What Happens in Vegas

“Do you understand now?” asked Corey.

I nodded mechanically, knowing he couldn’t see it. “Yes,” I said weakly. “I see.”

“You’re here one more evening after tonight, correct?” Corey asked.

“Yes,” I said at last. “Tomorrow’s my last night.”

“Well we’re off tomorrow night,” said Corey. “The both of us.”

Another stretch of silence passed, as I digested everything. My belly felt skin tight. My stomach was in knots.

“Look,” said Corey. “Take tonight and sleep on it. If you still want a second date, now knowing what it entails… we’d love to take you out tomorrow. And if not…” I sensed the slightest hint of a disappointed sigh, “well, that’s fine too. We part as friends who had a great time together. Everyone’s happy. No hard feelings.”

“No hard feelings…” I repeated numbly.

“Like I said,” he went on. “Our tastes aren’t for everyone. That’s probably why we’ve had so few second dates.”

I couldn’t speak. All I could think about is what he’d said. What he’d described.

“O—Okay.”

“You have a good night tonight Lauren,” Corey said, his voice going cheery again. “Do something fun.”

Fun.

The call disconnected. I sank backward, into a comfortable leather chair.

Yeah… okay.

A thousand delicious images flashed through my mind. Most, of course, were from last night. But there were some from tomorrow too, if I chose to go down that path.

Could you really, though?

I thought I could. In fact, I was pretty sure of it. My stomach might not have agreed at the moment, and my heart was still pounding out of my chest. But when it really came down to it? I trusted them. The both of them.

They were two nearly-perfect strangers, but I trusted them anyway.

I sank into the softness of the chair, relaxing even further. Corey would be in the shower by now. I could picture the hot water, running down his beautiful chest. Streaming over his abs. Little rivulets forming beneath the steam, rolling over his skin, moving ever downward…

They share an apartment together.

I could picture Brody standing there naked, a little white towel wrapped around his waist. Brushing his teeth. Staring into the mirror with those ice-blue eyes and shaving that gorgeous, blond-stubbled face.

Hell, maybe they work together, too.

The two of them getting dressed. Going off to work, wherever that was.

They share everything… like they shared you.

I glanced over to the television, where the credits were now rolling on my unwatched movie. I decided I could restart it. My nachos were cold, but the kitchen had two different ovens.

Screw it.

I grabbed my phone and hammered out a single text-message. Two quick lines, before pushing my phone away for the rest of the night.

I don’t need to sleep on anything.

I’M IN.