Page 31 of The Best Number

“I don’t know. I think so. I’m so scared to lose the friendship but I also want to have some fun, you know? And you guys make me feel safe.”

“It’s an honour that you trust us with your safety, Cassidy. Thank you.”

“Do you want to explore it?”

“Hmmmm,” he hums a reply. “I think so. If we are all up for it, of course.”

“I just don’t understand how it would work. Do we set up a rota? Do we just go with the flow? I don’t want to get in the way of you and Jack and the relationship you two have.”

“Mac, you’re spinning yourself in circles. Take a breath.” His voice is steady and calm. I try to take his advice and slow down to breathe.

“Do you want me by myself?” I blurt the question out, surprising myself.

Chapter fourteen

Tom

My breath hitches at Cassidy’s question. A wave of relief swept over me when I saw her name pop up with the incoming call. It feels good that she wants to talk to me. I can’t blame Jack for his attempt to hook up with her again. I’ve spent the days since remembering how good Friday night was. And I already know that I want something to happen again. But I don’t want to push anyone into it. Jack and I haven’t spoken much over the last few days, so I haven’t been able to gauge if he wants another round. And then, earlier today, I was worried he’d blown it. Especially when she hadn’t responded to our group chat and my call to her had gone unanswered.

“Mac, you have no idea what I’d love to do to you if I got you alone.” I can’t help the flirtatious tone as I answer her question. I glance at the clock and see that I’ve still got hours before I can leave work. They might not need me out the front right now but, as the bar owner and licensee, I need to stay on site until closing. I‘m not about to leave the all-female staff we have tonight to lockup by themselves. I’ll be here until at least 1 am. “I’ve got a few hours here at work yet, so I’d rather not get myself all worked up telling you about it, but I’ll happily give you the rundown when I see you.”

I can tell she’s there, listening, although she’s been quiet since she asked if I wanted her and I to hook up without Jack.

“When can I see you?” comes her next breathy question. So much for not getting horny. My dick makes itself known as if she askeditthe question directly.

“I have some time tomorrow lunchtime. Do you have time for a lunch break?”

“Jack’s gonna be salty if us two hook up first,” she says with a giggle. She has a valid point.

“How ‘bout I check in with him and see if he can skip the gym and meet us for lunch instead? No sex, just a catch up to make sure we are all on the same page about this?”

“Okay. So when do we get to the sex?” she asks with a chuckle.

“I’m around the weekend. And I’m sure Jack is too. Maybe we could all get together again this weekend and then let the other stuff play out next week?”

“That sounds good.”

“Okay. I’ll message Jack about tomorrow.”

“I can do it. I feel like we’ve disturbed you at work enough already and I think I need to reach out so he knows I’m not mad.”

“Good thinking.”

We make arrangements for a time tomorrow and hang up. Cassidy flicks a message to Jack in the group text and it’s a relief when he replies to say he’s keen to meet up.

The next day, I wake just before noon. I stretch, grateful to have had a decent sleep. The rest of my shift last night passed by without a hitch and I’d safely seen my co-workers out to their cars before heading home myself.

I check my phone and see a few notifications, but nothing that can’t wait until after my shower and a coffee.

A while later, I’m freshly showered and dressed casually in some denim shorts and a band t-shirt with my flip-flops on and aviators perched on my head. Jack and Cassidy’s apartment block is a ten-minute stroll from mine, and I’m grateful to soak up some sunshine on my walk over there.

I stop at the bakery at the corner to pick up a selection of sweet treats for us all to enjoy. I debate whether to get everyone a coffee but not convinced I can carry it all, I grab a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice instead.

I buzz the intercom for Cassidy’s flat and give her a wave on the camera before she releases the front door to let me in.

“Hold up.” I hear the shout as I open the door. I look up and see Jack jogging towards me. He’s wearing chinos and a white shirt with the top button undone. The man does smart-casual so well. He comes and grabs the door so I can head in.

“Hey.” He leans over to kiss me on the lips. Sometimes he pulls stuff like this and it confuses me. The other day he couldn’t get rid of me fast enough and now he’s greeting me like we’re a couple.

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