Dirty Sex Read Online Free PDF Page B

like a good idea. For Carson, I would
    siphon the gas out of his car while he was at work. By the time I went
    downstairs, I was almost calm.
    The kitchen table was crowded with plates of hot food and twenty-
    year-olds. As I rounded the corner into the kitchen, Derek and Carson
    both looked me straight in the eye. They quickly turned the opposite
    direction when I put my finger to my lips. Both were probably hoping I
    would punch Ryan instead of them. I did. Right in the kidney.
    “Ohh, you bitch,” he yelled at my feet. They were all he could see
    from his bent over position.
    “Language, Ryan.” My mom didn’t even turn from the stove to
    admonish him.
    “Sorry, Mrs. C.” He straightened up with what I imagined to be a
    little tear in one eye.
    • 35 •

    AShley BArtlett
    “You had it coming, asshole,” I whispered.
    “I know.” He at least tried to smother the grin. “But, damn, bro.
    In the kidney?”
    “Both of you. Language.” This time she did turn around.
    “Sorry,” we said simultaneously while giving each other the how-
    the-hell-did-she-hear-us look.
    “Breakfast is going to get cold. Sit down.” My mom set another
    platter on the table. Pancakes.
    Ryan and I sat down with everyone else and started filling our
    plates. Ryan sandwiched himself between my sister and Austin. I joined
    my dad and Carson, who looked like he might wet himself.
    “I’m sorry.” Carson leaned over and started whimpering. “It
    seemed like a good idea at the time.”
    I didn’t even look at him. “You’ll get yours.”
    “Come on. Are you really mad? We were just playing.” He actually
    looked sincere.
    “Don’t worry, Carson.” I looked up at Reese to see what she could
    possibly contribute to my empty threats. “She’s all talk.”
    “Anyway,” my dad pointedly cut in. “How was your semester,
    Reese?”
    “I’m not sure. Grades aren’t in yet.” She grinned to accentuate
    what I could only interpret as an attempt to be charming. Dad laughed
    accordingly. My parents loved Reese.
    “I’m sure you did just fine, honey,” my mom reassured her from
    where she was still screwing around in the kitchen.
    “Mom, sit down,” I said. “We like it better when you eat with us.”
    Mom shot me a look then leaned over me to set a pitcher of juice
    on the table.
    “Honey, you need a haircut.” She ran her fingers through the back
    of my hair.
    “I think I can handle it.” I tried to brush her hand away. It didn’t
    work.
    “Your dad needs one too.” She started playing with his hair at
    the same time. “Mitch, take V with you next week when you go to the
    barber.”
    “Mom.”
    “Vivian.”
    “Mom.”
    • 36 •

    Dirty Sex
    “I know you hate it when it gets long in the back,” she offered in
    explanation.
    “Sit down and eat.” This time everyone at the table loudly agreed
    with me.
    It was rather hard to follow any sort of conversation in my
    house on Saturday mornings. My mother had started the tradition of
    weekend breakfasts when I was really little, and during the summer
    when everyone was home from college, she still insisted on them. I
    didn’t even invite people anymore. They just showed up. I was actually
    surprised none of Adriana’s friends were there. Half of them were in
    love with Austin, and the other half were in love with Ryan. They were
    all afraid of my dad though. He looked like a fifty-year-old version of
    me. He had the same slightly muscular build and pale blond hair that
    people said made him look like a handsome all-American guy, and just
    made people say I looked like a boy.
    “Did everyone see the, umm, what shall we call it, Aus? The fruits
    of Cooper’s labor last night.” I hated Reese. She was such a bitch.
    “Huh?” Ryan brilliantly looked up from his pancakes and sausage.
    “What’s that mean?” He looked back and forth between Reese and me,
    as did everyone else at the table. Austin started laughing.
    “Nothing.” I shot Reese an I-hate-you