Cherié

Chapter 10

Francesca was coming over soon and I had to finish getting her room ready. However, I forgot all about my night with Cher. She knocked on the guest room doorframe. “Fuck.”

She smirked. “That’s what I’m here for.”

“I have to cancel. I have a family emergency.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Your hiding something.” Just my crazy ass sister.

“Me,” I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’d never dream of such a thing.”

Then the doorbell rang. “Is that your family emergency?”

“I’m not lying to you. I really need to help my sister out she ran away from home to here. And I have to coax her back before the wrath of my father finds me.”

She went to the door and answered it. “Come in,” she said as she stepped aside.

Francesca looked at Cher, then at me. “I didn’t know you were entertaining. I’ll come back later.”

“I’m heading out. You guys have fun.”

“No” Chessie insisted. “He is such a buzz kill. Let’s play some pay per view.”

“I already locked you out.”

“He isn’t that great at that.” I saw the two of them giggle and I knew Chessie was being a pain in my ass. She hadn’t even made it across the threshold yet. “Oh, I have a great idea. We can leave the Grinch and have drinks at El’s.”

There was no way in hell I was going to let Cher step foot in my father’s club. “Chessie I thought you were tired and needed to relax. If you’re going to spend time with Elio just stay with him.”

Cher took my sister’s hand. “I’d love to get a drink.” I grabbed her arm. She gave me a look to not push the conversation any further. However, there was no way my dad could ever find out about her. Not yet… she still wasn’t completely mine.

“Cherie, my brother is an asshole you don’t want to go there.”

“I’m sure he can’t be a bigger asshole than you. You remember the night we first met.”

Chessie looked between us. “What happened?”

I covered Cherie’s mouth with my hand and grabbed my coat and keys. “Fine, we’re going.” I walked out the door and hoped my brother could provide refuge from their plot against me.

On the long 25 minute drive, the girls traded embarrassing stories about me. I hated every syllable that left my sister’s lips. Cher was enjoying seeing me flustered like this. When we pulled up to the club I let Chessie go in.

“I’m going to apologize in advance for the two of them. They are overbearing and very nosey.”

She leaned in. “Just a thought, maybe if they talked to you regularly… they wouldn’t pry so much.”

“When was the last time you were in New Orleans?”

“I call my sisters on a daily bases and my parents weekly. I have been able to share less and less over time due to how often I call.”

I looked her over because She had crafted the perfect plan. I was amazed at how masterful it was. “Was your secret major Psychology?”

She simply laughed at me. “No and I’m not telling you even if it was.” She got out of the car and headed to the club.

It didn’t take long to find Chessie. She was at the bar with my new sister-in-law, Valencia. Val waved us over when she noticed us. “Hey, big bro how are you doing. It took a wedding for you to grace us with your presence before. What do we owe this visit to?”

Cher simply leaned over and whispered in my ear. “See. Told you so.”

Know it all. “Hey Valencia, this is Cherie. We were meeting up until this grown-child ran away from home. Now I’m here.”

“I’m not a child,” Chessie mumbled into her glass.

“Only children run away from home.”

“You’re being an ass,” Cher said as she walked up to the bar and rubbed Chessie’s back. “Valencia, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, he usually keeps his concubines hidden,” Elio said as he carried a crate of beer bottles to stock the cooler. “And your name is beautiful?”

“I’m Cher,” she said shaking his hand when he offered it.

How the hell did he get to call her Cher? I had to fight for that right. And she just offered it to my brother freely. “He can call you Cher.”

She ran her tongue across her teeth as she looked at me side ways. I simply leaned on the bar counter waiting for her response. “And what are you going to do about it?”

She was really going to challenge me. I leveled my self so my lips were right by her ear. “All the things that make your panties come off. Until all you want is me inside of you. And make sure you don’t get that at all.”

Cherie looked me over. I was sure my boldness took her by surprise. “Well he also didn’t call me a”-

My hand covered her mouth. “Let’s get you a drink. What are you in the mood for?”

Val and Elio were watching us closely. While Chessie didn’t give a f**k I was around. She was really enjoying Cher’s company. Soon she dragged Cher and Val off to the dance floor leaving me and El alone.

“So is she your girlfriend or just someone you occasionally f**k?”

Maybe I was seen as a flighty playboy by my siblings, but I wasn’t always like that. “We are working on it.”

“Why, she not buying what you selling? You should ask sissy for some tips,” he said teasing me.

“I was very sleep deprived and I may have irritated her a lot, the day we met. She has been making me work for it ever since.”

“What the hell did you do to her. She’s pretty cute,” he said in disbelief. “You look hooked on her too.”

I told my brother about the night at the library. He looked at me like I had seven heads. Then punched my shoulder. “What the f**k?”

He shrugged. “I’m just finishing the job Cher started. What the hell is wrong with you. Mom would have strangled you if she found out. Hell Rose might if she ever finds out. I don’t think Chessie and Val are gonna let her go.”

I watch the trio dance and they were really having fun. “I’m gonna get my girl back. You in?”

Elio called over a young lady to man the bar and he jumped over the bar top. I walked up behind Cher and grabbed her hips. She instantly swayed her body against mine.

Chessie convinced Val to open the restaurant kitchen and make the house special. If Francesca wants it she gets it. We sat in the restaurant kitchen talking and catching up. I slowly realized that I actually missed my siblings and we could really get along with each other.

Cher winked at me. I had a feeling she knew what I just realized. I grabbed her hand and kissed it. I mouthed thank you to her. She smiled and nodded.

“So, all it took was for this bookworm to meet a librarian, and shockingly his nose is no longer stuck in a book? The irony is there,” Elio said making everyone laugh.

“How long have you two been dating,” Valencia asked.

“Awe, smookie pooh. They can see we’re in love,” I said as I teased Cher.

“You really think I’m crazy enough to date him? We aren’t even friends yet.” That felt really cold, though, I already knew, that truth. I was working overtime to win her friendship and her heart yet I never could gain any ground with her.

“I fully support you. Make him beg for it.” My brother was cursing me and he knew it.

Cher laughed and I threw a fry at her. “He is an ass,” Cher added.

“They heard you the first 30 times tonight.” I was feeling that she wanted me to take Francesca more seriously.

“And yet you persist.” She cut her beautiful light brown eyes at me.

“They’re making you mean. We’re going.” I stood and reached for Cher’s hand.

“But I’m not ready,” Chessie wined.

“Well stay with the newlyweds.”

“Bro come on,” El groaned.

“You see how they treat me?” Chessie said. She conned her way into Cher’s arms.

“Told you,” Elio said as he elbowed me.