“What are you thinking?” Brendan asks, drawing a little pattern on the denim over my thigh with the tip of his finger. He doesn’t linger there, but instead pulls back after a moment.
I couldn’t possibly answer his question fully. I’m having so many thoughts. So many. “I don’t really know you,” I blurt out. It’s a concern that’s been swirling in the back of my mind, nearly hidden behind all of my lustful thoughts.
The three of them are extremely likable and seem like decent men, but my no-hookups policy is based, in part, on safety. Though I have the skills to bounce men out of the bar when I need to, and feel I can defend myself in most situations, I’m not foolish enough to think I’d stand a chance against three men if they wanted to do me harm.
“I thought you might be worried about that, and you’re smart to be cautious,” Brendan says. “You don’t know us — yet — but we’d like to change that.”
Across the table, Jonathan takes out his wallet and extracts a business card, offering it to me.
“Limitless Adventures,” I read. “Custom Vacations for Active Travelers.” The card includes a website, Instagram handle, email and phone number, along with Jonathan’s name and a picture that’s attractive but doesn’t begin to do him justice.
“Where do you live?” I ask the men.
“We’re from Vermont, and we have a home there, but we travel most of the year,” Jonathan says.
I nod, as Brendan says. “I have an idea. Is that your manager?” He gestures to Valerie, who’s adjusting a sign on the wall near the door.
“Yeah,” I say, hesitantly. If he’s going to tell me they want to invite Valerie to their place too, I’m going to be very disappointed.
“If you decide to go home with us tonight, we’ll introduce ourselves to your manager first. She can take pictures of our IDs, so she’ll know exactly who we are and who you’re going to be with, should anything happen to you — which of course, it won’t.”
Even though I’d been excited to see them tonight, I hadn’t fully made up my mind about going home with them. I’m impressed by their consideration, though. I believe them when they tell me they didn’t spend last night with someone else, and I’m grateful that they’re concerned about making me feel safe.
“Would you like something to drink?” It’s Becca, standing next to Jonathan. Her eyes dart around to each of the men before landing on me. She raises a brow and purses her lips into a smile, silently communicating both her curiosity and approval.
“We’re good for now, Becca,” I tell her. “I’m going back on in just a minute.”
“Sounds good. Let me know if you need anything.”
Becca leaves, but not before flashing a toothy grin meant only for my eyes.
The men turn their attention back to me. “So what do you say?” Corbin asks. “Want to have some fun tonight?”
“I don’t get off until midnight.”
“You’re going to get off multiple times after that,” he says with a playful smile.
The Hayes brothers spend the rest of the evening at the table, passing time while I work my shift. I bring drinks and pretzels out to them, and when they need refills, they come up to the bar. After two beers each for Brendan and Corbin, and three for Jonathan, they switch over to soft drinks, something else I take as the opposite of a red flag.
Instead of talking to Valerie, I have them show their IDs to Tom. Even though fraternizing with customers isn’t against the rules, I don’t exactly want to advertise my intentions to my new boss. I haven’t known her long enough to know how she’ll react. Meanwhile, Tom is the most tight-lipped person I know, and he has a brotherly, protective side.
With virtually no expression, he tells me to “have a good night” when I leave at eleven. The night isn’t busy, so Tom suggested I leave early, a sure sign that his conversation with the Hayes brothers went well.
Before I leave, I phone my neighbor, Sheila. She’s a night owl, so I know the late call will be okay.
“Can you do a favor for me, Sheila?” I ask, after the pleasantries are out of the way.
“Sure thing. What’s up?”
“Can you look in on Roscoe and Beatrice tonight? Top off Beatrice’s food and check their water?”
Sheila’s tone goes serious. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just … won’t be home for a while. In fact, if you don’t see my car outside in the morning, can you take Roscoe out to do his business?”
“Might not be home tonight, huh?” Her tone changes yet again, to one that sounds like it’s hoping to hear juicy details.
“Might be spending the night with someone. Don’t worry. Tom checked them out, even took their ID.” I’m not going to mention that there are three someones. If I decide to share that detail, I’ll wait and do it in person.