Changing Seasons

Thirty -Three

****

"Dude, you'll never guess who is at the club right now." Jeordie's text read on Tuesday night.

As Rocco took his turn at Chutes and Ladders, Krist replied to his friend to find out who it was. Occasionally, musicians or athletes passing through Portland would pop in, which is what he had expected to hear.

His jaw nearly hit the floor when he learned that it was his brother, Brad.

"You never told me his wife is fucking HOT." Now, Brooke was pretty in a classic beauty way, but she was not someone that Krist had ever considered hot.

"Dude, are you sure it's him? His wife ain't got. Send a pic." Kris texted back.

"Dad," Rocco swiped for his phone, "It's your turn."

Flicking the spinner, Krist moved his pawn and ended up on a slide that sent him back to the beginning. Rocco tackled, whooping loudly with excitement. "Your turn, bro."

As Rocco took his turn, Krist checked his phone. Jeordie had sent a photo as requested. Sure enough, lame-ass Brad was down at the club, and the chick with him was, in fact, actually hot as fuck...and she was not his wife.

Oooh, Bradley, Krist chuckled to himself. "Hey Rocco, I gotta make a call. Don't be cheating while I'm outside." Rocco groaned in protest.

Closing the sliding glass door behind him, Krist sat on the balcony and Facetimed Jeordie. "Hold on!" His friend shouted over the rap music. He could see Jeordie leave his booth and head to the backroom. "Yo, what's up? That's your brother, right?"

"Yeah, dude, that ain't his wife, though." The two of them laughed.

"For real, dog? You don't know who she is?"

"Never seen that chick in my life. Goddamn, she's fine as fuck, though."

"Fuck dude, right? Yeah, they have been making out and getting lap dances all night. I didn't notice him until Bryana came over and asked if you had a brother because some dude looked just like you."

"Tch, I don't look like that whack-ass fool." Krist spit off the balcony even though he knew it was true. "Man, I wonder if that chick is a prostie? She's way too fine for a dude like Brad."

"I dunno, bro. But listen, I gotta get back to my booth. Hit me up later."

"Coo'. Talk to you later, bro."

Krist couldn't help but smile as he ended that call. Brad always judged him for his choices even though he had his dirty little secrets.

Krist would have immediately brought it up to gloat in his face if they'd been teenagers, just for the laughs. Although it did sound fun to gloat, there was not anything he would get from it. Although Krist was very interested in Brad's new mystery woman.

Seriously, how did he wind a piece of ass like that? The broad was hella fine. She'd had a tattooed pinup vibe to her with big tits and a bangin' body. Definitely not what he'd have ever expected to see with his brother. Weird.

"Hurry up!" Rocco shouted as Krist opened the sliding glass door.

"Sorry, broski." He apologized as he sat down at the table with his son. "Is it your turn or mine?"

"Your turn, Dad. I have waited for years for you."

"Okay, okay, chill." He laughed and flicked the spinner. "Your birthday is coming up. What do you want?"

Rocco tapped his chin in an exaggerated expression of thought. "Hmm. I want a Moxie."

The subject of the Moxie robot had come up several times in the past. Rocco wanted one desperately, but they were $700. He did have the money from Bill. "That's what you want? Nothing else?"

"Probably some Pokémon cards. And cake. And that's it."

Fine. $700 child's robot it would be.

****

Seated on the balcony after his shower and Rocco in bed, Krist picked up his phone to Facetime Atira.

"What's up, baby?" he greeted her.

"Nothing. I just got home a little bit ago."

"What were you out doing?" Krist inquired.

"Eh, I went and had dinner with Jillian."

Krist felt insecurity surge through his body. Jillian was the dumb broad who tried to convince her to reconcile with lame-ass Kevin. He knew he had no right to tell Atira who she could or could not speak to, but he did not want Jillian around his girl. "I thought you had her blocked?" He replied, attempting to mask his insecurity as much as possible.

"I did. I ran into her at Whole Foods, and she asked me to dinner. She felt horrible about everything and apologized for getting involved." Atira laughed, adding, "I told her about you as well and that I was planning on moving down there this spring."

Krist relaxed a little, "Did you have a good time?"

Atira shrugged her shoulders, "It was alright. I still think she's a bit of a meddling bitch, and I don't really have any intention of spending time with her. What did you do today?"

"Nothing new worked and came home. So, check this out. Brad was at the club tonight with some chick who isn't his wife."

Atira's jaw dropped, "No! Are you sure?"

Krist nodded, "Yeah, Jeordie sent me a picture. It was definitely him."

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "What a freaking dirtbag! I would have never thought he would be that type of guy."

"Right?"

"Doesn't he know where you work?"

"Nah. He knows I work at a strip club, but not which one. It's funny 'cause he acted like I was trash for even working there." Krist chuckled. "Shit, at least I'm not taking some broad there when I have a whole ass wife at home."

Atira shook her head, "What a dirtbag. Are you going to say anything to her?"

"It's not my place to tell her."

"I understand."

The conversation shifted to plans for the upcoming weekend, Rocco's birthday party the following weekend, and Christmas before the talk turned suggestive. Krist had to head to his bedroom to "take care of business."