Vegas to Varanasi (Fortytude Series Book 1) (18 page)

Thirty

Several days later, I’m on Amazon, checking David’s book. I’ve been keeping an eye on it, and it’s still in the top one hundred, now listed at thirty-two in the Kindle Store, number three for Thrillers. Grinning from ear to ear, I just can’t believe it.

The day I went to see him, I downloaded the book and started reading the rest of it. I’d only gotten in a few chapters that night at the hotel. It’s not my genre of choice, but it has me hooked. I couldn’t be more proud of him. I only wonder if he’ll allow himself this success, even if it takes him some time to embrace it.

I can’t stop myself from wondering how he’s doing, if he’s decided to get some help, but I don’t know what else to do. He doesn’t believe his discontent is any of his own doing, but just a matter of circumstance.

After shutting down my laptop, I start preparing the dinner I’ve invited everyone for—Luke and Richard, Julia and Derek. I want Kiran to get to know them all better, and vice versa.

***

Later that evening, my guests and I linger at the dining table, drinking margaritas.

“Oh, Lord,” Richard says, rubbing his stomach. “I really should not have gone for that third enchilada.”

“Psh! You’re a lightweight, Richard. I’m going for my fifth.” Hayden reaches for the spoon and dishes another onto his plate.

“Yeah, I remember when I could eat like that.” Richard drops his napkin on his plate. “It’ll catch up with you. Wait and see.”

I rise to clear plates, and Kiran joins me, bringing some dishes to the sink. “Dinner was delicious.” He kisses me on the lips. “Thank you.”

I glance over at Julia, and she gives me a closed-mouth grin, then she whispers something to Derek. He chuckles, and I narrow my eyes at her.

“Alright, everyone,” I say, once the table is cleared. “We are going to initiate Kiran into our sick group by a game of Cards Against Humanity.”

Everyone groans nervously, and Kiran looks bewildered. “Have a seat,” I say to him, motioning toward his chair.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” Carly asks.

“Yes, I’m sure. He has to know what he’s getting himself into.” I circle the table, topping off everyone’s margarita, then I pull the game box from a cabinet and sit down. “You see, Kiran has this long-held perception of me that needs to be adjusted.”

“What do you mean?” Luke smiles and sips from his glass.

I lean forward with my elbows on the table and turn to Kiran. “He’s got this idea that I’m sooooo nice.” I raise my hands. “Okay, I’ll give him that, but—”

“He’s not been subjected to your twisted sense of humor,” Luke interrupts.

I point a finger at Luke. “Exactly.”

Kiran chuckles.

“Kiran, before we begin,” Julia says, “you must know that this is the most unpolitically correct game on the planet. You okay with that?”

He looks at me and grins. “I guess we’ll find out.”

Twenty minutes into the game, we’re all pretty slaphappy, and I’m getting to the point where I’m laughing at everything. There have been some pretty cringeworthy moments so far, but everyone is having a good time, and Kiran even seems to be relaxed.

It’s Hayden’s turn to read the next question. “During sex, I like to think about
blank
.”

We all look at our cards, trying to come up with our most entertaining choice. Some of us are giggling, while others are complaining that we don’t have anything good. We slide our cards over to Hayden.

“During sex, I like to think about...” He turns over the first card. “German dungeon porn.”

We all snicker, and Derek asks, “What the hell is German dungeon porn?”

Hayden continues. “Children on leashes.”

Carly does a double-take. “Ah, that’s just wrong.”

“A middle-aged man on roller skates.” That one gets us all laughing.

Hayden reads off the rest of the cards. “Hot cheese, boogers, a sausage festival, and finally... a homoerotic volleyball montage.” Deadpan, he looks up and squints at his dad and Richard. We all bust up.

“Okay, definitely gotta go with the homoerotic volleyball montage,” Hayden says.

“And that would be mine.” Luke raises his hand, and Hayden hands him the card. “I’ve been waiting to use that one.”

After
What gives me uncontrollable gas?
and
What do old people smell like?
, it’s my turn.

I draw a card and read. “
Blank
leads to
blank
. Okay, so you have to choose two cards for this one.” Putting my hand on Kiran’s thigh, I lean over to him and whisper, “Are you completely repulsed by now?”

He gives me a smirk, and then chuckles to himself as he reads his cards.

“Alrighty, then. Let’s see what you’ve got.” I line the cards up in front of me. “An oversized lollipop leads to half-assed foreplay.” I jerk my head up. “Ewww!”

“Yeah, that one’s a little disturbing,” Julia mutters.

“Fiery poops lead to another goddamn vampire movie.” Making a face, I shake my head.

“What the...?” Carly says.

I continue to share each set, becoming more giddy with each one, making it difficult for me to finish.

When I read the last one to myself, I start giggling and can’t stop. “An erection that lasts...” I pause to control myself and try again. “An erection that lasts longer than four hours...” My voice squeaks, and everyone chuckles at my inability to get it out. “Leads to an awkward voicemail.”

Given that we all have a fair amount of alcohol in our bloodstream, everyone roars with laughter.

“No competition,” I declare. “That one was the winner, hands down.” I scan everyone at the table, waiting for the owner to claim it.

“That one’s mine,” Kiran admits quietly.

I nod with approval and smile as I slide the card over to him.

“Well done!” Richard says.

We continue enjoying each other’s company over coffee and dessert, and around ten o’clock, everyone starts heading out. After hugging me good-bye, Luke, Richard, and Derek each give Kiran a warm handshake as they leave; Julia offers a hug and a kiss on his cheek.

Meanwhile, the kids gather their things for a night out. “We’re gonna meet up with some friends and catch a midnight show at Town Square,” Hayden says, swinging his keys. “It was good seeing you again, Kiran.”

“You, too.”

Carly follows her brother, holding her hand up in a motionless wave with a knowing, little smile on her face. “Bye.”

I lock the door behind them. In his jeans and v-neck t-shirt, Kiran stands with his hands in his pockets, looking sexier than ever. “Your family and friends are great. You’re very blessed.”

“I know. I am.” I walk over to him and lift my face to his, and his lips meet mine in a slow, enticing kiss. “I’ve been waiting for one of those all evening.”

His hand slides to the back of my neck where his fingers lift into my hair. “Do you want me to stay for a while? Or do you want to call it a night?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want you to go. Will you stay... for the night?”

He raises his eyebrows. We haven’t been together since we returned to Vegas a week ago. I’m not sure why, except maybe both of us were trying to feel out our relationship now that we’re back in the real world.

“What about Carly and Hayden?”

“They’re not babies anymore, and they already know how I feel, that you make me happy.”

He takes a short breath and kisses me again.

We hold hands as we walk down the hallway to my bedroom. “So what did you think of the game?”

“It was as bad as you warned.” He grins. “But I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a long time.”

“Right? I’m not sure what it is about raunchy, uncomfortable humor that gets me every time. I tell myself I shouldn’t laugh...” We stand beside my bed. “Your answer about the awkward voicemail was awesome. Well played.”

I raise my hand for a high five, which he returns. And when our hands meet, he holds mine in his and slowly brings it behind my back, pulling me close. My smile fades at his attentive gaze. I suppose one day I’ll get used to those soul-searching eyes, piercing any walls I may have erected. But for now, whenever he looks at me like this, I simply turn to mush.

“I’ve missed you,” he says, kissing me beneath my ear.

I briefly lift my shoulder, reacting to the chill his touch sends through me. I tilt my head as his lips trail down my neck. “I’ve missed you, too.”

My hands move to his hips, then his butt, as he gently pulls aside the collar of my sleeveless blouse, working his way to my shoulder.

Sliding my hands from his back to his stomach, I unbutton his jeans while burying my mouth in his neck, standing on tiptoes to reach him. I lose my balance for a moment, and he grabs my waist. We laugh softly as I pull off his shirt, then lightly kiss the hollow of his chest as his fingers weave through my hair.

A sudden pounding on the front door startles us.

“What the...?” We look at each other. “Someone must have left something behind. I’ll be right back.”

I race to the door and pull it open.
No!

“David, what are you doing here?”

“Hey, baby.” He trips over the threshold, wearing a pair of khaki carpenter shorts and a shirt that looks like it’s been chewed up and spit out. “I came to see my girl, Carly. I need to talk to her.” His words are slurred, and he is easily the most pathetic thing I have ever laid eyes on.

“Carly isn’t here.”

“What?” He smiles and puts his hand to the side of his mouth. “Carly, girl!” he sings, like he could be calling Trixie. In fact, that’s who comes from the back of the house, excitedly wagging her tail. “Trixie!” he exclaims, as if she’s his long-lost friend.

By this time, Kiran emerges from the bedroom. His shirt is back on and his pants buttoned, and he stops at the edge of the hallway.

“Hey, lookie!” David says to me while pointing at Kiran. “It’s the Calvin Klein dude!” He busts out laughing and stumbles his way toward Kiran. “What up, my homey? My home
dawg
!” He draws out the last word.

I want to die. Can I just die now? Kiran looks at me, like he doesn’t have any idea what to do.

Meanwhile, David goes to give Kiran a friendly slap on the back, but slips and falls to the floor. Kiran immediately bends over and reaches for his arm. He throws David’s arm around his neck and looks up at me. “Maybe you should get him some coffee.”

I nod, but remain frozen as Kiran leads him to the couch. David hangs onto him, and I want to tear my eyes out when he begins fondling Kiran’s stomach underneath his shirt. “Nice bellah!” he hollers in a Scottish brogue.

“David, stop that!”

Kiran calmly removes David’s hand from his stomach and sits him on the couch.

“What, Anna?” David asks, puzzled. “You always loved my Fat Bastard impressions.
Get in my bellah!
” He points to his own stomach with each syllable. He’s referring to Mike Myers’ character in the
Austin Powers
movies.

I roll my eyes and go to the kitchen to quickly pour him a cup from the pot still warm from this evening. When I return, Kiran is sitting in the chair next to the couch, leaning forward on his knees, head down.

“Where’s Carly?” David asks again.

“She and Hayden went to the movies with some friends.” I hand him the cup and sit at the other end of the sofa from him.

“Thanks, love.” He says it as if this is nothing out of the ordinary; like we’re all just sitting around, shooting the breeze. “What movie are they seeing?”

I look at Kiran and mouth,
I’m so sorry!

David sees me, and his head whips to Kiran, and then back to me again. “I gotta say, Anna, you did alright.” His eyes fall back to Kiran. “This is one nice-lookin’ chap! No,
really
, kudos to you... I know
I’d
do him!” He takes a sip of his coffee.

I lean my forehead in my hand and Kiran rubs his eyes.

“Don’t get me wrong! Anna is quite the catch herself, so treat her good!” He points a finger at Kiran. “Not like I did. She’s funny, she’s smart, and she’s a real good kisser.” He flashes his eyebrows at me.

“Maybe you should stop talking now, friend,” Kiran says quietly.

I expect to find anger in Kiran’s eyes, but surprisingly, I see compassion. For David.

“Of course! Of course!” David says.

Kiran stands up, and I rush to meet him. “Please don’t go,” I whisper.

“There’s no way I’m leaving you here with him like that. You need to take his keys. I’ll be right back.”

Kiran heads to the restroom, and I turn around and hold my hand out to David. “Give me your keys. I can’t believe you drove like this.”

“I’m
fine!
Really.”

“Give ’em!”

He sighs dramatically, pulls his keys from his pocket, and drops them into my hand.