The cards swam through his head, dodging stacks of chips that fell into piles and slipped into a pit with no bottom. The buzzing migrated to drums, and the aces and eights flipped to the rhythm; louder and louder, the drums took over his dreams until a crescendo exploded into cards, unleashing a down pour of numbers and suits that fell in magnificent crashes on a crystalline floor.
“Hez, Hez!”
He jumped at hearing his name and the world came into focus, leaving the cards in the dark recess of his mind.
“Your ear is bleeding again.” Areli appeared from the blur of sleepiness. She was sitting over him in bed, holding a tissue next to his face.
“We’re going to the doctor. This is bad, and it scares me.”
“It’s fine. It’s happened for years.”
“That makes absolutely no sense. It isn’t important because it’s happened for a long time?” She wiped the blood from his cheek and kissed his forehead.
“I’ll go to the doctor when we find one; the emergency room is expensive. I’ll be okay.”
She wasn’t happy and he wouldn’t hear the end until he finally made an appointment.
“I can’t be without you, Hez. You understand? If you’re gone, then Dara and I will be lost. Please take care of yourself.”
“I will, promise,” he reassured her.
She got out of bed trying to adjust her clothes, but the t-shirt didn’t cover her green panties that peeked below the bottom. She threw on a pair of flannel pants and came back, kissing him.
“I’m going to make a pot of coffee and check on Dara.” As if on cue, they heard giggling from the den and smiled.
“She has the cutest laugh. I love her. You love her too, don’t you?” She rubbed his arm and kissed him again.
“I need to learn more about her, but she’s important to me.”
“That’s not good enough. I want y’all to spend more time together without me. Why don’t you take her on a date while I get my hair done today? Take her to that rib place.”
There was no need to argue. She was cute, and he tried talking to her, but she was so nervous when he sat with her. Areli loved her, so he needed to make it work.
“We can do that. I should be done with my game by 5.”
“I like when you play early games so you can spend time with us in the evening. Y’all need to be comfortable so we can all be together. I’m getting some coffee and I’ll tell her about your date.”
He watched her leave the room. Her long blonde hair fell just below her butt and his groin stirred, seeing her ass move in her pajamas. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other and Areli didn’t hide it from Dara, but he wasn’t used to her being around all the time. His ear stopped bleeding, so he sat up and reached for a shirt. The drums played strange music when something big was about to happen, but he felt “it” was already happening. He’d brought in a lot of money. Well, a lot of money for them. The majority went to a savings account for a car, but he wanted the girls to have nice things. Their days of going without were over. He would make a living for them. Once they got their IDs, then it was on to the casinos. He tried to play online, but the buzzing and the drums didn’t respond. He could win without them, but in-person games were the best bet, and he always took the best odds.
________________________________
“What’re you watching, Dara?” Areli walked out of the bedroom and leaned over the couch.
“Oh, Pokemon.” She giggled again at the TV.
“What’s that?” Areli walked to the kitchen and started the coffee.
“It’s about these cute little critters people capture and make fight each other.”
“That sounds mean.”
“It isn’t. They like it. I think they do.” She laughed again.
“You took a shower yet?”
“No, do I stink?”
Areli got the coffee going, plopped on the couch and kissed her cheek.
“No, you never stink. What is this stuffed animal?” She grabbed it and looked it over, trying to guess.
“It’s a squishy.”
“What’s it a squishy of, then?” She squeezed it, and it was softer than she expected.
“It’s an axolotl. His name is Rupert.”
They laughed and squeezed it together.
“Rupert. That’s funny; he’s cute.” She handed it back to her.
“You can borrow him if you need company.”
“I have you and Hez, but I may get one, anyway. Do you feel lonely around us, Dara?”
“I get nervous around Hez.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s a cute guy and I hear y’all having sex all the time.”
“I have sex with you all the time.”
“I know, Areli, but I don’t think he likes me. I’m not as pretty as you.”
“You are like a redheaded version of me. Of course he likes you. I see him checking you out.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. He said he wanted to take you on a date today.”
“A date? All of us?”
“No, just y’all. It will be romantic. Ribs are you favorite, right?”
“Oh, yeah! I can’t believe I’ve never had them. So good.”
Half of Hez’s winnings were in restaurant gift cards, so they ate out multiple times a week.
“Hez knows my favorite food?”
“Sure, ankara escort bayan he loves ribs too, and he pays attention to what you like. I bet he tries to kiss you afterwards.”
“You’re the only person I’ve kissed.”
“It’s the same, so don’t worry. It’s nice too. Sometimes, he gets hard when he kisses and you can feel it press against you when you hug him.”
“His penis?”
“Cock or dick is better. Penis sounds too formal.”
“His cock?”
“Yea, it feels nice because you know he’s happy.”
“I want to make Hez happy. You think I’ll be able to?”
“I know you will. Let’s take a shower and I’ll help you get ready.”
“Okay. I’m excited now. A date and ribs.”
_______________________________________
Janice Hale smiled for the older man sitting at her bar. He looked to be in late 40s and his features were wicked. His blonde hair, almost white, matched his eyebrows over his light blue eyes.
“You have pretty eyes, Sir.” She sat the glass of Glenlivet 18 in front of him.
“You’re a pretty girl, so I’m flattered you noticed my eyes. I noticed you when I walked in the door.” He smiled and his teeth were perfect.
“Stop it. I’m just plain Janice from Seymour.” She made an extra glance, hoping he liked her flirting attempts. She didn’t mind older men hitting on her, and his accent was fantastic.
“I can’t comment on Seymour, ma’am, but if you count as plain, then I would like to visit this place full of extraordinary people.”
“Good one.” She laughed as she took Desmond his 4th beer. He’d be drunk by 2pm and that was his life. She’d been working in Gatlinburg since she graduated high school a few years ago, and she wanted so much more. One day she’d get it. Time is all she needed.
“Where you from? That ain’t a southern accent?”
“It’s from the southern part of a country, just not in the US. I’m Hungarian.”
“What’s southern Hungary like?”
“I’d love to tell you about it. Let’s say we trade stories.”
“I don’t know what someone as worldly and handsome as you would want to know about me, but I’m off at 4.”
“I’m always amazed that beautiful women think I’m anything close to handsome, but thank you. I would like to stay. You have plenty of scotch?” He held up his empty glass.
“Sir, we sell Fireball and Jack Daniels. That Glen 18 has been here longer than me. We have plenty.”
“Well, in that case. I’m yours for the afternoon, ma’am.”
“Then I’m yours after. You know my name. What’s yours?” She reached her hand across the bar and he took it in his, holding it instead of shaking. He had soft hands. His touch, delicate. Smooth fingers traced her palm, and the soft squeeze at the end sent a flurry through her stomach.
“Malachi, my name is Malachi.”
___________________________________
Dara had a cup of coffee with Areli while Hez lounged in the hot tub. Dara wasn’t comfortable enough around Hez for him to be naked, but Areli would fix that soon. She and Dara usually took showers together so they could touch and cuddle in private, for Dara’s sake, and Areli enjoyed as well. She patted her bottom as they finished their coffee and took her to the shower.
“Areli? What did you and Hez do first? Sex stuff, I mean?”
She soaped her hands and scrubbed Dara’s back. Talking over the running water, she answered, “I didn’t know what it was called, but I jerked him off.”
Dara looked over her shoulder. “What’s that?”
“Are you watching the videos I sent you?”
“No, they’re dirty. I’ll try though.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being dirty, Dara. We all love each other, so it’s okay.”
“You think?”
“Yea, don’t you like how good it feels? When you cum?” She moved her hands down Dara’s back and rubbed the suds over her round ass.
“Oh, yeah, especially when you do it. Didn’t you say when Hez does it, it shoots out?”
“He cums a lot. One time I teased him all day but didn’t have sex with him until late at night and he covered me. He came so much. You should have heard him moan. I know I made him feel good. I love him so much. Just like I love you.”
“You think I can make him cum like that?” She turned around and soaped up Areli’s tits. She had the cutest freckles on her face and Areli smiled while looking at them and listening to her curiosity come out.
“I know you can. You’re hot and he likes you.”
“I’ll do it like you showed me with my hand. What’s it feel like? His pe-. His cock.”
She held her tits up. Dara knew that meant to rub them more. “It’s really hard, but still soft. I mean, his skin is soft but under it is hard. The tip swells up too when he’s about to cum and it feels good in your mouth when it swells. It makes me so horny. Rub my nipples while you wash me, sweetie.”
“Does he cum on our cute clothes?”
“Sometimes. It comes out in the wash though. My clothes, my panties, my mouth. Whatever he wants, I’ll do it.”
“I want to do what he wants too, Areli. I hope I don’t mess up.”
She stroked Dara’s red hair as the water fell eryaman escort on them and steam filled the room. A light kiss on her lips brought a smile to her face. Areli moved her hand to Dara’s mound and rolled her soapy fingers in her short red pubic hair.
“I know you’ll make him happy. You’re a good girl, aren’t you?” She played with her red curls, pulling a little until Dara bit her bottom lip.
“I like that.”
“What? Tell me what you like.”
“When you play with my hair down there. Rubbing me.”
“Does it hurt?” She lightly pulled again; Dara tensed up and moved her face closer to Areli’s.
“It’s a good hurt. If that makes sense. I don’t want you to stop, but I want Hez to be softer with me.”
“What about me?” Areli ran her fingers down over her clit.
“You can do whatever you want to me.”
“My girl. Let’s get ready.”
“Aren’t you going to play with it?”
“With what, Dara? Say it and don’t get embarrassed.”
“My pussy. Aren’t you going to play with my pussy?”
“No, you have a date. Turn around so I can wash your hair.”
“Where are you going while we’re on our date?”
“I’m getting my hair trimmed by this girl from Hez’s poker thing. She seems to know a lot about stuff around here, so I’m going to hang out with her.”
“I’m nervous, Areli. What do I wear?”
“We’ll pick something out. Don’t worry.”
“You okay sharing clothes with me, Areli?”
“Turn around, Dara.”
Areli looked into her eyes. “We are together with Hez. Those are our clothes. Mine as much as yours. Nothing is separate here anymore. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Kiss me.” Dara leaned in and kissed her as the shower ran down her back.
“Tell me you love me.”
“I love you.”
“You can turn back around and don’t ask to borrow things. Everything we have is yours.”
“Okay. Will you kiss me again, Areli? Before I turn around?” Dara’s hand gripped her side, and they pushed into each other’s embrace in a long kiss under the hot shower.
________________________________
Hez sat the book on a side table next to the hot tub and stood up in the frigid mountain air, letting the chilly wind settle on him. He could read online, but the buzzing and the drums responded more to his poker books, so he kept a full stack of them now. Drying off, he walked inside, following the coffee aroma. Dara and Areli were on the couch, in just t-shirts. Dara quickly pulled hers down when he came in.
“Hez! I’ll put on pants. Sorry.” She tried to move, but Areli pulled her back down.
“Calm down, you don’t have panties on either.”
“Areli! Seriously?”
“What? Stop worrying so much. Hez will be stuck in his book and coffee, so your fire bush is safe.”
“Please stop embarrassing me.”
She popped Dara’s head with the hairbrush, not hard.
“Owwch!”
“That didn’t hurt. Stop moving.”
“Can we please go to our bedroom to get ready, so we don’t bother Hez?”
“Y’all aren’t bothering me.” Hez took his coffee to the table, barely looking at the girls.
“Yes, I believe we are bothering you. C’mon Areli.” Dara stood up and pulled her shirt down before stomping to the bedroom. Areli rolled her eyes and followed her, but not before stopping to kiss Hez.
“Baby, she is funny when she’s nervous. Cute too.” She laughed.
“She is funny. We’ll have fun. I promise,” He replied.
“Make her feel pretty. She’s our girl.” She kissed his forehead and walked to the bedroom.
Hez took a long shower and threw on a pair of jeans. The girls were taking forever and his shirts were in the bedroom. He read his book, trying to understand betting odds when the door opened. He got up, but stopped when Dara walked out.
Her red hair flowed perfectly straight down her back, and he was sure her eyes were greener than normal. Did you ever notice they were green? She wore a strappy dress with thin horizontal lines of hundreds of colors so vibrant that he couldn’t say what color the dress was. Her breasts pushed against the thin fabric, and he caught a hint of her strapless bra as his eyes moved down her body to the white hose that covered her legs.
“Hez put his book down and stared at the new redhead.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Areli smiled and ran a brush through her hair again as Dara stood with her hands interlaced in front of her.
“Hello, Hez. I’m ready for our date.” She glanced at Areli and smiled back at Hez. He was sure they’d practiced, but now he was as nervous as she was.
“You look great, Dara. I can’t wait to take you out tonight.”
She smiled again and locked eyes with him.
“Thank you for asking me out. I’ve wanted this for a long time. Can we go?”
Areli stopped brushing her hair and grabbed Hez’s wallet that he always forgot, handing it to him.
“Let’s go, so I don’t miss my appointment. You should be done with your game by 6, right? I will hang out with Susan after she does my hair.”
“You can come with us.” Hez grabbed her side and pulled her into him.
“No, etlik escort baby. I’ll be fine.” She kissed him on his lips. “Y’all have fun and I’ll be late. She told me we could see one of the new bars for you to play cards.” She walked to Dara and kissed her on the lips as well.
“Y’all ready?” she asked as she winked at him.
________________________________
The drums were dull as Hez rolled through the table; he didn’t need them for this crowd. Dara sat back but watched with interest when he explained what was happening between the table changes. Several guys walked up to her, but she got them away with one exception and Hez walking up to her took care of that one.
“I heard some of those guys talking. They said you were great.” She smelled nice. He could smell her perfume over the smoke and beer that surrounded them.
“I’m pretty good; I win more than I lose.”
“You win because you’re amazing.” Dara turned red, just like Areli does when she’s embarrassed or mad.
“Thanks, Dara.”
“Sorry, that came out creepy. I think you are good.”
“I like that you believe I’m amazing.” He smiled at her, hoping it would break the tension.
“I do.” She grabbed his hand and held it as she stole small glances at him.
The game was quick, and he won 1st place again, easily. The drums put out a rhythm he understood. After collecting his winnings, they walked out of the bar into the stiff wind with 75 in cash and gift cards to several restaurants that shared a group with the one they just left.
“Here, wear my jacket so we can walk down the street to ‘Flying Butts'”
She squeezed his hand. “That is my favorite. Ribs and ribs with more ribs.” She did a little hop as they started.
“I know you like ribs, so you can have all you want, under one condition.” He pulled her close to him. “Relax and talk to me. Stop being so nervous. I like you and want to spend time together. Do you like me?”
The chill in the air was gone when she moved her arm around his. “Yes, a lot. You and Areli, but I like being alone with you too.”
“Like now?”
“Yes. A lot.”
“What would make it better? This is your night. Us alone, and ribs. Anything else?”
She moved to him, her lips found his before he could change his mind and he held her and thought how her waist felt just like Areli’s, but her kiss was more primal; almost desperate, as it was sweet. A need mixed with her tongue and an aggression hid behind the softness of her lips. He found his hand just below her breast as they separated.
“That was nice, Dara. Let’s get inside before you get cold. I can’t have my girl freezing, can I?”
She liked that. With their arms intertwined, they walked to the BBQ joint. A young couple on their first date.
_____________________________________
“Girl, you showed! I’m so fucking ready to do your hair. Goddamn you’re a hottie.”
Areli liked her. She laughed as Susan ran up to her and interlocked her arm.
“Hey Susan. You’re the only hottie here.”
“Get your fine ass in that chair and stop pretending you aren’t a river goddess with this pretty blonde hair. Christ, it’s almost below your ass.” Her hand ran the length of her hair and she swore her hand quickly cupped her ass cheek as Susan guided her into the chair. They were alone in the small salon.
“You have people that work with you? Other stylists?”
“Am I not good enough? Already trying to fire me?” She cocked her eyebrows but grinned at Areli. she had two rings in her right nostril and her makeup was pristine, setting off her large brown eyes. She wore a skimpy shirt, close to the one she wore on poker nights, and her breasts seemed to be ready to come out with a slight tug on the glittery blue top.
“No, of course not. I’m just wondering if you work by yourself.”
“Nope, but my granny owns it by herself. Those other two girls work for her but since I’m the manager, bookkeeper, HR dept, PR specialist, and all around best hair stylist, they work for me. Got it, Goldilocks?”
“I prefer Rapunzel.”
“Nice. Rapunzel it is.”
“So, you don’t have to pay rent?” Areli asked.
“We pay taxes, but no rent. We’re crazy lucky. Granny bought it when Gatlinburg was just a map dot. Now, the foot traffic alone makes this one of the hottest spots in this candy coated, sugary, clown car of a jingle bell tourist trap. Hell, I trim and style more beards than hair anymore and I figure if I hand out samples of Skoal and beef jerky, we’d be able to put another chair in here. Lay back and let me wash this beautiful mane.”
Areli leaned back and let Susan’s hands work on her scalp. Having another person wash her hair was breathtaking. She’d start having Dara do it at home, but she thought only of Susan’s fingers as she let the warm water wash away the cold mountain weather outside the door.
“Hey, cutie. You’re falling asleep.”
Areli opened her eyes to Susan’s large tits hanging near her face as she pulled her wet hair into a towel.
“Oh, sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have magic hands.” She gave Areli a small smile and winked, making her smile back.
“They are magic. Thank you for taking good care of me.”
“Hey, you’re the only person who responds to my texts without trying to get me to hang out until 3 am. You’re my favorite friend now.”