Page 12 of Give Me a Chance
Natalie dances with Eric, the two of them enjoying making fools of themselves on the dancefloor. Eric doesn’t allow anyone else to come close, and I get it. I wouldn’t let them if I had her in my arms either. Connor’s mom leaves to dry her eyes.
“Can I get a turn in dancing with my son?” Rina asks, grabbing Eric under his armpits and he squeals with joy. Natalie and I are left to pair up.
Awkwardly, I take her right hand in mine and slide the other behind her back. Her posture is stiff, both of our smiles fake, though her body melts into my touch.
Boho-style lanterns illuminate the entire deck, wrapping it in a romantic ambiance. We sway in sync with the gentle sway of the boat. The salty breeze mixes with her intoxicating scent, confusing my senses. Her gaze is determined to avoid mine, so I do the same, focusing on the joyful people around us. She’s a mystery—one I’d love to unravel.
The tension is palpable, but neither of us break the silence, counting the minutes until another switch.
She lets out a sharp breath as we finally part, and I’m paired up with the bride.
“You look gorgeous, Rins.” She does. Her wedding dress is more on the simple side, but there’s nothing simple in the energy emanating from her and Connor. Her eyes shine with adoration and happiness, the blush in her cheeks deeper than the make-up.
“Thank you. And thank you for being our best man.”
“It was only logical. I was there from the start, after all.” I joke, remembering the two of them in high school.
They were head over heels for each other, but life pushed them away. I know they don’t regret it now. They both had to grow up until they could be the partners they deserved. Maybe I need to do some more growing up before I’m ready to find my partner. To find the happiness they so visibly have.
“Are you happy with your job?”I ask Noah, out of the blue, as we sit in a booth in Factory, our favorite bar, a week after the wedding. Our beers arrive and I pick at the label.
I was happy to get back to my day to day, excluding the tiny fact I’m still not satisfied with the place I spend most of my life.
Spending time with Anne, Rina, and Natalie, even Connor now, gives you a different perspective of what a career should be. They are all so passionate about their jobs. I, on the other hand, can’t wait to get out of the office each day and do something I like.
“Finally realized it, huh?” He doesn’t seem surprised by my question.
“What’re you talking about?”
“To answer your first question, yes, I’m happy. But my job isn’t my priority. And I like working from home and making my own hours.” The IT department had the option of remote work for a couple of years. “You, however, are not. You haven’t been for a while.” The perceptive bastard.
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” He smirks.
“Maybe it’s time to look for another job,” he says as Connor approaches us.
“Here he is. How’s the married life treating you?” Noah swiftly switches the topic, and I’m grateful. The happy couple stayed another week for the honeymoon, so this is the first time we’re seeing him. I don’t want to dim his newlywed bliss with my existential crisis.
“Fuck, it was amazing. Love Eric to death, but having the week to ourselves was out of this world.” Eric flew back with us and stayed with Connor’s parents.
“That boat saw some kinky shit,” he adds, and Noah and I laugh. Connor and Rina are frequent visitors of a sex club named Lace & Leather, or L&L for short, and proud kinksters, which is what helped them reconnect after eleven years. Which reminds me.
“Do you sometimes...choke her?” I ask, clearing my throat, and Noah chokes on his drink.
“Well, well, well. Is the choir boy interested in some BDSM?” Connor smirks.
“Nah, I’m just asking. Like if a girl I was with was interested in it. It seems dangerous.” I shrug, feeling anything but relaxed.
“Itisdangerous. We aren’t really into it, but people who are educate themselves greatly.”
“Where would one educate himself?”
“The internet is probably the first place; you can google breath play. Or you can come to the club and ask around,” hetakes a sip of beer, “and, of course, communication, consent and a safe word are a must.”
“Really doing a makeover on your life, aren’t you?” Noah pokes.
Connor gives me a questioning look, and I sigh.
“I might be having some doubts about my career. Probably a phase.” Connor and Noah share a look like they’ve both seen it coming.
