Page 9 of Room Twenty-Eight: Her Beautiful Surrender

It’s obvious Dies wants to say more, but he’s curtailing the urge so he doesn’t bombard her.

Sweet Girl: I’ll text when I’m done with him, and we can agree on a place to meet?

Colt: Deal. We’re really looking forward to seeing you tonight.

Sweet Girl: Can’t wait!

It’s the heart-eyes emoji that gets me. A thousand things could be said with something like that, and all of them are good. Exhilarating.

“Any ideas on where to meet?” I glance up at the other two, whose grins, I’m sure, are identical to the one I’m sporting.

A frown creases Major’s forehead as a thought occurs to him. “She doesn’t have a clue of who we are, what we do. I think we need to decide if we want her to know yet or not.”

The thought hadn’t even occurred to me that we should worry about her taking advantage of our wealth and fame. It wouldn’t be the first time someone took a player for a ride. Not that it doesn’t happen the other way around, either, but our situation is unique.

“You think we need to be concerned about it?” I ask.

I can tell Diesel isn’t, but Major is more reserved. And I get it, I really do. He’s lived a harder life than Dies and I have. We have to respect his concerns.

* * *

Asta

“I don’t need a car, Leon,” I try telling my brother for the dozenth time. Leon is the best big brother a girl could ask for; he also feels like he must make up for our father’s lack of warmth towards me by making extravagant gestures and buying me things. All I want is a relationship with him.

He sighs heavily over the phone line. “Come on, Asta, let me do this for you. Especially here. It’s a whole new city, and I need to make sure you’re safe.” There’s the kicker. How do I say no to him now?

“You don’t play fair,” I accuse while laughing.

“Not when it comes to you, little sister.” His tone is serious, and I understand precisely what it means. We might have only known each other for a couple of years, but from the moment he learned about me, he’s taken on the role of over-protective big brother like he was born to it. And in a way, I suppose he was.

“I love you, Leon. I’ll see you tonight.”

A car will arrive an hour before the game. He wants me to join him in the locker room for a few minutes and get a feel for Chase Arena.

Brushing my thumb up and down my phone screen, I reread the conversation I had with Colton, Diesel, and Major not long ago. I’d been so nervous to message one of them, let alone all three. It’s why I went with the group chat. I also didn’t want one thinking I was more interested in another, which would be nearly impossible since I don’t even know what they look like. The most I could maybe tell them apart by is their scent or touch. But I’m not sure that would even work, either.

After spending the morning exploring more of Club Sin—getting a feel for some of the rooms, the bar and lounge area, as well as the outside—I did a few quick interviews with the bartender and the owner. I feel like I have a better understanding of the intrigue and mystique of the club. My blog post is half written with a few pointed photos that keep the club rooms anonymous, and all I have left to do is edit and send it off to the owners for approval.

When I got back to my hotel this afternoon, I also spent some time researching polyamorous relationships and whether any outside of religious sects have been successful. What I discovered was surprising, to say the least. I have no idea if what we’re doing will turn into long-term, but I was elated to find there are so many. They’re healthy, they’re consensual, and they’re something I never knew I wanted. Now, I find myself picturing the future with them in it.

Well, the them I imagine they look like.

Which really isn’t much.

Maybe I should have asked for pictures while we were talking earlier. But I kind of like the idea of not knowing who they are. The fact that they could find me in the middle of a crowd, but I wouldn’t know them, has my sex clenching and my heart racing.

Dropping back onto the bed, I decide to call my only real friend, Cecily James. She answers on the third ring. “It’s about time! How is NOLA?” She wanted to come with me but couldn’t get out of work. As a 911 operator, she takes on a lot of responsibility, and I’ve noticed how it eats at her lately.

“It’s…magical,” I say with a smile. “Much more than I anticipated. I’m going to have to come back for a week or two next time so I can see everything.” I could easily fall in love with this city.

“You’ll bring me, though, right? I need a change.” Her sigh reveals her burdens, and I wish I were there to hug her right now.

“Cec, you know I’ll take you everywhere with me!” Cecily is the only friend I’ve ever been able to count on in the eight years we’ve known each other.

“You’re hiding something.” Her accusation is filled with curiosity, and I know she’s about to grill me like a 90s TV crime drama cop.

“I don’t hide things from you.”Except this one thing.

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