Sibling Rivalry

Chapter Four-2

Mitch arched an eyebrow as he nodded his head in appreciation. “A booty call arrangement. Those are always nice to have on the back burner.”

“To friends with benefits,” Karla said, as she held her glass up in a mock toast.

He clinked his glass against hers and they both drank. He didn’t need to know that, for her, the benefits better include something more tangible than a stiff c**k. “How about you?” she asked. “I’m assuming there isn’t a Mrs. Greenway pining away somewhere wondering where her husband is at this hour and with whom.”

“And if there was?” He grinned, mischievous and intoxicating all swirled together.

She shrugged. “Hey, whatever you have to do to have fun. The trick is not getting caught, right?”

“That’s an enlightened mindset,” he laughed. “I’m just kidding. I’m still a confirmed bachelor. Not even dating anyone.”

“That’s good to know. I wouldn’t want some wild, jealous woman coming after me in my sleep.”

“Something tells me you could handle it just fine.”

“Probably, but who needs that kind of drama in their life?”

“Benefits without the drama. I like it.”

Karla downed the rest of her drink, the third he bought for her, and made a show of glancing at her watch. “Well, Mr. Greenway, I need to be scooting out of here. I have an appointment with a mechanic in the morning.” She grinned as she turned and placed a finger on his chest, twirling it around the buttons of his shirt. “We’ll have to discuss those benefits another time.”

His grin promised he was not going to forget. “I’m looking forward to it.”

She leaned up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek, a wet, lingering kiss, that not only promised to stiffen his c**k, but made her s*x wet, as well. She needed to get out of there or she was going to finish her game right there in the parking lot. She said goodnight to Paul and wiggled her fingers in farewell to Mitch as she walked away. Tomorrow morning promised to be fun if everyone played their cards right.

The clock in her car said it was after eleven. She wondered if Aimee was still out with her date or if the good girl went home early before she turned into a pumpkin. Karla didn’t see the angle of going out with Clint Asher, but then again, her sister hadn’t been out with anyone in over a year, for which she blamed Karla. Of course, Karla didn’t understand babysitting the man’s daughter, either, when there was no obvious reward for doing so. As she understood it, Clint didn’t even pay Aimee for her time. Instead of being out for a simple free dinner, Aimee needed to be out maneuvering to get her car fixed, but no, she left that to Karla. As much as Aimee fussed about Karla’s methods, she never turned down the benefits they brought. Hell, the last guy Karla dated replaced all their kitchen cabinets for free, even to the point of buying the material. Did Aimee stop the cabinets from going up? No way. She even helped pick out the style. As long as she wasn’t the one lying on her back or getting down on her knees, it was all right.

Karla believed if Aimee just loosened up some, perhaps she wouldn’t be so miserable. She needed to stop preaching her morals and start living her life the way it was meant to be lived. She grew up in the same family as Karla. She knew what it was like to be poor and do without. She should be wiggling her own ass to gain the benefits that came with owning a v****a. Instead, she whined about wanting true love and a faithful man. Karla laughed in disgust. There was no such thing. True love was a myth told by old people to give the younger generations something to hope for while they kept their pants zipped. It was outdated and obsolete and Karla knew it. That was why she was able to get ahead in this life. She didn’t swallow the Kool-Aid everyone else did. If she swallowed, it had better come with something she could walk away with other than sticky lips.

Aimee was home when Karla arrived and already in her pajamas, which resembled something Mary Tyler Moore wore on the ancient d**k Van Dyke Show. Karla rolled her eyes. Even when alone her sister had her body buttoned up tight. “You know, you could at least wear just a T-Shirt or even a nightie. What’s with the man’s pajamas?”

Aimee just finished fixing herself a cup of hot tea in the kitchen and was in the middle of crossing the room when Karla entered the apartment. Hearing her sister’s criticism, Aimee stopped and glanced down at her outfit. “What’s wrong with my pajamas? They’re comfortable.”

“They’re boring. They’re also men’s pajamas. At least wear something feminine.”

Aimee shook her head. “Please. I’ll wear whatever makes me comfortable. I’m not trying to seduce my sister or her boyfriends.”

“Do you even own anything sexy? What would you have worn if Clint went for the home run? You couldn’t come out like that. It would scare him off for sure.”

Aimee plopped herself down on the sofa and blew on her tea to cool it enough to sip. Leaning back, she said, “Clint was not going to try anything tonight. Not everyone expects s*x on the first date like you do. And for your information, I do own sexy nighties. I just don’t see the point of wasting them on you.”

Karla stepped into the kitchen and yanked open the refrigerator door. She needed something to eat. She could feel the alcohol making her head fuzzy and her brain spew out things she would have normally left unsaid. “So, how was your date with Mr. Mom, anyway. If you’re already dressed for bed, you must have gotten home early.” She grabbed the container of bacon and then dug out a frying pan. She wanted something greasy.

“He has to work early. So we didn’t stay out late. The evening was nice. He took me to Charlie’s Place down on A1A, and then, we took a short walk on the beach. He asked if he could take me out again. Apparently, he wants someone to hang out with once in a while.”

Karla laughed as she set the pan on the burner and turned the dial to high. “I told you he had an ulterior motive. Hanging out is code for he doesn’t have the balls to ask you out on a real date. Was there any kissy face on the beach? Where were his hands the whole time?” She took out several pieces of bacon—more than she should probably eat, but she was drunkenly hungry— and slipped them into the pan.

“There was no ulterior motive, thank you very much.” Aimee tucked her feet up under her as she sat on the sofa, her hands wrapped around her mug. “I even told him what you said about him having one and that’s when he said he didn’t think hanging out would be a bad thing. It was all part of the conversation. And no, he didn’t try anything. He was a perfect gentleman. He even kissed my hand goodnight as opposed to trying for a kiss on the lips.”

“Is he gay?”

This time Aimee rolled her eyes. “Why does he have to be gay just because he didn’t go for the goodnight kiss? There are gentlemen in this world you know. Not all men are like those you tend to attract.”

The bacon sizzled and popped behind Karla as she leaned on the counter, palms down. “Oh sweetie, all men are just like the ones I go out with. Some just tend to hide it better, that’s all. The wolf will come out of your precious sheep soon enough. You’ll do yourself a favor if you control when the wolf comes out and what you can get out of it.”

“I don’t want to get anything out of it. s*x is not a negotiation tool.”

“Yes, it is. It’s also a great weapon if you use it right. I’m just trying to help you be prepared for when he does make his move.”

“I’m pretty sure I can manage, thank you. Men have made moves on me before, you know. I appreciate the concern, though.” Aimee’s smile was not sincere.

Karla shrugged and moved to flip over her bacon. “It’s your life. I don’t know why you would want to date someone who already has a kid, but you’re the family type. I’m not ready for that type of commitment.”

“To be honest, I’m a little worried about that, too. I don’t want to see Abigail get hurt. Children can become pretty attached and her mother already ran out on her a year ago. I don’t want to add to the little girl’s pain if for whatever reason Clint and I don’t work out.”

“Are you two jumping into this thing full force? I mean, is it a casual dating thing or have you two decided to commit to each other after only one dinner?”

She could see the percolation of an answer in Aimee’s pinched brows. She had to hold in her laughter. She knew her sister put the horse before the cart already. Clint probably asked to see her again and poor Aimee heard “Let’s get engaged.” She didn’t have much experience with dating and, as Karla expected, was ready to jump into the first relationship that presented itself. Karla began to fix her sandwich with the mound of bacon she fried. Her sister needed to live her life a bit before taking on another man’s child.

“I guess I don’t know what he has in mind,” Aimee finally answered. “He just said he wanted to hang out once in a while.”

“I’d probably get clarification before you rush out and buy that wedding dress.” Karla lifted her sandwich to her mouth and took a giant bite. As she chewed, she closed her eyes and savored each flavor. She knew why everyone loved bacon. It was a food group unto itself, a dish of the gods, especially if you were drunk.

“I am not that bad.”

Karla stared at her, an eyebrow raised, but refrained from saying anything. Instead, she said, “By the way, Mitch Greenway called today. We need to get the car to him first thing in the morning, and he’ll see what he can do.” She decided to keep the dancing to herself for now. Aimee didn’t always appreciate her efforts on Aimee’s behalf.

Aimee nodded. “In that case, I better get some sleep. I’ll send Ginny a text that I’ll be late to work. See you in the morning.”

Karla watched as her sister pushed herself off the sofa, taking her hot tea with her. Her brows were pinched in deep thought as she made her way to the bedroom. Karla just shook her head. Her sister definitely needed to loosen up and enjoy her life more.