by Aly White
“Thanks,” I reply. “I really love what you’ve done with the place. It feels like I’m floating in space.”
She gives me another hug. “Aww, aren’t you sweet? But it’s really thanks to Lucas here that I even got to make this vision possible. I was just rambling on about my dream exhibit and suddenly…Bam! It is here! I don’t even know how to thank him anymore.”
Lucas grins and pulls me back, holding my hand once again. “It’s no big deal, Em. I’m glad someone else is seeing your work for a change. Just don’t forget my ugly mug when you become a big shot, all right?”
Em laughs airily. She grins at us once more, looking genuinely elated. “Thank you all very much. If you’ll excuse me, I need to greet a few more big wigs that just got here. Please enjoy your stay, and I hope we can all talk again later!”
She gives each of us a quick, tight hug before trotting off to meet a middle-aged man and his wife who just descended the stairs.
I turn around to the two men towering behind me. Lucas winks and holds up three glasses of champagne. He hands us one of each and says, “To us.”
“To us,” Julian and I say in unison. We clink our glasses together and finish our drinks in one gulp. My mind wanders off to Lucas's word as we all feel the drink warm us from the inside.
“Our girlfriend, Audrey Myers…”
“Our girlfriend, Audrey…”
“Our girlfriend…”
The words echo endlessly in my mind. I’m sure I did not mishear it. But I can’t help but wonder if it means anything. Surely, Julian is just being polite. It’s not like this is something that we have agreed on. Or talked about. Or anything at all.
I need another goddamn drink.
We start to take a walk in the stars, looking at Amelia’s pieces as we go along. Her art is a mix of black and white candid photography and sculptures of things you normally wouldn’t want to see—a baby with an erection while being breastfed, for instance. It is very bizarre but at the same time comforting.
After a while, both Julian and Lucas both gets cornered by friend or acquaintances. They both introduce me—still using the ‘our girlfriend’ tagline—and we exchange pleasantries. In just minutes a crowd has formed around each of them.
It is getting too stuffy and crowded for my taste. I grab a drink or three from a passing server and make my way to one of the balconies, where a view of the city sprawled below us.
“Our girlfriend, huh?” I mutter. I down my first glass and try and sort through my thoughts.
On the one hand, I don’t really know what I’m complaining about. This fantasy was a long time coming. I can’t even remember the first time that I’ve realized that I have feelings for both Lucas and Julian.
Tonight? Yesterday? A week ago? In college? In high school? Maybe ever since I have ever seen them.
I put down my first glass and reach for the second one as I hear a voice behind me. “I know where you can get a full bottle if you want one.”
Never have I whipped around so fast, trying to hide the glasses like a guilty child. I hear her airy laugh before I realize that it is Amelia—er, Em, in front of me.
“Jesus Christ, I thought I was going to get sent to the principal’s office!” I laugh. I offer her one of my many glasses and pat the piece of stone that I’m sitting on. She takes the drink gratefully and sits down beside me.
“Aubrey, right?” Em asks. She has an earring of a grey tabby cat on her right ear. Huh. The things you notice when you’re starting to get drunk.
“Yeah. Hey, I like your earring,” I tell her. It is good to talk to someone who isn’t also getting an erection every time things get too tense. “Do you have a cat?”
She nods. “I did! I got this earring in memory of him. His name was Newton. When I was a kid, I took him in as a kitten since he seemed to be alone with no family or owners.
“He was a bitey boy, that little kitty.” She sighs and takes another sip. “He was curious and playful, just like most cats. He didn’t like going outside at all and would shake like crazy when I try and go outside with him! So we stayed indoors, just chilling and playing.
“One night, he snuck out. I was already asleep then so I didn’t know that he went out. I was bawling when I woke up and found him gone. But then, he returned. At first, I was so pleased. He’s gone out a few times but never farther than our backyard, and always in the morning—I, I thought he was just being curious again.”
She pauses and finishes her drink before continuing. “I called him to me, and usually he would come running at me, darting around trying to find where I have food or what he can bite. But this time—this time it was different. He meowed weakly. And he limped towards me. I walked cautiously towards him, as he seemed to be jittery and vulnerable and I didn’t want to spook him.
“He felt so warm. Too warm. I bundled him up, tried to get him to eat something. But he didn’t move. Every time I tried to move him, he screamed in pain. It was horrifying, especially for an eleven year old to handle. My parents were out of town for that weekend, and my babysitter was late. The nearest vet was over three miles away…”
She trails off, holding back some tears. I pat her back gently, her skin eerily cold against mine. Professionally, it is usually best to let owners grieve themselves out before speaking. So I pat her back in silence as she gulps down the rest of her champagne.
“I’m sorry…” Em chokes out. She dabs her eyes with a handkerchief. “But, after that time, Newton became someone that was always a part of me. I channeled my feeling of loss and sadness on my art, and it got me to where I am now. I haven’t been with Newton for a long time, but it inspired me to live stronger. And to live for him.”
I smile at her. “That’s a beautiful thing. I’m sure that Newton would be pleased that you’re carrying on. A lot of people might disagree, but cats do like being around their owners. And I think Newton would like all this very, very much.”
Em chokes out one quick sob, and I offer her another glass. She gulps it down quickly. “Ah, thank you, Aubrey. I’m sorry it got a little personal, but this is what art is for me. And being able to share it…I’m just so happy I finally got the guts to.”
“Say, did Lucas just spring on to you the whole girlfriend thing today?” she asks?
A soft, inaudible gasp escapes me, but I know my bulging eyes prove her theory. “It—it was a surprise for sure.”
Em stands and gives me a warm embrace. “Oh, honey! I’ve known Lucas since university, and I can tell from how he talks about you and how he looks at you that he really means it. I’ve seen him do stupid shit like this before. And I can tell you when he loves someone, he loves them. Lying about his feelings is something he’s not good at.”
I only stare at her, puzzled.
“Oh no, no! I didn’t mean Lucas and me! We were just friends.” Em laughs. She gives me another quick hug. “Thank you so much for talking to me, Aubrey. I’m glad Lucas found someone he can love and that that person is you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your night here.”
She walks away, going back inside. She cocks her head back one last time before disappearing into the crowd. “If you still need that bottle, just ask for Corey from one of the waiters and tell them Em needs the bottle.”
I just nod and smile, feeling more and more confounded than ever.
Aubrey
“There you are,” Julian says. He and Lucas were leaning in front of the car we rode to get here. A bottle of what I assume is wine is sitting on the hood. I trot down the steps slowly, trying to look casual while trying not to slip on my tall heels and slip on my ass.
“Yes, yes I am,” I say. Stupidly. I mean, he started it, I think to myself. What else was I supposed to say?
Finally reaching the landing, I walk towards the two attractive bachelors. My two attractive bachelors, I say to myself. Somehow the novelty of being Lucas and Julian’s girlfriend is starting to wear off, and the reality of it all is starting to hit me.
Of all
people, I think. It’s me, Aubrey Myers.
I am the one that these two godly men have chosen. And the fact that they’re both here chilling, rather than ripping each other’s throats out means that they’re actually really truly okay with this. Thinking about them this way…and the things we’ve done...I can’t help but feel like this may be something real.
My conversation with Em keeps coming back to me. It is a refreshing experience to meet someone as open and honest like her. But the part that I come back to the most is what she told me about Lucas.
The way she spoke about him really felt like they had a thing together; but Em seemed too honest to lie about anything, looking at how she spoke to me. So was it true? Is Lucas really ‘all in’ on this? Is this what…is this what love is?
It’s been an eternity since anything serious crossed my path; and even then, I think I was too young and naïve to really understand what a real relationship is like. It was all rainbows and butterflies. And sex, definitely a lot of sex.
But real relationships, they’re not just made up of the honeymoon phase. I’ve never experienced settling down for real—none of the bumps and struggles and the conversation and growth that happens in a real relationship. With my regular, old Joe, it was just all the good things. When we used to come across any hurdle in our relationship, he’d just shut down like an overpriced sex robot.
With Julian and Lucas, it didn’t feel that way. We’ve had our chance to grow together as people and learn about each other before we go into that next stage. Maybe it is what I lacked all this time. Someone that knew me as me before knowing me as theirs.
“Psssht. Earth to Aubrey, come in Aubrey!” Julian’s space voice brings me back to reality. “Aubrey, can you hear us, over!”
I shake away my reprieve and playfully punch Julian in the arm. “Stop that! You’re Buzz Lightyear impressions are not on point.”
He laughs, rubbing his arm like I hurt him. “Yes, but I was doing Captain Malcolm Reynolds. Some people say I even sound like him.”
“Thank God, you look nothing like him,” I laugh. “He’s pretty gross. I like how you look better.”
“Oh, you do?” he grins. I’m sure he knows that I do. “Then I’m a pretty lucky guy then!”
We laugh. He hands me a glass, and I take a sip. Wine, as predicted.
“We’re about ready to go,” Lucas says. “Is there anything else that you want to do here before we go? You were gone half the night.”
My ears turn red. I had forgotten that I basically ditched them. But that crowd was just too much to deal with.
“I hung out with Em for a while. We talked art and stuff. Thank you very much for taking me here. I really like her and her art,” I tell them.
Lucas steps next to me and takes my hand and gives it a tight squeeze. “And the night’s about to get better.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
Lucas and Julian turn to each other in unison, grinning like middle school boys who just discovered internet porn. Lucas winks at me, and Julian takes my hand and leads me to the back of the sports car.
“Seriously, guys, what’s going on?” I ask again, laughing nervously.
It is one thing to be with two guys that know me. But to have two enormous, muscular guys, that know everything about me, look at me like this…it’s arousing and at the same time terrifying. My heart is screaming to escape from my chest.
“Julian and I,” Lucas whispers close to my ear. “We both have a surprise for you.”
My insides tingle as his breath touches my ear, warming the tiniest parts of me, but sending warm, pleasant sensations all the way down to the middle of my thighs. I moan softly, but loudly enough so both men can hear it.
“We’re taking a little trip,” Julian drawls. He opens the door for me.
My insides start to clench. My heart is still hammering inside my chest. I’m so excited and scared at the same time.
“Come on, guys. This isn’t funny at all. Just tell me what’s happening! Where are we going?” I make my voice sound as steely as I can manage. It seems to have the opposite effect on them as I see their smiles grow wider. Crueler.
“Don’t worry,” Lucas tells me. Is it just me or did his voice drop an octave lower? Either way, my insides responded gleefully, almost staining my dress with desire.
“We’ll take care of you. I promise,” Lucas continues. He brings out a black, satin mask with no eyeholes on them. It took me a split second to realize what it is.
A blindfold.
He looks down at me, his large body blocking my way out. My breathing hitches as my insides start to clench tighter, desiring to grasp two things that it very much wants to be there.
Fuck, this is so hot.
I nod at Lucas. He grins at Julian wickedly, and it is the last thing I saw before he placed the expensive material over my eyes. He ties it gently, breathing into my ear if I felt comfortable. I nod again, afraid of breaking the silence.
Julian leads me into the car and closes the door after he buckles me with a seatbelt, making me sit comfortably in the backseat. I hear Lucas's keys jingling as he starts the car, gently pressing on the gas and making the car purr. Julian finally occupies the passenger seat, and as soon as his seatbelt clicks, the car’s engine revs to life as it speeds away from Em’s show into the unknown.
I sit in the car, paralyzed. My heart hasn’t stopped racing like the sports car that we’re on. Adrenaline is pumping through my veins, making me feel sensitive to the chill of the air conditioning, but longing for the warmth of the two guys.
Now this, I think. This is what real boyfriends are.
Lucas
“Should I remove the blindfold?” Aubrey asks as soon as the car halts to a stop.
To my right, Julian chuckles as he fiddles with his cufflinks. “You should learn to be patient,” he replies. “We should get out first before you remove that.”
Julian opens the door on his side, and I couldn’t help but observe the spring in his steps as he gets out. He opens Aubrey’s door, unbuckling her, “You can come out now, Aubrey,” he says as grinning from ear to ear as he helps Aubrey get out of the car, covering the top of her head.
I follow after, opening the door on my side and tossing the keys to the attendant.
“Can I take this off now?” I hear Aubrey ask again as I walk towards them.
She squeaks as Julian come up behind her, placing his hands on her waist, gently to make her stand still. “I’ll take it off,” Julian whisper to her ear, his smile widening as Aubrey’s body shivers to his touch. He reaches behind her head, taking off the blindfold as slowly as he can.
Wow. Julian can be such a tease when he wants to.
Aubrey blinks, eyes adjusting to the blinding light of my private hangar. Cute. Her eyes widen as it dawns on her where we are. “Wow,” Aubrey whistles. “Who owns this? Where are we going?” The excitement in her voice makes me grin like a madman.
“Firstly,” I start, offering my arm to Aubrey, which she takes, hooking her arm onto mine, smiling. “Welcome to my private hangar and—well, one of my many—private plane.” I throw my other arm wide, presenting one of the fruits of my labor. “Secondly,” I continue, assisting Aubrey to take the stairs of the plane. “We are going to Turks and Caicos.”
Aubrey hums, smiling. “I’ve never been there.”
Julian lets out an audible sigh of relief, and then laughs. “Thank God. We were not sure if you’ve been there,”
“Mr. Fracois,” the pilot greets as soon as we step inside the plane. “Good evening.”
“George,” I start, nodding at him. “This is Aubrey,” I continue, nodding at Aubrey’s direction. “And you already know Julian,”
Julian nods at George.
“It is nice meeting you, Madam Aubrey,” George says, flashing Aubrey his infamous charming smile. “Drinks are already served in your seats. We will be taking off in five.” With that, George leaves the three of us.
We walk
further inside the plane, and Aubrey lets out an audible gasp as she finally takes in the interior of the place.
“The whole place looks very classy,” she comments as she traces the mahogany bar table. “And cream leather for the seats? Wow. You know what you want,” she adds, her gaze shifting from the interior to me. She smiles.
“Of course,” I say as I walk towards her. “I know the things that I want, and I always make sure that I will get them.”
Julian chuckles at our exchange, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
Aubrey pops the red wine open and starts pouring us drinks. “Okay,” she starts, taking a glass of red wine and raises it. “Cheers to a wonderful trip.”
Julian and I take our own glasses and raise it. “Cheers.”
I take a sip of wine on my glass as I glance at Aubrey who downs her whole drink, and starts pouring her another one.
“We should probably take our seats before this thing goes up in the air,” Julian says after finishing his own glass of wine.
Aubrey nods and cocks her head towards the direction of the seats. I give her a kiss on the cheek before leading the way. I glance at Julian, who is pouring himself another drink.
The intercom buzzes and George’s voice can be heard through the speakers. “For the Lady and the Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We will be up in the air in one minute. Please, sit back and enjoy your trip.”
I watch as Aubrey looks out of the window. She has this soft smile on her face, and I couldn’t help but smile at the same time too.
“What are you smiling at?” she asks, turning her head to me.
I feel my grin widening. “I’m smiling because I can’t believe that we’re able to spend some quality time with you.”
“W-well,” Aubrey stammers as if she didn’t expect these words to come out of my mouth. “I’m glad for this trip too. My brother thinks that I have to take a break from work, and I think I do too,” she looks up and smiles at me. “Thanks.”
Our conversation is brought to a halt when Julian finally sits down beside me, bringing with him the bottle of vino and three wine glasses. Everyone is looking out of the window as the plane moves slowly, and just like that, we’re already up in the air.