Dumping the warm beer, I grab another and plop down on the couch grabbing Vicky's feet. The least I can do is the massage she loves. Doing both feet while watching the show we all chat about what is coming with USC, the rooms, and Mom is excited that Cassidy and Nicky are going to apply so they can get a degree.
Like most nights I watch the show and massage the feet and only hear bits and pieces of what they discuss unless they break my focus, the lack of teasing is a bit odd and welcome.
Going to bed I turn the covers down so Em can get in and wait. There's going to be nothing happening tomorrow that I know about. All the Mel talk with Anitta has me thinking I better spend more time with her if she's that into me.
Texting Mel directly: "You busy tomorrow?" I have nothing planned and hearing she has been wanting me for a while, with how she looked and how she acts with me now makes me want to see her.
"We were going to go to the Mall and make a day of it?" She replies after a few minutes.
"The true test of a man's commitment in the beginning.." I text back.
"How do you swim so much and can't walk around inside a building?"
"I think they play music only men can hear that drives us away so women can spend more money."
"Wear earbuds and listen to your coldplay, wink."
"If shopping, it has to be The Greatest Show by Hugh to keep me going."
"WHAT!? That is a good choice."
"I have great taste, just ask my girlfriend."
"I was going to be an ass and ask which one, but you're texting me for your day off so..."
"Like there was any other option."
"Agree, Emma said she is sleeping with you, the way he did it had her all messed up, she's much better but...."
"I spoon her at night and you do the same during the day and she'll be fine."
"I so want to be there now, you say some sexy shit."
"Tomorrow night? Slow and romantic with all the trimmings, Em's here."
I set the phone to the side and pat the bed.
"Mel?" Emma asks getting in.
"Yep, was asking about tomorrow, she mentioned the shopping."
"Good, your time is being absorbed more than before all of this."
I squeeze her and make her the big spoon as she likes that, "women throwing me down and having their way will me, it's a burden I'll just have to endure." I say sighing heavily and feel Emma laugh as she squeezes my side.
Breakfast and shopping went as expected, sore feet and a bowl of kung pao from Peking Express for lunch.
Mel asked me to come back to her house with her stuff and hang out, I've met her father a few times over the years though this time feels different for obvious reasons, Em is coming with us so it's probably going to be easier.
We pull up and bring everything inside with her father sitting in a chair watching Football, it's the Rams game.
"You driving?" He asks and I look at them?
"He's done driving for the day." Mel says, she pushes me so I walk over.
"Grab us a beer and watch with me for a bit." I grab two out of the fridge and sit on the couch.
"Team?" He asks looking at me and then back at the screen.
"Niner's" I say and he grunts. "Wrong city, but okay." We watch until the commercial.
"You and Mel?"
"Yep."
He gives me the dad stare, "Well, I know you so; don't let her bully you as she does me."
"Too late."
He nods at me, "Figured, but it had to be said." He smiles at me and then waves me away. "Go on.."
"This last season?" As it's not football season.
"Uhhuh, nothing else on."
"Another quarter wouldn't kill me," I reply and sit back.
"She said you got her the room next to yours at the college."
"Yeah, no reason to mess around and have her on the other side of school, messes with time and grades."
"Mhm, no complaints from me, I took her mother same age as Mel is now, I much prefer this than some guy sitting in this room with me every day while she works."
He got me laughing on that one, "No worries, she's not coming back here cept to cook special dinners that they do on holiday's and such, getting us a place to stay down the street when we get out of the dorms, you can come by anytime you wish."
"You can handle that already?
"He turns and faces me giving me the dad lie detector full focus.
"Maya's Aunt is a Realtor, we'll get her to settle it soon. She's kinda cute, maybe come with me to the closing??"
"Ha, I'm good, like the thought though," He nods and turns back to the T.V., "How cute?" He says and we both laugh. I pop up and head upstairs.
"All good?" Em asks as I enter.
"Yep, said not to let you bully me." I wink at Mel.
"Yeah, he's always liked you." Mel rolls her eyes, "you grunt as communication when he's around."
"Uhhuh." I say just like her father, and she laughs, "exactly."
"Let's head back to your house for a while," Mel says and she decides to drive using a single beer as the excuse.
'Now would be a good time to mention Sandy,'
'Ah, yeah, thanks.' "This chat group with Jason? I was wondering if he ever brought up Sandy?" They both look at me. "They both liked each other a while back."
"She is free and that would keep him occupied when we have you," Mel says.
"We could bump them together in school and drop some hints," Em says. "They could then come out with us, without it being awkward."
"She is going to be upset about missing Friday with the current situation, so this should make do," Mel adds and they both agree this is a good idea.
We watch a little T.V. and relax on the couch, they are chatting in text and with each other.
'Do what she asks you to do and pretend like there it is no big deal, but be on your sisters side.' Anitta says.
'What about?'
