Unexpected Reality Read Free

happen.
    At least not to me.
    No note, not even a trace of clothing for proof that she was there. It’s as though she were a figment of my imagination.
    “It’s all right, bud.” Seth places his hand on my shoulder. “We’ve all gone through a dry spell.” He’s trying hard not to laugh.
    “We got you,” Mark chimes in.
    “We’ll make sure our flavor of the night has a friend. And we’ll get her all liquored up so she wants to be with you,” Tyler says.
    “Surely, we can convince her,” Kent adds.
    “Fuck off.”
    “Ooh, I think we hit a nerve,” Seth taunts.
    “I don’t need help finding a willing female,” I grumble.
    “Really?” Kent questions.
    “Gentlemen, I think we have a challenge on our hands.” Tyler rubs his hands together in excitement.
    “Yep. We pick the girl.” Mark smirks.
    I grab my beer and bring it to my lips, just letting them talk. I’ve never had trouble with the ladies. It’s the dark hair and the tattoos. They all have a fantasy of being with the bad boy, the rebel who will make them feel dangerous and lively. The guy their mothers warned them about. Then, there are woman who simply see what they like and want to experience it. They think that’s me, but looks can be deceiving. Yeah, I have the dark, mysterious look—black hair, dark brown eyes, and the ink. Doesn’t mean I’m a bad guy. Sure, I’ve been with my fair share of women, but I’m a young, single guy. No harm no foul.
    “Any requests?” Seth asks.
    I look around the table at the four of them. “Nope,” I snap, tipping my beer to my lips.
    “Time to set the terms,” Marks says.
    “None needed. Pick the girl, and I’ll seal the deal,” I tell them with confidence.
    “Well now, cocky much?” Tyler accuses.
    “Fellas, I say we sweeten the pot. Mr. Cocky thinks he can seal the deal, so we just have to up the stakes.” Kent sits up in his chair, leaning his elbows on the table.
    I don’t say anything, just sit back and watch them. I can practically see the little wheels in their heads turning, deciding my fate. We’ve always been this way, never backing down from a dare.
    “I got it!” Mark exclaims. “Three months. We pick the girl and you keep her around for three months.” He sits back in his seat, grinning wildly.
    Fuck! Three months. That’s relationship material, and that equals feelings and a mess of drama when it ends. At times, the one-night stands are hard to get away from, even though they know the score. Three fucking months. What? Just so I can have bragging rights?
    “I’m digging it,” Seth agrees.
    A chorus of “Me, too” and “Hell yes” reaches my ears.
    “What are the stakes?” I ask. “Three months is relationship status. I’ll need more than bragging rights.”
    “Hundred bucks each,” Kent suggests. “And you can only be with her, no others.”
    Seriously?
    “I don’t need the money,” I say, signaling for the waitress to bring us another round.
    “No, but if you win, we would have to pay up. Unless of course you’re backing down already?” Seth goads me.
    Four hundred bucks and bragging rights. Is it worth it? Four sets of eyes full of mischief watch me, waiting for me to turn it down.
    What man would agree to keep some random woman, hand picked by his friends from a smoky bar around for three months? That would be crazy, right?
    “Scared?” Mark heckles.
    “Make your pick, boys.” I smirk. Fuck it! It’s three months, and they didn’t say how much time I had to spend with her, just that she had to be around for three months. I’ve gone three months without sex, so that’s not an issue.
    Mark and Kent immediately begin searching the crowd for their suggestion. Seth looks confused, like he didn’t think I would agree. Tyler is smirking.
    Payback’s a bitch, boys.
    “Right, so we must consult. Ridge, my man, we’ll be right back,” Tyler says.
    I watch as the four of them stand and head to the bar.
    What the hell did I just get myself