Distractions and Disappointments
Sphinx watched Ripley erupt from the waves, laughing as she shook her hair out of her face before swimming towards him. But he was nowhere near as comfortable in the damned ocean as she was . . . but he'd refused to use the rooftop pool her apartment complex had for fear of someone else being near him. Because if anyone touched him they'd have to die . . . He honestly didn't like the water at all . . . but she'd looked so damned open and hopeful at the garage that he'd had a hard time saying no . . . And he knew that if he had to stay within twenty feet of that damned harpy he was going to kill her. So he'd relented and watched Ripley's face light up as she smiled up at him.
And now he was waist deep in the frigid summer water and watching Ripley kick around like an idiot. In a tiny white string bikini that he was far too fond of. The white material looked amazingly bright against her dark tanned skin and her new hair color . . . and he kept having to check himself. Because one pull on that string would bare her to him . . . and he wasn't going to be able to stop himself when that happened.
She stopped in front of him, stretching up to wrap her arms around his neck as she laughed and giggled. A large wave crashed against them, almost covering her head until he picked her up but she didn't seem to mind. Actually she just laughed even harder, tightening her grip on him as she squealed.
"See? The water isn't so bad . . . and you can swim!"
He shook his head, lifting her again as another wave crashed against them. The sun would be setting soon and the waves were starting to get higher every time the water would churn and roll. They would need to get out soon . . . but Ripley's hands on his face drug him away from his thoughts.
"Are you happy?"
He shrugged before nodding to her once, letting her slide down him and deeper into the water again. The waves were almost covering her chest now and steadily getting higher on him as well. He sighed, pulling her towards the shore. And he had to chuckle at her groan. Only her . . .
"Oh! Do we have to? I love the ocean . . . Can't we just stay a bit longer? Please?"
He looked at her before he spotted the next wave. And decided to not lift her or warn her. So when the water covered her head completely and came to his shoulders he couldn't help but laugh. But even when she came up sputtering she still didn't relent, which just cemented she was as crazy as he was . . . Just in different ways.
"Please . . . Don't make me go in yet . . ."
He got her around her waist as she whined, trudging through the rising tide as he shook his head. And refused to sit her down until they were well out of the water and at their things. She huffed, pouting as he set her down before turning to grab a towel. But when he turned back to hand her one he was amazed at the sight before him. Ripley was facing the water and smiling so contentedly he was sure it wasn't real. But when she looked to him her eyes lit up . . . and he knew he could live the rest of his life happily if she looked at him like that every day.
She reached out, taking the towel before turning back to the setting sun and the crashing waves; wrapping it around herself before sighing as she watched the scene before them.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
He nodded, not bothering to glance away from her as he stepped behind her and pulled her back and into him; one arm crossing over her chest and the other around her waist. And she just sighed and leaned back into him, completely at ease in his presence. As the red sun sunk lower into the waves she sighed again, glancing back at him over her shoulder. And Sphinx was aware of how easy it would be to lean down and kiss her. But her voice broke his train of thought . . . and he had to roll his eyes.
"Do want to get some ice cream? There's a great little place a few miles up the beach. We can drive their and eat on the boardwalk . . . maybe walk on the beach and relax before we got back to the Helen Raines Horror Show . . ."
He shrugged before nodding, turning around to towel the rest of the way off before pulling his tee shirt back on. At least the swim trunks were actually board shorts . . . and they were black and long enough to wear around other people. And though he hated the thong sandals she'd dug out of his closet with a passion, he agreed his boots would be ridiculous on the beach . . . not to mention cumbersome.
Sphinx turned, trying to see if Ripley was ready to have to remember to breathe. She'd pulled a pair of tiny cut off shorts on over her bathing suit-the same pair from Wake Beach if he wasn't mistaken- and was tugging a loose fitting faded rose sweatshirt on over her head. But once it was on, the neck hung off one shoulder almost completely while she pushed the sleeves and fussed with the bottom, letting it pool on her hips and almost cover the shorts completely. She glanced up, smiling as she pushed a pair of amber lens aviators into her drying, wild curls.
She stuffed the rest of their dry clothes into the duffle bag she'd brought while the towels went into the plastic shopping bag by themselves. He raised a brow before she shrugged.
"To keep our clothes dry . . . unless you want them to get all wet and soppy . . ."
He shook his head, taking the duffle bag on their way back to the car. And as he tossed it into the trunk he had to admit that while the day had taken a turn for the worse before, it was definitely shaping up to be better now that it was just the two of them . . .
Ripley sighed, swirling her tongue over her ice cream cone before she glanced up at Sphinx . . . who was looking at his like it was something about to eat him. She rolled her eyes, snapping to get his attention before she caught his wrist, bringing the cone to her level. Honestly how had he never seen chocolate dipped ice cream cones before? She knew he was British but seriously . . .
"You have to eat the candy shell or you can't get to the ice cream . . . Mine's already gone . . ."
He raised a brow before glaring as she took a rather large bite out of his cone. Revealing the almost gooey vanilla and chocolate swirl ice cream beneath the outer shell. She grinned, licking the chocolate off of her lips before she waggled her brows at him.
"See? You can get to it now . . . And you should eat it before it melts anymore . . ."
He rolled his eyes but started eating it. And she had to giggle as he pulled away with ice cream on his nose. She reached up, wiping it off before she shook her head. They had needed this . . . He had needed this. And she was still going to skin Helen alive.
She'd started to piece together that a lot of Sphinx's issues about talking, touching and people in general were connected to the crest on his shoulder and the scars on his side. And she was pretty sure that they were one in the same in the damage department. So for him to have to hear that woman voice that he wasn't suited for her-or was more worthy of some piece of trash like she wrongly thought Sway was- had been like a sock to the gut. And one he hadn't been expecting from the way he'd reacted. He was more at home within the crew now, no longer staying as far to the fringes as he had before . . . And that woman had probably just destroyed every bit of that . . .
She knew he would probably withdraw again after this. He'd gotten comfortable only to get hurt . . . and she knew if she hadn't followed him then he would withdraw from her as well. She sighed, leaning into his side as they walked down the boardwalk. And was thrilled that he moved to sling his arm over her shoulders and let her settle against his side as he munched away on his treat. For such a big burly guy he had a sweet tooth that was unrivaled by the worst kid or sugar fiend . . .
It was a miracle he wasn't diabetic . . . or weighs 500 lbs.
She bit down, crunching through her cone and was shocked when he stopped. He was looking to her skeptically before she realized he'd never had a waffle cone either. And that thought made her heart break. Every kid should get to eat ice cream cones on the beach and build sand castles and watch scary movies. And be loved . . . but she knew, even as she extended her cone for him to try a bite of it that he hadn't been. Which just made her more determined to make sure she could give him most of those things over the time she knew him . . .
And she was pretty sure she knew the best place to start next . . .
Atley watched Ripley drag Sphinx back into the garage well after dark and the others had dispersed, reaching up and thumping his shoulder as she laughed and groused good naturedly. The girl's hair was wilder than it had been before and she was dressed in the tiny shorts and her favorite sweat shirt-over a damp bathing suit apparently- but what amazed him was Sphinx. The man seemed relaxed to a point he'd never seen . . . and he was wearing shorts and flip flops . . . and he was tanned.
Sphinx's skin was about two shades darker than it had been before, putting him closer to Frankie's shade than his normal pale complexion . . . and Atley had never even guessed that the man would have legs as defined as he did but his calves were freaking huge. And sporting another tattoo on the back of the left one . . .
He sighed, watching Ripley roll her eyes before she turned; reaching up to hug the stoic man before heading back outside. And Atley knew he hadn't heard her right as she spoke to him . . . there was no way . . .
"So . . . Tomorrow night we're going to that movie, right? Because you have never experienced horror until you've been to a drive in. We can take the SS if you don't want food in the Malibu . . ."
Sphinx shrugged, hugging her back before letting her pull away. And Atley knew that whatever damage Helen Raines had done to his friend Ripley had worked hard to undo it . . . and had apparently succeeded. She grinned, waving to him before going back outside and Sphinx turned to go towards the back where he was parked when he spotted him. He raised a brow at him before shrugging and going towards his car.
But Atley wasn't letting him go that easy . . . not by a long shot. He moved, following him as he made his way to the car. And when he got in, Atley piled in the passenger side. But Sphinx just shrugged and cranked the car, going towards his apartment like nothing was wrong. And like he hadn't just heard the man had agreed to go on a date with Ripley.
"You're going on a date . . ."
Sphinx turned to him; brow raised before he rolled his eyes and shook his head. But Atley wasn't going to be deterred. Not in this. This was huge! And a total step in the direction the two of them had been too damned stubborn to venture towards . . . and he needed to make sure they stayed on track.
"Oh really? Well a drive-in movie sounds pretty damn datish to me. You going to eat before too?"
Sphinx nodded once before his face darkened . . . and Atley suddenly knew he'd fucked up. Shit! He had to fix this . . . These two were too damned stubborn to admit to what everyone else would see it as . . . And he honestly knew that if didn't start making this right-and Sphinx thought of the outing as the damned date it was- then he wouldn't go. And they would take two giant steps backwards . . .
"What movie? Because the movie actually makes it a date or just friends . . ."
Sphinx stopped for a light, glancing at him before he hesitantly told him. And Atley put forth his best attempt at lying to the man as he pulled away from the light. Which seemed to put Sphinx at ease as is shoulders relaxed and he mellowed. Which made him feel a little bad for the deception but he knew it was for the best. Especially since he could tell the man was actually looking forward to it . . .
"The Thing . . . Some drive-in plays old horror movies on the weekends . . ."
"Oh well that's fine then. It's not some sappy chick flick or deep movie so it's all good. You worried me for a minute . . ."
Sphinx's face darkened as he growled, pulling into his complex and going to park before he turned. And Atley was amazed to hear the seething question spill from the man's lips. Sphinx hardly ever spoke at all . . . and only then it was to him-and just recently Ripley. So for him to actually start a conversation-even one so obviously tinged with anger- was . . . odd. And disconcerting. He would skin Helen Raines alive for this shit.
"Why? You think she was right? That I'm better suited for some hellion like Wayland?"
He shook his head, holding his hands up in defense as he looked at the positively dour look on the other man's face over. Sphinx was pissed . . . but Atley doubted he even knew why. Not yet anyway . . .
"Nah man. Hell, I don't think there's anyone better suit for Sway than Memphis. And that includes you . . . But as for the other that's up to you two. For what its worth though I think you look good together. Especially today with her in that dress."
He watched Sphinx relax slightly enough to give a short nod, agreeing and he pushed forward; trying to lighten the mood.
"You know I hate to agree with Frank and San but we should instate a dress code for Ripley and Sway. Because they both looked damn good in those dresses today. Did you know Wayland had legs like that? Or a rack? Hell man. No wonder Memphis is whipped . . ."
Sphinx chuckled, nodding as he went to get out. And Atley saw the wheels turning. Maybe things between his friends were about to change . . . he just hoped it was for the better . . .
Ripley moved around her bathroom, trying to get everything ready for her to clean her massive tub while Sway lounged on her bed; flipping through a magazine lazily as they talked. Well, she talked and Sway commented every once in a while. She sighed, turning back as she heard Sway's voice right as she reached down to start scrubbing the sides of the tub.
"What?"
She heard a sigh before Sway strolled in, hopping up on the counter and swinging her feet; watching Ripley clean as she talked.
"I said what time are you going to get ready? I mean you are still going tonight, right?"
Ripley turned back, brow raised. She hadn't told Sway about the movie with Sphinx-because after yesterday she knew that it would raise too many questions neither of them wanted to answer. So what was she talking about?
"For what?"
Sway looked at her incredulously before shaking her head.
"Uh . . . for the party you're going with me to . . . Remember? My posse wanted to meet you . . . And you said you'd go . . ."
Ripley paled, turning back to the tub and scrubbing harder than she had been before. Shit! Shit! Now what was she going to do . . . she'd promised to go with Sway. But it made her heart clench to even think of canceling on Sphinx . . . suddenly an idea hit her and she turned; lip between her teeth as she tried to work through the details . . .
"Is it okay if I'm a little late? I kind of already have other plans . . ."
Sway looked her over before her face became serious. And Ripley had never seen this particular look on her face before . . . Christ what had she said?
"Oh really? Does Sphinx know about these other plans? Because if he doesn't then you need to tell him."
Ripley blinked, dropping the scrub brush altogether as what Sway had just said sunk in. Seriously?
"Uh . . . yeah he knows. But why do you say that? I mean, Memphis rarely has a clue about what you do and the two of you date. Something Sphinx and I don't do . . . Remember?"
Sway rolled her eyes, waving her off as she opened her magazine again. And Ripley felt her face flush at the sure tone of her friend's words . . . and the meaning behind them.
"Sure, sure. That may be what the others think Ripley but we both know you're as close to together as that man gets. And with all the shit yesterday I think he would be pretty fucking pissed over you going out with someone else. Do you remember what he did with Cooper? He punched a car off its jack. As in hit it once and fucked up his knuckles and knocked a damned automobile into the floor . . ."
Ripley stilled, thinking of the truth behind that before she shook herself. She wasn't going with anyone else, she was going with him! And they were just friends . . . right? She turned, going back to scrubbing. But Sway wasn't going to let her get away from the topic buy ignoring it.
"Unless you're trying to make him jealous . . . And in that case you'd have better luck getting dressed up and going out with me. We could stop by the garage before we head out . . . let him see you in the clubbing clothes you've got stashed away back in that closet . . ."
Ripley looked up, eyes narrowed before she finally sighed and gave up. She looked down at her watch, shaking her head as she stood and dusted her hands. When Sway went to follow her she shook her head. This was already going to be bad enough . . .
"No! Just stay . . . I'm going to go cancel my plans so you'll leave me alone!"
Sway giggled, nodding happily as she went back to her magazine. And Ripley hoped that this wasn't going to backfire on her.
Sphinx moved to get the extension there in his autopsy bay, shaking his head at the way the man had cowered and cringed when he'd had to come and get him. He smirked, picking up the receiver. The coward . . . He shifted, listening as he picked up the other half of his lunch. He'd been too busy today to actually try to stop and eat so-in between procedures- he was hiding out in here and trying to swallow the turkey club whole. God he couldn't wait to go out and actually sit down to eat . . . he just hoped Ripley didn't get too upset if he went to sleep during the movie.
They'd called him in almost three hours early and he was going to be hard pressed to get out on time. The other two pathologists had some sort of stomach flu . . . which left him to do the majority of the work by himself with only a few morgue assistants to try to help. Too bad they all ran and hid every time he blinked.
"Sphinx . . . This is Ripley. Look, can we reschedule the movie for tomorrow night? I didn't remember that I'd promised Sway to go out with her and her friends tonight . . ."
Sphinx stopped mid-chew as he processed what was happening. And he was upset and elated all at once. Upset because while he was dead tired and knew he wouldn't be much use for anything other than eating and snoring he had actually wanted to go. Especially since Atley's ramblings the night before had cemented that it wasn't a freaking date. But he was kind of relieved because he could go home and sleep . . . maybe go by the garage and see about a score before crashing. And go out with her tomorrow when he was actually up for it . . .
Until he realized that Ripley would be going out with Wayland . . . and her damned friends. Her partying, drinking, fucking friends that Memphis ranted and raved about how wild they all were . . . He growled, tossing his half eaten food onto the table before he glanced around the room to see if he was alone. Oh this was not going to stand . . . not at all . . .
"Whatever. Don't worry about it tomorrow either."
He heard her breath hitch on the phone and her tone made his heart clench. Christ why had he said anything at all?
"Oh . . . o-okay. Um . . . Well, I just wanted to let you know . . . When- if you want to go just . . . let me know . . . I am sorry. I honestly just forgot and . . . Never mind. I'll let you go. Have a good day."
And she was off the phone before he could even respond. He growled, running a hand down his face as he slammed the phone back onto the cradle and tossed his now completely unappetizing lunch into the trash. He sighed, turning to go back into the other room as he shook his head. He'd really just fucked that one up . . . but he had to get back to work. He'd settle it with her later . . .
Sway watched Ripley start pulling dresses and outfits from the back of her closet and had to admit she was surprisingly impressed at some of the things the kid seemed to have stuffed back in her wardrobe. She just wanted to know what made her keep switching from mad to sad then to mad again . . . She knew the girl had called whoever to cancel and while she'd been happy to have a grounded person to go out with-and to drive them back when the night was over- she was beginning to wonder if maybe she shouldn't have pushed her into going.
Obviously whoever hadn't taken the change well . . . but neither was she. And Sway had to wonder why . . . A sigh shook her from her thoughts as Ripley turned to face her. And Sway knew that if Sphinx saw her made up like this they wouldn't be going out. Her hair was styled in big, formed ringlets and curls, parted deeply to the side while her bangs were swept over her forehead. The new dark color seeming richer against her skin and the multitude of tiny streaks throughout the curls. The girl had done her makeup to work with her tan and rimmed her eyes in dark, shimmering black liner and shadow before coating her thick lashes in mascara. Making her eyes seem incredibly light against the rest of her face and her lashes seem insanely long. She wasn't wearing any lipstick yet but Sway knew she'd probably just stick with clear gloss . . . she seemed to favor it anyway.
She turned, glancing at the outfits she had in her hand and found herself hard pressed to decide which she liked better. And astounded that the girl actually owned them.
The first was an incredibly short satin dress that was the prettiest, deepest blue she'd ever seen. And while the material was void of any of the lace or patterns Ripley usually favored the strapless fitted bodice was made to cup her chest while containing it. Sway looked it over, nodding before turning to the other. Now this was more her taste. The leather pants were soft instead of shiny and-upon closer inspection- actually had a tiny snakeskin detail to it. They were obviously made to sit ultra low on the hip and Sway knew that a good portion of the girl's new tattoo would be visible. The studded criss-crossing belt that was draped over the hanger was thin but would look good with the leather . . . while the black almost completely sheer lace boatnecked shirt-with sleeves long enough to cover the girl's knuckles- would be a definitely odd touch against the leather and metal . . . And the ultra-feminine hairstyle and makeup.
She grinned pointing to the second outfit.
"That one . . . definitely. What do you wear under that shirt?"
Ripley grinned, reaching beneath the shirt to show that while it looked pretty sheer it was actually almost completely opaque. And Sway knew the illusion would drive people mad.
"A skin colored bra that won't stick out . . ."
Sway nodded, turning to go back into the bedroom.
"Well go ahead and get dressed. Because I still have to go change and we have to stop and see Memphis . . . God knows I'll hear it if I don't . . ."
Ripley laughed, some of the light returning to her eyes as she grinned and winked at her.
"But you'd be terrified if he didn't and you know it . . ."
Sway shrugged, going to flop on the bed. She knew it was the truth . . . and so long as no one but Ripley knew it then she would be fine with accepting it.
Memphis looked Sway over and groaned, knowing that even if he could get the image out of his head before he went out that he'd be left with it later in the night. God why did she have to look so good when she dressed to go out? He may bitch and whine about her clubbing habits-mostly because he hated the damned rat holes himself-but he was never disappointed with the way she looked when she was getting ready to go out.
Her dark curls were down and wild around her, framing her face as her eyes danced and her plump peach lips pulled into a devilish little smirk. She was wearing a dress-something she rarely ever did- that stopped a few inches under the swell of her ass . . . hugging her curves and making him wonder why he'd never seen it before. Until he looked it over and noticed the teeny tiny black lace all over the almost midnight blue satin of the sheath dress. And he knew who it actually belonged to . . .
He had to tell Ripley to let his girlfriend raid her closet more often. Because in that dress-and the shoes he'd bought her to replace ones Eleanor and the ocean had devoured- Sway looked hot. Far too hot to be going out into a club with a group of only four other girls . . . But as she stepped aside to grin to Donnie, flipping her hair over her shoulder he had to do a double take. Because apparently his girl's group had an extra member tonight. And he prayed that she left before Sphinx decided to show up and gouge their eyes out for looking at her.
Ripley was wearing honest-to-God leather pants with this skin tight long sleeved lace shirt that was almost see through and this tiny studded black belt wrapping around her hips twice. But the killer part was the thick band of tan skin visible between the hem of the shirt and the beginning of the very low slung pants . . . and the top of a very intricate and devastatingly placed tattoo right at her hip. He turned, looking to Sway who was grinning and excitedly telling Donnie all about the club they were going to . . .
"The girls want to meet her so we're meeting them at Vantage. Its going to be so much fun . . ."
Donnie nodded, looking Ripley over before he looked to Memphis with this disgruntled and worried expression. And Memphis knew that if Donnie wasn't happy with the way she looked then Atley sure as hell wasn't going to be. Which meant Sphinx was going to shit his heart . . .
Lights outside and the sounds of Jackson's chattering told him that his worst fear to date had just come to fruition seconds before Sphinx and Atley stepped inside. And Atley took one look at Ripley and his face went stone cold killer. He crossed to her as quickly as his leg would let him, glaring at her while he opened and shut his mouth a few times before he finally snapped.
"Where in the hell do you think you're going young lady?"
Ripley looked at him like he was crazy before rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, turning from him-and Sphinx who was finally out of his daze and moving closer- before she spoke.
"Out, Atley. You know as in not sitting at home . . ."
Atley's glare darkened as he clenched his teeth, grounding out his next words. And Memphis knew that Jackson was-once again-speaking for himself and for Sphinx as the other man's face went dangerously void of emotion. A sign that meant something was about to get killed . . . or at the very least severely maimed or dismembered.
"I thought you had other plans tonight. What happened to those?"
Sway rolled her eyes, stepping forward to sling her arm over Ripley's shoulder and pull her into her side. Glaring at Atley warningly as she came to the other girl's defense.
"She canceled because I asked her to. She promised me weeks ago she'd go with me to meet my friends . . . And I wasn't going to let her go do whatever before and then have to help me wrangle in the others. She'd be dead tired tomorrow if she did that . . . Why does it matter to you anyway? Were the plans with you?"
Atley blinked, shaking his head before he recomposed himself.
"No. But she-"
But Sway cut him off, not interested beyong getting the bare answer. And Memphis knew that Atley was floundering against his girlfriend as he started to get redder in his face. Something they rarely saw the other man do.
"But nothing. She's an adult, despite what you seem to think. She said she tried to schedule whatever and would have to see so what's the big deal?"
"But she's going out dressed like that? Seriously?"
Sway's face darkened and Memphis took an involuntary step back. Shit! Atley had stepped into an ambush . . . and with the way Ripley's face fell and glanced down at what she had on, picking at the hem of the shirt before looking back up to Sway-who just got madder at the crestfallen look on the kid's face- he knew the other boost wasn't likely to come out of this unscathed. If he came out at all.
"And what the fuck is wrong with how she's dressed, huh? She not meet your approval all of a sudden? She isn't dressed any differently than I am. So that means there's something wrong with how I'm dressed too right? Well, Atley? What's wrong with us, huh? Or are you just hoping on the Helen Raines train?"
Memphis winced, not even bothering to speak against that. He knew his mother had been pushing buttons-despite his begging for her to leave it alone-and Sway was about to unload on Atley's stupidity for all of the abuse and criticism she'd been taking. And Jackson was too damned stupid to take a cue from Sphinx and just shut up.
"Well no! I mean you normally look like this! But she- she just doesn't . . . it looks too-"
"Too what, Jackson? Too skanky? Slutty or whorish? Cheap and easy like me? Come on, you've already started it why not finish it."
Ripley looked up, shaking her head as she pleaded with Sway. And Memphis knew that the kid was probably the only thing to calm her down now . . . but she wasn't going to forget this. Atley had better watch out because he'd pissed in Sarah's cornflakes. Even if it had been accidental . . .
"Come on Sway. We need to go . . . Your friends are waiting for us, okay? Let's just go . . ."
Sway nodded, pulling the girl tighter before she glared to Atley.
"Yeah . . . we're going, chickadee. To somewhere we're actually wanted. And where no one is going to call us sluts because we aren't covered from our necks to our toes."
Atley went to speak but Sway spun dragging Ripley with her. And Memphis noticed that the girl waved to Donnie and spoke to San and Frank as they went to come in as they were leaving, laughing and blushing at the complements they received. While she never glanced at Sphinx . . . or tired to at least speak to him like she normally did. Which meant that they were arguing or fighting. Again. Awesome . . .
He sighed, turning to extend his hand to Sphinx as the man stepped closer once Ripley had disappeared. And though he looked down at it skeptically, Memphis kept to what he'd planned on doing since yesterday.
"I'm sorry about yesterday. You weren't back by time I left . . . My mom can be a bit . . . She's a bitch when she wants to be. And yesterday wasn't anything towards you and more about how much she seems to loathe Sway. And while it pisses me off to no end I can't kill her. She's my mom and I do not want to raise Kip anymore than I already am . . ."
He shifted before continuing.
"So thank you for not taking her head off . . . and I am sorry for the way she is. She had no right to say that to you or to Ripley . . . Are we cool?"
Sphinx looked down to his hand before rolling his eyes and taking it, shaking once hard before he let it drop. And Memphis let out the breath he'd been holding as Frankie and San walked into their midst. San shaking his head as Frankie grinned lecherously. The blonde boost turned to Memphis before he winked at him.
"Damnation Death. I don't see how you're letting her go off like that. Girl looks far too good in leather and lace to be alone with Wayland her group. Hell, someone's liable to pick her up and carry her away."
Sphinx's face darkened as Memphis started shaking his head to San quickly, jerking his hand in front of his neck in the 'cut this shit out before you lose your head' gesture. But San couldn't act quick enough and Frankie kept going, pestering the larger runner. Uncaring of the way his jaw clenched and his knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.
"I mean, Raines doesn't have much of a choice but Ripley . . . I know she can take care of herself but she's as sweet as sin. And a hundred times more tempting . . . You're a strong man than me, buddy."
It wasn't really a surprise when Sphinx caught Frankie by the collar of his shirt and hoisted him in the air like a ragdoll . . . but it was too damned terrifying to watch him glare at the man he was dangling for any of them to try and save him. At least he wasn't choking him . . . yet . . .
"Ow! Hey! Put me down your fucking brute! I was just messing with you! Shit! I thought people were supposed to mellow out after they got laid!"
Sphinx growled, hoisting him higher as Frankie yelped. And Otto chose that moment to waltz in with Junie in tow. Who took one look at both of them and put her hands on her hips, tapping a foot the same way they'd seen Ripley when she was aggravated.
"What in the hell is going on in here? Sphinx! Drop him! Now!"
Sphinx rolled his eyes, dropping Frank in a heap at his feet before Junie glared between the two of them even harder. She pointed to Frankie as he tried to stand, stopping the boost in his tracks.
"You! Paint Bay! And You-" she pointed to Sphinx who looked up like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Welding! Don't you give me that look, Mister! I said move!"
Memphis choked back a laugh as Sphinx and Frankie glared at one another but separated, each going to their own designated holding pins. And as soon as they were out of sight, he and Donnie were leaning on one another laughing while Atley shook his head and San lit a cigarette chuckling. Junie looked at all of them before turning and going past Otto. Who reached a grabbed the cigarette from San's lips as his own before he shook his head. Because they all knew that only his normally sweet and loving wife would be able to put two boosts in time-out for fighting . . .
