Saturday Night Special by Mari Carr Page A

Couldn’t get the image of that fucker rutting away in my spot out of my mind.”
    Riley gestured to Johnny as if his comments reiterated what she’d just said. Aaron started to restate his stance, but the determined looks on Riley’s and Johnny’s faces proved anything else he said would be a waste of breath. He tried not to dwell on the fact that his wife’s opinions of right and wrong aligned more closely with the Wayne Newton taxi driver’s than his. Oh yeah, the next fifty years or so were going to be very interesting.
    Riley reached over and patted the man’s hand sympathetically. “You know, Johnny, I hate to bring up a sore subject, but Bella doesn’t seem to be the most faithful of girlfriends. Are you sure you might not be better off without her?”
    Riley’s comforting touch and softly spoken words seemed to open the floodgates and for the second time in one day, they watched a person fall apart due to Trev and Bella’s desertion.
    “It’s not Bella’s fault,” he blubbered. “It’s mine. I’ve been putting too much pressure on her. She was bound to break under the stress.”
    “Pressure?” Riley asked.
    “I want to get married, start a family, but Bella’s focused on her career. Claims having a baby would ruin that.”
    It just dawned on Aaron that he didn’t know what Bella did, now that hooker had been crossed off the list. “Her career?”
    Johnny looked at him. “She’s a stripper. Best fucking stripper in Vegas.”
    “Ah.” Riley nodded with understanding. “I guess having a baby could interfere with that.”
    “My Bella’s not a bad girl. It’s just she has these needs.”
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    Aaron recalled the clerk at Sal’s talking about Bella’s penchant for pony play. He took a long swig of beer, hoping to finish it quickly and move on. The last thing he needed was for Riley’s curiosity to be piqued over that particular sex kink. He had absolutely no interest in putting a bit in Riley’s mouth and riding her around the bedroom.
    “Needs?” Riley prompted.
    Aaron looked at his watch. “Um, Riley. It’s getting kind of late,” he murmured in her ear. She gave him a look like he was a heartless bastard for suggesting they leave Johnny while he was so upset.
    Johnny didn’t seem to notice their exchange as he began pouring out all his woes.
    Aaron waved the bartender over and ordered another beer. Might as well get comfortable. He knew Riley wouldn’t leave until she’d heard every sordid and twisted tale Johnny Sparks had to share. He’d spent many a night like this, sitting at a bar as Riley served as counselor to every misfit toy on the island.
    Johnny explained Bella’s fascination and need to be in the spotlight. “She was born to be a star. Born to be admired. She gets up on that stage and I swear to God, it’s like magic.”
    “But that doesn’t explain why she feels the need to cheat on you, Johnny. You know, you really shouldn’t put up with that shit. If Aaron ever cheated on me, I’d cut his dick off.”
    Aaron looked at her with a playful grin, tapping his brow. “I’m definitely filing that useful piece of information away for future reference.”
    Riley gave him an annoyed glance. “You’d never cheat on me.”
    “You’re right. I wouldn’t. Although it is my honeymoon and we have been in this bar a long time…”
    She gave him a breathtaking grin. “I’ll make it up to you. Later.”
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    He scowled as she turned back to Johnny. “If you’re really in love with Bella, you need to put your foot down. Tell her it’s you or the highway and you’re gonna have to tell her no more affairs.”
    Johnny looked down miserably. “I wish I could, but what do I have to offer her? I’m lucky the woman looked my way to begin with. What do I have to hold a woman like her?”
    It was clear the man worshiped the ground his unfaithful girlfriend walked on.
    Aaron sort of felt sorry for the guy.
    “Are you kidding me?