The Long and Winding Road (The Seafare Chronicles 4)
“Not for long he doesn’t,” Otter says, flexing his arms against his chest. My mouth goes instantly dry.
“Annnnd that’s my cue to leave,” Isaiah says, slowly taking a step backward. “Bear, it’s been… how I normally expect conversations with you to be like. It’s good to know nothing changes. I wish you two the happiest of weird married-dad sex. I’m leaving.”
“Bye,” I say. “Have a nice life or whatever.”
“So that’s a no, then, to the three-way—”
“Leave,” Otter barks.
Isaiah Serna exits the premises rather quickly.
And that’s when I realize the bar is absolutely silent. I look around. People are staring at us.
“That wasn’t what you thought it was,” I say loudly so everyone can hear. “I’m not having an affair, and we’re not weird. We’re role-playing.”
That doesn’t seem to make things better.
“Oh, that’s right. Just watch the dinner theater. I mean, that’s what the gays are good for, right? We’re only here for your entertainment. Well, let me tell you something. You can suck my mmph.”
There’s a hand over my mouth.
I look up at Otter.
He sighs.
I smile behind his hand.
His lips quirk. “Isaiah? Really?”
I shrug.
“You didn’t have to take off your wedding ring,” he says, dropping his hand.
“It’s part of the experience,” I remind him. “Speaking of, why are you being familiar with me? You’re not doing it right!”
“Aren’t we a little past—”
“Otter!”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine. Ahem. Hello. Is this seat taken?”
I bat my eyelashes at him.
He chokes on a laugh. “Or maybe not. I think I’ll go sit elsewhere. You look like you have something in your eye.”
I punch him in the arm. “Sit down.”
He does, asking the bartender for a beer. “So,” he says, sounding amused. “What brings you out to a place like this?”
“I’m a lounge singer,” I tell him. “This is where I lounge. And sing.”
He groans. “Seriously? I told you that—”
“This is fantasy. That means I get to be whoever I want.”
“Fine,” he says. “Then I get to do the same.”
“Fine.” Because the internet said I had to respect my partner’s wishes too. Which was stupid because this whole thing was my idea.