Page 11 of Dare to be Different

Remy looks at me and shrugs. “Zahn does better than I do.”

“We did have a nice group fuck last week,” I admit. “Did the mad dash after.”

Remy sits down beside me and clinks his glass with mine. “Damn right.”

Cara grins at her husband, and something settles within me. Their vibe is everything I love about relationships. Complete openness and understanding, like they accept each other for exactly who they are. I don’t think I realized how rare that is. So many of my brothers have that, but I’m not even sure I’ve paid close enough attention to other couples to notice it.

“You know, I used to hook up with these two in high school,” Cara tells Cody.

Cody looks at me and Remy, and there’s no denying we sweat it. Shit. Should we be nervous? “And?”

“Hot as hell.” Cara laughs. “Bet they’ve come a long way since then.”

“I bet.” Cody’s hand slides up her thigh.

Okay, what the fuck? “That doesn’t make you, I don’t know, jealous or something?” Remy asks.

Cody shakes his head. “Her heart is mine. I love the shit out of her, but sex has always been open. We explore together, but our hearts stay here. It’s just what works for us.”

Alright, it’s decided. I need this in my life. An open relationship is what I’m after. Not now, but sometime in the distant future. Seeing them together and how they work everything out gives me hope that I can, too. Maybe I can give my heart to someone but keep the spice of variety by finding someone who thinks the same way I do. Who wants the same things as I do. Pretty glad Remy didn’t want to be the third wheel, or I never would have gained this insight.

“Yeah, but how do you find people to join in?” I ask.

“The same way you two pick up. It’s easier than you think,” Cara admits. “Sometimes it’s just one person, sometimes it’s two, and it varies on gender.”

“Sometimes it’s a couple, but most times, it’s just two strangers looking for a fun night. It gets a bit dicey with other committed couples because you usually find that one of them is more into it than the other, and that shit just isn’t right. Both people have to be equally and mutually invested in the experience, so we don’t mix it too often with couples.”

Mature. Maybe I’m not mature enough for this kind of relationship yet.

“So when it’s a couple, it’s always a guy and a girl, though?” Remy asks.

“Not always. We’re open to same-sex pairings. We aren’t gender picky. The only two things we’re adamant about are that we both have to agree on the people we bring in and that we’re always together. We don’t go off separately to hookup.”

“Beautiful,” I tell them, leaning back on the couch. “Beauty arrangement. Glad it works for you guys.” And how do I get something like this?

“How do I get this?” Remy asks what my brain is thinking. He laughs when I smack him. “Fuck off. I know you want to know.” He grins at me.

Cara and Cody exchange some sort of look I’m not cool enough to understand. They might be a couple of kinky fucks, but their love shines through loud and clear.

“All dynamics are different, but if you’re specifically asking about ours, it starts with finding someone you want to share all your sexual experiences with. Maybe you love that person, or maybe they’re just the person you connect with on a deeper level. Someone you want to experience life with. Life, love, sex. All of it.” Cara smiles at us, not shy about opening up.

“That one person you couldn’t imagine doing this shit without,” Cody adds.

That sounds harder to find than anything. I’ve never been with someone I want to connect with deeper than sex. My hope dwindles, thinking this might not be right for me after all.

“But not all relationships are like ours. It’s not black and white, so you have to find what works for you.” Cody shrugs. “Another?” He holds up his empty glass.

I drain mine and hand it to him. Him and Cara head into the kitchen, leaving me and Remy with our drunken thoughts.

His leg bumps mine. “Why do I get a weird feeling they’re going to suggest we hook up with them?”

“Would you?” I look at him.

His blue eyes are glossed and his grin is telling. “I’m drunk and horny.” He laughs. “Would you?”

Maybe not on my own because they’re old friends, but if Remy is in… “Sure, why the fuck not, right?”

Remy shakes his head at me, but there’s excitement in his laugh.

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