Rouge Child

Ray's Call

Fuck! He was drunk.

As he found his way to his red Nova, he fumbled for his keys and almost lost Alas' phone on the way. He opened the car door and went in. When he finally got a grasp of quick sobriety, he dialed her phone number and impatiently waited for the answer.

It took two more dialing before she answered his call.

"Hello?"

He didn't expect that her voice sounded like this; she sounded like a kid.

"Hello... hello?" Irritation was clearly heard in her voice. "Who's this? Hello?"

He didn't know if he would make it past this but stupid beer was stuck in his throat, his mouth dry, and his vision shitty.

"Whoever is this, please know that I am not someone you want to talk to in the middle of the night and disturb in the middle of her much needed sleep. So, if you don't have anything to do with your life, please, please, please have the courtesy to end the call."

No! She shouldn't hang up so he mustered up a lame, "Hi."

There was a loud silence between them.

"Hi-"

"May I know who is calling?"

Clearing his throat, he replied, "It's me, Carter."

"Oh! Snow White... what do you want?" Direct much?

Ray wasn't mistaken; he was obviously talking to the Stiff McQueen.

"Wait. How did you know my number?"

"Oh, I have my ways."

"So, you are now a stalker? Ha, ha, ha. Tell me." Intolerant much?

"Relax. I'm no stalker for fuck's sake, McQueen. This is Cummings' phone I'm using. I think you know that Alas is seeing your friend, Appleton?" He mentally reminded himself to return the phone to Alas. "Amm, how are you, anyway?"

He was sure he felt Lily's hesitation. "Oh, ok. Yeah. I am aware they date. How am I? I think I'm fine though a little tired because I spent all day writing. Congratulations by the way. You won the game this afternoon."

"Thanks." He mentally kicked himself because his reply sounded half-hearted. What was wrong with him anyway? The beer or his sore shoulder?

Another loud silence fell between them. And, it seemed no one was brave enough to speak a word. Ray leaned his head back against the car seat and closed his eyes. His mind kept repeating the mantra - keep her on the phone, keep her talking, damn it!

As if she heard what was on his mind, she began, "Carter? Are you still there?"

Eyes still closed, he replied, "Yeah..."

"Oh. Ok. I thought you hanged up. Ahm, Carter?"

"Yeah..."

"About what happened last time, in the party... what was that about?"

Was she blushing on the other line? He didn't know but he would give a damn just to see it. "What about what?" Actually, he thought he knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Carter..." Impatient much? "You... you kissed me."

He was drunk so he looked like he was already blushing, right?

Finally, he opened his eyes. "Oh. That... what about it?" Stupid hand. Why was it even shaking?

"Again. You kissed me. FYI, you don't kiss me, Carter."