Still Awake

You make the decision before you can spend too much longer standing outside the bar thinking about it. The bartender is gorgeous, she’s obviously been flirting with you, and you’re pretty sure walking back inside would go exactly the way Steve thinks it would.

But you don’t.

You turn away from the window and head toward your car.

The bartender stays on your mind for part of the drive home. It’s hard not to think about her after spending half the night watching her move around behind the bar. The dark hair, big brown eyes, pretty face, tiny black crop top, and those distressed shorts definitely left an impression.

Still, by the time you pull into the driveway, your thoughts have drifted somewhere else.

Or, more accurately, to someone else.

The house looks mostly dark when you get out of your car. You close the door quietly and head toward the front entrance, figuring your dad and Kelly are probably already asleep.

You unlock the door and step inside as quietly as you can.

There’s a light on farther into the house.

You stop for a second before closing the door behind you.

Apparently, someone’s still awake.

You make your way farther inside and find Kelly sitting on the couch watching television. She looks completely different from the last time you saw her sitting there. Instead of the tight shorts, push-up bra, and white tank top from a couple nights ago, she’s dressed for bed in an oversized T-shirt and a pair of short sleep shorts. Most of the shorts disappear underneath the shirt while she’s sitting, leaving her bare legs stretched across the couch. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, and she looks like she put almost no effort into anything before getting comfortable for the night.

She looks up when she hears you.

“There he is,” Kelly says. “I was wondering when you were getting home.”

“You waited up for me?” you ask.

“No,” Kelly replies with a smile. “I just couldn’t sleep, so I figured I’d watch TV for a while.”

You grin and walk farther into the living room.

“Where’s Dad?” you ask.

“Asleep,” Kelly replies. “He went to bed a while ago.”

You glance toward the hallway automatically.

Kelly notices.

“He’s asleep,” Kelly repeats with an amused smile. “You don’t have to look so nervous.”

“I’m not nervous,” you reply.

“You’re also a terrible liar,” Kelly says.

You walk over and sit on the couch beside her.

She looks at you for a second longer than normal.

Then her smile grows.

“Oh my God,” Kelly says.

“What?” you ask.

“You’re buzzed,” Kelly replies.

“I’m fine,” you say.

“I didn’t say you weren’t fine,” Kelly replies. “I said you’re buzzed.”

“I had a few beers,” you admit.

“A few?” Kelly asks.

“Some,” you reply.

“That cleared everything up,” Kelly says with a laugh.

You lean back into the couch.

“How were drinks?” Kelly asks.

“Good,” you reply. “It was nice catching up.”

“How’s Steve doing?” Kelly asks.

“Good,” you reply. “Working all the time. Traveling constantly.”

“So exactly the same?” Kelly asks.

“Pretty much,” you reply.

She laughs and turns her attention toward the television again.

For a few seconds, neither of you says anything.

Then you look at her.

The oversized shirt falls loosely over her body, but it doesn’t completely hide her shape. Her bare legs are impossible not to notice, especially with one bent slightly toward you. The sleep shorts are barely visible underneath the bottom of her shirt.

Usually, you at least make some attempt to hide it when you check her out. Tonight, whatever part of your brain normally reminds you not to stare is apparently working a little slower. Your eyes move openly over her bare legs before drifting back up her body, and you don’t realize how obvious you’re being until you reach her face and find her already watching you.

“You’re doing it again,” Kelly says.

You look directly at her this time instead of immediately pretending you weren’t staring.

“Doing what?” you ask.

She turns toward you with a grin.

“Looking at me,” Kelly replies.

“I was looking at the TV,” you say.

“The TV is over there,” Kelly says, pointing directly in front of you. “My legs are down here.”

You laugh.

“Maybe I was looking past you,” you reply.

“Sure you were,” Kelly says.

She shifts on the couch and tucks one leg underneath herself. The movement pulls the oversized shirt slightly higher, making more of her shorts visible.

Your eyes drop immediately. There isn’t even the usual half-second where you think better of it first.

Kelly catches you immediately.

“Wow,” Kelly says with a laugh. “You’re really bad at hiding it tonight.”

“I’m not trying that hard,” you admit.

That makes her pause.

A smile slowly spreads across her face.

“Oh,” Kelly says. “I like buzzed John.”

“Why?” you ask.

“Apparently he actually admits things,” Kelly replies.

“I admit things normally,” you say.

“No, normally you stare at my ass for thirty seconds and then pretend you were looking at something behind me,” Kelly replies.

“I don’t stare for thirty seconds,” you say.

“Sweetie, I’m the one being stared at,” Kelly replies. “I think I’d know.”

“Maybe you just like catching me,” you say.

“I already told you I do,” Kelly replies with a grin. “And apparently a few beers makes it really fucking easy.”

You smile.

“Fine,” you say. “Maybe.”

She laughs quietly, careful not to make too much noise.

“You’re cute when you’ve been drinking,” Kelly says.

“I thought my smile was stupid,” you reply.

“It is,” Kelly says. “It can be stupid and cute.”

“You keep calling me cute,” you say.

“Because you keep being cute,” Kelly replies.

She shifts closer as she says it. Her bare thigh presses against yours.

You look down.

Kelly laughs.

“You seriously looked immediately,” Kelly says.

“You did that on purpose,” you reply.

“Did what?” Kelly asks innocently.

“Put your leg against mine,” you say.

“My leg is touching you, Sweetie,” Kelly replies. “Try to survive.”

“You’re the one who said I’m bad at hiding things tonight,” you say.

“That’s why this is fun,” Kelly replies.

You turn toward her.

She’s closer now than she was when you first sat down. Close enough that you can smell whatever she used when she showered earlier, and close enough that you have to make an actual effort not to stare at her.

You don’t make much of an effort. Your eyes move over her face, drop briefly toward her body, then come right back up. Every time you look somewhere you probably shouldn’t, she notices. Worse, she looks increasingly entertained by it.

Her eyes move over your face.

“What?” you ask.

“You’re staring at me again,” Kelly replies.

“Yeah,” you say.

Her eyebrows rise slightly, and instead of answering right away, she slowly leans toward you.

“Yeah?” Kelly asks quietly.

You watch her come closer until there are only a couple inches between your faces. She doesn’t kiss you. She just stays there, her lips close enough to yours that the intention is obvious.

“Yeah,” you repeat.

Her smile grows. She leans in another fraction of an inch, leaving barely any space between your lips. You could close the distance without even really moving forward, and from the look on her face, she knows exactly what she’s doing.

“See?” Kelly whispers. “Buzzed John is fun.”

For another second, she stays right there, letting you think she’s finally going to kiss you. Then she slowly pulls away before your lips ever touch.

You stare at her.

She looks extremely pleased with herself.

“That was fucked up,” you say.

“What?” Kelly asks, trying and failing to hide her smile.

“You know what,” you reply.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Sweetie,” Kelly says.

You laugh and lean your head back against the couch.

“Can I ask you something?” Kelly asks.

“What?” you ask.

“Do you still think I’m as hot now?” Kelly asks.

“Yeah,” you reply immediately.

She smiles at how quickly the answer comes out. “What’s so hot about me?” Kelly asks.

You look at her for a second. “You really want me to answer that?” you ask.

“I really do,” Kelly replies.

You laugh. It’s obvious what she’s doing now. She already knows you find her attractive. She just wants to sit there and listen to you tell her exactly why, and with a few drinks in you, you don’t have much interest in pretending otherwise.

“Alright,” you say. “Your body is incredible.”

“That’s pretty general,” Kelly replies. “What about my tits?”

Your eyes instinctively drop toward her chest before returning to her face.

“I love your tits,” you reply. “They’re big, they look good in basically everything you wear, and you’ve known for a long time that I can’t stop looking at them.”

“I have,” Kelly says with a pleased smile. “My ass?”

“Probably my favorite,” you admit. “It’s big and round, and you know exactly how good it looks in those little shorts you wear.”

“Probably?” Kelly asks.

“You’ve got a lot going for you,” you reply.

She laughs. “Okay. My legs?” Kelly asks.

You look down at them again. “I like your legs,” you reply. “Especially right now.”

“Because they’re touching you?” Kelly asks.

“That helps,” you reply.

She smiles and runs her hand absently along her bare thigh. “What about my skin?” Kelly asks.

“Soft,” you reply. “Really soft. I noticed that the other night.”

“You noticed?” Kelly asks.

“Yeah,” you reply. “Of course I did.”

She smiles, obviously enjoying every answer.

“Anything else?” Kelly asks.

“Your face,” you reply.

That answer seems to surprise her more than any of the others. “My face?” Kelly asks.

“Yeah,” you say, your voice losing some of the joking tone. “You’re beautiful.”

She goes quiet for a second.

“I like your eyes,” you continue. “I always have. And your lips.”

Her smile softens. “My lips?” Kelly asks.

“Yeah,” you reply. “They’re really pretty. I like your smile too, especially when you’re not doing that smug little grin because you caught me staring at you again.”

She lets out a quiet laugh. “I like my smug little grin,” Kelly says.

“I like it too,” you admit. “I just like your real smile more.”

That gets another pause out of her. For someone who confidently asked you to compliment practically every part of her body, she seems a lot less prepared for that answer.

“That’s sweet,” Kelly says quietly.

“It’s true,” you reply. “You’ve got a great body, obviously, but you’re just really beautiful.”

She looks into your eyes for another moment before smiling. “I think that’s my favorite answer,” Kelly says.

“Even more than the ass one?” you ask.

“Barely,” Kelly replies with a laugh.

“Good to know,” you say.

“I definitely like buzzed John,” Kelly says.

“You just like getting compliments,” you reply.

“I like getting them from you,” Kelly corrects.

You look at her for a second. “Well, I meant all of them,” you say.

“I know,” Kelly replies softly.

“There she is,” you say.

“What?” Kelly asks.

“You couldn’t just take the compliment,” you reply.

“I took it,” Kelly says. “I just happen to agree with you.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you say.

“You like me,” Kelly replies.

“Unfortunately,” you say.

She presses her thigh a little more firmly against yours.

“Very unfortunate,” Kelly says.

You look down at her leg again before meeting her eyes.

For a few seconds, neither of you says anything.

Then Kelly leans closer.

“You’ve thought about it since that night, haven’t you?” Kelly asks quietly.

“Yeah,” you reply. “A lot.”

The answer comes out immediately. Normally, you probably would’ve tried to dodge the question for a while just to keep her from getting the satisfaction. Tonight, the thought barely occurs to you before you’ve already told her the truth.

Kelly smiles. “That easy?” she asks.

“You asked,” you reply.

“I did,” Kelly says. “I just expected you to make me work for it a little.”

“I’ve thought about you a lot,” you say. “I’ve thought about that night a lot. Happy?”

Her smile gets wider. “Very,” Kelly replies.

“You already knew the answer,” you say.

“Of course I did,” Kelly replies. “I just like hearing you admit it.”

“Then there you go,” you say.

She studies your face for a moment, clearly enjoying how little effort it takes to get the truth out of you tonight.

“Me too,” Kelly says quietly.

That answer gets your attention immediately.

“Really?” you ask.

“Oh, don’t look so surprised,” Kelly replies. “I already told you I want it to happen again.”

“I know,” you say.

“Then why do you look so happy every time I remind you?” Kelly asks.

“Because I like hearing it,” you reply.

She laughs.

“Okay, that was good,” Kelly says.

You grin.

A faint sound comes from somewhere down the hallway.

Both of you immediately go quiet.

Kelly turns her head toward the hallway. You listen for another few seconds, but nothing else follows.

She looks back at you.

“Still asleep,” Kelly whispers.

“You sure?” you whisper.

“No,” Kelly replies.

You stare at her.

“That’s reassuring,” you whisper.

She has to cover her mouth to keep from laughing too loudly.

“You’re the one who sat next to me,” Kelly whispers.

“You moved closer,” you whisper back.

“Details,” Kelly replies.

You both stay quiet for another moment before the tension fades.

She looks at you again.

This time, her eyes drop briefly toward your mouth.

You notice.

“So can I kiss you?” you ask.

She looks back into your eyes.

“You really don’t have a filter tonight,” Kelly says.

“Is that a yes?” you ask.

She smiles.

“One,” Kelly replies.

“One?” you ask.

“One kiss,” Kelly says. “And then you’re going to bed.”

“That sounds unfair,” you reply.

“That sounds like the deal,” Kelly says.

You lean toward her, and she meets you halfway. Her lips are soft and warm when they press against yours, with the faintest trace of whatever she’d been drinking earlier still on them. She kisses you slowly for a few seconds, her full lips moving gently against yours before she pulls away.

You stay close enough to feel her breath against your lips after the kiss ends.

“That was short,” you whisper.

“That was one kiss,” Kelly replies.

“I think it could’ve been longer,” you say.

“I think you’ve had enough fun tonight,” Kelly replies.

“You started this,” you say.

“I was sitting on my couch watching TV,” Kelly replies.

“You put your leg against me,” you say.

“Scandalous,” Kelly replies.

“You asked me if I still thought you were hot,” you say.

“And you gave me a very good answer,” Kelly replies.

“Then you asked if I’ve been thinking about us,” you continue.

“I was curious,” Kelly says.

“You already knew the answer,” you reply.

“Obviously,” Kelly says.

You laugh quietly.

“So basically you got me worked up and now you’re sending me upstairs,” you say.

She grins.

“Pretty much,” Kelly replies.

“You’re terrible,” you say.

“I know,” Kelly replies.

She reaches over and briefly rests her hand against your cheek.

“Also, you’re buzzed, your dad is asleep down the hall, and I’m the sober one,” Kelly says. “So yes, I’m sending you upstairs.”

“Responsible all of a sudden?” you ask.

“Occasionally,” Kelly replies. “Don’t get used to it.”

You smile.

She looks at your lips again before leaning forward. Her soft lips press against yours for another quick kiss, this one just long enough to make it obvious she wanted another before she pulls away with a satisfied smile.

You pull back slightly.

“That was two,” you say.

“I changed my mind,” Kelly replies.

“I thought I was the buzzed one,” you say.

“You are,” Kelly replies. “Which is why you’re going upstairs.”

You reluctantly stand from the couch.

Kelly looks up at you, still smiling.

“Water first,” Kelly says.

“Yes, Mom,” you reply.

Her expression changes immediately.

“Absolutely fucking not,” Kelly says.

You have to bite back a laugh.

“Sorry,” you say.

“No, you’re not,” Kelly replies.

“Not really,” you admit.

She shakes her head, trying not to laugh herself.

You start toward the kitchen before glancing back at her.

She’s already looking at you.

“What?” you ask.

“Nothing,” Kelly replies.

“You’re staring now,” you say.

“Maybe I was looking past you,” Kelly replies.

You grin.

“That’s my line,” you say.

“I improved it,” Kelly replies.

You get yourself some water, finish it, and start toward the stairs. When you reach the bottom, you turn around one more time.

Kelly is still sitting on the couch watching you.

“Goodnight,” you say.

“Goodnight, Sweetie,” Kelly replies.

You start up the stairs.

“John,” Kelly says quietly.

You turn back.

She smiles at you from the couch.

“I’m glad you had a good night,” Kelly says.

You smile back.

“Me too,” you reply.

She gestures toward the stairs.

“Go to bed, Sweetie,” Kelly says.

You finally head upstairs, still smiling to yourself. You came home expecting everyone to be asleep, and instead you discovered something else about Kelly: apparently teasing you while you’re buzzed is one of her new favorite things.

And despite the gorgeous brunette bartender you could have gone back for tonight, you can’t exactly say you’re disappointed with where you ended up.