Stupid Boy: Senior Year - Winter 17

Chapter 17 -- Take a Drunk Girl Home

Saturday December 31

"Get your butt up," I said as I jumped on Peggy's bed.

"What time is it?" she mumbled and saw the alarm clock.

"Get up. We're going running," I announced. "I'll get the boys up while you change."

I overheard my mom tell Duke to get off the bed, so I knew he was doing his job by waking them up for his morning loving. When I went into the boys' room, I saw Little David standing up in his crib, so I picked him up.

"It won't be long before you're ready for a big boy bed," I told him.

I got both Little David and Coby ready and ran down the stairs, carrying them.

"No running in the house!" greeted me when I came into the kitchen.

My mom gave me a look. Some things never change. She'd been yelling that at me for as long as I could remember. The boys loved it when I did it, though.

Duke was waiting by the back door. He had figured out we were going for our run. Peggy took Little David and got him into his coat so he could go outside while I did the same for Coby. We then went out and put the boys in the tandem running stroller. Duke ignored Precious as he sat in front of Peggy to get his leash put on.

"Sorry, your buddy would rather go for a run than play," I told the neighbor cat.

Precious glared at us as if we were dead bugs in her water bowl.

I let Peggy set the pace and just enjoyed the run. It had warmed up, so all the snow had melted. It was still in the high 30s, which made me miss LA even more.

"Do you have a date for tonight?" I asked.

"I thought I would go stag and hang out with Ashley and Scarlet. I hope you know that you have to dance with us."

"Unlike you three, I'm not socially inept. I actually have a date," I said with a superior attitude.

"It's kind of hard to find a guy when you have a kid," Peggy complained.

"Puhlease! I have five, and it hasn't slowed me down," I teased her.

She mumbled something about talking with Cassidy.

"Okay. I have a feeling that I'll have to dance with my grandma and mother, so dancing with three more old ladies shouldn't hurt me," I conceded.

"Are you trying to piss me off?" Peggy asked with a stern expression.

"Lighten up. You used to be fun."

That earned me a smack, and I saw a little smile touch her lips. I knew that Peggy could dish it out as well as take it, so I had no doubt there would be payback at some point. Our relationship had evolved into one where I considered her a part of the family. Not precisely a sister, but close enough. I couldn't quite put her in the sister role because I still had impure thoughts about her. Peggy had been my first serious crush, after all.

We spent the rest of the run catching up. That had been my intent and was why I didn't push the pace. We were both laughing when we came in the back door.

"You two are in a good mood," Uncle John observed.

"We went for a run, and David was being a goof," Peggy explained as we took the boys' coats off.

Aunt Bonnie came in, looking put out.

"That kitten is evil," she announced.

"No take-backs," Dad said to make sure it was clear they'd agreed to take him.

"He'll have to be a barn cat. I'm not having that in my house," she announced.

We would owe Uncle John big-time for taking Satan's Spawn off our hands. Neither my mom nor dad made a comment once my aunt had all but said she would give him a home.

"Did you try on your tux?" Mom asked.

"Uh, that would be a 'no,'" I admitted.

"Go take your shower and then try it on. If we have to get it altered, we don't have all day."

Duke and I went to my apartment and found Satan's Spawn guarding the stairs. He took a swat at Duke but was bowled over. My hound wasn't afraid of a kitten. Now, if Precious had been at the top of the stairs, we might have had a standoff.

"Silly cat," I said as I scooped him up and gave him some loving.

I walked into my bedroom and tossed him on my bed.

---

The tux fit fine, as I knew it would. Adrienne knew my measurements from all the work we'd done together. She'd scored me a Ted Baker London 'Josh' trim-fit tuxedo that was blue with a contrasting black shawl lapel. That clued me in that Brook's dress must be blue, too.

I called Adrienne to thank her. Of course, Tyler answered.

"Is the boss around?" I asked.

"David! We were just talking about you."

"You've both decided you like guys and want me to get on a plane to fulfill your wildest fantasies?" I guessed.

She laughed, and I heard in the background, "Who are you talking to?"

"David."

"Give me the phone."

"Why is Tyler blushing?" Adrienne demanded.

"I was just telling her what a rare gift she is to you," I said, sucking up.

"Yeah, I know," Adrienne grumbled. "She's as rare as finding a leprechaun under a double rainbow."

"Actually, rarer."

"Why do you say that?" Adrienne asked.

"Who else would put up with you?"

"Whatever. Did you have a reason for calling, or did you just want to rattle our cages?"

"I wanted to thank you for the clothes."

"You know the drill. Get your picture taken in them," she said and then got excited. "Maybe you could get arrested or get drunk and do something foolish. That would make them happy."

"Gee, thanks. I think I'll pass. The last thing I need right now is a scandal."

"You're probably right," Adrienne said and then changed the topic. "You owe me pictures of the kids."

"I'll send you some later today. I'm having lunch with my new ones."

"We should look into getting a reality show for you. You could be like that family that has like a hundred kids."

"Nice. With that, I'm hanging up."

She just laughed at me. I was glad my life was amusing to someone.

---

Chuck was my security for the day. I was told that I had to take Little David and Coby with me on my 'playdate,' as Peggy called it. Mom informed me that I was the one who missed my kids, so I could take them for the day. I think the two of them just ganged up on me so they could have alone time.

When we got to the condo, Pam met us at the door.

"How did you know I was coming over?" I asked.

"Ashley told me, and I watched for your car," she explained.

I gave her a hug and a kiss.

"I've missed you," I admitted.

"Me too. Now let's get out of the cold."

As we grabbed little ones and went up the elevator, we caught up. Pam told me Tracy was both excited and worried because she would be going to State this coming semester. She'd been held back a semester when she had her bout with depression.

"Tracy knows we are all right here," I said.

"She does. She's also excited about going to LA. As am I. I can't wait to show her around," Pam said.

"Where I'm staying is five minutes from Pepperdine. I think you made a great choice in schools. I didn't know it has a religious bent, though."

"That surprises you?"

"I just never thought of you as the religious type."

"They do have students who aren't. Just like Notre Dame isn't all Catholics," she reminded me. "Plus, don't you think I would be safer there?"

"That's a good point. A good religious boy is what you probably need."

"Unlike that last one I dated who got me pregnant."

"Touché," I said as we reached the condo.

Scarlet answered the door. Little David and Coby saw their buddies and wanted to be put down. They were fussing because they thought that Pam and I were taking too long to get their coats off. As soon as I put Coby down, he crawled over to Carol and grabbed the toy she was playing with. I was impressed when she pushed him over and took it back. I just shook my head and figured they would work it out. I was just happy to see my little girl was standing up to my son.

Dawson raised his arms, so I picked him up. Someone was tired because he laid his head against my chest.

"Adrienne wants some pictures," I said as I handed Pam my phone.

Pam took some candid shots and then joined Ashley and Scarlet in the kitchen. There was a knock at the door, and I let Chuck in. The traitor would rather spend time with the girls than with the kids and me.

An hour later, Pam came out to check on me. I was on the floor with Carol on my chest, and all the other little ones piled up around me, sleeping. She took a picture and went back into the kitchen to show everyone.

I just lay on the floor and felt the sun from the window warm me up. This was precisely what I'd been missing: time with my kids... napping.

---

Brook and Halle had bailed on me today so they could help organize the party for tonight. It was going to be held at my dad's country club in their ballroom. So, I had the whole afternoon to spend with the little ones.

Scarlet came out of the kitchen.

"Come have lunch. They'll be out for another thirty minutes, at least."

I carefully slid Carol off my chest, and she didn't even stir. I wish I slept as soundly.

"We were just talking about men," Ashley said to catch me up on their conversation.

I looked over at Chuck, and he didn't seem too traumatized, so it hadn't been a man-bashing session.

"Did you know that for the first time ever in the United States, over 50% of women are single?" Scarlet asked.

"What is it with men?" Ashley asked and looked at me.

I held up my hands.

"Surely, you don't expect me to defend all men."

"You are a man, aren't you?" Pam asked with a smirk.

"Easy, killer. I'm not the enemy," I reminded everyone.

"Do women even want a relationship?" Chuck asked.

For some reason, they all glared at me.

"Hey, I have a girlfriend," I said, and then got smart and looked at Chuck. "Why do you say that?"

Chuck realized I'd diverted their glares to him.

"Look. Back when our parents were dating, the roles of men and women were well-defined. Nowadays, women are much more independent. It has gotten to the point where if a man acts like a man, he's accused of being politically incorrect. We're constantly reminded that men are the problem, and we're not needed--and in a lot of cases, not wanted."

"I'm, like, totally cool with the casual thing," Ashley said.

"Says the girl who's been planning her wedding day since she was six years old," Scarlet quipped.

"See, that's just it. Women give off mixed signals," Chuck said. "You don't want us, you don't need us, until you do. Then you're confused when we try to just keep it 'casual' and don't want to get serious. I wish you would all make up your minds."

"You're serious?" I asked.

"Okay, I know you all will hate me for saying this, but I'm going to just say it. You hear it on the news. Female leaders saying stuff like _men_ need to get out of the way of more capable _women_. Heck, my own mom taught me that men shouldn't bring girls flowers, should never push for sex, and should always put their needs first. We're treated like second-class citizens. Where is the equality in any of that?" he asked.

"So, men have given up?" Ashley asked.

"As a man, I have to ask myself, what's in it for me?"

"You don't want to get married and have kids?" Scarlet asked.

"All I have to do is look at David and see how much work it is. The other side of all this is that women are willing to just keep it casual. I go out three to four times a week and don't have any problem bringing someone home most nights. I don't need to get married to have sex. Back in the day, that would have been a deal-breaker."

"Don't you worry about ending up lonely?" Scarlet asked.

"Not really," he admitted.

"I met a woman in Palm Springs who had a similar theory. She called someone like Chuck a 'man-child.' She was frustrated that she couldn't find anyone who wanted to actually date and be serious. The woman basically said that boys just want to have fun," I related.

"We're never going to find anyone," Ashley complained.

"That's why I have a backup plan," Pam said.

"This should be good," I groaned.

"All I have to do is tell David, and he'll marry me."

"Really. I was just thinking David might be my backup plan," Scarlet teased.

"Pam's right. She already locked me down. Maybe you can make a deal with Chuck that if you're both single at 30, you get married," I suggested. "That way, he won't be lonely."

"You told her you'd marry her?" Ashley asked incredulously.

"I think I've asked her like three times," I admitted.

"And you turned him down?" Ashley asked.

"Sounds like you better not ask her," Chuck advised as he pointed his chin at Ashley to warn me.

"Shut it," Scarlet said to Chuck and then turned to me.

I held up my hands.

"Look, Pam and I have known each other longer and have gone through a quite a bit together. I would do anything she asked of me. I hope that as we get to know each other better, that at some point I can say the same about you two," I said.

"Don't let him fool you. He would do anything for you right now," Pam said to blow my cover. "Those little ones trump anything for him. He's what Chuck would call an 'old school' kind of guy. David fully intends to get married and have a household of kids."

"I just got a head start on the kids," I admitted.

"That's what condoms are for," Chuck said.

"Yes, I'm well aware," I said, giving him a put-out look.

My mom could lecture me, but I didn't need it from my security.

"Sorry. I was trying to be funny, but I think it fell flat," Chuck conceded.

"You might want to pick your crowd a little better next time," Pam said to remind him that all of them were well aware of what I hadn't worn when I should have.

"I'm also sorry if I said some things that might have offended you," Chuck added to the women.

"No. I think we all knew what the problem was," Scarlet said.

"Men," Pam and Ashley said in unison.

"You should man-up and ask Scarlet out," I said to Chuck.

Everyone looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Granted, I was always the last one to know something when it came to people liking each other. But I had been getting better, and I'd noticed how they looked at each other when they thought no one saw.

"She does need a date for tonight," Ashley prodded.

"Hey, I tried to hook you up in Mexico. I'm not giving up on you," I said to remind him of the calendar girls we'd met.

The wimp had run away when I tried to get him a date with the models.

"Would you ..." was all he got out.

"Yes," Scarlet responded.

"Well, okay then," Chuck said, looking a little shell-shocked.

"Don't forget to pick up condoms," I said.

"David!" Pam chastised me.

I just grinned. Like my mom, I did like to get my revenge every now and then. Poor Chuck's face looked like he'd been suddenly sunburned.

"Now I need a date," Ashley complained.

"Hang on," I said and got out my phone and dialed. "Hey, are you still in town?"

"Yeah. I probably won't go home until Monday. We have meetings with Grace this weekend," Kent said.

"I need you to do me a solid and take someone to the New Year's Eve party tonight," I said, playing matchmaker.

"If you're suggesting, I trust she's someone I would like."

"Her name is Ashley, and she works for my mom. I think you'd have a good time."

"Okay, sure," Kent said.

"Good. Let me hand my phone to her, and you two make plans," I said and handed the phone to Ashley.

"Now me," Pam said.

"Sorry. You're mine," I said.

I knew that she and Tracy were going together. What was a best friend for if not your plus-one? That, and I knew that Pam wasn't ready to date anyone right now.

"You still love me best?" she asked.

"Yes."

That seemed to satisfy her.

When Ashley got off the phone, she wanted to know who Kent was. I guess Scarlet had mentioned that he was cute because when she explained who he was, Ashley was a happy girl.

---

While we'd been hanging with the kids, it had started to snow. I received a text from my mother to come home and salt the driveway and sidewalks. That put me in somewhat of a snit because my dad, uncle, and brother were all at the house. I was expected to come home and take care of that? Life wasn't fair.

When I walked in the back door, I instantly got a whiff of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Did these people think they could woo me with cookies? Did they really think I was that weak?

I hoped they didn't have nuts in them.

After delivering Little David and Coby to Peggy, I found Duke, and we went out to take care of the salt. It took me almost ten full minutes. I'd never get that time back. Duke had brought his ball out with him, so I threw it for another twenty minutes to relieve the stress of having to do all the work in our household.

I finally rounded up my boy, and we went in to sample the cookies. Thankfully, Melanie had just pulled out another batch because my brother, dad, and uncle had eaten the last one.

"I sold my first story," Melanie announced.

"Dead hooker?" I asked as I shoved a cookie in my mouth.

They did have nuts, so I decided to let go of my annoyance at having to actually do something around here.

My dad and uncle both gave me a look. I was surprised when Greg didn't even flinch at the mention of a dead hooker.

"Is there something you need to tell us?" Uncle John asked, taking the bait.

When I smirked, Dad rolled his eyes at me. He, at least, had resisted the urge to quiz me about something that sounded crazy on its face.

"David told me he and Fritz have a contingency plan in case there's ever a dead hooker," Melanie explained.

Uncle John couldn't help himself.

"Why would you need that?"

"Because that was about the worst situation we could think of. If we had a plan for that, then anything else that happens should be easy," I explained.

Uncle John was about to ask a follow-up question, but my dad put his hand on his arm to let him know to let it go.

"What story did you sell?" I asked.

"Frank decided that the dead hooker contingency plan probably wasn't how he wanted you portrayed. Your mom overheard and suggested the rabid squirrel story."

I had to tell my uncle what happened. Precious, the cat from hell, had caught a squirrel in our backyard. Duke thought his sole purpose in life was to rid us of the filthy vermin. Of course, he'd never been able to catch one himself, so he was a little put out when he saw Precious with one of the little bastards. His words, not mine.

Brit had come over to help take the squirrel away from Precious, and I'd put Duke in the house. When Brit was about to retrieve said squirrel, my mom had opened the back door to see what my dog was barking about. Duke, of course, bolted and made a beeline for the cat and squirrel.

The squirrel, fearing for its life, had escaped Precious and gone to ground inside the front of Brit's sleeping shirt. I left out the part where she was braless, and I saw her magnificent boobies. Brit extracted the squirrel from its safe place between her breasts and flung it from her. It ended up in my mom's hair.

Duke decided to jump and snatch the squirrel off my mom's head. The squirrel had other ideas and leaped, landing on one of Brit's brothers. It then made the leap to the garage roof, thwarting my hound's best chance to ever catch a squirrel.

I was just glad my mom could now tell the story and see the humor in it. At the time, both Duke and I were on her list to be shipped off to my uncle's farm.

---

We all arrived at my dad's country club for the evening event. Brook had insisted that I walk in with Halle when she saw Doris Harper from _About Town_, a regional gossip TV show, with her camera crew. It was through her that I'd been 'discovered' by Sandy Range and had gotten my first big break in modeling.

"Hey, Doris. How've you been?" I asked with my best Hollywood smile.

"I had a tip you two would be here," she said with her own fake smile and offered me her cheek to kiss.

I was a little grossed out because she had on about an inch of makeup and smelled of hairspray. I officially introduced her to Halle.

"Is your mom here?" Doris asked Halle.

"Not yet. She and her date will be here in a little while."

"Oh ... who is her date?" Doris asked the very same question I had.

"Stewart Thatcher. I'll let her tell you all about how they met," Halle said.

Stewart was my costar in _The Royal Palm_ and was scheduled to play James Bond in our upcoming movie. I'd seen the two of them do several preproduction-hype interviews. I wondered if this was like Halle and me walking in together or if there was more to it. Then I had another thought. That kind of 'are they, aren't they?' gossip might be exactly what Rita and Stewart were hoping for.

Doris ushered us off to where they'd set up a temporary set so she could conduct our interview.

"What's with the hair?" she asked me to kick us off.

"I like David's new look. He is the quintessential California boy now. Blond hair and a rugged jaw topped off with a surfer body. David looks like he lives on salt water and sunshine and was born to run beaches shirtless," Halle said.

"Do you actually surf?"

"David's pretty good for a relative rookie. I think it has to do with his athletic abilities," Halle said, hogging the interview. "He has used our beach house, and I've heard he's been seen surfing at various beaches in Malibu."

"You don't have problems surfing in public?" Doris asked.

"Surfers are usually pretty cool," Halle said. "The only time we ever have any difficulties is when the paparazzi decide to swarm."

"So, are you two dating?"

I waited for Halle to jump in, but she suddenly got quiet. I was so going to kill her.

"Seriously? You have nothing?" I asked.

"I just realized I had been taking all the questions," she tried.

Even Doris wasn't buying that one.

"I'll take that as she wants to, but you have other ideas," Doris said to me.

"Next question," I encouraged.

Somehow Halle got over being shy, and I never got a word in after that. She gave me a sheepish look as we walked out and then smiled.

"I forgot to tell you. We get to sing my song tonight."

First, it would have been nice to have a heads-up. Second, I noticed it was now 'her' song. That made me realize that everyone remembered that Martina McBride sang the song as a duet. I would bet almost no one could name the male singer. I had a feeling in years to come, it would be the same with Halle's and my version.

She got a confused look on her face when I just threw my hands up and walked away.

"Was it something I said?" she called out behind me.

---

I walked in and spotted Dare. The kid had apparently hit his growth spurt while I was gone. I would estimate he was almost two inches taller. He was there with his mom. Obviously, Brook had invited the guy who had a secret crush on her. When he saw me, his face lit up.

"David, where's Brook?" he asked to confirm my suspicions.

"Hello, Dr. Rossetti. What have you been feeding him?" I asked.

"I think your question should be, what doesn't he eat?" she said and then smiled. "How are you, David?"

"I was doing just fine until your son started perving on my girlfriend."

I'd almost forgotten what an introvert Dare was. He went bright red when he figured out I was onto him. The poor boy's eyes were now glued to his shoes.

"My son has a date for tonight," Dr. Rossetti shared, to Dare's horror.

You had to love moms.

"Chrissy?" I asked.

"Dare wanted to ask you something," Dr. Rossetti piled on.

I could see he was about to die of embarrassment, so I figured I'd better save him.

"Come on, Buddy. Let's go to the bar and get your mom a drink while I get one for Brook," I suggested.

He followed me like we were at school, with me a step ahead. I stopped once we were out of earshot of his mom and not around anyone else.

"Talk to me," I ordered.

It was a 50/50 proposition as to whether he would talk to me. I might have to get Brook to get him to speak again tonight. I guess the prospect of having a date and not being sure what to do won out.

"What do I do with her? I don't want her to hate me," Dare said, looking like he might be sick.

"Dare, relax. Talk to her. Dance with her. Have fun." I encouraged.

I could see his brain spinning and could just envision him making a list: Talk. Dance. Have fun.

"Stop overanalyzing it," I said.

"If it all blows up, can I dance with Brook?" he asked and then smirked at me.

The little shit. I put him in a headlock, and out of nowhere, Brook and Cassidy appeared.

"David," Cassidy warned.

"I deserved it," Dare admitted.

I almost had whiplash as his train of thought made an abrupt turn.

"How is the drone working?" he asked.

"We need to work on the amount of noise it makes. I think that for our purposes, it has to be stealthier. Otherwise, it's been great."

"To get what you want, I might have to buy a different model. The ones that have noise dampening aren't cheap," he warned.

"David's rich. Get what you need and put it through to Megan," Cassidy said.

Both Brook and I looked at her.

"What?" Cassidy asked. "That's what I do."

For some reason, I wasn't sure if she was pulling my leg or not. I think Brook agreed with me. I made a mental note to talk to Megan when I got a chance.

Dare saw Chrissy had arrived with her parents, and he got excited.

"What should I do?" he asked.

"I just told you," I reminded him.

"Oh, yeah. Talk. Dance. Have fun," he recited.

"That sounds like a fine plan," Brook assured him and then turned to me. "Come talk to me."

I followed her as we kept an eye on Dare. Chrissy impressed me when she took charge and did all the talking. I guess she knew Dare well enough to handle him.

---

The party was a blast. Brook's family had all flown in to attend. She told me that they had a New Year's party every year with a new family member in charge of hosting it. This year, it was Ava's turn. They'd hired a big band that played a nice mix of music after dinner. As predicted, I danced with my grandma and my mom, and then it was open season when the older ladies discovered I knew what I was doing.

Brook called a halt to that after the first set was played. I then danced with all my friends and squeezed in dances with Ashley and Scarlet. They seemed to be having a good time with Kent and Chuck. Halle even got her big moment, and we sang 'her' song.

The third set was just with Brook. A slow dance came on, and I finally got time alone with my girlfriend.

"Did you get the scoop on Rita and Stewart?" I asked.

"Halle said they really like each other enough that they might actually start to date."

Whoa! So much for my 'deliberately starting rumors' thoughts.

"What does Halle think?"

"She's happy to have her mom find someone. Halle's old enough that he doesn't come across as the creepy daddy figure that teen girls worry about."

"I didn't even know that was a thing," I admitted.

"It is better than a weird stepbrother," she shared.

"Halle could always move out," I reasoned.

"She was looking for something before her mom started to get interested in Stewart."

I'd remembered Halle had talked about that and told me about different neighborhoods she'd looked at. One was where my new house was. When I got back to Malibu, I would have to check out the renovations. Dad had mentioned he and Mom had swung by, and that the contractor had started work on it. I think my mom was more excited about my new house than I was. I knew she and Cindy had been in constant communication about what would be done.

"David," Brook said in a way that suddenly had both Mr. Happy's and my full attention.

"Yes, Brook," I growled back.

"I hear about the wild stuff that happens in LA. Want to sneak off to the coatroom?"

"You go to the little girl's room, and I'll loop around the ballroom and meet you there," I suggested.

"Okay. See you in a minute."

---

We stumbled into the coat room, and Brook grabbed the back of my head and pulled me down for a kiss. We had about half an hour before the clock struck midnight. Brook wanted to be alone for the magical moment. I was fully on board with her idea.

The next thing I knew, she pushed me, and we tumbled to the floor. She gave me a wicked smile that promised so much. I reached over, and her body felt like I'd lit a match and dropped it straight to her core. Maybe I had. Her flames were consuming every bit of my self-control, leaving the sexual beast in its wake. She lifted her legs to kneel on either side of my hips, and her dress rode up so she could press against me. I hissed out a breath as our naughty parts connected most perfectly. She could feel her effect on me as I ground my already rock-hard member against her panty-clad hotness.

"Slow down," I begged, but she couldn't.

It wasn't nearly enough.

"No," she said to let me know that there would be no slowing this down.

She grabbed my hands and slid them up her thighs. I took her not-so-subtle hint and grasped her legs. What was I thinking? We were in the coat room, for God's sake. Someone could walk in at any moment and discover us. She wiggled her crotch against Mr. Happy to remind him what she offered. One moment, I was contemplating stopping this, and the next, control was wrenched from the big brain. In a moment, I began to rub, stroke, and caress her skin as if I wanted to remember everything about her. Brook let out a moan of need, and the sexual beast inside me was fully awakened. I let it rule me as I reached up and grabbed her perfect butt so I could pull her harder against me.

At that moment, I didn't care if we got caught. Damn the consequences. I needed her.

Brook leaned down, and our lips locked. She pushed her hands under my tuxedo jacket and shoved it off my shoulders. I reached behind me and pulled it from under us. Her hands got busy, and she unbuttoned my shirt so she could run them over my abs and chest.

"Your body takes my breath away," Brook confessed.

That was all I had to hear for me want to kiss her again. For whatever reason, it just seemed to be better than I recalled. We went into full-on make-out mode as our tongues clashed in an epic battle. I kneaded her butt cheeks as we ground against each other. She pulled away from my lips and began to lick and caress down my body. I moaned as she nuzzled my neck and then worked her way down to my chest.

Brook suddenly sat up, and our eyes locked. I saw her need as she breathed heavily. I could see deep within her soul and saw the hunger there. She was about to do something epic to me, and I wanted it.

"David."

That one word conveyed everything I knew at that moment. Brook's raspy voice made me want to do unspeakable things to her. I was afraid I would cross a line that could never be uncrossed. At that moment, I wanted to possess her, dominate her, and make her mine for eternity. I took a deep breath to rein back my desire.

"Tell me what you want me to do," I ordered her.

If she gave me permission, then I was off the hook. She looked down at me and smiled. I couldn't wait any longer; she was taking too long to make a decision.

"Get naked. I want to taste you, to give you pleasure. I want you to beg me never to stop," I growled.

My words had a visible impact; her eyes glazed over, and she gave a little shudder of anticipation. I grasped the hem of her dress and lifted it over her head. Brook stood up, and I took in the erotic sight of her in high heels, stockings, and a black panty and bra set. She picked up her foot and put it on my chest. Frickin' A! I think all the blood left my brain as it rushed south to split my pants.

She made a little squeak as I jumped up and took her in my arms.

"You little tease. You want me to ravish you, don't you?"

"Yes. A hundred times, yes," she moaned as we kissed.

Brook moved past me and spread my coat out on the floor so she could lay on it. She lost her bra and panties and let her legs fall open in invitation. She looked damned sexy in her thigh-high stockings and high heels. I was the luckiest man alive.

As I crouched down and took it all in, I could see she was a little nervous as she contemplated what I was about to do to her. Our eyes locked again, and I rubbed my hands together. I saw her bite her bottom lip. I think she decided she might need to take control before I laid waste to her.

"Take your time," Brook half demanded, half begged.

She ran her fingers over her nipples. I leaned down and kissed her on her stomach just below her breasts. I began to lick and suck her skin. I could tell that it had the desired effect as she sucked in her breath.

"Quit teasing me," Brook ordered as she grabbed my hair with both hands and pushed me lower.

Someone was getting bossy. I hesitated for a moment, and she let out a moan of frustration.

"David! Do me."

I took a long, slow lick all along her sex, which caused her legs to curl back to give me better access.

"Just like that. Don't stop."

Knowing that what she wanted coincided with my every desire was the ultimate turn-on. I snaked my long tongue into her folds and began to ravish her core. Brook was soaking wet, and her little furnace was working overtime. I really had set her aflame. She squirmed under my assault. Then it was suddenly--Oh. My. God.

I must have unlocked the magic combination because Brook acted as if I'd tased her. Her head bounced off the floor, and I worried she might have hurt herself. She grabbed my hair again to direct me to where she wanted my tongue to go.

"Whatever you're doing, don't stop!"

I was sure that if anyone was near the coatroom door, they could hear us.

I could tell a tsunami was about to hit, and I was suddenly unable to stop it. Then I had an evil thought and pulled back. Brook looked up at me, confused.

"Say my name," I told her.

"For fuck's sake! David, if you don't finish me, I may never talk to you again."

Wow, that got a reaction. I gave Brook a little smile and dove back in. I could smell a combination of her sex and sweat as she climbed closer to the summit of her release. There were all the telltale signs. Her nipples were rock hard, her chest and neck had gone pink, and she began to grunt. She was close.

Then Brook exploded like the fireworks finale on the fourth of July. She threw her arm over her mouth to muffle the scream she let out. I continued to ravage her sex as wave after wave of her release crashed over her. Then she collapsed but reached between her legs and pushed my forehead away.

"Stop, please!" she begged.

As she recovered, I got undressed. Brook rolled onto her side, and I joined her on the floor, taking her in my arms. It took her a moment to begin to breathe normally again, then a few more minutes before she came back to me. She'd been off somewhere in her orgasmic bliss.

"I think you figured that out," she finally said.

"So, you're finally admitting that I'm a sexual god," I teased.

"Let's put it this way: if Cassidy ever had an orgasm like I just had, my life would be in danger."

"Maybe she could train Don," I suggested.

Brook looked over at me.

"Then there would be two of you," she said.

"Maybe we better not train him," I conceded.

"I must look like a hot mess."

I hated to say it, but she did. Her perfectly done hair and makeup were a mess. The dazed and sexually satisfied look on her face was hard to interpret as anything else. Brook rolled onto her back and gave me a come-hither look. It was my turn. She grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me into a deep kiss, and then reached over my side and pulled me on top of her.

Sex had always been good. Somehow, Brook took it to a whole other level. It was like I could just let go and know that whatever I did with her would be perfect. There was no worry about whether she would enjoy what we did. I didn't have to be self-conscious about whether my technique was right. I could just enjoy the moment as I got into position to take her.

I leaned back so I could look in her eyes as we came together as one. It was as if I'd dipped my member into a hot silk-encased chamber of fun.

"Damn, Brook," I groaned. "I'm going to explode."

The evil minx clamped down on Mr. Happy. I sucked in my breath and was worried this might be my all-time shortest buildup in the complete history of short buildups. It took a tremendous force of will to keep from erupting. She was determined to make me lose that battle, but I somehow was able to hold off. Once I was back in control, it was game on.

"Beg me," I whispered.

I twitched Mr. Happy, and she moaned.

"You totally suck. You make me a wanton hussy. All I want to do is take your thick shaft deep inside of me," Brook complained.

I took that as a sign of begging and began to move. She twisted under me as if in agony as I started to get serious.

"You feel so good under me. You're mine, Brook Davis. For now and forever," I predicted.

"Yes. Yes. Yes," she began to chant.

Her legs wrapped around my hips, and I felt her high heels dig into my backside. Brook wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me tight so every inch of our skin could touch. Her core felt like she was literally on fire. Through the sexual haze, I knew that I loved her. Maybe more than I should, but there was no denying it. Brook Davis checked all the boxes, dotted all the i's, and crossed all the t's.

"So close," I hissed between my clenched teeth.

I heard the crowd outside begin the countdown for the New Year.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven ..."

My abs flexed as I pushed deeper. So close.

"Oh, God!" Brook cried.

"... four, three, two, one. Happy New Year!"

It was like a nuclear bomb went off. Brook's second climax gripped at her core, then radiated out in waves of heat and sensation. Her ignition wracked my body with pleasure as we slammed together. My last conscious thought was, 'Happy Frickin' New Year.'

---

I'm not sure how long we were like that. When I came to my senses, we were still wrapped around each other, and I was still buried deep inside Brook.

I felt someone touch my shoulder.

"Uhm, David. I need to get around you to get our coats," Dare said.

"Darius Rossetti! Get! Out!" Brook ordered.

"But my mom said to get our coats," Dare tried to explain to my agitated girlfriend.

"Dare, guard the door for a minute," I asked him.

"Out," Brook ordered again.

I was surprised when he obeyed. I was afraid Brook might actually end his life if he didn't. We quickly got dressed. Brook made me go out first. Luckily, there wasn't a line waiting to get their coats. I found Cassidy standing next to Dare, wearing an amused look.

"You let him go in, knowing what he would find, didn't you?" I asked.

She grinned.

"He has to learn somehow," she reasoned, and then she turned to Dare. "Go over there and wait until I talk to David."

He obediently trotted off. I swear he would do anything Cassidy or Brook told him. I had a momentary flash of how screwed he was about to become if Chrissy started to date him. If I thought Phil was whipped, Dare would be hopeless.

"He's going to blab, isn't he?" I asked.

"Let him buy his new drone to play with, and I'll have a talk with him," Cassidy assured me.

"Does anyone else know?" I asked.

"You two aren't as clever as you think. I'm pretty sure your mom figured it out when you went missing. Just be your normal self and own it. You're a Dawson," she said as if that explained everything.

Brook stuck her head out of the coatroom door, and Cassidy barked out a laugh.

"What?" Brook asked her best friend.

"Come with me. We need to make you presentable. What exactly did he do to you?"

"Shut up," Brook said, not seeing the humor at this exact minute.

I just pinched my lips and tried not to laugh. Then I got smart, took out my phone, and snapped a picture.

"You are so dead," Brook said as she bolted for the bathroom with Cassidy following her.

I wished I were a fly on the wall so I could listen to the two of them. I hurried up and saved that picture to my cloud account before Brook could grab my phone and delete it.

---

Tracy came up behind me and used her hand to brush off and smooth my tux jacket.

"Next time, grab someone's coat before you have sex. I saw some nice furs worn by someone in Brook's family that would have worked."

Yep, everyone knew or soon would. I was smart enough to know that alcohol wasn't the answer, but at the same time, I was willing to accept it as a crutch. I just flipped Tracy off and walked to the bar for some liquid courage. She laughed at me and went in the other direction.

The party was in full swing, and it seemed that everyone had consumed a little too much. I could imagine how a picture of this mess would be captioned: 'This moment brought to you by hard liquor.' I was happy when my dad took the microphone while the band paused between songs.

"For anyone drinking, a complimentary cab service is available to take you home. Just leave your keys with the valet, and we will take care of your car overnight. This is last call. Be sure to tip the bartenders and waitresses," he reminded everyone.

I found Chuck and Scarlet all but making out at their table. Kent pulled Ashley off the dance floor, and it was evident that both the girls were drunk.

"Chuck, Kent, I need to talk to you for a second," I said.

They both got up to find out what I needed.

"Guys, what I am about to say is not to be a dick but because I care about your dates. I need to say this. I was taught some hard-and-fast rules about dating. You never date someone who is in a relationship. You don't go after a girl that one of your friends is interested in. And you take a drunk girl home," I explained.

"Dude, she is into me," Chuck said.

Kent was smart enough to put it on pause and let Chuck figure this out before he weighed in.

"Both of those girls have just started to get their lives back on track. They came out tonight to have a good time and be reminded that they are women worthy of the attention of decent men. The two of them went out with you because I arranged it, and they trust me. The last thing they need is to compound their past mistakes by rushing anything," I continued.

I could see I hadn't yet won them over to my way of thinking.

"Do you really like her?" I asked Chuck.

"I think so."

"What about you?" I asked Kent.

"Yeah, maybe."

"Good. I hoped you would hit it off, but you have to agree that you're not at the 'I want to date' her stage. Am I right?" I asked.

They both nodded.

"Look, I get it. I've been in LA and other places and picked up girls for a good time. Tonight was a good time. I'm going to leave it to you both what to do, but I would suggest if you want more than just a one-night stand that, you take them home and put them to bed. Believe me, they will look at both of you as stand-up men, not the typical boys they're used to seeing. Plus, sex is a lot more fun, sober," I said and then smiled.

"I get it," Chuck said. "I know I went on a rant earlier today, but honestly, I would like it to turn into something more than just a date."

"I don't know how it'll work out, but me, too," Kent said. "Thank you for reminding me what the right thing to do is."

They both went back to their dates and got ready to leave. I turned around and found that a crowd was standing behind me. It was my family and friends. Tami bolted from Tim's side and put me into a bear hug.

"I think my work is done," Greg said and took Angie's hand so they could leave.

Somehow, it felt like he and I had come full circle. He had been the one to teach me that, and now I was passing it on. 'Take a drunk girl home' was something guys needed to learn. Getting laid just once wasn't always the best outcome. All I had to do was look at Brook and know that was true. It really was a Happy Frickin' New Year.

---