A/N: Been reading some really good stories lately and it has awakened the muse. :) Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed and been patient. This chapter has some cursing and with Lester you have adult themes ;) We are nearing the end of this tale of Stephanie and her Merry Men hi jinx.
BCC 14- Boy, Does It Run in the Family...
TANK POV
Only I would go all dressed up to a bachelor auction and end up at a women's version of Fight Club.
I removed my jacket and set it carefully on an empty folding chair off to the side. My date; whose name I still didn't know; pursed her lips together and tapped her foot impatiently. "Come on, will ya!" she snapped.
"Alright, alright," I said stepping up onto the platform. The room went quiet after a collective gasp. It was like someone had sucked all the air out of the building. I lifted up the rope to enter the ring wondering how I got myself into this and what exactly this was. I was barely inside when a team of three women with their arms clutched together ran toward me with very determined looks on their faces. All I could do was brace for impact. The middle woman bounced off my torso, with the other two ricocheting back and landing with grunts in the middle of the ring. My date; who I think I'll just call Jane for now; climbed up on the ropes and with a pump of her legs sprang airborne over the ladies -landing an elbow into one's midsection as she kicked the other woman in the ribs. She scrambled to her feet; raced into the ropes and boomeranged back into the group knocking the crumpling ladies back down as they struggled to climb to their feet. One crawled on her stomach to the edge and tagged an eager hand reaching across the mat. The woman rolled under the lowest rope as the new wrestler launched herself between the ropes and grabbed Jane by the back of the shirt pulling her off the woman beneath her.
I scooped the injured woman off the floor to remove her from further harm when her partner landed a series of jabs to my right butt cheek. "What the hell lady?!" I snarled. I set the injured woman at the edge of the mat and a couple of young looking adults in neon yellow t shirts carefully removed her. A new participant entered the ring only to be immediately clothes-lined by my previously and very deceptively demure; I might add; date. It's the last time I'll be fooled by a sweater set.
I shook my head in disbelief, then suddenly felt tiny hands clinging to my shoulders as a small woman climbed up my back. I grabbed her wrists and pulled her over my shoulders and set her not so gently on her feet. "Behave!" I warned. The look in her wild green eyes told me the point was moot and I'd have to deal with her again. When I looked up, Jane was barreling toward me. I braced again for impact. Her small foot planted on my thigh; she pushed off sending her petite body flying through the air in a wild back flip. Her heels barely missed my chin as I jerked back. She came down on our aggressive opponent flattening her to the mat and throwing elbows which angered the partner who came running at me. This time I was ready. I pivoted out of her direct line of fire at the last second and grabbed the back of her tight red singlet and snatched her off her feet; her limbs dangling. "Are you done?" I asked. Instead of answering she swung at me and kicked her legs. "I'll take that as a no," I muttered.
Jane stood with her arms over her head in victory; her foot planted in the stomach of her opponent. I made my way over. "I'm outta here," I said stopping next to her. "Do you need a ride?"
She shook her head no. "Suit yourself," I said and set down the scrappy woman in red. "You're really leaving?" Jane asked. I stared at her a moment, gave her a nod and then explained, "I didn't sign up for this."
She leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Thanks Big Guy," she said, "This was WAY better than I had hoped." Again I stared at her a beat, gave her another nod, then shrugged myself between the ropes. Women.
As I tossed my jacket across the passenger seat my phone rang. "Hey Lulabear," I grinned feeling centered again.
ERNESTO POV
The chair that concealed the last lovely lady at the table shoved back abruptly and my feisty angel spun around and faced me. Her gorgeous blue eyes sparkled with joie de vivre, as she met my gaze.
"Edna, Doll," I grinned like a fool. Without any conscious thought I had left Lester's side, and scrambled toward her.
"I should have known your grandson was Lester," she grinned back at me. There was something so refreshing about her that honestly, I forgot there was anyone else around until Lester cleared his throat.
"You two know each other?" Lester gasped.
"I just met this lovely lady this evening," I smiled taking her delicate hand and planting a soft kiss along her knuckles. She beamed up at me, a blush appearing on her pale skin. I could feel my grandson and the table full of ladies staring at us but I couldn't help it. This rare creature has me a blessing. Just coming out tonight to help my grandson brought this captivating dish into my world. It had been many years since I had been this drawn to a woman. And here I am unable to dampen the smile that has the corners of my mouth reaching my ears. Hell, why would I want to?
LESTER POV
What the fuck? My ace in the hole seems to be taken with Edna Mazur! As I tried to pick my jaw up off the floor, I couldn't help but wonder how this happened.
Poppa and Edna?
Suddenly I was pulled out of my thoughts by a hand groping my left butt cheek. I jumped when the long boney fingers tightened and I turned to see Gloria with a mischievous grin.
"Looks like handsome hotties run in the family," she said, "Like grandfather, like grandson!"
Poppa hadn't taken his eyes off Edna. "You can sit with me," she told him hopping up and pulling him down in her seat. He wrapped his arms around her and she plopped her boney ass into his lap.
"So," Marlene said to Edna, "I can see why you were so distracted. Tell us Ernesto, are there any more handsome Santos men we should meet?" Before he could answer Edna spoke up. "My granddaughter Steffie got herself a serious stud muffin; he is a badass bounty hunter and he is Lester's cousin!"
"Fat load of good that does us!" Gloria grumbled as I swatted her hand away from my behind again. I scurried over to the empty seat between Susan and Liza hoping if I was seated my backside would be safe for a few minutes.
STEPHANIE POV
"Who is that with grandma?"I gasped watching her with interest. Whoever he was Lester seemed flabbergasted.
"I don't believe it." Ranger murmured, his eyes not straying from the action at the Santos table.
"Tell me," I urged, tugging at his arm. His hand wrapped around mine to still it.
"Ernesto. I swear my cousin can fall into a pile of crap and still end up smelling like a damn rose!"
I couldn't help but giggle. "I'd say that runs in the family."
Ranger frowned and looked at me, one eyebrow raised in question.
I grinned. "How many times was I covered in God knows what and you escaped without so much as a stray ramen noodle?"
"Babe," he said as a slow grin turned up the corners of his mouth. He leaned in and brushed his plush lips over mine.
Our table jerked forward as Bobby plopped down beside me and interrupted the moment. "Is that who I think it is?" he gasped.
Ranger nodded.
"Son of a bitch," Bobby lamented
"What?! Will someone please clue me in?" I demanded.
"Sorry Steph," Bobby said sheepishly. "That older gentleman is Lester's grandfather."
"Lester's, not yours too?" I asked nudging Ranger's leg with my own.
"No, Ernesto Santos, his paternal grandfather."
"Oh," I said, "So what's the big deal? He seems to like grandma."
"Exactly!" Bobby groaned.
"Somebody better explain to me why that is a problem!" My temper flared and I glared at Bobby. He must have sensed the head of steam building because his eyes darted away and his expression changed.
"That's my cue to get back to my table," he said hopping up. "What's that baby? I'm coming!" he said pretending to have a conversation with Charise we couldn't hear.
"Coward!" I called after him. He spun around and gave me a mischievous grin.
Ranger rubbed his hand on my knee in a soothing manner as he continued to watch the floor show. " Ernesto is Les in 40 years" he offered quietly.
"Oh boy."
LESTER POV
"Uh, Poppa could I have a word with you?" I asked making my way over to him.
"Of course, my boy," he said and brought Edna's hand to his lips again. "Will you excuse me a moment doll?" he asked. Edna beamed as she nodded. He extricated himself and followed me to a semi quiet hallway near the restrooms.
Poppa squeezed my shoulder and thanked me for calling him."I can't believe my luck," he said grinning from ear to ear. I couldn't believe my rotten luck either, now what am I going to do? I thought but held my tongue as he continued. "I came out to help you and met the most fascinating creature..."
I stood there unable to speak or even where to start. "You're welcome, I guess," I finally mumbled but he didn't seem to hear me. There was nothing about this situation that I could have anticipated. At Rangeman we call monumental curve-balls the Plum Effect. Foolishly, I never realized that Steph wasn't the original hay-maker to oblivion. Edna may not be an official Plum but clearly her genes run through Steph making her a nearly unpredictable force.
I never imagined Poppa would become enraptured by Edna Mazur. Holy crap, this revelation was a game changer. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't see that Poppa had returned to the table and led Edna to the dance floor.
Before I could return to the table I felt Gloria grab me. "Let's dance big boy," she said dragging me to the dance floor. "Excuse me ladies, I'll be right back," I called to the table before taking Gloria's hand to dance. I held her in proper frame just like Poppa had taught me all those years ago. Hopefully this would keep me from being groped for a few minutes. I glanced over at him and Edna and noticed their shared expressions of bliss.
Gloria slipped her arm around me and pressed her agile body against mine grinding her hips into me in her own version of dirty dancing. "Come on 'Love Man' Let's see what you got."
"Yeah, 'Love Man'," Bobby's smooth voice interjected from behind me before a hearty laugh erupted from him. His girl swatted his shoulder then chuckled. Gloria curved her hand over my butt and pulled me into hip thrusts. I was afraid to pull back too hard I didn't want to injure anyone.
"Damn cuz, you got the moves," Ric chuckled as he maneuvered Steph across the floor.
"I hope your grandfather isn't the hound dog you are Les," Steph added. I was so discombobulated by all the turns of events this evening that I didn't even react to practically being molested on the dance floor by one of Edna's friends.
Susan grabbed Liza's hand and urged her out on the dance floor
"I haven't danced in years," Liza said "especially without an escort."
"Don't need one," Susan said snapping her fingers to the beat. "This is the way the kids do it, as a group," Susan continued, taking her friend's hand and twirling her."We can do whatever we want. We earned it putting up with men's crap!"
Liza laughed and agreed. "Yeah, I loved Leonard but he was an old stick in the mud!"
Susan laughed then motioned for them to join Gloria and me. The music changed to a more uptempo song and the ladies surrounded me. It was nice to see them all smiling and enjoying themselves. I took a few moments dancing with each one, spinning her around and drawing her in in for a squeeze with her back against my body and gave each one of them a kiss on the cheek.
"Lester Santos!" I jerked my head up to see a familiar looking, angry female marching toward us. I took a deep breath and braced for the worst.
"You don't call me after I gave you an amazing night of mind blowing sex and I find you here in a geriatric group bang...?"
"Now hold on!" Gloria growled, "Watch who you are calling geriatric, you little hussy!" She poked Starla in her ample chest. "Just because you bought those," she said staring blatantly at the younger woman's silicone enhancements, "and you are probably quite limber, doesn't make you memorable or special. And it certainly does NOT make you better than any one of us!"
"Well, I never...!"
"Oh, from the looks of you, I bet you have, Honey" Susan interjected.
"Move on while you still have a shred of pride," Gloria sneered. "You'll find another sucker from your pole," .
"I've never hit an old lady before," Starla snarled, "but you're about to be the first Granny!" She hauled back her fist. I pulled Gloria back and Starla's fist made startling contact with my nose.
"That's quite enough Darla," I shouted grabbing the handkerchief from my pocket to soak up the blood that was streaming from my nose.
"It's Starla!" She harrumphed and stomped her foot.
"I don't care what your name is," I snarled at her, "NOTHING gives you the right to insult my dates or get physically violent." I caught the eye of the host and he grabbed her elbow to escort her out.
Marlene raced over with a table napkin and pulled my hand away from my face to examine the damage. "Let me look," she insisted and ran her fingers along the sides of my throbbing nose. "Doesn't appear broken. Here, " she said leading me back to the table and handing me the napkin. "Put some pressure on it to stop the bleeding."
As she started off back to her seat I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "Thank you," I said and tried to give her a smile.
She squeezed my hand back. "Pardon me for saying, but you have poor taste in women if that Starla is any indication of what you usually go for."
I heard Stephanie choke back a laugh as she walked by our table.
I started to respond but Marlene spoke again so I bit my lip to hear her out with respect. "It's a good thing you have all of us to give you some lessons in what kinds of ladies you should be seeing and how to treat them." She leveled me with her stare.
"Yes Ma'am," I said with a nod.
"That's a good start, Sonny," she said then gave me a quick wink.