“It’s McSlut Muffin; if you’re going to use it, use it correctly,” Jen demands.

“Whatever, I’d like to look a little less nice and a little more spice.”

“We got you covered, babe; you’re talking to the Queen Muffin here,” Jen says, throwing her arm around me. Carly just shoots me a weak smile. Let the adventure begin.

Brooks

When I texted Vivian and didn’t hear back right away, I admit I went into freak-out panic mode pretty quickly. I thought she had changed her mind about me, and that this time she was going to push me away. To say I was excited when she finally texted me back would be an understatement. I actually picked up Grace and carried her out to the car as quickly as possible, leaving our lunch on the table at the McDonald’s Playland. I had to hurry home to make plans for the evening. I needed this date to go well. I needed to show her I’m different, better, and that she is my priority.

I feel like I’m finally at a place where I can really prove my worth to her; I want to marry this woman and to create the family I always wanted with her. The issue of my past is not an issue anymore. I don’t even refer to him by name; he has been reduced to being called my previous issue. I cut off all correspondence soon after it started, and I haven’t heard from him since, and if ever put in the situation to choose again, I will choose Vivian.

I put in a call to Katie, my babysitter, and make reservations at a romantic Italian restaurant downtown that is just across from a piano bar that has dancing. On the way home, a very annoyed Grace and I stop at a flower shop. To redeem myself from the Playland fiasco, I let Grace choose the flowers.

Now I’m sitting outside her house, and fuck if I’m going to throw-up right in her driveway. I’m never scared, and I’m scared to death right now. In the business realm I’m calm and collected, the man that calls the shots and lets the others sweat it out. But at the moment, my nerves have a death grip on my gut, and I can feel my McNuggets from lunch rising up and burning my throat. I wipe my sweaty palms on my black suit pants, and take a few deep breaths to settle my stomach.

This woman has me turned inside out, and I can’t get a handle on it. A banging on the window startles me out of my meltdown moment.

“Are you coming inside, or are you just going to sit in your car all night?” I hear Blake shout through the window. When I see him, I immediately begin to relax. The kid is the perfect mixture of Will and Vivian. He has Vivian’s dark auburn hair and Will’s whisky colored eyes. He’s a thick little guy; I have no doubt he will be good at sports like his dad.

I’m slapped with a wave of jealousy as I think about how I wish that he was my son. I want to be the one that gets to show him how to throw a ball, how to be a gentleman and hold doors open for girls, and show him how to drive a car. He may not be mine, but I want to be the man he looks up to.

He taps on the window again. His impatience is obvious, and I’m sure he’s beginning to wonder about my mental stability. I grab the lavender orchids that Grace chose and open the car door.

“Hey, buddy; sorry, you caught me daydreaming,” I say, patting him on the back as we begin walking up the driveway to the front door.

“Yeah, you were kind of freaking me out; you looked like you were going to puke. I was getting ready to go get Mom.”

Thank fuck he didn’t, that would have put a damper on our first date; I’m going for not crazy tonight. I might as well have put on a name tag for the evening, Hello, my name is Creeper.

I begin to ring the doorbell, but Blake stops me. “I live here, Brooks. We can just go inside. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Well, that’s just great. “Yeah, I’m good, just nervous,” I tell him, running my fingers through my hair and straightening my jacket. “Better?”

“Much better; you’re not even all sweaty anymore. Don’t be scared; Mom’s been getting ready since we got back from lunch. She told Aunt Amanda that she put on double the deodorant; she must be all sweaty, too.”

“Thanks, man, let’s keep that last bit just between us though, deal?”

“Sure,” he says with a shrug.

We pass through the entryway, and Blake leads me to the living room. The room is a complete reflection of Vivian’s personality. With browns, golds, and oranges filling the space, the room has a rustic feel. It is warm and inviting, just like her. There are plants in every corner, something you would never find at my house. Mine is a place where plants come to die.

I’m browsing the pictures of Blake and Emma that line the walls when I hear someone clear their throat. I turn to see who I presume to be Amanda, walking down the stairs. Judging from the glower on her face, my reputation precedes me.

“Look, Vivian will be down in just a minute, so I’ll just get to the point.”

I watch her step down onto the landing and cross her arms across her chest. She’s preparing for a confrontation, or at least put me in my place. Could I please catch a fucking break? Just one? I lay my flowers for Vivian on the coffee table and motion for her to continue, hoping to quickly get the reaming over with.

“I know everything that happened between you and Vivian, and I think that you were a total chicken shit. I’m trying to judge you by the man you are now, not who you were back then, and I’ll try to be supportive. I promise not to make things difficult for you guys if you’re really going to try and make this work.”

She drops her hands down at her sides and begins to walk towards me. “However, I swear if you fuck this up again, I know men back home with thousands of open acreage, and it would be very easy to hide a body; do I make myself clear?” she adds, while her long polished index finger pokes into my chest.

I take her hand away from my chest, placing it into my grip and giving her my best handshake. “You must be Amanda; it’s nice to finally meet you.” Was it kind of dickish of me? Yeah, but I hate that she’s judging me by my biggest mistakes, my biggest regrets.

I drop her hand and take a step back, knowing that I have invaded her personal space, and she just stares me down.

“I’m not the same man as when I was last with Vivian, and I’m sure that she’s not the same either. The way things ended between us was the biggest blunder of my life, but what I did was only to protect her. I was a stupid kid who was too fucking scared of her rejection to let her really know me. Every day, I’ve wished I hadn’t taken away that choice for her. I realize you don’t owe me a damn thing here, but if you could give me a little leeway to prove myself to her, I would really appreciate it.”

I hold my breath in anticipation of her response. She starts twirling a strand of her long blonde hair, and I realize that she has no problem letting me sweat it out.

Finally, she bobs her head in approval. “Okay, Brooks, but my threat still stands. One fuck-up and Jen, Carly, and I will be having a weenie roast.”

“I’ll bring the chocolate and marshmallows for dessert,” I say, trying to lighten the heavy aura of the room. Her lips thin, but then they curl around her teeth as she desperately tries to stifle a laugh. “It’s okay; you can laugh. I promise I’m not a total asshole.”

“Well, if Vivian is giving you another shot, you must have some redeeming qualities,” she says with a laugh, and then slugs me in the arm. “I’m supposed to be looking out for her; you’re not supposed to be making me laugh, you jerk.”

I hold my hands up in defense. “Sorry, I plan on being around for forever; I need to have someone on my side.”

“Oh, Brooks, no matter how much you make me laugh, I will always be on her side; that’s just how it goes.”

I don’t get a chance to respond though, because every bit of air is stolen from me when Vivian appears at the top of the stairs. I can’t breathe. I can’t blink. I’m entranced by the stunning sight before me. She is wearing a tight, mint green dress that hugs every perfect curve. Hanging off her shoulders and stopping just below her knees, it wraps around her like a second skin. All I can think is that there is no way there are undergarments underneath, and my dick twitches at the possibility of finding out. The heels that she’s paired with it only make my discomfort even more unbearable; they are at least four inches. Undergarments or not, the heels will be staying on this evening.