• the timing for this is Winter 05
• John learns more than just some history during a sleep over
• This one’s working title was Asshole - told you I wasn’t witty with my titles
• Nan and her great graphic again.  Thanks!

Feedback: always appreciated!

Is this more than you bargained for yet
Oh don't mind me I'm watching you two from the closet
Wishing to be the friction in your jeans
Isn't it messed up how I'm just dying to be him
I'm just a notch in your bedpost
But you're just a line in a song

Drop a heart, break a name
We're always sleeping in, and sleeping for the wrong team

We're going down, down in an earlier round
And Sugar, we're going down swinging
I'll be your number one with a bullet
A loaded God complex, cock it and pull it

            Fall Out Boy – Sugar We’re Going Down 
 

He wasn’t sure what woke him from his sleep in her spare bedroom, so he lay quiet trying to determine if it was an honest to goodness noise or if he was just being restless.  He was grateful to her, to both of them really.  He’d come in tired, Mike had fed him a great dinner and they’d let him go to bed early because he was exhausted.  He didn’t have to pretend to stay awake and be entertaining, there were no expectations placed on him last night.  It had been a busy week and he only got one day off this week and it was too far and long to fly all the way home and back this time.  There was a different noise this time.  What was it?  He crept out of bed in his normal naked state and walked quietly to the hallway.  He didn’t want to wake anyone so he walked very softly and slowly.  He had to find out the source of the noise or he wouldn’t be able to sleep, it would drive him crazy.  Peeking around the corner of the hallway entry in to her kitchen answered his question.  He slipped back into the protective shadow.  He heard the noise again, only this time he knew exactly what it was.

She was sitting on her kitchen counter, with her legs wrapped around the other man.  He could only see his back, but was able to guess his actions.  He watched as the other man kissed her neck and caressed her back.  He watched as he slowly pulled her tank top over her head.  He smiled at the view.  He should go back to bed, but he didn’t.  He saw her heavy lidded gaze look at the other man and smile.  He should go back to bed but he couldn’t.  He watched as the other man slipped her bra off and freed her breasts of their constraints.  He gulped and stayed rooted to his place in the shadows.  He watched her close her eyes as the other man lowered his head and captured one of her breasts with his mouth.  He swallowed again, noting his own discomfort.  He heard her sigh as she ran her hands over the other man’s head as he licked his way over to her other breast.  He watched from the shadows as she reached behind the other man, tugging his shirt up so he would take it off.  The other man paused in his torments and pulled his shirt off for her.  He could see some of the changes her pregnancy brought.  Her breasts were fuller and more round.  He couldn’t stop himself as he licked his lips, continuing to watch her.  Watch them.  He gulped again as she bit her lip.  The other man reached behind her, grabbing her hair to gently pulling her head back, exposing her neck to him.  He let out his breath slowly, quietly.  He should go back to bed but didn’t.  He continued to watch as the other man slid his hands around her back and under her ass, picking her up.  She tightened her legs around him automatically.  She was carried to the living area and their large couch. 

John worried he wouldn’t be able to see them, but he found some shadows to stand in, just outside the hall entryway.  He watched as she was set down slowly on the couch, facing the other man.  He saw the other lean in and kiss her deeply as he appeared to slip her sweats off.  His own discomfort had shifted to a definite ache, almost a pain, but he continued to stand in the shadow.  He could see the top of her head and hear both of them.  He really should go back to bed, but he couldn’t.   

He heard the other man growl and her surprised gasp.  He couldn’t see the other man, but he could guess his actions.  She was breathing faster, louder, almost groaning.  Oh hell, he knew exactly what the other man was doing.  His hand strayed to his own need stroking himself unconsciously.  Oh yeah, he knew what she looked like, what she was gonna do any minute.  Just listening to her made him break out in a sweat.  He started to breathe heavier, in time with her.  He stopped his own torment so he could hear her.  He closed his eyes, listening to her whimper.  He clamped his lips shut as she groaned the first time.  His heart pounded in time to her contractions that were marked by her groans.  He leaned against the wall, making sure to stay in the shadows.  He forced his breathing to slow down as she slowed and sighed.  His own need had shifted from an ache to a definite pain and he knew he should go to bed and leave them in peace, but he didn’t.   

He heard the other man chuckle, asking her quietly, “Babe?” 

He didn’t hear a reply from her but saw her stand up, naked and unbuckle the other man’s belt, then jeans.  Oh God, the view he had of her was enough to chase away any guilt he had over watching them.  She was so beautiful, so tiny and perfect still.  He could see she was a little more rounded, but she was still small and sexy.  He knew most pregnant ladies didn’t look like that.  He wasn’t sure where she was keeping those babies, but she looked beautiful.  His hand had strayed to his own need again as he stared at her, watching her kiss the other man’s chest, trailing her tongue down to his hip.  Oh God, he was going to get to watch her, watch her…he closed his eyes remembering.   

He finally cracked open his eyes and saw the other man with his hand in her hair slowly swaying, matching her tempo.  He watched as she sped up her attentions.  He had a perfect view of her ass as she did so.  He heard the other man groan.  He almost did too, knowing the talents she possessed.  He made sure to keep himself quiet as his own need threatened to over take him.  He stopped himself in time to keep silent, ensuring the safety of his shadows.  He stopped still and didn’t breathe as the other man looked directly his way for a brief second before his attention was brought back to the torture he was enduring.  The other man groaned as she reached behind him.  He knew what she was doing; he remembered and started to sweat again. 

He heard the other man whisper, “Carrie, babe…let me,” stepping away from her and pulling her up.  He wrapped his arms around her and laid her down on the carpet.  John had an even better view of both of them since the couch wasn’t in the way anymore.  He took a silent deep breath and waited.  The other man grabbed a pillow from the couch for her head and smiled at her underneath him.  His own hand strayed again, he couldn’t help himself.  He watched as the other man slowly kissed her, moving his hands in widening circles from her breasts, ending at her hips.  He saw her shift her hips in response to the other man’s attentions.  He knew what she wanted.  He heard her sigh.  The other man rewarded her by stroking her gently with his fingers, causing her to gasp.  His heart started to pound again at her gasp.  He watched as she wrapped her legs around the other man’s hips, nibbling on his neck, sending her message loud and clear.  He closed his eyes again, exercising every ounce of self discipline he had to stop himself from stepping out of the shadows and joining them, joining her. 

He continued to watch from the shadows as the other man slowly slid himself into her.  He picked her up, with her legs wrapped tightly around his hips, and slid the pillow under her ass, setting her back down, leaning in to devour her lips.  He stopped his own torture and just watched the other man love her.  He knew exactly what the other man was feeling, how she felt.  He couldn’t get her out of his head.  He watched as she clamped her legs tighter around his hips, and groaned again at her lover’s attentions.  He heard the other man whisper something to her just before he started pounding into her.  He heard her ragged breathing; his breath was starting to come faster in response to them.  She started to groan again, and he knew she wasn’t far.  He remembered.  He watched as the other man expertly shifted her so he hit her most sensitive spot on every stroke.  He leaned against the wall again, listening to her, listening to her groan.  He had to close his eyes to keep himself quiet as his need threatened to over take him again.  He knew himself well.  He knew he was drenched in sweat and he was standing in the shadows watching his baby with another man.  He should have gone back to bed long ago, but he couldn’t.  He opened his eyes again because their breaths were coming in short gasps.  They were both close.  He couldn’t help the fact that so was he, his hand had strayed repeatedly in response to her groans.   

She groaned again and said quietly, “yes, baby, yes.”   

That did it for him.  He loved it when she said those words to him.  With just a few more strokes, he shot into his fist.  He didn’t give a shit, it was worth it.  He held his breath listening as they both reached their climaxes, groaning and growling with their release.  Now was the time to slip away.  They would be less likely to hear him, in case he tripped on something.  He slowly crept back to his bed.  He grabbed yesterday’s discarded shirt to clean up and slid between the sheets quietly.  He was still sweating and breathing hard, but he couldn’t help himself.  If he had to explain why he had just put himself through that, he wouldn’t have been able to.  He was just torturing himself, but he couldn’t stop himself and he didn’t want to. 

Mike looked in to her eyes as she opened them.  She smiled at him but was still catching her breath so he stayed quiet.  He didn’t care that Cena had watched them.  He sent the message that she was all his and not going anywhere.  He had been surprised when he looked up and saw him standing in the dark, but knowing she was never quiet, he realized they must have woken him.  He knew that she was unaware of their spectator and he wasn’t going to tell her, not in a million years he thought with a grin. 

“Mike,” she said quietly, bringing his mind back to her. 

“Yeah babe,” he asked.  He leaned in and kissed her still swollen lips and nibbled on her lower lip before he looked into her eyes. 

“I..,” she started to say, but stopped.  He took a deep breath, not wanting to push her to say the one thing he’d been aching to hear from her for months.  He looked down in to her serious gaze, reading her message loud and clear.  Her eyes said what her lips could not. 

“Babe,” was all he managed to choke out before his own eyes started to sting.  He leaned back down and kissed her deeply, letting her know how much he loved her.  He knew how hard it was for her to say those three little words that he was desperate to hear from her, but he couldn’t push her on that. 

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, sending her desires loud and clear.  He was amazed at her.  He knew she loved him and loved making love with him, but sometimes she was more insistent than him.  It was another part of her that he loved.  His body responded to her touch, letting her know he’d be able to accommodate her.  This time with more patience and tenderness, like she deserved.  He reached over to the couch for another pillow for them.  He had to get up to grab the blanket, but it was worth it.  They weren’t going anywhere soon.  He wanted to love her slowly this time.  He rarely had the patience or control and knew he would tonight.  He chuckled to himself as he realized their visitor was going to miss an even better show than before.  Her touches brought his focus back to her and all thoughts of their visitor fled his mind as he concentrated on her for the next several hours. 

***

After his morning shower, John intended on wandering into the kitchen to see if there was any food he could snag.  He was hungry because it had been a long week and next week would be just as bad so he should eat real food while he could.  Coming back out of the room he used, his stomach growled in response to some mouth watering smells from the kitchen.  So, he wasn’t the first one up. 

He strolled back out to the kitchen, chasing away last nights visions, and saw Mike happily puttering around, cooking.  The counter was loaded with covered dishes.  He wasn’t sure what the hell all of it was, but something sure smelled good. 

Mike looked up at as he walked in and smiled, “I still don’t have any coffee, John.  I know I’d love it if you could run and grab some for both of us.  She’s still sleeping so maybe she won’t know.”  He grinned at the other man. 

“Yeah, sure, as long as I get to eat some of this stuff when I come back.  It smells great,” John complimented the other man.  He wasn’t kidding, it did smell good.  His mouth was already watering for some of it.   

Mike pointed over to one of the covered dishes and said, “Help yourself.  I’m sure you’re as hungry as me.”  John lifted the lid and grabbed a few sausages for the road. 

“These are the real thing, right,” he asked Mike. 

Mike quirked his brow up and asked, “Would I do that to you.”   

He chuckled before John could answer and said they were.  He had just set the lid back on, but thought better of it and grabbed a few more links and stuffed them in his mouth.  Mike looked over at the younger man and grinned.  He recognized hungry when he saw it. 

“Dave’s due to stop in on his way home, should be here soon.  Can you grab him some too?  Do you know what he drinks,” Mike asked the other man that was still chewing his stolen sausages.   

John nodded and looked for something to help wash down his appetizer.  Mike wordlessly handed him some orange juice.  He gratefully took it and swallowed it down. 

“Thanks,” he managed to choke out.   

Mike handed him his keys as he said, “Take the car, it’s a lot more fun.” 

John blinked and accepted his keys, knowing that the little car was a hell of a lot more fun than Mike's truck.  John left more confused than when he woke up.  He had no idea what was going on.  Why was Mike being so damn nice to him?  What was all the food about?  Oh shit, was it somebody’s birthday?  Was it her birthday?  No, he thought he remembered it was in April.  Whatever.  Maybe it would make sense once he drank some coffee and ate some more of that breakfast back at their place.  He sat in her little car, Mike’s car, he corrected himself.  He remembered she had given it to Mike once she bought her new one.  It explained why he didn’t bash his knee as he sat in it.  He turned the key and listened to it purr.  Yeah, it was a lot nicer to drive that any rental or Mike’s big truck. 

He was just pulling the little car back into its parking space when he saw Dave’s black H2 pull in next to him.  He looked over at his buddy and grinned, knowing he didn’t expect to see him driving the little car.  David was shaking his head as he climbed out laughing at him. 

“That’s a sight I would never have believed.  How did you get him to give you the keys,” David asked him.  He knew Mike loved that little car and was very protective of it so he was stunned to pull up and see John in it.   

John handed him a coffee as he said, “I got the coffee run this morning.  Hope I remembered yours right.”  He deliberately didn’t answer his buddy’s question, yet.  He didn’t really know the answer.  David accepted his coffee with a quiet ‘thanks’ as he sipped it. 

“Did you have to kill him or something,” David asked.  He still didn’t believe it.  John shrugged.   

“He handed me the keys and told me to take it.”  David’s brows drew down in a small frown as he tried to picture that happening. 

“No, seriously.  What did you have to promise,” David asked.   

John shook his head, “Nothing.  I’m not kidding.”   

He walked back up to the front door and opened it, inhaling all the mouth watering scents.  He heard Dave’s whispered, ‘holy shit’ behind him and grinned.   

“Exactly,” he said with a smirk as he turned to his buddy and shrugged.  David set his keys down, taking off his shades, striding past John into the kitchen. 

“What the hell’s going on, Buddy?  You preppin’ for the Food Network or some shit,” David asked his busy friend.   

“What,” Mike looked up vaguely and grinned.  He saw David with his coffee and looked past him to John and nodded.  “Any problems with the car,” he asked. 

John shook his head, knowing he was out of his depth here.  David stood off to the side of the kitchen and drank some of his coffee, looking at his longtime friend, and scratched his chin for several moments, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.  He looked over at some of the dishes and grinned as he lifted a lid on one and came up with some bacon in his hand.  He nodded as he ate it and continued to think.  Last he knew things were fine between them.  They still didn’t know who the daddy was and wouldn’t until a few weeks after their birth.  What else?  He knew his buddy well and he didn’t usually do this shit unless he was really fucking happy.  He hadn’t done this shit, this bad in years.  He watched as John walked past him and handed the keys back to Mike.  Mike took them and put them back in his pocket with his own quiet thanks.  He seemed to be busy mixing up something that smelled sweet.  Maybe a cake?  He didn’t know, but who the hell was going to eat all this? 

He set his coffee down as one reason jumped up and looked his buddy in the eye as he asked, “Don’t tell me she finally said yes?” 

John stilled at David’s question.  He knew exactly what he was referring to. 

Mike looked confused for a brief second before he said, “No, shit no.  I asked her again this morning and she still said no.”   

“Is it somebody’s birthday or something,” David asked him.  John nodded, hoping to find out, since that was the only thing he could think of, too. 

“No,” Mike said as he rinsed his hands.  “What’s with the twenty questions?” 

“Take a look around, bud.  Who the hell is gonna eat all this?  Is there a party or something,” David asked him, hoping to get him to see how much food he was making. 

“No.  No party.  We can have one of you want, I guess.  Can’t I just cook because I feel like it,” Mike asked a little petulantly.   

David blinked at his buddy, knowing he was checked out for the time being.  No one was home right now and he wasn’t sure who was driving his bus, but it wasn’t a guy he knew. 

David thought he’d try another tactic as he noticed Cena lifting a lid on another dish and coming up with some kind of fresh muffins.  He shook his head as he watched the younger man smile, biting into the still warm muffin.  Shit, he could smell it from where he was.  He grabbed the lid off the same dish and snagged one for himself.  He took a bite, realizing it was a fresh strawberry muffin.  His buddy could cook, he’d give him that.  Okay, what was he going to ask him?  He tried to think as he finished his muffin.  Oh yeah, now he remembered. 

“Does she know you’re doing all this,” he asked the cook slash baker.  Mike shook his head and smiled as he put something else in the oven.  “I’m calling Kris so she and Melissa can come over and help us eat some of this stuff.  There is no way that even the three of us can eat all this today, no way.”   

John was standing on the opposite side of the counter where the food was, lifting lids and taking samples to try many different goodies.  He was out of the kitchen, but still had access to the food.  David grinned as he realized John must have grown up in a busy family to employ that tactic. 

“Kris?  Yeah, I made it safe.  Listen, I’m at their place now and Mike is giving Rachel Ray a run for her money,” he said, chuckling in to his phone. 

“What do you mean, honey,” Kris asked as she finished her fresh cup of coffee. 

“You wouldn’t believe the stuff he’s cooking honey.  I’m not sure why and I’ve asked him, but he’s gone.  No one’s home right now,” he said as he looked over at John and winked.   

John nodded through his pancakes.  David frowned slightly, he didn’t see those.  He realized he just missed what his wife had said. 

“What was that honey?  I missed it,” he admitted.  He heard her sigh before she said anything. 

“I asked if you’ve seen Carrie yet this morning,” she repeated patiently. 

“No honey.  Not yet.  But Mike says it isn’t because she finally said yes,” he supplied helpfully.  Kris knew Carrie won’t be happy that all that shit was going on in her kitchen, today. 

“Um, Dave honey,” she said and paused trying to think of a way to say it tactfully.  She had forgotten that they didn’t know what today was.  Until recently they didn’t know much of anything, and today wasn’t included in their family meeting.  He stopped chewing, hearing his wife’s tone.  He put down his fork and walked away from the breakfast smorgasbord. 

“Have you seen Wease yet,” she asked him. 

“No.  Should I,” he asked. 

“Yes,” she sighed glancing at her watch.  “He’ll be over in a few minutes is my guess.”  

“Great, he can help us eat all this food,” David answered.  Sounded like a good plan to him.  He knew that Wease had a huge appetite and could put away more food than him sometimes.  He always teased his much smaller brother in law about tape worms because of it. 

“I doubt it, honey.  At least not yet.  He might once they come back,” she said quietly. 

“What?  Why?  What do you mean, honey,” he asked her, worried this was more of that stuff that he thought he knew about now, but was starting to get the feeling there was at least another chapter and verse. 

“Dave, honey,” she paused, trying to think of an easy way to say it but couldn’t.  “Today is the day their dad passed away, years ago.”  She heard his sharp intake of breath and his muttered shit, but he stayed quiet, waiting for more.  “Wease and Carrie go to Temple every year.  They’ll be gone for a few hours, baby.  Sometimes she’s in bad shape, sometimes she’s not.  Wease, well he usually goes home and does his thing.”  They both knew what she was referring to, no explanation needed. 

“Mike has no idea, baby.  None.  He’s seriously trying to out do Martha Stewart.  The kitchen is packed and he’s still at it.  How do I get him to stop,” he asked her. 

“We’ll be over in a bit, but put him on the phone for me, will you sweetie,” she asked.  He walked over to his furiously chopping friend and handed him the phone saying, “Kris wants to talk to you.” 

John watched the exchange with interest, in between bites of hash browns.  At least he thought that’s what they were.  They looked and smelled like it, but they had some spices in there too.  Whatever they were, they were damn good.   

There was a knock on the front door, David walked over to let in Wease.  Wease was startled at David opening her door but shook his hand after a quick back slap. 

“Sorry about all this.  He has no idea.  Kris just told me.  I’m sorry.  He’s dirtying every dish, but he’s making some good shit,” he told his young brother in law. 

Wease nodded his understanding as he asked, “Carrie ready to go?” 

“I haven’t seen her yet this morning,” David admitted.   

Wease looked over and nodded in acknowledgement of John.  John lifted a hand and nodded back.  He didn’t offer to shake the other’s hand, knowing his hands were still dirty from his feasting on all the great tasting finger food he’d been stealing.  He could see the back of Mike, but he had the phone to his ear.  Wease just shrugged and went up her shorts stairs to her room, just to make sure she was okay.  He tapped lightly on her door and heard her say come in quietly.  He stepped in and saw her slipping her shoes on with one hand, her phone in the other, almost ready to go. 

“Thanks.  I will.  Bye,” she said closing her phone quickly.  Carrie looked at her brother, sensing he had something on his mind. 

“Care?  Mike’s gone ape shit in the kitchen,” he told her quickly.  She looked at him like he must have grown another head.  He didn’t make sense.  He saw her confusion and reminded her, “He doesn’t know, Care.  So he’s been cooking for hours, it looks like.” 

“Okay?  Why would he do that,” she asked.  She understood what Wease said, but Mike going crazy in the kitchen?  That didn’t make any sense, even with his renewed vigor to pamper the hell out of her, whether she liked it or not.  She scanned the room quickly, making sure she had what she’d need for the day and followed Wease out.  Their two visitors were eating, but Mike had his back to them and the phone was still glued to his ear.  David followed their gaze to Mike and mouthed back at them the words, ‘I’ll tell him’.  Wease nodded and they quietly left. 

John frowned at their action, but he was too busy eating some more of the wonderful shit to think too hard about it yet.  Mike turned around as he disconnected the phone.  He looked at both of the men sadly. 

“I had no idea.  Why didn’t she tell me,” Mike asked.  His entire demeanor had changed.  He’d gone from mildly delirious to confused and defeated with just some words over the phone. 

“I don’t know buddy.  I just got told today, too.  You ready to stop cooking now,” David asked with a grin. 

“What?  Oh yeah.  There’s only the cake left to finish baking anyway,” Mike shrugged.  John looked from one man to the other, clearly confused.  David looked at Mike and they came to a decision. 

“He should know, in case,” David reminded the other man. 

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Mike said with a tired wave.  John looked back and forth at them. 

“Let’s wait for Kris, she’ll be here in a few and she can tell him,” David said with a grin, knowing that neither man wanted to tell John, Carrie’s history.  It was too confusing and too damn complicated.  “Fill a plate, John.  You’re gonna need it,” David told the other man. 

An hour later, John sat on the couch quietly sorting through all that he had been told.  Some of it made perfect sense, once it was explained.  He had thought he knew her, but realized that he only knew the small part she let him know.  He had stupidly thought he had broken through her barriers, but that was just the soft outer layer.  He knew there was probably a lot more, but he wasn’t ready to hear it.  It looked like Kris was done talking anyway.  It explained why she was so reticent about her family and growing up.  No wonder his baby was so quiet and reserved some times.  It made sense seeing what she lived through.  She was a lot stronger than he had given her credit for.  She was probably the strongest person he knew. 

The three others left John alone on the couch to his thoughts and wandered back into the kitchen.  Lissa was sound asleep in her daddy’s arms. 

“You gonna tell me what all this shit is about,” David asked Mike as his glance took in all the dishes and plates crowding the counters in the kitchen.  The other man shrugged.   He wasn’t about to share his plans yet.  He needed to get the ball rolling before he told his best bud.  It was still so exciting, too new a concept to share.  Too many things could go wrong before they’d even begun.  He chose to take the easy way out and fib a little. 

“No.  I just felt like it this morning and wanted to make her happy.  I guess I got carried away,” Mike admitted, looking around for the first time.  David stifled a loud chuckle at his gross understatement.  Kris looked at Mike, but kept her thoughts to herself. 

“Let’s hope she’s okay when she comes back.  Then we can feed her and Wease and his family.  We could probably feed your entire family with all this stuff,” David teased his buddy. 

“Yeah, I hope she’s okay.  She never said, never told me,” he said as he looked off in the distance.  He blinked as a thought occurred to him.  “Cody can help us eat this.  He’s due home today or tomorrow, he wasn’t sure.”   

*** 

John had just finished his run, but the raised male voices stopped him from announcing that he was back.  Curiosity over came his good manners again, he admitted with a grimace.  His mom would not be happy with her baby boy and his lack of manners, but his curiosity about his baby and family won this time. 

“What the fuck do you mean,” he heard Mike ask. 

“I don’t get you, man,” he heard another man reply. 

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”  Mike’s voice was raised in obvious irritation.   

The other man shook his head, but the eavesdropper didn’t see that.  David was watching the brothers argue for the first time in a long time in the spacious kitchen.  He had a feeling about what Cody was dogging his older brother about and currently he was out for a run, so they were safe. 

“You, ya dumb fuck.  I heard she didn’t want anything to do with you and tossed your sorry ass out, now I come home and everything’s cool?  Oh and by the way, here’s the guy she slept with?  What the fuck happened to you, man?  Did Lisa cut 'em off or what?  Or maybe Little Stack finished the job,” Cody said to his brother in disgust.   

He was dressed in civilian clothes but his military bearing was unmistakable.  Cody didn’t bother to hide his obvious look at his brother’s crotch to make sure he still had a pair.   

John was surprised as he listened and learned.  He didn’t know Carrie had thrown Mike out.  He wondered when that happened.  Must have been a while ago, since he was living with her now. 

“Fuck off, asshole.  You don’t know shit,” Mike said angrily.   

David managed to keep his mouth shut and let the brothers hash it out.  They weren’t happy unless they were arguing about something, it was just their way.  Although this time it might be something more than their average wrangling. 

Cody shook his head and opened one of the lids on a dish and fished out a muffin.  He smiled, remembering his brother’s great cooking.  He cooked almost as well as Mom, he remembered biting into the soft tasty morsel.  He finished the muffin before he said anything else.  He could see Mike was pissed at him and he remembered his temper so he wanted to choose his words with a little more care.  At least he wanted to try. 

“Tell me I’m wrong.  Tell me you don’t have the guy she slept with as a house guest?  Tell me that you’re not okay with her banging him.  Do you know if they’re still doing it?  Is that why you invited him, so she could have someone to fuck since Lisa seems to have cut yours off,” Cody finished. 

His thought about tempering his words went out the window as soon as he opened his mouth. With a quick snarl, Mike’s fist connected with Cody’s temple and he swayed at the force of the blow as the last of his insults left his mouth.  David reached for him to keep him from hitting the floor. 

“Asshole!” was all Mike said as he looked at his younger brother, taking in the dazed look in his eyes.   

David spared a glance for his buddy, noting he was more pissed than he’d seen him in a long time. Mike took several deep breaths trying to calm himself.  Cody was still reeling a little from the blow.  Several long quiet minutes passed as no one said a word.  Cody was recovering and Mike was trying to calm down.  His brother knew exactly what buttons to push and damned if he didn’t manage to do it within the first ten minutes of him walking through the door.  It must be a fucking record of some kind. 

“Are you two dumb fucks finished with this shit,” David finally asked both of them.   

Cody nodded, but Mike shook his head.  The eaves dropper had almost announced his presence to stop the bickering, but he didn’t. 

“No, Dave.  This asshole needs to understand that unlike him, I’m trying to be an adult about this whole thing,” Mike said as he sent a glare to his brother who was rubbing the side of his head with his free hand.  David still had his other arm to keep him steady. 

“How is being an adult have anything to do with inviting temptation into your house and possibly your bed,” Cody asked quietly. 

John nodded in agreement to the other man’s words.  He was still in the dark about Mike's continued invitations.  Mike sighed and scraped his hands over his face and leaned against the counter silently, trying to gather his thoughts. 

“You may be surprised to find out that I kind of like the temptation, as you call him.  He’s a nice guy, even if he did sleep with her.  Not that I can say a damn thing about that since I wasn’t so God damned perfect myself at the time,” Mike said.  He was not about to admit to any other indiscretion than Lisa’s betrayal.  He had managed to almost push his recent foray out of his mind all together.  

Cody stopped rubbing his head and looked at his brother for clarification. 

“No, don’t tell me that shit.  I thought you kicked that skanky assed bitch to the curb months ago,” Cody said in response to his brother’s words.  David kept quiet, but this was news to him also. 

“Fuckin’ accidents happen, what can I say,” was all Mike was prepared to say on the subject.  No way was he gonna explain how he let Lisa trick him, no way.  He still had some pride left. 

“You stupid sack of shit,” Cody said.  David nodded his agreement.   

“Does she know,” Cody asked. 

“Hell no!  You might think I’m stupid, but I’m not.  No fuckin’ way,” Mike said with a stern look to both men.   

They both understood his warning to keep their mouths shut on the subject.  They were silent in the kitchen for a few moments, absorbing the new and disturbing detail.  David kept his thoughts to himself, but knew if Lil’ Sis learned of it, she would be pissed and possibly do some damage to his buddy.  She was never secure in her self worth and he was certain this would chip away at it even more. 

“None of that shit is important anyway,” Mike said.   

Both other men looked at him like he was insane.  Sleeping with your ex wasn’t important?  Since when, they both thought. 

“The reason I invited Cena to stay is so I can get to know him and get used to him being in our lives,” Mike said quietly. 

“Why?” Cody asked bluntly.   

He reached for some cold bacon in one of the other dishes.  This was the hard part, Mike knew.  He paused again and rubbed his face.  David watched his buddy and was already ahead of him and knew where he was going.  His heart went out to him. 

“I went to the doctors right after we found out she was pregnant.  You know it's standard to make sure everything’s working the way it should and the little buggers are swimming the way they should.  I was so damn sure, so sure that I almost cancelled my appointment.”  Mike stopped for a moment to steady himself. 

Cody finally figured out where his brother was going with his story, prompting him to say “Oh no.  Don’t tell me that shit.” 

Cody shook his head at his older brother.  David schooled his face to hide his sympathy, knowing his long time buddy would not appreciate it, at least not now.  Mike nodded and continued.   

“The doctor was very surprised that I had managed to father any children.  Things are healing and flowing, but not many of the little fuckers are making the trip yet.  So the chances that these babies are mine is slim, real slim,” he finished quietly.   

David wordlessly reached over and patted his buddy on the back. 

“Fuckin’ asshole!  I’m sorry man,” Cody said as he slapped his older brother on his back.   

They were quiet in the kitchen as each man kept his thoughts to himself regarding this new development. 

“Do you talk to your patients like that,” Mike asked his brother.  He wanted to break the somber mood and thought giving him shit would work. 

“Hell yes I do.  Nah, not really.  At least not all the time.  I’m sorry for being such an asshole about this,” Cody said by way of an apology.  Mike nodded in acceptance.   

“Does she know,” David asked, afraid what the answer would be. 

“No.  I’m not gonna tell her and neither are you fuckers.  Got that,” Mike finished with a glare. 

“I get it.  I just don’t understand how you’re explaining having him here at all to her.  She’s not stupid, Mike.  Far from it, if I remember her correctly,” Cody said. 

“She just thinks I’m being a hell of a nice guy, which I am, by the way.  I know you don’t think so, since I always beat on you, but I am,” Mike chuckled as he punched his brother's arm. 

John knew he needed to move from his position, in case they left the kitchen but for the last few minutes he had been in shock.  Shock at what he’d learned and shock that he was the father of her babies.  Since he had heard that there was more than one and that trait seemed to run in Mike’s family, his hopes had dimmed.  He finally stirred himself enough to retrace his steps and opened the door silently then shut it loudly.  He walked into the kitchen to see the men that he had been listening to for the last fifteen minutes. 

“Hey”, John said by way of greeting to the three men in the kitchen.   

He looked to the unknown man and knew he was Mike’s brother, just by looking at him.  His wasn't as tall, but his chin and eyes were so similar it was impossible to miss.  He was solid, but less bulky than any of the other three men in the room.  His brown hair was cut even shorter than his own, signifying his active military status.  He wondered if others thought the same about him when they met his family for the first time.  He didn't think they looked alike, but knew other people did. 

Mike wordlessly handed him a large bottle of water and waited for him to drink some before he introduced him to his asshole brother. 

"Good run,” David asked his buddy. 

“Not really.  I still hate running, but it’s a necessary evil, ya know,” John finished.   

He was aware of the irony of his words and saw a quick look pass between the two brothers.  David nodded at John’s words, he hated running too. 

“John, meet my asshole brother Lieutenant Commander Robert Adams.  We call him Cody,” Mike said with a smirk. 

“Good to meet you,” John said quietly. 

“Yeah, good to finally get to meet you,” Cody said.  At his words, John threw him a questioning look.  Cody smiled.  

“Been watching you for a while now, Prototype,” Cody joked.   

John chuckled at him and tried to put the conversation that he’d heard out of his mind for now. 

“Where’d the ladies go,” John asked David. 

Before David could answer, Mike spoke up.  “See?  Always has an eye for the pretty ladies.  What’d I tell you,” to his brother.   

Now John understood why Cody called his brother an asshole so much.  They’ve probably been teasing and bickering since they were in diapers. 

“They went to the store, then Kris was going to drop Lil’ Sis off before she went home to put Lissa down,” David explained and pointedly ignored the comment from Mike.  John nodded and finished his water. 

“Hey, good to meet you,” he said to Cody as he started to leave the kitchen and take another shower. 

“John, don’t let this asshole chase you away,” Mike chuckled.  John shook his head and continued back to the bathroom and a shower. 

“Think he heard,” Cody asked both men. 

“Nah, he just got in from his run,” Mike said.   

Cody nodded his relief.  David was quiet as he turned over some things in his head.  John didn’t look like he’d just finished his run, unless of course he walked the last part to cool down.  He doubted that, unless he had made a major change in his work out.  But he wasn't going to say anything to the brothers about his hunch.  It wasn't his place to worry about that shit or at least to do anything about it yet. 

"What are you guys doing today," David asked them. 

"I'd really like to sleep in a nice soft bed with a beautiful, willing woman beside me," Cody said with a smirk. 

"The bed part, I got ya covered.  The woman part, you're on your own," Mike told his brother with a grin.  

It was a running joke in the family.  Mike rarely dated different women, Cody didn't seem to date a woman more than once or twice.  They both knew that as soon as Cody got some rest, he'd waste no time in finding the beautiful willing female. 

"You sure Little Stack doesn't have another sister," Cody teased.   

Cody was happy that his brother had finally pried that sick bitch Lisa off of him, but he was a little surprised that he was with Carrie Martin.  He'd been watching his buddy’s wife’s sister for years and waiting for the right time.  He’d never told his brother or Dave about his fascination, thinking they'd both give him so much shit about it.  Even more so now that Mike was living with her.  She had immediately gone into the unavailable column for him.  Damn. 

“Shit head,” was all Mike said in response to his brother’s question about Carrie’s eligible sisters or lack of. 

“I’m outta here.  Kris will be home soon and I want to chase her around the house some before the kids get home, so if you guys will excuse me,” David finished with a smirk and turned to leave. 

“Does she let you catch her, that’s what I want to know,” Cody teased David. 

“What do you think, Pee Wee,” David said with a smirk. 

“Asshole!” Cody said in response to David using his childhood nickname.  David and Mike laughed together at being able to rile the younger man. 

“See ya later.  It’s good to see you, man.  Good to know you’re home and safe for now,” David said seriously at the door. 

“Thanks.  Thanks a lot.  It’s good to be home, even if it seems a little fucked up right now,” Cody said with a quirked brow at his brother. 

“Asshole,” was all Mike said again in response to his little brother’s teasing. 

He was glad Cody was home too, glad he was safe and out of harms way, but knew it wouldn’t last.  It never did. 

“Let me show you where you can put your shit and the bed that’s calling your name, I’m sure,” Mike said as he led his brother down the hall, past the room John was using.   

“This is it.  This is usually Mikie’s room when he stays, but I’m sure he’ll give it up for you.” 

“Mikie?  How old is he now,” Cody asked.   

He remembered David’s son as a small kid with big brown eyes and a ready grin who loved to tease his older sister. 

“He’s nine, I think?  Dave and Kris’s kids stay here at least once a month to give them some time.  They’d like to stay more ‘cause they think their Aunt Carrie is pretty cool,” Mike finished. 

“I can imagine.  I do too,” Cody said quietly.   

Mike looked at his brother sharply to see if he was teasing him or if he really did like Carrie.  He wasn’t sure because he never saw Cody with Carrie much.  He had the idea that they knew each other in passing but that was all.  Cody had spent all of his time since Dave and Kris had been married in the military, he’d been in for several years before that too. 

“Have you met Carrie, Cody?  I didn’t think you had,” Mike said.  Cody realized his mistake too late to pretend it didn’t happen.   

“I’ve met her a few times and she seemed really nice, pretty funny too if I remember correctly.  She and I had a long discussion about the medical profession and her opinions on why doctors practice medicine.  She thinks we’re all a bunch of quacks, I remember.” 

“Even you,” Mike asked.  This was a conversation he didn’t know about. 

“Yeah, even me who isn’t exactly a doctor.  Nurses don’t completely escape her wrath,” Cody admitted.  “Tell me about this shit of her not eating animal proteins, I find that fascinating.” 

“I’ll let her tell you the specifics, but the effects are very real, buddy.  I don’t understand it, they can’t seem to fix it, so she works around it,” Mike said as he watched his brother unpack some of his clothes and personal items, tucking them away with military precision.   

Mike grinned, realizing his brother was still as particular about his clothing as he was about his stuff in the kitchen.  Mike leaned on the doorway and watched his brother tuck his clothing and other essentials away. 

“If she doesn’t get here soon, I gotta take Cena to the airport.  You gonna be okay if I leave you for a while,” Mike asked. 

His brother nodded and said, “Of course, asshole.  I have to get my beauty sleep sometime.” 

“I forgot about that.  There’s food in the fridge to eat if you’re hungry, just put it back when you’re done with it or she’ll barf.  No, don’t laugh.  She will. I’ve seen it,” Mike said in response to his brother starting to laugh at his words. 

“He’s right.  She will, “John said as he poked his head around the door. 

“Hey,” Cody nodded in acknowledgement of the other man.  “Really?  I think that’s fascinating.  I wonder if she’ll tell me about it if I ask her,” Cody said almost to himself as his professional curiosity was piqued. 

“Probably, but she won’t think it’s very interesting,” John admitted.   

Mike nodded in agreement of his words.  Cody just shrugged and continued to unpack.  He laid out his clothes that he was going to wear after his shower and sleep. 

"You planning on going out tonight, Pee Wee,” Mike asked. 

“Asshole," he threw at his older brother.  "I told you what I wanted and you could only supply part of the equation so I gotta get me the other part later,” Cody joked. 

“You shouldn’t have any problem if you’re wearing that,” Mike said in reference to his crisp slacks and button down shirt.  John laughed with him and nodded.  They all knew that ladies loved the boys in the military and Cody was a pretty boy on top of that so he should be successful this evening. 

“We’re leaving.  Try not to tear the place down while I’m gone, okay,” Mike teased.  His younger brother frowned at him but nodded. 

“Nice to meet you, Cody,” John said as he stuck his hand out.  Cody grabbed it and gave it a firm shake.   

As Cody let go of the other’s hand, John said, “Thank you, Cody.  Thank you for all you do.  Thanks from all of us, all of my family.  You’re doing something so the rest of us don’t have to and I just wanted to tell you thanks.”   

Cody sputtered and nodded his acceptance.  John and Mike left the younger brother to his own thoughts at the other’s words.  He’d never been thanked before for being in the military, not by a civilian anyway.  Maybe Cena wasn’t such an asshole, he thought hearing the door close behind them. 

After pigging out on all the leftovers in the kitchen, Cody took a shower finally.  It was the first one in at least thirty six hours, if his math was right converting the time and shit.  A hot shower never felt so good, he thought as he stepped out and dried off.  He was pleasantly surprised that Little Stack didn’t have tons of girlie shit in the bathroom.  Most women he knew seemed unable to keep a bathroom utilitarian.  Maybe it was his brother’s doing?  Probably not, he was such a softie when it came to keeping his lady happy.  He remembered Mike let Lisa walk over him and thanked her for it too.  Cody thought back to Lisa with a grimace.  Asshole, he thought to himself again in regards to his brother. 

He wondered again how Mike managed to snag Carrie.  She never seemed interested before that he could remember.  Maybe he’d pick his brother’s brain when he got back.  He heard some of the family picnic shit, not from Mike, but from Rachael.  Sounded like he missed a hell of a good time, even if he missed roasting his brother.  He‘d make up for it at another time, he was certain of that.   

He grabbed up his load of clothes that were in desperate need of a wash and wandered through the kitchen in to what he thought might be the pantry and laundry room.  Yup, he was right.  He stood in his towel and stuffed his clothes in the washer, put in the soap, shut the door and stopped.  He had no fucking idea how to turn on the fucking thing.  He’d never seen one like it before.  It loaded in the front, that part he understood, but how did he turn it on.  Shit, trust Mike to have weird shit.  Everybody else had normal shit, but no, not his brother.  If weird was available, that’s what he’d have.  Always had and always would.  Damn it.  He needed some of those clothes for tomorrow.  He started muttering to himself as he read the small buttons, trying to make sense of them.  He didn’t realize it, but he sounded exactly like the brother he had just finished cursing. 

“Who the fuck are you and get the fuck out of my house!” was shouted at him from behind. 

He turned in surprise at the voice and saw Carrie set in a pose he recognized.  It shocked him speechless for a second or two. 

“Carrie,” Cody asked quietly.   

He didn’t want her to follow through with the threat her stance implied.  He saw her blink and relax just a fraction.   

“It’s me, Cody.” 

“Cody?  When did you get in,” she said quickly as she relaxed and let the adrenaline flow out from her tight control. 

“A couple of hours ago?  Didn’t Mike tell you I was coming?  Sorry to startle you in your own home,” he said quietly as he realized he was standing in front of her in nothing more than a towel.   

He couldn’t help himself as he blushed, knowing she could see it.  It was from the top of his head and traveled all the way down his chest.  God, he was such a dumb shit as he blushed even more. 

She waved his apology away as she nodded, “Yeah, he said you were coming, I just didn’t know when.”   

She refrained from saying anything about his embarrassment or his lack of clothing.  She rarely got embarrassed about clothing or lack of, unless the boys were pranking her.  That was a different story, she chuckled to herself.  She was embarrassed at herself for not recognizing him right away and almost hurting him. 

“Um, do you need some help,” she smirked at him.   

She’d heard some of the mutterings as she walked into her kitchen and they didn’t make any sense, but now she saw him in front of the appliances, it all fit. 

“Please,” he said with another grin as he felt his color fade to normal.   

She showed him how to start the washer after she asked him what he was trying to wash.  She also showed him how to set it for other stuff and how the dryer worked.   

“Just in case that proved too difficult,” she teased him.   

She smiled as he retreated to a bedroom to put on some clothes.  She knew he was embarrassed, but she wasn’t going to tease him.  He reminded her too much of her own little brother, even though he was her age. 

She made a kiwi protein shake since she knew she didn’t want to eat anything else and Mike had thoughtfully left some kiwis peeled and ready for the blender.  She grabbed a water from the fridge, poured her lunch in to a tall glass and sat down on the couch.  She had just flipped on the tv when Cody reappeared in some sweats and a t shirt.  He detoured into the kitchen to grab a water bottle for himself and flipped the light off.  She tossed him the remote as she picked up her portable just as he sat down. 

“I’m sure there’s at least one football game on that you’d like to see and since hockey isn’t on until later, TV’s all yours Cody,” she smiled at his surprise.   

He wasn’t used to having women willingly give up the remote and especially not used to having them tell him there might be a football game on that he could watch and enjoy without getting any shit about it.  Sounded good to him.  He missed seeing some of the games live so this was a treat.  He looked over at Carrie and saw she was tapping away on a small palm pilot type thing.  He also saw she was drinking some kind of shake and water.  He’d ask her about that later but at least she was eating even if she didn’t look like it. 

He didn’t glance her way again until half time because the novelty of watching one of his favorite teams was riveting.  He saw that she had fallen asleep, but she had drunk all of her shake and most of her water.  He turned the volume of the TV down, even though she had fallen asleep with it louder.  He grabbed her empty glass and their two water bottles and returned them to the kitchen.  He grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and carefully unfolded it and put it over her to keep her warm.  There was a lot more to her than he had realized initially and he admitted that his brother was a lucky bastard.  He should be pissed at him, but he knew the shit he went through with Lisa so Carrie was a nice change for him.  He smirked as he thought about how much his mom must be itching to mother Little Stack.  She couldn’t help it, it was just how she was, he thought fondly.  He’d go see her and Dad tomorrow, once he’d had a decent night’s sleep under him.  The more he thought about it, he wasn’t going out tonight, too damn tired. 

****  

 The second half was just starting when Cody heard the door open.  He looked over the couch and saw Mike stroll in and put his keys down.  He went into the kitchen to grab some food.  Some shit never changes, Cody thought.   

Mike walked back out chewing on something and glanced at Cody asking, “Carrie come back yet?”   

Cody nodded and pointed to her under the blanket on the couch.  Mike frowned.   

“You know if she ate anything?” 

Cody nodded again, not wanting to wake her.  Mike disappeared into the kitchen again for a minute then came back out and reached for her feet.  Cody was surprised as he watched his brother’s large hands touch her tiny feet gently, pulling off her shoes.  Mike reached around her small form and picked her up gently.  She stirred as he stood up but he leaned in to kiss her forehead and whisper something to her, causing her to sigh and relax in his arms.  Mike carried her up the short flight of stairs to their room and kicked the door closed.  Cody hadn’t said a word as he watched the scene transpire in front of him. 

His brother had it bad, if what he just witnessed was any indication.  He’d never seen any of that kind of tenderness from him with Lisa.  They just seemed to tolerate each other.  Cody sat quietly on the couch with the game playing in front of him, but he didn’t see it or know what the score was.  He was lost in thought for a long time. 

He looked up as Mike walked back in and realized it was dark and the game was in the last few minutes of the final quarter.  He could see that his brother had taken a shower and could guess the reason for it.  Asshole. 

“I thought you were going out tonight,” Mike said by way of greeting.   

Cody shrugged and said, “Nah, too lazy and tired.  If you two don’t mind me being in tonight?” 

Mike shook his head and glanced at the TV, checking the score.   

“You hungry,” Mike asked as he flipped on the lights, since his brother forgot.  Cody shrugged.   

“I just got tons more leftovers for dinner, since I wasn’t sure of your timing…” he fibbed, sitting down on the couch. 

Cody nodded, he wasn’t starving.  He’d been a glutton on his brother’s cooking earlier.  He’d live if they were eating light tonight. 

“She sleeping,” Cody asked in reference to the fact that she was when Mike carried her up to the bedroom. 

“You’re joking, right?  She doesn’t sleep very much, never has and it’s gotten worse in the last few months.  She’s plugged in to her computer and working at something that she says needs to get done or she’ll have to kill someone or something like that,” Mike informed him.   

Mike saw the surprise in his brother’s eyes.  Cody had no idea about Carrie, that was obvious.   

Cody returned to his earlier private thoughts as he voiced, “You better marry her, asshole.” 

“Nice,” Mike said quietly with a glare to his little brother.  “I’ve asked her and she says no.”  At Cody’s surprised look, he continued.  “I ask her ever damn day and every damn day she says no.” 

“She say why,” Cody asked with his usual blunt style.  His brother shook his head.  “Bet Grandma’s pissed,” Cody said, a huge grin splitting his face. 

“Shit head,” Mike said quietly just before he threw the pillow at his brother’s grinning face. 

“Hey asshole,” Cody said as he grabbed another pillow and threw one at his brother.   

Mike retaliated and threw one of the cushions from the couch and hit his brother hard enough to almost knock him off his feet.  They were both grinning like two kids on the playground.  Cody threw the next object and from there it became a big pillow fight with two grown men hurling pillows, blankets and anything else they could get their hands on at each other. 

Carrie had heard the start of it and opened the door, standing on the top step watching.  She saw two grown men act like kids, eventually laughing at each other’s efforts.  Her living room looked like a tornado had hit it but she didn’t care.  She was smiling too as she watched two brothers act like big kids.  That thought sobered her knowing what she had lost.  She continued to watch from her safe vantage until Cody looked up and spotted her. 

“Oh shit, buddy.  Now we’re both in trouble,” Cody said with a grin.   

Mike turned and followed his gaze and winked at her.  She winked back as she walked down the stairs and stepped up to Cody, tilting her head to look him in the eye. 

“Is this how you repay our hospitality,” she said in a serious tone with her hands on her hips.  She tapped her slipper covered foot impatiently as she waited for an answer.   

Cody stammered, “Uh, sorry Little Stack.”   

In his embarrassment, he slipped and called her his private nickname for her.  Her eyebrow arched at the name.  It was a new one to her.  She watched as he blushed furiously and looked away. 

“Damn it!  Does anyone ever call me my name?” she said in mock seriousness.   

Mike stayed quiet, watching his brother wilt and blush at her stern glare.  He was pretty sure she was teasing him. 

“Sorry, Carrie.  Sorry for messing up your place and sorry for…” was all he got out before she started to chuckle.  He lifted his eyes and looked at her, seeing her lips twitch before she reached out and hugged his ribs. 

“Big bastard,” she said quietly.   

He stopped himself before he called her an asshole, like he did his brother all the time. 

“Sheeeiiiiiit,” was all he said in response to her teasing and hug.   

She pulled away from him and grinned at him as Mike stepped next to her and wrapped his arm around her.  His hand should have been on her hip, but it slipped to her ass, as usual. 

“I don’t know how many damn nicknames I have.  Is there something about men that stops them from using someone’s name?  I can’t even count the nicknames I have.  Little Stack is a new one, Cody.  I can honestly say I haven’t been called that before,” she smiled at him to let him know she was teasing him.   

Mike reached over and touched her hair, he loved her hair.  Cody saw the look in his brother’s eyes and was forced to look away at seeing his brother’s obvious adoration. 

“Hey, you two better get the hell out of here before I change my mind and get pissed about this,” she said with a smile on her lips.   

She knew Mike wouldn’t want to leave her alone, but she wanted the quiet and guessed the two together were rarely quiet.  Plus, she really needed a break from all his attention.  It was getting exhausting. 

“Babe,” Mike questioned.  She nodded.  He shrugged and looked over at his little brother with a smirk. 

“It has been a while since I’ve beaten his ass in pool,” he challenged his brother. 

“What?  No way, asshole,” Cody shot back.  “It’s been a long time since you won a game, you mean.” 

“You sure,” Mike asked her.   

She nodded, thinking to herself, yes please.  Just go and leave me in peace for a little while so I can figure this shit out.  Mike walked over and grabbed his keys and waited on his brother to get changed quickly.   

“We’ll be back soon, Carrie.  You sure?” 

“Yeah, you guys need to get the hell out of here for a while, go tell each other big lies or whatever it is guys do over beer and pool,” she said.   

She was guessing they’d eat, drink some beers and shoot some pool as well as bullshit. 

Cody was back out and ready in just a few minutes.  Mike kissed her cheek and they both left.  The silence was deafening.  It was good to be alone sometimes and now was one of them.  But first she straightened out the pillows and the furniture because she knew it would drive her nuts if she didn’t.  She wouldn’t be able to concentrate.  She grabbed another flavored water and headed back into her warm bedroom and her laptop. 

Several hours later she was reading in her favorite chair now that she’d put out the fire that had been threatening, letting her brain drift, when her cell rang stirring her.  She got up and glanced at the number.  Reading the display, she realized it must be Mike. 

“Yes,” she said as she flipped it open.   

She heard loud background noise and some other things she couldn’t identify.  Then she heard Mike’s voice from far off say shit before he became clearer. 

“Babe?” 

“Yes,” she said quietly.  She could tell by his one word he was shit faced.  He must have dropped the phone as she answered. 

“Babe?” 

She took a deep breath to keep her cool and not repeat herself.  She’d just wait until his brain caught up with his mouth. 

“We…um, we’re fucked up, Babe.  Pee Wee and me need a ride home,” he giggled.   

She hadn’t heard him giggle before.  He sounded like a kid, a big kid for sure, but a kid.  She also heard Cody call him an asshole at being identified to her as Pee Wee. 

“Okay, Mike.  Where are you?” 

“What?  You’ll come get us,” he asked loudly.   

She had to hold the phone away and turn down the volume before she felt safe bringing the phone back to her ear. 

“Yes.  Where are you Mike,” she asked again. 

She heard Mike say to Cody, “She said yeah.  We’re cool.  I told you she’s cool.”  

And then he hung up.  She rubbed her eyes briefly before she redialed his number and waited for him to answer. 

“Yeah,” he said. 

“Where are you, Mike,” she said evenly.   

She was pacing, fully aware that was his normal routine while on the phone not hers, but she needed to let off some steam. 

“Carrie!  Babe!  How ya doing?” he asked her.   

She took a deep breath before she answered.  She could hear him tell his brother that she was on the phone, and listened to the amazement in their voices.  They were definitely shit faced, that was certain. 

“Mike, where are you,” she asked again. 

“Pee Wee, she wants to know where we are.  You know the name of this place?”   

She heard indistinct voices before he told her, “Babe, I don’t know where the fuck we are.  Why?   You wanna join us?  That’d be great!”   

He laughed and hung up his phone again. 

He was totally shit faced and in some kind of ridiculously happy mood.  She’d never seen him drunk and happy before.  She’d only ever seen him drunk and quiet.  She dialed his phone again and waited for him to answer. 

“Mike’s place,” he giggled. 

“Mike, hand your phone to the guy next to you for a minute, will ya” she asked him patiently. 

“Um, okay,” he said uncertainly. 

“Hello,” a male voice she didn’t know said. 

“Hi.  Can you tell me the name of the place you’re at?  I need to come get those two drunk fools and they keep forgetting to tell me where to pick them up,” she said lightly.   

The voice on the other end chuckled before he told her the name of the place.  She thanked him and asked her to hand the phone back to the drunk grinning idiot standing next to him. 

“Carrie?” she heard Cody’s voice say. 

“Yeah.  I’ll be there in a while.  Don’t go anywhere, okay?” 

He laughed at her words.  “You can count on that, little darlin’.”   

She hung up and shook her head.  Both of them?  She hit one of her speed dial buttons and requested a taxi since she’d be driving Mike’s truck home.  God, she hoped he’d driven his truck, not the small car.  She changed into a pair of jeans from her casual running pants that she usually wore around the house and grabbed a sweatshirt because it was cold enough and she hated to bring a coat if she didn’t need one.  She’d lost too many by forgetting that she brought one.  She was ready well before the taxi arrived so she met the driver at her door and they left for the drive to the pool hall.  The drive took roughly fifteen minutes and it was a place she’d never been to before.  She didn’t know it existed, but the driver knew of it, thankfully.  

She opened the doors into a loud bar and scanned the place, looking for the two drunk idiots.  She didn’t see them, but she didn’t see the pool tables either and they were advertised on the front window.  She walked through the bar, ignoring the eyes that followed her.  She saw there was another room off to the side of the bar and went through there.   

Finally, pool tables and two drunk brothers.  She stayed quiet, preferring to watch them play pool and talk major shit to each other.  Their pool playing abilities had obviously suffered from their alcohol intake.  She was grinning at them and shaking her head as she watched.  They were not the only people playing or attempting to play pool.  There were three other tables and they were being used as well.  But none of the other players appeared to be as impaired.  She watched Cody try to line up a winning shot as he spotted her. 

“Carrie,” he shouted as he hit the cue and completely missed any other ball.   

Mike turned at his words and grinned at her.  She took a deep breath for the hundredth time and smiled at him. 

“Babe!  You made it.  Cool!  You wanna play?  Pee Wee’s kicking my ass this game,” he laughed as he looked at his brother.   

The rest of the players were watching but trying to pretend they weren’t.  The brothers had been providing the other players some laughs for the last couple of hours and they had all heard much of their private conversation, after the first few pitchers of beer.  They all heard about Carrie and were curious.  Recognition flashed in the other players’ eyes at Mike’s words.  She noticed some of the looks and had a good guess as to the reasons.  Shit, what the hell now? 

“No Mike.  I think I’m not gonna play tonight if that’s okay.  I’m here to make sure you guys get home okay,” she said evenly and with false cheer.  It had been a long time since she’d had to deal with people as drunk as the brothers, but it was all coming back to her.  Like riding a bike, she chuckled to herself. 

“Really?”  That was from Cody who was leaning on his stick and trying to focus on her.  She nodded.  “Cool,” was all he said in response. 

“You guys about ready,” she asked.   

She hoped like hell they were.  She didn’t want to have to sit around and wait for them to wind down because she might not be able to get them into the truck if they mellowed out too much.  Like two school boys, they both nodded in unison and put their sticks away.  Mike grabbed his coat and waited for his brother to grab his. 

One of the other players noticed her sweatshirt and said, ”Cool shirt.”   

She smiled her thanks and looked down at it.  Ah, she didn’t know she grabbed her ruck fules one, but it fit in tonight, that was certain.  One of the others in the room looked at her shirt speculatively and looked at the two drunk brothers and thought it might be easy enough. 

She saw the predatory gleam and said without hesitation, “Don’t even think about it, kid.  I’m in a bad fucking mood and I’m sure you mama wants you home in one piece.”   

Mike turned in confusion at her words.  She could see his brow furrowed in deep confusion.  He didn’t understand who she was talking to or why she said that.  The kid, as she had called him, blinked at her words and shook his head.  He didn’t want to mess with the two drunk big boys, let alone a pissed off jujitsu master or whatever they had said earlier.  He took a few steps back to show he understood her warning and nodded at her.  Boys, she thought again.  The two brothers fell into step behind her like little ducklings following their mama.  That thought almost made her giggle but knew she couldn’t until they were out of the bar. 

The brothers started to push and shove each other once they were outside and walking to his truck. 

“Boys,” she said without turning around.  The horseplay stopped immediately and they followed her. 

She heard Mike whisper, ”Watch, man.”   

She shook her head, opening the passenger side first.  She knew exactly what he was referring to, he was even easier to read when he was inebriated.   

“In,” she said to Mike.   

She saw his face fall as he realized they weren’t going to get to see her crawl into the driver’s seat.  She walked around to the driver’s seat and got in without too much effort.   

Before she put the keys in the ignition she turned to both of them and said, “Either of you needs to puke, you tell me first so I can stop this bastard.  You will not puke on me, you understand?”   

They both silently nodded their understanding, like school children again.  They had been quiet the last few minutes, she hoped they’d both stay awake long enough to get up the stairs in the front door. 

“Anybody need a pit stop before we go,” she asked.   

She’d been the driver many times in college, she remembered someone always had to go just after they started, it was like traveling with toddlers.  They both stayed silent.  She started up the truck and started home as she listened for any hint that she might need to pull over.   

Mike sat close to her and had his hand on her leg and rubbed her thigh as he smiled at her.  He looked like a puppy dog, was her first thought.  He stayed quiet but his intentions were clear as he leaned in and tried to kiss her neck as she drove.  He ended up just putting his face in her hair and breathing in her scent.  Cody looked over at them and shook his head like the third teenager on a date.  She was surprised that she pulled into the parking area before Cody spoke up.   

“Uh, Carrie…I gotta,” was all he got out before she slammed the truck into park and he opened the door and leaned out to empty his stomach onto the concrete.  Mike stayed quiet but shook his head.   

Once Cody was finished, Mike teased him with, “Fucking asshole lightweight.”  She parked the truck but stayed quiet about anyone being a lightweight. 

“Any more?  No barfing on my carpets,” she warned them both.   

Cody shook his head, he was empty.  Mike shook his head, he wasn’t planning on puking tonight, no sir.  He had other plans. 

She walked straight into the kitchen and opened the fridge for two large waters for them.  She handed them each one and walked away. 

“Hey,” Mike said as she saw her retreat up the stairs. 

“You’re fucked, asshole,” Cody said with a grin to his brother and tossed him another water.   

Mike shook his head and followed her.  Asshole, Cody thought as he watched him follow her.  He went to the fridge and grabbed another water, knowing it would help more than anything else. 

“Babe,” Mike said as he stepped through the doorway and shut the door.   

She had slipped off her clothes and slid into bed already.  He saw she was naked, in bed, right where he wanted her and he giggled again.  She sighed and shook her head again.  He finished off his water and pulled his clothes off too.  He made a quick detour to the bathroom and came back out to find her still in bed, still naked, just for him.  He knew one of the side effects for him and alcohol was stamina and patience.  He was going to show her what she’d been missing all these years, he thought as he slid in behind her.  He nibbled on her neck as he stroked her back.  He heard her sigh as she turned to him.  She reached up and put her finger to his lips, sucking his finger that was tracing her lips.  He smiled at her and pulled her close… 

Cody laid awake in bed with millions of thoughts running through his head.  He knew it’d be a long time before he went to sleep tonight, regardless of the beer.  His thoughts went back to tonight and his conversations with his brother. 

“So what’s the scoop with that skank?” 

“She left months ago and told me not to bother to look for her.  It was the smartest thing she ever said,” Mike admitted. 

“Not that!  The other,” Cody said.  Mike raised his brow as he understood what his brother was asking. 

“Get a pitcher, hell get two.  It’s a long ass story,” Mike said as he started to rack up their first game. 

As Mike poured their beers he said, “I don’t know what to say.  I don’t love her.  I don’t think I ever did.  I think I wanted to, at least at first.  Then I just got lazy.”  Cody waited for his brother to continue, this was something they didn’t usually talk about. 

“So, why the fuck?  What the fuck,” Cody finally asked after many minutes of silence other than the balls on the table.  He saw Mike’s mouth twist into a grimace. 

“Carrie left.  She just up and went without a word, thanks to that bitch showing up full of shit.  Cena talked to her that night.  I don’t know why or how, but he found out she was safe.  Liz had an email from her, but she wouldn’t talk to me.  I tried everything, email, pages, messages.  Nothing worked.  I thought she was gone.”   

Mike stopped and drained his glass and poured another.  Cody topped off his own glass as he listened, playing pool. 

”I was staying at Mom and Dad’s, but I went home one night to pick up some shit.  It was late and that bitch wasn’t home so I just crawled into bed and slept in my own bed for the first time in days.”  Mike drained his glass again and refilled it. 

“That bitch,” he almost shouted.   

Cody looked at him and saw his mood had shifted to anger.  He waited to hear the reason for it, knowing it was coming. 

“Fuckin’ bitch!  I was sound asleep in my bed, having a great dream.  A great dream,” Mike’s smile was bitter.  “Next thing I knew, I woke up, she was riding me, riding me hard and smiling at me.  Fuckin’ bitch,” he said and looked away.   

Cody kept quiet for a moment.  It fit with the rest of that sick bitch’s actions. 

“There’s a word for what she did,” Cody said quietly.   

Mike looked at him sharply and glared, daring him to come out and say it so he could punch him.  Cody knew his brother well and knew he wasn’t going to say the word, but they both knew what he was referring to. 

Cody’s thoughts skipped forward several hours as he looked over at his brother playing pool. 

“Hey, were we planning on getting drunk tonight,” Cody asked him. 

“I don’t know, why?” 

“Well, even if we didn’t we are,” Cody said with a chuckle. 

“You sure,” Mike asked him as he tried to line up his shot. 

“Oh yeah.  Either that or we’ve wasted a hell of a lot of good beer.” 

“Is that your professional opinion, Pee Wee?” 

“Asshole,” was all he said in response. 

Cody’s thoughts skipped to some of the things his brother had said and didn’t say in regards to Carrie.   

“So what do you think, Pee Wee,” Mike asked vaguely. 

“Um…it’s my professional opinion that you’re in love with her, asshole,” he said seriously as he drained his glass for the how ever many times.  They stopped counting several pitchers ago. 

“No shit.  That wasn’t what I was asking.  But since we’re on the subject, you think she’s in love with me,” Mike asked.   

Cody was surprised that his brother even asked him that.  He thought it was pretty obvious, but maybe not.  Mike wasn’t that secure, not surprising all those years he wasted with that skanky assed bitch. 

Cody felt himself finally relax enough to sleep, thinking that his brother didn’t know how good he had it.  If he did, he wouldn’t have questioned if she loved him or not, the asshole. 

*** 

Kris blinked, taking in the view of her husband coming back to bed after answering the phone.  Her husband was something she could never get enough of and a naked version was even better.  It helped to chase away her worries. 

“Who was it,” Kris asked as David drew near.  David shook his head in exasperation. 

“Mike,” he said.  “A very drunk Mike,” David amended. 

“Really?  Do you need to go pick him up,” Kris asked. 

“Hell no.  I told him to call home.  Lil’ Sis can have the joy of picking those two idiots up at this time of night,” David said.  His irritation was still obvious.  He’d been worried that it was a real emergency.  Not a shit faced Mike needing a ride home.  Kinda funny that Mike forgot that he could call Lil’ Sis for a ride.  He used to have to call David for a ride when he was with Lisa since she’d never have picked him up.  Not her problem was her motto, for most things. 

“That should be funny.  I wish I was a fly on the wall at their place tonight,” Kris chuckled as that vision popped into her head. 

top
 

Web site questions or issues?  Try
All graphics, original fiction and site ©