Page 34 of Doubling Down

“Look at us, literally driving into the sunset,” Jude says the last evening just after another supper with my folks. The dusky road stretches before us, along with a night of driving. Since there are three of us, we’ve opted to drive straight through, taking shifts at the wheel, and want to start while there’s less traffic to contend with.

Sheridan’s at the other end, already waiting with keys to a new apartment in his neighborhood. I’m still recovering from the sticker shock after seeing the rent, but Jude and Simon are being paid enough to cover it and then some. I’m afraid to think about the money, because it’s just so mind-boggling how lucky they are, how filthy rich they’re about to be if the business takes off the way it looks like it will. They had the contract looked over by the attorney Whitewood keeps on retainer, and she couldn’t find a thing wrong with it, even going so far as to commend Sheridan for the foresight of urging them to patent their program.

I will say one thing—the two-day trip lets me become acquainted with the twins in a whole new way, and I’m happy to report that I probably love them even more. For example, Jude’s a speed demon and is the biggest reason we made such good time, but he only speeds when Simon’s napping, because his twin is the biggest stickler for traffic laws, something I never knew about either of them.

I already knew they had beautiful singing voices, but didn’t know they both know all the words to the songs on the latest Taylor Swift album. And they discovered that I’m an absolute wiz at trivia games, and kicked their asses all the way from Chicago to Cheyenne. They’re the worst sore losers too, but after a couple back-seat BJs, I earned their forgiveness.

I’m still pinching myself when we finally arrive in San Francisco after the grueling trip. It’s the middle of the night, but Sheridan’s already on the street, waving us down and directing us into his own driveway, which is a blessing since he lives on a hill and I have no idea how to park a trailer on this steep a slope.

“You made it!” he says, beaming at is as we extract ourselves from the car and stare around to get our bearings.

“We sure did. My god, is this where you live?” I ask, staring up at the enormous Victorian house that looms above us. It probably has a view of the entire city from its upper floors.

“Welcome to my humble home. Come in, I have a room for you—or rooms, if that’s what you’d prefer. I won’t assume to know how you like to sleep, but I hope to learn.”

“Right now, I just want to be horizontal for about a week,” Jude says, looking just as worn out as I feel.

Sheridan leads us up a set of steps to his front door and inside a beautiful, yet understated foyer. Despite the fancy architecture, the interior fits him well, though it’s evident he’s rich from the quality and refinement of the décor. He doesn’t flaunt his wealth, at least, which is refreshing.

But he doesn’t stop or offer a tour; he keeps going up another flight of steps off the foyer and points out an enormous bedroom with a king-sized bed.

“This is the room I set up for you. You’re welcome to it, or any of the others…”

He doesn’t even finish the thought before all three of us kick off our shoes. I’m first to the bed, flinging myself onto it face-down and letting out an exhausted groan.

“Oh, wow. I’m afraid if I sleep here, I’ll never want to get up.”

“I don’t think Sher would be bothered if we decided to live in this bedroom,” Jude says, glancing toward the door. I follow his look to find Sheridan gazing back at us like his supper just arrived and he’s being made to wait to eat.

“I haven’t bathed in two days…” I say.

Sheridan strides across the room and opens a pair of double doors to reveal a bathroom built for a king. I’m curious enough to drag myself off the bed to go check it out. The shower is enormous, and a small Jacuzzi tub is situated in corner beneath a skylight. I pull off my shirt without even thinking, because I am so down with a shower right now.

“I know you’ll want to move into your own place soon, but your belongings don’t arrive for another week, and you’ll need to buy more to fully furnish the place. I want you to be comfortable. My home is your home as long for as you need it.”

I glance up at him and shake my head. “I’m in awe of you right now, you know?”

“Same here,” Simon says, slipping past me and turning on the shower. The brat is already naked and climbs in with a grin.

“Hey! No fair,” I say, hurriedly disrobing the rest of the way and joining him. I find a second shower head that I turn on and give Simon the finger from across the space. Sheridan laughs and leans in, reaching for another knob I missed. Above us, the ceiling starts to rain, hot water cascading down over the entire interior.

“Fuck yeah,” Jude says, stepping in and tilting his face up, mouth open.

“I will leave you to it,” Sheridan says. “Are you hungry? I’m happy to feed you before you sleep.”

“Oh no you don’t,” I say, stepping toward him and grabbing the waistband of his jeans. “You’re joining us, mister.”

He looks abashed and glances at the twins, uncertain.

“Get your ass in here so we can give you a proper hello,” Simon says, reaching for a bottle of body wash and soaping up his hands.

Sheridan’s goosebumps are the most visible sign of his excitement as he strips, and he’s already hard when he steps beneath the water. I close in and reach for him first, slipping my arms around his neck and gazing up into his eyes.

“Hello, you,” I say, smiling.

He rests his hands at my hips and stares at me in utter bafflement. “Are you real? None of this feels real right now. I have spent the last few weeks wondering if I dreamed the whole encounter in New York, but I have a contract signed by the twins that says it happened. And now you’re here.”

“We’re really here,” I say, leaning up to kiss him beneath the water. He tastes like tea and gingersnaps, which is comforting, and my heart skips a beat, because somehow it adds to the sense of coming home, even though everything about this experience is brand new.

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