All Aboard (Anchored 3)

“If you get tied up, you won’t even have to stand,” Lily points out helpfully. “But for real,” she puts her hand on my knee. “I think you should give it a shot. Christina dragged me there, and I wasn’t sure what the hell I was getting into.”

“And you found your true love. I know. I know that you both found husbands at Anchored, and that’s great, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen that way for me.”

“We’re not saying you need to find a husband. We’re just saying you need to get laid, honey,” Christina isn’t one to mince her words.

“How long has it been? Really?”

“Six months,” I lie, but they both just stare at me until I groan. “Fine. A year. Happy?”

“No, we’re not happy,” Christina says. “You gave Turntable a week. Now it’s time to let us help you.”

“It’ll be great,” Lily says, and she sounds so excited that I hate to disappoint her.

“All right,” I say finally. “I have off Saturday. How’s that work?”

“Perfect!” They both squeal. Christina is already on her phone,

shooting off a text.

“Who are you messaging?”

“I’m sending a guest request to the owner. They have to manually pre-approve guests, and then after your initial visit, you’ll need to apply to become a member if you want to.”

“Sounds like a serious place.”

“It is,” Lily and Christina say in unison.

“Okay, but let’s get something clear up front,” I say, not sure how I’m going to put my fear into words. I’d rather find out now, though, and then be surprised later. “Am I going to be expected to put out when we all go to the club? Like is this that type of intervention?”

“Are you asking if we’re going to force you to sleep with someone?” Lily looks shocked.

“Yes, that’s what I’m asking.”

“No, you won’t be allowed to have sex with anyone your first night.”

“No?” I’m not upset, but it seems like a strange requirement for a sex club. “Why not?”

“Everyone has to do STD screening before they have sex at the club,” Christina explains. “And you have to get tested regularly in order to maintain your membership. Oh, and you have to go through a psychological evaluation, but it’s totally not a big deal.”

“That kind of sounds like a big deal. Talking to a shrink? What if I find out I have some repressed childhood memories or something?”

“Then it’s probably a good idea to find that out before you go bonkers and hurt someone, love,” Lily wraps her arms around me. “Hey,” she says. “It’s going to be just fine. I promise.”

Chapter 2

Anthony

“He said everything was going to be okay,” the woman sniffles into her tissue and continues sobbing. “He promised!”

“I know he did, and I’m sorry about what happened to you,” I push the box of tissues closer to the crying woman. “But Mrs. Hunter, it sounds like there’s nothing more you can do. He’s made his choice, and I’m going to do my best to make sure you get everything you deserve.”

She looks up at me. Her big, watery eyes are pleading. “But all I want is him,” she whispers. “All I’ve ever wanted was him.”

By the time my newest client leaves, it’s nearly time to go home.

“Doing okay in here?” Kennedy, my paralegal, peeks her head in.

“Yeah, I’m all right,” I tell her, waving her off. “You can take off for the day.”