Bad Toy by J W Bouchard

Author:J W Bouchard [Bouchard, J W]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-01T16:00:00+00:00

Gordy’s was packed when they got there. Apparently, everyone had had the same idea. There was a twenty-minute wait before they got the table, and it took ages for the waitress to take their order, but none of that spoiled the good vibes. Howie and Shelby watched the table while Tommy and Susan meandered to the arcade room and took turns playing Ms. Pac-Man.

The joint was noisy with dozens of voices, and Shelby spoke loudly when she said, “He seems better, don’t you think?”

“I agree.”

“I know it’s only been like three weeks, but they’re good together.”

“Tommy was in love the minute he found out she could play Ms. Pac-Man,” Howie said.

“I hope she doesn’t break his heart.”

“Hey Shelby?” When he saw he had her attention, he said, “Cool it. Tommy’s in a good mood, and he’s happy for once in his life. Why don’t you just leave it at that.”

“You’re probably right.”

“No probably about it.” He leaned over, kissed her on the lips. It was fifty-fifty whether she pulled away or not. She didn’t.

“Whoa, get a room you two,” Tommy said, pulling out Susan’s chair for her, sliding it forward after she sat down.

“You get bored of the other woman in your life?”

“Nice curves, bright complexion, voracious appetite,” Tommy said. “She’ll always be my first love.”

“God, you’re a nerd,” Susan said. She looked to the others. “There was a line of people waiting. I convinced him to let someone else have a turn.”

Howie said, “That’s a first. You must have some real sway over him.”

“She’s devious that way,” Tommy said.

He said it with a smile, but it reminded Howie of the conversation they’d had in Tommy’s basement, when he had been positive she was checking out other guys, and of course that reminded him of the cat. Meee-owww-raaah, ladies and gentlemen.

Outside, the headlights of one of the cars in the parking lot came on. They were aimed right at the window where Howie and the others were sitting.

“Geez, must have his brights on,” Tommy said.

They ignored it, thinking the car would pull out in a few, but after a minute it was still there, blasting light through the window.

“What an asshole.”

“Calm down,” Shelby said.

Howie stood, grabbed the cord and lowered the blinds. “That’s better.”

“Food’s here,” Shelby said when she noticed the waitress heading in their direction.

“Finally,” Tommy said, stealing slices off the pan before it was on the table. He snatched one for Susan and two for himself.

Howie watched. For a moment, he felt removed from everything, far away, an outside observer. He didn’t feel hungry. He watched as Tommy stuffed his face, smiling, happy, laughing, and seeing that bothered him. It took some time before he realized the emotion he was feeling was anger. Seeing Tommy happy made him angry. What the fuck? he thought, but it was true. Nothing to do with jealousy. Just this feeling that Tommy enjoying life meant there was an imbalance in the universe. There was a sense of déjà vu, as though he

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