CHAPTER THIRTY #2
“I just got an idea. Sometime, we should have a spicy competition. Everyone eats something super spicy and whoever grabs milk last wins. Everyone being you, me, and your wives.”
He laughed. “That sounds awesome, actually. And I know of a place that has crazy spicy wings. We could just order a box of those.”
“Oh my God, yes. We’ve gotta do this...sometime…” She groaned.
“What?”
“I have to go back to work tomorrow. Fucking Monday...what’s this look?”
“I’m just...contemplating something.”
“What?”
“Would you quit your job if you could?” he asked, deciding to at least probe this a little.
“Um, fuck yes. In a heartbeat. It’s so dissatisfying and boring.
You’d think I’d be happy with having a job not really doing anything about three quarters of the time, and at first, it was kind of relaxing.
But it got old fast. I go out of my fucking mind almost every day now, just sitting behind a desk and looking like a secretary.
I can’t even fucking read or watch shit!
Even when there is literally nothing going on! Why do you ask?”
“I’m just curious,” he replied.
Crap. He wasn’t sure he was going to be able to safely broach the topic without her figuring it out.
“Hmm,” was all she said. Then she said, “I’d move out of my fucking ‘apartment’, too. God, so fucking embarrassing. But it’s so cheap compared to everything else.”
“I think it’s kinda cool,” he replied. “And yeah, I get it, I’m saying that as someone who doesn’t have to live in it. But I’m saying it’s not embarrassing. You don’t really have to worry about that with me.”
“Mmm...yeah, you were never really judgmental. I did like that about you. Still do.” She slowly lost her smile. “You’re gonna have to keep an eye on that.”
“On...my lack of judgment?”
“Yeah, but also your attitude in general. Power tends to corrupt.”
“Oh. I mean, am I really that powerful?”
An annoyed look came onto her face. “Gabe.”
“What?”
“You have five women wrapped around your finger. And not just any five women, five powerful women. Each of those ladies, I could tell in the short time that I met them, they’ve each got their own hidden reserve of strength and power.
And they all are giving it to you. And I mean, shit, the cougar, too?
And there’s a couple other girls? You’ve got your own house basically.
You’re handling your debt, so it doesn’t really have much power over you.
You’ve got your own car. You’re a successful writer on your way to being even more successful, like, come on, man.
You’ve been granted a lot of power in the modern sense. ”
“That...is a good point,” he murmured.
“Did it seriously never occur to you?”
“I think it has, but in oblique ways.”
She chuckled. “Never really hear oblique anymore. And shit, man, you let me, I’m probably gonna jump on the Gabe train.”
She said it casually but he could tell she was serious about it. He looked at her. She looked back at him. Maybe it was a good idea to just throw it out there, see what happened. It would suit her personality, at least.
“Really?”
“It’s not like I got anything else going on. My debt’s gone, but I’m not exactly swimming in cash. It could all get wiped out in an instant, so it makes the most sense to just...stay the course. But I’m fucking tired of the course. And you’re...kinda exactly what I’m looking for in a guy?”
“How’s that?” he asked, leaning back in his chair, deeply curious.
“You know...you aren’t scared of me, but you also aren’t threatened by me.
I mean shit, in our time together, then and now, you always show the crucial basics of a relationship: trust, honesty, respect, communication.
Normally you only get one or two of those, and that’s if you’re lucky.
I guess normally you get a hollow version of one or two of those.
You’re hot as fuck. You’re pretty damn good in bed, I now know.
Although with five bad bitches like that bouncing on your dick all the time, you’d fucking have to be by now.
You’re a writer who’s actually writing and pursuing a career.
You seem responsible, but also fun. I could go on, honestly. ”
Gabe stared at her across the table for a long moment, his meal temporarily forgotten. This seemed pretty blatant.
“So, are you propositioning me?”
The question hung on the air for a moment. Kim seemed a little less sure of herself, but that abruptly changed and she straightened up.
“You know what? Yeah, I am. I’m going for it.
I’m tired of my life. I want-I need something different.
I know I seem kind of manic today...okay, I know I am kind of manic today, but I’ve been feeling like this for a while now.
So yes, I’m asking to be your girlfriend...
or, shit, I guess your wife? Or is that too big an ask? ”
“If you’re dating me, it’s with the intention of it being long term. We will move at the pace you want, but yes, I will want to propose to you.”
“Oh wow. Is that what you did for them?” He nodded. “Like, all of them?”
“Not yet. I still need to propose to Liz. I’m waiting for the right time, but she’s indicated she wants me to. And it’s like a real proposal and everything. There’s a ring, there’s a day of fun, I do actually drop to my knee and ask ‘will you marry me?’.”
“Holy shit, for each of them?! That’s awesome.”
“It is pretty awesome,” he agreed. Then he leaned forward.
“Oh man, you’re all serious now.”
“Well, this is serious business. Before going forward, a couple of things need to be cleared up.”
“I’m ready to clear things up.”
“The first is the obvious question: are you going to have issues living with five other women who are also in love with and are fucking me regularly?”
“Nope,” she replied easily. “I don’t do the jealousy thing if I trust, and honestly I trust you.
Kind of a lot. Plus, I mean, you’re personally vetted by how many other women?
Those women aren’t with you because of money or you’re insanely hot or whatever, they’re with you because they want to be, because you make them feel safe. So I’m fine with that.”
“Perfect. Second question: what’s your sexual orientation?”
“Straight, although I’m not above a little fucking around with the right ladies. But no eating pussy or strap-ons or anything.” She smirked suddenly. “I imagine that’s really common around your house.”
“Yeah. Final question...this one is the most uncomfortable for me.”
“Ooh, interesting.”
“So, I say this recognizing that it is not fair, but...if you are to be a part of this relationship, no other men can be involved. Romantically or sexually.”
“Oh,” she said, giving a little sigh of relief.
“I thought it was going to be something weird or fucked up. That’s fine.
I know the present situation seems a little contrary to it, but I’m monogamous.
And for whatever reason, once I’m in a relationship, I don’t really get the urge to go looking.
And I mean, technically, I will be monogamous, from my end at least. I’ll just be dating you. ”
“That’s a good point.” He leaned back and considered it for a moment. “All right, well, this path has been opened, so there’s not really a point in delaying walking it to its end. If you want, we can go to my place right now and have this conversation.”
“Sounds awesome to me. Lemme just get a box or two for all this because these wings and this pizza are shockingly good.”
He laughed and nodded in agreement, then pulled out his phone and hastily began texting the others in their group chat.
Today was about to get a lot more interesting.