Page 10 of Dare to be Different

“It’s not bullshit,” Rydan says, leaning against the railing. “You’ve always liked… extra. What changed?”

My dick changed its mind, that’s what. “I hooked up with this pilot the other night. I’ve been with her before and things are always good and easy. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but I only got off because I was thinking about other things on top of the sex. I don’t know, guys. It’s just… weird.”

“So, you’re all freaked out because one half-decent fuck means you’re all vile and wicked?” Hardin scoffs. “Try again. Test the theory.”

Not bad advice coming from Hardin. But I’m at my mental limit for talking about it, so I turn the tables. “Look at you, daddy of the fucking year, with your knowledge and wisdom.”

“Yeah.” Hardin flexes. “Maybe everyone will start coming to me with their problems instead of going to Lakes.”

Maybe Laken is the person I need to talk to. She’ll get it. She’s into the extra, knows what it’s like to have multiples, and has some kinks. I think that’s why I’m drawn to her sexually at times. She isn’t basic. She has two boyfriends, for fuck’s sake. She likes being watched, appreciates the vibe of a sexy situation, and isn’t afraid of a little risky danger. She’s my brothers in chick form, but where she differs from them is in her ability to talk about it calmly. I can vent my shit to her and listen to her answer without punching someone in the face. Maybe that’s why she’s on my mind lately. She isn’t vanilla, and for some reason, that gives me some scrap of confidence that I can make a non-vanilla life work like she did.

I take a moment to mentally scold myself for not weaseling my way into Jed and Kade’s bond. If I was closer to them, I’d have way more opportunities to see how those three work in their relationship. I knew I should have teamed up with Kade instead of mocking the shit out of him for falling for his brother’s girl. Jokes on me now, eh? I just want to see how they work, what they get off to, and how they all manage it without it being weird. I want to know how the things I’m interested in can translate into an actual relationship rather than just one-night stands.

Is that what I’m looking for? Someone to match my energy and get up to all sorts of wicked things with me? An open relationship or some shit? Is there even someone out there as crazy as me to understand the things I like and crave?

I mean… my partner in crime, but…

“Who’s this girl you and Rem are hanging out with tonight?” Rydan asks.

“Cara. She went to our high school for a bit, remember? Remy and I both banged her.” I laugh. “She’s awesome. Was always a good time, but she’s married now and bringing her husband. Haven’t met him yet.”

“Don’t be a homewrecker, Zahn.” Ry widens his eyes at me.

“I’ve never been a homewrecker, you dick.”

Saved by Remy. He pulls in and gets out, walking right past me waiting for him on the porch to have a beer with my brothers. Mom gives him a kiss, and over his shoulder, she gives me a ‘told you so’ look.

Chapter 5

I grin at Remy from across his living room. He’s once again drunk, but he’s in the perfect mood, and Cara and her husband are adding to that mood. After a fun dinner at one of the resorts in Seward, we’re back at Rem’s for a few drinks, and these two are shocking the shit out of me. Their marriage is not at all what I expected, and it’s giving me hope for some unconventional future.

“Wait,” Remy slurs, cutting them off mid-story. “Your neighbor?”

Cody, her husband, is a few years older than us, but he’s a looker. Cara is the exact same as she was in high school, and together, they look like a porn advert. Especially because they aren’t shy about being all over each other. It puts me at ease instead of making me uncomfortable, though. I like it when the sexual tension is blatant for everyone to see. I think my comfort zone is sexual tension. Is that a thing?

“Yeah, our neighbors.” Cody laughs, giving Cara a kiss on the cheek.

Okay, I lean in, interest piqued by their story. “Neighbors? Plural? Or you just brought the one in for a threesome?” I can’t help asking. I need all the details about how their relationship works.

Cara laughs, giving Cody a loving look. “Both of them. A foursome? Is that what you call it?”

“So, you fucked the neighbor guy and Cody fucked the neighbor lady?” Remy asks, needing the clarification, too.

“No. We all mixed together,” Cody says, shrugging like it’s no big deal. “We don’t call ourselves swingers or anything, but we’re… open. Open-minded.”

Open-minded is my middle name. Zahnder Open-Minded Dare.

“You’re bi?” Remy comes in with another good question.

“Yeah.” Cody smiles.

“I prefer men, but I’m open to a little exploration every now and then,” Cara says.

I’m loving this. “Well, fucking cheers to that!” I raise my glass. “Great way to keep things interesting if your relationship is good for it.”

“Because of it,” Cody adds. “It works for us.”

“You two are still single and tearing through hookups like it’s your job?” Cara asks us.

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