing and Joe looks over. My cheeks heat up instantly and I could evaporate right now.
"I know it's webs down there, better dust." Luke laughs. I could evaporate.
"There's nothing between us, idiots. Please."
My heart feels like it skipped a beat and I find myself imaging Joe's mouth on my neck. His lips trailing down to my breast, the ones he'd lick and suck anytime we could sneak away. That warm tongue trailing down to my sweet spot, leaving butterfly kisses all over. His big, erect pen-
"You want some?"
Joe is staring at me, a bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand.
"Uh-yeah, yes. Thanks."
My eyes trail everywhere and I can feel my rose dripping with thirst.
I want him.