The more, the merrier

“It’s so good to see you, you look great, I mean, Damn girl, look at you.”

Jenn was wearing a Harley T-shirt over tight leather pants that showed off her hips and muscular legs.

Marianne continued, “You still got that volleyball ass, I’m jealous.”

“Shut up, you look gorgeous.”

“Yeah, but I’m cursed with a flat ass.” Marianne was laughing, and she didn’t have a flat ass. It wasn’t in the same category as Jenn’s ass, but it was fine.

Shit, when did you start thinking about Jenn’s ass? Scott thought to himself.

“This must be Doug then, but who’s your soldier friend?” Marianne asked Jenn.

“That’s Scott. You remember Scott right?”

“I’d remember if I saw him before.”

“No, he was a nerd, you remember the kid that tutored Dana through Calculus?”

“Yeah. . . NO. Seriously?”

Scott did his best to pretend he wasn’t there, wasn’t hearing anything as his face turned a bit red.

“Damn. Well, I was a late bloomer myself.”

“I think that was mostly the braces.”

“Yeah, they were awful.”

“Oh my God.” Scott blurted out. “Slobber face!”

“Wow Scott.” Jennifer chastised.

Scott covered his mouth in shame. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, it’s fair, I didn’t recognize you, you didn’t recognize me. Bedsides, I’m honestly complimented that you didn’t make the connection.”

“Yeah, you look totally different.” Scott was honestly stunned. She went from a full headgear and baggy sweatshirts to. . . well, this.

“Back at you Scott. A toast to late bloomers.”

Jen scowled a bit at the intruder, but didn’t say anything.

“So the three of you celebrating Scott’s return?”

“Actually,” Scott replied, “we’re celebrating Raul’s birthday.”

“Raul?”

Doug handed her his old fake ID.

“What is this?”

“When we were 16 Doug was trying to impress Amber Johnson so he got a fake ID to try and buy cigarettes.”

“And this is what you ended up with? It’s hideous.”

“It didn’t fool anyone, we got kicked out of the Quick Mart in Springfield and when Jenn’s dad found out what happened we all got in trouble.” Scott could still remember getting chewed out that night.

“I kept the ID though, and the next year we went and celebrated Raul’s birthday, and it ended up a kind of tradition.”

“Okay, well, my friend hasn’t shown up, so if you’re up for one more for the party, then Happy Birthday Raul!”

They toasted again.

Marianne hung around their table, mostly talking to Scott. Jenn was a little annoyed and Doug was looking like a third wheel, just watching people on the dance floor.

When Doug went to the bathroom and Jenn went to get another round, Mary made her move.

“So you have an ex-wife, any one current?”

“Are you asking if I’m available?”

“Was I that obvious?”

Marianne was really pretty, but Scott really wasn’t looking to add more women to. . . whatever was going on.

“Look, I’m having fun, but I have enough drama on my plate right now, and beside I’m more of a wing-man tonight. Doug’s the man of the hour.”

“Hmmm. . .” she looked past Scott thinking. “If I get a girl for Doug, then are you free?”

“You think you can get a girl Doug would actually talk to? You pull that off I’ll clear my schedule.”

There was no way she could get someone that would do well with Doug, Doug could be outgoing and charming when he wanted to, but most of the time he was moody and nerdy and that didn’t really go over well with most girls.

She smiled, “I’ll hold you to that.”