Starboard (Anchored 1)

I sip my whiskey and take a look around. Since I haven’t been cleared to play yet, I’m drinking tonight. Tony graciously offered to drink with me, so I didn’t have to drink alone. He’s already had two different submissives come up and offer themselves to him. Yeah, I can see that my friend is pretty popular at this club.

As we drink, I see a sexy professor being led around on a leash and a slutty librarian sitting at the feet of two Doms. Everyone seems to be having a good time. Everyone seems to be in their element.

“Do you have a regular sub you like to play with?”

“Not really,” Anthony shrugs. Still, his eyes follow a slender woman as she moves across the room, and I wonder if my friend has a thing for someone who happens to be a little bit unavailable. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened.

You can’t help who you fall in love with. Sometimes, you fall in love with someone you absolutely, positively have no chance with, but that doesn’t make dealing with it any easier. Sometimes, you fall in love with someone who will never notice you or love you back. It hurts, but it’s part of life, and it’s part of love, and it’s part of growing up.

“What about you?” He asks. “After all those nights at different clubs, did anyone strike your fancy?”

“No.”

“You know, Mary called me the other day.” Tony speaks casually, but his words make my blood run cold.

“Really?” I ask, trying to keep my voice cool and level. I know it’s not working. Tony raises an eyebrow, letting me know my response came out as a growl instead of as regular words.

“She asked about you.”

“And what did you say?”

“I told her to fuck off. Same thing I always say. She tried to add me on

Facebook, too. Crazy bitch,” he rolls his eyes.

“Who’s a crazy bitch?” The bartender appears on the other side of the bar and leans over, showing off her large breasts. She’s wearing a dark green corset and a thong. I don’t know whether she’s a Domme or a sub and I don’t even care. As long as she keeps leaning over like that, she can be whatever she wants.

“I’m sorry, June,” Tony says. “Did I invite you to this conversation?”

“Oh, come on,” she winks playfully. “I thought we were friends, Tony.”

“She knows your real name,” I point out. Usually Tony goes by a stage name at places like this. “That means you must be friends in real life.”

“I’m talking about his ex-wife,” Tony finally says, jerking his head toward me. She called to ask questions about him.

“That’s weird,” June says, pouring us each a second drink. “Why didn’t she just ask you herself, Tony’s friend?”

“It’s Zack,” I tell her. If Tony trusts June with his real name, then I’ll trust her, too. He’s never steered me wrong before. “And the reason she didn’t contact me is that I have her blocked on every form of social media I use, all of my work emails, and I refuse to take her calls without a third party listening in. I also record the calls.”

“Damn,” June lets out a long, low whistle. “Guess it was a nasty divorce.”

“I was his lawyer,” Tony confirms. “It was a nasty one.”

“This one’s on the house,” she pushes the drinks toward us. “Sorry about your lady troubles, but hey,” she smiles. “You’re at Anchored now! You can totally drink and then hit on sexy submissives. That’s the dream, right?”

“Are you a sub?” I ask her, but June just laughs. “A Top?” I try again.

“I’m not anything,” she tells me with a smile. “I don’t play at the club. I just work here.”

“Why don’t you play here? I’m just curious. You’re beautiful,” I tell her. “Surely you’re asked to play pretty frequently.”

“Trust me,” June says. “I’m happiest behind the bar. It’s where I’m most comfortable.”

“Suit yourself,” I say. I hold up my glass. “Thanks for the drink. Here’s to you.”

“To June,” Tony echoes, and we both sip our whiskeys. I take in the rest of the room, looking at the scenes that are within view. There’s a rope play scene happening pretty closely, but I’ve never been terribly interested in that.

“What do you want to watch tonight?” I ask Tony. I’m starting to feel a little buzzed and I wouldn’t mind getting out of the bar area and exploring a little bit.