Around noon the next day, I wake sandwiched between the Kings. I shimmy off the bed with as little disturbance to the couple as possible and go to the guest bedroom. There I piss, wash my face, and tame my tangled hair the best I can with my fingers. Done, I debate about what to wear. My negligee is lost in the depths of Crystal’s walk-in closet, and I don’t want to put on my costume from last night.

Then I remember how Jenna always insisted the guest bedroom be kept like an upscale hotel room, a complimentary bathrobe included. If the Kings haven’t changed anything since I last cleaned the room, it should still hang in the closet. A quick look reveals my good fortune, and five minutes later I putter around the kitchen as I ready coffee and omelets.

While I chop leftover vegetables from the party, I recall the juicer parts of the previous night. Even being pleasantly sore from the thorough fucking, it still seems like a dream. Can the Kings really desire me as I do them? How can I be this blessed?

A question strikes me as I add cheese to Adam’s omelet. What happens after this point? In my fantasies, I never get past sleeping with the Kings. Now that I’ve obtained my goal, I feel as lost as I did when I first discovered I lusted after the Kings. Will they only want sex, or will they propose a more profound relationship? Do I crave anything more from the Kings?

I consider this all through toasting and buttering a stack of toast. Honest with myself, the thought of entering any relationship, let alone with two people, scares me. I have little experience, and I don’t want to hurt the Kings. Plus, I don’t plan on staying in Derbinwood forever. One day I’ll return to Hillsborough, either because I’ve made up with my father or to rub it in his face that he was wrong about my decisions.

If I date the Kings, what will they do once I decide to leave?

Yet, do I want to pass up on the opportunity to be with the Kings?

Though I’ve only dreamt of sex, I wouldn’t have if I didn’t enjoy their company. First and foremost, I consider Crystal and Adam friends. They’ve been there for me when no one else has, and they’ve helped me more than I ever thought possible. Why wouldn’t I want to be with people like them?

I stack the food, coffee, and tea (for me) on a tray, and my thoughts continue to whirl. Of course, I could be worrying for naught. Maybe the Kings don’t want more from me than what they’ve already gotten. Can I handle that scenario?

A bit dejected, I carry the tray up to the Kings’ bedroom. I walk in on the Kings talking in low voices, both still naked on their bed. They stop and wave at me as I approach.

“Hey,” Crystal says. “Is that breakfast?”

“More like lunch.”

Adam leaps up and took the tray from me. “Go sit. I got this.”

I sit beside Crystal. Adam places the tray in front of us and sits on the other side of Crystal. Crystal takes a mug of coffee and dunks a slice of toast into it.

I make a face.

Crystal smirks and takes a huge bite. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”

Adam shakes his head. “I’m not a fan of the idea, either.”

Crystal finishes her toast. “You’re both uncultured swine.”

“Or the only sane ones here,” I say and cut into my omelet.

Adam shrugs. “Why not both?”

Adam and I laugh, and Crystal mutters under her breath.

Once we quiet, we settle into our food. We make the odd comment about the Halloween party, but for the most part, we don’t speak much. I almost voice the thoughts I had in the kitchen, but I don’t want to pressure the Kings to decide. They’ll address my concerns in time, I just need patience.

A half-hour later, the plates are all clean, and we sit back to enjoy our drinks. I notice the Kings glance at each other, and then Crystal nods. They both look at me.

“So, we want you to know last night wasn’t just a fluke or anything,” Crystal says.

“We don’t do casual sex,” Adam adds.

“Which means?” I ask; my heart in my throat. I can’t tell from their expressions what they’ll say next.

“Will you be our girlfriend?”

The question, though I hoped for it, stuns me. No, I can’t have heard them right. Like with everything over the past twenty-four hours, it must be a dream. My luck doesn’t run this long.

“Uh oh,” Adam says and grips Crystal’s hand. “This much silence can’t be good.”

“No. No! Sorry.” Under my breath, I curse my stupidity. “I’m just—Are you sure?”

Crystal frowns. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

“It’s—Me.”

Adam rolls his eyes. “You believe you’re not good enough for us?”

“No, but—Well, you could say I—People will think you left Jenna for me.” The comment surprises me as it leaves my mouth. I don’t realize that’s weighed on me until I speak it.

Adam’s gaze narrows and Crystal’s hand squeezes her husband’s. They don’t respond for a grueling minute.

“And?” Crystal finally asks.

Adam nods. “Let the assholes think whatever they want.” He cups my cheek with his free hand. “People are always going to talk, especially about us. Do you remember how that guy at Darla’s acted the day we first met? Yeah, that happens quite a bit in this town. Will that bother you?”

Honesty bursts from me on its own accord. “Yes.”

Crystal bites her lip. “So...?”

I smile and lean into Adam’s touch. “I won’t let that stop me from happiness.”

Crystal squeals. She leaps for me, wraps me in her arms, and kisses me. The moment our lips part, Adam gathers me into a firm embrace and deep kiss.

“But this means things must change,” I say once I’m released.

“What do you mean?” Adam asks.

“I think it’s, uh, inappropriate for me to continue as your housekeeper.”

Crystal runs her hand up the inside of my thigh. “It’s pretty hot, though.”

“She does have a point,” Adam says. He frowns at me. “What will you do? I hate making you jobless.”

Currently, I don’t care; can’t focus on anything but the thrill of Crystal’s hand on me. “Something will come along.”

Adam looks ready to argue, so I disrobe and tackle him; my lips against his. Adam sighs and clutches me close. Within seconds, Crystal joins us.

***

Hours later, and more relaxed than I thought I’d be (an afternoon of sex does that), I return to Aunt Veronica’s. I glance down at the shirt and shorts Crystal lent me and realize how glad I am that I don’t have to march into the house in my embarrassing night clothes. At least I’ll retain some of my dignity.

Outside my car, I swallow a deep breath, square my shoulders, and approach the front door. As I walk, I mumble my apology. I don’t have much of one, but I hope my sincerity comes through.

Once inside, I call out. A low grunt replies from the kitchen. My feet drag me there.

Nicole stands at the stove, and her shaking hands wrestle with the pull-top of a soup can. I take it from her, pop off the top, and pour the can’s contents into the waiting pan. Nicole turns on the burner and grins.

“Thanks.”

I shrug. “I figure I had to return the favor.” Nicole’s expression becomes puzzled. “Remember I used to never be able to get it?”

Nicole’s eyes widen, and she nods. “You always got so mad.”

“It made me feel pretty senseless.”

Nicole chuckles. “Yeah.”

“So...” I pass my sister a wooden spoon I retrieved from the large jar beside the stove. “Um, is Aunt Veronica around?”

Nicole stirs the soup. “No, she went to the casino for dinner with a friend.”

“Oh.” I sigh. “Well, I’m going to do this twice then.”

Nicole raises an eyebrow.

“I’m...sorry I’ve treated you so...terribly the past few days.”

“No, I understand. My arrival threw a lot at you, and you’re already dealing with so much.”

“How—?”

“Aunt Veronica told me.”

Why that surprises me, even a little, I don’t know. “Yes, well, that’s no excuse. I should even be more sympathetic.”

Nicole knocks her too-bony hip into mine. “I forgive you.”

I wrap my sister in a hug, mindful of her withered form. “Thank you.”

Nicole returns the gesture and nods at the soup. “Hungry?”

“Starved!”