Page 3 of Rowdy St. Nick

I break out into laughter so hard it almost affects my steering. It’s so easy to make my family members cringe by telling them simple details about my daily life.

“You know what’s really funny, Lucas?”

“What?” I can hear the wariness in his tone.

“Most of the people coming into the club are corporate drones looking for a little excitement. People like the coworkers you sit next to every day.”

He mimics gagging and I start laughing again. A moment later, we’re both quiet. I speak first.

“No really, though, how was your day?”

“Same old, same old, which is something I enjoy. I like for my day to be predictable. It’s comforting.”

“Are you seeing that woman again?”

“Oh Kendra? Yeah, I’m taking her out tonight?”

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“Cal’s on the Water.”

“Faaaaancy. Someone’s lookin to score.”

“Shut up, Tess,” Lucas scolds.

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“It’s our fifth date.”

“And you still haven’t tapped that yet?” I tease with a laugh.

“Seriously? Do you really have to put it that way?”

“Fine. Have you invited the fair maiden back to your studio apartment where you might pour her a glass of spirits and kiss her tenderly by candlelight?”

“No,” he sounds like he’s talking through his teeth.

“Come on, bro, loosen up. Have some fun. The workday is over, and you have a long time before you need to tuck yourself in to get ready for your next predictable morning.”

“Fine, you’re right. I want to fuck her,” he finally admits.

“Was that so hard to say?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me more about her. If this is your fifth date, that means you’ve been going out, what, a month?”

“About that, yeah.”

“So you like her then. What do you like?” I’m still trying to get him to open up to me.

“I don’t know, she’s… really nice.”

“How passionate.”

“What about you? Any guys get you all hot at that sex club?” He counters to shift the conversation away from himself.

“Sometimes, but I’m not looking to date any of them.”

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