An hour later, Dusty and Katie were parked in a small nook off an alley, three blocks away from the coffee shop. The windows were fogged up and Katie was straddling Dusty, breathing heavily. Her pants sat without her on the passenger seat, but her coat was long and had her well covered.
“You make me a shameless hussy with no self-control. What the hell is wrong with me?” she asked rhetorically into his neck.
“Not a damn thing.”
“How the hell do you keep doing this to me?”
“It’s a gift.”
“I mean it, Dusty. I’m coming off like a bad Debbie Does Dusty porno. I’ve never behaved this way.”
“I just know how to sweep you off your feet, baby. That and I’m sure the heated seats helped.”
She slid back to her side of the car. “I really should get back. I don’t see Court a lot. We try to spend Sundays together when we can. I told you I didn’t have a lot of free time, Dustin.”
“Dusty.”
She smiled at him then gave him a gentle kiss. “I don’t know why I don’t call you that. It does kinda fit you better with that baby face.”
“Keep it up, sugar bear, and I’ll grow a beard.”
“No!” She stroked her hand down his cheek. “Although I am fond of the day-old scruffy look.”
Dusty pulled up to her dorm and they shared another lingering kiss. “I’m going to miss you in the morning. I wish you’d stay with me.”
She placed her hand on his crotch. “You mean this is going to miss me in the morning.”
Dusty removed her hand. He was already getting aroused again by the kiss and didn’t want her to think that was all he wanted. “No. I’m going to miss you. You sure I can’t get you to stay over? I promise I’ll bring you back early so you can get to class.”
“I told you. I really want to spend time with Courtney. Besides, I thought we were going to try to slow this down.”
“I agreed to no such thing. I don’t want to, but I’ll let you take the lead here. I don’t want to scare you away. Can I take you and Courtney to dinner tomorrow night at least? We’ll go to Chez Pauls. I’ll take you on a proper dinner date.”
Katie leaned in for a kiss. “I’m in. I’ll text you if Courtney is available so you can call that Dean friend of yours.”
“I’ll take you both out, even if he isn’t available. I’d like to get to know this girl that you care so much for. I have a feeling I’m going to need her approval.”
Katie gave him another quick kiss before opening the door. “You’re not much for first impressions, but your recovery is nice. See you tomorrow. Six?”
“Sounds good, honey buns.” Dusty heard her groan after she closed the door. He chuckled and headed to Dean’s. Dean had a two-bed dorm room, but he didn’t currently have a roommate. His last one took off for Barbados with his tuition money and hadn’t been heard from since. A sock hung on the doorknob, but Dusty ignored it and walked in. Dean was sound asleep and alone. Dusty flew onto his bed.
“You asshole!” Dean shouted as he punched Dusty hard in the arm. “Didn’t you see the sock?”
“Yeah. But as I suspected, there’s no chick. I knew you weren’t getting laid.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because you’re in the middle of a dry spell.”
“And I can’t break that, why?”
“’Cause I was busy getting some and you had no wing man.”
“No shit? You get back into Stacey’s pants?”
“Stacey?” Dusty hadn’t thought of her in years. “No. Remember the chick you said was out of my league?”
“No fucking way.”
“Fucking way. Spent the morning with her, too.”
“Gonna make her harder to dump if you let her get attached.”
“I’m not going to dump her. This is it.”
“You? In love? Get the hell out.” Dean pulled the blanket over his head.
Dusty promptly pulled it back down. “I want to take her out to dinner tomorrow night.”
“I’m not lending you money.”
“I don’t need money. I’ll use the card.”
“Dude, your dad will beat your ass.”
“He won’t even notice.”
“So, what did you wake my ass up for? What do you want from me?”
“A date.”
“You’re a pretty-boy and all, but I already told you I won’t date you.”
Dusty gave him a shove. “Come on. She has a cute friend. I want you to come along.”
“What the hell for?”
“I’m going to need to win her roommate over if I’m going to make this stick. We kind of jumped right in the sack. I need to go back a few steps and do this right. I want to keep this one, Dean-O.”
Dean groaned. “Is her friend really cute, or should I bring milk bones?”
“She’s cute. You remember the brunette she was with?”
“The chubby girl?”
“She wasn’t that bad.”
“I wasn’t complaining. I like ’em a little chubby, anyway. More cushion for the pushin’ and bigger tits.”
Dusty sat on his chest and held the pillow over his face. “You scrodknocker.” He let Dean flail for a minute then removed the pillow. “She’s a nice girl. You treat her like crap and it’s over for me.” From what Katie had said, if Dean was half-way human he’d probably get lucky, but he didn’t want to use that as part of the bribe. He was hoping they’d hit it off for more than a one night stand. He had to keep Courtney interested long enough for that Ronald to move on.
“Fine. You’re buying.”
“Deal.”
“And we’re taking the Beemer, not that piece of shit you call a car.”
“Already using it. I don’t want Katie to have to go without heat.”
“But you have no problem tooling me around in it.”
“You’re ugly. I don’t care.”
“Get off me, you homo.”
Dusty climbed off him then pelted him with a pillow from the other bed. “Get a haircut tomorrow and be ready at five thirty. Dress nice. We’re going to Chez Pauls.”
Dean finally sat up. “Holy shit. You do mean business.”
“I’m not screwing around.”
“I’ll be your wingman, douche.”
“It’s Goose.” Dusty laughed.
“I know. Get out.”
“See you tomorrow at five thirty sharp.”
Dusty had forgotten how much he missed Dean. They hadn’t kept in touch as well as Katie and Courtney did over the years. Dean accepted a job with a huge law firm in Minneapolis after graduation and was busy more often than not. They shared beers over a summer barbecue here and there, but that was about the extent of it. After all this time, Dean was still single and always had an excuse to avoid a “couples” get together.
Heading for his cottage, Dusty hoped that this date would be the ticket to setting Courtney on a new path. He wouldn’t mind falling asleep and waking up in his Katie’s arms at any past, present or future, as long as she’d always be there for him. Screwing this up was not an option.
Courtney was climbing out of bed when Katie walked in. “Hey, hon. I didn’t think you’d be back till tonight.”
“I wanted to come back to you. I never get to see you anymore, Court.”
“What really happened? You wear the poor boy out? Did you steal his virginity and he can’t keep up?”
Katie laughed. “Stop it. Things are going great. I just don’t want to push it. You know I wasn’t interested in a relationship. He sure is pushy for such a young thing.”
“And you’ve never glowed so much. I wouldn’t have minded if you stayed over again.”
“Well, I would have. I want to spend time with you. Sunday is our day when we both don’t have so much studying to do.” Katie plopped on her bed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Fire away.”
“How much are you into this Ronald guy?”
She shrugged. “You know me. I’m as much into him as I can be. Why?”
“’Cause I want you to double date with Dusty and me. He has a friend he thinks you’d like.”
“I don’t care, I guess. Ronald and I are kind of just in it for sex. We’re not exclusive or anything. I think he calls me when he’s bored. I don’t need to stick around for that.”
“Court…” Katie dragged out her name, clearly showing her disapproval.
“What? I have needs. Batteries cost a fortune.”
Katie laughed out loud. “Okay. I’ll stop playing mother, but will you give this Dean a chance? For me?”
“I’m in. Hey, he a law boy, too?”
“I didn’t ask. Does it matter?”
“I guess not. You know how big his feet are?”
Katie brought her hands to her head with a grunt. “You’re hopeless. I love you, but you’re hopeless.”
Dusty had to try hard not to text or call Katie all day. He went ice skating at the local outdoor rink to kill some time. After a few times around to loosen up, he was happy to have some kids show up in hockey gear, eager to be taught a trick or two when he offered. He couldn’t wait for Alex to be old enough to get on the ice. He’d already started watching figure skating with Ali, hoping she’d want to take lessons as well. Dusty caught himself looking over to the bench a lot, waiting to see Frank appear.
After two hours he was ready to go home. He stopped for drive-through tacos for supper and hoped he had enough beer. It sucked that liquor stores were closed on Sunday. He never planned ahead well enough.
After he ate and showered, he sent Katie a text.
How was your day with Courtney?
Nice and mellow. We just hung out.
We good for dinner tomorrow? Dean is game.
She said OK. Hey…What size are Dean’s feet?
Dusty laughed hard. Pervert. Same as me. 13.
Court just fainted.
You’re killin’ me, babe. Come over?
Can’t. Need to get some sleep. Early class.
:(
You’ll live. See you tomorrow at six.
Sleep well, muffin.
Ahhhh…
Again Dusty laughed. He never knew what possessed him to do that to her every time. Her reactions were priceless and he’d learned long ago that she didn’t mind as much as she let on.
Seeing as how he was quitting school soon, Dusty skipped class the next day. There was no way he was sitting through the class again that could very well be the one that made him storm away from the whole law school ordeal and finally stand up to his father. He went to the office to try to get information on Ronald, but realized he didn’t have a last name. His smile and charm had worked wonders before on Susan, the woman in charge of the records, but even that wouldn’t get him a last name. He had no idea what classes this guy was taking, no clue what he looked like.
The weather wasn’t too bad. He took the car for a fill up and added a wash since he could. The radio said it would be zero tomorrow. The car washes weren’t open when it was below freezing. By the time he purchased some decent dress clothes, he was ready for lunch. He decided to stop for a burger at Puck You, one of his favorite sports bars, heavy on the hockey theme.
Dusty enjoyed the fact that his alcohol tolerance was a lot better in his college days. He wouldn’t dream of having a beer with lunch in his present, but it sure sounded good now. He sat at the bar and ordered ribs and a Leiney’s Dark & Creamy. He spotted a familiar face across the bar, almost waved hello, but caught himself. Wilson Gregory didn’t know him in this time. It was funny to run into him here and now. Even though they were currently friends, thoughts of pummeling him for dating Katie in an alternate time crossed his mind. Realistically, he could hardly beat up a guy for something that didn’t happen. Dusty tried to keep to himself and his beer, but every now and then he glanced Wilson’s way.
After the third time he caught Dusty looking at him, the soon-to-be chiropractor picked up his beer and walked over. “Do I know you?” he asked Dusty, irritation in his voice.
“Sorry. You just looked familiar. I’m sure we haven’t met before. Not unless you come here often. Dammit. Now it sounds like I’m trying to pick you up.” Dusty grinned, hoping to ease the tension.
He laughed and outstretched his hand. “Wilson Gregory.”
“Dustin Andrews. Nice to meet you. Sorry if you felt I was staring at you. I really don’t swing that way.”
“No worries. I don’t either. Mind if I join you?”
Dusty motioned to the seat next to him. “Please do.”
The two men talked over their food, then shot a round of pool. Doctor Gregory had not yet earned the title “Doctor,” he still had a year left. Dusty kept his share of the conversation simple. He didn’t need to tell a man who was technically a stranger about dropping out. He should have left out the lawyer part altogether, knowing a lawyer joke would be coming.
“A lawyer's dog, running around town unleashed, heads for a butcher shop and steals a roast. The butcher goes to the lawyer’s office and asks, ‘if a dog running unleashed steals a piece of meat from my store, do I have a right to demand payment for the meat from the dog’s owner?’ The lawyer answers, ‘Absolutely.’ ‘Then you owe me $8.50. Your dog was loose and stole a roast from me today.’ The lawyer, without a word, writes the butcher a check for $8.50. The butcher, having a feeling of satisfaction, leaves. Three days later, the butcher finds a bill from the lawyer: $100 due for a consultation.” Wilson laughed heartily at his joke and Dusty, having already heard it, played along for mercy sake.
“You gotta watch us every—”
Wilson interrupted Dusty mid-sentence. “Will you look at the tits on that.”
Dusty turned around to see a new waitress standing at the bar, giving the bartender a drink order. “Sorry. I only have eyes for my Katie.”
“Come on. You can’t tell me you’re sticking with just one at your age.”
“I’m afraid I can.”
Wilson held up his glass in a toast. “Hope that works for you. I’m looking forward to the doctor salary, the fast cars, and all the women I can handle and get away with.”
Dusty had to hold back his laugh. In their present time line, Wilson was still single and acting as if he was the town stud. Dusty had overheard one of Wilson’s dates say, “It’s true what they say about the only difference between porcupines and a Corvette. The pricks are on the outside of a porcupine.” Dusty now strained to remember how they met since he wasn’t in any of the “married friends circle” things he did with Katie. Was this it? Holy hell, his head was starting to spin.
“You all right?” Wilson asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine. I really need to knock off the beer. I have a date tonight and need to keep my wits about me.”
“Not getting her to put out yet, huh?”
“I don’t think I need to be sharing that kind of info with you.”
Wilson made little whipping motions. “Won’t find me tied down. No sirree, Bob.”
“Well, good luck with that.” Dusty tossed his dad’s card on the bar. “I got this.” He was going to dent it tonight at dinner. Might as well warm it up.
“Thanks, buddy. I’ll catch you next time.”
“Sounds fine. I’m not making a date with you, though.”
“Fair enough.” The men shook hands, then Wilson strolled away to talk to the waitress with big tits.
Dusty’s mind went to Katie, once again wondering how she’d hooked up with him. “Baby, you had to have been really, really drunk.”
“Did you say something?” the bartender asked when he returned with the tab.
“Nope. Just thinking out loud.”
“You okay to drive?”
“I’ve only had the two beers. I’m good.”
“You are old enough to drink, right? My gut told me to card you.”
“I’ll be twenty-two in a few months.” Dusty reached for his wallet and the bartender stopped him.
“No offense. I felt guilty. I don’t want to get fired.”
Dusty threw a five onto the counter in addition to what he added on the card’s tip line. “I’m a regular here. You’re the one that’s new. No hard feelings.” Dusty was beginning think twice about that beard.