PHOENIX
To woo a girl, a male hooded seal will blow up a large, bright balloon out of his nose.
I don’t think Sean intended to make me feel no better than hired help, but that’s the result anyway when he asks me to dance. I say yes reluctantly. I suppose it’s a better alternative to sitting around watching beautiful women crawl over Jackal like ants on a honeypot.
Sean has arranged a costume for me, and as I slip into a spare bedroom to change, I see his reflection in the mirror watching Jackal, a pensive look on his face.
When I finish the dance and walk back to the patio, Sean hands me a glass of champagne.
“That was exquisite,” he says. He motions for me to move closer to him while he whispers in my ear. “I’m just going to come right out with it...”
He leans back to smile at me and I stare at him nervously.
“Okay…”
He motions for me to bring my ear back to his lips, so I do.
“I heard what happened at the party…”
I try not to notice the way the busty brunette is touching Jackal while she speaks.
“What party?” I ask distractedly.
“The one where you undressed and asked Jackal to fuck you.”
My head rears back and I look at him in horror. Of course...of course, word of that got around.
“I was drunk,” I say.
I study his eyes carefully and note the way his skin slightly flushes.
“But you want him.”
My eyes narrow and I back up, weighing my next words carefully.
“Did you invite us both here so you could...watch us?”
I don’t want to do anything to shake what I’ve built with Sean. He’s been a friend over the years, but the prospect that he did something so...deceitful makes me furious.
“I did,” he admits. “I wanted to see if there was anything going on between the two of you.”
“Sean…” I sigh. “He’s an End Man. What could possibly be going on between us?”
“Phoenix, it’s no secret that I have feelings for you. I’d like to be able to make plans for us, but I need to know where your head is.”
“My head? Sean, you could have asked. That’s the normal way to find out what’s in someone’s head.”
Jackal is watching us from across the way. I sweep my hair in front of my face and turn my head away from him. I’m hoping Sean doesn’t notice the way my skin flushes when the topic of Jackal comes up.
“Sean, listen…” I try to arrange my words before I spit them out. “I value our friendship,” I say. “You know that, right?”
“Are you breaking up with me before we’ve even started going out?”
I take his hand. I want to shake him.
“I don’t want to ruin what we have. And I am a very, very bad girlfriend. Ask Lex.”
I decide to do what I do best, which is evade.
“I was drunk that night. Very drunk,” I tell him coyly. “And I quickly came to my senses.”
He looks surprised and slightly disappointed. “So...you don’t want him?”
I shake my head and step away from him, looking at his expression over my shoulder. “Let’s not let that dinner go to waste.”
He smiles and tilts his head to the side. “First time I’ve ever heard you make food a priority.”
I hold up my glass. “Touché.”
He laughs harder and then motions for everyone to follow him to the table. A tall candelabra sits in the middle of a round table, so tall that when we sit, we can still see each other underneath the flickering candlelight. Greenery surrounds the base and each place setting has a little rose attached to the place cards. My name is between Sean and Jackal. I swallow the unease, hoping Jackal will behave himself and not cause Sean to be any more suspicious than he already is. I need him to trust me if I want to get to the Red Region. My guilt for using Sean has subsided in light of this entire night. It seems I’m not the only conniving one at the table.
I lean forward to see who is seated next to Jackal, my nerves grating when it’s the most attractive of Sean’s dinner guests, a statuesque woman with blond hair to her waist and boobs out to the Purple Region. Sean is very attentive, attempting conversation with me, while all I can do is eavesdrop on Jackal and blondie.
Jackal suddenly yelps and when I look over, the girl’s hand is cupping his balls. He looks at me, wide-eyed, and I pick up my glass and guzzle.
Halfway through dinner, Jackal’s Silverbook alerts him to an urgent message. I see his face drop as he reads it before he stands to his feet. The woman jumps up too, possibly thinking he’s going to fuck her right here, but he holds up a hand and it stops her from coming any closer.
“I’m so sorry—” He holds up his Silverbook. “I’ve just received word that there’s an emergency. I’m needed back at the compound.”
Sean sets his napkin on the table and stands up. “Is there anything I can help you with?” he asks.
Jackal is already shaking his head.
“Thank you for dinner. Ladies…” He looks around to those of us seated at the table, offering a little bow.
Sean offers Jackal his hand. “No apologies necessary. Good luck with whatever it is.” He sounds sincere, probably because he no longer thinks Jackal is a threat.
I thought it was an act, but Jackal’s anxiousness is convincing.
“Jackal, are you okay?” As soon as the words are out, I put my hand over my mouth.
Jackal shakes his head, his eyes worried. “I have to go.”
Sean’s eyes narrow and my heart starts thumping. He can see right through both of us. He looks at me and his mouth tightens.
“If your driver is not out there yet, please take mine.”
Jackal backs away gratefully when Sean finally sits back down, thanks him, wishes everyone a good night, and bolts. He barely looked my way. I let out a long breath and tuck into my food, plotting my escape. I’m not sure what to think about Jackal leaving. I hope it was all a ruse to escape grabby hands, but I’m concerned. It’s uneventful without him—the party falls flat. As I tell Sean good night, I kiss him on each cheek.
“If it’s not too late to change my mind, I’d like to go to the summit with you,” I tell him.
His eyes warm. “I’d love nothing more.” He comes in for another kiss, but I pretend to not realize it and open the door, making my quick escape.
When I get back to the house, I half expect Jackal to be there, but he’s quiet. He didn’t come last night either. Maybe this is his way of ending this barely there relationship.