Page 19 of Dare to be Different

Zahn shoves me. “Fuck, Rem. You went from being an awkward shy boy who doesn’t like going to mystery mansions to a kinky fuck within a few days. Love it.”

He isn’t wrong, but ever since we had that sort of fight in my kitchen, things have been better. I feel bad for how I reacted, but shit! It hurt my feelings that he wasn’t comfortable enough to tell me about that part of him. To be fair, I guess I kind of hid the part of me that was awkward and backing out of hookups, too. So, whatever. At least it’s all out there now and we can go at this new arrangement together.

We go our separate ways once we get to the airfield. He’s going up north and I’m going down south, but we’ll both be back by early evening as long as everything goes to plan. Which only happens about half the time, but we’re both used to rolling with those punches as they come. Just a part of this life.

I’ve never really minded it.

I get back before Zahn does, so I pack up and sit in the truck to wait for him to land. He texted me before he took off and said he'd be back a little after me. Part of me wants to just get home, check the fire, eat something, and go to bed early, but we drove here in one vehicle, so I can’t bail on him. He probably planned it that way.

When my phone rings, I assume it’s him, but it’s a video call.

“Hey.” I smile at the screen and see Cara and Cody smiling back. “What’s this? We haven’t seen each other for years and now you’re hooked on me?”

They both laugh. “Something like that,” Cara says. “Been thinking about you guys.” She adds a flirty smirk. Goddamn.

“What’s up? I’m just waiting for Zahn to land.” I try to hurry this along for no real reason. I do enjoy this rekindled friendship, and that night was fun, but something feels weird about looking at Cody knowing Zahn’s cock was in his mouth. For that matter, it feels weird to know Cara’s mouth was on him, too. What the hell? I don’t get weird about shit like that.

“Are you guys both free next weekend?” Cody asks.

“Oh, haven’t you heard? We get a few evenings and the odd weekend off now.” I smile.

“Well, why don’t you two come to Anchorage? We’re having one of those kinky sex toy parties and thought it’d be fun for you guys. They’re always funny.”

Sex toys? “What the fuck is a sex toy party?”

Cody laughs this time. “This rep comes in and showcases all the sex toys. You can buy them if you want, but it’s also just fun.”

“Come on, Remy! It’ll be funny at the very least, and we’ll feed you all the drinks you can handle.”

Sounds kind of lame, if I’m being honest. “I’ll talk to Zahn.” Because there isn’t a chance in hell I’m going without him.

Zahn opens the door in the middle of Cara trying to sell me on this party. “Hey, asshole. Surprised you waited for me.” He climbs in and slams the door, seeing my phone. “Oh, hey, assholes.” He smirks that same Dare one that’s always plastered on his cocky face. “Can’t get enough of me, eh?”

“He’s so modest,” I tell them.

“You said the same thing,” Cara calls me out.

Touché.

“Okay, we gotta go! Let us know about next weekend.”

They wave and we say goodbye, and Zahn’s first question is, “Group fuck?”

“Sex toy party.” I put the truck in gear and pull out of the airfield.

“We should go,” Zahn says. “Just get drunk as fuck and laugh about sex toys we both secretly want to try. Maybe I’ll buy you a birthday present. Whatever one really lights your eyes up.”

I light a smoke and shrug, unsure why I’m being hesitant about going. Is it the sex toys? Not really. I’m not shy about that shit. Is it Cara and Cody? I don’t know. I really like them both, so I can’t really pinpoint why I’m being weird.

“Everything go okay today?” A change in subject seems like the best option.

“Yeah, all good. Works over, Rem. Let's forget about it until tomorrow.”

I take a drag. “We still doing this shit tonight?”

“If you want, yeah. Come over for dinner and then we’ll head over there together. My family is bitching about not seeing you enough.”

Guess I’m letting the fire dwindle down to nothing, which means the furnace will be forced to come on, and who wants to pay for heat when they aren’t even home? Why am I bitching about this?

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