"Hurry up," Johnny shouted up at me.
"I am going as fast as I can," I shouted down the stairs. "What's the big deal?"
One of his co-workers was coming to our apartment to watch a football game. I didn't see the big deal.
"He's always on time," Johnny said.
As he looked himself in the mirror for the three-hundredth time, I came down the stairs. Staring at him, I shook my head at him.
"Come here," I said. I always had to straighten his hair, it was always a mess.
"You're wearing that?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said as I looked down at my clothes. "What's wrong?"
I had on a white shirt, black jeans, white sneakers.
"We have a guest, I thought you would... well, you know?" he said and shrugged.
"No, I don't know," I said, hands on my hips.
The doorbell rang, saving him - for now.
"Well?" I asked.
"Oh yeah," he said and ran to the door. I turned to go into the kitchen.
"Hey man," Johnny said. "I see you found the place."
I shook my head. My Johnny was not the smartest person in the world, but he was mine.
"Yeah, I think so."
The deep voice got my attention. I turned down the oven, then stepped into the living room.
"Johnny, invite the poor man in," I smiled.
They were still standing by the door.
"Oh yeah, come in," Johnny said.
He took the man's jacket, hanging it on a peg behind the door, and I watched a giant of a man walk into the apartment. He made Johnny look small.
"Claire," I introduced myself.
"Damien," the giant introduced himself.
I stand five foot four, Johnny is a good six foot, but this man must have been seven foot if not more. Very tall, well built. Black as midnight, with a bald head.
"Claire," Johnny said.
"Oh yeah," I said. I was staring at him. I had never seen a man so tall and muscular. He looked like he could easily pass for someone that played football.
Damien walked right past me and sat on the couch. He wore dark blue jeans and a really tight black shirt. His arms were huge.
"Game should start soon," Johnny said. He sounded nervous for some reason.
"Johnny, can I talk to you?" I said motioning Johnny to join me.
Johnny nodded, then we crept into the kitchen.
"I have seen all of your friends from work. I have never seen him," I whispered.
"He's the new guy I was telling you about," Johnny whispered back. The two of us stood in the kitchen just a few feet away from the living room.
I bent over and picked the baked potato skins out of the oven.
"Why are you so nervous around him?" I asked as I put the snacks onto a serving tray.
"Look at him!" Johnny said. We both peered around the wall. The giant was still looking at the screen, smiling about something. Hopefully, he couldn't hear us talking.
"I just wanted to get to know him before the others do," Johnny said.
I had to nod; he was right there. Johnny was picked on by other workers. He wasn't as strong as they were, not as street smart either, but he knew his shit, so he kept his job. I tried to find him a new job. No matter what Johnny would always find a way to fuck things up. He was always getting into trouble or pissing the wrong person off.
"Here," I said, handing him the tray as well as the cold beers. "Go!"
Johnny walked away. I watched him put the tray down on the small table in front of the couch.
"Thanks," Damien said he picked up one of them up and devoured it whole.
Johnny picked up one of the skins then dropped it straight to the floor as he blew on his fingers.
"Hot, huh?" Damien smiled.
I leaned my back against the wall, shaking my head. I took a deep breath, then brought out some paper towels.
"Here." I offered them some towels.
"No need," Damien said. He picked up another, this time he bit into it.
"Thanks," Johnny said as I took my place next to him.
"So, how long you guys been together?" Damien asked, grabbing a beer.
I was about to show him the bottle opener, but he put his finger under the top and popped it off.
"Well, we have known each other since high school," Johnny said, clearing his throat. "But we have been together for just over three years now."
"That's good," Damien nodded.
I was comfortably safe around Damien. Unlike most of Johnny's friends, he didn't appear to look down or talk down to him. If anything, it sounded like he wanted to be his friend. Plus there was something odd about him. Most of Johnny's friends would be staring at me by now. But he wasn't, which was both pleasant and unsettling at the same time.
I am used to getting looks from men. Some stare because of my bright red hair and green eyes. I've had a few guys say I look like a model named Tessa Fowler. Of course, I had to look her up. I have to say other than the red hair and green eyes but the comparison ends there. I have much bigger boobs. Not to brag but I have always had huge boobs, and I flaunt them as much as possible.
Today was different because of Johnny's guest. Usually, his friends would be trying to sneak a peek at my chest or my ass. The ass and hips I get from my dad's Latin side of the family. The hair, eyes, and boobs, well, they come from my mother's side.
"Well, I will let you guys watch your game," I said, standing. "I have work to do."
"What is it you do?" Damien asked.
I span on my heels. "I am an accountant," I said with pride in my voice.
When people look at me, they usually think I am a dancer or work in the entertainment business. They never figure a busty redhead to be an accountant.
"Nice one," he said and reached behind him to offer me a high five. I took it, smacking his hand with mine.
"Ouch!" I said. His hand was rock hard.
"Sorry," he shrugged.
"No, that was all me," I said as I went upstairs to my desk.