By Rachel Torrent

“Where IS that boyfiend of yours? You KNOW I came over here just to see him, don’tcha?” Sahndra was laughing as she sat down with Julie in the loft. She felt alive and spirited. And ready to razz Roger some. He was always such a worthy opponent.

“He’s not a fiend,” Julie answered. “He’s back in the bedroom doing something. Just wait a minute. He knows you’re here – believe me.” Roger was always aware of everything. This was sometimes scary, and Julie was still getting used to it.

“So what are you guys doing tonight?”

“I think we’re gonna check out that new place………Chubbie’s……..near the Army/Navy store. Jack said the upstairs was cool,” Julie said.

“Oh, you’re allowed to speak to Jack? Or does the prick even know?”

“Shut the hell up, Sahndra. Roger’s fine with Jack as long as he keeps his hands to himself.”

“If he only knew ‘bout you and Jack………” Sahndra snickered.

“Go ahead and tell him, you bitch. And I’ll just havta clue Earl Ray in on that little ride home Jack gave YOU one night……..Whadaya say, buddy?” Now Julie smiled mischievously.

“Jack’s not exactly a problem for me anymore……..not like that awesome Ben Farlow,” Sahndra said, dreamily.

“What’s with Ben?”

“I see him at the shooting range a lot now when I visit Earl Ray. He’s so incredibly cool and flirtatious. Not to mention handsome. I can’t resist flirting back. And Earl Ray hates it.”

Julie rolled her eyes. “He and Roger both need to get over their freaking little jealousies.”

“I need to get over WHAT, sweetheart?” Roger had quietly sneaked into the den with them. They both looked up, surprised to see him. He had raised his eyebrows at Julie and was waiting for her to answer.

“Uh…….nothing, honey………We were talking about Ben Farlow,” Julie stammered.

“And Jack French, as I heard.” Roger curled his upper lip just slightly.

Sahndra came to her rescue. “Don’t even pretend to get tough with her, Roger. I can hear the sound of that whip cracking above your head all the way over at my house. I know damn well who’s the boss around here.” She laughed sarcastically.

He walked over and stood closer to them. He’d turned his chilly attention to Sahndra now. “Ya know, biker chick? Ya need to give that whip bullshit a rest.”

“Whatsa matter, you prick? Ya don’t want everybody to know how Julie leads your ass around like a little puppy? You little lap dog?”

Julie had put her hand over her eyes and lowered her head. She knew she’d have to wait this one out. Something else she was having to get used to.

Roger narrowed his eyes. “Why are you such a cunt?”

“A cunt? That’s pretty vicious, Roger. Wanna play dirty today, huh?” Sahndra imitated the sound of a cracking whip several times.

“Eat me, Sahndra.”

“Well………..I would……..but I hear it wouldn’t do any good……….since ya can’t get it up anyway.” Sahndra grinned at him.

Without moving his head, Roger cut his eyes in Julie’s direction. She was still looking down and waiting for this terrible banter session to mercifully end.

Sahndra snickered to get his gaze back. “That’s right, Roger. She tells me all the disgusting details of your failure of a sex life………..not that I WANT to hear the shit or anything.”

He rolled those captivating eyes of his now. “You’re the only one here talking about sex, Harley groupie. Maybe you’re just aching for a good lay………..Yeah, that’s right, bitch. Julie told ME about that limp dick you’re stuck with now.” He smiled.

“God, please leave me outta this crap,” Julie whined. They both ignored her. They were eyeing each other very seriously.

Sahndra’s turn to dig. “Limp dick, my ass. You only WISH you had his stamina, you asshole…………And speaking of staying power………I hear cubic zirconia will outlast real diamonds by hundreds of years……….And your excellent taste in cubic zirconia is quite evident, Roger.” She glanced over at Julie’s ring.

With his boot, Roger shoved the leather foot stool out of his path as he stepped closer to where Sahndra sat. “You shut the fuck up. That is NOT cubic zirconia. You can go straight to hell.” He wasn’t raising his voice, but Julie heard in the tone that he’d crossed a thin line from joking around over into being pissed off.

Sahndra, apparently, didn’t notice this. In this little game of theirs, she was swinging for a home run. “Sure it is, dickhead. And it even matches that faggoty little earring of yours, you cocksucker……..Real men wear one earring at the most. But you, being the queer that you are, wear a hoop AND a stud. Nice and prissy, Roger.”

Julie bit down on nothing and cringed.

Almost before she saw him move, he was on Sahndra, next to her, towering above her, breathing heavily and staring at her with wide, angry eyes. Julie was watching him from behind, knowing full well that Sahndra had accidentally tread into dangerous territory.

“That’s not funny, Sahndra. If ya gotta call me that shit, then you can get the hell outta my loft.” He still didn’t yell, but he didn’t need to. His emotions were very loud.

Sahndra wasn’t snickering anymore. “I was just kidding around, Roger………Jesus.” She was a tiny bit afraid. She’d never seen him this riled up. Her voice came out in a whisper.

Roger turned around and left them both. Without looking back. He walked to the far end of the loft, out of sight.

“I’m sorry, Jules. I didn’t mean to really piss him off. I was just messing with him, like usual.”

“That’s his biggest sore spot – the gay thing. I thought ya knew that.” Julie was relieved it was all over. Without casualties.

“I’ll go and apologize………I don’t want him mad at me.” Sahndra’s heart beat was still a little fast.

“Give him a few minutes……..He’ll cool off……….I’ll get us some Ginger Ales,” Julie said as she stood up.

A half hour later, Sahndra ventured to the back of the loft where she found Roger welding in silence. He was the only person she knew who could “cool off” with fire. She watched him for a moment and then called out to him. Almost reluctantly, he stopped and pulled off the heavy goggles. Then he just stared at her with pursed lips. His earring sparkled.

“Just wanted to say I’m sorry, Roger. I didn’t intend to anger you…….Really………. I won’t go there again.”

“Forget about it. It’s not worth it.” was all he said.

He’s so damn frustrating, she thought. “So that means we’re okay?………..You and me?……..Friends again?”

After a pause, he smiled slowly. “Friends again, Sahndra.”

She sighed and hadn’t meant to. “Okay……..good. Then I’ll see ya tomorrow night at the party.”

“Yeah. See ya.”

As she was walking away with his image in her mind, he yelled out. “Hey! Biker chick!”

She turned around. “It’s not fucking cubic zirconia!”

Sahndra laughed. “I know, Roger. I know.”

* * *

The party that following Saturday night was a dual bachelor/bachelorette party for Roy Dean and Lonnie, the soon-to-be-married happy couple. Alex, Julie’s head cook, had begged her to use Renaissance for the blow-out soiree that he and Jody Varner wanted to give Roy Dean.

She had readily agreed and then decided it would be a fabulous opportunity for her to host a little party for Lonnie that same evening – just for the “girls.” The ladies would be using the fine dining area while the guys would play in the bar itself. She and Alex had shared the cooking tasks and the alcohol expenses. A perfect setup for a perfect evening.

Julie and Roger had arrived together, of course. She wore an orange silk dress, and he had on one of his many black ensembles – black collarless dress shirt buttoned up to his neck, black pleated pants, and black lace-up shoes. Julie knew he’d get some admiring glances from her side of the party tonight.

“Are the guys allowed over here to mingle?” Carli asked. She could hardly stand to be away from Alan Matthews now that he’d finally kept his promise to her and split from Amy. He was living with Carli openly in her house now, and the divorce would be final within the month. Julie understood her desire to be with him constantly. She’d felt that way about someone too. Still did.

“Technically, no. They’re supposed to keep their nice-looking, squeezable asses over there at their own party. But we’ll just see………” Julie said.

“Well, you can bet I’ll be looking at that fine ass on Ben Farlow,” Sahndra said laughing.

“You want Ben Farlow after what YOU walked in with? God! I’ve always wanted that hunk Mr. Michaels!” Lonnie was already working on some white wine. As were most of them. They all sat around several big tables.

“Really? Even when I had him?” Julie was amazed. All her former light suspicions about Lonnie had been legitimate.

“Sure! Even back then! That adorable accent of his is so sexy………..I’ve always wondered what he’d be like………..in the sack!” Lonnie’s eyes brightened.

Julie and Sahndra exchanged a little knowing glance, a little knowing smile. “I think he’s learned a few new tricks since he was with me,” Julie said. She laughed at Sahndra.

“Yeah………And I’ll rip your arms right off that gorgeous frame of yours if ya touch him, Lonnie. There’s your fair warning,” Sahndra said. They all laughed.

“So who do YOU want, Christine? There’s a big assortment out there to choose from!” Julie prodded her.

“Gosh, I have all I can handle with Scottie LaMont,” she said. Then she looked quickly, regretfully, at Sahndra.

But Sahndra didn’t give her time to regret anything. “C’mon, Christine! This is Fantasy Island! Pick somebody else!”

Sahndra was glad inside that Christine and Scottie had resolved their little difference. Scottie had been foolishly paranoid to suspect her of preferring Redmond Dunne over him. Redmond had only been seeking information for a newspaper article when Scottie had seen them being “cozy.”

“Well……….since Alan Matthews is taken…….again………that Terry Hannon guy is sharp. I don’t guess I’d kick him outta bed,” Christine said. Terry was wealthy and classy. Sahndra instantly saw a pattern in Christine’s tastes.

“Girls, I gotta admit………..I, personally, want what Julie sleeps with every night………That’s the sexiest man I declare I’ve evah seen.” Eula Varner dripped with shameless adoration of Roger.

“And ya must want your pretty head sheared right off your pretty shoulders too,” Julie hissed at her. And they all laughed again.

“I can look, cain’t I?” Eula batted her eyelashes.

“You can look, Eula. But drool is very unbecoming in a public setting.” Julie smiled, but she didn’t like Eula.

“Earl Ray does look edible tonight, Sahndra. You should let him out more often,” Christine said. Julie noticed that she and Sahndra had warmed to each other, and she was glad. It was good for both of them.

Sahndra licked her lips to that comment. “Oh, he’s edible………I’ll vouch for that.”

“And he always smells good too………like Roy Dean………I love a man that smells good,” Lonnie said smiling. She was so in love and happy.

“That Jack French guy smells damn fine too,” Carli said. She was well acquainted with Jack’s wooing presence.

Julie grabbed her heart with melodramatic swooning. “Don’t get me started on that sex toy Jack French………He’s downright fuckable……..He could french any part of my body if he wanted.”

“Yeah, and get his OWN body smashed under a BMW,” Sahndra said quietly. She winked at Julie.

Eula laughed out loud, not hearing what Sahndra had said. “I know whatcha mean! He’s smooth as silk. Jody’s a piece of sandpaper compared to him.”

“Ah, Jody’s sweet. Such nice manners. I love the way he saunters around,” Julie said.

“Kinda like Scottie,” Christine piped in. Then she glanced unsuredly at Sahndra. “Does it bother you when I drool over him in front of you, Sahndra?”

Sahndra laughed, a little like Scottie’s snorting laugh she’d heard so many times. “Are you kidding me? I’m glad he’s so appreciated………In fact, I wanna show you something later………Julie’s little sick room in the back.”

Julie almost choked on her wine. She laughed. “God, Sahndra. Didn’t you get some piece of jewelry that night or something?”

“A damn fine piece of jewelry that’s been added to several times since,” Sahndra answered her with a grin.

Once again not following the whole conversation, Eula changed the subject. “Hey, Julie! Is Roger as good as he looks? We all wanna know.”

Julie was caught off-balance. “Uh……..”

“C’mon, Jules. Details.” Carli was laughing.

“Well…………yes………..I’d havta to say he is……….He’s not wild or kinky or anything like that if that’s what ya wanted to hear………But he knows all the basics very well……….and sometimes he even gets rough………I’m absolutely satisfied…….And I AIN’T trading him in. So don’t get any damn ideas!”

“He’s a prick,” Sahndra said.

“But he looks like he could wear ya out,” Eula said.

“He can.” Julie smiled with delightful memories.

“Well, I slept with Slick Goodlin once,” Carli volunteered. “Talk about sandpaper.”

“Slick? Yuck! He’s a boob!” Lonnie seemed to be more animated than her usual sprightly self “He tried to hit on me once, and I was grossed out.”

“Hey, I said I fucked him only once. I hope Alan is the last man I ever fuck,” Carli said.

“Carli, come over to my shop next week and pick that sweet, handsome man out something to make his heart race.” Christine smiled at her.

“I don’t know ‘bout you girls, but I gotta sneak a peak at the little boys. Maybe I can catch Ben with a bulge in those come-fuck-me jeans he’s wearing.” Sahndra took her glass and stood up.

Standing up too, Christine said, “Does anyone besides me think Tyler Barnes looks great in HIS jeans? I mean he’s not really my type, but I could watch him walk across the room all day.”

“Yeah, count me in,” Eula said.

Julie wondered silently if there was any man over there Eula wouldn’t want to be counted in on. Then she followed Sahndra over to the foyer and tried to locate Jack in the sea of gorgeous men.

* * *

Meanwhile, over on the “boys” side of the restaurant, Alan was getting lots of congratulatory claps on the back for taking the plunge with Carli. He’d been brave; he’d boldly gone after what he wanted. And the other guys were proud of him.

The jukebox blasted out background tunes, mostly country music since that was Roy Dean’s favorite. Evan and Scottie were shooting pool, which meant that Even wasn’t too drunk yet to stand. Jack and Roger were playing darts, both looking very well-manicured.

Earl Ray was at the bar with Roy Dean and had been successfully ignoring Roger all evening. Julie saw Earl Ray when he and Sahndra came in and had told him how fine he looked in his dark red crew-neck sweater, brown khaki pants, and those brown loafers. He had blushed, of course, red enough to match the sweater.

“Hey, Scottie! When do the nudie girls get here?” Jack called over to him when it was Roger’s turn at the dart board.

Scottie had been asked by Alex to arrange the “exotic” entertainment typical at bachelor parties because he was always considered the most worldly among them.

“Soon, Jack. Just keep your pants on, buddy,” he said with a wink.

Ben Farlow, dressed in tight, new jeans and a nice sport coat, was discussing world politics with Loyal Truscott. Or discussing something intellectual and of profound significance.

Detective Tyler Barnes was having a beer with Jody Varner and Alan Matthews who was tilting his head in the direction of the “other party” and explaining to them about the “Sorority of Satan.” Jody shook his head in complete agreement, claiming to know all about “women.”

Slick was watching the pool competition between Scottie and Evan, waiting to take on the winner. He was already assuming he’d be playing the cocksure LaMont.

After the ladies got themselves an eyeful, unnoticed by the gentlemen, they returned to their wine and munchies. And dirty talk.

* * *

On to Part II