10. Freddie
Freddie
COLE
Have you googled Slick Love yet?
No, I assumed it was a club night or something.
COLE
Guess again, friend.
I frown, opening a browser and searching for Slick Love. My eyes widen as I read through what sounds like an orgy in a roasting tin. Everyone slicked up and sliding around blindfolded?! I’ll try anything once, but this sounds absolutely mental.
The night is only a week away and the American has been ghosting me ever since.
Work has been driving me mad – it’s been a non-stop grind of late nights for days now, working our arses off for a new client who pulls some serious weight and brings a boatload of cash with him.
I love the thrill of the chase as much as the next fund manager, but I can’t bear wankers, and this guy is a bellend of the highest order.
My thoughts wander back to her, and I decide to shoot my shot again, despite her ghosting me.
Hey dream girl, do you fancy grabbing a beer before we grease up next week? Would be nice to learn your name before we get slippery together. Again. ;)
It’s a full hour before she replies.
AMERICAN DREAM GIRL
I’ll be at Salt helping set things up from 7pm. I could do a drink at 8pm. Bring your friend.
Wouldn’t dream of being without him. We come as a pair now, don’t you know? Inseparable as peas and carrots.
AMERICAN DREAM GIRL
Peas and carrots are frequently served separately where I come from.
Well, as inseparable as two peas in a pod then.
AMERICAN DREAM GIRL
Smooth, Freddie Lane.
I like the way you use my full name like that. Though you can just call out my first name next time I make you come.
AMERICAN DREAM GIRL
Promises, promises.
I send back a laughing emoji and pocket my phone, an irrepressible grin staying on my face for the rest of the afternoon.
A week later, Cole and I meet up at a pub around the corner from Salt for what he’s deemed a ‘pre-event briefing’, as if we’re planning the invasion of Normandy. I swear he’s made a spreadsheet about this whole thing based on how much he’s frowning and looking at his phone.
As far as I’m concerned, I’ve found my dream girl and she could be interested in dating me – as long as Cole’s in the picture too. I’ve spent so many years of my life in Cole’s company that I don’t see this as an issue.
But he’s overthinking it, as usual. He’s got that little crease between his eyebrows that he gets when he’s puzzling over things.
I plonk down in the chair opposite him and slide a beer over.
“You look like you’re thinking way too hard,” I say, cocking my head. “Are you freaking out?”
“No, not freaking out – just unsure of how this is all going to play out.” He shrugs and takes a sip of his beer. “You’re being awfully relaxed about the idea of ending up in a poly situationship with another man. Especially given it’s not exactly common. People wouldn’t get it.”
“Look, I know I sound insane,” I say, looking at the ceiling as I gather my thoughts.
“But I’ve been bored for ages. This is the first thing that’s happened in a while that’s made me sit up and think about things.
I’m not a total idiot – I know we’ve literally just met her, and one mind-blowing night could be all this ever is.
But I want to see where this goes. I literally can’t stop thinking about her. ”
“I get it. I do. I can’t stop thinking about her either. I’m just not convinced that striking up a threesome on a whim is sensible either. I just want us to communicate, ok? This could get intense.” The look he gives me is serious, bordering on grave.
“I know. It’s chapter one, Cole. Of what I hope is going to be a wild and unforgettable story. But if it’s just a novella, then that’s ok too. Let’s just see, eh?”
“Ok,” he agrees. “To the adventure of it, then,” he says, giving me a wink.
“To the adventure, indeed,” I reply with a grin before I neck the rest of the bottle.
A short while later, we’re back at the front door of Salt. I press the cursive S doorbell and wait. A tall, broad man opens the door and appraises me before recognising Cole. I forgot he’d been here last week to meet Jessie.
“Mr Avery, Mr Lane, welcome back to Salt.”
“Thank you, Jonah.” Cole smiles. He’s already on first name terms with the staff here, and damn if that doesn’t irk me just a bit.
“Ms Reed is down in the main bar, I believe. They’re almost all set for tonight’s event.”
“Ms Reed, eh?” I raise my eyebrows at Cole, who just rolls his eyes.
We’re just walking down the stairs when a thought hits me.
“Oh my God, you know her name, don’t you!” I whack him on the arm and he startles, before turning to me with a smirk.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Freddie,” he says, a smug smile on his face.
“You bastard! You could have told me. Whatever happened to honour between friends, eh? Bros before hoes?”
He raises a single eyebrow.
“I don’t think those sorts of phrases are allowed here. Didn’t you read the code of conduct?”
He laughs and shakes his head just as we reach the bottom of the stairs.
We see her before she sees us. She’s standing side by side with a petite blonde in a silky robe, wearing a broad smile as they have an animated discussion. She’s waving her arms around a lot.
There’s a lightness to her that calls to me, and I feel myself pulled into her orbit once again. Our connection definitely wasn’t a random one-off. I give myself a mental shake.
Just as we reach the bar, she turns and catches sight of us – and I’m relieved to get the sense that I’m not the only one who feels the magnetism there. She gives us a small smirk before turning her back and continuing her conversation with the hippie blonde.
Take all the time you want, princess. I’m more than happy to play your game.
“Giancarlo, wasn’t it?” I turn to see Cole greeting yet another Salt staff member by name. Giancarlo nods and reaches over to shake his hand warmly. “Can we grab two of your dirty martinis? I hear they’re the best in this side of town.”
“Exactly how many times have you been here?” I hiss, as Giancarlo starts mixing up our drinks.
“Only twice – once with you and once for coffee with Jessie. But I did hang out for a bit in the staff room. The team here are predictably lovely,” he says, leaning over to tap his card on the reader.
“Seems like you’re all the best of mates,” I say, with a slight pout. Salt was meant to be my cool thing.
“Don’t be a child, Freddie,” he says, rolling his eyes. “I’m going to do some work with the team here, so it makes sense that I get to know everyone. You’re still my number one.”
I smile, feeling placated. I know I’m being petulant, but I can’t help it.
Just then, my pulse ratchets up because my dream girl has finally finished her chat and is approaching us.
She leans over to give Cole a kiss on the cheek, and she must whisper something in his ear, judging by the slight flush that creeps up his neck.
It’s a tell that appears when he’s a little nervous, even though he’s trying his best to hide it.
Finally, she turns to face me, one eyebrow arched, and a definite smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“We meet again, Freddie Lane,” she says, leaning in to brush her lips across my cheek in a move that sends tingles all over my skin.
“Hello, princess,” I reply, tilting my head as I survey her. She’s every bit as stunning as the first night we met, and I’m doing all I can not to show my hand.
“Princess?” She wrinkles her nose.
“Well, if you won’t tell me your name…” I shrug.
“You can guess.” She puts a hand on her hip and pops it, and I’m momentarily distracted by how much I’d like to sink my fingertips into the soft flesh there.
“So, you’re likely a ‘90s kid. I’d guess East Coast US, based on the accent. Britney?”
She laughs and shakes her head, an amused smile on her face.
“Madison?”
Another shake of the head.
“Mary Beth? Tiffany? Ashley?”
She scoffs at that one. “Do I look like an Ashley?!”
“You look like you’re going to be stuck with ‘princess’ if you don’t give in and tell me.”
She gives me another trademark smirk and then slowly leans in. My heartbeat practically grinds to a halt as her breath caresses the shell of my ear.
“It’s Sloane. Sloane Reed,” she whispers, and pulls away. She’s still smiling, but there’s a depth to it now that wasn’t there before, like she’s feeling this attraction every bit as much as I am.
“Sloane,” I repeat, enjoying the feel of it on my tongue. I smile and her eyes flick to my dimples before darting back to mine. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you properly this time.”
She inclines her head, graciously, as if she’s aware she’s granted me an honour.
“Now, do you want to tell me what the fuck Slick Love is and what exactly we’ve signed up for?”