Hot under the collar
Another day, another dollar. Sliding the truck keys from the engine, Tess looked up at the evening sky. Cotton candy pink.
Hadn’t meant to stay that long, pleasantries ran away with her. A few favours owed now though, that would be helpful in future.
Forgot her house keys but that didn’t matter, the door was unlocked away. Tess closed it behind her, slipping the latch in. Gravity was begging her to kick her boots off, stretching up to the ceiling with a groan.
“Mama’s home!”
A mumbled response called from the living room.
Tess shrugged off her jacket and left it in a heap, drudging to the kitchen before paying her midnight caller a visit.
Swinging open the fridge door, grabbing the beer by instinct, then a second. Tapping the door closed with her foot, taking a nearby lighter just in case.
Just how she visioned him. Carlos, spread across the couch. Shirt off, tired eyes, glued to the TV. She’d missed that face.
“Hey baby,” Tess muttered, sinking down next to him, placing the beer in his hand. A smile.
“Hey.”
“Izzy?”
“Shower.”
A slow nod, glimmer glowing in her eye.
Tess cracked open the beer bottle and took a long swig, before settling it at their feet. Winded an arm around Carlos’s shoulders.
“Didn’t mean to stay so long, got held up by someone passin’ through. Problem with her brakes.” Gave him a loving squeeze.
“You’re makin’ money. Can’t complain, baby.”
“Y’know… she asked me an odd question.”
He turned to face her, leaning back into her arm, eyebrow raised in amusement.
“What’d she say?”
“Saw this…”
Tess’s golden band. Adorning her ring finger.
Stifling back a laugh.
“… Asked how my wife was.”
A chuckle from Carlos, shaking his head.
“Can tell she ain’t from round here.”
Tess nodded in agreement, pressing back into the couch, running fingers through Carlos’s peppered curls.
“You’re handsy tonight,” he teased, pressing a kiss to her bearded cheek.
“Wanna know how my wife is.”
Like a snake, Tess’s hand slithered down Carlos’s jeans, feeling through his boxers. A twitch against her palm.
“‘N how is she?” Carlos panted, bucking his hips into her touch.
Tess squeezed his length, and he emitted a low groan.
Laughter rumbled through Tess’s chest.
“You tell me, baby-”
“We’re out of… shampoo.”
Izzy’s startled voice turned both their heads, wide eyed, caught like teenagers.
Silence hung in the air, Tess’s hand stuck. She was the first to speak.
“H-…Hey babygirl, didn’t see you there!”
A small smile spread to the girl’s lips.
“Hi mama.”
Like a ghost, she disappeared to her room.
They didn’t realise they were holding their breath.
“God damn,” Tess uttered, writhing her hand free from Carlos, rubbing remnants on his thigh.
“Nothing she ain’t seen before.”
Tess downed her beer, nodded towards Carlos’s full bottle.
“Drink up. Goin’ to the bedroom.”
A knowing smirk.
“Yes ma’am.”