Blackness Takes Over & Blackness Awaits by Norma Jeanne Karlsson Page B

the floor. Matty brings over new quiz sheets which I take. Okay the weirdness is getting to me now.
    “Scoop your jaws off the floor and sit down boys.” I don’t look up at them from the quiz. “People are starting to talk about you.” I did just hear a guy ask how he could be on our team, that’s kind of talking about them.
    “Uhhhhaaa,” a laugh breath bursts out of Cally’s mouth. “Spank bank full to the mothafucking brim, Kid.” He rips his seat back, plops down, slams his pint, jumps back up, and heads over to the bar. I snicker.
    “Kid, are you trying to get me killed?” Kavy sneers, as he takes his seat next to me.
    “No shit! Where the fuck did that dress come from and where’s the rest?” Sully adds to the inquisition.
    “Dress? I thought she had on a shirt and forgot her goddamn pants!” Finn finishes the diatribe.
    I look up at them, a sly smile pulling at my lips.
    “I’ve seen each and every one of you bring home, fuck, and dismiss girls wearing a quarter of what I am. Don’t you dare try to give me shit or I’ll get goin’ on each of you. I’ll win.” I glower at each of them. “And no Kavy, I’m not trying to start shit. I wanted to dress up to go to the club, so I did. I can take care of myself.” I pat my clutch knowingly. “I plan on having a really good night. If you four,” Cally just sat back down, “can’t handle a fun evening then go fuck yourselves. I’ll go out with Matty.” Matty hears me, puts his hands in a prayer position and mouths “please” at me.
    “All right, Kid,” Kavy concedes. “We’re sorry and outta line. Let’s win this quiz and go watch you shake your money maker. In that dress you’re gonna be makin’ it rain at the club.” There’s the Kavy I know and love, smiling my smile at me.
    “Uh, last I checked I’m not a peeler.” I nod at Sully. “That’s more Sully’s game.”
    “Don’t hate on me, Kid.” Sully smiles a Cheshire grin at me. “You know you like my skills.” I do indeed. Stripping had become a good money maker for him when we were at Stanford. I got to be his guinea pig when he practiced. Talk about spank bank filling.
    “You look gorgeous, Miss Kelly,” Finn coos at me. “We’re lucky to be seen with you tonight.”
    “Here, here,” Cally pipes in, “let’s drink to that.” We grab our glasses. “To the best arm candy a man could hope for. To Kid,” Cally chants.
    “To Kid,” they howl in unison and we all touch glasses. We all drink just as a hand appears on my shoulder. I look over my shoulder at a hard six maybe eight pack stomach covered by a beautiful bright blue soft cotton shirt and a charcoal jacket. My eyes scan up and stumble at man boobs that have been expertly sculpted. Attached to this unbelievable torso is a face to make all other faces look like puppy chow: angular jaw clean shaven, soft pillow pouty lips, straight nose, perfectly styled over to the side hair, and teal eyes. Kellerman.

“Kel,” I breathe and push my chair back to stand and greet him, “you made it.” No shit Sherlock, he’s standing in front of you.
    “Your boy, Finn, convinced me.” He nods in Finn’s direction. His eyes haven’t left mine, not even now that I’m standing. Check the dress dude, it’s good. Nope just eye contact. This is getting awkward and I don’t know what to do. I break the eye contact and start the introductions.
    “Dylan Kellerman, this is Aaron Kavanagh.” I indicate with my hand as I go around the table. “Ryan Callaghan, Brian O’Sullivan, and of course you’ve met Finn. Boys this is Dylan Kellerman, Mr. Kellerman’s son.” He’s getting sized up. He doesn’t seem to give a shit either. This man is impenetrable. Okay time to fill the silence.
    “They all go by their last names like you,” I smile at him. “You’ll fit in just fine.”
    Finn, thank God, stands up and shakes Kel’s hand and pulls up a chair next to him (not next to me, pout). “Have a seat, man. Glad you