with watching one. Of course, I’ve long lost that flip with this movie with how many times I’ve seen it. But that doesn’t stop the hairs on the back of my neck from standing on end when something spooks me. I dart my head up off the couch and look behind me towards the kitchen area, but I don’t see anything. I squint, to try and see into the darkness behind me before shaking my head.
I’m totally tripping from that weed. We have a top of the line alarm system and Dominic made sure every window and door is locked every night. I turn back to the TV and just when I’ve settled back under the blankets, I hear someone right behind me.
“BOO!”
I almost fall off the couch with how high I jump, and I scream so loud, I wouldn’t be surprised if the neighbors show up to see if we’re alright. I turn around to see Dominic doubled over in laughter.
“Are you kidding!?” I scream as I try to slow my racing heart by rubbing my chest.
“I’m sorry, Stassi, it was just too easy. You should have seen your face when you were peeking over the couch.” He moves around the couch and drops to the space where I was just lying and props his leg up on the table in front of us. “Why are you watching a slasher movie by yourself at midnight?”
“I’m not scared, and I love this movie.” I place my hands on my hips.
He narrows his eyes and points at me. “You’re scared.”
“Yeah, I’m scared of you sneaking up on me! Who wouldn’t be?”
“Aww,” he pulls me to sit next to him and pinches my cheek. “Poor baby.”
I push away from him despite the fact that he’s warm and comforting and I wouldn’t mind cuddling up against him. “Not funny.”
“It was a little funny,” he chuckles as he puts his thumb and index finger together.
“No.”
“Just a little?”
I roll my eyes at his playfulness when a thought hits me that he may be under the influence of something as well. “Have you been drinking?”
“Nope, I figured I’d take a page out of one of your books tonight.”
“You…smoked?” My eyes are wide in shock that my straight-laced stepfather smoked weed. “Without me?”
Twenty minutes later, Dominic and I are in his bedroom, sitting on his bed passing a joint back and forth. It only took one look and me batting my eyelashes a few times for Dominic to relent to taking a few hits with me. “Where’d you get this?”
“I’m forty-one, I know where to find weed, Stass.”
“Well, excuse me,” I snap my fingers and pull the joint to my lips again. “I’m shocked you can roll a joint too.”
He pulls the joint from my fingers and holds it away from me. “Can we cool it with the insults? This is grade A weed I’m sharing with you.”
“Whatever!” I chuckle as I reach for it. “Gimme.”
“Say please.”
“Please, Daddy.” I put my hands together under my chin like I’m praying and give him my most innocent smile.
The look that flashes through his eyes, however, is far from innocent, but it’s gone as quickly as it appears. He takes another hit and hands it back to me. We do this a few more times and before I know it, I’m lying on his pillow. “That is really good.” I let my eyes flutter closed. “I am high as fuck.”
“Shit, same.” I feel the bed move and when I open my eyes, he’s next to me staring at the ceiling.
“Is it hard?” I ask, my eyes still closed. “Getting over a spouse that dies? I mean like for the next relationship you’re in? It’s not like you had a nasty break up or hated each other. Life forced you apart. Well…I guess death to be more specific. It must be hard for the new woman you’re seeing? Competing with the memory of a dead woman who probably did no wrong?” I ramble, and when I open my eyes, he’s staring at me.
“Why do you ask?”
“I was just wondering…”
“Honestly, Stassi, I don’t see myself getting serious again.”
“Ever?”
“Ever.”
“But you’re so young.” And kind and considerate and you have so much love to give.
“Exactly. I’ve been married twice and they both died. I’m too young to feel like everyone I love, I lose.”
Shit, that’s deep. “Dominic, it’s not you. You know that, right? It’s sad and unfortunate but they were both in car accidents. One involving a drunk driver and one involving inclement