Lauren took a long shower and tried to let the drama of the past day wash from her skin.
Eventually she padded out into her living room with a towel wrapped around her body to turn the heat up higher. While on her way she heard someone knock at the door, assuming it was Zac she yelled out, “Come on in I’ll be right with you.”
She disappeared into her bedroom to get changed and reappeared wearing only a bra and panties, searching for the laundry basket of clean clothes she had forgotten to put away.
She turned her head to look to see who it was and immediately dropped the pair of pants and shirt she was holding; Taylor stood in her foyer with a timid grin on his face, “hey” he said waving meagerly.
Lauren felt stripped naked as he eyed her from across the room, she shivered a little before bending down and putting her t-shirt on quickly, “hey…what are you doing here?”
“I’m not exactly sure,” he said with an honest laugh, “I was walking and I just found myself here.”
Lauren raised her eyebrow in question but motioned for him to sit down while she wriggled into her pants and joined him on the sofa.
“I wanted to talk about last night, I think.”
She swallowed slowly and tried to sound as nonchalant as possible, “what about?”
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, sitting in silence.
The tension was deafening Lauren’s ears, “so I hear they have the internet on computers now” she lamely stated trying to break the silence.
Taylor turned his head to look at her and he grinned, deciding to rest back against the couch, “I think that’s it.”
“What’s it? The internet?”
He rolled his eyes but wasn’t annoyed, “yes the internet. No, you.”
“I’m it?”
“All of you,” he mentioned trailing off as his eyes glanced upon the photos of her and Ike at the Jersey shore. He shook his head and turned more slowly, “is it just me? I mean, don’t you feel anything too?”
Lauren looked down at her hands and began studying her cuticles; man…she needed a manicure.
“I can’t believe the air hasn’t caught on fire or the room isn’t vibrating. It’s…it’s like I’m actually living you know? Like all this time I didn’t know what life was until I’m with you.”
She swallowed slowly; this was not right.
“I mean I realize that I don’t even know you,” he continued, unaware of her silence, “but that’s what I want, to get to know you. I want to know what your happiest memory as a child was, I want to know what made you cry at night when you were a teenager, I want to know why I spent all last night dreaming about you.”
Lauren breathed a shaky breath that she hadn’t realized she was even holding; his gaze was tearing her up inside.
“Is this too crazy?” he asked with a smirk.
She avoided his gaze and gave a weak smile, “I. Don’t even know where to begin.”
However before she could answer another knock came to her door. She quickly jumped screaming, “Hold on!” She could see Ike standing outside the door through the peephole. Quickly spinning around she shooed Taylor away with her arm, “get out of here!” she whispered urgently.
He jumped up and ran towards the bedroom while Ike continued to knock, “Just a minute I’m not decent!”
“Like that’s ever stopped you before?” Ike responded.
She opened the door slowly, checking behind her again, before letting him in; “Hey.”
He stepped into the apartment and grabbed her into his arms and kissed her deeply, “I have been waiting to do that all day long.”
She blushed and laughed uncomfortably, “really…?”
“Mmhmm,” he said, resting his forehead against hers, “I’ve come to finish what we started at work the other day.”
Something fell over in the back and broke their moment, “what was that?” Ike asked. Lauren could feel his muscles tense underneath her palms.
“Nothing,” she said, “probably the cat.”
“Oh,” he smiled again moving in to kiss her, “but you don’t have a cat” he said skeptically.
“Yes I do! I’m cat-sitting for…for the neighbors they’re away on vacation so I’ve got to take care of…um Hairball.”
Ike looked surprised, “hairball? That’s the cat’s name, hairball?”
She laughed lamely, “yeah, funny right? It’s a nickname apparently he used to have problems with…hairballs…”
“Well I want to see him. Any cat named Hairball needs to be seen,” he said walking towards the back of the apartment.
She quickly grabbed his arm and stopped him, “No! I mean, he’s sleeping you don’t want to wake him he’s grouchy he’ll bite.”
Taking a cue Taylor let out the best angry cat moan he could give.
“Wow…that cat sounds, fucking huge!” Ike exclaimed interest intrigued again.
“Not as huge as you!” Lauren said trying to regain his attention.
He turned and let out a man-growl, “ohhh I see, you want to play that game.”
Lauren laughed a sigh of relief, “Yes. I do. So get down on your knees.”
Ike grinned, “Well let’s get started.” He said beginning to take his shirt off.
“No!” she exclaimed, “I mean…not now I’m starving to death, let’s go eat and let the cat get out of the bedroom before we come back and get started.”
He shrugged his shoulders, “Oh. Okay. Where do you want to go?” he asked beginning to sit down.
“You choose! How about that one uh Indian place you like so much?”
“Tika? You hate that place, you don’t like spicy food.” He said looking confused.
Lauren grabbed his arm, “I uh, changed my mind. I want to try something new.”
He shot her a thoughtful look and shrugged his shoulders, “Well okay then. Let’s go.”
“I just have to grab my jacket and purse so why don’t you go downstairs and get a taxi and I’ll meet you there okay?” She suggested nearly pushing him out of the door.
“Sounds like a plan sexy,” he said kissing her on the lips, “see you in a few.”
She leaned back against the door and sighed, making sure he left the hallway before calling to Taylor, “you can come out now!”
Taylor appeared cautiously, “he’s gone?”
“Yes,” she sighed, “what the fuck was with the cat noise?”
Taylor shrugged, “I improvised,” he said laughing.
“Yeah it was real convincing. Anyways wait at least five minutes before you leave and don’t forget to lock my doors.” She said putting on her jacket.
He took a few steps closer to her and she felt herself become incapable of moving, “what about what I said?” He breathed softly against her cheek. She closed her eyes and felt herself float away in the intensity her body was feeling.
“I…” she tried to manage a coherent sentence but lost vocal abilities once he touched his lips to hers…her big speech turned into a jumbled moan.
“You better go,” he said as she stood in front of him, eyes half closed, not moving.
She nodded slowly, “yeah,” she said licking her lips, “I’ll see you.”
Taking the elevator she tried to shake out of it; touching her lips gingerly she felt an impish grin grow on her face.
“Hey, what took you so long?” Ike asked rubbing himself from the cold as she joined him.
“I had to put the cat out,” she responded as he hailed a cab.

The cab-ride over was like riding in the car of death; so basically it was business as usual.
15 frightening and near-death minutes later they arrived in front of Tika. Ike got out first and reached for Lauren’s hand to help her out. After paying the driver they walked inside to get a table which was something similar to a booth, but with floor pillows and a low table.

They both sat Indian style on one of the pillows as the waitress came to take their drink orders. Ike ordered for the both of them and smiled deviously at Lauren from over the lamp-lit table.
She grinned back and immediately began sipping down the cosmopolitan the waitress placed in front of her to fill in the awkward silence.
“So, you and Tay really seemed to hit it off,” Ike mentioned reaching for some flat bread and mango chutney
Lauren ripped her eyes away from people watching to look at Ike, “what do you mean?” she asked trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
He shrugged his shoulders, “he was talking about you nonstop since you left the apartment,” he said laughing, “I thought the guy was about to attach himself to your hip.”
She breathed a sigh of relief and tried to laugh with him, “oh.”
“Listen,” he began as he reached for her hand across the table, “I really appreciate you showing my brother a good time. I mean, it really means a lot to me. He just broke up with his long-time girlfriend and he’s been a bit bummed while she’s moving out of their apartment. That’s why he’s staying with me so he doesn’t have to face her at home. But I really mean it Lauren, you’re a great girlfriend.” He squeezed her hand but Lauren couldn’t bear to lift her eyes to look into his face.
Before he had time to go on the waitress arrived with a plate of appetizers, “we didn’t order this” Ike said confused.
The waitress grinned, “No sir you didn’t but that gentleman at the bar did, he said to eat it with his compliments.” Lauren quickly looked over at the bar and sure enough, sitting there in white linen Chinos and a pale blue Indian embroidered top was Taylor. Her mouth fell slightly opened as he waved slightly from the teak-wood bar.
Ike shook his head shocked and furiously waved him over, “What the hell are you doing here?!”
Taylor sauntered over and grinned, “Well I was just walking around and I got hungry and I remembered this place was close to your apartment so, here I am.”
“Taylor, it’s not close to my apartment,” Ike said with a laugh.
“I guess I was just in the mood for it,” he replied giving a look towards Lauren.
She sat there rigid, more like you heard me talking to Ike and you wanted to make me as uncomfortable as possible, she thought to herself.
“Well sit down Tay, join us,” Ike said, offering a pillow.
Taylor shrugged, “I wouldn’t want to ruin your date.”
“Please…date? You’re my brother, sit your ass down.”
Taylor didn’t need to hear it twice; he sat down next to Lauren, forcing her to move over.
She glared at him before turning her attention back to Ike, “we were just talking about you Tay. I was just mentioning how you couldn’t stop talking about Lauren today after she left.”
Taylor shifted awkwardly and smiled, “well what can I say Ike, you’ve got a really amazing girlfriend here.”
“We’re not boyfriend/girlfriend,” Lauren stated a little too quickly, “I mean…we don’t label ourselves.” But that doesn’t mean I still don’t feel like an ass, she added silently.
Ike reached forward and grabbed some pita bread and some of the appetizer, “well I don’t give a fuck whose boyfriend or girlfriend anyone is but I’ma get ma eat on!” he said happily shoving food in his mouth.
“So,” Lauren said turning her attention towards Taylor, “I heard you just broke up with your girlfriend. That must be painful…make you want to try to forget and throw yourself at someone else?”
Taylor gave her a pitiful look, “No…I wouldn’t do that.”
“God have you tried this shit? Oh man…my thighs are going to regret this tomorrow morning,” Ike muttered, taking a large gulp of his drink.
Lauren looked over at Ike quizzically, “did you just say thighs?”
Ike laughed but continued eating.

Eleven awkward minutes later the waitress brought out their meal, Taylor’s included, and set it on the table. For the remainder of the meal Lauren thanked God for the blessed silence of good Indian food, though every few minutes she had to stop herself from gagging. Unfortunately she took a bite of spiced curry fish, laced with slivers of peppers. Immediately she felt a cold sweat form on her face and her tongue felt like it was going to burst from her mouth and start running circles on the table, screaming wildly. Her eyes tore around the table looking for something to put this fire out and began reaching for a glass of water.
Taylor, realizing what she did quickly reached into the bowl of rice and formed a small ball and placed it to her lips. She grabbed onto his hand and ate the rice, which cooled her mouth immediately, as she sat there flailing her arms and now peacefully resting, closing her eyes. He smiled at her and touched her shoulder, his fingers sticky from the rice, “are you alright now?”
She nodded her head and continued chewing.
“Never take a drink of water, it only makes it worse. Always rice,” he said feeding her another ball. This time his fingers lingered longer by her mouth and she had the urge to clean them completely off with her lips. But Ike was watching, quietly laughing.
“I knew that was going to happen to you,” he said chuckling, “you should have seen your face your eyes were all….BLAHHHH,” he gave an imitation, “it was great!”
Lauren cast him an annoyed look and continued to eat rice, knowing that it was the safest food on the table to even eat.

Throughout the rest of the meal Taylor’s hand kept finding its way underneath the table cloth and on her thigh. She kept nonchalantly pushing it aside and he would fight unnoticeably to creep it further up her skirt. Eventually Ike left the table to use the bathroom and Lauren quickly turned to look at Taylor, “What are you doing?!” she demanded.
Taylor smiled, “what?” he asked innocently.
“You know what! Ike is going to see and I don’t think he’s going to be happy to know his brother is feeling up his girlfriend while they eat dinner.”
“Non-girlfriend,” Taylor corrected, “and I don’t think Ike would notice if I laid you back and ripped your clothes off with my teeth.” He said leaning closer so that she could see the words form slowly on his rosy lips. The thought ran through her mind so intensely she waited for the feeling of lying against the pillows.
But it didn’t happen. Instead she concentrated on the feel of his warm hand mingling with her warm thigh; it was catching fire to her skin and she felt herself buzz. He crept higher, until reaching a destination you should never reach while in a restaurant. Before she had a chance to think she had let her head drop back and she slightly moaned; enough at least for the seated people nearby to hear.
Taylor laughed slightly but bit his lip and watched her as he continued.
She held onto the table, her hands faintly sweaty and her lips still tingling from the spicy fish, trying to muster the courage to stop him and trying to muster enough self-control not to make anymore noise or enjoy what Taylor was doing in the first place.

But self-control did not exist; she felt it grow inside her like a tidal wave and there was just nothing she could do about it. Sorry body, organs, near-by restaurant parishioners…this was going to come out whether they liked it or not. It escaped from her mouth slowly, louder…until by the time Ike came back she had to mask the intensity of it with a laugh, as if she had just heard the funniest thing in all her life.
He was nearly seated when Lauren looked up and continued laughing and slapped Taylor’s shoulder, “that was just the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!” she said loudly excusing herself to the lady’s room.
She shakily ran to it and once inside she checked the stalls, no one was there. She leaned against the sink and looked into her eyes; my God…what the fuck was happening?
She splashed some water on her face; her skin was blushed badly and there was something in her eyes; something wild, something…different. She tried not to think about Taylor’s hands anymore or imagining him actually touching her naked or touching the skin that dipped below his loose cotton shirt.
After a few more moments she returned to the table; she had to laugh, who would have guessed Taylor would have gotten her off in a restaurant? “And I always thought Zac would have been the one to do something as kinky as that…huh…you never know,” she muttered to herself thoughtfully.
Both Taylor and Ike were already waiting for her by the bar, ready to leave.

Ike held her jacket for her while Taylor took care of the bill; “So…” he said leaning into her, “what did you guys talk about while I was gone? You looked like you were having a lot of fun…actually, it’s funny but you looked…you had this look like…”
“What look?” she asked.
“Like, well when we have sex…you had that look on your face, like when you orgasm...it’s funny, isn’t it?”
Lauren’s smile faded, “yeah,” she said trying to laugh, “Strange you should think of that.” She agreed quickly walking out of the restaurant. I may hate Indian food, she thought, but I am never fucking forgetting that.
Taylor lagged behind and Lauren was grateful for the space while she walked with Ike.

“So…are we still on for later?” he asked, casting a look at his brother.
Lauren shrugged her shoulders, “I uh…I’m not sure, I think the spicy food is doing a number on my stomach,” she said… which wasn’t a complete lie. It wasn’t anything to do with the food but Taylor was doing one hell of a number on her insides.
Ike rubbed her shoulders, “my poor baby. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah,” she said, “that’s what I get for being adventurous. What have I learned? Don’t try anything new,” she said casting a look off to the side catching Taylor’s reflection, “ever.”
Ike laughed and half hugged her, “Aww,” he said kissing her cheek, “I’ll make it up to you later.”

They took a cab back to her place; she got stuck in the middle. Ike left her at her door with a long kiss on the mouth and told her he’d call in the morning, though he was more than willing to stay and take care of her; but she aptly sent them both away.

She walked into her apartment and screamed at the top of her lungs and flung herself on the couch, screaming now into the cushions instead.
She propped herself up on her elbows and sighed; had to admit it. Fine. So it was fucking amazing; so it was one of the most intense orgasms she’d ever had…she wasn’t going to get involved. Nope. So if he showed up at her door she would just send him away. Mmhmm, a-way. That would be it. No doubt.

The door to her apartment opened suddenly scaring Lauren half to death. There stood Taylor wildly panting. She got up, now was her chance to prove herself. She opened her mouth for a moment, finger ready to wag but instead found herself all arms and legs pressed up against Taylor on the hallway wall. Her hands all over him, his all over her; she quickly let out a moan, “Why aren’t you naked yet!”
Her neighbor opened the door and looked at out at them and gave them an angry look, shook their head and retreated inside, slamming the door behind them.
Taylor laughed and led her inside the apartment where she quickly tore off her top and began starting on his. He stopped her and took her hand and led her to the bedroom next, pushing her down onto the mattress.

He stood over her and intently looked over her body in a manner that was more sweet and caressing then leering. He then pulled off her shoes and she began to unzip her skirt but he placed his hands over hers and pushed both her arms high above her head and kept them there with one hand while the other undid the zipper. Once her skirt was removed she felt a shiver of vulnerability as she lay there under his gaze, his cloth shirt tickling her half-naked body.

Taylor smiled and she signaled for him to come closer so that they could kiss; once their lips touched he loosened some of the grip of her arms and she placed them around his neck, moving to pull the shirt off from his upper body. Once she threw it aside she grazed her fingers across his back and kissed his collarbone.
He bent down and moved his mouth from hers to her neck; she quickly wrapped her arms around him tighter as his free hand traveled down towards her panties.

Once all the clothing was removed Lauren only recalled bits and pieces. The feel of his palms against her back, grasping her to him; the feel of her chest to his…his mouth on hers, on her stomach, on her chest, on her thighs, on her neck…

She liked the way he slightly bit his bottom lip, how he leaned a little further back and closed his eyelids just barely but enough to still be able to see. He did not hold back, it was something Lauren found herself attracted to more and more. It felt like he was giving his entire self to her; body and soul. The more he made noise the more it urged her to go faster, harder, to lose all control too until she finally did so, not being able to keep up with maintaining reality; reaching this pinnacle of ecstasy that felt as if she wasn’t even living this moment.

They collapsed onto the mattress; she watched him fall asleep, her head resting in the nook of his arm. A thin sheen of sweat layered his face and his arm was lying across her so that his hand twitched against the small of her back. She savored the random moments that flashed in her head; quick seconds of imagery etched into her memory.

She smiled and sighed feeling the twinge of guilt begin to find its way into her body. Instead she pushed it away and decided to deal with it later when the dream ended, and fell asleep with a smile on her lips.

Zac awoke groggily; his stereo went off, the cool sounds of 311 poured from the speakers and for a moment in his half-asleep state he could imagine being on the beach. But, with every blink of his eyes he could see no…this was no beach, there were no sexy girls in skimpy swimsuits, and there was no bright warm sunshine spilling over his half naked body. “Damnit,” he said to himself eyeing the digital clock which blaringly read 6:18 am, “where’s my fruity alcoholic drink and sexy entourage to lube me full of sunscreen?”

Despite being sans hot ladies and an early morning alcohol buzz he found himself relatively cheerful and decided to get up anyways. Stumbling his way to the bathroom he managed to take a shower; afterwards with a towel wrapped loosely around his hips he padded out to the kitchen and began pouring himself a bowl of nutritional goodness, Count Chocula. Something seemed…wrong. Meandering down the hall to his brother’s bedroom he opened the door slowly expecting to see him sprawled across the mattress, except he wasn’t there. Walking back towards the kitchen he took at look at the couch and saw that Taylor was also missing. Either there was some serious Twilight Zone shit going down or his brothers woke up at an incredibly inane hour which sort of frightened him to the say the very least.
Sitting down at the breakfast bar half of the mystery came into light; in walked Taylor who looked dazed and half-asleep. He had this shitty grin on his face…it was familiar somehow, where did he know that from? Taylor looked over at Zac and it clicked; “you got laid” he stated.
Taylor looked half surprised but didn’t really answer, just grinned bigger.
That’s when Zac realized that was only part of what was strange about Taylor’s appearance…leaning forward he squinted, “Taylor, are you wearing; Jesus, you’re wearing a woman’s shirt! I mean honestly I know you like fashion and shit but don’t you think you should stay out of the women’s department?”
Taylor looked down at himself; the shirt he donned was indeed a woman’s. The gathered pleats and stitching hugged what would be his chest, if he had one.
Zac leaned in further, “that shirt looks familiar…,” all of a sudden it dawned upon him. That bastard. That was Lauren’s shirt.
He stood up and put his cereal down and stood face to face with this brother, “why are you wearing Lauren’s shirt,” he asked despite knowing the answer in the back of his mind.
“I must have grabbed the wrong shirt,” Taylor explained jumping over the back of the couch to lie down, “I crashed at her place last night.”
“You crashed at her place,” Zac repeated numbly.
“Yeah,” Taylor repeated, “we watched a movie.”
“Watched a movie…”
“Uhuh…some girly flick I don’t remember it was stupid.”
“I’m going for a walk,” Zac said unsure of why he needed to leave. A strange feeling panged at the back of his head the precursor to the shock of whatever pain was lying underneath. He quickly got dressed; throwing on a wool skull cap he left the apartment without so much as a goodbye and took off into the cold. It was gray outside, dismal even. “Maybe,” he thought to himself, “Lauren needs a little fucking visit.”

By the time Ike came back home Taylor was out of Lauren’s shirt and dozing nicely on the couch, sleeping to the background noise of Spongebob Squarepants. He looked at his brother and smiled; Taylor seemed much happier than when he arrived and that made him happy. His girlfriend, or rather was to be fiancée until he caught her cheating with their mutual friend Ashley, was a huge part of his life. The break-up was difficult; she didn’t see anything wrong, he saw that everything she did was wrong. He couldn’t look past what she did not because he was an asshole but because she did it not once but four times, in their bed, while he went out. He came home one evening early; after having visited Williams-Sonoma he bought a giant array of kitchen supplies for their new place and two large bags of groceries, planning on making a “I think we should take our relationship to the next level” dinner. All he remembered was dropping the incredibly expensive electronic mixer on his foot and quickly gimped out of the apartment, various foods lying precariously across the floor wrapped in their clothing. He’d never forget their faces.

Ike reached over the back of the sofa and patted his brother and on the shoulder, grabbing a near-by throw blanket he laid it on top of him. Ike wasn’t sure what he’d do if he was cheated on; he couldn’t imagine Lauren cheating on him in the first place regardless that they weren’t exactly official he sort of figured any day now they’d make it a real term. It was internal though; at least to him. He only had that one mishap with that fucking troll nut and that was more because he was drunk then it was him looking for a piece of ass. He really loved her and that really scared him.

Deciding to take after Taylor he crawled into bed for a bit of a mid-morning nap before going into work later that afternoon. Work consisted of the music studio where he’d be working on the independent album he and his brothers were messing around with.
He stripped down and crawled in between his sheets, just as he was drifting off to sleep a random thought strolled into his head, was that Lauren’s shirt in the living room? Nah; probably not, “I really need some sleep” he muttered softly.

Zac could not have felt more strange if you had given him a hit of acid; his body was buzzing with this crazy anxiety and he could not place why it was. He just knew he had to keep walking, burn it off and get to Lauren. He made it to her home in record time; not even bothering to wait for the elevator he took the stairs, running by twos and threes all the way up the three floors. He was panting by the time he knocked on her door, a cold sweat gripping his face.
She appeared disheveled, a t-shirt obviously thrown on at the last second as it was inside out and backwards. He didn’t wait for her to say hello, he pushed past her and sat down at her table, drawing another chair he put it in front of him and slapped it hard inferring he wanted her to sit, now.
“Zac…what the fuck it’s like, damn Zac it’s fucking before noon. I don’t get up before noon, you know that.” Lauren winged angrily, scuffling towards the seat.
“We need to have a little chat,” he said, feeling the intensity that was buzzing inside of him leap into his throat.
She sat down and slumped in the chair lazily, “what about baby?” she asked reaching for his hand. He moved it out of the way before she could touch him.
“So, mission accomplished.”
Lauren looked around perplexed, “you mind speaking in some specifics?”

He took a breath and stood up, “fucked TAYLOR Lauren, I didn’t know that we were your fucking man-buffet; just a little taste here a little taste there, nothing committal you know, don’t want you to get involved; all for a good time, your good time.” The words came spilling out of his mouth as if someone was forcing a verbal flow past his lips.
She looked taken aback; a surprised oh replaced her complacent smile.

“Typical, nothing to say for yourself,” he spewed. He placed his hands against the couch and let his head hang down, feeling some of the emotion drain out of him like water from a spigot.
A hurt was apparent in her eyes though it was obvious she refused to let that show up on her face, “so what do you want me to say?”
He shook his head, “I don’t know.”
“Zac…this was the beauty of our relationship, you were with whom you wanted to be with I was with whomever I wanted to be with. And then we were with each other when we wanted to be. No strings, no holds, no commitment. You knew that before we began, remember?”
“Don’t you think it’s just a little bit tacky to have fucked nearly my entire family?”
Lauren winced a little and sighed, “What can I say at least I have good taste,” she said with a bit of a wink; “don’t be mad, please Zac, I can’t stand it when you’re angry with me. I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d care, you never minded with Ike.”
“That was different.” He replied lamely.
“It was different? How?”
“It was just me then.”
“Oh. So that’s the problem you’re jealous?”
This time he did look up, “I’m not jealous.”
“You’re not jealous,” she repeated, “well it certainly sounds like it to me. I love it when I’m with you. I love it when I’m with Ike.” She said softly with obvious care.
“What about Taylor?”
A flash of last night played easily across her face…what about Taylor, she asked herself. He was different, he was lust and ecstasy rolled into one.
“…I only slept with him once I would hardly call him a favorite,” she lied.

Zac’s reply was half formed upon his lips when the apartment door opened wide before them. Lauren nearly choked on her own spit, “what the hell are you doing here?!” she yelled incredulously.

Standing in the door frame, weighed down by several luggage bags and a wilting outfit was Kiley, Lauren’s good friend who was living in Chicago but from the looks of it…decided to leave.
She smiled broadly and threw her arms open, “surprise!”
“Um, yeah!” Lauren replied walking towards her and helping her with her luggage before giving her a hug, “I had no idea you were even coming.”
“Well remember how I said that visiting you depended upon one thing?” Kiley asked, dropped her backpack heavily against the ground, “yeah well…that thing doesn’t exist anymore.”
“Uhh…” Lauren began, “wasn’t that uh, your job?”
Kiley smiled wider, “maybe.” She turned around to take a look at Lauren’s visitor and reached to shake his hand, “Hi, I’m Kiley, Lauren’s not-gainfully employed friend from Chicago.”
Despite the tension that was heating the air moments before Zac found himself slightly grinning.
“So…you just decided for a visit then?”
“See, uh, it’s a funny story,” Kiley began with a pitiful laugh, “I uh, moved out of my apartment, put my shit in storage and packed what I could carry and…came…here.”
Lauren raised an eyebrow, “so this is an indefinite stay?”
“Well, not necessarily it’s more of a new Kiley who travels randomly, has no place to live, has no job, but is planning on starting to live life, kind of stay.”
“Ohhhh…one of those,” chimed Zac with a chuckle, “Lauren experiences one of those every two days.”
“Shut up,” Lauren chided giving him a smirk, “well I embrace the new Kiley. You can stay here as long as you need no problem.”
“Rock, that makes me happy.” Whatever tension had originally been in the room slowly seeped back in, “did I interrupt something before?” she asked cautiously looking from Lauren to her friend.
Zac shook his head, “no, nothing at all.”
“Well fuck me,” Lauren said with a sigh. Zac shot her a look but she ignored it, “this is a reason to celebrate and get drunk!”
“We need a reason?” Zac asked dubiously.
“Ooh, yes please,” Kiley said nodding in agreement, “me likey get drunky.”

The Phantom, yet another exclusive club, on the lower west side was holding their bi-annual masquerade ball that night; Lauren could think of nothing else perfect than dressing up, getting drunk, and maybe getting laid to cure the ebbing guilt from the back of her mind.
Kiley and she spent the good part of the day shopping and dressing for the party; Lauren easily talked the rest of the guys into coming. After carefully applying make-up and spending meticulous minutes doing hair they were finally ready; Lauren, having already previously been to the balls borrowed Kiley a mask and grabbed her favorite, a gold dusted red and black plumed hand held mask. She readjusted the French maid-esque outfit she was wearing and took one more glance in the mirror admiring her reflection. Kiley decided to just look like a slut and save the guess on her outfit and adorned a classic “vamp” look.

They began the walk towards the other apartment, deciding to catch up and meet a cab there; the cat calls and jeers followed them to the very steps of Ike’s building.
Lauren knocked on the door and was greeted with a Spanish influenced Taylor. His hair was tied back slick against the nape of his neck. He wore a blousy dress shirt and nice pants, with a few strips of leather string tied thrice around his neck. Classic, but hot.

Zac was supposed to be a pimp, adorning a shirt that read “pimp-juice” in rhinestones; he had a cane in his hand and a ridiculous hat that made Kiley giggle with glee. Ike appeared from the back and made Lauren’s jaw drop; he was dressed as Luke Skywalker with a stuffed Ewok tied to his side.
All three of them hooted and hollered appreciatively at Lauren and Kiley’s outfits; “I’m Taylor,” he said introducing himself to Kiley, “Latin lover at your service,” he bowed a little and kissed her hand. Kiley looked over at Lauren and mouthed, “sofuckinghawt” to her.
“Its ma French hoe,” Zac said rounding Lauren up with his cane. She laughed but continued to stare at Ike, “are you sure you want to go as Luke Skywalker? I mean…”
“Why, you don’t like it?” he asked somewhat hurt.
“No it’s nice Ike but, it’s a masquerade ball…so it just means dressing up sexy and wearing a mask not…”she said looking him up and down, “dressing for Halloween.”
“Oh,” he replied glumly.
“I think he looks nice,” Kiley chimed in with a grin, “at least he’s a good looking Luke.”
Ike smiled happily, “and this is why I like Lauren’s friend.”
Lauren laughed and pushed him towards his room, “let’s go find something else and save Luke for another night,” she said with a suggestive grin.

Kiley stood there awkwardly as Lauren left the room.
“So, what are you supposed to be?” Zac asked eyeing her outfit again.
“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked, “I’m a slut. Oh wait, I’m sorry you were talking about my outfit weren’t you?”
Zac laughed loudly, “Well I’m not sure I need to know anymore after that.”
"I'm hot, easy, and will be drunk soon, what else is there needed to know?" Kiley asked with a wink.
“Point taken,” Taylor stated.
Ike and Lauren reappeared; Ike now dressed in a retro suit looking handsome and demure.

As they walked out Kiley caught up with Lauren and pulled her back, watching Taylor walk in front of them, “please tell me you got some of that” she asked biting her lip to hold herself back.
Lauren shrugged but blushed profusely.
“That’s ma hoe,” Kiley laughed, “no seriously though I would have hurt you if you hadn’t. So…how was it?”
“It?” Lauren asked vaguely, grinning madly.
“Don’t make me poke you.”
“It,” she said emphasizing the syllable “was utterly amazing.”
“I can imagine,” Kiley replied dreamily, “no really I can I’m thinking about it right now.”
Lauren giggled, “Yeah” she sighed.
Taylor turned around and gave a puzzled look, “are you talking about me?”
“No,” they blurted simultaneously, “why do you ask?”
“I’m not sure…” he said slowly but smiling anyways.
“I need to tell you what he did in the restaurant last night,” Lauren began, whispering.
“What…” Kiley asked hungry for information.
Lauren, on the verge of explaining the most voyeuristic experience of her life, was interrupted when Ike called after them to get inside the cab he hailed.
“I will tell you later, you are so going to want to hear this,” she said eyes wide.

As they reached the cab Ike had already taken his position in the front seat, Taylor was crawling in the back seat while Zac stood outside and waited. Lauren climbed in afterwards; she was excited to be pressed so close against him but mostly annoyed afraid of what he’d do during the ride.

Zac sat down next leaving Kiley by herself; she looked a bit lost and ducked down to look inside. “So…where am I sitting?” she asked.
Lauren reached over Zac and grabbed her hand, “there’s room,” she stated pulling her inside.
Zac flattened himself down and Kiley half crawled in and ended up sitting on his lap, “don’t mind me,” she said with a laugh. She had to duck down and keep her head close towards Zac’s, half of her was in between his legs and the other half was trying to find space in the already crowded floor. Lauren reached down and grabbed Kiley’s legs and laid them on top of her and Taylor’s lap so they stretched out. Kiley smiled gratefully as Lauren told the driver where to and then began talking to Taylor. She couldn’t make out what they were saying but she noticed Lauren swatting Taylor’s hand away from her thigh.
Kiley cleared her throat and moved her arm so that it was around Zac’s shoulders; “come here often?” she asked in hopes of breaking the awkwardness. The cab lurched forward before anyone took notice and Kiley quickly grabbed a hold of Zac. He found his hands wrapped underneath her thighs and around her waist while the driver cursed like a mad sailor.
She looked at Zac and smiled, “thanks”…it was a compromising situation she was more than happy to be in.
He looked up and gave her a grin, “don’t mention it.”
“So do you often find girls sitting on your lap in cabs?”
“Oh, all the time.”
Lauren looked over and smiled, “he’s not joking either.” She stated with a laugh.
Kiley raised her eyebrow in surprise; “no with hands like that I’m sure you’re not” she winked. Zac cleared his throat and masked a grin by looking away out of the window.
The cab came to an abrupt stop causing Zac to grab onto Kiley again; she placed her hand on his chest as they sat there a moment apparently unaware of the fact that everyone else was getting out.
“I think you can let go now,” she mentioned softly.
“Oh!” he exclaimed slightly and removed his arms, “sorry.”
Kiley moved across the backseat off of him and let Taylor help her out.

The club was filled to the brim of beautiful people; a heavy bass rippled the crowd like a school of fish. This time Taylor was the one to get them ahead of the line, as he did so he gave this pompous smile to Lauren who just rolled her eyes and took Ike’s arm.

Once inside, Kiley and Lauren quickly grabbed each other’s hands leading the way to the middle of the dance floor near a girl who was on a raised platform dancing with a pole. The guys followed them but found themselves stupidly ogling the dancer. Lauren shot an annoyed look to Kiley and proceeded to snap her fingers in front of their faces, “you think that’s special?” she asked without waiting for an answer, she climbed up the platform and joined the dancing girl. Just to spite them she swept her body against the dancer and turned to give a wink in their direction and a smack of her ass. Kiley reached into Zac’s pocket and pulled out his wallet, retrieving a dollar bill she stuck it between her teeth and motioned for Lauren to come get it. It would have been sexy had Kiley been able to have kept a straight face but Lauren managed to get her tip, in between her teeth, and stuck it safely in her bra with a suggestive grin.

“Enough of this!” said Ike chuckling, “I need my woman,” he said coming at Lauren like a barbaric Neanderthal; she fell into his arms and they walked off into the crowd.
Taylor, Kiley, and Zac were left behind standing there awkwardly.
“Can I have my wallet back?” asked Zac reaching for her hand.
She handed it over and ended up dropping the wallet on the floor. They both reached to grab it and ended up hitting each other in the head.
Taylor masked a chuckle and ran a hand across his hair to smooth it; “so how come you’re not up there?” he asked Kiley motioning to Lauren’s previous dance partner.
Kiley looked up at the girl who gave her a wink, “I’m not a center of attention kind of person.”
Zac guffawed, “yeah right and I’m the Pope.”
Kiley reached for Zac’s hand and held it, “Father, Forgive me for I have sinned, it’s been…” she began, looking thoughtful for a minute, “well….it’s been all my life since I’ve last confessed my sins.”
Taylor laughed a little too hard and then became distracted by a girl dressed in glossy silver, “ooh, shiny!” He said following the mirror-girl away from them. As he walked away and joined the heavy throng of people he left Zac and Kiley awkwardly by themselves again.

“Want to do some shots,” he asked with a shrug?
Four shots each later…
“Y’know,” Kiley slurred, “we’re both bodies of mass.”
Zac nodded his head and held his next shot high in the air, saluting in agreement before drinking.
“We should just convect,” Kiley continued looking serious.
Zac slammed his glass down, “convect?”
“You know, get our temperature rising…bring ourselves to a boil…”
“Actually I’m feeling a bit peaked now,” he agreed.
She rolled her eyes and preceded to placer her hand on his thigh, “is that a mountain in your pants or are you just happy to see my mid-ocean ridge?”
Perplexed Zac exclaimed, “What?!”
“Let’s go dance you idiot!” She responded seeing her attempt at being sexually coy was going incredibly unnoticed.

Lauren and Ike were dancing near the largest platform in the room; two women were on swings doing suggestive body rolls to the beat of the music.
Ike had waved over Lauren’s head; she looked behind her to see what he was doing and saw Taylor striding over.
“What happened to Zac and Kiley,” Lauren asked wishing that they were there to help distract Taylor.
“Last time I saw they were pounding some shots at the bar,” he mentioned with a vague grin.
“That reminds me,” said Ike leaning over to give Lauren a kiss on the cheek, “I need to get a drink. You guys want any?”
They both shook their heads no and off Ike went heading towards the distant group of staggering drinkers.
Taylor made his move closer and pressed against her, “are we going to dance?” he asked, his voice seductively low.
Lauren closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on unsexy things; old people in bathing suits, cleaning up her kitchen during the spring when uncategorical molds took new growth against her white tiles. Fuck. Even cleaning makes her think of sex; now she’s picturing Taylor wearing a carpenter’s belt with his shirt off and trying to fix her plumbing, make her pipes work; Damnit. Old people…nope, not working…Taylor is the sexy lifeguard, down to his skivvies looking tempting. Yep. She’s fucked.

Finally giving up all resistance she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and let him press himself against her, feeling the sway of his hips into hers, she closed her eyes and went with it hoping to God Ike wouldn’t see.

Similarly across the room, Kiley’s arms were all over Zac in a drunken frenzy of horniness. First they were in his hair, then down his chest, across his back…and vice versa. The straps to her bustier were falling down and quite frankly, felt quite restraining at the moment.
“So, what’s with all the geographical pick-up lines…,” Zac breathed hotly against her skin.
Kiley smiled, “my ex was a geologist, he liked when I talked geologically dirty if you catch my drift. Yes he was that weird and yes I was that stupid. I haven’t flirted enough since our break-up to get out of the bad habit.”
Zac made a grunt of understanding, “actually it’s kind of hot. I feel like I’m making out with my science teacher.”
Kiley laughed loudly, “Do you want me to punish you for being a bad little boy or something?
He raised an eyebrow and grinned, “Not necessarily.”
“Well you have been bad; you haven’t been exploring enough of the terrain on my backside,” she said, taking his hand and clamping it on her ass.
He smiled widely and they continued to dance.

Ike stood standing at the bar sipping some fruity alcoholic drink that made him buzz in contentment. He decided to take one last gulp and go find his brother and girlfriend again. Just as he put his head back and downed the last of the liquid, he could have sworn he saw somebody dressed as a Troll doll. Feeling apprehensive he made his way back into the crowd spotting his brother and girlfriend dancing and laughing.
Ike clapped Lauren’s shoulders, “you guys look like you’re having fun!” he said brightly.
Lauren’s face blushed and you could ever so slightly see the formation of a hickie on the side of her neck.
“He was just telling me a joke!” Lauren said quickly with a fake laugh, “it was funny, something about um…”
“Cows,” Taylor explained. “Cows lying down…and…eating cud.”
Ike looked perplexed but laughed anyways, “oh yeah I remember that one!”
Lauren gave Taylor a look and he shook his head saying, I have no idea what there is no such joke.
“I drank this really great drink up there,” Ike said licking his lips, “it was really yummy.”
Lauren gave him a peck on the cheek, “I’m happy for you babe.”
Taylor noticed something strange behind Ike and moved to look around him to get a better view but apparently missed whatever it was.
“What?” Ike asked somewhat paranoid.
“Nothing I just thought I saw…it was weird. A troll or something.”
“WHERE!?”
“Simmer down Ike, I thought I saw someone dressed like that. Anyways, who would? That’d be a pretty stupid outfit.”
Ike gave a rather large gulp and looked around suspiciously, “you have no idea man. They’re everywhere…girls in trolls…dressed like you. It’s creepy.”
Taylor mouthed, ‘what the fuck’ to Lauren and she just shook her head, “I’ll explain later. It’s a long story.”
Ike shook whatever feeling was creeping upon him and sighed, “Well I’m going to go get another fruity drink. Those were too yummy not to be continuously drinking.”
“Okay honey, we’re going to keep dancing.”
Ike gave them a bit of a salute and headed back to the bar.
“My brother needs help,” Taylor stated, grabbing her close to him again.
“Because of the trolls?”
“Well, that’s one thing,” he replied, “but for mostly letting you alone, especially with me.”
Lauren grinned and lightly kissed him, “yeah well he isn’t exactly the brightest crayon in the box.”
“And what am I?” Taylor inquired returning the kiss with a longer one.
“Someone worth fucking, over and over and over again,” she stated simply with a grin lightly playing on her lips.
He winked at her, “yes he certainly is a stupid, stupid man.”

This time Ike was sure he’d seen someone dressed as a troll. The bartender passed another drink towards him; Ike gave a puzzled look and leaned in close to inspect the glass, “what’s this? I didn’t order this.”
The bartender smiled and nodded off to the side, “no but she did.”
Ike turned slowly feeling slightly anxious; a pretty blonde girl sat at the other end vaguely smiling.
“Ooh she’s cute, that tank-top is hot,” Ike commented aloud.
“No not her, her,” he said correcting Ike by pointing the girl out.
Ike screamed, “I’m tripping. You spiked my drink.”
“Nope, sorry man,” the guy said laughing, “I’m afraid it’s true.”
There she was, dressed in a hideous sweater similar to the one the troll doll she made wave goodbye at him; she waved furiously and Ike stared with wide eyes. “This is fucking insane.”
“Ikey! LOVER!” she screamed making several people around Ike snigger.
Ike stood up and swayed a bit and tried to run away as she began walking towards him. He saw some girl sitting alone and went directly to her; “Hi, this is going to sound weird but can you just pretend that you’re with me and we leave.”
The girl looked up and raised her eyebrow, “excuse me?”
“See that girl behind me? In the hideous sweater? She’s chasing me and I need to get out of here and it’d help if I had a girl with me so she’d leave me alone.”
The girl looked again, “No.”
Ike guffawed, “no? May I ask why?”
“Because,” she said, “you obviously know her and don’t have the guts to say the truth to her face that you don’t want to know her anymore. I’m not going to help you cop out.”
Ike rolled his eyes, “you don’t understand I woke up in her bed without even knowing what the hell had happened. She had trolls everywhere, she made them wave goodbye to me when I left! Please help me!” Ike pleaded.
“Hmm,” she spoke softly, “and if I help you what’s in it for me?”
Ike looked around curiously, “I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want, what the hell is that?”
“I’ll buy you something?” he offered lamely, “look I’ll make it worth your while. Trust me.”
The girl took another look at Troll-Woman and then at Ike, “hmm…fine. I’ll help you out,” she said throwing her drink back in her mouth, “let’s go.”
“Thank-you! Oh my God thank-you!” he repeated with a giant smile; “I’m Ike by the way.”
“I’m Aurora,” she replied, “I’d shake your hand but your girlfriend is almost here so we better book it.”
Ike nodded, “yes please,” he said following her out.

Kiley and Zac were glued to each other like flypaper; she was riding one of his legs between her thighs and throwing her head back, closing her eyes as she swayed to the beat. Zac had his hand behind her head cupping her neck. He leaned in close and whispered to her, “Do you want to get out of here?”
Kiley opened her eyes and smiled with a nod, “Yes…”
He grabbed her hand and led her outside.
Eventually Kiley and Zac stumbled into a cab; Zac not being as drunk as Kiley, blurted out the first address that came to mind; Lauren’s.

They both clamored into the backseat, leaving Kiley to have to sit on her own which mildly upset until his hands were on her thighs, and stomach and chest etc.
The driver grinned, reflecting his leer in the rearview mirror. Kiley turned her eyes away from that and looked into Zac’s dilated pupils instead. He sure was hot when he was drunk; she placed a hand underneath his t-shirt; scratch that. He sure was hot. Period.

It took fifteen sweaty panting minutes to finally make it to the apartment. “I don’t have a key”, Kiley said. Zac fished his set out of his pocket and picked out Lauren’s (which stood nearly unnoticeable next to the 20 remaining on the chain); “man-whore” she commented. He smiled in reply and fumbled for a few moments; Kiley had the bright idea to make-out with him while he tried to insert the key in the hole.

The neighbor that once sneered at Lauren and Taylor appeared in the hallway to grimace at them as well.
“Who are you?!” yelled the woman who was holding a barking mutt with hideous day-glow rollers in her hair.
“Captain Ahab,” Kiley replied with a grin; “and you’re Moby Dick,” she said pointing.
Zac grabbed a hold of her to keep her from falling forward as she swayed; “She’s a little drunk.”
“I should say so, and rude,” the neighbor added snidely.
“And hot!” Kiley said, “don’t forget hot,” she stared at Zac for a few moments as if coming to a realization, “you’re hot too” and lunged at him just as he got the door open; they both fell inside.
The neighbor’s shocked face was priceless; she angrily shut the door muttering “filthy children” under her breath.
Zac laughed loudly and Kiley smiled, giving a giggle, “I like it when you laugh” she sweetly commented as she looked over at him.